May 16th 2026

The Ascension of the Lord - 17th May 2026

My dear Brothers and Sisters,

From Father Victor

Today the Church joyfully celebrates the Feast of the Ascension of the Lord, a holy culmination of the Lenten and Easter mysteries as Our Lord ascends in glory to the Father and entrusts His apostles with the mission to spread His Gospel to the ends of the earth. In the readings of the Feast, we are reminded that Christ, having conquered sin and death, now reigns at the right hand of the Father, sending the Holy Spirit to empower the Church for proclamation and witness.

The Ascension reveals the true nature of Christian hope: though Our Lord has gone before us to prepare a place, He remains with us by grace through the Spirit, guiding, sustaining, and uniting the Church in mission and communion. We are called to lift our eyes beyond the visible heavens, to live now as citizens of the fuller life He has won for us, and to participate joyfully in the ongoing work of salvation through prayer, service, and evangelization.

And so as we gaze on the mystery of Christ’s return to the Father, may we redouble our commitment to grow in faith, hope, and love, and to discern how best to witness to the risen and ascended Lord in our daily lives. Let us renew our trust in His promise to be with us until the end of the age, strive for deeper prayer and frequent reception of the Sacraments, especially the Eucharist and Reconciliation, and renew our resolve to bring the light of the Gospel to our families, neighbours, and workplaces. May our lives be marked by a steadfast longing for heaven and a faithful service that builds up the Body of Christ here on earth, through the intercession of Mary, Mother of the Church, and all the saints. May God bless you and your loved ones this Feast of the Ascension.

THIS WEEK - THE ASCENSION OF THE LORD 17th May 2026

Lauds (Morning Prayer) at 9.15 am.

SOLEMN FESTAL MASS at 10.00 am.

19th May

TUESDAY

Low Mass at 6.30 pm.

The Christian Initiation Course continues at the Vicarage at 7.00 pm.

20th May

WEDNESDAY

Lauds (Morning Prayer) at 9.00 am.

Eucharistic Adoration at 11.45 am.

Low Mass at 12.15pm.

21st May

THURSDAY

Lauds (Morning Prayer) at 9.00 am.

Low Mass at 10.00 am.

22nd May

FRIDAY

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

Coffee Morning at 10.30 am.

23rd May

SATURDAY

Lauds (Morning Prayer) at 9.00 am.

Low Mass at 10.00 am.

The Children’s First Holy Communion Class continues in the Vestry Hall at 10.30 am.

24th April

SUNDAY - THE FEAST OF PENTECOST

(Whit Sunday)

Lauds (Morning Prayer) at 9.15 am.

FESTAL MASS at 10.00 am.

TEA AND COFFEE IS AVAILABLE AFTER MASS ON SUNDAYS - DO JOIN US FOR FELLOWSHIP.

PARISH NEWS

THE CHRISTIAN INITIATION CLASS CONTINUES this week, on Tuesday, the 12th May at 7.00 pm.

THE CHILDREN’S FIRST HOLY COMMUNION CLASS CONTINUES this week, on Saturday, the 16th May at 10.30 am.

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:

That as a parish we may seek afresh to grow in our discipleship in Christ and to become more fully the people He wishes us to be. May we welcome Christ Jesus fully into our hearts and lives.

That we may seek the gifts of the Holy Spirit and deepen our communion with the Lord.

That we may grow in a deeper appreciation of the Holy Traditions of our Christian Church, of the Holy Scriptures and of the precious deposit of faith and teachings that have been passed down to us from the Apostles.

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

For graces, blessings and a deepening of understanding of Christ and His teachings for those participating in our Faith Formation and Lent Groups.

For peace in our troubled world and for an ending to the conflict in Iran, Gaza and the Ukraine.

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.

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 Pam Wilderspin, Yvonne and Denis Simpson, Gary Ashby, Rosalio Eluna, Heather Burke, June Reid, and Nicola Monaghan.

For the Departed:

For Mandy Perkins, Edgar Geeves and all the recently departed, and for all whose whose anniversaries fall at this time. Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord. And let Light Perpetual shine upon them.

May the Lord bless you and keep you.

Father Victor (Brother Cuthbert)