Dec 13th 2025

THE THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT - 14th December 2025

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

As we enter the third week of the season of Advent, also known as Gaudete Sunday, the liturgy invites us to pause in joyful anticipation of the coming of the Lord. The colours glow rose on the Advent wreath, a sign that the Church already tastes the sweetness of the Lord’s nearness, even as we continue our faithful preparation.

Our readings this Sunday speak to us of hope, repentance, and the fulfillment of God’s promises. The Prophet Isaiah proclaims comfort to Zion and announces a future of salvation, while Saint Paul exhorts the Corinthians, and us, to live as people of light, keeping our lamps burning in hopeful expectation. The Gospel scene of John the Baptist calling us to repentance anchors our readiness for the one who is to come, the One who is mightier than we can possibly imagine, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.

Today’s theme centres on preparing the way of the Lord, making straight the paths of our hearts, and rejoicing in the imminent arrival of our Saviour. Advent is a season of both penitential longing and radiant hope, a tension which is resolved in our Lord Jesus Christ, who breaks into our world to bring salvation, peace, and new life.

So as we gather for the celebration of the Holy Eucharist, let us open ourselves to grace: may the Spirit empower us to repentance where needed, may we extend mercy to others, and may our lives be a living witness to the joy and hope that Christ brings. Let us also remember those who are suffering, and lift them up in prayer, trusting in the mercy and providence of our loving God.

May the blessing and protection of Our Lady, the Queen of Peace, be with us, and may St. Joseph, guardian of the Holy Family, guide our steps along the way of the Lord.

Grace and peace to you from our Lord Jesus Christ.

With blessings on you and your families,

Father Victor Bullock

THE WEEK AHEAD

14th December

THIS SUNDAY - THE 3rd SUNDAY OF ADVENT

Lauds (Morning Prayer) at 9.15 am.

PARISH MASS at 10.00 am.

CAROLS BY CANDLELIGHT SERVICE at 5.00 pm

16th December

TUESDAY

Low Mass at 6.30 pm.

17th December

WEDNESDAY

Lauds (Morning Prayer) at 9 am.

Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament at 11.45 am.

Low Mass at 12.15pm.

18th December

THURSDAY

Lauds (Morning Prayer) at 9 am.

Low Mass at 10.00 am.

19th December

FRIDAY

Lauds (Morning Prayer) at 9 am.

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

20th December

SATURDAY

Lauds (Morning Prayer) at 9 am.

Low Mass at 10.00 am.

21st December

SUNDAY - THE 4th SUNDAY OF ADVENT

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

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. 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

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 a good keeping of Advent. That we may be ready and spiritually prepared for the future coming of Christ.

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

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.

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 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 Martha, Amanda Lowe, Yvonne and Denis Simpson, Gary and Helen Ashby, Heather Burke, June Reid, and Nicola Monaghan.

For the Departed:

For Louis Sore Bahati and all the recently departed, and for Daniel Collier, Edgar Hill, Pat Proudlock, Adam Eldridge, Barbara Goodman, Ellis Hands and all whose whose anniversaries fall at this time.

Rest eternal grant unto them, O Lord.

And let Light Perpetual shine upon them.

May we rejoice as we seek to grow ever closer to the Lord so that when he comes he may find us watching in prayer. Blessings on you and your families.

Father Victor (Brother Cuthbert)