A Very Happy Christmas

Christmas and New Year

Sunday, 16 December
A Service of Lessons and Carols at 4pm
followed by refreshments and mince pies.

Christmas Eve, 24 December
Sung Midnight Mass by candlelight at 11.30pm.

Christmas Day, 25 December
Sung Mass at 10.30am.

Wednesday, 26 December
Mass of St Stephen at 9.30am.

Sunday, 30 December
Sung Mass at 10.30am.

Tuesday, 1 January 2019
Festive Organ Recital at 11am
free entry, video screen, refreshments.

Christmas Craftiness

Some of our young people enjoyed a Christmas Crafts session and lunch after Mass on Sunday.

Remembrance

The Sunday School have been working on a Remembrance Day Display.  Well done to them.

After the Parish Mass Father Robert and members of the congregation attended the Act of Remembrance at the Town War Memorial.

Anniversary of Consecration

St Mary's was consecrated by the Bishop of Peterborough, Cyril Easthaugh, on October 26th 1968. The lasting sign of that occasion is the series of twelve consecration crosses cut into the pillars of the nave which were anointed with Holy Chrism by the bishop. Each year, therefore, towards the end of October, we recall the setting-aside of this church for the worship of almighty God. Today we marked the Golden Anniversary of Dedication with a Procession and Solemn Mass celebrated by the Bishop of Richborough and enriched by choir, brass and timpani.  We give thanks for those who, through their generosity and skill, have left us such a priceless building. We remember all those who have served here, including former parish clergy and sisters of the Community of the Holy Name, together with all those who have worshipped faithfully at our altars and built up the life of the Church in this place. Like those who have gone before us, may we also serve God and his Church with faithfulness and generosity.

Book Sale

Another excellent Book Sale!  Many thanks to everyone who worked hard to make today such a great success, together with all our supporters and customers.

A Great Night Out

Our Director of Music, Lee Dunleavy, and singer, Guy Matthews, gave us a splendid evening's entertainment yesterday.  Many thanks to them both.

Harvest Thanksgiving

'Coffee' Morning

A bottle of madeira and three kinds of home-made cake. If only the vicar's wife had a birthday every week!

Looking Ahead

17 November: Winter Market 11.00am

8 December: Quiet Day at Pusey House and Wellingborough Singers Concert
16 December: Lessons and Carols 4pm
24 December: Midnight Mass by Candlelight 11.30pm
25 December: Christmas Day Mass 10.30am
1 January: New Year Organ Recital 11.00am
8 February: 'Burns-tide' Supper

A Busy Few Weeks

The Summer Fete, a Sunday School Pizza 'Feeding Frenzy', and today an Organ Recital in memory of former Director of Music, Roger Smith.

Archdeacon's Visitation

Behind the Scenes...

The Sacred Heart presides over the sacristy...

while above the vestment press the window depicts S. Francis de Sales elevating the Host.

Corpus Christi

England's Nazareth

We had an excellent pilgrimage this year and some super weather.  Already booked in for 2019!

Holy Hour

Beetle Drive

Beetle Drive + Fish and Chip Supper = Messy Church.

Christ is Risen

Instruments of the Passion

Maundy Thursday

Triduum

Hatton House Visit

It was very good to welcome some of the youngsters and staff from Hatton House to church today.

Holy Week and Easter 2018

Palm Sun: Procession from the Vicarage at 10.25am and Sung Mass
Mon, Tue, Wed: Mass at 6.30pm
Maundy Thurs: Sung Mass of the Lord's Supper at 6.30pm followed by the Watch
Good Fri: Stations at 10.00am.  Liturgy of the Lord's Passion at 3.00pm
Holy Sat: The Easter Vigil at 8.00pm

Easter Day: Sung Mass at 10.30am

Roger Smith Memorial Organ Recital

On Saturday, 14 July, at 11.00am, followed by refreshments. Free entry. Video screen. Retiring collection in aid of the Motor Neurone Disease Association and St Mary's Church.

Lent Study Day

Many thanks indeed to Fr Tom McLean who gave us an introduction to some of the central figures and themes of twentieth century theology today.

Ash Wednesday

Sung Mass with Sermon and Imposition of Ashes at 6.30pm

India Republic Day

It was a privilege to represent St Mary's at the India Republic Day celebration at the Hindu Community Centre. Several local and county dignitaries attended, including the Deputy Lord Lieutenant seen in the picture above.

Dates 2018

24 March: Children’s Society Coffee Morning 10am

24 March: Lent Quiet Afternoon 2pm

14 April: Organ Recital 11am

21 April: Orpheus Choir Concert 7pm

28 April: Book Sale 10am

10 May: ‘Beetle n Chips’ 6pm

16 June: P900 Concert

30 June: Summer Fete 10.30am
14 July: Roger Smith Memorial Organ Recital 11.00am

8 September: Parish Day Trip to Stratford-on-Avon

15 September: Jumble Sale 10am
29 September: 'Last Night of the Proms' Organ Recital 6pm

6 October: Book Sale 10am

28 October: Golden Anniversary of Dedication with Bishop Norman 10.30am

17 November: Winter Market 11.00am

8 December: FiF Quiet Day at Pusey House, Oxford
16 December: Lessons and Carols 4pm

Thai Curry Night

A very good time was had by all, thanks to our team and excellent guest chef.

New Year's Day Organ Recital