July 26th 2025

THE SEVENTEENTH  SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME - 27th July 2025

My dear brothers and sisters,

This Sunday we celebrate the 17th Sunday of Ordinary Time, a time when Our Lord teaches us about prayer and trust in our Heavenly Father’s generous goodness. As we listen to this Sunday’s readings, we are reminded that prayer is our vital connection with God, who delights in giving us what we need and more.

In our Gospel from Luke, Jesus’ disciples ask Him, “Lord, teach us to pray,” and He responds with what we now know as the Lord’s Prayer. He then shares a series of illustrations: if a friend comes at midnight seeking bread, or a parent asks for a fish instead of a serpent, they will provide what is asked for out of persistence and love. These stories reveal that God, our perfect Father, is eager to give us what we need when we come to Him with faith, trust, and persistence.

The message is clear: prayer is not just about asking, but about cultivating a relationship of trust and confidence. Our Heavenly Father is generous and eager to bless us, just as good parents care for their children. Jesus encourages us to approach God boldly, knowing that He hears us and responds according to His perfect will.

In Sunday’s first reading from Genesis, we see God’s promise to Abraham that He will bless him and make him a great nation. This echoes the theme of divine generosity—God’s desire to bless His people and fulfill His promises. The Responsorial Psalm invites us to trust in the Lord’s goodness and mercy, echoing the confidence we are encouraged to have in prayer.

As we reflect on this Sunday’s readings, let us come before God with humble hearts and persistent faith, trusting that He will provide, guide, and bless us abundantly.

With every blessing in Christ,

Father Victor Bullock

THE WEEK AHEAD

27th July

THIS SUNDAY - THE 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Lauds (Morning Prayer) at 9.15 am.

PARISH MASS at 10.00 am.

29th July

TUESDAY

Low Mass at 6.30 pm.

30th July

WEDNESDAY

Lauds (Morning Prayer) at 9.00 am.

Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament at 11.45 am.

Low Mass at 12.15pm.

31st July

THURSDAY

Lauds (Morning Prayer) at 9.00 am.

Low Mass at 10.00 am.

1st August

FRIDAY

Lauds (Morning Prayer) at 9.00 am.

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

2nd August

SATURDAY

Lauds (Morning Prayer) at 9.00 am.

Low Mass at 10.00 am.

3rd August

SUNDAY - The Eighteenth Sunday in 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

THE PARISH BARBECUE TAKES PLACE NEXT SUNDAY THE 3rd AUGUST, FROM 12 NOON UNTIL 2-30 PM.

Tickets are now available at £5 for Adults and £3.50 for Children. Please ask Fr. Victor or one of the Churchwardens for tickets or further information.

OUR SUMMER FAYRE AND HISTORY DAY TAKES PLACE ON SUNDAY THE 17th AUGUST BETWEEN 12 NOON - 3 PM.

There will be various stalls. Books. White Elephant. Bottle Tombola. Raffle. Cakes and Refreshments. A display about the Fenny Poppers and their history. Displays of photographs and other memorabilia celebrating the life and history of Saint Martin’s and the local community. There will be history walks and talks. Do come along and support. Let your friends and families know. And offers of help to manage stalls would be more than welcome. Please speak to Shanni with offers of help.

OUR HALF HOUR BIBLE STUDY GROUP ON SUNDAY 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.

YOUTH GROUP

The Youth Group meets for a Meal, for Fellowship, Discussion or some other Activity, usually at 6.45 pm on Wednesdays in the Vestry Hall. LOOK OUT ON THE YOUTH GROUP WHATSAPP FOR MORE DETAILS.

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.

OUR SUNDAY SCHOOL usually takes place each and every Sunday during school term time. If you have children between the ages of 5 - 12 they will always be most welcome from 10 am in the Vestry Hall. PLEASE BE AWARE THAT AS THE SCHOOL HOLIDAYS HAVE NOW BEGUN THERE WILL BE NO SUNDAY SCHOOL UNTIL THE BEGINNING OF SEPTEMBER

FATHER VICTOR IS ALSO BROTHER CUTHBERT OF THE BENEDICTINE COMMUNITY OF THE HOUSE OF INITIA NOVA - WHAT’S THIS ABOUT?

We are a Christian and monastic community officially recognized by the American Episcopal Church (our Sister Church in the United States). This means we are an officially recognised community of the worldwide Anglican Communion.

And may be its for you. What are you looking for? Does life seem like one distraction after an other – and yet the end is never insight? Does one’s history keep you from becoming more?

Do you yearn to live a more intentional, Christian life?

If any of these ring true, you may be the perfect inquirer into Religious Life.

If you are someone who desires a Contemplative life, God – You  – Community; centered in prayer, dating back 1,500 plus years yet speaking to contemporary life: this Benedictine House may be what you are looking for!!

Members are found in the United States, England, Scotland, Cuba, Australia.

For more information: houseofinitianova@org

Motherhouse is in Ponce, Puerto Rico.

Abbot Michael-John Austin – Superior – tel:2816304842

So, if you are interested in knowing more, please speak to Father Victor / Brother Cuthbert.

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 Blessings on Father Victor as he celebrates 30 years of Priestly Ministry in the Church of God.

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 Youth Group and all 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 our Sunday School and for the children attending.

That the gifts of the Holy Spirit may be ours so that we may grow our Parish and serve the people of Fenny and Bletchley more effectively.

For the successful implementation of our ‘Growing Healthy Churches’ initiative.

For a deepening of our 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 the people of Israel and Palestine and for an ending of the conflict there.

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 they may be kept safe and well.

For those who work, particularly those who have families or other dependents.

For our Government, 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 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 our Monastic Community of the House of Initia Nova of the Order of Saint Benedict and for its Motherhouse in Ponce, Puerto Rico.

For it’s Abbot, Michael-John Austin, for all of the community and for those new to its life.

For the Sick:

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

For the Departed:

For all the recently departed, and for all whose anniversaries fall at this time.

Rest eternal grant unto them, O Lord.

And let Light Perpetual shine upon them.

Every Blessing.

Father Victor (Brother Cuthbert)