Feb 7th 2026

THE FIFTH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME - 8th February 2026

From Father Victor

This Sunday, the Fifth Sunday of Ordinary Time, the Church invites us to contemplate how the light of Christ shines through the ordinary moments of our lives and how generous souls can become signs of God’s mercy in a world that is so hungry for hope. In our First Reading, we hear the call to be a light to the nations, to rise up and illuminate with the holiness of our lives, the places where we live and work. Our Psalm exults the Lord as the source of all goodness, while our Second Reading urges us to live as God’s chosen people, clothed with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving as the Lord has forgiven us. And finally, in our Gospel, Our Lord proclaims that He has come to bring light into a world of darkness and invites us to renounce the shadows of sin by following Him ever more faithfully, letting His word take root in our hearts so that we may bear fruit through acts of mercy and service.

My prayer is that these readings may deepen our resolve to be witnesses who illuminate the world with the love of Christ. Let us listen attentively to the Word proclaimed at Mass, allow its truth to transform our habits, and respond with renewed generosity in our families, parishes, and workplaces.

May our prayers rise like incense, guiding our minds to God and stirring our hearts to mercy toward the poor, the marginalised, and the forgotten. May our homes be places of faith where children learn to love and serve, and may our parish community here at Saint Martin’s welcome all who seek the truth with hospitality and truth, courage and compassion.

Through the intercession of Mary, Mother of the Church, and all the saints, may God bless you, your family and your loved ones.

THIS WEEK - THE FIFTH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME

8th February 2026

Lauds (Morning Prayer) at 9.15 am.

PARISH MASS at 10.00 am.

10th February

TUESDAY

Low Mass at 6.30 pm.

11th February

WEDNESDAY

Lauds (Morning Prayer) at 9.00 am.

Eucharistic Adoration at 11.45 am.

Low Mass at 12.15pm.

Vespers (Evening Prayer) at 6.00 pm.

P.C.C. Meeting in the Vestry Hall at 6.30 pm.

12th February

THURSDAY

Lauds (Morning Prayer) at 9.00 am.

Low Mass at 10.00 am.

13th February

FRIDAY

Lauds (Morning Prayer) at 9.00 am.

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

14th February

SATURDAY

Lauds (Morning Prayer) at 9.00 am.

Low Mass at 10.00 am.

15th February

SUNDAY - THE SIXTH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME

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 P.C.C. next meets THIS Wednesday, 11th February after Vespers at 6.00 pm in Church.

We have the Area Dean and treasurer of the Deanery Synod with us so please make attendance a priority.

PLACES ARE AVAILABLE ON THE PARISH PILGRIMAGE TO WALSINGHAM FOR THE FIRST WEEKEND IN OCTOBER. If interested, speak with Father Victor.

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 this New Year. That we may seek afresh to grow in our discipleship in Christ and to become more fully the person He wishes us to be. May we welcome Christ Jesus fully into our hearts and lives.

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

For peace in our troubled world.

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

For the Departed:

For Amalia Marino, Marino Eluna Senior and all the recently departed, and for all whose whose anniversaries fall at this time, among them Sarah Taylor, Cyril Dimmock, Walter Carter and Lech Toporowski. Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord. And let Light Perpetual shine upon them.

Pax et Bonum,

Father Victor (Brother Cuthbert)