St. Edmund of Canterbury & St. Thomas More
Dear Friends in Christ,
Today’s Gospel contains two parables which challenge our idea of riches. Each parable contains a simile of the kingdom of God; in the first the kingdom of God is compared to hidden treasure and in the second it is compared to a merchant searching for fine pearls. When the man finds the treasure buried in a field, he buys the whole field in order to get hold of the treasure; and when the merchant finds the pearl he sells everything he has in order to buy it.
The meaning of the parables is that the greatest treasure we can ever have in life is discovering the truth of the kingdom of heaven. In comparison all the other riches which this life has to offer are finite and limited in their value. The life of faith invites us to store up treasure in heaven where no thief can break in and steal and no rust can corrode and corrupt. Scripture tells us that our heart will be where our treasure is and that true and lasting treasure can only be found in the Lord.
When set against knowledge and following Christ St. Paul considered everything that this life has to offer as ‘rubbish’. The Greek word he used for ‘rubbish’ was skubalon, which translates more accurately as ‘dung’. We need the gift of grace not only to understand this truth but also to live it because the treasures and rewards of the world can appear very attractive. We need a revelation of the truth that Christ in us is the hope of everlasting glory and that to have found him is to have found everything.
Dear Friends in Christ 17th Sunday of the Year
It’s very nice to back with you for a few weeks before my departure to Brentwood Cathedral Parish. I visited the present parish priest before I left for holiday, and he showed me around. It’s going to be extremely busy with four schools and the fact that it is the Cathedral. Fr Martin Boland the present Dean, (who was Ordained to the Priesthood here in Loughton in 1996) is being transferred to Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, Wanstead. And as I have already mentioned Fr Adrian Lowe, who has been looking after the Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, will be coming to Loughton. (Fr Adrian has also been appointed the Vocations Director for the Diocese). It’s a three-way move, so we will have to co-ordinate the move date together. I am hoping to have an Induction Mass at the Cathedral sometime in September, (I’m still waiting for the Bishop’s Office to contact me) to which anyone is welcome to come. I will give you further details before I leave. Brentwood Cathedral of St Mary & St. Helen, Clergy House, 28 Ingrave Road, Brentwood Essex.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS: As this is holiday season with the closure of all schools for the summer recess, I wish all our families a blessed holiday. If you’re going away, please keep safe and well, enjoy your time of rest and relaxation and come back refreshed. As I leave before the summer holidays are over, hopefully I will be able to return sometime in September for a final Mass of thanksgiving.
DEPARTURE DATE FOR Fr JOHN: I will probably transfer to my new assignment the week commencing 28th August (this is Bank holiday Monday), probably the Tuesday or Wednesday. Manifestly, I was wondering if anyone could give a little help when I am back to pack up my belongings. Obviously, I will have a removals company take all my belongings to the Cathedral. After twenty-one years, as you can appreciate you accumulate quite a lot of things. But it’s also an opportunity to downsize and get rid of what I don’t need.
PARISH WEEKDAY MASS: As from Monday the 31st July our weekday masses Monday – Saturday will be at 9.00am. This will be permanent.
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. 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,
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.
FORWARD PLANNING: 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.
CHANGE OF PRACTICE DATE FOR OUR CONTEMPORARY MUSIC GROUP: For our next 11am Mass on Sunday, 6th August, we will be having a practice 7 to 8pm on Tuesday 1st August rather than 31st July. Please make every effort to come to the practice and the Mass – it will be our group’s last Mass celebrated by Fr. John before he leaves our Parish and we want to make it special. Please pass the word around to all our singers as we would like a very good turnout! We would also warmly welcome more new singers and their families who may like to join us – simply come along! Thank you very much.
ACROSS PATHS LOURDES PILGRIMAGE: Monica would like to thank the whole parish community for their most generous support for the coffee morning and raffle last Sunday. She raised the wonderful sum of £700 which will help take 6 palliative care pilgrims and a family member to Lourdes in October with ACROSS Paths. It was a joyous occasion for a wonderful cause. Monica will be part of a team of doctors, nurses and carers travelling with the pilgrims.
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, 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: 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 0775470934 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 THERE ANY BAPTISMS? Before Fr John departs for his new assignment, are there any families who want to have their children baptised? Please contact Fr John as soon as possible to arrange a date. jjh152@btinternet.com His last weekend will be 26th / 27th August, which is the Bank Holiday weekend
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.
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.
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.
SICK & 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.
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.
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 We are hoping to resume our monthly meetings for those who may be enquirers, so please watch this space.
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 your new 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 either Saturday or Sunday at 12.30pm
CHURCH PARKING: Could we please encourage all our able-bodied parishioners to consider using the public car park when coming to Mass, particularly on Sunday. Although you need to get a ticket to place on your dashboard, parking on a Sunday is free for two hours. A few occasions have arisen recently when disabled parishioners and those who have difficulty walking have been unable to park in the Church car park and they have either struggled to walk from the public car park, or have simply had to go home. We are sure you will agree that we need to ensure that our less-able parishioners will always have room to park close to the Church. We should also make allowance for space in the Church car park for drivers who are bringing disabled parishioners to Mass and also of course making sure that there is always access for emergency vehicles. Your consideration will be much appreciated. Thank you.
PARISH NEWLTTER: If you would like to receive the Parish Newsletter via Email each week please contact Iain McLay iain.m.mclay@googlemail.com this gives and extended version of the Weekly bulletin
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 – AUGUST 2023
| Sat 29th | 10.00am | Philip Sinnott & Christine Collins getting married today in Ireland (Fr John) |
| Confessions 11am – 12Noon or on demand Vigil Mass for Sunday. Confessions at 5.30pm | ||
| Sat 29th | 6.00pm | People of the Parish |
| Sun 30th | 9.00am | 75th Birthday Int’s Orlando Gracia (Ray & Ingrid Bacani) |
| Sun 30th | 11:00am | Francis McCoy |
| Mon 31st | 9.00am | Rosemary O’Rourke B’day Int’s (Pat & Margaret |
| Tues 1st August | 9.00am | Holy Souls |
| Wed 2nd | 9.00am | Frances Jackson RIP (Steve & Veronica Short) |
| Thur 3rd | 9.00am | Nancy Dowd Int’s (Mary Ryan) |
| Fri 4th | 9.00am | Olga Noguira B’day Ints (Pat & Margaret) |
| Sat 5th | 9.00am | Nancy & Fred Burgess RIP |
| Confessions 11am – 12Noon or on demand Vigil Mass for Sunday. Confessions at 5.30pm | ||
| Sat 5th | 6.00pm | Brian & Paul Street RIP (Street Family) |
| Sun 6th | 9.00am | Jim Sullivan RIP (Celina Sullivan) |
| Sun 6th | 11:00am | Deacon Frank Westcott’s Int’s (M Ryan) |
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
17th Sunday in Ordinary Time
First Reading : 1 Kings 3:5,7-12
The Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream and said, ‘Ask what you would like me to give you.’ Solomon replied, ‘O Lord my God, you have made your servant king in succession to David my father. But I am a very young man, unskilled in leadership. Your servant finds himself in the midst of this people of yours that you have chosen, a people so many its number cannot be counted or reckoned. Give your servant a heart to understand how to discern between good and evil, for who could govern this people of yours that is so great?’ It pleased the Lord that Solomon should have asked for this. ‘Since you have asked for this’ the Lord said ‘and not asked for long life for yourself or riches or the lives of your enemies, but have asked for a discerning judgement for yourself, here and now I do what you ask. I give you a heart wise and shrewd as none before you has had and none will have after you.’
Responsive Psalm : Psalm 118(119):57,72,76-77,127-130
Lord, how I love your law!
My part, I have resolved, O Lord,
is to obey your word.
The law from your mouth means more to me
than silver and gold.
Lord, how I love your law!
Let your love be ready to console me
by your promise to your servant.
Let your love come and I shall live
for your law is my delight.
Lord, how I love your law!
That is why I love your commands
more than finest gold,
why I rule my life by your precepts,
and hate false ways.
Lord, how I love your law!
Your will is wonderful indeed;
therefore I obey it.
The unfolding of your word gives light
and teaches the simple.
Lord, how I love your law!
Second Reading : Romans 8:28-30
We know that by turning everything to their good, God co-operates with all those who love him, with all those he has called according to his purpose. They are the ones he chose specially long ago and intended to become true images of his Son, so that his Son might be the eldest of many brothers. He called those he intended for this; those he called he justified, and with those he justified he shared his glory.
Gospel : Matthew 13:44-52
Jesus said to the crowds, ‘The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field which someone has found; he hides it again, goes off happy, sells everything he owns and buys the field.
‘Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls; when he finds one of great value he goes and sells everything he owns and buys it.
‘Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet cast into the sea that brings in a haul of all kinds. When it is full, the fishermen haul it ashore; then, sitting down, they collect the good ones in a basket and throw away those that are no use. This is how it will be at the end of time: the angels will appear and separate the wicked from the just to throw them into the blazing furnace where there will be weeping and grinding of teeth.
‘Have you understood all this?’ They said, ‘Yes.’ And he said to them, ‘Well then, every scribe who becomes a disciple of the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who brings out from his storeroom things both new and old.’