St Edmund of Canterbury, Loughton

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,

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 – 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.

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!

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).

‘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/

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

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

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.

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/

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

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: 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.

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.

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

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.

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

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/

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)

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.

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

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.

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!

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

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

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!

SCHEDULE OF MASSES & SERVICES FOR HOLY WEEK 2023

PALM SUNDAY OF THE PASSION: 1^st / 2^nd April

6.00 p.m. St. Edmund’s. Blessing of Palms (Sat. 1^st April)

9.00 a.m. St. Edmund’s. Blessing of Palms (Sun 2^nd April)

11.00 am St. Edmund’s. Blessing of Palms .. ..

5.00 p.m. St. Edmund’s. Stations of Cross and Benediction

MONDAY 3^rd April

10.00 a.m. St. Edmund’s. Confessions after Mass

TUESDAY 4^th April

10.00 a.m. St. Edmund’s Mass – Confessions after Mass

7.30 pm Penance Service – With visiting Priests / Polish Priest

WEDNESDAY 5^th April

9.00 am St. Edmund’s

11.00 am Chrism Mass – Brentwood Cathedral – Clergy only

7.00 pm Confessions – Fr Aaron Kelly

THE TRIDUUM

MAUNDY THURSDAY 6^th April

9.00 a.m. St. Edmund’s, Morning Prayer, Tenebrae /Confessions

8.00 p.m. MASS OF THE LORD’S SUPPER St. Edmund’s

Watching until 11.00pm / Confessions

GOOD FRIDAY 7^th April Day of Fasting and Abstinence

9.00 a.m. St. Edmund’s, Morning Prayer. Tenebrae

11.00 a.m. Children’s Stations of the Cross – Short Service

3.00 p.m. THE PASSION OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST Confessions

7.00 p.m. St. Edmund’s. Stations of the Cross. Confessions

HOLY SATURDAY: 8^th April 2023

9.00 a.m. St. Edmund’s Morning Prayer, Tenebrae, Confessions.

12.30 p.m. Swieconka: Polish Blessing for Easter Food Baskets

8.00 p.m. St. Edmund’s. THE EASTER VIGIL

EASTER SUNDAY 9^th April THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS 2023

9.00 a.m. St. Edmund’s, Parish Mass

11.00 a.m. St. Edmund’s, Parish Family Mass

RESURREXIT SICUT DIXIT, ALLELUIA! ALLELUIA! ALLELUIA!

Edmund of Canterbury & St. Thomas More

Fifth Sunday of Lent, 2023. Year A,

Beginning of Passiontide

Today’s Gospel reading is intended to lead us more deeply into our baptism. It is important to realise that Lazarus was brought back to life – he was not resuscitated. This is not the same as resurrection, which in Scripture means a person being brought back to life in a brand new body! Lazarus would have had to go through death again at some later stage. However, his being brought back to life is a revelation of the power of Jesus over life and death, and is an intimation of the resurrection life that will be ours once the death and resurrection of Jesus himself has occurred.

There are a few things that stand out in John’s account of the raising of Lazarus. In the first place, after hearing of the sickness of Lazarus Jesus delayed his visit by a few days – was he waiting for Lazarus to die precisely so that he could reveal his authority of death? This appears to have been Jesus’ intention, and the conversation with Lazarus’ sisters would seem to confirm this. Jesus wanted to encourage them to look towards him as the source of life and resurrection.

The second thing that stands out is the profound concern and even distress of Jesus. There is mention also of a deep sigh that ‘came straight from the heart’. On the one hand, we are seeing here the profound concern of Jesus over the state of the human race. It was through the fall of humanity, and their sin, that the human race fell under the power of death. However, this does not simply mean physical death. The human race also became spiritually dead, cut off from God, and held in some sort of bondage to the Evil One. It was precisely from this condition that Jesus came into our world to deliver and redeem us.

At the tomb of Lazarus, Jesus entered into a confrontation with the Evil One himself. In that battle, Jesus claimed Lazarus back from the hold the enemy had over him. The whole event is an anticipation of Jesus’ own death & resurrection. By dying Jesus broke the enemy’s hold over the human race, and by rising established a new life and existence for us all.

BRITISH SUMMERTIME BEGINS, CLOCKS GO FORWARD 1 HOUR

Dear Friends in Christ, Fifth Sunday of Lent 2023

Today we enter into Passiontide. You will notice that all of the statues and images have been draped in purple; this prepares us for the journey into Holy Week, where we will retrace step by step Our Lord’s last days before his Passion, Death & Resurrection. This sacred time in the Liturgical Calendar of the Church, is given to us to focus our attention of the Paschal Mystery of Jesus Christ. The saving action of Our Lord’s self-sacrifice for the whole of sinful humanity on Good Friday is the means whereby Salvation is achieved for each and every one of us. I would like to seriously encourage all of our parishioners to enter into the true spirit of this Holy Season. Walk with the Lord in these days ahead, stand at the foot of the cross, and rejoice with Mary & the Apostles on Easter Day.

SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION: Lent is a Penitential Season; we are all encouraged to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession). Fulfilling our Easter Duties has always been a part of the Church’s tradition. I seriously urge all parishioners to attend our Parish Penitential Service on Tuesday 4^th April at 7.30pm, there will be visiting priest to assist and help with the celebration of the Sacrament. Also, Fr Aaron Kelly will be with us for Holy Week and will celebrate the Sacrament after every Mass. There will also be a Polish priest who will be able to hear confessions in Polish. If you haven’t been to confession for a long time, please think seriously about attending this Penance Service. We all need the Lord’s loving and merciful forgiveness, and we should never fear God’s Love. Please come and join us in preparing yourself spiritually for the great solemnity of the Lord’s Resurrection on Easter Day. Lent clipart confession, Picture #2909190 lent clipart confession

EASTER LILIES: It has always been a tradition at Easter to put lilies into our churches. If you would like to spurt us this year in sponsoring lilies in remembrance of you deceased loved ones, please complete the insert in your parish newsletter and return it to the Presbytery no later than Maundy Thursday 6^th April. Your contribution towards the lilies will defray the costs and also at the same time be a beautiful tribute to your deceased loved ones. A list of all the names will be posted in the porch of the Church

May God Bless You All,

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION CLASSES: The next session for our children will take place on Sunday 26^th March 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.

URGENT! CAN ANYONE PLEASE HELP ME? We have a priest, Fr Aaron Kelly, joining us for Holy Week, he arrives at Stansted Airport on Saturday 1^st April at 12.15pm, I have a Baptism at the same time. I’m appealing for a volunteer to pick up Fr Aaron for me, I’d truly be grateful if someone could help in this situation. The North American College Students spend alternate years at the Seminary, this year it’s ‘in house’, but there are six coming for Easter Week, I may be asking for a little more help then. Thank you! Fr John

If you can help me please call or text me. Tel No: 07307 190012 Thank you!

NOTE FOR OUR CONTEMPORARY MUSIC GROUP: Kindly note that we will not be playing and singing on the first Sunday in April as it is Palm Sunday which has a more solemn and formal liturgy best suited to our Parish choir. It is the start of Holy Week, with solemn masses and services leading to Easter Sunday, so if any of our singers are interested in taking part, please have a word with Sue Farrow!

We’ll next be singing and playing at the 11am Mass on the first Sunday in May (May 7th) and, beforehand, we are holding a practice on Tuesday, 2nd May in the choir loft at 7pm to 8pm. You’ve plenty of time to make sure that you can all come to the practice as well as the Mass!

As always, new singers and musicians would be made very welcome if you would like to join us!

PLEASE PRAY FOR THOSE SICK IN OUR PARISH

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

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

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/

CHILDREN’S EASTER HOLIDAYS & HOLY WEEK: This coming Friday 31^st March our children at St John Fisher School will break up for the Easter Holidays. I would like all of our children to really enter into the spirit of Holy Week and join us for many of the beautiful ceremonies. I remember as a child being taken to these ceremonies, and the great affect it had on me, to journey with Jesus through the days of his Passion, Death & Resurrection. We are never too young to love and appreciate these beautiful liturgies, and we will always remember them.

MASS INTENTIONS – MARCH – APRIL 2023

Sat 25^th	10.30am	REQUIEM MASS Jackie Ilines RIP
		*Confessions 11am – 12Noon or on demandVigil Mass for Sunday. Confessions at 5.30pm***
Sat 25^th	6.00pm	Sylvia & Norman Taylor RIP (Brenda Bryant)
Sun 26^th	9.00am	Meg & Alan Brown RIP (Laurie Schofield – Brown. People of the Parish
Sun 26^th	11:00am5.00pm	Helen Cooper RIP (Betty & Family)Stations of Cross & Exposition of Bl Sac
Mon 27^th	10.00am	COMMUNION SERVICE
Tues 28^th	10.00am	COMMUNION SERVICE
Wed 29^th	10.00am	COMMUNION SERVICE
Thur 30^th	10.00am	COMMUNION SERVICE
Fri 31^st	10.00am10.30am	*Margaret Baldwin’s Int’sStations of the Cross with Expo of Bl Sac***
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 RIP (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

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 Lent

First Reading : Ezekiel 37:12-14

The Lord says this: I am now going to open your graves; I mean to raise you from your graves, my people, and lead you back to the soil of Israel. And you will know that I am the Lord, when I open your graves and raise you from your graves, my people. And I shall put my spirit in you, and you will live, and I shall resettle you on your own soil; and you will know that I, the Lord, have said and done this – it is the Lord who speaks.

Responsorial Psalm : Psalm 129(130)

With the Lord there is mercy and fullness of redemption.

Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord,

Lord, hear my voice!

O let your ears be attentive

to the voice of my pleading.

With the Lord there is mercy and fullness of redemption.

If you, O Lord, should mark our guilt,

Lord, who would survive?

But with you is found forgiveness:

for this we revere you.

With the Lord there is mercy and fullness of redemption.

My soul is waiting for the Lord.

I count on his word.

My soul is longing for the Lord

more than watchman for daybreak.

(Let the watchman count on daybreak

and Israel on the Lord.)

With the Lord there is mercy and fullness of redemption.

Because with the Lord there is mercy

and fullness of redemption,

Israel indeed he will redeem

from all its iniquity.

With the Lord there is mercy and fullness of redemption.

Second Reading : Romans 8:8-11

People who are interested only in unspiritual things can never be pleasing to God. Your interests, however, are not in the unspiritual, but in the spiritual, since the Spirit of God has made his home in you. In fact, unless you possessed the Spirit of Christ you would not belong to him. Though your body may be dead it is because of sin, but if Christ is in you then your spirit is life itself because you have been justified; and if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, then he who raised Jesus from the dead will give life to your own mortal bodies through his Spirit living in you.

Gospel : John 11:1-45

There was a man named Lazarus who lived in the village of Bethany with the two sisters, Mary and Martha, and he was ill. It was the same Mary, the sister of the sick man Lazarus, who anointed the Lord with ointment and wiped his feet with her hair. The sisters sent this message to Jesus, ‘Lord, the man you love is ill.’ On receiving the message, Jesus said, ‘This sickness will end not in death but in God’s glory, and through it the Son of God will be glorified.’

Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus, yet when he heard that Lazarus was ill he stayed where he was for two more days before saying to the disciples, ‘Let us go to Judaea.’ The disciples said, ‘Rabbi, it is not long since the Jews wanted to stone you; are you going back again?’ Jesus replied:

‘Are there not twelve hours in the day?

A man can walk in the daytime without stumbling

because he has the light of this world to see by;

but if he walks at night he stumbles,

because there is no light to guide him.’

He said that and then added, ‘Our friend Lazarus is resting, I am going to wake him.’ The disciples said to him, ‘Lord, if he is able to rest he is sure to get better.’ The phrase Jesus used referred to the death of Lazarus, but they thought that by ‘rest’ he meant ‘sleep’, so Jesus put it plainly, ‘Lazarus is dead; and for your sake I am glad I was not there because now you will believe. But let us go to him.’ Then Thomas – known as the Twin – said to the other disciples, ‘Let us go too, and die with him.’

On arriving, Jesus found that Lazarus had been in the tomb for four days already. Bethany is only about two miles from Jerusalem, and many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to sympathise with them over their brother. When Martha heard that Jesus had come she went to meet him. Mary remained sitting in the house. Martha said to Jesus, ‘If you had been here, my brother would not have died, but I know that, even now, whatever you ask of God, he will grant you.’ ‘Your brother’ said Jesus to her ‘will rise again.’ Martha said, ‘I know he will rise again at the resurrection on the last day.’ Jesus said:

‘I am the resurrection and the life.

If anyone believes in me, even though he dies he will live,

and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.

Do you believe this?’

‘Yes, Lord,’ she said ‘I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, the one who was to come into this world.’

When she had said this, she went and called her sister Mary, saying in a low voice, ‘The Master is here and wants to see you.’ Hearing this, Mary got up quickly and went to him. Jesus had not yet come into the village; he was still at the place where Martha had met him. When the Jews who were in the house sympathising with Mary saw her get up so quickly and go out, they followed her, thinking that she was going to the tomb to weep there.

Mary went to Jesus, and as soon as she saw him she threw herself at his feet, saying, ‘Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.’ At the sight of her tears, and those of the Jews who followed her, Jesus said in great distress, with a sigh that came straight from the heart, ‘Where have you put him?’ They said, ‘Lord, come and see.’ Jesus wept; and the Jews said, ‘See how much he loved him!’ But there were some who remarked, ‘He opened the eyes of the blind man, could he not have prevented this man’s death?’ Still sighing, Jesus reached the tomb: it was a cave with a stone to close the opening. Jesus said, ‘Take the stone away.’ Martha said to him, ‘Lord, by now he will smell; this is the fourth day.’ Jesus replied, ‘Have I not told you that if you believe you will see the glory of God?’ So they took away the stone. Then Jesus lifted up his eyes and said:

‘Father, I thank you for hearing my prayer.

I knew indeed that you always hear me,

but I speak for the sake of all these who stand round me,

so that they may believe it was you who sent me.’

When he had said this, he cried in a loud voice, ‘Lazarus, here! Come out!’ The dead man came out, his feet and hands bound with bands of stuff and a cloth round his face. Jesus said to them, ‘Unbind him, let him go free.’

Many of the Jews who had come to visit Mary and had seen what he did believed in him.

Fourth Sunday of Lent, 2023. Year A,

Edmund of Canterbury & St. Thomas More

Laetare Sunday

Every 5 seconds someone in the world goes blind. Every day 100 people in the UK start to lose their sight. Almost 2 million people in the UK are living with significant sight loss. Around 360,000 people in the UK are registered blind or partially sighted. An estimated 25,000 children in Britain are blind or partially sighted. In the UK 86 per cent of people value their sight above any other sense.

Jesus’ healing of the man born blind takes up the whole of John chapter 9. This remarkable miracle is a sign pointing to the mystery that Jesus is the Light of the World. We can divide the chapter into three parts: the first, the account of the miracle itself, the second, the investigating by the Pharisees, and finally the problem of spiritual blindness. We shall focus on the final part of the chapter, the problem of spiritual blindness.

It is said that there are none so blind as those who will not see. When someone doesn’t understand our point of view or what we are trying to say we protest, ‘You just don’t see, do you?’ What is seen is temporary but what is unseen it eternal and God wants us to see with eyes of faith. Perhaps the following story might help to explain this. A man once stood on a soapbox at Hyde Park Corner, pouring scorn on the Christian faith. A gifted orator, he mocked, ‘People tell me that God exists, but I can’t see him. People tell me that there is life after death, but I can’t see it. People tell me that there is a heaven and a hell, but I can’t see them.’ The gathered crowd cheered and congratulated him, loud and effusive in their praise. Suddenly, a second man was helped onto the soapbox. He tottered on the fragile podium before collecting himself. He too was a gifted orator: ‘People tell me tell me that there is green grass all around me, but I can’t see it. People tell me that there is a blue sky above, but I can’t see it. People tell me that there are trees nearby, but I can’t see them. You see, I’m blind.

Dear Friends in Christ, Fourth Sunday of Lent 2023

Today is ‘Laetare Sunday’, the word ‘Laetare’ means to ‘Rejoice’. It marks the mid-way point of our Holy Lenten Season. This gives us all a wonderful opportunity to review our Lenten resolutions. If we have been remiss in our resolve to renew and improve our lives of faith, it’s still not too late to make an extra special effort over the next few weeks of Lent. Obviously, this is a very personal journey that we make during this Lenten season. There is no one looking over our shoulder telling us what we should, or shouldn’t do. But personal self-discipline is very much at the heart of this Holy Season. Our Prayer, our fasting, our works of charity, our personal penance, all of these areas certainly help us on our spiritual journey to the Joy of Resurrection faith on Easter Day. To look forward in Rejoicing in the Lord Jesus is at the heart of our Liturgy today. Let us all really look forward to the remaining weeks of Lent as we anticipate the Joy of Easter!

Our First Holy Communion Children on Sunday will lead in the celebration of Holy Mass. As part of their preparation for the Holy Eucharist the children have been systematically learning about each part of the Mass; this is their opportunity to participate in a tangible way by reading at mass, praying the prayers of Intercession, joining in the Offertory Procession. My sincere thanks to our Catechists Katherine Poulter, and her great team of helpers who are doing the most wonderful job in preparing the children for the Sacraments of Reconciliation and the Holy Eucharist.

Today is also Mothering Sunday: We thank God for the gift of our mothers and motherhood. Let us make an extra special effort today to do something special for our mothers. For all those whose mothers are no longer with us, but are with God in heaven, we ask them to continue to pray for us, and we remember them with great love and respect, and think of all the wonderful things they were able to teach and share with us.

May God Bless You All,

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION CLASSES: The next session for our children will take place on Sunday 19^th March at 10.00am in the Parish Retreat. Congratulations to the children who made their First Reconciliation last week. Today they are being prepared to host the 11.00am Mass next Sunday 19^th March (Gaudete Sunday – Mothering Sunday).

LENTEN COURSE: The God who Speaks – ‘The Big Picture Course’, exploring the Sacred Scriptures to understand and deepen our awareness of God & Jesus Christ. Course dates: March 22^nd at 7.30pm in the Parish Retreat. Theme: The Incarnation. There is a Study Book with personal Diary & CD costs but it’s not imperative that you have this! It would be truly wonderful to see as many people as possible

REQUIESCANT IN PACE: In your mercy please pray for the repose of the soul of Jackie Ilines RIP, long-time parishioner here in Loughton, who passed away recently. We extend our sincere condolences to her husband Gary & two sons Jack & Jimmy in this time of great loss. Jackie was only 57 years of age. She was well known in the parish; and also helped many families with the loss of loved ones, as she ran the local Cribbs Funeral Parlour. Jackie’s Requiem Mass will take place on Saturday 25^th March at 10.30am

Also, Please pray for the repose of the soul of Jean Dalgliesh RIP, whose Requiem Mass will take place on Thursday 23^rd March at 12.15pm, we extend our condolences to her husband Steve and family in this time of great loss.

READERS & EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS: Thank you to those who contacted Julie to resume your Eucharistic Ministry. Julie Callender, will be sending out the Ministers’ Rota. 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. Please contact Julie or Fr John

CAN YOU HELP ME PLEASE? We have a priest, Fr Aaron Kelly, joining us for Holy Week, he arrives at Stansted Airport on Saturday 1^st April at 12.15pm, I have a Baptism at the same time. I’m appealing for a volunteer to pick up Fr Aaron for me, I’d truly be grateful if someone could help in this situation. The North American College Students spend alternate years at the Seminary, this year it’s ‘in house’, but there are six coming for Easter Week, I may be asking for a little more help then. Thank you! Fr. John

PLEASE PRAY FOR THOSE SICK IN OUR PARISH

ANNIVERSARIES: Robert Lockheart RIP, Helen Cooper 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

GIDEA PARK TALK ON THE HOLY EUCHARIST: Wednesday 22^nd March, 7.00pm in Parish Hall at Christ the Eternal High Priest, Gidea Park. Fr Adrian Graffy will speak about the Eucharist. The talk is entitled ‘Do this in memory of me’, the New Testament material, and trace the understanding of the Eucharist through the centuries, including the latest teaching of Pope Francis. This talk is in person, and can also be followed by livestream by going to www.whatgoodnews.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 – MARCH 2023

Sat 18^th	9.00am	Anne Wright RIP (Brenda Bryant)
		*Confessions 11am – 12Noon or on demandVigil Mass for Sunday. Confessions at 5.30pm***
Sat 18^th	6.00pm	Frederick George Burgess RIP (Foundation Mass)
Sun 19^th	9.00am	Michael Stavrinidou RIP (Sue & John Campbell)
Sun 19^th	11:00am	Rey & Ingrid in Thanksgiving. (Rey & Ingrid)
Mon 20^th	10.00am	Nancy Hands Int’s (Pat & Margaret)
Tues 21^st	10.00am	Special Intentions for John (Maureen Perry)
Wed 22^nd	9.00am	Michael Lawson RIP (Anthony Family)
Thur 23^rd	12.15pm	REQUIEM MASS Jean Dalgliesh RIP
Fri 24^th	10.00am10.30am	*Margaret Baldwin’s Int’sStations of the Cross / Exposition of Bl Sac***
Sat 25^th	10.30am	REQUIEM MASS Jackie Ilines RIP
		*Confessions 11am – 12Noon or on demandVigil Mass for Sunday. Confessions at 5.30pm***
Sat 25^th	6.00pm	Sylvia & Norman Taylor RIP (Brenda Bryant)
Sun 26^th	9.00am	People of the Parish
Sun 26^th	11:00am	Helen Cooper RIP (Betty & Family)

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

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

The Brentwood Diocesan Trust Registered Charity No. 234092

4th Sunday of Lent (Laetare Sunday)

First Reading : 1 Samuel 16:1,6-7,10-13

The Lord said to Samuel, ‘Fill your horn with oil and go. I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem, for I have chosen myself a king among his sons.’ When Samuel arrived, he caught sight of Eliab and thought, ‘Surely the Lord’s anointed stands there before him,’ but the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Take no notice of his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him: God does not see as man sees: man looks at appearances but the Lord looks at the heart.’ Jesse presented his seven sons to Samuel, but Samuel said to Jesse, ‘The Lord has not chosen these.’ He then asked Jesse, ‘Are these all the sons you have?’ He answered, ‘There is still one left, the youngest; he is out looking after the sheep.’ Then Samuel said to Jesse, ‘Send for him; we will not sit down to eat until he comes.’ Jesse had him sent for, a boy of fresh complexion, with fine eyes and pleasant bearing. The Lord said, ‘Come, anoint him, for this is the one.’ At this, Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him where he stood with his brothers; and the spirit of the Lord seized on David and stayed with him from that day on.

Responsorial Psalm : Psalm 22(23)

The Lord is my shepherd: there is nothing I shall want.

The Lord is my shepherd;

there is nothing I shall want.

Fresh and green are the pastures

where he gives me repose.

Near restful waters he leads me,

to revive my drooping spirit.

The Lord is my shepherd: there is nothing I shall want.

He guides me along the right path;

he is true to his name.

If I should walk in the valley of darkness

no evil would I fear.

You are there with your crook and your staff;

with these you give me comfort.

The Lord is my shepherd: there is nothing I shall want.

You have prepared a banquet for me

in the sight of my foes.

My head you have anointed with oil;

my cup is overflowing.

The Lord is my shepherd: there is nothing I shall want.

Surely goodness and kindness shall follow me

all the days of my life.

In the Lord’s own house shall I dwell

for ever and ever.

The Lord is my shepherd: there is nothing I shall want.

Second Reading : Ephesians 5:8-14

You were darkness once, but now you are light in the Lord; be like children of light, for the effects of the light are seen in complete goodness and right living and truth. Try to discover what the Lord wants of you, having nothing to do with the futile works of darkness but exposing them by contrast. The things which are done in secret are things that people are ashamed even to speak of; but anything exposed by the light will be illuminated and anything illuminated turns into light. That is why it is said:

Wake up from your sleep,

rise from the dead,

and Christ will shine on you.

Gospel : John 9:1-41

As Jesus went along, he saw a man who had been blind from birth. His disciples asked him, ‘Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, for him to have been born blind?’ ‘Neither he nor his parents sinned,’ Jesus answered ‘he was born blind so that the works of God might be displayed in him.

‘As long as the day lasts

I must carry out the work of the one who sent me;

the night will soon be here when no one can work.

As long as I am in the world

I am the light of the world.’

Having said this, he spat on the ground, made a paste with the spittle, put this over the eyes of the blind man, and said to him, ‘Go and wash in the Pool of Siloam’ (a name that means ‘sent’). So the blind man went off and washed himself, and came away with his sight restored.

His neighbours and people who earlier had seen him begging said, ‘Isn’t this the man who used to sit and beg?’ Some said, ‘Yes, it is the same one.’ Others said, ‘No, he only looks like him.’ The man himself said, ‘I am the man.’ So they said to him, ‘Then how do your eyes come to be open?’ ‘The man called Jesus’ he answered ‘made a paste, daubed my eyes with it and said to me, “Go and wash at Siloam”; so I went, and when I washed I could see.’ They asked, ‘Where is he?’ ‘I don’t know’ he answered.

They brought the man who had been blind to the Pharisees. It had been a sabbath day when Jesus made the paste and opened the man’s eyes, so when the Pharisees asked him how he had come to see, he said, ‘He put a paste on my eyes, and I washed, and I can see.’ Then some of the Pharisees said, ‘This man cannot be from God: he does not keep the sabbath.’ Others said, ‘How could a sinner produce signs like this?’ And there was disagreement among them. So they spoke to the blind man again, ‘What have you to say about him yourself, now that he has opened your eyes?’ ‘He is a prophet’ replied the man. However, the Jews would not believe that the man had been blind and had gained his sight, without first sending for his parents and asking them, ‘Is this man really your son who you say was born blind? If so, how is it that he is now able to see?’ His parents answered, ‘We know he is our son and we know he was born blind, but we do not know how it is that he can see now, or who opened his eyes. He is old enough: let him speak for himself.’ His parents spoke like this out of fear of the Jews, who had already agreed to expel from the synagogue anyone who should acknowledge Jesus as the Christ. This was why his parents said, ‘He is old enough; ask him.’

So the Jews again sent for the man and said to him, ‘Give glory to God! For our part, we know that this man is a sinner.’ The man answered, ‘I don’t know if he is a sinner; I only know that I was blind and now I can see.’ They said to him, ‘What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?’ He replied, ‘I have told you once and you wouldn’t listen. Why do you want to hear it all again? Do you want to become his disciples too?’ At this they hurled abuse at him: ‘You can be his disciple,’ they said ‘we are disciples of Moses: we know that God spoke to Moses, but as for this man, we do not know where he comes from.’ The man replied, ‘Now here is an astonishing thing! He has opened my eyes, and you don’t know where he comes from! We know that God doesn’t listen to sinners, but God does listen to men who are devout and do his will. Ever since the world began it is unheard of for anyone to open the eyes of a man who was born blind; if this man were not from God, he couldn’t do a thing.’ ‘Are you trying to teach us,’ they replied ‘and you a sinner through and through, since you were born!’ And they drove him away.

Jesus heard they had driven him away, and when he found him he said to him, ‘Do you believe in the Son of Man?’ ‘Sir,’ the man replied ‘tell me who he is so that I may believe in him.’ Jesus said, ‘You are looking at him; he is speaking to you.’ The man said, ‘Lord, I believe’, and worshipped him.

Jesus said:

‘It is for judgement

that I have come into this world,

so that those without sight may see

and those with sight turn blind.’

Hearing this, some Pharisees who were present said to him, ‘We are not blind, surely?’ Jesus replied:

‘Blind? If you were,

you would not be guilty,

but since you say, “We see,”

your guilt remains.

Third Sunday of Lent, 2023. Year A

Edmund of Canterbury & St. Thomas More

The woman at the well was thirsty for truth. We don’t know her name but we do know she was a Gentile from Samaria. Her conversation with Jesus is the longest one-to-one chat recorded in the whole Bible. The conversation began at noon, in the heat of the day. Jesus’ question to her, profound in its irony, ‘Will you give me a drink?’ gets the chat underway. Jesus, never one to be bound by cultural norms, turns the world upside down. Jews weren’t supposed to speak to Samaritans. Men weren’t permitted to address women without their husbands present. Rabbis had no business speaking to ladies of a certain reputation and this lady definitely had form.

The Samaritan lady, more accustomed to the cultural norm, questions Jesus’ wisdom in asking here for a drink: ‘You are a Jew, and I am a Samaritan woman,’ she reminds him. ‘How can you ask me for a drink?’ This is a conversation about two different worlds – the everyday versus the everlasting. Water does quench our thirst but Jesus was talking about a different thirst and a different kind of water. Jesus’ cutting to the chase and reveals the way the Holy Spirit works in our lives – he always convinces and convicts us of the darkness so that we may be healed by the light.

Just like the Holy Spirit, Jesus is direct and forthright: ‘The fact is, you have had five husbands, and the man you have now is not your husband’. Five marriages didn’t make her a sinner. Due to warfare, famine, disease and injury, men in those days dropped like flies. A widow became a beggar, a prostitute or another man’s wife. Each time, this Samaritan woman had chosen the best option. It was sharing her bed with a sixth man who wasn’t her husband that was the problem.

Jesus reveals himself as the Messiah, the Christ, and the woman begins her journey of conversion. In a society which considered women to be less than second-class citizens Jesus chose a woman to have this most profound theological/spiritual conversation. There is a way in which we all have this conversation with Christ because we all identify an interior ache or longing which can only be satisfied by the living water of the living God. We drink from this cup of salvation every time we drink the blood of Christ in the Eucharist.

Dear Friends in Christ, Third Sunday of Lent 2023

Lent is a Penitential Season, meaning that as Roman Catholics we should avail ourselves of the Sacrament of Reconciliation. It is our obligation, at least once a year to fulfil our Easter Duties; what this means is going to Confession between Ash Wednesday & Trinity Sunday. When Jesus Christ rose from the dead, he continues to instruct the Apostles, he gave them the divine power for the forgiveness of sins in his name, and from the beginning of Christianity the Church has celebrated the Sacrament of Penance.

There is not one single person on the face of this planet who is perfect, and sin is the conscious decision by an individual to go against what is right and continue to do what is wrong. When we deliberately know something is wrong and still carry on doing it, ‘This is Sin’. Mortal Sin is a violation of the Commandments of God. The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches, “Mortal sin destroys charity in the heart of man by a grave violation of God’s law; it turns man away from God, who is his ultimate end and his beatitude, by preferring an inferior good to Him” (#1855). Therefore, sacramental absolution is necessary to forgive mortal sin, to restore the sanctifying grace in a person’s soul, and to reconcile the person fully with God and neighbour.

While confession is necessary for the forgiveness of mortal sin, it is also a most important means of grace and a good spiritual practice for the forgiveness of venial sin. Sadly over the past 30 years or so, fewer and fewer of the faithful celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation. It is a most beautiful Sacrament. To know that we can come to Almighty God in an act of humility, and receive His unconditional loving forgiveness, is one of the Church’s greatest gifts to the faithful. But people often say they are frightened to celebrate the Sacrament. Why would you be frightened to receive God’s Love? We have all pr0bably been on the receiving end of human forgiveness, either from our parents or loved ones; what greater joy that to receive God’s forgiveness!

There will be a Parish Lenten Penitential Service on Tuesday 4^th April at 7.30pm with visiting priests to hear Confessions. If it’s been a long time since you last went to Confession, please make a very special effort to celebrate the Sacrament in preparation for Easter & the Resurrection of the Lord. What greater act of love could we show to Jesus than being washed clean of our sins. Lent clipart confession, Picture #2909190 lent clipart confession

May God Bless You All,

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION CLASSES: There will be no class on Sunday 12^th March at 10.00am in the Parish Retreat. Congratulations to the children who made their First Reconciliation yesterday. Today they are being prepared to host the 11.00am Mass next Sunday 19^th March (Gaudete Sunday – Mothering Sunday).

LENTEN COURSE: The God who Speaks – ‘The Big Picture Course’, exploring the Sacred Scriptures to understand and deepen our awareness of God & Jesus Christ. Course dates: March 15^th 22^nd at 7.30pm in the Parish Retreat. There is a Study Book with personal Diary & CD costs but it’s not imperative that you have this! It would be truly wonderful to see as many people as possible

READERS & EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS: Would those Readers & Eucharistic Ministers who wish to resume your ministry kindly notify Julie Callender, who organises the Minsters’ Rota. Julie’s ‘phone numbers are 07834 088661 (mobile – preferred) and 020 8502 3854 (land line) and her email is julie.callander@hotmail.com It would be very helpful if you could contact Julie as soon as possible so that she can set up the rota and then circulate it to everyone. Clipart Panda - Free Clipart Images

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/

MASS INTENTIONS – MARCH 2023

Sat 11^th	9.00am	Edward Martin Duffy RIP (Margaret Duffy)
		*Confessions 11am – 12Noon or on demandVigil Mass for Sunday. Confessions at 5.30pm***
Sat 11^th	6.00pm	Nemesio Gonzalo RIP (Ray & Ingrid Bacani)
Sun 12^th	9.00am	Maureen Allen RIP (Sue & John Campbell)
Sun 12^th	11:00am	Duncan Lowther RIP (Brenda Bryant
Mon 13^th	10.00am	Peter Greig RIP (Fr John)
Tues 14^th	10.00am	Nancy Burgess RIP (Foundation Mass)
Wed 15^th	10.00am	David Emslie RIP (Margaret Duffy)
Thur 16^th	10.00am	Letty Fletcher RIP (Anni) (Margaret Duffy)
Fri 17^th	10.00am10.30am	*Joseph Duffy RIP (Margaret Duffy)Stations of the Cross / Exposition of Bl Sac***
Sat 18^th	10.00am	Anne Wright RIP (Brenda Bryant)
		*Confessions 11am – 12Noon or on demandVigil Mass for Sunday. Confessions at 5.30pm***
Sat 18^th	6.00pm	Frederick George Burgess RIP (Foundation Mass)
Sun 19^th	9.00am	Michael Stavrinidou RIP (Sue & John Campbell)
Sun 19^th	11:00am	Rey & Ingrid in Thanksgiving. (Rey & Ingrid)

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 Lent

First Reading : Exodus 17:3-7

Tormented by thirst, the people complained against Moses. ‘Why did you bring us out of Egypt?’ they said. ‘Was it so that I should die of thirst, my children too, and my cattle?’

Moses appealed to the Lord. ‘How am I to deal with this people?” he said. ‘A little more and they will stone me!’ the Lord said to Moses, ‘Take with you some of the elders of Israel and move on to the forefront of the people; take in your hand the staff with which you struck the river, and go. I shall be standing before you there on the rock, at Horeb. You must strike the rock, and water will flow from it for the people to drink.’ This is what Moses did, in the sight of the elders of Israel. The place was named Massah and Meribah because of the grumbling of the sons of Israel and because they put the Lord to the test by saying, ‘Is the Lord with us, or not?’

Responsive Psalm : Psalm 94(95):1-2,6-9

O that today you would listen to his voice! ‘Harden not your hearts.’

Come, ring out our joy to the Lord;

hail the rock who saves us.

Let us come before him, giving thanks,

with songs let us hail the Lord.

O that today you would listen to his voice! ‘Harden not your hearts.’

Come in; let us bow and bend low;

let us kneel before the God who made us:

for he is our God and we

the people who belong to his pasture,

the flock that is led by his hand.

O that today you would listen to his voice! ‘Harden not your hearts.’

O that today you would listen to his voice!

‘Harden not your hearts as at Meribah,

as on that day at Massah in the desert

when your fathers put me to the test;

when they tried me, though they saw my work.’

O that today you would listen to his voice! ‘Harden not your hearts.’

Second Reading : Romans 5:1-2,5-8

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, by faith we are judged righteous and at peace with God, since it is by faith and through Jesus that we have entered this state of grace in which we can boast about looking forward to God’s glory. And this hope is not deceptive, because the love of God has been poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit which has been given us. We were still helpless when at his appointed moment Christ died for sinful men. It is not easy to die even for a good man – though of course for someone really worthy, a man might be prepared to die – but what proves that God loves us is that Christ died for us while we were still sinners.

Gospel : John 4:5-42

Jesus came to the Samaritan town called Sychar, near the land that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. Jacob’s well is there and Jesus, tired by the journey, sat straight down by the well. It was about the sixth hour. When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, ‘Give me a drink.’ His disciples had gone into the town to buy food. The Samaritan woman said to him, ‘What? You are a Jew and you ask me, a Samaritan, for a drink?’ – Jews, in fact, do not associate with Samaritans. Jesus replied:

‘If you only knew what God is offering

and who it is that is saying to you:

Give me a drink, you would have been the one to ask,

and he would have given you living water.’

‘You have no bucket, sir,’ she answered ‘and the well is deep: how could you get this living water? Are you a greater man than our father Jacob who gave us this well and drank from it himself with his sons and his cattle?’ Jesus replied:

‘Whoever drinks this water

will get thirsty again;

but anyone who drinks the water that I shall give

will never be thirsty again:

the water that I shall give

will turn into a spring inside him,

welling up to eternal life.’

‘Sir,’ said the woman ‘give me some of that water, so that I may never get thirsty and never have to come here again to draw water.’ ‘Go and call your husband’ said Jesus to her ‘and come back here.’ The woman answered, ‘I have no husband.’ He said to her, ‘You are right to say, “I have no husband”; for although you have had five, the one you have now is not your husband. You spoke the truth there.’ ‘I see you are a prophet, sir’ said the woman. ‘Our fathers worshipped on this mountain, while you say that Jerusalem is the place where one ought to worship.’ Jesus said:

‘Believe me, woman,

the hour is coming

when you will worship the Father

neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem.

You worship what you do not know;

we worship what we do know:

for salvation comes from the Jews.

But the hour will come

– in fact it is here already –

when true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth:

that is the kind of worshipper the Father wants.

God is spirit,

and those who worship

must worship in spirit and truth.’

The woman said to him, ‘I know that Messiah – that is, Christ – is coming; and when he comes he will tell us everything.’ ‘I who am speaking to you,’ said Jesus ‘I am he.’

At this point his disciples returned, and were surprised to find him speaking to a woman, though none of them asked, ‘What do you want from her?’ or, ‘Why are you talking to her?’ The woman put down her water jar and hurried back to the town to tell the people. ‘Come and see a man who has told me everything I ever did; I wonder if he is the Christ?’ This brought people out of the town and they started walking towards him.

Meanwhile, the disciples were urging him, ‘Rabbi, do have something to eat; but he said, ‘I have food to eat that you do not know about.’ So the disciples asked one another, ‘Has someone been bringing him food?’ But Jesus said:

‘My food is to do the will of the one who sent me,

and to complete his work.

Have you not got a saying:

Four months and then the harvest?

Well, I tell you:

Look around you, look at the fields;

already they are white, ready for harvest!

Already the reaper is being paid his wages,

already he is bringing in the grain for eternal life,

and thus sower and reaper rejoice together.

For here the proverb holds good:

one sows, another reaps;

I sent you to reap a harvest you had not worked for.

Others worked for it;

and you have come into the rewards of their trouble.’

Many Samaritans of that town had believed in him on the strength of the woman’s testimony when she said, ‘He told me all I have ever done’, so, when the Samaritans came up to him, they begged him to stay with them. He stayed for two days, and when he spoke to them many more came to believe; and they said to the woman, ‘Now we no longer believe because of what you told us; we have heard him ourselves and we know that he really is the saviour of the world.’