Edmund of Canterbury & St. Thomas More
The pathway to Etty Hillesum’s life led to the door of the gas chamber at Auschwitz. It was a brutally cold day, 30th November 1943, when she passed through the door of death and entered into life in the presence of God for whom she had longed during her life. In a diary entry found after her death she had written: ‘Within me there is a spring that is very deep. And in that spring is God. Sometimes I am unable to reach it, more often it is covered with stone and sand; in that moment God is buried, so one must dig him up again.’ This courageous Jewess captured perfectly the deep ache in the human heart for God, which St. Augustine also described: ‘Our hearts, O God, were created for you and in you alone will we find rest.’
Today’s Gospel contains some of the most comforting and consoling words ever spoken. But who could speak them except God – Jesus of Nazareth, God made man? They reveal that through him, with him and in him, in the unity of the Blessed Trinity, we can enjoy God’s rest and peace. No matter who we are, life, let’s face it, can be hard, difficult and burdensome. However, in the quiet of prayer, in the oasis of praying before the Blessed Sacrament, in the retreat from the world, when we read God’s Word, we create the opportunity for God to comfort and console us. Truly, only in prayer can we be comforted and consoled by the Holy Spirit and experience Jesus, gentle and humble in heart, who leads us to rest in the spring of God’s grace.
Saint Mother Teresa of Calcutta said: ‘Prayer is the test of everything; prayer is also the source of everything; prayer is the driving force of everything; prayer is the director of everything. If our prayer is right everything else is right. For in prayer we find peace and rest for our souls.’ Finding time for prayer is the challenge we face. However, this much is true: the more we pray, the easier it is to pray. The less we pray, the harder it is. And the easier it becomes, the more we will pray.
Lord, today I ask for the grace to be renewed and refreshed by your grace so that I may keep my eyes fixed on heaven, praising you for the gift of your Son in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Dear Friends in Christ 14th Sunday of the Year
It was with a sad and heavy heart that I announced to you last weekend that our Bishop, Alan William, has asked me to take up a new assignment commencing at the beginning of September. After twenty-one years here at St Edmund’s parish it will be quite an upheaval changing parishes once again. Bishop Alan has appointed me Parish Priest and Dean of the Cathedral Parish of St. Mary & St Helen, Brentwood.
I have spent half of my priesthood here in Loughton. I have been so happy here and uniquely privileged to have spent such a long time in one parish. To have watched the children I baptised grow into young men and women and making their own way in the world has truly been a great joy. When I look around the church, I am humbled to see all the families I have been privileged to assist and help, either through the sacraments or personally, – Baptisms, Confessions, First Holy Communions, the Sacrament of Confirmation, Marriages, Special Occasions, Celebrating the Liturgical Seasons with you. Priests are uniquely privileged to share in their people’s lives in these very special ways. For this I’m truly grateful; and also for the great friendships that have developed through the 21 years here in the parish.
I sincerely hope and pray that I have always witnessed to the power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and that I have always tried to the best of my ability to lead you all a little bit closer to the Lord. If ever I have offended anyone it was never my intention, and I’m truly sorry. I ask you prayers as I take up this new assignment at Brentwood Cathedral, and of course, if you’re ever in Brentwood, please don’t hesitate to drop in for a cup of tea.
It is with great joy and happiness that I announce that your new Parish Priest will be Fr Adrian Lowe, who is at present looking after Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, Wanstead since Fr Pat Sammon passed away last September. Fr Adrian is a dear friend, and is so happy about his assignment to Loughton which takes effect from the first weekend of September 2023. The greatest honour you can afford me is to welcome Fr Adrian with the same love and kindness that you have shown to me through these past years.
I know that Fr Adrian would like the assistance of a Parish Secretary for possibly three mornings a week commencing September. If you have any secretarial experience and are computer literate, please contact Fr John on email jjh152@btinternet.com who will forward your details to Fr Adrian.
May God Bless You All,
EXTENDING A VERY WARM WELCOME – To Fr Clement Olumide Abiodun, who is from the Ivory Coast; it is also a French Speaking Country. Fr Clement has been visiting our Diocese of Brentwood for many years, and of course, speaks English. He has been with us since last Monday and will remain until the 14th July. This has allowed me to take my annual summer holiday; obviously with moving at the end of August it was providential this year that I booked an early holiday. Please extend Fr. Clement your usual warm and hospitable welcome. I know he will only be here for about another week, but if you would like to invite him out for coffee or a meal, I’m sure he would be very grateful.
MESSAGE FROM OUR DEACON FRANK:
Dear Parishioners,
Thank you all for your kind words, prayers, cards, and most generous gifts – I truly have been overwhelmed by your thoughtfulness and love. My time at Oscott Seminary seems to have passed so quickly, “tempus fugit” as they say (my Latin master would be impressed!). There have of course been the usual emotional highs and lows, and it has often been the thought of returning home to Loughton, Father John, and you my parish family that has helped me cope with the latter.
I look forward to seeing you all again over the coming weeks and serving as your Deacon.
God bless,
Love and prayers
Deacon Frank
SEA SUNDAY: This Sunday, 9th July, is Sea Sunday. Please remember seafarers and fishers in your prayers. Many parishes will hold a second collection for Catholic charity Stella Maris (formerly called Apostleship of the Sea). This organisation provides pastoral and spiritual support to seafarers and fishers. Your prayers and support are greatly needed. To support the charity’s work, please go to www.stellamaris.org.uk/donate To download the Sea Sunday Resources go to www.stellamaris.org.uk/seasunday
FORWARD PLANNING: Is extremely important in the area of Catholic Education. As we rapidly approach the end of the Academic Year, I would specifically ask all families of children who will be going into year 6 in September to think very seriously about your child’s ongoing Catholic education when choosing prospective secondary Schools for your children. At the beginning of September you will be notified by Essex County that your child is due to make the transition from Primary to Secondary School. We have an excellent Roman Catholic Secondary School, Trinity in Woodford, which has enjoyed a sterling reputation for many decades. Dr Paul Doherty OBE has been at the helm of the ship for well over 40 years. Obviously, with Secondary Schools being oversubscribed, Catholic Practice of the faith is extremely important. As Roman Catholics our obligation is to participate in the Weekly Celebration of Holy Mass. The School’s Admission Policy is quite strict about Catholic Practice. Also, for example the Davenant Foundation School employs a strict policy of seven years consistent practice of faith. No priest can ever sign a form that claims anything other than that. This is a matter of personal honesty and integrity. Obviously, this is something that all Roman Catholics are aware of; but I think sometimes we need to be reminded of these facts.
ST VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY: The Society of Saint Vincent de Paul (SVP) is an international voluntary organization in the Catholic Church, founded in 1833 for the sanctification of its members by personal service of the poor. The St Vincent de Paul Society approaches each request for help with compassion and consideration for support tailored to the uniqueness of the individual and situation. I have been approached by a few members of the parish to re-establish the SVP here in our parish. If you are interested in joining a Parish SVP Conference please speak to Fr John or Sharon Fitzmaurice. Thank you! More information later.
COFFEE MORNING FOR LOURDES PILGRIMAGE: In October (4th-10th) Monica Maycraft will be travelling with the ACROSS Paths pilgrimage to Lourdes as a nurse. She will be holding a Coffee Morning to raise funds for the pilgrimage on Sunday 23rd July, after both 9am and 11am masses. The hope is to take 6 palliative care pilgrims, and a family member, to Lourdes. There is also a JustGiving page if anyone wishes to donate that way https://www.justgiving.com/page/across-paths
And here is a link so you can read about it further https://www.across.org.uk/
Monica would love it if you could join them for coffee and cake that day.
PLEASE PRAY FOR THOSE SICK IN OUR PARISH
Edgar Azzopardi, Margaret Baldwin, Evelyn Bearne, Karl Britz, Brenda Bryant, Carlos Camacho, Jane Downs, Steve Dalgliesh, Pat Fenn, Bernadette Hall, Ann Hawkes, Claire Howes, Shaun Keel, Bridget Kinsella, Les Langan, Angela Long, Lilian Mothersole, John McKernan, Rosemary O’Rourke, Remy, Geraldine Taylor, Vera Taylor, Mary & Steve Witten, James Wright. And all our loved ones.
ANNIVERSARIES: Marie Dawson RIP, Mary Cocklin RIP, June Happe 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 40-13-22 PLEASE BE GENEROUS IN YOUR
Account Number: 11019651 GIFT TO GOD & HIS CHURCH
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.
FROM OUR GIFT AID ORGANISER: Our Parish Gift Aid Organiser is Abbie Akinfenwa – abbie.akinfenwa@btinternet.com or text to 07754700934 with your name and gift aid number. I would encourage all parishioners to join the Parish Gift Aid Scheme. If you are a Tax Payer, it’s a really painless process, all we need is you name and address, there are Gift Aid Application Forms in the Porch of the Church, and Abbie can give you all the help you need re information. We are able to claim back 25 pence in every pound donated to the church, when you use you envelopes or pay by Standing Order. Please think about joining, and thanks to those who already belong!
ARE YOU INTERESTED IN A VOCATION TO THE PRIESTHOOD? At present we only have five seminarians training for the Priesthood in the Diocese of Brentwood. The period of formation for each is several years. If you know of anyone who may be interested in learning more about the priesthood, or who feel they may have a vocation to the Priesthood please contact Fr Mark Swires vocprom@dioceseofbrentwood.org
CHILDREN’S SUNDAY LITURGY: Thank you for starting children’s Sunday Liturgy again. But we need more help. Parents, can you spare one Sunday every two months to help 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.
RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS: Journey of Faith. Is there anyone who may be interested in the RCIA Programme, possibly with the view of being received into full-communion with the Roman Catholic Faith? Every year we run this programme commencing at the beginning of September, leading to reception into the Church at the Easter Vigil. It is a systematic programme of every aspect of Catholcism, including Scripture, Sacramental Life, and The Dogma’s of our Faith, Catholic Practice & traditions, Christology & Mariology, Study of the Church. Please see Fr John who will explain the whole process to you.
DO YOU LIKE SINGING? As you know we have a wonderful Choir and Choir Director in Sue Farrow. We are looking for new choir members who like singing with others. We learn traditional and contemporary pieces of music, and also sing Motets in four parts. If you’re interested please speak to Sue or Fr John. Choir practice on Wednesdays & Saturdays.
CHARITY CHRISTMAS CONCERT AT ST EDMUND’S On the 16th December (7.30-9.30pm) the wonderful Winnie Greer, “science teacher by day Jazz singer by night” will be returning to St Edmund’s with her band for an evening of Christmas festive favourites in aid of The Essex based Helen Rollason Cancer Charity. A chance to enjoy some lovely music while raising money for a great cause and sharing a glass of mulled wine. Tickets are £20 each and available from the link below. If you book before 31st August there is an “early bird” rate of £15.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/an-evening-of-festive-favourites-in-aid-of-helen-rollason-cancer-charity-tickets-640159623667SICK & HOUSEBOUND: If there are any parishioners who have become sick or housebound, please notify Fr John, who will be only too happy to make a house call and bring Holy Communion on a regular basis. It’s important that we’re able to keep in touch with all of our parishioners, and especially those who are sick.
NEW ALTAR SERVERS: If any of our First Holy Communicants would like to become Altar Servers, please see Fr. John. It would be wonderful if some of the children would consider this wonderful ministry of serving God and the Community each week. Serving at the Altar is truly a great honour, and I’m always grateful to everyone who has volunteered to become Altar Servers.
THIS IS A SPECIAL CALL TO ALL ALTAR SERVERS WHO NO LONGER SERVE AT ST EDMUND’S. COULD YOU KINDLY RETUNR YOUR ALB, AS THESE ARE VERY EXPENSIVE, AND IT’S IMPORTANT FOR US TO HAVE NUMBER OF DIFFERENT SIZES FOR THE NEW SERVERS.
PARISH REPOSITORY: There are a variety of First Holy Communion gifts available in the repository – Children’s Missals, Rosaries, medals, statues, candles, Communion Cards, crosses. Teresa Wallace is always very helpful in ordering any religious item you wish. The parish repository is available all week. Please leave your money for items in the box provided. Thank 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 struggling during this cost of living crisis. The Foodbank have asked for support with the following items: sponge pudding desserts, custard, juice, tinned meat, noodles, snack bars, small chocolate bars, shower gel, shampoo, conditioner, toilet roll and deodorant. Please place any donations in the dedicated plastic boxes in the garage. Thank you! You can also keep up to date with the Foodbank news via their facebook page: www.facebook.com/EppingForestFoodbank/
PARISH READERS: We are always looking for some new Parish Lectors; parishioners who would be willing to read on a regular basis at one of the Sunday Masses. We have a few already, but it would be wonderful if there could be a few more volunteers. ALSO: If any of our regular weekday Mass attendees would be willing to read at the weekday masses we could organise a rota. Since Covid there haven’t been any regular readers. You may feel called to this ministry, and once again, it is doing something for God and the Community. Please speak to Fr. John.
SACRISTANS: Fr John could really do with some additional help in the Sacristy especially during the week. I have been very dependent upon Veronica Short over the past few years. But it would be good if another couple of people could volunteer during the week to help in setting up for Mass each day, and clearing up afterwards. It really doesn’t take that long to do. We could organise a rota of days. Once again this is service of God and the Community.
MASS INTENTIONS: There is a lot of availability in the Parish Mass register. If anyone wants a mass intention for any reason, Anniversaries, birthdays, special occasions, for anyone who is sick, please complete the Mass Envelope in the porch and leave off at the presbytery.
REGISTERING AT THE PARISH: It’s always important to have details of all of our parishioners. There are Parish Registration Forms in the Porch of the Church. Please complete and return to the Presbytery.
BAPTISMS: If there are parents wishing to have their children baptised at St Edmund’s could you kindly contact Fr John as soon as possible. For first time parents there is a Baptismal Programme run by Mrs Sharon Chalk. Baptisms take place on either Saturday or Sunday at 12.30pm
IN CASES OF EMERGENCY: Tuesday is usually Fr. John’s Day Off. In cases of emergency please call one of the local parishes, either in Epping – Tel: 01992 572516, or the St. Thomas of Canterbury Friary at Woodford Green – Tel: 020 8504 1688. This would also apply if Fr. John is away for a few days break or on Retreat. All the local funeral directors have a contact number for Fr. John if a funeral needs to be arranged in his absence.
MASS INTENTIONS – JULY 2023
| Sat 8th | 10.00am | Holy Souls |
| Confessions 11am – 12Noon or on demandVigil Mass for Sunday. Confessions at 5.30pm | ||
| Sat 8th | 6.00pm | People of the Parish |
| Sun 9th | 9.00am | Patrick McCreesh RIP (Sue & John Campbell) |
| Sun 9th | 11:00am | Charlie Flynn RIP (Mary Ryan) |
| Mon 10th | 10.00am | Veronica Short B’day Int’s. (Pat & Margaret) |
| Tues 11th | 10.00am | Fr John’s 42nd Anniversary Int’s |
| Wed 12th | 10.00am | Kate & Tom Dennison RIP ( Margaret Duffy) |
| Thur 13th | 10.00am | Frank Westcott Int’s Diaconate Ordination (Dian & Ferdi Tisi) |
| Fri 14th | 10.00am | Bridget Kinsella RIP (Maria & Terry Abbs) |
| Sat 15th | 10.00am | Holy Souls |
| Confessions 11am – 12Noon or on demandVigil Mass for Sunday. Confessions at 5.30pm | ||
| Sat 15th | 6.00pm | People of the Parish |
| Sun 16th | 9.00am | Jose Vaquero Insunza RIP (Ruiz Family) |
| Sun 16th | 11:00am | Sally Dwyer RIP (Nora Pierce) |
Please kindly put your Mass requests in early for anniversaries etc., this is to avoid any disappointment if a particular date has already been booked,
Parish Phone No: 0208 508 3492 Email: loughton@brcdt.org
The Brentwood Diocesan Trust Registered Charity No. 234092