On Sunday 10 September we will celebrate the PATRONAL FESTIVAL, our annual festival in honour of the Blessed Virgin Mary our Patron and in thanksgiving for our church and parish under her dedication.  It's a great day and we'd love it if you would join us.

At the Parish Eucharist at 10am, our guest preacher will be Fr Jeremy Haselock, who will be retiring eleven days later as Precentor of Norwich Cathedral after a long and distinguished ministry.  We look forward to having him with us so we can wish him well in his retirement.  During the service there'll be beautiful music from the Choir and special activities for children.
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Sparkling wine and coffee will be served after the service.

The Patronal Festival Lunch follows in the Church Hall: two courses with a glass of wine for £8 (£4 under-16s).  Get your tickets from the Church Office (454977).  Further wine will be available to buy, as well as soft drinks.

Our celebrations conclude with Festal Evensong sung by the excellent Norfolk choir The Horatio Singers at 6.30pm.  Music includes Bruckner's Ave Maria, Howells' Collegium Regale evening canticles, and Rachmaninov's Bogoroditse Dyevo from the All-Night Vigil.  After Evensong madeira, ginger beer and cake will be served in the Hall.

Come and join us: all welcome!

To prepare for the Patronal Festival we'll be having a twelve hour relay of prayer in St Mary's Church on Friday 8 September, 9am to 9pm, praying for God's blessing on our Festival, our Church Family, our parish and our life together.  There'll be a continuous watch of silent prayer in church during the day, with prayers said aloud every hour on the hour.  There'll also be a number of services including the Eucharist at 10am and 7pm, and Compline sung by the choir at 8.45pm to end the day.

We'd love to see lots of people during the day - come and join us anytime.  There'll be books and cards to help you if you need them.  If you can commit to being in church for a half-hour period during the day, please initial the chart in church so that we know the whole day is covered.
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'Rejoice always!  Pray without ceasing!'

Did you know that Norfolk Open Churches Week begins this Saturday, 5 August?  It's a great time to get out and about and explore some of the hundreds of beautiful churches in Norfolk.

The Diocese of Norwich has a handy guide to help you: download a copy here or pick one up in St Mary's - which of course is open all day, every day!

Open Churches Week is a great reminder to say thank you to all who keep our church clean, tidy, open and welcoming for all.