#523 A likely story
Fr Sam writes
It is a running joke in the Church of England that the curate always gets to preach on Trinity Sunday, as the Rector is keen to avoid preaching on what is famously a tricky Sunday. I would like to put it on record that this is not the reason I am away this coming Sunday, and I am very grateful to those covering the services. I promise to preach on Trinity Sunday in 2027!
Do please note that Thursday 4 June is Corpus Christi, the celebration of the great gift of the Eucharist. We have a mass with procession and benediction that evening at 8pm, and it is a wonderful opportunity to focus more closely than we normally have a chance to on Christ’s presence in the Holy Sacrament.
Image: The Trinity by Andrei Rublev
This Sunday: Holy, holy, holy
This Sunday is the feast of the Holy Trinity, when we celebrate our vision into God’s inmost nature and the great gift we have of knowing Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
In our first reading, we hear of the great work of God in creation (Isaiah 40.12-17,27-31). Our Gospel reading is the final moments of St Matthew’s Gospel, when he gives his disciples the Great Commission to baptise in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and then promises to be with them always, to the end of the age (Matthew 28.16-20).
Image: The Baptism of Jesus by Piero della Francesca
Services this Sunday
| 9.30am | St Paul’s | Parish Mass | Revd Graham Theobald |
| 10am | Woosehill Church | Café Church | Revd Cara Smart |
| 11am | St Nicholas’ | Community Eucharist (communion by extension) | Mary Cassidy |
Let us adore forever…
Thursday 4 June is Corpus Christi, when the Church celebrates the Institution of the Eucharist. Mass with the procession and benediction will take place at St Paul’s at 8pm.
Eagerly I seek you
The next parish quiet day will take place on Wednesday 17 June between 10am and 4pm. It will be at St James Finchampstead and will be led by Fr Sam. The theme is “Eagerly I seek you: Praying with the Psalms”. If you are interested, speak to Fr Sam or email Mary Cassidy mary.cassidy@spauls.org.uk
Tea and coffee are provided, but please bring your own lunch.
Gypsy, Roma and Traveller celebration
Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller History Month is celebrated every June in the UK to honour the rich cultural heritage, history, and contributions of these communities while raising awareness about their experiences and challenges.
An event of celebration will be held at St Sebastian’s Church, Nine Mile Ride on Friday 12 June at 7.30pm.
We shall be screening Crystal’s Vardo, invite speakers to share stories and have refreshments and prayers. All are most welcome.
This week’s calendar: the cousins’ joy
31 May is the Feast of the Visitation (this year it gets transferred to Monday 1 June as it falls on Trinity Sunday). This is the moment of great joy as the cousins Mary and Elizabeth greet each other and share the extraordinary things that God is doing in their lives. It is the moment when Mary sings the Magnificat: “My soul magnifies the Lord…”
