Edmund of Canterbury & St. Thomas More
Twenty-Third Sunday of the Year. Year A,
10th September 2023
PLEASE PRAY FOR THOSE SICK IN OUR PARISH
Edgar Azzopardi, Margaret Baldwin, Evelyn Bearne, Karl Britz, Brenda Bryant, Jane Downs, Steve Dalgliesh, Pat Fenn, Bernadette Hall, Ann Hawkes, Claire Howes, Les Langan, Angela Long, Lilian Mothersole, John McKernan, Rosemary O’Rourke, Remy, Geraldine Taylor, Vera Taylor, James Wright and all our loved ones who are unwell.
Mary & Steve Witten thank everyone for their prayers as their health has improved.
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
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.
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.
SECOND COLLECTIONS THIS WEEK AND NEXT WEEKEND are for Fr. John Harvey in gratitude of the love and service he showed for our parish. Fr. John’s Farewell Mass and reception will be on 1 October at 11am. Please make every effort to attend and show your appreciation to Fr. John.
FIRST HOLY COMMUNION PROGRAMME 2023/24: 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.
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.
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
Congratulations to Nathan Jakaj who was baptised in our parish last weekend. May God bless him and his family.
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.
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. 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).
TEACHING VACANCY AT ST JOHN FISHER SCHOOL: The Trustees of Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Multi Academy Trust invite applications for the position of KS1 Class Teacher at St John Fisher Primary School. Closing date Wednesday 20th Sept with interviews being held on Monday 25th September. For further details please visit www.ourladyoffatimatrust.essex.sch.uk
or alternatively call Mrs Irene Nelson, H.R. Manager on 01279 425383.
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
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.
MASS INTENTIONS – SEPTEMBER 2023
| Sat 16 | 9.00am | Michael McLoughlin RIP |
| Confessions 11am – 12Noon or on demandVigil Mass for Sunday. Confessions at 5.30pm | ||
| Sat 16 | 6.00pm | People of the Parish |
| Sun 17 | 9.00am | Yvonne Grace RIP |
| Sun 17 | 11:00am | John Hogan RIP (1st Anniversary) |
| Mon 18 | 9.30am | Matt McLoughlin RIP |
| Tues 19 | 9.30am | John Ironside RIP |
| Wed 20 | 9.00am | Margaret Baldwin INTS |
| Thur 21 | 9.30am | Margaret Peddy RIP |
| Fri 22 | 9.30am | Rose McMorrow INTS |
| Sat 23 | 9.30am | Derek Curtis RIP |
| Confessions 11am – 12Noon or on demandVigil Mass for Sunday. Confessions at 5.30pm | ||
| Sat 23 | 6.00pm | People of the Parish |
| Sun 24 | 9.00am | Jim Sullivan RIP |
| Sun 24 | 11:00am | Dr John Heston 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