THIS WEEK’S LITURGIES
24th Sunday of the Year (C) – Ordinary Time
6:00pm (Sat) (STA) Vigil Mass
7:30am (STA) Mass
9:00am (AS) Mass
11:00am (AS) Mass
6:30pm (AS) Mass
During the Week
Monday Memoria: SS Cornelius & Cyprian
9:30am (STA) Rosary
10:00am (STA) Mass followed by Adoration
Tuesday Feria
9:30am (AS) Rosary
10:00am (AS) Mass followed by Adoration
Wednesday Feria
10:00am (STA) Mass followed by Rosary
Thursday Feria
10:00am (AS) Mass followed by Rosary and D.M Chaplet
Friday Memoria: SS Andrew Kim Taegon
8:30am (STA) Mass followed by Rosary and D.M Chaplet
Saturday Feast: St Matthew the Apostle
9:30am (STA) Mass followed by Adoration & Devotions
10:00-10:30am (STA) CONFESSIONS
STA: St Thomas Aquinas Church, Sycamore Avenue, MK2 2JE
AS: All Saints Church, Shenley Road, MK3 6HG
BLETCHLEY CATHOLIC SCHOOLS FEDERATION – UPDATE
New Foundation Governor is Needed
We are looking for a new Foundation Governor for the Bletchley Catholic Schools Federation. This federation includes both Bishop Parker Primary School and St Thomas Aquinas Primary School. The Federation Governor should be a practising Catholic and not be a parent of either school. We have enough parents on the Governing Board already and want to get the right balance. We are looking for a professional who can bring a range of skills and talents to our governing table. Someone who can hold the schools to account and is able to ask searching questions as a critical friend. There are three full Governing Board meetings per year. Professionals with building, HR or finance experience would be ideal but other professions are very welcome to put their name forward to support our Bletchley schools. So if you would like to come forward or you know someone else who may be interested in becoming a Foundation Governor please contact either school or email me. We would be delighted to hear from you.
Outstanding News!
On July 1st The Diocese visited St Thomas Aquinas School to inspect RE, Collective Worship and the Catholic life of the school. The school was graded outstanding for all aspects. The inspectors told us that they had not seen pupils as religiously articulate as our pupils before. They also praised the Catholic life of the school as a major strength which permeates all we do. The report is a really good read and I would commend it to you. This can be downloaded from the St Thomas Aquinas school website under school statutory information. So congratulations to pupils, parents, staff and governors! We are very proud of this magnificent achievement.
POPE FRANCIS’ PRAYER INTENTIONS FOR SEPTEMBER:
The Protection of the Oceans
That politicians, scientists and economists work together to protect the world’s seas and oceans.
SECOND COLLECTION TODAY:
HOME MISSION SUNDAY “Supporting the Church’s Mission here in England and Wales as we seek to share the message of Christ with those whom we live and work.”
Second Collection Next weekend: Fr Clements’s Parish “Borehole Project”. A borehole has now been drilled to 200 metres and the parish now has its own source of free, clean water. Funds are still needed however to complete a reservoir and to reduce the fluoride content to the recommended level.
REQUIESCAT IN PACE
Please pray for repose of the soul of
Joan Butler, who died in Saturday 7th September at her home in Cornwall. Joan and her family have a long association with our Parish and we pray for her soul and for the family at this time.
CANONISATION OF
BLESSED JOHN HENRY NEWMAN:
Rome 13th October 2019
‘Lead Kindly Light’, written when Newman became very ill while travelling abroad, is a prayer seeking the Holy Spirit’s guidance while experiencing sadness and spiritual conflict. It suggests three levels of interpretation: Newman’s longing for his earthly home; a restless soul yearning for heavenly homecoming; and Newman’s search for clear direction in his own faith. In the first stanza, Newman calls on the Kindly Light, the Holy Spirit, to rescue him from his homesickness and his struggles with his mission in the Anglican faith, and to lead him on safe paths to heaven. In the second stanza, Newman recalls with sadness and remorse his proud and willful past. In the final stanza, God’s powerful Love and Newman’s faith and hope overcome darkness, brokenness and doubt. This is the fifth in a series of articles about John Henry Newman before his canonisation on 13 October 2019.
DEMENTIA Friendly MASS
3 pm Tuesday 24th September:
St Thomas Aquinas Church
An opportunity for those with Dementia and their carers to come together to celebrate Mass and spend some time together in a friendly and supportive environment.
All are very welcome to attend.
BAPTISM PREPARATION MEETING:
The next meeting for parents who are requesting Baptism for their children will be at 8pm on Thursday 26th September, 8pm at St Thomas Aquinas Church, MK2 2JE. The meeting is for parents and guardians only, unfortunately we are unable to accommodate young children.
FIRST HOLY COMMUNION PROGRAMME 2019-2020 If your child will be in year 3 or above from September 2019 and you would like to enrol them on the Parish ‘First Holy Communion Programme’ please e-mail the parish office as soon as possible at: staq@uwclub.net We will send you an application form which will need to be completed and returned to the parish office with a copy of your child’s Catholic Baptism Certificate. If your child was baptised at either St Thomas Aquinas or All Saints Church we will already have your child’s baptism certificate. If your child will be in year 3 at St Thomas Aquinas School, then the school will run a separate programme and you do not need to enrol of this Parish Course. Further details will be sent with enrolment forms on application to the Parish Office.
MASS FOR VICTIMS AND SURVIVORS OF ABUSE
A Mass for victims and survivors of abuse, their families and supporters will be held at St Mary’s Church, Woburn Sands at 12 noon on Saturday 12th October. The focus will be on healing, reconciliation and the forming of compassionate links with the Church.
NEW YEAR’S PANTO The Parish have secured 200 tickets for the performance at Milton Keynes Theatre on Friday 3rd January 2020, 7pm, Ticket Price £22. Please fill in a ticket request form at the back of Church and return in an envelope with payment to the Parish Office ASAP. First come, first served.
MACMILLAN COFFEE MORNING Thursday 26th September at All Saints Meeting Room following the 10:00am Mass. Tea, coffee, cake 7 tombola. All very welcome.
A REQUEST FROM BISHOP PETER We need people who, in the midst of all changes to education policy will keep Christ at the centre of everything they do. Do you have experience in Education or HR? I would like you to consider whether you are someone who could serve our children as they grow in faith by volunteering as a Director for our new Multi Academy Trust. For more details contact Debbie Main on main@nores.org.uk or 01582 723312
NEXT WEEKEND: “Head Count”
Its time for the Parish to complete the annual statistics report for the Diocese. This year we have been asked to count Mass attendance on the last two Sundays of September and the first two Sundays of October. Next week could collectors please count all those at Mass, including children. Please include those serving on the Altar.
ANNUAL LEAVE: Fr Christopher will be on Vacation until Tuesday 1st October. In his absence please address all general enquiries to Jo at the Parish Office and all Clergy matters to Fr Emmanuel.
With every blessing for the week ahead
Fr Christopher & Fr Emmanuel
