Today the Church gathers to celebrate the Feast of Pentecost, the great culmination of the Easter mystery in which the Holy Spirit is poured out upon the Apostles and the Church, uniting believers into one body and sending them forth to proclaim the Gospel to all nations. In the Acts of the Apostles the Spirit descends with wind and flame, empowering the Apostles to speak in many tongues and to bear fearless witness to Christ, while the Gospel reminds us that Our Lord, raised and exalted, sends the Spirit to aid us in holiness, mission, and daily discipleship. This radiant feast reveals the perpetual Pentecost promised by our Saviour: the Spirit’s gifts—wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord—make possible a life of charity, courage, and unity in truth, guiding the Church through every age and circumstance. May the Holy Spirit enliven our hearts this day and always, filling us with a joyful zeal to live the Gospel in word and deed. Let us open ourselves to the Spirit’s charisms in prayer, worship, and service, seeking to build up the Body of Christ within our families, our parish, and our local community. May our lives become witnesses of mercy to the poor, advocates for peace and justice, and signs of hope to those who wander in darkness. Through the intercession of Mary, Mother of the Church, Saint Martin and all the saints, may God bless you and your loved ones this Pentecost, and may we go forth united in love to bring the light of Christ to every corner of the world. THIS WEEK - THE FEAST OF PENTECOST 24th May 2026 Lauds (Morning Prayer) at 9.15 am. SOLEMN FESTAL MASS at 10.00 am. 26th May TUESDAY Low Mass at 6.30 pm. The Christian Initiation Course continues at the Vicarage at 7.00 pm. 27th May WEDNESDAY Lauds (Morning Prayer) at 9.00 am. Eucharistic Adoration at 11.45 am. Low Mass at 12.15pm. 28th May THURSDAY Lauds (Morning Prayer) at 9.00 am. Low Mass at 10.00 am. Vespers (Evening Prayer) at 6.00 pm. P.C.C. Meeting in Vestry Hall at 6.30 pm. 29th May FRIDAY Lauds (Morning Prayer) at 9.00 am. Low Mass (B.C.P. / English Missal) at 10.00 am. Coffee Morning at 10.30 am. 30th 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. 31st May SUNDAY - THE FEAST OF THE MOST HOLY TRINITY (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, at 7.00 pm. THE PCC MEETS this Thursday after Vespers at 6.00 pm in the Vestry Hall. THE CHILDREN’S FIRST HOLY COMMUNION CLASS CONTINUES this week, on Saturday, 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 Yvonne and Denis Simpson, Gary Ashby, Rosalio Eluna, Heather Burke, June Reid, and Nicola Monaghan. For the Departed: For 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)