Dearest friends,
This week we celebrate the patronal festival of St. Luke’s.
A patronal is a moment to celebrate the parish and all it has achieved. It’s a joy that we’re able to celebrate it with our brothers and sisters at St. John’s and enjoy each others successes.
St. Luke’s has a welcoming heart. I’ve seen and heard time and time again how someone who was lost has somehow found their way back to faith within the community of St. Luke’s.
I’ve heard how people who have been cast aside in other places have been welcomed, prayed for, and given a home.
I’ve heard St. Luke’s described as a refugee camp which has turned into a home.
Each time I hear these amazing stories I think about how proud St. Luke would be of his church here in Milber.
St. Luke was a man who cared deeply about sharing the gospel (author of both the Gospel of Luke and of the Acts of the Apostles) and as we read Acts in particular, we are struck by the evangelistic zeal of the early Christian communities and how they reached out to all and told them the Truth of Jesus Christ.
St. Luke’s continues in that pattern. A passionate community of Christians who reach out to a wide parish and communicate the Truth of Jesus Christ through action, through love, through the joy of coming to church together.
There is much to celebrate.
We have a very busy period ahead of us in both parishes. Lots of services and activity – we must be careful we do not lose sight of our common goal – evangelism – that is, the sharing of the gospel in a multitude of ways that encourages people to come and know Jesus in our churches.
There will be posters and flyers to share in the coming weeks and many requests for help with hospitality and events. I am confident of our shared desire to see more people come to church, and know we’ll all work hard wherever we are able.
Don’t forget that Holy Habits will be starting on November 7th at 7pm at St. Luke’s. It’s a great course designed to help you understand why we do certain things (like crossing ourselves) and how new habits (like gratitude) can help us deepen our relationship with God. Please do sign up via the website or let me know you are coming.
If you’ve not signed up for the Time Travellers Guide to the Gospel of Mark, please make sure you do – either on the website or let me know personally. It will really help me know how much sherry to buy!
Fr. Matthew
Notices
Remembrance Services
In a slight change to previous years there will be a remembrance service in both parishes on the 10th November starting at 10:45am outside both churches.
Christmas Fayre, St. Luke’s
Donations of raffle prizes etc. are needed for the Christmas Fayre. We also need books, bric-a-brac, etc. There’s a social committee meeting on the 20th November to arrange the final details of the Fayre. Please contact Claire Baker with any questions.
Sunday 20th October
St. Luke (transferred).
9:15am – Sung Parish Mass, St. John’s
11am – Sung Patronal Mass, St. Luke’s
4pm – Evening Prayer at St. John’s
Divine Office Psalter Week 1, Trinity 21, Proper 24
November
7th, 14th, 21st, 28th – Holy Habits [SL] 7pm
10th – Remembrance Service [SL & SJ] 10:45am
Parish Lunch [SL]
16th – Table Top Sale [SJ] 10am-12pm
20th – Social Committee Meeting [SL] 6:30pm
30th – Advent Carols [SJ] 6pm
December
1st – A Time Travellers Guide to Mark [SL] 3pm
7th – Christmas Fayre [SL]
8th – Mayor’s Civic Service [SL] 3pm
11th – Over 60s Christmas Concert [SJ] 2pm
15th – December Parish Lunch [SL]
19th – Cantemos Carol Concert [SJ] 7pm
22nd – Christmas Carols [SL] 4m
Nine Lessons and Carols [SJ] 7pm
24th – Live Nativity [SL] 4pm
1st Mass of Christmas [SJ] 8pm
Midnight Mass [SL] 11:30pm
25th – Christmas Day Mass [SL & SJ] 10am
29th – Joint Mass at St. John’s 10am with dedication of Holy
Family Chapel
Christingle Services at both churches TBC