Aug 23rd 2025

THE TWENTY-FIRST SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME - 17th August 2025

Welcome, brothers and sisters,

As we come to celebrate this Sunday the 21st in Ordinary Time, we are invited to reflect on Luke 13:22-30 which is the Gospel given us at Mass. We are invited to consider what it means to enter the Kingdom of God and to live as disciples who persevere in faith, hope, and charity. Our Lord teaches that the way to life is like a narrow door: it requires conversion, wholehearted commitment, and a daily turning toward God rather than toward ease or complacency. The question from the crowds, “Will only a few be saved?”is answered with a summons to vigilance and perseverance: many who think themselves safe may be shut out if their lives do not bear the fruit of faith. The vision expands beyond particular groups: “From east and west, from north and south, people will come and take their places at the feast in the kingdom of God.” Salvation is offered to all who respond to God’s call with faith and mercy.

In daily life, we are called to humility over self-importance: we might ask ourselves: Do I seek to secure my place in God’s kingdom by rank or privilege, or by faithfulness, repentance, and acts of mercy? Am I prepared to respond to the promptings of the Holy Spirit, to confess my sins, and to grow in charity toward others, especially the needy? And how can I live with evangelical generosity, inviting others to the feast, not as a gatekeeper, but as a witness to God’s gratuitous mercy?

And on a practical note: this Sunday’s reflection invites us to pray for the grace to persevere in faith, to practice mercy, and to live with hope that God’s invitation extends to all who seek Him with a sincere heart.

PRAYER FOR THE WEEK:

Lord Jesus, give me the grace to enter through the narrow door with humility and perseverance. Help me to live by faith, to practice mercy, and to welcome others as you welcome me, through the guidance of your Spirit. Amen.

And just a closing thought: as we prepare for the week ahead, may we seek to answer the Lord’s call with steadfast hearts, growing in discipleship and inviting others to share in the life of the Kingdom.

With every blessing in Christ,

Father Victor Bullock

THE WEEK AHEAD

24th August

THIS SUNDAY - THE 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time

Lauds (Morning Prayer) at 9.15 am.

PARISH MASS at 10.00 am.

26th August

TUESDAY

Low Mass at 6.30 pm.

27th August

WEDNESDAY

Lauds (Morning Prayer) at 9.00 am.

Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament at 11.45 am.

Low Mass at 12.15pm.

28th August

THURSDAY

Lauds (Morning Prayer) at 9.00 am.

Low Mass at 10.00 am.

29th August

FRIDAY

Lauds (Morning Prayer) at 9.00 am.

Low Mass at 10.00 am. (B.C.P. / English Missal)

30th August

SATURDAY

Lauds (Morning Prayer) at 9.00 am.

Low Mass at 10.00 am.

31st August

SUNDAY - The Twenty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

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 SUMMER FAYRE AND HISTORY DAY

A big thank you to all who managed stalls or came and supported the afternoon last Sunday. We were able to raise £255.25 towards Church funds.

OUR HALF HOUR BIBLE STUDY GROUP ON SUNDAY 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.

YOUTH GROUP

The Youth Group meets for a Meal, for Fellowship, Discussion or some other Activity, usually at 6.45 pm on Wednesdays in the Vestry Hall. WHILE NOT MEETING OVER THE SUMMER HOLIDAY, LOOK OUT ON THE YOUTH GROUP WHATSAPP FOR MORE DETAILS.

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.

OUR SUNDAY SCHOOL usually takes place each and every Sunday during school term time. If you have children between the ages of 5 - 12 they will always be most welcome from 10 am in the Vestry Hall. PLEASE BE AWARE THAT AS THE SCHOOL HOLIDAYS HAVE NOW BEGUN THERE WILL BE NO SUNDAY SCHOOL UNTIL THE BEGINNING OF SEPTEMBER

FATHER VICTOR IS ALSO BROTHER CUTHBERT OF THE BENEDICTINE COMMUNITY OF THE HOUSE OF INITIA NOVA - WHAT’S THIS ABOUT?

We are a Christian and monastic community officially recognized by the American Episcopal Church (our Sister Church in the United States). This means we are an officially recognised community of the worldwide Anglican Communion.

And may be its for you. What are you looking for? Does life seem like one distraction after an other – and yet the end is never insight? Does one’s history keep you from becoming more?

Do you yearn to live a more intentional, Christian life?

If any of these ring true, you may be the perfect inquirer into Religious Life.

If you are someone who desires a Contemplative life, God – You  – Community; centered in prayer, dating back 1,500 plus years yet speaking to contemporary life: this Benedictine House may be what you are looking for!!

Members are found in the United States, England, Scotland, Cuba, Australia.

For more information: houseofinitianova@org

Motherhouse is in Ponce, Puerto Rico.

Abbot Michael-John Austin – Superior – tel:2816304842

So, if you are interested in knowing more, please speak to Father Victor / Brother Cuthbert.

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 Blessings on our Parish family as we seek to grow our Church.

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 Youth Group and all 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 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 successful implementation of our ‘Growing Healthy Churches’ initiative.

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 Gaza and the Holy Land 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 our Government, 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 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 our 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 Yvonne and Denis Simpson, Gary and Helen Ashby, Heather Burke, June Reid, and Nicola Monaghan.

For the Departed:

For Sylvia Goff and all the recently departed, and for James Crook, Eva Carter, Joseph Gray and all whose whose anniversaries fall at this time.

Rest eternal grant unto them, O Lord.

And let Light Perpetual shine upon them.

Every Blessing on you and your families.

Father Victor (Brother Cuthbert)