Father Sean says ...
This weekend we celebrate the Feast of the Assumption of Our Lady. The actual feast day is on the 15th of August, but as it is a Holy day of Obligation and the 15th this year is a Monday, it is transferred to the Sunday. Although the Church has always celebrated the Assumption throughout its history, it was not defined as a Dogma of the Church until 1950 by Pope Pius XII when he stated that ‘the Immaculate Mother of God, the ever-Virgin Mary, having completed the course of her earthly life, was assumed body and soul into heavenly glory.’ All of Mary’s greatness comes from her relationship with Jesus. We cannot understand her or appreciate her role in the Church without keeping this in mind.
Funeral of Isobel Farrow: Will be held on Tuesday 16th at 10am at St Teresa’s. The Mass will be followed by refreshments in the Hall. You are invited and encouraged to come dressed to reflect a celebration of Isobel’s life rather than the sorrow felt at her passing.
Coffee & Company has been cancelled for the 16th but will resume next week the 24th August as per usual.
Preparation for First Sacraments 2022/2023: Registration forms for the new programme commencing early October 2022 are now available in the foyers of both churches for children in Year 3+. Please complete the form and return it to the parish office. For more information, please contact Lynn at the parish office.
Mass on Tuesdays at St Teresa’s: Whilst Fr Sean is away next week Fr Antony will celebrate Mass at St Teresa’s on Tuesdays. There will be a Service of Word and Communion at St Dunstan’s on Tuesdays.
Live Streaming: On the 21st and 28th of August, the 11:30am Mass will not be live streamed. Live streaming will resume again on the 4th of September.
Baptism: Today we congratulate two families who will be celebrating their baptisms at St Teresa’s this afternoon:
- Alex David Scott and his parents Ben and Emma and
- Gianna Bella Turley and her parents Jamie and Corina
Rite of Welcome: This morning we welcome Frederick Oliver Marshall and his parents Sebastian and Charlotte at the 8:45am Mass at St Teresa’s. Frederick will be baptised next weekend at St Teresa’s.
Congratulations to Seamus Lloyd White…who will be presented with the St Stephen Medal this morning at St Teresa’s. The medal is in recognition of his commitment and faithful service to the church as an altar server for more than ten years. Thank you and well done Seamus!
Children’s Liturgy: If anyone is able to help or would like to know more, do speak with Fr Sean, Deacon Brent or Victoria. Helpers are needed at St Teresa’s especially.
Beaconsfield Advisory Centre: We are in need of new advisors at the Centre. With the cost of living soaring, clients are now coming to see us seeking help. Please, if you can spare two hours twice a month, please let us know. Also if you have expertise in legal, debt, housing issues and employment, we would love to hear from you. Please contact Sylvia Jones on the number 01753 889384.
Rosary Group: You are invited to an evening of litany, readings and Rosary, with music to praise and worship on Wednesday 31st August at St. Augustine's, High Wycombe at 7.30pm. Everyone is welcome.
Divine Adoration: at St Augustine’s parish High Wycombe on 10th September at 7pm. All Welcome!
Northampton Youth Ministry (NYMO)… invites you to their Youth Ministry Conference taking place on 8th October from 10:30am to 4pm at the St Thomas Centre Northampton Cathedral. Tickets are £10pp.The theme this year is ‘Called to Love’ exploring the Church’s teaching on Sexuality and Identity and is open to all catechists, chaplains, priests and those working with young people. For booking information, please go to nymo.org/
Eucharistic Adoration… this Sunday the 14th August from 4-6pm at St Teresa’s. All welcome!
One Can Trust: Please consider those in our community who are less fortunate. In addition to higher energy and food costs, there are those who rely on free school meals and now have to provide extra meals each week. Last year this time we supported 400 people whereas this year, it has doubled to 800!!! If you already support the foodbank, thank you so much! If not, perhaps you would consider a few items. All donations are gratefully received. We are always in need of tinned items of meat meals, cold meat and other non-perishable, in date items. Thank you for your generosity.
“Please Save the Date”: A joint parish CAFOD Family Walk on Sunday 2nd October leaving St Dunstan’s church hall at 2pm—a gentle stroll along the Thames to Cookham (roughly 5km) to return around 1 hour later for refreshments in the church hall—tea, coffee and cake for a donation to CAFOD
Money Matters: Last weekend’s offertory collection amounted to £498.62 plus £175 via electronic giving totalling £673.62 at St Teresa’s. We also receive around £1000 per week through standing orders. And £354.50 plus standing orders of £350.00 at St Dunstan’s. Thank you for your generosity!
Digital Giving at St Teresa’s: You are now able to make electronic payments for: Parish (offertory), Mongu, Holy Souls, Votive candles, Books & papers, Retiring collections, SVP and Donations. You could also opt for Gift Aid to increase your donation by 25%. If you are a UK taxpayer, then donating with Gift Aid means that we can claim an extra 25p for every £1 received.
Covid Restrictions: Whilst all restrictions have now been removed and we are able to resume all social activities, we are still urged to take steps to reduce the risk of catching and spreading the virus. Please do wear face masks in crowded areas and be sensitive to the needs of others around you. Sanitising and good ventilation is still encouraged. From this weekend, Fr Sean, Dcn Brent and the other ministers of Holy Communion will no longer be wearing masks for the distribution of Holy Communion. They will still be sanitising their hands.
Best wishes,
Fr Seán, Fr Shyju, Deacon Brent and Sister Winifred.