Edmund of Canterbury & St. Thomas More
Although being a Sunday we interrupt the flow of readings from Matthew’s eighth chapter, the theme of Jesus’ kingship is no less found in today’s Gospel. In claiming precedence over even our own parents, Jesus is setting his kingly rule in our lives.
Jesus’ statement about the need for us as his disciple to prefer him over our parents is not, as it may sound, to put down our parents or, indeed, our unique love for them. It is rather a statement emphasising that they cannot be the ‘king’ in our lives. It is Jesus who, as God’s appointed Shepherd and our King, is the ultimate source of our truth, and whose justice is the source of our bliss – as today’s Psalm says of ‘the people who acclaim such a king’! Our parents are God’s wonderful gift to us, as we are to them, but they are not the ones who were able to ‘put us right with God’ (this is the meaning of justice). In fact, Jesus is the one who came to put the whole world to right.
When Jesus stood before Pontius Pilate at his trial, he made it clear that his ‘his kingdom is not of this world.’ We need to understand that this did not mean that his kingdom was not ‘in’ this world, but it is not the sort of kingdom or kingship that had been known before. What kind of King becomes King through the sacrifice of his own life? What kind of King takes upon himself the sin and guilt of all his subjects? And indeed, what kind of King requires those who belong to his kingdom ‘to take up their cross’ to follow him?
It was precisely by taking on himself our sin, and by sacrificing his life in loving obedience to the Father, that Jesus has truly put us ‘right’. But we are put right in the most radical of ways. Jesus makes of us ‘a new creation’. In Jesus, the old creation completely passes away. The new creation is ‘dead to sin and alive to God in Christ’. But to become a new creation in Christ, it is necessary to ‘take up our cross’ – to let the old ‘self’ life be put to death in Jesus.
Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, O Lord. (Psalm 88:15)
Dear Friends in Christ 13th Sunday of the Year
ORDINATION TO THE DIACONATE: Please pray for our own parishioner Frank Westcott who will be Ordained a Deacon on Sunday 2nd July at Oscott College by Archbishop Bernard Longley. Many of you know Frank, and it is truly a great honour for our parish and for the Diocese of Brentwood that his Ordination as a Deacon is part of that journey to Priesthood. Frank will be a transitional Deacon, meaning that in twelve months’ time he will be Ordained to the Sacred Priesthood of Jesus Christ in our own Parish. Frank will be home for the summer and will be able to Deacon at all of our Masses from now on.
May God Bless You All,
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
FIRST HOLY COMMUNION PROGRAMME 2023/24: My thanks to all the Parents of prospective First Holy Communicants for next year who returned their enrolment forms. I can now order the new Work Books for the children. The prerequisites for enrolment are: a) That you are a baptised practicing Roman Catholic attending Weekly Mass. b) That your child will be in Year 3 or above, 7 rising 8 as of September 2023. c) That you live in the Parish of St Edmund of Canterbury.
SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION: My thanks to all the prospective Confirmation Candidates who collected and returned their enrolment forms for the Confirmation Programme by last Friday. Bishop Alan is due for a Pastoral Visitation & Confirmation during 2024; as yet we do not have a fixed date. The Bishop’s Office will notify us in September when he will make his visitation. Obviously forward planning is extremely important. Confirmation is another one of those Sacramental milestones in our faith journey. It should never be taken lightly, and young people, please consider very carefully this next step you are about to take. Confirmation is about total commitment to your life of faith; it’s not about stamping the sacramental passport. The Age for Confirmation is 14 years and upwards, (you should be 14 years of age when you receive the Sacrament). Weekly attendance at Holy Mass is essential and is our obligation as Roman Catholics; not just periodic attendance. Please do not waste our time if you have not been attending Holy Mass over the past year or two. I ask the whole parish community to pray for our young people. There are so many distractions in our world today, and it’s very easy to stray away from the practice of the faith. Please be consistent and steadfast in your faith!
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.
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 RETURN YOUR ALBS, AS THESE ARE VERY EXPENSIVE, AND IT’S IMPORTANT FOR US TO HAVE NUMBER OF DIFFERENT SIZES FOR THE NEW SERVERS.
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: Alan West 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.
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 Catholicism, including Scripture, Sacramental Life, and The Dogmas 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.
PARISH ALTAR SERVERS: Quite a number of Altar Servers ceased serving at Mass since the Pandemic. I’m making a special appeal to all former Altar Servers to kindly return their Albs to the Sacristy. Albs are extremely expensive to buy these days, and I believe there a quite a few still out there not being used anymore. If any young person wishes to become an Altar Server, please see Fr. John as soon as possible; we can help to prepare you to serve at the Altar. This is a truly wonderful ministry, and it is a special way of serving God and the whole community of faith.
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!
GREAT HISTORY MYSTERY LECTURE – at Trinity Catholic High School, Thursday 6th July at 7.30pm Dr Doherty will talk about the hideous and mysterious murder of the disappearance of King Edward II from Berkeley Castle in 1327. Refreshments will be served and Dr Doherty will raffle copies of his novels. Admission fee £2.00. All proceeds to the School Fund.
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.
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!
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 1st July | 10.00am | Int’s of John & Marian Schutz (Remy) |
| Confessions 11am – 12Noon or on demandVigil Mass for Sunday. Confessions at 5.30pm | ||
| Sat 1st July | 6.00pm | People of the Parish |
| Sun 2nd | 9.00am | Jim Sullivan RIP (Celina Sullivan) |
| Sun 2nd | 11:00am | Ordination of Frank Westcott as Deacon(Fr John & Parish of St Edmund’s) |
| Mon 3rd | 10.00am | Violet Hall RIP |
| Tues 4th | 10.00am | Kate & Joe Duffy RIP (Margaret Duffy) |
| Wed 5th | 10.00am | Holy Souls |
| Thur 6th | 10.00am | Special Intention (Private) |
| Fri 7th | 10.00am | In Thanksgiving (Brian & Teresa Fabbri) |
| 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) |
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
13th Sunday in Ordinary Time
First Reading : 2 Kings 4:8-11,13-16
One day as Elisha was on his way to Shunem, a woman of rank who lived there pressed him to stay and eat there. After this he always broke his journey for a meal when he passed that way. She said to her husband, ‘Look, I am sure the man who is constantly passing our way must be a holy man of God. Let us build him a small room on the roof, and put him a bed in it, and a table and chair and lamp; whenever he comes to us he can rest there.’ One day when he came, he retired to the upper room and lay down. He said to his servant Gehazi, ‘Call our Shunammitess. Tell her this: “Look, you have gone to all this trouble for us, what can we do for you? Is there anything you would like said for you to the king or to the commander of the army?”’ But she replied, ‘I live with my own people about me.’ ‘What can be done for her then?’ he asked. Gehazi answered, ‘Well, she has no son and her husband is old.’ Elisha said, ‘Call her.’ The servant called her and she stood at the door. This time next year,’ he said ‘you will hold a son in your arms.’
Responsive Psalm : Psalm 88(89):2-3,16-19
I will sing for ever of your love, O Lord.
I will sing for ever of your love, O Lord;
through all ages my mouth will proclaim your truth.
Of this I am sure, that your love lasts for ever,
that your truth is firmly established as the heavens.
I will sing for ever of your love, O Lord.
Happy the people who acclaim such a king,
who walk, O Lord, in the light of your face,
who find their joy every day in your name,
who make your justice the source of their bliss.
I will sing for ever of your love, O Lord.
For it is you, O Lord, who are the glory of their strength;
by your favour it is that our might is exalted;
for our ruler is in the keeping of the Lord;
our king in the keeping of the Holy One of Israel.
I will sing for ever of your love, O Lord.
Second Reading : Romans 6:3-4,8-11
When we were baptised in Christ Jesus we were baptised in his death; in other words, when we were baptised we went into the tomb with him and joined him in death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead by the Father’s glory, we too might live a new life.
But we believe that having died with Christ we shall return to life with him: Christ, as we know, having been raised from the dead will never die again. Death has no power over him any more. When he died, he died, once for all, to sin, so his life now is life with God; and in that way, you too must consider yourselves to be dead to sin but alive for God in Christ Jesus.
Gospel : Matthew 10:37-42
Jesus instructed the Twelve as follows: ‘Anyone who prefers father or mother to me is not worthy of me. Anyone who prefers son or daughter to me is not worthy of me. Anyone who does not take his cross and follow in my footsteps is not worthy of me. Anyone who finds his life will lose it; anyone who loses his life for my sake will find it.
‘Anyone who welcomes you welcomes me; and those who welcome me welcome the one who sent me.
‘Anyone who welcomes a prophet will have a prophet’s reward; and anyone who welcomes a holy man will have a holy man’s reward.
‘If anyone gives so much as a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is a disciple, then I tell you solemnly, he will most certainly not lose his reward.’