St Edmunds – Page 15 – St Edmund of Canterbury, Loughton

Wishing you All a Very Happy & Holy Christmas

& A Heathy & Prosperous New Year for 2022

St. Edmund of Canterbury & St. Thomas More

Fourth Sunday of Advent, Year C

FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT: Focuses on the role of Our Blessed Lady in the whole of God’s plan of Salvation. In the beautiful Gospel of the Visitation we see the young Mary visiting her aged cousin Elizabeth, and sharing in her joy at having a child. The very young girl Mary, whose life had always been oriented to God, has humbly accepted God’s request to become the mother of his Son; and acceptance that changed the whole course of human history. Mary becomes a model of faith, and a model of the Church, which is why Our Blessed Lady is held in the highest esteem and reverence. As we journey with Mary & Joseph to Bethlehem once again, in these last few days before Christmas, let us pray for that same faith that enabled them to humbly respond to God’s holy will

Covid booster jab get yours now sign isolated on a white background. Covid booster jab with needles either side of the word jab on a white background vector illustration ONGOING PANDEMIC: I’m sure none of us would have imagined that for a second Christmas we would still be in the throes of this Pandemic. But this Omicron variant has taken hold in our country and numbers are increasing exponentially on a daily basis. I’m sure we all know people with Covid at present. Please continue to try and keep yourselves safe & healthy. It is extremely contagious. Ensure that you get your ‘Booster Jab’ as soon a possible, otherwise our hospitals will be filling up and again and the NHS will continue to be stretched to capacity. Let us respect one another. Face Coverings are mandatory in Church now; Hand sanitation on entry and exit from church is encouraged. Also please kindly respect each other’s space. Churches are allowed to remain open. Please think seriously about which Mass you attend at Christmas; also I would seriously advise everyone not to attend the first Mass, we don’t want to have to turn people away because it becomes overcrowded! Thank You!

THANK YOU: Our Grand Draw this year raised £3,200.00, which is absolutely incredible under difficult circumstances. I’m so grateful to the whole parish community for your wonderful support. Thank you, to all who donated prizes and food items for Hampers. To Lorraine & Kelsey for making up all the Hampers; and to everyone who purchased Draw Tickets. I think there were a lot of Happy Winners on Sunday. There are still some outstanding Hampers to be picked up after the Masses this weekend. The hall will be open after all masses.

Dear Friends in Christ, 4^th Sunday of Advent 2021

As we rapidly approach the great solemnity of the Incarnation of the Lord, we see today the important role of Our Blessed Lady. In these few remaining days, let us continue in our spiritual preparation of that Birth once again into our lives this Christmas. Jesus is the hope of all nations; he came to bring peace and reconciliation to the whole world. Let us thank God for the gift of his Son.

ADVANCED NOTICE & PREPARATION FOR CHRISTMAS MASSES

PREPARING FOR CHRISTMAS: As we have just entered a new phase of this Pandemic with the Omicron variant already spreading throughout the world. I would ask all parishioners to kindly observe our requests to wear face coverings at Mass, and use hand sanitisation on entry and exit of church. We are not only protecting ourselves, but also one another.

There will be NO children’s mass again this year; and I would ask all parishioners to seriously think about masses they attend. Please don’t all turn up for the first mass of Christmas.

Christmas Eve Masses: 5.00pm, 7.00pm, 10.00pm (sung) Friday 24^th December All With Christmas Carols.

Christmas Day Masses: 9.00am & 11.00am (sung)

Saturday 25^th Deccember Masses with Carols

I would like to thank the whole Parish Community for your incredible support of the parish over the past twleve months, and throughout the whole of the Pandemic. A big thank you to all who have helped throughout the year, Altar Soceity, MC’s & Altar Servers, Readers & Eucharistic Ministers. Special thanks to the Stewards who have looked after us during this Pandemic. Thank you to Stephen Richardson & Iain McLay who publish our weekly Newsletters.

CATHOLIC CHIDLREN’S SOCIETY – Each year all the Crib Offerings go to the BCCS. This year especially when fund-raising has been at a minimum. Please be generous in your giving. Both Cribs will remain until the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, 2^nd February. Thank you!

May God Bless You All This Christmas, Love & Peace

ELECTRONIC CHRISTMAS OFFERING: This year, as always, envelopes will be available for us to make our Christmas Offering, which, as you know, is an opportunity in every Catholic Church for parishioners to make a Christmas gift to your Parish Priest, which forms the major part of his salary. This year our Christmas Offering can also be made electronically. We just need to transfer the money to the parish account with the reference ‘Xmas Offering’. Please quote your Gift Aid Number also. Any questions please ask Iain McLay (bloggeriain@gmail.com). The details of the bank account are:

Reference: ‘Xmas Offering + GA Number’

Sort Code: 40-13-22

Account Number: 11019651

Account Name: Catholic Church Loughton St Edmund.

PARISH ADVENT PENANCE SERVICE: After consultation with the diocese, I have deemed it necessary to cancel the Penance Service on Monday 20^th in light of this Omicron variant. I will hear confessions daily after morning Mass at 10.30am in the Confession Box in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel. I will also be in the Confessional on Monday 20^th at 8.00pm if anyone turns up. Apologies for the short notice; but health and safety at this time are extremely important. Thank you for your understanding!

PARISH ALTAR SOCIETY: The Grand Christmas Clean will take place on Tuesday 21^st December at 9.30am. Please join us if you can for an hour or so to prepare the Church for our Christmas Masses. Also, if anyone would like to join the Altar Society please contact Sharon Fitzmaurice on 07854919207 or shazzafitzm@aol.com or Fr John

RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS We will now break for Christmas and resume again on Thursday 13^th January 2022. If you want to know more about the programme, and the whole RCIA process, please contact Fr John, Tel No: 0208 508 3492 or Email: loughton@dioceseofbrentwood.org

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION PROGRAMME: The classes will break for the Christmas holiday and resume again on Sunday 9^th January 2022. My thanks to the Catechists and the children for leading us in the Sacred Liturgy last Sunday. Please keep all of the children in your prayers as their continue their scarametnal preparation.

Maranatha! Come Lord Jesus!

PARISH ALTAR SERVERS: FEAST OF ST STEPHEN: As this falls on a Sunday this year, the special mass for all of our Altar Servers will take place on Sunday 26^th December, it will be the Feast of the Holy Family. This is awlasy a very special Mass for our Servers and thioe families. Being a Sunday it will give the whole parish community the opportunity t thank our Altar Staff for your commitment and regular attendance Serving at the Altar. Sadly, we have lost a lot of our Altar Servers during the Pandemic, many have decided to give up serving. If there are any girls and boys out there who would be interested in learning to serve, please let Fr John know as soon as possible

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

MARRIAGES FOR 2022: If anyone is planning on getting married in 2022, please could you make contact with Fr. John at the beginning of January. For those getting married in the parish we normally ask for six months’ notice; for those getting married outside of the parish at least nine months’ notice. The documentation and preparation takes quite a long time and organising Marriage Preparation Courses through Marriage Care in the responsibility of the Couple. To avoid any disappointments, please make contact as soon as possible.

ST JOHN FISHER CATHOLIC PRIMARY SCHOOL, LOUGHTON PRIMARY SCHOOL ADMISSIONS: As your parish school, St John Fisher provides a distinctively Catholic education for your children. St John Fisher is an excellent School where we teach your children, in accordance with our Mission Statement – “The love of God helps us all to live, learn, and grow to be a happy, caring and welcoming community.” St John Fisher School is a place filled with love of learning. It is a place where, as a Catholic community, we celebrate the successes of our children in all areas of school life through our distinctive curriculum. Visits to the school are warmly welcomed and encouraged. Please do see for yourself the excellent education and enhanced learning environment we provide. We welcome mid-year applications.

Visits are held every Monday at 9.30 am, with the Headteacher. Mr Kendal. Please contact the school on 0208 508 6315 or email:

admissions@st-johnfisher.essex.sch.uk to arrange a visit.

For admission to the school’s Reception Class, September 2022 please apply by 15^th January 2022

IMPORTANT NOTE FOR OUR YOUNG PARISHIONERS CONFIRMED LAST JUNE

When we finished our zoom sessions just before you were confirmed in June, Fr. John, Mark Anthony and our catechists thought it would be good to follow up with some ideas for your interest and further involvement. These include:

A Sunday evening Parish Youth Mass: We’ve had a couple of these popular and enjoyable Masses over the past few years and hopefully we’ll be able to organise one, possibly early in the new year. The idea would be that you could get involved with the music and the readings and make it your own celebration. Hopefully, we can also have a social gathering in the Hall afterwards.

Summer Lourdes 2022: The Brentwood Catholic Youth Service is organising this great trip for young people throughout the Diocese and it will take place during late July. We can get full details for you and also our Parish could help in financing some of the cost if needed. You can meanwhile check this out on the BCYS website and there is also more details below in another notice (“BCYS Summer Lourdes Pilgrimage”)

The BCYS monthly Youth Mass: This takes place on the first Thursday of each month at 6pm in Brentwood Cathedral. Many young people from around our Diocese attend this regular and happy celebration.

Mark Anthony will shortly be sending you all an email to follow up on these ideas and he’ll be asking you to let him know of your interest in becoming involved in these ideas. Please chat among yourselves and decide to do something positive and worthwhile by saying ‘Yes, we’re interested!’

Thanks and God bless.

MESSAGE FROM OUR HEALTH AND SAFETY OFFICER: Robin has highlighted two important points: (i) with the cold weather it is very wise for parishioners to wrap up when they come to mass as good ventilation will need to be maintained; (ii) it is very important that parishioners do not park in the central section of the car park as this blocks access that may be needed if an ambulance has to be called during mass.

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:

Donate

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

MASS INTENTIONS: It has always been a custom within the Roman Catholic Faith to have an Intention offered when celebrating Holy Mass. Intentions can be for all occasions: e.g. For a deceased member of a family; deceased anniversary mass; Birthday intention; Special Occasions; Get Well Mass; Success in exams; Special milestone anniversaries, Wedding, Ordination, Confirmation. In fact, you can offer a Mass for almost every occasion! There are Mass Intention envelopes and Special Mass Cards for all occasions in the Repository at the back of the Church. (Please complete Mass envelope and enclose your Mass Offering and drop off at the Presbytery); I will always try to accommodate the date you have requested, or the nearest date to it. It’s always beautiful to receive a Mass card from someone!

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.

BRENTWOOD CATHEDRAL: This Sunday afternoon at 4.00 p.m. in the Cathedral, the Service of Nine Lessons and Carols takes place with Bishop Alan. You and any members of your parish are very welcome to join us. For those people who cannot come to Brentwood, you may wish to direct them to this video which is on the Thresholds of Hope channel on YouTube https://youtu.be/4qsxJoZJulc or to share this link on Sunday on your own parish social media.

MASS INTENTIONS – DECEMBER 2021

Sat 18^th	10.00am	Ann Campbell RIP ((B Bryant)
		*Vigil Mass for Sunday: Confessions at 5.30pm*
Sat 18^th	6.00pm	Deirdre McShane RIP (Sheehy Family)
Sun 19^th	9.00am	People of the Parish
Sun 19^th	11:00am	Malcolm Campbell (B’day anni)(B Bryant)
Mon 20^th	10.00am	Peter McQuade RIP (Margaret Duffy) Confessions after Mass
Tues 21^st	10.00am	Mary Murphy RIP (Maureen Kisley) Confessions after Mass
Wed 22^nd	10.00am	Maurice Onwhuan (Nalan Hassan) Confessions after Mass
Thurs 23^rd	10.00am	Jospeh Nganda RIP (John O’Rourke) Confessions after Mass
Fri 24 Christmas Eve	5.00pm 7.00pm 10.00pm	Gerlando Burgio RIP (Sheehy Family) Archie Campbell RIP (Brenda Bryant) John & Mary Harvey RIP (Fr John)
Sat 25^th Christmas Day	9.00am 11.00am	Grace McAuliffe RIP (Noreen Smith) Peter Smith RIP (Paul Falco)

Sat 25^th	6.00pm	*NO VIGIL MASS CHRISTMAS DAY*
Sun 26^th	9.00am	People of the Parish
Sun 26^th	11:00am	Peter Burns RIP, Bill Warnes RIP, Dan Bennett RIP, & Dec’d Altar Servers (D Knott)

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

4th Sunday of Advent

First Reading : Micah 5:1-4

The Lord says this:

But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,

the least of the clans of Judah,

out of you will be born for me

the one who is to rule over Israel;

his origin goes back to the distant past,

to the days of old.

The Lord is therefore going to abandon them

till the time when she who is to give birth gives birth.

Then the remnant of his brothers will come back

to the sons of Israel.

He will stand and feed his flock

with the power of the Lord,

with the majesty of the name of his God.

They will live secure, for from then on he will extend his power

to the ends of the land.

He himself will be peace.

Responsive Psalm : Psalm 79(80):2-3,15-16,18-19

God of hosts, bring us back; let your face shine on us and we shall be saved.

O shepherd of Israel, hear us,

shine forth from your cherubim throne.

O Lord, rouse up your might,

O Lord, come to our help.

God of hosts, bring us back; let your face shine on us and we shall be saved.

God of hosts, turn again, we implore,

look down from heaven and see.

Visit this vine and protect it,

the vine your right hand has planted.

God of hosts, bring us back; let your face shine on us and we shall be saved.

May your hand be on the man you have chosen,

the man you have given your strength.

And we shall never forsake you again;

give us life that we may call upon your name.

God of hosts, bring us back; let your face shine on us and we shall be saved.

Second Reading : Hebrews 10:5-10

This is what Christ said, on coming into the world:

You who wanted no sacrifice or oblation,

prepared a body for me.

You took no pleasure in holocausts or sacrifices for sin;

then I said,

just as I was commanded in the scroll of the book,

‘God, here I am! I am coming to obey your will.’

Notice that he says first: You did not want what the Law lays down as the things to be offered, that is: the sacrifices, the oblations, the holocausts and the sacrifices for sin, and you took no pleasure in them; and then he says: Here I am! I am coming to obey your will. He is abolishing the first sort to replace it with the second. And this will was for us to be made holy by the offering of his body made once and for all by Jesus Christ.

Gospel : Luke 1:39-45

Mary set out and went as quickly as she could to a town in the hill country of Judah. She went into Zechariah’s house and greeted Elizabeth. Now as soon as Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leapt in her womb and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. She gave a loud cry and said, ‘Of all women you are the most blessed, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. Why should I be honoured with a visit from the mother of my Lord? For the moment your greeting reached my ears, the child in my womb leapt for joy. Yes, blessed is she who believed that the promise made her by the Lord would be fulfilled.’

THE GOSPEL OF THE LORD

Wishing you All a Very Happy & Holy Christmas

& A Heathy & Prosperous New Year for 2022

St. Edmund of Canterbury & St. Thomas More

Fourth Sunday of Advent, Year C

Dear Friends in Christ, 4^th Sunday of Advent 2021

ADVANCED NOTICE & PREPARATION FOR CHRISTMAS MASSES

There will be NO children’s mass again this year; and I would ask all parishioners to seriously think about masses they attend. Please don’t all turn up for the first mass of Christmas.

Christmas Eve Masses: 5.00pm, 7.00pm, 10.00pm (sung) Friday 24^th December All With Christmas Carols.

Christmas Day Masses: 9.00am & 11.00am (sung)

Saturday 25^th Deccember Masses with Carols

May God Bless You All This Christmas, Love & Peace

Reference: ‘Xmas Offering + GA Number’

Sort Code: 40-13-22

Account Number: 11019651

Account Name: Catholic Church Loughton St Edmund.

Maranatha! Come Lord Jesus!

Visits are held every Monday at 9.30 am, with the Headteacher. Mr Kendal. Please contact the school on 0208 508 6315 or email:

admissions@st-johnfisher.essex.sch.uk to arrange a visit.

For admission to the school’s Reception Class, September 2022 please apply by 15^th January 2022

IMPORTANT NOTE FOR OUR YOUNG PARISHIONERS CONFIRMED LAST JUNE

Thanks and God bless.

Donate

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

MASS INTENTIONS – DECEMBER 2021

Sat 18^th	10.00am	Ann Campbell RIP ((B Bryant)
		*Vigil Mass for Sunday: Confessions at 5.30pm*
Sat 18^th	6.00pm	Deirdre McShane RIP (Sheehy Family)
Sun 19^th	9.00am	People of the Parish
Sun 19^th	11:00am	Malcolm Campbell (B’day anni)(B Bryant)
Mon 20^th	10.00am	Peter McQuade RIP (Margaret Duffy) Confessions after Mass
Tues 21^st	10.00am	Mary Murphy RIP (Maureen Kisley) Confessions after Mass
Wed 22^nd	10.00am	Maurice Onwhuan (Nalan Hassan) Confessions after Mass
Thurs 23^rd	10.00am	Jospeh Nganda RIP (John O’Rourke) Confessions after Mass
Fri 24 Christmas Eve	5.00pm 7.00pm 10.00pm	Gerlando Burgio RIP (Sheehy Family) Archie Campbell RIP (Brenda Bryant) John & Mary Harvey RIP (Fr John)
Sat 25^th Christmas Day	9.00am 11.00am	Grace McAuliffe RIP (Noreen Smith) Peter Smith RIP (Paul Falco)

Sat 25^th	6.00pm	*NO VIGIL MASS CHRISTMAS DAY*
Sun 26^th	9.00am	People of the Parish
Sun 26^th	11:00am	Peter Burns RIP, Bill Warnes RIP, Dan Bennett RIP, & Dec’d Altar Servers (D Knott)

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

4th Sunday of Advent

First Reading : Micah 5:1-4

The Lord says this:

But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,

the least of the clans of Judah,

out of you will be born for me

the one who is to rule over Israel;

his origin goes back to the distant past,

to the days of old.

The Lord is therefore going to abandon them

till the time when she who is to give birth gives birth.

Then the remnant of his brothers will come back

to the sons of Israel.

He will stand and feed his flock

with the power of the Lord,

with the majesty of the name of his God.

They will live secure, for from then on he will extend his power

to the ends of the land.

He himself will be peace.

Responsive Psalm : Psalm 79(80):2-3,15-16,18-19

God of hosts, bring us back; let your face shine on us and we shall be saved.

O shepherd of Israel, hear us,

shine forth from your cherubim throne.

O Lord, rouse up your might,

O Lord, come to our help.

God of hosts, bring us back; let your face shine on us and we shall be saved.

God of hosts, turn again, we implore,

look down from heaven and see.

Visit this vine and protect it,

the vine your right hand has planted.

God of hosts, bring us back; let your face shine on us and we shall be saved.

May your hand be on the man you have chosen,

the man you have given your strength.

And we shall never forsake you again;

give us life that we may call upon your name.

God of hosts, bring us back; let your face shine on us and we shall be saved.

Second Reading : Hebrews 10:5-10

This is what Christ said, on coming into the world:

You who wanted no sacrifice or oblation,

prepared a body for me.

You took no pleasure in holocausts or sacrifices for sin;

then I said,

just as I was commanded in the scroll of the book,

‘God, here I am! I am coming to obey your will.’

Gospel : Luke 1:39-45

THE GOSPEL OF THE LORD

Christmas Letter 2021

St. Edmund of Canterbury and St. Thomas More

https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0925/9888/products/C1201-The-Nativity.jpg?v=1587421589

CHRISTMAS 2021

ANNUAL CHRISTMAS MESSAGE

Dear Friends in Christ, Christmas 2021

As we rapidly approach the Birth of the Christ-child once again, I would like to take this opportunity of sending you all my annual Christmas Greetings. Once again we have faced a very difficult year with regards the Global Pandemic, with all sorts of variants affecting our world. It has been challenging in so many ways. Obviously, we have all been trying to maintain some semblance of normality in our lives, but health and safety for all are the prime concerns in our homes, families and community. Sadly this year we have lost parishioners to Covid, and our hearts go out to their families. I think the main thing that we can all do is be vigilant and ensure all are vaccinated, not only giving protection to ourselves but to everyone else as well.

One thing I would say about this Pandemic it has certainly focused the mind on to what are the most important values of life. Family, health and faith all go hand in hand. The fact that we belong to the Family of God through the practice of our faith has been the great sustaining factor throughout this difficult period of time. I thank God that we are now able to gather together as God’s family to celebrate our faith through the Holy Eucharist on a weekly basis. Although, sadly, many have not returned to the practice of faith. I thank the whole parish community for your continuing support of the parish during pandemic; your weekly contributions have helped to sustain parish life.

On a personal note it has been quite a difficult 12 months period, as I have had two cancer surgeries. The last one really took it out of me, but I have tried to remain positive throughout all of this. My surgeon is very pleased with me and the prognosis is very good. Obviously, I have to continue to be monitored on a regular basis. Please say a little prayer for me.

I would like to take this opportunity to thanking so many people who have kindly volunteered their services during these difficult times. For our Stewards who have been faithful each week ensuring the safety of parishioners and the sanitation of our church after each Mass. To the Altar Society who continue to ensure cleanliness of the Altar and Sanctuary, the Sacred Vessels, and linens. To all those parishioners who have been so generous this year in providing Gifts and items for the Christmas Grand Draw. It’s been a tough year for everyone. Let us pray that 2022 will be a brighter year for all of us!

I take this opportunity of wishing you and all your loved ones a Very Happy, Holy & Blessed Christmas. Keep Safe and Well, and Always be Kind & Loving to one another. A Happy & Healthy New Year for 2022

With Love & Peace to You All

TIMES OF SERVICES & MASSES OVER CHRISTMAS 2021

Monday 13^th Dec 10.00am St. Edmund’s

Penance Service: 8.00pm St. Edmund’s

Tuesday 14^th Dec 10.00am St. Edmund’s

Wednesday 15^th Dec 10.00am St. Edmund’s

Thursday 16^th Dec 10.00am St. Edmund’s.

Friday 17^th Dec 10.00am St. Edmund’s

HOLY HOUR 10.30am St. Edmund’s

Saturday 18^th Dec 10.00am St. Edmund’s

FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT

Saturday 18^th Dec 6.00pm St. Edmund’s

Sunday 19^th Dec 9.00am St. Edmund’s

Sunday 19^th Dec 11.00am St. Edmund’s

CHRISTMAS EVE

FRIDAY 5.00pm St. Edmund’s (Family Mass)

24^th December 7.00pm St. Edmund’s

10.00pm St. Edmund’s

CHRISTMAS DAY

SATURDAY

25^th December 9.00am St. Edmund’s

11.00am St. Edmund’s (Family Mass)

HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS, MARY & JOSEPH

SUNDAY

26^th December 11.00am Family Mass. Enrolment into the

Altar Servers Mass Guild of

St. Stephen

NEW YEAR’S DAY

Saturday January 2021 11.00am Mass All welcome! Come and ask the Lord to Bless your families in this Your New Year.

Your Christmas Offertory is your Personal Gift to your

Parish Priest and makes up the major part of his salary throughout the year! Please use your Gift Aid envelopes

ADVANCED NOTICE FOR CHRISTMAS MASSES

There will be NO children’s mass again this year; and I would ask all parishioners to seriously think about masses they attend. Please don’t all turn up for the first mass of Christmas.

Christmas Eve Masses: 5.00pm Simple Christmas Mass

Friday 24^th Decmeber With Carols

7.00pm, Simple Christmas Mass

With Carols

10.00pm Sung Christmas Choral Mass

With Carols.

Christmas Day Masses: 9.00am Simple Christmas Mass

Saturday 25^th December 11.00am Sung Choral Mass

With Carols

ELECTRONIC CHRISTMAS OFFERING: This year, as always, envelopes will be available for us to make our Christmas Offering, which, as you know, is an opportunity in every Catholic Church for parishioners to make a Christmas gift to your Parish Priest, which forms the major part of his salary. This year our Christmas Offering can also be made electronically. We just need to transfer the money to the parish account with the reference ‘Xmas Offering’. Please quote your Gift Aid Number also. Any questions please ask Iain McLay (bloggeriain@gmail.com). The details of the bank account are:

Sort Code: 40-13-22

Account Number: 11019651

Account Name: Catholic Church Loughton St Edmund.

St. Edmund of Canterbury & St. Thomas More

Third Sunday of Advent, Year C

Gaudete Sunday

What does God want for you during this Advent season? What does the Spirit want to do within and for you? What blessings await you? What grace and anointing will be poured out upon you? We don’t tend to think in this way, having learnt not to expect or hope for too much so that we won’t be disappointed. However, this isn’t a Christian way to think because Christians expect great things.

Many centuries before Jesus came, the prophet Zephaniah said: The Lord God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.’ This Advent, God wants to renew you in his love. We can anticipate and rely on the truth that this is what God wants for us.

https://tse3.mm.bing.net/th?id=OIP.pBD3u49Tb1ktjxxyFgrbrQAAAA&pid=Api&P=0&w=184&h=181

John the Baptist shows us how this renewal occurs: through repentance and turning away from sin. Of course, we cannot confess our sins to God on our own, but the best way to do this is through the sacrament of reconciliation; truly the sacrament of mercy and forgiveness.

It can be hard to acknowledge our sinfulness and weakness. It takes courage and a willingness to let God’s light shine into the deepest and darkest parts or us. This can be a lonely and daunting journey, but God is with us. There is no sin that God cannot forgive. There is not sinner beyond his mercy and forgiveness. There is only grace, mercy and forgiveness as we are renewed in God’s love. So don’t be afraid; take courage and be assured of his love and mercy.

‘Our brokenness is the wound through which the full power of God can penetrate our being and transfigure us in God. Loneliness is not something from which we must flee but the place from which we can cry out to God, where God will find us and we can find God…Yes, through our wounds the power of God can penetrate and become like rivers of living water to irrigate the arid earth within us. Thus we may irrigate the arid earth of others, so that hope and love are reborn.’ (Jean Vanier)

Dear Friends in Christ, 3^rd Sunday of Advent 2021

I have just received the new guidelines from the Catholic Bishops Conference with regards the Guidance for Churches in light of the new Omicron variant. Effective immediately, the wearing of face coverings in Churches; which is now mandatory in all places of worship. Singing is permissible, but it is recommended that face coverings continue to be worn.

The scientific advice is that the Booster Jab will give up to 75% protection against this Omicron variant, which manifestly, is becoming the new variant overtaking Delta. The general advice is to get your Booster Jab as soon as possible. It’s quite alarming how quickly the numbers are rising once again this season.

We will continue to provide hand sanitiser as you enter and leave the church; also the benches are sanitised after the masses. We all need to be sensible and respect each other during this Pandemic.

PARISH GRAND DRAW: On Sunday 12^th December after the 11.00am Mass we will have the Parish Grand Draw. I would like to thank all those parishioners who have kindly donated some truly wonderful prizes, your generosity is extraordinary. Also to the many parishioners who have donated Christmas Food Items to make up Christmas Hampers, also many donated various bottles of spirits and wine; there are some truly incredible hampers.

Unfortunately, due to the present Covid situation, we thought it prudent not to go ahead with a Coffee Morning after the 11.00am Mass. The Draw will take place and winners will be notified by phone to collect your prizes.

I would like to thank Kelsey, Lorraine & Iain for the hard work going on in the background; on advertising, and the making up of Hampers. It’s no mean task putting all this together, and I’m truly grateful for their extraordinary generosity of spirit.

PARISH ADVENT PENANCE SERVICE: As you know, due to the Pandemic many parishioners have not had the opportunity to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation. At our recent Deanery Meeting we decided to go ahead with a Penance Service here at St. Edmund’s. It will be on Monday 20^th December at 8.00pm. There will be visiting priests to assist with the Confessions, also a Polish Priest if any of our polish parishioners would like to celebrate the sacrament in Polish.

Wishing you all a Happy & Blessed Week,

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

Donate

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

RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS The Presbytery at 7.30pm next session on Thursday 16^th December. We will now break for Christmas and resume again on Thursday If you want to know more about the programme, and the whole RCIA process, please contact Fr John, Tel No: 0208 508 3492 or Email: loughton@dioceseofbrentwood.org

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION PROGRAMME: The next session is on Sunday 12^th December at 10.00am. Our Theme this week is Caring – This week the children will lead the Sunday Liturgy, reading, prayers of intercession, Offertory. This acquaints them with the different parts of the Mass and teaches them that everyone can be involved.

ST JOHN FISHER SCHOOL: JOB VACANCY – Full time, School Site Manager. The School are seeking to appoint a caring, resourceful, reliable, and self-motivated Site Manager, who will take great pride in the school premises and grounds. Please email school for further details Admin@st-johnfisher.essex.sch.uk

REPOSITORY: It’s still not too late to purchase your religious Christmas items! Available this weekend, a large selection of Religious Christmas Cards, (please think about sending religious cards, signifying the true meaning of Christmas). Christmas Mass Cards, Advent Calendars, Christmas Candles, Cribs – there are some truly wonderful Nativity Scenes for your homes; and other Christmas Items. All items are marked with prices, and there is a box available for the money for items. Thank you! Thank you Teresa for all the wonderful ordering of Christmas items this year!

CHRISTMAS MASSES: In light of ongoing restrictions due to Covid the Christmas Masses will be family simple this year. We will have some well-known Carols that people can sing without hymn books. Sadly, there will be no Children’s Mass with Tableau. But I do invite all of our parishioners to make that extra special effort to celebrate the Lord’s Birthday. It’s been a hard year for all of us; we really need the presence of the Lord in our lives at this time.

I’ve attached my annual Christmas Card with message, and times of Masses over the Christmas / New Year period.

There is a Newsletter for every family this Weekend

Christmas Eve Masses: 5.00pm, 7.00pm & 10.00pm (Choral Mass)

Christmas Day Masses: 9.00am & 11.00am (Choral Mass)

BAPTISMS: It is now permissible once again to have Baptisms with larger groups of family & guests. Manifestly, there are many people who haven’t been able to have baptisms over the past 20 months. Kindly contact Fr. John to arrange your child’s baptism as soon as possible please. There is a Baptism Programme for first time parents.

ALTAR SOCIETY: If anyone else would like to join the Altar Society please contact Sharon Fitzmaurice on 07854919207 or shazzafitzm@aol.com It probably works out to about an hour a month, and you can do as much or as little as you wish; the more help we have the easier it is to keep the church really clean. Thanking you in anticipation! The Grand Christmas Clean will take place on Tuesday 21^st December at 9.30am. Please join us if you can for an hour or so to prepare the Church for our Christmas Masses.

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 throughout the pandemic 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: tinned soup, tinned spaghetti, tinned tomatoes, savoury crackers, sponge puddings, chocolate bars, small and medium bags of rice, snack bars and razors. Thank you! You can also keep up to date with the Foodbank news via their Facebook page: www.facebook.com/EppingForestFoodbank/

THE THRESHOLDS OF HOPE QUESTIONS: are a series of talks for adults who want to grow in understanding and confidence when questioned or speaking about their Catholic Faith. The talks and discussion take place on Zoom from 4.00 – 5.00 p.m. on a Sunday afternoon.

The next talk will be on the 12^th December and the question being explored is, What does the Incarnation of Christ mean? The input and discussion will be led by Fr David Pearce. For more information about The Thresholds of Hope Questions go to events www.thresholdsofhope.co.uk

ADVENT CAROL SERVICE: You are warmly invited to join us at Walsingham House at Abbotswick for our annual Advent Carol Service on Sunday 12th December. We will have Christmas carols both classic and contemporary performed by our incredibly talented BCYS musicians, accompanied with readings from scripture and Christmas poems & stories. This year we are running two concerts, at 3pm or 7pm, however there will be limited capacity at each event and this will be dependent on any current Government restrictions or social distancing, in place at the time. Tickets are £10 and the money will go towards supporting our pilgrimages to Lourdes. To book your place please contact Joe Beattie, Walsingham House manager on josephbeattie@dioceseofbrentwood.org or 01277 373 959.

BCYS SUMMER LOURDES PILGRIMAGE: 2022: 23^rd – 30^th July 2022.

Applications are now open for our summer pilgrimage to Lourdes for those in Years 11-13, with those of school leaver age (18+) invited to join us as young leaders. This is one of our most popular events and after a 2 year gap we are excited to be returning next year. The week is spent travelling alongside the main Diocesan pilgrimage as we assist the elderly and infirm with going to Masses and services, as well as visiting shops and cafes within the town. For those travelling with the BCYS the week will also include a retreat, reconciliation service, as well as social events and a party. Please see www.bcys.net/events/sl22/ for more information including visas, vaccinations and how to apply

A SUNDAY EVENING PARISH YOUTH MASS: We’ve had a couple of these popular and enjoyable Masses over the past few years and hopefully we’ll be able to organise one, possibly in the New Year. The idea would be that you could get involved with the music and the readings and make it your own celebration. Hopefully, we will also have a social gathering in the hall afterwards

PARISH ALTAR SERVERS: It had taken a number of years to build up a good team of Altar Servers. Sadly, since the Pandemic, many have not returned to serving at the Altar. As a matter of courtesy I would be sincerely grateful to know if you have any intention of returning to the regular practice of Altar Serving? If you have no intention of serving anymore more it would be good to know; and also, if you could kindly return your albs, laundered please. I really feel saddened by this, as this is a most truly wonderful ministry for our young pepople to participate in. If there are any other young pepople in the parish who would liike to start serving, could you let Fr John know as soon as possible.

Visits to the school are warmly welcomed and encouraged. Please do see for yourself the excellent education and enhanced learning environment we provide. We welcome mid-year applications.

Visits are held every Monday at 9.30 am, with the Headteacher. Mr Kendal. Please contact the school on 0208 508 6315 or email:

admissions@st-johnfisher.essex.sch.uk to arrange a visit.

For admission to the school’s Reception Class, September 2022 please apply by 15^th January 2022

DIARY DECEMBER 2021

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, Noel Johnson, Shaun Keel, Angela Long, Lilian Mothersole, John McKernan, Rosemary O’Rourke, Kathleen Pomeroy, Geraldine Taylor, Vera Taylor, Mary Witten, James Wright. And all our loved ones.

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

REQUIESCAT IN PACE: Please pray for the repose of the Soul of Noreen Burrowes, who passed away last week. Noreen was a long time parishioners at St. Edmund’s and was married her over 60 years ago. We extend our condolences to her husband Colin and family in this time of great loss. The Cremation Service will take place at Forest Park Crematorium on Tuesday 14^th December at 3.45pm

REQUIESCAT IN PACE: In your mercy please pray for the repose of the Soul of Dennis Randall RIP, long-time parishioner at St Edmund’s. His Requiem Mass will take place on Friday 17^th December at 1.30pm. Followed by cremation at Forest Park Crematorium at 3.00pm We extend our condolences to his wife Maureen and their family in this time of great loss.

MESSAGE FROM THE CONTEMPORARY MUSIC GROUP: We were very saddened to hear that our musician and friend, Dennis Randall, died last Saturday, 4^th December. We are honoured to have been asked to play and sing at Dennis’ funeral Mass, which will take place at St. Edmund’s at 1.30pm this coming Friday, 17^th December and we do hope that many of us can be there. Also, on our behalf, Fr. John will be offering up the 11am Mass for Dennis on Sunday, 2^nd January, which is our next Group Mass. Until just before the first lockdown, Dennis regularly played his guitar at our monthly 11am Sunday Mass. He was a founder member of our Group from the very early days when we were known as the Folk Choir; this was around 1973, close to 50 years ago. Dennis was always kind, gentle and unassuming and his many, many years of serving our Parish in this musical way will be sorely missed. Rest in peace, dear friend Dennis.

MASS INTENTIONS – DECEMBER 2021

Sat 11^th	10.00am	Veronica & Steve Short Int’s. ((Remi)
		*Vigil Mass for Sunday: Confessions at 5.30pm*
Sat 11^th	6.00pm	Kathleen McDowell RIP (Gunn Family)
Sun 12^th	9.00am	Marie-Yvonne Poulter RIP (Kendal Family)
Sun 12^th	11:00am	Michael John Bullock RIP (Steven Bullock)
Mon 13^th	10.00am	Eileen & George Whatmore RIP. Rose & John Leonard RIP (M Duffy)
Tues 14^th	10.00am	Maria & Joao Servo RIP. Modesta & Joaquim RIP (Adelaide Alves)
Wed 15^th	10.00am	John Anthony Harvey RIP (Fr John)
Thurs 16^th	10.00am	Fr Tom Kearney SMA, RIP (Marjorie Fairlamb)
Fri 17^th	10.00am10.30am1.30pm	Fr Patrick Haward B’day Ints. (M Duffy)Holy Hour with Exposition of Bl. SacramentRequiem Mass. Dennis Randall RIP
Sat 18^th	10.00am	Ann Campbell RIP ((B Bryant)
		*Vigil Mass for Sunday Confessions 5.30pm*
Sat 18^th	6.00pm	Deirdre McShane RIP (Sheehy Family)
Sun 19^th	9.00am	People of the Parish
Sun 19^th	11:00am	Malcolm Campbell (B’day anni)(B Bryant)

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

ADVENT PENANCE SERVICE: Monday 20^th December at 8.00pm

3rd Sunday of Advent

First Reading : Zephaniah 3:14-18

Shout for joy, daughter of Zion,

Israel, shout aloud!

Rejoice, exult with all your heart,

daughter of Jerusalem!

The Lord has repealed your sentence;

he has driven your enemies away.

The Lord, the king of Israel, is in your midst;

you have no more evil to fear.

When that day comes, word will come to Jerusalem:

Zion, have no fear,

do not let your hands fall limp.

The Lord your God is in your midst,

a victorious warrior.

He will exult with joy over you,

he will renew you by his love;

he will dance with shouts of joy for you

as on a day of festival.

Responsorial Psalm : Isaiah 12

Sing and shout for joy for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.

Truly, God is my salvation,

I trust, I shall not fear.

For the Lord is my strength, my song,

he became my saviour.

With joy you will draw water

from the wells of salvation.

Sing and shout for joy for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.

Give thanks to the Lord, give praise to his name!

Make his mighty deeds known to the peoples!

Declare the greatness of his name.

Sing and shout for joy for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.

Sing a psalm to the Lord

for he has done glorious deeds;

make them known to all the earth!

People of Zion, sing and shout for joy,

for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.

Sing and shout for joy for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.

Second Reading : Philippians 4:4-7

I want you to be happy, always happy in the Lord; I repeat, what I want is your happiness. Let your tolerance be evident to everyone: the Lord is very near.

There is no need to worry; but if there is anything you need, pray for it, asking God for it with prayer and thanksgiving, and that peace of God, which is so much greater than we can understand, will guard your hearts and your thoughts, in Christ Jesus.

Gospel : Luke 3:10-18

When all the people asked John, ‘What must we do?’ he answered, ‘If anyone has two tunics he must share with the man who has none, and the one with something to eat must do the same.’ There were tax collectors too who came for baptism, and these said to him, ‘Master, what must we do?’ He said to them, ‘Exact no more than your rate.’ Some soldiers asked him in their turn, ‘What about us? What must we do?’ He said to them, ‘No intimidation! No extortion! Be content with your pay!’

A feeling of expectancy had grown among the people, who were beginning to think that John might be the Christ, so John declared before them all, ‘I baptise you with water, but someone is coming, someone who is more powerful than I am, and I am not fit to undo the strap of his sandals; he will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing-fan is in his hand to clear his threshing-floor and to gather the wheat into his barn; but the chaff he will burn in a fire that will never go out.’ As well as this, there were many other things he said to exhort the people and to announce the Good News to them.

St. Edmund of Canterbury & St. Thomas More

Second Sunday of Advent, Year C

St Augustine of Hippo said, ‘Before God can deliver us we must undeceive ourselves.’ Repentance is precisely this process of undeceiving ourselves. The ministry of John the Baptist was focused on proclaiming the message of repentance and turning back to God – probably not the most popular message in any age and certainly not in ours!

Pope Saint John Paul II, who was one of the prophets of the Christian life, urges us to examine how we, as a society and as individuals, have lost the sense of sin and, consequently, could lose the impetus to receive the grace of forgiveness available to us in the sacrament of reconciliation.

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gF_bdlzjSTM/UtE4t5MO51I/AAAAAAAAFcE/xDQesnQBqes/s1600/Baptism_of_our_Lord.gif

Was the society, culture and the time in which John the Baptist ministered any different from ours in this regard? We all have an inbuilt self-righteousness which makes it hard, if not impossible, to say, ‘I have sinned against heaven and against you; I am not longer worthy to be called your son/daughter.’ We instinctively resist the idea that we are sinful and need to repent. This resistance and self-righteousness are whey God has to prepare the way. He did so firstly through the ministry of John the Baptist, and secondly in the liturgy of the Church today. The message and call will always be the same: repentance for the forgiveness of sins.

How do we examine our conscience? We don’t want to get immersed in introspection and a kind of pseudo mea culpa attitude, as if repentance was simply about the word ‘sorry’.

St John Chrysostom said: ‘Repentance ranges from regretting obvious sins like murder, adultery, abuse, swearing and stealing to the realisation that not loving (your neighbour as yourself) is a murder. “Whoever hates his brother is a murderer” (1 John 3:15), and that an evil look is adultery and the love of praise is stealing God’s glory.’

Dear Friends in Christ, 2^nd Sunday of Advent 2021

It’s amazing what can happen in seven days! The whole world has now been put on alert to the Omicron South African variant. It makes us realise that Covid is with us all for the foreseeable future, and we have to do everything we can to protect ourselves and our families. Obviously, this new variant is in its early stages, and as yet we still do not know how severe it will be, and whether our vaccines can protect us from this particular strain of Covid.

The last thing anyone wants again this year is the cancellation of Christmas. Let us all protect ourselves and one another by getting the vaccine our booster jabs, and flu jabs. We are still maintaining certain precautions at church, with the sanitising of hands at entry and exit of the church; the wearing of face-coverings in respect of one another, and social distancing where necessary. Thank you to everyone for kindly respecting these requests!

GRAND DRAW ONLY ONE WEEK AWAY, 12^th DECEMBER

GRAND DRAW TICKETS: There are still plenty of Grand Draw Tickets available for purchase £5 a book. We want to see as many as possible, as this is our parishes only fund-raiser throughout the year. We have been donated some truly wonderful prizes, Two Colour Televisions; A Nintendo Switch; Apple Air Pods Pro; £150 of Theatre Tickets; Gin Afternoon Tea for Two at London’s Iconic Gherkin; Fortnum & Mason Champagne Tea for Two in the Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon; £100 Gift Cash; £100 Gift Voucher for Tom, Dick & Harry’s; £80 Gift Vouch for Zizzi’s; Amazon Echo Dot; Various Amazon Vouchers: £100, £50, £25, £20; £50 M & S Voucher; There will be numerous Hampers of Food & Drink; also some children’s Hampers.

I would like to thank all those parishioners who have kindly donated some truly wonderful prizes and food and drink items for the Hampers. It’s still not too late to donate as this is the final week before the Grand Draw. You can drop off your Gifts and all other items, either in the Church Porch, Fr John’s Garage, or at the Presbytery at any time throughout the week.

There will be a Coffee Morning after the 11am Mass next Sunday where the Grand Draw will take place. I invite our parishioner to come along. Also we are looking for some voluntary help with the catering, teas and coffees, could any parishioners make some cakes and mince pies please.

Donate

Or you can use Parish Bank Account: Using Online Banking
HSBC Sort Code 40-13-22 PLEASE BE GENEROUS IN YOUR
Account Number: 11019651 GIFT TO GOD & HIS CHURCH

PARISH FINANACES: 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.

RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS The Presbytery at 7.30pm next session on Thursday 9^th December Theme: The Sacraments – The Eucharist Part 2 If you want to know more about the programme, and the whole RCIA process, please contact Fr John, Tel No: 0208 508 3492 or Email: loughton@dioceseofbrentwood.org

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION PROGRAMME: The next session is on Sunday 5^th December at 10.00am. Our Theme this week is Caring – The Beatitudes. Please pray for all our children preparing for the sacraments. This is truly a wonderful moment of time in their lives.

REPOSITORY: Available this weekend, a large selection of Religious Christmas Cards, (please think about sending religious cards signifying the true meaning of Christmas). Christmas Mass Cards, Advent Calendars, Christmas Candles, Cribs – there are some truly wonderful Nativity Scenes for your homes; and other Christmas Items. All items are marked with prices, and there is a box available for the money for items. Thank you!

The next talk will be on the 5^th December and the question being explored is, What are the unique insights of Catholic Social Teaching? Fr Dominic Howarth, Romford, will consider this question.

For more information about The Thresholds of Hope Questions go to www.thresholdsofhope.co.uk

BCYS SUMMER LOURDES PILGRIMAGE: 2022: 23^rd – 30^th July 2022.

ST JOHN FISHER CATHOLIC PRIMARY SCHOOL, LOUGHTON PRIMARY SCHOOL ADMISSIONS: As your parish school, St John Fisher provide a distinctively Catholic education for your children. St John Fisher is an excellent School where we teach your children, in accordance with our Mission Statement – “The love of God helps us all to live, learn, and grow to be a happy, caring and welcoming community.” St John Fisher school is a place filled with love of learning. It is a place where, as a Catholic community, we celebrate the successes of our children in all areas of school life through our distinctive curriculum.

Visits to the school are warmly welcomed and encouraged. Please do see for yourself the excellent education and enhanced learning environment we provide. We welcome mid-year applications.

Visits are held every Monday at 9.30 am, with the Headteacher. Mr Kendal. Please contact the school on 0208 508 6315 or email:

admissions@st-johnfisher.essex.sch.uk to arrange a visit.

For admission to the school’s Reception Class, September 2022 please apply by 15^th January 2022.

GRAND CHRISTMAS DRAW & CHRISTMAS HAMPERS

Only one more week to go until the GRAND DRAW. I would like to make a final appeal to all of our parishioners to participate in our only fund-rising event of the year. As you are well aware, finances have dropped considerably, as many people are not attending church anymore. The Bazaar Committee believe that the Grand Christmas Draw & Hampers, which was such a great success last year, can be repeated again this year. Manifestly, we are wholly dependent on your generosity. No matter how great or small a gift or item may be it will be gratefully received. Xmas Raffle Clipart , Png Download - Christmas Raffle, Transparent Png, Free Download

Some ideas for the Grand Draw are Flat Screen TV, Laptop, Other New Electrical Goods, Restaurant Vouchers, Hotel Vouchers, National Trust Family Memberships, Crate of Wine, and Department Store Vouchers. Also Smart Tech Wearables: Fit Bits, Garmins, Air Pods, Beats.

Suggested Hamper Donations: Luxury Brand Christmas Cakes & Christmas Puddings; Bottles of Champagne, Prosecco, Spirits, Port & Wine; Tinned Meats – Gammon Ham, Potted Duck Pates; Tinned Fish – Salmon, Dressed Crab & Lobster; Jars of Fruit in Syrup; Jars of Pickles, Chutneys & Olives; Festive Marmalades; Tea & Coffee, Hot Chocolate. Biscotti, Ginger Snaps & Shortbread. Diced Fruit & Nuts; Chocolate Nut selections. Sweetmeats – Turkish Delight. Biscuits & Crackers for Cheese. Boxes of Luxury Chocolates & truffles.

There are boxes in the Porch of the church, at the Presbytery front door & in Fr John’s Garage to receive your gifs and items, and or course you can always drop off personally at the Presbytery throughout the week. If there are any parishioners who would like to donate ‘Money Gifts’ these will be gratefully received. Also, if anyone has any gift baskets you could let us have, these will be good to make up the Christmas Hampers. If you can, please help us once again this year. This is the whole parish working together. The Grand Draw will take place on Sunday 12^th December in the Parish Hall at about 12.30pm there will be refreshments available.

GRAND DRAW TICKETS WILL BE DISTRIBUTED THIS WEEKEND

PLEASE BE GENEROUS IN YOUR RESPONSE IN TAKING THEM

KINDLY RETURN ALL COUNTERFLOILS & MONIES BY

NEXT SUNDAY THE 12^th DECEMBER. THANK YOU!

DIARY NOVEMBER 2021

PLEASE PRAY FOR THOSE SICK IN OUR PARISH

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

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

ALTAR SOCIETY: If anyone else would like to join the Altar Society please contact Sharon Fitzmaurice on 07854919207 or shazzafitzm@aol.com It probably works out to about an hour a month, and you can do as much or as little as you wish; the more help we have the easier it is to keep the church really clean. Thanking you in anticipation! The Grand Christmas Clean will tak place on Tuesday 21^st December at 9.30am. Please join us if you can for an hour or so to prepare the Church for our Christmas Masses.

MASS INTENTIONS – DECEMBER 2021

Sat 4^th	10.00am	Nancy Ironside RIP (Maree Kavangh)
		*Vigil Mass for Sunday: Confessions at 5.30pm*
Sat 4^th	6.00pm	Sandy Sandhu RIP
Sun 5^th	9.00am	Colin Orr RIP (Catherine Mills)
Sun 5^th	11:00am	Yvonne Poulter RIP (Steve & Teresa Wallace)
Mon 6^th	10.00am	Peter Smith RIP (Anni) Paul Falco
Tues 7^th	10.00am	Jim Sullivan (Sick) (Joan O’Sullivan)
Wed 8^th	10.00am	Ann Hakes (B’day Int’s) (Pat & Margaret)
Thurs 9^th	10.00am	Thomas & Mary Lamb RIP (Margaret Duffy)
Fri 10^th	10.00am10.30am	Dr Brian Beveridge RIP (Beveridge Family)Holy Hour with Exposition of Bl. Sacrament
Sat 11^th	10.00am	Veronica & Steve Short RIP (Remi)
		*Vigil Mass for Sunday Confessions 5.30pm*
Sat 11^th	6.00pm	Kathleen McDowell RIP (Gunn Family)
Sun 12^th	9.00am	Marie – Yvonne Poulter RIP (Kendal Family)
Sun 12^th	11:00am	Michael John Bullock RIP (Steven Bullock & Family)

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

ADVENT PENANCE SERVICE: Monday 20^th December at 8.00pm. With visiting Clergy

2nd Sunday of Advent

First Reading : Baruch 5:1-9

Jerusalem, take off your dress of sorrow and distress,

put on the beauty of the glory of God for ever,

wrap the cloak of the integrity of God around you,

put the diadem of the glory of the Eternal on your head:

since God means to show your splendour to every nation under heaven,

since the name God gives you for ever will be,

‘Peace through integrity, and honour through devotedness.’

Arise, Jerusalem, stand on the heights

and turn your eyes to the east:

see your sons reassembled from west and east

at the command of the Holy One, jubilant that God has remembered them.

Though they left you on foot,

with enemies for an escort,

now God brings them back to you

like royal princes carried back in glory.

For God has decreed the flattening

of each high mountain, of the everlasting hills,

the filling of the valleys to make the ground level

so that Israel can walk in safety under the glory of God.

And the forests and every fragrant tree will provide shade

for Israel at the command of God;

for God will guide Israel in joy by the light of his glory

with his mercy and integrity for escort.

Responsorial Psalm : Psalm 125(126)

What marvels the Lord worked for us! Indeed we were glad.

When the Lord delivered Zion from bondage,

it seemed like a dream.

Then was our mouth filled with laughter,

on our lips there were songs.

What marvels the Lord worked for us! Indeed we were glad.

The heathens themselves said: ‘What marvels

the Lord worked for them!’

What marvels the Lord worked for us!

Indeed we were glad.

What marvels the Lord worked for us! Indeed we were glad.

Deliver us, O Lord, from our bondage

as streams in dry land.

Those who are sowing in tears

will sing when they reap.

What marvels the Lord worked for us! Indeed we were glad.

They go out, they go out, full of tears,

carrying seed for the sowing:

they come back, they come back, full of song,

carrying their sheaves.

What marvels the Lord worked for us! Indeed we were glad.

Second Reading : Philippians 1:4-6,8-11

Every time I pray for all of you, I pray with joy, remembering how you have helped to spread the Good News from the day you first heard it right up to the present. I am quite certain that the One who began this good work in you will see that it is finished when the Day of Christ Jesus comes; and God knows how much I miss you all, loving you as Christ Jesus loves you. My prayer is that your love for each other may increase more and more and never stop improving your knowledge and deepening your perception so that you can always recognise what is best. This will help you to become pure and blameless, and prepare you for the Day of Christ, when you will reach the perfect goodness which Jesus Christ produces in us for the glory and praise of God.

Gospel : Luke 3:1-6

In the fifteenth year of Tiberius Caesar’s reign, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judaea, Herod tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip tetrarch of the lands of Ituraea and Trachonitis, Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene, during the pontificate of Annas and Caiaphas the word of God came to John son of Zechariah, in the wilderness. He went through the whole Jordan district proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, as it is written in the book of the sayings of the prophet Isaiah:

A voice cries in the wilderness:

Prepare a way for the Lord,

make his paths straight.

Every valley will be filled in,

every mountain and hill be laid low,

winding ways will be straightened

and rough roads made smooth.

And all mankind shall see the salvation of God.

Pastoral Letter for the First Sunday of Advent

(Please read and/or make available at all Masses during the weekend of the 27/28th December 2021)

My dear People,

On this, the First Sunday of Advent, we embark on a journey together with the Universal Church. Every diocese throughout the world has been invited by Pope Francis to walk the Synodal Pathway. The journey begins now and will conclude in Rome in 2023.

The Holy Father invites us to enter this Synodal Journey, moving towards greater Communion, Participation and Mission within the Church. These three themes reflect both our calling and ultimately our destination as Catholic Christians.

We begin in Advent, a season of listening, reflected in the most perfect example Our Blessed Mother, Mary. Listening was central to the Annunciation. First, God speaks to Mary; she loves God and she listens to him with an open heart and a willingness to participate in His plan. Later, at the Visitation, Mary cares for and listens to her cousin, Elizabeth. Our Lady shows us what it means to be fully attentive to God and to neighbour.

Now it is our turn. We are being asked to pray together, to talk with, and listen to each other, and to share our dreams for a future Church that is enhanced by communion, participation and mission.

The Holy Father has made it clear that each diocese ought to tailor the pathway to their unique, local situation and with this in mind I would like to encourage you to undertake this task within your Parish Partnerships. These were established as part of our Stewards of the Gospel process, which led, three years ago in the Advent of 2018 to the publication of our Vision Document: Shaping Our Future.

As a diocese, we now have some experience of collective discernment of the will of the Holy Spirit, as the common theme of listening together runs between the Stewards of the Gospel process and the Synodal Pathway. Pope Francis puts it beautifully, saying, “Our journeying together is what most effectively enacts and manifests the nature of the Church as the pilgrim and missionary People of God”. My hope is that the Synodal pathway will help us to discern and implement our own vision and manifest our missionary nature.

Now I urge you to come together in your parish partnership; to pray and to dream of the future of our church, to listen with care and respect to one another, allowing the Holy Spirit to guide your conversations.

Everyone should be included in this prayerful listening and discernment and there will be notices in your parish bulletin or on social media with further information.

As we journey together in our pilgrimage to the house of God our Father, I invite you to use the Synod Prayer which will be available in print form and also on diocesan and parish web sites. Attributed to St Isidore of Seville (560-636), it has been traditionally used at Councils and Synods for hundreds of years. This version has been designed specifically for the Church’s Synodal Pathway. Please pray it, inviting the Holy Spirit into your busy lives and homes and know that I will be praying for you also.

Yours in Christ and Mary,

+Alan Williams, sm

Bishop of Brentwood

First Sunday of Advent, Year C, The Year of Luke

Edmund of Canterbury & St. Thomas More

We stand today at the beginning of Advent and joyfully anticipate the celebration of Christmastide. Our pilgrimage invites us to revisit and partake in the events surrounding Jesus’ first coming: his birth and entry into human history when the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.

Since the beginning, Advent has been a season in which we reflect on the first coming of Christs but also prepare for his second. The deepest longing of the Holy Spirit is expressed in the cry ‘Come’, which the Spirit gives to the Church. The prayer of both the Spirit and the Church will always be ‘Come, Lord Jesus, come.’

God always has in view the end towards which the whole history of salvation is directed. Our desire to prepare for Jesus’ return is proportional to our current relationship with him. His return heralds not just the coming of a kingdom, of a new order of things, but the return of the Lord of Lords, the Servant King who loved and died for us.

The call throughout the New Testament is to be active, to prepare, be watchful and be holy as God is holy, so that we can ‘stand before the Son of man’. At Jesus’ first coming he came to save and redeem so that we would know forgiveness and liberation from our sin. At his second coming, we will know the redemption of our bodies and full deliverance for which the whole of creation longs.

Advent, then, is a time to grow in holiness through repentance and the forgiveness of sins.

‘Behold, now is the acceptable time spoken of by the Spirit, the day of salvation, peace and reconciliation: the great season of Advent. This is the time eagerly awaited by the patriarchs and prophets, the time that holy Simeon rejoiced to see. This is the season that the Church has always celebrated with special solemnity. We too should always observe it with faith and love, offering praise and thanksgiving to the Father for the mercy and love he has shown us in the mystery.’ (St Charles Borromeo)

Dear Friends in Christ, 1^st Sunday of Advent 2021

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As we have just embarked upon our Advent Journey, and begun our New Liturgical Year. We pray that the Lord will be with us in these weeks ahead as we prepare for his birth once again into our lives this Christmastide. How we prepare determines how we will celebrate the Incarnation of the Lord. Last year was strange, and if you remember many people were getting very sick of the Christmas & New Year period. Here we are twelve months on, the Pandemic is still with us, but we are slowly learning to live with the implications of it.

Obviously, during the Pandemic we should still be very conscious of one another and, hopefully most have been vaccinated by now, and many have received their booster & flu vaccines for this year. We are still maintaining certain precautions at church, with the sanitising of hands at entry and exit of the church; the wearing of face-coverings in respect of one another, and social distancing where necessary. Thank you to everyone for kindly respecting these requests!

GRAND DRAW ONLY TWO WEEKS AWAY, 12^th DECEMBER

GRAND DRAW TICKETS: My dear friends, this weekend we will be distributing Grand Draw Tickets for the Grand Draw & Christmas Hampers. Once again I appeal to your generosity in taking as many books of Tickets as you can. As this is our only fund-raising even of the year please be generous in your response. The Grand Draw will take place on Sunday 12^th December after the 11am Mass. We will be having a Coffee Morning at the same time, so we ask all of our parishioners to join us on this occasion.

GRAND DRAW PRIZES: My grateful thanks to those who have donated Christmas food items, bottles etc for the hampers. Could I make a special appeal to everyone for some Luxury Grand Draw Prizes, we really want to make this Draw worthwhile. Some ideas for the Grand Draw are Flat Screen TV, Laptop, Other New Electrical Goods, Restaurant Vouchers, Hotel Vouchers, National Trust Family Memberships, Crate of Wine, and Department Store Vouchers. Also Smart Tech Wearables: Fit Bits, Garmins, Air Pods, Beats, Echo & Alexa Devices, (with Black Friday approaching you may be able to get some real bargains as prizes). You can leave off prizes and Hamper items at the Presbytery anytime. There are boxes to receive gifts and items in the porch of the church, Fr John’s Garage (Big Red Box), Presbytery Front Door (Big Red Box). My thanks to those who have already

May God Bless You All,

Donate

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

RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS The Presbytery at 7.30pm next session on Thursday 2^nd December Theme: The Sacraments – The Sacrament of Reconciliation – Confession. If you want to know more about the programme, and the whole RCIA process, please contact Fr John, Tel No: 0208 508 3492 or Email: loughton@dioceseofbrentwood.org

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION PROGRAMME: The Children’s Programme will resume again on Sunday 28^th November at 10.00am. Our Theme this week is Listening. Parents’ Meeting – 1^st December at 7.30pm. (Please note change of date) Thank you! Please pray for all our children preparing for the sacraments. This is truly a wonderful moment of time in their lives.

OFFICE CHAIRS: Would any parishioners have a couple of redundant Office Chairs for our parish office. Just the simple swivel chairs; unfortunately the ones we have seen better days and are on their last legs. If you have please contact Fr. John directly at the Presbytery Tel No: 020 8508 3492. Thanking you in anticipation!

REPOSITORY: Available this weekend, a large selection of Religious Christmas Cards, (please think about sending religious cards, signifying the true meaning of Christmas). Advent Calendars, Christmas Candles, Cribs, and other Christmas Items. All items are marked with prices, and there is a box available for the proceeds of your items. Thank you!

ST JOHN FISHER CATHOLIC PRIMARY SCHOOL, LOUGHTON P PRIMARY SCHOOL ADMISSIONS: As your parish school, St John Fisher provide a distinctively Catholic education for your children. St John Fisher is an excellent School where we teach your children, in accordance with our Mission Statement – “The love of God helps us all to live, learn, and grow to be a happy, caring and welcoming community.” St John Fisher school is a place filled with love of learning. It is a place where, as a Catholic community, we celebrate the successes of our children in all areas of school life through our distinctive curriculum.

Visits to the school are warmly welcomed and encouraged. Please do see for yourself the excellent education and enhanced learning environment we provide. We welcome mid-year applications.

Visits are held every Monday at 9.30 am, with the Headteacher. Mr Kendal. Please contact the school on 0208 508 6315 or email:

admissions@st-johnfisher.essex.sch.uk to arrange a visit.

For admission to the school’s Reception Class, September 2022 please apply by 15^th January 2022.

The next talks will be on the 28^th November and 5^th December and the question being explored is, What are the unique insights of Catholic Social Teaching? Fr Dominic Howarth, Romford, will consider this question.

For more information about The Thresholds of Hope Questions go to www.thresholdsofhope.co.uk

BCYS SUMMER LOURDES PILGRIMAGE: 2022: 23^rd – 30^th July 2022.

A SUNDAY EVENING PARISH YOUTH MASS: We’ve had a couole of these popular and enjoyable Masses over the past few years and hopefully we’ll be able to organise one, possibly in the New Year. The idea would be that you could get involved with the music and the readings and make it your own celebration. Hopefully, we will also have a social gathering in the hall afterwards

GRAND CHRISTMAS DRAW & CHRISTMAS HAMPERS

As we’re now into the month of November, I would like to appeal to all of our parishioners to participate in our only fund-rising event of the year. As you are well aware, since the Pandemic our finances have dropped considerably, as many people are not attending church anymore. The Bazaar Committee believe that the Grand Christmas Draw & Hampers, which was such a great success last year, can be repeated again this year. Manifestly, we are wholly dependent on your generosity. No matter how great or small a gift or item may be it will be gratefully received. Xmas Raffle Clipart , Png Download - Christmas Raffle, Transparent Png, Free Download

GRAND DRAW TICKETS WILL BE DISTRIBUTED THIS WEEKEND

PLEASE BE GENEROUS IN YOUR RESPONSE IN TAKING THEM

KINDLY RETURN ALL COUNTERFLOILS & MONIES BY

SUNDAY THE 12^th DECEMBER. THANK YOU!

DIARY NOVEMBER – DECEMBER 2021

PLEASE PRAY FOR THOSE SICK IN OUR PARISH

ANNIVERSARIES: Pat Murphy RIP, Catherine Wright RIP, Please for all whose anniversaries occur at this time and for all of our deceased loved ones, ALL OF OUR HOLY SOULS. Requiescant in Pace.

ALTAR SOCIETY: If anyone else would like to join the Altar Society please contact Sharon Fitzmaurice on 07854919207 or shazzafitzm@aol.com It probably works out to about an hour a month, and you can do as much or as little as you wish; the more help we have the easier it is to keep the church really clean. Thanking you in anticipation! The Grand Christmas Clean will tak place on Tuesday 21^st December at 9.30am. Please join us if you can for an hour or so to prepare the Church for our Christmas Masses.

MASS INTENTIONS – NOVEMBER – DECEMBER 2021

Sat 27^th	10.00am	Yvonne Poulter RIP (Poulter Family) HOLY SOULS
		*Vigil Mass for Sunday: Confessions at 5.30pm*
Sat 27^th	6.00pm	Thomas Berry RIP (Stephanie Hemsworth)HOLY SOULS
Sun 28^th	9.00am	Miguel & Carmen Ruiz B’day Ints (Ruiz Family)
Sun 28^th	11:00am	Buddy Oriel RIP (Bacuetes Family) HOLY SOULS
Mon 29^th	10.00am	Frank Westcott’s Ints (Remy) HOLY SOULS
Tues 30^th	10.00am	Dec’d of McCabe /Johnson families RIP (R & I Johnson) HOLY SOULS
Wed 1^stDecember	10.00am	Dec’d member of the Epsom Family RIP
Thurs 2^nd	10.00am	Vincent & Teresa McMorrow RIP
Fri 3^rd	10.00am10.30am	Josie Sison’s Int’s (Remy) Holy Hour with Exposition of Bl. Sacrament
Sat 4^th	10.00am	Nancy Ironside RIP (Maree Kavangh)
		*Vigil Mass for Sunday Confessions 5.30pm*
Sat 4^th	6.00pm	Sandy Sandhu RIP
Sun 5^th	9.00am	Colin Orr RIP (Catherine Mills)
Sun 5^th	11:00am	Yvonne Poulter RIP (Steve & Teresa Wallace)

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

1st Sunday of Advent

First Reading : Jeremiah 33:14-16

See, the days are coming – it is the Lord who speaks – when I am going to fulfil the promise I made to the House of Israel and the House of Judah:

‘In those days and at that time,

I will make a virtuous Branch grow for David,

who shall practise honesty and integrity in the land.

In those days Judah shall be saved

and Israel shall dwell in confidence.

And this is the name the city will be called:

The-Lord-our-integrity.’

Responsorial Psalm : Psalm 24(25):4-5,8-9,10,14

To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.

Lord, make me know your ways.

Lord, teach me your paths.

Make me walk in your truth, and teach me:

for you are God my saviour.

To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.

The Lord is good and upright.

He shows the path to those who stray,

He guides the humble in the right path,

He teaches his way to the poor.

To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.

His ways are faithfulness and love

for those who keep his covenant and law.

The Lord’s friendship is for those who revere him;

to them he reveals his covenant.

To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.

Second Reading : 1 Thessalonians 3:12-4:2

May the Lord be generous in increasing your love and make you love one another and the whole human race as much as we love you. And may he so confirm your hearts in holiness that you may be blameless in the sight of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus Christ comes with all his saints.

Finally, brothers, we urge you and appeal to you in the Lord Jesus to make more and more progress in the kind of life that you are meant to live: the life that God wants, as you learnt from us, and as you are already living it. You have not forgotten the instructions we gave you on the authority of the Lord Jesus.

Gospel : Luke 21:25-28,34-36

Jesus said to his disciples: ‘There will be signs in the sun and moon and stars; on earth nations in agony, bewildered by the clamour of the ocean and its waves; men dying of fear as they await what menaces the world, for the powers of heaven will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. When these things begin to take place, stand erect; hold your heads high, because your liberation is near at hand.

‘Watch yourselves, or your hearts will be coarsened with debauchery and drunkenness and the cares of life, and that day will be sprung on you suddenly, like a trap. For it will come down on every living man on the face of the earth. Stay awake, praying at all times for the strength to survive all that is going to happen, and to stand with confidence before the Son of Man.’

THE GOSPEL OF THE LORD

2021.11.18 – Honouring Sunday – FINAL Download

Solemnity of Christ the King, 2021

St. Edmund of Canterbury & St. Thomas More

‘Lift up your heads, O gates! And be lifted up, O ancient doors! That the King of glory may come in.’ (Ps.24:7) Christus Rex

In the processional hymn which celebrates the Ark of the Covenant entering Jerusalem’s temple, the Psalmist leads us in joyful prayer and praise. For the Jews, the Ark was the seat of God; it was where the Lord dwelt. The worshippers cry for the grates to open so that the Lord of hosts can enter in. We echo this cry on the Feast of Christ the King; we who worship the Father in spirit and truth acknowledge Jesus’ rightful place on the throne of glory, at his Father’s right hand.

Jesus is the Son, the King, the Lord, the Alpha and the Omega, the One who overcame the deadliest foes: sin, Satan and death. John records the eternal hymn of praise of the four living creatures, capturing the glory, honour, worship and praise which are due to Jesus, the Servant King, because he laid down his life only to take iti up again: ‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty.’ Jesus is truly enthroned as King as we longingly await for the full unveiling and realisation of the kingdom: ‘…until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death.’

We are loiving in the age of the Church; the end times have been a reality since Jesus ascended into heaven. When he comes again in glory, sin, death and corruption will be overthrown entirely: ‘When all things are subjected to him, then the Son himself will also be subjected to him (the Father) who put all things under him, that God may be everything to everyone.’

The kingship and lordship of Jesus underpin our faith. Today, as the liturgical year draws to a close, we prepare to celebrate once more the coming of the King of Kings who laid aside his majesty and glory to humble himself by being born, not in regal comfort, but in a lowly stable.

Dear Friends in Christ, 33^rd Sunday of the Year

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Today is the grate Solemnity of Christ the King and marks the final week in the Church’s liturgical year. We proclaim the Kingship of Christ crucified, as he reigns from the Cross and triumphs over sin and death. We are invited to share in his new life, which we call our Catholic Christian Faith. The New Liturgical Year commences next weekend with the First Sunday of Advent – we move into Year C – the year of Luke.

NATIONAL YOUTH SUNDAY: 21^st November 2021. Is now World Youth Sunday. The Theme this year is Witness. The Lord calls us to 1) Stand Up – Jesus us calls us to not be afraid, and even if we fall or fail, to stand up and know he is with us. 2) You are appointed – You are called and chosen to do a specific job or mission. Jesus sees our particular gifts and talents and calls us to use them. But he also chooses us because he loves us. 3) Go as a witness –The disciples were first-hand witnesses of Jesus’ work on earth and were sent out by Jesus to share the good news. As witnesses of Jesus’ light and love at work in our lives today, we are also sent out to share it!

GRAND DRAW PRIZES: My grateful thanks to those who have donated Christmas food items, bottles etc for the hampers. Could I make a special appeal to everyone for some Luxury Grand Draw Prizes, we really want to make this Draw worthwhile. Some ideas for the Grand Draw are Flat Screen TV, Laptop, Other New Electrical Goods, Restaurant Vouchers, Hotel Vouchers, National Trust Family Memberships, Crate of Wine, and Department Store Vouchers. Also Smart Tech Wearables: Fit Bits, Garmins, Air Pods, Beats, Echo & Alexa Devices, (with Black Friday approaching you may be able to get some real bargains as prizes). You can leave off prizes and Hamper items at the Presbytery anytime. There are boxes to receive gifts and items in the porch of the church, Fr John’s Garage (Big Red Box), Presbytery Front Door (Big Red Box). My thanks to those who have already

May God Bless You All,

Donate

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

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION PROGRAMME: The Children’s Programme will resume again on Sunday 21^st November at 10.00am. Our Theme this week is Listening. Parents’ Meeting – Wednesday 1^st December at 7.30pm. Thank you! Please pray for all our children preparing for the sacraments. This is truly a wonderful moment of time in their lives.

Visits to the school are warmly welcomed and encouraged. Please do see for yourself the excellent education and enhanced learning environment we provide. We welcome mid-year applications.

Visits are held every Monday at 9.30 am, with the Headteacher. Mr Kendal. Please contact the school on 0208 508 6315 or email:

admissions@st-johnfisher.essex.sch.uk to arrange a visit.

For admission to the school’s Reception Class, September 2022 please apply by 15^th January 2022.

ALTAR SOCIETY: If anyone else would like to join the Altar Society please contact Sharon Fitzmaurice on 07854919207 or shazzafitzm@aol.com It probably works out to about an hour a month, and you can do as much or as little as you wish; the more help we have the easier it is to keep the church really clean. Thanking you in anticipation! The Grand Christmas Clean will tak place on Tuesday 21^st December at 9.30am. Please join us if you can for an hour or so to prepare the Church for our Christmas Masses.

The next talk will be on the 21st November and the question being explored is, Why should we listen to the Church? Fr Stephen Morrison O Praem, Chelmsford, will consider this question.

For more information about The Thresholds of Hope Questions go to www.thresholdsofhope.co.uk

BCYS SUMMER LOURDES PILGRIMAGE: 2022: 23^rd – 30^th July 2022.

GRAND CHRISTMAS DRAW & CHRISTMAS HAMPERS

GRAND DRAW TICKETS WILL BE DISTRIBUTED THIS WEEKEND

PLEASE BE GENEROUS IN YOUR RESPONSE IN TAKING THEM

KINDLY RETURN ALL COUNTERFLOILS & MONIES BY

SUNDAY THE 12^th DECEMBER. THANK YOU!

DIARY NOVEMBER 2021

PLEASE PRAY FOR THOSE SICK IN OUR PARISH

ANNIVERSARIES: Dr Douglas St.John Murphy RIP, Eileen Hills RIP, Please for all whose anniversaries occur at this time and for all of our deceased loved ones, ALL OF OUR HOLY SOULS. Requiescant in Pace.

REQUIESCAT IN PACE: In your mercy please pray for the repose of the soul of Dr Brian Beveridge, who passed away this week. We extend our sincere condolences to his wife Vicky and their family in this time of great loss. May he rest in peace.

MASS INTENTIONS – NOVEMBER 2021

Sat 20^th	10.00am	NO MORNING MASS
		*Vigil Mass for Sunday: Confessions at 5.30pm*
Sat 20^th	6.00pm	Martin Boyle RIP (Paul Boyle) HOLY SOULS
Sun 21^st	9.00am	Noel Anderson RIP (Pover Family) HOLY SOULS
Sun 21^st	11:00am	Margaret Mary & Karl Joseph Britz RIP (Karl Jude Britz) ALL HOLY SOULS
Mon 22^nd	10.00am	John Metcalf 90^th B’day (Margaret Duffy) HOLY SOULS
Tues 23^rd	10.00am	Ron Bryant RIP (B’day Anni) (B Bryant) HOLY SOULS
Wed 24^th	10.00am	PC Joseph RIP (Kumar Family) HOLY SOULS
Thurs 25^th	10.00am	Laurent Giordmaina RIP (Pauline & Barry Hatch) HOLY SOULS
Fri 26^th	10.00am10.30am	Nancy Burgess RIP (M Abbs) HOLY SOULSHoly Hour with Exposition of Bl. Sacrament
Sat 27^th	10.00am	Yvonne Poulter RIP (Poulter Family) HOLY SOULS
		*Vigil Mass for Sunday Confessions 5.30pm*
Sat 27^th	6.00pm	Thomas Berry RIP (Stephanie Hemsworth)HOLY SOULS
Sun 28^th	9.00am	Miguel & Carmen Ruiz B’day Ints (Ruiz Family) HOLY SOULS
Sun 28^th	11:00am	Buddy Oriel RIP (Bacuetes Family) HOLY SOULS

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

Christ the King – Solemnity

First Reading: Daniel 7:13-14

I gazed into the visions of the night.

And I saw, coming on the clouds of heaven,

one like a son of man.

He came to the one of great age

and was led into his presence.

On him was conferred sovereignty,

glory and kingship,

and men of all peoples, nations and languages became his servants.

His sovereignty is an eternal sovereignty

which shall never pass away,

nor will his empire ever be destroyed.

Responsorial Psalm : Psalm 92(93):1-2,5

The Lord is king, with majesty enrobed.

The Lord is king, with majesty enrobed;

the Lord has robed himself with might,

he has girded himself with power.

The Lord is king, with majesty enrobed.

The world you made firm, not to be moved;

your throne has stood firm from of old.

From all eternity, O Lord, you are.

The Lord is king, with majesty enrobed.

Truly your decrees are to be trusted.

Holiness is fitting to your house,

O Lord, until the end of time.

The Lord is king, with majesty enrobed.

Second Reading: Apocalypse 1:5-8

Grace and peace to you from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the First-Born from the dead, the Ruler of the kings of the earth. He loves us and has washed away our sins with his blood, and made us a line of kings, priests to serve his God and Father; to him, then, be glory and power for ever and ever. Amen. It is he who is coming on the clouds; everyone will see him, even those who pierced him, and all the races of the earth will mourn over him. This is the truth. Amen. ‘I am the Alpha and the Omega’ says the Lord God, who is, who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.

Gospel : John 18:33-37

‘Are you the king of the Jews?’ Pilate asked. Jesus replied, ‘Do you ask this of your own accord, or have others spoken to you about me?’ Pilate answered, ‘Am I a Jew? It is your own people and the chief priests who have handed you over to me: what have you done?’ Jesus replied, ‘Mine is not a kingdom of this world; if my kingdom were of this world, my men would have fought to prevent my being surrendered to the Jews. But my kingdom is not of this kind.’ ‘So you are a king then?’ said Pilate. ‘It is you who say it’ answered Jesus. ‘Yes, I am a king. I was born for this, I came into the world for this: to bear witness to the truth; and all who are on the side of truth listen to my voice.’

THE GOSPEL OF THE LORD

St. Edmund of Canterbury & St. Thomas More

Thirty-Third Sunday of the Year, 2021

There is no escaping the apocalyptic writings in the Bible. We need to come to terms with the fact that some of what we read is dark and scary, bringing us face to face with the prospect of trials, tribulations and turmoil, both on earth and in the heavens. We can nevertheless discern a consolation at the heart of such passages that overcomes the terror and darkness, which is the coming of Jesus, the son of Man. Borrowing the image of God’s deliverance from Daniel. Mark leaves us in no doubt that one day the world will end, No one knows when: not the Church, not the son, but only the Father.

Drawing on all the wisdom of the ages which it teaches with authority, the Catechism of the Catholic Church states, ‘Since the Ascension Christ’s coming has been imminent even though “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has fixed by his own authority”. This coming… could be accomplished at any moment, even if both it and the final trial that will precede it are delayed’.

St Bernard of Clairvaux explained Christ’s three comings: first, the incarnation; second, his return to earth; and third, his coming into our lives and heart. We rejoice in his first coming and long for his second. Perhaps if we prayed and longed for Christ’s Second Coming more, we would help to usher it in. Imagine, we could play some part in his return! Jesus urges us to be on our guard and keep watch. But are we to guard and keep watch over? Our minds, hearts and lives, but also time.

St Augustine said, ‘Time is a threefold present: the present as we experience it, the past as a present memory, and the future as an expectation.’ In guarding and keeping watch over our time we learn to put our lives at God’s service, striving to live in his presence, with growing awareness that the Lord will return, wrap up time and history, and usher in the eternal kingdom of God.

‘Do not walk through time without leaving worthy evidence of your passage.’ (Pope St John XXIII)

Dear Friends in Christ, 32^nd Sunday of the Year

Today is Remembrance Sunday, when we remember in a very special way all of those men and women who gave their lives so gallantly in the two Great Wars; but also those who have given their lives in the subsequent conflicts all over the world. We are very fortunate to live in relatively peaceful times, and one can’t even imagine the horrendous nature of war here in our own country. And yet many of our parents and grandparents had to endure several years of war. We pray for all those who gave up their lives so that we can live in freedom today. My they Rest in Peace. Remembrance Day Service will take place here in Loughton at 12.15pm at the War Memorial, everyone is welcome. They shall not grow old, as we that are left grow old

PERSONAL APPEAL – GRAND CHRISTMAS DRAW: My dear parishioners, can I make an impassioned appeal to you all to help with our Grand Christmas Draw & Christmas Hampers. As yet very little has been handed in. We need so really big prizes for the Grand Draw and also quality food items, chocolates, pickles, biscuits, bottles of wine, prosecco & spirits, and lots of other Christmas goodies. The grand Draw is only a month away, and Raffle Tickets will be given out this weekend. Last Year there was an incredible response, and we had been locked down for a month. There are boxes available in the Porch of the Church, at the Presbytery Front Door, and in Fr John’s Garage to receive you gifts and items. Also money donations will be gratefully received. As you know this is our only fundraiser throughout the year. I thank all those who have already donated items. Fr. John

SPECIAL MASS OF REMEMBRANCE (19^th November, 7.30pm): For all those parishioners who have lost loved ones over the past year. Many families lost loved ones, some through Covid, over the past twelve months. I would like to invite all families, regardless of whether your deceased passed away in this parish or locality, to come and pray in this Month of Holy Souls at this special Mass which will be at 7.30pm on Friday November 19th. This is an open invitation to the whole parish community; we remember in a very special way all of our Holy Souls in this month of November. Each family will have the opportunity to place a Candle in our Stand in special remembrance of you deceased loved one, and we will pray a decade of the Holy Rosary at the end of Holy Mass for the repose of their souls.

May God Bless You All,

Donate

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

RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS The Presbytery at 7.30pm next Thursday 18^th November Theme: The Sacraments – Baptism Initiation into the Christian Life. If you want to know more about the programme, and the whole RCIA process, please contact Fr John, Tel No: 0208 508 3492 or Email: loughton@dioceseofbrentwood.org

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION PROGRAMME: The Children’s Programme will resume again on Sunday 14^th November at 10.00am. Our Theme this week is Listening. Parents’ Meeting – Wednesday 24^th November at 7.30pm. Thank you! Please pray for all our children preparing for the sacraments. This is truly a wonderful moment of time in their lives.

REQUIESCAT IN PACE: In your mercy please pray for the repose of the soul of Dr Philip Prashner, who passed away recently. Dr Prashner worked in one of our local surgeries as a GP for many years, and was GP to many of our parishioners. We extend our sincere condolences to David & Tracey and their family in this time of great loss.

REPOSITORY: Available this weekend, a large selection of Religious Christmas Cards, Advent Calendars, Christmas Candles, Cribs, and other Christmas Items. All items are marked with prices, and there is a box available for the proceeds of your items. Thank you!

DIARY NOVEMBER 2021

PLEASE PRAY FOR THOSE SICK IN OUR PARISH

ANNIVERSARIES: Please for all whose anniversaries occur at this time and for all of our deceased loved ones, ALL OF OUR HOLY SOULS. Requiescant in Pace.

https://tse4.mm.bing.net/th?id=OIP.Wf1Md-pfnInfl5p-IanHAwHaHa&pid=Api&P=0&w=300&h=300

MESSAGE FROM OUR HEALTH AND SAFETY OFFICER: Robin has highlighted two important points: (i) with the onset of cold weather expected soon it would be wise for parishioners to wrap up when they come to mass as good ventilation will need to be maintained; (ii) it is very important that parishioners do not park in the central section of the car park as this blocks access that may be needed if an ambulance has to be called during mass.

FROM THE VICARIATE FOR ADULT FORMATION:

1. One of the new projects to help adult lay men and women deepen their understanding of the Catholic Faith is a series of online talks given by priests of our diocese. This is not a systematic course that one needs to commit to in order to benefit from but rather online talks that people can dip in and out of as they wish. I wonder if you would be kind enough to include this brief notice in your newsletter or bring these talks to the attention of your parish as you see fit:

NEW EARLY YEARS SCOUTING PROVISIONS FOR 4-6 YEAR OLDS: The 7th Epping Forest Scout Group are looking at being one of the first Scout Groups in Essex to start a Squirrel drey. As a forerunner to Beavers, a Squirrel section is where 4 and 5 year olds can join in the fun for the very first time. We hope that this will be the time to fill the little ones lives with Wow and Wonder and set them climbing the family tree of Scouting. We will expect more involvement of parents in this section as we build strong links with families as their children start out on their Scouting journey, we aim to start early 2022 and are looking for adult volunteers and children now to make this happen. If you are interested please call or text James Geller, Group Scout Leader on 07554 456844.

The next talks will be on the 14^th & 21st November and the question being explored is, Why should we listen to the Church? Fr Stephen Morrison O Praem, Chelmsford, will consider this question.

For more information about The Thresholds of Hope Questions go to www.thresholdsofhope.co.uk

PARISH REPOSITORY: Just to let all of our parishioners know that we have a wonderful stock of Christmas Cards, Christmas Cribs and Chrsitmas gifts and items that will be available next weekend. Religious Christmas Cards truly convey the true meaning of the Christmas Season. There are Religious cards for all occasions also available. Also Statues, Rosaries, Religious Books, Candles, Medals.

BCYS SUMMER LOURDES PILGRIMAGE: 2022: 23^rd – 30^th July 2022.

A SUNDAY EVENING PARISH YOUTH MASS: We’ve had a couple of these popular and enjoyable Masses over the past few years and hopefully we’ll be able to organise one, possibly early in the new year. The idea would be that you could get involved with the music and the readings and make it your own celebration. Hopefully, we can also have a social gathering in the Hall afterwards.

THE BCYS MONTHLY YOUTH MASS: This takes place on the first Thursday of each month at 6pm in Brentwood Cathedral. Many young people from around our Diocese attend this regular and happy celebration.

NEXT WEEKEND: We celebrate the great Solemnity of Christ the King, which marks the final week in this Liturgical Year. It is also National Youth Sunday. As we rapidly embark upon the Holy Advent Season commencing the Weekend 27^th / 28^th November (1^st Sunday of Advent, The New Liturgical Year), let us ask the Lord to be with us as we endeavour to make this Advent Journey very special and spiritual, leading us up to the great Solemnity of the Incarnation of the Lord at Christmas.

GRAND CHRISTMAS DRAW & CHRISTMAS HAMPERS

GRAND DRAW TICKETS WILL BE DISTRIBUTED THIS WEEKEND

MASS INTENTIONS – NOVEMBER 2021

Sat 13^th	10.00am	Irene Olivelle RIP (Pat & Margaret)HOLY SOULS
		*Vigil Mass for Sunday: Confessions at 5.30pm*
Sat 13^th	6.00pm	The Dec’d members of Muccini Family RIP(Eleonora Spencer) HOLY SOULS
Sun 14^th	9.00am	Sapper Ramond Marchant RIP (Patrick Marchant). HOLY SOULS
	12.15pm	REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY SERVICE AT THE WAR MEMORIAL Requiescant in Pace
Sun 14^th	11:00am	Lily Brennan RIP & Ben Cunnea RIP(Louise & Senan Pierce).HOLY SOULS
Mon 15^th	10.00am	Dec’d memebers of Senior Citizens Club (Briget Kinsella) HOLY SOULS
Tues 16^th	9.00am	Nancy Ironside RIP
Wed 17^th	12.15pm	Bernie RIP (Bridget Kinsella)HOLY SOULS
Thurs 18^th	10.00am	Michael & Breege Kerrance RIP (Mary) HOLY SOULS
Fri 19^th	12.15pm	Bridget Kinsell’s Int’s (RemyHoly Hour with Exposition of Bl. Sacrament
	7.30pm	Special Mass for Deceased
Sat 20^th	10.00am	NO MASS THIS MORNING
		*Vigil Mass for Sunday Confessions 5.30pm*
Sat 20^th	6.00pm	Martin Boyle RIP (Paul Boyle) HOLY SOULS
Sun 21^st	9.00am	Noel Anderson RIP (Pover Family) HOLY SOULS
Sun 21^st	11:00am	Margaret Mary & Karl Joseph Britz RIP (Karl Jude Britz) ALL HOLY SOULS

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

33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

First Reading: Daniel 12:1-3

‘At that time Michael will stand up, the great prince who mounts guard over your people. There is going to be a time of great distress, unparalleled since nations first came into existence. When that time comes, your own people will be spared, all those whose names are found written in the Book. Of those who lie sleeping in the dust of the earth many will awake, some to everlasting life, some to shame and everlasting disgrace. The learned will shine as brightly as the vault of heaven, and those who have instructed many in virtue, as bright as stars for all eternity.’

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 15(16):5,8-11

Preserve me, God, I take refuge in you.

O Lord, it is you who are my portion and cup;

it is you yourself who are my prize.

I keep the Lord ever in my sight:

since he is at my right hand, I shall stand firm.

Preserve me, God, I take refuge in you.

And so my heart rejoices, my soul is glad;

even my body shall rest in safety.

For you will not leave my soul among the dead,

nor let your beloved know decay.

Preserve me, God, I take refuge in you.

You will show me the path of life,

the fullness of joy in your presence,

at your right hand happiness for ever.

Preserve me, God, I take refuge in you.

Second Reading: Hebrews 10:11-14,18

All the priests stand at their duties every day, offering over and over again the same sacrifices which are quite incapable of taking sins away. He, on the other hand, has offered one single sacrifice for sins, and then taken his place forever, at the right hand of God, where he is now waiting until his enemies are made into a footstool for him. By virtue of that one single offering, he has achieved the eternal perfection of all whom he is sanctifying. When all sins have been forgiven, there can be no more sin offerings.

Gospel: Mark 13:24-32

Jesus said to his disciples: ‘In those days, after the time of distress, the sun will be darkened, the moon will lose its brightness, the stars will come falling from heaven and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory; then too he will send the angels to gather his chosen from the four winds, from the ends of the world to the ends of heaven.

‘Take the fig tree as a parable: as soon as its twigs grow supple and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. So with you when you see these things happening: know that he is near, at the very gates. I tell you solemnly, before this generation has passed away all these things will have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

‘But as for that day or hour, nobody knows it, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son; no one but the Father.’

Thirty-Second Sunday of the Year, 2021

St. Edmund of Canterbury & St. Thomas More

In today’s readings we encounter the very real tension which exists between the external religious life (exemplified in the teachers of the law and the Pharisees) and the beauty of the interior life expressed in humble love, service and generosity towards God. Perhaps there is a way in which this tension exists in us all to some extent.

The fault of the Pharisees was that they loved the recognition, praise, status, social standing and affirmation which have, since time immemorial, been the privilege of those who enjoy elevated status within the community. They enjoyed it, milked it and even financially exploited it. However, their external adherence to the Torah had no impact on the evil and darkness within their own hearts. They assumed a holiness and righteousness which simply did not exist in reality.

The temptation to rely on status and position must be very real for all bishops, priests, deacons and religious, but it’s equally real for all of us who are baptised and serve in some way or other in our parishes and local communities. We should not seek our security and affirmation from external things but from God and in humbly serving him and our brothers and sisters.

The poor widow had the right attitude: she had the disposition of a true disciple. She was aware of her poverty, and was under no illusion who she was socially or before God.

Another woman who had the disposition of a true disciple was Jeanne Jugan, the founder of the Little Sisters of the Poor. Although she was removed from all responsibility and given the task of collecting money, food and clothing for the poor – by going both door-to-door and begging in the streets – she accepted this obscure new role willingly and without complaint. To further humiliation she answered with silence, gentleness and abandonment to the will of God. Humility was at the heart of her spirituality, as it was for the poor widow.

Dear Friends in Christ, 32^nd Sunday of the Year

GRAND CHRISTMAS DRAW & CHRISTMAS HAMPERS

GRAND DRAW TICKETS WILL BE DISTRIBUTED NEXT WEEKEND

May God Bless You All,

Donate

Or you can use Parish Bank Account: Using Online Banking
HSBC Sort Code 40-13-22 PLEASE BE GENEROUS IN YOUR
Account Number: 11019651 GIFT TO GOD & HIS CHURCH

PARISH FINANACES: Weekly Offertory £378.28 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.

RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS The Presbytery at 7.30pm next Thursday 11^th November Theme: The Church’s rules and regulations – Canon Law. If you want to know more about the programme, and the whole RCIA process, please contact Fr John, Tel No: 0208 508 3492 or Email: loughton@dioceseofbrentwood.org

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION PROGRAMME: The Children’s Programme will resume again on Sunday 7^th November at 10.00am. Our Theme this week is Listening. Parents’ Meeting – Wednesday 24^th November at 7.30pm. Thank you! Please pray for all our children preparing for the sacraments. This is truly a wonderful moment of time in their lives.

ALTAR SERVERS: It took a number of years to gain a good team of Altar Servers in the Parish. Sadly, with the Pandemic, many of them have not returned to Altar Serving; and, as yet have not notified me formally about not serving anymore. As a matter of courtesy, and also the return of your laundered albs; I would be sincerely grateful if you could let me know your intentions. I personally served at the altar from the age of 7 until my ordination to the Priesthood. This is a wonderful ministry in the church and I would encourage our young people to seriously consider Altar Serving.

FROM THE VICARIATE FOR ADULT FORMATION:

The next talk will be on the 7the November and the question being explored is What does it mean to talk about morality? Fr Martin Boland, dean of Brentwood Cathedral will consider this question.

For more information about The Thresholds of Hope Questions go to www.thresholdsofhope.co.uk

2. I would also like to draw your attention to another online project developed by Mauro Iannicelli that provides an accessible guide to the Bible for adults. Mauro is a committed Catholic layman in our diocese and has provided input for the Newham Deanery in the past. He is also willing to send to your parish 200+ course invitation A6 flyers, completely free of charge. Just drop him an email request for the flyers at mauro@comeandsee.org, or to ask him any questions about the course. I recommend this initiative to you and if you feel able to do so, to promote his course in your newsletter or elsewhere:

The YouTube Bible Timeline Course Do you feel the Bible is too big and too difficult to understand? Do you get lost with all the characters and stories? If so, this course aims to help you better understand the riches of the Bible in a simple and straightforward way. For more information and to register go to www.comeandsee.org

https://tse4.mm.bing.net/th?id=OIP.CIDMEvmJI68yfIptmd7fFwHaJQ&pid=Api&P=0&w=300&h=300

FOR A SYNODAL CHURCH: COMMUNION, PARTICIPATION & MISSION: Pope Francis wants us to be more synodal at every level of the Church which is why he has convokeda synod about synodlaity itself. Communion, participation, and mission looked very dofferent in our country during the Reformation; and manifested itself, again, in different ways, for example, after the restoration of the hierarchy in the 19^th Century. Missions preceded parishes. Communities came together to build churches and schools.

What is the Holy Spirit saying to us now as Church? What are the opportunities that are opening up? How might the Church look tomorrow? Pope Francis is inviting us all to pray, listen and discern together what the Holy Spiriti saying to us in our own community, to our diocese and the whole Universal Church. This will be the first phase of a process which will conclude in Rome in 2023. The Pope is asking us to be more Synodal, calling each and everyone of us to have a say in how the Church could change by discerning together the signs of the times and dreaming where we would like to be. This is a chance to all to have a voice, and see where we would like to be.

THE MONTH OF HOLY SOULS: During the month of November Holy Mass will be offered daily for the repose of all of our Holy Souls. Also at the end of each of our weekday masses a decade of the Rosary will be prayed for the repose of all Holy Souls. A special Mass for all who lost loved ones this year will be celebrated on Friday 19^th November at 7.30pm. Please join us!

BCYS SUMMER LOURDES PILGRIMAGE: 2022: 23^rd – 30^th July 2022.

DIARY OCTOBER 2021

PLEASE PRAY FOR THOSE SICK IN OUR PARISH

ANNIVERSARIES: Jan Leach RIP, Anthony Orsini RIP, Joyce Gregory RIP, Pat Salter RIP, Maureen Finnegan RIP, Doreen Wiltshire RIP, Lucy Byrne-Ingle RIP, Terrence Callahan RIP And for all whose anniversaries occur at this time and for all of our deceased loved ones, ALL OF OUR HOLY SOULS. Requiescant in Pace.

REQUIESCAT IN PACE: In your mercy please pray for the Repose of the Soul of Irene Olivelle RIP, who passed away this week. We extend our condolences to her family in this time of great loss. The Requiem Mass will be celebrated on Friday 12^th November at St Edmund’s Church at 12.15pm followed by Cremation at Forest Park at 1.30pm.

MASS INTENTIONS – OCTOBER 2021

Sat 6^th	10.00am	Nancy Hands Int’s (Remy) HOLY SOULS
		*Vigil Mass for Sunday: Confessions at 5.30pm*
Sat 6^th	6.00pm	Mass for Helen & Family (The Godsave Family) HOLY SOULS
Sun 7^th	9.00am	Richard Black RIP (Kendal Family)HOLY SOULS
Sun 7^th	11:00am	Bernard John Gilley RIP H/S (Eileen Ward). HOLY SOULS
Mon 8^th	10.00am	NO MASS TODAY
Tues 9^th	10.00am	NO MASS TODAY
Wed 10^th	12.15pm	Bridie Boyle RIP (Paul Boyle)HOLY SOULS
Thurs 11^th	10.00am	Marta & Joao RIP Modesta & Joaquim RIP(Adelaid Alves) HOLY SOULS
Fri 12^th	12.15pm	Requiem Mass; Irene Olivelle RIPNo Holy Hour today.
Sat 13^th	10.00am	Irene Olivelle RIP (Pat & Margaret) HOLY SOULS
		*Vigil Mass for Sunday Confessions 5.30pm*
Sat 13^th	6.00pm	The Dec’d members of Muccini Family RIP(Eleonora Spencer) HOLY SOULS
Sun 14^th	9.00am	REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY service 12.15pmSapper Ramond Marchant RIP (Patrick Marchant). HOLY SOULS
Sun 14^th	11:00am	Lily Brennan RIP & Ben Cunnea RIP(Louise & Senan & S Pierce).HOLY SOULS

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

32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

First Reading : 1 Kings 17:10-16

Elijah the Prophet went off to Sidon. And when he reached the city gate, there was a widow gathering sticks; addressing her he said, ‘Please bring me a little water in a vessel for me to drink.’ She was setting off to bring it when he called after her. ‘Please’ he said ‘bring me a scrap of bread in your hand.’ ‘As the Lord your God lives,’ she replied ‘I have no baked bread, but only a handful of meal in a jar and a little oil in a jug; I am just gathering a stick or two to go and prepare this for myself and my son to eat, and then we shall die.’ But Elijah said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, go and do as you have said; but first make a little scone of it for me and bring it to me, and then make some for yourself and for your son. For thus the Lord speaks, the God of Israel:

“Jar of meal shall not be spent,

jug of oil shall not be emptied,

before the day when the Lord sends

rain on the face of the earth.”’

The woman went and did as Elijah told her and they ate the food, she, himself and her son. The jar of meal was not spent nor the jug of oil emptied, just as the Lord had foretold through Elijah.

Responsorial Psalm : Psalm 145(146):7-10

My soul, give praise to the Lord.

It is the Lord who keeps faith for ever,

who is just to those who are oppressed.

It is he who gives bread to the hungry,

the Lord, who sets prisoners free.

My soul, give praise to the Lord.

It is the Lord who gives sight to the blind,

who raises up those who are bowed down.

It is the Lord who loves the just,

the Lord, who protects the stranger.

My soul, give praise to the Lord.

The Lord upholds the widow and orphan

but thwarts the path of the wicked.

The Lord will reign for ever,

Zion’s God, from age to age.

My soul, give praise to the Lord.

Second Reading : Hebrews 9:24-28

It is not as though Christ had entered a man-made sanctuary which was only modelled on the real one; but it was heaven itself, so that he could appear in the actual presence of God on our behalf. And he does not have to offer himself again and again, like the high priest going into the sanctuary year after year with the blood that is not his own, or else he would have had to suffer over and over again since the world began. Instead of that, he has made his appearance once and for all, now at the end of the last age, to do away with sin by sacrificing himself. Since men only die once, and after that comes judgement, so Christ, too, offers himself only once to take the faults of many on himself, and when he appears a second time, it will not be to deal with sin but to reward with salvation those who are waiting for him.

Gospel : Mark 12:38-44

In his teaching Jesus said, ‘Beware of the scribes who like to walk about in long robes, to be greeted obsequiously in the market squares, to take the front seats in the synagogues and the places of honour at banquets; these are the men who swallow the property of widows, while making a show of lengthy prayers. The more severe will be the sentence they receive.’

He sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the treasury, and many of the rich put in a great deal. A poor widow came and put in two small coins, the equivalent of a penny. Then he called his disciples and said to them, ‘I tell you solemnly, this poor widow has put more in than all who have contributed to the treasury; for they have all put in money they had over, but she from the little she had has put in everything she possessed, all she had to live on.’

THE GOSPEL OF THE LORD

St. Edmund of Canterbury & St. Thomas More

SOLEMNITY OF ALL SAINTS, 2021

One of the striking features of the Sermon on the Mount is that Jesus sat down to teach. It was an act of solidarity with his disciples by not towering over them in the fashion of pagan rulers. Indeed, in John’s Gospel the Lord says, ‘I have called you friends, for all that I heard from my Father I have made known to you’. And from his seated position, the Lord gives a beautiful blueprint for Christian living.

The danger is to ‘pick and choose’ Beatitudes, rather than viewing them as a collective whole. St. Gregory of Nyssa taught that the Beatitudes build upon each other, culminating in the promise of the kingdom of heaven.

We find the most perfect embodiment of the Beatitudes in the life of Mary. Indeed, there is a striking mirror of language between the Beatitudes and elements in her Magnificat. She speaks of how ‘all generations will call me blessed’, with a keyword in this context being ‘blessed’. She is blessed and so will the people of God that Jesus envisages as he teaches his Sermon on the Mount. She is mournful, particularly at the foot of the cross where no one can share the sharpness of her grief, and her heart is pierced by sorrow as the suffering of her divine Son. Her thirst for justice can be found when she proclaims that God, ‘has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty’.

She is pure of heart, by reason of her Immaculate Conception and her immunity from Original Sin, and with her coronation in heaven she is afforded the full sight of God’s face. She was also persecuted for the cause of uprightness, when she was forced to flee to Egypt as a result of King Herod decreeing the death of all new-born babies.

So, on this Feast of All Saints we invoke the help of our most Blessed Mother and reflect on the Seven Sorrows of Mary.

Dear Friends in Christ, All Saints Day

We not only celebrate the great Solemnity of All the Saints today, but on Tuesday we commemorate in a special way all of the Faithful Departed on All Souls day. WE REMEMBER OUR DEAD and the communion that we still enjoy with them during this month of November. We also pray and offer Masses for the repose of their souls in the eternal life of God. Why do we offer Mass for the dead? We believe that there exists a living communion between us and our brothers and sisters “who have gone ahead of us marked the sign of faith”. Just as we pray for each other and share each other’s burdens on earth, we can offer prayers and sacrifices to help the departed souls undergoing purification, and no better prayer could be offered than that of the holy sacrifice of the Mass.

It is a deep and ancient instinct for Catholics to pray and offer Mass for the dead. St. Ambrose (d. 397) preached, “We have loved them during life; let us not abandon them in death, until we have conducted them by our prayers into the house of the Lord.” St. Augustine (d. 430) recorded the dying wishes of his mother, St. Monica in his Confessions: “One thing only I ask you, that you remember me at the altar of the Lord wherever you may be.” Pope St. Gregory (d. 604) said, “Let us not hesitate to help those who have died and to offer our prayers for them.”

NOVEMBER DEAD ENVELOPES: During November, please write and place the names of your deceased in these envelopes. The names of your deceased will be placed before the altar at every Mass and those “who have gone ahead of us marked by the sign of faith” will be raised up before the Lord in prayer. Also a decade of the rosary will be prayed at the end of each weekday mass for ther repose of their souls. Please place the name(s) of your deceased loved ones with your donation in the ‘Month of the Holy Souls’ envelope and drop it off at the Presbytery before 2^nd November.

There will be three masses offered on All Souls Day in Commemoration of the Faithful Departed: 10.00am, 12.15pm & 7.30pm. Please make a very special effort to attend one of these Masses. Also during the Pandemic we have lost a number of Parishioners. There will be a special mass on Friday 19^th November at 7.30pm I ask all those families who have lost loved ones this year, to come and pray for the repose of their souls.

May God bless you all during the coming week,

BRTISH SUMMER TIME END THIS EVENING. PLEASE PUT

YOUR CLOCKS BACK ONE HOUR

Donate

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

RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS The Presbytery at 7.30pm next Thursday 4^th November Theme: How do we recognise the Church today? If you want to know more about the programme please contact Fr John, Tel No: 0208 508 3492 or Email: loughton@dioceseofbrentwood.org

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION PROGRAMME: The Children’s Programme will resume again on Sunday 7^th NOVEMBER at 10.00am. (NO CLASS THIS WEEK) Please put these class dates in your diary. Thank you! Please pray for all our children preparing for the sacraments. This is truly a wonderful moment of time in their lives.

PERSONAL NOTE: Unfortunately, during lockdown last November 2020 I had to go into hospital to have a small tumour removed from my bladder. On a recent check-up they discovered two more back in the bladder. I had surgery earlier in the month, and my consultant is very happy with the biopsy results. The reason I share this with you is to avoid speculation and rumour, as a few people have already spoken to me about being unwell. All I ask are your prayers; I have great faith in Almighty God and also my wonderful consultant. Thank you! Fr John x

ANNUAL CHRISTMAS GRAND DRAW & CHRISTMAS HAMPERS May I appeal to your incredible generosity once again this year, as we’ve decided not to have a formal traditional Bazaar. Last year we had a successful Grand Draw with Hampers, which proved to be very successful. There are Boxes to receive your gifts and food items and bottles, in the Porch of the Church, in Fr John’s Garage, and at the front do of the Presbytery. These will be emptied on a daily basis. Money gifts are also welcomed – if you use the Gift Aid Scheme, please use one of your spare envelopes to gift aid your money donation.

Some ideas for the Grand Draw are Flat Screen TV, Laptop, Other New Electrical Goods, Restaurant Vouchers, Hotel Vouchers, National Trust Family Memberships, Crate of Wine, Department Store Vouchers. Also Smart Tech Wearables: Fit Bits, Garmins, Air Pods, Beats. Suggested Hamper Donations: Luxury Brand Christmas Cakes & Christmas Puddings; Bottles of Champagne, Prosecco, Spirits, Port & Wine; Tinned Meats – Gammon Ham, Potted Duck Pates; Tinned Fish – Salmon, Dressed Crab & Lobster; Jars of Fruit in Syrup; Jars of Pickles, Chutneys & Olives; Festive Marmalades; Tea & Coffee, Hot Chocolate. Biscotti, Ginger Snaps & Shortbread. Diced Fruit & Nuts; Chocolate Nut selections. Sweetmeats – Turkish Delight. Biscuits & Crackers for Cheese. Boxes of Luxury Chocolates & truffle.

THANKING YOU ALL IN ANTICIPATION OF OUR GIFTS AND HAMPER ITEMS

COP 26 on CLIMATE CHANGE: Most of the leaders and governments of the world will be meeting in Glasgow over the next two weeks for this historic gathering; to discuss, most importantly, the situation of Climate Change. The destruction of our land, oceans and forests is threatening people’s homes and their ability to earn a living. The future of the planet and civilisation depends of agreement between nations to reduce carbon gases; slowing down changes to the world’s climate.

We are custodians of the planet and our duty is to look after and care for that which is entrusted to us. But sadly, with the destruction of rain forests through logging, and the use of fossil fuels, abuses have taken place, which has resulted in an increase of carbon gases, which in affect is changing the world’s climate. In recent years we have seen an increase of the world’s temperature. Climate change is already having visible effects on the world. The Earth is warming, rainfall patterns are changing, and sea levels are rising. These changes can increase the risk of heatwaves, floods, droughts, and fires.

Please pray for this COP 26 summit that agrrement can be reached by all!

FROM THE VICARIATE FOR ADULT FORMATION:

The next talks will be on the 31^st October & 7the November and the question being explored is What does it mean to talk about morality? Fr Martin Boland, dean of Brentwood Cathedral will consider this question.

For more information about The Thresholds of Hope Questions go to www.thresholdsofhope.co.uk

DIARY OCTOBER 2021

PLEASE PRAY FOR THOSE SICK IN OUR PARISH

ANNIVERSARIES: Vi Clarke RIP, Phil Lawless RIP, Neil Millward RIP Sheila Quinn RIP/ And for all whose anniversaries occur at this time and for all of our deceased loved ones, Requiescant in Pace.

CATECHISTS TRAINING & RESOURCES DAY: Saturday 6^th November, Sacred Heart of Mary Girls’ School, Upminster. 10am (arrivals for 10.30am start) – 3pm. The school is a short walk from Upminster Station, on the District & C2C Lines.

PARISH REPOSITORY: We have a large selection of religious items available in the Parish Repository. There are lots of candles, especially candles for cemetaries during the month of November & the Holy Souls. In a couple of weeks we wiill displaying a large selection of Religious Christmas Cards, and Christmas Cribs.

IRREGULAR MARRIAGES: An irregular marriage is one that has taken place outside of the Catholic Church without dispensation. For example: Marriages in hotels, and secualar 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

MASS INTENTIONS – OCTOBER 2021

Sat 30^th	10.00am	Pina & Albert Martinelli (M Duffy)
		*Vigil Mass for Sunday: Confessions at 5.30pm*
Sat 30^th	6.00pm	Maree Kavanagh Int’s (Remy)
Sun 31^st All Saints	9.00am	Dec’d Member of Lawless Family (The Ryan Family)
Sun 31^st All Saints	11:00am	Guilermo Remo Jnr RIP (Jane Bacuetes)
Mon 1^st November	10.00am	Mary Ann Hannon RIP (Kelly Family)
Tues 2^nd All Souls Day	10.00am 12.15pm 7.30pm	Peter Smith RIP H/S (Paul Falco) Nancy Ironside RIP H/S (Pat Ata) Odilia, Albert & John Maton RIP (Diana & Ferdi Tisi) HOLY SOULS
Wed 3^rd	10.00am	Nancy Ironside RIP H/S (Veronica & Steve Short)
Thurs 4^th	10.00am	Michael Barrass RIP H/S (Anne Barrass)
Fri 5^th	10.00am 10.30am	Ann Cullin ((sick) H/S (Joe Harvey) Holy Hour with Exposition of Bl. Sacrament
Sat 6^th	10.00am	Nancy Hands Int’s H/S (Remy)
		*Vigil Mass for Sunday Confessions 5.30pm*
Sat 6^th	6.00pm	Mass for Helen & Family (The Godsave Family) H/S
Sun 7^th	9.00am	Richard Black RIP H/S (Kendal Family)
Sun 7^th	11:00am	Bernard John Gilley RIP H/S (Eileen Ward)

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

SOLEMNITY OF ALL SAINTS

First Reading:

I, John, saw another angel rising where the sun rises, carrying the seal of the living God; he called in a powerful voice to the four angels whose duty was to devastate land and sea, ‘Wait before you do any damage on land or at sea or to the trees, until we have put the seal on the foreheads of the servants of our God.’ Then I heard how many were sealed: a hundred and forty-four thousand, out of all the tribes of Israel.

After that I saw a huge number, impossible to count, of people from every nation, race, tribe and language; they were standing in front of the throne and in front of the Lamb, dressed in white robes and holding palms in their hands. They shouted aloud, ‘Victory to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!’ And all the angels who were standing in a circle round the throne, surrounding the elders and the four animals, prostrated themselves before the throne, and touched the ground with their foreheads, worshipping God with these words, ‘Amen. Praise and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honour and power and strength to our God for ever and ever. Amen.’

One of the elders then spoke, and asked me, ‘Do you know who these people are, dressed in white robes, and where they have come from?’ I answered him, ‘You can tell me, my lord.’ Then he said, ‘These are the people who have been through the great persecution, and they have washed their robes white again in the blood of the Lamb.’

Responsorial Psalm:

Second Reading

Think of the love that the Father has lavished on us,

by letting us be called God’s children;

and that is what we are.

Because the world refused to acknowledge him,

therefore it does not acknowledge us.

My dear people, we are already the children of God

but what we are to be in the future has not yet been revealed;

all we know is, that when it is revealed

we shall be like him

because we shall see him as he really is.

Surely everyone who entertains this hope

must purify himself, must try to be as pure as Christ.

Alleluia, alleluia!

Come to me, all you who labour and are overburdened

and I will give you rest, says the Lord.

Alleluia!

Gospel Reading:

Seeing the crowds, Jesus went up the hill. There he sat down and was joined by his disciples. Then he began to speak. This is what he taught them:

‘How happy are the poor in spirit;

theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Happy the gentle:

they shall have the earth for their heritage.

Happy those who mourn:

they shall be comforted.

Happy those who hunger and thirst for what is right:

they shall be satisfied.

Happy the merciful:

they shall have mercy shown them.

Happy the pure in heart:

they shall see God.

Happy the peacemakers:

they shall be called sons of God.

Happy those who are persecuted in the cause of right:

theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

‘Happy are you when people abuse you and persecute you and speak all kinds of calumny against you on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven.

THE GOSPEL OF THE LORD