You can view a very beautiful and inspiring video about our much loved and esteemed parishioner, Click on the following link https://youtu.be/HkQ8NrCUnu8?si=uzi-yJNDqOa4O9hj . Anne is interviewed by her neighbour Kathy Kate B. Short. She talks about her sewing and how she is motivated by her faith.
President’s Certificate of Recognition-Selfless Service in the Community.
We are delighted to congratulate Anna Bayles who was received the President’s Award from the Rotary Club of Norwich St. Edmund recently. The citation, reads as follows,
Anna Bayles creates and makes children’s clothes from recycled bed linen, old clothes and donated fabric. She can make a pair of boy’s shorts in twenty minutes and a girl’s dress in thirty. Each item of clothing is exquisitely sewn and made with love. The right button, decoration or motif is added before the garment is ironed and hung ready for collection. The tailoring is perfect. During the three-month lockdown period in 2021 Anna made 700 items of clothing which were transported to Africa (including Uganda) and the Far East for needy children. That number isn’t unusual for Anna, as she is always sewing.
Anna, from Wymondham, has been sewing since she a child, taught by the nuns in the rural Picardy region of France, where she was born. Her late husband, Jack Bayles, moved to Wymondham in 1946 and together they adopted four children.
All this is quite amazing, however at the age of 98, Anna highlights Rotary’s motto of “Service Above Self.”
The Rotary Club of Norwich St. Edmund.
Wymondham Community Outreach Project
Well Done to Inekke Waloejo-Loke and Paul Swnborough who represented the Wymondham Community Outreach Project at this year's Royal Norfolk Show.
Inekke, who is one of our parishioners, and Paul are volunteers at our Foodbank.
Sacrament of Confirmation
On Tuesday 27th June 2023, Bishop Peter Collins received a warm welcome on his first visit to the parish since becoming Bishop of East Anglia. He confirmed eleven of our young people. We congratulate Aiden, Eva, Juan, Elizabeth, Sophia, Raphael, James, Florence, Rian, Noah and Thomas and pray the blessings of the Holy Spirit on them, their families and friends.
Special thanks to the catechists, Andreas Emerson Moering and Anne Jackson who journeyed with them over the past several months as they prepared to receive the Sacrament.
Thanks also to Roger, our Director of Music, Wendy, the Soloist, the musicians and singers who ensured the Liturgy was so beautiful and special. Thanks to the servers who did a great job under the stewardship of Paul Gilbert from Thetford to whom we are also grateful. Also, thanks to Kathy and Teresa for all their work behind the scenes.
After the ceremony, Bishop Peter went to the FEPOW Chapel where he said a prayer for the repose of the souls of the Far East Prisoners of War.
An enjoyable evening was had in the hall by everyone afterwards and we thank especially those who provided the refreshments.
Solemn Pontifical Mass of Thanksgiving
On Tuesday last 24th Janurary, Bishop Alan celebrated a Mass of Thanksgiving in the cathedral. It was the twentieth anniversary of his episcopal ordination. We too thank God for his ministry among us and for his kindness and example. We wish him health and happiness in the future. In his homily, he said, “I ask that with me you treasure the past with thanksgiving, embrace the future with hope and journey on in the present moment with confidence in our Lord Jesus Christ.”
May God bless Bishop Alan and Bishop Peter as he begins his ministry with us as our new bishop.
A Prayer for the repose of the soul of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI.
© M.Mazur/www.thepapalvisit.org.uk
Father, eternal shepherd, hear the prayer of your people, for your servant Benedict, who governed the Church with love.
In your mercy, bring him with the flock once entrusted to his care, to the reward you have promised to your faithful servants.
May he who faithfully administered the mysteries of your forgiveness and love on earth, rejoice with you forever in heaven.
In your wise and loving care, you made your servant, teacher of all your Church on earth. May your Son welcome him into eternal joy.
May your servant whom you appointed high priest of your flock be counted now among the priests in the life of your kingdom.
Give your servant the reward of eternal happiness and let your mercy win for us the gift of your life and love.
May he rejoice in those gifts forever with your saints.
Amen.
Bishop Peter Collins
We give thanks to God for our new Bishop who was ordained as the Fifth Bishop of East Anglia, in a very beautiful ceremony in the cathedral. We are very pleased that members of our parish, Teresa Wiseman, Giovanni Pellizzaro, and Mateo-Davila Smith took part in the ceremony. We ask God to bless Bishop Peter as he begins his ministry in our diocese, and we also thank him for the generous service of Bishop Alan over the past 10 years. We wish Bishop Alan health and happiness in his retirement.
Further details can be found at https://www.rcdea.org.uk/peter-collins-ordained-as-the-fifth-bishop-of-east-anglia/
Pope Benedict XVI Requiescat in pace
© M.Mazur/www.thepapalvisit.org.uk
Pope Benedict XVI, who served as Supreme Pontiff from April 2005 to February 2013, died on Saturday, December 31st aged 95, the Vatican has confirmed.
A short statement from Matteo Bruni, Director of the Holy See’s Press Office, said: “With sorrow I inform you that the Pope Emeritus, Benedict XVI, passed away today at 9:34am in the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery in the Vatican.”
Click here to see a Obituary of Pope Benedict
Pope Benedict's body will lie in St Peter's Basilica from Monday 2nd January, where the faithful can pay their respects.
Pope Pope Francis will preside at Pope Benedict's funeral on Thursday 5th January in St Peter's Square. The funeral will take place at 9.30 am (8.30 am GMT).
A prayer for the soul of Pope Benedict XVI
Father, eternal shepherd,
hear the prayers of your people for your servant Benedict,
who governed your Church with love.
In your mercy, bring him with the flock once entrusted to his care
to the reward you have promised your faithful servants.
May he who faithfully administered the mysteries
of your forgiveness and love on earth,
rejoice with you for ever in heaven
In your wise and loving care,
you made your servant teacher of all your Church.
He did the work of Christ on earth.
May your Son welcome him into eternal glory.
May your servant whom you appointed high priest of your flock
be counted now among the priests in the life of your kingdom.
Give your servant the reward of eternal happiness
and let your mercy win for us the gift of your life and love.
We entrust your servant to your mercy with faith and confidence.
In the human family he was an instrument of your peace and love.
We entrust your servant to your mercy with faith and confidence.
In the human family he was an instrument of your peace and love.
May he rejoice in those gifts for ever with your saints.
Through Christ our Lord,
Amen
Prayers for Benedict XVI
© M.Mazur/www.thepapalvisit.org.uk
Prayers for the physical and spiritual wellbeing of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI were been requested from the Diocese of East Anglia family by Bishop Peter Collins on Wednesday 28th December 2022.
His Holiness Pope Francis has today informed the Universal Church that the health of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI has suffered a sudden and grave deterioration.
Bishop Peter has asked the entire diocesan family to pray for the physical and spiritual wellbeing of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI whilst entrusting him to the abiding care of God’s providential grace and mercy.
Let us pray.
Almighty and Eternal God,
You are the everlasting health of
those who believe in You.
Hear our prayers for your sick servant Benedict
for whom we implore the aid of
Your tender mercy.
Through Christ our Lord. Amen
Ethel
We celebrate one year of having Ethel our cat. She is one year with us on Friday 9th December. It has been a wonderful year and we are so pleased to have her.
As you know, she is both Fr. Pat’s and my cat. Fr. Pat very much has visiting rights and Ethel is always delighted to see him.
Needless to say she always gets treats when he comes.
New Bishop
It was announced on Tuesday last that Pope Francis has appointed Canon Peter Collins, a priest of the Archdiocese of Cardiff to be the next Bishop of East Anglia. He succeeds Bishop Alan who has been our bishop for the last nine years. We are most grateful to Bishop Alan for his faithful and generous service, and we wish him health and happiness in his retirement. We pray especially for Bishop Alan and, also, for Bishop-elect Peter during these coming weeks. The Episcopal Ordination of the new bishop will take place at the Cathedral Church of St. John the Baptist, Norwich, on December 14, 2022, at 11:30am.
For more details of this appointment please see the diocesan website at https://www.rcdea.org.uk/new-bishop-is-appointed-for-the-diocese-of-east-anglia/
Parish Music Concert
The Parish Music Concert was held on Sunday October 16th at 3:00pm, followed by a presentation to Fr Pat who has left the parish during the week. More photographs will be uploaded to the website in the new future.
Briefing Paper: Cost of living Crisis
A briefing paper from the Bishop’s Conference Department for Social Justice on the cost-of-living crisis. The briefing looks at the current context and invites a response on the key principles of Catholic Social Teaching. The paper can be viewed by clicking here.
Sunday Mass returns to Attleborough
From Sunday 16th July 2022, the 8:30am Sunday Mass is being held in the Methodist Church, London Road, Attleborough.
Ukraine
The Visit of the Relics of St. Bernadette - October 13-16
“I shall do everything for heaven, my true home. There I shall find my mother in all the splendour of her glory. I shall delight with her in the joy of Jesus Himself.” St. Bernadette.
As you know the Relics of St. Bernadette arrived in this country earlier this month and have begun to visit the Dioceses of England and Wales. They will be welcomed to the Cathedral on October 13th and to the Church of Our Lady and the English Martyrs on October 15th.
We encourage you to make a pilgrimage either to Norwich or Cambridge. Perhaps those driving may give a lift to someone who has no transport. There will be opportunity for Confession during these days and for the sick to be anointed at three special Masses. There will be talks around the message of Bernadette and the significance of Relics today. And of course, an opportunity for prayer and renewal, particularly during the all-night vigils on two of the days. Each day will have a torchlight procession of Our lady.
Please click here for the complete timetable
Synod National Synthesis report is released
A Synod National Synthesis report has been released by the Catholic Bishops of England and Wales, which looks at the main themes which have emerged from the listening conversations held in parishes and diocese across the country. For full details please see the diocesan website at https://www.rcdea.org.uk/synod-national-synthesis-report-is-released/
If you have any comments, please contact Fr. Pat, Fr. Denis or Anne Jackson. anne796@btinternet.com
12 July 2022
Presentation of Medal
At the weekend (18th September) , Fr. Kevin Hughes MHM presented a certificate and medal to Mrs Teresa Wiseman, in recognition of her work as local secretary for the Missio Red Box Appeal. Teresa has been the local secretary for the past ten years. We join with Missio in congratulating her and appreciate all she does in the parish.
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
The death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II has been announced by Buckingham Palace at the age of 96 after a reign lasting 70 years. Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster has paid the following tribute to The Queen:
On 21 April 1947, on her twenty-first birthday, Princess Elizabeth said, ‘I declare before you all that my whole life whether it be long or short shall be devoted to your service.
Now, seventy-five years later, we are heartbroken in our loss at her death, and so full of admiration for the unfailing way in which she fulfilled that declaration.
Even in my sorrow, shared with so many around the world, I am filled with an immense sense of gratitude for the gift to the world that has been the life of Queen Elizabeth II.
At this time, we pray for the repose of the soul of Her Majesty. We do so with confidence, because the Christian faith marked every day of her life and activity.
In her Millennium Christmas message, she said, ‘To many of us, our beliefs are of fundamental importance. For me the teachings of Christ and my own personal accountability before God provide a framework in which I try to lead my life. I, like so many of you, have drawn great comfort in difficult times from Christ’s words and example.
This faith, so often and so eloquently proclaimed in her public messages, has been an inspiration to me, and I am sure to many. The wisdom, stability and service which she consistently embodied, often in circumstances of extreme difficulty, are a shining legacy and testament to her faith.
Our prayer is that she is now received into the merciful presence of God, there to be reunited with her beloved Prince Philip. This is the promise of our faith, and our deep consolation.
Queen Elizabeth II will remain, always, a shining light in our history. May she now rest in peace.
We pray for His Majesty the King, as he assumes his new office even as he mourns his mother. God save the King.
Solemn Requiem Mass
There will be an diocesan Solemn Requiem Mass for the repose of the soul of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on Thursday 15th September at 11:00am in the Cathedral of St John The Baptist, Norwich.
Letters of condolence
Letters of condolence from Cardinal Arthur Roche can be found by clicking here and the Vatican letter to King Charles III can be found by clicking here.
COMMUNITY DEFIBRILLATOR IS OFFICIALLY ‘OPENED’
A community defibrillator was officially declared operational at a ceremony led by the HM Lord Lieutenant of Norfolk, the Lady Dannatt MBE, on Friday 17th September.
The life-saving facility was installed in February at Our Lady and St Thomas of Canterbury RC Church in Norwich Road, Wymondham. The defibrillator was part funded by Wymondham Town Council and Saffron Housing Community Foundation Trust. The Church’s Community Outreach Project organiser Arnie McConnell worked with the funders to obtain the device and successfully apply for a British Heart Foundation grant.
The Lady Dannatt was given a tour of the Outreach Community Project Foodbank at the Roman Catholic Church in Wymondham.
In her address, Lady Dannatt thanked everyone who took part in the initiative. She spoke about the importance of the defibrillator and she acknowledged the work of the Wymondham Community Outreach Project: “I can’t tell you how much pleasure it gives me to come to an event like this. You have achieved so much for others who may be struggling in the community. I see so many kind people here who are really getting out and helping others. I always say Wymondham is a special place and this confirms it for me.”
Project Co-ordinator Arnie McConnell also thanked the community volunteers: “This project depends on each and every one of you; your contribution makes the world of difference to those individuals and families experiencing hardship in our community. I particularly want to thank Canon Pat Cleary without whom this project just does not happen.”
Among the attendees were Wymondham’s Mayor, Cllr Kevin Hurn and James Francis CEO of Saffron Housing Trust. Also present were representatives from various community groups and organisations, including Andrew Clarke of ‘The Shed’, whose members made and installed the ceremonial plaque’s ‘reveal curtain’. Waitrose in Wymondham kindly provided refreshments for the guests.
Cllr Hurn said it was “very important that the town now has a good network of defibrillators available” while Mr Francis expressed his delight that Saffron’s Community Foundation “was able to link with the local community to part-fund this life-saving package”.
Canon Cleary told the volunteers, sponsors and guests that: “All of your contributions make a world of difference to our community”. He continued: “We are so grateful for Lady Dannatt for giving up her time for this wonderful occasion, where we are going to officially declare the defibrillator operational. Many of you have now received the training. Also, I would like to thank you for all for your help with the community project: the community working together, church and neighbour is just as it should be.”
For more information contact Arnie McConnell: community@wymondhamrcchurch.org.uk