Jan 3rd 2026

THE SOLEMNITY OF THE HOLY EPIPHANY OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST - 4th January 2026

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

The Epiphany of the Lord is a feast of universal light, revealing Christ to all nations through the Magi’s worship, the Baptism in the Jordan, and the sign of Cana’s first miracle. Epiphany—literally “manifestation”—reminds us that God’s salvation breaks through boundaries, drawing Gentiles and Jews, indeed all people alike, into the one saving mystery. The Magi teach us to seek truth with humility, offering gifts worthy of a king; Herod’s fear and scheming stand in stark contrast, reminding us to choose worship over power. This feast calls us to witness that the Kingdom announced by the Infant Jesus is for every people and every heart, a light that cannot be contained.

So as we enter this Epiphany season, the Church invites us to contemplate Christ’s manifestations in word, water, and life, and to respond with faith, repentance, and adoration. The Mass readings emphasise the Magi’s journey (Matthew 2:1-12) and the baptism of the Lord; guiding us to behold how the Father reveals the Son through the Holy Spirit.

In reflecting on this, we are urged to imitate the Magi’s reverence and generosity, to offer our own gifts in praise and service, and in our own lives to act as witnesses who bring Christ to others through charity and everyday holiness.

So may this season deepen our zeal for holiness and mission: may the Light of Christ dwell in our hearts, may we confess Him with joy, and may our lives, quiet and generous, proclaim the Gospel to all we meet. Let us carry the Epiphany into our families, neighbourhoods, and workplaces, so that all may come to worship Him who is, and who was, and who is to come - the Saviour of all nations.

May God bless you this Epiphany season.

THIS WEEK - THE SOLEMNITY OF THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORD

4th January 2026

Lauds (Morning Prayer) at 9.15 am.

FESTAL MASS with the BLESSING OF CHALK at 10.00 am.

6th January

TUESDAY

Low Mass at 6.30 pm.

7th January

WEDNESDAY

Lauds (Morning Prayer) at 9 am.

Eucharistic Adoration at 11.45 am.

Low Mass at 12.15pm.

8th January

THURSDAY

Lauds (Morning Prayer) at 9.15 am.

Low Mass at 10 am.

9th January

SATURDAY

Lauds (Morning Prayer) at 9 am.

Low Mass at 10.00 am.

10th January

SUNDAY - THE FEAST OF THE BAPTISM OF THE LORD

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 Epiphany. That we may welcome the Christ Jesus 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 Amalia Marino, 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 experience the light of Christ through His most Holy Epiphany. Blessings on you and your families.

Father Victor (Brother Cuthbert)