Today, on this Second Sunday of Advent we witness something of a liturgical pause in our forty-day journey toward Christmas; an invite to deepen our spirit of preparation. In Year A of the lectionary cycle, our readings emphasise the call to us to repent and to hope, as we await the coming of the Lord, who will come to redeem and renew all of creation. As we respond to this invitation, may we open our hearts to the voice of the prophet, prepare a worthy dwelling for Christ, and live as faithful witnesses to the Gospel, with the Advent violet colours of vestments and altar frontals reminding us of penance, preparation, and hopeful expectation. This Sunday sees our first reading from the Prophet Isaiah speak of preparing the way of the Lord, making straight paths, and the comforting of the people in the face of exile and hardship. The responsorial psalm (Psalm 72) expresses longing for God and the joy of His salvation, while the second reading from Romans calls us to live in hope, patience, and perseverance as we await the glory that will be revealed. The gospel from Matthew 3:1–12 presents John the Baptist as the voice crying in the wilderness, urging a conversion of heart in anticipation of the Lord’s coming, and pointing to Jesus, our Lord, who is to come after him. As we enter into this week we are called, therefore, to reflect on our need to open and prepare our hearts. Are there habits, fears, or resentments that hinder the coming of Christ into our lives? We are encouraged to invite God to heal and transform. We are likewise asked to heed repentance and conversion, letting justice, mercy, and humility guide our turning toward the Lord, and to hold fast to Advent hope, living with expectant faith and bearing fruit worthy of repentance. Let us remember then among our prayer intentions to ask for a spirit of true repentance within our families and parish, for all who live in longing or fear during this season, and for our clergy and all who prepare the Church’s celebrations, that they may lead us to a deeper encounter with Christ. May the Lord illuminate our hearts as we walk this Advent path together, making straight the ways of the Lord and may those hearts be ready and welcoming to His coming in glory. Amen. With blessings on you and your families, Father Victor Bullock THE WEEK AHEAD 7th December THIS SUNDAY - THE 2nd SUNDAY OF ADVENT Lauds (Morning Prayer) at 9.15 am. PARISH MASS at 10.00 am. 8th December MONDAY - THE SOLEMNITY OF THE CONCEPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY Low Mass at 12 noon. 9th December TUESDAY Low Mass at 6.30 pm. 10th December WEDNESDAY Lauds (Morning Prayer) at 9 am. Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament at 11.45 am. Low Mass at 12.15pm. 11th December THURSDAY Lauds (Morning Prayer) at 9 am. Low Mass at 10.00 am. 12th December FRIDAY Lauds (Morning Prayer) at 9 am. Low Mass at 10.00 am. (B.C.P. / English Missal) 13th December SATURDAY Lauds (Morning Prayer) at 9 am. Low Mass at 10.00 am. 14th December SUNDAY - THE 3rd SUNDAY OF ADVENT 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. 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: For a good keeping of Advent. That we may be ready and spiritually prepared for the future coming of Christ. For Blessings on our Parish family as we seek to grow our Church. 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. 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 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 Martha, Amanda Lowe, Yvonne and Denis Simpson, Gary and Helen Ashby, Heather Burke, June Reid, and Nicola Monaghan. For the Departed: For Louis Sore Bahati and all the recently departed, and for Daniel Collier, Edgar Hill, Pat Proudlock, Adam Eldridge, Barbara Goodman, Ellis Hands and all whose whose anniversaries fall at this time. Rest eternal grant unto them, O Lord. And let Light Perpetual shine upon them. May you walk ever more closely with the Lord that you may be always prepared to enter into His Divine Life. Blessings on you and your families. Father Victor (Brother Cuthbert)