Dear friends,
The funeral Mass of our late sister Erma Fernandes will be celebrated in church tomorrow (Friday, 14 August) at 12 noon: all are welcome. The service will also be broadcast and recorded online. Donations in memory of Erma (and in support of Save the Children) can also be made online here – this tribute page also features some lovely photographs of Erma, and a digital condolences book: physical messages can likewise be recorded in the memory book in church.
This weekend, we will celebrate the beautiful Solemnity of The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary – with Masses at 6pm on Saturday, and 10.30am on Sunday. As Pope Benedict XVI taught,
‘By looking at Mary’s Assumption into Heaven, we understand better that, even though our daily life may be marked by trials and difficulties, it flows like a river to the divine ocean, to the fulness of joy and peace. We understand that death is not the end, but rather the entrance into life that knows no death. Our setting on the horizon of this world is our rising at the dawn of the new world, the dawn of the eternal day.’
Our young pilgrims to Walsingham were very grateful for your prayers last week, as well as for your financial sponsorship: we had a fantastic time – and a video from the final day of the Youth Pilgrimage can be viewed on Facebook, here. Our young people grew in faith and love; renewed old friendships and made new ones; enjoyed an amazing holiday in the north Norfolk countryside, and returned home eager to walk in continued friendship with the Lord, and as fellow pilgrims with Our Lady.
The coach to Walsingham for the Pilgrimage for Healing and Renewal (on Bank Holiday Monday, 31 August) is again fully booked: those taking part should arrive at church on the day no later than 7.15am, and bring a packed lunch (or money to purchase something to eat and drink, either at the services, or in the village.) Although seating is provided for the Mass, it may be helpful also to bring a camping stool, or a picnic blanket. Please pray in the meanwhile for fair weather!
Please find attached a flier for next month’s Macmillan Coffee Morning, on Saturday, 12 September (in the Hall), 11am-4pm – and please spread the word! (Hard copies of the flier are available in church.) Please see Denise, if you can contribute a cake or other baked goods: help will also be required to set up the Hall, on Friday 11 at 6pm.
And advance notice that we will celebrate our own Patronal Festival (in honour of Our Lady of Walsingham) on Sunday, 26 September – when our guest preacher and principal celebrant will be the Rt Rev’d Tony Robinson, Emeritus Bishop of Wakefield. This Mass will include Sprinkling with Walsingham well water, and will be followed by a bring-and-share parish lunch in the Hall. We will also celebrate with our dear Fr Mike Still – who marks his sixth anniversary of ordination to the priesthood the day before, and who was recently elected and admitted to the Order of Our Lady of Walsingham. (There will be a very brief planning meeting to discuss this parish lunch, after Mass on Sunday, 6 September.)
Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep,
Fr Richard