Newsletter

The St. Mary’s newsletter is published weekly by the Parish Office. Here is the latest edition.

Pope Leo’s intention for the month of October 2026

For Mental Health Ministry
Let us pray that the mental health ministry be established throughout the Church, helping to overcome the stigma and discrimination of persons with mental illnesses.

PARISH LITURGIES

NEW TO THE PARISH!

We welcome you to our parish family. Please pick up a welcome pack from the Church porch and complete the registration form, or take a printout of the scan code and register with us online. If you would like us to register with casper on your behalf, please take a printout form the church porch, complete it and return to the office.

3RD WEEK OF THE ANNUAL PARISH MASS COUNT WEEKEND.

SECOND COLLECTION THIS WEEKEND - CAFOD

DIOCESAN SCHOOLS MASS – FRI 9^TH AT 11AM

Please note that the car park will be closed all morning. There will be disabled parking only at this Mass. This will enable us to be able to park safely the many school coaches that will be arriving. If you wish to attend or are helping on the day can you please park in the council car park next door.

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION

Registration is now open via Caspar. If you find any issues in registering, please contact the parish office.

EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS AND READERS RETREAT

We are arranging a Retreat for the Eucharistic Ministers and Readers of our parish on Saturday 27 February 2027 at Immaculate Heart of Mary church in Great Missenden. The day will run from 9am – 4.30pm and will include refreshments. Please advise your attendance asap to stmarysretreat.2027@outlook.com

KNOW AN ADULT WHO WANTS TO BECOME A CATHOLIC ?

RCIA course is starting soon with opportunity to be Baptised/Confirmed at Easter. Many aspects of Catholic faith are covered. Suitable for Baptised but not yet Confirmed, and adults of other faiths or no faith. Contact Parish Office or Fr Bijou after Mass to sign up.

OUR LADY OF FATIMA PRAYER GROUP

Meets every Wednesday from 7-8pm in the chapel. We pray the Rosary, study the Bible and learn about the Catholic Faith.

OVER 65’S MONTHLY LUNCH – NEXT LUNCH ON WED 28^TH OCT AT MIDDAY.

This month will be Italian themed and a pasta main! Places are limited so please book your ticket on Mon 5^th/Tues 6^th. Payment of £6 is due with your booking. Please advise of any allergies at booking.

OVER 65’S CHRISTMAS FESTIVE LUNCH WILL BE ON WED 16^TH DEC.

TICKETS ALSO ON SALE NOW £10, including a glass of bubbles! LIMITED SPACES ALSO.

CHRISTMAS GALA EVENING SAT 12^TH DEC 7.15PM TO MIDNIGHT.

TICKETS £45 to include a 4 course meal by a local catering company, live music with the wonderful Joe Corrigan and a glass of bubbly on arrival. A chance to dust off your suits and your Christmas sparkles and dance the night away. See Poster.

The intention is to have availability at either the lunch or the evening dinner.

Please advise of any allergies at time of booking.

UCM & FRIENDS

Are meeting on Thurs 15^th Oct in the parish hall at 2pm

NEW TO THE PARISH?

MASS STIPENDS

If you are donating for Masses via the card machine by selecting ‘stipends’ can you please drop an email to the parish address (or phone) as we need to allocate the monies against the mass intention and names, alternatively, use the envelopes available in the Church porch making sure you put the suggested date and contact number if not available

YOUTH GROUPS

We hope to establish youth group for our young people: We are looking for volunteers to help lead and support them. Please contact the Parish Office if you would like to get involved. Together, we can help our young people grow in faith and friendship.

SUNDAY MORNING COFFEE MORNINGS – PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING REQUIREMENTS WHICH RELATE TO HEALTH & SAFETY ISSUES

• No Children (under 16) allowed in the lounge area without their parent.
• Please escort your children to the drinks/cakes station as we cannot serve children on their own due to allergies.
• No trainers/skates are allowed in the hall using the wheels.
• It is important that children sit with their parent and are not running around whilst teas/coffees are being served. Thank you.

CHURCH CAR PARK

If you park your car outside of Church hrs for a short period of time, please make sure that you have given your car details to the parish office via email or phone. We also ask that you are registered as a parishioner by completing the registration card available in the Church porch

PLEASE NOTE THAT THE DISABLED BAYS NEXT TO THE RAMP ARE FOR BLUE BADGE HOLDERS ONLY. PLEASE RESPECT THESE BADGES BY NOT PARKING HERE.

LEAVE A LEGACY

Please consider including our parish in your will or leaving a legacy for our parish. For further details please email us.  Thank you.

TAX PAYER

If you are a tax payer, please gift aid your donation. the government will top up your gift by 25percent, meaning a £20 offering becomes £25, at no Cost to you.

Please ask for a Gift Aid Declaration Form.

PARISH DONATIONS TO:

Bank – Nat West, Sort Code 60-06-11 A/C No 91052009 Name – St Marys Dunstable. Ref – Please put the intention of the donation.

PLEASE CHECK PARISH AND DIOCESAN WEBSITES FOR MORE NOTICES AND EVENTS.