My Dear Friends,
On this fourth Sunday in Advent we are reminded that the birth of Christ is almost upon us. Elizabeth’s joyful greeting of Mary and her child is soon to be ours as we welcome God’s renewed visitation of his people. A time of rejoicing in the goodness of God, for all that he gives us and in thanksgiving at the blessings that we already enjoy. May we also prepare for his future coming with truly penitent hearts.
Every blessing on you and your families this Christmas-tide.
THIS WEEK AT SAINT MARTIN’S
SUNDAY - 19th December 2021
8.00 am Low Mass (According to the B.C.P./English Missal)
10.00 am Parish Mass for the Fourth Sunday in Advent and our Crib Service for the Children
5.30 pm A Service of Readings and Carols followed by Sherry and Mince Pies
TUESDAY
7.00 pm Low Mass
WEDNESDAY
11.45 am Eucharistic Adoration
12.15 pm Low Mass
THURSDAY
10.00 am Low Mass
FRIDAY - CHRISTMAS EVE
10.00 am Low Mass (English Missal / B.C.P.)
8.00 pm Sung Vigil Mass of Christmas with the Blessing of the Crib
SATURDAY - CHRISTMAS DAY
10.00 am Sung Mass of the Holy Nativity with Carols
SUNDAY 26th December 2021 8.00 am Low Mass (According to the B.C.P./English Missal)
10.00 am Parish Mass for the Feast of the Holy Family
THIS WEEK’S SUNDAY MASS WILL BE BROADCAST.
TO TUNE IN VIA FACEBOOK TO JOIN IN OUR WORSHIP PLEASE OPEN THE FACEBOOK APP ON YOUR PHONE OR DEVICE AND SEARCH FOR:
“St Martin’s Parish Church, Fenny Stratford."
TEA AND COFFEE IS SERVED AFTER MASS ON SUNDAYS - DO JOIN US FOR FELLOWSHIP.
COULD YOU TAKE A TURN AT SERVING TEAS AND COFFEES AFTER SUNDAY MASS? At the present time we have a real shortage of volunteers. We are down to around three people who find themselves doing this continuously. Could we have some more volunteers please?
HOW WE RECEIVE HOLY COMMUNION DURING THE PARISH MASS. We have returned to using the Communion rails for Holy Communion. However, to maintain a safe distancing, we invite four people at a time to come forward and kneel at the altar rail. As soon as you have received, please make room for those behind you. If then you then would like to receive from the chalice, remain kneeling at the altar rails.
IF YOU WISH TO MAKE A DONATION TOWARDS THE COST OF THE ONGOING CHURCH REPAIRS.
CHEQUES CAN BE MADE PAYABLE TO:
Saint Martin’s P. C. C. No. 1 A/c
MANY THANKS IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR CONTINUED GENEROSITY.
PLEASE REMEMBER- If you have any prayer requests or Mass intentions you would like me to offer at Mass or if would like someone added to our parish prayer list of the Sick or Departed.
My contact details are as follows:
Telephone: 01908 372825
Email: victorbullock@talktalk.net
I am also available in person during Surgery Hour on Saturday’s in Church between 10.30am - 11.30am.
THE SACRAMENT OF CONFESSION AND RECONCILIATION is also available at this time.
Please continue to remember the following in your prayers:
That we may always remember, even in the midst of our own rejoicing at Christmas-tide, the needs of those so less fortunate than ourselves.
In this season of Advent, for a holy reflection on our preparations for meeting Our Lord face to face as we meditate on His second coming and on our leaving this world.
For a Holy and Pastoral man to be appointed soon as our new Bishop in succession to Bishop Jonathan Goodall.
For the Monastic Community of the House of Initia Nova as it meets in Convocation this week.
For those at school, college or University, that they may be kept safe and well.
That we may be able to raise the necessary funds to complete the program of repairs on the Church building.
That society may remain open and for a continued drop in the rate of Covid infections and in the number of hospitalised victims.
For the continued rapid dissemination of the Vaccines for Covid 19 and for all working for this end.
For those who work, particularly those who have families or other dependents.
For the Government as they continue to rebuild after these very difficult months.
For peace to reign within our homes and amongst one another.
For the elderly, housebound and those living in residential and nursing homes.
For our Ambulance Service and for our other Emergency Service Staff and for Milton Keynes Hospital and all who work there.
For Father Victor, Father Ian and Father John and for all parish clergy as they seek to continue to make present in our midst the Sacrifice of the Holy Mass, the other Sacraments of Christ and offer continuing Pastoral care.
For the Monastic Community of the House of Initia Nova of the Order of Saint Benedict as it seeks a new home. For it’s Abbot, Michael-John Austin, for the community and for those new to its life.
For the Sick:
For June Jarvis, Nicola Monaghan, Rosalio Eluna, Susan Carter, Pam Wilderspin, Paul Ward, Jean Holden, Peter White, Roger D’Elia, Norman Kent, Denis & Yvonne Simpson, David Lingham, Sandra Walduck, Eugenius Yung and Doris Weatherley.
For the Departed:
For Father Robert Nokes and all the recently departed and for all those who have died of Covid 19.
and for Doris Collins, Irene Stevens, Peter Walsh, Arthur Meadows, George Russell, John Lowe, Rebecca Lowe, George Wilford, Doris Collins, Hayfa Plant, Margaret Roden, Jack Burton and all whose whose Year’s Mind occurs at this time.
Rest eternal grant unto them, O Lord.
And let Light Perpetual shine upon them.
God bless and keep you all close to Him.
Father Victor (Dom Cuthbert OSB)