Uncategorized – St Edmund of Canterbury, Loughton

The Baptism of the Lord

Weekday Masses : Monday 9:00am, Tuesday Holy Day 12:15pm & 7:30pm,

Wednesday 9:00am, Thursday 9:30am, Friday 9:30am

Confessions are available on Saturday 5:00-5:45pm.

Sunday 11th January

10:00am First Holy Communion Class

3:00pm Divine Mercy Devotions Join us in this beautiful prayer for 20 minutes. Confessions are available after.

Thank You!

Thank you to everyone who made our Christmas service’s beautiful and prayerful, and the church looked really spectacular. Thank you, also, for the many expressions of kindness, cards and gifts that you gave to the clergy this Christmas. They are much appreciated.

With good wishes for the New Year.

God bless, Fr. Adrian

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

The annual week of prayer for Christian Unity begins on Sunday 18 January. Please pray especially during this time that all Christian denominations will be one. On Sunday 18th January, there will be Evening Prayer here at St. Edmund of Canterbury and St. Thomas More. Please come and share some time in prayer with our Christian sisters and brothers from around the town.

Note For Our Contemporary Music Group

We will be singing and playing at the 11am Mass on Sunday, 4th January, which is the 2nd Sunday after the Nativity. As it’s still in the Christmas season, some carols will be sung, so kindly make it your first New Year resolution to be there! Thank you and God bless you and your families at this holy time.

Responding to Homelessness

“You are invited to join Caritas Brentwood at our upcoming ‘Responding to Homelessness’ event on Saturday, January 24th, 2026 (10am-12:30pm). The event will be hosted by St Francis of Assisi Catholic Parish in Stratford. It will offer practical support, shared insights and meaningful discussions with local organisations, including Your Place Anchor House, Rainham Foodbank and the Basildon Night Shelter, who are all working on the frontline of homelessness. For more information and to register for free, go to: www.caritasbrentwood.org/events

Christmas Offerings

Your offering at Christmas Masses is your gift to the Parish Priest, Fr Adrian, and forms a major part of his annual salary for the year. Please use your Christmas Offering envelopes or if paying online the banking details are: HSBC Account Name: Catholic Church Loughton

Lourdes With Our Diocese Join Bishop Alan and pilgrims from across our diocese in Lourdes next summer: Friday 17th – Friday 24th July 2026. Booking details will be available in the new year.

Announcement His Holiness Pope Leo XIV has appointed the Right Reverend Richard Moth, Bishop of Arundel and Brighton, as Archbishop of Westminster.

We keep Archbishop-elect Moth in our prayers as he prepares to take up his new appointment.

Account Number: 11019651 Sort Code # 40-13-22

Please be sure to type in the Reference: ‘Christmas Offering’ along with your gift aid number if you have one.

Any additional donations given at Christmas (or Easter Saturday and Sunday) will be used to support the priests of the diocese. Every penny specifically donated at these times, (together with any Gift Aid on qualifying donations) will be used to support your local priest/s.

Please note, that personal gifts to Priests cannot be gift aided.

St John Bosco Children’s Camp – an amazing volunteer opportunity for this Summer.

If you are in school year 12 or student age (or any age over 17!) you are very welcome to apply at www.boscocamp.co.uk. The application process includes references and a DBS check, which we can help with, as well as a training and support before and during Camp. The Camp provides over 100 children a week with a summer holiday – for many their only holiday. As a volunteer you use your skills in assisting with different sporting and fun activities, as well as the practical aspects of camp life. Volunteer for 25th July – 1st August or 1st – 8th August. The Camp is a special work of Caritas Diocese of Brentwood, and also seeks financial donations – all information on the website.

Baptisms

If you are parents of new infants and you wish to have your child baptised, please can you kindly contact your parish priest Fr Adrian Lowe 0208 5083492 as soon as possible regarding the Baptism of your child at St Edmund’s. For first time parents there is a Baptismal Programme run by Mrs Sharon Chalk. Baptisms take place on Saturdays at 12.30pm

Please Pray for those who are Sick Evelyn Bearne, Karl Britz, Brenda Bryant, Bernadette Hall, Ann Hawkes, Claire Howes, Angela Long, Lilian Mothersole, John McKernan, Remy, Geraldine Taylor, James Wright, Pamela Gibson, Geraldine Stains, Linda Moriarty, Victoria Leahy, Jean Collins, Barbara Searl, Lyn Povey, Mason Family, Ben Lewis, Kathleen Pampellonne, Adam Piotrowski, Bernard Hughes and all our loved ones who are unwell.

New Job Vacancies

Headteacher – St Peter’s Primary School, Romford
Deadline for applications: 12:00 (noon), Tuesday 6th January 2026

Headteacher – St Mary’s Primary School, Hornchurch
Deadline for applications: 17:00, Friday 9th January 2026

Headteacher – The Bishops’ Church of England and Catholic School, Chelmsford
Deadline for applications: 12:00 (noon), Friday 16th January 2026

Headteacher – Holy Family Primary School, Benfleet
Deadline for applications: 09:00, Wednesday 28th January 2026

Parish Administrator- Our Lady of Compassion- Upton Park

A vacancy has arisen for a Parish Administrator to work alongside our experienced Parish Administrator, to provide administrative support services to the Parish Office and a welcoming, appropriate service to those attending the parish office.

The post will be part-time working 10 hours per week –

(10-12pm Monday- Friday).

The salary is £13.85 per hour

The closing date for applications is 12pm on 31st January 2026 and we will then invite suitable applicants to interview.

If you have any queries or if you would like to apply, please send your CV by email to uptonpark@brcdt.org

In Cases of Emergency

If there is no answer from the parish phone and you are seeking a priest in an 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.

Emergency In the Church

Please follow instructions given by The Priest and/or Stewards.

For fires at the back of the church we will exit via the sacristy into the hall or side exit.

For fires at the front of the church we will exit by front doors.

For fires in the middle of the church use the safest exit.

Fire extinguishers are to be used by competent trained persons only

Mass Intentions are listed on the website, Back of the Church notice board, and in the outside display case

Christmas Mass Times

Christmas Eve

Wednesday 24th December 2025

9:30am Weekday Mass

5:00pm Family Mass with Children’s Nativity

7:00pm Vigil Mass of Christmas

9:30pm Carols before Mass

10:00pm Mass during the night

Christmas Day

Thursday 25th December 2025

9:00am & 11:00am Mass

St Stephen’s Day 26th December 2025

11:00am Mass (All Altar Servers Welcome)

New Year’s Day Thursday 1st January 2026

11:00am Mass

Fourth Sunday in Advent

Week Starting 23rd December: Monday 9:30am, Tuesday 9:00am, Wednesday 9:30am, Weekday Mass, 5:00pm, 7:00pm and 10:00pm, Thursday 9:00am & 11:00am, Friday 11:00am

Week Starting 29th December: Monday 9:30am, Tuesday 9:00am, Wednesday 9:30am, Thursday 11:00am, Friday 9:30am Confessions are available on Saturday 5:00-5:45pm.

Message from Fr Adrian Fr. Christopher and myself wish you and your families a very happy and holy Christmas. With my prayers that your Christmas will be full of the Light of Christ,

Fr. Adrian

Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confessions) on Monday 22nd December at 7:30pm

There will be several priests available for Confession at St. Edmunds from 7:30pm.

Please consider making use of this beautiful sacrament to prepare for Christmas.

Christmas Mass Times

Christmas Eve Wednesday 24th December 2025 9:30am Weekday Mass

5:00pm Family Mass with Children’s Nativity

7:00pm Vigil Mass of Christmas

9:30pm Carols before Mass

10:00pm Mass during the night

Christmas Day Thursday 25th December 2025 9:00am & 11:00am Mass

St Stephens Day 26th December 2025 11:00am Mass (All Altar Servers Welcome)

St. Stephens Day – the Mass at 11am is traditionally when we celebrate the ministry if Altar Server. All altar servers are warmly encouraged to attend this Mass and serve.

Christmas Offerings

Account Number: 11019651 Sort Code # 40-13-22

Please be sure to type in the Reference: ‘Christmas Offering’ along with your gift aid number if you have one.

Christmas Carols, Coffee Morning & Hamper Raffle

Sunday 21st December 2025 at 12:00 Noon 🎶 The choir will be performing Christmas carols in church right after the 11am Mass. Afterwards, join us for our festive Christmas carols, coffee and the hamper raffle. We’d love to see you there! Raffle tickets will be on sale at weekend mass and online. All proceeds go back into our parish. Thank you for your kind support.

Christmas Nativity Christmas Nativity rehearsals are this weekend 21st December after the 11:00am mass in preparation for the 5:00pm Christmas Eve mass. The rehearsals generally last no longer than 30 minutes. Should you have any queries please contact us on 07946 138307 Sam & Danielle.

Note For Our Contemporary Music Group

To all our singers and musicians, wishing you and your families a very happy and peaceful Christmas and with many thanks for your involvement over the past year.

We’ll next be singing and playing at the 11am Mass on Sunday, 4th January, which is the 2nd Sunday after the Nativity. As it’s still in the Christmas season, some carols will be sung, so kindly make it your first New Year resolution to be there! Thank you and God bless you and your families at this holy time.

SVP The SVP thank you very much for the contributions to the second collection last Sunday. We raised over £500. Your generosity is unsurpassed. Thank you.

“Christmas Church Clean” There will be a Christmas church clean on

Tuesday 23rd December 2025 following the 9:00am Morning Mass. Please come and help if you are able and join us for mince pies and coffee after the cleaning. Thank you.

Job vacancies

Headteacher – St Peter’s Primary School, Romford
Deadline for applications: 12:00 (noon), Tuesday 6th January 2026

Headteacher – St Mary’s Primary School, Hornchurch
Deadline for applications: 17:00, Friday 9th January 2026

Headteacher – The Bishops’ Church of England and Catholic School, Chelmsford
Deadline for applications: 12:00 (noon), Friday 16th January 2026

Headteacher – Holy Family Primary School, Benfleet
Deadline for applications: 09:00, Wednesday 28th January 2026

Third Sunday of Advent

Monday No Morning Mass, Tuesday 8:45am, Wednesday 9:30am, Thursday 9:30am, Friday 9:30am , Sunday 14th December at 10:00am First Holy Communion Class

Sunday 14th at 3pm Divine Mercy Devotions Join us in this beautiful prayer for 20 minutes.

Confessions are available on Saturday 5:00-5:45pm

2nd Collection There will be a second collection following all the masses this weekend for the St Vincent de Paul Society.

Christmas Mass Times

Christmas Eve Wednesday 24th December 2025

5:00pm Family Mass with a Nativity Tableaux

7:00pm Vigil Mass

9:30pm Carols before Mass

10:00pm Mass during the night

Christmas Day Thursday 25th December 2025

9:00am & 11:00am Mass

St Stephens Day 26th December 2025

11:00am Mass

Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confessions) on Monday 22nd December at 7:30pm

There will be several priests available for Confession at St. Edmunds from 7:30pm.

Please consider making use of this beautiful sacrament to prepare for Christmas.

Bishop Thomas McMahon-RIP

Bishop Thomas’s Requiem Mass funeral will be celebrated by Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster & Metropolitan on Tuesday 16 December at 11:30am at Brentwood Cathedral. Due to large numbers attending this is a ticketed service only.

The funeral will be livestreamed at: https://www.shealolin.co.uk/bishop-thomas and the broadcast will begin approximately 10 minutes before the start of the service and will be available on demand until 16th January 2026. The QR code for mobiles is

Christmas Offerings

HSBC

Account Name: Catholic Church Loughton

Account Number: 11019651

Sort Code # 40-13-22

Please be sure to type in the Reference: ‘Christmas Offering’ along with your gift aid number if you have one.

Christmas Coffee Morning & Hamper Raffle -Sunday 21st December 2025 at 12:00 Noon

🎶 The choir will be singing Christmas carols after the 11am Mass. Please join us in the hall for our festive Christmas coffee morning and raffle. All are welcome.

Donation boxes are in the porch and by Father Adrian’s door — we’d love festive goodies like wine, biscuits, chocolates, jams, mince pies, or vouchers. Theatre and restaurant vouchers have been a lovely addition in past years. Raffle tickets will be on sale at weekend mass and online.

All proceeds go back into our parish.
Thank you for your kind support.

Christmas Nativity Christmas Nativity rehearsals are this weekend 14th December after the 11:00am mass in preparation for the 5:00pm Christmas Eve mass. The next date for the rehearsal will be the 21st of December again straight after the 11:00am mass. The rehearsals generally last no longer than 30 minutes. Should you have any queries please contact us on

07946 138307 Sam & Danielle.

Ben Lewis, Kathleen Pampellonne, Adam Piotrowski, Bernard Hughes and all our loved ones who are unwell.

Monday 9:00am,Tuesday No Morning Mass, Wednesday 9:30am, Thursday 9:00am, Friday 9:30am , Sunday 14th December at 10:00am- First Holy Communion Class

Confessions are available on Saturday 5:00-5:45pm

2nd Collection There will be a second collection following all the masses the weekend of the

13th /

14th December 2025 for the St Vincent de Paul Society.

Bishop Thomas McMahon-RIP

Sadly, Bishop Thomas McMahon died last week aged 89 years. He was the Bishop of Brentwood for 34 years before our present Bishop Alan. We pray for the happy repose of his soul.

Bishop Thomas’s funeral will be on Tuesday 16 December at 11:30am at Brentwood Cathedral. Due to the large number of people attending, the Requiem Mass will be ticketed – each parish has been allocated two spaces. If you would like to go then please let Fr. Adrian know by Saturday 13 December (please email or phone our parish office) and two names will be selected at random. Please keep the soul of Bishop Thomas in your prayers.

Thank you, Fr. Adrian

Bishop Thomas’s-RIP Funeral

Please be advised that Bishop Thomas’s funeral on Tuesday 16 Dec at 11.30am will be livestreamed from the Cathedral:
at: https://www.shealolin.co.uk/bishop-thomas

Christmas Coffee Morning & Hamper Raffle

Sunday 21st December 2025 at 12:00 Noon

Join us for coffee & cake in the parish hall, for our annual Christmas Hamper Raffle.

All proceeds go back into our parish.
Thank you for your kind support.

Christmas Nativity We will be starting the Christmas Nativity rehearsals this weekend 7th December after the 11:00am mass in preparation for the 5:00pm Christmas Eve mass. Please note other the dates for the rehearsal’s will be the 14th & 21st December again straight after the 11:00am mass. These generally last no longer than 30 minutes. Should you have any queries please contact us on 07946 138307 Sam & Danielle

Christmas Book Sponsorship Help

Each Christmas, the children at St John Fisher Catholic Primary School receive a special book from Santa as a gift, that brings joy, warmth, and the spirit of Christmas.

If you own a business and can help sponsor this year’s books, we would be truly grateful. It’s a meaningful way to support the children and share in the season of goodwill.

Please get in touch Committeesjfpta@gmail.com if you’re able to help. Thank you.

Lourdes With Our Diocese Join Bishop Alan and pilgrims from across our diocese in Lourdes next summer: Friday 17th – Friday 24th July 2026. Booking details will be available in the new year.

Food Bank Donations

The box for food donations is in the parent and baby room (to the left as you enter the church). We currently need toiletries. (deodorant, shower gel, soaps, shampoo etc.) Thank you very much for all your donations.

Baptisms

Sunday 21st December 2025 at 12:00 Noon

Join us for coffee & cake in the parish hall, for our annual Christmas Hamper Raffle.

All proceeds go back into our parish.

Thank you for your kind support.

First Sunday of Advent

Monday 9:30am, Tuesday No Morning Mass, Wednesday 9:30am, Thursday 9:30am,

Friday 10:00am

Confessions are available on Saturday 5:00-5:45pm.

First Holy Communion

Our First Holy Communion children will be inducted onto their programme at the 11am Mass this week.

Adoration at the end of 11am Mass At the end of the 11am Mass this week, our children preparing for their First Holy Communion will spend a few minutes in Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament which will be on the altar. Everyone is welcome to stay, but if you are leaving the church please do so in silence so that the children can have a few moments in prayer. Thank you.

Christmas Hamper Draw

Join us for coffee and cake at 12:00 on Sunday 21st December 2025 in the parish hall, for our annual Christmas Hamper Draw.

We would be very grateful for any prize or hamper donations which may be left at the presbytery or placed in the box in the church porch from 22nd November 2025.

Thank you in advance for your kind support!

Christmas Nativity We are starting rehearsals for our wonderful Christmas Nativity which takes place at the 5:00pm Christmas Eve mass. If your child would like a part in the Nativity please come along to our first date on 30th December 2025 after the 11:00am mass where we will assign parts. The following dates will be the rehearsal’s 7th,14th, & 21st Dec straight after the 11:00am mass. These generally last no longer than 30 minutes. Should you have any queries please contact us on 07946 138307 Sam & Danielle

Note For Our Contemporary Music Group

We will next be playing and singing at the 11am Mass on Sunday, 7th December and holding a practice beforehand 7 to 8pm on Monday, 1st December. Please make every effort to come to the practice as well as the Mass. 7th December is the 2nd Sunday of Advent and we’ll be singing the psalm as well as Advent hymns – a great way to prepare for Christmas, so it would be good to have many of us there! We have many young parishioners who come to the 11am Mass, so why not consider joining us? You would be made very welcome! Simply come along to the practice or join us for the Mass if you can’t make the practice. Thank you.

Christmas Book Sponsorship Help

Each Christmas, the children at St John Fisher Catholic Primary School receive a special book from Santa as a gift, that brings joy, warmth, and the spirit of Christmas.

If you own a business and can help sponsor this year’s books, we would be truly grateful. It’s a meaningful way to support the children and share in the season of goodwill.

Please get in touch Committeesjfpta@gmail.com if you’re able to help. Thank you.

Lourdes With Our Diocese Join Bishop Alan and pilgrims from across our diocese in Lourdes next summer: Friday 17th – Friday 24th July 2026. Booking details will be available in the new year.

St Edmund Life Group The next meeting takes place in the upper room (The Retreat) of the Parish Centre on Monday 1st December 7.15 – 8.45pm. Please keep this date in your diary. Any questions please ring Paul 07861032174

Food Bank Donations

Baptisms

If you are parents of new infants and you wish to have your child baptised, please can you kindly contact your parish priest Fr Adrian Lowe 0208 5083492 as soon as possible regarding the baptism of your child at St Edmund’s. For first time parents there is a Baptismal Programme run by Mrs Sharon Chalk. Baptisms take place on Saturdays at 12.30pm.

Thirty third Sunday in Ordinary Time.

Monday 9:30am, Tuesday No Morning Mass, Wednesday 9:30am, Thursday 9:30am,

Friday 9:30am Confessions are available on Saturday 5:00-5:45pm

Sunday 16th November – Divine Mercy Devotions at 3pm

Thank you- Remembrance Sunday Thank you to everyone who came along to show their support and help with the soup and cake on Remembrance Sunday. Fr. Adrian

First Communion Catechesis

Classes for children will begin on Sunday, 30th November, at 10:00 am in the parish hall. Children and their families must then attend the 11:00 am Mass for enrolment into the programme, followed by a short exposition and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.

There will also be a mandatory parents’ meeting on Wednesday, 26th November, at 7:00 pm, also in the parish hall. If you have not yet registered and are interested in your child receiving the sacrament of Holy Communion, please contact Fr Adrian as soon as possible. Your child should be in Year 4 or above. Thank you!

Christmas Book Sponsorship Help

Each Christmas, the children at St John Fisher Catholic Primary School receive a special book from Santa as a gift, that brings joy, warmth, and the spirit of Christmas.

If you own a business and can help sponsor this year’s books, we would be truly grateful. It’s a meaningful way to support the children and share in the season of goodwill.

Please get in touch committeesjf@gmail.com if you’re able to help. Thank you.

Christmas Hamper Draw

Join us for coffee and cake at 12:00 on Sunday 21st December 2025 in the parish hall, for our annual Christmas Hamper Draw.

We would be very grateful for any prize or hamper donations which may be left at the presbytery, or placed in the box in the church porch from 22nd November 2025.

Thank you in advance for your kind support!

Christmas Nativity

We are starting rehearsals for our wonderful Christmas Nativity which takes place at the 5:00pm Christmas Eve mass. If your child would like a part in the Nativity please come along to our first date on 30th December 2025 after the 11:00am mass where we will assign parts.

The following dates will be the rehearsal’s 7th,14th, & 21st Dec straight after the 11:00am mass. These generally last no longer than 30 minutes. Should you have any queries please contact us on 07946 138307 Sam & Danielle

Important Pro-Life News from the Bishops’ Conference Website

The Catholic Church teaches that life is sacred, from the moment of conception to natural death. In June 2025, pro-abortion MPs, led by Tonia Antoniazzi MP, rushed through the abortion up to birth clause after just 46 minutes of backbench debate – there was no prior consultation with the public, no Committee Stage scrutiny and no evidence sessions.

The Antoniazzi clause would make it more likely that healthy babies are aborted at home for any reason, up to birth. The clause would change the law so it would no longer be illegal for women to perform their own abortions for any reason, and at any point up to and during birth. If this amendment becomes law, it would likely lead to a significant increase in the number of women performing late-term abortions at home, endangering the lives of many more women.

Please consider writing to the Lords using the sample letter and details of the Lords at the back of the church. Alternatively, you can send a pre-written letter to the Lords at this link, it takes less than 30 seconds to complete and send:

https://righttolife.org.uk/uptobirthlords

Please also pray that all life, which is so precious to God, is protected, and for all people who are desperate and worried about their pregnancies and feel that abortion is their only option.

God Bless Fr. Adrian

World Youth Sunday

On the weekend of the 22nd/23rd November we will be celebrating World Youth Sunday and there will be a 2nd collection after all the masses.

Walk With Me Advent Booklets will be for sale in the Repository, priced at £1.50.

This is a great way to pray and be with the Lord during the advent season.

Food Bank Donations

Please Pray for those who are Sick

Evelyn Bearne, Karl Britz, Brenda Bryant, Bernadette Hall, Ann Hawkes, Claire Howes, Angela Long, Lilian Mothersole, John McKernan, Remy, Geraldine Taylor, James Wright, Pamela Gibson, Geraldine Stains, Linda Moriarty, Victoria Leahy, Jean Collins, Barbara Searl, Lyn Povey, Mason Family, Ben Lewis, Kathleen Pampellonne and all our loved ones who are unwell.

Job Vacancies

Trinity Catholic High School

The closing date for these vacancies is 18th November, 2025

Teacher of Economics with TLR, Full time, Permanent, January 2026
Teacher of Geography, Full time, Permanent, January 2026
Teacher of Spanish, Part Time, Permanent, January 2026
Teacher of Psychology & Sociology, Part time, Permanent, January 2026
SENDI Teaching Assistant, Full Time, Permanent, Start ASAP

Please see the website for details at https://www.tchs.org.uk Employment Opportunities

Headteacher – Our Lady Immaculate School, Chelmsford
Deadline for applications: 12:00 (noon), Thursday 20th November 2025

Education Support Administrator- Cathedral House

A vacancy has arisen to provide administrative and general departmental support to School Advisors across the Education Department of the Diocese.

The post will be part-time, working 24 hours per week – 4 days per week working from 9 am until 3 pm with half an hour for lunch. Term time only

Location- Cathedral House- please note this is an office-based role.

Salary £14.50 per hour

The closing date for applications is 5pm on 5th December 2025 and we will then invite suitable applicants to interview.

If you have any queries or if you would like to apply, please send your CV by email to hr@brcdt.org

In Cases of Emergency

Emergency In the Church

Please follow instructions given by The Priest and/or Stewards.

For fires at the back of the church we will exit via the sacristy into the hall or side exit.

For fires at the front of the church we will exit by front doors.

For fires in the middle of the church use the safest exit.

Fire extinguishers are to be used by competent trained persons only

ThMass Intentions are listed on the website, Back of the Church notice board, and in the outside display case

Remembrance Sunday

Monday 9:30am, Tuesday No Morning Mass, Wednesday 9:30am, Thursday 9:30am,

Friday 9:30am Confessions are available on Saturday 5:00-5:45pm

Please Note : Divine Mercy Devotions at 3pm has moved to the 16th November

Thank you to the SVP for a lovely coffee morning last Sunday and to everyone who came along to show their support. Fr. Adrian

Remembrance Sunday

The 9th of November is Remembrance Sunday. Following the 11am mass at 12:15pm there will be the traditional Loughton Remembrance service at Kings Green by the war memorial with the local community and local children’s uniform groups. All are welcome. After the service everyone parades back to our church hall for soup and cake. Please do try and join us for this important day.

First Communion Catechesis

Christmas Book Sponsorship Help

Each Christmas, the children at St John Fisher Catholic Primary School receive a special book from Santa as a gift, that brings joy, warmth, and the spirit of Christmas.

If you own a business and can help sponsor this year’s books, we would be truly grateful. It’s a meaningful way to support the children and share in the season of goodwill.

Please get in touch committeesjf@gmail.com if you’re able to help. Thank you.

Learn To Pray Course Online

Would you like some tips to help your prayer life each day? The Diocesan Service Team are offering an online course running from Friday 14th November for six weeks until Friday 19th December from 7.30 to 9.00 pm. If you are interested in signing up for this course please follow this link: https://wkf.ms/3VcDEgl?text0= Please note that it is l not capital i in the link

Divine Mercy Devotions will be Sunday 16th November at 3:00pm. Join us in this beautiful prayer for 20 minutes. Confessions are available after.

Assisted Suicide: England

The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill will enter Committee Stage in the House of Lords on 14 November. Catholics are being encouraged to write to peers to oppose the Bill. The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England & Wales has issued guidance on how to write to peers with reasons that can be emphasised in a letter. www.dioceseofbrentwood.net/news/bishops-urge-catholics-to-write-to-peers-on-assisted-dying-bill/

Important Pro-Life News from the Bishops’ Conference Website

https://righttolife.org.uk/uptobirthlords

Please also pray that all life, which is so precious to God, is protected, and for all people who are desperate and worried about their pregnancies and feel that abortion is their only option.

God Bless

Fr. Adrian

Our parish SVP: The essence of the work of the Society of St Vincent de Paul is person-to-person contact and spending time with people. Depending on the capacity of our volunteers, some visits may include taking walks or even assistance with shopping or medical appointments. You can read more about our SVP, and download a referral form, using this link to their page on the parish website https://stedmundsloughton.org.uk/st-vincent-de-paul-society

Gift Aid Notice: We have a quite a few gift aid envelope boxes that have not been collected. Please can you check the boxes at the back of the church and kindly notify us if you would still like to receive envelopes for next year. Contact our Gift Aid Coordinator (Abbie) at the following

giftaid-loughton@brcdt.org or the presbytery office 020850833492 to inform us. Thank you.

Good Counsel Network Please pray and fast for the end of abortion and euthanasia on Monday 17th November. These days seem quite dark, what with Parliament voting to partly decriminalise abortion and voting to legalise euthanasia. Please invite others to join us in praying and fasting for life, you can do so with this link, https://www.facebook.com/events/828656872884422”

Awake London

A Catholic Bible convention and Healing ministry on Saturday 15th November 2025 from 12.45 pm to 4.45 pm led by Rev. Fr.Bijoy CMF and Anointing Fire Catholic Ministry UK at Catholic Parish of Christ The King, 455 Chingford Road London,E4 8SP. Convention includes: Praise and Worship, Holy Mass, confession, Healing service and Eucharistic Adoration, spiritual sharing, sessions for children (ww w.afcmuk.org). Free car parking available.

World Youth Sunday

On the weekend of the 22nd/23rd November we will be celebrating World Youth Sunday and there will be a 2nd collection after all the masses.

Baptisms

If you are parents of new infants and you wish to have your child baptised, please can you kindly contact your parish priest Fr Adrian Lowe 0208 5083492 as soon as possible regarding the baptism of your child at St Edmund’s. For first time parents there is a Baptismal Programme run by Mrs Sharon Chalk. Baptisms take place on Saturdays at 12.30pm.

Food Bank Donations

Billy -RIP Please remember Iain McLay & family in your prayers as they recently lost their beloved & faithful dog Billy who was 15 years old. Billy and Iain’s Christian Aid walking adventures along with a daily story were always interesting and a joy to read. Billy -RIP will be dearly missed by our Parish.

Please Pray for those who are Sick

In Cases of Emergency

Emergency In the Church

Please follow instructions given by The Priest and/or Stewards.

For fires at the back of the church we will exit via the sacristy into the hall or side exit.

For fires at the front of the church we will exit by front doors.

For fires in the middle of the church use the safest exit.

Fire extinguishers are to be used by competent trained persons only

Mass Intentions are listed on the website, Back of the Church notice board, and in the outside display case

All Saints Day

Monday 9:30am, Tuesday No Morning Mass, Wednesday 9:00am, Thursday 9:30am,

Friday 9:00am Confessions are available on Saturday 5:00-5:45pm

Sunday 9th November – 3:00pm Divine Mercy Devotions

SVP Coffee Morning

There will be an SVP coffee morning this Sunday, Nov 2nd, after the 9am mass. It will be a great opportunity for parishioners to meet each other and enjoy tea, cake and chat while raising funds for the work of the Parish SVP. If you haven’t come across it before, the SVP is “The Society of St Vincent de Paul”. Its role is to help people in need. For instance, visiting and befriending old folk and the sick, being a friend to families experiencing difficulties and always supporting the Parish Priest.

All Saints and All Souls

Please note that this year, All Saints Day is Sunday 2 November and All Souls Day is Monday

3 November. The box with names of those who are deceased will be placed at all Masses from Monday onwards. Brown envelopes are at the back of the church for you to hand in with names of those you would like added to the box. Please pass envelopes to Father Adrian or put through the Presbytery letterbox. Thank you.

Remembrance Day Soup – Please Help!

We need volunteers to help make and serve soup and cakes on Remembrance Day,

Sunday 9 November. After the service at the War Memorial, those present are welcomed back to our church hall at St. Edmunds for refreshments. It is a wonderful opportunity for us to share with everyone who has attended the Remembrance service and to join with the wider community of Loughton. If you can help, then please contact Sam Gell via the parish WhatsApp group or email the Parish Office. Many thanks for your generosity and kindness as always, Father Adrian

Remembrance Sunday

Divine Mercy Devotions will be Sunday 9th November at 3:00pm. Join us in this beautiful prayer for 20 minutes. Confessions are available after.

First Communion Catechesis

Assisted Suicide: England

Gift Aid Notice

We have a quite a few gift aid envelope boxes that have not been collected. Please can you check the boxes at the back of the church and kindly notify us if you would still like to receive envelopes for next year. Contact our Gift Aid Coordinator (Abbie) at the following

giftaid-loughton@brcdt.org or the presbytery office 020850833492 to inform us. Thank you.

Baptisms

If you are parents of new infants and you wish to have your child baptised, please can you kindly contact your parish priest Fr Adrian Lowe 0208 5083492 as soon as possible regarding the baptism of your child at St Edmund’s. For first time parents there is a Baptismal Programme run by Mrs Sharon Chalk. Baptisms take place on Saturdays at 12.30pm.

Please Pray for those who are Sick

Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Monday 9:00am, Tuesday NO MASS, Wednesday 9:30am, Thursday 9:30am- Church Clean Following Mass, Friday 9:30am Confessions are available on Saturday 5:00-5:45pm

Second Collection: There will be a 2nd collection following the masses this weekend for Pact (Prison Advice and Care Trust)The day of National Prayer for prisoners and their families. www.prisonadvice.org.uk/.

Thank you for supporting CAFOD’s Harvest Fast Day
Thank you for your generous response to CAFOD’s Harvest Fast Day Appeal. Your donations are helping families like Waré’s in Ethiopia. CAFOD’s local partners worked with Waré’s community to build an underground water tank that now provides safe water for 300 families. Your support will help more communities have better access to safe water. Find out more about Ware’s story here: cafod.org.uk/harvest

November will soon be upon us….and in our Catholic tradition it is a month of particular remembrance of the deceased members of our families, friends and loved ones. As is customary we will place brown envelopes at the back of the church in which you may place the names of those who you will wish to remember in a particular way this month of the Holy Souls. The lists will be placed by the altar at all Masses from Holy Souls Day onwards.

Bach Vespers 26 October at 6:30pm at St. Mary at Hill Church

Father Adrian will be the guest preacher at this Lutheran Service which will include a performance of Bach’s magnificent and ever popular Reformation cantata, BWV 80, Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott. This Bach Vespers service takes place at 6.30pm at the church of St Mary at Hill in the City of London, hosted by St Anne’s Lutheran Church. This cantata features a team of three oboes of different sizes and bassoon, playing with and in contrast to the strings to create fabulous textural colours. There will also be lots of other music too, performed on period instruments. Everyone is welcome and attendance is free. Do come along and bring your friends. We look forward to seeing you there to share Bach’s wonderful music!
St Mary-at-Hill, Lovat Lane, London EC3R 8EE.

Remembrance Day Soup – Please Help!

We need volunteers to help make and serve soup and cakes on Remembrance Day,

Notice: Please Pray for Peter Nicholl- RIP a former parishioner who recently passed. Patricia Foley (Nicholl) his sister said, “although most of the family have either passed away or are no longer in Loughton, we have a lot of history with St Edmunds’s right back to the 1950s -and the tin church”.

Group Church Clean

There will be a church clean on Thursday 30th October 2025 after the morning mass. Please come along and help if you are able. Thank you. Sharon

Remembrance Sunday

School Certificates of Catholic Practice

If you are applying for a school for your child that requires a certificate of church attendance, then please allow a few minutes to see Fr. Adrian after a Sunday Mass and bring a copy of the

form along with you. The Diocesan document can be obtained through your Parish Priest or on the Diocesan website. The closing date for applications is 31st October 2025.

Food Bank Donations

Join Our Mission: Become a Trustee and Support Children’s Wellbeing
Brentwood Catholic Children’s Society is currently seeking new Trustees with expertise in fundraising and marketing to help us expand our reach and strengthen our impact. Your skills and experience could play a vital role in shaping the future for children and young people, ensuring we continue providing essential services to children and families in need.

If you are interested in learning more about this opportunity or know someone who might be a great fit, please do not hesitate to contact our Director, Bernadette Fisher, at bfisher@bccs.org.uk. She will be delighted to hear from you.

Please Pray for those who are Sick

Job Vacancies

Trinity Catholic High School

Teacher of English, Part time, Permanent, January 2026
Teacher of Economics with TLR, Full time, Permanent, January 2026
Teacher of Geography, Full time, Permanent, January 2026
Teacher of Spanish, Part Time, Permanent, January 2026
Teacher of Psychology & Sociology, Part time, Permanent, January 2026
SEND1, Deputy, Part time, Maternity Cover, Nov 25
SEND1, SEN TA, Full time, Maternity Cover, Nov 25
SEND1, Full time Permanent, ASAP
Science Technician, Full time, Permanent, ASAP
Midday Supervisor, Part Time, Temp, ASAP

Please see the website for details at https://www.tchs.org.uk Employment Opportunities

Headteacher-Holy Family Catholic Primary School, Benfleet

Closing date 10/11/25 Start date April 2026

Holy Family Headteacher

Headteacher – Our Lady Immaculate School, Chelmsford
Deadline for applications: 12:00 (noon), Thursday 20th November 2025