On this Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time, the Church invites us to ground our courage in faith and to witness to the truth of the Gospel even amid fear and confusion. In the readings and Gospel, we hear the call to depend on God rather than on human strength, and we are reminded that the Spirit who fills us with wisdom and courage gives us the words to speak when we are called to testify for Christ. The Prophet Jeremiah proclaims that God has put His word in the prophet’s mouth, making him a steadfast witness to God’s faithfulness, while Saint Paul confirms that our weakness serves to highlight God’s power at work within us. The Gospel presents Our Lord’s teaching about the costs and rewards of discipleship, urging us not to fear those who can harm the body but to fear Him who holds eternal life in His hands. In these days of uncertainty, the Church exhorts us to cultivate a robust interior life - prayer that steadies our hearts, a formed conscience ready to proclaim the truth with gentleness and courage, and a charity that shines in every encounter. May this Sunday strengthen our resolve to follow Christ more closely, regardless of the world’s pressures or opinions. Let us bear witness in small, daily acts of integrity, mercy, and solidarity with the vulnerable, trusting that the Lord accompanies us and gifts us with the grace needed for each and every circumstance. May our families become schools of virtue where the faith is lived and shared, our parish a centre of welcoming truth and pastoral care and a place where justice and peace can blossom from the Gospel’s transforming power. Through the intercession of Mary, Mother of the Church, Saint Martin and all the saints, may God bless you and your loved ones. Father Victor THIS WEEK - THE 12th SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME - 21st June 2026 Lauds (Morning Prayer) at 9.15 am. PARISH MASS at 10.00 am. 23rd June TUESDAY Low Mass at 6.30 pm. The Christian Initiation Course continues, this week, in the Vicarage at 7.00 pm. 24th June WEDNESDAY Eucharistic Adoration at 11.45 am. Low Mass at 12.15pm. 25th June THURSDAY Lauds (Morning Prayer) at 9.00 am. Low Mass at 10.00 am. 26th June 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. 27th June SATURDAY Lauds (Morning Prayer) at 9.00 am. Low Mass at 10.00 am. 28th June SUNDAY - THE SOLEMNITY OF THE SAINTS PETER AND PAUL, APOSTLES 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, IN THE VICARAGE on Tuesday, at 7.00pm. 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. Father Victor’s contact details are as follows: Telephone: 07714190663 Email: Vicarstmartin@outlook.com He is also usually 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 those who have made their First Holy Communion, Harmony, Daniella and Michelle that they may continue to grow in the love of Jesus in His Blessed Sacrament and stay close to Him all their lives. 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 continue to worship in spirit and truth, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. 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 development of a Parish Prayer Group and Prayer Walks. 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 Christine Hummant, Damian Seymour, Yvonne and Denis Simpson, Gary Ashby, Rosalio Eluna, Heather Burke, and Nicola Monaghan. For the Departed: For all the recently departed, and for Etta Coombs, William Clarke, Nellie Bodsworth, Michael Wilderspin, Sarah Wilderspin, Joan Houghton and 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 now and always. Father Victor (Brother Cuthbert)