St Edmunds – Page 7 – St Edmund of Canterbury, Loughton

Solemnity of Pentecost. Year A, 2023

Edmund of Canterbury & St. Thomas More

Sometimes, in unguarded moments, clergy are often prone to confess that giving the homily on the Feast of the Holy Trinity isn’t their favourite task! The problem, they sometimes protest, it that the Blessed Trinity is such a mystery and preaching on it is, well, difficult, challenging and mysterious! In fact, what we need to understand about this feast-day is that it isn’t about getting our heads around the Trinity – that is truly an impossible task. It’s more about getting our heads (and hearts) into the Trinity. The Trinity isn’t a mystery to be solved but rather a mystery to be discovered.

Truly, the mystery that Jesus unveiled is that God is Three Persons in the One: God is Father, God is Son and God is Holy Spirit. This pivotal truth of Christian faith cannot be accessed simply through human reason. Yes, reason can bring us to the very edge of this ocean, but faith enables us to jump in and immerse ourselves in the depth, length, width and height of God’s everlasting love revealed as Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Through the grace of Baptism we come to know the Father, are redeemed by the Son and are called to live our lives in the power of the Holy Spirit – we have a relationship with each member of the Holy Trinity. The Trinity seek worshippers. At the heart of worship is praise and adoration of the goodness, truth and beauty of God. And it is through the grace of praise and worship that we are able to enter into the mystery of the Trinity.

The word ‘trinity’ does not appear in the Bible. It was coined by Theophilus of Antioch around 180AD to express this clear teaching of the New Testament. Christopher Columbus had a great devotion to the Blessed Trinity. He invoked the Trinity at the beginning of every enterprise and every letter he wrote began with the ‘In the name of the Most Holy Trinity’. On his third voyage in 1898 he vowed to consecrate to the Trinity the first land he would discover, and that was Trinidad. We too, like Columbus, can set off on a voyage into the Ocean of God’s love revealed by the Father, through the Son and in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Dear Friends in Christ, Trinity Sunday 2023

Today is the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity, where we proclaim that God is Father, Son and Holy Spirit. At our baptism we were initiated into the whole life of the Trinity; God gives himself completely to us, and we are invited to share in his life. The Feast of the Holy Trinity follows Pentecost because it is only by the inspiration of the Third Person of the Trinity, who leads into all truth, that the mystery of the Trinity can be known.

URGENT IMPORTANT MESSAGE – CALLING ACCOUNTANTS: After many years of service to our Parish, our Accountant Michael Manzi is retiring from this voluntary post. I would like to publicly thank Michael for the incredible work he has done over many years, it has certainly been invaluable to me personally, but also in general to the whole parish community. His selfless commitment and generosity of time has been invaluable. I now make this urgent appeal to the whole parish community for another volunteer, who would be willing to serve the parish in this capacity? Michael would be willing to help you and show you the ropes. Also being computer literate is necessary, and there is a special programme used for all Parish & Diocesan Accounts. Please contact Fr. John directly if you’re able to help Tel No: 020 8508 3492. Thank you!

NEW ALTAR SERVERS: If any of our First Holy Communicants would like to become Altar Servers, please see Fr. John. It would be wonderful if some of the children would consider this wonderful ministry of serving God and the Community each week. Serving at the Altar is truly a great honour, and I’m always grateful to everyone who has volunteered to become Altar Servers.

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION PROGRAMME 2023/24: Forward planning is extremely important, as the Holy Communion Programme always starts in September. If there are any families whose children will be going into Year 3 in September, and who would like to enrol in the new programme Fr John will be seeing parents from Monday 19^th June to Friday 23^rd June. (Please book an appointment with Fr John Tel No: 020 8508 3492) The prerequisites for enrolment are: a) That you are baptised practicing Roman Catholic attending Weekly Mass. b) That your child will be in Year 3 or above, 7 rising 8 as of September 2023. c) That you live in the Parish of St Edmund of Canterbury.

May God Bless You All

SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION: Will be celebrated in 2024. (As yet we have no date from the Bishop’s Office) If there are any young people wishing to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation next year please see Fr John for an enrolment form. Prerequisites: a) Baptised, Weekly practicing Roman Catholic. b) That you will be 14 years of age and above at the time of Confirmation. c) If you have not been attending church over the past year please don’t waste our time. Sadly, out of the 48 Confirmed in 2021, very few attend weekly Mass; some have never returned since the Day of their Confirmation; this is manifestly an insult to Almighty God and the dignity of the Sacrament. The Sacrament of Confirmation is not about stamping the Sacramental Passport!

REQUIESCAT IN PACE: In your mercy please pray for the repose of the souls of Edmund Schvindling RIP, (Husband of Remy) who passed away this recently. The Requiem Mass will take place on Wednesday 7^th June at 12.15pm and Interment at Chigwell Cemetery at 1.30pm. We extend our condolences to the family in this time of great loss.

HOLY WATER STOOPS: Have been put back in place at the back of the Church. Our custom as Roman Catholics, as we enter the church is to make the sign of the cross with Holy Water. This reminds us of the Day of our Baptism, and that Baptism is an ongoing celebration of the life of faith. The Holy Water Stoops are cleaned and Holy Water renewed on a weekly basis.

FROM OUR GIFT AID ORGANISER: Our Parish Gift Aid Organiser is Abbie Akinfenwa – abbie.akinfenwa@btinternet.com or text to 07754700934 with your name and gift aid number. I would encourage all parishioners to join the Parish Gift Aid Scheme. If you are a Tax Payer, it’s a really painless process, all we need is you name and address, there are Gift Aid Application Forms in the Porch of the Church, and Abbie can give you all the help you need re information. We are able to claim back 25 pence in every pound donated to the church, when you use you envelopes or pay by Standing Order. Please think about joining, and thanks to those who already belong!

MASS INTENTIONS: There is a lot of availability in the Parish Mass register. If anyone wants a mass intention for any reason, Anniversaries, birthdays, special occasions, for anyone who is sick, please complete the Mass Envelope in the porch and leave off at the presbytery.

‘THE PRIESTS’ – CHARITY CONCERT: Brentwood Catholic Children’s Society announce the singing trio ‘The Priests’ will be performing a second charity concert on Friday 30^th June 2023 at the Brentwood Cathedral at 7.30pm. All tickets can be purchased directly through Eventbrite and are £30 per person plus booking fee: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/528414691567 We urge you to book early in order to avoid disappointment. It promises to be a great evening of entertainment. Full details are available on our website: www.bccs.org.uk/get-involved/events/

NOTE FOR OUR CONTEMPORARY MUSIC GROUP At our 11am Mass on Sunday, 7th May, we had 15 singers – an excellent turnout. It would be really good if we can have the same number (and more!) at our next 11am Mass which in on Sunday, 4th June (Trinity Sunday). We will be practising for this Mass on Thursday, 1st June, 7pm to 8pm and we’d love to see you all there as well. At our last practice, we only had 5 singers turn up and they get the gold stars. We have another 10 or more gold stars to give out, so please do come to the practice as well! Please pass the word around and also encourage more young parishioners and their families to join our happy group!

Holy Virgin Godmother Vector Stock Vector.

PARISH REPOSITORY: There are a variety of First Holy Communion gifts available in the repository – Children’s Missals, Rosaries, medals, statues, candles, Communion Cards, crosses. Teresa Wallace is always very helpful in ordering any religious item you wish. The parish repository is available all week. Please leave your money for items in the box provided. Thank you!

READERS & EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS: Thank you to those who contacted Julie to resume your Eucharistic Ministry. Julie Callender, has sent out the Ministers’ Rota, but there may need to be a few adjustments. Julie’s ‘phone numbers are 07834 088661 (mobile – preferred) and 020 8502 3854 (land line) and her email is julie.callander@hotmail.com READERS: We are in need of some new Readers at our weekend and weekday masses. We’ve contacted our former Readers, but it would be good to have some new readers especially some young readers Please contact Julie or Fr John

EPPING FOREST FOODBANK DONATIONS: Thank you to all parishioners who continue to generously donate items for the Foodbank. They are truly grateful for the generosity our parish has shown and our donations are still needed desperately as more and more people in our community are struggling during this cost of living crisis. The Foodbank have asked for support with the following items: sponge pudding desserts, custard, juice, tinned meat, noodles, snack bars, small chocolate bars, shower gel, shampoo, conditioner, toilet roll and deodorant. Please place any donations in the dedicated plastic boxes in the garage. Thank you! You can also keep up to date with the Foodbank news via their facebook page: www.facebook.com/EppingForestFoodbank/

BILLY-THE-DOG: on behalf of Billy, whose typing skills are rudimentary, Iain McLay would like to thank all the wonderful parishioners who supported Billy for his Cathedral Grand Tour. Putting together Cash, Card and On-line donations, plus gift-aid, Billy raised the amazing grand total of £2750. Christian Aid will be able to do such good work with that money. Billy had a fantastic time and met kind people wherever he went, but he is enjoying resting a little now, lots of snoring has been heard.

PLEASE PRAY FOR THOSE SICK IN OUR PARISH

Edgar Azzopardi, Margaret Baldwin, Evelyn Bearne, Karl Britz, Brenda Bryant, Carlos Camacho, Jane Downs, Steve Dalgliesh, Pat Fenn, Bernadette Hall, Ann Hawkes, Claire Howes, Shaun Keel, Bridget Kinsella, Les Langan, Angela Long, Lilian Mothersole, John McKernan, Rosemary O’Rourke, Remy, Geraldine Taylor, Vera Taylor, Mary & Steve Witten, James Wright. And all our loved ones.

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

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

PARISH FINANCES: As you can appreciate, during this pandemic the parish income took a severe hit, and we are still not back at the same levels as we were prior to 2020. My sincere and grateful thanks to those who have signed up for online giving and Gift Aid, this is helping. Many parishioners have not returned to the regular practice of faith, and many Gift Aid boxes were not collected this year. Please consider your weekly offertory to God. Giving & payments go online at Mt. Olive – Mount Olive ...

ARE YOU INTERESTED IN A VOCATION TO THE PRIESTHOOD? At present we only have five seminarians training for the Priesthood in the Diocese of Brentwood. The period of formation for each is several years. If you know of anyone who may be interested in learning more about the priesthood, or who feel they may have a vocation to the Priesthood please contact Fr Mark Swires vocprom@dioceseofbrentwood.org

REGISTERING AT THE PARISH: It’s always important to have details of all of our parishioners. There are Parish Registration Forms in the Porch of the Church. Please complete and return to the Presbytery.

CHILDREN’S SUNDAY LITURGY: Thank you for starting children’s Sunday Liturgy again. But we need more help. Parents, can you spare one Sunday every two months to help the children during the 11.00am Mass? We need more parents to join our lovely group. Please contact Mrs Elena Manara at e_vismara@yahoo.com Thank you and we hope to hear from you soon.

RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS: Journey of Faith. Is there anyone who may be interested in the RCIA Programme, possibly with the view of being received into full-communion with the Roman Catholic Faith? Every year we run this programme leading to reception into the Church at the Easter Vigil. It is a systematic programme of every aspect of Catholcism, including Scripture, Sacramental Life, and The Dogma’s of our Faith, Catholic Practice & traditions, Christology & Mariology, Study of the Church. Please see Fr John who will explain the whole process to you.

DO YOU LIKE SINGING? As you know we have a wonderful Choir and Choir Director in Sue Farrow. We are looking for new choir members who like singing with others. We learn traditional and contemporary pieces of music, and also sing Motets in four parts. If you’re interested please speak to Sue or Fr John. Choir practice on Wednesdays & Saturdays.

SICK & HOUSEBOUND: If there are any parishioners who have become sick or housebound, please notify Fr John, who will be only too happy to make a house call and bring Holy Communion on a regular basis. It’s important that we’re able to keep in touch with all of our parishioners, and especially those who are sick.

PARISH ALTAR SERVERS: Quite a number of Altar Servers ceased serving at Mass since the Pandemic. I’m making a special appeal to all former Altar Servers to kindly return their Albs to the Sacristy. Albs are extremely expensive to buy these days, and I believe there a quite a few still out there not being used anymore. If any young person wishes to become an Altar Server, please see Fr. John as soon as possible; we can help to prepare you to serve at the Altar. This is a truly wonderful ministry, and it is a special way of serving God and the whole community of faith.

BAPTISMS: If there are parents wishing to have their children baptised at St Edmund’s could you kindly contact Fr John as soon as possible. For first time parents there is a Baptismal Programme run by Mrs Sharon Chalk. Baptisms take place on either Saturday or Sunday at 12.30pm

LEADERSHIP VACANCIES IN DIOCESAN SCHOOLS: Details of all positions can be found at the following link https://www.dioceseofbrentwood.net/departments/education /vacancies/school-vacancies/

ST JOHN FISHER VACANCY The Trustees of Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Multi Academy Trust wish to appoint a KS1/2 Teacher. Closing date Thursday 15th June, 12 noon; Interview date: Tuesday 20th June 2023. For further details please visit website below, or alternatively call Mrs Irene Nelson, H.R. Manager on 01279 425383. www.ourladyoffatimatrust.essex.sch.uk

ST LUKE’s CATHOLIC ACADEMY The Trustees of Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Multi Academy Trust wish to appoint an EYFS/KS1 Class Teacher. Closing date Thursday 15th June, 12 noon; Interview date: Monday 19th June 2023. For further details please visit website below, or alternatively call Mrs Irene Nelson, H.R. Manager on 01279 425383. www.ourladyoffatimatrust.essex.sch.uk

IN CASES OF EMERGENCY: Tuesday is usually Fr. John’s Day Off. In cases of emergency please call one of the local parishes, either in Epping – Tel: 01992 572516, or the St. Thomas of Canterbury Friary at Woodford Green – Tel: 020 8504 1688. This would also apply if Fr. John is away for a few days break or on Retreat. All the local funeral directors have a contact number for Fr. John if a funeral needs to be arranged in his absence.

PARISH READERS: We are always looking for some new Parish Lectors; parishioners who would be willing to read on a regular basis at one of the Sunday Masses. We have a few already, but it would be wonderful if there could be a few more volunteers. ALSO: If any of our regular weekday Mass attendees would be willing to read at the weekday masses we could organise a rota. Since Covid there haven’t been any regular readers. You may feel called to this ministry, and once again, it is doing something for God and the Community. Please speak to Fr. John.

SACRISTANS: Fr John could really do with some additional help in the Sacristy especially during the week. I have been very dependent upon Veronica Short over the past few years. But it would be good if another couple of people could volunteer during the week to help in setting up for Mass each day, and clearing up afterwards. It really doesn’t take that long to do. We could organise a rota of days. Once again this is service of God and the Community.

MASS INTENTIONS – JUNE 2023

Sat 3^rd	10.00am	Lillian Harrington RIP (Fr John )
		*Confessions 11am – 12Noon or on demandVigil Mass for Sunday. Confessions at 5.30pm***
Sat 3^rd	6.00pm	Ann Duggan RIP
Sun 4^th	9.00am	David Jarvis RIP (Sheehy Family)
Sun 4^th	11:00am	Dec’d Relatives of Camilla Giovannini
Mon 5^th	10.00am	John Anthony Harvey RIP (Anni) (Fr John)
Tues 6^th	10.00am	Violet Hall RIP (Olga McGregor)
Wed 7^th	12.15pm	REQUIEM MASS Edmund Schwiendling RIP
Thur 8^th	9.00am	Pat & Margaret’s B’day Int’s (Steve & Veronica Short)
Fri 9^th	10.00am	Margaret Baldwin’s Int’s
Sat 10^th	10.00am	John Dowd RIP (Mary Ryan)
		*Confessions 11am – 12Noon or on demandVigil Mass for Sunday. Confessions at 5.30pm***
Sat 10^th	6.00pm	People of the Parish
Sun 11^th	9.00am	Shirley Holmes RIP (Sue & John Campbell)
Sun 11^th	11:00am	Daniel, Ellen & Betsy Exley RIP (Catherine Knight

Please kindly put your Mass requests in early for anniversaries etc., this is to avoid any disappointment if a particular date has already been booked,

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

The Brentwood Diocesan Trust Registered Charity No. 234092

The Most Holy Trinity – Solemnity

First Reading: Exodus 34:4-6,8-9

With the two tablets of stone in his hands, Moses went up the mountain of Sinai in the early morning as the Lord had commanded him. And the Lord descended in the form of a cloud, and Moses stood with him there.

He called on the name of the Lord. The Lord passed before him and proclaimed, ‘Lord, Lord, a God of tenderness and compassion, slow to anger, rich in kindness and faithfulness.’ And Moses bowed down to the ground at once and worshipped. ‘If I have indeed won your favour, Lord,’ he said ‘let my Lord come with us, I beg. True, they are a headstrong people, but forgive us our faults and our sins, and adopt us as your heritage.’

Responsive Psalm: Daniel 3:52-56

To you glory and praise for evermore.

You are blest, Lord God of our fathers.

To you glory and praise for evermore.

Blest your glorious holy name.

To you glory and praise for evermore.

You are blest in the temple of your glory.

To you glory and praise for evermore.

You are blest on the throne of your kingdom.

To you glory and praise for evermore.

You are blest who gaze into the depths.

To you glory and praise for evermore.

You are blest in the firmament of heaven.

To you glory and praise for evermore.

Second Reading: 2 Corinthians 13:11-13

Brothers, we wish you happiness; try to grow perfect; help one another. Be united; live in peace and the God of love and peace will be with you.

Greet one another with the holy kiss. All the saints send you greetings.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

Gospel: John 3:16-18

Jesus said to Nicodemus:

‘God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son,

so that everyone who believes in him may not be lost

but may have eternal life.

For God sent his Son into the world

not to condemn the world,

but so that through him the world might be saved.

No one who believes in him will be condemned;

but whoever refuses to believe is condemned already,

because he has refused to believe in the name of God’s only Son.’

Solemnity of Pentecost. Year A, 2023

Edmund of Canterbury & St. Thomas More

There are several notable or perhaps somewhat curious elements in the reading chosen for Pentecost Sunday this year. In the first place, this Gospel account of Jesus breathing the Holy Spirit upon the disciples is not speaking about the Day of Pentecost, as we usually think of it. The outpouring of the Spirit upon the disciples in the upper room in Jerusalem took place sometime after Jesus Ascension. The event in the Gospel today took place, obviously before the Ascension. We might remember also, that in John’s account of Jesus on the cross, he breathed out his Spirit upon Mary and the beloved disciples at the moment of death. Breathing out his spirit could also mean that ‘he died’. St. John’s Gospel often contains the irony of double meaning.

We could perhaps say the same about the words of Jesus on the cross: ‘It is finished/accomplished!’ they contain so very much more than a statement about Jesus knowing that his life has ended. Jesus has now fully accomplished all that the Father asked him to do. Now, the new creation begins! Now, Jesus is the true King of Israel, and of the whole world! Now, the Spirit can be given to effect a new creation in others! This is the message that John Wants to understand, and in the same message contained in this account of the incident recorded today. The risen Lord is beginning the process of exercising his Kingship in the world. The disciples are becoming new creations themselves through the gift of the Spirit.

This also explains the fact that twice in this incident, as well as on the other occasions after the resurrection, Jesus says to the disciples, ‘Peace be with you’. Until now, Jesus had never said this. Is there a particular significance? Earlier in St. John’s Gospel, Jesus had said: ‘Peace I leave with you; my own peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid’. ‘Peace’ is the state of living under Jesus’ Kingship, even in the midst of this world – because now all things are under his authority and will, even those things which we might think of as bad!

Dear Friends in Christ, Pentecost Sunday 2023

Today, Pentecost Sunday, we celebrate the birthday of the Church. The Holy Spirit of God’s love was sent by the Lord Jesus to the Apostles in the Upper Room and filled their lives with His eternal presence, empowering them to go out and proclaim boldly the Gospel of the Lord. This was the moment the Apostles understood clearly the mission that had been given to the by Jesus Christ. Life would never be the same again; they were filled with the gifts of God’s Holy Spirit, with courage and strength they went out and boldly proclaimed the Good News that Jesus Christ the Son of God was Risen and glorified and invites all people to share in His life.

A BIG THANK YOU: On behalf of our Catechists and their helpers, I would like to thank our First Holy Communion parents for organising the Communion Reception for the children last Sunday. Also for your kindness in the gifts that you gave to us, it was extremely thoughtful and generous.

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION PROGRAMME 2023/24: Forward planning is extremely important, as the Holy Communion Programme always starts in September. If there are any families whose children will be going into Year 3 in September, and who would like to enrol in the new programme Fr John will be seeing parents from Monday 19^th June to Friday 23^rd June. (Please book an appointment with Fr John Tel No: 020 8508 3492) The prerequisites for enrolment are: a) That you are baptised practicing Roman Catholic attending Weekly Mass. b) That your child will be in Year 3 or above, 7 rising 8 as of September 2023. c) That you live in the Parish of St Edmund of Canterbury.

CHRISTIAN AID WEEK Congratulations to Iain McLay and Billy-the-Dog for completing his sponsored walk to the various Cathedrals last week on behalf of Christian Aid. You may have been following their travels on our WhatsApp Parish site. If you sponsored Iain and Billy he will be available after all of the Masses this weekend to collect sponsorship monies. Also if there any parishioners who would like to make donations to Christian Aid please just give them to Iain personally. (bloggeriain@gmail.com). Thank you!

SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION: Will be celebrated in 2024. If there are any young people wishing to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation next year please see Fr John for an enrolment form. Prerequisites: a) Baptised, Weekly practicing Roman Catholic. b) That you will be 14 years of age and above at the time of Confirmation. c) If you have not been attending church over the past year please don’t waste our time. Sadly, out of the 48 Confirmed in 2021, very few attend weekly Mass. Also I haven’t seen many since the Day of their Confirmation; this is an Insult to Almighty God and the dignity of the Sacrament. The Sacrament of Confirmation is not about stamping the Sacramental Passport!

ALTAR SERVERS: If any of our First Communicants would like to become Altar Servers please see Fr. John as soon as possible. We would arrange for you to have some training. To be an Altar Server is a great honour, in not only assisting and helping the priest at Holy Mass, but serving God in this special ministry.

May God Bless You,

REQUIESCANT IN PACE: In your mercy please pray for the repose of the souls of Edmund Schvindling RIP, (Husband of Remy) who passed away this recently. No funeral arrangement as yet.

ALSO – Bridget Kinsella our oldest parishioner at 100, who passed away recently. Requiem Mass on Friday 2^nd June at 3.00pm. Cremation at Parndon Wood, Harlow at 4.30pm. The remains will be brought into the Church on Thursday 1^st June at 4.30pm

FROM OUR GIFT AID ORGANISER: Our Parish Gift Aid Organiser is Abbie Akinfenwa – abbie.akinfenwa@btinternet.com or text to 0775470934 with your name and gift aid number. I would encourage all parishioners to join the Parish Gift Aid Scheme. If you are a Tax Payer, it’s a really painless process, all we need is you name and address, there are Gift Aid Application Forms in the Porch of the Church, and Abbie can give you all the help you need re information. We are able to claim back 25 pence in every pound donated to the church, when you use you envelopes or pay by Standing Order. Please think about joining, and thanks to those who already belong!

MASS INTENTIONS: There is a lot of availability in the Parish Mass register. If anyone wants a mass intention for any reason, please complete the Mass Envelope in the porch and leave off at the presbytery.

PLEASE PRAY FOR THOSE SICK IN OUR PARISH

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

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

LEADERSHIP VACANCIES IN DIOCESAN SCHOOLS: Details of all positions can be found at the following link https://www.dioceseofbrentwood.net/departments/education /vacancies/school-vacancies/

PARISH READERS: We are always looking for some new Parish Lectors; parishioners who would be willing to read on a regular basis at one of the Sunday Masses. We have a few already, but it would be wonderful if there could be a few more volunteers. ALSO: If any of our regular weekday Mass attendees would be willing to read at the weekday masses we could organise a rota. Since Covid there haven’t been any regular readers. You may feel called to this ministry, and once again, it is doing something for God and the Community. Please speak to Fr. John.

SACRISTANS: Fr John could really do with some additional help in the Sacristy especially during the week. I have been very dependent upon Veronica Short over the past few years. But it would be good if another couple of people could volunteer during the week to help in setting up for Mass each day, and clearing up afterwards. It really doesn’t take that long to do. We could organise a rota of days. Once again this is service of God and the Community.

THANK YOU: To the 4 parishioners who kindly volunteered to assist with some parish administration. I’m truly grateful for your generosity of spirit; hopefully there will be enough to keep us going for a few weeks.

MASS INTENTIONS – MAY / JUNE 2023

Sat 27^th	10.00am	Frederick & Nancy Burgess RIP (M Abbs)
		*Confessions 11am – 12Noon or on demandVigil Mass for Sunday. Confessions at 5.30pm***
Sat 27^th	6.00pm	David Jarvis RIP (Michael & Sarah Ruiz)
Sun 28^th	9.00am	People of the Parish
Sun 28^th	11:00am	Carmelita Bacani RIP (Rey & Ingrid Bacani)
Mon 29^th	10.00am	Margaret Baldwin’s Int’s
Tues 30^th	10.00am	Lorna Gaynor RIP
Wed 31^st	10.00am	Nancy Hands Int’s
Thur 1^st June	9.00am	Edmund Schwiendling RIP Pat & Margaret
Fri 2^nd	10.00am3.00pm	John & Sue Campbell’s Int’s (V & S Short)REQUIEM MASS Bridget Kinsella RIP
Sat 3^rd	10.00am	Lillian Harrington RIP (Fr John )
		*Confessions 11am – 12Noon or on demandVigil Mass for Sunday. Confessions at 5.30pm***
Sat 3^rd	6.00pm	Ann Duggan RIP
Sun 4^th	9.00am	David Jarvis RIP (Sheehy Family)
Sun 4^th	11:00am	Dec’d Relatives of Camilla Giovannini

Please kindly put your Mass requests in early for anniversaries etc., this is to avoid any disappointment if a particular date has already been booked,

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

The Brentwood Diocesan Trust Registered Charity No. 234092

Seventh Sunday of Easter. Year A, 2023

Edmund of Canterbury & St. Thomas More

John 17 contains the longest recorded prayer of Jesus in any of the Gospels. Jesus prays this after He finishes His final instructions to the disciples and before He is betrayed, arrested, and crucified. First, Jesus prays for Himself, then He prays for His disciples, and He closes the prayer by praying for all believers. This intercessory prayer is commonly called Jesus’ High Priestly Prayer.

The office of high priest was instituted at Mount Sinai when God gave the Law to the Israelites through Moses. Aaron and, subsequently, his descendants were chosen to be priests who were responsible for interceding for Israel before God (Exodus 28 – 29). One priest was selected as the high priest who would enter the Holy of Holies on the Day of Atonement to offer the sacrifice that would temporarily cover the sins of the people (Hebrews 9:7). When Jesus came, He offered His life as the ultimate sacrifice that would not only cover the sins of the people but completely cleanse His people and save them. Jesus is the ultimate High Priest, and His intercession for us in John 17 is a wonderful, multi-layered example of His love.

As Jesus begins His High Priestly Prayer, He reveals that His purpose in coming to earth was to glorify the Father by giving eternal life to those who believe in Him. Although Jesus is God and was with the Father before the world began (John 17:5), He humbled Himself and came to earth as a man so people would know “the only true God, and Jesus Christ” whom He sent (John 17:3). Now, the hour had come when Jesus’ work on earth would be finished (John 17:1), and Jesus asks the Father to glorify Him as He prepared to finish the work that would “give eternal life” to those who believe in Him (John 17:2).

Jesus continues His High Priestly Prayer by praying for His disciples. The eleven who remained with Him had accepted Jesus’ words, knew that He is God, and believed that the Father sent Him (John 17:8). Jesus talks about the Father giving the disciples to Him and the disciples belonging to the Father; Jesus and the Father have everything in common (John 17:6, 9–10). Jesus mentions that glory has come to Him through the disciples John 17:10

Dear Friends in Christ, 7^th Sunday of Easter

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION 2023: On Sunday 21^st May all 18 of our First Holy Communicant will come together for their final celebration, their Going Forth Mass. It is always a great joy and honour to help in the preparations of the children for the Sacraments. I would like to congratulate all the children and their families on this wonderful occasion. Of course, none of this could happen without the dedicated service of our Catechists Kathryn Poulter & Elena Manara, ably assisted by our young Catechists Sophia Burrowes & Julia Fabian. On behalf of the whole parish I would like to express my heartfelt thanks for their dedicated service to God and the Parish Community. It’s also been wonderful to have the assistance of many of the parents throughout the programme. After the 11.00am Mass today the children will have their special Communion Reception in the Parish Hall.

THANK YOU: To the 4 parishioners who kindly volunteered to assist with some parish administration. I’m truly grateful for your generosity of spirit; hopefully there will be ehough to keep us going for a few weeks.

May God Bless You,

CHRISTIAN AID WEEK Congratulations to Iain McLay and Billy-the-Dog for completing his sponsored walk to the various Cathedrals this week on behalf of Christian Aid. You may have been following their travels on our WhatsApp Parish site. If you sponsored Iain and Billy he will be available after all of the Masses next weekend to collect sponsorship monies. Also if there any parishioners who would like to make donations to Christian Aid please just give them to Iain personally. (bloggeriain@gmail.com).

REQUIESCANT IN PACE: Mary Webber RIP, late of this parish who passed away recently. Her Requiem Mass will be on Wednesday 24^th May at 12.15pm at St Edmund’s at 1.30pm at Parndon Wood Crematorium.

ALSO – John McMorrow RIP (Brother of Maureen Perry) who passed away recently. The Requiem Mass will be celebrated on Thursday 25^th May at 2.30pm followed by Cremation at 4.00pm at Forest Park Crematorium

ALSO – Edmund Schvindling RIP, (Husband of Remy) who passed away this week. No funeral arrangement as yet.

ALSO – Bridget Kinsella our oldest parishioner at 100, who passed away recently. Funeral arrangements to be confirmed.

ST ANTONY’S WOODFORD VACANCY: The Governing Body of St. Antony’s Catholic Primary School wishes to appoint an experienced KS1/KS2 Class Teacher to start in September 2023. The closing date is Tuesday 23rd May at noon. For more information, please visit the website:

http://www.stantonyscatholicps.co.uk/vacancies or email admin.st-antonys@redbridge.gov.uk

We will be practising for this Mass on Thursday, 1st June, 7pm to 8pm and we’d love to see you all there as well. At our last practice, we only had 5 singers turn up and they get the gold stars. We have another 10 or more gold stars to give out, so please do come to the practice as well!

Please pass the word around and also encourage more young parishioners and their families to join our happy group!

Holy Virgin Godmother Vector Stock Vector.

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

PLEASE PRAY FOR THOSE SICK IN OUR PARISH

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

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

ARE YOU INTERESTED IN A VOCATION TO THE PRIESTHOOD? At present we only have five seminarians training for the Priesthood in the Diocese of Brentwood. The period of formation for each is several years. If you know of anyone who may be interested in learning more about the priesthood, or who feels they may have a vocation to the Priesthood please contact Fr Mark Swires vocprom@dioceseofbrentwood.org

RETROUVAILLE: Help Your Marriage – Do you feel alone? Are you frustrated or angry with each other? Do you argue … or have you just stopped talking to each other? Does talking about it only make it worse? Retrouvaille is a programme to support couples who have difficulties in their marriage. It brings a positive focus, new hope and helps nourish and grow your marriage. Tens of thousands of couples headed for divorce have successfully saved their marriages by attending and using the tools provided. The programme helps spouses uncover or reawaken the love, trust and commitment that originally brought them together. It helps them through difficult times whether they are disillusioned or in deep misery. There is no group therapy or group work. For confidential information about ‘Retrouvaille’ or to register for the next programme. a virtual weekend on 6 – 9 July 2023, call or text 07887 296983 or 07973 380443. Alternatively, email retrouvailleukinfo@gmail.com

LEADERSHIP VACANCIES IN DIOCESAN SCHOOLS: Details of all positions can be found at the following link https://www.dioceseofbrentwood.net/departments/education /vacancies/school-vacancies/

DIOCESAN PILGRIMAGE TO LOURDES 2023 Join Bishop Alan in Lourdes from Monday 24th to Saturday 29th July. We can support those with medical needs. For further information, please ‘phone Tangney Tours on 01732 886 666 or book online: Brentwood Lourdes – Lourdes – Tangney Tours (tangneytours.com)

MASS INTENTIONS – EASTERTIDE – MAY 2023

Sat 20^th	10.00am	Sandy Sandhu RIP
		*Confessions 11am – 12Noon or on demandVigil Mass for Sunday. Confessions at 5.30pm***
Sat 20^th	6.00pm	Jane & Stephen Barrett & Terry Barrett RIP (Margaret Hopkinson)
Sun 21^st	9.00am	Roderick McFadyen RIP (David Knott)
Sun 21^st	11:00am	People of the Parish
Mon 22^nd	10.00am	Ian Campbell (B’day Anni). Brenda Bryant
Tues 23^rd	10.00am	Mary and Ernie Walsh RIP (Helen & Bill Walsh)
Wed 24^th	12.15pm	REQUIEM MASS Mary Webber RIP
Thur 25^th	10.00am2.30pm	Malcolm Campbell RIP (Brenda Bryant)REQUIEM MASS John McMorrow RIP
Fri 26^th	9.00am	Edward Martin Duffy RIP ((Margaret Duffy)
Sat 27^th	10.00am	Frederick & Nancy Burgess RIP (M Abbs)
		*Confessions 11am – 12Noon or on demandVigil Mass for Sunday. Confessions at 5.30pm***
Sat 27^th	6.00pm	David Jarvis RIP (Michael & Sarah Ruiz)
Sun 28^th	9.00am	People of the Parish
Sun 28^th	11:00am	Carmelita Bacani RIP (Rey & Ingrid Bacani)

Please kindly put your Mass requests in early for anniversaries etc., this is to avoid any disappointment if a particular date has already been booked,

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

The Brentwood Diocesan Trust Registered Charity No. 234092

Sixth Sunday of Easter. Year A, 2023

Edmund of Canterbury & St. Thomas More

Dear Friends in Christ, Sixth Sunday of Easter

Parental love is a fierce kind of love. Every parent wants the best for their children and will move heaven and earth for them. If a child is thirsty, a parent will get them a drink and not a toy to play with. Or if a child is hungry, a parent will get some food and not a book to read. Using the same analogy Jesus spoke of the Holy Spirit: ‘Which of you fathers, if your child asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?’ God is our Father and the greatest gift we have received is the Holy Spirit.

The question is, though: are we a people of the Holy Spirit? Does the Holy Spirit feature in the way that we think and act? Do we rely on, trust and turn to the Holy Spirit during our day? Next time you face a challenge, a really difficult situation; observe who you turn to first – yourself or the Holy Spirit? And there’s as Shakespeare might say, ‘the rub’. Because the Spirit was given not simply to be with us when we are in a tight spot, struggling or in desperate need – the Spirit was given so that we would walk with God in fellowship and communion.

We are in fellowship with the Spirit in a unique way when we read or hear the word of God in the Sacred Scriptures, because the Bible is the Holy-Spirit inspired Word. We encounter the Holy Spirit in the liturgy of the Church and especially when we celebrate the Eucharist. The Spirit is with us when we pray and when we strive to live not in our own strength but in his power. We are people of the Holy Spirit and it is through the power of the Holy Spirit that we proclaim Jesus as Lord. The Holy Spirit is our Advocate, our Counsellor and our Friend.

‘The Holy Spirit longs to find the gates of our heart, so that he may enter in and dwell there, and sanctify it; and he goes round about to all the gates to see where he may enter.’ (Ephraim the Syrian).

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION 2023: This weekend we will celebrate the First Holy Communion of 18 children from our parish community. This is truly a very special day in their lives as they receive Jesus in Holy Communion for the first time. I extend my sincere and grateful thanks to our Programme Director Kathryn Poulter, and ably assisted by Elena Manara and their young h elpers. The children have been preparing since last September and this weekend it is the culmination of a lot of hard work. On Sunday 21^st May, both groups of First Communicants will gather to celebrate the Going Forth Mass at 11.00am followed by their Communion Reception. Please pray for all these children and their families this weekend. May this be the first of many Communions in their young lives of faith!

ASCENSION THURSDAY: 18^th May 2023 – Is a Holy Day of Obligation; which means it has the same status as a Sunday. Jesus promised the Apostles at the Last Supper, that he would send them the Holy Spirit as the eternal gift of his love, but this could only happen if he returns to the Father. Jesus has completed his earthly ministry, now, in going home to the Father, the work of Evangelisation will begin for the Apostles, who will ‘Go out to the whole world and proclaim the Good News.’

Masses on Ascension Day will be at 9.00am, 12.15pm & 7.30pm at St Edmund’s Church. And 10,00am at St John Fisher School, to which parishioners are invited.

CHRISTIAN AID WEEK this year will be May 14th-May 21st. There are three things happening during the week to raise money. “Billy-the-Dog”, with Iain McLay, will be sponsored walking to a Cathedral each day. For that they will be collecting sponsors after every mass this weekend. Then, on the 20th May, there will be a sponsored walk around all churches in Loughton, starting at 10am from St John’s Church, with lunch at 12noon back at St John’s and then continuing at 1pm and finishing at 3pm, please join for all or part. Finally there is a collection at Loughton Station (3-8pm) on Thursday 16th May and volunteers to help for an hour would be much appreciated, please email Iain McLay if you can help (bloggeriain@gmail.com).

May God Bless You All,

REQUIESCANT IN PACE: In your mercy please pray for the repose of the soul of the late Lidia Cook RIP, who was a regular parishioner at St Edmund’s. Her Requiem Mass will be on Wednesday 17^th May at 12.30pm at St Edmund’s and 2.00pm at Forest Park Crematorium.

ALSO – Mary Webber RIP, late of this parish who passed away recently. Her Requiem Mass will be on Wednesday 24^th May at 12.15pm at St Edmund’s at 1.30pm at Parndon Wood Crematorium.

ALSO – Edmund Schvindling RIP, (Husband of Remy) who passed away this week. No funeral arrangement as yet.

ALSO – David Jarvis RIP (Father of Nick Jarvis). David lived in Loughton for many years, and would be known to many parishioners.

ALSO – Esther Daly (Mother of Joe Daly) who passed away recently.

We extend our condolences to all these families in this time of great loss.

ESCORTED PILGRIMAGE TO KNOCK SHRINE, IRELAND on 29th May 2023, led by Bishop Alan Williams. £699.00 per person, sharing; single supplement £150.00. Price includes flight, all transfers, 4 nights in Knock House Hotel with full board. All entertainment and excursions included. Day trips to Westport, Ballintubber Abbey, Croagh Patrick, Fr. Peyton Centre & National Museum. Contact Patricia on 01268 762278 or 07740 175557 or email knockpilgrimages@gmail.com.

PLEASE PRAY FOR THOSE SICK IN OUR PARISH

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

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

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

ARE YOU INTERESTED IN A VOCATION TO THE PRIESTHOOD? At present we only have five seminarians training for the Priesthood in the Diocese of Brentwood. The period of formation for each is several years. If you know of anyone who may be interested in learning more about the priesthood, or who feels they may have a vocation to the Priesthood please contact Fr Mark Swires vocprom@dioceseofbrentwood.org

LEADERSHIP VACANCIES IN DIOCESAN SCHOOLS: Details of all positions can be found at the following link https://www.dioceseofbrentwood.net/departments/education /vacancies/school-vacancies/

MASS INTENTIONS – EASTERTIDE – MAY 2023

Sat 13^th	10.00am 12Noon	Charles & Yvonne Westcott RIP (Frank Westcott)FIRST HOLY COMMUNION
		*Confessions 11am – 12Noon or on demandVigil Mass for Sunday. Confessions at 5.30pm***
Sat 13^th	6.00pm	Bridget Burrows RIP (Geraldine Taylor)
Sun 14^th	9.00am	Maureen Wright 80^th Birthday (In Thanksgiving)
Sun 14^th	11:00am1.00pm	G B (E L)FIRST HOLY COMMUNION (T Okeowo)
Mon 15^th	10.00am	Peter Smith RIP (Paul Falco)
Tues 16^th	10.00am	Emma & Reuben Dorn’s Int’s (John O’Rourke)
Wed 17^th	12.30pm	REQUIEM MASS: Lidia Cook RIP
Thur 18^th AscensionThursday	9.00am10,00am12.15pm7/30pm	Martin & Maria Laffey’s Int’s (Remy)People of the ParishRemy’s B’day Int’s (Pat & Margaret)Arnold Prayer RIP (Marjorie Fairlamb)
Fri 19^th	9.30am	Kathleen & William Walstow RIP
Sat 20^th	10.00am	Sandy Sandhu RIP
		*Confessions 11am – 12Noon or on demandVigil Mass for Sunday. Confessions at 5.30pm***
Sat 20^th	6.00pm	Jane & Stephen Barrett & Terry Barrett RIP (Margaret Hopkinson)
Sun 21^st	9.00am	Roderick McFadyen RIP (David Knott)
Sun 21^st	11:00am	People of the ParishGOING FORTH MASS

Please kindly put your Mass requests in early for anniversaries etc., this is to avoid any disappointment if a particular date has already been booked,

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

The Brentwood Diocesan Trust Registered Charity No. 234092

6th Sunday of Easter

First Reading : Acts 8:5-8,14-17

Philip went to a Samaritan town and proclaimed the Christ to them. The people united in welcoming the message Philip preached, either because they had heard of the miracles he worked or because they saw them for themselves. There were, for example, unclean spirits that came shrieking out of many who were possessed, and several paralytics and cripples were cured. As a result there was great rejoicing in that town.

When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them, and they went down there, and prayed for the Samaritans to receive the Holy Spirit, for as yet he had not come down on any of them: they had only been baptised in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

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

Cry out with joy to God, all the earth.

Cry out with joy to God all the earth,

O sing to the glory of his name.

O render him glorious praise.

Say to God: ‘How tremendous your deeds!

Cry out with joy to God, all the earth.

‘Before you all the earth shall bow;

shall sing to you, sing to your name!’

Come and see the works of God,

tremendous his deeds among men.

Cry out with joy to God, all the earth.

He turned the sea into dry land,

they passed through the river dry-shod.

Let our joy then be in him;

he rules for ever by his might.

Cry out with joy to God, all the earth.

Come and hear, all who fear God.

I will tell what he did for my soul:

Blessed be God who did not reject my prayer

nor withhold his love from me.

Cry out with joy to God, all the earth.

Second Reading : 1 Peter 3:15-18

Reverence the Lord Christ in your hearts, and always have your answer ready for people who ask you the reason for the hope that you all have. But give it with courtesy and respect and with a clear conscience, so that those who slander you when you are living a good life in Christ may be proved wrong in the accusations that they bring. And if it is the will of God that you should suffer, it is better to suffer for doing right than for doing wrong.

Why, Christ himself, innocent though he was, had died once for sins, died for the guilty, to lead us to God. In the body he was put to death, in the spirit he was raised to life.

Gospel : John 14:15-21

Jesus said to his disciples:

‘If you love me you will keep my commandments.

I shall ask the Father,

and he will give you another Advocate

to be with you for ever,

that Spirit of truth

whom the world can never receive

since it neither sees nor knows him;

but you know him,

because he is with you, he is in you.

I will not leave you orphans;

I will come back to you.

In a short time the world will no longer see me;

but you will see me,

because I live and you will live.

On that day you will understand that I am in my Father

and you in me and I in you.

Anybody who receives my commandments and keeps them

will be one who loves me;

and anybody who loves me will be loved by my Father,

and I shall love him and show myself to him.’

Fifth Sunday of Easter. Year A, 2023

Edmund of Canterbury & St. Thomas More

Coronation Weekend of King Charles III

Judaism has invoked God as Father from the very beginning. In the Jewish faith God is Father in as much as he is the Creator. God is also Father to the poor, the orphaned, and the widowed, who are under his loving protection. Jesus, however, revealed that God is Father in a unique and totally unheard-of sense: God is Father in relations to the Son. Jesus claimed that to know him is to know his Father and that only the Son can reveal the Father.

What revelation makes known to us is that Jesus is the image of the invisible God, the exact representation of his being, God’s Eternal and Only Son. Knowing God’s love is about knowing something of the love that exists between God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. A Key part of Jesus’ mission was to reveal his Father to us. A key part of our walk with Christ is that we are growing and deepening in our sense of the Fatherhood of God.

Writing to the Ephesians, Paul urged them to pray to the Father to enlighten them in their inner being so that they could grasp the love of Christ. We are invited, if you like, to partake in the relationship that exists within the Blessed Trinity: The Father reveals the Son, the Son reveals the Father. We are drawn into a communion of love that exists between each person of the Trinity, and we can become increasingly rooted and established in the love that exists within the Godhead, growing and maturing in a living sense that God is our Father and to him we cry ‘Father’, ‘Abba’. This interior knowledge, understanding, revelation, insight, call it what you will, gives us a living sensitivity that God our Heavenly Father protects us, cares for us and has his hand on our lives. This means we can move through our lives confident in the sure knowledge of God the Father’s love for us: ‘Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom’.

Dear Friends in Christ: 5^th Sunday of Easter 2023

This weekend we have wintessed the historic Coronation and Installation of King Charles III and his Queen Camilla. At the moving and historic Westminster Abbey, which has seen the crowning of Kings and Queens for nearly a thousand years. A coronation is both the symbolic religious ceremony during which a sovereign is crowned and the physical act of placing a crown on a monarch’s head. It formalises the monarch’s role as the head of the Church of England and marks the transfer of their title and powers. As you will have seen there were many faiths represented at the Coronation Ceremony, including His Eminence Cardinal Vincent Nichols; it will be the first time in nearly 500 years where a Catholic Prelate has played a role in a Coronation Ceremony giving a Blessing.

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION: As we come to the end of the First Holy Communion Programme this year, first and foremost, I would like to express my sincere and grateful thanks to our Programme Director Kathryn Poulter, ably assisted by Elena Manara, and their young helpers. It’s no mean task to give of your time freely to help these children in their Sacramental Preparation, and the parish is very grateful. The children are due to make their Frist Holy Communion on Saturday the 13^th May at 12Noon, and Sunday 14^th May at 1.00pm. The rehearsal date IS Wednesday 10^th May at 5.00pm for Group 1; and 6.00pm for Group 2. This will be in the Church. The following Sunday 21^st May the children will celebrate their Going Forth Mass at 11.00am Please keep the children and their families in your thoughts and prayers. This is a really special time in their young lives.

VISITING SEMINARIANS: On this Coronation Weekend 6 seminarians from the Pontifical North American College will join us in the Parish. You are always extremely hospitable to our seminarians, and what a wonderful and historic opportunity for them to visit the UK on this Special Weekend.

CORONATION WEEKEND: This Weekend we will celebrate the Coronation of King Charles III, this is a momentous and historic occasion in all of our lives. The Coronation will be televised around the world, and I’m sure many will want to witness this celebration. On Saturday 6^th May the morning mass will be celebrated at 9.00am – Please join us!

May God Bless You All,

ALSO – Mary Webber RIP, late of this parish who passed away recently. Her Requiem Mass will be on Wednesday 24^th May at 12.15pm at St Edmund’s at 1.30pm at Parndon Wood Crematorium.

ALSO – John McMorrow RIP (Brother of Maureen Perry who passed away recently. The Requiem Mass will be celebrated on Thursday 25^th May at 2.30pm followed by Cremation at 4.00pm at Forest Park Crematorium

ALSO – Edmund Schvindling RIP, (Husband of Remy) who passed away this week. No funeral arrangement as yet.

ALSO – David Jarvis RIP (Father of Nick Jarvis). David lived in Loughton for many years, and would be known to many parishioners.

We extend our condolences to all these families in this time of great loss.

CHRISTIAN AID WEEK this year will be May14th-May21st. The world is in turmoil, but despite that charities like Christian Aid keep doing their good work and making a difference to families and children all over the world. There are three things happening during the week to raise money. “Billy-the-Dog”, with Iain McLay, will be sponsored walking to a Cathedral each day, for that they will be collecting sponsors after every mass on the 13/14 May. On the 20th May there will be a sponsored walk around all churches in Loughton, starting at 10am from St John’s Church, with lunch at 12noon at St John’s and then continuing at 1pm and finishing at 3pm, please join for all or part. Finally there is a collection at Loughton Station (3-8pm) on Thursday 16th May and volunteers to help for an hour would be much appreciated, please email Iain McLay if you can help (bloggeriain@gmail.com).

CAN YOU HELP ME PLEASE? Would there be a parishioner or two who would volunteer to give me a hand in the Parish Office for a few weeks. There are a number of administration tasks that I’ve got a bit behind with and I really need some help please? If you are willing to give a couple of hours a week I’d be most grateful. Please contact me on the Parish Number Tel: 02085083492 With anticipated thanks, Fr John

PLEASE PRAY FOR THOSE SICK IN OUR PARISH

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

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

ARE YOU INTERESTED IN A VOCATION TO THE PRIESTHOOD? At present we only have five seminarians training for the Priesthood in the Diocese of Brentwood. The period of formation for each is several years. If you know of anyone who may be interested in learning more about the priesthood, or who feels they may have a vocation to the Priesthood please contact Fr Mark Swires vocprom@dioceseofbrentwood.org

LEADERSHIP VACANCIES IN DIOCESAN SCHOOLS: Details of all positions can be found at the following link https://www.dioceseofbrentwood.net/departments/education /vacancies/school-vacancies/

MASS INTENTIONS – EASTERTIDE – MAY 2023

Sat 6^th	9.00am	King Charles III Coronation (Mass for the Crowned Monarch)
		*Confessions 11am – 12Noon or on demandVigil Mass for Sunday. Confessions at 5.30pm***
Sat 6^th	6.00pm	Fr Kieran Dodd RIP (Geraldine & Robert Taylor)
Sun 7^th	9.00am	Maureen Mully RIP (Karen Burrowes)
Sun 7^th	11:00am	Bernard & Muriel Gilley RIP (Eileen Ward)
Mon 8^th	10.00am	Frederick & Nancy Burrowes RIP (Burrowes Family)
Tues 9^th	10.00am	Antonia Clancy Int’s (Christine Perrett)
Wed 10^th	10.00am	Noel Johnson RIP (John O’Rourke)
Thur 11^th	10.00am	Jim Kavanagh RIP (Maree Kavanagh)
Fri 12^th	10.00am	In Thanksgiving Brian & Teresa Fabbri
Sat 13^th	10.00am	Charles & Yvonne Westcott RIP (Frank Westcott)
Sat 13^th	12Noon	FIRST HOLY COMMUNION
		*Confessions 11am – 12Noon or on demandVigil Mass for Sunday. Confessions at 5.30pm***
Sat 13^th	6.00pm	Bridget Burrows RIP (Geraldine Taylor)
Sun 14^th	9.00am	Maureen Wright 80^th Birthday (In Thanksgiving)
Sun 14^th	11:00am	G B (E L)
Sun 14^th	1.00pm	FIRST HOLY COMMUNION

Please kindly put your Mass requests in early for anniversaries etc., this is to avoid any disappointment if a particular date has already been booked,

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

The Brentwood Diocesan Trust Registered Charity No. 234092

5th Sunday of Easter

First Reading : Acts 6:1-7

About this time, when the number of disciples was increasing, the Hellenists made a complaint against the Hebrews: in the daily distribution their own widows were being overlooked. So the Twelve called a full meeting of the disciples and addressed them, ‘It would not be right for us to neglect the word of God so as to give out food; you, brothers, must select from among yourselves seven men of good reputation, filled with the Spirit and with wisdom; we will hand over this duty to them, and continue to devote ourselves to prayer and to the service of the word.’ The whole assembly approved of this proposal and elected Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, together with Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus of Antioch, a convert to Judaism. They presented these to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.

The word of the Lord continued to spread: the number of disciples in Jerusalem was greatly increased, and a large group of priests made their submission to the faith.

Responsive Psalm :

Psalm 32(33):1-2,4-5,18-19

May your love be upon us, O Lord, as we place all our hope in you.

Ring out your joy to the Lord, O you just;

for praise is fitting for loyal hearts.

Give thanks to the Lord upon the harp,

with a ten-stringed lute sing him songs.

May your love be upon us, O Lord, as we place all our hope in you.

For the word of the Lord is faithful

and all his works to be trusted.

The Lord loves justice and right

and fills the earth with his love.

May your love be upon us, O Lord, as we place all our hope in you.

The Lord looks on those who revere him,

on those who hope in his love,

to rescue their souls from death,

to keep them alive in famine.

May your love be upon us, O Lord, as we place all our hope in you.

Second Reading : 1 Peter 2:4-9

The Lord is the living stone, rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him; set yourselves close to him so that you too, the holy priesthood that offers the spiritual sacrifices which Jesus Christ has made acceptable to God, may be living stones making a spiritual house. As scripture says: See how I lay in Zion a precious cornerstone that I have chosen and the man who rests his trust on it will not be disappointed. That means that for you who are believers, it is precious; but for unbelievers, the stone rejected by the builders has proved to be the keystone, a stone to stumble over, a rock to bring men down. They stumble over it because they do not believe in the word; it was the fate in store for them.

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a consecrated nation, a people set apart to sing the praises of God who called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.

Gospel : John 14:1-12

Jesus said to his disciples:

‘Do not let your hearts be troubled.

Trust in God still, and trust in me.

There are many rooms in my Father’s house;

if there were not, I should have told you.

I am going now to prepare a place for you,

and after I have gone and prepared you a place,

I shall return to take you with me;

so that where I am

you may be too.

You know the way to the place where I am going.’

Thomas said, ‘Lord, we do not know where you are going, so how can we know the way?’ Jesus said:

‘I am the Way, the Truth and the Life.

No one can come to the Father except through me.

If you know me, you know my Father too.

From this moment you know him and have seen him.’

Philip said, ‘Lord, let us see the Father and then we shall be satisfied.’ ‘Have I been with you all this time, Philip,’ said Jesus to him ‘and you still do not know me?

‘To have seen me is to have seen the Father,

so how can you say, “Let us see the Father”?

Do you not believe

that I am in the Father and the Father is in me?

The words I say to you I do not speak as from myself:

it is the Father, living in me, who is doing this work.

You must believe me when I say

that I am in the Father and the Father is in me;

believe it on the evidence of this work, if for no other reason.

I tell you most solemnly,

whoever believes in me

will perform the same works as I do myself,

he will perform even greater works,

because I am going to the Father.’

Fourth Sunday of Easter. Year A, 2023

Edmund of Canterbury & St. Thomas More

Although we are very familiar with the homely and comforting image of Jesus the Good Shepherd, today’s reading has a rather harder edge. It speaks not simply about the shepherd but also about the gate and the sheepfold, and about the sheep being led in and out of the sheepfold. This is much less easy to understand – not least, his words about people entering the sheepfold by another way than the gate being ‘thieves and robbers’! What do you think that Jesus was talking about? Is there anything that we can draw upon to help us realise what was in Jesus’ mind?

There are two things in particular. The first is the life and practice of shepherds at the time of Jesus, in fact, and even today in the Middle East. This author one day in the Holy Land witnessed a shepherd leading his sheep in a long line down a valley. And then later, about midday, he saw a shepherd sheltering from the heat of the sun under a tree with his sheep in a ring around him. A shepherd in the Middle Easter has a much more intimate relationship with each of his sheep than we see in Western Countries – knowing them by name would not be unusual.

But this leads to the other aspect of Jesus’ words: in the Old Testament, the shepherd was the classic image of the king of Israel – probably because David had been a shepherd boy. However, as the prophets, especially Ezekiel, make clear, many of Israel’s kings were far from being shepherds to their people. On the contrary, they used the people to satisfy their own personal motives, often greed. In that sense, they robbed the people of what they could rightfully expect, and fed off the people rather than leading them to good pasture! In Jesus’ words they were ‘thieves and robbers’. By implication, Jesus probably also had in mind the current Jewish leaders, including Herod, who had completely failed in their proper role.

But the radical thing is that Jesus was claiming not only to be the true shepherd-king of Israel but also the gateway – the way into God’s kingdom and place of feeding or pasture – as well as the source of life (the fullness of resurrection life) for his people.

Dear Friends in Christ: 4^th Sunday of Easter 2023

Today is Good Shepherd Sunday and is the world day of prayer for Vocations to the Priesthood and Religious Life. In the past forty years we have seen an incredible decline in vocations to the preisthood, especially here in our Diocese of Brentwood. We are also fortunate enough to have a seminarian from our own parish Frank Westcott who will be Ordained a Deacon on the Sunday 2^nd July this year; please keep Frank in your thoughts and prayers. But with the age of the clergy in the diocese being very top-heavy, within a matter of five years, we are going to be consderably stretched. We really do need to ask the Lord of the Harvest to send laboureres into his Harvest

WELCOME! On behalf of the Parish I would like to extend a very warm welcome to Fr Aldo Tapparo, who will be supplying for me while I’m on my post Easter break. Fr Aldo is one of my oldest and dearest friends; we overlapped in the Seminary and have been friends for nearly 50 years. Please extend him your usual warm hospitality. Fr Aldo is a retired priest from the Archdiocese of Birmingham.

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION CLASSES: The next session for our children will take place on Sunday 30^th April at 10.00am in the Parish Retreat. As we are rapidly coming to the end of the First Holy Communion Programme, first and foremost, I would like to express my sincere and grateful thanks to our Programme Director Kathryn Poulter, ably assisted by Elena Manara, and their young helpers. It’s no mean task to give of your time freely to help these children in their Sacramental Preparation, and the parish is very grateful. The children are due to make their Frist Holy Communion on Saturday the 13^th May at 12Noon, and Sunday 14^th May at 1.00pm. The rehearsal date IS Wednesday 10^th May at 5.00pm for Group 1; and 6.00pm for Group 2. This will be in the Church. The following Sunday 21^st May the children will celebrate their Going Forth Mass at 11.00am Please keep the children and their families in your thoughts and prayers. This is a really special time in their young lives.

May God Bless You All,

REQUIESCANT IN PACE: In your mercy please pray for the repose of the soul of the late Lidia Cook RIP, who was a regular parishioner at St Edmund’s. Her Requiem Mass will be on Wednesday 17^th Mat at 12.30pm at St Edmund’s and 2.00pm at Forest Park Crematorium.

Also, Mary Webber RIP, late of this parish who passed away recently. Her Requiem Mass will be on Wednesday 24^th May at 12.15pm at St Edmund’s at 1.30pm at Parndon Wood Crematorium.

We extend our condolences to both families in this time of great loss.

‘THE PRIESTS’ – CHARITY CONCERT: Brentwood Catholic Children’s Society is delighted to announce that the Northern Irish classical singing trio ‘The Priests’ will be performing a second charity concert on Friday 30^th June 2023 at the Brentwood Cathedral at 7.30pm. All tickets can be purchased directly through Eventbrite and are £30 per person plus booking fee: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/528414691567 We urge you to book early in order to avoid disappointment. Why not organise a minibus or a coach to bring a group from your parish to Brentwood Cathedral? It promises to be a great evening of entertainment. Full details are available on our website: www.bccs.org.uk/get-involved/events/

CORONATION WEEKEND: Next Weekend we will be celebrating the Coronation of King Charles III, this is a momentous and historic occasion in all of our lives. The Coronation will be televised around the world, and I’m sure many will want to witness this celebration. On Saturday 6^th May the morning mass will be celebrated at 9.00am

VISITING SEMINARIANS: On Coronation Weekend 6 seminarians from the Pontifical North American College will join us in the Parish. You are always extremely hospitable to our seminarians, and what a wonderful and historic opportunity for them to visit the UK on this Special Weekend.

IMPORTANT NOTE FOR OUR CONTEMPORARY MUSIC GROUP

Our practice (for the 11am Mass on Sunday, 7th May) has been changed from Tuesday, 2nd May to Thursday, 4th May at the same time of 7pm to 8pm in the Choir loft. We hope you can all be there for the 4th May practice as well as for the 7th May Mass. We would like to encourage more of our young parishioners and families to join our Group, so please consider coming along to our 4th May practice – you will be made very welcome!

Head of School – St John Fisher Catholic Primary School The Trustees of Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Multi Academy Trust are seeking to appoint a Head of School for St John Fisher Catholic Primary. This person will be an enthusiastic, inspirational leader, who is passionate about learning and who shares the schools values and lives their mission. Required: September 2023; Salary: L10 – 16 ; Closing Date: Monday 8th May, 12 noon Interviews: Wednesday 24th May

For further details please visit www.ourladyoffatimatrust.essex.sch.uk or alternatively call Mrs Irene Nelson, H.R. Manager on 01279 425383.

PLEASE PRAY FOR THOSE SICK IN OUR PARISH

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

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

ARE YOU INTERESTED IN A VOCATION TO THE PRIESTHOOD? At present we only have five seminarians training for the Priesthood in the Diocese of Brentwood. The period of formation for each is several years. If you know of anyone who may be interested in learning more about the priesthood, or who feels they may have a vocation to the Priesthood please contact Fr Mark Swires vocprom@dioceseofbrentwood.org

LEADERSHIP VACANCIES IN DIOCESAN SCHOOLS: Details of all positions can be found at the following link https://www.dioceseofbrentwood.net/departments/education /vacancies/school-vacancies/

MASS INTENTIONS – EASTERTIDE – APRIL – MAY 2023

Sat 29^th	10.00am	Tony Ironside RIP (Margaret Duffy)
		*Confessions 11am – 12Noon or on demandVigil Mass for Sunday. Confessions at 5.30pm***
Sat 29^th	6.00pm	Veronica Godsave RIP (Geraldine & Robert Taylor)
Sun 30^th	9.00am	People of the Parish
Sun 30^th	11:00am	Robert Taylor RIP (B’day Anni) Eileen Lee
Mon 1^st May	10.00am	Dec’d of McMorrow & Perry families (Maureen Perry)
Tues 2^nd	10.00am	Pauric Kelly RIP (Sinead Briner)
Wed 3^rd	10.00am	Peter Smith RIP (Paul Falco)
Thur 4^th	10.00am	Charles & Yvonne Westcott RIP (Frank Westcott)
Fri 5^th	10.00am	Dympna McCabe Int’s, (Ian & Rosemary Johnson)
Sat 6^th	9.00am	King Charles III Coronation (Mass for the Crowned Monarch)
		*Confessions 11am – 12Noon or on demandVigil Mass for Sunday. Confessions at 5.30pm***
Sat 6^th	6.00pm	Fr Kieran Dodd RIP (Geraldine & Robert Taylor)
Sun 7^th	9.00am	Maureen Mully RIP (Karen Burrowes)
Sun 7^th	11:00am	Bernard & Muriel Gilley RIP (Eileen Ward)

Please kindly put your Mass requests in early for anniversaries etc., this is to avoid any disappointment if a particular date has already been booked,

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

The Brentwood Diocesan Trust Registered Charity No. 234092

Third Sunday of Easter. Year A, 2023

Edmund of Canterbury & St. Thomas More

The road of life is similar to the road to Emmaus. Like the two disciples, Cleopas and his anonymous companion, we too can be kept from recognising the Lord as we walk along the highway of life. What kept the disciples from recognising the risen Lord is what prevents us also. But more of that later! Luke, gifted and inspired writer that he was, captures in a most beautiful and striking way all the events surrounding the resurrection of Jesus, compressing both the facts and the mystery into a few verses.

We can see that these two disciples were on the road to faith themselves as they believed Jesus to be merely a prophet and not the Son of God. Perhaps this is why the Lord appears to rebuke them: ‘How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter into his glory?’ Then these disciples receive probably the most privileged Bible study ever – Jesus himself, beginning with Moses (the Torah, the first five books of the Old Testament) and moving on to the Prophets (which ones we don’t know but very likely, Isaiah, Jeremiah and Ezekiel), unpacked the Hebrew Scriptures so that they could see how they pointed to the Christ. Yet it would seem that, despite this incredible Bible study, they still didn’t fully recognise the Lord. It was almost as if he was playing a game of ‘cat and mouse’ or hide and seek’ with them. Road to Emmaus icon Handmade Greek Orthodox icon of Jesus image 1

When Jesus made as if he was going further than Emmaus, the two disciples urged him to stay, and it was only when he was at the table with them and broke bread that they fully recognised the risen Lord. The breaking of bread is a reference to the Eucharist, and their ‘hearts burning within’ is the work of the Holy Spirit bringing the Scriptures alive. What keeps us from recognising the Lord is our failure to immerse our minds in the Scriptures. Just as Jesus led the disciples on the road to Emmaus to a deeper faith through immersing their minds and hearts in the Scriptures, so we too enter the mystery of faith through becoming ever more familiar with the power of God’s Word.

Dear Friends in Christ: 3^rd Sunday of Easter 2023

As the Gospel informs us today, in recognising Jesus at the Breaking of Break the two disciples cannot contain their joy, and even return the seven miles back to Jerusalem to inform the Apostles that they had encountered the Risen Lord. It is when we gather together each week for the Eucharist (the breaking of bread), that we also encounter the Risen Lord. Jesus Christ, Son of God, cannot be contained by time or space anymore. He desires that we share in his ‘New Life’; and for the Christian, this is the life of faith! Ask yourself the rhetorical question, can I live my life without Jesus Christ? Obviously, many people do, and many people walk away from Jesus; but life only makes sense in Christ. He is ‘The Way, the truth and the life’, there is no other alternative. When you know Jesus Christ everything else takes second place! During this Easter Season, try to read the Scriptures about the Resurrection; read the post-resurrection stories of the Risen Lord, how he reassures the apostles and disciples, giving them strength and courage to ‘go out into the whole world, and proclaim the Good News.’ It is still the same mission that is entrusted to every Christian, you and me.

Wishing you All a Very Blessed & Happy Week,

YOUR GIFT AID BOXES OF ENVELOPES

WOULD PARISHIONERS KINDLY COLLECT THEIR GIFT ENVELOPES FROM THE PORCH. THE LARGE BOXES ARE FOR THOSE WHO GIVE WEEKLY. THE SMALL BOXES ARE FOR THOSE WHO USE DIRECT DEBIT, AND THE ENVELOPES ARE FOR THE SPECIAL COLLECTIONS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.

ELECTRONIC EASTER OFFERING: Envelopes will be available for your Easter Offering, which is your opportunity to make your Easter gift to your Parish Priest, which goes to make up his salary for the Year. This year our Easter Offering can also be made electronically. We just need to transfer the money to the parish account with the reference ‘Easter Offering’; please also quote you Gift Aid Number.

Any questions please ask Iain McLay (bloggeriain@gmail.com).

The details of the bank account are:

Sort Code: 40-13-22

Account Number: 11019651 Quote: ‘Easter Offering’ & Gift Aid No. Account Name: Catholic Church Loughton St Edmund

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION CLASSES: The next session for our children will take place on Sunday 23^rd April at 10.00am in the Parish Retreat. As we are rapidly coming to the end of the First Holy Communion Programme, first and foremost, I would like to express my sincere and grateful thanks to our Programme Director Kathryn Poulter, ably assisted by Elena Manara, and their young helpers. It’s no mean task to give of your time freely to help these children in their Sacramental Preparation, and the parish is very grateful. The children are due to make their Frist Holy Communion on Saturday the 13^th May at 12Noon, and Sunday 14^th May at 1.00pm. The rehearsal date is Wednesday 10^th May at 5.00pm for Group 1; and 6.00pm for Group 2. This will be in the Church. The following Sunday 21^st May the children will celebrate their Going Forth Mass at 11.00am Please keep the children and their families in your thoughts and prayers. This is a really special time in their young lives. First Reconciliation First Communion - The Church Of Holy Apostles

IMPORTANT NOTE FOR OUR CONTEMPORARY MUSIC GROUP

For further details please visit www.ourladyoffatimatrust.essex.sch.uk or alternatively call Mrs Irene Nelson, H.R. Manager on 01279 425383.

PLEASE PRAY FOR THOSE SICK IN OUR PARISH

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

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

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

ARE YOU INTERESTED IN A VOCATION TO THE PRIESTHOOD? At present we only have five seminarians training for the Priesthood in the Diocese of Brentwood. The period of formation for each is several years. If you know of anyone who may be interested in learning more about the priesthood, or who feels they may have a vocation to the Priesthood please contact Fr Mark Swires vocprom@dioceseofbrentwood.org

LEADERSHIP VACANCIES IN DIOCESAN SCHOOLS: Details of all positions can be found at the following link https://www.dioceseofbrentwood.net/departments/education /vacancies/school-vacancies/

Letter from the Mr Ian Kendal, Executive Headteacher of the

Our Lady of Fatima, Catholic Multi Acadamy Trust

Recent Religious Education Ofsted Inspection

Dear Parishioners,

I am delighted to share with you a summary of the outcome of your schools’ recent Catholic School Inspection. St John Fisher Catholic Primary school was inspected on the 23rd and 24th March 2023. The purpose of inspection was to report to on the quality of the Catholic life and mission of the school, of religious education and of collective worship. Inspectors observed learning and acts of worship, talked to staff and pupils, analyse data, and held discussions with the school’s leadership.

In summary, the report recognises and celebrates the schools’ ambition for the children. The Inspectors said, “Pupils are wonderful ambassadors for the school; they are happy, confident and feel secure.”

The school’s mission and purpose shone throughout the report. “Pupil behaviour in class and around the school is very good.” They also noted “The spiritual, emotional and physical well-being of all is given the highest priority” and that “Teachers place Christ at the heart of the curriculum.” Fr John received a particular mention – “the parish priest is a guiding presence for the children.”

The Inspectors reflected on our curriculum stating:

“The innovative Caritas curriculum pervades all subjects as well as promoting an understanding of the unique person and supporting the spiritual and moral development of all.”

The Inspectors also highlighted the great work all our adults do for the children we serve. They noted that we

“strive to maintain a focus on improvement and on providing high quality experiences of learning in faith for all pupils”
“move learning forward through effective questioning and the use of resources, and ensure pupils make progress in lessons.”

If your child does not yet attend a Catholic Primary school, I would encourage you to come and visit St John Fisher, see the great learning that the children enjoy and see how, as a school, we inspire our children to be wonderful ambassadors who are happy, confident and feel secure.”

We would also welcome visits from our parishioners if you wish to see the school, please make an appointment with the school office.

The full report can be read on the school website. https://www.st-johnfisher.essex.sch.uk/

MASS INTENTIONS – EASTERTIDE – APRIL 2023

Sat 22^nd	10.00am	Vera & Joseph Duffy RIP (M Duffy)
		*Confessions 11am – 12Noon or on demandVigil Mass for Sunday. Confessions at 5.30pm***
Sat 22^nd	6.00pm	Patricia Carroll RIP (Michael & Gemma)
Sun 23^rd	9.00am	John & Sue Campbell’s Int’s (Ian & Rosemary Johnson)
Sun 23^rd	11:00am	Bernie Euesden RIP (Liz Newman)
Mon 24^th	10.00am	Ron Bryant RIP (Brenda Bryant)
Tues 25^th	10.00am	Kenneth George Tudhope RIP (Margaret Duffy
Wed 26^th	10.00am	Charles & Yvonne Westcott RIP (Frank Westcott)
Thur 27^th	10.00am	Brian Davis’ Int’s (Steve & Veronica Short)
Fri 28^th	10.00am	Eileen Galvin RIP (Meg Fowler)
Sat 29^th	10.00am	Tony Ironside RIP (Margaret Duffy)
		*Confessions 11am – 12Noon or on demandVigil Mass for Sunday. Confessions at 5.30pm***
Sat 29^th	6.00pm	Veronica Godsave RIP (Geraldine & Robert Taylor)
Sun 30^th	9.00am	People of the Parish
Sun 30^th	11:00am	Robert Taylor RIP (B’day Anni) Eileen Lee

Please kindly put your Mass requests in early for anniversaries etc., this is to avoid any disappointment if a particular date has already been booked,

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

The Brentwood Diocesan Trust Registered Charity No. 234092

3rd Sunday of Easter

First Reading : Acts 2:14,22-33

On the day of Pentecost Peter stood up with the Eleven and addressed the crowd in a loud voice: ‘Men of Israel, listen to what I am going to say: Jesus the Nazarene was a man commended to you by God by the miracles and portents and signs that God worked through him when he was among you, as you all know. This man, who was put into your power by the deliberate intention and foreknowledge of God, you took and had crucified by men outside the Law. You killed him, but God raised him to life, freeing him from the pangs of Hades; for it was impossible for him to be held in its power since, as David says of him:

I saw the Lord before me always,

for with him at my right hand nothing can shake me.

So my heart was glad

and my tongue cried out with joy;

my body, too, will rest in the hope

that you will not abandon my soul to Hades

nor allow your holy one to experience corruption.

You have made known the way of life to me,

you will fill me with gladness through your presence.

‘Brothers, no one can deny that the patriarch David himself is dead and buried: his tomb is still with us. But since he was a prophet, and knew that God had sworn him an oath to make one of his descendants succeed him on the throne, what he foresaw and spoke about was the resurrection of the Christ: he is the one who was not abandoned to Hades, and whose body did not experience corruption. God raised this man Jesus to life, and all of us are witnesses to that. Now raised to the heights by God’s right hand, he has received from the Father the Holy Spirit, who was promised, and what you see and hear is the outpouring of that Spirit.’

Responsive Psalm : Psalm 15(16):1-2,5,7-11

Show us, Lord, the path of life.

Preserve me, God, I take refuge in you.

I say to the Lord: ‘You are my God.

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

it is you yourself who are my prize.’

Show us, Lord, the path of life.

I will bless the Lord who gives me counsel,

who even at night directs my heart.

I keep the Lord ever in my sight:

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

Show us, Lord, the path of life.

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.

Show us, Lord, the path of life.

You will show me the path of life,

the fullness of joy in your presence,

at your right hand happiness for ever.

Show us, Lord, the path of life.

Second Reading : 1 Peter 1:17-21

If you are acknowledging as your Father one who has no favourites and judges everyone according to what he has done, you must be scrupulously careful as long as you are living away from your home. Remember, the ransom that was paid to free you from the useless way of life your ancestors handed down was not paid in anything corruptible, neither in silver nor gold, but in the precious blood of a lamb without spot or stain, namely Christ; who, though known since before the world was made, has been revealed only in our time, the end of the ages, for your sake. Through him you now have faith in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory for that very reason – so that you would have faith and hope in God.

Gospel :

Luke 24:13-35

Two of the disciples of Jesus were on their way to a village called Emmaus, seven miles from Jerusalem, and they were talking together about all that had happened. Now as they talked this over, Jesus himself came up and walked by their side; but something prevented them from recognising him. He said to them, ‘What matters are you discussing as you walk along?’ They stopped short, their faces downcast.

Then one of them, called Cleopas, answered him, ‘You must be the only person staying in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have been happening there these last few days.’ ‘What things?’ he asked. ‘All about Jesus of Nazareth’ they answered ‘who proved he was a great prophet by the things he said and did in the sight of God and of the whole people; and how our chief priests and our leaders handed him over to be sentenced to death, and had him crucified. Our own hope had been that he would be the one to set Israel free. And this is not all: two whole days have gone by since it all happened; and some women from our group have astounded us: they went to the tomb in the early morning, and when they did not find the body, they came back to tell us they had seen a vision of angels who declared he was alive. Some of our friends went to the tomb and found everything exactly as the women had reported, but of him they saw nothing.’

Then he said to them, ‘You foolish men! So slow to believe the full message of the prophets! Was it not ordained that the Christ should suffer and so enter into his glory?’ Then, starting with Moses and going through all the prophets, he explained to them the passages throughout the scriptures that were about himself.

When they drew near to the village to which they were going, he made as if to go on; but they pressed him to stay with them. ‘It is nearly evening’ they said ‘and the day is almost over.’ So he went in to stay with them. Now while he was with them at table, he took the bread and said the blessing; then he broke it and handed it to them. And their eyes were opened and they recognised him; but he had vanished from their sight. Then they said to each other, ‘Did not our hearts burn within us as he talked to us on the road and explained the scriptures to us?’

They set out that instant and returned to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven assembled together with their companions, who said to them, ‘Yes, it is true. The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.’ Then they told their story of what had happened on the road and how they had recognised him at the breaking of bread.

Second Sunday of Easter. Year A, 2023

Edmund of Canterbury & St. Thomas More

We all know Thomas by the nickname ‘Doubting Thomas’, so that he has become a byword for doubt and unbelief. But is this fair? What if we learnt that, in fact, Thomas should really be the patron saint of faith and we should call him ‘Believing Thomas’? Why? Because faith is never a denial of reason; reason and faith work in unity to lead us to faith. Thomas wanted evidence in order to believe – this wasn’t unreasonable. While on the surface the Lord’s words to him may seem something of a rebuke, he nevertheless provides Thomas with the opportunity to gain the very evidence he desired, indicating that the request wasn’t unreasonable in and of itself. We too seek evidence. Faith in this sense isn’t blind: it has to be pegged, if you like, on the sure foundation of fact. Jesus Appears to Eleven of the Disciples

On being confronted by the evidence Thomas gave what is surely one of the Bible’s most heartfelt expressions of faith: ‘My Lord and my God!’ Thomas was blessed because he was able to see for himself the wounds in the body of the risen Lord. We, however, walk by faith and don’t have this privilege. The truth is we perceive God in a mirror, dimly and only in part. Even though our minds are enlightened by him in whom we believe, our faith is often lived in darkness and is often put to the test. The world we live in frequently seems far away from the one promised us by faith. The cry ‘Where is God?’ is heartfelt and sincere. Our experience of evil and suffering, injustice and death can seem to contradict the Good News and shake our faith.

However, we learn from Jesus’ encounter with Thomas. The Lord says to us as he said to Thomas ‘do not be faithless but believing’. Many Christians experience doubt, but it is often in wrestling honestly with those doubts that we come to a deeper faith. God knows that our faith is weak and needs to be fanned into flame. We are truly blessed because although we have not seen Christ, we see him in the witness of the Church and the saints, and in the lives of our brothers and sisters.

Dear Friends in Christ: 2^nd Sunday of Easter 2023

I would like to express my sincere and grateful thanks to the whole parish community for such beautiful ceremonies throughout our Holy Week. The Serving, the Lectors, the Choir and music were phenomenal. We are so fortunate. It was a real blessing having Fr Aaron with us for the whole of Holy Week. He sent his thanks to the whole community for your kindness and welcome. A big thank you for those who sponsored and a helped to donate Lilies for decorate the Church, as you can see they look beautiful.

On a personal note thank you kindly for your personal card greetings and gifts, I’m truly grateful for your thoughtfulness. Also your Easter Offertory.

This week we’ve had six seminarians here from the Pontifcal North American College. They have had a wonderful week! Some have already returned to Rome and the last two return on Sunday. Thank you for the the many desserts that were dropped off; I can assure you that they really enjoyed all those goodies!

Wishing you All a Very Blessed & Happy Week,

The details of the bank account are:

Sort Code: 40-13-22

Account Number: 11019651 Quote: ‘Easter Offering’ & Gift Aid No. Account Name: Catholic Church Loughton St Edmund

YOUR GIFT AID BOXES OF ENVELOPES

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION CLASSES: The next session for our children will take place on Sunday 23^rd April at 10.00am in the Parish Retreat. The children are due to make their Frist Holy Communion on the weekend of the 13^th / 14^th May, please keep them in your thoughts and prayers. This is a really special time in their young lives.

RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS: Journey of Faith. Is there anyone who may be interested in the RCIA Programme, possibly with the view of being received into full-communion with the Roman Catholic Faith? Every year we run this programme leading to reception into the Church at the Easter Vigil. It is a systematic programme of every aspect of Catholicism, including Scripture, Sacramental Life, and The Dogma’s of our Faith, Catholic Practice & traditions, Christology & Mariology, Study of the Church. Please see Fr John who will explain the whole process to you.

CHURCH PARKING: Could we please encourage all our able-bodied parishioners to consider using the public car park when coming to Mass, particularly on Sunday. Although you need to get a ticket to place on your dashboard, parking on a Sunday is free for two hours. A few occasions have arisen recently when disabled parishioners and those who have difficulty walking have been unable to park in the Church car park and they have either struggled to walk from the public car park, or have simply had to go home. We are sure you will agree that we need to ensure that our less-able parishioners will always have room to park close to the Church. We should also make allowance for space in the Church car park for drivers who are bringing disabled parishioners to Mass and also of course making sure that there is always access for emergency vehicles. Your consideration will be much appreciated. Thank you.

For further details please visit www.ourladyoffatimatrust.essex.sch.uk or alternatively call Mrs Irene Nelson, H.R. Manager on 01279 425383.

IMPORTANT NOTE FOR OUR CONTEMPORARY MUSIC GROUP

PLEASE PRAY FOR THOSE SICK IN OUR PARISH

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

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

ARE YOU INTERESTED IN A VOCATION TO THE PRIESTHOOD? At present we only have five seminarians training for the Priesthood in the Diocese of Brentwood. The period of formation for each is several years. If you know of anyone who may be interested in learning more about the priesthood, or who feels they may have a vocation to the Priesthood please contact Fr Mark Swires vocprom@dioceseofbrentwood.org

LEADERSHIP VACANCIES IN DIOCESAN SCHOOLS: Details of all positions can be found at the following link https://www.dioceseofbrentwood.net/departments/education /vacancies/school-vacancies/

Divine Mercy Sunday (2nd Sunday of Easter)

First Reading : Acts 2:42-47

The whole community remained faithful to the teaching of the apostles, to the brotherhood, to the breaking of bread and to the prayers.

The many miracles and signs worked through the apostles made a deep impression on everyone.

The faithful all lived together and owned everything in common; they sold their goods and possessions and shared out the proceeds among themselves according to what each one needed.

They went as a body to the Temple every day but met in their houses for the breaking of bread; they shared their food gladly and generously; they praised God and were looked up to by everyone. Day by day the Lord added to their community those destined to be saved.

Responsive Psalm : Psalm 117(118):2-4,13-15,22-24

Give thanks to the Lord for he is good, for his love has no end.

Let the sons of Israel say:

‘His love has no end.’

Let the sons of Aaron say:

‘His love has no end.’

Let those who fear the Lord say:

‘His love has no end.’

Give thanks to the Lord for he is good, for his love has no end.

I was thrust down, thrust down and falling,

but the Lord was my helper.

The Lord is my strength and my song;

he was my saviour.

There are shouts of joy and victory

in the tents of the just.

Give thanks to the Lord for he is good, for his love has no end.

The stone which the builders rejected

has become the corner stone.

This is the work of the Lord,

a marvel in our eyes.

This day was made by the Lord;

we rejoice and are glad.

Give thanks to the Lord for he is good, for his love has no end.

Second Reading : 1 Peter 1:3-9

Blessed be God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who in his great mercy has given us a new birth as his sons, by raising Jesus Christ from the dead, so that we have a sure hope and the promise of an inheritance that can never be spoilt or soiled and never fade away, because it is being kept for you in the heavens. Through your faith, God’s power will guard you until the salvation which has been prepared is revealed at the end of time. This is a cause of great joy for you, even though you may for a short time have to bear being plagued by all sorts of trials; so that, when Jesus Christ is revealed, your faith will have been tested and proved like gold – only it is more precious than gold, which is corruptible even though it bears testing by fire – and then you will have praise and glory and honour. You did not see him, yet you love him; and still without seeing him, you are already filled with a joy so glorious that it cannot be described, because you believe; and you are sure of the end to which your faith looks forward, that is, the salvation of your souls.

Gospel : John 20:19-31

In the evening of that same day, the first day of the week, the doors were closed in the room where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews. Jesus came and stood among them. He said to them, ‘Peace be with you’, and showed them his hands and his side. The disciples were filled with joy when they saw the Lord, and he said to them again, ‘Peace be with you.

‘As the Father sent me,

so am I sending you.’

After saying this he breathed on them and said:

‘Receive the Holy Spirit.

For those whose sins you forgive,

they are forgiven;

for those whose sins you retain,

they are retained.’

Thomas, called the Twin, who was one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. When the disciples said, ‘We have seen the Lord’, he answered, ‘Unless I see the holes that the nails made in his hands and can put my finger into the holes they made, and unless I can put my hand into his side, I refuse to believe.’ Eight days later the disciples were in the house again and Thomas was with them. The doors were closed, but Jesus came in and stood among them. ‘Peace be with you’ he said. Then he spoke to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here; look, here are my hands. Give me your hand; put it into my side. Doubt no longer but believe.’ Thomas replied, ‘My Lord and my God!’ Jesus said to him:

‘You believe because you can see me.

Happy are those who have not seen and yet believe.’

There were many other signs that Jesus worked and the disciples saw, but they are not recorded in this book. These are recorded so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing this you may have life through his name.

MASS INTENTIONS – EASTERTIDE – APRIL 2023

Sat 15^th	10.00am	Robert & Linda Smith’s Intentions
		*Confessions 11am – 12Noon or on demandVigil Mass for Sunday. Confessions at 5.30pm***
Sat 15^th	6.00pm	Carmen Antaki RIP (Geraldine & Robert)
Sun 16^th	9.00am	Philomena Joseph RIP (Mariet Marianyagan)
Sun 16^th	11:00am	Marcela Sanchez RIP (Cecile Kelly)
Mon 17^th	10.00am	Jim Sullivan RIP (Celina Sullivan)
Tues 18^th	10.00am	Joseph Olivelle RIP (Birthday Anni) (Joe Olivelle)
Wed 19^th	10.00am	Maria Feijo RIP (Anni) (Adelaide & Family)
Thur 20^th	10.00am12.15pm	Joseph Brown RIP (Betty Brown)REQUIEM MASS Olga Ruocco RIP
Fri 21^st	10.00am	Charles & Yvonne Westcott RIP (Frank Westcott)
Sat 22^nd	10.00am	Vera & Joseph Duffy RIP (M Duffy)
		*Confessions 11am – 12Noon or on demandVigil Mass for Sunday. Confessions at 5.30pm***
Sat 22^nd	6.00pm	Patricia Carroll RIP (Michael & Gemma)
Sun 23^rd	9.00am	John & Sue Campbell’s Int’s (Ian & Rosemary Johnson)
Sun 23^rd	11:00am	Bernie Euesden RIP (Liz Newman)

Please kindly put your Mass requests in early for anniversaries etc., this is to avoid any disappointment if a particular date has already been booked,

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

The Brentwood Diocesan Trust Registered Charity No. 234092

Easter Sunday 2023, The Resurrection of the Lord

Edmund of Canterbury & St. Thomas More

https://tse3.mm.bing.net/th?id=OIP.ngfzohTAvZe1BBR1M7AXTQHaHU&pid=Api&P=0

Jesus Christ is Risen, Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

As we gather together to celebrate the greatest event in history, the triumph over sin & death by Jesus Christ Our Lord; we thank God for the gift of his Son, who, through his Life, Passion, Death & Resurrection has won for us Eternal Life. A New Life began on that first Easter morning. Everything that Jesus did with the Apostles would now come to fruition with the beginning of the Church. You and I are part of that ongoing story of Salvation History.

Today, we gather to worship the Risen Lord, and thank God for the gift of his Son and His saving action. We have much to be grateful for, and even in the darkest moments of our lives, and many have experienced these over the past twelve months, we can express our gratitude to Almighty God. Hope is at the heart of the Easter story, and combined with faith and love, our lives are filled with the Joy of the Resurrection. Our lives have meaning and purpose and our goal is ultimately Heaven. ‘The Lord is Risen indeed, Alleluia!’

Dear Friends in Christ: Easter Sunday 2023

I would like to thank everyone who has helped to make our Holy Week ceremonies so wonderful. It is truly wonderful to see so many people have returned to the regular practice of the faith. For those who haven’t, I make this impassioned plea to all Catholics to return to the full-practice of faith. My sincere thanks go to our Steward Volunteers, serving the parish every week, To all those who work behind the scenes, sacristans, altar society, MC’s & servers, Choir director and choirs, Readers & Eucharistic Ministers. Special thanks to all the ladies who arranged the flowers for Easter; and for all who donated lilies in remembrance of deceased loved ones. To be part of a worshipping community is one of the greatest blessings as Catholic Christians; and being able to express our faith on this Easter Day is the greatest Joy of all! Thank you one and all!

Wishing you and all your Loved Ones a Very Happy & Holy Easter.

May the Peace & Joy of the Risen Lord be with you All.

Love & God Bless,

The details of the bank account are:

Sort Code: 40-13-22

Account Number: 11019651 Quote: ‘Easter Offering’ & Gift Aid No.

Account Name: Catholic Church Loughton St Edmund

There are also spare envelopes available at the back of the Church

NORTH AMERICAN COLLEGE STUDENTS: On behalf of the parish I would like to thank Fr Aaron Kelly for being with us throughout this Holy Week & Easter, it has been a great joy to have him here. He leaves on Easter Sunday afternoon.

Six seminarians will be arriving from the NAC this week. May I make an appeal to your generosity? Could I ask for some desserts please? My experience through the years is that they all like desserts, especially home-made apple pies, Trifles, etc. Also as you can appreciate they like a drink as well. If anyone has any spare bottles of Whiskey, Gin, Port or Wine, these will certainly not be wasted. I sincerely hope you don’t mind me asking. Thanking you in anticipation.

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION CLASSES: The next session for our children will take place on Sunday 23^rd April at 10.00am in the Parish Retreat. Our grateful thanks to the children & their Catechists who prepared them for lead our Parish Mass last Sunday. It would be truly wonderful to have some of our young children and teenagers reading at our 11.00am Mass. If there are any young people interested please see Fr. John r Kathryn Poulter. This week the children will focus on the Last Supper.

RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS: Journey of Faith. Is there anyone who may be interested in the RCIA Programme, possibly with the view of being received into full-communion with the Roman Catholic Faith? Every year we run this programme leading to reception into the Church at the Easter Vigil. It is a systematic programme of every aspect of Catholicism, including Scripture, Sacramental Life, and The Dogma’s of our Faith, Catholic Practice & traditions, Christology & Mariology, Study of the Church. Please see Fr John who will explain the whole process to you.

MASS INTENTIONS – EASTER WEEK – APRIL 2023

Sat 8^th	9.00am10.00am	Tenebrae (Office Of readings & Morning Prayer)Confessions until 11.00am
Holy Saturday		*Confessions 11am – 12Noon or on demandVigil Mass for Sunday. Confessions at 5.30pm***
Sat 8^th Easter Vigil	8.00pm	John & Mary Harvey RIP (Fr John)
Sun 9^th Easter Sunday	9.00am	For the Int’s of Rosemary Johnson (Ian Johnson)
Sun 9^th Easter Sunday	11:00am	Peter Smith RIP (Paul Falco
Mon 10^th	10.00am	Margaret Baldwin’s Int’s
Tues 12^th	10.00am	Int’s of Brenda Bryant (sick)
Wed 13^th	10.00am	Tom & Bridie Austin RIP
Thur 14^th	10.00am	Gill Buckle RIP (Niece) Betty Brown
Fri 15^th	10.00am	Sheila Tremble RIP (Tremble Family)
Sat 16^th	10.00am	Robert & Linda Smith’s Intentions
		*Confessions 11am – 12Noon or on demandVigil Mass for Sunday. Confessions at 5.30pm***
Sat 16^th	6.00pm	Carmen Antaki RIP (Geraldine & Robert)
Sun 17^th	9.00am	Philomena Joseph RIP (Mariet Marianyagan)
Sun 17^th	11:00am	Marcela Sanchez RIP (Cecile Kelly)

Please kindly put your Mass requests in early for anniversaries etc., this is to avoid any disappointment if a particular date has already been booked,

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

The Brentwood Diocesan Trust Registered Charity No. 234092

Easter Sunday 2023

First Reading : Acts 10:34,37-43

Peter addressed Cornelius and his household: ‘You must have heard about the recent happenings in Judaea; about Jesus of Nazareth and how he began in Galilee, after John had been preaching baptism. God had anointed him with the Holy Spirit and with power, and because God was with him, Jesus went about doing good and curing all who had fallen into the power of the devil. Now I, and those with me, can witness to everything he did throughout the countryside of Judaea and in Jerusalem itself: and also to the fact that they killed him by hanging him on a tree, yet three days afterwards God raised him to life and allowed him to be seen, not by the whole people but only by certain witnesses God had chosen beforehand. Now we are those witnesses – we have eaten and drunk with him after his resurrection from the dead – and he has ordered us to proclaim this to his people and to tell them that God has appointed him to judge everyone, alive or dead. It is to him that all the prophets bear this witness: that all who believe in Jesus will have their sins forgiven through his name.’

Responsorial Psalm : Psalm 117(118):1-2,16-17,22-23

This day was made by the Lord: we rejoice and are glad.

Give thanks to the Lord for he is good,

for his love has no end.

Let the sons of Israel say:

‘His love has no end.’

This day was made by the Lord: we rejoice and are glad.

The Lord’s right hand has triumphed;

his right hand raised me up.

I shall not die, I shall live

and recount his deeds.

This day was made by the Lord: we rejoice and are glad.

The stone which the builders rejected

has become the corner stone.

This is the work of the Lord,

a marvel in our eyes.

This day was made by the Lord: we rejoice and are glad.

Second Reading : Colossians 3:1-4

Since you have been brought back to true life with Christ, you must look for the things that are in heaven, where Christ is, sitting at God’s right hand. Let your thoughts be on heavenly things, not on the things that are on the earth, because you have died, and now the life you have is hidden with Christ in God. But when Christ is revealed – and he is your life – you too will be revealed in all your glory with him.

Gospel : John 20:1-9

It was very early on the first day of the week and still dark, when Mary of Magdala came to the tomb. She saw that the stone had been moved away from the tomb and came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved. ‘They have taken the Lord out of the tomb’ she said ‘and we don’t know where they have put him.’

So Peter set out with the other disciple to go to the tomb. They ran together, but the other disciple, running faster than Peter, reached the tomb first; he bent down and saw the linen cloths lying on the ground, but did not go in. Simon Peter who was following now came up, went right into the tomb, saw the linen cloths on the ground, and also the cloth that had been over his head; this was not with the linen cloths but rolled up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple who had reached the tomb first also went in; he saw and he believed. Till this moment they had failed to understand the teaching of scripture, that he must rise from the dead.

Palm Sunday of the Passion, Year A, 2023

St. Edmund of Canterbury & St. Thomas More

Dear Friends in Christ THIS IS HOLY WEEK Palm Sunday 2023

We are about to embark upon our Holy Week 2022. Thank God we are able to gather with some semblance of normality once again for our Holy Week Services, journeying with Our Blessed Lord and accompanying Him in faith and love, through his Pasion & Death, and, to share in the triumph of resurrection Faith on East Easter Day.

Our Palm Sunday celebration reminds us of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, the Holy City, to cries of ‘Hosanna to the Son of David’. This, of course, is overshadowed by the religious authorities and crowds, who in a few days’ time will be baying for his blood with the words, ‘Crucify him, crucify him!’ This Palm Sunday sets the scene for the rest of our Holy Week.

THE SACRED TRIDUUM: The three Holy Days – are seen as one continuous celebration of faith. On Holy Thursday we celebrate the Mass of the Lord’s Supper where the institution of the Holy Eucharist took place; the eternal gift the Lord gave to the Apostles on the night before he died. He journey’s to Gethsemane where he prays to the Father. The arrest takes place in the garden; and the Apostles flee in fear.

Good Friday: this sacred and solemn day calls to mind, the cruel treatment of Jesus, the scourging at the pillar, the crowning with thorns, his condemnation through false evidence brought against him. Pilate washes his hands of Jesus, and he begins the journey up the Hill of Calvary to his brutal Crucifixion & Death.

Holy Saturday: Commences with the silence of the Tomb. And yet God raises Jesus out of death. We celebrate the first Mass of Easter at our Vigil celebration. Jesus triumphs over sin and death and invites us to share in the New Life of Resurrection faith.

My Dear Friends in Christ, Palm Sunday 2022

As we enter into the Greatest Week of the Church’s liturgical year, we accompany the Lord Jesus in the days ahead, journeying with him to Jerusalem, the Holy City, to the beauty of the Last Supper & the Lord’s great witness of Service through the Washing of Feet, to the giving of the first Eucharist. His betrayal by Judas, and his arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane. The denial by Peter; the orchestrated and mock trial. His eventual condemnation to death by Pilate; and the horrendous nature of death by Crucifixion. But of course for the Christian this is not the end of the story. Easter Resurrection is our joy and hope. A New Life will begin – the Church was born – and here we are over two thousand years later still celebrating this great event of faith. PLEASE MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO BE A PART OF OUR HOLY WEEK CELEBRATIONS.

PARISH LENTEN PENITENTIAL SERVICE: Traditionally, part of our spiritual preparation for Easter would be to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation. This year on Tuesday 4^th April we will have our Penance Service at 7.30pm. There will be visiting priests to help celebrate the Sacrament of Confession; also a Polish priest to accommodate our Polish parishioners. Please can I appeal to all of our parishioners to make a very special effort this year and join us for the Penance Service and receive God’s merciful and loving forgiveness! There is no greater feeling than to be free from the burdens of sin. If you haven’t celebrated the Sacrament for a long time, please make a very special effort this year. What more fitting gift to the Lord for Easter!

NORTH AMERICAN COLLEGE STUDENTS: This Weekend we welcome 4 priest for the Pontifical North American College, they are all completing Degree and Doctoral Studies at the Post Graduate House. Fr Aaron Kelly will be with us throughout Holy Week; please extend them your usual welcome. The Seminarians will celebrate Holy Week ‘In house’ this year, but 6 of them will be arriving on Easter Monday. May I make an appeal to your generosity? Could I ask for some desserts please? My experience through the years is that they all like desserts, especially home-made apple pies, Trifles, etc. Also as you can appreciate they like a drink as well. If anyone has any spare bottles of Whiskey, Gin, Port or Wine, these will certainly not be wasted. I sincerely hope you don’t mind me asking. Thanking you in anticipation

Wishing you A Blessed Holy Week,

YOUR PERSONAL EASTER OFFERTORY TO FR JOHN:

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

Sort Code: 40-13-22

Account Number: 11019651 ‘EASTER OFFERING’ + Gift Aid Number

Account Name: Catholic Church Loughton St Edmund

EASTER LILIES: It has always been a tradition at Easter to decorate the Church with lilies. If you would like to support us this year in sponsoring lilies in remembrance of your deceased loved ones, please complete the insert in your parish newsletter and return it to the Presbytery with your donation no later than Thursday 6^th April. Your contribution will help to defray the costs of the lilies, and is a beautiful tribute to your deceased loved ones. A list of all the names will be posted in the porch of the Church. Thank you!

BIG CHURCH CLEAN FOR HOLY WEEK & EASTER: There will be a Big Church Clean for Easter on Thursday 6^th April from 10.00am onwards. If you can come for an half an hour or so to assist with the cleaning of the Church, all volunteers will be most welcome. Please! Please! Please! We need your help. Thank you!

ALTAR SERVERS: Could I make a special appeal to all of our Altar Servers to come and help us with all the Holy Week ceremonies, especially the Sacred Triduum Service of the Mass of the Lord’s Supper, The Good Friday Passion of Our Lord, and the Easter Vigil Sacred Liturgy. There will be plenty to do at all these ceremonies. This is truly a wonderful experience for Altar Servers to participate in the Greatest Week of the Church’s Liturgical Year. Please ensure that your Alb is washed and ironed for Holy Week

STATIONS OF THE CROSS: The traditional devotion during the Lenten Season. I would encourage all our parishioners to attend the Stations of the Cross on Palm Sunday afternoon at 5.00pm with Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. This beautiful devotion follows the last journey of Jesus on Good Friday to Calvary. There will be Special Stations of the Cross for Children on Good Friday at 11.00am

RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS: I commend to your prayers Elina & Ksenija Kalinan who will be baptised and received into dull communion in the Roman Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil at 8.00pm Easter Saturday 8^th April. Please come and support Elina & Ksenija on this very special occasion, celebrating the First Mass of Resurrection. If you want to know more about the RCIA (Joureny of Faith) Programme, please contact Fr John on Tel No: 020 8508 3492

PLEASE COLLECT YOUR GIFT AID BOXES OF ENVELOPES

PLEASE PRAY FOR THOSE SICK IN OUR PARISH

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

REQUIESCAT IN PACE: In your mercy please pray for the repose of the soul of Bernadette Mary Euesden RIP, late of this parish, who died recently. Her Requiem Mass will take place on Monday 3^rd April at 12.15pm and Cremation at Forest Park Crematorium at 2.00pm. We extend our condolences to her husband and her family at this time of great loss.

HOLY WEEK VISITIATION TO THE SICK & HOUSEBOUND: Fr John will be making pastoral visit s and bringing Holy Communion to the Sick & Housebound during this Holy Week.

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 REPOSITORY: There is a lot of new stock in the repository. Mass Cards for all occasions. Children’s books. Rosaries, medals, holy picture cards, candles, baptismal gifts, and many more items. NEW: There are a variety of New Easter Cards. There are also a number of CTS little books in a special stand on all sorts of different issues, the saints etc. There are Statues, rosaries, medals, bracelets. Teresa Wallace is happy to order anything your request; it usually takes about a week to arrive.

MASS INTENTIONS – HOLY WEEK – APRIL 2023

Sat 1^stAPRIL	10.00am	Maureen & John Bloomfield RIP (Brenda Bryant)
		*Confessions 11am – 12Noon or on demandVigil Mass for Sunday. Confessions at 5.30pm***
Sat 1^st	6.00pm	Kathy & John Forwood Int’s (G Taylor)
Sun 2^nd	9.00am	Sheila Tremble RIP (Tremble Family)
Sun 2^nd	11:00am5.00pm	People of the ParishStations of Cross & Exposition of Bl Sac
Mon 3^rd	10.00am 12.15pm	Safe delivery of 1^st Gt Grandchild (Maureen WrightREQUIEM MASS Bernadette Euesden RIP
Tues 4^th	10.00am7.30pm	Mary Harvey RIP (Anni) Fr. JohnParish Penitential Service (Visiting Clergy)
Wed 5^th	9.00am11.00am	Modesta Borges RIP (Adelaide & Family)CHRISM MASS (Brentwood Cathedral) THE SACRED TRIDUUM
Thur 6^th	9.00am8.00pm	Tenebrae (Office of Readings & Morning Prayer)MASS OF THE LORD’S SUPPPERJohn Barton RIP
Fri 7^th	9.00am11.00am3.00pm7.00pm	Tenebrae (Office of Readings & Morning Prayer) Children’s Stations of the CrossTHE PASSION OF OUR LORDStations of the Cross
Sat 8^th	9.00am10.00am	Tenebrae (Office of Readings & Morning Prayer)Confessions until 11am (Fr Aaron Kelly)
		*Confessions 11am – 12Noon or on demandVigil Mass for Sunday. Confessions at 5.30pm***
Sat 8^th	8.00pm	EASTER VIGIL Resurrection of the LordJohn & Mary Harvey RIP (Fr. John)
Sun 9^th	9.00am	Int’s of Rosemary Johnson (Iain Johnson)
Sun 9^th	11:00am	Peter Smith RIP (Paul Falco)

Resurrexit sicut Dixit

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!