Month: May 2021

https://anchor.fm/st-edmunds-loughton/episodes/Trinity-Sunday-2021-e11qj61

St. Edmund of Canterbury & St. Thomas More

The Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity

Dear Friends in Christ                                                      

The Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity is always celebrated a week after Pentecost. Trinity Sunday honors the most fundamental of Christian beliefs—belief in the Holy Trinity. The human mind can never fully understand the mystery of the Trinity, but we can sum it up in the following formula: God is three Persons in one Nature. There is only one God, and the three Persons of God—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit—are all equally God, and they cannot be divided. At Holy Mass the Sacred Liturgy lifts the heart, mind and soul up to God, who is Father Son & Spirit. We not only praise the Holy Trinity in the Gloria at the beginning of Mass, but we also make a profession of faith to God in the Trinity while praying the Nicene Creed.  The Council of Nicaea was called by the Emperor Constantine in the year 325AD. The Early Fathers of the Church, in response to various heresies rife at that time, formulated a Universal Creed of Belief, formulating not only the belief on the Most Holy Trinity, but also about the Church, Baptism, and Resurrection from the Dead, and Our Blessed Lady’s role in God’s plan of Salvation.  Let us pray the Creed with true faith and fervour! 

Dear Friends in Christ,         Trinity Sunday 2021

In light of the latest variant in Corona virus in this country, there is a certain amount of speculation as to whether we are going to be able to open up completely on 21^st June. Manifestly, many people have already had the first shot of the vaccine, and many the second. Social distancing, and the wearing of face coverings are still in place, and everyone is being advised to be cautious. The past 15 months have certainly taken its toll on many people’s lives, and many are just fed up with living this way, but health & Safety is important for all, and letting one’s guard down now could set back the whole process of trying to preserve everyone’s life. Please continue to adhere to all the Governmental guidelines.  We will continue to follow Governmental & Diocesan guidelines here at Church until we’re given guidance that we can lift all restrictions.

I would like to commend all of our parishioners who have faithfully returned to the weekly practice of the faith. In speaking to many of you at different times, I know how hard it was to be away; but to be able to receive the sacraments once again is truly wonderful. To those who have not returned, can I make an impassioned appeal to you all, Church is a very safe place, we haven’t had one report of anyone contracting the virus here at St. Edmund’s in all the months we’ve been open.  It’s likely that some will never return to the regular practice of faith, either from getting out of the habit, or those who may feel that they don’t need formal religion in their lives anymore. I ask everyone to think seriously about the whole meaning of your Catholic Faith, and whether you can permanently live without it?

CONFIRMATION PROGRAMME: A note to all of our Confirmandi, that the Rehearsal (with sponsors), and Penance Service will take place on Wednesday 2^nd June at 7.00pm at St. Edmund’s. If Catechists could also be present I’d be most grateful. Some candidates have not been present at Mass throughout the whole programme; as a priest I find this really sad, especially when everyone is now back in full time education. Please think very carefully about this commitment through the Sacrament of Confirmation. The Confirmation dates are as follows: Wednesday 9^th June: Groups 4,5,6. Thursday 10^th June: Groups 1,2,3. at 7.00pm. (Due to Covid restrictions and Social Distancing, only the Confirmandi & their Sponsors and parents will be able to be present at the Confirmation Ceremony).  

May God Bless You All This Week, 

WEEKLY OFFERTORY: My sincere thanks to those who are making their weekly contribution of Gift Aid envelopes and through the banking system that has been set up through the Diocese whereby your Offertory can be paid directly into the Parish Account, details below: 

Donate

Or you can use Parish Bank Account: Using Online Banking
HSBC Sort Code 40-13-22
Account Number: 11019651

NEW GIFT AID ORGANISER: Due to unforeseen circumstances our Gift Aid Organiser Maria Mosquera has to step down from her role. I am making an appeal to all parishioners for a volunteer to take over the role of Gift Aid Organiser? Maria will be able to help whoever takes over to learn the role and will be available should problems arise. Obviously Computer Skills will help. I’m truly grateful to Maria for assuming this role for the past few years ago. This would be a wonderful way of serving God through the Parish Community – please think about this request, thank you! If you want to speak to me personally please call Tel No: 0208 508 3492

PARISH REPOSITORY: We have a large selection of gifts for the Sacrament of Confirmation: Beautiful cards, medals, candles, Confirmation crosses, and various other items that would be suitable gifts for Confirmandi. There are also some beautiful new Mass Cards for all occasions. There are a large number of Cards for young people who are taking exams at this present time. Thank you to Teresa & Steve Wallace for looking after the Repository and keeping it well stocked during the past year of Pandemic. I’m really pleased that so many parishioners have made use of the Repository. 

RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS: If you know of anyone who may be interested in learning more about the Roman Catholic Faith possibly with the view of receiving the Easter Sacraments in 2022, please contact Fr. John at the Presbytery on Tel No: 020 8508 3492. The programme usually commences in September. If would be wonderful to have a number of enquirers. We follow a systematic programme of instruction, covering all aspects of Catholicism. Please spread the word about this programme. Thank you!  

POSTPONEMENT OF JUBILEE: I have decided to postopone my 40^th Anniversary Jubilee celebrations until a later date. With ultimate restrictions not being lifted until the latter part of June, it really doesn’t give enough time to send out invitations, and also for many friends who wanted to come from abroad to attend. I will celebrate Jubilee Thanksgiving Mass on Sunday 11^th July at 11am with only my Parish Family.

EPPING FOREST FOODBANK DONATIONS: Thank you to all parishioners who continue to generously donate items for the Foodbank during these difficult times. The Foodbank are truly grateful for the generosity our parish has shown throughout the pandemic and our donations are still needed desperately as more and more people in our community are finding it hard to make ends meet. The Foodbank have asked for support with the following items: Long-life fruit juice, tinned tomatoes, instant mash, tinned fish, tinned peas, tinned carrots, tinned potatoes, small jars of instant coffee, small or medium bags of rice, sponge pudding, snack bars, chocolate bars, chocolate spread and savoury crackers Thank you! You can also keep up to date with the Foodbank news via their facebook page: www.facebook.com/EppingForestFoodbank/

GRAND CHURCH CLEAN: Could I make an appeal to all parishioners to come and help with a Grand Church Clean on Saturday 5^th June at 10.30am. I’m truly grateful to Sharon Fitzmaurice & Veronica Short who have, for the most part, kept the Altar Society going over the past 15 months, cleaning the church and doing the altar laundry. But to have a grand clean periodically, apart from the sanitisation of benches after each service gets into all those nooks and crannies that can sometimes be forgotten.

IRREGULAR MARRIAGES: An irregualr marriage is one tht has taken place outside of the Catholic Church without dispensation. For example: Marriages in hotels, and secualr venues, on beaches or Las Vegas; marriage in a non Catholic Church without dispensation from the Bishop. These marriages are not recognised by the Catholic Church, and therefore are  non sacramental & irregular. But there is a facility in the Church to recetify these situations called a Convalidation (this is a strictly private facility that is offered by the church). As marriage and family life is what I specialised in while studying Canon Law, if anyone wishes to speak to me confidentially please don’t hesitate to contact me: Tel No: 0208 508 3492

DIARY MAY – JUNE 2021

PLEASE PRAY FOR THOSE SICK IN OUR PARISH

Margaret Baldwin, Evelyn Bearne, Brian Beveridge, Karl Britz, Carlos Camacho, Jane Downs, Steve Dalgliesh, Pat Fenn,  Veronica Godsave, Bernadette Hall, Ann Hawkes, Claire Howes, Pamela Houghton, Noel Johnson, Shaun Keel, Angela Long, Lilian Mothersole, Sheila Murphy, John McKernan, Rosemary O’Rourke, Kathleen Pomeroy, Geraldine Taylor, Vera Taylor, Mary Witten, James Wright. And all our loved ones. 

ANNIVERSARIES: For all whose anniversaries occur at this time and for all of our deceased loved ones, Requiescant in Pace. 

OFFERTORY COLLECTION: I would like to take this public opportunity of thanking every single member of this parish Community for your incredible support of the parish over the past 15 months of Pandemic. With the church remaining open and with online daily live streaming of Holy Mass, even during those four and half months of lockdown; in completing our Financial Returns to the Diocese, you will be delighted to know that we broke even this year. My thanks to Michael Manzi our Accountant, who looks after the Parish Accounts & Maria Mosquera who looks after the Parish Gift Aid Scheme; they have both done a truly wonderful job this year.  With continued thanks for your Weekly Offering. If you would like to join the Gift Aid Scheme, there are application forms in the Church Porch or ask Fr. John for a form. If you forget your envelope, there are spares in the Porch. Thank you! 

SACRAMENTS CELEBRATED DURING ALERT LEVEL 4 RESTRICTIONS: In accordance with Government & Diocesan Guidelines, we are allowed to celebrate Funerals with 100 people present, strictly observing social distancing. 12 people are allowed to be present at a wedding. Baptisms: you are now allowed up to 30 persons at a Baptism; not too sure what the restrictions are for social event after though! These are really difficult times, and many couples were disappointed last year not being able to celebrate their marriages. We are hoping with the advent of the vaccine, that things will change dramatically this year. If there are any couples who are thinking about getting married, please notify the parish immediately. Thank you. Obviously until restrictions are lifted all of the above applies for the foreseeable future.

MASS INTENTIONS – MAY / JUNE 2021

Sat 29th	10.00am	Margaret Duffy’s Int’s (Frank Westcott)
		Vigil Mass for Sunday: Confessions at 5.30pm
Sat 29th	6.00pm	Michael McCarthy RIP (Una Machnicki)
Sun 30th              Sun 30th	9.00am10.00am	Robin Bennett RIP (John & Sue Campbell)People of the Parish
Sun 30th	11:00am	Michael Green RIP (Arthur & Jenny)
Mon 31st	10.00am10.30am	Richard Okorogheye RIP (Laffey Family)Holy Hour with Exposition of Bl. Sacrament
Tues 1st                 June	10.00am	Joyce & Keith Sarson   (M Duffy  N Ironside)
Wed 2nd	10.00am	Letitia Fletcher RIP ( K & A Sinclair)
Thurs 3rd	10.00am 10.30am	Tommy Reilly’s Int’s (M Ryan)Holy Hour with Exposition of the Bl Sacrament
Fri 4th	10.00am 10.30am	Nancy Hands Int’s (Remy)Holy Hour with Exposition of Bl. Sacrament
Sat 5th	10.00am	Letitia Fletcher RIP (Nancy Ironside)
		Vigil Mass for Sunday Confessions 5.30pm
Sat 5th	6.00pm	John A Harvey RIP (39 anni) (Fr. John )
Sun 6th     Sun 6th	9.00am10.00am	Iain Campbell RIP (Brenda Bryant)People of the Parish
Sun 6th	11:00am	Peter Smith RIP (Paul Falco)

Please kindly be patient with your mass requests. I will try to accommodate your requested dates, but there have been a large number of requests recently and we celebrate masses in the order in which we receive them. We are running short on Mass intentions at present

The Most Holy Trinity – Solemnity

First Reading : Deuteronomy 4:32-34,39-40

Moses said to the people: ‘Put this question to the ages that are past, that went before you, from the time God created man on earth: Was there ever a word so majestic, from one end of heaven to the other? Was anything ever heard? Did ever a people hear the voice of the living God speaking from the heart of the fire, as you heard it, and remain alive? Has any god ventured to take to himself one nation from the midst of another by ordeals, signs, wonders, war with mighty hand and outstretched arm, by fearsome terrors – all this that the Lord your God did for you before your eyes in Egypt?

  ‘Understand this today, therefore, and take it to heart: the Lord is God indeed, in heaven above as on earth beneath, he and no other. Keep his laws and commandments as I give them to you today, so that you and your children may prosper and live long in the land that the Lord your God gives you for ever.’

Responsorial  Psalm : Psalm 32(33):4-6,9,18-20,22

Happy the people the Lord has chosen as his own.

For the word of the Lord is faithful

  and all his works to be trusted.

The Lord loves justice and right

  and fills the earth with his love.

Happy the people the Lord has chosen as his own.

By his word the heavens were made,

  by the breath of his mouth all the stars.

He spoke; and it came to be.

  He commanded; it sprang into being.

Happy the people the Lord has chosen as his own.

The Lord looks on those who revere him,

  on those who hope in his love,

to rescue their souls from death,

  to keep them alive in famine.

Happy the people the Lord has chosen as his own.

Our soul is waiting for the Lord.

  The Lord is our help and our shield.

May your love be upon us, O Lord,

  as we place all our hope in you.

Happy the people the Lord has chosen as his own.

Second Reading : Romans 8:14-17

Everyone moved by the Spirit is a son of God. The spirit you received is not the spirit of slaves bringing fear into your lives again; it is the spirit of sons, and it makes us cry out, ‘Abba, Father!’ The Spirit himself and our spirit bear united witness that we are children of God. And if we are children we are heirs as well: heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, sharing his sufferings so as to share his glory.

Gospel : Matthew 28:16-20

The eleven disciples set out for Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had arranged to meet them. When they saw him they fell down before him, though some hesitated. Jesus came up and spoke to them. He said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, make disciples of all the nations; baptise them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teach them to observe all the commands I gave you. And know that I am with you always; yes, to the end of time.’

The Gospel of the Lord.

St. Edmund of Canterbury & St. Thomas More

The Solemnity of Pentecost

Dear Friends in Christ                                              

Today is Pentecost Sunday, when we celebrate the brithday of the Church. On thtat day when the Holy Spirit was poured out on the Apostles, it empowered them to “Go out into the whole world and proclaim the Good News.” As Jesus had told the apostles at the Last Supper, “the Holy Spirit will lead you to the complete truth.” Now the work would begin; evangelisation would become the mission of the new Church founded on Jesus Christ. A continueal outpouring of that same Holy Spirit is fundamentally at the heart of Catholic Christian life. It’s the Spirit that inspiries, encourages, motivates, gives courage & stregth, and allows the church to coninue and grow throughout the world. The Holy Spirit – the perfect love between the Father & the Son, which is that lifegiving force – is the gift extended to you and me as members of the Catholic Church today. Let us really pray today for a deeper outpouring of that same Spirit that inpired the Apostles at the first Pentecost. Let us remember especially in our prayers on this great Solemnity all those young people in our parish who are preparing for their Confirmation next month, that the Holy Spirit wiill coninute to guide them and inspire them in their Journey of Faith.  

Dear Friends in Christ, Pentecost Sunday 2021

This Pentecost Sunday is the sixt anniversary of the Papal Document Laudato Si; the Catholic Bishops of England, Walesd & Scotland are issuing a Pastoral letter about the role that the Catholic Church and our faith must play in our shared care for God’s gift of creation. I have made this letter available on the Parish Website called – ‘The Day of the Lord’.

Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si’: 

offers us an opportunity to reflect on the world around us, and to respond to the signs of the times. We are called to reject the contemporary ‘throwaway’ culture and to open our eyes to see how God is present throughout creation. We bear witness to the reality facing many of our sisters and brothers across the world, who are being pushed deeper into poverty due to the changing climate. 

Whilst climate change is critical, it is one symptom of a much deeper problem about how we organise our common home. Pope Francis invites us to a change of heart; individually, as a community, and at an international level, so we may truly respond to “both the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor” #49. 

In what the Holy Father calls ‘the Gospel of Creation’, we are encouraged to bring the Good News of our faith to these situations. We are asked to adopt an attitude of profound respect and care towards ourselves, our neighbours and our beautiful sister earth, as an expression of our love for God. Laudato Si’ is a profound invitation to everyone on the planet, and its influence will be felt for many years to come.

Care for the Planet, and care for each other is ultimately the personal responsibility of each one of us. To assume that responsibility, we should be aware of all aspects of life which are destroying the planet. Knowledge of the poor, and the many situations throughout the world where people are starving, is a universal responsibility. Please read the document and reflect on its implications in your own life and the life of your family.     

God Bless You All, 

CONFIRMATION PROGRAMME: A big thank you to everyone who joined us for the last session of the Confirmation Programme last Thursday. Also grateful thanks to Fr. Stephen Wang, who joined us during the session. As we had followed Fr. Stephen’s Sycamore programme it was wonderful to be able to share with him and get him to answer some of your questions. In preparation for the Sacrament a Penitential Service will take place at the Church on Wednesday 2^nd June at 7.00pm. Also a brief rehearsal for the celebration. The Confirmation dates are as follows: Wednesday 9^th June: Groups 4,5,6. Thursday 10^th June: Groups 1,2,3. at 7.00pm. Please ensure that you have submitted your Confirmation name and the name of your Sponsor to Mark Anthony.  Please pray for our Confirmandi. I would like to see all candidates for Confirmation present at Holy Mass over these next weeks in preparation for the reception of the Sacrament. Sadly, some candidates haven’t been present at all throughout the whole programme. I would ask them to think very seriously about the Sacrament before they receive it! (Due to Covid restrictions and Social Distancing, only the Confirmandi & their Sponsors and parents will be able to be present at the Confirmation Ceremony).     

WEEKLY OFFERTORY: My sincere thanks to those who are making their weekly contribution of Gift Aid envelopes and through the banking system that has been set up through the Diocese whereby your Offertory can be paid directly into the Parish Account, details below: 

Donate

Or you can use Parish Bank Account: Using Online Banking
HSBC Sort Code 40-13-22
Account Number: 11019651

PARISH REPOSITORY: We have a large selection of gifts for the Sacrament of Confirmation: Beautiful cards, medals, candles, Confirmation crosses, and various other items that would be suitable gifts for Confirmandi. There are also some beautiful new Mass Cards for all occasions. There are a large number of Cards for young people who are taking exams at this present time. Thank you to Teresa & Steve Wallace for looking after the Repository and keeping it well stocked during the past year of Pandemic. I’m really pleased that so many parishioners have made use of the Repository.

RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS: If you know of anyone who may be interested in learning more about the Roman Catholic Faith possibly with the view of receiving the Easter Sacraments in 2022, please contact Fr. John at the Presbytery on Tel No: 020 8508 3492. The programme usually commences in September. If would be wonderful to have a number of enquirers. We follow a systematic programme of instruction, covering all aspects of Catholicism. Please spread the word about this programme. Thank you!  

EPPING FOREST FOODBANK DONATIONS: Thank you to all parishioners who continue to generously donate items for the Foodbank during these difficult times. The Foodbank are truly grateful for the generosity our parish has shown throughout the pandemic and our donations are still needed desperately as more and more people in our community are finding it hard to make ends meet. The Foodbank have asked for support with the following items: Long-life fruit juice, tinned tomatoes, instant mash, tinned fish, tinned peas, tinned carrots, tinned potatoes, small jars of instant coffee, small or medium bags of rice, sponge pudding, snack bars, chocolate bars, chocolate spread and savoury crackers Thank you! You can also keep up to date with the Foodbank news via their facebook page: www.facebook.com/EppingForestFoodbank/

WEEKLY OFFERTORY ENVELOPES: There are still a number of Gift Aid envelopes which have not been collected by those who belong to the scheme. The table will be outside the Church again this weekend for collection, and then placed in Fr. John’s garage throughout the week. As stated, the HSBC bank will be closing on 13^th August, it would be good for as many parishioerns as possible to go over to the direct giving through your bank. If you wish to join the Gift Aid Scheme, please see Fr. John or Maria Mosquera.   Thank you for your ongoing support to the Parish.

POSTPONEMENT OF JUBILEE: I have decided to postopone my 40^th Anniversary Jubilee celebrations until a later date. With ultimate restrictions not being lifted until the latter part of June, it really doesn’t give enough time to send out invitations, and also for many friends who wanted to come from abroad to attend. I will celebrate Jubilee Thanksgiving Mass on Sunday 11^th July at 11am with only my Parish Family.

DIARY APRIL 2021

PLEASE PRAY FOR THOSE SICK IN OUR PARISH

Margaret Baldwin, Evelyn Bearne, Brian Beveridge, Karl Britz, Carlos Camacho, Jane Downs, Steve Dalgliesh, Pat Fenn,  Veronica Godsave, Bernadette Hall, Ann Hawkes, Claire Howes, Noel Johnson, Shaun Keel, Angela Long, Lilian Mothersole, Sheila Murphy, John McKernan, Rosemary O’Rourke, Kathleen Pomeroy, Geraldine Taylor, Vera Taylor, Mary Witten, James Wright. And all our loved ones. 

OFFERTORY COLLECTION: I would like to take this public opportunity of thanking every single member of this parish Community for your incredible support of the parish over the past 15 months of Pandemic. With the church remaining open and with online daily live streaming of Holy Mass, even during those four and half months of lockdown; in completing our Financial Returns to the Diocese, you will be delighted to know that we broke even this year. My thanks to Michael Manzi our Accountant, who looks after the Parish Accounts & Maria Mosquera who looks after the Parish Gift Aid Scheme; they have both done a truly wonderful job this year.  With continued thanks for your Weekly Offering. If you would like to join the Gift Aid Scheme, there are application forms in the Church Porch or ask Fr. John for a form. If you forget your envelope, there are spares in the Porch. Thank you!  

SACRAMENTS CELEBRATED DURING ALERT LEVEL 4 RESTRICTIONS: In accordance with Government & Diocesan Guidelines, we are allowed to celebrate Funerals with 100 people present, strictly observing social distancing. 12 people are allowed to be present at a wedding. Baptisms are allowed to take place in the context of a Sunday Mass setting. These are really difficult times, and many couples were disappointed last year not being able to celebrate their marriages. We are hoping with the advent of the vaccine, that things will change dramatically this year. If there are any couples who are thinking about getting married, please notify the parish immediately. Thank you. Obviously until restrictions are lifted all of the above applies for the foreseeable future.

MASS INTENTIONS – MAY 2021

Sat 22nd	10.00am	Anthony Rattigan RIP (Maureen Rattigan)
		Vigil Mass for Sunday: Confessions at 5.30pm
Sat 22nd	6.00pm	Tess Bowles RIP (Margaret Spiers)
Sun 23rd              Sun 23rd	9.00am 10.00am	Maura McDonald RIP (Fitzmaurice & Norgueira) People of the Parish
Sun 23rd	11:00am	Patricia Reid RIP (M Ryan)
Mon 24th	10.00am 10.30am	Malcolm Campbell RIP (Brenda Bryant) Holy Hour with Exposition of Bl. Sacrament
Tues 25th	10.00am	Pat Gardner RIP (Veronica & Steve Short)
Wed 26th	10.00am	Michael & Breege Kerrane RIP (Mary)
Thurs 27th	10.00am  10.30am	Pat Ata’s Int’s (Frank (Westcott) Holy Hour with Exposition of the Bl Sacrament
Fri 28th	10.00am  10.30am	Molly & Stewart Mitchell Int’s (M Duffy) Holy Hour with Exposition of Bl. Sacrament
Sat 29th	10.00am	Margaret Duffy’s Int’s (Frank Westcott)
		Vigil Mass for Sunday Confessions 5.30pm
Sat 29th	6.00pm	Michael McCarthy RIP (Una Machnicki)
Sun 30th     Sun 30th	9.00am 10.00am	Robin Bennett RIP (John & Sue Campbell) Eufemia Coronel RIP (Bacuetes Family)
Sun 30th	11:00am	Michael Green RIP (Arthur & Jenny)

Please kindly be patient with your mass requests. I will try to accommodate your requested dates, but there have been a large number of requests recently and we celebrate masses in the order in which we receive them. 

Pentecost

First Reading : Acts 2:1-11

When Pentecost day came round, they had all met in one room, when suddenly they heard what sounded like a powerful wind from heaven, the noise of which filled the entire house in which they were sitting; and something appeared to them that seemed like tongues of fire; these separated and came to rest on the head of each of them. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak foreign languages as the Spirit gave them the gift of speech.

  Now there were devout men living in Jerusalem from every nation under heaven, and at this sound they all assembled, each one bewildered to hear these men speaking his own language. They were amazed and astonished. ‘Surely’ they said ‘all these men speaking are Galileans? How does it happen that each of us hears them in his own native language? Parthians, Medes and Elamites; people from Mesopotamia, Judaea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya round Cyrene; as well as visitors from Rome – Jews and proselytes alike – Cretans and Arabs; we hear them preaching in our own language about the marvels of God.’

Responsorial Psalm :  Psalm 103(104):1,24,29-31,34

Send forth your spirit, O Lord, and renew the face of the earth.

Bless the Lord, my soul!

  Lord God, how great you are,

How many are your works, O Lord!

  The earth is full of your riches.

Send forth your spirit, O Lord, and renew the face of the earth.

You take back your spirit, they die,

  returning to the dust from which they came.

You send forth your spirit, they are created;

  and you renew the face of the earth.

Send forth your spirit, O Lord, and renew the face of the earth.

May the glory of the Lord last for ever!

  May the Lord rejoice in his works!

May my thoughts be pleasing to him.

  I find my joy in the Lord.

Send forth your spirit, O Lord, and renew the face of the earth.

Second Reading : Galatians 5:16-25

If you are guided by the Spirit you will be in no danger of yielding to self-indulgence, since self-indulgence is the opposite of the Spirit, the Spirit is totally against such a thing, and it is precisely because the two are so opposed that you do not always carry out your good intentions. If you are led by the Spirit, no law can touch you. When self-indulgence is at work the results are obvious: fornication, gross indecency and sexual irresponsibility; idolatry and sorcery; feuds and wrangling, jealousy, bad temper and quarrels; disagreements, factions, envy; drunkenness, orgies and similar things. I warn you now, as I warned you before: those who behave like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. What the Spirit brings is very different: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, trustfulness, gentleness and self-control. There can be no law against things like that, of course. You cannot belong to Christ Jesus unless you crucify all self-indulgent passions and desires. Since the Spirit is our life, let us be directed by the Spirit.

Gospel : John 15:26-27,16:12-15

Jesus said to his disciples: ‘When the Advocate comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who issues from the Father, he will be my witness. And you too will be witnesses,because you have been with me from the outset. ‘I still have many things to say to you but they would be too much for you now. But when the Spirit of truth comes he will lead you to the complete truth, since he will not be speaking as from himself but will say only what he has learnt; and he will tell you of the things to come. He will glorify me,since all he tells you will be taken from what is mine. Everything the Father has is mine; that is why I said: All he tells you will be taken from what is mine.’   TH GOSPEL OF THE LORD

CATHOLIC BISHOPS’ CONFERENCE OF ENGLAND AND WALES Pastoral Letter for Pentecost 2021

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

The Solemnity of Pentecost reminds us that everything which exists, every person and the whole of creation, is a gift of “God the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth.” God our loving Father creates and continues to give life to the world through His Word, Jesus Christ, in the power of His Holy Spirit. The outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the Church, which we celebrate at Pentecost, is not something separate from Creation. God’s revelation of himself in Creation is inseparable from the revelation of his love for us in Christ and in his desire to live in us through his Holy Spirit. 

‘God’s Spirit is always and everywhere “the Lord, the Giver of Life”, and the voice of Pentecost is echoed in the voice of creation being transformed into the glorious liberty of God’s children.’ In this liberty, as God’s children, we call on the Spirit to ‘renew the face of the Earth’, and as his children, we are called, in turn, to use this liberty for the good of creation and for the good of all that brings life. Our world, God’s creation, is a precious gift to us. It is our common home entrusted to each generation. But how have we used that glorious liberty? How do we honour this precious gift? Are we really demonstrating love, care and respect for our common home? 

As we celebrate Pentecost this year, we are acutely aware of the damage that continues to be inflicted on the Earth, and the repercussions for the well-being of our brothers and sisters, both here in our own countries and, more especially, in the poorest countries of our world. Pope Benedict XVI and Pope Francis have both taught us that everything is interconnected and interdependent. The way we live our everyday lives has an impact on everyone and on the earth. The urgency of the situation, and the enormity of the challenges we face, have spurred us to speak out together this Pentecost Sunday, as bishops of England, Wales and Scotland, about the role that the Catholic Church and our faith must play in our shared care for God’s gift to us. 

For all too long we have either been ignorant of, or ignored, the systematic exploitation of our planet and the unsustainable consumption of its resources. While accepting the crucial need and demand for energy for the benefit of the poorest of our brothers and sisters, the provision of our energy must, nonetheless, be by means which radically reduce the use of carbon-based fuels. In our political thinking, there must be a new global understanding of our world, where nations recognise our common responsibility for the dignity of all people and their rights to sustainable livelihoods, in authentic freedom. Pope Francis speaks of a global politics that looks beyond our own needs to the needs of all, most especially the poor and the marginalised. 

But we cannot leave the healing of our common home and the wellbeing and care of our brothers and sisters merely to a response from industry and governments. Our own local concern and action is necessary and has far-reaching consequences. We all have a part to play, each and every one of us, in the routines, choices and decisions of our everyday lives and our aspirations for the future. The actions of parishes, families, schools, and individuals will have a significant impact on our efforts to restore our common home. There are now many resources, freely available, to advise us on our choice of food, saving of water and electricity, suggestions about travel, waste, and re-use. These are measures that everyone can employ, in some degree, with minimal inconvenience and change. They are effective ways in which we can each reaffirm our personal vocation to be stewards of creation. 

This Pentecost comes at a time of remarkable challenge and opportunity. We are gradually emerging from the tragedies and restrictions of the pandemic. We have the ability to make changes. Our countries are also hosting two most important meetings this year, the G7 in June and COP26 in November. These meetings will gather together men and women who have the power to make defining choices and policies which will help us build back better, provide for our brothers and sisters, and take care of our common home. 

In all our human endeavours, we need the presence of the Holy Spirit, “the Lord, the Giver of Life”, whose gift to the Church and the world we celebrate again at Pentecost. Let us keep this Feast with that enduring hope that we can begin to repair the damage we have done and provide a healthy home for future generations. Our hope will be strengthened by our prayer. May our constant request be that the Holy Spirit guide us, strengthen our resolve and ‘renew the face of the earth’.

CATHOLIC BISHOPS’ CONFERENCE OF ENGLAND AND WALES

Reflection by the Bishops of England and Wales 

The Day of Lord

Gathering as Bishops in Conference this week, we wish to pay tribute to all in the Catholic community who have shown such courage, generosity and understanding in the face of adversity this past year. Across England and Wales, families and parish communities have risen to the challenge of sustaining one another through times of great isolation, loneliness and grief in an impressive variety of ways, spiritual, emotional and practical. We thank all who have worked tirelessly in prisons, in hospitals, care-homes and across the medical profession for giving of themselves so generously. We thank all who have worked valiantly in our schools, facing unforeseen demands and meeting them with characteristic professionalism and dedication. 

We wish also to pay tribute to those who have given of their time and energy to keep open our churches as havens of peace and prayer. Churches up and down the land have realised the vision of Pope Francis that they be like village-wells where the thirsty come to drink in the midst of their journey; and centres of “constant missionary outreach.” We thank all who have developed diverse new patterns of outreach – of prayer, catechesis, study and spiritual solidarity; all who have made participation in the Mass possible through the internet. 

Also prominent in this tribute should be thanks to all who have contributed to the immense effort of providing food for those most in need. The generosity shown in the distribution of so very many meals has given eloquent expression to the mercy, love and compassion which are at the very heart of God. Many have been touched by the joy of meeting Christ in the poor; and many of the poor by the joy of meeting Christ in selfless parishioners. The provision of food is often the first step into a deeper relationship of help and accompaniment, including the sharing of the gift of faith in our Blessed Lord.

‘Vibrant’ is a word which seems to have characterised so many of our parishes throughout the pandemic. We wish to salute our priests in particular for the leadership they have shown in this time of crisis. We thank them for their deep devotion to both the liturgy and to their parishioners. We commend every priest who made of his parish “a ‘sanctuary’ open to all” and with a particular care for the poor; and the many Deacons who have exercised with such generosity their mission of charity. 

What will be the pace of our emerging from this pandemic remains as yet unclear. What is clear is the challenge we face of bringing our communities and the practice of the faith to a still greater expression and strength. As your bishops, we are aware of a threefold pattern to this challenge. 

1. There are the fearful and weary, anxious about coming into the enclosed spaces of our churches; those who have simply lost the habit of coming to church. Personal contact, clear reassurance, and sensitive invitations will all be needed.

 b) There are those who will have reassessed their pattern of life and priorities. The practice of faith within the community of the Catholic Church may not be among those priorities. A gap may have opened up, or widened, between the spiritual dimension of their lives and any communal expression of that spiritual quest. They represent a particular focus and concern for our outreach.

2. There are those whom we might describe as the ‘Covid curious’, those who have come into contact with the Catholic Church through our presence on the internet – a contact we may be able to develop through our continuing presence across diverse media platforms. 

In facing these challenges, we are endowed with veritable treasures which serve to resource and enrich us. Among them are our schools, in which so many are regaining confidence to come together with others. We believe our schools can indeed be bridges back to church. There is also the remarkable work of social outreach which has grown exponentially during these long months of pandemic. On this, too, we must build. But the greatest treasure is, of course, the sacramental life of the Church, and, pre-eminently, the Eucharist. 

It is the Eucharist, the celebration of the Mass, that makes the Church; and it is the Church, in the gift of the Holy Spirit, which makes the Eucharist. The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is the lifeblood of the Church. It requires our active participation and, to be fully celebrated, our physical presence. 

At this moment, then, we need to have in our sights the need to restore to its rightful centrality in our lives the Sunday Mass, encouraging each to take his or her place once again in the assembly of our brothers and sisters. We face the task of seeking to nurture the sense of Sunday as “a weekly gift from God to his people” , and something we cannot do without; to see Sunday as the soul of the week, as giving light and meaning to all the responsibilities we live out each day; to see the Sunday Eucharist as food for the unique mission with which we have been endowed. 

In the time to come we can do no better than to rekindle in our hearts, foster and encourage, a yearning for the Real Presence of the Lord and the practice of prayer before the Blessed Sacrament, a gift so deeply appreciated in these times of lockdown. We need to begin by fostering this in ourselves. For the Eucharist should be the cause of our deepest joy, our highest manner of offering thanks to God and for seeking his mercy and love. We need to make it the foundation stone of our lives. 

The invitation to Sunday Mass resonates all the more deeply when we consider, as Pope St John Paul II reminds us in the Encyclical Letter Dies Domini, that the Sabbath rest is nothing if not a call to remember the gift of God’s Creation. The Eucharist is indeed a celebration of the created world, called into life by the Eternal Word, for the bread and wine of the earth becomes the Body and Blood of Christ who is that same Lord of all life. The Christ to whom we come so close in the Eucharist must be the foundation of our strivings, not least in the urgent task we face of caring for creation and our environment. 

Pope St John Paul II spoke of our amazement at the gift of the Mass and the abiding Presence of our Blessed Lord in the Sacrament of the Altar. Herein lies our treasure, enriching our relationship with Jesus and bringing together every aspect of our life and mission. This is such an important focus for our task in the coming months. 22nd April 2021 FINAL

https://anchor.fm/st-edmunds-loughton/episodes/Seventh-Sunday-of-Easter-2021-e10tv7h

St. Edmund of Canterbury & St. Thomas More

Dear Friends in Christ                                              

This Sunday we have listened to the beautiful ‘Priestly Prayer of Christ’ from St. John’s Gospel. Jesus, recognising his own fate and his eventual death, prays earnestly for the Apostles. Those men whom he called and prepared for the future work of the Church, he now entrusts to the Father, that he will look after each one of them. Jesus knows that they will be challenged because of him, but he also knows that they will will have the strength and courage to continue with the work of Evangelisation. They will eventually take the Gospel message to all known quarters of the world.

As we have just celebrated the Ascension of the Lord, now the work of the apostles must begin. In the Acts of the Apstles we have been listneing to all the events of the early church; the teething problems that the aposltes faces, and the various trials they had to encounter is sharing the Good News. But Jesus promised to be with them untiil the end of the age. And through the gift of the Holy Spirit they had great courage and strength to continue this work that the Lord had begun. So the ongoing story of Jesus Christ continues today through you and me!

We look forward to the outpouring of the gift of the Holy Spirit promised by the Lord to the Apostles. The Spirit who is that guiding force of love within the life faith and the Church, who is forever present to each one of us.

Dear Friends in Christ,

Next Monday we will see the next phase of the Government plan to slowly open up the courntry and the economy once again. Obviously, they have been extrmely cautious over the past months, and with many variants still taking root in this country, they are even more vigilent with regards to everyone’s health & safety. This has been a difficult year in so many different ways, and has affected everyone!  But there is that desperate desire to resume some semblance of normality once again.  

As you know I have tried to do everything that the governmental  & diocesan guidelines have allowed throughout this Pandemic. Manifestly, Health & Safety have always been at the forefront of my mind, and I believe we have certianly catered for the spiritual wellbeing of the whole parish community. There are still a large number of parishioerns who have not returned to the weekly practice of the faith, and I earnestly encourage them to return to regular practice of your faith. I truly would like to have beleieved that this Pandemic has focused the mind, and helped each one of us evaluate the whole of our lives. To be able to give thanks to God for bringing us through, thus far, is fundamental to who we are as Catholic Christians.

Please contine to be vigilant in the forthcoming weeks. Hopefully by 21^st June we should see a lifting of most restrictions, and possibly even social distancing. Being sensible is fundamentally at the heart of ending this pandemic. Continue to keep yourselves safe and well.  Fr. John 

KEEPING YOU UP TO DATE: As of Monday 17^th May, the Governmental Guidelines on Covid 19 are allowing more than 30 to attend a funeral service. It is being left to the parishes to decide how many people they can accommodate, manifestly, continuing to use social distancing, face coverings and hand sanitisation. Here at St. Edmund’s we would comfortably accommodate about 100 persons for a funeral. Hopefully by 21^st June there may be an update with regards the full opening of the church with few restrictions. I pray that we will be able to return to the celebrations of all the sacraments very soon, including Baptisms & First Holy Communion Programme.   Thank you all for your patience.

May God Bless You All This Week,

CONFIRMATION PROGRAMME: Our final session in the Programme will take place on Wednesday 19^th May at 7.30pm (all candidates should be present at this session). My Thanks to our Director and Catechists for all the hard work that has been achieved throughout this programme. As our Bishop is not able to attend the Confirmation ceremonies, delegation has been given to Fr. John to celebrate the Sacrament as the extra-ordinary Minister. In preparation for the Sacrament a Penitential Service will take place at the Church on Wednesday 2^nd June, also a brief rehearsal for the celebration. The Confirmation dates are as follows: Wednesday 9^th June: Groups 4,5,6. Thursday 10^th June: Groups 1,2,3. Please pray for our Confirmandi. I would like to see all candidates for Confirmation present at Holy Mass over these next weeks in preparation for the reception of the Sacrament. Sadly, some candidates haven’t been present at all throughout the whole programme. I would ask them to think very seriously about the Sacrament before they receive it!     

WEEKLY OFFERTORY: My sincere thanks to those who are making their weekly contribution of Gift Aid envelopes and through the banking system that has been set up through the Diocese whereby your Offertory can be paid directly into the Parish Account, details below: 

Donate

Or you can use Parish Bank Account: Using Online Banking
HSBC Sort Code 40-13-22
Account Number: 11019651

PARISH REPOSITORY: We have a large selection of gifts for the Sacrament of Confirmation: Beautiful cards, medals, candles, Confirmation crosses, and various other items that would be suitable gifts for Confirmandi. There are also some beautiful new Mass Cards for all occasions. There are a large number of Cards for young people who are taking exams at this present time. Thank you to Teresa & Steve Wallace for looking after the Repository and keeping it well stocked during the past year of Pandemic. I’m really pleased that so many parishioners have made use of the Repository.

RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS: If you know of anyone who may be interested in learning more about the Roman Catholic Faith possibly with the view of receiving the Easter Sacraments in 2022, please contact Fr. John at the Presbytery on Tel No: 020 8508 3492. The programme usually commences in September. If would be wonderful to have a number of enquirers. We follow a systematic programme of instruction, covering all aspects of Catholicism. Please spread the word about this programme. Thank you!  

EPPING FOREST FOODBANK DONATIONS: Thank you to all parishioners who continue to generously donate items for the Foodbank during these difficult times. The Foodbank are truly grateful for the generosity our parish has shown throughout the pandemic and our donations are still needed desperately as more and more people in our community are finding it hard to make ends meet. The Foodbank have asked for support with the following items: Long-life fruit juice, tinned tomatoes, instant mash, tinned fish, tinned peas, tinned carrots, tinned potatoes, small jars of instant coffee, small or medium bags of rice, sponge pudding, snack bars, chocolate bars, chocolate spread and savoury crackers Thank you! You can also keep up to date with the Foodbank news via their facebook page: www.facebook.com/EppingForestFoodbank/

WEEKLY OFFERTORY ENVELOPES: There are still a number of Gift Aid envelopes which have not been collected by those who belong to the scheme. The table will be outside the Church again this weekend for collection, and then placed in Fr. John’s garage throughout the week. As stated, the HSBC bank will be closing on 13^th August, it would be good for as many parishioerns as possible to go over to the direct giving through your bank. If you wish to join the Gift Aid Scheme, please see Fr. John or Maria Mosquera.   Thank you for your ongoing support to the Parish.

POSTPONEMENT OF JUBILEE: I have decided to postopone my 40^th Anniversary Jubilee celebrations until a later date. With ultimate restrictions not being lifted until the latter part of June, it really doesn’t give enough time to send out invitations, and also for many friends who wanted to come from abroad to attend. I will celebrate Jubilee Thanksgiving Mass on Sunday 11^th July at 11am with only my Parish Family. 

DIARY APRIL 2021

PLEASE PRAY FOR THOSE SICK IN OUR PARISH

Margaret Baldwin, Evelyn Bearne, Brian Beveridge, Karl Britz, Carlos Camacho, Jane Downs, Steve Dalgliesh, Pat Fenn,  Veronica Godsave, Bernadette Hall, Ann Hawkes, Claire Howes, Pamela Houghton, Noel Johnson, Shaun Keel, Angela Long, Lilian Mothersole, Sheila Murphy, John McKernan, Rosemary O’Rourke, Kathleen Pomeroy, Geraldine Taylor, Vera Taylor, Mary Witten, James Wright. And all our loved ones. 

ANNIVERSARIES: Jim Kavanagh RIP, and for all whose anniversaries occur at this time and for all of our deceased loved ones, Requiescant in Pace. 

OFFERTORY COLLECTION: With continued thanks for your Weekly Offering. If you would like to join the Gift Aid Scheme, there are application forms in the Church Porch or ask Fr. John for a form. If you forget your envelope, there are spares in the Porch. Thank you! 

SACRAMENTS CELEBRATED DURING ALERT LEVEL 4 RESTRICTIONS: In accordance with Government & Diocesan Guidelines, we are allowed to celebrate Funerals with 100 people present, strictly observing social distancing. 12 people are allowed to be present at a wedding. Baptisms are allowed to take place in the context of a Sunday Mass setting. These are really difficult times, and many couples were disappointed last year not being able to celebrate their marriages. We are hoping with the advent of the vaccine, that things will change dramatically this year. If there are any couples who are thinking about getting married, please notify the parish immediately. Thank you. Obviously until restrictions are lifted all of the above applies for the foreseeable future.

MASS SCHEDULE FOR MAY 2021

Sat 15th	10.00am	Special Int (Maree Kavanagh)
		Vigil Mass for Sunday: Confessions at 5.30pm
Sat 15th	6.00pm	Joseph Nganda’s Int’s. (John O’Rourke)
Sun 16th             Sun 16th	9.00am 10.00am	Joe & Cathy Daly (40th Wedding Anniversary) People of the Parish
Sun 16th	11:00am	Robert Edom RIP (Parish Choir)
Mon 17th	10.00am 10.30am	Teresa Coyle RIP (Marie Fleming) Holy Hour with Exposition of Bl. Sacrament
Tues 18th	10.00am	Carlos Camacho (get well) (Stewarding Team)
Wed 19th	10.00am	Maureen Dumont RIP (Steve & Veronica Short)
Thurs 20th	10.00am  10.30am	Letitia Fletcher RIP (Nancy Ironside) Holy Hour with Exposition of the Bl Sacrament
Fri 21st	10.00am  10.30am	Michael Barass RIP (Monica Maycraft) Holy Hour with Exposition of Bl. Sacrament
Sat 22nd	10.00am	Anthony Rattigan RIP (Maureen Rattigan)
		Vigil Mass for Sunday Confessions 5.30pm
Sat 22nd	6.00pm	Tess Bowles RIP (Margaret Spiers)
Sun 23rd     Sun 23rd	9.00am 10.00am	Maura McDonald RIP (Fitzmaurice & Norgueira) People of the Parish
Sun 23rd	11:00am	Patricia Reid RIP (M Ryan)

Please kindly be patient with your mass requests. I will try to accommodate your requested dates, but there have been a large number of requests recently and we celebrate masses in the order in which we receive them. 

St. Edmund of Canterbury & St. Thomas More

https://anchor.fm/st-edmunds-loughton/episodes/Sixth-Sunday-of-Easter-2021-e10g5tq/a-a5ghqlb

Dear Friends in Christ                               Sixth Sunday of Easter 2021

When I was 19 years of age in my first year of studies for the Priesthood, I remember vividly hearing the Gospel that we just listened to today. I thought to myself, if ever I become a priest that’s the Gospel I would like read at my Ordination Ceremony. Well, thank the Lord I was Ordained to the Sacred priesthood, & that was the Gospel read at the ordination. I never tire of hearing it, and always glean some wonderful new insight every time I hear it. The setting is the Last Supper, and Jesus & his disciples are gathered around the table. This is their last meal together, and he shares so many things with them in preparation for the future. But the most important message of all is the message of love; “Love one another, as I have loved you”. Jesus treasures the friendship that he had established with these men and women, and he knows that his Love will eventually abide in them completely and totally after his passions, death and resurrection. In offering them his Body & Blood in Love he establishes the great mystery of the Holy Eucharist. It’s the Sacrament of Love, because it was freely given by the Lord. It will become the sustaining force in the lives of the disciples, and they will continue to draw upon its strength forever. It’s the same Love the Lord offers to you and me, right here and now!

SOLEMNITY OF THE ASCENSION OF THE LORD: Next Thursday 13^th May is the Solemnity of the Ascenion of the Lord, and is a Holy Day of Obligation. Forty days after the Resurrection, Jesus now returns home to the Father. In the post-resurrection appearances since Easter, Jesus has reassured the Apostles, given them hope and courage once again to go out to the whole world and proclaim the Good News. He has promised his disciples that he will be with them to the end of time. Jesus has left them the gift of himself in the Holy Eucharist; now he returns to the Father, with the promise of the gift of the Holy Spirit. Now the work of the newly founded Church will begin!  There will be three Masses on the Feast Day. 10.00am, 12.15pm & 8.00pm. Please join us!

Dear Friends in Christ,

As we progress with the vaccination process here in the UK, a high percentage of adults are now vacinated against the Corona Virus. People’s confidence is slowly returning, and many more people are venturing out and trying to get back to some semblance of normality. But there are still many people who are apprehensive and possibly even frightened. The past year has taken its toll on many families lives. Many families have lost loved ones; many people expereinced the infection itself. We all witnessed the incredible work of the NHS over the past 15 months. Life has changed, forever, all over the world. Nothing in living memory for everyone, has affected the whole world in on the way that Covid 19 has! Whatever the ‘new normal’ is, it’s going to take a long time for everyone to adapt to these new ways of looking and the world, whether it be through travel, the way we work eityher in and office or at home, through schooling and tertiary education. 

I would like to invite the whole parish community to seriously think about returning to the weekly practice of the the faith. Many of you are already here, and have been throughout the whole of the time that we have been opened since last July. Our Holy Father Pope Francis, and the Bishops’ Conference of England & Wales have advocated that all the faithful people of God seriously return to the weekly practice of faith. It’s very easy to get into the habit of not making that extra special effort to attend Holy Mass. After being away for such a long period of time, some people may have decided that they don’t really need the faith any more. Obviously, these are personal decisions that people make; but they are serious decisions that will have a long-term effect, not only on the individual but also on families and subsequent generations. Pleased think seriously about these snetiments.  

POSTPONEMENT OF JUBILEE: I have decided to postopone my 40^th Anniversary Jubilee celebrations until a later date. With ultimate restrictions not being lifted until the latter part of June, it really doesn’t give enough time to send out invitations, and also for many friends who wanted to come from abroad to attend. I will celebrate Jubilee Thanksgiving Mass on Sunday 11^th July at 11am with my Parish Family. 

May God Bless You All, 

CONFIRMATION PROGRAMME: Our final session in the Programme will take place on Wednesday May 19 at 7.30pm My Thanks to our Director and Catechists for all the hard work that has been achieved throughout this programme. As our Bishop is not able to attend the Confirmation ceremonies, delegation has been given to Fr. John to celebrate the Sacrament as the extra-ordinary Minister. In preparation for the Sacrament a Penitential Service will take place at the Church on Wednesday 2^nd June, also a brief rehearsal for the celebration. The Confirmation dates are as follows: Wednesday 9^th June: Groups 4,5,6. Thursday 10^th June: Groups 1,2,3. Please pray for our Confirmandi. 

WEEKLY OFFERTORY: My sincere thanks to those who are making their weekly contribution of Gift Aid envelopes and through the banking system that has been set up through the Diocese whereby your Offertory can be paid directly into the Parish Account, details below: 

Donate

Or you can use Parish Bank Account: Using Online Banking
HSBC Sort Code 40-13-22
Account Number: 11019651

WEEKLY OFFERTORY ENVELOPES: There are still a number of Gift Aid envelopes which have not been collected by those who belong to the scheme. The table will be outside the Church again this weekend for collection, and then placed in Fr. John’s garage throughout the week. As stated, the HSBC bank will be closing on 13^th August, it would be good for as many parishioerns as possible to go over to the direct giving through your bank. If you wish to join the Gift Aid Scheme, please see Fr. John or Maria Mosquera.   Thank you for your ongoing support to the Parish.

RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS: If you know of anyone who may be interested in learning more about the Roman Catholic Faith possibly with the view of receiving the Easter Sacraments in 2022, please contact Fr. John at the Presbytery on Tel No: 020 8508 3492. The programme usually commences in September. If would be wonderful to have a number of enquirers. We follow a systematic programme of instruction, covering all aspects of Catholicism. Please spread the word about this programme. Thank you!  

KEEPING YOU UP TO DATE: As of Monday 17^th May, the Governmental Guidelines on Covid 19 are allowing more than 30 to attend a funeral service. It is being left to the parishes to decide how many people they can accommodate, manifestly, continuing to use social distancing, face coverings and hand sanitisation. Here at St. Edmund’s we would comfortably accommodate about 100 persons for a funeral. Hopefully by 21^st June there may be an update with regards the full opening of the church with few restrictions. I pray that we will be able to return to the celebrations of all the sacraments very soon, including Baptisms & First Holy Communion Programme.   Thank you all for your patience. 

EPPING FOREST FOODBANK DONATIONS: Thank you to all parishioners who continue to generously donate items for the Foodbank during these difficult times. The Foodbank are truly grateful for the generosity our parish has shown throughout the pandemic and our donations are still needed desperately as more and more people in our community are finding it hard to make ends meet. The Foodbank have asked for support with the following items: Long-life fruit juice, tinned tomatoes, instant mash, tinned fish, tinned peas, tinned carrots, tinned potatoes, small jars of instant coffee, small or medium bags of rice, sponge pudding, snack bars, chocolate bars, chocolate spread and savoury crackers Thank you! You can also keep up to date with the Foodbank news via their facebook page: www.facebook.com/EppingForestFoodbank/

DIARY MAY 2021

PLEASE PRAY FOR THOSE SICK IN OUR PARISH

Margaret Baldwin, Evelyn Bearne, Brian Beveridge, Karl Britz, Carlos Camacho, Jane Downs, Steve Dalgliesh, Pat Fenn,  Veronica Godsave, Bernadette Hall, Ann Hawkes, Claire Howes, Pamela Houghton, Noel Johnson, Shaun Keel, Angela Long, Lilian Mothersole, Sheila Murphy, John McKernan, Rosemary O’Rourke, Kathleen Pomeroy, Geraldine Taylor, Vera Taylor, Mary Witten, James Wright. And all our loved ones. 

ANNIVERSARIES: Josie Jaego RIP, Mary Christina Leith RIP, and for all whose anniversaries occur at this time and for all of our deceased loved ones, Requiescant in Pace. 

OFFERTORY COLLECTION: With continued thanks for your Weekly Offering. If you would like to join the Gift Aid Scheme, there are application forms in the Church Porch or ask Fr. John for a form. If you forget your envelope, there are spares in the Porch. Thank you! 

SACRAMENTS CELEBRATED DURING ALERT LEVEL 4 RESTRICTIONS: In accordance with Government & Diocesan Guidelines, we are allowed to celebrate Funerals with 100 people present, strictly observing social distancing. 12 people are allowed to be present at a wedding. Baptisms are allowed to take place in the context of a Sunday Mass setting. These are really difficult times, and many couples were disappointed last year not being able to celebrate their marriages. We are hoping with the advent of the vaccine, that things will change dramatically this year. If there are any couples who are thinking about getting married, please notify the parish immediately. Thank you. Obviously until restrictions are lifted all of the above applies for the foreseeable future.

MASS INTENTIONS – MAY 2021

Sat 8th	10.00am	Letitia Fletcher RIP (Margaret Duffy)
		Vigil Mass for Sunday: Confessions at 5.30pm
Sat 8th	6.00pm	Tess Bowles RIP (Fr John)
Sun 9th             Sun 9th	9.00am 10.00am	Scott Sarson RIP (M Duffy & n Ironside) People of the Parish
Sun 9th	11:00am	Pam Houghton RIP (Maria Fray)
Mon 10th	10.00am 10.30am	Richard & Margaret O’Rourke Holy Hour with Exposition of Bl. Sacrament
Tues 11th	10.00am	Rosalind Johnson RIP (Brenda Bryant)
Wed 12th	10.00am 10.30am	Stacey Oliver RIP (Jacky Taylor) Holy Hour with Exposition of the Bl Sacrament
Thurs 13th       AscensionDay	10.00am  12.15pm 8.00pm	Remy (Martin Laffey) Peter Smith RIP (Paul Falco) Dan Lynch RIP (John O’Rourke)
Fri 14th	10.00am  10.30am	Josephine Coffey RIP (John Kelly) Holy Hour with Exposition of Bl. Sacrament
Sat 15th	10.00am	Special Int (Maree Kavanagh)
		Vigil Mass for Sunday Confessions 5.30pm
Sat 15th	6.00pm	Richard & Margaret O’Rourke RIP (J O’Rourke)
Sun 16th   Sun 16th	9.00am 10.00am	Joe & Cathy Daly (40th Wedding Anniversary) People of the Parish
Sun 16th	11:00am	Robert Edom RIP (Ann Cocklin)

6th Sunday of Easter

First Reading : Acts 10:25-26,34-35,44-48

As Peter reached the house Cornelius went out to meet him, knelt at his feet and prostrated himself. But Peter helped him up. ‘Stand up,’ he said ‘I am only a man after all!’ 

  Then Peter addressed them: ‘The truth I have now come to realise’ he said ‘is that God does not have favourites, but that anybody of any nationality who fears God and does what is right is acceptable to him.’

  While Peter was still speaking the Holy Spirit came down on all the listeners. Jewish believers who had accompanied Peter were all astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit should be poured out on the pagans too, since they could hear them speaking strange languages and proclaiming the greatness of God. Peter himself then said, ‘Could anyone refuse the water of baptism to these people, now they have received the Holy Spirit just as much as we have?’ He then gave orders for them to be baptised in the name of Jesus Christ. Afterwards they begged him to stay on for some days.

Responsorial Psalm : Psalm 97(98):1-4

The Lord has shown his salvation to the nations.

Sing a new song to the Lord

  for he has worked wonders.

His right hand and his holy arm

  have brought salvation.

The Lord has shown his salvation to the nations.

The Lord has made known his salvation;

  has shown his justice to the nations.

He has remembered his truth and love

  for the house of Israel.

The Lord has shown his salvation to the nations.

All the ends of the earth have seen

  the salvation of our God.

Shout to the Lord, all the earth,

  ring out your joy.

The Lord has shown his salvation to the nations.

     Second Reading : 1 John 4:7-10

My dear people,

let us love one another

since love comes from God

and everyone who loves is begotten by God and knows God.

Anyone who fails to love can never have known God,

because God is love.

God’s love for us was revealed

when God sent into the world his only Son

so that we could have life through him;

this is the love I mean:

not our love for God,

but God’s love for us when he sent his Son

to be the sacrifice that takes our sins away.

    Gospel : John 15:9-17

    Jesus said to his disciples:

‘As the Father has loved me,

so I have loved you.

Remain in my love.

If you keep my commandments

you will remain in my love,

just as I have kept my Father’s commandments

and remain in his love.

I have told you this

so that my own joy may be in you

and your joy be complete.

This is my commandment:

love one another, as I have loved you.

A man can have no greater love

than to lay down his life for his friends.

You are my friends, if you do what I command you.

I shall not call you servants any more,

because a servant does not know

his master’s business; I call you friends,

because I have made known to you

everything I have learnt from my Father.

You did not choose me:

no, I chose you; and I commissioned you

to go out and to bear fruit,

fruit that will last;

and then the Father will give you

anything you ask him in my name.

What I command you

is to love one another.

St. Edmund of Canterbury & St. Thomas More

Fifth Sunday of Easter 2021

Dear Friends in Christ                        

Jesus’ “I am” statements are revelation, his self-description and his explanation of what that means for us. They are therefore an ongoing invitation to relationship with him.

Today’s readings invite us into a deeper understanding of Christ and of ourselves as disciples. We can contemplate the image of the vine — like that of the shepherd, bread of life, etc. — as God’s rationale for creation and the Incarnation. Each of the statements describes how God reaches out to creation in love. Each statement also invites us to respond — to be the branches, God’s flock who seek the light, eat the bread, and know from whence comes our life. 

The Gospel reminds us that we must continually choose who we truly want to be. God always offers us the option of being fruitful branches, receiving and giving divine life. We are called to choose our real identity just as really and radically as Saul chose to become an apostle. We are invited to be true, continuously growing in love. It’s not about semantics

MAY – THE MONTH OF OUR BLESSED LADY: It is a centuries-old custom of Catholics to dedicate the month of May to the Blessed Virgin Mary. The month of May is always part of the Easter season, the fifty days we celebrate in the liturgy the Resurrection of Our Lord, a time also of awaiting the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. The celebration of May as a Marian month fits well with the liturgical celebrations of Easter and Pentecost as we recall Mary’s great joy in her Son’s victory over death as well as her presence with the apostles in the upper room prayerfully awaiting the descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. 

Pope Francis has advocated that the Month of May should be dedicated to the praying of the rosary each day for an ending to the Universal Pandemic. A decade of the Rosary will be prayed at the end of each weekday Mass. 

Dear Friends in Christ,

In the UK, the latest news on the Corona Virus front is looking extrmely optimistic. Well over half the population have received a vaccine, and nearly 15 million people have received their second vaccine. The hosptital admissions and death rates have dropped dramatically, and now many regions are reporting the lowest case rates in a year. People are feeling a lot more confident. People now in their early forties are encoruaged to receive the vaccine.  

As you know the Church has been open since last July; many parishioners have been present throughout the whole of this period, but many did not feel secure enough to leave their homes or attend church. I know a high percentage of you have received your vaccines and are venturing outside. I would like to encourage all of our parishioners to seriously think about returning to the fulltime practice of faith. Many have not been present in over a year; but with Gyms & shops and many facilities opening, and our children having returned to School full time now, I think it is equally as safe to attend Holy Mass for half an hour each week. Our Governmental & Diocesan guidelines have proved extremely effective in our Church. All of the protective measures we have implemented have most certinaly kept parishioners safe over the past 8 months. We have had no cases reported at all! Obviously Health & Safety is always at the top of list of priorities. I want to thank the whole Parish Community for your support, and also encouragement. I have tried my best to offer you every opportunity for Holy Mass & all Services. Now it’s up to you! Obviously, we appear to be more fortunate than many of the European Countries with regards the vaccine and sadly the situation in India has been heartbreaking over the past week. Please keep them in your prayers. 

POSTPONEMENT OF JUBILEE: As stated last weekend, I have decided to postopone my 40^th Anniversary Jubilee celebrations until a later date. With ultimate restrictions not being lifted until the latter part of June, it really doesn’t give enough time to send out invitations, and also for many friends who wanted to come from abroad to attend. I will celebrate Jubilee Thanksgiving Mass on Sunday 11^th July at 11am with my Parish Family. 

May God Bless You All, 

CONFIRMATION PROGRAMME: Our next session in the Programme will take place on Wednesday 5^th May at 7.30pm My Thanks to our Director and Catechists for all the hard work that has been achieved throughout this programme. As our Bishop is not able to attend the Confirmation ceremonies, delegation has been given to Fr. John to celebrate the Sacrament as the extra-ordinary Minister. In preparation for the Sacrament a Penitential Service will take place at the Church on Wednesday 2^nd June, also a brief rehearsal for the celebration. The Confirmation dates are as follows: Wednesday 9^th June: Groups 4,5,6. Thursday 10^th June: Groups 1,2,3. Please pray for our Confirmandi. 

WEEKLY OFFERTORY: My sincere thanks to those who are making their weekly contribution of Gift Aid envelopes and through the banking system that has been set up through the Diocese whereby your Offertory can be paid directly into the Parish Account, details below: 

Donate

Or you can use Parish Bank Account: Using Online Banking
HSBC Sort Code 40-13-22
Account Number: 11019651

RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS: If you know of anyone who may be interested in learning more about the Roman Catholic Faith possibly with the view of receiving the Easter Sacraments in 2022, please contact Fr. John at the Presbytery on Tel No: 020 8508 3492. The programme usually commences in September. If would be wonderful to have a number of enquirers. We follow a systematic programme of instruction, covering all aspects of Catholicism. Please spread the word about this programme. Thank you!  

MESSAGE FROM KATHLEEN: “I would like to thank you Fr John and everyone for your kind prayers and thoughtfulness during the whole year that I suffered two major operations – one radical cancer surgery, followed by 6 cycles of chemo. Covid of course added to the stress. However I’m certain that the intercession with Our Lord & Our Lady were vital to my survival and for my coming through that stressful and worrying time. Many thanks for the comfort you gave me during that time. I am in remission now – thanks to the Lord. And I’m now returning to attending weekly Mass and look forward to seeing you all again. With grateful thanks.” Kathleen Pampellonne.  

EPPING FOREST FOODBANK DONATIONS: Thank you to all parishioners who continue to generously donate items for the Foodbank during these difficult times. The Foodbank are truly grateful for the generosity our parish has shown throughout the pandemic and our donations are still needed desperately as more and more people in our community are finding it hard to make ends meet. Here are the 40 items being requested: Laundry tablets, anti-bacterial spray, washing-up liquid, UHT milk, long-life fruit juice, squash, instant coffee, tinned ham, corned beef, vegetarian tinned meal, microwave rice, instant noodles, packet mashed potato, tinned carrots, tinned potatoes, tinned sweet corn, custard, sponge pudding, rice pudding, chocolate bars, tinned spaghetti, cous-cous sachet, packet soup, hot chocolate powder, peanut butter, chocolate spread, jam, breakfast bars, cereal bars, biscuits, halal tinned meat, hand sanitiser, shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, face masks, strong carrier bags.  Thank you! You can also keep up to date with the Foodbank news via their facebook page: www.facebook.com/EppingForestFoodbank/ 

WEEKLY OFFERTORY ENVELOPES: There are still a large number of Gift Aid envelopes which have not been collected by those who belong to the scheme. The table will be outside the Church again this weekend for collection, and then placed in Fr. John’s garage throughout the week. As stated, the HSBC bank will be closing on 13^th August, it would be good for as many parishioerns as possible to go over to the direct giving through your bank. If you wish to join the Gift Aid Scheme, please see Fr. John or Maria Mosquera.   Thank you for your ongoing support to the Parish.

DIARY APRIL 2021

PLEASE PRAY FOR THOSE SICK IN OUR PARISH

Margaret Baldwin, Evelyn Bearne, Brian Beveridge, Karl Britz, Carlos Camacho, Jane Downs, Steve Dalgliesh, Pat Fenn,  Veronica Godsave, Bernadette Hall, Ann Hawkes, Claire Howes, Pamela Houghton, Noel Johnson, Shaun Keel, Angela Long, Lilian Mothersole, Sheila Murphy, John McKernan, Rosemary O’Rourke, Kathleen Pomeroy, Geraldine Taylor, Vera Taylor, Mary Witten, James Wright. And all our loved ones. 

ANNIVERSARIES: Brian & Paul Street RIP, and for all whose anniversaries occur at this time and for all of our deceased loved ones, Requiescant in Pace. 

OFFERTORY COLLECTION: With continued thanks for your Weekly Offering. If you would like to join the Gift Aid Scheme, there are application forms in the Church Porch or ask Fr. John for a form. If you forget your envelope, there are spares in the Porch. Thank you! 

SACRAMENTS CELEBRATED DURING ALERT LEVEL 4 RESTRICTIONS: In accordance with Government & Diocesan Guidelines, we are allowed to celebrate Funerals with 30 people present, strictly observing social distancing. 12 people are allowed to be present at a wedding. Baptisms are allowed to take place in the context of a Sunday Mass setting. These are really difficult times, and many couples were disappointed last year not being able to celebrate their marriages. We are hoping with the advent of the vaccine, that things will change dramatically this year. If there are any couples who are thinking about getting married, please notify the parish immediately. Thank you. Obviously until restrictions are lifted all of the above applies for the foreseeable future.

MASS INTENTIONS – MAY 2021

Sat 1st May	10.00am	Brian Perring RIP (anni) ((Eden Burn)
		Vigil Mass for Sunday: Confessions at 5.30pm
Sat 1st	6.00pm	Brian & Paul Street RIP (Barbara Street)
Sun 2nd           Sun 2nd	9.00am10.00am	People of the ParishMichael & Breege Kerrane RIP (Mary)
Sun 2nd	11:00am	Muriel & Bernard Gilley RIP (Eileen Ward)
Mon 3rd	10.00am10.30am	Rafael Samson Patas RIP (Melinda Staines)Holy Hour with Exposition of Bl. Sacrament
Tues 4th	10.00am	Simon Eustace RIP (Una Machnicki)
Wed 5th	8.30am10.30am	Remy Birthday Int’s (Pat  Margaret)Holy Hour of  prayer
Thurs 6th	8.30am	Jim Gates RIP (Teresa Miller)
Fri 7th	8.00am 10.30am	Int’s of Mary O’Donoghue (G O’Donoghue)Holy Hour of Prayer
Sat 8th	10.00am	Letitia Fletcher RIP (Margaret Duffy)
		Vigil Mass for Sunday Confessions 5.30pm
Sat 8th	6.00pm	Tess Bowles RIP (Fr John )
Sun 9th  Sun 9th	9.00am10.00am	Scott Sarson RIP (M Duffy & n Ironside)People of the Parish
Sun 9th	11:00am	Pam Houghton RIP (Maria Fray)

Please kindly be patient with your mass requests. I will try to accommodate your requested dates, but there have been a large number of requests recently and we celebrate masses in the order in which we receive them.

5th Sunday of Easter

First Reading : Acts 9:26-31

When Saul got to Jerusalem he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him: they could not believe he was really a disciple. Barnabas, however, took charge of him, introduced him to the apostles, and explained how the Lord had appeared to Saul and spoken to him on his journey, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus. Saul now started to go round with them in Jerusalem, preaching fearlessly in the name of the Lord. But after he had spoken to the Hellenists, and argued with them, they became determined to kill him. When the brothers knew, they took him to Caesarea, and sent him off from there to Tarsus.

  The churches throughout Judaea, Galilee and Samaria were now left in peace, building themselves up, living in the fear of the Lord, and filled with the consolation of the Holy Spirit.

Responsorial Psalm : Psalm 21(22):26-28,30-32

You, Lord, are my praise in the great assembly.

My vows I will pay before those who fear him.

  The poor shall eat and shall have their fill.

They shall praise the Lord, those who seek him.

  May their hearts live for ever and ever!

You, Lord, are my praise in the great assembly.

All the earth shall remember and return to the Lord,

  all families of the nations worship before him;

They shall worship him, all the mighty of the earth;

  before him shall bow all who go down to the dust.

You, Lord, are my praise in the great assembly.

And my soul shall live for him, my children serve him.

  They shall tell of the Lord to generations yet to come,

declare his faithfulness to peoples yet unborn:

  ‘These things the Lord has done.’

You, Lord, are my praise in the great assembly.

Second Reading : 1 John 3:18-24

My children,

our love is not to be just words or mere talk,

but something real and active;

only by this can we be certain

that we are children of the truth

and be able to quieten our conscience in his presence,

whatever accusations it may raise against us,

because God is greater than our conscience and he knows everything.

My dear people,

if we cannot be condemned by our own conscience,

we need not be afraid in God’s presence,

and whatever we ask him,

we shall receive,

because we keep his commandments

and live the kind of life that he wants.

His commandments are these:

that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ

and that we love one another

as he told us to.

Whoever keeps his commandments

lives in God and God lives in him.

We know that he lives in us

by the Spirit that he has given us.

Gospel : John 15:1-8

Jesus said to his disciples:‘I am the true vine,

and my Father is the vinedresser.

Every branch in me that bears no fruit

he cuts away, and every branch that does bear fruit

he prunes to make it bear even more.

You are pruned already,

by means of the word that I have spoken to you.

Make your home in me, as I make mine in you.

As a branch cannot bear fruit all by itself,

but must remain part of the vine,

neither can you unless you remain in me.

I am the vine, you are the branches.

Whoever remains in me, with me in him,

bears fruit in plenty;

for cut off from me you can do nothing.

Anyone who does not remain in me

is like a branch that has been thrown away – he withers;

these branches are collected and thrown on the fire,

and they are burnt.

If you remain in me and my words remain in you,

you may ask what you will and you shall get it.

It is to the glory of my Father that you should bear much fruit,

and then you will be my disciples.’