THE FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT - 18th December 2022
My Dear Brothers and Sisters,
The birth of Our Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, is almost upon us now. We are reminded in this Sunday’s Mass readings, in the first lesson taken from the prophet Isaiah, that the long awaited Emmanuel - the God in our midst - is nearly upon us. And like Saint Joseph, we need to make room for Our Lord to enter our lives and our world. We are invited to respond personally and directly to Christ’s presence in our midst by seeking the conversion of our hearts and lives.
SERVICES FOR THE WEEK
Sunday - Parish Mass at 10.00 am
Tuesday – Mass at 6.30 pm
NOTE : No Benedictine Study Group this week.
Wednesday – Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament at 11.45 am
- Mass at 12.15 pm
Thursday - Mass at 10.00 am
Friday - BCP / English Missal Mass at 10.00 am
Saturday - Mass at 10.00 am
- VIGIL MASS OF THE HOLY NATIVITY WITH CAROLS AND THE BLESSING OF THE CRIB AT 8.00 pm
Next Sunday - CHRISTMAS DAY - 25th December 2022
FESTAL MASS OF THE NATIVITY OF OUR LORD WITH CAROLS AT 10.00 am SUNDAY MASS WILL BE BROADCAST this week.
Tune in via our Parish Facebook page.
TO TUNE IN VIA FACEBOOK TO JOIN IN OUR WORSHIP PLEASE OPEN THE FACEBOOK APP ON YOUR PHONE OR DEVICE AND SEARCH FOR:
“St Martin’s Parish Church, Fenny Stratford."
TEA AND COFFEE IS SERVED AFTER MASS ON SUNDAYS - DO JOIN US FOR FELLOWSHIP.
PARISH NEWS
BENEDICTINE STUDY GROUP
Meetings of the group are suspended over the Christmas and New Year period and will reconvene on Tuesday the 10th January, 2023 at the Vicarage at the usual time of 7 pm. Father Victor looks forward to seeing folk on that occasion. All are welcome.
CHRISTMAS 🎄 SERVICES Here at Saint Martin’s
Come and welcome the Christ Child with us at our Christmas Services this year. All are welcome.
This Sunday 18th December Parish Mass & Crib Service for the Children
followed by Cake & Chocolate at 10 am. A Service of Carols and Readings at 5 pm.
followed by Sherry & Mince Pies in the Vestry Hall
Saturday 24th December Christmas Vigil Mass with Carols
and Blessing of the Crib at 8 pm.
Sunday 25th December
Mass of the Holy Nativity with Carols at 10 am.
Sunday 1st January
Mass for the Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God at 10 am.
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: 01908 372825
Email: victorbullock@talktalk.net
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 preparation for the celebration of the Coming of the Christ Child
For the strength to witness more diligently to our Christian faith.
For an end of war in the Ukraine and in Somalia and the Reestablishment of Peace.
That we may always remember, the needs of those so less fortunate than ourselves.
For our new Bishop Elect, Paul Thomas, that he may receive those heavenly gifts and graces to equip him to be a truly holy pastor and Bishop.
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 integrity may return to 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 and Father Ian 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 as it settles into its new home in Ponce, Puerto Rico and that it finds the funds to furnish its new Motherhouse. For it’s Abbot, Michael-John Austin, for all of the community and for those new to its life.
For the Sick:
For Judy Rogers, Heather Burke, Suzanna Moirano, June Reid, Nicola Monaghan, Rosalio Eluna, Susan Carter, Pam Wilderspin, Jean Holden, Peter White, Denis & Yvonne Simpson, Paul Ward, David Lingham, Sandra Walduck, Eugenius Yung and Doris Weatherley.
For the Departed:
For Barbara Goodman, Benjamin Reid and all the recently departed, and for Doris Collins, Irene Stevens, Peter Walsh, Arthur Meadows, George Russell, John Lowe, Rebecca Lowe, George Wilford, Hayfa Plant and all whose Year’s Mind occurs at this time.
Rest eternal grant unto them, O Lord.
And let Light Perpetual shine upon them.
Every blessing,
Father Victor (Brother Cuthbert OSB)