Edmund of Canterbury & St. Thomas More
Dear Friends
It is my honour and pleasure to join you this weekend to serve you. I will keep introductions brief here as I hope we can start to speak with each other in person at Masses and on other occasions and begin share our faith journeys together.
I have been praying for you all since I knew I would be coming to Loughton – the Lord has placed you on my heart. We keep Father John in prayer as he begins his first weekend as Dean of Brentwood Cathedral, and we also say a prayer of thanksgiving for all he has done for our parish during his time here.
Every blessing
Fr. Adrian
Message from Father John
My Dear Parishioners,
I would like to take this opportunity of expressing my sincere and grateful thanks to you all for your great kindness and farewell at all Masses last weekend. It was truly humbling, and for those who attended the 11:00am the farewell song composed and performed by the choir was the icing on the cake. Thank you for the many cards and gifts I received on my leaving, it was extremely thoughtful of you. I look forward to joining you on Sunday 1st October at the 11:00am Mass for a final Mass of Thanksgiving, hopefully I’ll see you all there.
God Bless You All,
Fr. John
FATHER JOHN HARVEY’S MASS OF INSTALLATION AS DEAN OF BRENTWOOD CATHEDRAL This invitation is extended to the whole parish of St Edmund’s, 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
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.
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.
FORWARD 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.
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 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
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
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 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 Adrian. Choir practice on Wednesdays & Saturdays.
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!
SACRISTANS: Fr Adrian 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.
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-640159623667WINE TASTING EVENT “Giro D’Italia”: Thursday 19 October, 7.15pm on. Following the success of last year’s event, The Catenians’ Epping Forest Circle is sponsoring an Italian wine tasting evening in the Becket Centre, St Thomas of Canterbury, Woodford, in aid of St Francis Hospice. Wine educator, Gilbert Winfield, will feature samples of fine Italian wines in his informative presentation with some light-hearted audience participation. Tickets £30/head includes wine sampling and light snacks. Please email for tickets or other enquiries to Iain McLay (bloggeriain@gmail.com).
THE BRENTWOOD CATHOLIC CHILDREN’S SOCIETY : on 9th September there will be a sponsored walk held jointly with Woodford Parish for BCCS. It starts from The Becket Centre at St Thomas’s at 9.30am. To participate you just need to be at there at 9.30am to register. Sponsorship forms can be obtained from Iain McLay (bloggeriain@gmail.com). It is great fun, dogs welcome, and it raises a lots of money for BCCS so they can do their wonderful work with young peoples’ emotional and mental health in the diocese, irrespective of their religion. You can read more about their work here:
https://www.bccs.org.uk/who-we-are/
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.
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.
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!
IN CASES OF EMERGENCY: Tuesday is usually Fr. Adrian’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. Adrian is away for a few days break or on retreat.
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.
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.
MASS INTENTIONS – SEPTEMBER 2023
| Sat 2nd | 9.00am | Carmen Antaki RIP (Carmen’s Family) |
| Confessions 11am – 12Noon or on demandVigil 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 |
| Mon 4th | 9.00am | Mr. and Mrs Willoughby INTS 12:30 Wedding Robert Hatt and Laura Byrne |
| Tues 5th | 9.00am | Anna Cap INTS |
| Wed 6th | 9.00am | Margaret Baldwin INTS |
| Thur 7th | 9.00am | Stephen Brown RIP |
| Fri 8th | 9.00am | Father John Harvey INTS |
| Sat 9th | 9.00am | Daniel Hannigan RIP |
| Confessions 11am – 12Noon or on demandVigil Mass for Sunday. Confessions at 5.30pm | ||
| Sat 9th | 6.00pm | Eileen Guerin RIP |
| Sun 10th | 9.00am | People of the Parish |
| Sun 10th | 11:00am | Mary Maher 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