WELCOME TO OUR PARISH WEBSITE: Our Parish serves the whole of Bletchley as well as its outlying villages, Newton Leys, parts of Emerson Valley and Furzton. As we emerge from the lockdown we are finding news ways to reach out, stay connected and share our faith.
JOIN US AT MASS FROM HOME: Live Stream via Facebook
We will be live streaming weekday Mass in the Parish at 10am Monday – Friday and 9:30am on Saturday. Sunday Mass will now be live streamed at 11am. If you are unable to connect for the live broadcast it will remain recorded for 24 hours and so can be viewed later on. We will post a link around 10 to 15 minutes before each broadcast which will appear below:
Sunday – 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A). Mass 11:00am from All Saints Church.
DEVOTION TO OUR LADY OF SORROWS: became a standard devotion in the Church around the 14th century. It was revealed to St. Bridget of Sweden (1303-1373) that devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary’s Seven Sorrows would bring great signal graces. The devotion consists in praying seven Hail Mary’s while meditating on the Seven Sorrows of Mary.
Mary, in a unique way, willingly suffered alongside her Divine Son as he gave his life to save the world, and she felt the bitterness of his passion as only a mother can. This devotion is especially remembered during September, the Month of Our Lady of Sorrows (the feast of Our Lady of Sorrows is September 15th), and during the season of Lent.
THE SEVEN SORROWS:
1. The Prophecy of Simeon (Luke 2:34-35)
2. The Flight into Egypt (Matthew 2:13-21)
3. The Loss of Jesus for Three Days (Luke 2:41-50)
4. The Carrying of the Cross (John 19:17)
5. The Crucifixion of Jesus (John 19:18-30)
6. Jesus Taken Down from the Cross (John 19:39-40)
7. Jesus Laid in the Tomb (John 19:39-42)
Seven Promises to those who meditate on Our Lady’s Seven Sorrows: The Blessed Virgin Mary grants seven graces to the souls who honor her daily by meditating (i.e. mental prayer) on her seven sorrows (dolors). The Hail Mary is prayed seven times, once after each meditation.
1. “I will grant peace to their families.”
2. “They will be enlightened about the Divine Mysteries.”
3. “I will console them in their pains and I will accompany them in their work.”
4. “I will give them as much as they ask for as long as it does not oppose the adorable will of my Divine Son or the sanctification of their souls.”
5. “I will defend them in their spiritual battles with the infernal enemy and I will protect them at every instant of their lives.”
6. “I will visibly help them at the moment of their death. They will see the face of their Mother.”
7. “I have obtained this grace from my divine Son, that those who propagate this devotion to my tears and dolors, will be taken directly from this earthly life to eternal happiness since all their sins will be forgiven and my Son and I will be their eternal consolation and joy.”
Seven Prayers to Our Lady of Seven Sorrows
Pope Pius VII approved another series of prayers in honor of the Seven Sorrows for daily meditation in 1815:
O God, come to my assistance; O Lord, make haste to help me. Glory be to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
1. I grieve for you, O Mary most sorrowful, in the affliction of your tender heart at the prophecy of the holy and aged Simeon. Dear Mother, by your heart so afflicted, obtain for me the virtue of humility and the gift of the holy fear of God. Hail Mary…
2. I grieve for you, O Mary most sorrowful, in the anguish of your most affectionate heart during the flight into Egypt and your sojourn there. Dear Mother, by your heart so troubled, obtain for me the virtue of generosity, especially toward the poor, and the gift of piety. Hail Mary…
3. I grieve for you, O Mary most sorrowful, in those anxieties which tried your troubled heart at the loss of your dear Jesus. Dear Mother, by your heart so full of anguish, obtain for me the virtue of chastity and the gift of knowledge. Hail Mary…
4. I grieve for you, O Mary most sorrowful, in the consternation of your heart at meeting Jesus as He carried His Cross. Dear Mother, by your heart so troubled, obtain for me the virtue of patience and the gift of fortitude. Hail Mary…
5. I grieve for you, O Mary most sorrowful, in the martyrdom which your generous heart endured in standing near Jesus in His agony. Dear Mother, by your afflicted heart obtain for me the virtue of temperance and the gift of counsel. Hail Mary…
6. I grieve for you, O Mary most sorrowful, in the wounding of your compassionate heart, when the side of Jesus was struck by the lance before His Body was removed from the Cross. Dear Mother, by your heart thus transfixed, obtain for me the virtue of fraternal charity and the gift of understanding. Hail Mary…
7. I grieve for you, O Mary most sorrowful, for the pangs that wrenched your most loving heart at the burial of Jesus. Dear Mother, by your heart sunk in the bitterness of desolation, obtain for me the virtue of diligence and the gift of wisdom. Hail Mary…
Let Us Pray: Let intercession be made for us, we beseech You, O Lord Jesus Christ, now and at the hour of our death, before the throne of Your mercy, by the Blessed Virgin Mary, Your Mother, whose most holy soul was pierced by a sword of sorrow in the hour of Your bitter Passion. Through You, O Jesus Christ, Savior of the world, Who with the Father and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns world without end. Amen.
PUBLIC CELEBRATION OF MASS AND PUBILC ACTS OF WORSHIP resumed on Saturday 4th July. In accordance with Goverment directives public acts of worship will be limited with one metre plus social distancing in place. St Thomas Aquinas Church can accommodate 40 households and All Saints Church, 60 households. (Baptisms and Weddings are limited by law to no more than 30 persons). Unfortunately once we have reached capacity we are legally unable to admit anyone else into the building. Please therefore get to Mass in good to time to avoid disappointment. Please note that face masks or coverings will need to be worn. Please do not congregate in groups in the car park before or after Mass, and following the Government’s directive, do not socialise with more than six people.
The Bishop’s have stated that obligation to attend Sunday Mass is still suspended and so if you are in an “at risk group” or have any any concern about the risk of infection we still encourage you to remain at home. The resumption of Public Mass is a process that will take time. We anticipate that numbers at Mass we will be small to begin with and we will of course be observing all appropriate hygiene and safety measures.
At this stage there cannot be any congregational singing and the Mass will be shorter than normal. The exchange of the peace and the use of holy water, children’s liturgy and the stamping of parish diaries will remain suspended.
UK GOVERMENT TEST AND TRACE : You do not need to book or obtain a ticket to attend Mass but it is requested that the parish participate in the UK Government’s Test and Trace System. If you are attending a public Mass in our Parish we invite you to email:
staq.register@gmail.com
Please write: your name, contact telephone number and the date and time of the Mass you are attending. Your participation in this scheme is strongly encourageded but remains optional. Your details will be held securely by the Parish for 21 days after which they will be permanently deleted in accordance with GDPR. Your details will only be used for the test and trace system. A full copy of the Parish Privacy Notice can be found on this website or at the back of each Church on the Notice board.
MASS SCHEDULE
+ SUNDAY 20TH SEPTEMBER – TWENTY-FIFTH SUNDAY OF THE YEAR
6:00pm (STA) (Saturday) Vigil Mass
9:00am (AS) Mass
11:00am (AS) Mass
Monday 21st September – Feast: St Matthew
9:30am (STA) Holy Rosary
10:00am (STA) Mass followed by Adoration
Tuesday 22nd September – Feria
9:30am (AS) Holy Rosary
10:00am (AS) Mass followed by Adoration
Wednesday 23rd September – Memoria: St Pio of Pietrelcina
9:30am (STA) Holy Rosary
10:00am (STA) Mass
Thursday 24th September – Memoria: Our Lady of Walsingham
9:30am (AS) Holy Rosary
10:00am (AS) Mass
Friday 25th September – Feria
9:30am (STA) Holy Rosary
10:00am (STA) Mass
Saturday 26th September –Memoria: Our lady on Saturday
9:30am (STA) Mass followed by Adoration & Rosary
10:00-10:30am (STA) CONFESSIONS
+SUNDAY 27TH SEPTEMBER- TWENTY-SIXTH SUNDAY OF THE YEAR
6:00pm (STA) (Saturday) Vigil Mass
9:00am (AS) Mass
11:00am (AS) Mass
Monday 28th September – Feria
9:30am (STA) Holy Rosary
10:00am (STA) Mass followed by Adoration
Tuesday 29th September –Feast: Ss Michael, Gabriel & Raphael
9:30am (AS) Holy Rosary
10:00am (AS) Mass followed by Adoration
Wednesday 30th September – Memoria: St Jerome
9:30am (STA) Holy Rosary
10:00am (STA) Mass
Thursday 1st October – Memoria: St Teresa of the Child Jesus
9:30am (AS) Holy Rosary
10:00am (AS) Mass
Friday 2nd October –Memoria: The Holy Guardian Angels
9:30am (STA) Holy Rosary
10:00am (STA) Mass
7:30pm (AS) Mass of Confirmation (Invitation Only)
Saturday 3rd October Memoria: Our lady on Saturday
9:30am (STA) Mass followed by Adoration & Rosary
10:00-10:30am (STA) CONFESSIONS
+ SUNDAY 4TH OCTOBER – TWENTY-SEVENTH SUNDAY OF THE YEAR
6:00pm (STA) (Saturday) Vigil Mass
9:00am (AS) Mass
11:00am (AS) Mass
Please note that the 7:30am Sunday Mass and 6:30pm Sunday Mass remain suspended. It is hoped that these will be reinstated in due course.
STA: St Thomas Aquinas Church, Sycamore Avenue, MK2 2JE
AS: All Saints Church, Shenley Road, MK3 6HG
SEASON OF CREATION – Joining Christians throughout the world in prayer and action in caring for God’s gift of creation.
During this anniversary year of ‘Laudato Si’, September 1st through to 4th October, the feast of St Francis of Assisi, we are reminded to consider on our treatment of our world. As Pope Francis says, “we have the opportunity to reflect on our lifestyles”.
The season of creation is an annual ecumenical event, during which the Catholic Church host the world day of prayer for creation on September 1st and the world day of migrants and refugees on September 27th. Pope Francis sums up the season as “A season of increased prayer and effort on behalf of our common home”.
In our own diocese Bishop David has called us all to pray for creation and climate change,
“The 1st September to the 4th October is established as a time for all of us to reflect on the necessary teaching of Pope Francis’ Encyclical, Laudato Si and the invitation to undertake ecological conversation. Many may be confused by the various debates about climate change and definitely unsure about what is involved in ecological conversion. So let us all pray for an openness of heart and mind to the many ways we need to recognise the challenges to creation, including human life, that we face in these days”.
REQUIESCANT IN PACE
Please pray for repose of the soul of
Clarence Gill, whose Funeral Mass will be on Wednesday 16th September at All Saints Church.
Maria Martuccio, whose Funeral Mass will be on Monday 21st September at St Thomas Aquinas Church.
Nicolina Deciccio, whose Funeral Mass will be on Wednesday 23rd September at St Thomas Aquinas Church.
Please be aware that Funeral Services in church are now limited to 30 people and so you need to be invited by the family to attend.
Eternal rest grant unto them O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon them.
CAFOD VIRTUAL PILGRIMAGE
Virtual Pilgraimage to Walsingham 5th – 20th September – join the CAFOD Milton Keynes Pastoral Area in a sponsored virtual pilgrimage to Walsingham by each walking, running, cycling etc at least 5K in an effort to raise funds towards the Coronavirus Appeal. Please confirm participation and sponsorship amount to mosgathorp@cafod.org.uk. Please complete by 20th September. Donations can be made to https://justgiving.com/fundraising/cafodmiltonkeynes?newPage=True
MARRIAGE SUPPORT AND ENRICHMENT
Retrouvaille is the name of a programme designed to help heal and renew marriages. The word “Retrouvaille” simply means “rediscovery”.
The programme offers the chance to rediscover yourself, your partner, and a loving relationship in your marriage.
For more details, please click on the image above or the link below.
https://www.retrouvaille.org.uk/
FR EMMANUEL’S LATEST PUBLISHED BOOKS: During the weeks of lockdown Fr Emmanuel was very busy completing his manuscripts in preparation for their publication.
His books can now be purchased at:
www. amazon.co.uk. Just type Fr Emmanuel Okami into the search box. Or just click on the picture above! Happy reading!
ONLINE SEMINARS:
Do you want to serve the Parish? Do you want to help us ensure we can stay open for the public celebration of Mass? Volunteer today as a Parish Steward and join a happy band of helpers. Email Fr Christopher at: staq@uwclub.net
PARISH OFFERTORY GIVING
The suspension of pubilc Masses during the lockdown has had a huge effect on our Parish income and we still have bills to pay. As a means of mitigating against this loss we would like to encourage those parishioners who do not currently give by Standing Order to donate online. This can be done at:
https://northamptondiocese.org/donate/
Please ensure that you type the parish name and area i.e. “St Thomas Aquinas and All Saints, Bletchley” in the NOTES SECTION of the donate page.
Or.., by Standing Order via your own bank:
You can also set up a standing order for donations to the parish using either your on line bank account or in branch. The information required to make the donation is as follows.
Bank: NatWest
Sort Code: 60-06-11
Account Name; 46898093
Account Name: NRCD Trust
Payment Ref: STAQ Bletchley
Alternatively CHEQUES made payable to “St Thomas Aquinas Church” can be posted to:
The Presbytery, 1 Sycamore Avenue, Bletchley, Milton Keynes, MK2 2JE.
GIVE US A CALL TO DONATE OVER THE PHONE: Every Tuesday between 10am – 4pm, a member of the Diocesan Finance Team will be available by phone for you to donate to our Parish community over the telephone. To donate simply call 01604 712065 with your debit or credit card details.
HOW WE CAN HELP OUR PERSECUTED CHRISTIAN BROTHERS AND SISTERS:
Aid to the Church in Need is an international Catholic pastoral aid organization, which yearly offers financial support to more than 5,000 projects worldwide. It aims to help Christians in need wherever they are repressed or persecuted and therefore prevented from living according to their faith. Please sign up for the newsletter at www.acnuk.org./newsletter. Donations are urgently needed to help provide legal aid for victims of persecution; support Catechists and to help provide Covid 19 emergency aid for the poor. Please call 0345 6460110 to donate.
School Admissions: September 2021
As a result of the closure of our Churches during the time of pandemic if you were issued with a 2020 Parish Diary for a Certificate of Catholic Practice for School Admissions in September 2021 then you will now automatically be given a reference by Fr Christopher irrespective of the number of stamps. The Diary does not need to be handed in. Fr Christopher will contact the School informing them you have been granted a Certificate of Catholic Practice.
PRAYING THE HOLY ROSARY TOGETHER
PRAYING THE CHAPLET OF DIVINE MERCY TOGETHER
LITANY OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY
Every blessing to you all.
Fr Christopher & Fr Emmanuel
