St Edmunds – Page 11 – St Edmund of Canterbury, Loughton

Twenty Fourth Sunday of the Year, 2022

St. Edmund of Canterbury & St. Thomas More

The Parable of the Prodigal Son has two parts. The first we easily identify with, with its familiar motifs of joy, repentance, warm embrace and celebration. What is there not to like about it? Perhaps of all the parables, this parable, which could equally be called the Parable of the Father’s Heart, teaches us most about the nature of God the Father, who is ‘kind to the ungrateful and the selfish.’

The heroes of the parable are clear; the wandering, wastrel son and the kind, compassionate father. The parable could almost have finished at verse 24 with the words ‘So they began to celebrate;’ except it doesn’t end there. The remaining eight verses explore the villain of the piece; the crotchety, cantankerous, callous, rigid and self-righteous older brother. Do you recognise any of these qualities in yourself?

Now there is the crunch question: of the three characters, whom do you most relate to: the prodigal, his benevolent father or the complaining elder brother? The truth is most of us identify with the repentant younger son and caring father. Few if any identify with the elder brother. This is understandable: he is not very pleasant by any stretch of the imagination. He is moody, self-righteous, resentful, indignant and angry. He is constrained and limited by his own sense of propriety and a festering sense of self-righteousness.

A parable is not an allegory: in other words there doesn’t have to be direct correlation between each character and one single idea or interpretation. Perhaps there is a bit of all three characters – the father, the younger son and the elder brother – in us all. What is striking is how lost the ‘righteous’ son is, as well as the unrighteous son, and how loving the father is to both of his offspring. The father does not treat him harshly, but rather affirms his love for him and reaches out to him with a touching and moving appeal, ‘we had to celebrate and be glad’. Today we ask the Holy Spirit to bring us ever closer to the Father’s heart, for there we can find rest in the bosom of God.

Dear Friends in Jesus Christ,

It is with great sadness this week that our Monarch Queen Elizabeth II passed away peacefully at Balmoral. Since the death of Prince Philip the Queen’s health and mobility slowly declined. But her Service of 70 years to the United Kingdom & the Commonwealth will be her greatest legacy; serving right to the very end of her long life of 96 years. Even this week she received the new Prime Minister; probably her final act as Monarch. It’s wonderful that all her family were able to be around her; and now a new era has begun. The period of mourning will last until seven days after the State Funeral. May the Lord embrace Her Majesty the Queen into the joys of Eternity! May she Rest in Peace and Rise in Glory. Amen.

Let us pray for King Charles III as he assumes the mantel of Office as the new Monarch of our land. Long live the King!

There is a Book of Condolence in the Library next door for anyone to sign.

This week the country welcomed a new Prime Minister, Liz Truss. She has immediately taken action with regards to the increasing costs of utilities Gas & Electricity, which are going to profoundly affect all of us this autumn. As I have been sharing with you over the past weeks, having such large buildings are going to be difficult to light and heat this winter. I read in Holland they had opted to close some of the Churches for the winter months as they are unable to afford the utilities. I truly pray to God that this never happens here. We are going to try and have some additional fundraising social events to raise funds for the utilities. I ask the whole parish community to support these events please!

SPECIAL COFFEE MORNING: After the 11.00am Mass, on Sunday 2^nd October. I have a special announcement to make at the 11.00am Mass that day. The Coffee Morning will be a social opportunity for parishioners to meet and also support our efforts in deepening our Community awareness. If any parishioners would be able to bring along some homemade cakes or biscuits these would be gratefully accepted. All funds raised will now go towards the increasing costs of utility bills. We hope to have regular Coffee Mornings this year.

May God Bless You All

SACRAMENTAL PREPARATION FOR 2022/23: My thanks to all the Parents who attended the Parents’ Meeting last Wednesday. On Sunday the children meet for the first time for their classes which will take place in the Parish Retreat at 10.00am. At the 11.00am Mass all the children will be presented by their parents as Candidates for the Sacraments. Pre-requisites:- You are members of this Parish, and you are practicing Roman Catholics, attending weekly Mass! We are using a new Programme this year and the children’s work book will cost £8.00, Parents please bring money along to the meeting.

SECONDARY SCHOOL ADMISSIONS: Just a head’s up, especially to those Year Six parents who will be considering Secondary School places for their children in September 2023. According to the Brentwood Diocesan guidelines a very strict Admissions Criteria is in place, and if parents and children are not practicing their faith, e.g. weekly attendance at Holy Mass, they will not be eligible for a school place in our schools next September. All families are very aware of these facts, and it’s no use just making an appearance a couple of times prior to a Certificate of Catholic Practice being signed. Everyone has had years to prepare for this moment. Parents will be notified by Essex Education Authority as to when you have to make your application for Secondary School places. You will usually have until 31^st October to make the application.

TRINITY Prospective Year 7 Open Evening on Wednesday 28^th September 6pm – 8pm/ Dr Paul Doherty will be speaking at 6.00pm & 7.00pm. Parents, please kindly attend Open Evenings before you complete your Essex County Form.

ARE YOU INTERESTED IN A VOCATION TO THE PRIESTHOOD? “Enquirers’ Evening” on Tuesday 4^th October at St Edmund of Canterbury Church in Loughton, at 7.00pm, commencing with Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Rosary in the Church. Our guest speaker will be Fr Damian Wade – newly Ordained. Meetings are monthly, usually the first Tuesday of each month. For further information please contact Fr Mark Swires vocprom@dioceseofbrentwood.org

RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS: The Journey of Faith talks on Thursday 15^th September at 8.00pm in the Parish Presbytery. This is a systematic programme of Instruction in the Roman Catholic Faith. If you know of anyone who may be interested in learning a little more about the Roman Catholic faith possibly with the view of being received into full-communion with the Church at Easter 2023, please see Fr. John as soon as possible. Tel No: 020 8508 3492 [GRAPHIC]

CAN YOU HELP? We are desperately in need of additional help for the Altar Society; over the past year or so, we’ve lost a number of our regular helpers who clean the church. If you are able to give an hour or so every month to help keep our Church beautifully clean and tidy, this is all we ask. If you’re able to help please contact Sharon Fitzmaurice 07854919207 or shazzafitzm@aol.com or Fr John. 0208 508 3492 We hope to have A Big Clean once a month, if you can help please come along for half an hour. Thank you! Next Big Clean Friday 16^th September at 8.30am

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. Baptism takes place on either Saturday or Sunday at 12.30pm

ALTAR SERVERS: Recently we had over 30 children make their First Holy Communion. A couple of them have already started Altar Serving. I would like to make an appeal to the whole parish community for some more children to volunteer to become Altar Servers. It is a wonderful way of serving God and the community. Just speak to Fr John directly and he will arrange for training and for you to receive and Alb & Cincture

REQUESTED MASS INTENTIONS: At present, I have very few requested Mass Intentions. If any parishioner wishes to have a Mass celebrated for deceased relatives, anniversary masses, birthday masses, special intentions, for someone who maybe sick, or for any other special occasion, please make your request with the mass envelopes provided in the Porch of the Church, place your Mass Offering in the envelope and drop it off at the Presbytery.

RELICS OF ST BERNADETTE OF LOURDES COMING TO UK: The Churches & Cathedrals hosting St Bernadette’s Relics have a fixed capacity for vistors. To ensure the comfort and safety of pligrims, visitors will be asked to register to attend with a dedicated timeslot. In the diocese of Bretnwood there are two dates and two venues. The Cathedral arriving 11am 16/10/2022 Departing 12Noon 17/10/2022. Our Lady of Lourdes Wanstead: Arrive 10am 18^th/10/2022. Depart: 9am 19/10/2022

SICK & HOUSEBOUND: We are now permitted to resume the visitation of the Sick & Housebound. If there is anyone in the parish who would like a visit at home, or to receive Holy Communion regularly at home, please contact Fr. John on Tel No: 020 8508 3492

DIARY SEPTEMBER 2022

PLEASE PRAY FOR THOSE SICK IN OUR PARISH

Margaret Baldwin, Evelyn Bearne, Karl Britz, Carlos Camacho, Jane Downs, Steve Dalgliesh, Pat Fenn, Veronica Godsave, Bernadette Hall, Ann Hawkes, Claire Howes, Jackie Ilines, Noel Johnson, Shaun Keel, Bridget Kinsella, Angela Long, Lilian Mothersole, John McKernan, Rosemary O’Rourke, Remy, Geraldine Taylor, Vera Taylor, Mary Witten, James Wright. And all our loved ones.

ANNIVERSARIES: Josephine Colebrook RIP, Please pray for all whose anniversaries occur at this time and for all of our deceased loved ones, Requiescant in Pace.

https://tse4.mm.bing.net/th?id=OIP.PksgenkNVMwF2XWxHkXnzgHaHp&pid=Api&P=0&w=300&h=300

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

SPECIAL APPEAL To all our parishioners who contribute to your parish weekly. Would you please consider to transferring your Weekly Offertory over to a Direct Debit. With the closing of the local HSBC Bank it has been quite difficult paying in the Offertory, and with many banks now only offering a machine deposit service. Please think about this request. Thank you!

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. Giving & payments go online at Mt. Olive – Mount Olive ...

AID FOR UKRAINE: The unspeakable acts of terror in the Ukraine are atrocious, many amounting to genocide. Our brothers and sisters there are experiencing terrible suffering as they struggle to defend their country and preserve their human rights and life itself. We are doing what we can from afar: assisting by the charity of our prayers and also with what practical means we can muster. Aid to the Church in Need is on the frontline of charitable assistance to Ukrainians. If you can help, you will find this link takes you to the ACN website where you can donate: https://acnuk.org/news/ukraine-charity-rolls-out-emergency-aid/ hiccups

HELPING THOSE IN UKRAINE & UKRAINIAN REFUGEES: Caritas Brentwood are regularly updating information on their website, covering donations, prayer and welcoming those who are fleeing the Ukraine. You will find everything at: http//www.caritasbrentwood.org/Ukraine/

PARISH REPOSITORY: There is a lot of new stock in the repository. First Holy Communion gifts and items. A variety of Candles – large and small. Greetings Cards for all occasions. Mass Cards for deceased. Children’s books. There are also a number of CTS little books in a special stand on all sorts of different issues, the saints etc. There are Statues, rosaries, medals, bracelets. Teresa Wallace is happy to order anything your request; it usually takes about a week to arrive. Pieta Drawing Sculpture - Saint Peter's Basilica, Pietà ...

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!

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.

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 finding it hard to make ends meet. The Foodbank have asked for support with the following items: pasta sauce, rice pudding, jam, tinned fruit, snack / breakfast bars, chocolate bars, shower gel, toilet roll and deodorant. URGENTLY NEEDED: Small jars of coffee, washing up liquid, sponge pudding desserts and instant mash. Thank you! You can also keep up to date with the Foodbank news via their facebook page: www.facebook.com/EppingForestFoodbank/

BCYS YOUTH GATHER: 22nd – 23rd October, Mersea Island. Stay in cabins and try a brilliant range of outward bound activities from climbing high ropes, archery, zip wires and much more to keep you challenged and entertained, with guest speakers and workshops which will give you fresh insights into yourself, and your faith, by telling their stories. Open to all those in years 9 and above, book NOW at www.bcys.net/events

BOOKING FOR ALL THESE EVENTS – and all information, can be done online at www.bcys.net/events or you can email me with any questions.

IRREGULAR MARRIAGES: An Irregualr Marriage is one that has taken place outside of the Catholic Church without dispensation. For example: Marriages in hotels, and secualr venues, on beaches or Las Vegas; marriage in a non-Catholic Church without dispensation from the Bishop. These marriages are not recognised by the Catholic Church, and therefore are non sacramental & irregular. But there is a facility in the Church to recetify these situations called a Convalidation (this is a strictly private facility that is offered by the church). As marriage and family life is what I specialised in while studying Canon Law, if anyone wishes to speak to me confidentially please don’t hesitate to contact me: Tel No: 0208 508 3492

Pastoral Letter, 24th Sunday of the Year.

MASS INTENTIONS – SEPTEMBER 2022

Sat 10^th	10.00am	Int’s of Maree Kavangh
		*Vigil Mass for Sunday. Confessions at 5.30pm*
Sat 10^th	6.00pm	Teresa Faud B’day Int’s (Fr John)
Sun 11^th	9.00am	Yvonne Grace RIP (The O’Regans & Tusons)
Sun 11^th	11:00am	Luke & Charlie Conlon RIP (Susan Monaghan)
Mon 12^th	9.00am	Charlotte Pearce Int’s
Tues 13^th	10.00am	Ebert Fernando RIP (Christine Fernando)
Wed 14^th	10.00am	Int’s of Michelle Craven (R Ward)
Thurs 15^th	10.00am	Kathleen Hayes Int’s (Maureen Perry)
Fri 16^th	10.00am	Sharon Chalk B’day Int’s. (Monica Maycraft)
Sat 17^th	10.00am	Carmen Antaki RIP (Pat & Margaret)
		*Vigil Mass for Sunday. Confessions at 5.30pm*
Sat 17^th	6.00pm	Thanksgiving (Ewa Michalik)
Sun 18^th	9.00am	Jim Sullivan RIP (Susan Monaghan)
Sun 18^th	11:00am	Michael Bullock RIP (Steven Bullock)

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@dioceseofbrentwood.org

The Brentwood Diocesan Trust Registered Charity No. 234092

24^th Sunday of the Year 2022

First Reading : Exodus 32:7-11,13-14

The Lord spoke to Moses, ‘Go down now, because your people whom you brought out of Egypt have apostatised. They have been quick to leave the way I marked out for them; they have made themselves a calf of molten metal and have worshipped it and offered it sacrifice. “Here is your God, Israel,” they have cried “who brought you up from the land of Egypt!”’ the Lord said to Moses, ‘I can see how headstrong these people are! Leave me, now, my wrath shall blaze out against them and devour them; of you, however, I will make a great nation.’

But Moses pleaded with the Lord his God. ‘Lord,’ he said ‘why should your wrath blaze out against this people of yours whom you brought out of the land of Egypt with arm outstretched and mighty hand? Remember Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, your servants to whom by your own self you swore and made this promise: “I will make your offspring as many as the stars of heaven, and all this land which I promised I will give to your descendants, and it shall be their heritage for ever.”’

So the Lord relented and did not bring on his people the disaster he had threatened.

Responsive Psalm : Psalm 50(51):3-4,12-13,17,19

I will leave this place and go to my father.

Have mercy on me, God, in your kindness.

In your compassion blot out my offence.

O wash me more and more from my guilt

and cleanse me from my sin.

I will leave this place and go to my father.

A pure heart create for me, O God,

put a steadfast spirit within me.

Do not cast me away from your presence,

nor deprive me of your holy spirit.

I will leave this place and go to my father.

O Lord, open my lips

and my mouth shall declare your praise.

My sacrifice is a contrite spirit.

A humbled, contrite heart you will not spurn.

I will leave this place and go to my father.

Second Reading : 1 Timothy 1:12-17

I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, and who judged me faithful enough to call me into his service even though I used to be a blasphemer and did all I could to injure and discredit the faith. Mercy, however, was shown me, because until I became a believer I had been acting in ignorance; and the grace of our Lord filled me with faith and with the love that is in Christ Jesus. Here is a saying that you can rely on and nobody should doubt: that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. I myself am the greatest of them; and if mercy has been shown to me, it is because Jesus Christ meant to make me the greatest evidence of his inexhaustible patience for all the other people who would later have to trust in him to come to eternal life. To the eternal King, the undying, invisible and only God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Gospel : Luke 15:1-32

The tax collectors and the sinners were all seeking the company of Jesus to hear what he had to say, and the Pharisees and the scribes complained. ‘This man’ they said ‘welcomes sinners and eats with them.’ So he spoke this parable to them:

‘What man among you with a hundred sheep, losing one, would not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the missing one till he found it? And when he found it, would he not joyfully take it on his shoulders and then, when he got home, call together his friends and neighbours? “Rejoice with me,” he would say “I have found my sheep that was lost.” In the same way, I tell you, there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one repentant sinner than over ninety-nine virtuous men who have no need of repentance.

‘Or again, what woman with ten drachmas would not, if she lost one, light a lamp and sweep out the house and search thoroughly till she found it? And then, when she had found it, call together her friends and neighbours? “Rejoice with me,” she would say “I have found the drachma I lost.” In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing among the angels of God over one repentant sinner.’

He also said, ‘A man had two sons. The younger said to his father, “Father, let me have the share of the estate that would come to me.” So the father divided the property between them. A few days later, the younger son got together everything he had and left for a distant country where he squandered his money on a life of debauchery.

‘When he had spent it all, that country experienced a severe famine, and now he began to feel the pinch, so he hired himself out to one of the local inhabitants who put him on his farm to feed the pigs. And he would willingly have filled his belly with the husks the pigs were eating but no one offered him anything. Then he came to his senses and said, “How many of my father’s paid servants have more food than they want, and here am I dying of hunger! I will leave this place and go to my father and say: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you; I no longer deserve to be called your son; treat me as one of your paid servants.” So he left the place and went back to his father.

‘While he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was moved with pity. He ran to the boy, clasped him in his arms and kissed him tenderly. Then his son said, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I no longer deserve to be called your son.” But the father said to his servants, “Quick! Bring out the best robe and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the calf we have been fattening, and kill it; we are going to have a feast, a celebration, because this son of mine was dead and has come back to life; he was lost and is found.” And they began to celebrate.

‘Now the elder son was out in the fields, and on his way back, as he drew near the house, he could hear music and dancing. Calling one of the servants he asked what it was all about. “Your brother has come” replied the servant “and your father has killed the calf we had fattened because he has got him back safe and sound.” He was angry then and refused to go in, and his father came out to plead with him; but he answered his father, “Look, all these years I have slaved for you and never once disobeyed your orders, yet you never offered me so much as a kid for me to celebrate with my friends. But, for this son of yours, when he comes back after swallowing up your property – he and his women – you kill the calf we had been fattening.”

‘The father said, “My son, you are with me always and all I have is yours. But it was only right we should celebrate and rejoice, because your brother here was dead and has come to life; he was lost and is found.”

Twenty Third Sunday of the Year, 2022

St. Edmund of Canterbury & St. Thomas More

OTC_23D

Many of the things Jesus said are simple and clear but some are confusing and hard to understand. Take for example, today’s Gospel in which the Lord talks about ‘hating’ mother, father, and family. We know that Jesus cannot mean ‘hate’ in the sense of loathe, despise and wilfully harm them. Indeed the fourth commandment is, ‘Honour your father and mother.’ No, Jesus doesn’t mean ‘hate’ in the conventional definition of the term, but rather he means ‘love less’. He is adopting a form of Jewish exaggeration in order to drive home a point. We do this in our own language with hyperbole. When we are very hungry we might say, ‘I could eat a horse – on the other hand, halfway through eating the horse we realise we are not as hungry as we first thought! We stretch language to breaking points to get across what we want to say.

Jesus counsels us to take very seriously the call to be a disciple – rather in the same way that a builder evaluates his ability to finish a building project before he embarks upon It., and a general considers the odds of victory before going into battle. We do this often in our own lives. We are not daft or silly when it comes to evaluating what is involved in a project or a new job or new hobby. We estimate cost; we weigh up odds and take calculated risks based on the information and data we have. In the same way Jesus wants us to stare the cost of following him in the face and either rejects it or accepts it and embrace it. To follow Jesus is to be led by him.

If we want God to lead, we must be willing to follow. We find strength, happiness and Joy in finding the way in which God is going and going that way too. Which way is God going? God always invites us to take up the cross – as Jesus took up his cross – and follow him. The cross is laid on us all. The way of the cross begins with the call to abandon our attachments to this world. Our Old self has to die in order for the new self, the new creation, to shine forth in our lives.

Dear Friends in Jesus Christ,

This week we will have a new Prime Minister; their first and most urgent action will be to look at the terrible increase in all utilities. The incredible increase in Gas & Electricity is going to profoundly affect all of us come October, and then reviewed again in January. As I have been sharing with you over the past weeks, having such large buildings are going to be difficult to light and heat this winter. I read in Holland they had opted to close some of the Churches for the winter months as they are unable to afford the utilities. I truly pray to God that this never happens here. We are going to try and have some additional fundraising social events to raise funds for the utilities. I ask the whole parish community to support these events please!

COFFEE MORNING ON SUNDAY: After the 11.00am Mass, this will be a social opportunity for parishioners to meet and also support our efforts in deepening our Community awareness. If any parishioners would be able to bring along some homemade cakes or biscuits these would be gratefully accepted. All funds raised will go towards the increasing utility bills. We hope to have regular Coffee Mornings this year.

SECONDARY SCHOOL ADMISSIONS: Just a head’s up, especially to those Year Six parents who will be considering Secondary School places for their children in September 2023. According to the Brentwood Diocesan guidelines a very strict Admissions Criteria is in place, and if parents and children are not practicing their faith, e.g. weekly attendance at Holy Mass, they will not be eligible for a school place in our schools next September. All families are very aware of these facts, and it’s no use just making an appearance a couple of times prior to a Certificate of Catholic Practice being signed. Everyone has had years to prepare for this moment. Parents will be notified by Essex Education Authority as to when you have to make your application for Secondary School places. You will usually have until the end of October to make the application

ARE YOU INTERESTED IN A VOCATION TO THE PRIESTHOOD? “Enquirers’ Evening” on Tuesday 6^th September at St Edmund of Canterbury Church in Loughton, at 7.00pm, commencing with Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Rosary in the Church. Our guest speaker will be Bishop Alan Williams. Bishop of Brentwood Diocese. Meetings are monthly, usually the first Tuesday of each month. For further information please contact Fr Mark Swires vocprom@dioceseofbrentwood.org

RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS: The Journey of Faith talks will commence on Thursday 8^th September at 8.00pm in the Parish Presbytery. This is a systematic programme of Instruction in the Roman Catholic Faith. If you know of anyone who may be interested in learning a little more about the Roman Catholic faith possibly with the view of being received into full-communion with the Church at Easter 2023, please see Fr. John as soon as possible. Tel No: 020 8508 3492 [GRAPHIC]

SACRAMENTAL PREPARATION FOR 2022/23: The First Holy Communion Programme commences this week with the Parents’ Meeting on Wednesday 7^th September at 7.30pm in the parish hall; and the children meet for the first time on Sunday 11^th September at 10.00am in the Parish Hall. At the 11.00am Mass all the children will be presented by their parents as Candidates for the Sacraments. Pre-requisites:- You are members of this Parish, and you are practicing Roman Catholics, attending weekly Mass! We are using a new Programme this year and the children’s work book will cost £8.00, Parents please bring money along to the meeting.

Vacancy for School Business Manager at St John Fisher Catholic Primary, Loughton. St John Fisher Catholic Primary is seeking to appoint an experienced and well organised School Business Manager. Monday to Friday 9.30am to 2.30pm – 20hpw, Term Time + Non Pupil Days. For more information and to receive a copy of the job description please email finance@st-johnfisher.essex.sch.uk

Vacancy for Mid-day Assistant at St Antony’s Catholic School, Woodford from September 2022. For more information and to apply, please visit the vacancies section of school website

https://www.stantonyscatholicps.co.uk/vacancies/

NOTE FOR OUR CONTEMPORARY MUSIC GROUP: We’ll be singing and playing at the 11am Mass on Sunday, 4^th September and it would be appreciated if all our singers and musicians could be there by around 10.40am to run through the hymns and music before Mass starts. Hopefully you are all now back from holiday, so it would be nice to have a large number of you there! Any singer or musician in the Parish who may like to join us would be made very welcome – simply come along!

CAN YOU HELP? We are desperately in need of additional help for the Altar Society; over the past year or so, we’ve lost a number of our regular helpers who clean the church. If you are able to give an hour or so every month to help keep our Church beautifully clean and tidy, this is all we ask. If you’re able to help please contact Sharon Fitzmaurice 07854919207 or shazzafitzm@aol.com or Fr John. 0208 508 3492 We hope to have A Big Clean once a month, if you can help please come along for half an hour. Thank you! Next Big Clean Friday 16^th September at 8.30am

DIARY AUGUST – SEPTEMBER 2022

PLEASE PRAY FOR THOSE SICK IN OUR PARISH

ANNIVERSARIES: Vera Copeman RIP, Please pray for all whose anniversaries occur at this time and for all of our deceased loved ones, Requiescant in Pace.

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

BOOKING FOR ALL THESE EVENTS – and all information, can be done online at www.bcys.net/events or you can email me with any questions.

IRREGULAR MARRIAGES: An Irregualr Marriage is one that has taken place outside of the Catholic Church without dispensation. For example: Marriages in hotels, and secualr venues, on beaches or Las Vegas; marriage in a non-Catholic Church without dispensation from the Bishop. These marriages are not recognised by the Catholic Church, and therefore are non sacramental & irregular. But there is a facility in the Church to recetify these situations called a Convalidation (this is a strictly private facility that is offered by the church). As marriage and family life is what I specialised in while studying Canon Law, if anyone wishes to speak to me confidentially please don’t hesitate to contact me: Tel No: 0208 508 3492

MASS INTENTIONS – SEPTEMBER 2022

Sat 3^rd	10.00am	Teresita Alix RIP (Jane Bacuetes)
		*Vigil Mass for Sunday. Confessions at 5.30pm*
Sat 3^rd	6.00pm	Kathleen & Bernard Harvey RIP (Margaret Hopkinson)
Sun 4^th	9.00am	Jim Sullivan RIP (Nancy Hands)
Sun 4^th	11:00am	Esther Mulholland RIP (Mark & Kathy Munro)
Mon 5^th	10.00am	Int’s of the Power Family (Ray Kearney)
Tues 6^th	10.00am	Fr Guy Brinkworth SJ RIP (Arthur Catterall)
Wed 7^th	10.00am	Carmen Antaki RIP (Frank Westcott)
Thurs 8^th	10.00am	Joseph Oliver Snr. RIP (Jackie Taylor)
Fri 9^th	10.00am	In Thanksgiving (Teresa Fabbri)
Sat 10^th	10.00am	Int’s of Maree Kavangh
		*Vigil Mass for Sunday. Confessions at 5.30pm*
Sat 10^th	6.00pm	Teresa Faud B’day Int’s (Fr John)
Sun 11^th	9.00am	Yvonne Grace RIP (The O’Regans & Tusons)
Sun 11^th	11:00am	Luke & Chaarlie Conlon RIP (Susan Monaghan)

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@dioceseofbrentwood.org

The Brentwood Diocesan Trust Registered Charity No. 234092

23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

First Reading: Wisdom 9:13-18

What man indeed can know the intentions of God?

Who can divine the will of the Lord?

The reasonings of mortals are unsure

and our intentions unstable;

for a perishable body presses down the soul,

and this tent of clay weighs down the teeming mind.

It is hard enough for us to work out what is on earth,

laborious to know what lies within our reach;

who, then, can discover what is in the heavens?

As for your intention, who could have learnt it, had you not granted Wisdom

and sent your holy spirit from above?

Thus have the paths of those on earth been straightened

and men been taught what pleases you,

and saved, by Wisdom.

Responsorial Psalm : Psalm 89(90):3-6,12-14,17

O Lord, you have been our refuge from one generation to the next.

You turn men back to dust

and say: ‘Go back, sons of men.’

To your eyes a thousand years

are like yesterday, come and gone,

no more than a watch in the night.

O Lord, you have been our refuge from one generation to the next.

You sweep men away like a dream,

like the grass which springs up in the morning.

In the morning it springs up and flowers:

by evening it withers and fades.

O Lord, you have been our refuge from one generation to the next.

Make us know the shortness of our life

that we may gain wisdom of heart.

Lord, relent! Is your anger for ever?

Show pity to your servants.

O Lord, you have been our refuge from one generation to the next.

In the morning, fill us with your love;

we shall exult and rejoice all our days.

Let the favour of the Lord be upon us:

give success to the work of our hands.

O Lord, you have been our refuge from one generation to the next.

Second Reading : Philemon 9-10,12-17

This is Paul writing, an old man now and, what is more, still a prisoner of Christ Jesus. I am appealing to you for a child of mine, whose father I became while wearing these chains: I mean Onesimus. I am sending him back to you, and with him – I could say – a part of my own self. I should have liked to keep him with me; he could have been a substitute for you, to help me while I am in the chains that the Good News has brought me. However, I did not want to do anything without your consent; it would have been forcing your act of kindness, which should be spontaneous. I know you have been deprived of Onesimus for a time, but it was only so that you could have him back for ever, not as a slave any more, but something much better than a slave, a dear brother; especially dear to me, but how much more to you, as a blood-brother as well as a brother in the Lord. So if all that we have in common means anything to you, welcome him as you would me.

Gospel : Luke 14:25-33

Great crowds accompanied Jesus on his way and he turned and spoke to them. ‘If any man comes to me without hating his father, mother, wife, children, brothers, sisters, yes and his own life too, he cannot be my disciple. Anyone who does not carry his cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.

‘And indeed, which of you here, intending to build a tower, would not first sit down and work out the cost to see if he had enough to complete it? Otherwise, if he laid the foundation and then found himself unable to finish the work, the onlookers would all start making fun of him and saying, “Here is a man who started to build and was unable to finish.” Or again, what king marching to war against another king would not first sit down and consider whether with ten thousand men he could stand up to the other who advanced against him with twenty thousand? If not, then while the other king was still a long way off, he would send envoys to sue for peace. So in the same way, none of you can be my disciple unless he gives up all his possessions.’

Twenty Second Sunday of the Year, 2022

St. Edmund of Canterbury & St. Thomas More

Each year a King held a sumptuous banquet for everyone who worked under him. All were invited and all came. The diplomatic corps dines with the kitchen staff and the king’s private secretaries supped with the gardeners. It was one of those rare occasions when social barriers came down.

The king was particularly fond of a special gardener whose family had served him and his estate for generations. The gardener, a humble, uneducated man, was always invited to sit near to the king; such was the king’s affection and regard for him. The gardener, however, was always anxious about the occasion and felt conspicuous and uncomfortable amongst such distinguished company.

On one occasion, the gardener somewhat overwhelmed and having developed quite a thirst, reached for the fingerbowl, which he mistook for a cool draught. The guests close by were amused by the faux pas and a ripple of mockery and disdain filled the room. The king, quick as a flash, realised what was happening. He took hold of his own finger bowl and drank from it himself. The smiles were quickly wiped off the faces of those who had mocked the poor man; to prevent themselves from committing a similar social faux pas they were forced to join the king in drinking from their finger bowls! The king had masterfully upheld the dignity of his esteemed and much loved servant.

Observing the weakness of social climbing and the humiliation of vying for position at table, Jesus taught today’s parable: ‘When you are invited…to a wedding banquet, no not sit down at the place of honour, in case someone more distinguished than you has been invited…’ It’s punch is the paradox that in seeking to be exalted we’re destined to be humbled and in seeking to be humbled we shall enjoy being exalted

Dear Friends in Jesus Christ,

On this Bank Holiday weekend, and as we are about to enter the month of September, we are preparing for the return of our children to a New School Year. The summer recess has afforded us the opportunity of rest and relaxation; but once again we must return to work. Just a head’s up, especially to those Year Six parents who will be considering Secondary School places for their children in September 2023. According to the Brentwood Diocesan guidelines a very strict Admissions Criteria is in place, and if paretns and chidlren are not practicing their faith, e.g. weekly attendance at Holy Mass, they will not be eleigible for a school place in our schools next September. All families are very aware of these facts, and it’s no use just making an appearance a couple of times prior to a Certificate of Catholic Practice being signed. Everyone has had years to prepare for this moment. Parents will be notified by Essex Education Authority as to when you have to make your appplication for Secondary School places. You will usually have until the end of October to make the appplication

THE PARISH UTILITIES: As I have already menitoned, having a very large church and hall has certinaly focused my mind over these next weeks with regards heating and lighting our buildings. If you have been listening to television and radio this week, you will be aware that from October all utlities will be increasing to £3,500, that is the basic minimal cost. Larger properties will be more. I really do not believe that we can just take the use of utilities for granted. At the end of the day they all have to be paid for. (In fact it is the hall heating & lighting that is the most expensive of all our buildings). I will be meeting with the finance committee very soon, and working out a strategy for the winter months. Some additional fundraising may have to take place, but this can be in the form of social events and possibly having our annual Bazaar once again this year. Several people have already spoken to me about this! The constant support of the parish is essential, and with the declining numbers since Covid, that financial support has diminished considerably! Please refelct on these comments. Thank you!

May God Bless You All This Week

RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS: The Journey of Faith talks will commence on Thursday 8^th September at 8.00pm in the Parish Presbytery. This is a systematic programme of Instruction in the Roman Catholic Faith. If you know of anyone who may be interested in learning a little more about the Roman Catholic faith possibly with the view of being received into full-communion with the Church at Easter 2023, please see Fr. John as soon as possible. Tel No: 020 8508 3492

SACRAMENTAL PREPARATION FOR 2022/23: My thanks to the Parents who came to see me about their children commencing the First Holy Communion Programme in September? It was good to have the opportunity to meet with you. Pre-requisites:- You are members of this Parish, and you are practicing Roman Catholics, attending weekly Mass! If you’re not practicing please don’t waste my time and yours. The meetings have now concluded Thank you!

Vacancy for School Business Manager at St John Fisher Catholic Primary, Loughton. St John Fisher Catholic Primary are seeking to appoint an experienced and well organised School Business Manager. Monday to Friday 9.30am to 2.30pm – 20hpw, Term Time + Non Pupil Days. For more information and to receive a copy of the job description please email finance@st-johnfisher.essex.sch.uk

NOTE FOR OUR CONTEMPORARY MUSIC GROUP: We’ll be singing and playing at the 11am Mass on Sunday, 4^th September and it would be appreciated if all our singers and musicians could be there by around 10.40am to run through the hymns and music before Mass starts. Hopefully you are all now back from holiday, so it would be nice to have a large number of you there! Any singer or musician in the Parish who may like to join us would be made very welcome – simply come along!

CAN YOU HELP? We are desperately in need of additional help for the Altar Society; over the past year or so, we’ve lost a number of our regular helpers who clean the church. If you are able to give an hour or so every month to help keep our Church beautifully clean and tidy, this is all we ask. If you’re able to help please contact Sharon Fitzmaurice 07854919207 or shazzafitzm@aol.com or Fr John. 0208 508 3492 We hope to have A Big Clean once a month, if you can help please come along for half an hour. Thank you!

SICK & HOUSEBOUND: We are now permitted to resume the visitation of the Sick & Housebound. If there is anyone in the parish who would like a visit at home, please contact Fr. John on Tel No: 020 8508 3492

ARE YOU INTERESTED IN A VOCATION TO THE PRIESTHOOD? The next “Enquirers’ Evening” for those considering or interested in a Vocation to the Priesthood is after the summer holidays on Tuesday 6^th September at St Edmund of Canterbury Church in Loughton, at 7.00pm, commencing with Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Rosary in the Church. Our guest speaker will be Bishop Alan Williams. Meetings are monthly, usually the first Tuesday of each month. For further information please contact Fr Mark Swires vocprom@dioceseofbrentwood.org

DIARY AUGUST – SEPTEMBER 2022

PLEASE PRAY FOR THOSE SICK IN OUR PARISH

ANNIVERSARIES: Please pray for all whose anniversaries occur at this time and for all of our deceased loved ones, Requiescant in Pace.

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

Giving & payments go online at Mt. Olive – Mount Olive ... 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.

WEEKLY OFFERTORY DURING THE SUMMER: It’s important that we keep our Offertory giving going. If you belong to the Gift Aid Scheme, please keep your envelopes up to date. I know may parishioners use online giving & Standing Orders. If you want applications for the Gift Aid Scheme, these can be found in the Porch of the Church. Your Weekly Offertory is your Gift to God!

Pieta Drawing Sculpture - Saint Peter's Basilica, Pietà ... PARISH REPOSITORY: There is a lot of new stock in the repository. First Holy Communion gifts and items. A variety of Candles – large and small. Greetings Cards for all occasions. Mass Cards for deceased. Children’s books. There are also a number of CTS little books in a special stand on all sorts of different issues, the saints etc. There are Statues, rosaries, medals, bracelets. Teresa Wallace is happy to order anything your request; it usually takes about a week to arrive.

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 finding it hard to make ends meet. The Foodbank have asked for support with the following items: pasta sauce, rice pudding, jam, tinned fruit, snack / breakfast bars, chocolate bars, shower gel, toilet roll and deodorant. URGENTLY NEEDED: Small jars of coffee, washing up liquid, sponge pudding desserts and instant mash. Thank you! You can also keep up to date with the Foodbank news via their facebook page: www.facebook.com/EppingForestFoodbank/

BOOKING FOR ALL THESE EVENTS – and all information, can be done online at www.bcys.net/events or you can email me with any questions.

MASS INTENTIONS – AUGUST – SEPTEMBER 2022

Sat 27^th	10.00am	Dec’d members of the Sheahan Family (J & C Gormley)
		*Vigil Mass for Sunday. Confessions at 5.30pm*
Sat 27^th	6.00pm	Wiillie Corcoran RIP (Bill & Helen Walsh)
Sun 28^th	9.00am	People of the Parish
Sun 28^th	11:00am	Corazon Razon RIP (Bacuetes Family)
Mon 29^th	10.00am	Dennis Byrne RIP (Mary Ryan)
Tues 30^th	10.00am	Jody Troy RIP (Susan Mulli)
Wed 31^st	10.00am	Rosemary Johnson B’day Ints (Ian Johnson)
Thurs 1^st September	10.00am	Teresa Kane RIP (Margaret Duffy)
Fri 2^nd	10.00am	Maria Feijo (Adelaide Alves)
Sat 3^rd	10.00am	Teresita Alix RIP ((Jane Bacuetes)
		*Vigil Mass for Sunday. Confessions at 5.30pm*
Sat 3^rd	6.00pm	Kathleen & Bernard Harvey (Margaret Hopkinson)
Sun 4^th	9.00am	Jim Sullivan RIP (Nancy Hands)
Sun 4^th	11:00am	Esther Mulholland RIP (Mark & Kathy Munro)

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@dioceseofbrentwood.org

The Brentwood Diocesan Trust Registered Charity No. 234092

22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

First Reading : Ecclesiasticus 3:19-21,30-31

My son, be gentle in carrying out your business,

and you will be better loved than a lavish giver.

The greater you are, the more you should behave humbly,

and then you will find favour with the Lord;

for great though the power of the Lord is,

he accepts the homage of the humble.

There is no cure for the proud man’s malady,

since an evil growth has taken root in him.

The heart of a sensible man will reflect on parables,

an attentive ear is the sage’s dream.

Responsorial Psalm : Psalm 67(68):4-7,10-11

In your goodness, O God, you prepared a home for the poor.

The just shall rejoice at the presence of God,

they shall exult and dance for joy.

O sing to the Lord, make music to his name;

rejoice in the Lord, exult at his presence.

In your goodness, O God, you prepared a home for the poor.

Father of the orphan, defender of the widow,

such is God in his holy place.

God gives the lonely a home to live in;

he leads the prisoners forth into freedom:

In your goodness, O God, you prepared a home for the poor.

You poured down, O God, a generous rain:

when your people were starved you gave them new life.

It was there that your people found a home,

prepared in your goodness, O God, for the poor.

In your goodness, O God, you prepared a home for the poor.

Second Reading : Hebrews 12:18-19,22-24

What you have come to is nothing known to the senses: not a blazing fire, or a gloom turning to total darkness, or a storm; or trumpeting thunder or the great voice speaking which made everyone that heard it beg that no more should be said to them. But what you have come to is Mount Zion and the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem where the millions of angels have gathered for the festival, with the whole Church in which everyone is a ‘first-born son’ and a citizen of heaven. You have come to God himself, the supreme Judge, and been placed with spirits of the saints who have been made perfect; and to Jesus, the mediator who brings a new covenant and a blood for purification which pleads more insistently than Abel’s.

Gospel : Luke 14:1,7-14

On a sabbath day Jesus had gone for a meal to the house of one of the leading Pharisees; and they watched him closely. He then told the guests a parable, because he had noticed how they picked the places of honour. He said this, ‘When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take your seat in the place of honour. A more distinguished person than you may have been invited, and the person who invited you both may come and say, “Give up your place to this man.” And then, to your embarrassment, you would have to go and take the lowest place. No; when you are a guest, make your way to the lowest place and sit there, so that, when your host comes, he may say, “My friend, move up higher.” In that way, everyone with you at the table will see you honoured. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the man who humbles himself will be exalted.’

Then he said to his host, ‘When you give a lunch or a dinner, do not ask your friends, brothers, relations or rich neighbours, for fear they repay your courtesy by inviting you in return. No; when you have a party, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind; that they cannot pay you back means that you are fortunate, because repayment will be made to you when the virtuous rise again.’

Twenty First Sunday of the Year, 2022

St. Edmund of Canterbury & St. Thomas More

Have you ever been asked, ‘Are you saved?’ Most of us find such intrusive questions offensive. Perhaps the reason that it offends is that it invites a response. Our hackles get raised, due to embarrassment and a feeling of invasion of our privacy. Jesus was interrogated in a similar fashion, his interlocutor keen to known not whether he will be saved but how?

Jesus doesn’t dismiss the challenge but rather comes at it from a different angle. Refusing to get bogged down in statistics, he counsels that the gateway to everlasting life is a narrow one and then tells a sober parable about a householder who doesn’t know those who pound on his door. This salutary teaching is driven home by the Lord with the stark image that those who remain outside the kingdom are embittered and filled with rage. It’s an amazing truth that those inside are surprised to find themselves there. Try as we might, we cannot remove this kind of emphasis from Jesus’ teaching, as it’s a significant part of his message.

Jesus is the ultimate realist. He never cajoled his people or forces them to do as he said. Rather, his language of love is of warning, urging and pleading. Jesus taught clearly and unequivocally that our eternal destiny is profoundly linked to his person. To accept him as Lord and worship him as God is the key to the door; to walk humbly before him is the way through the narrow gate. Jesus, the Good Shepherd, opens the gate leading to eternal life for everyone who believes in him. He opens the gateway to eternal life and continually knocks on the door of our souls. St Ambrose shrewdly observed, ‘He would never come and knock at the door, unless He wanted to enter; it is our fault that He does not always enter.’

Lord Jesus Christ, you opened the gate of heaven to us. Your saving death purchased for every human the gift of everlasting life. Protect me from being complacent or negligent in my walk with you and teach me that, although the door is narrow, your presence keeps me safe

Dear Friends in Jesus Christ,

As we enter into the last weeks of August, and prepare for the final Bank Holiday before Christmas; it’s wonderful that we’ve been able to really enjoy some truly beautiful weather this summer. Record temperatures soared, and everyone enjoyed the warmth and sunshine, although at times it got too hot! Coupled with that we had constant and daily reports on the economic situation, not only here but throughout the world. The soaring rises in petrol, gas & electricity, plus the rises in all food stuffs in our supermarkets, has most definitely unnerved everyone. The worry as to whether people can keep their heating on or eat is looming not too far away, and it’s always the poorest of poor that get hit first.

As I mentioned last week, having a very large church and hall has certainly focused my mind over these next weeks with regards heating and lighting our buildings. I really do not believe that we can just take the use of utilities for granted. At the end of the day they all have to be paid for. I will be meeting with the finance committee very soon, and working out a strategy for the winter months. Some additional fundraising may have to take place, but this can be in the form of social events and possibly having our annual Bazaar once again this year. Several people have already spoken to me about this! The constant support of the parish is essential, and with the declining numbers since COVID, that financial support has diminished considerably! Please reflect on these comments. Thank you!

May God Bless You All,

[GRAPHIC] RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS: The Journey of Faith talks will commence on Thursday 8^th September at 8.00pm in the Parish Presbytery. This is a systematic programme of Instruction in the Roman Catholic Faith. If you know of anyone who may be interested in learning a little more about the Roman Catholic faith possibly with the view of being received into full-communion with the Church at Easter 2023, please see Fr. John as soon as possible. Tel No: 020 8508 3492

DIARY AUGUST 2022

PLEASE PRAY FOR THOSE SICK IN OUR PARISH

Carmen Antaki, Margaret Baldwin, Evelyn Bearne, Karl Britz, Carlos Camacho, Jane Downs, Steve Dalgliesh, Pat Fenn, Veronica Godsave, Bernadette Hall, Ann Hawkes, Claire Howes, Jackie Ilines, Noel Johnson, Shaun Keel, Bridget Kinsella, Angela Long, Lilian Mothersole, John McKernan, Rosemary O’Rourke, Remy, Geraldine Taylor, Vera Taylor, Mary Witten, James Wright. And all our loved ones.

ANNIVERSARIES: Martin Duffy RIP. Please pray for all whose anniversaries occur at this time and for all of our deceased loved ones, Requiescant in Pace.

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

WEEKLY OFFERTORY DURING THE SUMMER: While most parishioners will take a summer break over this period until the return to school in September. It’s important that we keep our Offertory giving going. If you belong to the Gift Aid Scheme, please keep your envelopes up to date. I know may parishioners use online giving & Standing Orders. If you want applications for the Gift Aid Scheme, these can be found in the Porch of the Church. Your Weekly Offertory is your Gift to God!

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 finding it hard to make ends meet. The Foodbank have asked for support with the following items: pasta sauce, rice pudding, jam, tinned fruit, snack / breakfast bars, chocolate bars, shower gel, toilet roll and deodorant. URGENTLY NEEDED: Small jars of coffee, washing up liquid, sponge pudding desserts and instant mash. Thank you! You can also keep up to date with the Foodbank news via their facebook page: www.facebook.com/EppingForestFoodbank/

ARE YOU INTERESTED IN A VOCATION TO THE PRIESTHOOD? The next “Enquirers’ Evening” for those considering or interested in a Vocation to the Priesthood is after the summer holidays on Tuesday 6^th September at St Edmund of Canterbury Church in Loughton, at 7.00pm, commencing with Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Rosary in the Church. Meetings are monthly, usually the first Tuesday of each month. For further information please contact Fr Mark Swires vocprom@dioceseofbrentwood.org

SHARING THE CHURCH’S STORY CONFERENCE: A renewal for Mission. With world-class speakers, including Bishop Robert Barron (Word on Fire). Saturday 17^th September in London. Venue – Friend’s House Conference Centre, Euston Road.

MASS INTENTIONS – AUGUST 2022

Sat 20^th	10.00am	Phil Perry RIP
		*Vigil Mass for Sunday. Confessions at 5.30pm*
Sat 20^th	6.00pm	David Faud RIP (Teresa Faud & Family)
Sun 21^st	9.00am	Lily McEvoy RIP ((The Ruiz Family)
Sun 21^st	11:00am	Martin Duffy RIP (3rd Anni) (Sarah Duffy & Family)
Mon 22^nd	10.00am	Mary, John & Judith Gormley RIP (John Gormley)
Tues 23^rd	10.00am	Maureen McCabe RIP (R & I Johnson)
Wed 24^th	10.00am	Holy Souls (Margaret Hiscock)
Thurs 25^th	10.00am	Peter Smith RIP (Paul Falco)
Fri 26^th	10.00am	Maureen Mully (B’day Ints) (Karen Burrowes)
Sat 27^th	10.00am	Dec’d members of the Sheahan Family (J & C Gormley)
		*Vigil Mass for Sunday. Confessions at 5.30pm*
Sat 27^th	6.00pm	Wiillie Corcoran RIP (Bill & Helen Walsh)
0Sun 28^th	9.00am	People of the Parish
Sun 28^th	11:00am	Corazon Razon RIP (Bacuetes Family)

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@dioceseofbrentwood.org

The Brentwood Diocesan Trust Registered Charity No. 234092

_______________________________________________________________________________________

21st Sunday in Ordinary Time

First Reading : Isaiah 66:18-21

The Lord says this: I am coming to gather the nations of every language. They shall come to witness my glory. I will give them a sign and send some of their survivors to the nations: to Tarshish, Put, Lud, Moshech, Rosh, Tubal, and Javan, to the distant islands that have never heard of me or seen my glory. They will proclaim my glory to the nations. As an offering to the Lord they will bring all your brothers, on horses, in chariots, in litters, on mules, on dromedaries, from all the nations to my holy mountain in Jerusalem, says the Lord, like Israelites bringing oblations in clean vessels to the Temple of the Lord. And of some of them I will make priests and Levites, says the Lord.

Responsive Psalm : Psalm 116(117)

Go out to the whole world; proclaim the Good News.

O praise the Lord, all you nations,

acclaim him all you peoples!

Go out to the whole world; proclaim the Good News.

Strong is his love for us;

he is faithful for ever.

Go out to the whole world; proclaim the Good News.

Second Reading : Hebrews 12:5-7,11-13

Have you forgotten that encouraging text in which you are addressed as sons? My son, when the Lord corrects you, do not treat it lightly; but do not get discouraged when he reprimands you. For the Lord trains the ones that he loves and he punishes all those that he acknowledges as his sons. Suffering is part of your training; God is treating you as his sons. Has there ever been any son whose father did not train him? Of course, any punishment is most painful at the time, and far from pleasant; but later, in those on whom it has been used, it bears fruit in peace and goodness. So hold up your limp arms and steady your trembling knees and smooth out the path you tread; then the injured limb will not be wrenched, it will grow strong again.

Gospel : Luke 13:22-30

Through towns and villages Jesus went teaching, making his way to Jerusalem. Someone said to him, ‘Sir, will there be only a few saved?’ He said to them, ‘Try your best to enter by the narrow door, because, I tell you, many will try to enter and will not succeed.

‘Once the master of the house has got up and locked the door, you may find yourself knocking on the door, saying, “Lord, open to us” but he will answer, “I do not know where you come from.” Then you will find yourself saying, “We once ate and drank in your company; you taught in our streets” but he will reply, “I do not know where you come from. Away from me, all you wicked men!”

‘Then there will be weeping and grinding of teeth, when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, and yourselves turned outside. And men from east and west, from north and south, will come to take their places at the feast in the kingdom of God.

‘Yes, there are those now last who will be first, and those now first who will be last.’

THE GOSPEL OF THE LORD

The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary 2022.

St. Edmund of Canterbury & St. Thomas More

The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Dear Friends in Christ, The Assumption 2022

Mary’s Assumption points to John 14:3: ‘and when I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and I will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.’ Mary was assumed body and soul into heaven to be with Jesus, the Son of God, who had gone to prepare a place for her. In 1950 Pope Pius XII said ‘Mary, having completed the course of her earthly life, was assumed body and soul into heavenly glory.’We accept this teaching, this doctrine of the Church, as an article of faith. We believe and so we pray, ‘Hail Mary, full of grace.’ Mary is truly the Queen of Heaven.

We celebrate her life and rejoice in her everlasting reward. Through the witness of Mary, we are also reminded that today is an opportunity for us to renew our own hope in the promise, that on the last day, our soul, which separates from our body at death, is reunited with our resurrection body, and we rise to life everlasting, body and soul. This is an exciting and wonderful truth that should spur us on in the living out of our faith, day by day. Speaking of that body, St. Paul writes: ‘What is sown is persishable, what is raised is imperishable. It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power. It is sown in a physical body; it is raised in a spiritual body.’

Today, we rejoice in Mary, our Mother in faith, and give praise to God for her faithfulness, obedience and love. She is the perfect model of every Christian virtue, and it is fitting that Scripture and tradition unite to proclaim her assumption into eternal reward in heaven.

Dear Friends in Jesus Christ,

As we have been basking in the sunshine for the past several weeks, and there has been very little rain, all the reports on the radio and television have been focusing on the ongoing situation of drought; but coupled with that as we are experiencing temperatures of nearly 100 degrees, there is also the looming cloud of autumn and winter, and the incredible raising of fuel & utility charges. It’s quite a worrying situation, and I’m sure many people will be making the decision of whether to buy fuel or eat. We will all have to tighten our belts and of course make provisions for the winter in the best way possible. Living in Canada for a couple of years, certainly got me used to layering clothing when I went out. As you can appreciate we have huge buildings here in the parish, and I’m sure you will all respond in kind to keep our properties maintained and heated throughout the winter.

God Bless You All,

SACRAMENTAL PREPARATION FOR 2022/23: My thanks to the Parents who came to see me recently about their children commencing the First Holy Communion Programme in September? It was good to have the opportunity to meet with you. Pre-requisites:- You are members of this Parish, and you are practicing Roman Catholics, attending weekly Mass! If you’re not practicing please don’t waste my time and yours. The meetings have now concluded Thank you!

RELICS OF ST BERNADETTE OF LOURDES COMING TO UK: The Churches & Cathedrals hosting St Bernadette’s Relics have a fixed capacity for vistors. To ensure the comfort and safety of pilgrims, visitors will be asked to register to attend with a dedicated timeslot. In the diocese of Brentwood there are two dates and two venues. The Cathedral arriving 11am 16/10/2022 Departing 12Noon 17/10/2022. Our Lady of Lourdes Wanstead: Arrive 10am 18^th/10/2022. Depart: 9am 19/10/2022

DIARY AUGUST 2022

PLEASE PRAY FOR THOSE SICK IN OUR PARISH

ANNIVERSARIES: Vera Beryl Mulholland RIP. Martin Duffy RIP. Please pray for all whose anniversaries occur at this time and for all of our deceased loved ones, Requiescant in Pace.

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

May God Bless You All This Coming Week.

BOOKING FOR ALL THESE EVENTS – and all information, can be done online at www.bcys.net/events or you can email me with any questions.

IRREGULAR MARRIAGES: An Irregualr Marriage is one that has taken place outside of the Catholic Church without dispensation. For example: Marriages in hotels, and secualr venues, on beaches or Las Vegas; marriage in a non-Catholic Church without dispensation from the Bishop. These marriages are not recognised by the Catholic Church, and therefore are non sacramental & irregular. But there is a facility in the Church to rectify these situations called a Convalidation (this is a strictly private facility that is offered by the church). As marriage and family life is what I specialised in while studying Canon Law, if anyone wishes to speak to me confidentially please don’t hesitate to contact me: Tel No: 0208 508 3492

ARE YOU INTERESTED IN A VOCATION TO THE PRIESTHOOD? The next “Enquirers’ Evening” for those considering or interested in a Vocation to the Priesthood is after the summer holidays on Tuesday 6^th September at St Edmund of Canterbury Church in Loughton, at 7.00pm, commencing with Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Rosary in the Church. Meetings are monthly, usually the first Tuesday of each month. For further information please contact Fr Mark Swires vocprom@dioceseofbrentwood.org

SHARING THE CHURCH’S STORY CONFERENCE: A renewal for Mission. With world-class speakers, including Bishop Robert Barron (Word on Fire). Saturday 17^th September in London. Venue – Friend’s House Conference Centre, Euston Road.

MASS INTENTIONS – AUGUST 2022

Sat 13^th	10.00am	Rob Brazier
		*Vigil Mass for Sunday. Confessions at 5.30pm*
Sat 13^th	6.00pm	People of the Parish
Sun 14^th	9.00am	Vera Mulholland RIP
Sun 14^th	11:00am	Dec’d of Hall Family RIP
Mon 15^th	10.00am	Vocations to the Priesthood & the Sanctification of the Clergy (M Hiscock)
Tues 16^th	10.00am	Rob Brazier RIP
Wed 17^th	10.00am	Arthur & Peggy Joyce RIP
Thurs 18^th	10.00am	Rosemary O’Rourke Int’s (Pat & Margaret)
Fri 19^th	10.00am	Julie Farrell RIP (Geraldine O’Donoghue)
Sat 20^th	10.00am	Phil Perry RIP
		*Vigil Mass for Sunday. Confessions at 5.30pm*
Sat 20^th	6.00pm	David Faud RIP (Teresa Faud & Family)
Sun 21^st	9.00am	Lily McEvoy RIP ((The Ruiz Family)
Sun 21^st	11:00am	Martin Duffy RIP (3rd Anni) (Sarah Duffy & Family)

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@dioceseofbrentwood.org

The Brentwood Diocesan Trust Registered Charity No. 234092

18th / 19th Sundays of the Year 2022

St. Edmund of Canterbury & St. Thomas More

Parish Weekly Newsletter

Dear Friends in Christ, Eighteenth Sunday of the Year 2022, Year C

The man in the crowd asking Jesus to settle a family dispute wants him to act like a rabbi. Jesus however, is instantly aware that his request stems from greed and envy. He chooses to expose the motives of the man’s heart rather than settle his grievance. The Lord teaches that the purpose and meaning of life is making oneself ‘rich towards God.’

Greed and envy focus a person on self. Those who pursue wealth seek security and safety. They use their riches to shield themselves from life’s vicissitudes and to find comfort and confidence in material things. In the pursuit of wealth they lose sight of the real meaning of life because they are seduced by the illusion that with their fortune they can control their lives. Yet one day everyone will die – possessions cannot protect against that day. $D:\CONTENT\LIT_OT_C\01\OTC_18G.TIF$

Furthermore the pursuit of affluence and pleasure eliminates both God and neighbour from sight since the focus is exclusively on obtaining possessions in order to feel secure: ‘I will say to my soul, Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; take your ease, eat, drink and be merry.’ Finally wealth creates the desire for greater wealth, making the circle of illusion complete.

Being rich in the sight of God brings into sharp focus the purpose of life and allows us to live according to truth. The real meaning of life is that we depend on God for everything; God is the source of all good, and we are created for a relationship with him. Our security is to be found in God alone; we can live with confidence that is directing our lives, and will provide for all our needs.

Dear Friends in Jesus Christ,

This week’s Parish Newsletter will suffice for the next two weeks. As a high propertion of the parish are on holidays, and all the various programmes cease during the summer recess. Please access the Newsletter, either by the website or give us your e.mail address, and Iain McLay will add you to the WhatsApp Group and Newsletter distribution list.

RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS: The Journey of Faith talks will commence on Thursday 8^th September at 8.00pm in the Parish Presbytery. This is a systematic programme of Instruction in the Roman Catholic Faith. If you know of anyone else who may be interested in learning a little more about the Roman Catholic faith possibly with the view of being received into full-communion with the Church at Easter 2023, please see Fr. John as soon as possible. Tel No: 020 8508 3492 [GRAPHIC]

REQUESTED MASS INTENTIONS: At present, I don’t have any requested Mass Intentions. If any parishioner wishes to have a Mass celebrated for deceased relatives, anniversary masses, birthday masses, special intentions, for someone who maybe sick, or for any other special occasion, please make your request with the mass envelopes provided in the Porch of the Church, place your Mass Offering in the envelope and drop it off at the Presbytery.

May God Bless You All,

DIARY JULY – AUGUST 2022

PLEASE PRAY FOR THOSE SICK IN OUR PARISH

ANNIVERSARIES: Mary Cocklin RIP, Patricia Panagli RIP, Danny McGrory RIP, Vera Beryl Mulholland RIP. Please pray for all whose anniversaries occur at this time and for all of our deceased loved ones, Requiescant in Pace.

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

May God Bless You All This Coming Week,

FROM OUR GIFT AID ORGANISER: If you are part of the Gift Aid scheme, you would have received your summary for tax purposes this week either in the post or via email. If you have not received a letter by Monday the 23^rd May, please send me an email at abbie.akinfenwa@btinternet.com or text to 0775470934 with your name and gift aid number. Emails have been sent already. If you received a letter and are happy to receive an email next time, please send me your email address as this helps us save stationery, admin and postage costs. Thank you for your co-operation

SACRAMENTAL PREPARATION FOR 2022/23: My thanks to the Parents who came to see me this week about their children commencing the First Holy Communion Programme in September? It was good to have the opportunity to meet with you. Pre-requisites:- You are members of this Parish, and you are practicing Roman Catholics, attending weekly Mass! If you’re not practicing please don’t waste my time and yours. The meetings have now concluded Thank you!

BOOKING FOR ALL THESE EVENTS – and all information, can be done online at www.bcys.net/events or you can email me with any questions.

SICK & HOUSEBOUND: Weare now permitted to resume the visitation of the Sick & Housebound. If there is anyone in the parish who would like a visit at home, please contact Fr. John on Tel No: 020 8508 3492

NOTE FOR OUR CONTEMPORARY MUSIC GROUP:

We will be singing and playing at our next Mass on Sunday, 7^th August at 11am.We appreciate that this is in the middle of the holiday season, but if you are not away, please make every effort to come to the Mass. We’d be grateful if you could arrive 20/30 minutes before Mass starts so that we can run through the hymns and music. Thank you. If you are away, then please do have an enjoyable break, with not too much queuing at the airport if you’re travelling abroad! As always, new singers who may like to join us would be made very welcome – simply come along!

MASS INTENTIONS – JULY – AUGUST 2022

Sat 30^th	10.00am	Eileen Griffin (M Ryan)
		*Vigil Mass for Sunday. Confessions at 5.30pm*
Sat 30^th	6.00pm	Ronald Pavett RIP (G Ashwell-Pavett)
Sun 31^st	9.00am	People of the Parish
Sun 31^st	11:00am	Jake McClean RIP (Maria Fray)
Mon 1^stAugust	10.00am	Frank & Sue Hogan, 30^th Wedding Anni) (The Ruiz Family)
Tues 2^nd	10.00am	Holy Souls
Wed 3^rd	10.00am	Peter Smith RIP (Paul Falco)
Thurs 4^th	10.00am	Olga Norgueira (B’day Ints) Pat & Margaret)
Fri 5^th	10.00am	John Davin RIP
Sat 6^th	10.00am	Maureen Kisley B’day Int’s (Pat & Margaret)
		*Vigil Mass for Sunday. Confessions at 5.30pm*
Sat 6^th	6.00pm	Joe Brown RIP (Betty Brown)
Sun 7^th	9.00am	People of the Parish
Sun 7^th	11:00am	Deceased relatives of Camilla Giovannini & Pietro Leonardelli
Mon 8^th August	10.00am	Holy Souls
Tues 9^th	10.00am	Rob Brazier RIP
Wed 10^th	10.00am	Deceased of McGowan Family RIP
Thurs 11^th	9.00am	Frank Westcott’s B’day Int’s. (Pat & Margaret)
Fri 12^th	10.00am	Holy Souls
Sat 13^th	10.00am	Rob Brazier RIP
		*Vigil Mass for Sunday. Confessions at 5.30pm*
Sat 13^th	6.00pm	People of the Parish
Sun 14^th	9.00am	Vera Mulholland RIP
Sun 14^th	11:00am	Dec’d of the Hall Family 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@dioceseofbrentwood.org

The Brentwood Diocesan Trust Registered Charity No. 234092

Seventeenth Sunday of the Year 2022

St. Edmund of Canterbury & St. Thomas More

Parish Weekly Newsletter

Dear Friends in Christ 17^th Sunday of the Year 2022
OTC_17D

Today we encounter Jesus’ teaching on prayer, which is more radical, challenging and life-changing than we may at first realise because it encourages an approach or attitude to prayer which we might not share or even appreciate. The Lord Jesus positively and unambiguously encourages a bold, confident, even brazen attitude towards approaching God in prayer. The Lord wants us to cultivate a way of praying that is hopeful, expectant and sure of God’s goodness and generosity.

No prayer captures this more beautifully than the Our Father, which the Lord himself taught us to pray. The Our Father is the Magna Carta, the blueprint for all prayer. Despite being so short and compact is encapsulates the essence of prayer and the very heart of our relationship with God. St. Augustine said of the Our Father: ‘If you run through the petitions of all holy prayers, I believe you will find nothing that is not summed up and contained in the Lord’s Prayer.’

Jesus uses the story of a persistent neighbour, who will take not take for an answer to reveal that God the Father is not like the unwilling neighbour, but is generous, kind and benevolent provider for his children’s needs. We discover who God is more through prayer, than any other spiritual exercise, for it is in prayer that the Spirit woks in us to expand not just our minds but our hearts, our imagination and our horizons. OTC_17G

Dear Friends in Jesus Christ,

This week we’ve soaring temperatures like we’ve never seen before; and everyone, whilst trying to keep cool had to get on with everyday work and living. Also, our schools have just closed for the summer holidays. I wish all our teachers, teaching assistants, ancillary staff and pupils a good summer recess. The holidays are always a wonderful time to recahrge the battrries. I hope and pray that everyone will get the opportunity for a couple of weeks away with family and loved ones. It’s truly amazing how this can rejuvenate the spirit. Looking at the world wide temperatires here in over the past couple of weeks, it’s been even hotter here than most Mediterranean countires. Please be careful in the heat and ensure that you use plenty of sunscreen and drink plenty of water.

REDECORATION COMPLETED: This week the painters finally completed the paiting of the Sacristies. I’m so very happy with the end result of this redecoration project. The church is looking truly wonderful, and thank you for all the wonderful comments over the past couple of weeks. It’s truly heartening to know that you like the finished product. Let’s hope it lasts for a good long while!

WEEKLY OFFERTORY DURING THE SUMMER: While most parishioners will take a summer break over this period until the return to school in September. It’s important that we keep our Offertory giving up-to date. If you belong to the Gift Aid Scheme, please use your envelopes. I know may parishioners use online giving & also Standing Orders.

RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS: The Journey of Faith talks will commence on Thursday 8^th September at 8.00pm in the Parish Presbytery. This is a systematic programme of Instruction in the Roman Catholic Faith. If you know of anyone else who may be interested in learning a little more about the Roman Catholic faith possibly with the view of being received into full-communion with the Church at Easter 2023, please see Fr. John as soon as possible. Tel No: 020 8508 3492

[GRAPHIC]

May God Bless You All, with Love & Peace

REQUESTED MASS INTENTIONS: At present, I don’t have any requested Mass Intentions. If any parishioners wishes to have a Mass celebrated for deceased relatives, anniversary masses, birthday masses, special intentions, for someone who maybe sick, or for any other special occasion, please make your request with the mass envelopes provided in the Porch of the Church.

REQUEST: ‘Would anyone who enjoys cooking be interested in cooking an evening meal for my elderly parents three days a week? They do enjoy good food and a bit of company. We were thinking Tuesday, Thursday & Saturday but this could be flexible. This is a paid role. My parents live in North Chingford.’ Jan Kay. (Please contact Jan Kay on 07831 160496 or 020 8502 2620.) Thank you!

DIARY JULY 2022

PLEASE PRAY FOR THOSE SICK IN OUR PARISH

ANNIVERSARIES: Mary Moriarty RIP & Alan West RIP. Please pray for all whose anniversaries occur at this time and for all of our deceased loved ones, Requiescant in Pace.

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

May God Bless You All This Coming Week,

NOTE FOR OUR CONTEMPORARY MUSIC GROUP: We will be singing and playing at our next Mass on Sunday, 7^th August at 11am.We appreciate that this is in the middle of the holiday season, but if you are not away, please make every effort to come to the Mass. We’d be grateful if you could arrive 20/30 minutes before Mass starts so that we can run through the hymns and music. Thank you. If you are away, then please do have an enjoyable break, with not too much queuing at the airport if you’re travelling abroad! As always, new singers who may like to join us would be made very welcome – simply come along!

BOOKING FOR ALL THESE EVENTS – and all information, can be done online at www.bcys.net/events or you can email me with any questions.

MASS INTENTIONS – JULY – AUGUST 2022

Sat 23^rd	10.00am	Philomena Joseph RIP (Mariet Paul)
		*Vigil Mass for Sunday. Confessions at 5.30pm*
Sat 23^rd	6.00pm	People of the Parish
Sun 24^th	9.00am	Robert Thomas Int’s. (Ruiz Family)
Sun 24^th	11:00am	Brian & Moira Carter 60^th Wedding anniversary.
Mon 25^th August	10.00am	Private Intention (Margaret Hiscock)
Tues 26^th	10.00am	June Happe RIP ((John & Kathy Frowood)
Wed 27^th	10.00am	Rosemary O’Rourke (John O’Rourke)
Thurs 28^th	9.00am	Holy Souls
Fri 29^th	10.00am	Wil Severijns RIP
Sat 30^th	10.00am	Eileen Griffin (M Ryan)
		*Vigil Mass for Sunday. Confessions at 5.30pm*
Sat 30^th	6.00pm	Ronald Pavett RIP (G Ashwell-Pavett)
Sun 31^st	9.00am	People of the Parish
Sun 11an	11:00am	Jake McClean RIP (Maria Fray)

Please kindly be patient with your mass requests. I will try to accommodate your requested dates, but there have been a large number of requests recently and we celebrate masses in the order in which we receive them.

Parish Phone No: 0208 508 3492 Email: loughton@dioceseofbrentwood.org

The Brentwood Diocesan Trust Registered Charity No. 234092

17th Sunday in Ordinary Time

First Reading : Genesis 18:20-32

The Lord said, ‘How great an outcry there is against Sodom and Gomorrah! How grievous is their sin! I propose to go down and see whether or not they have done all that is alleged in the outcry against them that has come up to me. I am determined to know.’

The men left there and went to Sodom while Abraham remained standing before the Lord. Approaching him he said, ‘Are you really going to destroy the just man with the sinner? Perhaps there are fifty just men in the town. Will you really overwhelm them, will you not spare the place for the fifty just men in it? Do not think of doing such a thing: to kill the just man with the sinner, treating just and sinner alike! Do not think of it! Will the judge of the whole earth not administer justice?’ the Lord replied, ‘If at Sodom I find fifty just men in the town, I will spare the whole place because of them.’

Abraham replied, ‘I am bold indeed to speak like this to my Lord, I who am dust and ashes. But perhaps the fifty just men lack five: will you destroy the whole city for five?’ ‘No,’ he replied ‘I will not destroy it if I find forty-five just men there.’ Again Abraham said to him, ‘Perhaps there will only be forty there.’ ‘I will not do it’ he replied ‘for the sake of the forty.’

Abraham said, ‘I trust my Lord will not be angry, but give me leave to speak: perhaps there will only be thirty there.’ ‘I will not do it’ he replied ‘if I find thirty there.’ He said, ‘I am bold indeed to speak like this, but perhaps there will only be twenty there.’ ‘I will not destroy it’ he replied ‘for the sake of the twenty.’ He said, ‘I trust my Lord will not be angry if I speak once more: perhaps there will only be ten.’ ‘I will not destroy it’ he replied ‘for the sake of the ten.’

Responsive Psalm : Psalm 137(138):1-3,6-8

On the day I called, you answered me, O Lord.

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.

On the day I called, you answered me, O Lord.

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.

On the day I called, you answered me, O Lord.

The Lord is high yet he looks on the lowly

and the haughty he knows from afar.

Though I walk in the midst of affliction

you give me life and frustrate my foes.

On the day I called, you answered me, O Lord.

You stretch out your hand and save me,

your hand will do all things for me.

Your love, O Lord, is eternal,

discard not the work of your hands.

On the day I called, you answered me, O Lord.

Second Reading : Colossians 2:12-14

You have been buried with Christ, when you were baptised; and by baptism, too, you have been raised up with him through your belief in the power of God who raised him from the dead. You were dead, because you were sinners and had not been circumcised: he has brought you to life with him, he has forgiven us all our sins.

He has overridden the Law, and cancelled every record of the debt that we had to pay; he has done away with it by nailing it to the cross.

Gospel : Luke 11:1-13

Once Jesus was in a certain place praying, and when he had finished one of his disciples said, ‘Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.’

He said to them, ‘Say this when you pray:

‘“Father, may your name be held holy,

your kingdom come;

give us each day our daily bread,

and forgive us our sins,

for we ourselves forgive each one who is in debt to us.

And do not put us to the test.”’

He also said to them:

‘Suppose one of you has a friend and goes to him in the middle of the night to say, “My friend, lend me three loaves, because a friend of mine on his travels has just arrived at my house and I have nothing to offer him”; and the man answers from inside the house, “Do not bother me. The door is bolted now, and my children and I are in bed; I cannot get up to give it you.” I tell you, if the man does not get up and give it him for friendship’s sake, persistence will be enough to make him get up and give his friend all he wants.

‘So I say to you: Ask, and it will be given to you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. For the one who asks always receives; the one who searches always finds; the one who knocks will always have the door opened to him. What father among you would hand his son a stone when he asked for bread? Or hand him a snake instead of a fish? Or hand him a scorpion if he asked for an egg? If you then, who are evil, know how to give your children what is good, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!’

Sixteenth Sunday of the Year 2022

St. Edmund of Canterbury & St. Thomas More

In a story unique to St. Luke’s Gospel, we read of a remarkable and beautiful incident in Jesus’ life. Mary of Magdalene, whose feast we celebrated two days ago, is traditionally associated with the Mary before us today but scholars think that it is unlikely to be the same person, believing this woman to be Mary of Bethany. What is clear is that, like Mary Magdalene, Mary of Bethany loved the Lord. In this account, she did not wash his feet with her weeping or anoint his body with expensive nard but she showed that one thing was needed, and that was to sit at the Master’s feet and learn from him

There has always been a tension between the contemplative arm and the apostolic arm of the Church. The contemplatives are accused of being too focused on prayer whereas the Apostles are criticised for being too preoccupied with action and not placing enough emphasis on the interior life. Of course, this is too simplistic juxtaposition but there is an element of truth in it.
Jesus, Mary, and Martha. Bible coloring page

It is, however, hard not to feel some sympathy for Martha, who in this understanding embodies the apostolic approach, Mary can come across as a kind of ‘goody two shoes’. Martha on the other hand, has not airs and graces; she is a worker and not a shirker. Clearly both women were serving the Lord, but Mary, in Jesus’ own words, chose what is better. This doesn’t mean what Martha was doing in that moment wasn’t good or noble or worthy, or even right for her to be doing; it simply means that ultimately sitting at the Lord’s feet and learning from him who is humble and gentle or heart is the goal of our faith.

The great saints of the Church did not hesitate to serve others practically. Pope Francis is calling us all to serve others in a spirit of love and charity, but all service of God must be first rooted in prayer and hearing God speak through his Word.

Dear Friends in Jesus Christ,

I’ve had a week to reflect on the beautiful Thanksgiving Mass and Reception for my Jubilee last Friday. It truly was a wonderful occasion, and I’m so grateful to the whole parish community for everything you did to make is such a great success. We were certianly blessed with the weather. This week I have received several letters and messages from guests, they all said what a wonderful welcome they received from the parish. My cousins from Ireland and my friends from America all commented on how welcoming everyone was. Thank you! The Jubilee orgainsing committee headed by Lorraine Leith really pulled all the stops out on the day, and I’m so grateful for all the hard work, over many weeks, that went into the preparations. Thank you one and all. I was very proud of the whole parish community!

I have been able to look at, and read all the various greetings cards and gifts that were dropped off at the Presbytery and given to me on the day of Jubilee. Thank you for your throughfulness. Also, I know now why the organising committee asked me to be out of the parish for a weekend about a month ago. My thanks to you all for your most generous gift!

Above all, I give thanks to Almighty God for the gift of priesthood. I am truly humbled to share in the Priesthood of Jesus Christ; and the beautiful words of St Benedict, which I put on my original Oridination cards and the Prayer cards I distributed last week, still ring true today: ‘Prefer nothing whatever to the love of Christ.’ (Rule of St Benedict)

CHURCH DECORATION: I am very pleased to let you know, that apart from the two sacristies, the inside and outside of the church are now complete. I would like to thank JW Steele Ltd, Chelmsford for the really tremendouns job they have done over the past five weeks. They worked really hard to get the inside completed for the Jubilee last weekend. Thankfully, we have not had to draw upon our parish funds; the sale of St Thomas More Site has paid for all the work done over the past several weeks, the redecoration of the Parish Hall, the Church, and also the rebuilding of the porch at the Presbytery. With thanks to you All!

May God Bless You All, with Love & Peace

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 finding it hard to make ends meet. They will be running their initiative to support families with food over the Easter holidays and these are the items we can help them with: UHT milk, long-life juice, tinned tomatoes, tinned meat, rice pudding, custard, packet noodles, instant mash, tinned spaghetti, tinned fruit, breakfast bars/ snack bars, jam, chocolate spread, sponge puddings, chocolate bars, bottled sauces (Ketchup/brown sauce), small jars of coffee, toilet roll, laundry powder/tablets, razors, shampoo/conditioner and washing up liquid. You can also keep up to date with the Foodbank news via their Facebook page: www.facebook.com/EppingForestFoodbank/

DIARY JULY 2022

PLEASE PRAY FOR THOSE SICK IN OUR PARISH

ANNIVERSARIES: Mary Moriarty RIP & Alan West RIP. Please pray for all whose anniversaries occur at this time and for all of our deceased loved ones, Requiescant in Pace.

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

May God Bless You All This Coming Week,

BOOKING FOR ALL THESE EVENTS – and all information, can be done online at www.bcys.net/events or you can email me with any questions.

THE DIOCESAN LOURDES PILGRIMAGE: led by Bishop Alan, will take place from Sunday 24 – Friday 29 July in Lourdes. Brochures for the pilgrimage, which will include costs, will be available soon. For further information contact Cathy O’Connor: cathy@dioceseofbrentwood.org or 07813 710070.

MASS INTENTIONS – JULY 2022

Sat 16^th	10.00am	Kate & Tom Dennison RIP (Anni) (Margaret Duffy)
		*Vigil Mass for Sunday. Confessions at 5.30pm*
Sat 16^th	6.00pm	Onnig Ashdjian RIP (Anthony Family)
Sun 17^th	9.00am	People of the Parish
Sun 17^th	11:00am	Daniel, Ellen & Betsy Exley RIP (Catherine Knight)
Mon 18^th	10.00am	Ann Kennedy RIP (G O’Donoghue)
Tues 19^th	10.00am	Dilys RIP (Pat & Margaret)
Wed 20^th	10.00am	Peter Smith RIP (Paul Falco)
Thurs 21^st	9.00am	Holy Souls
Fri 22^nd	10.00am	Rob Brazier RIP
Sat 23^rd	10.00am	Philomena Joseph RIP (Mariet Paul)
		*Vigil Mass for Sunday. Confessions at 5.30pm*
Sat 23^rd	6.00pm	People of the Parish
Sun 24^th	9.00am	Robert Thomas Int’s. (Ruiz Family)
Sun 24^th	11:00am	Brian & Moira Carter 60^th Wedding anniversary.

Parish Phone No: 0208 508 3492 Email: loughton@dioceseofbrentwood.org

The Brentwood Diocesan Trust Registered Charity No. 234092

16th Sunday in Ordinary Time

First Reading : Genesis 18:1-10

The Lord appeared to Abraham at the Oak of Mamre while he was sitting by the entrance of the tent during the hottest part of the day. He looked up, and there he saw three men standing near him. As soon as he saw them he ran from the entrance of the tent to meet them, and bowed to the ground. ‘My lord,’ he said ‘I beg you, if I find favour with you, kindly do not pass your servant by. A little water shall be brought; you shall wash your feet and lie down under the tree. Let me fetch a little bread and you shall refresh yourselves before going further. That is why you have come in your servant’s direction.’ They replied, ‘Do as you say.’

Abraham hastened to the tent to find Sarah.’ ‘Hurry,’ he said ‘knead three bushels of flour and make loaves.’ Then running to the cattle Abraham took a fine and tender calf and gave it to the servant, who hurried to prepare it. Then taking cream, milk and the calf he had prepared, he laid all before them, and they ate while he remained standing near them under the tree.

‘Where is your wife Sarah?’ they asked him. ‘She is in the tent’ he replied. Then his guest said, ‘I shall visit you again next year without fail, and your wife will then have a son.’

Responsive Psalm : Psalm 14(15):2-5

The just will live in the presence of the Lord.

Lord, who shall dwell on your holy mountain?

He who walks without fault;

he who acts with justice

and speaks the truth from his heart;

he who does not slander with his tongue.

The just will live in the presence of the Lord.

He who does no wrong to his brother,

who casts no slur on his neighbour,

who holds the godless in disdain,

but honours those who fear the Lord.

The just will live in the presence of the Lord.

He who keeps his pledge, come what may;

who takes no interest on a loan

and accepts no bribes against the innocent.

Such a man will stand firm for ever.

The just will live in the presence of the Lord.

Second Reading : Colossians 1:24-28

It makes me happy to suffer for you, as I am suffering now, and in my own body to do what I can to make up all that has still to be undergone by Christ for the sake of his body, the Church. I became the servant of the Church when God made me responsible for delivering God’s message to you, the message which was a mystery hidden for generations and centuries and has now been revealed to his saints. It was God’s purpose to reveal it to them and to show all the rich glory of this mystery to pagans. The mystery is Christ among you, your hope of glory: this is the Christ we proclaim, this is the wisdom in which we thoroughly train everyone and instruct everyone, to make them all perfect in Christ.

Gospel : Luke 10:38-42

Jesus came to a village, and a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. She had a sister called Mary, who sat down at the Lord’s feet and listened to him speaking. Now Martha who was distracted with all the serving said, ‘Lord, do you not care that my sister is leaving me to do the serving all by myself? Please tell her to help me.’ But the Lord answered: ‘Martha, Martha,’ he said ‘you worry and fret about so many things, and yet few are needed, indeed only one. It is Mary who has chosen the better part; it is not to be taken from her.

Fifteenth Sunday of the Year 2022

Catholic Social Teaching has largely owned the parable of the Good Samaritan and in a way rightly so, because it highlights the care and solicitude we owe every human being, but particularly those in dire need physically, emotionally or spiritually. However, ask yourself, if you will, whether there is a deeper meaning to the parable. Are we missing something? Is the parable simply about being good and kind and decent to your neighbour? We can be sure; absolutely sure in fact, that because Scripture is divinely inspired, there are always layers of revelation to uncover and a deeper meaning behind every verse.

Some of the early Fathers of Scripture scholarship, such as Origin, St. Augustine and St. Thomas Aquinas, discerned in the parable of the Good Samaritan a much deeper meaning than helping our neighbour. They approached the parable allegorically – in other words, as a device in which the characters or events represents or symbolise real people and real events and communicate a hidden and profound message. Approaching Scriptures allegorically can open up deeper and deeper layers to its meaning. Some theologians dislike this approach because they fear that we can read into the text significance which the original author did not intend. But they themselves often approach Scripture in the wrong way, studying and discussing it like a Shakespeare play or another ancient text. Scripture is the divine Word of God and by its very nature there are always hidden depths to plumb. Image result for the good samaritan clipart black and white

So, for today, let us consider an allegorical understanding of the parable. Jerusalem represents heaven and Jericho the earth or the world. The robbers are the devil and the demons. The priest represents the Torah (the Jewish law) and the Levite the Prophets. The victim beaten, bruised, wounded and left half dead by the roadside is you! The Good Samaritan is Jesus, and the donkey is Christ’s body, which bears the weight of the broken body of the victim or this terrible robbery on the open highway. Finally the inn represents the Church, our place of healing and sanctuary. The Good Samaritan’s promise to return is a reference to Jesus’ coming again in power and glory.

Dear Friends in Jesus Christ,

It is with joy in my heart, and a great sense of thanksgiving that I would like to express my gratitiude to the whole parish community for such a wonderful celebration last Friday evening on the occasion of my Fortieth Anniversary of Ordination to the Sacred Priesthood. I’m so pleased so many of you were able to join in the Thanksgiving Mass, and also the Reception afterwards. Also it was great to meet up once again with parishioners from previous parishes where I have served as a priest over the past forty years.

I express my gratitude to Monsignor John Armitage who preached at the Jubilee Mass, whom I have known for over fifty years; also my brother priests from the diocese and outside the diocese, it was wonderful to have so many of them present. Thank you to Bishop Alan, who has been so kind to me personally through the years. Bishop Thomas McMahon, who Ordained me, wrote me the most beautiful letter; but at 86 now, he finds evening masses a little too much.

Someone made a comment, which I would most certainly agree with, the organisation went like clockwork, even with a few hiccups along the way. A great team of people worked so hard at setting up and looking after our guests throughout the evening. My thanks also to 6 Sixth Formers from Trinity Catholic High School for their assistance and help with our guests. I just want to single one person out, Lorraine Leith, who organised and co-ordinated the whole reception; obviously she had a great team of helpers, but her efficiency and great leadership certianly helped to inspire all of those who helped. Thank you!

To Sue Farrow our Music Director and Choir who did such a wonderful job in enhancing the liturgy / music. To all of the Altar Servers, and Fr Mark Reilly who was our Master of Ceremonies. Thank You!

Finally to all of the Parish of St Edmund, I thank you for your generosity in the gift you gave to me; and also the many personal cards and gifts I received from you. Thank you for your thoughtfulness! As I shared with you all on Friday evening, the thought that has been going through my head all week in thanksgiving: “Not to us Lord, not to us, but to your name give the Glory.” (Psalm 115)

May God Bless You All, with Love & Peace

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 finding it hard to make ends meet. They will be running their initiative to support families with food over the Easter holidays and these are the items we can help them with: UHT milk, long-life juice, tinned tomatoes, tinned meat, rice pudding, custard, packet noodles, instant mash, tinned spaghetti, tinned fruit, breakfast bars/ snack bars, jam, chocolate spread, sponge puddings, chocolate bars, bottled sauces (Ketchup/brown sauce), small jars of coffee, toilet roll, laundry powder/tablets, razors, shampoo/conditioner and washing up liquid. You can also keep up to date with the Foodbank news via their Facebook page: www.facebook.com/EppingForestFoodbank/

DIARY JULY 2022

PLEASE PRAY FOR THOSE SICK IN OUR PARISH

ANNIVERSARIES: Marie Dawson RIP, Mary Cocklin RIP June Happe RIP Please pray for all whose anniversaries occur at this time and for all of our deceased loved ones, Requiescant in Pace.

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

May God Bless You All This Coming Week,

PARISH REPOSITORY: There is a lot of new stock in the repository. First Holy Communion gifts and items. A variety of Candles – large and small. Greetings Cards for all occasions. Mass Cards for deceased. Children’s books. There are also a number of CTS little books in a special stand on all sorts of different issues, the saints etc. There are Statues, rosaries, medals, bracelets. Teresa Wallace is happy to order anything you request; it usually takes about a week to arrive. Pieta Drawing Sculpture - Saint Peter's Basilica, Pietà ...

BOOKING FOR ALL THESE EVENTS – and all information, can be done online at www.bcys.net/events or you can email me with any questions.

IRREGULAR MARRIAGES: An Irregular Marriage is one that has taken place outside of the Catholic Church without dispensation. For example: Marriages in hotels, and secular venues, on beaches or Las Vegas; marriage in a non-Catholic Church without dispensation from the Bishop. These marriages are not recognised by the Catholic Church, and therefore are non sacramental & irregular. But there is a facility in the Church to recetify these situations called a Convalidation (this is a strictly private facility that is offered by the church). As marriage and family life is what I specialised in while studying Canon Law, if anyone wishes to speak to me confidentially please don’t hesitate to contact me: Tel No: 0208 508 3492

MASS INTENTIONS – JULY 2022

Sat 9^th	10.00am	Sean McCarthy RIP
		*Vigil Mass for Sunday. Confessions at 5.30pm*
Sat 9^th	6.00pm	Malachi Dobinson Int’s (Anthony Family)
Sun 10^th	9.00am	Veronica Short’s B’day Int’s (Pat & Margaret)
Sun 10^th	11:00am	Dec’d members of the Westcott Family
Mon 11^th	10.00am	Fr John’s Int’s. Fortieth Anniversary of Ordination to the Priesthood (Remy)
Tues 12^th	10.00am	Kate & Joe Duffy RIP (Margaret Duffy)
Wed 13^th	10.00am	Rose McMorrow’s Int’s (John)
Thurs 14^th	10.00am	Brian McDonald RIP (Geraldine O’Donoghue)
Fri 15^th	10.00am	Julie John RIP (Sarah Ruiz)
Sat 16^th	10.00am	Kate & Tom Dennison RIP (Anni) (Margaret Duffy)
		*Vigil Mass for Sunday. Confessions at 5.30pm*
Sat 16^th	6.00pm	Onnig Ashdjian RIP (Anthony Family)
Sun 17^th	9.00am	People of the Parish
Sun 17^th	11:00am	Danbiel, Ellen & Betsy Exley RIP (Catherine Knight)

Parish Phone No: 0208 508 3492 Email: loughton@dioceseofbrentwood.org

The Brentwood Diocesan Trust Registered Charity No. 234092

15th Sunday in Ordinary Time

First Reading : Deuteronomy 30:10-14

Moses said to the people: ‘Obey the voice of the Lord your God, keeping those commandments and laws of his that are written in the Book of this Law, and you shall return to the Lord your God with all your heart and soul.

‘For this Law that I enjoin on you today is not beyond your strength or beyond your reach. It is not in heaven, so that you need to wonder, “Who will go up to heaven for us and bring it down to us, so that we may hear it and keep it?” Nor is it beyond the seas, so that you need to wonder, “Who will cross the seas for us and bring it back to us, so that we may hear it and keep it?” No, the Word is very near to you, it is in your mouth and in your heart for your observance.’

Responsive Psalm : Psalm 68(69):14,17,30-31,33-34,36-37

Seek the Lord, you who are poor, and your hearts will revive

This is my prayer to you,

my prayer for your favour.

In your great love, answer me, O God,

with your help that never fails:

Lord, answer, for your love is kind;

in your compassion, turn towards me.

Seek the Lord, you who are poor, and your hearts will revive

As for me in my poverty and pain

let your help, O God, lift me up.

I will praise God’s name with a song;

I will glorify him with thanksgiving.

Seek the Lord, you who are poor, and your hearts will revive

The poor when they see it will be glad

and God-seeking hearts will revive;

for the Lord listens to the needy

and does not spurn his servants in their chains.

Seek the Lord, you who are poor, and your hearts will revive

For God will bring help to Zion

and rebuild the cities of Judah

and men shall dwell there in possession.

The sons of his servants shall inherit it;

those who love his name shall dwell there.

Seek the Lord, you who are poor, and your hearts will revive

Second Reading : Colossians 1:15-20

Christ Jesus is the image of the unseen God

and the first-born of all creation,

for in him were created

all things in heaven and on earth:

everything visible and everything invisible,

Thrones, Dominations, Sovereignties, Powers –

all things were created through him and for him.

Before anything was created, he existed,

and he holds all things in unity.

Now the Church is his body,

he is its head.

As he is the Beginning,

he was first to be born from the dead,

so that he should be first in every way;

because God wanted all perfection

to be found in him

and all things to be reconciled through him and for him,

everything in heaven and everything on earth,

when he made peace

by his death on the cross.

Gospel : Luke 10:25-37

There was a lawyer who, to disconcert Jesus, stood up and said to him, ‘Master, what must I do to inherit eternal life?’ He said to him, ‘What is written in the Law? What do you read there?’ He replied, ‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbour as yourself.’ ‘You have answered right,’ said Jesus ‘do this and life is yours.’

But the man was anxious to justify himself and said to Jesus, ‘And who is my neighbour?’ Jesus replied, ‘A man was once on his way down from Jerusalem to Jericho and fell into the hands of brigands; they took all he had, beat him and then made off, leaving him half dead. Now a priest happened to be travelling down the same road, but when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. In the same way a Levite who came to the place saw him, and passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan traveller who came upon him was moved with compassion when he saw him. He went up and bandaged his wounds, pouring oil and wine on them. He then lifted him on to his own mount, carried him to the inn and looked after him. Next day, he took out two denarii and handed them to the innkeeper. “Look after him,” he said “and on my way back I will make good any extra expense you have.” Which of these three, do you think, proved himself a neighbour to the man who fell into the brigands‘ hands?’ ‘The one who took pity on him’ he replied. Jesus said to him, ‘Go, and do the same yourself.’

Fourteenth Sunday of the Year 2022

St. Edmund of Canterbury & St. Thomas More

Fourteenth Sunday of the Year 2022

There is an understanding that religion and politics are not discussed in polite society. This is probably because when they are raised, invariably, the conversation gets rather heated. Sex and death used to have the same effect, but nowadays as a society we seem more comfortable at least talking about sex, albeit in a superficial way.

Nowadays the idea of ‘evangelism’ also carries a certain taboo element. For sure, there are conferences on the subject and books written, and the occasional Sunday homily on our call to spread the gospel, but how seriously the subject is taken is debateable. This call is the theme of our Gospel passage today: the commissioning by Jesus of seventy-two disciples to go and preach the gospel.

The message that we do often hear is that if we are good, kind and loving, then that is evangelisation. St. Francis of Assisi famously said: Preach the Gospel at all times, and if necessary use words’, highlighting that witness whether by action or word is crucial. We definitely don’t want to come across as ‘Bible bashers’ or over the top’, and we definitely do not want to impose our faith on anyone. Nevertheless, there is no escaping the fact that sooner or later our faith invites us to pass the Good News on to others.

John Lennon famously said: Christianity will go. It will vanish and shrink. I needn’t argue with that; I’m right and I will be proved right. We are more popular than Jesus now. I don’t know which will go first – rock and roll or Christianity.’ While Lennon had a point, the passing of four decades since his death had shed a different perspective on his comment. As Christians we know that the raison d’être of the Church is to grow and spread to the four corners of the earth. Our parishes are meant to grow and flourish, not stagnate and be closed

No one is saying that sharing our faith is easy. It isn’t – it requires effort, creativity, passion, enthusiasm and conviction. The key is in the name: the gospel is Good News. If we don’t experience it as Good News, we don’t share it as Good News. The Holy Spirit is the One who creates within us as burning desire to both witness to and share our faith. We pray for this blessing and anointing of faith.

Invitation to Jubilee Mass of Thanksgiving

Forty Years of Sacred Priesthood

Friday 8^th July at 7.00pm

Followed by Reception

Dear Friends in Jesus Christ,

I would like you all to join me next Friday 8^th July at 7.00pm at St Edmund’s Catholic Church, to offer the Mass of Thanksgiving for my Fortieth Anniversary of Priesthood. The actual anniversary is 11^th July the Feast of St Benedict.

Bishop Alan Williams, Priests from the diocese, and also other parts of the country will be joining us for the celebration. Also my immediate family & cousins, relatives & friends from Ireland. I have four priest friends arriving from the United States this week and from Poland; a real International gathering. There will also be friends and parishioners from former parishes.

You have been my Spiritual Family for the past twenty years, half of my Priesthood; and I cordially welcome all of you to share with me this milestone along the Journey of Priesthood. It has been a great honour and privilege to have been your Pastor. Much has changed, but the life of faith continues, and we still gather to worship the Lord Jesus week in and week out.

If you can help in setting up on Friday the 8^th July, this would be of great help to us. We have to get the Church ready to accommodate the many priests and people coming to the ceremony. My thanks to Lorraine Leith & the Jubilee Organising Committee for everything they have done in preparation for the this celebration. Please come and join us!

Immediately following the Thanksgiving Mass there will be a reception in the the Marquee in the Parish Car Park. Please ensure that no cars are parked in Parish Car Park on Thursday 7^th July. Thank you!

With Peace & Love To You All

CAN YOU HELP ME PLEASE? I’m in need of a couple of Chauffeurs. I have a friend coming from Italy, one from Poland & one from Ireland who are returning home after the Jubilee and need a ride to Stansted Airport. Italy & Poland are leaving on Saturday 9^thJuly and Ireland on Sunday 10^th July. I would be sincerely grateful if any parishioners could help with this transport please! Please call Fr John – 020 8508 3492

CLEANING THE CHURCH & CAR PARK FOR JUBILEE MASS: This is an appeal for a team of helpers next Wednesday morning 6^th July to assist and help giving the Church a major clean before the Jubilee Mass. The floors of the Church will need to be washed and benches dusted after all the redecoration. Windows will need to be cleaned, sacristies will need a good clean and polish before all our visitors arrive. If there are a few parishioners who would be willing to help clean the car park, I’d be truly grateful, as a Marquee will be erected on Thursday 7^th July. NB: No parking in the Car Park from Thursday – Thank you. If you’re able to give an hour or so on Wednesday this would be most helpful.

IMPORTANT NOTE FOR OUR CONTEMPORARY MUSIC GROUP: We will be playing and singing at our next Mass at 11am on Sunday, 3^rd July. Would all singers please arrive 20/25 minutes beforehand so that we can run through the music and hymns for the Mass. Thank you. New singers and musicians who would like to join us would be made very welcome – simply come along!

NB: Please note meanwhile that Fr. John and Sue have warmly invited our singers to join the Parish choir for Fr. John’s anniversary Mass at 7pm on Friday, 8^th July. Sue will be having rehearsals at 7pm on Wednesdays and 11am on Saturdays between now and then, so please go to at least one of the rehearsals where you will be made very welcome! Thank you!

DIARY JUNE 2022

PLEASE PRAY FOR THOSE SICK IN OUR PARISH

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.

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

May God Bless You All This Coming Week,

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 finding it hard to make ends meet. They will be running their initiative to support families with food over the Easter holidays and these are the items we can help them with: UHT milk, long-life juice, tinned tomatoes, tinned meat, rice pudding, custard, packet noodles, instant mash, tinned spaghetti, tinned fruit, breakfast bars/ snack bars, jam, chocolate spread, sponge puddings, chocolate bars, bottled sauces (Ketchup/brown sauce), small jars of coffee, toilet roll, laundry powder/tablets, razors, shampoo/conditioner and washing up liquid. You can also keep up to date with the Foodbank news via their Facebook page: www.facebook.com/EppingForestFoodbank/

FROM OUR GIFT AID ORGANISER: If you are part of the Gift Aid scheme, you would have received your summary for tax purposes this week either in the post or via email. If you have not received a letter by Monday the 23^rd May, please send me an email at abbie.akinfenwa@btinternet.com or text to 0775470934 with your name and gift aid number. Emails have been sent already. If you received a letter and are happy to receive an email next time, please send me your email address as this helps us save stationery, admin and postage costs. Thank you for your co-operation

BOOKING FOR ALL THESE EVENTS – and all information, can be done online at www.bcys.net/events or you can email me with any questions.

THE DIOCESAN LOURDES PILGRIMAGE: led by Bishop Alan, will take place from Sunday 24 – Friday 29 July in Lourdes. Brochures for the pilgrimage, which will include costs, will be available soon. For further information contact Cathy O’Connor: cathy@dioceseofbrentwood.org or 07813 710070.

IRREGULAR MARRIAGES: An Irregualr Marriage is one that has taken place outside of the Catholic Church without dispensation. For example: Marriages in hotels, and secualr venues, on beaches or Las Vegas; marriage in a non-Catholic Church without dispensation from the Bishop. These marriages are not recognised by the Catholic Church, and therefore are non sacramental & irregular. But there is a facility in the Church to rectify these situations called a Convalidation (this is a strictly private facility that is offered by the church). As marriage and family life is what I specialised in while studying Canon Law, if anyone wishes to speak to me confidentially please don’t hesitate to contact me: Tel No: 0208 508 3492

ARE YOU INTERESTED IN A VOCATION TO THE PRIESTHOOD? The next “Enquirers’ Evening” for those considering or interested in a Vocation to the Priesthood is after the summer holidays on Tuesday 6^th September at St Edmund of Canterbury Church in Loughton, at 7.00pm, commencing with Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Rosary in the Church. Meetings are monthly, usually the first Tuesday of each month. For further information please contact Fr Mark Swires vocprom@dioceseofbrentwood.org

MASS INTENTIONS – JULY 2022

Sat 2^nd	10.00am	Holy Souls
		*Vigil Mass for Sunday. Confessions at 5.30pm*
Sat 2^nd	6.00pm	People of the Parish
Sun 3^rd	9.00am	Dec’d Members of the Hatt family RIP
Sun 3^rd	11:00am	Rob Brazier
Mon 4^th	10.00am	Rose McMorrow’s Int’s (Maureen Perry)
Tues 5^th	10.00am	Holy Souls
Wed 6^th	9.00am	Bridget Kinsella – Thanksgiving to all friends for your help
Thurs 7^th	10.00am	Paul Young
Fri 8^th July	7.00pm	Fr John’s Mass of Thanksgiving for Fortieth Anniversary of Sacred Priesthood
Sat 9^th	10.00am	Sean McCarthy RIP
		*Vigil Mass for Sunday. Confessions at 5.30pm*
Sat 9^th	6.00pm	Malachi Dobinson Int’s (Anthony Family)
Sun 10^th	9.00am	People of the Parish
Sun 10^th	11:00am	Dec’d members of the Westcott Family

Parish Phone No: 0208 508 3492 Email: loughton@dioceseofbrentwood.org

The Brentwood Diocesan Trust Registered Charity No. 234092

14th Sunday in Ordinary Time

First Reading: Isaiah 66:10-14

Rejoice, Jerusalem,

be glad for her, all you who love her!

Rejoice, rejoice for her,

all you who mourned her!

That you may be suckled, filled,

from her consoling breast,

that you may savour with delight

her glorious breasts.

For thus says the Lord:

Now towards her I send flowing

peace, like a river,

and like a stream in spate

the glory of the nations.

At her breast will her nurslings be carried

and fondled in her lap.

Like a son comforted by his mother

will I comfort you.

And by Jerusalem you will be comforted.

At the sight your heart will rejoice,

and your bones flourish like the grass.

To his servants the Lord will reveal his hand.

Responsive Psalm: Psalm 65(66):1-7,16,20

Cry out with joy to God, all the earth.

Cry out with joy to God all the earth,

O sing to the glory of his name.

O render him glorious praise.

Say to God: ‘How tremendous your deeds!

Cry out with joy to God, all the earth.

‘Before you all the earth shall bow;

shall sing to you, sing to your name!’

Come and see the works of God,

tremendous his deeds among men.

Cry out with joy to God, all the earth.

He turned the sea into dry land,

they passed through the river dry-shod.

Let our joy then be in him;

he rules for ever by his might.

Cry out with joy to God, all the earth.

Come and hear, all who fear God.

I will tell what he did for my soul:

Blessed be God who did not reject my prayer

nor withhold his love from me.

Cry out with joy to God, all the earth.

Second Reading: Galatians 6:14-18

The only thing I can boast about is the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom the world is crucified to me, and I to the world. It does not matter if a person is circumcised or not; what matters is for him to become an altogether new creature. Peace and mercy to all who follow this rule, who form the Israel of God.

I want no more trouble from anybody after this; the marks on my body are those of Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, my brothers. Amen.

Gospel: Luke 10:1-12,17-20

The Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them out ahead of him, in pairs, to all the towns and places he himself was to visit. He said to them, ‘The harvest is rich but the labourers are few, so ask the Lord of the harvest to send labourers to his harvest. Start off now, but remember, I am sending you out like lambs among wolves. Carry no purse, no haversack, no sandals. Salute no one on the road.

‘Whatever house you go into, let your first words be, “Peace to this house!” And if a man of peace lives there, your peace will go and rest on him; if not, it will come back to you. Stay in the same house, taking what food and drink they have to offer, for the labourer deserves his wages; do not move from house to house.

‘Whenever you go into a town where they make you welcome, eat what is set before you. Cure those in it who are sick, and say, “The kingdom of God is very near to you.” But whenever you enter a town and they do not make you welcome, go out into its streets and say, “We wipe off the very dust of your town that clings to our feet, and leave it with you. Yet be sure of this: the kingdom of God is very near.” I tell you, on that day it will not go as hard with Sodom as with that town.’

The seventy-two came back rejoicing. ‘Lord,’ they said ‘even the devils submit to us when we use your name.’ He said to them, ‘I watched Satan fall like lightning from heaven. Yes, I have given you power to tread underfoot serpents and scorpions and the whole strength of the enemy; nothing shall ever hurt you. Yet do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you; rejoice rather that your names are written in heaven.’