Dear Brothers and Sisters,
As we near the end of the liturgical year so the sense of urgency increases. God has given each of us particular talents and gifts: a special skill or quality to use for his glory. It is in this way that we can each play our part in producing a harvest of fruitful growth and may come to hear his ‘well done’ on the Last Day. May we be found worthy of so great a destiny.
And in that frame of thought, don’t forget: be faithful in your daily private prayer and in making the effort to tune into Parish Facebook worship particularly on Sunday mornings. We must continue to endeavour to keep our faith and our church alive while we wait for our normal pattern of life to be restored.
PLEASE NOTE CHURCH OPENING TIMES
The Church is allowed to be open and will be open for private prayer on Saturdays and Sundays between 10.30 am - 12 noon and on Wednesdays between 11 am - 1 pm.
PLEASE DON’T FORGET - do not be hesitant in ringing, texting or emailing me and one another at this time. We are a family and we need each other. Now more so than ever. While we cannot meet in person we can communicate with one another. Some of us have partners, spouses and family at home with us. Others do not. Yet all of us will be boyed up if we know that others care enough to pick up the phone. We can and will get through these next few weeks if we pray and look out for one another. Keep strong and keep safe and know that all of you are in my thoughts and prayers.
OUR SAINT MARTINS-TIDE CELEBRATION was broadcast last Wednesday and can be viewed on our Church Facebook page. In this way we were able to witness to Christ as a Parish family as we honoured Saint Martin.
SERVICES BROADCAST THIS SUNDAY
Parish Mass at 10 am
AND DURING THE WEEK AT THESE TIMES:
Tuesday at 10 am
Wednesday at 12.15 pm
Thursday at 10 am
Friday at 10 am
Saturday at 10 am
SERVICES BROADCAST NEXT SUNDAY
Parish Mass at 10 am
PLEASE don’t forget to contact me if you have any prayer requests 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: 01908 372825
Email: victorbullock@talktalk.net
I am also available in person during Surgery Hour on Saturday’s in Church between 10.30am - 12 noon. The Sacrament of Confession and Reconciliation is also available at this time.
From time to time Sunday Vespers and Benediction will also be broadcast. We will also continue to maintain a presence on the Saint Martin’s Parish Church Facebook Page and our Church What’s App group so that we can remain in touch with as many members of our Saint Martin’s parish family as we can.
Please continue to remember the following in your prayers:
Those who gave their lives in conflict so that others might live.
Those who have made Profession and Solemn Profession and have begun their Religious Life as Postulants this week.
Our country under lockdown, that the infection rate may decline and quarantine measures may end on time.
The people of the United States of America as they decide on who shall be their next President.
Those who are working on a Vaccine for Covid 19 and for the countless volunteers who are assisting them.
Those who have found themselves out of work, particularly those who have families or other dependents to support.
Those who are despairing at the future of their businesses and those that work for them.
Those who still live in fear of this global pandemic and those who live in fear and are living with anxiety and depression.
For those who have suffered due to racism or bigotry. For those who have suffered violence or torture at the hands of others.
For the Government in their seeking solutions for the common good at this time.
That at this continuing tightening of lockdown measures people may continue to act and behave sensibly.
For peace to reign within our homes and amongst 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 Bishop Jonathan and all our parish clergy as they seek to continue to make present in our midst the Sacrifice of the Holy Mass, the Sacraments of Christ and offer continuing Pastoral care.
For the Mother House of the Monastic Community of the House of Initia Nova of the Order of Saint Benedict. For it’s Abbot Michael-John, the community and for those exploring a vocation to vowed life within its family.
For the Sick:
For Jonathan Kemp, Mary Cowan, Peter White, Roger D’Elia, Shirley Milburn, Jean Holden, Paul Ward, Norman Kent, Peter Woodward, Gay Lavery, David Gregg, Eugenius Yung, Denis & Yvonne Simpson, Mary Collier, Benjamin Duarri, David Lingham, Sandra Walduck, Eugenius Yung, Doris Weatherley and Pope Emeritus Benedict.
For the Departed:
For all who have died recently, among them Ruth Lane, Marjorie Matthew, Helen L’Estrange, Peter Salt, George Tsimikalis and Margaret Catchpole.
For all those who have died of Covid 19.
We pray too for all whose years mind falls at this time, among them John Brooks, Reginald Johnson, Robert Peerless, Arthur Lewis-Parkins, Frank Rowles, Gertrude Jackson. Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord. And let Light Perpetual shine upon them.
With best wishes and every blessing on you and your families,
Father Victor