Dec 20th 2025

THE FOURTH SUNDAY IN ADVENT AND THE CELEBRATION OF THE MOST HOLY NATIVITY - 21st December 2025

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

For this Fourth Sunday of Advent, the Church invites us to continue our blessed preparation for the coming of the Lord with renewed faith, hope, and charity; as the Holy Spirit prepares the Virgin Mary to be the Mother of God, so too we are called to become ever more ready to welcome Christ into our own hearts and households.

In the First Reading, the prophet Isaiah proclaims the glories of Zion and the consolation of God’s steadfast love, urging us to trust in the Lord who is our salvation;

the Psalmody resounds with the joyful tenderness of a people sheltered under the wings of the Almighty, inviting us to sing of God’s mercy and steadfast faithfulness.

In the Second Reading, St. Paul exhorts us to stand fast in faith, to welcome the mystery of Christmas with holy perseverance, and to live in the expectation of the glory to be revealed in us.

The Gospel presents the imprint of Mary’s humble fidelity, her courageous “Be it done unto me according to thy word,” and the angelic proclamation that what is conceived in her is divine salvation come to earth.

Then as we come to celebrate Christmas Day, we celebrate the Incarnation with reverence and joy, recognizing that God has dwelt among us in the person of Jesus, the Word made flesh;

So may our Advent prayers deepen our longing for Christ, may our families be sanctified in the grace of the Blessed Virgin, and may the overall hospitality of Christ be made present in our parish through acts of mercy, generous stewardship, and faith that seeks understanding.

Then as we greet Him on Christmas morning, we may do so with purified hearts and a grateful witness to the Gospel, ready to carry His peace and light into a world still yearning for the Saviour.

THIS SUNDAY - THE 4th SUNDAY OF ADVENT

21st December 2025

Lauds (Morning Prayer) at 9.15 am.

PARISH MASS with CRIB SERVICE FOR THE CHILDREN followed by Chocolate and Cake at 10.00 am.

23rd December

TUESDAY

Low Mass at 6.30 pm.

24th December

WEDNESDAY - CHRISTMAS EVE

Lauds (Morning Prayer) at 9 am.

Low Mass at 12.15pm.

SUNG VIGIL MASS WITH THE BLESSING OF THE CRIB at 10 pm.

25th December

THURSDAY - CHRISTMAS DAY

Lauds (Morning Prayer) at 9.15 am.

SUNG FESTAL MASS WITH CAROLS at 10 am.

27th December

SATURDAY

Lauds (Morning Prayer) at 9 am.

Low Mass at 10.00 am.

28th December

SUNDAY - THE FEAST OF THE HOLY FAMILY

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 MOST SUNDAYS. 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 Christmas. That we may welcome the Christ Child into our hearts and lives.

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 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 welcome Christ into our midst through His most holy Incarnation. Blessings on you and your families.

Father Victor (Brother Cuthbert)