Ann Rogerson (Chair, FEPOW Committee), Peter Wiseman (Archivist FEPOW), Teresa Wiseman, Pauline Simpson (FEPOW Chaplain) and Fr Denis attended a Reception for the Opening of the Exhibition, Surviving the Railway: Memories of Far East Prisoners of War, by H.R.H The Duke of Gloucester, at King's Lynn Town Hall, in March.
Pope Francis
With the whole church we mourn the loss of our Holy Father, Pope Francis, who made the journey back to the Father's house on Easter Monday. In this Easter Octave we pray that he may have a share in the life of the risen Christ whom he served so dutifully and devotedly throughout his life. We pray that the man who reminded us constantly that the name of God is Mercy may receive a kindly welcome into the halls of heaven.
We thank God and our Lady for the life and legacy of Pope Francis, and we pray for the happy repose of his soul.
May his gentle soul rest in peace.
Fr Denis
Parish Retreat Day Saturday 24th May from 11am-5pm
The Parish Pastoral Council and the Sisters of the Community of Our Lady of Walsingham warmly invite you to join them for a parish retreat day on Saturday 24th May from 11am-5pm, concluding with a Holy Hour before the Blessed Sacrament at 4pm. This day will explore the theme for this Jubilee Year: Pilgrims of Hope, and how we can live in the joy and peace Christ wishes to give us even in the midst of a troubled world. There will be time for talks, sharing and fellowship throughout the day and parallel activities will also be provided by the sisters for children and young people. We look forward to seeing you! To find out more about the sisters and their work, go to: www.walsinghamcommunity.org
Parish Finance Figures 2024
Following the recent Finance Committee meeting, the financial dashboard for the last year 2024 is available for all parishioner to view by clicking here
FUTURE PASTORAL PROVISIONAND MISSION STRATEGY
Bishop Peter introduced the Parish Consultation at a Council of Laity Meeting. He explained the purpose was to give parishioners the opportunity to share the information which gives an insight into the reality of the state of provision and future structure of the Diocese of East Anglia. Parishes were issued with packs of data and invited to study and discuss the content. Finally, working in small groups, there were three questions to answer and record. The information was collated and a report was written and submitted to the Bishop’s Office from our Parish. Please click here to view.
New Sanctuary Lamp.
There is a new Sanctuary Lamp in the church. This lamp is in memory of the late Jean O’Raw who died in July of this year. We are most grateful to Jean’s husband, Robert and the O’Raw family for their generous donation to the church. Jean was much loved and is sadly missed. May she rest in peace.
Advent and the Posada. 2024
The Posada, a tradition in the Diocese of East Anglia presents Mary and Joseph making their way to Bethlehem. The statue is sent to a different part of the parish on the first three Sundays of Advent. On the First Sunday of Advent, Tamsyn Filby received the Posada and took it to her home where she had carols as is her custom to have, each year. The Posada then made its way to Hethersett on the second Sunday and Anne Jackson hosted Mass in her home on Wednesday. It was in Attleborough on third Sunday, and Anne Lister had Mass in her homeon the Wednesday. Thanks especially to Tamsyn, Anne Jackson, and Anne Lister for hosting carols and Mass.
Harvest Supper
The Catholic Women's League organised a Harvest Supper and donated £200 to the Wymondham Dementia Group. A cheque was presented to Debrah (the organiser) and Ann (a past Trustee) by Teresa Wiseman and Kathy Sale.
Photo - Right to Left - Kathy, Debrah, Teresa and Ann.
A further £200 was sent to the charity Pact (Prisoners Advice and Care Trust).
A sincere thank you to the parishioners who made the event a success.
Norfolk Churches Trust - Annual Bike Ride and Walk
Saturday 14th September. 9am – 5pm
Norfolk features the largest cluster of medieval churches in the world and the Norfolk Churches Trust is a charity which seeks to preserve this rich heritage. It gives grants for essential maintenance and supports thirteen redundant churches which are sometimes open to visitors, like the church in Lynford. Since the start of the sponsored ride over £4 million has been raised.
These buildings provide a Christian presence in the county and they witness to centuries of Christian faith. Modern churches, like ours in Wymondham, witness to the continuing strength of faith right through to the present day. Please try to take part with you family, friends or by yourself. You can register online using the website below where you will find all the information you need for the day including the list of churches which will be open on the day. This information will also be available at our church.
· You can raise sponsorship and ask that your sponsors donate via The Norfolk Churches JustGiving page
· You can use the sponsorship form, available at church or download from the website, collect the money after the event and use the payslip on the form to pay it in
· You can just give a donation directly via the website
· Whichever way you choose to deal with your sponsorship please make sure you give the name of our church so we will be able to have a share of your sponsorship money too.
· When you visit a church you will need to sign in using the form will be at the back of the church or there maybe someone available to do that for you
Please try to take part and enjoy visiting some of our beautiful churches.
Website www.norfolkchurchestrust.org.uk
Consultation Phases of Pastoral Provision
This report hopes to sketch out the unsustainable reality that is being faced in the life of the Diocese of East Anglia, to help the synodal process of consultation that is underway. The figures given here should form the basis of your discussions and responses to questions posed by the Bishop. Click here to read this report.
‘Alive in Faith’ Newsletter May 2024
It has been some time since the last newsletter, so, the AiF Supervisory Committee has produced this update which summarises where we are with this most successful and essential fund-raising campaign. I hope that you will find this informative and encouraging, as The AiF Stewardship Committee do. Each part of this letter is written by members of the committee who have had a special interest in that area. To rad the full newsletter click here.
FEPOW Sunday 12th May
Many people may not realise that the Wymondham RC parish church is a National War Memorial dedicated to the memory of those who died in the Far East as Prisoners of War and Civilian Internes in World War 2. The FEPOW Memorial Service was held on Sunday 12th May at 12:30. Our church is a “Living Memorial” which actively keeps their memory and sacrifice alive whenever a service or event takes place. The Memorial Service was Ecumenical, and everybody was invited and didn’t have to have any connection to a FEPOW or Internee to attend, just someone who wanted to help keep their memory alive and their sacrifice fresh in our hearts.
For more details of the FEPOW service please click on the FEPOW link above or here
Time, Treasure, Talents programme
Each of us is blessed with a unique portion of time, treasure and talents that God wants us to use and share with others for his glory. Our parish would not function without the generosity of parishioners giving their time and talents and sharing their financial resources when they can. Many of our parishioners already give of their time and talents. Their many actions give vibrancy to the parish and help maintain the fabric of our estate. Time Treasure and Talents is a Diocesan programme being implemented in parishes throughout the diocese.
Week 1 leaflet, Faithful Stewards of God’s Gifts available here
Week 2 leaflet, Treasure, here
and Week 3 leaflet, My Parish Commitment here
Week’s 2 & 3 contain the presentations given at Mass.
My Parish Commitment
Treasure
How I can contribute financially to the parish
The Time, Talents and Treasure programme concentrated on Standing Order and Gift Aid. Full details of all the options are available on the "Supporting the Parish financially" section of our website, please click here. Any question please email nicwilliams@btopenworld.com
Time and Talents
How can I share my Time and Talents in supporting the parish ?
Please complete the "Sharing my time and talents form" available at the back of church or by clicking here. Returning it to the Presbytery or Terresa Wiseman on or before Sunday 25th February.
Alternatively you can complete a form on line by clicking here and email it to fr.denisgallagher@wymondhamrcchurch.org.uk
You will hear back from us (Fr Denis or a member of the Parish Pastoral Council) within a few weeks with more information.
Advent Masses and the Posada
The Posada is a statue depicting St Joseph, and Mary on the donkey as they make their way to Bethlehem. The Posada will be sent to a different locality in the parish after the 10am Mass on the First, Second and Third Sundays of Advent.
On the First Sunday of Advent, it went to Hethersett, and Mass was celebrated in Anne Jackson’s home.
On the Second Sunday of Advent, it will go to Mulbarton, and Mass will be celebrated in the home of Chris and Moira White, at 7pm, on Wednesday 13th December.
On the Third Sunday of Advent, the Posada was in Attleborough, and Mass was celebrated in the home of Anne Lister.
The Posada returned back to Wymondham for the Masses of the Fourth Sunday of Advent.
A special message to all the young people
Dear Children,
We are excited to invite you to the Children’s and Family Mass on Sunday, 24th December at 5pm. This year, we would love to see you come dressed up as your favourite Nativity character. Whether you want to be Mary or Joseph, an angel, a shepherd, or even a donkey, we can’t wait to see your creative costumes!
We want to start Christmas with Jesus being in our hearts and minds and at the centre of all things. Please pass this onto your friends too.
We look forward to seeing you and your friends and families here at the church on Sunday.
All the best, from Fr Denis and Ethel the cat.
Advent Carol Service.
The Advent Carol Service took place on Sunday 17th December. All parishioners were invited . The event gave us a chance to reflect and prepare to celebrate the Birth of Christ. We are grateful to Roger, Ann Reid and the singers who have come to rehearsals for many weeks, very often on very cold wintry evenings and to the singers who have stayed behind after the 10am Mass each Sunday. There was a retiring collection for Pabulum Café (Wymondham Dementia Support Group), Wymondham and refreshments were served in the hall afterwards.
Day of Recollection
led by Sr Helen Costigane
Sr Helen Costigane lead a Day of Recollection in our parish on the Saturday 2nd December.
Sr Helen is a member of the Congregation of the Holy Child Jesus. and has lectured in Theology at Heythrop College, London, St Mary’s University, Twickenham and is currently teaching at Allen Hall Seminary.
Our Harvest Festival
East Anglia Caritas Festival
East Anglia Caritas Festival in Saint Lawrence's Catholic Church Cambridge on Saturday 4th November. Bishop Peter Collins and Teresa Wiseman (East Anglia Branch President) in front of the Catholic Women's League's stall. The Bishop was very interested and asked a number of questions. He was particularly impressed by the wide remit of the League and the number of charities receiving support. Teresa is the CWL representative on the Caritas commission in East Anglia.
The Wymondham Community Outreach Project
The Wymondham Community Outreach Project has moved to a new location at Wymondham Abbey. The Foodbank has been at our church since the beginning of the pandemic. From the beginning, Arnie McConnell, the project’s coordinator and all the volunteers have provided and continue to provide a valuable and much needed service to the vulnerable in our community. I personally have seen the extraordinary commitment and dedication Arnie has to this most worthwhile project. I have witnessed at first hand, his compassion understanding, empathy, efficiency and always, his willingness to go that extra mile. He helps, encourages motivates empowers and ensures all are welcome. I and the parish are grateful to him and his team of volunteers for the way they live the Gospel and for the work they do and the way they do it. On behalf of the parish, I thank Arnie and the volunteers in the Foodbank for their generosity of spirit, kindness and care for others. May God bless you and all those you serve, and we wish you all the very best in your new location. Fr. Denis.