FIFTH SUNDAY OF EASTER - 28th April 2024
My Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Alleluia! Christ is risen. He is risen indeed. Alleluia!
We can only truly grow as Christians and as the unique persons that God has made us, if we grow in His love and in His Holy Spirit. Apart from our Lord we are helpless and can achieve nothing of value in our lives. We must be constantly working to avoid sin and instead, inviting Him into every aspect of our lives! Alleluia! Christ is risen. He is risen indeed. Alleluia!
SERVICES FOR THIS WEEK
28th April 2024
THIS SUNDAY - THE FIFTH SUNDAY OF EASTER. Parish Mass at 10.00 am.
30th April
TUESDAY
Mass at 6.30 pm
1st May
WEDNESDAY
Lauds (Morning Prayer) at 9.00am.
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament at 11.45 am.
Mass at 12.15 pm.
Vespers (Evening Prayer) at 6.00 pm.
2nd May
THURSDAY
Lauds (Morning Prayer) at 9.00 am.
Pontifical Mass with Baptism & Confirmation at 6.30 pm.
3rd May
FRIDAY
Lauds (Morning Prayer) at 9.00 am.
Mass at 10.00 am.
Vespers (Evening Prayer) at 6.00 pm.
4th May
SATURDAY
Lauds (Morning Prayer) at 9.00 am.
Mass at 10.00 am.
NEXT SUNDAY - SIXTH 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
CONFESSIONS will be heard 20 minutes before any of the Weekday Masses and immediately afterwards. Please speak to Father Victor, Father Ian or Father Tunji.
THE PARISH ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING takes place THIS Sunday 28th, April after the Parish Mass. Please stay on for the election of Churchwardens and PCC members and to receive and query the ongoing life of our Parish through the reports that have been submitted by those who work on your behalf to further the life and mission of our parish.
AGM REPORT PACKS are still available and can be found on the table at the back of church. Please help yourself to a copy (1 per household) and peruse in preparation for our Parish AGM after Mass this Sunday.
THE HEALTHY CHURCH INITIATIVE. Father Victor, Father Ian and Father Tunji spent Saturday morning, after Mass, looking carefully at the results of the Healthy Churches parish survey and identifying together where some of our mission priorities may need to be focused as we move forward in the process of deepening our Christian faith and commitment and growing our Church. The PCC will be working towards this same goal and we invite everyone to join us in this endeavour. To this end the Healthy Churches Survey Results will be on display in the Vestry Hall shortly so that we can all work towards targeting our Parish Mission response accordingly.
VISIT OF THE BISHOP FOR A PONTIFICAL MASS OF BAPTISM AND CONFIRMATION
The Bishop is with us this week, on the evening of the 2nd May at 6.30 pm for a Solemn Mass during which Hamid will be Baptised and Confirmed. Please make a note of the time and date and come and support him on this important milestone in his spiritual journey.
We will celebrate with a bring and share buffet after Mass. Please let Shanny know what you can bring.
REPOSITORY - CHURCH GIFT SHOP
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.
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.
OUR SUNDAY SCHOOL takes place each and every Sunday. If you have children between the ages of 5 - 12 they will be most welcome from 10 am in the Vestry Hall. Hope to see you there.
Sister Esther of Turvey Abbey, who is Fr. Victor’s spiritual director has asked us if we would advertise the following:
ICON PAINTING COURSE
15-20th October, 2024 at Turvey Abbey, Turvey. Bedfordshire. MK43 8DE
Telephone: 01234 883 308
For more information apply to the above address or email: esther.turvey@btinternet.com
The course will consist of learning about icons, daily meditative reflection session on icons, some drawing exercises and actually painting an icon. Places are limited! Advise early booking! The cost is £250 for the course. Most materials are supplied too, but further details will be sent on request.
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
Email: Vicarstmartin@outlook.com
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:
For Hamid as he prepares to receive the Sacraments of Initiation into the ongoing life of Christ’s family, the Church.
To offer thanks for the glorious Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, for our salvation and the gift and pledge of new and abundant life.
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 Bishop Paul and all the Parishes that look to him in the See of Oswestry.
For our Sunday School and for the children attending.
That the gifts of the Holy Spirit may be ours so that we may grow our Parish and serve the people of Fenny and Bletchley more effectively.
For the success of our ‘Growing Healthy Churches’ initiative.
For the Children who attend our Sunday School.
For a deepening of our 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.
For the people of Israel and Palestine and for an ending of the conflict there.
For an end of war in the Ukraine and in Somalia and the re-establishment of Peace.
That we may continue to remember, the needs of those so less fortunate than ourselves.
For those at school, college or University, that they may be kept safe and well.
For those who work, particularly those who have families or other dependents.
For the Government, that in this time of rising costs we may see increased integrity within the world of politics.
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, Father Tunji 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 and for its Motherhouse in Ponce, Puerto Rico.
For it’s Abbot, Michael-John Austin, for all of the community and for those new to its life.
For the Sick:
For Diane Hare, Derek Albert, Cecile Raven, Yvonne and Denis Simpson, Gary Ashby, Richard Lyons, Heather Burke, June Reid, Nicola Monaghan, Rosalio Eluna and Jean Holden.
For the Departed:
For Doris Weatherley and all the recently departed and for Christopher Cundell, Esther Peerless, William Gammage, Eric Zazzi, Millie Brazier and all whose Year’s Mind occurs at this time.
Rest eternal grant unto them, O Lord.
And let Light Perpetual shine upon them.
Blessings on you and your families as we continue to walk together in the Light of the Risen Lord.
Father Victor (Brother Cuthbert)
