St. Augustines Church – St. Augustines Roman Catholic Church

St Augustines Church and Office
1 Langcliffe Drive, Heelands, Milton Keynes MK13 7PL

MASS TIMES AND INTENTIONS FOR THIS WEEK

SATURDAY 16th October
9.30 am – Our Lady of Lourdes (St Paul’s School, Leadenhall) –
Reconciliation (Confessions)

TWENTY-NINTH SUNDAY OF THE YEAR (B)

SATURDAY 16th October – VIGIL MASS
SAT – 5pm Reconciliation (Confessions)
5.30pm Church of Christ the Cornerstone – Anthony and Rochelle Wedding Celebration
SAT – 7pm – St Augustine’s (Heelands) – Mass in Polish

SUNDAY 17th October
8.30 am – St Augustine’s (Heelands) – Berty and Camille RIP
8.30am – St Bede’s (Newport Pagnell) – Ian Ward RIP
9.30am Our Lady of Lourdes, (St Paul’s School, Leadenhall) – Special Intention
10 am – St Edward’s (Shenley Church End) – People of the Parish
11 am – St Mary’s (Woburn Sands) – For all those in need
11.30 am – St Augustine’s (Heelands) – Eunice and Ralph Mannas RIP
11.30 am Christ the King (Kents Hill) – Peggy Kroner RIP
2 pm – St Augustine’s (Heelands – Mass in Polish
6.30pm – St Augustine’s (Heelands) – Louise Amoah RIP

MONDAY 18th October – ST LUKE
9.30am – St Augustine’s (Heelands) – Private Intention
12.30pm – Church of Christ the Cornerstone

TUESDAY 19th October
9.30am – St Augustine’s (Heelands)

WEDNESDAY 20th October
9.30am – St Augustine’s (Heelands)

THURSDAY 21st October
9.30am – St Augustine’s (Heelands)
7pm – St Augustine’s (Heelands) – Mass in Polish

FRIDAY 22nd October
9.30am – St Augustine’s (Heelands)
6.00pm – Reconciliation (Confessions) and Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
7.00pm – St Augustine’s (Heelands)

Click here for a Reflection on this Sunday’s Scripture Readings

This weekend in every Cathedral in the world a service will be held to formally begin a worldwide listening process across the whole church, culminating in a meeting (synod) of bishops in Rome in 2023. The intention is that everyone will have an opportunity to speak and listen graciously to one another as we discern God’s will for us now and in the future. We will begin the parish phase of the process next weekend, but in the meantime here are a few questions and answers that you might find helpful.
You can join our own Diocesan launch live at the Cathedral in Northampton on Sunday at 3pm or online at www.northamptoncathedral.org/live

1. What is a synod?
Synod is a meeting of church leaders. The word ‘Synod’ is based on a Greek word meaning journeying together. The idea is rooted in the Acts of the Apostles Chapter 15 in the New Testament.2.

2. What is Synodality?
Synodality is the way the Synod makes decisions. The model includes listening to a broad range of people, discussing issues to hear the Holy Spirit guiding the Church. Synodality is not about winners and losers. It is about speaking with frankness and boldness, listening humbly and being open to new ideas. In theory, Synodality can embrace any topic and even disagreement is welcome. Synodality is the top priority for Pope Francis.3.

3. What is unique about this Synod on Synodality?
Unlike past Synods, the Synod on Synodality is not addressing a particular issue. It is becoming what God wants us to be as a Church – journeying together amid the reality of our times.The uniqueness is seen for three reasons. It is no longer a one-month Synod of Bishops but a two-year synodal process for the entire people of God. It is a synod that seeks to give a lived experience of synodality, not just questionnaires. The Synod aims to put synodality in practice in the church’s life, not talk about a synod – but working together to move forward.

4. Why hold a Synod on Synodality?
Synodality is messy – contrary to the method of command and control. Pope Francis thinks there is a long way to go before the church makes decisions. Pope Francis wants to see synodality at every level. Synod on Synodality is the best way forward for finding out what synodality means in practice. Pope Francis aims to give an experience for every Catholic in the participation process rather than discerning alone.

OPEN HOUSE
Each Monday between 5.30pm and 7pm we have an Open House at St Augustine’s Church in Heelands. It is a chance to meet with one of the priests or deacons to book baptisms, complete marriage paperwork, sign school application forms, or any other practical things you would like to have a word about. There is no need to make an appointment, just come along!

First Communion 2022
Thank you for your patience over the last few weeks whilst we began to make preparations for this year’s First Communion preparation programme. As you know, because of last year’s disruption, there are two year groups (Year 3 and Year 4) to prepare this year. At the back of church or in the sacristy on Sunday you will find a registration form. If your child is in Year 3 or over and would like to make their First Communion this year, please complete one of the forms and we will get back to you with details of the appropriate programme.

Confirmation 2022
Bishop David will join us to celebrate the sacrament of Confirmation in the summer term of next year. After Christmas we will begin our preparation programme for young people in Year 8 and over. Registration forms will be available later in the year.

Pray for the Living and the Dead

November is traditionally a month when we pray for those who have died. We will remember our loved ones who have died at all of the Masses throughout the month. If you would like us to pray for anyone in particular, please complete one of the forms at Mass or Email their names to the office using the link below, and we will place them before the altar.

Those who have died recently
Please pray for all of our loved ones who have died recently, especially:
Marion Lobo whose Funeral will take place on 21st October at St Augustine’s Church.
Robertino Sortino whose funeral takes place on 27th October
Ian Ward whose Funeral will take place on 12th November at St Mary’s Church.

“Eternal rest grant unto them O Lord, and let perpetual light come upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen”

Click here to request prayer for those who have died

St Vincent de Paul Society England and Wales
Turning Concern into Action

The need now is greater than ever.
St Bede’s and Christ the King’s St Vincent de Paul Society or SVP, for short, is a group of volunteer parishioners who set out to help anyone in need. The group is very small and the work consists mainly of visiting the lonely and housebound, but also assisting when needed with household items and emergency food.

Volunteers are needed now more than ever. Would you be able to find an hour of your time to join the group to help with whatever you can, e.g. packing food parcels, phoning or visiting someone for a chat, giving someone a lift to the doctors. Just a little bit of time could make a huge difference to someone’s life. If you are interested in finding out more please speak to a current member of the Society, ring 07821 085869 or email Chris Stone at chris1@linfotech.co.uk

If you would like to make a donation to the work of the group. A collection will be taking place at St Bede’s and Christ the King Churches after Mass next weekend, Sunday 24th October, please be as generous as you are able. The money raised will be used to help buy food items for Christmas hampers that directly help families and the elderly in our Community. Alternatively you could make a donation via your bank using the information below.
Account number: 46084800
Sort Code: 60-60-04
Account name: St Vincent de Paul Society

Churches Together in Woburn Sands
Click here for this months copy of Christian News. It contains news from all of the churches in Woburn Sands, including our feast day celebration at St Mary’s August. There’s a great picture of Fr Maria too!

The Guild of St Stephen
The Guild of St Stephen is an International Organisation of Altar Servers founded in England in 1904. The objective of the Guild is to encourage, positively and practically, the highest standards of serving at the Church’s liturgy and so contribute to the whole community’s participation in a more fruitful worship of God.
We are planning to re-establish the Guild at St. Augustine’s Parish to include training and a rota to cover both the regular Sunday Masses (8:30 , 11:30 , 6:30pm) as well as Easter and Christmas celebrations. At the 11:30 High Mass we are planning to reintroduce the procession with the cross, acolytes with candles, and the thurible.
The Guild is open to anyone (young or old) who has already made their First Holy Communion.
If you are interested, please drop an email to Fr Brendan at brendan@mk-cluster.co.uk by Sunday October 17th. We will arrange a training day thereafter.
Please note: all altar servers must be on our list in order to serve – this will promote both fairness among the team as well as ensure adequate training has been provided.
Thank you for your ministry!

The image above is an invitation to consider becoming a school governor
at St Bernadette’s Catholic Primary School.

Diocesan Mass for People with Disabilities
Bishop David is celebrating a Diocesan Mass for people with disabilities and their families on Sunday 7th November at 3pm at St John’s Church, Sundon Park in Luton. Please feel free to come along and pass on the invitation to anyone who you feel may be interested.

Priesthood Discernment Day
A Priesthood Discernment Day is due to be held at Holy Family Church in Luton onSaturday 23^rd October, 10am to 5pm. This is for men who may be considering the possibility of a vocation to the priesthood and would like to explore the idea further. For more information, please contact the Diocesan Vocations Director, Fr Andy Richardson, on 01582 502400, or via email at vocationsdirector@northamptondiocese.org.

Mystery Church of the Week
Each week we will show you an image from one of the churches in our cluster of parishes. Do you recognise this Fourteen Station of the Cross?
Answer next week!

Congratulations to those of you who recognised the sanctuary at St Bede’s in Newport Pagnell.

MONEY MATTERS
A number of people have once again enquired about ways in which they can support the work of our parishes financially.

(1) STANDING ORDER VIA YOUR OWN BANK
You can set up a standing order for donations to your 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: Northampton Roman Catholic Diocesan Trust
Payment Ref: **Please enter the Parish Name and Area**

(2) CALL THE FINANCE OFFICE AND DONATE OVER THE PHONE
Every Tuesday between 10am – 4pm, a member of the Diocesan Finance Team will be available for you to donate to one of our Parishes over the telephone. To donate simply call 01604 712065 with your debit or credit card details. The money will go directly to the parish that you designate.