Edmund of Canterbury & St. Thomas More
Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord
Dear Friends in Christ, Transfiguration of the Lord 2023
Jesus’ life was focused on one primary goal above all others – his cross. Once Peter had glimpsed by grace the revelation that Jesus was the Christ, the son of the Living God, the Lord ‘began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things… and be killed and on the third day be raised.’ Peter’s response was to protest that he would do everything he could to prevent such a thing happening – the Lord immediately identified the true source of Peter’s protestation and rebuked Satan. It was against this background that the Transfiguration took place on Mount Tabor.
Jesus took Peter, James and John with him up the mountain. What we know is that they were the witnesses to a remarkable transformation in Jesus’ appearance and clothes and the amazing manifestation of Moses and Elijah alongside him. For the Apostles this was to be a significant moment in their lives and gives them a glimpse of Jesus’ future glory; but this glory would not be obtained without great suffering, namely the cross. It was also a moment when God the Father, the Son and Spirit were all united in one great act of love, encouraging the Apostles, ‘This is my Son the beloved, listen to him.’
We are all invited into the life of God, who is Father Son and Spirit, by virtue of our Baptism. Let us recognise that sacred presence always within our being, and like the Apostles rejoice in the wondrous presence of the Lord, because it is only in the Lord that our transfiguration can take place.
Dear Friends in Christ Transfiguration of the Lord
I managed to visit Brentwood Cathedral this week and had a look around and spoke to the clergy about the transition. I will be leaving St Edmund’s Parish on Wednesday the 30th August to take up residence in Brentwood. Fr Adrian will also arrive at St Edmund’s to take up residence. Obviously, this is an emotional time for me; after twenty-one years it will be hard to leave you all. As I mentioned before, half of my Priesthood has been spent here in Loughton. In fact, I have never lived anywhere as long as I have lived here in Loughton.
It is usually customary for the Parish Priest to be invited back to his old 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 be still on holiday, it will be really lovely to say a formal goodbye to the whole community on the 1st October 2023, I hope 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.
On the week commencing Monday 14th August, I would be sincerely grateful if anyone could give me hand during any of those following days to help 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 for removal downstairs, and ready for the Removals Company. Thanking you in anticipation
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.
God Bless You All,
FIRST HOLY COMMUNION PROGRAMME 2023/24: The new First Holy Communion Programme will commence on Wednesday 13th September will a Parents’ Meeting at 7.30pm in the Parish Hall. 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.
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.
CONTEMPORARY MUSIC GROUP: For our next 11am Mass on Sunday, 6th August. Please make every effort to come to 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.
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-640159623667PARISH 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
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 our parishioners. There are Parish Registration Forms in the Porch of the Church. Please complete and return to the Presbytery.
REQUIESCAT IN PACE: In your mercy, please pray for the repose of the soul of Olive Casserly (Mother of Claire McGeady) who passed away recently aged 84 years. 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.
MASS INTENTIONS – AUGUST 2023
| Sat 5th | 10.00am | Nancy & Fred Burgess RIP |
| Confessions 11am – 12Noon or on demandVigil 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) |
| Mon 7th | 9.00am | Communion Service |
| Tues 8th August | 9.00am | Communion Service |
| Wed 9th | 9.00am | Communion Service |
| Thur 10th | 9.00am | Communion Service |
| Fri 11th | 9.00am | Communion Service |
| Sat 12th | 9.00am | Deacon Frank Westcott Int’s (Pat & Margaret) |
| Confessions 11am – 12Noon or on demandVigil 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 |
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
The Transfiguration of the Lord – Feast
First Reading : Daniel 7:9-10,13-14
As I watched:
Thrones were set in place
and one of great age took his seat.
His robe was white as snow,
the hair of his head as pure as wool.
His throne was a blaze of flames,
its wheels were a burning fire.
A stream of fire poured out,
issuing from his presence.
A thousand thousand waited on him,
ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him.
A court was held
and the books were opened.
I gazed into the visions of the night.
And I saw, coming on the clouds of heaven,
one like a son of man.
He came to the one of great age
and was led into his presence.
On him was conferred sovereignty,
glory and kingship,
and men of all peoples, nations and languages became his servants.
His sovereignty is an eternal sovereignty
which shall never pass away,
nor will his empire ever be destroyed
Responsive Psalm : Psalm 96(97):1-2,5-6,9
The Lord is king, most high above all the earth.
The Lord is king, let earth rejoice,
let all the coastlands be glad.
Cloud and darkness are his raiment;
his throne, justice and right.
The Lord is king, most high above all the earth.
The mountains melt like wax
before the Lord of all the earth.
The skies proclaim his justice;
all peoples see his glory.
The Lord is king, most high above all the earth.
For you indeed are the Lord
most high above all the earth,
exalted far above all spirits.
The Lord is king, most high above all the earth.
Second Reading : 2 Peter 1:16-19
It was not any cleverly invented myths that we were repeating when we brought you the knowledge of the power and the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ; we had seen his majesty for ourselves. He was honoured and glorified by God the Father, when the Sublime Glory itself spoke to him and said, ‘This is my Son, the Beloved; he enjoys my favour.’ We heard this ourselves, spoken from heaven, when we were with him on the holy mountain.
So we have confirmation of what was said in prophecies; and you will be right to depend on prophecy and take it as a lamp for lighting a way through the dark until the dawn comes and the morning star rises in your minds.
Gospel : Matthew 17:1-9
Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain where they could be alone. There in their presence he was transfigured: his face shone like the sun and his clothes became as white as the light. Suddenly Moses and Elijah appeared to them; they were talking with him. Then Peter spoke to Jesus. ‘Lord,’ he said ‘it is wonderful for us to be here; if you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.’ He was still speaking when suddenly a bright cloud covered them with shadow, and from the cloud there came a voice which said, ‘This is my Son, the Beloved; he enjoys my favour. Listen to him.’ When they heard this the disciples fell on their faces, overcome with fear. But Jesus came up and touched them. ‘Stand up,’ he said ‘do not be afraid.’ And when they raised their eyes they saw no one but only Jesus.
As they came down from the mountain Jesus gave them this order, ‘Tell no one about the vision until the Son of Man has risen from the dead.’