Sept 7th 2025

THE TWENTY-THIRD SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME - 7th September 2025 / FEAST OF THE EXULTATION OF THE HOLY CROSS - 14th September 2025

Welcome, brothers and sisters,

This Sunday we gather to reflect on the profound call of Jesus to follow Him with unwavering commitment, even amid challenges and sacrifices. In the Gospel, Jesus speaks of the necessity of carrying our cross daily and remaining steadfast in faith, reminding us that true life is found in self-denial and trust in God's mercy. This theme resonates deeply with the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, which follows on Sunday 14th September - a celebration of Christ’s victory over sin and death through His humble sacrifice on the cross. As we honour the cross today, let us recognize it as a symbol of God's boundless love and the means by which our salvation was accomplished. May our reflections inspire us to embrace our daily crosses with hope and gratitude, knowing that through them, we participate in Christ’s triumph and are drawn closer to the heart of God.

PRAYER FOR THE WEEK

Prayer for the Week beginning 23rd Sunday of Ordinary Time

Heavenly Father,

we thank You for the gift of Your Word and the call to follow Jesus faithfully. Help us to carry our crosses with patience and trust, knowing that in our weakness Your power is made perfect. Grant us the courage to live out our faith boldly, and may Your Holy Spirit strengthen us in our journey. May we be witnesses of Your love in our families, communities, and the world.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Prayer for the week beginning with the Feast of the Exultation of the Holy Cross

O God,

we rejoice in the exaltation of the Holy Cross, through which Your Son redeemed the world. Help us to see in the cross the symbol of love, humility, and victory over sin. May it inspire us to carry our own crosses with hope and patience, trusting in the power of Christ’s sacrifice. Fill our hearts with gratitude for the gift of salvation, and renew our commitment to follow Jesus daily.

Grant this through Christ, who was exalted on the cross for our salvation.

Amen.

With every blessing in Christ,

Father Victor Bullock

THE WEEK AHEAD

7th September

THIS SUNDAY - THE 23rd SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

Lauds (Morning Prayer) at 9.15 am.

PARISH MASS at 10.00 am.

9th September

TUESDAY

Low Mass at 6.30 pm.

10th September

WEDNESDAY

Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament at 11.45 am.

Low Mass at 12.15pm.

11th September

THURSDAY

No Mass today.

12th September

FRIDAY

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

13th September

SATURDAY

Low Mass at 10.00 am.

14th September

SUNDAY - THE FEAST OF THE EXULTATION OF THE HOLY CROSS

Lauds (Morning Prayer) at 9.15 am.

PARISH MASS at 10.00 am.

16th September

TUESDAY

Low Mass at 6.30 pm.

17th September

WEDNESDAY

Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament at 11.45 am.

Low Mass at 12.15pm.

18th September

THURSDAY

No Mass today.

19th September

FRIDAY

No Mass today.

20th September

SATURDAY

Low Mass at 10.00 am.

21st September

SUNDAY - THE 25th 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

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. FROM THIS WEEK THE BIBLE STUDY MEETS IN THE LIBRARY IN THE CHURCH, BY THE CHAPEL OF OUR LADY OF WALSINGHAM.

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. THE YOUTH GROUP WILL BEGIN TO MEET AGAIN IN PERSON AND ONLINE VERY SOON. KEEO YOUR EYES PEELED ON 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. SUNDAY SCHOOL MEETS AGAIN ON SUNDAYS.

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 our Parish family as we seek to grow our Church.

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 and Helen Ashby, Heather Burke, June Reid, and Nicola Monaghan.

For the Departed:

For Jean Sorbie, Christine Checkley, Emmanuel Dadzie, Sylvia Goff 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.

Every Blessing on you and your families.

Father Victor (Brother Cuthbert)