My Dear Friends,
We sadly live in a world that encourages us to selfishly pursue possessions and commodities and tells us that we should have whatever we want or think we are owed, even when it comes at the expense of others. A part of that same attitude, argues that we should stand up to people, even when we are clearly in the wrong, and that we should ‘get even’ with them if we don’t get our way. This is not the message of Christ or of His gospel. As disciples of Christ we are called to develop within ourselves a deep compassion and a willingness to forgive those around us. Our Holy Father, Saint Benedict, in his monastic Rule, constantly teaches his monks that true humility; the putting of others before oneself is one of the surest paths to finding God. Indeed, listening to those around us, being sensitive to their needs and responding to those needs with generosity is the path that as Christians, leads to our deification- of growing into the image and likeness of Christ. It is the path that leads to our own sins being forgiven and a true, eventual, unity with God.
Let us not be seduced by this world at the expense of the blessed world to come. Instead, let us seek as Christ’s disciples, to grow into His image and likeness.
THIS WEEK AT SAINT MARTIN’S
SUNDAY - 20th February 2022 8.00 am Low Mass (According to the B.C.P./English Missal)
10.00 am Parish Mass for the Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time
TUESDAY
7.00 pm Low Mass
WEDNESDAY 11.45 am Eucharistic Adoration
12.15 pm Low Mass
THURSDAY
10.00 am Low Mass
FRIDAY
10.00 am Low Mass (English Missal / B.C.P.)
SATURDAY
10.00 am Low Mass
SUNDAY 27th February 2022 8.00 am Low Mass (According to the B.C.P./English Missal)
10.00 am Parish Mass for the Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time
THIS WEEK’S SUNDAY MASS WILL BE BROADCAST.
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.
THE KEEPING OF LENT
Fasting on Ash Wednesday & Good Friday
Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of our season of preparation for Easter. It is also a day of Fasting and Abstinence. This means that if we are between the ages of 18 and 59 we are obliged to fast on Ash Wednesday (and Good Friday). In addition, all those over the age of 14 years old must abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday, Good Friday and all the Fridays of Lent.
Fasting means partaking of only one full meal. Some food (not equalling another full meal) is permitted at breakfast and around midday or in the evening- depending on when a person chooses to eat the main or full meal. This is part of our sacrificial giving to God and a sign of our love for him. This joins us spiritually with our Lord who himself fasted for 40 days and 40 nights in the desert and reminds us of the necessity of being able to master our own bodies for the sake of the Gospel.
THE BEGINNING OF LENT
Ash Wednesday - 2nd March
12.15 pm Low Mass with Imposition of Ashes
7.30 pm Sung Mass with Imposition of Ashes
SPECIAL SUNDAY SERVICES 1st Sunday of Lent - 6th March 10.00am - Lenten Procession and Parish Mass
5.00pm – Service of Penance & Benediction
5th Sunday of Lent - 3rd April
5.00pm – Evensong and Benediction
STATIONS OF THE CROSS
Wednesdays after 12.15pm Mass
LENT GROUP
“Les Miserable” - the Story and Musical
What does this have to tell us about Forgiveness, Mercy, Compassion and, ultimately, Redemption
Join us on Tuesdays at 7.15pm
(Beginning 8th March at the Vicarage)
LENTEN SPIRITUAL READING
A selection of good & very modestly priced spiritual reading can be found on the table by the font. Please Browse.
LENTEN GIVING
This year is for the Additional Curates Society and in support of future Ordinands. Please take a collecting box home.
Please Join In With What You Can And Get The Most Out Of This Lent
HOW WE RECEIVE HOLY COMMUNION DURING THE PARISH MASS. We have returned to using the Communion rails for Holy Communion. However, to maintain a safe distancing, we invite four people at a time to come forward and kneel at the altar rail. As soon as you have received, please make room for those behind you. If then you then would like to receive from the chalice, remain kneeling at the altar rails.
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:
That we may strive for a good keeping of Lent, that it may be a time of true growth in Grace.
The strength to witness more diligently to our Christian faith.
For peace in the Ukraine and the Holy Land.
That we may always remember, the needs of those so less fortunate than ourselves.
For a Holy and Pastoral man to be appointed soon as our new Bishop in succession to Bishop Jonathan Goodall.
For those at school, college or University, that they may be kept safe and well.
That society may now heal from the Covid pandemic and return to normal.
For those who work, particularly those who have families or other dependents.
For the Government, that integrity may return to politics, that Covid mandates may come to an end and that they may continue to rebuild after these very difficult two years.
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, Father Ian and Father John 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 seeks a new home. For it’s Abbot, Michael-John Austin, for the community and for those new to its life.
For the Sick:
For Auriol McDonald-Moore, Frances Guess, Nicola Monaghan, Father Gary Ecclestone, Rosalio Eluna, Susan Carter, Pam Wilderspin, Paul Ward, Jean Holden, Peter White, Roger D’Elia, Norman Kent, Denis & Yvonne Simpson, David Lingham, Sandra Walduck, Eugenius Yung and Doris Weatherley.
For the Departed:
For all the recently departed
and for Harold Thomas, Gordon Dunnett, Joan Wren, Jack Kelly, Mary-Anne Sellars and all whose whose Year’s Mind occurs at this time.
Rest eternal grant unto them, O Lord.
And let Light Perpetual shine upon them.
With every blessing,
Father Victor (Dom Cuthbert OSB)