June 7th 2025

THE FEAST OF PENTECOST (Whit Sunday)

- 8th June 2025

Dear Brothers and sisters in Christ,

This Sunday we gather to celebrate Pentecost—the feast of the Holy Spirit and the birthday of the Church. We remember the moment recorded in Acts, when the disciples, gathered in prayer and fellowship, suddenly experienced what seemed to them like a powerful wind and witnessed tongues of fire descending upon them. This divine encounter transformed them into heralds of the Gospel and gave them strength and courage to proclaim God’s marvellous acts in every language.

Our readings for Pentecost remind us, through St. Paul’s words, that the sincere declaration of “Jesus is Lord” springs forth only by the grace and inspiration of the Holy Spirit. This mystery, uniting diverse gifts and talents within one body, calls us to embody charity, zeal, and unity in our daily lives. The ancient psalm, “Lord, send forth your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth,” echoes in our hearts and invites each of us to renew our commitment to carrying out Christ’s mission in our world. So let us be renewed.

As we celebrate this great feast, let us open our hearts to the transformative power of the Holy Spirit. May His fire kindle our souls, fortify our resolve, and draw us ever closer in faith and love. Amen.

With every blessing in Christ,

Father Victor Bullock

THE WEEK AHEAD

8th June

THIS SUNDAY - THE FEAST OF PENTECOST

Lauds (Morning Prayer) at 9.15 am.

PARISH FESTAL MASS at 10.00 am.

Whit Walk to Mill Fields and Picnic after Mass

10th June

TUESDAY

Low Mass at 6.30 pm.

11th June

WEDNESDAY

Lauds (Morning Prayer) at 9.00 am.

Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament at 11.45 am.

Low Mass at 12.15pm.

12th June

THURSDAY

Lauds (Morning Prayer) at 9.00 am.

Low Mass at 10.00 am.

30th May

FRIDAY

Lauds (Morning Prayer) at 9.00 am.

Low Mass at 10.00 am.

31st May

SATURDAY

Lauds (Morning Prayer) at 9.00 am.

Low Mass at 10.00 am.

1st June

SUNDAY - The Feast of Holy Trinity

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 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.

THE FUNERAL OF JOHN KEMP

John will be brought into Saint Martin’s Church and a Reception Liturgy will take place at 4.30 pm, followed by a Said Requiem Mass at 7.00 pm on Monday, 16th June.

His Funeral Mass will take place at Saint Michael’s Church, Stewkley at 11.00 am on Tuesday, 17th June 2025.

May He Rest in Peace. Amen.

THE SOLEMNITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI

Festal Mass and Eucharistic Procession at 10.00 am on Sunday, 22nd June.

The Eucharist is the summit and source of our ecclesial life. We are fed and sustained by the real and living presence of Christ which we receive in Holy Communion.

THE SOLEMNITY OF THE MOST SACRED HEART OF JESUS

Festal Mass at 7.00 pm on Friday, 27th June. Followed by drinks.

God loved us to the point of sacrificing his own Son. On this feast we celebrate that love made visible in the Heart of Jesus.

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 takes place each and every Sunday during school term time. If you have children between the ages of 5 - 12 they will be most welcome from 10 am in the Vestry Hall. Hope to see you there.

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 the Gifts of the Holy Spirit to take root in our hearts so that we may be God’s instruments of evangelism.

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

For the Departed:

For John Kemp, Father Ronald Crane, and 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.

May we take strength and courage from our faith in the Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ.

Alleluia. The Lord is Risen. He has Risen indeed. Alleluia.

Every Blessing.

Father Victor (Brother Cuthbert)