St Edmund of Canterbury, Loughton

Thirtieth Sunday of the Year, 2022

St. Edmund of Canterbury & St. Thomas More

‘The prayer of the humble pierces the clouds’: the truth of these words form today’s reading in Ecclesiasticus is illustrated by Jesus’ hard-hitting parable in the Gospel. The tax collector’s outward actions are worth noting. He stands at a distance, reflecting his sense of shame. Ironically his physical distance, reflecting his sense of shame. Ironically his physical distance creates a spiritual proximity to God. Also, he beats his breast, which, in a commentary on St Luke’s Gospel, St Theophilus interpreted as him ‘…striking it as it were because of the evil thoughts, and moreover rousing it as if asleep.

Furthermore, the tax collector’s prayer is short, direct and full of sorrow. This is a model of prayer for us. First, it calls to mind the words of Our Lord when he says ‘… when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words’. Second, we see how the tax collector’s humility stemming from his genuine contrition leads him to becoming closer to God.

St Anthony the Great teaches Christ’s followers to …dispose your heart towards humility…For God and His angels and saints turn away from the proud of heart…hearts that are humble and contrite the Lord will not despise.

Contrition of heart comes from above all in an honest confession of our sins. The Sacrament of Reconciliation allows us to unburden our hearts, like the tax collector. Scripture says that ‘if we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness’. There’s a sense in which confessing our sins takes courage, but there are also amazing graces and gifts bestowed on those who confess. The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that, ‘Through such an admission man looks squarely at the sins he is guilty of, takes responsibility for them, and thereby opens himself again to God and to the communion of the Church in order to make a new future possible.’

Dear Friends in Jesus Christ, 30^th Sunday of the Year

A week in politics is a long time! We have a new Chancellor; the Prime Minister has resigned. There are all sorts of debates and discussions on the television and radio about the economy. But honestly, people are worried. Admittedly, the war in the Ukraine has sadly affected the whole world. It makes us realise that we are all affected by global events. But that doesn’t detract from the fact that utilities and the price of food and people’s mortgages have increased considerably. It is probably going to be a difficult winter. Let’s all look out for each other and help each other!

CHRISTMAS EVENT FOR 2022: Upon consultation with the Bazaar Committee, and in light of economic difficulties for everyone this year, we have decided to progress the same as last year with a Grand Christmas Draw & Christmas Hampers. We investigated the possibility of a Christmas Market, but there were so few interested. We’ll stick to what we know! Obviously, this also takes some organising as well, and if there are any volunteers who can help us, we would be most grateful. Event will be on Sunday 11^th December after 11am Mass, with Cake Stall & Refreshments & Grand Christmas Draw.

We would like to appeal to your incredible generosity once again for donations of indulgent foods and drinks to create a fabulous selection of luxury Christmas Hampers. Items for a Grand Christmas Draw would be a Flat Screen TV, Laptop, Other New Electrical Goods, Crate of Wine, Theatre Vouchers, Restaurant Vouchers, Hotel Vouchers, National Trust Annual Family Membership, Department Store Vouchers, Fitbits, Air Pods, Beats Headphones.

SUGGESTED HAMPER DONATIONS: Luxury Brand Christmas Cakes & Puddings, Bottles of Champagne, Spirits, Port & Wine. Tinned meats – Gammon Ham, Potted Duck, and Pates. Tinned Fish – Salmon, Dressed Crab & Lobster, Jars of Fruit in Syrup, Jars of Pickles, Chutneys & Olives. Festive Jams or Berry Preserves. Festive Marmalades, Jars of Honey, Tea & Coffee, Hot Chocolate. Dried Fruit & Nuts. Biscotti, Ginger Snaps & Shortbread, boxes of Chocolates & Truffles, Turkish Delight. Panettone, Mince Pies, Stollen. Biscuits and Crackers for Cheese. Bottles of Live Oil, Balsamic Vinegar & Marinades, Dried Stuffing Mixes. Boxes of Table Crackers

If anyone wants to make a Cash Donation please mark it Christmas Fund, and please use your Gift Aid envelope so we can claim the Tax back on the Donation. Thank you! There is a Box & Trolly in Porch for your gifts & offerings.

If any parishioners would be willing to donate suitable wicker hamper style baskets, these will help us present our Christmas Hampers in the traditional way. Thanking you all in anticipation of your generosity!

God Bless You All & Have a Blessed Week,

PARISH UTILITIES: Thankfully, the weather has been pretty mild up to now. May I make an appeal to the whole parish community to kindly remember in your weekly offertory, and especially during this autumn and winter, the use of the utilities in our very big buildings. We are now all on the receiving end of larger Utility Bills. I’m sure we’re all being very careful with the usage of heating and lighting. I don’t think this is something that is going to go away!

FEAST OF ALL SAINTS: 1^st November, is a Holy Day of Obligation and has the same status as a Sunday. There will be four masses. 10.00am, 12.15pm & 7.30pm at St Edmund’s. And 2.00pm at St John Fisher School (Parents are also welcome to this mass at school).

NOVEMBER: Month of Holy Souls. It is customary throughout the Month of November to remember our deceased loved ones in a very special way. If there are any parishioners who would like to present a November Deceased List of names, there are spare envelopes in the porch. Please complete your list of names and include your Mass Donation, and return the envelopes by the 2^nd November All Souls Day. Please use your Gift Aid Number with your donation. There will be three Masses that day 10.00am, 12.15pm & 7.30pm. Holy Mass will be offered daily for the repose of all of our Holy Souls. And at the end of our weekday masses a decade of Rosary & Prayers for the deceased will be recited.

ST PATRICK’S CEMETERY, LEYTONSTONE: November Mass for the Deceased will be celebrated on Monday 14^th November at 11.30am All welcome! Many have deceased family buried at St Patrick’s Cemetery.

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION CLASSES: Continue after the half-term break on Sunday 6^th November at 10.00am in the Parish Retreat Room. It is imperative that all children attend each of the Communion Classes. If you are unable to attend for some reason please contact Fr. John.

CAN YOU HELP? We are desperately in need of additional help for the Altar Society; over the past year or so, we’ve lost a number of our regular helpers who clean the church. If you are able to give half an hour or so every month to help keep our Church beautifully clean and tidy, this is all we ask. If you’re able to help please contact Sharon Fitzmaurice 07854919207 or shazzafitzm@aol.com or Fr John. 0208 508 3492 Next Big Clean on Thursday 17^th November at 10.30am

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

REQUIESCAT IN PACE: In your mercy please pray for the repose of the soul of Veronica Godsave RIP, who passed away this week. We extend our condolences to her family in this time of great loss. As yet there are no funeral arrangements

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

DAILY MASS AT ST EDMUND’S: I would like to make this special appeal, especially to those who may be retired, to think seriously about attending one or more of our daily masses at 10.00am Monday – Saturday. Daily Mass is truly a wonderful gift that is offered in nearly every parish. I get saddened sometimes as to how few people attend our weekday masses. We teach that the Holy Mass is the ‘source & summit’ of our Catholic Lives of faith. There is no greater gift that Christ gave us before his Passion, Death & Resurrection. Please think seriously about attending an additional Mass during the week; the Lord will afford you many graces and blessings.

NOTE FOR OUR CONTEMPORARY MUSIC GROUP We will next be playing and singing at the 11am Mass on Sunday, 6^th November. It was really good to see so many of our singers (and new ones too!) at our last Mass, and we hope you will all be able to come and sing again at this next Mass. Because of time restraints, we’ll not be having a practice during the week beforehand, but it would be appreciated if you could arrive before the Mass starts so that we can quickly run through the music and hymns. Thanks very much and we look forward to seeing you there in full force!

DIARY OCTOBER 2022

PLEASE PRAY FOR THOSE SICK IN OUR PARISH

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

ANNIVERSARIES: Joyce Gregory RIP, Mary Fox RIP, Maura Highland 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:

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

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

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

EPPING FOREST FOODBANK DONATIONS: Thank you to all parishioners who continue to generously donate items for the Foodbank. They are truly grateful for the generosity our parish has shown and our donations are still needed desperately as more and more people in our community are finding it hard to make ends meet. The Foodbank have asked for support with the following items: pasta sauce, rice pudding, jam, tinned fruit, snack / breakfast bars, chocolate bars, shower gel, toilet roll and deodorant. URGENTLY NEEDED: Small jars of coffee, washing up liquid, sponge pudding desserts and instant mash. Thank you! You can also keep up to date with the Foodbank news via their facebook page: www.facebook.com/EppingForestFoodbank/

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

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.

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!

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

If there are children who no longer serve at St Edmund’s, would you kindly return your Alb & Cincture as soon as possible please

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.

VACANCY – Cemetery Director. The Administrators of the Secular Clergy Common Fund are looking to appoint a Cemetery Director to be responsible for the direct management and strategic oversight of St Mary’s Cemetery NW10 5NU and St Patrick’s Cemetery E11 4HL. Salary: £45,000 – £50,000 depending on experience. Job Type: Full time, permanent Monday to Friday (35 hours a week). For an informal discussion regarding the role please contact Angela Rowe, Secretary at secretary@secularclergy.org.uk / call 07537 185800

CATECHIST TRAINING AND RESOURCES DAY – 5th November, 10.00 a.m. – 3.00 p.m. at Sacred Heart of Mary School, Upminster. Open to any First Holy Communion and Confirmation Catechists, as well as those leading Youth Groups, Children’s Liturgy or similar! A range of fantastic workshops and keynote speech from David Wells. There will also be a session for any young catechists looking to develop their faith post confirmation (16+). For all information and to book, please visit www.bcys.net/events/catechistday2022

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/

A TIME OF RETREAT AND REFLECTION Bookings have now open for this SILENT RETREAT in Brentwood. The theme is ‘My Lord and my God’ with a call to a renewed intimacy with Jesus. The guest speaker is Fr Martin Boland. Dates: Friday 4th-Sunday 6th November. To book, go to the events’ page of the Sion Community website – www.sioncommunity.org.uk

MASS INTENTIONS – OCTOBER 2022

Sat 22^nd	10.00am	Suzanne Halfyard B’day Int’s. (John & Rosemary O’Rourke)
		*Vigil Mass for Sunday. Confessions at 5.30pm*
Sat 22^nd	6.00pm	Neil Milward RIP (Carole Milward)
Sun 23^rd	9.00am	Eladio Dizon Jnr RIP (Ray & Ingrid Bacani)
Sun 23^rd	11:00am	Lucy McLay RIP (Ruiz Family)
Mon 24^th	10.00am	Anthony Michael Porter RIP (Munday Family)
Tues 25^th	10.00am	Yvonne aria Westcott RIP ((Frank Westcott)
Wed 26^th	10.00am	Sinead Dorn’s Int’s (John O’Rourke)
Thur 27^th	10.00am	Edward Martin Duffy RIP (Margaret Duffy)
Fri 28^th	10.00am	John W Mills RIP (Mills Family)
Sat 29^th	10.00am	Pina & Albert Martinelli RIP (Margaret Duffy)
		*Vigil Mass for Sunday. Confessions at 5.30pm*
Sat 29^th	6.00pm	Samia Masud Int’s (The Anthony Family)
Sun 30^th	9.00am	Jim Sullivan RIP (Celine Sullivan)
Sun 30^th	11:00am	Eladio Dizon Jnr RIP (Bacuetes Family)

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

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

The Brentwood Diocesan Trust Registered Charity No. 234092

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

30th Sunday in Ordinary Time

First Reading : Ecclesiasticus 35:12-14, 16-19

The Lord is a judge

who is no respecter of personages.

He shows no respect of personages to the detriment of a poor man,

he listens to the plea of the injured party.

He does not ignore the orphan’s supplication,

nor the widow’s as she pours out her story.

The man who with his whole heart serves God will be accepted,

his petitions will carry to the clouds.

The humble man’s prayer pierces the clouds,

until it arrives he is inconsolable,

And the Lord will not be slow,

nor will he be dilatory on their behalf.

Responsive Psalm : Psalm 33(34):2-3,17-19,23

This poor man called; the Lord has heard him.

I will bless the Lord at all times,

his praise always on my lips;

in the Lord my soul shall make its boast.

The humble shall hear and be glad.

This poor man called; the Lord has heard him.

The Lord turns his face against the wicked

to destroy their remembrance from the earth.

The just call and the Lord hears

and rescues them in all their distress.

This poor man called; the Lord has heard him.

The Lord is close to the broken-hearted;

those whose spirit is crushed he will save.

The Lord ransoms the souls of his servants.

Those who hide in him shall not be condemned.

This poor man called; the Lord has heard him.

Second Reading : 2 Timothy 4:6-8,16-18

My life is already being poured away as a libation, and the time has come for me to be gone. I have fought the good fight to the end; I have run the race to the finish; I have kept the faith; all there is to come now is the crown of righteousness reserved for me, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give to me on that Day; and not only to me but to all those who have longed for his Appearing.

The first time I had to present my defence, there was not a single witness to support me. Every one of them deserted me – may they not be held accountable for it. But the Lord stood by me and gave me power, so that through me the whole message might be proclaimed for all the pagans to hear; and so I was rescued from the lion’s mouth. The Lord will rescue me from all evil attempts on me, and bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Gospel : Luke 18:9-14

Jesus spoke the following parable to some people who prided themselves on being virtuous and despised everyone else: ‘Two men went up to the Temple to pray, one a Pharisee, the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood there and said this prayer to himself, “I thank you, God, that I am not grasping, unjust, adulterous like the rest of mankind, and particularly that I am not like this tax collector here. I fast twice a week; I pay tithes on all I get.” The tax collector stood some distance away, not daring even to raise his eyes to heaven; but he beat his breast and said, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner.” This man, I tell you, went home again at rights with God; the other did not. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the man who humbles himself will be exalted.’

The Gospel of the lord

Twenty Ninth Sunday of the Year, 2022

St. Edmund of Canterbury & St. Thomas More

Why should we pray? Today’s Gospel recounts Jesus’ parable about the impatient judge, who was constantly being bothered by a widow pestering him for justice. If that judge will answer the woman’s need just to get rid of her and get some peace, Jesus tells us, will not our heavenly Father answer the prayers we make to him?

Even since the age of Enlightenment in the eighteenth century, people of a philosophical bent have questioned the value of prayer, and especially intercessory prayer. It is said, for example, that the German poet Goethe never prayed because he argued that the world was set on its course anyway. Of course, god knows what we are going to ask him in advance of our asking. But the Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that God ‘is the Lord of the universe, whose order he established, and which remains wholly subject to him and at this disposal. He is mater of history, governing hearts and events in keeping with his will….’ (para 269). God did not create the world and then leave it to its own devices! He has assured us through the Scriptures that he will change events as a result of our prayers. The world is not just a machine ticking over like a watch. It is more a unity, directed by an infinite mind which we call God. So, we must keep praying, as Paul says, ‘at all times’, that is when things are good and when things are bad. OTC_29D

Of course, prayer can be frustrating. Sometimes our prayers never seem to be answered. But God may be leading us to the virtue of perseverance, in Greek bupomoné, which we might translate as ‘stickability’. Christian faith teaches us the virtue of fidelity even in difficult times. We also have help from others in our prayer. Out reading from Exodus tells us the beautiful story of Moses being helped to pray by Aaron and Hur holding up his arms. The Church has a role in encouraging our prayers, by giving us the right prayer to say, and by giving us pastors and Christian friends who can help us and guide us as we grow in stickability. Don’t give up!

PRAY AS YOU CAN, NOT AS YOU CAN’T

Dear Friends in Jesus Christ, 29^th Sunday of the Year

RELICS OF ST BERNADETTE OF LOURDES COMING TO UK: The Churches & Cathedrals hosting St Bernadette’s Relics have a fixed capacity for visitors. To ensure the comfort and safety of pilgrims, visitors will be asked to register to attend with a dedicated timeslot. In the diocese of Brentwood there are two dates and two venues.

Brentwood Cathedral Arriving 11am 16/10/2022 Departing 12Noon 17/10/2022. Special Mass for all at 6.30pm 16/10/2022

Our Lady of Lourdes Wanstead: Arrive 10am 18/10/2022. Depart: 9am 19/10/2022 . Special Mass celebrated by Bishop Alan on Tuesday 18^th October at 7.30pm All welcome!

SUGGESTED HAMPER DONATIONS: Luxury Brand Christmas Cakes & Puddings, Bottles of Champagne, Spirits, Port & Wine. Tinned meats – Gammon Ham, Potted Duck, and Pates. Tinned Fish – Salmon, Dressed Crab & Lobster, Jars of Fruit in Syrup, Jars of Pickles, Chutneys & Olives. Festive Jams or Berry Preserves. Festive Marmalades, Jars of Honey, Tea & Coffee, Hot Chocolate. Dried Fruit & Nuts. Biscotti, Ginger Snaps & Shortbread, boxes of Chocolates & Truffles,, Turkish Delight. Panettone, Mince Pies, Stollen. Biscuits and Crackers for Cheese. Bottles of Live Oil, Balsamic Vinegar & Marinades, Dried Stuffing Mixes. Boxes of Table Crackers

God Bless You All & Have a Blessed Week,

SECONDARY SCHOOL ADMISSIONS: I’m extremely grateful to all the parents who came this week for the signing of Certificate of Catholic Practice for entry into Trinity Catholic High School next September 2023. Your County Form to Chelmsford has to be completed online; and your application has to be submitted to the school by 31^st October. If there are any problems please speak to Fr. John

REQIESCAT IN PACE: John Cocklin RIP (Father of Ann Cocklin) who passed away recently. Requiem Mass on Wednesday 19^th October at 12.15pm with Cremation at Forest Park Crematorium at 1.30pm

NOVEMBER: Month of Holy Souls. It is customary throughout the Month of November to remember our deceased loved ones in a very special way. If there are any parishioners who would like to present a November Deceased List of names, there are special envelopes in your newsletters and also in the porch. Please complete your list of names and include your Mass Donation, and return the November Deceased Envelopes by the 2^nd November, All Souls Day. There will be three Masses that day 10am, 12.15pm & 7.30pm. Holy Mass will be offered daily for the repose of all of our Holy Souls. And at the end of our weekday masses a decade of Rosary & Prayers for the deceased will be recited.

SACRAMENTAL PREPARATION FOR 2022/23: Continues on Sunday 16^th October at 10.00am in the Parish Retreat Room. It is imperative that all children attend each of the Communion Classes. If you are unable to attend for some reason please contact Fr. John.

CAN YOU HELP? We are desperately in need of additional help for the Altar Society; over the past year or so, we’ve lost a number of our regular helpers who clean the church. If you are able to give half an hour or so every month to help keep our Church beautifully clean and tidy, this is all we ask. If you’re able to help please contact Sharon Fitzmaurice 07854919207 or shazzafitzm@aol.com or Fr John. 0208 508 3492 Next Big Clean on Tuesday 11^th October at 10.30am

DIARY OCTOBER 2022

PLEASE PRAY FOR THOSE SICK IN OUR PARISH

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

ANNIVERSARIES: Maureen Epsom RIP, Emily Rose Courtney RIP. Please pray for all whose anniversaries occur at this time and for all of our deceased loved ones, Requiescant in Pace.

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

If there are children who no longer serve at St Edmund’s, would you kindly return your Alb & Cincture as soon as possible please

REGISTERING AT THE PARISH: It’s always important top 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.

CATECHIST TRAINING AND RESOURCES DAY – 5th November, 10.00 a.m. – 3.00 p.m. at Sacred Heart of Mary School, Upminster. Open to any First Holy Communion and Confirmation Catechists, as well as those leading Youth Groups, Children’s Liturgy or similar! A range of fantastic workshops and keynote speech from David Wells. There will also be a session for any young catechists looking to develop their faith postconfirmation (16+). For all information and to book, please visit www.bcys.net/events/catechistday2022

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/

29th Sunday in Ordinary Time

First Reading : Exodus 17:8-13

The Amalekites came and attacked Israel at Rephidim. Moses said to Joshua, ‘Pick out men for yourself, and tomorrow morning march out to engage Amalek. I, meanwhile, will stand on the hilltop, the staff of God in my hand.’ Joshua did as Moses told him and marched out to engage Amalek, while Moses and Aaron and Hur went up to the top of the hill. As long as Moses kept his arms raised, Israel had the advantage; when he let his arms fall, the advantage went to Amalek. But Moses’ arms grew heavy, so they took a stone and put it under him and on this he sat, Aaron and Hur supporting his arms, one on one side, one on the other; and his arms remained firm till sunset. With the edge of the sword Joshua cut down Amalek and his people.

Responsive Psalm : Psalm 120(121)

Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.

I lift up my eyes to the mountains;

from where shall come my help?

My help shall come from the Lord

who made heaven and earth.

Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.

May he never allow you to stumble!

Let him sleep not, your guard.

No, he sleeps not nor slumbers,

Israel’s guard.

Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.

The Lord is your guard and your shade;

at your right side he stands.

By day the sun shall not smite you

nor the moon in the night.

Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.

The Lord will guard you from evil,

he will guard your soul.

The Lord will guard your going and coming

both now and for ever.

Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.

Second Reading : 2 Timothy 3:14-4:2

You must keep to what you have been taught and know to be true; remember who your teachers were, and how, ever since you were a child, you have known the holy scriptures – from these you can learn the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All scripture is inspired by God and can profitably be used for teaching, for refuting error, for guiding people’s lives and teaching them to be holy. This is how the man who is dedicated to God becomes fully equipped and ready for any good work.

Before God and before Christ Jesus who is to be judge of the living and the dead, I put this duty to you, in the name of his Appearing and of his kingdom: proclaim the message and, welcome or unwelcome, insist on it. Refute falsehood, correct error, call to obedience – but do all with patience and with the intention of teaching.

Gospel : Luke 18:1-8

Jesus told his disciples a parable about the need to pray continually and never lose heart. ‘There was a judge in a certain town’ he said ‘who had neither fear of God nor respect for man. In the same town there was a widow who kept on coming to him and saying, “I want justice from you against my enemy!” For a long time he refused, but at last he said to himself, “Maybe I have neither fear of God nor respect for man, but since she keeps pestering me I must give this widow her just rights, or she will persist in coming and worry me to death.”’

And the Lord said ‘You notice what the unjust judge has to say? Now will not God see justice done to his chosen who cry to him day and night even when he delays to help them? I promise you, he will see justice done to them, and done speedily. But when the Son of Man comes, will he find any faith on earth?

Twenty Eighth Sunday of the Year, 2022

St. Edmund of Canterbury & St. Thomas More

Every good parent teaches their child to say ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ from an early age. Ungrateful children are unpleasant creatures but what they need is training and forming in this necessary social etiquette. Thanks and gratitude expressed bestows dignity on both the giver and the receiver. Without it a warm and generous gift or service falls on barren, hard ground.

There’s much to learn from today’s Gospel story. We don’t know the grateful leper’s name, just that he was a Samaritan and was one of the 10 Jesus healed and restored to health; in fact, the only one gracious enough to return and thank the Lord. In first-century Israel the term ‘leprosy’ covered any number of skin diseases and was understood to be a curse from God as a form of punishment, so lepers were thoroughly ostracized.

Jesus always broke through social prohibitions and repressive injunctions in order to heal and serve the person. The lepers Jesus encountered in today’s Gospel comprised of Jews (Galileans) and Samaritans. Through the suffering of their disease, they discovered fraternity and friendship, breaking down the barrier or dividing hostility that ordinarily separated non-Jew from Gentile. Under the restriction of the Torah, lepers had to avoid social contact with the general population and relied on handouts in order to survive.

Jesus gave a command – the Torah required that healed lepers show themselves to the priests, whose responsibility was to judge whether the ‘outcast’ should be permitted to return to society. Their obedience was richly rewarded as we known – all 10 were miraculously healed. However, in a rather jarring moment in Jesus’ life, we learn only the Samaritan returned to express his heartfelt thanks.

God has healed us and restored us in so many ways. We can strive to be like the grateful leper for he is a model of discipleship. His heart was full of praise, adoration worship and thanks.

Dear Friends in Jesus Christ, 28^th Sunday of the Year

CONGRATULATIONS: I would like to personally congratulate Ferdi Tisi & Iain McLay, who both received the Papal Bene Merenti award last weekend. The Bene Merenti is given by the Pope to individuals who have freely served the parish community over a long period of time. Ferdi Tisi: – started the Contemporary Music Group nearly fifty years ago. He served as a Governor at St John Fisher School for 30 years. He worked with the Seventh Epping Forest Uniform Group for many years. Also is the Gift Aid Co-ordinator for the Brentwood Catholic Children’s Society for 25 years. Iain McLay: – ran our Parish Youth Service every Sunday Evening for over twenty Years. Was a member of the SVP organising the annual Christmas Day Dinner for those who would be by themselves. And during the Covid Pandemic has looked after all of us; organising the church and rotas to ensure health and safety was maintained by all; ensuring that the weekly parish newsletter was distributed via email. For both of them, these incredible acts of service still continue today. On behalf of the parish I thank both of them for their Service to God & our Church.

PARISH UTILITIES: May I make an appeal to the whole parish community to kindly remember in your weekly offertory, and especially during this autumn and winter, the use of the utilities in our very big buildings. We are now all on the receiving end of larger Utility Bills. I’m sure we’re all being very careful with the usage of heating and lighting. I don’t think this is something that is going to go away!

DAILY MASS AT ST EDMUND’S: I would like to make this special appeal, especially to those who may be retired, to think seriously about attending one or more of our daily masses at 10.00am Monday – Saturday. Daily Mass is truly a wonderful gift that is offered in nearly every parish. I get saddened sometimes as to how few people attend our weekday masses. We teach that the Holy Mass is the ‘source & summit’ of our Catholic Lives of faith. There is no greater gift that Christ gave us before his Passion, Death & Resurrection. Please think seriously about attending an additional Mass during the week; the Lord will afford you many graces and blessing

May God Bless You All,

SECONDARY SCHOOL ADMISSIONS: According to the Brentwood Diocesan guidelines a very strict Admissions Criteria is in place, and if parents and children are not practicing their faith, e.g. weekly attendance at Holy Mass, they will not be eligible for a school place in our schools next September. All families are very aware of these facts, and it’s no use just making an appearance a couple of times prior to a Certificate of Catholic Practice being signed. Everyone has had years to prepare for this moment. You have until 31^st October to make the application. Signing of Certificate of Catholic Practice will take place from Monday 10^th October until Friday 14^th October. Please phone for an appointment. If you are making an application to Davenant Foundation School, I will need a copy of the Form which states the practice of your faith – Weekly / Fortnightly / Monthly / Occasionally. Thank You! Parents, please kindly attend Open Evenings before you complete your Essex County Form.

REQIESCANT IN PACE: In your mercy please pray for the repose of the souls of John Hogan RIP (Father of Frank Hogan) who passed away recently; Requiem Mass Friday 14^th October at 12Noon Our Lady of Grace & St Teresa, Chingford. Lucy McLay RIP (Mother of Iain McLay) The Requiem Mass will take place at St Edmund’s on Thursday 13^th October at 12.15pm. The Body will be received into the Church on Wednesday 12^th October at 4.30pm. Also John Cocklin RIP (Father of Ann Cocklin) who passed away recently. Requiem Mass on Wednesday 19^th October at 12.15pm with Cremation at Forest Park Crematorium at 1.30pm

WHAT CHRISTMAS EVENT THIS YEAR? It would be really wonderful to hold a Special Christmas event within the life of the parish once again. Covid put pay to the last couple of years. But if there are parishioners interested in helping us organise a Christmas Fayre or Christmas Market? Please let Fr John know or Kelsey Howard know. We want to try something new this year. Also, all the proceeds will go towards the paying of Utility Bills this winter for the all of the very big buildings we have. Hopefully by next weekend we will have a firm and definite decision as to the event itself. So please watch this space. In advance of all this could we start appealing for Prizes for a Grand Draw which will go hand in hand with the Fayre or Market. A Smart Colour TV & any other luxury Items. X Box & Games for Consul. Crate of Wine. Christmas Hampers. Restaurant Vouchers. Etc. ChristmasMarket

PARISH CHRISTMAS EVENT SATURDAY 10^TH DECEMBER

SACRAMENTAL PREPARATION FOR 2022/23: Continues on Sunday 9^th October at 10.00am in the Parish Retreat Room. It is imperative that all children attend each of the Communion Classes. If you are unable to attend for some reason please contact Fr. John. Pre-requisites:- You are members of this Parish, and you are practicing Roman Catholics, attending weekly Mass! We are using a new Programme this year and the children’s work book will cost £8.00, Parents please bring money along to the meeting.

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

DIARY OCTOBER 2022

PLEASE PRAY FOR THOSE SICK IN OUR PARISH

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

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

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

PASTORAL LETTER ON ST BERNADETTE

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

We have a special visitor in our diocese next week: St Bernadette of Lourdes. Having travelled through the Channel Tunnel, and after some weeks of visiting various parts of England and Wales, the relics of St Bernadette will come to us. She will be at Brentwood Cathedral next Sunday and Monday morning, and then, at Our Lady of Lourdes, Wanstead, in East London, from Tuesday to Wednesday. This has never happened before.

St Bernadette was only fourteen years old when a beautiful lady, dressed in white, with a blue girdle and carrying a rosary, appeared to her in a grotto by the bank of the River Gave. During eighteen apparitions, the lady said three things to her. She asked Bernadette to pray for sinners. She told her to go to the parish priests and tell them that ‘people should come in procession to the grotto and build a chapel here.’ And, finally, the beautiful lady revealed who she was: ‘I am the Immaculate Conception.’

To begin with, no one believed Bernadette but, over time, both the priests and the townspeople became convinced. Why? Because of the clear sincerity and goodness of St Bernadette. She asked nothing for herself, continued to live simply, and chose to disappear into a convent. Throughout she was an example of prayer and humility. At the same time, Lourdes was becoming a place of pilgrimage where many were experiencing conversion and the sick great care. Lourdes remains a shrine of great love and service.

St Bernadette can be an example to us. She shows us the beauty of faith and trust in the Lord. We can ask her to pray for us. We do not need to be close to her relics to learn from her and seek her prayers. But her relics are a powerful reminder of the truth of this woman’s life and God, in his kindness, has often particularly blessed us when we come close to the shrines of the saints. Having come to us, it would be beautiful for us to go to Bernadette, whether at Brentwood or Wanstead.

There is another particular reason why we may want to venerate the relics of St Bernadette. The patroness of our diocese is Our Lady of Lourdes. For us, Lourdes is not a faraway place but our spiritual home from which we can draw much inspiration in East London and Essex. Every year, I lead a diocesan pilgrimage to Lourdes at the end of July. It is my hope that the visit of the relics of St Bernadette will inspire many of us to join this pilgrimage and go to Lourdes as Our Lady hoped.

A wonderful website has been created for this national tour of the relics. Simply go to St Bernadette.org.uk. There you will find much more information. After the difficulties of the pandemic and with much to concern us both nationally and internationally, let us seek the prayers of St Bernadette and place our trust in the loving concern of that beautiful lady, the Immaculate Conception.

+Alan, sm

Bishop of Brentwood

RELICS OF ST BERNADETTE OF LOURDES COMING TO UK: The Churches & Cathedrals hosting St Bernadette’s Relics have a fixed capacity for visitors. To ensure the comfort and safety of pilgrims, visitors will be asked to register to attend with a dedicated timeslot. In the diocese of Brentwood there are two dates and two venues.

Brentwood Cathedral Arriving 11am 16/10/2022 Departing 12Noon 17/10/2022.

Special Mass for all at 6.30pm 16/10/2022

Our Lady of Lourdes Wanstead: Arrive 10am 18/10/2022. Depart: 9am 19/10/2022 . Special Mass celebrated by Bishop Alan on Tuesday 18^th October at 7.30pm All welcome!

MASS INTENTIONS – OCTOBER 2022

Sat 8^th	10.00am	David Sweeney RIP (M Ryan)
		*Vigil Mass for Sunday. Confessions at 5.30pm*
Sat 8^th	6.00pm	People of the Parish
Sun 9^th	9.00am	Jim Sullivan RIP (John & Sue Campbell)
Sun 9^th	11:00am	John Hogan RIP (Fr John)
Mon 10^th	10.00am	Stephanie Argyrenis RIP (Eileen Lee)
Tues 11^th	10.00am	Anthony Michael Porter RIP (Munday Family)
Wed 12^th	10.00am	Peter Smith RIP (Paul Falco)
Thur 13^th	12.15pm	Requiem Mass Lucy McLay RIP
Fri 14^th	10.00am	Canon Pat Sammon RIP (PoulterFamily)
Sat 15^th	10.00am	Doris Antil (sick) (Munday Family)
		*Vigil Mass for Sunday. Confessions at 5.30pm*
Sat 15^th	6.00pm	Elizabeth McEvoy RIP (Sheehy Family)
Sun 16^th	9.00am	Matt McLoughlin RIP (Celine Sullivan)
Sun 16^th	11:00am	David Sweeney (E Griffin)

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

28th Sunday in Ordinary Time

First Reading : 2 Kings 5:14-17

Naaman the leper went down and immersed himself seven times in the Jordan, as Elisha had told him to do. And his flesh became clean once more like the flesh of a little child.

Returning to Elisha with his whole escort, he went in and stood before him. ‘Now I know’ he said ‘that there is no God in all the earth except in Israel. Now, please, accept a present from your servant.’

But Elisha replied, ‘As the Lord lives, whom I serve, I will accept nothing.’ Naaman pressed him to accept, but he refused.

Then Naaman said, ‘Since your answer is “No,” allow your servant to be given as much earth as two mules may carry, because your servant will no longer offer holocaust or sacrifice to any god except the Lord.’

Responsive Psalm : Psalm 97(98):1-4

The Lord has shown his salvation to the nations.

Sing a new song to the Lord

for he has worked wonders.

His right hand and his holy arm

have brought salvation.

The Lord has shown his salvation to the nations.

The Lord has made known his salvation;

has shown his justice to the nations.

He has remembered his truth and love

for the house of Israel.

The Lord has shown his salvation to the nations

All the ends of the earth have seen

the salvation of our God.

Shout to the Lord, all the earth,

ring out your joy.

The Lord has shown his salvation to the nations.

Second Reading : 2 Timothy 2:8-13

Remember the Good News that I carry, ‘Jesus Christ risen from the dead, sprung from the race of David’; it is on account of this that I have my own hardships to bear, even to being chained like a criminal – but they cannot chain up God’s news. So I bear it all for the sake of those who are chosen, so that in the end they may have the salvation that is in Christ Jesus and the eternal glory that comes with it.

Here is a saying that you can rely on:

If we have died with him, then we shall live with him.

If we hold firm, then we shall reign with him.

If we disown him, then he will disown us.

We may be unfaithful, but he is always faithful,

for he cannot disown his own self.

Gospel : Luke 17:11-19

On the way to Jerusalem Jesus travelled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. As he entered one of the villages, ten lepers came to meet him. They stood some way off and called to him, ‘Jesus! Master! Take pity on us.’ When he saw them he said, ‘Go and show yourselves to the priests.’ Now as they were going away they were cleansed. Finding himself cured, one of them turned back praising God at the top of his voice and threw himself at the feet of Jesus and thanked him. The man was a Samaritan. This made Jesus say, ‘Were not all ten made clean? The other nine, where are they? It seems that no one has come back to give praise to God, except this foreigner.’ And he said to the man, ‘Stand up and go on your way. Your faith has saved you.

Twenty Seventh Sunday of the Year, 2022

St. Edmund of Canterbury & St. Thomas More

Imagine a young woman standing by a frozen pond in a local park. There’s a sign beside the pond which says ‘Danger – Thin Ice’. But the young woman is carrying a large suitcase which has the word ‘Faith’ in bold letters on the side of it. She thinks to herself ‘I’ve got lots of faith, so I’ll step out onto the ice. I believe that the ice will support me.’ Is this what we think faith is? Something that, if we have enough of it, will enable us to do seemingly impossible things. The words of Jesus today could appear to imply this. Even the disciples asked that their faith be increased – as though it was important to have lots of it. Did the disciples really know what faith is? OTC_27D

Now imagine a similar, but significantly different scene. The same young woman is standing by the frozen pond. But this time the sign reads ‘Safe – Thick Ice’. She is holding not a great suitcase, but a mini purse and you can hardly read the word ‘Faith’ embroidered on it. But she is thinking very differently: I really don’t have much faith – but I’ll use it to put my trust in what the sign says!’ Does this scene more clearly reflect what faith is? Certainly, it does help us to see that the true focus is what we put our faith in rather than faith itself (and how much of it we have).

Jesus’ words seem to suggest that it really doesn’t matter how much faith we have. A grain of mustard seed is the smallest possible grain. Having the tiniest speck of willingness is enough, he said, to uproot a sycamore and plant it in the sea. So does this mean that we can perform mighty miracles just by exercising a bit of faith? Not really! There is something unspoken in the text of the Gospel. What is it? It is the Word of God that we put our faith in. When God reveals his will, or when God speaks his Word, even the tiniest willingness to believe him will connect us to his power and we shall see his will, or his word being fulfilled. If God revealed that he wanted the sycamore uprooted, we could command it to do so, and it would. The key to faith is to know God’s will or to hear his word. OTC_27G

Dear Friends in Jesus Christ, 26^th Sunday of the Year

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

THE LAST MINI-BUDGET: The fallout from the Chancellor’s Mini-Budget has been catastrophic! The value of the pound has plummeted to an all-time low both against the Dollar and Euro. It is becoming increasingly more worrying for everyone here in the UK. With winter approaching rapidly and the increase in utility bills, and also the mortgage interest rates rising, we are all very concerned. Could I make a special appeal to the whole parish community to keep an eye on our older parishioners during the winter months? We have a large plant here at St Edmund’s, and as I have been sharing with you over the past weeks, having such large buildings are going to be very expensive to light and heat this winter. We all need to wrap up really well; living in Canada taught me how to layer clothing, which really makes a difference. We are going to try and have some additional fundraising social events to raise funds for the utilities. I ask the whole parish community to support these events please!

OCTOBER – THE MONTH OF THE HOLY ROSARY: As we have just entered the month of the Holy Rosary. I would like to advocate that all families pray at least a decade of the Holy Rosary together each day. If you don’t know the prayer of the rosary there are many websites that can teach you. It has been such a powerful prayer for centuries since St. Dominic gave it to the Church. The very famous Fr Peyton said “The family that prays together stays together.” Parents: this is your opportunity to teach your children. In this secular age, the last thing we want happening, is to lose all of our Catholic Spirituality and Sacramentals. There are plenty of rosaries for sale in the Parish Repository.

May God Bless You All,

SECONDARY SCHOOL ADMISSIONS: Just a head’s up, especially to those Year Six parents who will be considering Secondary School places for their children in September 2023. According to the Brentwood Diocesan guidelines a very strict Admissions Criteria is in place, and if parents and children are not practicing their faith, e.g. weekly attendance at Holy Mass, they will not be eligible for a school place in our schools next September. All families are very aware of these facts, and it’s no use just making an appearance a couple of times prior to a Certificate of Catholic Practice being signed. Everyone has had years to prepare for this moment. Parents will be notified by Essex Education Authority as to when you have to make your application for Secondary School places. You will usually have until 31^st October to make the application. Signing of Certificate of Catholic Practice will take place from Monday 10^th October until Friday 14^th October. (PLEASE PHONE FOR APPOINTMENT) If you are making an application to Davenant Foundation School, I will need a copy of the Form which states the practice of your faith – Weekly / Fortnightly / Monthly / Occasionally. Thank You! Parents, please kindly attend Open Evenings before you complete your Essex County Form.

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

SACRAMENTAL PREPARATION FOR 2022/23: Continues on Sunday 2^nd October at 10.00am in the Parish Retreat Room. It is imperative that all children attend each of the Communion Classes. If you are unable to attend for some reason please contact Fr. John. Pre-requisites:- You are members of this Parish, and you are practicing Roman Catholics, attending weekly Mass! We are using a new Programme this year and the children’s work book will cost £8.00, If there are outstanding monies to be paid please bring along to class. Thank you!

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

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

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

DIARY SEPTEMBER 2022

PLEASE PRAY FOR THOSE SICK IN OUR PARISH

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

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

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

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

BRENTWOOD CATHOLIC YOUTH SERVICE: BCYS Youth Mass Thursday 6^th October, Brentwood Cathedral. Commencing at 6.00pm for Pizza, we are delighted to be joined by Fr Paschal Uche and others to share their Vocations Stories and answer your questions before we begin the Mass at 7.30pm where Fr Paschal will be preaching. Open to all those in Years 9 and above, no booking necessary.

MASS INTENTIONS – OCTOBER 2022

Sat 1^st October	10.00am	Mariel Navarra-DeGuia (Bacuetes Family)
		*Vigil Mass for Sunday. Confessions at 5.30pm*
Sat 1^st	6.00pm	Isabel Coronado RIP (Anthony Family)
Sun 2^nd	9.00am	Luigi, Rosina & Giovanni RIP (Mrs Cobelli)
Sun 2^nd	11:00am	Charles Alan Frost RIP (Martin Frost)
Mon 3^rd	10.00am	Nancy Ironside RIP 1^st Anni. (M Duffy)
Tues 4^th	10.00am	John & Anne Studdert RIP (Susan Mulli)
Wed 5^th	10.00am	K Mulvaney RIP (Eileen Lee)
Thur 6^th	10.00am	Joao Servo RIP (Adeline Alves)
Fri 7^th	10.00am	Pat Daly (Get Well) )Geraldine O’Donoghue)
Sat 8^th	10.00am	David Sweeney RIP (M Ryan)
		*Vigil Mass for Sunday. Confessions at 5.30pm*
Sat 8^th	6.00pm	People of the Parish
Sun 9^th	9.00am	Jim Sullivan RIP (John & Sue Campbell)
Sun 9^th	11:00am	John Hogan RIP (Fr John)

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

27th Sunday in Ordinary Time

First Reading : Habakkuk 1:2-3,2:2-4

How long, O Lord, am I to cry for help

while you will not listen;

to cry ‘Oppression!’ in your ear

and you will not save?

Why do you set injustice before me,

why do you look on where there is tyranny?

Outrage and violence, this is all I see,

all is contention, and discord flourishes.

Then the Lord answered and said,

‘Write the vision down,

inscribe it on tablets

to be easily read,

since this vision is for its own time only:

eager for its own fulfilment, it does not deceive;

if it comes slowly, wait,

for come it will, without fail.

See how he flags, he whose soul is not at rights,

but the upright man will live by his faithfulness.’

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 : 2 Timothy 1:6-8,13-14

I am reminding you to fan into a flame the gift that God gave you when I laid my hands on you. God’s gift was not a spirit of timidity, but the Spirit of power, and love, and self-control. So you are never to be ashamed of witnessing to the Lord, or ashamed of me for being his prisoner; but with me, bear the hardships for the sake of the Good News, relying on the power of God.

Keep as your pattern the sound teaching you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. You have been trusted to look after something precious; guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.

Gospel : Luke 17:5-10

The apostles said to the Lord, ‘Increase our faith.’ The Lord replied, ‘Were your faith the size of a mustard seed you could say to this mulberry tree, “Be uprooted and planted in the sea,” and it would obey you.

‘Which of you, with a servant ploughing or minding sheep, would say to him when he returned from the fields, “Come and have your meal immediately”? Would he not be more likely to say, “Get my supper laid; make yourself tidy and wait on me while I eat and drink. You can eat and drink yourself afterwards”? Must he be grateful to the servant for doing what he was told? So with you: when you have done all you have been told to do, say, “We are merely servants: we have done no more than our duty.”’

Twenty Sixth Sunday of the Year, 2022

St. Edmund of Canterbury & St. Thomas More

http://www.roundchurch.ca/wordpress-3.4.1/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/trinity12015.jpg

The Old Testament saw wealth as a blessing from God, a sign of divine generosity. It was not wrong to have wealth: it was something good, to be received with thanksgiving. . Nevertheless, the prophets also taught that it carried obligations. Recognising the source of their blessings, the rich had to imitate divine generosity. The rich man in the parable was guilty not of being rich but rather of being an untrustworthy steward of his possessions. He failed to acknowledge the source of his blessings and to imitate the divine generosity towards him by sharing with those in need. He was oblivious to the need of Lazarus, who ‘desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man’s table’, and never comforted him by satisfying his hunger. The rich man’s self-absorption with pursuing pleasure made him totally indifferent to the needs of others. Keeping all the good things for himself, he refused to share them. He singularly failed to listen to the prophets.

In the developing world our brothers and sisters have immense needs. Jesus came to ‘preach the good news to the poor. How can we fail to lay greater emphasis on the Church’s preferential option for the poor and the outcast? Indeed, it has to be said that a commitment to justice and peace in a world like ours, marked by so many conflicts and economic inequalities, compels us to raise our voice on behalf of the poor. Thus, in the spirit of the book of Leviticus, we shout out loud on behalf of all the poor in the world.

The call for justice for the world’s poor is ever pressing, and as yet there has been no lasting solution offered for the debt many nations find themselves in. We cannot, like the rich man, simply ignore the needs of the poor. We must raise our voices on their behalf. Consider this: the world’s military spending is now over $1.2 trillion. 2.5 per cent of the global GDP. Even if 1 percent of it were directed towards development, the world would be much closer to achieving the simple goal that billions of people don’t go to bed hungry and have clean drinking water.

Dear Friends in Jesus Christ, 26^th Sunday of the Year

Did the mini-budget help you? Listening to radio and TV reports, it really doesn’t sound very promising unless you’re very rich. Also the rise in interest rates will affect those with mortgages. Obviously certain concessions have been made with regard to Utilities, but we are still going to be paying over the usual amounts that we have been accustomed to. Sadly, some people will be put in the position of making the decisions as to ‘heat or eat’! As I have been sharing with you over the past weeks, having such large buildings are going to be difficult to light and heat this winter. We all need to wrap up really well; living in Canada taught me how to layer clothing, which really makes a difference. We are going to try and have some additional fundraising social events to raise funds for the utilities. I ask the whole parish community to support these events please!

REQIESCANT IN PACE: In your mercy please pray for the repose of the souls of John Hogan RIP (Father of Frank Hogan) who passed away recently; Requiem Mass Friday 14^th October at 12Noon Our Lady of Grace & St Teresa, Chingford. Lucy McLay RIP (Mother of Iain McLay) The Requiem Mass will take place at St Edmund’s on Thursday 13^th October at 12.15pm. The Body will be received into the Church on Wednesday 12^th October at 4.30pm. Also John Cocklin RIP (Father of Ann Cocklin) who passed away recently. Please also remember Canon Pat Sammon RIP Parish Priest of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, Wanstead, who passed away recently. His Requiem Mass will be celebrated at Our Lady of Lourdes on Thursday 29^th September at 11.30am. Solemn reception into the Church on Wednesday 28^th September at 7.00pm with sung Vespers with the Chapter of Canons. We extend our sincere condolences to all these families at this time of the great loss of loves ones.

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

May God Bless You All

GREATEST SADNESS OF ALL: Sadly, after the Pandemic, many families have not returned to the weekly practice of faith. I really believed that the Pandemic would have focused people’s lives to the most important priorities, and that the practice of faith would have been up there at the top of the list. Unfortunately, this didn’t happen; if anything, some people completely have given up on the life of faith. People can find all sorts of excuses as to why they don’t practice their faith, but the bottom line is, if you want to do something you’ll do it! One day, everyone will need the Church at some time, time passes very quickly; don’t leave it too late!

SACRAMENTAL PREPARATION FOR 2022/23: Continues on Sunday 25^th September at 10.00am in the Parish Retreat Room. It is imperative that all children attend each of the Communion Classes. If you are unable to attend for some reason please contact Fr. John. Pre-requisites:- You are members of this Parish, and you are practicing Roman Catholics, attending weekly Mass! We are using a new Programme this year and the children’s work book will cost £8.00, Parents please bring money along to the meeting.

SECONDARY SCHOOL ADMISSIONS: Just a head’s up, especially to those Year Six parents who will be considering Secondary School places for their children in September 2023. According to the Brentwood Diocesan guidelines a very strict Admissions Criteria is in place, and if parents and children are not practicing their faith, e.g. weekly attendance at Holy Mass, they will not be eligible for a school place in our schools next September. All families are very aware of these facts, and it’s no use just making an appearance a couple of times prior to a Certificate of Catholic Practice being signed. Everyone has had years to prepare for this moment. Parents will be notified by Essex Education Authority as to when you have to make your application for Secondary School places. You will usually have until 31^st October to make the application. Signing of Certificate of Catholic Practice will take place from Monday 10^th October until Friday 14^th October. (PLEASE PHONE FOR APPOINTMENT) If you are making an application to Davenant Foundation School, I will need a copy of the Form which states the practice of your faith – Weekly / Fortnightly / Monthly / Occasionally. Thank You!

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

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

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

DIARY SEPTEMBER 2022

PLEASE PRAY FOR THOSE SICK IN OUR PARISH

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

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

MASS INTENTIONS – SEPTEMBER 2022

Sat 24^th	10.00am	Richard Griffin (M Ryan)
		*Vigil Mass for Sunday. Confessions at 5.30pm*
Sat 24^th	6.00pm	Peter & Michael Holly RIP (Rooney Family)
Sun 25^th	9.00am	Dennis Randall RIP (Randall Family)
Sun 25^th	11:00am	Gerard Pampellonne RIP (Anni) (Kathleen Pampellonne)
Mon 26^th	9.00am	Lucja Grzywniak RIP (Margo Edwards)
Tues 27^th	10.00am	Agnes & Colin Lamb RIP (Margaret Duffy)
Wed 28^th	10.00am	Carmen Antaki RIP (R & I Johnson)
Thur 29^th	9.00am	Rob Brazier RIP
Fri 30^th	10.00am	In Thanksgiving Monica Maycraft
Sat 1^st October	10.00am	Mariel Navarra-DeGuia (Bacuetes Family)
		*Vigil Mass for Sunday. Confessions at 5.30pm*
Sat 1^st	6.00pm	Isabel Coronado RIP (Anthony Family)
Sun 2^nd	9.00am	Luigi, Rosina & Giovanni RIP (Mrs Cobelli)
Sun 2^nd	11:00am	Charles Alan Frost RIP (Martin Frost)

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

26th Sunday in Ordinary Time

First Reading : Amos 6:1,4-7

The almighty Lord says this:

Woe to those ensconced so snugly in Zion

and to those who feel so safe on the mountain of Samaria,

those famous men of this first of nations

to whom the House of Israel goes as client.

Lying on ivory beds

and sprawling on their divans,

they dine on lambs from the flock,

and stall-fattened veal;

they bawl to the sound of the harp,

they invent new instruments of music like David,

they drink wine by the bowlful,

and use the finest oil for anointing themselves,

but about the ruin of Joseph they do not care at all.

That is why they will be the first to be exiled;

the sprawlers’ revelry is over.

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

My soul, give praise to the Lord.

It is the Lord who keeps faith for ever,

who is just to those who are oppressed.

It is he who gives bread to the hungry,

the Lord, who sets prisoners free.

My soul, give praise to the Lord.

It is the Lord who gives sight to the blind,

who raises up those who are bowed down.

It is the Lord who loves the just,

the Lord, who protects the stranger.

My soul, give praise to the Lord.

The Lord upholds the widow and orphan

but thwarts the path of the wicked.

The Lord will reign for ever,

Zion’s God, from age to age.

My soul, give praise to the Lord.

Second Reading : 1 Timothy 6:11-16

As a man dedicated to God, you must aim to be saintly and religious, filled with faith and love, patient and gentle. Fight the good fight of the faith and win for yourself the eternal life to which you were called when you made your profession and spoke up for the truth in front of many witnesses. Now, before God the source of all life and before Christ, who spoke up as a witness for the truth in front of Pontius Pilate, I put to you the duty of doing all that you have been told, with no faults or failures, until the Appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ,

who at the due time will be revealed

by God, the blessed and only Ruler of all,

the King of kings and the Lord of lords,

who alone is immortal,

whose home is in inaccessible light,

whom no man has seen and no man is able to see:

to him be honour and everlasting power. Amen.

Gospel : Luke 16:19-31

Jesus said to the Pharisees: ‘There was a rich man who used to dress in purple and fine linen and feast magnificently every day. And at his gate there lay a poor man called Lazarus, covered with sores, who longed to fill himself with the scraps that fell from the rich man’s table. Dogs even came and licked his sores. Now the poor man died and was carried away by the angels to the bosom of Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried.

‘In his torment in Hades he looked up and saw Abraham a long way off with Lazarus in his bosom. So he cried out, “Father Abraham, pity me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in agony in these flames.” “My son,” Abraham replied “remember that during your life good things came your way, just as bad things came the way of Lazarus. Now he is being comforted here while you are in agony. But that is not all: between us and you a great gulf has been fixed, to stop anyone, if he wanted to, crossing from our side to yours, and to stop any crossing from your side to ours.”

‘The rich man replied, “Father, I beg you then to send Lazarus to my father’s house, since I have five brothers, to give them warning so that they do not come to this place of torment too.” “They have Moses and the prophets,” said Abraham “let them listen to them.” “Ah no, father Abraham,” said the rich man “but if someone comes to them from the dead, they will repent.” Then Abraham said to him, “If they will not listen either to Moses or to the prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone should rise from the dead.”’

Twenty Fifth Sunday of the Year, 2022

St. Edmund of Canterbury & St. Thomas More

Today’s readings about our call to be astute, even canny disciples. The Parable of the dishonest Steward is difficult for us to understand because we are unfamiliar with the business practices of the time. Stewards worked to make the maximum profit for their masters. An accepted way of making more money for the master was the practice of charging clients a high interest rate for goods supplied but not yet paid for. But since charging high interest (usury) was against the law, it could not be shown as such in the accounts. Instead, it had to be disguised as extra good’s supplied.

The steward had wasted his mater’s property and not acted in his mater’s best interests. Faced with dismissal, he immediately set about currying favour with his master’s clients in the hope that, remembering how he had saved them a great deal of money, they would later welcome him. He reduced their bills by removing the disguised high interest charge. Her thereby deprived his master of the extra profit and, at the same time, put the clients in debt to him. His master, recognising how shrewdly he had acted – even though it had been at his expense – praised the steward for his astuteness.

By telling his hearers this parable Jesus wanted them to draw the conclusion that they too should use their money shrewdly. However, the use of money in the kingdom of God is very different from in the world. In the world, money is tainted. It seduces and blinds. It has a way of enslaving us so that all our energies go into becoming richer, even at the expense of others. In the world the use of money is always for our material benefit and advantage.

In the kingdom of God, however, the shrewd use of money is for the furthering of the kingdom by doing good to others especially the needy. This always brings blessings. When we share our possessions, which are on loan from God, with those in need, we are given the treasure of heaven as our inalienable possession. It is through being generous and kind to others that we become astute Disciples of Christ – for in doing this we store up treasure in heaven, where no thief can destroy or steal.

Dear Friends in Jesus Christ,

This past week has seen an incredible outpouring of love and sympathy on the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II; also, the welcoming of the New King, Charles III. Watching the arrival of the Coffin & cortege at Buckingham Palace last Tuesday was very moving; and her removal to Central Hall Westminster, where she has been lying ‘In State’ has allowed thousands of people to pay their final respects. On Monday 19^th September at 11.00 there will be a Funeral Service at Westminster Abbey for the Her Majesty. It is a public holiday; therefore, it will give everyone the opportunity in their homes and around London to pay their final respects.

I will celebrate a Requiem Mass on Monday morning 19^th September at 10.00am, giving everyone an opportunity to pray for the repose of the soul of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. The Mass should finish about 10.30, giving adequate time to return home and watch the Funeral Service on the television. May Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II Rest in Peace, and Rise in Glory!

As the temperature slowly begins to drop with the advent of autumn, we are all concerned about heating and lighting our homes this winter. It is hoped that a certain amount of assistance will be given by the government. Hopefully we will find out more about this assistance this week from the new Prime Minister. As I have been sharing with you over the past weeks, having such large buildings are going to be difficult to light and heat this winter. I read in Holland they had opted to close some of the Churches for the winter months as they are unable to afford the utilities. I pray that this never happens here. We are going to try and have some additional fundraising social events to raise funds for the utilities. I ask the whole parish community to support these events please!

May God Bless You All

REQUIESCAT IN PACE: In your mercy please pray for the repose of the soul of Canon Patrick Sammon, Parish Priest of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish Parish, Wanstead, who passed away on Friday. We extend our condolences to his family and parish family,, at this time of great loss

Also, Carmen Antaki, late of this parish, the Requiem Mass will take place on Thursday 22^nd September at St Edmund’s. at 12.15pm We extend our condolences to her family in this time of loss

SACRAMENTAL PREPARATION FOR 2022/23: On Sunday the children will meet for the second time for their classes which will take place in the Parish Retreat at 10.00am. It is important that the children are present for each class, as each session will help them clearly understand all the different parts of the Holy Mass

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

CAN YOU HELP WITH CHURCH CLEANING? We are desperately in need of additional help for the Altar Society; over the past year or so, we’ve lost a number of our regular helpers who clean the church. If you are able to give an hour or so every month to help keep our Church beautifully clean and tidy, this is all we ask. If you’re able to help please contact Sharon Fitzmaurice 07854919207 or shazzafitzm@aol.com or Fr John. 0208 508 3492 We hope to have A Big Clean once a month, if you can help please come along for half an hour. Thank you! Sadly, only 3 people turned up last Friday morning.

https://tse4.mm.bing.net/th?id=OIP._Ot3qMb3d3yPv2X89e7gKAHaK9&pid=Api&P=0

IMPORTANT NOTE FOR OUR CONTEMPORARY MUSIC GROUP

We will be singing and playing at our next 11am Mass on Sunday, 2^nd October.

Beforehand, though, we have decided to reintroduce our informal monthly practices (which we held before the pandemic) and our first one will be held on Thursday, 29^th September between 7pm and 8pm in the choir loft at St. Edmund’s.

We encourage all our regular singers and musicians to come to this practice and we’d particularly like to welcome any new children, young adults and families in our Parish who might consider joining our group as a musician and/or singer. Don’t worry – you don’t need to sing like a nightingale or have any grades to play instruments (!) – this means that we’d welcome everyone who would simply like to be part of our friendly group.

With anticipated thanks and we look forward to seeing you all on the 29^th September and at the Mass on the 2^nd October.

DIARY SEPTEMBER 2022

PLEASE PRAY FOR THOSE SICK IN OUR PARISH

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

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

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

RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS: The Journey of Faith talks on Thursday 22^nd September at 8.00pm in the Parish Presbytery. This is a systematic programme of Instruction in the Roman Catholic Faith. If you know of anyone who may be interested in learning a little more about the Roman Catholic faith possibly with the view of being received into full-communion with the Church at Easter 2023, please see Fr. John as soon as possible. Tel No: 020 8508 3492 [GRAPHIC]

MASS INTENTIONS – SEPTEMBER 2022

Sat 17^th	10.00am	Carmen Antaki RIP (Pat & Margaret)
		*Vigil Mass for Sunday. Confessions at 5.30pm*
Sat 17^th	6.00pm	Thanksgiving (Ewa Michalik)
Sun 18^th	9.00am	Jim Sullivan RIP (Susan Monaghan)
Sun 18^th	11:00am	Michael Bullock RIP (Steven Bullock)
Mon 19^th	10.00am	Requiem Mass for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Requiescat in Pace
Tues 20^th	10.00am	Rose Elizabeth Smith RIP (Noreen Smith)
Wed 21^st	10.00am	Peter Smith RIP (Paul Falco)
Thur 22^nd	12.15pm	Requiem Mass for Carmen Antaki RIP
Fri 23^rd	10.00am	In Thanksgiving Teresa Fabbri
Sat 24^th	10.00am	Richard Griffin (M Ryan)
		*Vigil Mass for Sunday. Confessions at 5.30pm*
Sat 24^th	6.00pm	Peter & Michael Holly RIP (Rooney Family)
Sun 25^th	9.00am	Dennis Randall RIP (Randall Family)
Sun 25^th	11:00am	Gerard Pampellonne RIP (Anni) (Kathleen Pampellonne)

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

25th Sunday in Ordinary Time

First Reading : Amos 8:4-7

Listen to this, you who trample on the needy

and try to suppress the poor people of the country,

you who say, ‘When will New Moon be over

so that we can sell our corn,

and sabbath, so that we can market our wheat?

Then by lowering the bushel, raising the shekel,

by swindling and tampering with the scales,

we can buy up the poor for money,

and the needy for a pair of sandals,

and get a price even for the sweepings of the wheat.’

The Lord swears it by the pride of Jacob,

‘Never will I forget a single thing you have done.’

Responsive Psalm : Psalm 112(113):1-2,4-8

Praise the Lord, who raises the poor.

Praise, O servants of the Lord,

praise the name of the Lord!

May the name of the Lord be blessed

both now and for evermore!

Praise the Lord, who raises the poor.

High above all nations is the Lord,

above the heavens his glory.

Who is like the Lord, our God,

who has risen on high to his throne

yet stoops from the heights to look down,

to look down upon heaven and earth?

Praise the Lord, who raises the poor.

From the dust he lifts up the lowly,

from the dungheap he raises the poor

to set him in the company of princes,

yes, with the princes of his people.

Praise the Lord, who raises the poor.

Second Reading : 1 Timothy 2:1-8

My advice is that, first of all, there should be prayers offered for everyone – petitions, intercessions and thanksgiving – and especially for kings and others in authority, so that we may be able to live religious and reverent lives in peace and quiet. To do this is right, and will please God our saviour: he wants everyone to be saved and reach full knowledge of the truth. For there is only one God, and there is only one mediator between God and mankind, himself a man, Christ Jesus, who sacrificed himself as a ransom for them all. He is the evidence of this, sent at the appointed time, and I have been named a herald and apostle of it and – I am telling the truth and no lie – a teacher of the faith and the truth to the pagans.

In every place, then, I want the men to lift their hands up reverently in prayer, with no anger or argument.

Gospel : Luke 16:1-13

Jesus said to his disciples:

‘There was a rich man and he had a steward denounced to him for being wasteful with his property. He called for the man and said, “What is this I hear about you? Draw me up an account of your stewardship because you are not to be my steward any longer.” Then the steward said to himself, “Now that my master is taking the stewardship from me, what am I to do? Dig? I am not strong enough. Go begging? I should be too ashamed. Ah, I know what I will do to make sure that when I am dismissed from office there will be some to welcome me into their homes.”

Then he called his master’s debtors one by one. To the first he said, “How much do you owe my master?” “One hundred measures of oil” was the reply. The steward said, “Here, take your bond; sit down straight away and write fifty.” To another he said, “And you, sir, how much do you owe?” “One hundred measures of wheat” was the reply. The steward said, “Here, take your bond and write eighty.”

‘The master praised the dishonest steward for his astuteness. For the children of this world are more astute in dealing with their own kind than are the children of light.

‘And so I tell you this: use money, tainted as it is, to win you friends, and thus make sure that when it fails you, they will welcome you into the tents of eternity. The man who can be trusted in little things can be trusted in great; the man who is dishonest in little things will be dishonest in great. If then you cannot be trusted with money, that tainted thing, who will trust you with genuine riches? And if you cannot be trusted with what is not yours, who will give you what is your very own?

‘No servant can be the slave of two masters: he will either hate the first and love the second, or treat the first with respect and the second with scorn. You cannot be the slave both of God and of money.’

THE GOSPEL OF THE LORD

Twenty Fourth Sunday of the Year, 2022

St. Edmund of Canterbury & St. Thomas More

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

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

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

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

Dear Friends in Jesus Christ,

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

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

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

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

May God Bless You All

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

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

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

DIARY SEPTEMBER 2022

PLEASE PRAY FOR THOSE SICK IN OUR PARISH

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

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

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

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

Pastoral Letter, 24th Sunday of the Year.

MASS INTENTIONS – SEPTEMBER 2022

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

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

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

The Brentwood Diocesan Trust Registered Charity No. 234092

24^th Sunday of the Year 2022

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

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

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

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

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

I will leave this place and go to my father.

Have mercy on me, God, in your kindness.

In your compassion blot out my offence.

O wash me more and more from my guilt

and cleanse me from my sin.

I will leave this place and go to my father.

A pure heart create for me, O God,

put a steadfast spirit within me.

Do not cast me away from your presence,

nor deprive me of your holy spirit.

I will leave this place and go to my father.

O Lord, open my lips

and my mouth shall declare your praise.

My sacrifice is a contrite spirit.

A humbled, contrite heart you will not spurn.

I will leave this place and go to my father.

Second Reading : 1 Timothy 1:12-17

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

Gospel : Luke 15:1-32

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Twenty Third Sunday of the Year, 2022

St. Edmund of Canterbury & St. Thomas More

OTC_23D

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

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

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

Dear Friends in Jesus Christ,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

DIARY AUGUST – SEPTEMBER 2022

PLEASE PRAY FOR THOSE SICK IN OUR PARISH

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

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

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

MASS INTENTIONS – SEPTEMBER 2022

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

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

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

The Brentwood Diocesan Trust Registered Charity No. 234092

23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

First Reading: Wisdom 9:13-18

What man indeed can know the intentions of God?

Who can divine the will of the Lord?

The reasonings of mortals are unsure

and our intentions unstable;

for a perishable body presses down the soul,

and this tent of clay weighs down the teeming mind.

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

laborious to know what lies within our reach;

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

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

and sent your holy spirit from above?

Thus have the paths of those on earth been straightened

and men been taught what pleases you,

and saved, by Wisdom.

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

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

You turn men back to dust

and say: ‘Go back, sons of men.’

To your eyes a thousand years

are like yesterday, come and gone,

no more than a watch in the night.

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

You sweep men away like a dream,

like the grass which springs up in the morning.

In the morning it springs up and flowers:

by evening it withers and fades.

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

Make us know the shortness of our life

that we may gain wisdom of heart.

Lord, relent! Is your anger for ever?

Show pity to your servants.

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

In the morning, fill us with your love;

we shall exult and rejoice all our days.

Let the favour of the Lord be upon us:

give success to the work of our hands.

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

Second Reading : Philemon 9-10,12-17

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

Gospel : Luke 14:25-33

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

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

Twenty Second Sunday of the Year, 2022

St. Edmund of Canterbury & St. Thomas More

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

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

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

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

Dear Friends in Jesus Christ,

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

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

May God Bless You All This Week

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

DIARY AUGUST – SEPTEMBER 2022

PLEASE PRAY FOR THOSE SICK IN OUR PARISH

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

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

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

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

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

EPPING FOREST FOODBANK DONATIONS: Thank you to all parishioners who continue to generously donate items for the Foodbank. They are truly grateful for the generosity our parish has shown and our donations are still needed desperately as more and more people in our community are finding it hard to make ends meet. The Foodbank have asked for support with the following items: pasta sauce, rice pudding, jam, tinned fruit, snack / breakfast bars, chocolate bars, shower gel, toilet roll and deodorant. URGENTLY NEEDED: Small jars of coffee, washing up liquid, sponge pudding desserts and instant mash. Thank you! You can also keep up to date with the Foodbank news via their facebook page: www.facebook.com/EppingForestFoodbank/

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

MASS INTENTIONS – AUGUST – SEPTEMBER 2022

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

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

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

The Brentwood Diocesan Trust Registered Charity No. 234092

22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

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

My son, be gentle in carrying out your business,

and you will be better loved than a lavish giver.

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

and then you will find favour with the Lord;

for great though the power of the Lord is,

he accepts the homage of the humble.

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

since an evil growth has taken root in him.

The heart of a sensible man will reflect on parables,

an attentive ear is the sage’s dream.

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

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

The just shall rejoice at the presence of God,

they shall exult and dance for joy.

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

rejoice in the Lord, exult at his presence.

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

Father of the orphan, defender of the widow,

such is God in his holy place.

God gives the lonely a home to live in;

he leads the prisoners forth into freedom:

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

You poured down, O God, a generous rain:

when your people were starved you gave them new life.

It was there that your people found a home,

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

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

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

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

Gospel : Luke 14:1,7-14

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

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

Twenty First Sunday of the Year, 2022

St. Edmund of Canterbury & St. Thomas More

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

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

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

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

Dear Friends in Jesus Christ,

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

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

May God Bless You All,

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

DIARY AUGUST 2022

PLEASE PRAY FOR THOSE SICK IN OUR PARISH

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

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

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

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

EPPING FOREST FOODBANK DONATIONS: Thank you to all parishioners who continue to generously donate items for the Foodbank. They are truly grateful for the generosity our parish has shown and our donations are still needed desperately as more and more people in our community are finding it hard to make ends meet. The Foodbank have asked for support with the following items: pasta sauce, rice pudding, jam, tinned fruit, snack / breakfast bars, chocolate bars, shower gel, toilet roll and deodorant. URGENTLY NEEDED: Small jars of coffee, washing up liquid, sponge pudding desserts and instant mash. Thank you! You can also keep up to date with the Foodbank news via their facebook page: www.facebook.com/EppingForestFoodbank/

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

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

MASS INTENTIONS – AUGUST 2022

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

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

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

The Brentwood Diocesan Trust Registered Charity No. 234092

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21st Sunday in Ordinary Time

First Reading : Isaiah 66:18-21

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

Responsive Psalm : Psalm 116(117)

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

O praise the Lord, all you nations,

acclaim him all you peoples!

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

Strong is his love for us;

he is faithful for ever.

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

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

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

Gospel : Luke 13:22-30

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

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

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

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

THE GOSPEL OF THE LORD