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.
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/
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.
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.
From Sunday 16th July 2022, the 8:30am Sunday Mass is being held in the Methodist Church, London Road, Attleborough.
“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
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
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.
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.
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 from Cardinal Arthur Roche can be found by clicking here and the Vatican letter to King Charles III can be found by clicking here.
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
The existing measures we have in place will continue for the foreseeable future:
people should not attend if they feel unwell or have been told to isolate
we are all encouraged to do regular lateral flow testing. Tests are available freely and can be done at home with the result in just 30 minutes.
Names will continue to be taken or the NHS app used to ‘check in’. Where possible people should download the NHS app as this will send an automatic alert if the phone owner is within close proximity to someone who subsequently tests positive. The government still recommends this as the most efficient way to support contact tracing.
Windows will be open to allow adequate ventilation whenever the Church is in use
Hand sanitiser will be available for all to use on entering and leaving the premises
Face masks are to be worn by all (except those who are exempt) when inside the Church and Narthex
The current spacing of the benches will continue
Stewards will continue to show people to a seat for Mass in order to maintain social distancing but at the same time maximise the number of people that can be accommodated – this is particularly the case for the 10 am Sunday Mass although we haven’t reached the maximum yet
Stewards will continue to direct people to communion
Collecting buckets will be available for those who wish to make a cash donation – please see the website for other ways to contribute financially to the Parish
At the end of Mass people should leave the building by either of the two access points and not congregate inside
Any chatting and socialising needs to be done outdoors; but even then respecting an individual’s need for space
If you are able to park at Central Hall (free on Sundays and after 6 on other days) then this will leave a safer space for socialising
The Church and Narthex will continue to be ‘fogged’ (or else seats and touch points wiped down) after every service
The main changes are as follows:
The Cantor will continue to lead the singing at the 10am Mass but the congregation is encouraged to join in provided they are wearing a face mask.
A small number of hymn books will be placed on every bench for you to pick up as you enter the bench. The books should be placed back in the same place at the end of the service. This will avoid the jostle of people trying to put hymn books back on the shelves as previously.
NB. If anyone took a hymn book home at the beginning of lockdown please can these be returned.
In order to continue to operate safely we want to continue to have people to act as welcomers and stewards at every Mass. If you are willing, and able, to join the existing group of parishioners currently undertaking this role then please can you email newsletter@wymondahmrcchurch.org.uk with your name, telephone no. and which mass you are prepared to help at. The more people who volunteer the less often you will have to undertake this duty.
Click here for details.
The Pastoral Letter for Pentecost 2021 from the CATHOLIC BISHOPS’ CONFERENCE OF ENGLAND AND WALES is available by clicking the following link
We invite all Catholics in England and Wales to respond in prayer and action to the urgent climate change issues that we all face. The God Who Speaks team offers this Novena of readings and prayers drawn from the Bible and recent Papal teaching. Between Ascension and Pentecost, the Scriptures tell us: “All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers…” (Acts 1:14) while they awaited to be “clothed with power from on high.” (Luke 24:49). We are invited to pray these nine days reflecting on the account of creation in the book of Genesis. This Novena can be used on its own or to complement the prayers and reflections of the global prayer movement - ‘Thy Kingdom Come’ with the Care of Creation theme.
The full document can be viewed by using this link
To read the advice please click here
We have received a card from the Essex Leg of the Student Cross pilgrimage that walk to Walsingham each year during Holy Week. Since the first pilgrimage in 1948, the Essex Leg has walked as a group and spends one night in our parish hall at Wymondham where they have been welcomed and cared for by the CWL. Having arrived in Walsingham they meet with another 11 groups who have also made the pilgrimage. Unfortunately, due to the pandemic restrictions, this cannot happen and so this year the Essex Leg of the Pilgrimage invites us to engage with them online. More information on how to join the pilgrimage can be found by clicking on the link https://studentpilgrimcross.org
This icon of the Holy Family is travelling round the diocese parish by parish to mark the year of St Joseph which is currently being marked by the universal church. The icon arrived at our church on Friday 19th March 2021.
Hail, Guardian of the Redeemer,
Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
To you God entrusted his only Son;
in you Mary placed her trust;
with you Christ grew to maturity.
Blessed Joseph, to us too,
show yourself a father
and guide us in the path of life.
Obtain for us grace, mercy and courage,
and defend us from every evil.
Amen.
The Icon will be going to Quidenham on Saturday 27 March 2021.
Please find the accounts for 2020 by clicking here
We welcome the designation of Tuesday 23rd March as a National Day of Reflection to mark the anniversary of the first national lockdown with a minute’s silence at midday and doorstep vigils of light at 8pm.
We ask you all to make this not only a Day of Reflection but also a Day of Prayer. In reflection we ponder on all that has taken place; in prayer we bring this to our Heavenly Father. For all who live by faith in God, reflection and prayer always go hand in hand. Prayer completes reflection. Reflection informs prayer. Prayer opens our life to its true horizon. Without prayer we live in a foreshortened world and are more easily swamped by its clamour and tragedy. Throughout this difficult year, so many have been inspired by prayer, so much effort sustained in prayer, in every place. So let us make the 23rd March truly a day of prayer.
March 2020 was the first time our churches had to be closed. It is our hope that on this day, every one of our churches will be open. We invite everyone to enter a church on this day, to reflect and pray in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament. We know this will involve an extra effort, but this can be part of our important contribution to a significant moment in the life of our country. Indeed, we ask that you might invite a friend, neighbour or colleague to come to church with you as you make this visit.
There is so much on which to reflect and include in our prayer.
We reflect in sorrow on all those who have died, whether family members, friends or those unknown to us personally. We pray for them, asking our Father to welcome them into their heavenly home, the destiny for which God first gave us the gift of life.
We reflect with compassion on all those who have suffered during this last year, whether through illness, stress, financial disaster or family tensions. We pray for their ongoing resilience, courage and capacity to forgive. We reflect with thanksgiving for the generosity, inventiveness, self-sacrifice and determination shown by so many in this most difficult of times. We pray for them, thanking God for their gifts and dedication, whether they are scientists, politicians, health workers, public servants of every kind, community leaders or steadfast family members and friends who continue to show such love and compassion.
We reflect in hope that, as the pandemic is controlled and we open up our lives again, we will gather in the lessons we have learned and build our society into a better shape, more compassionate, less marked by inequalities, more responsive to needs and deprivation. We ask for the inspiration of the Holy Spirit to guide and strengthen us in this endeavour, whether we are focussing on overcoming family breakdowns, economic recovery, or building political consensus.
Christian prayer is, of course, centred on Jesus Christ, the one who is “lifted up” before us “so that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him” (John 3.13). We pray with Jesus, in him and through him, for he is the one who carries us, and our prayers, into the embracing presence of his Father. He is our comfort in sorrow, our strength in the face of need, our rejoicing in the gifts we celebrate and our hope in the face of the weighty darkness of death.
May Tuesday 23rd March be a great day of prayer that this pandemic comes to an end and that the gift of God’s Holy Spirit will carry us all forward to a new and better life, both here and in the world to come.
Cardinal Vincent Nichols (President)
Archbishop Malcolm McMahon OP (Vice-President)
God, of thy goodness, give me Thyself; for Thou art enough for me, and I can ask for nothing less that can be full honour to Thee. And if I ask anything that is less, ever Shall I be in want, for only in Thee have I all.
