THE THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT - 15th December 2024
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
“Gaudate” Rejoice. Looking forward to the coming of Christ brings immense joy and hope to our hearts. This season invites us to prepare ourselves spiritually, reflecting on the profound love and grace that God offers. Today, John the Baptist serves as a guiding light, teaching us the essential steps to welcome Christ into our lives. He emphasizes the importance of repentance, urging us to turn away from our shortcomings and embrace a path of righteousness. By cultivating a spirit of humility and openness, we create space for Christ's presence to dwell within us. As we anticipate this sacred arrival, let us commit to living out our faith with kindness and compassion, ensuring that our hearts are ready to receive the joy and peace that Christ brings.
SERVICES FOR THIS WEEK
THIS SUNDAY - THE THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT- THE PARISH MASS TAKES PLACE AT 10.00 am. and we are joined by Father Guy Elsmore, the Archdeacon of Buckinghamshire, who will licence Father Tunji to Saint Martin’s and preach.
AFTER MASS TODAY REFRESHMENTS ARE SERVED THEN THERE IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR A SHORT SESSION OF BIBLE STUDY.
17th December
TUESDAY
Mass at 6.30 pm.
18th December
WEDNESDAY
Lauds (Morning Prayer) at 9.00 am.
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament at 11.45 am.
Mass at 12.15 pm.
Parish Youth Group meets at the Vicarage at 5.00 pm.
19th December
THURSDAY
Lauds (Morning Prayer) at 9.00 am.
Mass at 10.00 am.
Vespers at 6.00 pm.
20th December
FRIDAY
Lauds (Morning Prayer) at 9.00 am.
B.C.P. / English Missal Mass at 10.00 am.
Vespers (Evening Prayer) at 6.00pm.
21st December
SATURDAY
Lauds (Morning Prayer) at 9.00 am.
Mass at 10.00 am.
22nd December
NEXT SUNDAY - THE FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT (Year C)
Lauds (Morning Prayer) at 9.15 am.
Parish High 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 as normal 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 next meeting takes place at the Vestry Hall. Making Christmas Cookies this WEDNESDAY at 5 pm.
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 - 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 during school term time. 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.
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 ourselves, that we may use this Advent season to deepen our relationship with Christ so we may be ready when we are called out of this world.
For our Church community, that we may continue to grow into the likeness of Our Lord through worship, prayer and service.
For our young church members who have recently made their First Holy Communion and for our newly Confirmed.
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 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 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 our new 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 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 now fully recognised 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 Carmen Paolucci, Father Lewis Sly, Luciano Moirano, Margaret Namisi, Cecile Raven, Yvonne and Denis Simpson, Gary Ashby, Heather Burke, June Reid, Nicola Monaghan, Rosalio Eluna and Jean Holden.
For the Departed:
For all the recently departed, among them Vernon Hanke, Father Julian Lever, and for Robert Mutton, Amy Vaughan, Doris Collins, Irene Stevens, Peter Walsh, Arthur Meadows, George Russell, John Lowe, George Wilford and all whose anniversaries fall at this time.
Rest eternal grant unto them, O Lord.
And let Light Perpetual shine upon them.
Best wishes and blessing be upon you all.
Father Victor (Brother Cuthbert)
