Stations of the Cross
These are depictions of 14 occurrences during Jesus’ journey to the Cross. They are used within a service entitled ‘Stations of the Cross’ where the congregation visit each station in church with a brief reading, response, prayer and meditation.
We will be holding Ecumenical Stations once again this year with our brothers and sisters across the community. The services will all begin at 3.00pm on Fridays on the following dates and locations:
16th February-St Mary’s Little Walsingham
23rd February-The Church of the Annunciation
1st March-The Roman Catholic Shrine
8th March-St Peter’s Great Walsingham
15th March-The Anglican Shrine
22nd March-St Mary’s Little Walsingham
Following the service refreshments will be served to encourage a time of fellowship amidst the Christian community.
In addition, there will be ‘Mini-Stations’ on a Wednesday at St Giles’ Church at 10.15am every week during Lent, where we will pray three stations each week.
Almsgiving
Giving alms has always been an important part of Lent. For many people, it means giving money to charities or some other good cause. But the concept of almsgiving goes much deeper. It is our response to the teachings of Jesus that encourage us to reach out to people in need—not just with our money—but with our time and our talents. Today we might call it ‘stewardship’.
Lent gives us the opportunity to cultivate a spirit of generosity. It gives us a chance to share what we have and who we are with other people. It puts us in communion with others and helps us understand that we are all members of the Body of Christ. Think carefully about how you will share your time, your talents and your treasure during Lent. Keep in mind the words of the Lord Jesus who himself said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35).
On the suggestion of Lynette Sutton, this year we will be supporting the Multiple Sclerosis Society. Over 130,000 people live with multiple sclerosis (MS) in the UK. It’s different and unpredictable for everyone, making it hard to know how it’ll progress. At the moment, existing drugs only work on one aspect of MS - the immune system. We will therefore be fundraising to enable this charity to further its research into treatment for this disease.
Lent Lunches will be held on every Tuesday during Lent, at 12.30pm in St Mary’s Church, Little Walsingham, following the 12noon Mass. They will take place on the following dates:
20th February 27th February 5th March
12th March 19th March 26th March
If you are willing to assist by making soup, or providing help on the day, please sign up on the sheet at the back of St Mary’s Church. You may of course wish to support their work through a one off monetary donation or a fundraising idea of your own. More information about the charity can be found at:
https://www.mssociety.org.uk?/
Lent Course
This year our Lent Course will take a new approach. Many of our worshipping community commit to making their attendance on a Sunday a priority but are perhaps unable for work or other reasons to attend any form of additional teaching or discussion at another times. Therefore, this year I will be undertaking the teaching in St Peter’s on Sunday during the Homily Slot and at St Mary’s on a Sunday at 12.25pm. Our title this year is:
Teaching Mass-
an opportunity to understand what we do and why we do it!
One of the best ways in which we can observe this holy season is by seeking to deepen our Christian faith and understanding and so I would strongly encourage you to attend.
18th February |
Vesture, Procession & Penitence
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25th February |
The Ministry of the Word and Hymnody
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3rd March |
The Ministry of the Sacrament
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10th March |
The Sursum Corda & The Great Thanksgiving
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17th March |
Invitation, Communion & Dismissal
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Reparation Walk
When Fr Patten restored the Image of Our Lady of Walsingham and revived the practice of pilgrimage, one of the key elements of his vision was that pilgrims should undertake an Act of Reparation for the destruction of the original image, abbey, and Holy House. As part of our Lenten observance this year we will undertake this reparation in the Abbey Grounds on
Saturday 9th March at 11.00am.
Refreshments will follow this act of reparation in the Vicarage.
A Service of Healing & Wholeness
The Church throughout the centuries has exercised a ministry of healing through the laying on of hands and the sacrament of anointing. These ministries are regularly offered to pilgrims at the Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham, but this is a gift of the Church restricted not just to pilgrims but to all. This service will be held on: Monday 18th March at 7.00pm
in St Giles’ Church, Houghton in the Dale.
A Solemn Mass of Thanksgiving for the 100th Anniversary of |
On the 19th January 1921 The Revered Alfred Hope Patten was inducted into the living of the Parish of Walsingham with Houghton. As is traditional at an induction he rang the Church bell, and rather than ring a number which might equate to the number of years he hoped to be in the Parish, Fr Patten rang the Angelus. It was a sign of things to come. In July 1922 he restored the Image of Our Lady of Walsingham, and placed it in the Guild Chapel. It was of course not the first image of Our Lady to be brought into this place, that statue which now stands in a niche in the Guild Chapel, was erected by Fr Reeves, Fr Pattens predecessor. But Fr Patten had a clear vision of what he wanted to do in this place, and by 1931 the work to restore the Holy House and the Shrine had begun. Fr Patten contributed significantly to the restoration of Marian devotion in the life of the Church of England. Fr Patten is rightly remembered for his work in restoring both the Image and the Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham, but it would be remiss not to recall the considerable work he undertook within the life of the Parish during his 37 years of incumbency. Fr Patten endeared himself to his parishioners through his pastoral care, his teaching, and the generous hospitality which he offered at the Vicarage. Today we give thanks for his ministry, and for the ministry of those who have followed in his footsteps: 1921 - 1958 Alfred Hope Patten The Barshams were grouped with Walsingham Parish from 1995 onwards. The Mass began with the Angelus recited by Fr Michael Rear, before the Image of Our Lady of Walsingham in the Guild Chapel. The entrance procession stopped for a station at the statue of ST HUGH OF LINCOLN. Fr Patten was born on the Feast of St Hugh (17th November) and retained a great devotion to him throughout his life. The GOSPEL was proclaimed by Fr Keith Haydon. The HOMILY was given by Fr John Barnes. Following Communion the SOLEMN BLESSING was given by The Rt Revd Norman Banks. |
INSTITUTION AND INDUCTION OF FR HARRI WILLIAMS
The Institution by The Rt Revd Graham Usher, Bishop of Norwich
and the Induction by The Venerable Ian Bentley, Archdeacon of Lynn
of The Revd Dr Harri Williams
as Vicar of Walsingham Benefice:
Walsingham, Houghton and the Barshams
on 6th May 2021 at S. Mary & All Saints, Little Walsingham
Fr Alfred Hope Patten's Memorial Mass
On Tuesday 19th January 2021 a Solemn Mass in thanksgiving for the 100th Anniversary
of Fr Patten's Induction as Vicar of Walsingham was celebrated at S. Mary's.
The chasuble warn by Fr Harri and the Chalice and Patten used belonged to Fr Patten.
Fr Harri Williams SSC
Priest-in-Charge
On Monday 3rd December 2018 Fr Harry Williams SSC was licensed as Priest-in-Charge
of the Benefice by The Rt Revd Jonathan Meryck, Bishop of Lynn and the Archdeacon of Lynn,
The Ven Ian Bentley; the Preacher was The Rt Revd Norman Banks, Bishop of Richborough.
A full set of images of the ceremony may be seen here