Fourth Sunday of Advent

WEEKDAY MASS TIMES

Week Starting 23rd Mon 9:30am,Tues 9:30am, Christmas Mass Times Listed below, Thursday 11:00am, Friday 9:30am  

Week starting 30th Monday, Thursday & Friday 9:30am/ Wednesday 11:00am and NO MASS TUESDAY 31st.

CHRISTMAS  MASS TIMES

Christmas Eve, Tuesday 24 December

5pm – Family Mass with a Nativity Tableaux

7pm Vigil Mass

9:30pm – Carols before Mass

10pm – Mass during the night.

Christmas Day – Wednesday 25 December

9am and 11am

NOTE FROM FR ADRIAN

Father Adrian, and our visiting priests, Father Chris and Father Frank, wish everyone a very happy and holy Christmas.  May God bless you and your families abundantly during this season and in the New Year.

CHRISTMAS  OFFERINGS 

Your offering at Christmas Masses is your gift to the Parish Priest and forms a major part of his income for the year.  If you are making a payment online via your bank as a special collection, please indicate this is a Christmas Offering.  You can gift aid your offerings as usual. Thank you.

CHRISTMAS CHURCH CLEAN

On Monday 23rd at 10:00am there will be a Cleaning of the Church for Christmas. Please come along if you are able to help. 

CHRISTMAS HAMPER APPEAL

Thank you to everyone who helped with our parish hamper appeal – those who contributed prizes, bought tickets, supported the coffee morning and especially those who organised this fundraising event for our parish.  We raised £1537.  Well done everyone!

LITURGICAL EVENTS AT BRENTWOOD CATHEDRAL

Please join us on Sunday 22nd December at 4pm lasting about an hour and a half in Brentwood Cathedral for our annual Service of Nine Lesson’s and Carols. This is a most beautiful Service of Music and Readings for Advent and Christmas and perhaps the high point of the Cathedral Choir’s Choral Year. There will be mince pies and mulled wines in the Cathedral Hall afterwards.

In addition to the Choir Carols there are also popular Carols for everyone to sing. The Choir will be accompanied by Stephen King, the Cathedral Organist. A wonderful celebration in preparation for Christmas. All are welcome!

ADORATION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT EPIPHANY SUNDAY 5 JANUARY

Please join us,  4-5 pm on Sunday 5 January, to pray for the Parish, the intentions of all families and the Life Group.

You are very welcome to pop in for tea afterwards.

JUBILEE YEAR

The Holy Father has decided that 2025 will be a year of Jubilee, something which happens every 25 years.   In the Catholic Church, the concept of Jubilee or ‘Holy Year’ was used to declare special years for forgiveness and reconciliation.

The theme for 2025 is ‘Pilgrims of Hope’, and it will be a year of hope for a world suffering the impacts of war, the ongoing effects of COVID-19 pandemic, and a climate crisis.

The Jubilee of Hope will begin in December 2024 with Pope Francis opening the ‘holy door’ in St. Peter’s Basilica, offering the world’s 1.3 billion Catholics the possibility of obtaining a plenary indulgence and a year of special graces. The Jubilee of Hope will end on the feast of the Epiphany in 2026.

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference has produced a number of Jubilee resources for parishes: Living the Jubilee in our churches – Catholic Bishops’ Conference

For more on the Jubilee go to: Unpacking the Jubilee – Catholic Bishops’ Conference

For more information on the Vatican’s Jubilee Year go to: www.giubileo-2025.it/en

PLEASE PRAY FOR THOSE WHO ARE SICK

Margaret Baldwin, Evelyn Bearne, Karl Britz, Brenda Bryant, Bernadette Hall, Ann Hawkes, Claire Howes, Angela Long, Lilian Mothersole, John McKernan, Remy, Geraldine Taylor, James Wright, Pamela Gibson, Geraldine Stains, Linda Moriarty, Andrew Godsave, Victoria Leahy, Jean Collins, Barbara Searl, Amelia Burns, 

         Lyn Povey, Mason Family and all our loved ones who are unwell.

Third Sunday of Advent

WEEKDAY MASS TIMES THIS WEEK

Masses during the week are on Monday, Wednesday,Thursday and Friday at 9:30am. 

Please note there is No Mass on Tuesday. There is a Funeral on Monday 16th Dec at 12:15pm. 

GRAND PRIZE DRAW WITH CHRISTMAS HAMPERS

Please join us for “Coffee, Cake and Carols” from 12 Noon on Sunday 15th December in the Parish Hall for our annual “Great Christmas Hamper Draw”. Raffle tickets can still be purchased after the masses and online by emailing Iain at bloggeriain@gmail.com

SACRAMENT  OF RECONCILIATION (Confessions) – Monday 16 December 7pm

There will be three priests available to hear confessions. Confessions will also be available in Polish. A priest is always available for confession every Saturday evening from 5-5:45pm and on request at any reasonable time.

CHRISTMAS  OFFERINGS 

Your offering at Christmas Masses is your gift to the Parish Priest and forms a major part of his income for the year.  If you are making a payment online via your bank as a special collection, please indicate this is a Christmas Offering.  You can gift aid your offerings as usual.  Thank you.

CHRISTMAS  MASS TIMES

Christmas Eve, Tuesday 24 December

5pm – Family Mass with a Nativity Tableaux

7pm Vigil Mass

9:30pm – Carols before Mass

10pm – Mass during the night.

Christmas Day – Wednesday 25 December

9am and 11am

CHRISTMAS NATIVITY

We are continuing rehearsals for our wonderful Christmas Nativity which takes place at the 5pm Christmas Eve Mass. The rehearsal dates are 15th and 22nd December straight after 11am Mass. These generally will last no longer than 30 minutes. Should you have any queries please do not hesitate to contact us on 07946138307. Sam and Danielle.

LITURGICAL EVENTS AT BRENTWOOD CATHEDRAL

Please join us on Sunday 22nd December at 4pm lasting about an hour and a quarter in Brentwood Cathedral for our annual Service of Nine Lesson’s and Carols. This is a most beautiful Service of Music and Readings for Advent and Christmas and perhaps the high point of the Cathedral Choir’s Choral Year. 

It is always very popular and well attended.  

In addition to the Choir Carols there are also popular Carols for everyone to sing.  The Choir will be accompanied by Stephen King, the Cathedral Organist. A wonderful celebration in preparation for Christmas. All are welcome!

BAPTISMS

If there are parents wishing to have their children baptised at St. Edmund of Canterbury please could you kindly contact your parish priest Fr Adrian Lowe as soon as possible. For first time parents there is a Baptismal Programme run by Mrs Sharon Chalk. Baptisms take place on Saturdays at 12.30pm

OUR CHRISTMAS MARANATHA AT THE SION COMMUNITY

Sawyers Hall Lane, Brentwood, CM15 9BX, is on Thursday 18th December.  The evening begins with Mass at 7pm followed by Prayer and Praise and Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament.  Our Celebrant is Fr. Paschal Uche and everyone is very welcome.

ST EDMUNDS of CANTERBURY CATHOLIC PARISH

(Financial Accounts Summary for Fiscal Year 2023 to 2024)

Overall, the parish statement of income and expenditure for the financial year ended 2023-2024 showed a deficit of £1.3k, which is a significant improvement on the previous year deficit of £60.4k [which, of course, included some significant exceptional repair costs to the Church]. The target for the current financial year 2024-2025 is to achieve a positive surplus of £25.4k. 

The parish income including second collections for 2023-2024 [£157k] was broadly in line with the previous year [£164k], and is expected to increase to over £200k for the current year. This is mainly attributed to an increase in the gift aid monies of 2022-2023 and 2023-2024, which are expected to be received in this current year collectively, and a 3% increase in the offertory collection channels. 

Budgeted Expenditure has increased in total from £158k to £176k for the year 2023-2024. The reason for the increase are extraordinary costs such as ordination costs. 

Note that in the previous financial year 2023-2024, we had a fire audit and a health and safety audit, which have led to the expected additional repair costs in the 2024-2025 financial year. We can confirm at this stage of the current financial year that, except for the fire audit, all recommendations have been implemented, accounted for and passed on re-inspection.

For queries or questions about the accounts, please contact loughton@brcdt.org.

John Fitzmaurice, Chairperson Parish Finance Group

“AWAKE LONDON”

A Catholic Bible convention and Healing ministry on Saturday  21st December 2024 from 11am to 5 pm led by Fr.Shinoj Francis  and Anointing Fire Catholic Ministry UK at Catholic Parish of Christ The King, 455 Chingford Road London,E4 8SP. Convention includes: Praise and Worship, Holy Mass, confession, Healing service and Eucharistic Adoration, spiritual sharing, sessions for children  (www.afcmuk.org). Free car parking available.

PLEASE PRAY FOR THOSE WHO ARE SICK

Margaret Baldwin, Evelyn Bearne, Karl Britz, Brenda Bryant, Bernadette Hall, Ann Hawkes, Claire Howes, Angela Long, Lilian Mothersole, John McKernan, Remy, Geraldine Taylor, James Wright, Pamela Gibson, Geraldine Stains, Linda Moriarty, Andrew Godsave, Victoria Leahy, Jean Collins, Barbara Searl, Amelia Burns, 

         Lyn Povey, Mason Family and all our loved ones who are unwell.

ST JOSEPH THE WORKER CATHOLIC PRIMARY SCHOOL, HUTTON

ARE LOOKING TO APPOINT A DEPUTY HEADTEACHER FOR APRIL 2025

For more information and a full advert, visit our school website: https://st-joseph-the-worker-catholic-primary-school.secure-primarysite.net/recruitment-1/

Applications Close: Tuesday 28th January 2025 at 12pm
Interviews: Tuesday 11th February 2025 at 9am

Visits welcome. Please contact Mrs Lesley Willats on 01277 227282 or admin@st-josephworker.essex.sch.uk for an application pack or to arrange a visit.

TRINITY CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL

  • SEN TA, 31 hours p/w, ASAP
  • Teacher of French, Full time, January 2025
  • Teacher of English, Full time, January 2025
  • Teacher of Maths, Part Time, January 2025

Please visit the school’s website https://www.tchs.org.uk/about-us/employment/ for further job information. 

ST JOHN FISHER CATHOLIC PRIMARY, LOUGHTON

  • Site Manager( Full-Time/Part Time Hours), ASAP , Closing Date 5th Jan, 2025
  • HLTA, ASAP, Closing Date 5th Jan, 2025

For further details please visit www.ourladyoffatimatrust.essex.sch.uk or alternatively call Mrs Irene Nelson, H.R. Manager on 01279 425383. 

ST LUKE’S CATHOLIC ACADEMY, HARLOW

  • EYFS Practitioner, ASAP, Closing Date 5th January, 2025

For further details please visit www.ourladyoffatimatrust.essex.sch.uk or alternatively call Mrs Irene Nelson, H.R. Manager on 01279 425383. 

THREE SCHOOLS ACROSS OUR LADY OF FATIMA TRUST

  • Midday Assistants, ASAP , Closing Date 5th January, 2025

For further details please visit www.ourladyoffatimatrust.essex.sch.uk or alternatively call Mrs Irene Nelson, H.R. Manager on 01279 425383

Second Sunday of Advent

WEEKDAY MASS TIMES THIS WEEK

Mass will be celebrated this week on Monday & Wednesday 9:30am. 

Tuesday & Thursday 9:00am. No Mass on Friday. 

COMBONI SISTERS

This weekend we welcome Sister Asmeret A. Abreha who is a Comboni Missionary sister. She will speak at each Mass and give an appeal.

CHRISTMAS NATIVITY

We are continuing rehearsals for our wonderful Christmas Nativity which takes place at the 5pm Christmas Eve Mass. The rehearsal dates are 8th, 15th and 22nd December straight after 11am Mass. These generally will last no longer than 30 minutes. Should you have any queries please do not hesitate to contact us on 07946138307. Sam and Danielle.

PARISH PRO LIFE GROUP MEETING

The next meeting takes place in the upper room (The Retreat) of the Parish Centre on Monday 6th January 7.15 – 8.45pm. Please keep this date in your diary. Any questions please ring Paul 07861032174.

LITURGICAL EVENTS BRENTWOOD CATHEDRAL

Canon John Harvey, Dean of Brentwood Cathedral, would like to inform you of the following liturgical event which will take place in the Cathedral. Everyone is welcome!

Sunday 22 December , 4p.m. Nine Lessons & Carols

AN EVENING OF RECONCILIATION

An evening of Reconciliation is at Immaculate Conception Church in Epping on Tuesday 10th December at 7:30pm. A number of priests will be available to hear confessions

MISSIO COFFEE MORNING 

A note to say thank you for your support of the MISSIO coffee morning and let you know that the total raised was £207.20 from the raffle and refreshments. The total banked, which includes the boxes emptied, came to £517.46. 

Thank you for your generosity. 

Please help yourself to a magazine from the back of the church which gives details of how your generosity is reaching our brothers and sisters in Christ. 

I hope to deliver the remaining raffle prizes this week.

Thank you, Catherine

FOOD BANK DONATIONS

The box for food donations is now tucked away in the parent and baby room (to the left as you enter the church).Thank you very much for making donations, they are greatly needed at the moment.

A CELTIC CHRISTMAS

Soprano Caitlin Downie is performing a selection of Celtic Christmas music at Redbridge Drama Studio in South Woodford on Sunday 8 December at 3:00pm. This Christmas enjoy cherished carols sung with an ethereal beauty and performed on traditional instruments. Featuring beloved songs such as Joy to the World, The Holly and the Ivy and We Three Kings, this is Christmas music entwined with ancient festive folk tunes.  Tickets are available at: https://caitlindownie.com/tickets. Please be sure to select the correct venue when booking.. 

THE DIVINE MERCY APOSTOLATE, LONDON

is holding a Divine Mercy Retreat at  All Saints Church 531 Kenton Road Kenton London HA3 0UL on the corner of Claremont Avenue; 600 yards west of Kingsbury Circus/Kingsbury TfL Station, via Bus 183 

on Saturday 14 December 2024 from 1 pm to 4:30 pm. The Retreat will include teachings on the Message of Divine Mercy, Holy Mass, Holy Rosary, Hour of Mercy with Adoration and Benediction and Veneration of the Image of Merciful Jesus.  For more info call millie on 07957594646 . No need to register for retreat

BAPTISMS

If there are parents wishing to have their children baptised at St. Edmund of Canterbury please could you kindly contact your parish priest Fr Adrian Lowe as soon as possible. For first time parents there is a Baptismal Programme run by Mrs Sharon Chalk. Baptisms take place on Saturdays at 12.30pm

PLEASE PRAY FOR THOSE WHO ARE SICK

Margaret Baldwin, Evelyn Bearne, Karl Britz, Brenda Bryant, Bernadette Hall, Ann Hawkes, Claire Howes, Angela Long, Lilian Mothersole, John McKernan, Remy, Geraldine Taylor, James Wright, Pamela Gibson, Geraldine Stains, Linda Moriarty, Andrew Godsave, Victoria Leahy, Jean Collins, Barbara Searl, Amelia Burns, Lyn Povey, Mason Family

 and all our loved ones who are unwell.