Served by the Priestly Fraternity of St Peter by appointment from the RC Diocese of Northampton
Residence: St Alban House, 18 Brett Drive, Bromham, Bedford MK43 8RF
Landline: 01234 954 316
Worship: Christ the King Church, Harrowden Road, Bedford MK42 0SP; and on Sundays and major feasts at Our Lady of Perpetual Succour Church, Chesham Bois, 30 Amersham Road, HP6 5PE
Holy Days: 11:30am (check website before travelling)
Bedford CONFESSIONS TIMES
Sat 10:00am-10:55am. And during or around Holy Mass when possible, including in Chesham Bois.
Safeguarding: If you have concerns about children or vulnerable adults, please contact the FSSP England Safeguarding Lead, Fr Matthew Goddard: goddard@fssp.org.
Join us for coffee after Sunday Mass, both in Bedford and Chesham Bois. Follow the crowd into nearby parish halls.
CHESHAM BOIS and BEDFORD welcome more volunteers to (WO)MAN THE HALL KITCHEN FOR SUNDAY COMMUNITY COFFEE. Can you give an hour after Mass one Sunday a month? Senior or teenage volunteers welcome as well. Thank you in advance. Contact Rita.
BEDFORD: Thank you to those who responded to the call for volunteers needed for CHURCH CLEANING. A few more would help, making it lighter for all as part of a rota. Contact Rita.
Regina Caeli Academy OPEN DAY on Sat 20 Jan, 9:30-12:30pm, Shefford SG17 5AB.
Men’s group doubled in size! Well done 13 men (against 6 last month) who came to our monthly event despite the cold last Thursday evening. They were rewarded with beer and hot drinks, plus a great social and a talk. Next date soon to be announced.
Next Ladies’ group: Sat 27th January 12noon shared lunch, 1pm talk and Q&As – in the Patrick Donegan Room, after 11:00am Holy Mass.
Topic: Mental Prayer: meditation, contemplation, centering prayer, relaxation, yoga – discover which prayer suits your soul (and which practice suits no soul at all).
And that SAME DAY SAME TALK for all in Chesham Bois in private venue near church 7pm.
Congratulations to John and Chantelle Vooght on the forthcoming Baptism of their first daughter scheduled on Friday 26 Jan 3pm, at Christ the King Church. We assure all the family of our prayers.
Walking to weekday Mass? Five Gentlemen, Christ the King Parishioners attended Mass at Christ the King on Friday morning at 8am, walking from Haynes. The pilgrimage was 2 hours, and just under 10k. The conversation was a great combination of faith and family, and we said the Rosary together as we walked through the farms and bridle paths. It was a great day to start the day! Chris Hallam will be arranging two more walks soon, one on a Saturday when children (aged 7 or older who are capable of walking 10k) are welcome, and another walk, just for Men.
Six men booked already. MORE SPACES. Share with friends: VOCATION DISCERNMENT WEEKEND near BEDFORD 16-18 Feb: at Buckden Towers, High Street, Buckden, St. Neots, Cambs PE19 5TA, from Fri 16 Feb 5pm, to Sun 18 Feb 2pm. For single Catholic men 18-30. Led by Fr de Malleray, FSSP.
COST: £95.00 per person in total (bed + full board). FREE for unwaged and students – give whatever amount you can.
BOOKINGS & CONTACT: [not via Facebook] malleray@fssp.org (read by Fr de Malleray only).
from 27th Jan the Novus Ordo Mass will starts at 10:30am instead of 11am, so that there is less time for cars to park and/or depart. Please park on the outskirts of the car park to avoid being blocked by incoming cars. One can also park on the grass outside the car park, or at the Bunyan Centre across the roundabout.
In your charity please pray for repose of the soul of former parishioner Mary Carey who died in Reading on 11 January surrounded by her family and consoled by the Sacraments. Her funeral will be on Thurs. 25th January at 1pm at St William of York Church, Reading, with the burial at Mays Lane Cemetery at 3pm.
Mary had been for years a member of our community in Reading, but before that, she used to attend Mass in Chesham Bois with her family under Fr Davenport. Fr de Malleray remembers her well and her late husband as stalwart pilgrims on the Chartres pilgrimage for years – indeed the Careys were instrumental in starting the first British Pilgrimage to Chartres, and their son Francis took over this important mission. Please also pray for all her grieving family, especially for her son Francis Carey and his family, our fellow-parishioners in Chesham Bois and Bedford.
Juventutem London monthly event on Friday 26 Jan, 7pm sung Mass (after 6pm-6:55pm Confessions) followed by social until 10pm, at St Mary Magdalen’s Wandsworth, SW18 2QU. Meet the vibrant 70-strong youth group (age 18-35).
Dr Teresa Clayton (whose father is part of our FSSP chaplaincy congregation) is a Catholic psychologist available for therapy via video call. Contact : drteresaclayton@outlook.com
The Bedford scouts of Europe wolfcub and scout branch is growing. Contact Robert on robert543@gmail.com or 07947698195. Visit the website: gseuk.org.
PREPARATION to the SACRAMENTS:
Please kindly email Chaplaincy Secretary Mrs Rita Carroll (bedford@fssp.org) the full details of candidates for First Holy Communion and/or Confirmation (includes date of birth). Also for Holy Matrimony (if any), and Baptism. Schedules for preparation will be communicated in January. A date is about to be announced for Confirmations by Bishop David Oakley in Bedford next July.
Next Altar servers training: Saturdays 20th and 27th January, 9:50am to 10:50am. Contact Francis Ibabu, our Servers’ Coordinator on: ibabu10@proton.me. Serving is an honour and brings many graces. One can start with just a Low Mass with one server. Everyone under 18 must have a signed parental consent form (ask Rita Carroll).
Pre-Lent begins soon: farewell Alleluia, hello purple from Saturday Vespers 28 Jan. Enjoy your Christmas decorations for the last week.
Parish fundraising Quiz night on Sat 27 January: a Latin Mass team could take part if anyone were available. Contact Rita Carroll.
Counting offertory collections in Bedford: thank you to the volunteers. More are welcome. It should only take about 15 minutes. Two people will be needed each week. Please contact Rita Carroll if you can volunteer.
FINANCES: online donations and standing orders are still gratefully received, being also much quicker and easier to process than cash. Thank you in advance for your generosity.
Sort code: 30-80-27 Account number: 44025960
Christmas collections go to the apostolate, not to individual priests. Thank you in advance.
GIFT AID: Increase your donation to the FSSP Chaplaincy by 25% at no further expense to you. Ask Rita for a Gift Aid form, fill it in and hand it back to her. That will help us a lot.
Pray for the sick in our congregations. Email their names for insertions in next bulletins.
Served by the Priestly Fraternity of St Peter by appointment from the RC Diocese of Northampton
Residence: St Alban House, 18 Brett Drive, Bromham, Bedford MK43 8RF
Landline: 01234 954 316
Worship: Christ the King Church, Harrowden Road, Bedford MK42 0SP; and on Sundays and major feasts at Our Lady of Perpetual Succour Church, Chesham Bois, 30 Amersham Road, HP6 5PE
Holy Days: 11:30am (check website before travelling)
Bedford CONFESSIONS TIMES
Sat 10:00am-10:55am. And during or around Holy Mass when possible, including in Chesham Bois.
Safeguarding: If you have concerns about children or vulnerable adults, please contact the FSSP England Safeguarding Lead, Fr Matthew Goddard: goddard@fssp.org.
Join us for coffee after Sunday Mass, both in Bedford and Chesham Bois. Follow the crowd into nearby parish halls.
CHESHAM BOIS welcomes VOLUNTEERS to (WO)MAN THE HALL KITCHEN FOR SUNDAY COMMUNITY COFFEE. Can you give an hour after Mass one Sunday a month? Senior or teenage volunteers welcome as well. Thank you in advance.
Volunteers needed for CHURCH CLEANING ROTA at Bedford. Contact Rita.
Regina Caeli Academy OPEN DAY on Sat 20 Jan, 9:30-12:30pm, Shefford SG17 5AB.
Come and discover this growing educational venture providing sound Catholic education for 75 children already.
VOCATION DISCERNMENT WEEKEND near BEDFORD 16-18 Feb: at Buckden Towers, High Street, Buckden, St. Neots, Cambs PE19 5TA, from Fri 16 Feb 5pm, to Sun 18 Feb 2pm. For single Catholic men 18-30. Led by Fr de Malleray, FSSP.
COST: £95.00 per person in total (bed + full board). FREE for unwaged and students – give whatever amount you can.
BOOKINGS & CONTACT: [not via Facebook] malleray@fssp.org (read by Fr de Malleray only).
ACCESS: Direct train from London St Pancras to St Neots, every half hour, duration 56 minutes.
Dr Teresa Clayton (whose father is part of our FSSP chaplaincy congregation) is a Catholic psychologist available for therapy via video call. Contact : drteresaclayton@outlook.com; web page: https://www.icatc-world.com/?lang=en .
NextMen’s group: Thursday 18 Jan, 8:00pm, after 7:30pm tea & biscuit (or beer!) – in the Patrick Donegan Room.
Talk by Fr de Malleray on How the three wise men illustrate the healing of the human soul.
Next Ladies’ group: Sat 27th January 12noon shared lunch, 1pm talk and Q&As – in the Patrick Donegan Room, after 11:00am Holy Mass.
Change of Saturday Mass time: it was suggested that changing from 10am to 11am would be more convenient. Thus, from Sat 13 January we begun with Confessions from 10am to 10:55am, followed by holy Mass at 11am.
The Bedford scouts of Europe wolfcub and scout branch is growing.
Their next meeting is on Sunday 14 January in Willington Peace Memorial Hall in the morning after the 8:30am Mass. For anyone interested in helping or volunteering, please contact Robert on robert543@gmail.com or 07947698195.
Please kindly email Chaplaincy Secretary Mrs Rita Carroll (bedford@fssp.org) the full details of candidates for First Holy Communion and/or Confirmation (includes date of birth). Also for Holy Matrimony (if any), and Baptism. Schedules for preparation will be communicated in January. A date is about to be announced for Confirmations by Bishop David Oakley in Bedford next July.
LAST CHANCE: FSSP UK & Ireland wall 2024 CALENDARS have arrived! Receive your copy after Mass. Free (suggested donation £2).
Next Altar servers training: Saturdays 20th and 27th January, 9:50am to 10:50am. Contact Francis Ibabu, our Servers’ Coordinator on:
Ibabu10@proton.me. Serving is an honour and brings many graces. One can start with just a Low Mass with one server. Everyone under 18 must have a signed parental consent form (ask Rita Carroll).
Parish fundraising Quiz night on Sat 27 January: a Latin Mass team could take part if anyone were available. Contact Rita Carroll.
Offertory Collections in Bedford: up to now they were retained by the parish. Increased expenses for two priests in full-time ministry leads to retaining the Offertory collection, as per the Chaplaincy statutes. This will start in January (as has been the case in Chesham Bois for years). The Chaplaincy will of course continue to contribute its fair share to the upkeep of Christ the King Church. Volunteers needed to count the collection after Mass on Sunday. It should only take about 15 minutes. Two people will be needed each week. Please contact Rita Carroll if you can volunteer.
SPUC White Flower Appeal will take place on Sunday 14th January. There will be a second collection after Mass.
FINANCES: online donations and standing orders are still gratefully received, being also much quicker and easier to process than cash. Thank you in advance for your generosity.
Sort code: 30-80-27 Account number: 44025960
Christmas collections go to the apostolate, not to individual priests. Thank you in advance.
GIFT AID: Increase your donation to the FSSP Chaplaincy by 25% at no further expense to you. Ask Rita for a Gift Aid form, fill it in and hand it back to her. That will help us a lot.
Pray for the sick in our congregations. Email their names for insertions in next bulletins.
Served by the Priestly Fraternity of St Peter by appointment from the RC Diocese of Northampton
Residence: St Alban House, 18 Brett Drive, Bromham, Bedford MK43 8RF
Landline: 01234 954 316
Worship: Christ the King Church, Harrowden Road, Bedford MK42 0SP; and on Sundays and major feasts at Our Lady of Perpetual Succour Church, Chesham Bois, 30 Amersham Road, HP6 5PE
Holy Days: 11:30am (check website before travelling)
Bedford CONFESSIONS TIMES
Sat 10:00am-10:55am. And during or around Holy Mass when possible, including in Chesham Bois.
Safeguarding: If you have concerns about children or vulnerable adults, please contact the FSSP England Safeguarding Lead, Fr Matthew Goddard: goddard@fssp.org.
Frs de Malleray and Coelho wish you and your families a blessed Epiphany tide. They thank you for your cards, gifts and generous support at Christmas.
[picture King’s College, Cambridge, by Malleray]
Join us for coffee after Sunday Mass, both in Bedford and Chesham Bois. Follow the crowd into nearby parish halls.
No dogs inside the church please. Our beloved pets are requested kindly to wait for their masters outside.
CHESHAM BOIS welcomes VOLUNTEERS to (WO)MAN THE HALL KITCHEN FOR SUNDAY COMMUNITY COFFEE. Can you give an hour after Mass one Sunday a month? Senior or teenage volunteers welcome as well. Thank you in advance.
No holy Mass at Christ the King on Monday 8 Jan, as Fr de Malleray will offer Mass at Regina Caeli Academy that day.
At Buckden Towers, High Street, Buckden, St. Neots, Cambs PE19 5TA
Starts Fri 5:00pm; ends Sun 2:00pm
Is God calling ME? Matrimony, celibacy, monastery, seminary, Fraternity?
COME & SEE If you are a single Catholic man between 18 and 30 years of age, come and discern with us near Bedford. Fr Armand de Malleray, FSSP will lead the weekend. There will be talks, prayers, Holy Mass and informal chatting with fellow-guests. Possibility of private meetings with a priest, and of confession. Feel welcome confidentially to call, email or write for any questions. Holy Mass each of the three days.
COST: £95.00 per person in total (bed + full board). FREE for unwaged and students – give whatever amount you can.
BOOKINGS & CONTACT: [not via Facebook] malleray@fssp.org (read by Fr de Malleray only).
ACCESS: Direct train from London St Pancras to St Neots, every half hour, duration 56 minutes.
The nearest towns are Huntingdon (5 miles NNE of Buckden) and St Neots (5 miles South of Buckden). Both Huntingdon and St Neots are served by the West Anglian Great Northern Railway line from King’s Cross London to Peterborough. Let us know if you would need a lift from the railway station. There also are bus and coach links to both Huntingdon and St Neots from many parts of the country.
We have currently six young men from the UK & Ireland in formation at our two international seminaries. Three of our deacons from England were ordained priests at St Mary’s Warrington by Archbishop McMahon, OP of Liverpool. Those were the first EF priestly ordinations by a diocesan bishop in England in fifty years. Please pray for them (www.fssp.org/en/help-us/confraternity-of-saint-peter/) and for many more to enter the lists!
We give thanks for 13 priests ordained from or to the UK over the past 23 years: Fr Armand de Malleray in 2001; Fr Konrad Loewenstein in 2002; Fr Brendan Gerard in 2006; Frs Matthew Goddard and William Barker in 2009; Fr Simon Harkins in 2010; Fr Matthew McCarthy in 2011; Fr Ian Verrier in 2015; Fr James Mawdsley in 2016; Frs Alex Stewart and Krzysztof Sanetra in 2017; Fr Seth Phipps in 2018; Fr Gwilym Evans in 2022; Deacon Miklos Homolya in 2024 (planned) – plus Fr Patrick O’Donohue from Ireland (incardinated in 2023).
On the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, 11 February 2022, Pope Francis signed a decree confirming the liturgical charism of the Priestly Fraternity of St Peter.
Please pray for us. We assure you of our prayer.
O Lord, grant us many holy priests!
Welcome to ICKSP seminarian Francis Grimer, studying in Italy and visiting us during his holiday.
Dr Teresa Clayton (whose father is part of our FSSP chaplaincy congregation) is a Catholic psychologist available for therapy via video call. As a clinical psychologist she has over ten years’ experience helping people with many difficulties including depression, anxiety, trauma, bereavement and marriage difficulties. Contact : drteresaclayton@outlook.com; web page: https://www.icatc-world.com/?lang=en.
Three new babies! Congratulations to Peter and Maria Jones on the birth of Vincent, and to Peter and Aisling Johnson on the birth of their first child Teresa, both on the feast of St Thomas the Apostle, 21 Dec.; and to Jacek and Catherine Witkowski on the birth of their first child Alice. Little Teresa and Alice will be baptised both on 6th Jan, 1:30pm, at Chesham Bois.
NextMen’s group: Thursday 18 Jan, 8:00pm, after 7:30pm tea & biscuit (or beer!) – in the Patrick Donegan Room.
Next Ladies’ group: Sat 27th January 12noon shared lunch, 1pm talk and Q&As – in the Patrick Donegan Room, after 11:00am Holy Mass.
Change of Saturday Mass time: it was suggested that changing from 10am to 11am would be more convenient. Thus, from Sat 13 January we will begin with Confessions from 10am to 10:55am, followed by holy Mass at 11am.
SAVE THE DATE: Catholic Community Spring Dance. Ceilidh and bring-and-share meal for all the family. Saturday 27th April 2024, 1-7pm. Tickets available from February. Keep an eye on the newsletter for ticketing info.
PREPARATION to the SACRAMENTS:
Please kindly email Chaplaincy Secretary Mrs Rita Carroll (bedford@fssp.org) the full details of candidates for First Holy Communion and/or Confirmation (includes date of birth). Also for Holy Matrimony (if any), and Baptism. Schedules for preparation will be communicated in January.
FSSP UK & Ireland wall 2024 CALENDARS have arrived! Receive your copy after Mass. Free (suggested donation £2).
Altar servers training: Thank you to Francis Ibabu who accepted to be the lay coordinator for ongoing training. Contact Francis or Fr de Malleray for dates for further training for any boys and men interested. Serving is an honour and brings many graces. One can start with just a Low Mass with one server. Everyone under 18 must have a signed parental consent form (ask Rita Carroll).
Parish fundraising Quiz night on Sat 27 January: a Latin Mass team could take part if anyone were available. Contact Rita Carroll.
Epiphany: Attending holy Mass on Sat 6th January for the solemnity of the Epiphany is not an obligation this year. But we invite all to our holy Mass that will take place on the traditional date (Twelfth Night after the Nativity) on Sat 6th Jan in Bedford at 10:00am (confessions from 9:00am to 9:55am), and at 12:30pm at Chesham Bois, followed by two infant baptisms. Epiphany Water is available.
Offertory Collections in Bedford: up to now they were retained by the parish. Increased expenses for two priests in full-time ministry leads to retaining the Offertory collection, as per the Chaplaincy statutes. This will start in January (as has been the case in Chesham Bois for years). The Chaplaincy will of course continue to contribute its fair share to the upkeep of Christ the King Church.
Volunteers needed to count the collection after Mass on Sunday. It should only take about 15 minutes. Two people will be needed each week. Please contact Rita Carroll if you can volunteer.
SPUC White Flower Appeal will take place on Sunday 14th January. There will be a second collection after Mass.
FINANCES: online donations and standing orders are still gratefully received, being also much quicker and easier to process than cash. Thank you in advance for your generosity.
Sort code: 30-80-27 Account number: 44025960
Christmas collections go to the apostolate, not to individual priests. Thank you in advance.
GIFT AID: Increase your donation to the FSSP Chaplaincy by 25% at no further expense to you. Ask Rita for a Gift Aid form, fill it in and hand it back to her. That will help us a lot.
Pray for the sick in our congregations. Email their names for insertions in next bulletins.
HOLY MASS INTENTIONS this week
Sun
07/01
8.30am
The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph (II)
Patrick Burgess RIP (Bedford)
Cassidy
Sun
07/01
12noon
The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph (II)
Chlo. Therese Lehmann-Thap RIP (Chesham)
Kedward
Mon
08/01
10am
Feria (IV)
No Mass (but at Reg. Caeli Acad.)
Tue
09/01
8am
Feria (IV)
Barbara Sadowska – healing
Cassidy
Wed
10/01
8am
Feria (IV)
Michael & Ann O’ Donnell RIP
Chakrabarti
Thu
11/01
8am
Feria (IV)
Gopal Chakrabarti RiP
Chakrabarti
Fri
12/01
8am
Feria (IV)
Private Intention
Harding
Sat
13/01
11am
The Baptism of Our Lord
Priest’s Intention
Guide for Truth-Seeking Christians
by Fr. Ralph Weimann | Foreword by Robert Cardinal SarahSize: 5 x 7 92 pages
ISBN: 978-1-990685-84-2 | $9.95 USD
Available on Amazon, and other international online retailers. You also may order directly from our website. We ship internationally. If you wish to make a large order for an event, please give us 3–4 weeks advance notice. Thank you. Due to the approaching Christmas season please be aware that the books will take a bit longer to receive than normal.
** Please contact us within 90 days if there is a problem with your order when it arrives.
The goal of this book is to provide a guide for all people of good will and to show them the way to Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God. To this end, common criticisms that are levelled against the faith and the Church are examined. Each of these are then countered and addressed based on Sacred Scripture and Tradition. This book is a valuable tool especially for truth seeking Christians and is also useful for every Catholic who wants to be prepared to “explain” his or her faith.
About the Author
FR. RALPH WEIMANN was born in 1976. After studying in the United States, Italy, and Germany, he obtained a diploma in humanities and a bachelor in philosophy, followed by a licentiate in theology. After his ordination to the priesthood, he earned a doctorate in theology in 2010 on the thesis “Dogma and Progress in the Theology of Joseph Ratzinger.” He earned a second doctorate in 2013 on the thesis “Bioethics in a Secularized Society.” He has worked as a military chaplain since 2015. Fr. Weimann lectures at various colleges and universities in Rome, in particular the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas (Angelicum) and the International Online University Domuni. He is the author of Bioethical Challenges at the End of Life: An Ethical Guide in Catholic Perspective (Angelico Press)and the recently published Sacramentals: Their Meaning and Spiritual Use (Sophia Institute Press).
From the GOOD COUNSEL NETWORK:
Dear Pro-Life supporter
We are only a few days into the new year and already hundreds of babies have lost their lives to abortion in this Country. We are reaching out to these mothers with our peaceful, prayerful, Pro-Life daily vigils offering real help near three of the abortion centres in London.
On Friday 12th January, the eve of the 27th anniversary of the founding of The Good Counsel Network, please pray and fast for the end of abortion in this Country. Through God’s grace we have seen thousands of Mothers in our counselling centre continue their pregnancies in very difficult circumstances. Please help us to help save lives with your prayers, fasting and support. Please share on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/events/3486798171630854/
You could donate online using the following details,The Guild of Our Lady of Good Counsel, Account number 13994678 Sort Code 40-06-30. We can also take card donations on the phone, 02077231740.Whether it is £27, £270 or another amount in honour of our 27th anniversary your donation really will help save lives.Some of our supporters who do not use online banking have asked us for a standing order form to set up a regular donation, you can print off the attached form, fill it in and post it back to us if you would like to do this.
At Buckden Towers, High Street, Buckden, St. Neots, Cambs PE19 5TA
Starts Fri 5:00pm; ends Sun 2:00pm
Is God calling ME? Matrimony, celibacy, monastery, seminary, Fraternity?
COME & SEE If you are a single Catholic man between 18 and 30 years of age, come and discern with us near Bedford. Fr Armand de Malleray, FSSP will lead the weekend. There will be talks, prayers, Holy Mass and informal chatting with fellow-guests. Possibility of private meetings with a priest, and of confession. Feel welcome confidentially to call, email or write for any questions. Holy Mass each of the three days.
COST: £95.00 per person in total (bed + full board). FREE for unwaged and students – give whatever amount you can.
BOOKINGS & CONTACT: [not via Facebook] malleray@fssp.org (read by Fr de Malleray only).
ACCESS: Direct train from London St Pancras to St Neots, every half hour, duration 56 minutes.
The nearest towns are Huntingdon (5 miles NNE of Buckden) and St Neots (5 miles South of Buckden). Both Huntingdon and St Neots are served by the West Anglian Great Northern Railway line from King’s Cross London to Peterborough. Let us know if you would need a lift from the railway station. There also are bus and coach links to both Huntingdon and St Neots from many parts of the country.
We have currently six young men from the UK & Ireland in formation at our two international seminaries. Three of our deacons from England were ordained priests at St Mary’s Warrington by Archbishop McMahon, OP of Liverpool. Those were the first EF priestly ordinations by a diocesan bishop in England in fifty years. Please pray for them (www.fssp.org/en/help-us/confraternity-of-saint-peter/) and for many more to enter the lists!
We give thanks for 13 priests ordained from or to the UK over the past 23 years: Fr Armand de Malleray in 2001; Fr Konrad Loewenstein in 2002; Fr Brendan Gerard in 2006; Frs Matthew Goddard and William Barker in 2009; Fr Simon Harkins in 2010; Fr Matthew McCarthy in 2011; Fr Ian Verrier in 2015; Fr James Mawdsley in 2016; Frs Alex Stewart and Krzysztof Sanetra in 2017; Fr Seth Phipps in 2018; Fr Gwilym Evans in 2022; Deacon Miklos Homolya in 2024 (planned) – plus Fr Patrick O’Donohue from Ireland (incardinated in 2023).
On the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, 11 February 2022, Pope Francis signed a decree confirming the liturgical charism of the Priestly Fraternity of St Peter.
FSSP Chaplaincy Bulletin, 24 Dec 2023 – 6 January 2024
Served by the Priestly Fraternity of St Peter by appointment from the RC Diocese of Northampton
Residence: St Alban House, 18 Brett Drive, Bromham, Bedford MK43 8RF
Landline: 01234 954 316
Worship: Christ the King Church, Harrowden Road, Bedford MK42 0SP; and on Sundays and major feasts at Our Lady of Perpetual Succour Church, Chesham Bois, 30 Amersham Road, HP6 5PE
Holy Days: 11:30am (check website before travelling)
Bedford CONFESSIONS TIMES
Sat 11:00am-12noon. And during or around Holy Mass when possible, including in Chesham Bois.
Safeguarding: If you have concerns about children or vulnerable adults, please contact the FSSP England Safeguarding Lead, Fr Matthew Goddard: goddard@fssp.org.
Frs de Malleray and Coelho wish you and your families a blessed feast of the Nativity of the Lord. They thank you for your cards, gifts and generous support. Please note that, unlike in some other churches, in FSSP apostolates the Christmas Offertory collections go to support the ministry, rather than being retained by the priests for personal use. Should you wish to donate money to the priests personally, please make sure to clearly label your envelope with the name of the priest, mentioning “Personal gift”. Thank you.
Join us for coffee after Sunday Mass, both in Bedford and Chesham Bois. Follow the crowd into nearby parish halls.
No dogs inside the church please. Our beloved pets are requested kindly to wait for their masters outside.
VOLUNTEERS URGENTLY NEEDED TO (WO)MAN THE HALL KITCHEN FOR SUNDAY COMMUNITY COFFEE. Thank you to those who enquired. Unless we get more people we cannot use the kitchen, which will impact on our Sunday gatherings in the hall. Can you commit to one Sunday a month? Senior or teenage volunteers welcome. Thank you in advance. Please contact Jo Paul for details: joanna.m.paul@outlook.com.
Congratulations to Peter and Maria Jones on the birth of Vincent on the feast of St Thomas the Apostle, 21 Dec.
[Originally announced for Sat 20 Jan, now POSTPONED BY A WEEK]
Ladies’ group: now Sat 27th January
12noon shared lunch, 1pm talk and Q&As – in the Patrick Donegan Room. Please note that Holy Mass will now be at 11am, AFTER, not BEFORE confessions. This allows you to come already for Mass and stay on for the group.
Next Men’s group: Thursday 18 Jan, 8:00pm, after 7:30pm tea & biscuit (or beer!) – in the Patrick Donegan Room.
PREPARATION to the SACRAMENTS:
Please kindly email Chaplaincy Secretary Mrs Rita Carroll (bedford@fssp.org) the full details of candidates for First Holy Communion and/or Confirmation (includes date of birth). Also for Holy Matrimony (if any), and Baptism. Schedules for preparation will be communicated in January.
This year one needs to attend Mass on both Christmas Eve (Sunday) and Christmas Day (starts with Midnight Mass) to fulfil the obligation.
On Christmas Day, it is very good but not obligatory, to attend more than one holy Mass.
FSSP UK & Ireland wall 2024 CALENDARS have arrived! Receive your copy after Mass on 24 & 25 Dec. Free (suggested donation £2).
Altar servers training: Fr de Malleray is keen to meet with any boys and men interested. Serving is an honour and brings many graces. One can start with just a Low Mass with one server. As a start, anyone who would like to serve at Midnight Mass is requested to attend a practice led by the Chaplain on Sat 23 Dec, 11:00am to 12noon at Christ the King Church.
Everyone under 18 must have a signed parental consent form (ask Rita Carroll).
For practice purposes, the Latin Mass Society have put together a good series of tutorial videos here
youtu.be/GDfuzBdinUM; and provide printed resources here: lms.org.uk/catalog/altar-servers
Quicker Holy Communion process in Bedford and Chesham Bois: when waiting to kneel at the Communion rail, please do not wait until the entire rail is vacated, but instead go and kneel at the nearest available space.
Congratulations to Jacek and Catherine Witkowski on the birth of their first child Alice, to be baptised on 6th Jan, 1:30pm, at Chesham Bois.
Three holy Masses this Christmas: In Bedford our traditional Christmas Holy Mass will start at midnight this year again (Mass of the Night), followed by the Mass of Dawn at 8:30am. The Mass of the Day will be offered at Chesham Bois at 11:30am [not at 12noon].
Epiphany: Attending holy Mass on Sat 6th January for the solemnity of the Epiphany is not an obligation this year. But we invite all to our holy Mass that will take place on the traditional date (Twelfth Night after the Nativity) on Sat 6th Jan in Bedford at 10:00am (exceptionally, no confessions from 11am to 12noon, but from 9:00am to 9:55am), and at 12:30pm at Chesham Bois, followed by two infant baptisms.
On the Eve of the Epiphany, Friday 5th Jan, bring containers filled with water clearly labelled to your name, with the cap off, to have them blessed as Epiphany Water from 8:50am, after our usual 8:00am Mass. Please note that this performing this blessing lasts at least 45minutes.
PICK UP AN HYMN BOOK as you enter the church. Can you sing Christmas carols and/or play of an instrument? Contact us. Also, as mentioned from the pulpit, we have started singing hymns right before and after Sunday Mass, plus a simple Latin one during Holy Communion. After a few weeks we should all become familiar with tune and words.
Offertory Collections in Bedford: up to now they were retained by the parish. Increased expenses for two priests in full time ministry leads to retaining the Offertory collection, as per the Chaplaincy statutes. This will start in January (as has been the case in Chesham Bois for years). The Chaplaincy will of course continue to contribute its fair share to the upkeep of Christ the King Church.
FINANCES: online donations and standing orders are still gratefully received, being also much quicker and easier to process than cash. Thank you in advance for your generosity.
Sort code: 30-80-27 Account number: 44025960
Christmas collections go to the apostolate, not to individual priests. Thank you in advance.
GIFT AID: Increase your donation to the FSSP Chaplaincy by 25% at no further expense to you. Ask Rita for a Gift Aid form, fill it in and hand it back to her. That will help us a lot.
MAILING LIST: Please subscribe for free to the newly created Mailchimp list, now the official medium of information for the Northampton FSSP Chaplaincy. Click on this link: https://facebook.us11.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=c6ff52282548a1c81708fb5ef&id=adabc6323e
Well done Chesham Bois parishioners for the joyful Christmas Dinner last 16 Dec., with quiz, attended by many among our adult congregation!
Good books to buy as Christmas presents. For children: https://www.isaiahbooks.co.uk/product-page/when-the-stars-shone-bright-a-christmas-tale: £7.99, plus shipping. Discounts available on bulk orders.
For adults: Fr de Malleray’s latest novel: https://aroucapress.com/vermeers-angel. Also, Fr de Malleray’s book on the Holy Eucharist, heavily discounted to £10.00 after Sunday Mass.
Baronius hand missals for sale, 1/3 off for FSSP Chaplaincy: £45.00 each. Three colours: white, black and Bordeaux.
Pray for the sick in our congregations. Email their names for insertions in next bulletins.
Served by the Priestly Fraternity of St Peter by appointment from the RC Diocese of Northampton
Residence: St Alban House, 18 Brett Drive, Bromham, Bedford MK43 8RF
Worship: Christ the King Church, Harrowden Road, Bedford MK42 0SP; and on Sundays and major feasts at Our Lady of Perpetual Succour Church, Chesham Bois, 30 Amersham Road, HP6 5PE
Holy Days: 11:30am (check website before travelling)
Bedford CONFESSIONS TIMES
Sat 11:00am-12noon. And during or around Holy Mass when possible, including in Chesham Bois.
Safeguarding: If you have concerns about children or vulnerable adults, please contact the FSSP England Safeguarding Lead, Fr Matthew Goddard: goddard@fssp.org.
Join us for coffee after Sunday Mass, both in Bedford and Chesham Bois. Follow the crowd into nearby parish halls.
VOLUNTEERS URGENTLY NEEDED in Bedford TO (WO)MAN THE HALL KITCHEN FOR SUNDAY COMMUNITY COFFEE. Unless we get more people serving we cannot use the kitchen, which will impact on our Sunday gatherings in the hall. Can you commit to one Sunday a month? Senior or teenage volunteers welcome. Thank you in advance.
Please contact Jo Paul for details: joanna.m.paul@outlook.com.
Choir practice for midnight Mass on Friday 22 December from 7.30pm. Contact Catherine for info.
The initial Ladies’ group was well attended last Monday by 11 ladies. Feedback welcome for such a monthly event. Saturday may be easier for more ladies to attend, it was suggested. Then perhaps with 10am Confessions, 11am holy Mass and 12noon picnic and talk ending around 2pm. Please email Rita Carroll this week so as to allow us to plan for January: bedford@fssp.org.
MEN’s group at Christ the King Church (Patrick Donegan Room) on Thursday 21 December: 7:00pm Biscuits & Tea; 7:30pm Conference by Fr de Malleray, FSSP on “How God prepared his coming into our flesh according to the 7 Greater O Antiphons.”
Special treat for ladies who attended last week’s conference, and for gentlemen who may be prevented from attending this Thursday’s conference.
PREPARATION to the SACRAMENTS:
Please kindly email Chaplaincy Secretary Mrs Rita Carroll (bedford@fssp.org) the full details of candidates for First Holy Communion and/or Confirmation (includes date of birth). Also for Holy Matrimony (if any), and Baptism. Schedules for preparation will be communicated in January.
Altar servers training: Fr de Malleray is keen to meet with any boys and men interested. Serving is an honour and brings many graces. One can start with just a Low Mass with one server. As a start, anyone who would like to serve at Midnight Mass is requested to attend a practice led by the Chaplain on Sat 23 Dec, 11:00am to 12noon at Christ the King Church.
Everyone under 18 must have a signed parental consent form (ask Rita Carroll).
For practice purposes, the Latin Mass Society have put together a good series of tutorial videos here
youtu.be/GDfuzBdinUM; and provide printed resources here: lms.org.uk/catalog/altar-servers
Quicker Holy Communion process in Bedford and Chesham Bois: when waiting to kneel at the Communion rail, please do not wait until the entire rail is vacated, but instead go and kneel at the nearest available space.
Congratulations to Jacek and Catherine Witkowski on the happy birth of their first child Alice, to be baptised on 6th Jan, 1:30pm, at Chesham Bois.
Congratulations to Vincent and Alix Grimer whose firstborn child Lily was baptised last Saturday in Bedford.
Three holy Masses this Christmas: In Bedford our traditional Christmas Holy Mass will start at midnight this year again (Mass of the Night), followed by the Mass of Dawn at 8:30am. The Mass of the Day will be offered at Chesham Bois at 11:30am.
Epiphany: Attending holy Mass on Sat 6th January for the solemnity of the Epiphany is not an obligation this year. But we invite all to our holy Mass that will take place on the traditional date (twelfth night after the Nativity) on Sat 6th Jan in Bedford at 10:00am (exceptionally, no confessions from 11am to 12noon, but from 9:00am to 9:55am), and at 12:30pm at Chesham Bois, followed by infant baptisms.
On the Eve of the Epiphany, Friday 5th Jan, bring containers filled with water clearly labelled to your name, with the cap off, to have them blessed as Epiphany Water from 8:50am, after our usual 8:00am Mass. Please note that this performing this blessing lasts at least 45minutes.
PICK UP AN HYMN BOOK as you enter the church. Can you sing Christmas carols and/or play of an instrument? Contact us. Also, as mentioned from the pulpit, we have started singing hymns right before and after Sunday Mass, plus a simple Latin one during Holy Communion. After a few weeks we should all become familiar with tune and words.
FINANCES: two priests full time implies ongoing expenses, which are not covered by Reading or by the diocese. Thank you in advance for your generosity.
Sort code: 30-80-27 Account number: 44025960
Christmas collections go to the apostolate, not to individual priests. Thank you in advance.
GIFT AID: Increase your donation to the FSSP Chaplaincy by 25% at no further expense to you. Ask Rita for a Gift Aid form, fill it in and hand it back to her. That will help us a lot.
On Mon 11 Dec Fr de Malleray attended a lovely Advent Play at the Regina Caeli Academy. About 120 persons were present, including the 75 pupils (many of them performing on stage), staff and parents. What joy to see this educational activity grow so happily!
This past week Frs de Malleray and Coelho spent a few hours in Cambridge and admired the wonderful architecture built by our Catholic forefathers to the glory of God and the edification of men.
The two priests also met with Bishop David Oakley of Northampton who was pleased to hear how they were settling in, and recalled his recent visits to the two communities served by the FSSP chaplaincy in Bedford and Chesham Bois.
Please pray for our bishop and clergy.
Looking forward to the Christmas Dinner at Chesham Bois on Sat 16 Dec., with quiz!
Good books to buy as Christmas presents. For children: https://www.isaiahbooks.co.uk/product-page/when-the-stars-shone-bright-a-christmas-tale: £7.99, plus shipping. Discounts available on bulk orders.
For adults: Fr de Malleray’s latest novel: https://aroucapress.com/vermeers-angel. Also, Fr de Malleray’s book on the Holy Eucharist, heavily discounted to £10.00 after Sunday Mass.
Watch The Surprise, a wonderful play by Catholic author GK Chesterton this Christmas. Sunday 24th December 3.30pm online www.ewtn.co.uk or on sky 586. For GK Chesterton Prayers see; www.CatholicGKChestertonSociety.co.uk
Pray for the sick in our congregations. Email their names for insertions in next bulletins.
Served by the Priestly Fraternity of St Peter by appointment from the RC Diocese of Northampton
Residence: St Alban House, 18 Brett Drive, Bromham, Bedford MK43 8RF
Worship: Christ the King Church, Harrowden Road, Bedford MK42 0SP; and on Sundays and major feasts at Our Lady of Perpetual Succour Church, Chesham Bois, 30 Amersham Road, HP6 5PE
Holy Days: 11:30am (check website before travelling)
Bedford CONFESSIONS TIMES
Sat 11:00am-12noon. And during or around Holy Mass when possible, including in Chesham Bois.
Safeguarding: If you have concerns about children or vulnerable adults, please contact the FSSP England Safeguarding Lead, Fr Matthew Goddard: goddard@fssp.org.
Join us for coffee after Sunday Mass, both in Bedford and Chesham Bois. Follow the crowd into nearby parish halls.
Dowry Mag online and soon in print, with 2024 FSSP wall calendar.
The bleak state of the world and Church should not dishearten us: rather, it should lead us to give thanks for every small achievement granted by God. There are signs that seeds planted some decades ago have started bearing fruit, by God’s grace, Fr de Malleray observes.
The Catholic Doctrine of the Angels
Oxford theologian Fr John Saward has written a new and accessible summary of the Catholic faith on the fascinating topic of uncorporeal created spirits, good and evil. Fr de Malleray reviews the book that explains why fear the demons and why rely on the good angels.
Dr Jordan Peterson, Commonsensically Ours
Sophia Rumpus reports on Dr Jordan Peterson’s recent Conference at the O2 Academy in London. She explains that Peterson, a clinical psychologist, author, and educator has risen to influential fame for speaking common sense to the modern audience. The absence of religious belief makes the younger generations even hungrier for truth.
Ivan Merz, A Youth Passionate For the Liturgy
Seminarian Stjepan Androić, FSSP describes the life and work of his fellow-Croatian Blessed Ivan Merz (1896–1928). The young layman had identified the Roman liturgy of his time as the richest vehicle of sanctification. His example shows that no only experts, but any of us Catholics, may become passionate for the way we pray and be strengthened in our faith.
On the Liturgy as the Highest Form of Art
Whereas Richard Wagner defined opera as the total form of art encompassing all other cultural expressions, Bl. Ivan Merz points to the Roman liturgy as the deepest implementation of that ideal, uniting music, poetry, choreography, painting, sculpture, architecture, goldsmithing, sowing, and sculpture in the most harmonious praise to God.
Support our Apostolate
With now five houses across the UK & Ireland, our ministry increases. Find out how you can endow us with the resources we need to serve more souls. Help us bring this country back to Our Blessed Lady, for the love of Jesus.
FSSP UK & Ireland Wall Calendar 2024
Our Dowry subscribers received our beautifully illustrated calendar free of charge, inserted in their printed copy of Dowry. Discover pictures of our various apostolates and ceremonies, and benefit form up to date guidance on the holy days of obligation, days of fast and particular feasts. Our 2024 calendar will also be available at our churches in December.
Congratulations to Vincent and Alex Grimer for the holy Baptism of their firstborn, little Lily Grimer, performed at Christ the King Church on Sat 9 Dec, 12noon. Let us pray for these newly baptised (or soon to be) and for their families. In these Advent weeks when we commemorate the pregnancy of Our Lady on her way to Bethlehem, let us also pray for the mothers expecting a child in our community.
Thank you to Bishop St Nicholas who took time in his busy schedule to visit our community last Sunday!
LADIES’ group at Christ the King Church (Patrick Donegan Room) on Monday 11 December: 7:00pm. Biscuits & Tea; 7:30pm Conference by Fr de Malleray, FSSP on “How God prepared his coming into our flesh according to the 7 Greater O Antiphons.”
MEN’s group at Christ the King Church (Patrick Donegan Room) on Thursday 21 December: 7:00pm Biscuits & Tea; 7:30pm Conference by Fr de Malleray, FSSP on “How God prepared his coming into our flesh according to the 7 Greater O Antiphons.”
PREPARATION to the SACRAMENTS:
Please kindly email Chaplaincy Secretary Mrs Rita Carroll (bedford@fssp.org) the full details of candidates for First Holy Communion and/or Confirmation (includes date of birth). Also for Holy Matrimony (if any), and Baptism. Schedules for preparation will be communicated in January.
Altar servers training: Fr de Malleray is keen to meet with any boys and men interested. Serving is an honour and brings many graces. One can start with just a Low Mass with one server. As a start, anyone who would like to serve at Midnight Mass is requested to attend a practice led by the Chaplain on Sat 23 Dec, 11:00am to 12noon at Christ the King Church.
For practice purposes, the Latin Mass Society have put together a good series of tutorial videos here
Quicker Holy Communion process in Bedford and Chesham Bois:
when waiting to kneel at the Communion rail,
please do not wait until the entire rail is vacated,
but instead go and kneel at the nearest available space.
In your charity, please pray for the repose of the soul of Michael Wooldridge, husband of our parishioner Mary, who passed away on Sunday 3 Dec. Frs de Malleray and Coelho prayed by his bed on their way back from Chesham Bois. May he rest in peace.
The annual summer weekend of Juventutem will take place at Ampleforth Abbey on 2-4 August 2024.
Three holy Masses this Christmas: In Bedford our traditional Christmas Holy Mass will start at midnight this year again (Mass of the Night), followed by the Mass of Dawn at 8:30am. The Mass of the Day will be offered at Chesham Bois at 11:30am.
Can you sing Christmas carols and/or play of an instrument? Contact us. Also, as mentioned from the pulpit, we have started singing hymns right before and after Sunday Mass, plus a simple Latin one during Holy Communion. After a few weeks we should all become familiar with tune and words.
FINANCES: Thank you to the families who have now shifted their standing order from the Reading bank account to the newly created Bedford one with Lloyd. Kindly proceed with the change if you have not done so already, since two priests full time implies ongoing expenses, which are not covered by Reading or by the diocese. Thank you in advance for your generosity.
Sort code: 30-80-27 Account number: 44025960
GIFT AID: Increase your donation to the FSSP Chaplaincy by 25% at no further expense to you. Ask Rita for a Gift Aid form, fill it in and hand it back to her. That will help us a lot.
Or simply visit the Chaplaincy’s dedicated webpage via fssp.org.uk/bedford, or fssp.org.uk/chesham, and click to the right of the screen on “Subscribe to our Bedford and Chesham Bois bulletin”.
Envelopes for Holy Mass intentions are being printed. Meanwhile, you can write on any envelope the intention, contact details, and preferred date if any, and your stipend (average £10.00).
On Mon 11 Dec Fr de Malleray will offer the monthly Mass at the Regina Caeli Academy, whose Nativity play he will attend with the parents on 14 Dec.
Chesham Bois‘ festive season: looking forward to the Christmas picnic on Sun 10 Dec, and the Christmas Dinner at on Sat 16 Dec., with quiz!
The bleak state of the world and Church should not dishearten us: rather, it should lead us to give thanks for every small achievement granted by God. There are signs that seeds planted some decades ago have started bearing fruit, by God’s grace, Fr de Malleray observes.
The Catholic Doctrine of the Angels
Oxford theologian Fr John Saward has written a new and accessible summary of the Catholic faith on the fascinating topic of uncorporeal created spirits, good and evil. Fr de Malleray reviews the book that explains why fear the demons and why rely on the good angels.
Dr Jordan Peterson, Commonsensically Ours
Sophia Rumpus reports on Dr Jordan Peterson’s recent Conference at the O2 Academy in London. She explains that Peterson, a clinical psychologist, author, and educator has risen to influential fame for speaking common sense to the modern audience. The absence of religious belief makes the younger generations even hungrier for truth.
Ivan Merz, A Youth Passionate For the Liturgy
Seminarian Stjepan Androić, FSSP describes the life and work of his fellow-Croatian Blessed Ivan Merz (1896–1928). The young layman had identified the Roman liturgy of his time as the richest vehicle of sanctification. His example shows that no only experts, but any of us Catholics, may become passionate for the way we pray and be strengthened in our faith.
On the Liturgy as the Highest Form of Art
Whereas Richard Wagner defined opera as the total form of art encompassing all other cultural expressions, Bl. Ivan Merz points to the Roman liturgy as the deepest implementation of that ideal, uniting music, poetry, choreography, painting, sculpture, architecture, goldsmithing, sowing, and sculpture in the most harmonious praise to God.
Support our Apostolate
With now five houses across the UK & Ireland, our ministry increases. Find out how you can endow us with the resources we need to serve more souls. Help us bring this country back to Our Blessed Lady, for the love of Jesus.
FSSP UK & Ireland Wall Calendar 2024
Our Dowry subscribers received our beautifully illustrated calendar free of charge, inserted in their printed copy of Dowry. Discover pictures of our various apostolates and ceremonies, and benefit form up to date guidance on the holy days of obligation, days of fast and particular feasts. Our 2024 calendar will also be available at our churches in December.
Served by the Priestly Fraternity of St Peter by appointment from the RC Diocese of Northampton
Residence: St Alban House, 18 Brett Drive, Bromham, Bedford MK43 8RF
Worship: Christ the King Church, Harrowden Road, Bedford MK42 0SP; and on Sundays and major feasts at Our Lady of Perpetual Succour Church, Chesham Bois, 30 Amersham Road, HP6 5PE
Holy Days: 11:30am (check website before travelling)
Bedford CONFESSIONS TIMES
Sat 11:00am-12noon. And during or around Holy Mass when possible, including in Chesham Bois.
Safeguarding: If you have concerns about children or vulnerable adults, please contact the FSSP England Safeguarding Lead, Fr Matthew Goddard: goddard@fssp.org.
ADVENT BEGINS.
Some wonder what little penance or resolution to make for the holy season. None will please the Child Jesus better than attending his Holy Sacrifice of the Mass on a weekday.
Immaculate Conception on Fri 8 Dec (not a holy day of obligation):
TWO holy Masses in Bedford at 8am and 7:30pm (with confessions 30mins before Mass).
We had a great family day at Christ the King on Sat 2 Dec. About 60 attended the 10am Holy Mass of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (First Saturday votive devotion) at which Fr de Malleray preached on the two hearts of Jesus and Mary as our twin spiritual “mansion”. Fr Coelho was kept busy hearing confessions for nearly two hours during Mass and during the following holy Hour of Eucharistic adoration prayed especially for the families at the Bedford and Chesham Bois FSSP Chaplaincy.
A shared picnic followed in the (well heated) parish hall, with various stalls displaying children’s books, Regina Caeli Academy mugs and Christmas cards, pro-life literature and books by FSSP Chaplain Fr de Malleray. At 2pm, the many children were treated to a catechism session by Fr Coelho in the adjacent room, while the adults listened to a spiritual conference by Fr de Malleray on Our Lady and the Incarnation, followed by questions and answers. The day ended with a live performance of O Come Emmanuel by all the children on stage, after they had rehearsed with our lead singer Katherine. The feedback was very positive and there is interest for similar events to be scheduled in the future. Anyone is welcome. Contact us with suggestions of dates and themes.
LADIES’ group at Christ the King Church (Patrick Donegan Room) on Monday 11 December: 7:00pm Biscuits & Tea; 7:30pm Conference by Fr de Malleray, FSSP on “How God prepared his coming into our flesh according to the 7 Greater O Antiphons.”
Congratulations to Jon and Jacinta Moxham for the holy Baptism of their eight child, newborn Theodore, who became a child of God on 29 Dec; and to Vincent and Alex Grimer for the holy Baptism of their firstborn, little Lily Grimer, scheduled at Christ the King Church on Sat 9 Dec, 12noon. Let us pray for these newly baptised (or soon to be) and for their families.
(Picture Peter Jones)
PREPARATION to the SACRAMENTS:
Please kindly email Chaplaincy Secretary Mrs Rita Carroll (bedford@fssp.org) the full details of candidates for First Holy Communion and/or Confirmation (includes date of birth). Also for Holy Matrimony (if any), and Baptism. Once we know the size of each group we can schedule meetings.
On Mon 27 Nov several families attended the 10am Holy Mass on the Feast of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal. Fr Coelho blessed medals after Mass and offered them to those who did not already have one. These sacramentals are powerful means of sanctification.
Telephone: A landline number will be communicated soon.
In London last week Fr de Malleray attended a clergy gathering organised by the Ordinariate.
The Christian Heritage Centre at Stonyhurst was fully booked for a retreat on the Incarnation last weekend. Fr de Malleray’s conferences will be uploaded soon.
Fr de Malleray sung the Mass and preached on religious life for the monthly Juventutem meeting at St Mary Magdalene’s in Wandsworth, attended by 65 young adults including some non-Catholics. The annual summer weekend of Juventutem will take place at Ampleforth Abbey on 2-4 August 2024.
On Sat 9 Dec, Fr de Malleray will attend the fayre of the Goretti Girls, a Catholic social society named after purity martyr St Maria Goretti, for girls aged 10-17. Visit gorettigirls.co.uk.
Three holy Masses this Christmas: In Bedford our traditional Christmas Holy Mass will start at midnight this year again (Mass of the Night), followed by the Mass of Dawn at 8:30am. The Mass of the Day will be offered at Chesham Bois at 11:30am.
Can you sing Christmas carols and/or play of an instrument? Contact us. Also, as mentioned from the pulpit, we have started singing hymns right before and after Sunday Mass, plus a simple Latin one during Holy Communion. After a few weeks we should all become familiar with tune and words.
FINANCES: Thank you to the families who have now shifted their standing order from the Reading bank account to the newly created Bedford one with Lloyd. Kindly proceed with the change if you have not done so already, since two priests full time implies ongoing expenses, which are not covered by Reading or by the diocese. Thank you in advance for your generosity.
Sort code: 30-80-27 Account number: 44025960
GIFT AID: Increase your donation to the FSSP Chaplaincy by 25% at no further expense to you. Ask Rita for a Gift Aid form, fill it in and hand it back to her. That will help us a lot.
Or simply visit the Chaplaincy’s dedicated webpage via fssp.org.uk/bedford, or fssp.org.uk/chesham, and click to the right of the screen on “Subscribe to our Bedford and Chesham Bois bulletin”.
Envelopes for Holy Mass intentions are being printed. Meanwhile, you can write on any envelope the intention, contact details, and preferred date if any, and your stipend (average £10.00).
St Nicholas will visit us in the parish hall on Sunday 3 Dec after our Mass.
Pray for the sick in our congregations. Email their names for insertions in next bulletins.
HOLY MASS INTENTIONS this WEEK
Sun
03/12
8.30am
First Sunday of Advent (I)Bedford, then Chesham Bois
Served by the Priestly Fraternity of St Peter by appointment from the RC Diocese of Northampton
Residence: St Alban House, 18 Brett Drive, Bromham, Bedford MK43 8RF
Worship: Christ the King Church, Harrowden Road, Bedford MK42 0SP; and on Sundays and major feasts at Our Lady of Perpetual Succour Church, Chesham Bois, 30 Amersham Road, HP6 5PE
Hoy Days: 11:00am (check website before travelling)
Bedford CONFESSIONS TIMES
Sat 11:00am-12noon. And during or around Holy Mass when possible, including in Chesham Bois.
Safeguarding: If you have concerns about children or vulnerable adults, please contact the Diocesan Safeguarding Department or speak with Christ the King Church’s Safeguarding Officer. Thank you for your awareness.
ADVENT FAMILY GATHERING in Bedford Sat 2 December (Christ the King church & hall).
Feel welcome to bring and sell good books, Christmas cards and other items.
Schedule:
10:00am Holy Mass
11:00am Confessions and Eucharistic adoration for the intention families.
12noon-2pm: Shared picnic lunch in hall with stalls of books and devotional articles to buy as Christmas presents, while chatting with priests and families.
2:00pm Spiritual Conference by Fr de Malleray on Why God became Man. Followed by Q&As. Simultaneously, talk for children and/or learning a few simple hymns.
3:00pm Onward: Coffee, tea.
The spiritual conference by Fr Coelho on Divine Motherhood was attended by 14 ladies (picture below). Would more ladies wish a monthly event of that kind? We could organise it at Christ the King church and hall to welcome more participants than in a private house. There could be holy Mass before or after. In Warrington that event attracted between 30 and 40 ladies on a Saturday afternoon. The same could be offered for men. Please send feedback to bedford@fssp.org.
Fr de Malleray offered Holy Mass at Regina Caeli Academy as new Chaplain, attended by about 80 pupils and staff.
PREPARATION to the SACRAMENTS:
Please kindly email Chaplaincy Secretary Mrs Rita Carroll (bedford@fssp.org) the full details of candidates for First Holy Communion and/or Confirmation (includes date of birth). Also for Holy Matrimony (if any), and Baptism. Once we know the size of each group we can schedule meetings.
Feast of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal this Monday 27 Nov with blessing and imposing of the Medal after the 10:00am Holy Mass: cf. Rue du Bac apparitions in Paris in 1830.
Read more on https://catholic-link.org/images/what-is-miraculous-medal-catholic/
Extra Mass for the Immaculate Conception: to celebrate the glorious privilege of our heavenly Mother, two holy Masses will be offered by the FSSP Chaplaincy in Bedford on Friday 8th December 2023:
8:00am and 7:30pm.
Welcome to Baby Joseph Osborne who attended his first holy Mass last Sunday after having spent the first two months of his life in hospital. Thank you to the ladies who took turns to cook for the Osborne family during those trying weeks. Let us pray for the health of little Joseph.
Improving the website: Unlike on desktops, information was poorly displayed on mobile phone screens. This was improved. Send us feedback.
Internet: theoretically installed this past Friday, its signal proves very low and will need fixing. Therefore, sadly we are not yet able to communicate well online.
Telephone: A landline number will be communicated soon.
Frs de Malleray and Coelho attended the Deanery meeting with clergy from the Bedford area, hosted by Canon Benny Noonan.
Juventutem London monthly Mass and social on with Fr de Malleray on Friday 1st Dec.: facebook.com/londonjuventutem/; instagram.com/juventutemlondon/.
Juventutem Summer Weekend (special 20th anniversary) in Ampleforth Abbey on 2-4 Aug 2024.
1 to 1 helper (practicing Catholic) sought for a seven-year-old autistic boy at the Regina Caeli Academy in Meppershall. Mon and Thurs in term time, 8.45-15.15, starting Jan. Call 07737 020188 if interested.
Three holy Masses this Christmas: In Bedford our traditional Christmas Holy Mass will start at midnight this year again (Mass of the Night), followed by the Mass of Dawn at 8:30am. The Mass of the Day will be offered at Chesham Bois probably (TBC) at 11:00am.
Can you sing Christmas carols and/or play of an instrument? Contact us. Also, as mentioned from the pulpit, we have started singing hymns right before and after Sunday Mass, plus a simple Latin one during Holy Communion. After a few weeks we should all become familiar with tune and words.
FINANCES: Thank you to the families who have now shifted their standing order from the Reading bank account to the newly created Bedford one with Lloyd. Kindly proceed with the change if you have not done so already, since two priests full time implies ongoing expenses, which are not covered by Reading or by the diocese. Thank you in advance for your generosity.
Sort code: 30-80-27 Account number: 44025960
GIFT AID: Increase your donation to the FSSP Chaplaincy by 25% at no further expense to you. Ask Rita for a Gift Aid form, fill it in and hand it back to her. That will help us a lot.
Or simply visit the Chaplaincy’s dedicated webpage via fssp.org.uk/bedford, or fssp.org.uk/chesham, and click to the right of the screen on “Subscribe to our Bedford and Chesham Bois bulletin”.
Envelopes for Holy Mass intentions are being ordered. Meanwhile, you can write on any envelope the intention, contact details, and preferred date if any, and your stipend (average £10.00).
Parish Christmas Fayre on 26 Nov 1-3 pm. There will be a Latin Mass table. Also raffle tickets available with cash prizes, which will be drawn at the Christmas Fayre.
Pray for the sick in our congregations. Email their names for insertions in next bulletins.
