Apr 11th 2026
- craigguess
- 4 days ago
- 6 min read
The Second Sunday of Easter - 12th April 2026
My dear Brothers and Sisters,
Alleluia! Christ is Risen!
He is Risen indeed! Alleluia!
On this Second Sunday of Easter, the Church proclaims the gracious mystery of Divine Mercy revealed to the apostles and to us in the risen Christ. In the Gospel (John 20:19-32), the Lord appears to the fearful disciples, bestows the Holy Spirit, and grants them peace and authority to forgive sins, transforming fear into mission. Thomas, who longs for sight beyond faith, is gently invited to touch the wounds and awaken the gift of faith that overcomes doubt. This paschal encounter reveals that Easter is not merely a past event but a living reality in which the risen Christ continues to speak, breathe, and guide the Church. We too are called to receive the gift of the Spirit, to open our hearts to forgiveness, and to bear witness to the Resurrection in our words, our work, and our witness of charity.
May the grace of this Easter season deepen our trust in the Risen One who conquers fear, reconciles divided hearts, and invites us into a lasting peace that the world cannot give. Let us respond to the Spirit’s gift by practicing reconciliation in our families, extending mercy to those in need, and proclaiming the good news with joyful courage. May our worship be coloured by gratitude for the mercy we have received, and may our lives become channels of grace to others, inviting them to encounter the living Christ who invites us to faith, confession, and mission. Through the intercession of Mary, Mother of the Church, Saint Martin and all the saints, may God bless you and your loved ones.
THIS WEEK - 2nd SUNDAY OF EASTER
12th April 2026
Lauds (Morning Prayer) at 9.15 am.
SOLEMN FESTAL MASS at 10.00 am.
14th April
TUESDAY
Low Mass at 6.30 pm.
The Christian Initiation Course continues at the Vicarage at 7.00 pm.
15th April
WEDNESDAY
Lauds (Morning Prayer) at 9.00 am.
Eucharistic Adoration at 11.45 am.
Low Mass at 12.15pm.
16th April
THURSDAY
Lauds (Morning Prayer) at 9.00 am.
Low Mass at 10.00 am.
17th April
FRIDAY
Low Mass (B.C.P. / English Missal) at 10.00 am.
Coffee Morning at 10.30 am.
18th April
SATURDAY
Lauds (Morning Prayer) at 9.00 am.
Low Mass at 10.00 am.
19th April
SUNDAY - THIRD SUNDAY IN EASTERTIDE
Lauds (Morning Prayer) at 9.15 am.
PARISH MASS at 10.00 am.
TEA AND COFFEE IS AVAILABLE AFTER MASS ON SUNDAYS - DO JOIN US FOR FELLOWSHIP.
PARISH NEWS
THE CHRISTIAN INITIATION CLASS begins again, this week, on Tuesday, the 14th April at 7.00 pm.
LAST CALL - PLACES ARE STILL AVAILABLE ON THE PARISH PILGRIMAGE TO WALSINGHAM which will take place from Friday, 2nd - Monday 5th October. Cost for Full Board at the Shrine: Adults: £268.40. Children and Young People 17 or under: £161.29. A further Parish Bursary of £35 for Children or Young People is also available. A non-refundable deposit of £40 needs to be paid by the end of April. If interested, speak with Father Victor.
OUR HALF HOUR BIBLE STUDY GROUP ON MOST SUNDAYS. This is a regular meeting that takes place after Sunday Mass and Coffee every week - Father Tunji leads us to reflect more closely on the Holy Scriptures, which are one of God’s most precious gifts to us. Bibles texts will be supplied. THE BIBLE STUDY MEETS EITHER IN THE VESTRY HALL OR THE LIBRARY IN THE CHURCH, BY THE CHAPEL OF OUR LADY OF WALSINGHAM.
CONFESSIONS - As well as Saturday mornings, the Sacrament of Confession can be celebrated 20 minutes before any of the Weekday Masses and immediately afterwards. Please speak to Father Victor, Father Ian or Father Tunji.
REPOSITORY - OUR PIETY STALL
This is open before and after Mass on Sundays and weekdays selling a wide range of items from religious cards, rosaries, books, crucifixes and icons to mugs, fridge magnets, church diaries, pens and note books.
THE PROCEEDS OF EVERYTHING WE SELL ON OUR PIETY STALL GOES TOWARDS WELL NEEDED CHURCH FUNDS.
Items can be seen in the glass case by the font at the back of church and in the glass case in the Vestry Hall. Please take a look.
IF YOU HAVE ANY PRAYERS 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: 07714190663
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 as a parish we may seek afresh to grow in our discipleship in Christ and to become more fully the people He wishes us to be. May we welcome Christ Jesus fully into our hearts and lives.
That we may deepen our communion with the Risen Christ as we rejoice in the new and abundant new life He has won for us.
That we may grow in a deeper appreciation of the Holy Traditions of our Christian Church, of the Holy Scriptures and of the precious deposit of faith and teachings that have been passed down to us from the Apostles.
For Blessings on our Parish family as we seek to grow our Church.
For graces, blessings and a deepening of understanding of Christ and His teachings for those participating in our Faith Formation and Lent Groups.
For peace in our troubled world and for an ending to the conflict in Iran, Gaza and the Ukraine.
For the successful development of our House Groups as places of prayer and fellowship.
For a greater generosity in giving and stewardship so that we may be able to fund our mission and witness effectively.
For our Church community, that we may continue to grow into the likeness of Our Lord through worship, prayer and service.
For our Parish that we may emulate him in our faithfulness to the Gospel and its proclamation and to the care of our brothers and sisters in their need.
For our young people that the Lord may fill their hearts with living faith that they may serve Him faithfully in worship and in service.
For our Bishop Paul and all the Parishes that look to him in the See of Oswestry.
For the future of our Sunday School, that we may find a capable and loving teacher to carry on this vital ministry.
For a deepening of our own faith and a greater commitment to Christ.
For the strength to remain firm in our Christian faith and to give witness to it through our own example.
That we may continue to remember, the needs of those so less fortunate than ourselves.
For those at school, college or University, that as they grow in knowledge and wisdom, they may be safe and well.
For those who work, particularly those who have families or other dependents.
For our Government, that they may seek to serve the common good and that we may see increased integrity within the world of politics.
For peace to reign within our homes and between 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, Father Tunji as they seek to continue to make Christ present in our midst through the Sacrifice of the Holy Mass and the other Sacraments of the New Covenant. May the Lord bless them as they seek to make Christ known and offer continuing Pastoral care.
For our Monastic Community of the House of Initia Nova of the Order of Saint Benedict and for its Motherhouse in Ponce, Puerto Rico.
For our Abbot, Michael-John Austin, for all of the community and for those new to its life.
For the Sick:
For Pam Wilderspin, Mandy Perkins, Amanda Lowe, Yvonne and Denis Simpson, Gary Ashby, Rosalio Eluna, Heather Burke, June Reid, and Nicola Monaghan.
For the Departed:
For Mandy Perkins, Justine Patterson and all the recently departed, and for Margaret Power, Dorothy Russell, Denzil Pateman, Arthur Eames, Richard Gammage and all whose whose anniversaries fall at this time. Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord. And let Light Perpetual shine upon them.
Alleluia, Christ is Risen! He has Risen indeed. Alleluia. May that same Risen Lord bless and keep you,
Father Victor (Brother Cuthbert)
