St. John of the Cross

Introduction

Saint John of the Cross Church in Aylsham, within the Diocese of East Anglia, is the only church in England dedicated to this saint.

History

Priests from Norwich served the Aylsham chapel until 1930, when it came under North Walsham; it transferred to Cromer in 1939 and returned to North Walsham by 1960.

Architecture and furnishings

Built in 1961 as an extension to the chapel, the church uses steel portal frames, one-inch cedar cladding, a smut pantiled roof and local red facing brick, funded by a legacy from Mr Frank Loads. The porch, kitchen, and organ loft were added as a further extension to the church.

Parish life

The parish has representatives for CAFOD, the Catholic Fund for Overseas Development. There is no regular choir at St John of the Cross, but choir-led music is part of major Sunday liturgies such as Christmas, Easter, Harvest and Remembrance. Liturgy groups meet at Saint John of the Cross from time to time. Teams work in rotas to keep the church clean.

Flower arrangers operate in the church and arrange displays for liturgical celebrations. The Saint John of the Cross community holds a quarterly forum meeting to discuss matters relevant to their community and the parish. Those living in outlying areas have a house Mass about once a month, except during Lent and August. The church has a Garden of Remembrance where ashes of loved ones may be interred.

The church has a parish library with books for spiritual reading, theology and bible reading that parishioners can borrow. The Catenians Association meets monthly for fellowship, family support and charitable works. Anyone who has made their first Holy Communion is invited to join the altar servers' group.

Regular events

The parish holds Cambodia-style Masses in the spring for Cambodian New Year and in the autumn for the Feast of Ancestors. Stations of the Cross are said during Lent in the parish communities. An annual Memorial Service is held in the garden of the Sacred Heart, usually in August. There is an annual Mass in the parish for the sick.

An annual parish meeting is held to discuss all matters pertaining to parish activities including finances. Ecumenical Churches Together groups bring local Christians together spiritually and socially, with events occurring throughout the year.

Sacraments and pastoral care

Parents wishing to have their child baptised are expected to take part in a parish preparation programme. First Reconciliation and First Communion are celebrated in school year 3 (age 8) or later, with parish preparation beginning in the autumn. Confirmation is administered in school year 10 (age 15) or above, with those being confirmed invited to a parish preparation programme. Couples are usually required to give six months notice of their intention to marry and are expected to attend a preparation programme.

Visiting

The repository offers a range of religious goods and cards for sale at the back of each of our churches. Refreshments after Mass are available, with coffee or tea to meet other parishioners. The parish newsletter is available at Mass each week and outlines the various activities taking place in the Parish and the wider community. The Parish Finance Committee meets regularly to review the ability to meet commitments and plan for the future.