Edmund of Canterbury & St. Thomas More
Dear Friends in Christ, Nineteenth Sunday of the Year
Both Jesus and Peter are recorded by the Gospel-writers Matthew, Mark and John as having walked on water. The idea that the law of gravity could be suspended for two human beings is truly an incredible miracle! Indeed, the image is so compelling that to this day if someone is revered or admired; we use the expression that ‘they can walk on water’. The supernatural phenomenon of walking on water is not unique to Christianity. In Greek mythology, the gods Horus & Orion both defied gravity in this way. The difference between these traditions and the Gospel accounts is that the latter are recorded not as stories but as history. When Matthew informs us that Jesus walked on water, he is reporting an actual event that took place on a certain date in history. In the Constitution on Divine Revelation Dei Verbum, the Second Vatican Council explains this important and profound truth by saying: ‘The sacred authors wrote the four Gospels, selecting some things from many which had been handed on by word of mouth or in writing, reducing some of them to a synthesis, explaining some things in view of the situation of their churches and preserving the form of proclamation but always in such fashion that they told us the honest truth about Jesus.’ If we approach the sacred text in this way, we open ourselves up to being taught, informed, and enlightened by the Holy Spirit about the meaning of this event in Jesus’ life. Jesus’ walking on the water is a sign of Jesus’ Godhead and divinity. Only God can truly say: ‘Take courage! It is I, do not be afraid’, because only God can promise true and everlasting peace.
Fr John will be leaving St Edmund’s Parish on Wednesday 30th August,
to take up his new position as Dean at Brentwood Cathedral.
Please remember him in your prayers.
Dear Friends in Christ 19th Sunday of the Year 2023
THE ASSUMPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY: HOLY DAY OF OBLIGATION. Tuesday 15th August 2023. Mary, at the end of her natural life was assumed body and soul to heaven. The Dogma of the Assumption was proclaimed in 1950 by Pope Pius XII. It proclaimed the belief of the Universal Church that Mary, the Mother of God, having been chosen by God as that singular vessel of purity, brought forth Christ into the world, who, throughout the whole of her life, constantly remained faithful to God and her Son. Her freedom from the stain of Original Sin, won her the eternal reward of being Assumed by God, Body and Soul into heaven. There will be three masses today, 9am, 12.15pm & 7.30pm.
INSTALLATION AS DEAN: Fr John would like to invite you to his Installation as Dean of the Cathedral of St Mary & St Helen, Brentwood, Essex, on Friday 22nd September at 7.00pm. Bishop Alan Williams will install Fr John as Dean during the Installation Mass. You will all be most welcome.
Address: Brentwood Cathedral. Clergy House, Ingrave Rd, Brentwood, Essex. CM15 8AT
A REQUEST FOR SOME HELP: I would be sincerely grateful if anyone could give me hand during any of these following days to assist with the packing and parcelling up of my belongings, books etc. Also, on Tuesday 29th / Wednesday 30th August, I appeal for help in transporting all items (mainly boxes, no furniture) for removal downstairs, and ready for the Removals Company. Thanking you in anticipation!
It is customary for the outgoing Parish Priest to be invited back to his former parish for a thanksgiving celebration. I have been invited by Fr Adrian for a Mass of Thanksgiving on Sunday 1st October at the 11.00am Mass. As I will actually be leaving before the resumption of the school academic year, and also many people will still be on holiday, it will be lovely to say a formal goodbye to the whole community on the 1st October; I trust you’ll be able to join me. I would like to thank Fr Adrian for this kind invitation. Fr Adrian has been invited back to Wanstead for his celebration by the new PP on Sunday 17th September at 6.30pm. My diary is already filling up with various meetings at the Cathedral Parish. Also, with the beginning of the new academic year at the same time as the move, there will also be various visits to the parish schools. There are four Catholic Schools in the Parish. I will continue my work with the Brentwood Diocesan Tribunal, which will now be on the doorstep, as the Cathedral Offices are next door to the Presbytery.
REQUIESCAT IN PACE: In your mercy, please pray for the repose of the soul of Olive Casserly (Mother of Claire McGeady) The Requiem Mass will be celebrated on Monday 14th August at 12.30pm at St Edmund’s followed by Cremation at Forst Park Crematorium at 2.00pm. We extend our condolences to Clarie and her family in this time of great loss.
SECRETARIAL HELP: I know your new Parish Priest Fr Adrian would like the assistance of a Parish Secretary for possibly three mornings a week commencing September. This will be a paid position. 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.
PARISH HALL BOOKING SECRETARY: St Edmund‘s Parish Hall is looking for a new voluntary Parish Hall bookings secretary. All interested Parties please speak to Fr John or email jjh152@btinternet.com.
FIRST HOLY COMMUNION PROGRAMME 2023/24: The new First Holy Communion Programme will commence on Wednesday 13th September with a Parents’ Meeting at 7.30pm in the Parish Hall. (You will be able to purchase your child’s work book ‘I Belong’ £8.00). The children’s first class will take place on Sunday 17th September at 10.00am in the Parish Retreat. (This is the big meeting room above the Parish Hall). This is such an important time in your child’s life and this preparation for the Sacraments of Reconciliation and the Holy Eucharist is the next stage on their Faith Journey. Katheryn Poulter and Elena Manara are our First Holy Communion Catechists. We encourage all the children’s parents to be involved with the programme throughout the year. Please keep the children in your thoughts and prayers.
CONFIRMATION PROGRAMME: Just a short note to inform all our candidates for the Sacrament of Confirmation, that the Bishop’s Office will notify your new Parish Priest, Fr Adrian, when the Parish Visitation and Confirmation will take place next year 2024. Until then, we cannot give a specific date for starting the programme. Mark Anthony and several other parishioners are the Catechists for the preparation of the Sacrament. Also, please pray for all the Confirmation Candidates.
RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS: Journey of Faith. Is there anyone who may be interested in the RCIA Program, 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 Catholicism, including Scripture, Sacramental Life, and The Dogma’s of our Faith, Catholic Practice & traditions, Christology & Mariology, Study of the Church. Please see Fr John or Aidan Potter who will explain the entire process to you.
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.co.uk/e/an-evening-of-festive-favourites-in-aid-of-helen-rollason-cancer-charity-tickets-640159623667NEWSLETTER ITEMS: To assist and help Fr Adrian when he arrives in the Parish, could you kindly submit any Newsletter items by Wednesday morning. The Newsletter tends to be put together on Thursday and printed Friday. Obviously late items will appear in the following week’s Newsletter. Thank you!
MASS INTENTIONS – AUGUST 2023
Sat 12th
10.00am
Deacon Frank Westcott Int’s (Pat & Margaret)
Confessions 11am – 12Noon or on demand
Vigil Mass for Sunday. Confessions at 5.30pm
Sat 12th
6.00pm
Pat McCreesh RIP (Sheehy Family)
Sun 13th
9.00am
Carmen Antaki RIP (B’day Anni) (Veronica & Steve Short)
Sun 13th
11:00am
People of the Parish
Mon 14th
12.30pm
REQUIEM MASS: Olive Casserly RIP
Tues 15th
9.00am
12.15pm
7.30pm
Paul Fleming Int’s (Marie Fleming)
Peter Smith RIP (Paul Falco)
Int’s for Fr John’s departure (Remy)
Wed 16th
9.00am
Olga Noguira B’day Int’s (Frank Westcott)
Thur 17th
9.00am
Ebun Scoh Int’s (Mary Ryan)
Fri 18th
9.00am
Maureen Kisley Int’s (Pat & Margaret)
Sat 19th
9.00am
Frances Jesse Perrett RIP
Confessions 11am – 12Noon or on demand
Vigil Mass for Sunday. Confessions at 5.30pm
Sat 19th
6.00pm Gerard Pampellonne RIP (K. Pampellonne)
Sun 20th
9.00am
Michael Sexton RIP (Sue & John Campbell)
Sun 20th
11:00am
David Faud RIP (Theresa Faud)
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