Father Sean writes...

This week we are celebrating the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. Every year it begins on the 18th of January and finishes on the 25th of January—the feast of the Conversions of St Paul. I say every year, because the week of prayer is a long-established practice in the Christian churches, stretching back as far as 1908. Some people might wonder why we continue to pray for unity when the churches still seem to be so distant from one another in terms of faith and practice. Cardinal Hume once said that unity is ‘a gift of God and we must pray for it’. He also firmly believed that we need ‘to pray ourselves into unity’ asking the Holy Spirit to make us receptive to the many graces that we find in Christians of other traditions. So, this week is a necessary part of that process. We can be encouraged in both our parishes that we have good relationships with the other churches in our area and I meet regularly with other church leaders to pray and discuss issues that are relevant to our churches. We pray that one day the prayer of Christ himself will be answered, that all his followers ‘may be one’. (John 17/21)

COFFEE & COMPANY: The next gathering will be on Tuesday 1st of February at 10:30 am at St Teresa’s. All are welcome!

LONDON RUN: Regular service has now resumed, and your donations are much needed and most welcome!

MEN’S BREAKFASTS:  The United Reformed Church, are hosting a series of talks on the second Saturday of each month from 8:30 am to 10 am. There is no charge however donations are welcome. For more information, please contact Alan Thomson at alan.thomson12@btinternet.com

Upcoming Meetings for the Diary …

1. Listening Group meeting on Monday 24th January at 2 pm at St Teresa’s

2. St Dunstan’s Finance Committee meeting on Monday 31st January at 7:30 pm

3. St Teresa’s Finance Committee meeting on Tuesday 1^st February at 8 pm

DIOCESAN DIRECTORIES FOR 2022: These are now available at £3:00 each in the narthex.

Rite of Welcome:  This weekend we welcome Una O’Brien and her parents Daniel and Tina at the 8:45 am Mass at St Teresa’s. Una will be baptised next weekend.

Congratulations:  To Henry Louis Lisi and his parents Jack and Siobhan as Henry is baptised this afternoon at St Teresa’s!

Children’s Liturgy:  At the 8:45 am Mass on Sundays we now have 2 separate children’s liturgy groups: The first meets in the hall and is for children from birth to age 7. The second meets in the Thomas More Room and is for children aged 8 and over.

On the 4th Sunday of each month, Deacon Brent will lead the session for the older children. Parents, of all faiths and none, are very welcome to accompany their children.

Children’s Mass:  The 8:45 am Mass on the first Sunday of each month will be a children’s Mass at St Teresa’s. We would like to involve as many children as possible. If your child or grandchild would like to read a bidding prayer or take up the offertory at St Teresa’s, then please do let Victoria know at victoriakquinn@hotmail.com Some children have asked if they can practice reading and bidding prayers using a microphone. We are going to have a little practice after the 8:45 am Mass on Sunday 30th January at St Teresa’s. Everyone is welcome to come along.

At St Dunstan’s, the third Sunday of each month will be a children’s Mass. Please let Sister Winifred know if you would like to take part. You can also contact her via email at winifredmccahill@yahoo.co.uk

 Synodal process:  Many thanks to all of those who have already made a contribution to this initiative which Pope Francis has invited us all to take part in! The parish phase of the process is drawing to a close but there is still time to meet with a listener and share your thoughts this week. It may even be possible to arrange a Zoom meeting if this is convenient.

At St Dunstan’s, Deacon Brent will have a listening session this Sunday 23rd January after the 10:00 am Mass.

Please contact the Parish office between 9-1pm Mondays to Fridays this week or via email if you wish to arrange a session in person or via Zoom.  

Restore Hope:  An evening of worship and prayer will be held on Friday 4th February at 7:30 pm with Graham & Joanna Wakeman. Please see the poster in the narthex or visit the following link:

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/his-presence-worship-and-prayer-night-restore-hope-tickets-219172600147

Rosary Group:  You are invited to an evening of litany, readings and rosary with music to praise and worship on Wednesday 26th January at St Augustine’s in High Wycombe at 7:30 pm.

Online Rosary:  Thursday evenings from 7:45 to 9pm via Zoom. Please contact  Deacon Brin on 07931 607249 or via email at: brin.dunsire@gmail.com

One Can Trust: As a result of the pandemic and rising costs in respect of basic needs like food and fuel, many are finding life extremely challenging. Parents who are both working are struggling to make ends meet especially with exacerbating problems such as mental and physical health. Our sincere thanks to those who regularly contribute to the red bin at St Teresa’s. If you do not, please do consider donating some non perishable items such as tinned corned beef, tinned meat meals, meat pies, whole fat long life milk, pasta sauces, rice and tinned tomatoes are always welcome!

CAFOD:  A vital aspect of church is people being willing to share their talents. Could your New Year’s resolution be volunteering for CAFOD? If you would like to know more, please contact Deborah at dpurfield@cafod.org.uk or call 07786 114 390.

Money Matters:

Last weekend’s collection at St Teresa’s amounted to £575.61 and £298.30 at St Dunstan’s. The Second collection for Pax Christi amounted to £507.12. Thank you for your generosity!

Digital Giving:  At the back of the church you will notice our new digital collection plate which now allows you to use your card instead of cash if preferred. The device offers a contactless option including apple pay or you could use chip and pin. There is also an option for Gift Aid!

Covid Restrictions:  At the moment we are being advised that we need to monitor our practices in church to ensure that we are being as Covid     secure as possible. Do, please, be aware of social distancing, continue to sign in at all Masses and sanitising and face masks are still the norm in both churches. The churches will also be fogged after all Masses. It is also necessary to ensure good ventilation so doors and windows may need to be left open, even in this colder weather.

Best wishes, 

Fr Seán, Fr Shyju, Deacon Brent and Sister Winifred.

St Teresa's Church is located in Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire in the United Kingdom and is situated opposite Bekonscot Model Village - a local tourist attraction. To find us couldn't be easier - just follow the signs to the Model Village and they will lead you right into our car park, which visitors to Bekonscot are also permitted to use.

The church was built in 1926, the year after St Therese of Lisieux was canonised, and so was one of the first churches in England to be dedicated to her. It is built in neo-gothic style which gives it a traditional atmosphere as you can see from the pictures of the interior. But it is small enough to feel homely and, we hope, welcoming.

Our most illustrious parishioner was Gilbert Keith Chesterton. Many of the artefacts in the church are associated with him - including a statue of Our Lady - and the tower end of the church with its Martyrs Chapel was completed as a memorial to him.

Whether for a short visit or a long stay, we hope you will enjoying being part of our 'living community of faith".

Please make yourself at home, and if you have any comments, questions or thoughts, please contact us here

St Teresa's Parish Office: 40A Warwick Road, Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire, HP9 2PL, UK

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