We are about to embark upon our Holy Season of Lent once again. As the Covid restrictions were lifted last week, it is hoped that many people will be able to get back to some semblance of normality once again. Lent is a Penitential Season, and some may feel that over the past two yearswe have been doing our penance during the various lock-downs. But this Lent will give us the opportunity to focus our attention on the spiritual aspect of our lives. Lent is that season of preparation to celebrate the greatest event in the whole history of the creation; that at a moment in time, Jesus Christ, truly God and truly man, triumphed over sin and death for the salvation of the whole of humanity. He continues to invite us to share in the Paschal Mystery. Every time we attend Holy Mass that ‘Saving action’ is made real! We are invited to share His life, and Lent will be a wonderful opportunity to really make a deep commitment in faith to the Lord.
The three disciplines of Prayer, Fasting & Almsgiving are at the heart of the Lenten Season. How we respond to these is very personal. Whatever we decide to do is between ourselves and Almighty God. But I do encourage all of our parishioners to enter into the full spirit of the season. You may like to take on something extra during Lent, e.g. Reading a Chapter of the Bible each day; spending additional time in private prayer; doing some spiritual reading – there are plenty of spiritual books in our library. Attending an additional Mass during the week; or praying the Rosary each day; or attending the Stations of the Cross devotions; or making a Holy Hour before the Blessed Sacrament. The decision is yours, but please don’t Lent pass you by without doing something!
Practical Prayer guide & actions to take during Lent
Make a serious Act of Contrition and Repentance of your sins before or during these 40 days of Lenten Journey, in order to be at peace with God. The Word of God says in 1 John 1:9, If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive our sins, and cleanse us from all unrighteousness’.
Also, – make peace with whomever that has offended you or you have offended. Matthew 6:14 says ‘For if you forgive men their trespasses, your Heavenly Father will also forgive you.’
Endeavour to live a holy life during and after this Lenten period. Make holiness your watch word
Be charitable; visit the less privileged, sick & housebound, provide weekly to the Foodbank.
Render selfless services to God and support your parish & community; help with parish projects. Join the Altar Society, Volunteer to become a Catechist, Volunteer to become a Uniform Group Leader.
Spread the Gospel of Jesus anywhere you find yourself through your word, actions and lifestyle. Become a Living Gospel of Christ.
After this 40 days of prayer, believe that God has answered your prayers. God assured us in Numbers 14:28 that He will do to us whatever he hears us say.
Equip yourself with the Word of God by reading your Bible daily. This will keep you in tune spiritually. Pray Lectio Divina or Spiritual Reading (there are many spiritual books in our Library).
Never go back to your past life. Continue to live as a son or daughter of God
TIMES OF MASSES & SERVICES DURING LENT
ASH WEDNESDAY:With Distribution of the Ashes at all Masses
St. Edmund’s 9.00am Please make a very special
St. Edmund’s 12.15pm to attend one of the Masses.
St. Edmund’s 7.30pm Day of Fasting & Abstinence
SUNDAY MASSES
St. Edmund’s 6.00pm. (Saturday Vigil Mass)
St. Edmund’s 9.00am. Parish Mass
St. Edmund’s 11.00am. Parish Family Mass
St. Edmund’s 5.00pm. Stations / Exposition / Benediction
MONDAY
St. Edmund’s Mass 10.00am Try to attend an extra mass during Lent
Followed by Holy Hour / Exposition
TUESDAY
St. Edmund’s Mass 10.00am
WEDNESDAY
St. Edmund’s Mass 10.00am Followed by Holy Hour / Exposition
THURSDAY
St. Edmund’s Mass 10.00am
FRIDAYFridays are now Fast Days! No meat today
St. Edmund’s Mass 10.00am
10.30am Followed by Holy Hour /
Stations of the Cross/ Exposition
SATURDAY
St. Edmund’s Mass 10.00am. Preceded by Morning Prayer at 9.45
St. Edmund’s 11.00am Confessions in the Church.
St. Edmund’s 6.00pm Vigil Mass for Sunday
SUNDAY MASSES
St. Edmund’s 9.00am Parish Mass
St. Edmund’s 11.00am Parish Family Mass
St. Edmund’s5.00pm. Stations / Exposition / Benediction
LENTEN DIARY 2022
2nd MarchAsh Wednesday. 3 Masses. See Newsletter.
Day of Fasting and Abstinence
4th MarchWomen’s World Day of Prayer
5th March Diocesan Meeting on the Synod. Brentwood
6th MarchRite of Election. 2 RCIA Candidates – Cathedral
11th March CAFOD Lenten Family Fast Day / Cafod Envelopes
19th March Conclusion of the Year of St Joseph
19th MarchChildren’s First Reconciliations 10am & 11am
27th March BRITISH SUMMERTIME BEGINS. Clocks forward
27th March Laetare Sunday / Mothering Sunday /
27th March First Holy Communion Children leading 11am Mass
14th AprilTriduum Begins. Mass of the Lord’s Supper 8.00pm
15th April Good Friday. Passion of Our Lord 3.00pm
16th AprilHoly Saturday/ Easter Vigil, 7.30pm
17th AprilEaster Sunday / The Resurrection of the Lord
2 Masses: 9.00am & 11.00am at St. Edmund’s
RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS
This year on our Journey of Faith, two members from the community have decided to go forward to the Reception of the Easter Sacraments. Mark Shelton & Neil MacKinnon will be Baptised, Confirmed, and receive the Holy Eucharist. Please keep them in your prayers over this Lenten Season. These final weeks of instruction will help to prepare them for the Joy of the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday Evening 16th April 2022 at 7.30pm,
Jesus was a carpenter and was no doubt familiar with the occupational hazard of wood chippings inadvertently landing in the eye. He draws on this experience to tach us about the all-too-human tendency to judge others harshly. It’s part of the human condition to see more readily what’s wrong with others (the splinter) before addressing issues in our own lives (the plank). Why is this? Is it insecurity, low self-esteem, boredom or even just plain old envy or malice? God knows we all do it frequently, clergy and laity alike.
St Teresa of Calcutta said: If you judge people, you have no time to love them.’ Furthermore, Thomas à Kempis stated ‘Be not angry that you cannot make others as you would wish them to be, since you cannot make yourself as you wish to be.’
Jesus encourages us to first examine our own lives before we judge anyone else. The Christian way is to put God’s spotlight on yourself before you judge someone else. A great mantra to help us with this is: ‘There but for the grace of God go I.’ If we lived like this, we would usher in a spiritual revolution, both in our own lives and in our parishes and wider society. We would gossip less, criticize less and condemn less, and have a better understanding that we are all fallen, wounded and prone to darkness, sin and confusion.
Some will protest that we need to judge and discern people and situations – how else can we help? Apart from the self-righteousness of this view, it’s wrong because it presumes we know how and what God thinks. God’s thinking is as far away for our thinking as the east is from the west. We should practice not judging. The next time you come across a story about someone’s fall (through any human weakness), instead of judging them, pray for them; offer them up to God’s mercy and love. When we think and act like this, we think and act like the Father.
My Dear Friends in Christ, 8th Sunday of the Year, 2022
ASH WEDNESDAY is on the 2nd March 2022 and marks the beginning of the Holy Season of Lent. This Penitential Season is given to us by the Church to help us prepare ourselves spiritually for the ‘Great Holy Week’, which retraces the Lord Jesus’ last days here on earth. We journey with Him through His Passion, Death & Resurrection. This is a familiar journey, and as Catholic Christians, let us make a very special effort to enter this Holy Season with renewed faith and vigour!
PRAYER: The Three main disciplines of Lent are Prayer, Fasting & Almsgiving (Charity). These next Forty days will give us the opportunity to really make a special effort in our spiritual lives with our personal prayer. Why not put aside a few moments every day as your very special prayer time! We have little Prayer Reflection Books available at £1 each called ‘WALK WITH ME’, these can be kept in your inside pocket or a lady’s handbag and can be used to help with prayer. As you know we have a library at the back of St. Edmund’s. There are many spiritual books that can be borrowed. (Please kindly return the books when you’ve read them).
FRIDAY FASTING: Was restored in England & Wales. Personal Penance identifies us with the sufferings and death of Jesus Christ. Friday has always been the traditional Fast Day, as it reminds us of Good Friday, the day on which the Lord gave himself completely for the Salvation of Humanity. The re-establishment of this Friday Fast means that we abstain from the eating of meat every Friday! (Not just during Lent). A little sacrifice in our diet once a week will certainly not harm our health. As families, it would be good to pray grace before & after meals together. These are practical and visible ways of our personal self-sacrifice!
ALMSGIVING: or works of Charity have always been associated with the Catholic Faith. We have a special Fast Day for CAFOD during Lent, Friday 11th March 2020. This is a very practical way to associate ourselves with those who are far less fortunate than ourselves. You may like to adopt a Third World Project, or, you may know of someone who is housebound and might like to visit them or shop for them. Also, FOOD BANK boxes will be in Fr John’s Garage to receive your food items. Anything that reaches out to someone else in charity can only be a good thing! Please make a very special effort to enter this Holy Season of Lent in faith and Love!
May God Bless You All,
FIRST HOLY COMMUNION PROGRAMME 2022: The next class after half-term will be on Sunday 27th February 2022. It is imperative that all the First Communion Children and their families are present each week at Sunday Mass. The children will make their Frist reconciliation on Saturday 19th March – there will be two sessions at 10am & 11am. Please keep all of the children in your prayers as they continue their sacramental preparation.
RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS Our next meeting will take place at the Presbytery on Thursday 3rd March at 7.30pm. Theme: Sacramentals – Rosary, Benediction, Stations of the Cross, Devotions, Processions. If you want to know more about the programme, and the whole RCIA process, please contact Fr John, Tel No: 0208 508 3492
THRESHOLDS OF HOPE QUESTION:What is new about the new Evangelisation? Input will be given by Fr Paschal Uche, assistant priest at St James the Less, Colchester, today, Sunday 27th February, 4.00 – 5.00 p.m. via Zoom.To join these Zoom meetings simply forward a contact email to adultformationvicariate@dioceseofbrentwood.org. For more information go to www.thresholdsofhope.co.uk
DATE FOR YOUR DIARY: Fr John’s Fortieth Anniversary of Ordination. As this was unable to take place last year, due to the Pandemic. It has been rescheduled to Friday 8th July 2022, with concelebrated Mass with Bishop Alan, Priests of the Diocese, Family & Visitors from all over the world, and of course, My Parish Family here at St. Edmund’s. It would be helpful to form a working party to arrange the event. I have already spoken to our Parish Music Director with regards to Music & the Liturgy.
SYNOD DAY: On Saturday 5th March 2020. 10am – 1pm. Brentwood Ursuline School Hall. If you live, work or pray in East London or Essex, We would like to invite you to join us on our Synod Day for interactive sessions that will encourage conversations that help us to delve deeper into the responses received on the themes of Our Journey Together and give you the opportunity to have further input into our Synodal Pathway. You are welcome to book a small group or come on your own. Please do book as soon as possible so we can prepare to welcome you well. Register: Email: mail@flocknote.com
ARE YOU INTERESTED IN A VOCATION TO THE PRIESTHOOD? The next “Enquirers’ Evening” for those considering or interested in a vocation to the priesthood is on Tuesday 1 March at St Edmund of Canterbury Church in Loughton. The speaker will be Fr Maurice Gordon. For further information please contact Fr Mark Swires vocprom@dioceseofbrentwood.org
CONTEMPORARY MUSIC GROUP: We will be playing and singing at the 11am Mass on Sunday 6th March, which will be the first Sunday of Lent. It would be good if many of our singers could be there – a great way to start Lent! Any parishioners who may consider joining us would be made very welcome. Simply come along. Also, we’d like to spend some more time in practicing, so we’d really appreciate you coming along early at about 10.10am before Mass. Thank you and we look forward to seeing you.
EPPING FOREST FOODBANK DONATIONS: Thank you to all parishioners who continue to generously donate items for the Foodbank. They are truly grateful for the generosity our parish has shown and our donations are still needed desperately as more and more people in our community are finding it hard to make ends meet. They will be running their initiative to support families with food over the Easter holidays and these are the items we can help them with: UHT milk, long-life juice, tinned tomatoes, tinned meat, rice pudding, custard, packet noodles, instant mash, tinned spaghetti, tinned fruit, breakfast bars/ snack bars, jam, chocolate spread, sponge puddings, chocolate bars, bottled sauces (Ketchup/brown sauce), small jars of coffee, toilet roll, laundry powder/tablets, razors, shampoo/conditioner and washing up liquid. Thank you! You can also keep up to date with the Foodbank news via their Facebook page: www.facebook.com/EppingForestFoodbank/
CHILDREN’S SUNDAY LITURGY: Hopefully will be back very soon. But we need your help. Parents, can you spare one Sunday every two months to helpt the children during the 11.00am Mass? We need more parents to join our lovely group. Please contact Mrs Elena Manara at e_vismara@yahoo.com
Thank you and we hope to hear from you soon.
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:
Or you can use Parish Bank Account: Using Online Banking HSBC Sort Code 40-13-22PLEASE BE GENEROUS IN YOUR Account Number: 11019651GIFT TO GOD & HIS CHURCH
SPECIAL APPEAL To all our parishioners who contribute to your parish weekly. Would you please consider to transferring your weekly offertory over to a Direct Debit. With the closing of the local HSBC Bank it has been quite difficult paying in the Offertory, and with many banks now only offering a machine deposit service. Please think about this request. Thank you!
MARRIAGES FOR 2022: If anyone is planning on getting married in 2022, please could you make contact with Fr. John at the beginning of January. For those getting married in the parish we normally ask for six months’ notice; for those getting married outside of the parish at least nine months’ notice. The documentation and preparation takes quite a long time and organising Marriage Preparation Courses through Marriage Care in the responsibility of the Couple. To avoid any disappointments, please make contact as soon as possible.
BCYS YOUTH MASS: Thursday 3rd March, Brentwood Cathedral. Come along from 6pm for pizza, followed by Sophie from the Walsingham House team and CAFOD, who will talk about her experiences, inspiring us to get involved and how we can take action! Mass will begin in the cathedral from 7:30pm, joined by Fr Gary Dench who will preach the Gospel. Open to all those in years 9 and above, no booking necessary. (YOUTH MASS takes place on the First Thursday of every month and groups are always welcome! Please let us know in advance if you wish to bring a group, if you are able, so that we can have an idea how much pizza to order! Any groups are always welcome!)
BCYS LENTEN REVISION RETREAT: 2nd – 3rd April, Walsingham House. In years 11 -13 and preparing for exams this year? Get a change of scenery and a fresh perspective at Walsingham House at Abbotswick this lent for times of prayer, socialising and activities, but mostly to revise, alongside friends and the Walsingham House team members. As always the chapel is here for times of quiet reflection throughout the day. Book online NOW at www.bcys.net/events.
SPONSORED SLEEPOUT: 8th – 9th April, 8pm – 8am. Wherever you are in the Diocese, take part in your gardens, schools or parishes, on your own or as part of a group and spend 12 hours sleeping rough outdoors to raise money for a local charity supporting the homeless. Email sleepout@dioceseofbrentwood.org for more information and to take part.
BCYS SUMMER LOURDES PILGRIMAGE: 23rd – 30th July 2022. Assist pilgrims going to Masses and services, shops and cafes of the beautiful French town, join in social time together, take part in retreats, reconciliation service, visit the baths, the stunning mountain town of Gavarnie, enjoy social nights, party and experience the amazing Lourdes processions. The cost is £625 for the week, and is open to all those in school year 11 and above (funding and grant opportunities are available). For more information and to book you can visit www.bcys.net/events/sl22 – applications close Sunday 20th February
BCYS YOUTH GATHER: 22nd – 23rd October, Mersea Island.Stay in cabins and try a brilliant range of outward bound activities from climbing high ropes, archery, zip wires and much more to keep you challenged and entertained, with guest speakers and workshops which will give you fresh insights into yourself, and your faith, by telling their stories. Open to all those in years 9 and above, book NOW at www.bcys.net/events
BOOKING FOR ALL THESE EVENTS – and all information, can be done online at www.bcys.net/events or you can email me with any questions.
THE DIOCESAN LOURDES PILGRIMAGE: led by Bishop Alan, will take place from Sunday 24 – Friday 29 July in Lourdes. Brochures for the pilgrimage, which will include costs, will be available soon. For further information contact Cathy O’Connor: cathy@dioceseofbrentwood.org or 07813 710070.
IRREGULAR MARRIAGES: An Irregualr Marriage is one that 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
A SUNDAY EVENING PARISH YOUTH MASS: We’ve had a couple of these popular and enjoyable Masses over the past few years and hopefully we’ll be able to organise one, possibly in the New Year. The idea would be that you could get involved with the music and the readings and make it your own celebration. Hopefully, we will also have a social gathering in the hall afterwards
PARISH FINANCES: As you can appreciate, during this pandemic the parish income took a severe hit, and we are still not back at the same levels as we were prior to 2020. My sincere and grateful thanks to those who have signed up for online giving and Gift Aid, this is helping. Many parishioners have not returned to the regular practice of faith, and many Gift Aid boxes were not collected this year. Please consider your weekly offertory to God.
ADVERT: The Governing Body of St. Antony’s Catholic Primary School wishes to appoint a talented SEN Learning Support Assistant preferably with experience of working with children with ASD to come and join our inclusive Primary school. For more information, please visit our website http://www.stantonyscatholicps.co.uk/vacancies CLOSING DATE: Wednesday 9th March 2022(Noon) INTERVIEWS: Friday 11th March 2022
DIARY FEBRUARY – MARCH 2022
PLEASE PRAY FOR THOSE SICK IN OUR PARISH
Carmen Antaki, Margaret Baldwin, Evelyn Bearne, Karl Britz, Carlos Camacho, Jane Downs, Steve Dalgliesh, Pat Fenn, Veronica Godsave, Bernadette Hall, Ann Hawkes, Claire Howes, Jackie Ilines, Noel Johnson, Shaun Keel, Bridget Kinsella, Angela Long, Lilian Mothersole, John McKernan, Rosemary O’Rourke, Geraldine Taylor, Vera Taylor, Mary Witten, James Wright. And all our loved ones.
ANNIVERSARIES: Thomas Mitchley RIP. Please pray for all whose anniversaries occur at this time and for all of our deceased loved ones, Requiescant in Pace.
Diocesan Pilgrimage to Walsingham – 28th May 2022: Join Bishop Alan and other parishes around the Diocese of Brentwood in Walsingham as we celebrate the Year of the Family ‘Hearing and Doing the Word of God’. We will celebrate Mass at the Basilica before walking the Holy Mile to the grounds of Walsingham Abbey to celebrate Vespers and Benediction on the site of the Holy House. If you would like to come we would need to organise a Parish pilgrimage form the Church.
MASS INTENTIONS – FEBRUARY / MARCH 2022
Sat 26th
10.00am
Jim Sullivan’s B’day Ints
Vigil Mass for Sunday. Confessions at 5.30pm
Sat 26th
6.00pm
Kath Pomeroy RIP (Kathy Forwood)
Sun 27th
9.00am
Adrian Jarvis RIP (John & Sue Campbell)
Sun 27th
11:00am
James McLay RIP (Ruiz Family)
Mon 28th
10.00am
Merle Rodden’s Int’s (Marjorie Fairlamb)
Tues 1stMarch
10.00am
Emma Dorn Int’s (John O’Rourke)
Wed 2ndAsh Wednesday
9.00am12.15pm7.30pm
People of the ParishCharlie Brady RIPVeronica Baker’s Int’s (D & G Manley)
Thurs 3rd
10.00am
Len Rice RIP
Fri 4th Lenten Devotions
10.00am10.30am
Nancy Ironside RIP Maureen KisleyHoly Hour / With Stations of Cross
Sat 5th
8.30am
Moira & Baby’s Safety (Maree Kavanagh)
Vigil Mass for Sunday. Confessions at 5.30pm
Sat 5th
6.00pm
David Faud RIP (Teresa & Family)
Sun 6th
9.00am
People of the Parish
Sun 6thLentenDevotions
11:00am5.00pm
Mary McQuillan RIP (M Ryan)Holy Hour / Stations of Cross / Benediction
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.
The Brentwood Diocesan Trust Registered Charity No. 234092
8th Sunday in Ordinary Time
First Reading : Ecclesiasticus 27:5-8
In a shaken sieve the rubbish is left behind,
so too the defects of a man appear in his talk.
The kiln tests the work of the potter,
the test of a man is in his conversation.
The orchard where a tree grows is judged on the quality of its fruit,
similarly a man’s words betray what he feels.
Do not praise a man before he has spoken,
since this is the test of men.
Responsorial Psalm : Psalm 91(92):2-3,13-16
It is good to give you thanks, O Lord.
It is good to give thanks to the Lord,
to make music to your name, O Most High,
to proclaim your love in the morning
and your truth in the watches of the night.
It is good to give you thanks, O Lord.
The just will flourish like the palm tree
and grow like a Lebanon cedar.
It is good to give you thanks, O Lord.
Planted in the house of the Lord
they will flourish in the courts of our God,
still bearing fruit when they are old,
still full of sap, still green,
to proclaim that the Lord is just.
In him, my rock, there is no wrong.
It is good to give you thanks, O Lord.
Second Reading : 1 Corinthians 15:54-58
When this perishable nature has put on imperishability, and when this mortal nature has put on immortality, then the words of scripture will come true: Death is swallowed up in victory. Death, where is your victory? Death, where is your sting? Now the sting of death is sin, and sin gets its power from the Law. So let us thank God for giving us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Never give in then, my dear brothers, never admit defeat; keep on working at the Lord’s work always, knowing that, in the Lord, you cannot be labouring in vain.
Gospel : Luke 6:39-45
Jesus told a parable to his disciples: ‘Can one blind man guide another? Surely both will fall into a pit? The disciple is not superior to his teacher; the fully trained disciple will always be like his teacher. Why do you observe the splinter in your brother’s eye and never notice the plank in your own? How can you say to your brother, “Brother, let me take out the splinter that is in your eye,” when you cannot see the plank in your own? Hypocrite! Take the plank out of your own eye first, and then you will see clearly enough to take out the splinter that is in your brother’s eye.
‘There is no sound tree that produces rotten fruit, nor again a rotten tree that produces sound fruit. For every tree can be told by its own fruit: people do not pick figs from thorns, nor gather grapes from brambles. A good man draws what is good from the store of goodness in his heart; a bad man draws what is bad from the store of badness. For a man’s words flow out of what fills his heart.’
G.K. Chesterton famously said, ‘The Christian ideal has not been tired and found wanting. It has been found difficult; and left untried.’ It’s relatively easy to talk about or give lip-service to ideals such as loving our enemy, not judging, turning the other cheek and praying for those who mistrust us, but try doing these things when you actually have someone to forgive or indeed have an enemy who wants to harm you. It’s not as easy, is it?
So, what’s the solution? So we have to try harder, pull our socks up, regroup and buckle down to live the Sermon on the Mount and the Beatitudes? For many this is the answer and their best response. The only problem – apart from being heretical (Pelagianism) – is that is misses the mark, because our faith isn’t about trying harder and putting in the effort. Of course, many will claim it is, and without a doubt we have to co-operate, to want to live Jesus’ teaching, but simply trying harder isn’t the answer. Grace is the answer, grace building on nature, so that we can live a new life in and by the power of the Holy Spirit.
How does this happen? As offensive and scandalous as this may sound, we need to be overwhelmed by our complete inability to live the Christian ethic; we need to touch our bankruptcy and feel deep down in our being a wretchedness born of an insight that we desperately need God’s grace. Nevertheless, we don’t need to be dismayed or overwhelmed, for the Holy Spirit’s power enables us to live holy lives, because holiness is the fruit of the Spirit.
We often believe that God helps those who help themselves, but actually God helps precisely those who cannot help themselves. When we acknowledge this, when we recognise our need for God’s grace, his grace, mercy and Holy Spirit are poured out into our hearts, so that we can love our enemy, forgive from our hearts, and pray for those who persecute and mistreat us.
My Dear Friends in Christ, 7th Sunday of the Year, 2022
As the saying goes; ‘Time and tide wait for no man’. As the Holy Season of Lent rapidly approaches, I appeal to all of our parishioners to make a very special effort during this Lenten Season commencing on Ash Wednesday 2nd March. The past two years have been very strange due to the Pandemic. An element of fear certainly has prevailed and people’s regular routines have been disrupted. Many have suffered through sickness and ill health, some contacted the Corona Virus, sadly some have passed away. Children and Young People’s lives and schooling were affected considerably. But it is only now that we are trying to regain some semblance of normality once again.
Throughout the whole world, speaking to many priest friends from United States, Australia, & Europe, many people have not returned to the practice of the faith in the parish communities, and there may be the distinct possibility that some will never return. But this Lenten Season will give us all an additional impetus to reconnect permanently with our parishes. In our RCIA talk this week we discussed the importance of Prayer in our lives, and how this daily connection with God & Jesus is the life-line of our faith. All the different methods of prayer were explored, and being present at Holy Mass is also one of those prayers. For less than one hour a week we are invited to share in the Great Paschal Mystery; being part of the community united in this great prayer of Thanksgiving to God. And yet, for some, this is even too much! Reflect on the amount of time you spend watching the TV each week; or how many hours a day you spend on your mobile phone. This short time each week with the Lord certainly transforms our lives, but no one can do this for us, it has be of our own efforts to get close to the Lord that increases our faith. Lent is the Season for this.
There are all sort of different ways that we can make our Lenten journey special. The daily reading of our Bible; attending an additional Mass each week; attending the Stations of the Cross or a Holy Hour before the Blessed Sacrament. There are a variety of spiritual books that you can read, e.g. Jesus and the Jewish Roots of the Eucharist by Brant Pitre. No Greater Love by Edward Sri. The Decline and Fall of Sacred Scripture – By Scott Hahn & Benjamin Wiker. 40 Days of Lent Journey to Easter – By Catholic Common Prayers. There are also the spiritual classics, and many more. All of these can be obtained through Amazon.
May God Bless You All
FIRST HOLY COMMUNION PROGRAMME 2022: The next class after half-term will be on Sunday 27th February 2022. It is imperative that all the First Communion Children and their families are present each week at Sunday Mass. Please keep all of the children in your prayers as they continue their sacramental preparation.
RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS Our next meeting will take place at the Presbytery on Thursday 3rd March at 7.30pm. Theme: Sacramentals – Rosary, Benediction, Stations of the Cross, Devotions, Processions. If you want to know more about the programme, and the whole RCIA process, please contact Fr John, Tel No: 0208 508 3492
THRESHOLDS OF HOPE QUESTION:What is new about the new Evangelisation? Input will be given by Fr Paschal Uche, assistant priest at St James the Less, Colchester, today, Sunday 20th February, 4.00 – 5.00 p.m. via Zoom.To join these Zoom meetings simply forward a contact email to adultformationvicariate@dioceseofbrentwood.org. For more information go to www.thresholdsofhope.co.uk
EPPING FOREST FOODBANK DONATIONS: Thank you to all parishioners who continue to generously donate items for the Foodbank. They are truly grateful for the generosity our parish has shown and our donations are still needed desperately as more and more people in our community are finding it hard to make ends meet. They will be running their initiative to support families with food over the Easter holidays and these are the items we can help them with: UHT milk, long-life juice, tinned tomatoes, tinned meat, rice pudding, custard, packet noodles, instant mash, tinned spaghetti, tinned fruit, breakfast bars/ snack bars, jam, chocolate spread, sponge puddings, chocolate bars, bottled sauces (Ketchup/brown sauce), small jars of coffee, toilet roll, laundry powder/tablets, razors, shampoo/conditioner and washing up liquid. Thank you! You can also keep up to date with the Foodbank news via their Facebook page: www.facebook.com/EppingForestFoodbank/
VISITATION OF THE SICK & HOUSEBOUND: In the latest guidelines from the Bishops’ Conference we have now been given permission once again to resume our visitation of sick & housebound parishioners. If anyone would like a visit or receive Holy Communion at home, please contact Fr John at the Presbytery. Tel No: 020 8508 3492 or Email: loughton@ dioceseofbrentwood.org
BCYS YOUTH MASS: Thursday 3rd March, Brentwood Cathedral. Come along from 6pm for pizza, followed by Sophie from the Walsingham House team and CAFOD, who will talk about her experiences, inspiring us to get involved and how we can take action! Mass will begin in the cathedral from 7:30pm, joined by Fr Gary Dench who will preach the Gospel. Open to all those in years 9 and above, no booking necessary. (YOUTH MASS takes place on the First Thursday of every month and groups are always welcome! Please let us know in advance if you wish to bring a group, if you are able, so that we can have an idea how much pizza to order! Any groups are always welcome!)
BCYS LENTEN REVISION RETREAT: 2nd – 3rd April, Walsingham House
In years 11 -13 and preparing for exams this year? Get a change of scenery and a fresh perspective at Walsingham House at Abbotswick this lent for times of prayer, socialising and activities, but mostly to revise, alongside friends and the Walsingham House team members. As always the chapel is here for times of quiet reflection throughout the day. Book online NOW at www.bcys.net/events.
SPONSORED SLEEPOUT: 8th – 9th April, 8pm – 8am. Wherever you are in the Diocese, take part in your gardens, schools or parishes, on your own or as part of a group and spend 12 hours sleeping rough outdoors to raise money for a local charity supporting the homeless. Email sleepout@dioceseofbrentwood.org for more information and to take part.
BCYS SUMMER LOURDES PILGRIMAGE: 23rd – 30th July 2022. Assist pilgrims going to Masses and services, shops and cafes of the beautiful French town, join in social time together, take part in retreats, reconciliation service, visit the baths, the stunning mountain town of Gavarnie, enjoy social nights, party and experience the amazing Lourdes processions. The cost is £625 for the week, and is open to all those in school year 11 and above (funding and grant opportunities are available). For more information and to book you can visit www.bcys.net/events/sl22 – applications close Sunday 20th February
BCYS YOUTH GATHER: 22nd – 23rd October, Mersea Island.Stay in cabins and try a brilliant range of outward bound activities from climbing high ropes, archery, zip wires and much more to keep you challenged and entertained, with guest speakers and workshops which will give you fresh insights into yourself, and your faith, by telling their stories. Open to all those in years 9 and above, book NOW at www.bcys.net/events
BOOKING FOR ALL THESE EVENTS – and all information, can be done online at www.bcys.net/events or you can email me with any questions.
THE DIOCESAN LOURDES PILGRIMAGE: led by Bishop Alan, will take place from Sunday 24 – Friday 29 July in Lourdes. Brochures for the pilgrimage, which will include costs, will be available soon. For further information contact Cathy O’Connor: cathy@dioceseofbrentwood.org or 07813 710070.
IRREGULAR MARRIAGES: An Irregualr Marriage is one that 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
A SUNDAY EVENING PARISH YOUTH MASS: We’ve had a couple of these popular and enjoyable Masses over the past few years and hopefully we’ll be able to organise one, possibly in the New Year. The idea would be that you could get involved with the music and the readings and make it your own celebration. Hopefully, we will also have a social gathering in the hall afterwards
PARISH FINANCES: As you can appreciate, during this pandemic the parish income took a severe hit, and we are still not back at the same levels as we were prior to 2020. My sincere and grateful thanks to those who have signed up for online giving and Gift Aid, this is helping. Many parishioners have not returned to the regular practice of faith, and many Gift Aid boxes were not collected this year. Please consider your weekly offertory to God.
ADVERT: The Governing Body of St. Antony’s Catholic Primary School wishes to appoint a talented SEN Learning Support Assistant preferably with experience of working with children with ASD to come and join our inclusive Primary school. For more information, please visit our website http://www.stantonyscatholicps.co.uk/vacancies CLOSING DATE: Wednesday 9th March 2022(Noon) INTERVIEWS: Friday 11th March 2022
DATE FOR YOUR DIARY: Fr John’s Fortieth Anniversary of Ordination. As this was unable to take place last year, due to the Pandemic. It has been rescheduled to Friday 8th July 2022, with concelebrated Mass with Bishop Alan, Priests of the Diocese, Family & Visitors from all over the world, and of course, My Parish Family here at St. Edmund’s. It would be helpful to form a working party to arrange the event. I have already spoken to our Parish Music Director with regards to Music & the Liturgy.Please contact Fr John: Tel No: 020 8508 3492
SYNOD DAY: On Saturday 5th March 2020. 10am – 1pm. Brentwood Ursuline School Hall. If you live, work or pray in East London or Essex, We would like to invite you to join us on our Synod Day for interactive sessions that will encourage conversations that help us to delve deeper into the responses received on the themes of Our Journey Together and give you the opportunity to have further input into our Synodal Pathway. You are welcome to book a small group or come on your own. Please do book as soon as possible so we can prepare to welcome you well. Register: Email: mail@flocknote.com
ARE YOU INTERSTED IN A VOCATION TO THE PRIESTHOOD? The next “Enquirers’ Evening” for those considering or interested in a vocation to the priesthood is on Tuesday 1 March at St Edmund of Canterbury Church in Loughton. The speaker will be Fr Maurice Gordon. For further information please contact Fr Mark Swires vocprom@dioceseofbrentwood.org
CONTEMPORARY MUSIC GROUP: We will be playing and singing at the 11am Mass on Sunday 6th March, which will be the first Sunday of Lent. It would be good if many of our singers could be there – a great way to start Lent! Any parishioners who may consider joining us would be made very welcome. Simply come along. Also, we’d like to spend some more time in practicing, so we’d really appreciate you coming along early at about 10.10am before Mass. Thank you and we look forward to seeing you.
Diocesan Pilgrimage to Walsingham – 28th May 2022: Join Bishop Alan and other parishes around the Diocese of Brentwood in Walsingham as we celebrate the Year of the Family ‘Hearing and Doing the Word of God’. We will celebrate Mass at the Basilica before walking the Holy Mile to the grounds of Walsingham Abbey to celebrate Vespers and Benediction on the site of the Holy House. If you would like to come we would need to organise a Parish pilgrimage form the Church.
DIARY JANUARY – FEBRUARY 2022
PLEASE PRAY FOR THOSE SICK IN OUR PARISH
Carmen Antaki, Margaret Baldwin, Evelyn Bearne, Karl Britz, Carlos Camacho, Jane Downs, Steve Dalgliesh, Pat Fenn, Veronica Godsave, Bernadette Hall, Ann Hawkes, Claire Howes, Jackie Ilines, Noel Johnson, Shaun Keel, Bridget Kinsella, Angela Long, Lilian Mothersole, John McKernan, Rosemary O’Rourke, Geraldine Taylor, Vera Taylor, Mary Witten, James Wright. And all our loved ones.
ANNIVERSARIES: Celia Rowe RIP, Patricia Gardner RIP, Eileen Bevan RIP. Please pray for all whose anniversaries occur at this time and for all of our deceased loved ones, Requiescant in Pace.
SPECIAL APPEAL To all our parishioners who contribute to your parish weekly. Would you please consider to transferring your weekly offertory over to a Direct Debit. With the closing of the local HSBC Bank it has been quite difficult paying in the Offertory, and with many banks now only offering a machine deposit service. Please think about this request. Thank you!
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:
Or you can use Parish Bank Account: Using Online Banking HSBC Sort Code 40-13-22PLEASE BE GENEROUS IN YOUR Account Number: 11019651GIFT TO GOD & HIS CHURCH
MARRIAGES FOR 2022: If anyone is planning on getting married in 2022, please could you make contact with Fr. John at the beginning of January. For those getting married in the parish we normally ask for six months’ notice; for those getting married outside of the parish at least nine months’ notice. The documentation and preparation takes quite a long time and organising Marriage Preparation Courses through Marriage Care in the responsibility of the Couple. To avoid any disappointments, please make contact as soon as possible.
MASS INTENTIONS – FEBRUARY 2022
Sat 19th
10.00am
Sylvester Duff Int’s (M Ryan)
Vigil Mass for Sunday. Confessions at 5.30pm
Sat 19th
6.00pm
Mary Yeung (Esther Penn)
Sun 20th
9.00am
James McLay RIP (Sue & John Campbell)
Sun 20th
11:00am
David Bloomfield RIP (Doris DeSouza Brady)
Mon 21st
10.00am
John Francis Curran RIP (Geraldine O’Donoghue)
Tues 22nd
10.00am
James McLay RIP (Kendal Family)
Wed 23rd
10.00am
Paddy Mulhern RIP (R Ward)
Thurs 24th
10.00am
Yvonne Maria Westcott RIP ( Frank Westcott)
Fri 25th
10.00am
Joseph Campbell RIP ( John O’Rourke)
Sat 26th
10.00am
Jim Sullivan’s B’day Ints
Vigil Mass for Sunday. Confessions at 5.30pm
Sat 26th
6.00pm
Kath Pomeroy RIP (Kathy Forwood)
Sun 27th
9.00am
Adrian Jarvis RIP (John & Sue Campbell)
Sun 27th
11:00am
James McLay RIP (Ruiz Family)
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.
The Brentwood Diocesan Trust Registered Charity No. 234092
7th Sunday in Ordinary Time
First Reading : 1 Samuel 26:2,7-9,11-13,22-23
Saul set off and went down to the wilderness of Ziph, accompanied by three thousand men chosen from Israel to search for David in the wilderness of Ziph.
In the dark David and Abishai made their way towards the force, where they found Saul lying asleep inside the camp, his spear stuck in the ground beside his head, with Abner and the troops lying round him.
Then Abishai said to David, ‘Today God has put your enemy in your power; so now let me pin him to the ground with his own spear. Just one stroke! I will not need to strike him twice.’ David answered Abishai, ‘Do not kill him, for who can lift his hand against the Lord’s anointed and be without guilt? The Lord forbid that I should raise my hand against the Lord’s anointed! But now take the spear beside his head and the pitcher of water and let us go away.’ David took the spear and the pitcher of water from beside Saul’s head, and they made off. No one saw, no one knew, no one woke up; they were all asleep, for a deep sleep from the Lord had fallen on them.
David crossed to the other side and halted on the top of the mountain a long way off; there was a wide space between them. He called out, ‘Here is the king’s spear. Let one of the soldiers come across and take it. The Lord repays everyone for his uprightness and loyalty. Today the Lord put you in my power, but I would not raise my hand against the Lord’s anointed.’
The first man, Adam, as scripture says, became a living soul; but the last Adam has become a life-giving spirit. That is, first the one with the soul, not the spirit, and after that, the one with the spirit. The first man, being from the earth, is earthly by nature; the second man is from heaven. As this earthly man was, so are we on earth; and as the heavenly man is, so are we in heaven. And we, who have been modelled on the earthly man, will be modelled on the heavenly man.
Gospel : Luke 6:27-38
Jesus said to his disciples: ‘I say this to you who are listening: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who treat you badly. To the man who slaps you on one cheek, present the other cheek too; to the man who takes your cloak from you, do not refuse your tunic. Give to everyone who asks you, and do not ask for your property back from the man who robs you. Treat others as you would like them to treat you. If you love those who love you, what thanks can you expect? Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what thanks can you expect? For even sinners do that much. And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what thanks can you expect? Even sinners lend to sinners to get back the same amount. Instead, love your enemies and do good, and lend without any hope of return. You will have a great reward, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he himself is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked.
‘Be compassionate as your Father is compassionate. Do not judge, and you will not be judged yourselves; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned yourselves; grant pardon, and you will be pardoned. Give, and there will be gifts for you: a full measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will be poured into your lap; because the amount you measure out is the amount you will be given back.’
The Beatitudes occur in only Mathew’s and Luke’s Gospel. Matthew’s version is delivered on a mountain (just as Moses delivered the Ten Commandments) and Luke’s version on a plain or lever ground. There are many comparisons to be made. Luke’s version doesn’t have the ‘poor in spirit’ – simply ‘the poor’ – and omits the Beatitude about the meet inheriting the earth. His version also has a set of ‘woes’, which highlight the downside of being rich, well fed, socially affirmed, etc.
Mining the Scriptures for hidden depths yields fruit and many blessings. The Beatitudes, be they Matthean of Lucan, do a variety of things. They shed light on the actions and attitudes characteristic of the Christian life. They’re the paradoxical promises that sustain hope amid tribulations. They’re also the very heart and essence of Jesus’s teachings and reveal his face, character and personality.
Jesus lived the Beatitudes; he incarnated them, if you like. Perhaps he is the only one whoever has, for to live them is to be perfect as the Father in heaven is perfect. Mind you, given that in his lifetime St Francis was called the ‘Second Christ’, it’s likely that he came close, alongside other great saints, especially Mary, the Mother of God.
However, the Beatitudes aren’t just for the saints, but for all of us. They contain both promises of what we shall become, and the revelation of what we have begun to be, albeit in perhaps a somewhat hidden way.
One way of living the Beatitudes and putting them into practice is to memorise them, to become familiar with them as with the Our Father or the Hail Mary. This straightforward step will help us to take them to heart and cherish them during our daily lives. St Augustine said, ‘We all want to live happily; in the whole human race there is no one who does not assent to this proposition, even before it is fully articulated.
My Dear Friends in Christ, 6th Sunday of the Year, 2022
This weekend we welcome Fr Kirby Rust from the Diocese of Louisville, Kentucky, who is doing post-graduate studies in Rome. It’s seven years since Fr Kirby was last here; please extend him your usual warm welcome. He returns to Rome this afternoon.
As we all attempt to get back to some semblance of normality during this Covid Pandemic, and with restrictions being lifted dramatically, we realise that the world will never be the same again. For nearly two years the whole world has been contending with all sorts of restrictions, and many people have suffered both physically and psychologically. Many are still very frightened to go out of their homes. Tragically, there have been many deaths to this terrible disease. But we cannot put our lives on hold; we cannot stop living. We’ve lost two years; we don’t want to lose anymore.
It is truly wonderful to see so many parishioners who have returned to regular practice of faith. All I can ask of those who have not returned, and there are many in all parishes, please think about the whole of your spiritual and Catholic lives, and parents, please think about your children. Our life of faith is not just something that we tag on to the rest of our life; it’s the mainstay of who we are as sons and daughters of God. Would you really want to give that up??
I would like to hope that we have all had time to evaluate over the past two years the most important aspects of our lives, and to realise that we cannot live without God and faith. The Pandemic was certainly a big wake-up call!
THE HOLY SEASON OF LENT is fast approaching; Ash Wednesday is on the 2nd March. It would be truly wonderful if everyone in our parish would make a really special act of commitment to the Lord during this holy season: to make an extra special effort to be present at the Sunday Liturgy of Holy Mass, to practice the Lenten Disciplines of Prayer, Fasting and Almsgiving. There are all sort of different ways that we can make our Lenten journey special. The daily reading of our Bible; there are a variety of spiritual books that you can read, e.g. Jesus and the Jewish Roots of the Eucharist by Brant Pitre. No Greater Love by Edward Sri. The Decline and Fall of Sacred Scripture – By Scott Hahn & Benjamin Wiker. 40 Days of Lent Journey to Easter – By Catholic Common Prayers. There are also the spiritual classics, and many more. All of these can be obtained through Amazon.
May God Bless You All
FIRST HOLY COMMUNION PROGRAMME 2022: The next class after half-term will be on Sunday 27th February 2022. It is imperative that all the First Communion Children and their families are present each week at Sunday Mass. Mt thanks to all the parents who turned up for the Parents Meeting given by Dr Paul Doherty OBE. There was truly a wonderful turnout and Dr Doherty was excellent on the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Please keep all of the children in your prayers as they continue their sacramental preparation.
RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS Our next m eeting will take place at the presbytery on Thursday 17th February at 7.30pm. Theme: Mary – Mother of God, Mother of the Church. Prayer – The Lifeline between ourselves and God – Methods of Prayer. If you want to know more about the programme, and the whole RCIA process, please contact Fr John, Tel No: 0208 508 3492
THRESHOLDS OF HOPE QUESTION: What do devotions to Mary tell us about her Son, Jesus? Input will be given by Fr Michael Barwick, assistant parish priest of Our Lady and St George, Walthamstow today, Sunday 13th February, 4.00 – 5.00p.m. via Zoom. To join this Zoom meeting simply forward a contact email to adultformationvicariate@dioceseofbrentwood.org. For more information go to www.thresholdsofhope.co.uk
EPPING FOREST FOODBANK DONATIONS: Thank you to all parishioners who continue to generously donate items for the Foodbank. They are truly grateful for the generosity our parish has shown 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: UHT milk, laundry powder and tablets, tinned tomatoes, sponge puddings, cleaning spray / cloths, instant mash, toilet paper, chocolate bars, rice pudding and jam. Thank you! You can also keep up to date with the Foodbank news via their Facebook page:
VISITATION OF THE SICK & HOUSEBOUND: In the latest guidelines from the Bishops’ Conference we have now been given permission once again to resume our visitation of sick & housebound parishioners. If anyone would like a visit or receive Holy Communion at home, please contact Fr John.
SPECIAL APPEAL TO ALL PARISHIONERS
DIFFERENT WAYS TO HELP YOUR PARISH: There are all sorts of ministries in the life of faith and the Church; please would you consider joining one of the following:-
Parish Readers: You may have thought it would be good to become a Reader at Holy Mass; please see Fr John if you’re interested.
The Parish Altar Society: has been running for over 70 years. This involves keeping the Church in pristine condition through cleaning and care. It’s always good to have more volunteers to go onto the Rota. E.g. there is the cleaning of the church, cleaning of windows, Cleaning of Sacristies, Cleaning of the Organ Loft, Care of Sanctuary, Washing of Altar Linens, Cleaning of the Brass; if you can help in any way whatsoever, please contact Fr John or Sharon Fitzmaurice.
Additional Catechists: Helping to teach the faith to our Children through Sacramental Preparation. Communicating the truths of faith to our little ones is really a wonderful ministry, and can be very rewarding spiritually to both child and Catechist alike. There is always need for further help with this very important ministry.
Altar Serving: We are always looking for new Altar Servers. Sadly, we lost a lot of our Severs during the Pandemic, who have decided not to return to weekly serving. If your child has made their First Holy Communion, and would like to serve please speak to Fr. John.
Joining the Choir or Contemporary Music Group: If you enjoy singing, or that you’re a musician, you may consider joining our Choir or the Contemporary Music Group. These two groups meet regularly for practice, and enrich our Sunday Liturgy.
Volunteer Gardeners for St Edmund’s Church grounds: We don’t have a lot of property at St Edmund’s, but if anyone has green fingers, and would like to help keep the front garden and hedges, shrubs and grounds tidy, I would be most grateful. Please call Fr. John. Tel No: 020 8508 3492
PLEASE CONSIDER THESE SUGGESTIONS; WE ALL HAVE SOMETHING TO OFFER ALMIGHTY GOD THROUGH OUR TALENTS.
Bishop’s Certificate in Catechesis and Youth Ministry:The Bishop’s Certificate isdesigned to be an entry level qualification to help in the ongoing formation of adults involved in sacramental preparation or youth ministry in the Diocese of Brentwood. It includes both the development of practical skills & the deepening of theological knowledge.The course is online and taught through engaging, short videos with expert interviews. The course will begin on the evening of 24th February, with an introduction and welcome evening, held at Walsingham House at Abbotswick. For more information please see our website: https://bcys.net/bishops-cert/ or email your expression of interest to bishopscertificate@dioceseofbrentwood.org by Monday 22nd February.
BE PART OF THE WALSINGHAM HOUSE TEAM 2022/23
If you are 18+ and looking for an exciting gap year opportunity, then a year on the Walsingham House Team could be for you. Spend a year as a volunteer in a thriving young Catholic Community, working with thousands of young people from Essex and East London. We are looking for inspiring individuals who want to share their faith with other young people and are also looking to learn new skills, grow deeper in their own faith and enjoy a challenge. For more information please contact Joseph Beattie, manager of Walsingham House, by emailing josephbeattie@dioceseofbrentwood.org or calling 01277 373959. There is more information about our work on our website (www.bcys.net) and social media @Brentwoodcys
BCYS SUMMER LOURDES PILGRIMAGE 2022: 23rd – 30th July 2022. Join the Youth pilgrimage to Lourdes this Summer, assisting pilgrims to Masses, services, shops and cafes of the beautiful French town, take part in retreats and a youth led reconciliation service, visit the baths and the stunning mountain town of Gavarnie, experience the amazing Lourdes processions, as well as social nights, party and so much more! The cost is £625 for the week, and is open to all those in school year 11 and above (funding and grant opportunities are available).
You can email gabriellafusi@dioceseofbrentwood.org or visit www.bcys.net/events/sl22 to find out more and apply now! The deadline for applications is Sunday 20th February.
THE DIOCESAN LOURDES PILGRIMAGE: led by Bishop Alan, will take place from Sunday 24 – Friday 29 July in Lourdes. Brochures for the pilgrimage, which will include costs, will be available soon. For further information contact Cathy O’Connor: cathy@dioceseofbrentwood.org or 07813 710070.
IRREGULAR MARRIAGES: An Irregualr Marriage is one that 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
A SUNDAY EVENING PARISH YOUTH MASS: We’ve had a couple of these popular and enjoyable Masses over the past few years and hopefully we’ll be able to organise one, possibly in the New Year. The idea would be that you could get involved with the music and the readings and make it your own celebration. Hopefully, we will also have a social gathering in the hall afterwards
PARISH FINANCES: As you can appreciate, during this pandemic the parish income took a severe hit, and we are still not back at the same levels as we were prior to 2020. My sincere and grateful thanks to those who have signed up for online giving and Gift Aid, this is helping. Many parishioners have not returned to the regular practice of faith, and many Gift Aid boxes were not collected this year. Please consider your weekly offertory to God.
ADVERT: The Governing Body of St. Antony’s Catholic Primary School wishes to appoint a talented SEN Learning Support Assistant preferably with experience of working with children with ASD to come and join our inclusive Primary school. For more information, please visit our website http://www.stantonyscatholicps.co.uk/vacancies
CLOSING DATE: Wednesday 9th March 2022(Noon) INTERVIEWS: Friday 11th March 2022
DATE FOR YOUR DIARY: Fr John’s Fortieth Anniversary of Ordination. As this was unable to take place last year, due to the Pandemic. It has been rescheduled to Friday 8th July 2022, with concelebrated Mass with Bishop Alan, Priests of the Diocese, Family & Visitors from all over the world, and of course, My Parish Family here at St. Edmund’s. It would be helpful to form a working party to arrange the event. I have already spoken to our Parish Music Director with regards to Music & the Liturgy.
DIARY JANUARY – FEBRUARY 2022
PLEASE PRAY FOR THOSE SICK IN OUR PARISH
Carmen Antaki, Margaret Baldwin, Evelyn Bearne, Karl Britz, Carlos Camacho, Jane Downs, Steve Dalgliesh, Pat Fenn, Veronica Godsave, Bernadette Hall, Ann Hawkes, Claire Howes, Jackie Ilines, Noel Johnson, Shaun Keel, Bridget Kinsella, Angela Long, Lilian Mothersole, John McKernan, Rosemary O’Rourke, Kathleen Pomeroy, Geraldine Taylor, Vera Taylor, Mary Witten, James Wright. And all our loved ones.
ANNIVERSARIES: Celia Rowe RIP, Patricia Gardner RIP, Eileen Bevan RIP. Please pray for all whose anniversaries occur at this time and for all of our deceased loved ones, Requiescant in Pace.
SPECIAL APPEAL To all our parishioners who contribute to your parish weekly. Would you please consider to transferring your weekly offertory over to a Direct Debit. With the closing of the local HSBC Bank it has been quite difficult paying in the Offertory, and with many banks now only offering a machine deposit service. Please think about this request. Thank you!
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:
Or you can use Parish Bank Account: Using Online Banking HSBC Sort Code 40-13-22PLEASE BE GENEROUS IN YOUR Account Number: 11019651GIFT TO GOD & HIS CHURCH
MARRIAGES FOR 2022: If anyone is planning on getting married in 2022, please could you make contact with Fr. John at the beginning of January. For those getting married in the parish we normally ask for six months’ notice; for those getting married outside of the parish at least nine months’ notice. The documentation and preparation takes quite a long time and organising Marriage Preparation Courses through Marriage Care in the responsibility of the Couple. To avoid any disappointments, please make contact as soon as possible.
MASS INTENTIONS – FEBRUARY 2022
Sat 12th
10.00am
Sarah McQuade RIP (Margaret Duffy)
Vigil Mass for Sunday. Confessions at 5.30pm
Sat 12th
6.00pm
David Faud RIP (Faud & Murphy Families)
Sun 13th
9.00am
Eileen Lee 90th B’day Int’s. (Bridget Kinsella)
Sun 13th
11:00am
Ellen Manley RIP (Manley Family)
Mon 14th
9.00am
Shane Neary (sick) Maureen Perry
Tues 15th
10.00am
Fr John’s 67th Birthday Intentions
Wed 16th
10.00am
Joan O’Sullivan’s Intentions
Thurs 17th
10.00am
John McDowell RIP (Teresa Gunn)
Fri 18th
10.00am
Paddy Mulhern RIP (E Hadley)
Sat 19th
10.00am
Sylvester Duff Int’s (M Ryan)
Vigil Mass for Sunday. Confessions at 5.30pm
Sat 19th
6.00pm
Mary Yeung (Esther Penn)
Sun 20th
9.00am
James McLay RIP (Sue & John Campbell)
Sun 20th
11:00am
David Bloomfield RIP (Doris DeSouza Brady)
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.
The Brentwood Diocesan Trust Registered Charity No. 234092
6th Sunday in Ordinary Time
First Reading : Jeremiah 17:5-8
The Lord says this:
‘A curse on the man who puts his trust in man,
who relies on things of flesh,
whose heart turns from the Lord.
He is like dry scrub in the wastelands:
if good comes, he has no eyes for it,
he settles in the parched places of the wilderness,
a salt land, uninhabited.
‘A blessing on the man who puts his trust in the Lord,
with the Lord for his hope.
He is like a tree by the waterside
that thrusts its roots to the stream:
when the heat comes it feels no alarm,
its foliage stays green;
it has no worries in a year of drought,
and never ceases to bear fruit.’
Responsorial Psalm : Psalm 1:1-4,6
Happy the man who has placed his trust in the Lord.
Happy indeed is the man
who follows not the counsel of the wicked;
nor lingers in the way of sinners
nor sits in the company of scorners,
but whose delight is the law of the Lord
and who ponders his law day and night.
Happy the man who has placed his trust in the Lord.
He is like a tree that is planted
beside the flowing waters,
that yields its fruit in due season
and whose leaves shall never fade;
and all that he does shall prosper.
Happy the man who has placed his trust in the Lord.
Not so are the wicked, not so!
For they like winnowed chaff
shall be driven away by the wind:
for the Lord guards the way of the just
but the way of the wicked leads to doom.
Happy the man who has placed his trust in the Lord.
Second Reading :1 Corinthians 15:12,16-20
If Christ, raised from the dead is what has been preached, how can some of you be saying that there is no resurrection of the dead? For if the dead are not raised, Christ has not been raised, and if Christ has not been raised, you are still in your sins. And what is more serious, all who have died in Christ have perished. If our hope in Christ has been for this life only, we are the most unfortunate of all people.
But Christ has in fact been raised from the dead, the first-fruits of all who have fallen asleep.
Gospel : Luke 6:17,20-26
Jesus came down with the Twelve and stopped at a piece of level ground where there was a large gathering of his disciples with a great crowd of people from all parts of Judaea and from Jerusalem and from the coastal region of Tyre and Sidon. Then fixing his eyes on his disciples he said:
‘How happy are you who are poor: yours is the kingdom of God.
Happy you who are hungry now: you shall be satisfied.
Happy you who weep now: you shall laugh.
Happy are you when people hate you, drive you out, abuse you, denounce your name as criminal, on account of the Son of Man. Rejoice when that day comes and dance for joy, for then your reward will be great in heaven. This was the way their ancestors treated the prophets.
‘But alas for you who are rich: you are having your consolation now.
Alas for you who have your fill now: you shall go hungry.
Alas for you who laugh now: you shall mourn and weep.
‘Alas for you when the world speaks well of you! This was the way their ancestors treated the false prophets.’
We crossed into a new millennium over twenty years ago and a new stage of the Church’s journey began. At the heart of this new adventure was the new evangelisation, a fresh, new and dynamic momentum to ‘put out into the deep’, or ‘Duc in Altum’. Peter and his fellow disciples trusted Jesus’ words and cast their nets, and, ‘When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break.’
These words, ‘put out into the deep’, still ring out today, inviting us to remember the past with gratitude, live the present with enthusiasm, and look forward to the future with confidence, because, ‘Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and for ever.’
To ‘put out into the deep is related primarily to evangelisation, of winning souls for Christ. Jesus is the goal of history and the One Saviour of the world. The Church and the Spirit cry out in unity, ‘Marantha’ or, ‘Come, Lord Jesus’. He is also the goal and purpose of our lives, and the limits test of faith is always: do you know Jesus Christ our Lord? For in knowing and loving him we can become strengthened in grace and desire to share this blessing with others.
We are called not to be afraid but to be fishers of men and women. We are called to understand the deep desires and longings of every human heart, but to do this we must first understand our own. We thirst to know the Living God. We cry out to show his mercy and forgiveness in such a way that the deep joy and happiness well up within.
The Spirit is the One who quenches thirst and brings new life. This is God’s merciful love which was made known in Christ. When we come to touch his goodness, kindness and compassion our hearts sing out: ‘O give thanks to the Lord for his is good; his steadfast love endures forever.’ We are ambassadors of God’s mercy, channels of his love, and witnesses of his goodness and kindness.
My Dear Friends in Christ, 5th Sunday of the Year, 2022
This weekend we welcome back Seminarians from the Pontifical North American College. It’s been two years since the seminarians visited us regularly due to the Covid Pandemic. The four guys have been here for a few days visiting London and return on Sunday afternoon to Rome. Please extend them you usual warm hospitality. Also on Monday a Student Priest, Fr Kirby Rust will be visiting from Rome for a few days; once again please extend him your welcome!
Last weekend we sang at all of the Masses. It was so good to receive so much positive comment. The new hymn books are an updated version of Celebration for Everyone, and have over a thousand pieces of music, hymns, psalms, mass settings etc. It is good to get back to some semblance of normality once again and to be able to celebrate Mass in a normal manner, without excluding various parts of the Mass. The Holy Eucharist (The Mass), is the once occasions when we all gather together united in faith to celebrate the beauty of Jesus Christ’s love for us. And as he gives himself to us in Holy Communion our lives are transformed.
I would like to make an impassioned appeal to all those who have not yet returned to Holy Mass (if you are reading this newsletter) since the Pandemic; to think about your lives of faith, and to seriously ask yourselves do you still want to be a part of the Catholic Church? You are all probably well aware that many have not returned. Sadly, a lot of families have not been here for nearly two years. I was listening to a programme on Radio 4 the other day about how quickly a habit can become adopted in a person’s life. It stated that it takes approximately three months to get out of a regular habit; others have said 21 days. As stated, it’s nearly two years for some who have got out of the Catholic (habit) practice of faith at Sunday Mass. My genuine worry and concern is for children, and young adults, who may believe that it is no longer necessary to be part of a worshipping community. The decisions we make now in our lives have a long-term effect on the future, and more importantly, on our future eternal salvation. Please think about these issues!
VISITATION OF THE SICK & HOUSEBOUND: In the latest guidelines from the Bishops’ Conference we have now been given permission once again to resume our visitation of sick & housebound parishioners. If anyone would like a visit or receive Holy Communion at home, please contact Fr John.
Have a Blessed Week & Keep safe & well
FIRST HOLY COMMUNION PROGRAMME 2022: The class will be on Sunday 6th January 2022. It is imperative that all the First Communion Children and their families are present each week at Sunday Mass. Please note that the next Parents’ Meeting will take place on Wednesday 9th February at 7.30pm. Dr Paul Doherty will give the talk. The subject will be the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Please keep all of the children in your prayers as they continue their sacramental preparation
RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS We will next meet on Thursday 10th February at the Presbytery. Theme: Eschatology – Study of the four last things; Death, Judement, Heaven & Hell. If you want to know more about the programme, and the whole RCIA process, please contact Fr John, Tel No: 0208 508 3492 or Email: loughton@dioceseofbrentwood.org
THRESHOLDS OF HOPE QUESTIONS: Will be given by Fr Martin Hardy, Parish Priest of St Thomas of Canterbury, Grays, on Sunday 6th February, 4.00 – 5.00 p.m. Theme Question: What does it mean to talk about a woman as Mother of God and Mother of the Church? If you would like to join this Zoom meeting simply forward a contact email to adultformationvicariate@dioceseofbrentwood.org. For more information go to www.thresholdsofhope.co.uk
PARISH UNIFORM GROUPS: On Sunday 6th February we will have a Parish Uniform Group Church Parade at the 11.00am Mass. I would like to thank all the Leaders who have helped to organise this. It will be wonderful to welcome back out Uniform Groups after a two year pause because to the Pandemic. Please encourage all the children in the groups to wear their uniforms. To bear witness to God and to Jesus Christ as young children and teenagers is truly a wonderful testament in the life of faith. The Uniform Groups has been going for over 70 years in our parish, which is incredible!
EPPING FOREST FOODBANK DONATIONS: Thank you to all parishioners who continue to generously donate items for the Foodbank. They are truly grateful for the generosity our parish has shown 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: UHT milk, laundry powder and tablets, tinned tomatoes, sponge puddings, cleaning spray / cloths, instant mash, toilet paper, chocolate bars, rice pudding and jam. Thank you! You can also keep up to date with the Foodbank news via their Facebook page:
MARRIAGES FOR 2022: If anyone is planning on getting married in 2022, please could you make contact with Fr. John at the beginning of January. For those getting married in the parish we normally ask for six months’ notice; for those getting married outside of the parish at least nine months’ notice. The documentation and preparation takes quite a long time and organising Marriage Preparation Courses through Marriage Care in the responsibility of the Couple. To avoid any disappointments, please make contact as soon as possible.
SPECIAL APPEAL TO ALL PARISHIONERS
DIFFERENT WAYS TO HELP YOUR PARISH: There are all sorts of ministries in the life of faith and the Church; please would you consider joining one of the following:-
Parish Readers: You may have thought it would be good to become a Reader at Holy Mass; please see Fr John if you’re interested.
The Parish Altar Society: has been running for over 70 years. This involves keeping the Church in pristine condition through cleaning and care. It’s always good to have more volunteers to go onto the Rota. E.g. there is the cleaning of the church, cleaning of windows, Cleaning of Sacristies, Cleaning of the Organ Loft, Care of Sanctuary, Washing of Altar Linens, Cleaning of the Brass; if you can help in any way whatsoever, please contact Fr John or Sharon Fitzmaurice.
Additional Catechists: Helping to teach the faith to our Children through Sacramental Preparation. Communicating the truths of faith to our little ones is really a wonderful ministry, and can be very rewarding spiritually to both child and Catechist alike. There is always need for further help with this very important ministry.
Altar Serving: We are always looking for new Altar Servers. Sadly, we lost a lot of our Severs during the Pandemic, who have decided not to return to weekly serving. If your child has made their First Holy Communion, and would like to serve please speak to Fr. John.
Joining the Choir or Contemporary Music Group: If you enjoy singing, or that you’re a musician, you may consider joining our Choir or the Contemporary Music Group. These two groups meet regularly for practice, and enrich our Sunday Liturgy.
Volunteer Gardeners for St Edmund’s Church grounds: We don’t have a lot of property at St Edmund’s, but if anyone has green fingers, and would like to help keep the front garden and hedges, shrubs and grounds tidy, I would be most grateful. Please call Fr. John. Tel No: 020 8508 3492
PLEASE CONSIDER THESE SUGGESTIONS; WE ALL HAVE SOMETHING TO OFFER ALMIGHTY GOD THROUGH OUR TALENTS.
DIARY JANUARY – FEBRUARY 2022
PLEASE PRAY FOR THOSE SICK IN OUR PARISH
Carmen Antaki, Margaret Baldwin, Evelyn Bearne, Karl Britz, Carlos Camacho, Jane Downs, Steve Dalgliesh, Pat Fenn, Veronica Godsave, Bernadette Hall, Ann Hawkes, Claire Howes, Jackie Ilines, Noel Johnson, Shaun Keel, Bridget Kinsella, Angela Long, Lilian Mothersole, John McKernan, Rosemary O’Rourke, Kathleen Pomeroy, Geraldine Taylor, Vera Taylor, Mary Witten, James Wright. And all our loved ones.
ANNIVERSARIES: Celia Rowe RIP, Patricia Gardner RIP, Eileen Bevan RIP. Please pray for all whose anniversaries occur at this time and for all of our deceased loved ones, Requiescant in Pace.
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:
Or you can use Parish Bank Account: Using Online Banking HSBC Sort Code 40-13-22PLEASE BE GENEROUS IN YOUR Account Number: 11019651GIFT TO GOD & HIS CHURCH
SPECIAL APPEAL To all our parishioners who contribute to your parish weekly. Would you please consider to transferring your weekly offertory over to a Direct Debit. With the closing of the local HSBC Bank it has been quite difficult paying in the Offertory, and with many banks now only offering a machine deposit service. Please think about this request. Thank you!
Bishop’s Certificate in Catechesis and Youth Ministry:The Bishop’s Certificate isdesigned to be an entry level qualification to help in the ongoing formation of adults involved in sacramental preparation or youth ministry in the Diocese of Brentwood. It includes both the development of practical skills & the deepening of theological knowledge.The course is online and taught through engaging, short videos with expert interviews. The course will begin on the evening of 24th February, with an introduction and welcome evening, held at Walsingham House at Abbotswick. For more information please see our website: https://bcys.net/bishops-cert/ or email your expression of interest to bishopscertificate@dioceseofbrentwood.org by Monday 22nd February.
BE PART OF THE WALSINGHAM HOUSE TEAM 2022/23
If you are 18+ and looking for an exciting gap year opportunity, then a year on the Walsingham House Team could be for you. Spend a year as a volunteer in a thriving young Catholic Community, working with thousands of young people from Essex and East London. We are looking for inspiring individuals who want to share their faith with other young people and are also looking to learn new skills, grow deeper in their own faith and enjoy a challenge. For more information please contact Joseph Beattie, manager of Walsingham House, by emailing josephbeattie@dioceseofbrentwood.org or calling 01277 373959. There is more information about our work on our website (www.bcys.net) and social media @Brentwoodcys
A SUNDAY EVENING PARISH YOUTH MASS: We’ve had a couple of these popular and enjoyable Masses over the past few years and hopefully we’ll be able to organise one, possibly in the New Year. The idea would be that you could get involved with the music and the readings and make it your own celebration. Hopefully, we will also have a social gathering in the hall afterwards
BCYS SUMMER LOURDES PILGRIMAGE: 2022: 23rd – 30th July 2022.
Applications are now open for our summer pilgrimage to Lourdes for those in Years 11-13, with thoseof school leaver age (18+) invited to join us as young leaders. This is one of our most popular events and after a 2 year gap we are excited to be returning next year. The week is spent travelling alongside the main Diocesan pilgrimage as we assist the elderly and infirm with going to Masses and services, as well as visiting shops and cafes within the town. For those travelling with the BCYS the week will also include a retreat, reconciliation service, as well as social events and a party. Please see www.bcys.net/events/sl22/ for more information including visas, vaccinations and how to apply
WHAT IS A MASS INTENTION?: Anyone can request a Mass intention. They can be offered for all occasions: – For someone who has recently passed away; Anniversary of a death, Birthdays, for someone who is sick, A person’s feast day, Private & special intentions, for success in exams or an interview, the beginning of a new school year. Etc. Their origin goes back to medieval times, when people would make a request for a Mass and as an offering would provide the priest with his daily allowance. So the Mass Stipend (the offering given) was to keep the priest for a day. If anyone would like to Book a Mass Intention, there are Mass envelopes in the porch of the church, complete the Intention and place your offering inside, and leave at the Presbytery. The priest will try to accommodate your request as soon as possible. For anniversary Masses, please ensure that you drop your Mass Intention Envelope off several weeks in advance, as many people book their anniversary masses at the beginning of the year. This saves any disappointment if a particular date has already been requested.
IRREGULAR MARRIAGES: An Irregualr Marriage is one that 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
PARISH FINANCES: As you can appreciate, during this pandemic the parish income took a severe hit, and we are still not back at the same levels as we were prior to 2020. My sincere and grateful thanks to those who have signed up for online giving and Gift Aid, this is helping. Many parishioners have not returned to the regular practice of faith, and many Gift Aid boxes were not collected this year. Please consider your weekly offertory to God.
DIOCESAN YEAR BOOK: Is now available for purchase from the Parish Repository. It cost £2.80. It really is worth investing in a Yearbook, as it gives all the latest details of parishes, priests’ addresses, statistics, general information about the Catholic Faith and the Church. PLEASE BUY ONE! Available in the Porch.
MASS INTENTIONS – FEBRUARY 2022
Sat 5th
10.00am
Peter Smith RIP (Paul Falco)
Vigil Mass for Sunday. Confessions at 5.30pm
Sat 5th
6.00pm
David Faud RIP (1st Anni) (Teresa Faud & Family)
Sun 6th
9.00am
Dennis Randall RIP (Daly Family)
Sun 6th
11:00am
Alois Slisz RIP (Stefan Slisz)
Mon 7th
10.00am
Pat O’Donoghue RIP (G O’Donoghue)
Tues 8thFebruary
10.00am
Alan & Doreen Wiltshire RIP (The Smith family)
Wed 9th
10.00am
Beryl Walsh RIP (Eddie & Mary Pointer)
Thurs 10th
10.00am
Grace Skinner’s Int’s (John O’Rourke)
Fri 11th
10.00am
Mary Walstow RIP (Frank Westcott)
Sat 12th
10.00am
Sarah McQuade RIP (Margaret Duffy)
Vigil Mass for Sunday. Confessions at 5.30pm
Sat 12th
6.00pm
David Faud RIP (Faud & Murphy Families)
Sun 13th
9.00am
Eileen Lee 90th B’day Int’s. (Bridget Kinsella)
Sun 13th
11:00am
Ellen Manley RIP (Manley Family)
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.
The Brentwood Diocesan Trust Registered Charity No. 234092
5th Sunday in Ordinary Time
First Reading : Isaiah 6:1-2,3-8
In the year of King Uzziah’s death I saw the Lord of Hosts seated on a high throne; his train filled the sanctuary; above him stood seraphs, each one with six wings.
And they cried out to one another in this way,
‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of Hosts.
His glory fills the whole earth.’
The foundations of the threshold shook with the voice of the one who cried out, and the Temple was filled with smoke. I said:
‘What a wretched state I am in! I am lost,
for I am a man of unclean lips
and I live among a people of unclean lips,
and my eyes have looked at the King, the Lord of Hosts.’
Then one of the seraphs flew to me, holding in his hand a live coal which he had taken from the altar with a pair of tongs. With this he touched my mouth and said:
‘See now, this has touched your lips,
your sin is taken away,
your iniquity is purged.’
Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying:
‘Whom shall I send? Who will be our messenger?’
I answered, ‘Here I am, send me.’
Responsorial Psalm : Psalm 137(138):1-5,7-8
Before the angels I will bless you, O Lord.
I thank you, Lord, with all my heart:
you have heard the words of my mouth.
In the presence of the angels I will bless you.
I will adore before your holy temple.
Before the angels I will bless you, O Lord.
I thank you for your faithfulness and love,
which excel all we ever knew of you.
On the day I called, you answered;
you increased the strength of my soul.
Before the angels I will bless you, O Lord.
All earth’s kings shall thank you
when they hear the words of your mouth.
They shall sing of the Lord’s ways:
‘How great is the glory of the Lord!’
Before the angels I will bless you, O Lord.
You stretch out your hand and save me,
your hand will do all things for me.
Your love, O Lord, is eternal,
discard not the work of your hands.
Before the angels I will bless you, O Lord.
Second Reading : 1 Corinthians 15:1-11
Brothers, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, the gospel that you received and in which you are firmly established; because the gospel will save you only if you keep believing exactly what I preached to you – believing anything else will not lead to anything.
Well then, in the first place, I taught you what I had been taught myself, namely that Christ died for our sins, in accordance with the scriptures; that he was buried; and that he was raised to life on the third day, in accordance with the scriptures; that he appeared first to Cephas and secondly to the Twelve. Next he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still alive, though some have died; then he appeared to James, and then to all the apostles; and last of all he appeared to me too; it was as though I was born when no one expected it.
I am the least of the apostles; in fact, since I persecuted the Church of God, I hardly deserve the name apostle; but by God’s grace that is what I am, and the grace that he gave me has not been fruitless. On the contrary, I, or rather the grace of God that is with me, have worked harder than any of the others; but what matters is that I preach what they preach, and this is what you all believed.
Gospel : Luke 5:1-11
Jesus was standing one day by the Lake of Gennesaret, with the crowd pressing round him listening to the word of God, when he caught sight of two boats close to the bank. The fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. He got into one of the boats – it was Simon’s – and asked him to put out a little from the shore. Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat.
When he had finished speaking he said to Simon, ‘Put out into deep water and pay out your nets for a catch.’ ‘Master,’ Simon replied, ‘we worked hard all night long and caught nothing, but if you say so, I will pay out the nets.’ And when they had done this they netted such a huge number of fish that their nets began to tear, so they signalled to their companions in the other boat to come and help them; when these came, they filled the two boats to sinking point.
When Simon Peter saw this he fell at the knees of Jesus saying, ‘Leave me, Lord; I am a sinful man.’ For he and all his companions were completely overcome by the catch they had made; so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were Simon’s partners. But Jesus said to Simon, ‘Do not be afraid; from now on it is men you will catch.’ Then, bringing their boats back to land, they left everything and followed him.
