Pope Francis’ intention for the month of December 2023
We pray that people living with disabilities may be at the centre of attention in society, and that institutions may offer inclusive programs which value their active participation.
| Second Sunday of Advent 10 December 2023 Liturgical Colour: Violet Year: A(I) Sunday Mass Readings |
SUNDAY REFLECTION
| The Gospel message on this second Sunday of Advent shows us the character of John the Baptist. We see in him a combination of humility and courage to remain truthful to his vocation (Matthew 3:1-12). Ministers of God and Christians should emulate him. Using the name of God to peddle lies ridicules Christianity and diminishes us. May we learn from John the Baptist. Happy Sunday, I pray for you today. Richard Ugwu |
Liturgies: w/c 10th December 2023
Sunday: Second Sunday of Advent
8am Mass
9:30am Mass
11:30am Mass
6:30pm Evening Mass
Monday of the 2nd week of Advent
8:45am Adoration/ Rosary
9:30am Mass
Tuesday Our Lady of Guadalupe
8:45am Silent Adoration
9:30am Mass
Wednesday Saint Lucy, Virgin, Martyr
8:45am Adoration/ Morning Prayer (Lauds)
9:30am Mass
Thursday Saint John of the Cross, Priest, Doctor
Fr Emmanuel’s day off
Friday of the 2nd week of Advent
5:30pm Adoration/ Confession
7:30pm Mass
Saturday of the 2nd week of Advent
8:30am Adoration
9am Mass
Polish Mass at St. Augustine, Heelands
Mass will be celebrated in Polish each week on Thursdays and Saturdays at 7pm and Sundays at 2pm.
 Sunday Mass at 11.30am will be streamed live from St Augustine’s. Click here for link. |
Safeguarding
For information about our parish’s safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults, please go to:
https://northamptondiocese.org/sg-st-augustines-milton-keynes/
Parish activities
- The Rosary: prayed daily in the Church before Morning Mass and on Sunday at 10:55am, just before the 11:30am Mass, in the Adoration Chapel.
- The Rosary of Our Lady of Sorrows: prayed after every Morning Mass in the Adoration Chapel.
- Divine Mercy Chaplet Novena: prayed every Sunday immediately after the 11:30am Mass in the Chapel.
- Word of Life Ministry: worship, teaching, and prayer, every third Friday of the month from 7pm – 8:30pm.
- Holy Hour: every 1st Friday of the Month from 8pm – 9pm organised by the St. Theresa’s group.
- Great Vigil of Reparation: every first Friday of the month, from 9pm to 1am Saturday, organised by the Divine Mercy & Rosary group.
- Baptism preparation: every 1st Thursday of the month, 7:30pm to 8:30pm, at the Chapel of St. Augustine’s Catholic Church, Heelands.
- Youth Club: every last Friday of the month from 7:30pm to 9:15pm in the Meeting room. All youths in the parish aged 15 to 23 are invited.
- Open House: held every Monday at St. Augustine’s Church, MK13 7PL, 5.30pm till 7pm. This is an opportunity to deal with all administrative matters – Baptisms, Weddings, passport forms, school forms etc. No appointment needed.
Advent, Christmas and New Year Programme
Advent Retreat:
Monday, 18th and Tuesday, 19th Dec: 7pm-8:15pm
Christmas Concert:
Wednesday, 20th December: 7pm-9pm
Christmas Confession:
Friday, 22nd December: 5pm-7pm
Christmas Crib Service for Children:
Saturday, 23rd December: 4pm-5pm
Sunday, 24th December:
8am, 9:30am and 11:30am.
Christmas Vigil Mass:
9pm (No 6:30pm Mass).
Christmas Day:
Monday, 25th December: 9am and 11am.
St. Stephen’s Day:
(Induction of altar servers).
Tuesday, 26th December: 9:30am Mass
Sunday, 31st December:
8am, 9:30am, 11:30am, 6:30pm.
Crossover night at Christ the Cornerstone – 9pm
New Year’s Day Mass
(Solemnity of Mary Mother of God):
Holy Hour: 8:25am- 9:25am, Mass: 9:30am
Farewell Fr. Lawrence
It is time to say farewell and thank you to Fr. Lawrence Adebisi, as his time with us in the parish comes to an end on Tuesday 12th. As always it has been a joy having Fr Lawrence with us and we look forward to welcoming him back again in the future. We all wish him a blessed and joyful Christmas and a wonderful 2024.
Welcome to the parish!
We welcome all those who are new to the parish and are most happy to have you as part of our parish family. Please pick up, fill in and submit the yellow registration form at the entrance to the Church.
Communion to the sick
If you know anyone who is unwell and longing for a visit with Communion, please contact the parish office to let Fr. Emmanuel know and he will contact the person and arrange a visit as soon as possible.
Reflection on Parish Trip to Medjugorje
Supporting Palestinian Livelihoods!
On Sunday, 10th December, after each Mass, there will be a sale of Palestinian Fair-Trade products from the Holy Land. A range of exciting gifts will be available.
Car Parking
During our Sunday Masses the car park and surrounding areas are very busy. Please park thoughtfully in order to minimise inconvenience for our neighbours. Thank you.
Confirmation registration
Registration forms and dates for the Sacrament of Confirmation will be available in Church from Sunday 3rd December.
The programme will begin in January 2024, with the Sacrament bestowed at the Church of Christ the Cornerstone on Monday, 24th June 2024.
In the Service of the Lord
The Parish Pastoral Council here at St. Augustine’s are appealing to everyone for help in some of the many ministries that we have in the parish. These ministries include:
▪ Children’s Liturgy
▪ Traffic Wardens outside the Church
▪ Livestreaming of Mass
▪ Cleaning the Church after Mass and clearing litter.
If you are willing to accept the invitation to take up one of these vital ministries, then please contact the parish office or email us on parish.staugustinemk@northamptondiocese.org
Do you love our flower arrangements?
Our small flower arranging team would like some help, so that we can continue to have fresh seasonal flowers on the altar. You do not need to be an expert as we would team you up with a current team member.
You only need to spare 1-2 hours, every 5 weeks or so.
Please contact Sally Easton or email the parish office.
Spread the Warmth this Christmas
Donate to Make a Difference!
Our annual Christmas Hamper Drive is here, and we need your support to bring smiles and warmth to those less fortunate.
How can you help?
• Donate Non-Perishable Items: Help us fill our hampers with non-perishable food items like canned goods, pasta, rice, and more.
• New Clothes: essential to keep our beneficiaries cozy all year round. Consider donating items like new coats, sweaters, scarves, gloves, socks and dresses and shirts for both children and adults
Let’s come together as a community and make this holiday season a little brighter for those in need.
Thank you for your generosity.
In November, we received a total of £7,419.98 in donations. May God bless you as you give.
AFCM UK invites you to
Door of Grace Youth Convention Milton Keynes
For youths aged 17 and over. Free entry Sunday, 10th December from 1:30pm to 5:30pm St. Edward the Confessor Catholic Church, MK5 6DX
Holy Mass, Adoration, Praise & Worship, Confession, Word of God
For more info, please contact: Wilson, Sherly or Sajin
Their phone numbers are available from. the parish office.
Afternoon Tea Party
This event returns on the Tuesday, 12th December, from 2pm to 4pm for a pre-Christmas celebration.
If you would like to help organise, or to serve teas, please contact Helen, through the parish secretary.
Friends of the Holy Land Christmas Concert
The concert will raise funds for Christians in the Holy Land and will feature the London Welsh Male Voice Choir, with renowned soloists, Margaret Keys and Anthony Stuart Lloyd, with compere Mal Pope.
Thursday, 14th December
Our Lady of Victories Church, Kensington
Holy Land-themed buffet from 6pm (£50) or concert-only ticket to start at 7:30pm (£30).
Buy tickets through Eventbrite or for more details: friendsoftheholyland.org.uk/christmas-concert-2023.
Show your support for those caught in the horror of hostilities this Christmas.
Commonwealth of Catholic Christians Online Fellowship
Are you looking for a place for more?
•More experience of God
•More understanding of His Word •More worship
•More prayer support
•More experience of love in a Divine family.
The Commonwealth of Catholic Christians online fellowship is the place for you. We are a group of people who are united by our common hunger for more experience of God.
At our online meetings, we unite to pray the Rosary together, worship God with songs of praise, share the Word of God and pray for one another and the needs of the world.
We meet every Sunday from 4pm- 6pm (UK time on Zoom).
If you are interested, email cwcc4jesus@gmail.com or contact the parish office for the telephone number for zoom link/details.
Fr Emmanuel G. Okami (Spiritual Director)
Word of Life Ministry
Our next Word of Life Ministry program will take place on Friday, 15th December 2023 between 7pm and 8:30pm.
You are all welcome for prayers and worship.
Parish Advent Retreat
Our parish Advent retreat will take place on Monday, 18th and Tuesday, 19th December from 7pm to 8:15pm at St. Augustine’s.
Come and enjoy God’s blessings in this sacred season and invite your friends.
Diocesan Love Christmas Campaign 2023
To those participating in Love Christmas Campaign, please be reminded that the gift bags should be returned to the office or handed over to Lynne/Stella no later than Wednesday 20th December 2023.
CAFOD’S ONLINE ADVENT CALENDAR
Advent is drawing near, and CAFOD invites you to join in reflection and prayer during this season of anticipation and expectation.
Starting on 1st December, CAFOD will be sharing daily Bible reflections, stories of our global family, prayers and practical ideas for action, as we create a space to prepare for the coming of Christ.
Sign up for this at https://cafod.org.uk/pray/advent-
calendar
Parish Christmas Concert:
Good News of Great Joy
Our parish Christmas Concert will take place at St. Augustine’s, Heelands on Wednesday, 20th December from 7pm to 9pm.
Please save the date in your diary.
Come let us celebrate the birth of our Saviour.
Youth Mass with Bishop David
Sunday, 14th January 2024, from 6:30pm to 8pm
at St. Augustine’s, 1 Langcliffe Drive, Milton Keynes, MK13 7PL
For more information:
https://northamptondiocese.org/courses
Parish Pilgrimage to Medjugorje
26th May to 31st May 2024
For the second time the parish is planning a pilgrimage to Medjugorje, this time during the month of Mary. Places are limited so please book your place as soon as possible if you wish to join us by contacting Dr. Aliz Vargas. The phone number is available from the parish office.
Parish Intercessors
We now have a group of intercessors in the parish, dedicated to praying for your intentions and for the parish as a sacred institution. Please email your intentions to staug.intercessors@gmail.com, and we shall stand in the gap for you.
With every blessing
Fr. Emmanuel
Contact details
Parish Priest: Fr. Emmanuel Okami
Pastoral Assistant: Philip Allsop – philip@mk-cluster.co.uk
Parish safeguarding officer: Michael Manley – michaelmanley@hotmail.co.uk
Parish Office: 01908 978575
St. Augustine’s Catholic Church, 1 Langcliffe Drive, Heelands, Milton Keynes. MK13 7PL
Parish Secretary: Mary Ndagire
Parish Email: parish.staugustinemk@northamptondiocese.org
Website: www.st-augustinesmk.org.uk
Local Catholic School: St. Monica’s Catholic Primary School, Currier Drive, Neath Hill, Milton Keynes. MK14 6HB
Tel: 01908 606966
Email: stmonicas@st-monicas.co.uk
Parish Donations: Standing orders via donor’s own bank:
Bank: NatWest
Sort Code: 60-06-11
Account Number: 46714553
Account Name: RCDN St. Augustine’s
Payment Ref: St. Augustine’s, Heelands