Edmund of Canterbury & St. Thomas More
My Dear Friends in Christ,
I sit here writing this final parish newsletter as your parish priest here at St Edmund’s. After twenty-one years of my priestly life with you my parish family, it is with a sad and heavy heart that I take my leave of you all to begin this new chapter in my life at Brentwood Cathedral. While I was on holiday and during these past weeks, I have been reflecting on all my years here in the parish. I have met so many wonderful people during this time, some fleetingly, and for many here, I have watched families grow; the children I first baptised are now young men and women themselves making their way in the world. I think of all the hundreds of Baptisms, First Confessions & Communions, Confirmations, Marriages, Funerals, Converts, and various other celebrations that have taken place here. A priest is uniquely privileged to share in people’s lives at the most intimate of levels, and for this I thank you all.
It has been an honour and privilege to have served as your Parish Priest here in Loughton, and I can only hope and pray that I have helped you to come a little close to the Lord. Obviously, it is Jesus Christ who is at the heart of every Christian Family, and it has always been my desire through preaching and teaching to proclaim the Gospel message to the best of my ability. One of the greatest lessens every priest learns throughout his life is, and I think this reality comes with maturity, is that there is only One Saviour, and it’s not me! I have truly loved being a priest for the past 42 years, and hope that the Lord gives me the health and strength to continue to be at his service in this new venture at Brentwood Cathedral.
I would like to thank all the parishioners who have been involved in all sorts of different ways throughout the past twenty-one years. The collaboration of Priest and People is fundamentally at the heart of all parish life. I will single out a few people who have assisted me and helped our parish in a special way: John Campbell, who helped negotiate the sale of the St Thomas More site in Debden, this was a difficult process with lots of hiccoughs along the way. Michael Manzi, who for many years silently worked in the background looking after all the parish’s finances, which was a totally invaluable service to the Parish. Our new Parish Finance Accountant is Adam Dodds; I thank him for assuming this role. Veronica Short has been such a help to me in the Sacristy, faithfully looking after everything so that our masses and the sacristy can run smoothly. And finally, I would like to thank my housekeeper Josie Sison, who has looked after and cared for me for the past several years. Words cannot express my gratitude for everything she has done; many of you will not know her, but she really has worked very hard to ensure that I was well fed, and that the presbytery was cared for. I appeal to you all to continue to assist and help your new Parish Priest, Fr Adrian; he will certainly need your help in these coming weeks, not only to settle in, but to continue the work that has already been done. I couldn’t have asked for a nicer priest to be sent to you as your Pastor. Please show him the same love and kindness that you have shown to me through the years, this will be your greatest gift to me.
Priests are also very human, and we make mistakes on occasions. I learnt a long time ago that it is so important before you leave any parish to say sorry for any mistakes and If I have offended anyone, it was never my intention, and I’m truly sorry! My desire was always for your good and the building up of the kingdom in this little pocket of the Lord’s Vineyard. I have always believed that the Lord desires that we be the best version of ourselves, and we do that by emulating Him in our Kindness, Generosity & Love.
I will leave St Edmund’s Parish on Wednesday 30th August. Fr Adrian has kindly invited me back to a special Mass of Thanksgiving and Farewell on Sunday 1st October at the 11.00am Mass. I sincerely hope you’ll be able to join me on that occasion. If ever you’re in Brentwood, please drop in for a cup of tea.
May God Bless you All, please continue to pray for me, and always be kind and loving to one another.
With fondest Love & Peace,
FR JOHN’S NEW ADDRESS as of 30th August:
Address: Brentwood Cathedral, Clergy House, 28 Ingrave Road, Brentwood, Essex. CM14 8AT Phone No: 01277 265235 Email: cathedral@brcdt.org
I would like to express my sincere and grateful thanks to those who helped to pack books and my belongings ready for the move. I’m truly grateful for your generosity of time and energy. I don’t think I will need any more help now, so a big thank you to you all.
I also ask your prayers for all the priest who will be moving over the next week to take up their new assignments, especially Fr Adrian Lowe who will be your new Parish priest. I know he is really excited about coming to St Edmund’s.
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.
MASS OF INSTALLATION AS DEAN OF BRENTWOOD CATHEDRAL This invitation is extended to the whole Parish of St Edmund’s, Loughton, you will be most welcome to come to the Installation Mass on Friday 22nd September at 7.00pm. Our Bishop Alan Williams will celebrate the Installation Mass.
God Bless You All,
FR JOHN’S LAST SUNDAY MASSES: Over the past twenty-one years I have baptised many children, given First Holy Communion to hundreds of children, performed many marriages and celebrated Confirmation with many of our teenagers. It would be truly wonderful if as many as possible could attend this weekend’s masses. I know it is still holiday time, but it would be lovely to see as many as possible before, I leave on Wednesday 30th August. I thank Almighty God for being able to assist so many in our parish on the faith journey and pray for you all. St Edmund’s will always have a special place in my heart. I thank you for the many things you have taught me as your Pastor. I now ask your prayers.
CAN YOU HELP JOSIE? This is an appeal for help at the Presbytery on Thursday 31st August, the day after Fr John leaves for Brentwood. Fr Adrian will be arriving on Friday 1st September about lunchtime; Josie (parish housekeeper) would be truly grateful for a little help in getting the house back into some order after all the packing that had taken place over the past month. There will be a Communion Service at 9.00am that morning, and if you could come to the Presbytery for an hour or two Josie would be most grateful. Obviously, it’s a big house so there will be plenty to do! With anticipated thanks!
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 workbook ‘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 Adrian or Aidan Potter who will explain the entire process to 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/
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.
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
NEWSLETTER 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!
PARISH NEWSLETTER: 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
The Parish Newsletter can also be obtained and downloaded from the Parish Website. They are always published on a Saturday Morning.
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.
Requiescat in Pace: We remember especially Fr Jim Boothman former assistant priest in this parish who passed away recently.
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 GIFTS TO GOD & HIS CHURCH
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 Taxpayer, 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 your envelopes or pay by Standing Order. Please think about joining, and thanks to those who already belong!
VISITS TO THE SICK & HOUSEBOUND: Fortunately, Fr John was able to get around to see all the sick and housebound before his departure. He has passed on all their details to Fr Adrian. If there are any parishioners who are now finding it more difficult to get out, and even get to Holy Mass, please contact the presbytery. Fr Adrian will be only too happy to visit you at home.
IMPORTANT NOTE FOR OUR CONTEMPORARY MUSIC GROUP: Our next 11am Sunday Mass will be held on the 3rd September and we will be having a practice for this Mass on Thursday,31st August between 7pm and 8pm. Would all our singers and musicians make every effort to come to the practice as well as the Mass please. The 3rd September will be our first Sunday Mass with our new Parish priest, Fr. Adrian, and it would be nice if we could be well practised to welcome him!
It would also be great if we had more young singers and their families to join our group and you would be made very welcome!
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.
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 niht” 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-640159623667FORWARD PLANNING: As the new Academic Year approaches, 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.
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. Adrian.
MASS INTENTIONS – AUGUST – SEPTEMBER 2023
| Sat 26th | 10.00am | Teresa Kane RIP (Anni) (Margaret Duffy) |
| Confessions 11am – 12Noon or on demand Vigil Mass for Sunday. Confessions at 5.30pm | ||
| Sat 26th | 6.00pm | People of the Parish |
| Sun 27th | 9.00am | Vincent Brown RIP (Sue & John Campbell) |
| Sun 27th | 11:00am | Mary Maher RIP (Walsh Family ) |
| Mon 28th | 9.00am | Fr John Thanksgiving for 21 Years at St Edmund’s (Lucy Weight) |
| Tues 29th | 9.00am | Peter Smith RIP (Paul Falco) |
| Wed 30th | 9.00am | Thanksgiving for Fr John’s 21 years at St Edmund’s (Remy) |
| Thur 31st | 9.00am | Communion Service |
| Fri 1st | 9.00am | Communion Service |
| Sat 2nd | 9.00am | Carmen Antaki RIP (Carmen’s Family) |
| Confessions 11am – 12Noon or on demand Vigil Mass for Sunday. Confessions at 5.30pm | ||
| Sat 2nd | 6.00pm | Rhona Condon RIP (Betty Brown) |
| Sun 3rd | 9.00am | People of the Parish |
| Sun 3rd | 11:00am | Mark & Spiro Tanti RIP |
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
21st Sunday in Ordinary Time
First Reading : Isaiah 22:19-23
Thus says the Lord of Hosts to Shebna, the master of the palace:
I dismiss you from your office,
I remove you from your post,
and the same day I call on my servant
Eliakim son of Hilkiah.
I invest him with your robe,
gird him with your sash,
entrust him with your authority;
and he shall be a father
to the inhabitants of Jerusalem
and to the House of Judah.
I place the key of the House of David
on his shoulder;
should he open, no one shall close,
should he close, no one shall open.
I drive him like a peg
into a firm place;
he will become a throne of glory
for his father’s house.
Responsive Psalm : Psalm 137(138):1-3,6,8
Your love, O Lord, is eternal: discard not the work of your hands.
I thank you, Lord, with all my heart:
you have heard the words of my mouth.
In the presence of the angels I will bless you.
I will adore before your holy temple.
Your love, O Lord, is eternal: discard not the work of your hands.
I thank you for your faithfulness and love,
which excel all we ever knew of you.
On the day I called, you answered;
you increased the strength of my soul.
Your love, O Lord, is eternal: discard not the work of your hands.
The Lord is high yet he looks on the lowly
and the haughty he knows from afar.
Your love, O Lord, is eternal,
discard not the work of your hands.
Your love, O Lord, is eternal: discard not the work of your hands.
Second Reading :
Romans 11:33-36
How rich are the depths of God – how deep his wisdom and knowledge – and how impossible to penetrate his motives or understand his methods! Who could ever know the mind of the Lord? Who could ever be his counsellor? Who could ever give him anything or lend him anything? All that exists comes from him; all is by him and for him. To him be glory for ever! Amen.
Gospel : Matthew 16:13-20
When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi he put this question to his disciples, ‘Who do people say the Son of Man is?’ And they said, ‘Some say he is John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.’ ‘But you,’ he said ‘who do you say I am?’ Then Simon Peter spoke up, ‘You are the Christ,’ he said, ‘the Son of the living God.’ Jesus replied, ‘Simon son of Jonah, you are a happy man! Because it was not flesh and blood that revealed this to you but my Father in heaven. So I now say to you: You are Peter and on this rock I will build my Church. And the gates of the underworld can never hold out against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven: whatever you bind on earth shall be considered bound in heaven; whatever you loose on earth shall be considered loosed in heaven.’ Then he gave the disciples strict orders not to tell anyone that he was the Christ.