St Edmund of Canterbury, Loughton

Fourth Sunday of Advent, Year A, Matthew, 2022

St. Edmund of Canterbury & St. Thomas More

Jesus’ birth occurred against a backdrop of scandal and disappointment. As we immerse ourselves in the mystery and drama of Jesus’ birth, we touch the crushing disappointment Joseph endured on learning that his beloved Mary was pregnant. As a devout Jew he knew that the marriage could not proceed, and that the law, if rigidly applied, would result in punishment and judgement for his fiancée. Joseph’s anguish threatened to crush and break him. He was a righteous man, zealous in keeping God’s law, and must have felt shame and embarrassment. His prerogative under the Jewish law was either to insist on the letter of the law or to divorce Mary quietly, which meant signing legal papers to dissolve the union.

Into this seemingly all-too-human tragedy and scandal broke the illuminating light of God through the agency of a dream. In the dream an angel spoke to Joseph, informing him that Mary’s pregnancy was the fruit of the Holy Spirit and the son she bore was to be named Jesus. Scandal, shame and tragedy gave way to light, truth, dignity and salvation. This is God’s way. He makes the crooked straight, redeems the seemingly lost desperate situation, and replaces the anguish of scandal with dignity and joy. In the midst of every human tragedy and scandal we learn that Jesus is with us because Jesus is Emmanuel, which means, ‘God with us’.

At the dawn of history God’s plan of Salvation began with a couple, Adam and Eve, and at the heart of God’s emerging plan of salvation we also find a couple, Joseph and Mary. This teaches us that the family is sacred ground. Intended as a safe place where we can work out our salvation. Here we learn that God is with us. We learn that no scandal, drama, disappointment, hurt or upset, no tragedy, disgrace, indignity or outrage is beyond the healing mercy and forgiveness of God.

Today we rejoice in Mary and Joseph’s witness – especially their obedience and responsiveness to God’s will. Mary’s ‘yes’ to God began our salvation and Joseph’s acceptance of God’s plan ensured the safety and protection of mother and child.

Dear Friends in Christ, 4^th Sunday of Advent 2022

As we enter into this fourth week of Advent, we continue to prepare ourselves for the Birthday of Our Lord & Saviour once again into our lives this Christmas. This is not just some nostalgic remembering, but a real journey of faith. If Jesus Christ is truly our Saviour, then the remembering of these significant events in his life, are also significant moments of faith in our own lives. The fact that God, the Creator of all, deigned to share our human nature in the innocence of the Christ child of Bethlehem, is the greatest event in the whole of the history of creation and the world. God who becomes one of us, in all things but sin, invites us to share in his life forever; this truly is something to celebrate and savour. Let us pray in these day head of the Incarnation ‘COME LORD JESUS!’

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PARISH ADVENT PENITENTIAL SERVICE: Monday 19^th December at 7.30pm. As part of our spiritual preparation for Christmas, it’s so important to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation. As part of our Catholic Spirituality, the Catholic Church requires us to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation at least once a year. This will be a wonderful opportunity to avail yourselves of the Sacrament of God’s healing and forgiving love through Confession. There will be visiting priests, including a Polish priest, to hear confessions. Please make every effort possible to attend the Penance Service.

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CHRISTMAS MASSES 2023: Please note all the times of the Christmas Masses this year:

This Christmas Eve – Saturday 24^th December the evening Christmas Masses will be at 6.00pm, this is a Family Mass with Christmas Tableau acted out by the little children. There will be a 10.00pm Mass, preceded by Sung Carols at 9.45pm. This will be a sung Choral Mass with Choir. – I encourage people to attend this Mass, as the numbers were quite low last year.

On Christmas Day Sunday 25^th December Masses will be celebrated at 9.00am & 11.00am which will be a Sung Mass. Please make a very special effort to attend Holy Mass at Christmas. There is no more fitting way to welcome the Saviour Christ Child into our lives than the celebration of the Holy Eucharist.

May God Bless You All,

A VERY BIG THANK YOU: Since Covid our lives have changed dramatically; also in light of the latest political and economic situation in our country, I would like to take this opportunity of thanking the whole parish community for your incredible response and generosity in our recent Christmas Grand Draw and Hampers. You donated some incredibly generous prizes. Also the food items and bottles helped to make up over thirty hampers. It’s true, that many people miss the Community and Social aspects of a Parish Bazaar, but in light of circumstances over the past few years, we have tried to do our best. Obviously, these events cannot happen without the efficient and helpful co-ordination and guidance of our Bazaar organisers. I personally thank Kelsey Howard & Lorrain Leith and their many helpers, who do so much in the back ground in preparation for such an event. Also, the many volunteers who helped us on the day with Teas & Coffees and a Bake Sale. It was truly wonderful to see so many people in the Parish hall last Sunday. With Donations and the Sale of Draw Tickets and Coffee morning we raised nearly £4,500.00 which is phenomenal! The money this year will be used to offset the increase in utility bills; lighting and heating in the Parish Church & Hall & Presbytery. Thank you, one and all!

Pontifical North American College, HD Png Download - harvard png

WELCOME TO OUR GUESTS: This week we welcome four Seminarians from the Pontifical North American College joining us for Christmas and the New Year. It’s always a great pleasure welcoming the Seminarians. One of them is a Deacon, which is extremely helpful to me. For some it’s their first time to the UK. As you can appreciate these young men all have healthy appetites, and love English desserts, apple pies, crumbles, mince pies, trifles, etc. also, if anyone has any spare bottles; Whiskey, Gin Port. If anyone could oblige over the Christmas period I’d be most grateful; they start arriving from 20^th December onwards.

POINSETTIAS: If anyone would like to donate a Poinsettia to the Church in remembrance of a deceased loved one, please bring them to the Church at your convenience, and kindly put the name of your deceased loved one on the pot. This is a lovely and tangible way to remember our deceased loved ones at Christmas. They will help to decorate the Church and the Crib on the Sanctuary. There are some really full beautiful Poinsettias at Marks & Spencer’s.

DIARY DECEMBER 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 & Steve Witten, James Wright. And all our loved ones.

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

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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

THESE DETAILS CAN BE ALSO BE USED FOR YOUR CHRISTMAS OFFERING TO Fr JOHN, PLEASE QUOTE CHRISTMAS OFFERING & YOUR GIFT AID NUMBER. THANK YOU!

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 ...

ALTAR SERVERS: 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. With enrolment of New Altar Servers Monday 26^th December at 11.00am. A beautiful Mass for the Family

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.

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 these winter months, 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!

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

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

PARISH REPOSITORY: There is a lot of new stock in the repository. Christmas Greetings Cards, Cribs, Advent Calendars, Christmas Candles. 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.

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION CLASSES: Continue on Sunday 18^th December at 10.00am in the Parish Retreat. There will be Christmas Activities. It is imperative that all children attend each of the Communion Classes. It’s also come to my attention that some children are not attending Weekly Sunday Mass. If this is the case, I would think very seriously about putting your child forward for Communion; the last thing I want to do is have a weekly register, like many of the parishes throughout the diocese. It really is not fair on the child if they are absent from the weekly celebration. After next Sunday the children will break for the Christmas holidays and return on Sunday 8^th January at 10.00am If you are unable to attend any session for some reason please contact Fr. John directly (not Mrs Poulter) Tel: 02085083492

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 GRAND CLEAN OF CHURCH FOR CHRISTMAS THURSDAY 22^ndDECEMBER 10.00am

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. Mrs Sharon Chalk runs our Baptismal Programme. Baptisms take place on either Saturday or Sunday at 12.30pm

CONTEMPORARY MUSIC GROUP: Will be singing and playing at the 11am Mass on Sunday, 1^st January 2023 which is New Year’s Day. Kindly arrive 20 minutes or so before Mass starts. We hope that many of you can make the practice and that all of you will be at the Mass. Thank you. New singers and musicians who may like to join us will be made very welcome!

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

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!

MASS INTENTIONS – DECEMBER 2022

Sat 17^th	10.00am	Remy’s Int’s (Frank Westcott)
		*Confessions 11am – 12Noon or on demandVigil Mass for Sunday. Confessions at 5.30pm***
Sat 17^th	6.00pm	People of the Parish
Sun 18^th	9.00am	Leonard & Phyllis Attard RIP (Frances Beck)
Sun 18^th	11:00am	Stephen Griffiths RIP (Mylena)
Mon 19^th	10.00am7.30pm	David Faud RIP (The Faud Family)Parish Advent PENITENTIAL SERVICE
Tues 20^th	10.00am	Giordano Mattea RIP (Peter & Christine Burrowes)
Wed 21^st	10.00am	Matt McLoughlin RIP (Celine Sullivan)
Thur 22^nd	10.00am	Michelina Ziolkowska (Ewa Michalik)
Fri 23^rd	10.00am	Jim Sullivan RIP (Celine Sullivan)
Sat 24^th Christmas Eve	6.00pm	Tommy Luby RIP (R Walsh)Family Christmas Mass with Tableau
		*CHRISTMAS MASSES*
Sat 24^th Christmas Eve	9.45pm10.00pm	Carols Before Christmas MassJohn & Mary Harvey RIP (Fr John)
Sun 25^th Christmas Day	9.00am	David Faud RIP (The Faud Family)
Sun 25^th Christmas Day	11:00am	Peter Smith RIP (Paul Falco)

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

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

The Brentwood Diocesan Trust Registered Charity No. 234092

4th Sunday of Advent

First Reading : Isaiah 7:10-14

The Lord spoke to Ahaz and said, ‘Ask the Lord your God for a sign for yourself coming either from the depths of Sheol or from the heights above.’ ‘No,’ Ahaz answered ‘I will not put the Lord to the test.’

Then Isaiah said:

‘Listen now, House of David:

are you not satisfied with trying the patience of men

without trying the patience of my God, too?

The Lord himself, therefore,

will give you a sign.

It is this: the maiden is with child

and will soon give birth to a son

whom she will call Immanuel,

a name which means “God-is-with-us.”’

Responsive Psalm : Psalm 23(24):1-6

Let the Lord enter! He is the king of glory.

The Lord’s is the earth and its fullness,

the world and all its peoples.

It is he who set it on the seas;

on the waters he made it firm.

Let the Lord enter! He is the king of glory.

Who shall climb the mountain of the Lord?

Who shall stand in his holy place?

The man with clean hands and pure heart,

who desires not worthless things.

Let the Lord enter! He is the king of glory.

He shall receive blessings from the Lord

and reward from the God who saves him.

Such are the men who seek him,

seek the face of the God of Jacob.

Let the Lord enter! He is the king of glory.

Second Reading : Romans 1:1-7

From Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus who has been called to be an apostle, and specially chosen to preach the Good News that God promised long ago through his prophets in the scriptures.

This news is about the Son of God who, according to the human nature he took was a descendant of David: it is about Jesus Christ our Lord who, in the order of the spirit, the spirit of holiness that was in him, was proclaimed Son of God in all his power through his resurrection from the dead. Through him we received grace and our apostolic mission to preach the obedience of faith to all pagan nations in honour of his name. You are one of these nations, and by his call belong to Jesus Christ. To you all, then, who are God’s beloved in Rome, called to be saints, may God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ send grace and peace.

Gospel : Matthew 1:18-24

This is how Jesus Christ came to be born. His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph; but before they came to live together she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph; being a man of honour and wanting to spare her publicity, decided to divorce her informally. He had made up his mind to do this when the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, ‘Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because she has conceived what is in her by the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son and you must name him Jesus, because he is the one who is to save his people from their sins.’ Now all this took place to fulfil the words spoken by the Lord through the prophet:

The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son

and they will call him Emmanuel,

a name which means ‘God-is-with-us.’ When Joseph woke up he did what the angel of the Lord had told him to do: he took his wife to his home.

Third Sunday of Advent, Year A, Matthew, 2022

Edmund of Canterbury & St. Thomas More

Faith isn’t always a bright glowing light but rather a faint flicker to which we cling. We walk by faith and by sight and perceive God as in a mirror, dimly and only in part. The truth is that, for many, faith is lived in a fog of darkness and is often put to the test. As the Catechism of the Catholic Church so eloquently expresses it: ‘The world we live in often seems very far from the one promised us by faith. Our experiences of evil and suffering, injustice and death, seems to contradict the Good News; they can shake our faith and become a temptation against it’.

This was the experience of John the Baptist as he languished in Herod’s prison. As he awaited his fate, this great forerunner of the Lord, the last Old Testament prophet, probably shackled and no doubt hungry and tired, succumbed to doubt and uncertainty. Needing reassurance, he sent his disciples to ask the Lord, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else? Jesus pointed to his miracles and the power of God as signs that he is the Messiah, the Lord’s anointed.

Even John the Baptist, this outstanding herald of faith, wavered as his faith was tested. Nevertheless, Jesus held him up as the greatest man ever born while in the very next breath asserting that even the very least in Jesus’ kingdom is greater than this giant of faith. Clinging to Jesus through the ups and downs of life, the times of challenge and testing, the periods of darkness and near despair, is what makes even the least in the kingdom great. Faith we learn, it what most pleases God: faith in his Son Jesus.

During this holy season of Advent we turn to the great witnesses of faith: to St. John the Baptist, to Abraham, our father in faith, who believed against hope, to Mary our Mother who often walked her pilgrimage in the light of faith, and many others. AA_03G2

‘Come Lord Jesus, Come!’

Dear Friends in Christ, 3^rd Sunday of Advent 2022

Today is Gaudete Sunday, and marks the mid-way point of our Holy Advent Season. The word ‘Gaudete’ means to ‘Rejoice’, and we look forward in anticipation rejoicing that the Saviour Jesus Christ will be born for us once again this Christmas. This is such a beautiful time of the year, as we prepare for Christmas. We are given the great mission to be able to ‘Prepare the Way for the Lord’, just like John the Baptist did. We can do this in so many ways in our homes and in our lives. Don’t let this Advent Season pass you by and do nothing!

OUR PARISH GRAND CHRISTMAS DRAW & HAMPERS: I would like to take this opportunity of thanking the whole parish community for your incredible generous giving for our Christmas Event. To all those who donated Prizes for the Grand Draw a BIG THANK YOU! There were three Colour Televisions donated, a Nintendo Switch, Air Pods, Echo & Alexa Devices, Air Fryer, Various Marco Pierre White London Restaurant Vouchers, Zizzi Restaurant Voucher. Also a BIG THANK YOU to all who donated food stuffs for the making of Hampers. Some parishioners made up Hampers themselves.

Also this is a last call for the return of Draw Tickets please!

If you have Cakes, Mince Pies, Apple Pies, please bring them to the Parish Hall Saturday or Sunday Morning. And finally please come and support us on Sunday 11^th December after the 11.00am Mass.

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PARISH PENITENTIAL SERVICE: Monday 19^th December at 7.30pm. As part of our spiritual preparation for Christmas, it’s so important to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation. As part of our Catholic Spirituality, the Catholic Church requires us to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation at least once a year. This will be a wonderful opportunity to avail yourselves of the Sacrament of God’s healing and forgiving love through Confession. There will be visiting priests, including a Polish priest, to hear confessions. Please make every effort possible to attend the Penance Service.

Attached to your Parish Newsletter this week is my Christmas Card to you all. I wish you all the Season’s Greetings.

May God Bless You All,

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION CLASSES: Continue on Sunday 11^th December at 10.00am in the Parish Retreat. It is imperative that all children attend each of the Communion Classes. Very sadly, a large number of parents didn’t attend the Parents’ Meeting recently, a few had apologised. It’s also come to my attention that some children are not attending Weekly Sunday Mass. If this is the case, I would think very seriously about putting your child forward for Communion; the last thing I want to do is have a weekly register, like many of the parishes throughout the diocese. It really is not fair on the child if they are absent from the weekly celebration. This is really a serious issue! Next Sunday, 11^th the Children will be leading the 11.00am Mass, all the children will be present. If you are unable to attend any session for some reason please contact Fr. John directly (not Mrs Poulter) Tel: 02085083492

WELCOME: I would like to let you know in advance that we have four Seminarians from the Pontifical North American College joining us for Christmas and the New Year. It’s always a great pleasure welcoming the Seminarians. One of them is a Deacon, which is extremely helpful to me. As you can appreciate these young men all have healthy appetites, and love English desserts, apple pies, crumbles, trifles, etc. Also, if anyone has any spare bottles; Whiskey, Gin Port. If anyone could oblige over the Christmas period I’d be most grateful; they start arriving from 20^th December onwards. Pontifical North American College, HD Png Download - harvard png

DIARY DECEMBER 2022

PLEASE PRAY FOR THOSE SICK IN OUR PARISH

ANNIVERSARIES: Peter Smith RIP & All our Holy Souls. 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

ADVANCED NOTICE OF CHRISTMAS MASSES: Christmas Eve there will be two Masses at 6.00pm Family Mass & 10.00pm (with carols at 9.45pm). Christmas Day two Masses at 9.00am & 11.00am. Please note the times of all the Christmas Masses this year.

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

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.

THIS IS AN APPEAL TO ALL THOSE WHO HAVEN’T RETURNED TO THE PRACTICE OF FAITH SINCE THE PANDEMIC: The greatest tragedy of the Pandemic is that so many of the faithful haven’t returned to the practice of their faith. It’s so easy to get out of the routine and habit of going to church, and as the passage of time passes, the conscience eases, until you reach a point when you don’t even think about it anymore. We all have so much to be grateful to Almighty God for; and being part of a Catholic Christian Community gives us all a great sense of belonging and identity. As we enter the Advent season I would like to invite all those Catholics who have not returned to the regular practice of faith to seriously think about your Catholic Vocation to be part of the life of Jesus Christ. As we prepare for his birth once again into our lives this Christmas, it would be a wonderful opportunity to return to the practice of faith. When you reflect on the shortness of our lives, you begin to realise that life is not a dress-rehearsal, every day counts, and before you know it life and passed and we stand alone before God accounting for our life. Never let there be missed opportunities!

CONTEMPORARY MUSIC GROUP: Will be singing and playing at the 11am Mass on Sunday, 1^st January New Year’s Day. Kindly arrive 20 minutes or so before Mass starts. We hope that many of you can make the practice and that all of you will be at the Mass. Thank you. New singers and musicians who may like to join us will be made very welcome!

CHARITY JAZZ CONCERT AT ST EDMUND’S On 25th February (3.00-5.00pm) the here will be a an afternoon jazz concert at St Edmund’s Hall in aid of The Essex based Helen Rollason Cancer Charity. The wonderful Winnie Greer, “science teacher by day Jazz singer by night”, will be performing Jazz classics and some contemporary pieces. It should be a wonderful afternoon raising money for a great cause. Tickets are £20 each and available from the link below

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/afternoon-jazz-with-winnie-greer-in-aid-of-helen-rollason-cancer-charity-tickets-479464620587

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MASS INTENTIONS – DECEMBER 2022

Sat 10^th	10.00am	Joe Hynes RIP (Manley Family)
		*Confessions 11am – 12Noon or on demandVigil Mass for Sunday. Confessions at 5.30pm***
Sat 10^th	6.00pm	PC Joseph RIP (Anni) (Kumar Family)
Sun 11^th	9.00am	Ellen & Eugene Carney RIP (Catherine Knight)
Sun 11^th	11:00am	David Bloomfield RIP 1^st Anni (Geraldine Bloomfield)
Mon 12^th	9.00am	Deryk Dodd RIP (Anthony Family)
Tues 13^th	9.00am	Veronica Godsave RIP (Peter & Christine Burrowes)
Wed 14^th	10.00am	Theresa, Tony, Lynn & Peter Faud’s Int’s
Thur 15^th	10.00am	Reuben Dorn’s Int’s (John O’Rourke)
Fri 16^th	10.00am	Veronica Godsave RIP (Esther Penn)
Sat 17^th	10.00am	Remy’s Int’s (Frank Westcott)
		*Confessions 11am – 12Noon or on demandVigil Mass for Sunday. Confessions at 5.30pm***
Sat 17^th	6.00pm	People of the Parish
Sun 18^th	9.00am	Leonard & Phyllis Attard (Frances Beck)
Sun 18^th	11:00am	Stephen Griffiths RIP (Mylena)

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

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

The Brentwood Diocesan Trust Registered Charity No. 234092

3rd Sunday of Advent

First Reading : Isaiah 35:1-6,10

Let the wilderness and the dry-lands exult,

let the wasteland rejoice and bloom,

let it bring forth flowers like the jonquil,

let it rejoice and sing for joy.

The glory of Lebanon is bestowed on it,

the splendour of Carmel and Sharon;

they shall see the glory of the Lord,

the splendour of our God.

Strengthen all weary hands,

steady all trembling knees

and say to all faint hearts,

‘Courage! Do not be afraid.

‘Look, your God is coming,

vengeance is coming,

the retribution of God;

he is coming to save you.’

Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened,

the ears of the deaf unsealed,

then the lame shall leap like a deer

and the tongues of the dumb sing for joy

for those the Lord has ransomed shall return.

They will come to Zion shouting for joy,

everlasting joy on their faces;

joy and gladness will go with them

and sorrow and lament be ended.

Responsive Psalm : Psalm 145(146):6-10

Come, Lord, and save us.

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,

Come, Lord, and save us.

It is the Lord who gives sight to the blind,

who raises up those who are bowed down,

the Lord, who protects the stranger

and upholds the widow and orphan.

Come, Lord, and save us.

It is the Lord who loves the just

but thwarts the path of the wicked.

The Lord will reign for ever,

Zion’s God, from age to age.

Come, Lord, and save us.

Second Reading : James 5:7-10

Be patient, brothers, until the Lord’s coming. Think of a farmer: how patiently he waits for the precious fruit of the ground until it has had the autumn rains and the spring rains! You too have to be patient; do not lose heart, because the Lord’s coming will be soon. Do not make complaints against one another, brothers, so as not to be brought to judgement yourselves; the Judge is already to be seen waiting at the gates. For your example, brothers, in submitting with patience, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.

Gospel : Matthew 11:2-11

John in his prison had heard what Christ was doing and he sent his disciples to ask him, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or have we got to wait for someone else?’ Jesus answered, ‘Go back and tell John what you hear and see; the blind see again, and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised to life and the Good News is proclaimed to the poor; and happy is the man who does not lose faith in me.’

As the messengers were leaving, Jesus began to talk to the people about John: ‘What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swaying in the breeze? No? Then what did you go out to see? A man wearing fine clothes? Oh no, those who wear fine clothes are to be found in palaces. Then what did you go out for? To see a prophet? Yes, I tell you, and much more than a prophet: he is the one of whom scripture says:

‘Look, I am going to send my messenger before you;

he will prepare your way before you.

‘I tell you solemnly, of all the children born of women, a greater than John the Baptist has never been seen; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he is.’

THE GOSPEL OF THE LORD

Second Sunday of Advent, Year A, Matthew, 2022

Edmund of Canterbury & St. Thomas More

Once again the phrase ‘the kingdom of heaven’ features in our reading. If we are to understand this phrase as a sort of shorthand summary standing for ‘the place where the Father’s will is being done’, then our reading today can be seen to continue teaching us the steps of the journey of placing ourselves under the Father’s will.

John the Baptist’s message was a call to repentance: ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is close at hand.’ It is as if he was saying: ‘We are on the very edge of really letting ourselves live under the Father’s will. But there is a big obstacle. We need to repent!’ When it comes to doing the Father’s will. There is a huge obstacle – we have discussed this already when we looked at the house built on sand. The big obstacle is the power of our own self-will. But the text tells us that the people came to John to be baptised in the River Jordan, and that they were confessing their sins! Is there a difference between the sins and self-will? Look at what John said to the Sadducees and Pharisees. He accused them of being a brood of vipers. Strong stuff! What made him use such a bitter metaphor? The image is gruesome – we cringe at images of writhing, hissing snakes.

Surely, it is not much to do with the failings and weakness we usually think of as sins. There is something more powerful at work, and we can and may overlook it, but on a daily basis we experience it.

Surely, it is not much to do with the failings and weakness we usually think of as sins. There is something more powerful at work, and we can overlook it. We may overlook it, but on a daily basis we experience it. As soon as anything in our day comes up against our self-will, the reaction is immediate. And it turns us in an instant from being a happy, peaceful, kindly human being into a seething ball of reaction and anger. We are really only conscious of our self-will and its power when something or someone challenges or comes up against us. Reflect for a moment on those incidences that happen in a car, or in the supermarket, or in any situation where we get upset. What is really happening? It is not that my self-will is being exposed? Suddenly, the veneer of my kindly façade is torn down and the viper is revealed. Strong stuff indeed!

Dear Friends in Christ, 2nd Sunday of Advent 2022

GRAND DRAW TICKETS: May I appeal to the whole Parish Community to kindly return your sold Draw Tickets and Stubbs as soon as possible please. The Grand Draw will take place on Sunday 11^th December after the 11.00am Mass in the Parish Hall. There are some truly Wonderful Prizes! There will be a Coffee Morning and Bake Sale. Can I make a special appeal to all bakers for home-made cakes and pies; Cupcakes, Bread-pudding, and various other pastries? If you can help with baking please sign the list in the porch. Also volunteers on that Sunday would be most welcome!

A BIG THANK YOU to all who have donated Grand Draw Prizes, also food items to make up the Christmas Hampers. In these difficult times, you never cease to amaze me with your kindness and generosity. It’s still not too late to donate Prizes & Food items. Flat Screen TV, Laptop, Other New Electrical Goods, Restaurant Vouchers, Hotel Vouchers, National Trust Family Memberships, Crate of Wine, and Department Store Vouchers. Also Smart Tech Wearables: Fit Bits, Garmins, Air Pods, Beats, Echo & Alexa Devices. These can be left in the Christmas Box in Church Porch or Presbytery Christmas Boxes. Most important please come and join us on Sunday 11^th December in the Parish Hall.

PARISH PENITENTIAL SERVICE: Monday 19^th December at 7.30pm. As part of our spiritual preparation for Christmas, it’s so important to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation. There will be visiting priests, including a Polish priest, to hear confessions. Please make every effort possible to attend the Penance Service.

REQUIESCAT IN PACE: In your mercy please pray for the repose of the soul of Charles Westcott RIP, father of Frank Westcott our parish seminarian. The body will be received into the Church on Thursday 8^th December at 4.30pm, and the requiem Mass will take place on Friday 9^th December at 2.00pm. There will be no morning mass or Exposition that day. Sincere condolences to Frank & his sister Lorraine in this time of great loss.

May God Bless You All,

TO ALL OUR CAKE MAKERS AND BAKERS: This is an appeal to everyone in the Parish who Bake. We need Cakes, cup-cakes, lemon-drizzle, bread pudding, apple pies, crumbles, etc. We would like these for a Bake Sale at our Grand Christmas Draw Event next Sunday 11^th December after the 11.00am Mass. I encourage all of our parishioners to come along and support us for the Parish’s only fund-raising event of the year.

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION CLASSES: Continue on Sunday 4^th December at 10.00am in the Parish Retreat. It is imperative that all children attend each of the Communion Classes. Very sadly, a large number of parents didn’t attend the Parents’ Meeting last Wednesday, a few had apologised. These meetings are not optional, and there are only a few each year. It’s extremely embarrassing when a guest speaker is invited to talk to parents and the parents aren’t even present. It’s also come to my attention that some children are not attending Weekly Sunday Mass. If this is the case, I would think very seriously about putting your child forward for Communion; the last thing I want to do is have a weekly register, like many of the parishes throughout the diocese. It really is not fair on the child if they are absent from the weekly celebration. This is really a serious issue! Next Sunday, 11^th December, the Children will be leading the 11.00am Mass, all the children will be present. If you are unable to attend any session for some reason please contact Fr. John directly (not Mrs Poulter) Tel: 02085083492

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
Pontifical North American College, HD Png Download - harvard png

WELCOME: I would like to let you know in advance that we have four Seminarians from the Pontifical North American College joining us for Christmas and the New Year. It’s always a great pleasure welcoming the Seminarians. One of them is a Deacon, which is extremely helpful to me. As you can appreciate these young men all have healthy appetites, and love English desserts, apple pies, crumbles, trifles, etc. If anyone could oblige over the Christmas period Id be most grateful; they start arriving from 20^th December onwards.

CONTEMPORARY MUSIC GROUP: Will be singing and playing at the 11am Mass on Sunday, 4^th December which is the second Sunday of Advent. Kindly arrive 20 minutes or so before Mass starts. We hope that many of you can make the practice and that all of you will be at the Mass. Thank you. New singers and musicians who may like to join us will be made very welcome!

DIARY DECEMBER 2022

PLEASE PRAY FOR THOSE SICK IN OUR PARISH

ANNIVERSARIES: Peter Smith RIP & All our Holy Souls. 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

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 these winter months, 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!

MASS INTENTIONS – DECEMBER 2022

Sat 3^rd	10.00am	Remy’s Int’s (Frank Westcott)
		*Confessions 11am – 12Noon or on demandVigil Mass for Sunday. Confessions at 5.30pm***
Sat 3^rd	6.00pm	Jacqueline Bonaventure Sheehy RIP (Mike Sheehy)
Sun 4^th	9.00am	Dennis Randall RIP (The Randall Family)
Sun 4^th	11:00am	Maria Trillana (Get Well) (Sarah Ruiz)
Mon 5^th	10.00am	Fr Kieran Dodd RIP (Veronica & Steve Short)
Tues 6^th	9.30am	Peter Smith RIP (Paul Falco)
Wed 7^th	10.00am	Grace Skinner Int’s (John O’Rourke)
Thur 8^th	10.00am	Joaqim Alves RIP (Adelaide Alves)
Fri 9^th	2.00pm	Requiem Mass. Charles Westcott RIP
Sat 10^th	10.00am	Joe Hynes RIP (Manley Family)
		*Confessions 11am – 12Noon or on demandVigil Mass for Sunday. Confessions at 5.30pm***
Sat 10^th	6.00pm	PC Joseph RIP (Anni) (Kumar Family)
Sun 11^th	9.00am	David Bloomfield RIP 1^st Anni (Geraldine Bloomfield)
Sun 11^th	11:00am	Ellen & Eugene Carney RIP (Catherine Knight)

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

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

The Brentwood Diocesan Trust Registered Charity No. 234092

2nd Sunday of Advent

First Reading : Isaiah 11:1-10

A shoot springs from the stock of Jesse,

a scion thrusts from his roots:

on him the spirit of the Lord rests,

a spirit of wisdom and insight,

a spirit of counsel and power,

a spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord.

(The fear of the Lord is his breath.)

He does not judge by appearances,

he gives no verdict on hearsay,

but judges the wretched with integrity,

and with equity gives a verdict for the poor of the land.

His word is a rod that strikes the ruthless,

his sentences bring death to the wicked.

Integrity is the loincloth round his waist,

faithfulness the belt about his hips.

The wolf lives with the lamb,

the panther lies down with the kid,

calf and lion feed together,

with a little boy to lead them.

The cow and the bear make friends,

their young lie down together.

The lion eats straw like the ox.

The infant plays over the cobra’s hole;

into the viper’s lair

the young child puts his hand.

They do no hurt, no harm,

on all my holy mountain,

for the country is filled with the knowledge of the Lord

as the waters swell the sea.

That day, the root of Jesse

shall stand as a signal to the peoples.

It will be sought out by the nations

and its home will be glorious.

Responsorial Psalm :

Psalm 71(72):1-2,7-8,12-13,17

In his days justice shall flourish, and peace till the moon fails.

O God, give your judgement to the king,

to a king’s son your justice,

that he may judge your people in justice

and your poor in right judgement.

In his days justice shall flourish, and peace till the moon fails.

In his days justice shall flourish

and peace till the moon fails.

He shall rule from sea to sea,

from the Great River to earth’s bounds.

In his days justice shall flourish, and peace till the moon fails.

For he shall save the poor when they cry

and the needy who are helpless.

He will have pity on the weak

and save the lives of the poor.

In his days justice shall flourish, and peace till the moon fails.

May his name be blessed for ever

and endure like the sun.

Every tribe shall be blessed in him,

all nations bless his name.

In his days justice shall flourish, and peace till the moon fails.

Second Reading : Romans 15:4-9

Everything that was written long ago in the scriptures was meant to teach us something about hope from the examples scripture gives of how people who did not give up were helped by God. And may he who helps us when we refuse to give up, help you all to be tolerant with each other, following the example of Christ Jesus, so that united in mind and voice you may give glory to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

It can only be to God’s glory, then, for you to treat each other in the same friendly way as Christ treated you. The reason Christ became the servant of circumcised Jews was not only so that God could faithfully carry out the promises made to the patriarchs, it was also to get the pagans to give glory to God for his mercy, as scripture says in one place: For this I shall praise you among the pagans and sing to your name.

Gospel : Matthew 3:1-12

In due course John the Baptist appeared; he preached in the wilderness of Judaea and this was his message: ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is close at hand.’ This was the man the prophet Isaiah spoke of when he said:

A voice cries in the wilderness:

Prepare a way for the Lord,

make his paths straight.

This man John wore a garment made of camel-hair with a leather belt round his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. Then Jerusalem and all Judaea and the whole Jordan district made their way to him, and as they were baptised by him in the river Jordan they confessed their sins. But when he saw a number of Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism he said to them, ‘Brood of vipers, who warned you to fly from the retribution that is coming? But if you are repentant, produce the appropriate fruit, and do not presume to tell yourselves, “We have Abraham for our father,” because, I tell you, God can raise children for Abraham from these stones. Even now the axe is laid to the roots of the trees, so that any tree which fails to produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown on the fire. I baptise you in water for repentance, but the one who follows me is more powerful than I am, and I am not fit to carry his sandals; he will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing-fan is in his hand; he will clear his threshing-floor and gather his wheat into the barn; but the chaff he will burn in a fire that will never go out.’

First Sunday of Advent, Year A Matthew, 2022

Edmund of Canterbury & St. Thomas More

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

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

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

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

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

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

Dear Friends in Christ, 1^st Sunday of Advent 2022

As we embark upon of Advent Journey, and begin our New Liturgical Year, we pray that the Lord will be with us in these weeks ahead as we prepare for his birth once again into our lives this Christmastide. How we prepare determines how we will celebrate the Incarnation of the Lord. It’s only a year since we were all still experiencing the effects of the Pandemic, but here we are twelve months on, living with the ongoing presence of Covid throughout the whole world. Thankfully science and medicine through vaccines has assisted and helped everyone.

We have also experienced the difficulties with the political situation in our country, three Prime Ministers within as many months. The cost of living going through the roof; the gargantuan increase of utility bills, and general uncertainty about the future. The one constant in this changing world is the presence of Jesus Christ; we have to learn how to place our trust and our hope in Christ. His birth changed the whole course of human history.

GRAND DRAW ONLY TWO WEEKS AWAY, 11^th DECEMBER

GRAND DRAW TICKETS: If you didn’t receive any Grand Draw Tickets for the Grand Draw & Christmas Hampers there are plenty still available in the porch. Once again I appeal to your generosity in taking as many books of Tickets as you can. As this is our only fund-raising even of the year please be generous in your response. The Grand Draw will take place on Sunday 11^th December after the 11am Mass. We will be having a Coffee Morning at the same time, so we ask all of our parishioners to join us on this occasion. Cake makers we make a special appeal for home-made Cakes & Pies for sale at the Grand Draw.

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

May God Bless You All,

REQUIESCAT IN PACE: In your mercy please pray for the repose of the soul of Charles Westcott, father of Frank Westcott our parish seminarian studying for the priesthood for our Diocese of Brentwood. Charles passed away during the week after being in hospital for several weeks. We offer our condolences to Frank & his sister Lorraine in this time of great loss. As yet, no funeral arrangements.

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION CLASSES: Continue on Sunday 27^th November at 10.00am in the Parish Retreat. It is imperative that all children attend each of the Communion Classes. The next Parents’ Meeting will take place on Wednesday 30th November at 7.30pm in the Parish Hall. Sarah Barber will be our guest speaker. If you are unable to attend for some reason please contact Fr. John directly.

CONTEMPORARY MUSIC GROUP: We will be singing and playing at the 11am Mass on Sunday, 4^th December which is the second Sunday of Advent. Beforehand, we’ll be holding a brief practice on Thursday, 1^st December from 7pm until 8pm. We hope that many of you can make the practice and that all of you will be at the Mass. Kindly arrive 20 minutes or so before Mass starts. Thank you. New singers and musicians who may like to join us will be made very welcome!

PARISH ADVENT PENITENTIAL SERVICE: Monday 19^th December at 7.30pm. I encourage all of our parishioners to avail themselves of the Sacrament of Reconciliation in preparation for Christmas. There will be visiting priests to help celebrate the Sacrament, and also a Polish priest for many of our Polish parishioners. If you haven’t been to Confession for a long time this will be a wonderful opportunity to celebrate.

INAUGURATION OF ADVENT: Service with the lighting of the Advent Wreath, prayers, readings and music on Sunday 27th November at 4.00 p.m. in Brentwood Cathedral. The Service will be led by Bishop Alan Williams. Music from the Brentwood Cathedral choir. You can also watch the service on YouTube: https://youtu.be/c2KQhRXzOFU

THIS IS AN APPEAL TO ALL THOSE WHO HAVEN’T RETURNED TO THE PRACTICE OF FAITH SINCE THE PANDEMIC: The greatest tragedy of the Pandemic is that so many of the faithful haven’t returned to the practice of their faith. It’s so easy to get out of the routine and habit of going to church, and as the passage of time passes, the conscience eases, until you reach a point when you don’t even think about it anymore. We all have so much to be grateful to Almighty God for; and being part of a Catholic Christian Community gives us all a great sense of belonging and identity. As we enter the Advent season I would like to invite all those Catholics who have not returned to the regular practice of faith to seriously think about your Catholic Vocation to be part of the life of Jesus Christ. As we prepare for his birth once again into our lives this Christmas, it would be a wonderful opportunity to return to the practice of faith. When you reflect on the shortness of our lives, you begin to realise that life is not a dress-rehearsal, every day counts, and before you know it life has passed and we stand alone before God accounting for our life. Never let there be missed opportunities!

DIARY NOVEMBER – DECEMBER 2022

PLEASE PRAY FOR THOSE SICK IN OUR PARISH

ANNIVERSARIES: Pat Murphy RIP, Catherine Wright RIP & All our Holy Souls. 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

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!

MASS INTENTIONS – NOVEMBER – DECEMBER 2022

Sat 26^th	10.00am	Margaret & Pat Int’s (Frank Westcott) Holy Souls
		*Confessions 11am – 12Noon or on demandVigil Mass for Sunday. Confessions at 5.30pm***
Sat 26^th	6.00pm	Lucy McLay RIP (Gormley Family)
Sun 27^th	9.00am	Carmen Antaki RIP (Pat Hodgeson) Holy Souls
Sun 27^th	11:00am	Lynette MacDonald Int’s for successful cancer treatment. Kathleen Pampellonne
Mon 28^th	10.00am	Maree Kavanagh B’day Int’s. (Pat & Margaret)
Tues 29^th	10.00am	Fr Kieran Dodd RIP (Ann Petch)
Wed 30^th	10.00am	Norah Rynne RIP (9John McKernan & Family)
Thur 1^st December	10.00am	Peter Smith RIP (Paul Falco)
Fri 2^nd	10.00am	Paul Marianyagam Int’s (Steve & Veronica Short)
Sat 3^rd	10.00am	Remy’s Int’s (Frank Westcott)
		*Confessions 11am – 12Noon or on demandVigil Mass for Sunday. Confessions at 5.30pm***
Sat 3^rd	6.00pm	Jacqueline Bonaventure Sheehy RIP (Mike Sheehy)
Sun 4^th	9.00am	Dennis Randall RIP (The Randall Family)
Sun 4^th	11:00am	Maria Trillana (Get Well) (Sarah Ruiz)

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

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

1st Sunday of Advent

First Reading : Isaiah 2:1-5

The vision of Isaiah son of Amoz, concerning Judah and Jerusalem.

In the days to come

the mountain of the Temple of the Lord

shall tower above the mountains

and be lifted higher than the hills.

All the nations will stream to it,

peoples without number will come to it; and they will say:

‘Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord,

to the Temple of the God of Jacob

that he may teach us his ways

so that we may walk in his paths;

since the Law will go out from Zion,

and the oracle of the Lord from Jerusalem.’

He will wield authority over the nations

and adjudicate between many peoples;

these will hammer their swords into ploughshares,

their spears into sickles.

Nation will not lift sword against nation,

there will be no more training for war.

O House of Jacob, come,

let us walk in the light of the Lord.

Responsive Psalm : Psalm 121(122):1-2,4-5,6-9

I rejoiced when I heard them say: ‘Let us go to God’s house.’

I rejoiced when I heard them say:

‘Let us go to God’s house.’

And now our feet are standing

within your gates, O Jerusalem.

I rejoiced when I heard them say: ‘Let us go to God’s house.’

It is there that the tribes go up,

the tribes of the Lord.

For Israel’s law it is,

there to praise the Lord’s name.

There were set the thrones of judgement

of the house of David.

I rejoiced when I heard them say: ‘Let us go to God’s house.’

For the peace of Jerusalem pray:

‘Peace be to your homes!

May peace reign in your walls,

in your palaces, peace!’

I rejoiced when I heard them say: ‘Let us go to God’s house.’

For love of my brethren and friends

I say: ‘Peace upon you!’

For love of the house of the Lord

I will ask for your good.

I rejoiced when I heard them say: ‘Let us go to God’s house.’

Second Reading : Romans 13:11-14

You know ‘the time’ has come: you must wake up now: our salvation is even nearer than it was when we were converted. The night is almost over, it will be daylight soon – let us give up all the things we prefer to do under cover of the dark; let us arm ourselves and appear in the light. Let us live decently as people do in the daytime: no drunken orgies, no promiscuity or licentiousness, and no wrangling or jealousy. Let your armour be the Lord Jesus Christ.

Gospel : Matthew 24:37-44

Jesus said to his disciples: ‘As it was in Noah’s day, so will it be when the Son of Man comes. For in those days before the Flood people were eating, drinking, taking wives, taking husbands, right up to the day Noah went into the ark, and they suspected nothing till the Flood came and swept all away. It will be like this when the Son of Man comes. Then of two men in the fields one is taken, one left; of two women at the millstone grinding, one is taken, one left.

‘So stay awake, because you do not know the day when your master is coming. You may be quite sure of this, that if the householder had known at what time of the night the burglar would come, he would have stayed awake and would not have allowed anyone to break through the wall of his house. Therefore, you too must stand ready because the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.

THE GOSPEL OF THE LORD

The Solemnity of Christ the King, 2022

Edmund of Canterbury & St. Thomas More

Luke’s retelling of the Passion and death of Jesus has several unique features. He shows Jesus speaking warmly to the disciples at the Last Supper: ‘You are those who have stood by me in my trials. And I confer on you a kingdom…’ He also speaks of Peter’s future role: ‘…when once you have turned back, strengthen your brothers’. Furthermore, Luke has little interest in the disciples’ abandonment and states that, ‘…all his acquaintances…who had followed him from Galilee…’ witnessed Jesus’ death. During the journey to Calvary he records the women of Jerusalem weeping for him and Jesus’ prayer to the Father for those who will crucify him: ‘Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing’.

As with the above examples, Jesus’ encounter with the good thief is only recorded in Luke’s Gospel. Genius storyteller that he was he’s always interested in showing how Jesus reaches out to the lost, especially sinners. Jesus’ promise to the good thief is something of a climax. It’s Jesus’ last act of kindness before he commends his spirit to the Father. ‘…today you will be with me in Paradise’. Through this, Jesus offers once more the ‘today’ of salvation.

We read this passage on the Solemnity of Christ the King because the kingship of Jesus is seen in his reaching out to the lost. Jesus’ kingdom, to quote the Gospel of John, is ‘not of this world’. Instead, it’s the kingdom of God where peace and mercy reign, not an earthly kingdom which can be fought over in war and violence. Jesus has come to ‘bring good news to the poor’, and to seek and…save the lost.’

St Cyril of Alexandria wrote: ‘How wise the reasoning and how excellent the thoughts of the penitent thief! He became the confessor of the Saviour’s glory and the accuser of the pride of those who crucified him. Let us look at his most beautiful confession of faith. He says: “Jesus remember me when you come into your kingdom.” You see him crucified and call him a king.

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

CHRISTMAS EVENT FOR 2022: Event will be on Sunday 11^th December after 11am Mass, with Cake Stall & Refreshments & Grand Christmas Draw.

This weekend we will distribute Grand Draw Tickets for the Annual Grand Draw and Hampers. We will distribute two books to each parishioner. Tickets are £2 each – £10 a book. Please ask your family to support our Grand Draw this year. I know these are difficult times for everyone, but please be as supportive as possible. 1^st Prize Smart Colour TV; 2^nd Prize £200; 3^rd Prize £100 Various other Prizes – Restaurant Vouchers, London Hotel Afternoon Tea Vouchers, Six Bottles of Wine, & Various Hampers.

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. All Toiletries

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! Box in Church Porch & Presbytery 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!

PLEASE SUPPPORT US AND BUY SOME DRAW TICKETS, THANK YOU!

May God Bless You All,

APPLICATIONS FOR RECEPTION PLACES AT ST JOHN FISHER CATHOLIC PRIMARY SCHOOL SEPTEMBER 2023: If there are any parents who wish to apply for a place for their child in Reception Class 2023, at St John Fisher Catholic Primary School, and need a Certificate of Catholic Practice signed, please see Fr John ^assoon as possible For some of you this will be the first time you have engaged in the admissions procedure. You have to complete the Essex County Form by the 15^th January 2023. It’s so important that we support our local Catholic Primary School, which gives an excellent education to our children.

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION CLASSES: Continue on Sunday 20^th November at 10.00am in the Parish Retreat. It is imperative that all children attend each of the Communion Classes. The next Parents’ Meeting will take place on Wednesday 23^rd November at 7.30pm in the Parish Hall. If you are unable to attend for some reason please contact Fr. John directly.

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 9.30am

CONTEMPORARY MUSIC GROUPWe will be singing and playing at the 11am Mass on Sunday, 4^th December which is the second Sunday of Advent. Beforehand, we’ll be holding a brief practice on Thursday, 1^st December from 7pm until 8pm. We hope that many of you can make the practice and that all of you will be at the Mass. Kindly arrive 20 minutes or so before Mass starts. Thank you. New singers and musicians who may like to join us will be made very welcome!

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 ...

THE ADVENT LECTIONARY: A Journey towards Christmas with the Bible. The Advent lectionary is particularly rich, with readings from the prophets, gospels about John the Baptist, the ‘O’ antiphons, and the gospel accounts of events before Jesus’ birth. Fr Adrian Graffy, parish priest in East London, and a member of the Pontifical Biblical Commission, will give an introduction to the Scripture readings of Advent, and present ‘Scripture Readings: Advent’ on www.whatgoodnews.org The website pages will provide the text of the readings (Revised New Jerusalem Bible) for every day of Advent, with commentary on each, and suggestions for prayer and reflection. Wednesday 23^rd November 2022 19.00 –20.00 GMT This free event is both in-person and live-stream. Good transport links on the Elizabeth Line. Easy access to the church and ample parking. For live stream simply go to www.whatgoodnews.orgon the day. No booking necessary. A recording of the talk will be made available after the event on the same website. Christ the Eternal High Priest Catholic Church, 410 Brentwood Road, Gidea Park, RM2 6DH

DIARY NOVEMBER 2022

PLEASE PRAY FOR THOSE SICK IN OUR PARISH

ANNIVERSARIES: Dr Douglas St-John Murphy RIP, Eileen Hills RIP, & All our Holy Souls. 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

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!

WORLD YOUTH SUNDAY: 20^th November 2022. Is a unique opportunity to celebrate the role and significance of young people in the Catholic Church in England and Wales, along with the global Church. A representative of the Brentwood Catholic Youth Service will be speaking about their work, and holding a retiring collection (you can also donate online www.bcys.net/donate ) Anything you can give is so greatly appreciated, as any money raised will go towards supporting those in need of financial support to go on pilgrimages and to events, as well as allowing us to continue running our events. Providing support and training to those working with young people and so much more. And of course, please do pray for all young people in your parish, in our Diocese and around the world.

MASS INTENTIONS – NOVEMBER 2022

Sat 19^th	10.00am	Fr Kieran Dodd RIP (Frank Westcott)Holy Souls
		*Confessions 11am – 12Noon or on demandVigil Mass for Sunday. Confessions at 5.30pm***
Sat 19^th	6.00pm	Stephen Griffiths RIP (Mylinah) Holy Souls
Sun 20^th	9.00am	Martin Boyle RIP (Paul Boyle) Holy Souls
Sun 20^th	11:00am	Margaret Mary & Karl Joseph Britz RIP(Karl Britz) Holy Souls
Mon 21^st	10.00am	Communion Service Holy Souls
Tues 22^nd	10.00am	Communion Service Holy Souls
Wed 23^rd	10.00am	Communion Service Holy Souls
Thur 24^th	10.00am	Communion Service Holy Souls
Fri 25^th	10.00am	Communion Service Holy Souls
Sat 26^th	10.00am	Margaret & Pat Int’s (Frank Westcott) Holy Souls
		*Confessions 11am – 12Noon or on demandVigil Mass for Sunday. Confessions at 5.30pm***
Sat 26^th	6.00pm	Lucy McLay RIP (Gormley Family)
Sun 27^th	9.00am	Carmen Antaki RIP (Pat Hodgeson) Holy Souls
Sun 27^th	11:00am	Lynette MacDonald Int’s for successful cancer treatment. Holy Souls

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

Christ the King – Solemnity

First Reading : 2 Samuel 5:1-3

All the tribes of Israel then came to David at Hebron. ‘Look’ they said ‘we are your own flesh and blood. In days past when Saul was our king, it was you who led Israel in all their exploits; and the Lord said to you, “You are the man who shall be shepherd of my people Israel, you shall be the leader of Israel.”’ So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, and King David made a pact with them at Hebron in the presence of the Lord, and they anointed David king of Israel.

Responsive Psalm : Psalm 121(122):1-5

I rejoiced when I heard them say: ‘Let us go to God’s house.’

I rejoiced when I heard them say:

‘Let us go to God’s house.’

And now our feet are standing

within your gates, O Jerusalem.

I rejoiced when I heard them say: ‘Let us go to God’s house.’

Jerusalem is built as a city

strongly compact.

It is there that the tribes go up,

the tribes of the Lord.

I rejoiced when I heard them say: ‘Let us go to God’s house.’

For Israel’s law it is,

there to praise the Lord’s name.

There were set the thrones of judgement

of the house of David.

I rejoiced when I heard them say: ‘Let us go to God’s house.’

Second Reading : Colossians 1:12-20

We give thanks to the Father who has made it possible for you to join the saints and with them to inherit the light.

Because that is what he has done: he has taken us out of the power of darkness and created a place for us in the kingdom of the Son that he loves, and in him, we gain our freedom, the forgiveness of our sins.

He is the image of the unseen God

and the first-born of all creation,

for in him were created

all things in heaven and on earth:

everything visible and everything invisible,

Thrones, Dominations, Sovereignties, Powers –

all things were created through him and for him.

Before anything was created, he existed,

and he holds all things in unity.

Now the Church is his body,

he is its head.

As he is the Beginning,

he was first to be born from the dead,

so that he should be first in every way;

because God wanted all perfection

to be found in him

and all things to be reconciled through him and for him,

everything in heaven and everything on earth,

when he made peace

by his death on the cross.

Gospel : Luke 23:35-43

The people stayed there before the cross watching Jesus. As for the leaders, they jeered at him. ‘He saved others,’ they said ‘let him save himself if he is the Christ of God, the Chosen One.’ The soldiers mocked him too, and when they approached to offer vinegar they said, ‘If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.’ Above him there was an inscription: ‘This is the King of the Jews.’

One of the criminals hanging there abused him. ‘Are you not the Christ?’ he said. ‘Save yourself and us as well.’ But the other spoke up and rebuked him. ‘Have you no fear of God at all?’ he said. ‘You got the same sentence as he did, but in our case we deserved it: we are paying for what we did. But this man has done nothing wrong. Jesus,’ he said ‘remember me when you come into your kingdom.’ ‘Indeed, I promise you,’ he replied ‘today you will be with me in paradise.’

Thirty-Third Sunday of the Year, 2022

Edmund of Canterbury & St. Thomas More

Traditionally November is the month the Church focuses on the four last things: death, the final judgement, heaven (and hell and purgatory), and the Second Coming – sombre subjects, to be sure, but essential and foundational to our faith. Today’s reading invites us to contemplate what the signs will be of the end of the world. The Covid pandemic, the war in Ukraine and the talk of the Third World War makes the end of the world seem even closer.

However, the end of the world isn’t necessarily a topic we give much thought to – although sometimes the challenges and difficulties we face can make it seem like the end of the world! Believers and unbelievers alike acknowledge that one day the end will come – life on earth cannot be forever. Scientists suggest that our sun will burn up the earth in about five billion years, and throughout history false prophets have proclaimed with dogmatic certainty that the ‘end is nigh’, only to be exposed as frauds and charlatans.

The truth is, no one knows the day or the hour of our own death or the end of life on earth. What we do know, however, is that we can rely on a number of key truths. The first is that Christ lives and he has overcome death and the powers of darkness. We can also be certain that Christ is with us. In Christ the future world has already begun. The future is not darkness, confusion or fear, but by having a sure confidence that God is with us we can face it with courage and dignity.

We believe that the Lord will return – as Judge and Saviour. Jesus is the good judge: we know his face that of the Risen Christ, of Christ crucified for us. We walk and live by faith, not by sight, and even if we might rather leave the body to live with the Lord, what definitively matters is that we live lives that are pleasing to him.

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

THIS IS A PLEA FOR YOUR HELP WITH THE CHRISTMAS EVENT THIS YEAR. ONLY ONE MONTH TO GO. UNFORTUNATELY VERY LITTLE HAS BEEN HANDED IN SO FAR. PLEASE HELP US! IF EVERYONE BROUGHT AN ITEM OR TWO, IF YOU CAN AFFORD IT, THIS WOULD BE WONDERFUL!

CHRISTMAS EVENT FOR 2022: There will be a Grand Christmas Draw & Christmas Hampers. 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.

May God Bless You All,

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.

REQUIESCAT IN PACE: In your mercy please pray for the repose of the soul of Veronica Godsave RIP, who passed away recently. We extend our condolences to her family in this time of great loss. Requiem Mass will take place on Tuesday 15^th November at 12.15pm, with Cremation at 1.30pm at Forest Park Crematorium.

DAVENANT FOUNDATION SCHOOL: If there are any parents who have made application for a place at the Davenant Foundation School for their child for Year 7 in September 2023, I need a copy of your submission of Catholic Practice. As I mentioned to all the parents who came for meetings, the applications procedure is completely different from the Catholic sector. I cannot complete and sign the Supplementary Information Form without your ‘Practice Form’; without this, forms will be returned to Davenant unsigned.

APPLICATIONS FOR RECEPTION PLACES AT ST JOHN FISHER CATHOLIC PRIMARY SCHOOL SEPTEMBER 2023: If there are any parents who wish to apply for a place for their child in Reception Class 2023, at St John Fisher Catholic Primary School, and need a Certificate of Catholic Practice signed, please see Fr John during the week November 14^th – 18^th. For some of you this will be the first time you have engaged in the admissions procedure. You have to complete the Essex County Form by the 15^th January 2023. It’s so important that we support our local Catholic Primary School, which gives an excellent education to our children.

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION CLASSES: Continue on Sunday 13^th November at 10.00am in the Parish Retreat. It is imperative that all children attend each of the Communion Classes. The next Parents’ Meeting will take place on Wednesday 23^rd November at 7.30pm in the Parish Hall. If you are unable to attend for some reason please contact Fr. John directly.

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 9.30am

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

DIARY NOVEMBER 2022

PLEASE PRAY FOR THOSE SICK IN OUR PARISH

ANNIVERSARIES: Sheila Quinn RIP, Jan Leach RIP, Anthony Orsini RIP, Joyce Gregory RIP, Pat Salter RIP, Maureen Finnegan RIP, Lucy Byrne-Ingle RIP, Doreen Wiltshire RIP, Terrence Callahan RIP, & All our Holy Souls. 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

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!

MASS INTENTIONS – NOVEMBER 2022

Sat 12^th	10.00am	Peter Martin RIP (Chris Draper – Catenians) Holy Souls
		*Confessions 11am – 12Noon or on demandVigil Mass for Sunday. Confessions at 5.30pm***
Sat 12^th	6.00pm	People of the Parish
Sun 13^th	9.00am	Matt McLoughlin RIP (Veronica & Steve Short) Holy Souls
Sun 13^th	11:00am	Eugene & Ellen Carney RIP (C Knight) Holy Souls
Mon 14^th	9.00am	Modesta Borges RIP. (Adelaide Alves) Holy Souls
Tues 15^th	12.15pm	Requiem Mass – Veronica Godsave RIP
Wed 16^th St Edmund	10.00amFeast	Margaret Duffy & Pat Ata Int’s (Frank Westcott) Holy Souls
Thur 17^th	9.00am	Fr Kieran Dodd RIP (Pat & Margaret) Holy Souls
Fri 18^th	10.00am	Carmen Antaki RIP (Frank Westcott)Holy Souls
Sat 19^th	10.00am	Fr Kieran Dodd RIP (Frank Westcott)Holy Souls
		*Confessions 11am – 12Noon or on demandVigil Mass for Sunday. Confessions at 5.30pm***
Sat 19^th	6.00pm	Stephen Griffiths RIP (Mylinah) Holy Souls
Sun 20^th	9.00am	Martin Boyle RIP (Paul Boyle)
Sun 20^th	11:00am	Margaret Mary & Karl Joseph Britz RIP(Karl Britz) Holy Souls

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

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

33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

First Reading : Malachi 3:19-20

The day is coming now, burning like a furnace; and all the arrogant and the evil-doers will be like stubble. The day that is coming is going to burn them up, says the Lord of Hosts, leaving them neither root nor stalk. But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness will shine out with healing in its rays.

Responsive Psalm : Psalm 97(98):5-9

The Lord comes to rule the peoples with fairness.

Sing psalms to the Lord with the harp

with the sound of music.

With trumpets and the sound of the horn

acclaim the King, the Lord.

The Lord comes to rule the peoples with fairness.

Let the sea and all within it, thunder;

the world, and all its peoples.

Let the rivers clap their hands

and the hills ring out their joy

at the presence of the Lord.

The Lord comes to rule the peoples with fairness.

For the Lord comes,

he comes to rule the earth.

He will rule the world with justice

and the peoples with fairness.

The Lord comes to rule the peoples with fairness.

Second Reading : 2 Thessalonians 3:7-12

You know how you are supposed to imitate us: now we were not idle when we were with you, nor did we ever have our meals at anyone’s table without paying for them; no, we worked night and day, slaving and straining, so as not to be a burden on any of you. This was not because we had no right to be, but in order to make ourselves an example for you to follow.

We gave you a rule when we were with you: do not let anyone have any food if he refuses to do any work. Now we hear that there are some of you who are living in idleness, doing no work themselves but interfering with everyone else’s. In the Lord Jesus Christ, we order and call on people of this kind to go on quietly working and earning the food that they eat.

Gospel : Luke 21:5-19

When some were talking about the Temple, remarking how it was adorned with fine stonework and votive offerings, Jesus said, ‘All these things you are staring at now – the time will come when not a single stone will be left on another: everything will be destroyed.’ And they put to him this question: ‘Master,’ they said ‘when will this happen, then, and what sign will there be that this is about to take place?’

‘Take care not to be deceived,’ he said ‘because many will come using my name and saying, “I am he” and, “The time is near at hand.” Refuse to join them. And when you hear of wars and revolutions, do not be frightened, for this is something that must happen but the end is not so soon.’ Then he said to them, ‘Nation will fight against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes and plagues and famines here and there; there will be fearful sights and great signs from heaven.

‘But before all this happens, men will seize you and persecute you; they will hand you over to the synagogues and to imprisonment, and bring you before kings and governors because of my name – and that will be your opportunity to bear witness. Keep this carefully in mind: you are not to prepare your defence, because I myself shall give you an eloquence and a wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to resist or contradict. You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, relations and friends; and some of you will be put to death. You will be hated by all men on account of my name, but not a hair of your head will be lost. Your endurance will win you your lives.’

The Gospel of the Lord

Thirty-Second Sunday of the Year, 2022

St. Edmund of Canterbury & St. Thomas More

https://tse1.mm.bing.net/th?id=OIP.UU_zQfLmCful1eoCmUTqSwHaFc&pid=Api&P=0

The Pharisees and the Sadducees were both attracted and repelled by Jesus, and they couldn’t stop trying to catch him out. The aristocratic Sadducees scorned the middle-class Pharisees and their modern interpretation of the law. They had a narrow world view and were true conservatives, accepting only the first five books of the Hebrew Scriptures (The Pentateuch) and rejecting any belief in the resurrection of the body or of any existence after death.

Under the Levirate law, if a Jewish man’s brother died childless, the man was supposed to marry the widow and provide and heir, so that the estate wouldn’t leave the family and the brother’s name would continue. The Sadducees, who were too clever by half, posed a scenario which they didn’t even believe would occur, hoping to force Jesus to renounce the resurrection or allow polyandry (a woman having more than one husband).

Jesus pointed out that the resurrection life and our current earthly existence are not to be compared. In heaven the relationship of a married couple will be transcended by an entirely new kind of relationship. As Christians, we don’t simply believe that after death we live on in some way; what we do believe is that on the last day our bodies will be raised incorruptible. This is our blessed hope and the very essence of what it meant to believe in the resurrection.

As Paul said, ‘…God raised the Lord and will also raise us by his power’. Of course, this is a mystery, but one which through faith we can enter into and takes hold of in a way which can transform our lives. St Clement of Rome saw the truth of the resurrection built into nature’s cycle: Day and night give us examples of resurrection. The night sinks to sleep, the day rises; the day departs, the night comes on. ‘His namesake in Alexandria said of Christ, ‘He has turned our sunsets into dawn.

Dear Friends in Christ, 32^nd Sunday of the Year 2022

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! Box in ChurchPorch & Presbytery Porch for your gifts & offerings. AS YET ONLY A FEW ITEMS DONATED!

NOVEMBER: THE MONTH OF HOLY SOULS. It is customary throughout the Month of November to remember our deceased loved ones in a very special way. 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.

May God Bless You All,

REQUIESCAT IN PACE: In your mercy please pray for the repose of the soul of Fr Kieran Dodd RIP, His Body will be received into SS Peter & Paul Church, High Road, Ilford on Wednesday 9^th November at 7.00pm and his Requiem Mass will be celebrated by the Bishop on Thursday 10^th November at 11.30am. Please keep his family in your prayer at this time of great loss.

APPLICATIONS FOR RECEPTION PLACES AT ST JOHN FISHER CATHOLIC PRIMARY SCHOOL SEPTEMBER 2023: If there are any parents who wish to apply for a place for their child in Reception Class 2023, at St John Fisher Catholic Primary School, and need a Certificate of Catholic Practice signed, please see Fr John during the week November 14^th – 18^th. For some of you this will be the first time you have engaged in the admissions procedure. Hopefully by now you will have received notice from Essex Education Authority that your child is due to commence school next September 2023. You have to complete the County Form by the 15^th January 2023. It’s so important that we support our local Catholic Primary School, which gives an excellent education to our children.

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION CLASSES: Continue on Sunday 6^th November at 10.00am in the Parish Retreat. It is imperative that all children attend each of the Communion Classes. The next Parents’ Meeting will take place on Wednesday 23^rd November at 7.30pm in the Parish Hall. If you are unable to attend for some reason please contact Fr. John directly.

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.

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!

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

DIARY NOVEMBER 2022

PLEASE PRAY FOR THOSE SICK IN OUR PARISH

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

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!

ARE YOU INTERESTED IN A VOCATION TO THE PRIESTHOOD? “Enquirers’ Evening” on Tuesday 8^th November 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 Meetings are monthly, usually the first Tuesday of each month. For further information please contact Fr Mark Swires vocprom@dioceseofbrentwood.org

MASS INTENTIONS – NOVEMBER 2022

Sat 5^th	10.00am	Sandy Sandhu RIP Holy Souls
		*Confessions 11am – 12NoonVigil Mass for Sunday. Confessions at 5.30pm***
Sat 5^th	6.00pm	Dorothy Goodbun RIP (Anthony Family)
Sun 6^th	9.00am	Lily Brennan RIP (Senan Pierce) Anni Holy Souls
Sun 6^th	11:00am	Bernard John Gilley RIP (Eileen Ward) Anni Holy Souls
Mon 7^th	12.15pm	Carmen Antaki RIP (Frank Westcott) Holy Souls
Tues 8^th	12.15pm	Fr Kieran Dodd RIP (Frank Westcott) Holy Souls
Wed 9^th	10.00am	Michael DoBosh RIP (Celine Sullivan) Holy Souls
Thur 10^th	9.00am	Irene Olivelle RIP Birthday Remembrance (Joe Olivelle) Holy Souls
Fri 11^th	10.00am	Bridie Boyle RIP (Paul Boyle) Holy Souls
Sat 12^th	10.00am	Peter Martin RIP (Chris Draper – Catenians) Holy Souls
		*Confessions 11am – 12NoonVigil Mass for Sunday. Confessions at 5.30pm***
Sat 12^th	6.00pm	People of the Parish
Sun 13^th	9.00am	Matt McLoughlin RIP (Veronica & Steve Short) Holy Souls
Sun 13^th	11:00am	Eugene & Ellen Carney RIP (C Knight) Holy Souls

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

32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

First Reading : 2 Maccabees 7:1-2,9-14

There were seven brothers who were arrested with their mother. The king tried to force them to taste pig’s flesh, which the Law forbids, by torturing them with whips and scourges. One of them, acting as spokesman for the others, said, ‘What are you trying to find out from us? We are prepared to die rather than break the laws of our ancestors.’

With his last breath the second brother exclaimed, ‘Inhuman fiend, you may discharge us from this present life, but the King of the world will raise us up, since it is for his laws that we die, to live again for ever.’

After him, they amused themselves with the third, who on being asked for his tongue promptly thrust it out and boldly held out his hands, with these honourable words, ‘It was heaven that gave me these limbs; for the sake of his laws I disdain them; from him I hope to receive them again.’ The king and his attendants were astounded at the young man’s courage and his utter indifference to suffering.

When this one was dead they subjected the fourth to the same savage torture. When he neared his end he cried, ‘Ours is the better choice, to meet death at men’s hands, yet relying on God’s promise that we shall be raised up by him; whereas for you there can be no resurrection, no new life.’

Responsorial Psalm : Psalm 16(17):1,5-6,8,15

I shall be filled, when I awake, with the sight of your glory, O Lord.

Lord, hear a cause that is just,

pay heed to my cry.

Turn your ear to my prayer:

no deceit is on my lips.

I shall be filled, when I awake, with the sight of your glory, O Lord.

I kept my feet firmly in your paths;

there was no faltering in my steps.

I am here and I call, you will hear me, O God.

Turn your ear to me; hear my words.

I shall be filled, when I awake, with the sight of your glory, O Lord.

Guard me as the apple of your eye.

Hide me in the shadow of your wings

As for me, in my justice I shall see your face

and be filled, when I awake, with the sight of your glory.

I shall be filled, when I awake, with the sight of your glory, O Lord.

Second Reading : 2 Thessalonians 2:16-3:5

May our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father who has given us his love and, through his grace, such inexhaustible comfort and such sure hope, comfort you and strengthen you in everything good that you do or say.

Finally, brothers, pray for us; pray that the Lord’s message may spread quickly, and be received with honour as it was among you; and pray that we may be preserved from the interference of bigoted and evil people, for faith is not given to everyone. But the Lord is faithful, and he will give you strength and guard you from the evil one, and we, in the Lord, have every confidence that you are doing and will go on doing all that we tell you. May the Lord turn your hearts towards the love of God and the fortitude of Christ.

Gospel : Luke 20:27-38

Some Sadducees – those who say that there is no resurrection – approached Jesus and they put this question to him, ‘Master, we have it from Moses in writing, that if a man’s married brother dies childless, the man must marry the widow to raise up children for his brother. Well then, there were seven brothers. The first, having married a wife, died childless. The second and then the third married the widow. And the same with all seven, they died leaving no children. Finally the woman herself died. Now, at the resurrection, to which of them will she be wife since she had been married to all seven?’

Jesus replied, ‘The children of this world take wives and husbands, but those who are judged worthy of a place in the other world and in the resurrection from the dead do not marry because they can no longer die, for they are the same as the angels, and being children of the resurrection they are sons of God. And Moses himself implies that the dead rise again, in the passage about the bush where he calls the Lord the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob. Now he is God, not of the dead, but of the living; for to him all men are in fact alive.’

The Gospel of the Lord

Thirty-First Sunday of the Year, 2022

St. Edmund of Canterbury & St. Thomas More

British Summertime ends; clocks go back one hour.

As sinners go, Zacchaeus was a ‘big fish’ – or maybe we should say a ‘big shark’. As a chief tax collector he was responsible for other tax collectors and was no doubt very experienced in the dark art of exploiting and cheating others. Tax collectors experienced much hatred and were seen as the scum of the earth, the lowest of the low. Ironically, the name Zacchaeus means ‘innocent’ or ‘pure’, but there was nothing pure and innocent about him. His wealth was the fruit of a corrupt tax system in which the Jewish tax collectors secures their own piece of the pie by charging further levy and skimming it off for themselves. They were literally getting wealthy on the backs of others.

It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that Zacchaeus was as loathed and despised by the general public as a drug dealer might be today. Imagine, them, the shock and indignation that would be caused if Pope Francis invited himself to dine with a well-known drug dealer. Pandemonium would break out at the knowledge that the head of the Catholic Church was associating with such people. But what if our drug dealer gave his life to the Lord and became a Catholic?!

Zacchaeus’ conversion is dramatic and generous, reflecting Jesus’ goodness and generosity. His story teaches us that no one is beyond redemption, and that God’s grace and mercy reaches into the deepest and darkest of hearts. Remember, Jesus didn’t come to call the righteous but the unrighteous. He came to seek and save the lost, and the truth is that we’re all lost

The rich young man encountered the Lord and went away sad; the wealthy Zacchaeus encountered the Lord and went away filled with the joy of conversion. God works in amazing ways; those we think are far away from God are closer than we realise, and those we think are close to God may be farther away than we imagine.

Dear Friends in Jesus Christ, 31^st Sunday of the Year All Saints Sunday Religious Clipart

FEAST OF ALL SAINTS: 1^st November, is a Holy Day of Obligation and has the same status as a Sunday. The Feast of All Saints commemorates all of those men and women who have gone before us marked with the sing of faith, which are now part of God’s Great Company. We are all aspiring to the same sanctity of life, which is ultimately achieved when we meet our maker face to face. Let us ask for the intercession of All the Saints. 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: THE 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.

ANNUAL CHRISTMAS EVENT: Sunday 11^th December after the 11am Mass. Please see attached in your Newsletter. If you can help in any way please see Fr John or Kelsey Howard. Gifts and items can be dropped off at the Presbytery, or left in the Porch of the Church.

May God Bless You All,

REQUIESCAT IN PACE: In your mercy please pray for the repose of the soul of Fr Kieran Dodd RIP, who passed away last Tuesday. As you known Fr Kieran was a good friend to us here in Loughton for many years, and loved coming to our parish. He celebrated his 90^th Birthday this year and also his 60^th Anniversary of Ordination. His Body will be received into SS Peter & Paul Church, High Road, Ilford on Wednesday 9^th November at 7.00pm and his Requiem Mass will be celebrated by the Bishop on Thursday 10^th November at 1130am. Please keep his family in your prayer at this time of great loss.

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 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!

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. The next Parents’ Meeting will take place on Wednesday 23^rd November at 7.30pm in the Parish Hall. If you are unable to attend for some reason please contact Fr. John directly. Tel No: 0208 508 3492

https://tse1.mm.bing.net/th?id=OIP.RD1hEiXYYFlFUgvfGGhkWAAAAA&pid=Api&P=0

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

Please consult Website for the remainder of the Parish Newsletter

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

DIARY OCTOBER – NOVEMBER 2022

PLEASE PRAY FOR THOSE SICK IN OUR PARISH

ANNIVERSARIES: Phil Lawless RIP, Vi Clarke RIP, Neil Milward 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

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 – NOVEMBER 2022

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)
Mon 31^st	10.00am	Anthony Michael Porter RIP (Munday Family)
Tues 1^stNovemberAll Saints	10.00am12.15pm2.00pm7.30pm	Olgierd Ciszkiewicz RIPDavid Stevens Int’s (Mills family)People of the ParishJohn Hogan RIP (The Ruiz Family)
Wed 2^nd All Souls	10.00am12.15pm7.30pm	Lucy McLay RIP (S & J Campbell) H/SoulsPeter Smith RIP (Paul Falco) Holy SoulsTeresita Herilla RIP (Bacuetes Fam) H/S
Thur 3^rd	10.00am	Peter Martin RIP (Chris Draper – Catenians) Holy Souls
Fri 4^th	10.00am	Vera Baker’s Int’s (Manley Family) Holy Souls
Sat 5^th	10.00am	Sandy Sandhu RIP Holy Souls
		*Vigil Mass for Sunday. Confessions at 5.30pm*
Sat 5^th	6.00pm	Dorothy Goodbun RIP (Anthony Family)
Sun 6^th	9.00am	Lily Brennan RIP (Senan Pierce) Holy Souls
Sun 6^th	11:00am	Bernard John Gilley RIP (Eileen Ward)

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

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

The Brentwood Diocesan Trust Registered Charity No. 234092

31st Sunday in Ordinary Time

First Reading: Wisdom 11:22-12:2

In your sight, Lord, the whole world is like a grain of dust that tips the scales,

like a drop of morning dew falling on the ground.

Yet you are merciful to all, because you can do all things

and overlook men’s sins so that they can repent.

Yes, you love all that exists; you hold nothing of what you have made in abhorrence,

for had you hated anything, you would not have formed it.

And how, had you not willed it, could a thing persist,

how be conserved if not called forth by you?

You spare all things because all things are yours, Lord, lover of life,

you whose imperishable spirit is in all.

Little by little, therefore, you correct those who offend,

you admonish and remind them of how they have sinned,

so that they may abstain from evil and trust in you, Lord.

Responsive Psalm: Psalm 144(145):1-2,8-11,13b-14

I will bless your name for ever, O God my King.

I will give you glory, O God my king,

I will bless your name for ever.

I will bless you day after day

and praise your name for ever.

I will bless your name for ever, O God my King.

The Lord is kind and full of compassion,

slow to anger, abounding in love.

How good is the Lord to all,

compassionate to all his creatures.

I will bless your name for ever, O God my King.

All your creatures shall thank you, O Lord,

and your friends shall repeat their blessing.

They shall speak of the glory of your reign

and declare your might, O God.

I will bless your name for ever, O God my King.

The Lord is faithful in all his words

and loving in all his deeds.

The Lord supports all who fall

and raises all who are bowed down.

I will bless your name for ever, O God my King.

Second Reading: 2 Thessalonians 1:11-2:2

We pray continually that our God will make you worthy of his call, and by his power fulfil all your desires for goodness and complete all that you have been doing through faith; because in this way the name of our Lord Jesus Christ will be glorified in you and you in him, by the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

To turn now, brothers, to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and how we shall all be gathered round him: please do not get excited too soon or alarmed by any prediction or rumour or any letter claiming to come from us, implying that the Day of the Lord has already arrived.

Gospel: Luke 19:1-10

Jesus entered Jericho and was going through the town when a man whose name was Zacchaeus made his appearance: he was one of the senior tax collectors and a wealthy man. He was anxious to see what kind of man Jesus was, but he was too short and could not see him for the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree to catch a glimpse of Jesus who was to pass that way. When Jesus reached the spot he looked up and spoke to him: ‘Zacchaeus, come down. Hurry, because I must stay at your house today.’ And he hurried down and welcomed him joyfully. They all complained when they saw what was happening. ‘He has gone to stay at a sinner’s house’ they said. But Zacchaeus stood his ground and said to the Lord, ‘Look, sir, I am going to give half my property to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody I will pay him back four times the amount.’ And Jesus said to him, ‘Today salvation has come to this house, because this man too is a son of Abraham; for the Son of Man has come to seek out and save what was lost.’

The Gospel of the lord

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.

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.

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.

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

DIARY OCTOBER 2022

PLEASE PRAY FOR THOSE SICK IN OUR PARISH

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.

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

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

MASS INTENTIONS – 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,

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!

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

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

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?