St Edmund of Canterbury, Loughton

The Fourteenth Sunday of the Year, 2021

St. Edmund of Canterbury & St. Thomas More

As they listened to Jesus preaching and teaching in the Synagogue the people are amazed at his knowledge. But then they start to question where he got his knowledge, and they result to saying, “Isn’t this the Carpenter’s Son? Isn’t Mary his mother? Don’t we know his relations? Their questions were leading them to explore the greatest mystery of life: who was Jesus of Nazareth? Sadly, their line of questioning did not lead to faith because they ‘took offence at him’. What a shame, because their minds were beginning to entertain the mystery of the Incarnation – God made man – one of the most fundamental aspects of the panorama of Christian revelation. Just as we need to cultivate a sense of Eucharistic awe, so too we need to nurture a sense of incarnational awe. Of course, the key to this mystery is faith: but to understand, we must first believe. Our minds in themselves are not capable of grasping the incarnation. St Thomas Aquinas said: ‘By the Divine Nature, Christ is simple. By his human nature, he is complex.’

RUBY JUBILEE OF ORDINATION TO THE SACRED PRIESTHOOD

Next Sunday 11^th July, I will be celebrating my 40^th Anniversary to the Sacred Priesthood. Sadly, due to Covid restrictions I have had to postpone the Jubilee celebrations until a later date, possibly the same time next year. Originally, I had many people travelling from different parts of the world, lots of family & friends, and of course my parish family. But health & safety in these precarious times is of supreme importance. I will celebrate the 11am Mass on the 11^th July as a Thanksgiving Mass, and for me, this is the most important thing that I can do as a priest. Monsignor Kevin Hale, our Vicar General, and one of my oldest friends, will be preaching at the Mass. Sue Farrow our Choir Director and Choir members will sing at the Mass. I sincerely hope that you may be able to attend the Mass, even with limited spaces, there will be seating also outside the Church; and we have a speaker that can transmit outside. In humility, I ask for your continued prayers as I celebrate this great milestone, and I thank God for the Gift of the Priesthood.

VICARIATE FOR ADULT FORMATION: Have produced a leaflet entitled ‘The Journey Home’ – Returning to Sunday Mass and the Practice of our Faith. Sunday is the Day of the Lord. It is on this day that we meet the Risen Christ and we are formed into a community of faith, hope and love by the power of His Holy Spirit. All of us have an opportunity to reflect honestly on the practice of our faith and to take the decision to make the journey home to the Celebration of Sunday Mass. The welcome will be assured and warm because it there that Christ waits for us and invites us into his life. For more information about Sunday Mass, please got to the Parish Website for up to date information or contact your Parish Priest. Please visit the new Thresholds of Hope website at: www.thresholdsofhope.co.uk

OFFERTORY COLLECTION: Last weekend’s Offertory £454.78. My ongoing thanks to the whole parish community for your weekly financial support! As you can see our Weekly Offertory bears no comparison to prior Pandemic income; many parishioners have signed up for the online giving and Gift Aid Scheme. I would like to encourage this even more. My thanks to Michael Manzi our Accountant, who looks after the Parish Accounts & Maria Mosquera who looks after the Parish Gift Aid Scheme; they have both done a truly wonderful job this year. If you would like to join the Gift Aid Scheme, there are application forms in the Church Porch or ask Fr. John for a form. If you forget your envelope, there are spares in the Porch. Thanks!

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION PROGRAMME 2021/2022: I have completed the interviews with parents. I would like to thank all the parents that I was able to see you regarding your child’s forthcoming First Holy Communion Programme. It was really nice to be able to meet up with you, and discuss the programme the children, hopefully, will begin in September. As you know, in light of the Covid Pandemic, we had to cancel this year’s programme; therefore there will be two years of children, Years 3 & 4. There should be about 30 children on the programme. Please keep the children and their families in your prayers. COULD YOU KINDLY RETURN YOUR CHILD’S ENROLMENT FORM AS SOON AS POSSIBLE PLEASE AS BOOKS HAVE TO BE ORDERED.

May God Bless Your Week,

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:

https://www.dioceseofbrentwood.net/donations?parish=loughton

Or you can use Parish Bank Account: Using Online Banking
HSBC Sort Code 40-13-22
Account Number: 11019651

RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS: If you know of anyone who may be interested in learning more about the Roman Catholic Faith possibly with the view of receiving the Easter Sacraments in 2022, please contact Fr. John at the Presbytery on Tel No: 020 8508 3492. The programme usually commences in September. It would be wonderful to have a number of enquirers. We follow a systematic programme of instruction, covering all aspects of Catholicism, Doctrine, Scripture, Liturgy, Mariology, Catholic practices. Please spread the word about this programme. Thank you!

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PARISH REPOSITORY: There are a large number of gifts and cards available in the Repository. There are rosaries, statues, medals, candles, special cards, prayer crosses, Anniversary Cards for all occasions, and many other items that would be suitable gifts for all occasions. Please leave your money in the basket provided. Thanks

MASS INTENTIONS: It has always been a custom within the Roman Catholic Faith to have an Intention offered when celebrating Holy Mass. Intentions can be for all occasions: e.g. For a deceased member of a family; deceased anniversary mass; Birthday intention; Special Occasions; Get Well Mass; Success in exams; Special milestone anniversaries, Wedding, Ordination, Confirmation. In fact, you can offer a Mass for almost every occasion! There are Mass Intention envelopes and Special Mass Cards for all occasions in the Repository at the back of the Church. (Please complete Mass envelope and enclose your Mass Offering and drop off at the Presbytery); I will always try to accommodate the date you have requested, or the nearest date to it. It’s always beautiful to receive a Mass card from someone!

EPPING FOREST FOODBANK DONATIONS: Thank you to all parishioners who continue to generously donate items for the Foodbank during these difficult times. The Foodbank are truly grateful for the generosity our parish has shown throughout the pandemic 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: Long-life fruit juice, tinned tomatoes, instant mash, tinned fish, tinned peas, tinned carrots, tinned potatoes, small jars of instant coffee, small or medium bags of rice, sponge pudding, snack bars, chocolate bars, chocolate spread and savoury crackers 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 tht 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

RETURNING TO THE WEEKLY PRACTICE OF THE FAITH: With so amny people having received their Vaccination against Covid, it would be wonderful to see many more return to the weekly practice of the faith. To be without the Sacrametns for usch a long period of time is unprecedented. It’s true that many people have just got out of the habit of going to Church, and live-streaming is not a subsititute for being together with the worhsipping community. Our Church’s opened last July 4^th, and many parishioners have returned. To get back into the routine of regular practice is up to the individual, but if you have children, it is so important that this routine recommence once again. Children are guided by their parents, and if chidlren witness that this is not important to you, it will, sadly, not be important to them. There are so many challenges and threats to our lives of faith, on so many fronts these days, please don’t let Covid be another of them!

DIARY JUNE 2021

PLEASE PRAY FOR THOSE SICK IN OUR PARISH

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

ANNIVERSARIES: Alan West RIP, Marie Dawson RIP, and for all whose anniversaries occur at this time and for all of our deceased loved ones, Requiescant in Pace.

SACRAMENTS CELEBRATED DURING ALERT LEVEL 4 RESTRICTIONS: In accordance with Government & Diocesan Guidelines, we are allowed to celebrate Funerals with 100 people present, strictly observing social distancing. 30 people are allowed to be present at a wedding. Baptisms: you are now allowed up to 30 persons at a Baptism; not too sure what the restrictions are for social event after though! These are really difficult times, and many couples were disappointed last year not being able to celebrate their marriages. We are hoping with the distribution of the vaccine, that things will change dramatically this year. If there are any couples who are thinking about getting married, please notify the parish immediately. Thank you. Obviously until restrictions are lifted all of the above applies for the foreseeable future.

RECEIVING SACRAMENTS: Recently, 48 of our young people received the Sacrament of Confirmation. This is a milestone in a young person’s life. Sadly I haven’t seen many of them since the day they were confirmed. This Sacrament of commitment and mission is about these young people assuming a certain amount of mature responsibility in their own Faith Journey. It’s not just about stamping the Sacramental Passport; I had it said to me recently, I quote: “my parents said to me if I got Confirmed, I don’t have to go to church anymore.” This is not only an insult to the young person, but even more so, an insult to Almighty God. If faith means so little, why would you go through a Sacramental Programme knowing that you would walk away from the practice of that faith? This is a really serious issue, and not something to be dismissed lightly. I ask everyone to think seriously about what it means to be really committed in your life of faith! Life is not a dress rehearsal, it’s the real thing every day; and there can be so many missed opportunities!

MASS INTENTIONS – JULY 2021

Sat 3rd	10.00am	Mary Burton B’day Int’s (Monica Maycraft)
		*Vigil Mass for Sunday: Confessions at 5.30pm*
Sat 3^rd	6.00pm	Sheila Murphy RIP (Rooney Family)
Sun 4^thSun 4^th	9.00am 10.00am	People of the Parish Gerard Pampellonne RIP ( K Pampellone)
Sun 4^th	11:00am	Charles Frost RIP (Martin Frost)
Mon 5^th	10.00am 10.30am	Violet Hall RIP (Maureen Perry) Holy Hour with Exposition of Bl. Sacrament
Tues 6^th	10.00am	Kathleen Daly RIP
Wed 7^th	10.00am	Sheila Murphy RIP (Hornett Family)
Thurs 8^th	10.00am 10.30am	Private Int. (Maureen Perry)Holy Hour with Exposition of the Bl Sacrament
Fri 9^th	10.00am 10.30am	Margaret Mullaney B’day Ints (M Maycraft) Holy Hour with Exposition of Bl. Sacrament
Sat 10^th	9.00am	Veronica Short B’day. (Pat & Margaret)
		*Vigil Mass for Sunday Confessions 5.30pm*
Sat 10^th	6.00pm	Joan Dowding RIP
Sun 11^thSun 11^th	9.00am 10.00am	People of the ParishAustin O’Dowd RIP
Sun 11^th	11:00am	Fr. John’s Int’s 40^th Anniversary of Ordination to the Sacred Priesthood

Please kindly be patient with your mass requests. I will try to accommodate your requested dates, but there have been a large number of requests recently and we celebrate masses in the order in which we receive them.

FOURTEENTH SUNDAY OF THE YEAR

First Reading : Ezekiel 2:2-5

The spirit came into me and made me stand up, and I heard the Lord speaking to me. He said, ‘Son of man, I am sending you to the Israelites, to the rebels who have turned against me. Till now they and their ancestors have been in revolt against me. The sons are defiant and obstinate; I am sending you to them, to say, “The Lord says this.” Whether they listen or not, this set of rebels shall know there is a prophet among them.’

Responsorial Psalm : Psalm 122(123)

Our eyes are on the Lord till he shows us his mercy.

To you have I lifted up my eyes,

you who dwell in the heavens;

my eyes, like the eyes of slaves

on the hand of their lords.

Our eyes are on the Lord till he shows us his mercy.

Like the eyes of a servant

on the hand of her mistress,

so our eyes are on the Lord our God

till he show us his mercy.

Our eyes are on the Lord till he shows us his mercy.

Have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy.

We are filled with contempt.

Indeed all too full is our soul

with the scorn of the rich,

with the proud man’s disdain.

Our eyes are on the Lord till he shows us his mercy.

Second Reading : 2 Corinthians 12:7-10

In view of the extraordinary nature of these revelations, to stop me from getting too proud I was given a thorn in the flesh, an angel of Satan to beat me and stop me from getting too proud! About this thing, I have pleaded with the Lord three times for it to leave me, but he has said, ‘My grace is enough for you: my power is at its best in weakness.’ So I shall be very happy to make my weaknesses my special boast so that the power of Christ may stay over me, and that is why I am quite content with my weaknesses, and with insults, hardships, persecutions, and the agonies I go through for Christ’s sake. For it is when I am weak that I am strong.

Gospel : Mark 6:1-6

Jesus went to his home town and his disciples accompanied him. With the coming of the Sabbath he began teaching in the synagogue and most of them were astonished when they heard him. They said, ‘Where did the man get all this? What is this wisdom that has been granted him, and these miracles that are worked through him? This is the carpenter, surely, the son of Mary, the brother of James and Joset and Jude and Simon? His sisters, too, are they not here with us?’ And they would not accept him. And Jesus said to them, ‘A prophet is only despised in his own country, among his own relations and in his own house’; and he could work no miracle there, though he cured a few sick people by laying his hands on them. He was amazed at their lack of faith. THE GOSPEL OF THE LORD.

The Thirteenth Sunday of the Year, 2021

St. Edmund of Canterbury & St. Thomas More

Dear Friends in Christ 13^thSunday of the Year

The Covid-19 global Pandemic has taught us many things but the one thing that surely stands out is that human life is fragile and short, and we must cherish and treasure it. This is as true today as it was in the first century. We can buy many things, but we can’t buy our health, and none of us truly knows what each day may bring. Someone we love may be perfectly healthy one day and the next be struck down with a life-changing diagnosis or be the victim of an accident, etc. To be sure, human life is subject to vagaries and hardships. This isn’t to make us depressed of afraid – it is simply and sobering and salutary fact of life.

The very real life situations that Jesus encountered in his daily ministry show us the power of his healing touch related, often to the faith of the individual. We can still know the healing touch of Christ today, through the sacrament of anointing, in which the healing power of Jesus is made present. Jesus encourages us not to be afraid but to be bold and to believe.

SOLEMNITY OF SS PETER & PAUL: Is a Holy Day of Obligation, and will be celebrated on Tuesday 29^th June. Peter the Apostle chosen by Jesus to be the rock, on which he would establish the church. The leader of the Apostles, the first Pope, who would eventually give his life for the Lord. Paul, the fearless preacher; turns from being the persecutor of Christians to the Lord’s great preacher and evangeliser of the Gentiles; also giving his life for the Lord in the City of Rome. With the Universal Church today we proclaim these two great giants of our faith. There will be three masses today: 10.00am, 12.15pm & 8.00pm. Please make every effort to join us for Mass. ONGOING COVID PANDEMIC UPDATE: Sadly, we have seen a real increase of Covid cases over the past week. The new Delta variant has really begun to spread exponentially. It appears that the only saving factor is the vaccine, which is certainly helping to reduce hospital admissions. The high percentages of those being admitted to hospital are those who haven’t, as yet, received the vaccine. With the extension of restrictions until the 19^th July, we are still technically limited to things we can do. In church, Health & Safety will always be the main concern for the protection of all of our parishioners. We will maintain our social distancing, hand sanitisation, face coverings, track & trace, one way system in the church, complete sanitisation of the church after every service. The Church has been really safe, and we now have been open for the past year. I appeal to all parishioners, especially if you have had the vaccine, to kindly return to the weekly practice of your faith. Life cannot be put on hold forever!

VICARIATE FOR ADULT FORMATION: Have produced a leaflet entitled ‘The Journey Home’ – Returning to Sunday Mass and the Practice of our Faith. Sunday is the Day of the Lord. It is on this day that we meet the Risen Christ and we are formed into a community o faith, hope and love by the power of His Holy Spirit. All of us have an opportunity to reflect honestly on the practice of our faith and to teake the decision to make the journey home to the Celebration of Sunday Mass. The welcome will be assured and warm because it there that Christ waits for us and invites us into his life. For more information about Sunday Mass, please got to the Parish Website for up to date information or contact your Parish Priest. Please visit the new Thresholds of Hope website at: www.thresholdsofhope.co.uk

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION PROGRAMME 2021/2022: I have now completed the interviews with parents. I would like to thank all the parents that I was able to see this week regarding you children’s forthcoming First Holy Communion Programme. It was really nice to be able to meet up with you, and discuss the programme the children, hopefully, will begin in September. As you know, in light of the Covid Pandemic, we had to cancel this year’s programme; therefore there will be two years of children, Years 3 & 4. There should be about 30 children on the programme. Please keep the children and their families in your prayers.

May God Bless Your Week,

Donate

Or you can use Parish Bank Account: Using Online Banking
HSBC Sort Code 40-13-22
Account Number: 11019651

POSTPONEMENT OF JUBILEE: It is wiith great sadness that I have had to make the decision to postpone my 40^th Anniversary of Ordination. Originally, I was inviting family friends, and loved ones, and from all over the world, to celebrate with us here in the parish. Unfortunately, with the extension of the lockdown, and the increase of the Delta variant, it’s almost impossible to do anything at present. Had the restrictions lifted on 21^st June I was hoping we could have got together after Mass in the Car Park for a drink and a piece of cake; we can’t even do that now! I will celebrate a Jubilee Thanksgiving Mass on Sunday 11^th July at 11am with only my Parish Family, this will be live streamed. Msgr Kevin Hale our Vicar Genral, and one of my oldest friends, will preach at the Mass.

DIARY JUNE 2021

PLEASE PRAY FOR THOSE SICK IN OUR PARISH

ANNIVERSARIES: Kazimierz Michalik RIP, Tom Smith RIP, and for all whose anniversaries occur at this time and for all of our deceased loved ones, Requiescant in Pace.

OFFERTORY COLLECTION: I would like to take this public opportunity of thanking every single member of this parish Community for your incredible support of the parish over the past 16 months of Pandemic. With the church remaining open and with online daily live streaming of Holy Mass, even during those four and half months of lockdown; in completing our Financial Returns to the Diocese, you will be delighted to know that we broke even this year. My thanks to Michael Manzi our Accountant, who looks after the Parish Accounts & Maria Mosquera who looks after the Parish Gift Aid Scheme; they have both done a truly wonderful job this year. With continued thanks for your Weekly Offering. If you would like to join the Gift Aid Scheme, there are application forms in the Church Porch or ask Fr. John for a form. If you forget your envelope, there are spares in the Porch. Thank you!

13th Sunday in Ordinary Time

First Reading : Wisdom 1:13-15,2:23-24

Death was not God’s doing,

he takes no pleasure in the extinction of the living.

To be – for this he created all;

the world’s created things have health in them,

in them no fatal poison can be found,

and Hades holds no power on earth;

for virtue is undying.

Yet God did make man imperishable,

he made him in the image of his own nature;

it was the devil’s envy that brought death into the world,

as those who are his partners will discover.

Responsorial Psalm : Psalm 29(30):2,4-6,11-13

I will praise you, Lord, you have rescued me.

I will praise you, Lord, you have rescued me

and have not let my enemies rejoice over me.

O Lord, you have raised my soul from the dead,

restored me to life from those who sink into the grave.

I will praise you, Lord, you have rescued me.

Sing psalms to the Lord, you who love him,

give thanks to his holy name.

His anger lasts a moment; his favour all through life.

At night there are tears, but joy comes with dawn.

I will praise you, Lord, you have rescued me.

The Lord listened and had pity.

The Lord came to my help.

For me you have changed my mourning into dancing:

O Lord my God, I will thank you for ever.

I will praise you, Lord, you have rescued me.

Second Reading : 2 Corinthians 8:7,9,13-15

You always have the most of everything – of faith, of eloquence, of understanding, of keenness for any cause, and the biggest share of our affection – so we expect you to put the most into this work of mercy too. Remember how generous the Lord Jesus was: he was rich, but he became poor for your sake, to make you rich out of his poverty. This does not mean that to give relief to others you ought to make things difficult for yourselves: it is a question of balancing what happens to be your surplus now against their present need, and one day they may have something to spare that will supply your own need. That is how we strike a balance: as scripture says: The man who gathered much had none too much, the man who gathered little did not go short.

Gospel : Mark 5:21-43

When Jesus had crossed in the boat to the other side, a large crowd gathered round him and he stayed by the lakeside. Then one of the synagogue officials came up, Jairus by name, and seeing him, fell at his feet and pleaded with him earnestly, saying, ‘My little daughter is desperately sick. Do come and lay your hands on her to make her better and save her life.’ Jesus went with him and a large crowd followed him; they were pressing all round him.

Now there was a woman who had suffered from a hemorrhage for twelve years; after long and painful treatment under various doctors, she spent all she had without being any the better for it, in fact, she was getting worse. She had heard about Jesus, and she came up behind him through the crowd and touched his cloak. ‘If I can touch even his clothes,’ she had told herself ‘I shall be well again.’ And the source of the bleeding dried up instantly, and she felt in herself that she was cured of her complaint. Immediately aware that power had gone out from him, Jesus turned round in the crowd and said, ‘Who touched my clothes?’ His disciples said to him, ‘You see how the crowd is pressing round you and yet you say, “Who touched me?”’ But he continued to look all round to see who had done it. Then the woman came forward, frightened and trembling because she knew what had happened to her, and she fell at his feet and told him the whole truth. ‘My daughter,’ he said ‘your faith has restored you to health; go in peace and be free from your complaint.’

While he was still speaking some people arrived from the house of the synagogue official to say, ‘Your daughter is dead: why put the Master to any further trouble?’ But Jesus had overheard this remark of theirs and he said to the official, ‘Do not be afraid; only have faith.’ And he allowed no one to go with him except Peter and James and John the brother of James. So they came to the official’s house and Jesus noticed all the commotion, with people weeping and wailing unrestrainedly. He went in and said to them, ‘Why all this commotion and crying? The child is not dead, but asleep.’ But they laughed at him. So he turned them all out and, taking with him the child’s father and mother and his own companions, he went into the place where the child lay. And taking the child by the hand he said to her, ‘Talitha, kum!’ which means, ‘Little girl, I tell you to get up.’ The little girl got up at once and began to walk about, for she was twelve years old. At this they were overcome with astonishment, and he ordered them strictly not to let anyone know about it, and told them to give her something to eat.

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NOTE TO ALL PARISHIONERS – NEW GIFT AID ORGANISER: Due to unforeseen circumstances our Gift Aid Organiser Maria Mosquera has to step down from her role. I am making an appeal to all parishioners for a volunteer to take over the role of Gift Aid Organiser? Maria will be able to help whoever takes over to learn the role and will be available should problems arise. Obviously Computer Skills will help. I’m truly grateful to Maria for assuming this role for the past few years ago. This would be a wonderful way of serving God through the Parish Community – please think about this request, thank you! If you want to speak to me personally please call Tel No: 0208 508 3492 AS YET, NO ONE HAS RESPONDEND. PLEASE THINK SERIOULSY ABOUT THIS TO HELP THE PARISH.

Jesus is asleep in the boat • Eve Out of the Garden

The Twelfth Sunday of the Year, 2021

St. Edmund of Canterbury & St. Thomas More

Dear Friends in Christ 12^thSunday of the Year

Being caught in a storm at sea must be terrifying. The apostles in the Gospel today feel helpless and afraid; they awaken Jesus who stills the wind with one command and then questions his disciple: ‘Why are you afraid? Have you no faith?’ Such a situation is the moment most of us find our faith. In its truest sense, faith is at those moments a return to God, through reliance – a dependence that can bring deep relief, peace and humility. We give ourselves completely to God, acknowledging his might and our smallness. God fills us and we feel a ‘love divine’, all loves excelling, as the hymn tells us. ‘My moments of depression and despair turn out to be renewals, new beginnings,’ wrote Thomas Merton. Stuck or powerless, we turn to God for help, and so find him again. Is this why we sometimes suffer? Is suffering a reminder from God to come home?

Relying on God gives us a feeling of being protected and supported in life. In tough times, we rely upon Christ. Rather than making us feel unpleasantly small, these moments of great need paired with great faith make us feel wonderfully small! It is s relief to ‘let go and let God’.

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ONGOING COVID PANDEMIC UPDATE: As predicted, the Government have extended this lockdown until the 19^th July. People are feeling really frustrated by this extension; but health and safety are the major factors at play here. With the Delta variant spreading very rapidly up and down the country, the last thing the government want is another complete lockdown. Obviously, this will affect many people’s lives in all sorts of different ways. Once again, at the church we will maintain our social distancing, hand sanitisation, face coverings, track & trace, one way system in the church, complete sanitisation of the church after every service. Many parishioners have returned to the weekly practice of the faith, many haven’t, and yet I bumped into many in the supermarkets; and seen many out and about. If there are folks who have got out of the habit of coming to Mass regularly, I appeal to you think seriously about non-attendance and have a talk with yourselves. There have been many religious articles written about this; that there will be some who will not return to the church for whatever reasons, but please ask yourselves the important questions, can I live without God in my life? Can I truly live without the sacraments? And if you are parents, can I jeopardise my children’s spiritual faith journey if I abandon the practice of my faith? These are relevant and poignant questions that need to be asked!

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION PROGRAMME 2021/2022: I have now completed the interviews with parents. I would like to thank all the parents that I was able to see this week regarding you children’s forthcoming First Holy Communion Programme. It was really nice to be able to meet up with you, and discuss the programme the children, hopefully, will begin in September. As you know, in light of the Covid Pandemic, we had to cancel this year’s programme; therefore there will be two years of children, Years 3 & 4. There should be about 25 children on the programme. Please keep the children and their families in your prayers.

FEAST OF SS. JOHN FISHER & THOMAS MORE: Tuesday 22^nd June. The children from our Primary will join us through live streaming, and special crosses for all the children will be blessed at the end of Mass and then distributed to all the children at school.

May God Bless Your Week,

Donate

Or you can use Parish Bank Account: Using Online Banking
HSBC Sort Code 40-13-22
Account Number: 11019651

POSTPONEMENT OF JUBILEE: I have decided to postpone my 40^th Anniversary of Ordination Jubilee celebrations until a later date. With ultimate restrictions not being lifted now until July 19th, it’s going to be impossible to do anything. I will celebrate a Jubilee Thanksgiving Mass on Sunday 11^th July at 11am with only my Parish Family, this will be live streamed.

REQUIESCAT IN PACE: In you mercy please pray for thr epose of the soul of Violet Hall RIP, who passed away recently. Violet lived in St. Edmund’s Parish for nearly 70 years, and was our oldest parishionerS at 98 years. Condolences to her family. Her Requiem Mass will take place on Tuesday 22^nd June at 1.00pm followed by Cremation at Forest Park Crematorium.

DIARY JUNE 2021

PLEASE PRAY FOR THOSE SICK IN OUR PARISH

Margaret Baldwin, Evelyn Bearne, Brian Beveridge, Karl Britz, Carlos Camacho, Jane Downs, Steve Dalgliesh, Pat Fenn, Veronica Godsave, Bernadette Hall, Violet Hall Ann Hawkes, Claire Howes, Pamela Houghton, Noel Johnson, Shaun Keel, Angela Long, Lilian Mothersole, Sheila Murphy, John McKernan, Rosemary O’Rourke, Kathleen Pomeroy, Geraldine Taylor, Vera Taylor, Collette Wenborn, Mary Witten, James Wright. And all our loved ones.

ANNIVERSARIES: Alice Bate RIP, Kazimierz Michalik RIPFor all whose anniversaries occur at this time and for all of our deceased loved ones, Requiescant in Pace.

MASS INTENTIONS – JUNE 2021

Sat 19^th	10.00am	Pat Ata Int’s ( Bridget & Maree)
		*Vigil Mass for Sunday: Confessions at 5.30pm*
Sat 19^th	6.00pm	Kazimierz Michalik RIP (Ewa Michalik)
Sun 20^th Sun 20^th	9.00am 10.00am	Tony Galcius RIP (John & Sue Campbell) People of the Parish
Sun 20^th	11:00am	Elizabeth Nkum RIP (Maria Fray)
Mon 21^st	10.00am 10.30am	Joe Burke RIPHoly Hour with Exposition of Bl. Sacrament
Tues 22^nd	10.00am 1.00pm	Annie Ginty RIPRequiem Mass. Violet Hall RIP
Wed 23^rd	10.00am	Grace Rose Skinner Int’s (John O Rourke)
Thurs 24^th	10.00am 10.30am	Chinnamma Augustine RIPHoly Hour with Exposition of the Bl Sacrament
Fri 25^th	10.00am 10.30am	Peter Smith RIP (Paul Falco)Holy Hour with Exposition of Bl. Sacrament
Sat 26^th	10.00am	Ann Hawkes Int’s (Remy)
		*Vigil Mass for Sunday Confessions 5.30pm*
Sat 26^th	6.00pm	Kazimierz Michalik RIP (Ewa Michalik)
Sun 27^th Sun 27^th	9.00am 10.00am	Charles Hardy RIPPeople of the Parish
Sun 27^th	11:00am	Louise Esseiva RIP

TWELFTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

First Reading : Job 38:1,8-11

From the heart of the tempest the Lord gave Job his answer. He said:

Who pent up the sea behind closed doors

when it leapt tumultuous out of the womb,

when I wrapped it in a robe of mist

and made black clouds its swaddling bands;

when I marked the bounds it was not to cross

and made it fast with a bolted gate?

Come thus far, I said, and no farther:

here your proud waves shall break.

Responsorial Psalm : Psalm 106(107):23-26,28-32

O give thanks to the Lord, for his love endures for ever.

Some sailed to the sea in ships

to trade on the mighty waters.

These men have seen the Lord’s deeds,

the wonders he does in the deep.

O give thanks to the Lord, for his love endures for ever.

For he spoke; he summoned the gale,

tossing the waves of the sea

up to heaven and back into the deep;

their souls melted away in their distress.

O give thanks to the Lord, for his love endures for ever.

Then they cried to the Lord in their need

and he rescued them from their distress.

He stilled the storm to a whisper:

all the waves of the sea were hushed.

O give thanks to the Lord, for his love endures for ever.

They rejoiced because of the calm

and he led them to the haven they desired.

Let them thank the Lord for his love,

for the wonders he does for men.

O give thanks to the Lord, for his love endures for ever.

Second Reading : 2 Corinthians 5:14-17

The love of Christ overwhelms us when we reflect that if one man has died for all, then all men should be dead; and the reason he died for all was so that living men should live no longer for themselves, but for him who died and was raised to life for them.

From now onwards, therefore, we do not judge anyone by the standards of the flesh. Even if we did once know Christ in the flesh, that is not how we know him now. And for anyone who is in Christ, there is a new creation; the old creation has gone, and now the new one is here.

Gospel : Mark 4:35-41

With the coming of evening, Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Let us cross over to the other side.’ And leaving the crowd behind they took him, just as he was, in the boat; and there were other boats with him. Then it began to blow a gale and the waves were breaking into the boat so that it was almost swamped. But he was in the stern, his head on the cushion, asleep. They woke him and said to him, ‘Master, do you not care? We are going down!’ And he woke up and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, ‘Quiet now! Be calm!’ And the wind dropped, and all was calm again. Then he said to them, ‘Why are you so frightened? How is it that you have no faith?’ They were filled with awe and said to one another, ‘Who can this be? Even the wind and the sea obey him.

The Eleventh Sunday of the Year, 2021

St. Edmund of Canterbury & St. Thomas More

Dear Friends in Christ 11^thSunday of the Year

The Lord Jesus uses many agricultural themes in his preaching and teaching. Today he talks about the seed, how small it is, but it can grow into something incredible. This imagery he uses for the faith. No matter how small or little our faith is, when we nurture and culture it, it can grow into something truly beautiful. The seed grows by itself, even when we are asleep. This is our natural curiosity and longing for God. As the Catechism of the Catholic Church explains, ‘The desire for God is written in the human heart, because man is created by God and for God; and God never ceases to draw man to himself. Only in God will he find the truth and happiness he never stops searching for’ (para 27).

It really doesn’t matter how small or little our faith is, God can use it and nurture it, when we allow him to do so. Some of the greatest saints in history allowed the Lord to use them in this way, and they became incredible instruments of God through the holiness of their lives by their example, their teaching and preaching: a few of examples – St Therese of Lisieux; Saint Teresa of Calcutta; Blessed Carlo Acutis; St Francis of Assisi. The potential is there for each and every one of us for that faith to grow strong in Christ.

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION PROGRAMME 2021/2022: Last week I advertised the forthcoming First Holy Communion Programme with interviews commencing Monday 14^th June until Friday 18^th June. Unfortunately, very few people have made appointments. Parish news is published weekly in the Newsletter; if parishioners are not reading the updates then they will have no knowledge of future event and programmes. I always make a point at the end of each of the weekend masses to stress the importance of reading the parish newsletter. If you haven’t yet booked appointment, you need to do so this weekend. Tel No: 020 8508 3492

As we were unable to run a programme over the past year, there will now be two years eligible to enrol in the programme (school years 3 & 4) as of September 2021). The Church reopened last July 4^th 2020, and many families returned to the regular practice of the faith. If you didn’t return to the practice of the faith, and have been away for over a year, we will need to discuss whether it would be prudent to wait some time until you get back into a regular routine of the practice of faith once again.

Requirements of entry into the programme are that you are a baptised and practicing Roman Catholic, which means you attend weekly mass; that you live within the Parish boundaries of St. Edmund of Canterbury Parish; and that you will be totally committed to the programme sessions with separate meetings for parents throughout the year.

CONGRATULATIONS: To our 48 young people who received the Sacrament of Confirmation this week from Bishop Alan. I managed to get the Bishop to come on both days, and it was a wonderful surprise for our young people. Both masses were very beautiful; to have live music, offertory, prayers of intercession, was truly wonderful again! Grateful thanks to all of our Catechists for the incredible work and the time you gave to our young people over the past six months. I think all of our young people went home very happy each night after these beautiful ceremonies. God bless you all!

ONGOING PANDEMIC UPDATE: Unfortunately, with the recent surge in the Delta variant up and down the country, and with the numbers increasing dramatically, it looks as though the total lifting of lockdown restrictions will not take place on 21^st June. Obviously, there are many opinions from the experts and scientists alike, but everyone’s Health & Safety will always come first. People will be extremely disappointed, and of course, everyone is so fed up with living this kind of life. But, when we look at the past 16 months and see how many people lost their lives through this terrible disease, we need to continue to be vigilant and careful. Sadly, I buried several parishioners over the past year that passed away from Covid 19. We will still comply with governmental guidelines in our Church and Parish Hall: hand sanitisation, one way system, face coverings, social distancing, and track & tracing.

May God Bless You All this Week,

Donate

Or you can use Parish Bank Account: Using Online Banking
HSBC Sort Code 40-13-22
Account Number: 11019651

RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS: If you know of anyone who may be interested in learning more about the Roman Catholic Faith possibly with the view of receiving the Easter Sacraments in 2022, please contact Fr. John at the Presbytery on Tel No: 020 8508 3492. The programme usually commences in September. If would be wonderful to have a number of enquirers. We follow a systematic programme of instruction, covering all aspects of Catholicism. Please spread the word about this programme. Thank you!

POSTPONEMENT OF JUBILEE: I have decided to postopone my 40^th Anniversary Jubilee celebrations until a later date. With ultimate restrictions not being lifted until the latter part of June, it really doesn’t give enough time to send out invitations, and also for many friends who wanted to come from abroad to attend. I will celebrate Jubilee Thanksgiving Mass on Sunday 11^th July at 11am with only my Parish Family.

REQUIESCANT IN PACE: In you mercy please pray for thr epose of the soul of Shiela Murphy RIP, a long time parishioner who passed away recently. We extend our condolences to her family in this time of great loss. Her Requiem Mass will be on Wednesday 16^th June at 2.00pm with the interment at Chigwell Cemetery.

Also Violet Hall RIP, who passed away recently. Violet lived in St. Edmund’s Parish for nearly 70 years, and was our oldest parishioner. Condolences to her family. Her Requiem Mass will take place on Tuesday 22^nd June at 1.00pm followed by Cremation at Forest Park Crematorium.

PARISH REPOSITORY: There are a large number of gifts and cards available in the Repository. There are medals, candles, special cards, prayer crosses, and many other items that would be suitable gifts for all occasions. Please leave your money in the basket provided. Thanks

DIARY JUNE 2021

PLEASE PRAY FOR THOSE SICK IN OUR PARISH

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

MASS INTENTIONS – JUNE 2021

Sat 12^th	10.00am	Sapper Raymond Marchant RIP (Pat & Jean Marchant)
		*Vigil Mass for Sunday: Confessions at 5.30pm*
Sat 12^th	6.00pm	Tony Galcius RIP ((Mike & Grainne Sheehy)
Sun 13^th Sun 13^th	9.00am 10.00am	Dec’d of Bacuetes Family RIP People of the Parish
Sun 13^th	11:00am	Leanne Kieran RIP (Maria Fray)
Mon 14^th	10.00am 10.30am	Fr Stewart Foster (sick) (Terry & Lucy) Holy Hour with Exposition of Bl. Sacrament
Tues 15^th	10.00am	Marth D’Souza (B’day Int’s) (Pat & Margaret)
Wed 16^th	10.00am	Brendan Kelly RIP (Stephanie Hemsworth)
Thurs 17^th	10.00am 10.30am	Tony Galcius RIP (Diana & Ferdi Tisi) Holy Hour with Exposition of the Bl Sacrament
Fri 18^th	10.00am 10.30am	Eleanor Millar RIP (Kathy & Mark Munro)Holy Hour with Exposition of Bl. Sacrament
Sat 19^th	10.00am	Pat Ata Int’s ( Bridget & Maree)
		*Vigil Mass for Sunday Confessions 5.30pm*
Sat 19^th	6.00pm	Kazimierz Michalik RIP (Ewa Michalik)
Sun 20^th Sun 20^th	9.00am10.00am	Tony Galcius RIP (John & Sue Campbell) People of the Parish
Sun 20^th	11:00am	Elizabeth Nkum RIP (Maria Fray)

11th Sunday in Ordinary Time

First Reading : Ezekiel 17:22-24

The Lord says this:

‘From the top of the cedar,

from the highest branch I will take a shoot

and plant it myself on a very high mountain.

I will plant it on the high mountain of Israel.

It will sprout branches and bear fruit,

and become a noble cedar.

Every kind of bird will live beneath it,

every winged creature rest in the shade of its branches.

And every tree of the field will learn that I, the Lord, am the one

who stunts tall trees and makes the low ones grow,

who withers green trees and makes the withered green.

I, the Lord, have spoken, and I will do it.’

Responsorial Psalm : Psalm 91(92):2-3,13-16

It is good to give you thanks, O Lord.

It is good to give thanks to the Lord,

to make music to your name, O Most High,

to proclaim your love in the morning

and your truth in the watches of the night.

It is good to give you thanks, O Lord.

The just will flourish like the palm tree

and grow like a Lebanon cedar.

It is good to give you thanks, O Lord.

Planted in the house of the Lord

they will flourish in the courts of our God,

still bearing fruit when they are old,

still full of sap, still green,

to proclaim that the Lord is just.

In him, my rock, there is no wrong.

It is good to give you thanks, O Lord.

Second Reading : 2 Corinthians 5:6-10

We are always full of confidence when we remember that to live in the body means to be exiled from the Lord, going as we do by faith and not by sight – we are full of confidence, I say, and actually want to be exiled from the body and make our home with the Lord. Whether we are living in the body or exiled from it, we are intent on pleasing him. For all the truth about us will be brought out in the law court of Christ, and each of us will get what he deserves for the things he did in the body, good or bad.

Gospel : Mark 4:26-34

Jesus said to the crowds: ‘This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man throws seed on the land. Night and day, while he sleeps, when he is awake, the seed is sprouting and growing; how, he does not know. Of its own accord the land produces first the shoot, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. And when the crop is ready, he loses no time: he starts to reap because the harvest has come.’

He also said, ‘What can we say the kingdom of God is like? What parable can we find for it? It is like a mustard seed which at the time of its sowing in the soil is the smallest of all the seeds on earth; yet once it is sown it grows into the biggest shrub of them all and puts out big branches so that the birds of the air can shelter in its shade.’

Using many parables like these, he spoke the word to them, so far as they were capable of understanding it. He would not speak to them except in parables, but he explained everything to his disciples when they were alone.

THE GOSPEL OF THE LORD

The Solemnity of Corpus Christi, 2021

Dear Friends in Christ Corpus Christi 2021

Today is the Feast of Corpus Christ – The feast of the Body & Blood of Jesus Christ. It goes back to the 13th century, but it celebrates something far older: the institution of the Sacrament of Holy Communion at the Last Supper. While Holy Thursday is also a celebration of this mystery, the solemn nature of Holy Week, and the focus on Christ’s Passion on Good Friday, overshadows that aspect of Holy Thursday.

In an incredible way, Jesus was able to leave with us the gift of His Body & Blood; sharing with his friends at the table of the Last Supper this eternal gift of himself for all time. The giver became the gift. After his Passion, Death & Resurrection, Jesus couldn’t be limited to time or space, and the Eucharist is the eternal reminder that the Lord is always with us. There is no more intimate expression of his love for us, and that’s what we receive every time we present ourselves for Holy Communion. He is the Bread of Life, come down from heaven; he is the food for the journey of life; He is the great ‘I am’! Let us fall on our knees before him.

Dear Friends in Christ, Corpus Christi 2021

Every week there are new announcements about the Universal Pandemic. Here in the UK, there is much speculation as to what is going to happen on the 21^st June, and whether the present restrictions are going to be lifted. The science has pointed to the contagious nature of the Delta strain of the virus, which has now taken over in the UK. Obviously, the government is stressing all the while to receive the vaccine as soon as possible. And they’ve just given the go ahead for younger people to receive it. Health and Safety are of prime importance for everyone! Keep safe and well! Please continue to follow the guidelines at Church, until we are advised otherwise.

CELEBRATION OF THE SACRAMENT OF COMNFIRMATION: This week on Wednesday 9^th & Thursday 10^th June we will be celebrating the Sacrament of Confirmation with our young people. This is a very momentous moment in their Faith Journey. My thanks to all those who attended the rehearsal last Wednesday; some arrived very late and missed the practical session; but there will be another opportunity to be present on Monday 7^th June at 7 pm for all those who were away during the half-term break. I commend to your prayers all our young people who will receive the Sacrament this week. Unfortunately, we are still bound by Covid restrictions, and therefore it is only the Candidates and their Sponsors, and parents who can be present. At present, due to social distancing in the Church, we can only accommodate about 100 persons; as I’ve stated all along your Health & Safety are of utmost importance. (If there are additional family members who would like to actually be present on either day, weather permitting, there is a speaker outside of the Church, and we can make some seating available). The Confirmation ceremony will be transmitted via Social Media – St Edmund of Canterbury Website – you will be directed to the livestream. Groups 4,5,6, Wednesday 9^th June; Groups 1,2,3, Thursday 10^th June; both at 7.00pm

PARISH REPOSITORY: There are a large number of Confirmation gifts and cards available in the Repository. There are medals, candles, special cards, prayer crosses, and many other items that would be suitable gifts for the Confirmandi. Please leave your money in the basket provided. Thanks

May God Bless You All This Week,

SOLEMNITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI HOLY HOUR: On Sunday afternoon there will be a special Holy Hour at 5.00pm in honour of the Blessed Sacrament. This beautiful feast is very ancient. In the past there would have been Corpus Christi processions. I invite the whole parish to come along to Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. There will be reflections on the document produced by the Bishop’s Conference ‘The Day of the Lord’ and the centrality of the Sunday Mass in our Catholic lives.

Donate

Or you can use Parish Bank Account: Using Online Banking
HSBC Sort Code 40-13-22
Account Number: 11019651

RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS: If you know of anyone who may be interested in learning more about the Roman Catholic Faith possibly with the view of receiving the Easter Sacraments in 2022, please contact Fr. John at the Presbytery on Tel No: 020 8508 3492. The programme usually commences in September. If would be wonderful to have a number of enquirers. We follow a systematic programme of instruction, covering all aspects of Catholicism. Please spread the word about this programme. Thank you!

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION PROGRAMME 2021/2022: It is hoped that we will be able to run a First Holy Communion Porgramme, commencing in September this year. There will be two years eligible to apply. (school years 3 & 4 as of Septmeber 2021) You have to be a practicing Roman Catholic (which means that you attend holy mass weekly). Please contact Fr. John for interview Tel No: 020 8508 3492 – Interviews Week commencing Monday 14^th June concluding Friday 18^th June.

DIARY JUNE 2021

PLEASE PRAY FOR THOSE SICK IN OUR PARISH

Margaret Baldwin, Evelyn Bearne, Brian Beveridge, Karl Britz, Carlos Camacho, Jane Downs, Steve Dalgliesh, Pat Fenn, Veronica Godsave, Bernadette Hall, Violet Hall, Ann Hawkes, Claire Howes, Pamela Houghton, Noel Johnson, Shaun Keel, Angela Long, Lilian Mothersole, Sheila Murphy, John McKernan, Rosemary O’Rourke, Kathleen Pomeroy, Geraldine Taylor, Vera Taylor, Mary Witten, James Wright. And all our loved ones.

ANNIVERSARIES: Molly Hixon RIP For all whose anniversaries occur at this time and for all of our deceased loved ones, Requiescant in Pace.

MASS INTENTIONS – JUNE 2021

Sat 5^th	10.00am	Letitia Fletcher RIP (Nancy Ironside)
		*Vigil Mass for Sunday: Confessions at 5.30pm*
Sat 5^th	6.00pm	John A Harvey RIP (39 anni) (Fr. John )
Sun 6^th Sun 6^th	9.00am10.00am	Iain Campbell RIP (Brenda Bryant)People of the Parish
Sun 6^th	11:00am	Peter Smith RIP (Paul Falco)
Mon 7^th	10.00am10.30am	David Mills RIPHoly Hour with Exposition of Bl. Sacrament
Tues 8^th	10.00am	Roxanne Batashi Kani RIP
Wed 9^th	10.00am7.00pm	Lesley Lewis RIPConfirmation Mass. Jim Shanahan RIP
Thurs 10^th	10.00am 10.30am7.00pm	Peter Smith RIP (Paul Falco)Holy Hour with Exposition of the Bl SacramentConfirmation Mass. Niki Bayley RIP
Fri 11^th	10.00am 10.30am	Ian Campbell RIP (Brenda Bryant)Holy Hour with Exposition of Bl. Sacrament
Sat 12^th	10.00am	Sappper Raymond Marchant RIP (Pat & Jean Marchant)
		*Vigil Mass for Sunday Confessions 5.30pm*
Sat 12^th	6.00pm	Tony Galcius RIP ((Mike & Grainne Sheehy)
Sun 13^th Sun 13^th	9.00am10.00am	Dec’d of Bacuetes Family RIPPeople of the Parish
Sun 13^th	11:00am	Leanne Kieran RIP (Maria Fray)

Corpus Christi – Solemnity

First Reading : Exodus 24:3-8

Moses went and told the people all the commands of the Lord and all the ordinances. In answer, all the people said with one voice, ‘We will observe all the commands that the Lord has decreed.’ Moses put all the commands of the Lord into writing, and early next morning he built an altar at the foot of the mountain, with twelve standing-stones for the twelve tribes of Israel. Then he directed certain young Israelites to offer holocausts and to immolate bullocks to the Lord as communion sacrifices. Half of the blood Moses took up and put into basins, the other half he cast on the altar. And taking the Book of the Covenant he read it to the listening people, and they said, ‘We will observe all that the Lord has decreed; we will obey.’ Then Moses took the blood and cast it towards the people. This’ he said ‘is the blood of the Covenant that the Lord has made with you, containing all these rules.’

Responsorial Psalm : Psalm 115(116):12-13,15-18

The cup of salvation I will raise; I will call on the Lord’s name.

How can I repay the Lord

for his goodness to me?

The cup of salvation I will raise;

I will call on the Lord’s name.

The cup of salvation I will raise; I will call on the Lord’s name.

O precious in the eyes of the Lord

is the death of his faithful.

Your servant, Lord, your servant am I;

you have loosened my bonds.

The cup of salvation I will raise; I will call on the Lord’s name.

A thanksgiving sacrifice I make;

I will call on the Lord’s name.

My vows to the Lord I will fulfil

before all his people.

The cup of salvation I will raise; I will call on the Lord’s name.

Second Reading : Hebrews 9:11-15

Now Christ has come, as the high priest of all the blessings which were to come. He has passed through the greater, the more perfect tent, which is better than the one made by men’s hands because it is not of this created order; and he has entered the sanctuary once and for all, taking with him not the blood of goats and bull calves, but his own blood, having won an eternal redemption for us. The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer are sprinkled on those who have incurred defilement and they restore the holiness of their outward lives; how much more effectively the blood of Christ, who offered himself as the perfect sacrifice to God through the eternal Spirit, can purify our inner self from dead actions so that we do our service to the living God.

He brings a new covenant, as the mediator, only so that the people who were called to an eternal inheritance may actually receive what was promised: his death took place to cancel the sins that infringed the earlier covenant.

Gospel : Mark 14:12-16,22-26

On the first day of Unleavened Bread, when the Passover lamb was sacrificed, his disciples said to Jesus, ‘Where do you want us to go and make the preparations for you to eat the passover?’ So he sent two of his disciples, saying to them, ‘Go into the city and you will meet a man carrying a pitcher of water. Follow him, and say to the owner of the house which he enters, “The Master says: Where is my dining room in which I can eat the passover with my disciples?” He will show you a large upper room furnished with couches, all prepared. Make the preparations for us there.’ The disciples set out and went to the city and found everything as he had told them, and prepared the Passover.

And as they were eating he took some bread, and when he had said the blessing he broke it and gave it to them. ‘Take it,’ he said ‘this is my body.’ Then he took a cup, and when he had returned thanks he gave it to them, and all drank from it, and he said to them, ‘This is my blood, the blood of the covenant, which is to be poured out for many. I tell you solemnly, I shall not drink any more wine until the day I drink the new wine in the kingdom of God.’ After psalms had been sung they left for the Mount of Olives. THE GOSPEL OF THE LORD.

The Solemnity of Corpus Christi, 2021

Dear Friends in Christ Corpus Christi 2021

Dear Friends in Christ, Corpus Christi 2021

May God Bless You All This Week,

Donate

Or you can use Parish Bank Account: Using Online Banking
HSBC Sort Code 40-13-22
Account Number: 11019651

RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS: If you know of anyone who may be interested in learning more about the Roman Catholic Faith possibly with the view of receiving the Easter Sacraments in 2022, please contact Fr. John at the Presbytery on Tel No: 020 8508 3492. The programme usually commences in September. If would be wonderful to have a number of enquirers. We follow a systematic programme of instruction, covering all aspects of Catholicism. Please spread the word about this programme. Thank you!

DIARY JUNE 2021

PLEASE PRAY FOR THOSE SICK IN OUR PARISH

ANNIVERSARIES: Molly Hixon RIP For all whose anniversaries occur at this time and for all of our deceased loved ones, Requiescant in Pace.

MASS INTENTIONS – JUNE 2021

Sat 5^th	10.00am	Letitia Fletcher RIP (Nancy Ironside)
		*Vigil Mass for Sunday: Confessions at 5.30pm*
Sat 5^th	6.00pm	John A Harvey RIP (39 anni) (Fr. John )
Sun 6^th Sun 6^th	9.00am10.00am	Iain Campbell RIP (Brenda Bryant)People of the Parish
Sun 6^th	11:00am	Peter Smith RIP (Paul Falco)
Mon 7^th	10.00am10.30am	David Mills RIPHoly Hour with Exposition of Bl. Sacrament
Tues 8^th	10.00am	Roxanne Batashi Kani RIP
Wed 9^th	10.00am7.00pm	Lesley Lewis RIPConfirmation Mass. Jim Shanahan RIP
Thurs 10^th	10.00am 10.30am7.00pm	Peter Smith RIP (Paul Falco)Holy Hour with Exposition of the Bl SacramentConfirmation Mass. Niki Bayley RIP
Fri 11^th	10.00am 10.30am	Ian Campbell RIP (Brenda Bryant)Holy Hour with Exposition of Bl. Sacrament
Sat 12^th	10.00am	Sappper Raymond Marchant RIP (Pat & Jean Marchant)
		*Vigil Mass for Sunday Confessions 5.30pm*
Sat 12^th	6.00pm	Tony Galcius RIP ((Mike & Grainne Sheehy)
Sun 13^th Sun 13^th	9.00am10.00am	Dec’d of Bacuetes Family RIPPeople of the Parish
Sun 13^th	11:00am	Leanne Kieran RIP (Maria Fray)

Corpus Christi – Solemnity

First Reading : Exodus 24:3-8

Responsorial Psalm : Psalm 115(116):12-13,15-18

The cup of salvation I will raise; I will call on the Lord’s name.

How can I repay the Lord

for his goodness to me?

The cup of salvation I will raise;

I will call on the Lord’s name.

The cup of salvation I will raise; I will call on the Lord’s name.

O precious in the eyes of the Lord

is the death of his faithful.

Your servant, Lord, your servant am I;

you have loosened my bonds.

The cup of salvation I will raise; I will call on the Lord’s name.

A thanksgiving sacrifice I make;

I will call on the Lord’s name.

My vows to the Lord I will fulfil

before all his people.

The cup of salvation I will raise; I will call on the Lord’s name.

Second Reading : Hebrews 9:11-15

Gospel : Mark 14:12-16,22-26

Trinity Sunday 2021

https://anchor.fm/st-edmunds-loughton/episodes/Trinity-Sunday-2021-e11qj61

St. Edmund of Canterbury & St. Thomas More

The Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity

Dear Friends in Christ

The Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity is always celebrated a week after Pentecost. Trinity Sunday honors the most fundamental of Christian beliefs—belief in the Holy Trinity. The human mind can never fully understand the mystery of the Trinity, but we can sum it up in the following formula: God is three Persons in one Nature. There is only one God, and the three Persons of God—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit—are all equally God, and they cannot be divided. At Holy Mass the Sacred Liturgy lifts the heart, mind and soul up to God, who is Father Son & Spirit. We not only praise the Holy Trinity in the Gloria at the beginning of Mass, but we also make a profession of faith to God in the Trinity while praying the Nicene Creed. The Council of Nicaea was called by the Emperor Constantine in the year 325AD. The Early Fathers of the Church, in response to various heresies rife at that time, formulated a Universal Creed of Belief, formulating not only the belief on the Most Holy Trinity, but also about the Church, Baptism, and Resurrection from the Dead, and Our Blessed Lady’s role in God’s plan of Salvation. Let us pray the Creed with true faith and fervour!

Illustration of the Hospitality of Abraham

Dear Friends in Christ, Trinity Sunday 2021

In light of the latest variant in Corona virus in this country, there is a certain amount of speculation as to whether we are going to be able to open up completely on 21^st June. Manifestly, many people have already had the first shot of the vaccine, and many the second. Social distancing, and the wearing of face coverings are still in place, and everyone is being advised to be cautious. The past 15 months have certainly taken its toll on many people’s lives, and many are just fed up with living this way, but health & Safety is important for all, and letting one’s guard down now could set back the whole process of trying to preserve everyone’s life. Please continue to adhere to all the Governmental guidelines. We will continue to follow Governmental & Diocesan guidelines here at Church until we’re given guidance that we can lift all restrictions.

I would like to commend all of our parishioners who have faithfully returned to the weekly practice of the faith. In speaking to many of you at different times, I know how hard it was to be away; but to be able to receive the sacraments once again is truly wonderful. To those who have not returned, can I make an impassioned appeal to you all, Church is a very safe place, we haven’t had one report of anyone contracting the virus here at St. Edmund’s in all the months we’ve been open. It’s likely that some will never return to the regular practice of faith, either from getting out of the habit, or those who may feel that they don’t need formal religion in their lives anymore. I ask everyone to think seriously about the whole meaning of your Catholic Faith, and whether you can permanently live without it?

CONFIRMATION PROGRAMME: A note to all of our Confirmandi, that the Rehearsal (with sponsors), and Penance Service will take place on Wednesday 2^nd June at 7.00pm at St. Edmund’s. If Catechists could also be present I’d be most grateful. Some candidates have not been present at Mass throughout the whole programme; as a priest I find this really sad, especially when everyone is now back in full time education. Please think very carefully about this commitment through the Sacrament of Confirmation. The Confirmation dates are as follows: Wednesday 9^th June: Groups 4,5,6. Thursday 10^th June: Groups 1,2,3. at 7.00pm. (Due to Covid restrictions and Social Distancing, only the Confirmandi & their Sponsors and parents will be able to be present at the Confirmation Ceremony).

May God Bless You All This Week,

Donate

Or you can use Parish Bank Account: Using Online Banking
HSBC Sort Code 40-13-22
Account Number: 11019651

NEW GIFT AID ORGANISER: Due to unforeseen circumstances our Gift Aid Organiser Maria Mosquera has to step down from her role. I am making an appeal to all parishioners for a volunteer to take over the role of Gift Aid Organiser? Maria will be able to help whoever takes over to learn the role and will be available should problems arise. Obviously Computer Skills will help. I’m truly grateful to Maria for assuming this role for the past few years ago. This would be a wonderful way of serving God through the Parish Community – please think about this request, thank you! If you want to speak to me personally please call Tel No: 0208 508 3492

PARISH REPOSITORY: We have a large selection of gifts for the Sacrament of Confirmation: Beautiful cards, medals, candles, Confirmation crosses, and various other items that would be suitable gifts for Confirmandi. There are also some beautiful new Mass Cards for all occasions. There are a large number of Cards for young people who are taking exams at this present time. Thank you to Teresa & Steve Wallace for looking after the Repository and keeping it well stocked during the past year of Pandemic. I’m really pleased that so many parishioners have made use of the Repository.

RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS: If you know of anyone who may be interested in learning more about the Roman Catholic Faith possibly with the view of receiving the Easter Sacraments in 2022, please contact Fr. John at the Presbytery on Tel No: 020 8508 3492. The programme usually commences in September. If would be wonderful to have a number of enquirers. We follow a systematic programme of instruction, covering all aspects of Catholicism. Please spread the word about this programme. Thank you!

GRAND CHURCH CLEAN: Could I make an appeal to all parishioners to come and help with a Grand Church Clean on Saturday 5^th June at 10.30am. I’m truly grateful to Sharon Fitzmaurice & Veronica Short who have, for the most part, kept the Altar Society going over the past 15 months, cleaning the church and doing the altar laundry. But to have a grand clean periodically, apart from the sanitisation of benches after each service gets into all those nooks and crannies that can sometimes be forgotten.

DIARY MAY – JUNE 2021

PLEASE PRAY FOR THOSE SICK IN OUR PARISH

Margaret Baldwin, Evelyn Bearne, Brian Beveridge, Karl Britz, Carlos Camacho, Jane Downs, Steve Dalgliesh, Pat Fenn, Veronica Godsave, Bernadette Hall, Ann Hawkes, Claire Howes, Pamela Houghton, Noel Johnson, Shaun Keel, Angela Long, Lilian Mothersole, Sheila Murphy, John McKernan, Rosemary O’Rourke, Kathleen Pomeroy, Geraldine Taylor, Vera Taylor, Mary Witten, James Wright. And all our loved ones.

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

OFFERTORY COLLECTION: I would like to take this public opportunity of thanking every single member of this parish Community for your incredible support of the parish over the past 15 months of Pandemic. With the church remaining open and with online daily live streaming of Holy Mass, even during those four and half months of lockdown; in completing our Financial Returns to the Diocese, you will be delighted to know that we broke even this year. My thanks to Michael Manzi our Accountant, who looks after the Parish Accounts & Maria Mosquera who looks after the Parish Gift Aid Scheme; they have both done a truly wonderful job this year. With continued thanks for your Weekly Offering. If you would like to join the Gift Aid Scheme, there are application forms in the Church Porch or ask Fr. John for a form. If you forget your envelope, there are spares in the Porch. Thank you!

SACRAMENTS CELEBRATED DURING ALERT LEVEL 4 RESTRICTIONS: In accordance with Government & Diocesan Guidelines, we are allowed to celebrate Funerals with 100 people present, strictly observing social distancing. 12 people are allowed to be present at a wedding. Baptisms: you are now allowed up to 30 persons at a Baptism; not too sure what the restrictions are for social event after though! These are really difficult times, and many couples were disappointed last year not being able to celebrate their marriages. We are hoping with the advent of the vaccine, that things will change dramatically this year. If there are any couples who are thinking about getting married, please notify the parish immediately. Thank you. Obviously until restrictions are lifted all of the above applies for the foreseeable future.

MASS INTENTIONS – MAY / JUNE 2021

Sat 29^th	10.00am	Margaret Duffy’s Int’s (Frank Westcott)
		*Vigil Mass for Sunday: Confessions at 5.30pm*
Sat 29^th	6.00pm	Michael McCarthy RIP (Una Machnicki)
Sun 30^th Sun 30^th	9.00am10.00am	Robin Bennett RIP (John & Sue Campbell)People of the Parish
Sun 30^th	11:00am	Michael Green RIP (Arthur & Jenny)
Mon 31^st	10.00am10.30am	Richard Okorogheye RIP (Laffey Family)Holy Hour with Exposition of Bl. Sacrament
Tues 1st June	10.00am	Joyce & Keith Sarson (M Duffy N Ironside)
Wed 2^nd	10.00am	Letitia Fletcher RIP ( K & A Sinclair)
Thurs 3^rd	10.00am 10.30am	Tommy Reilly’s Int’s (M Ryan)Holy Hour with Exposition of the Bl Sacrament
Fri 4^th	10.00am 10.30am	Nancy Hands Int’s (Remy)Holy Hour with Exposition of Bl. Sacrament
Sat 5^th	10.00am	Letitia Fletcher RIP (Nancy Ironside)
		*Vigil Mass for Sunday Confessions 5.30pm*
Sat 5^th	6.00pm	John A Harvey RIP (39 anni) (Fr. John )
Sun 6^th Sun 6^th	9.00am10.00am	Iain Campbell RIP (Brenda Bryant)People of the Parish
Sun 6^th	11:00am	Peter Smith RIP (Paul Falco)

The Most Holy Trinity – Solemnity

First Reading : Deuteronomy 4:32-34,39-40

Moses said to the people: ‘Put this question to the ages that are past, that went before you, from the time God created man on earth: Was there ever a word so majestic, from one end of heaven to the other? Was anything ever heard? Did ever a people hear the voice of the living God speaking from the heart of the fire, as you heard it, and remain alive? Has any god ventured to take to himself one nation from the midst of another by ordeals, signs, wonders, war with mighty hand and outstretched arm, by fearsome terrors – all this that the Lord your God did for you before your eyes in Egypt?

‘Understand this today, therefore, and take it to heart: the Lord is God indeed, in heaven above as on earth beneath, he and no other. Keep his laws and commandments as I give them to you today, so that you and your children may prosper and live long in the land that the Lord your God gives you for ever.’

Responsorial Psalm : Psalm 32(33):4-6,9,18-20,22

Happy the people the Lord has chosen as his own.

For the word of the Lord is faithful

and all his works to be trusted.

The Lord loves justice and right

and fills the earth with his love.

Happy the people the Lord has chosen as his own.

By his word the heavens were made,

by the breath of his mouth all the stars.

He spoke; and it came to be.

He commanded; it sprang into being.

Happy the people the Lord has chosen as his own.

The Lord looks on those who revere him,

on those who hope in his love,

to rescue their souls from death,

to keep them alive in famine.

Happy the people the Lord has chosen as his own.

Our soul is waiting for the Lord.

The Lord is our help and our shield.

May your love be upon us, O Lord,

as we place all our hope in you.

Happy the people the Lord has chosen as his own.

Second Reading : Romans 8:14-17

Everyone moved by the Spirit is a son of God. The spirit you received is not the spirit of slaves bringing fear into your lives again; it is the spirit of sons, and it makes us cry out, ‘Abba, Father!’ The Spirit himself and our spirit bear united witness that we are children of God. And if we are children we are heirs as well: heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, sharing his sufferings so as to share his glory.

Gospel : Matthew 28:16-20

The eleven disciples set out for Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had arranged to meet them. When they saw him they fell down before him, though some hesitated. Jesus came up and spoke to them. He said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, make disciples of all the nations; baptise them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teach them to observe all the commands I gave you. And know that I am with you always; yes, to the end of time.’

The Gospel of the Lord.

Pentecost Sunday 2021

St. Edmund of Canterbury & St. Thomas More

The Solemnity of Pentecost

Dear Friends in Christ

Today is Pentecost Sunday, when we celebrate the brithday of the Church. On thtat day when the Holy Spirit was poured out on the Apostles, it empowered them to “Go out into the whole world and proclaim the Good News.” As Jesus had told the apostles at the Last Supper, “the Holy Spirit will lead you to the complete truth.” Now the work would begin; evangelisation would become the mission of the new Church founded on Jesus Christ. A continueal outpouring of that same Holy Spirit is fundamentally at the heart of Catholic Christian life. It’s the Spirit that inspiries, encourages, motivates, gives courage & stregth, and allows the church to coninue and grow throughout the world. The Holy Spirit – the perfect love between the Father & the Son, which is that lifegiving force – is the gift extended to you and me as members of the Catholic Church today. Let us really pray today for a deeper outpouring of that same Spirit that inpired the Apostles at the first Pentecost. Let us remember especially in our prayers on this great Solemnity all those young people in our parish who are preparing for their Confirmation next month, that the Holy Spirit wiill coninute to guide them and inspire them in their Journey of Faith.

Dear Friends in Christ, Pentecost Sunday 2021

This Pentecost Sunday is the sixt anniversary of the Papal Document Laudato Si; the Catholic Bishops of England, Walesd & Scotland are issuing a Pastoral letter about the role that the Catholic Church and our faith must play in our shared care for God’s gift of creation. I have made this letter available on the Parish Website called – ‘The Day of the Lord’.

Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si’:

offers us an opportunity to reflect on the world around us, and to respond to the signs of the times. We are called to reject the contemporary ‘throwaway’ culture and to open our eyes to see how God is present throughout creation. We bear witness to the reality facing many of our sisters and brothers across the world, who are being pushed deeper into poverty due to the changing climate.

Whilst climate change is critical, it is one symptom of a much deeper problem about how we organise our common home. Pope Francis invites us to a change of heart; individually, as a community, and at an international level, so we may truly respond to “both the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor” #49.

In what the Holy Father calls ‘the Gospel of Creation’, we are encouraged to bring the Good News of our faith to these situations. We are asked to adopt an attitude of profound respect and care towards ourselves, our neighbours and our beautiful sister earth, as an expression of our love for God. Laudato Si’ is a profound invitation to everyone on the planet, and its influence will be felt for many years to come.

Care for the Planet, and care for each other is ultimately the personal responsibility of each one of us. To assume that responsibility, we should be aware of all aspects of life which are destroying the planet. Knowledge of the poor, and the many situations throughout the world where people are starving, is a universal responsibility. Please read the document and reflect on its implications in your own life and the life of your family.

God Bless You All,

CONFIRMATION PROGRAMME: A big thank you to everyone who joined us for the last session of the Confirmation Programme last Thursday. Also grateful thanks to Fr. Stephen Wang, who joined us during the session. As we had followed Fr. Stephen’s Sycamore programme it was wonderful to be able to share with him and get him to answer some of your questions. In preparation for the Sacrament a Penitential Service will take place at the Church on Wednesday 2^nd June at 7.00pm. Also a brief rehearsal for the celebration. The Confirmation dates are as follows: Wednesday 9^th June: Groups 4,5,6. Thursday 10^th June: Groups 1,2,3. at 7.00pm. Please ensure that you have submitted your Confirmation name and the name of your Sponsor to Mark Anthony. Please pray for our Confirmandi. I would like to see all candidates for Confirmation present at Holy Mass over these next weeks in preparation for the reception of the Sacrament. Sadly, some candidates haven’t been present at all throughout the whole programme. I would ask them to think very seriously about the Sacrament before they receive it! (Due to Covid restrictions and Social Distancing, only the Confirmandi & their Sponsors and parents will be able to be present at the Confirmation Ceremony).

Donate

Or you can use Parish Bank Account: Using Online Banking
HSBC Sort Code 40-13-22
Account Number: 11019651

RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS: If you know of anyone who may be interested in learning more about the Roman Catholic Faith possibly with the view of receiving the Easter Sacraments in 2022, please contact Fr. John at the Presbytery on Tel No: 020 8508 3492. The programme usually commences in September. If would be wonderful to have a number of enquirers. We follow a systematic programme of instruction, covering all aspects of Catholicism. Please spread the word about this programme. Thank you!

WEEKLY OFFERTORY ENVELOPES: There are still a number of Gift Aid envelopes which have not been collected by those who belong to the scheme. The table will be outside the Church again this weekend for collection, and then placed in Fr. John’s garage throughout the week. As stated, the HSBC bank will be closing on 13^th August, it would be good for as many parishioerns as possible to go over to the direct giving through your bank. If you wish to join the Gift Aid Scheme, please see Fr. John or Maria Mosquera. Thank you for your ongoing support to the Parish.

DIARY APRIL 2021

PLEASE PRAY FOR THOSE SICK IN OUR PARISH

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

OFFERTORY COLLECTION: I would like to take this public opportunity of thanking every single member of this parish Community for your incredible support of the parish over the past 15 months of Pandemic. With the church remaining open and with online daily live streaming of Holy Mass, even during those four and half months of lockdown; in completing our Financial Returns to the Diocese, you will be delighted to know that we broke even this year. My thanks to Michael Manzi our Accountant, who looks after the Parish Accounts & Maria Mosquera who looks after the Parish Gift Aid Scheme; they have both done a truly wonderful job this year. With continued thanks for your Weekly Offering. If you would like to join the Gift Aid Scheme, there are application forms in the Church Porch or ask Fr. John for a form. If you forget your envelope, there are spares in the Porch. Thank you!

SACRAMENTS CELEBRATED DURING ALERT LEVEL 4 RESTRICTIONS: In accordance with Government & Diocesan Guidelines, we are allowed to celebrate Funerals with 100 people present, strictly observing social distancing. 12 people are allowed to be present at a wedding. Baptisms are allowed to take place in the context of a Sunday Mass setting. These are really difficult times, and many couples were disappointed last year not being able to celebrate their marriages. We are hoping with the advent of the vaccine, that things will change dramatically this year. If there are any couples who are thinking about getting married, please notify the parish immediately. Thank you. Obviously until restrictions are lifted all of the above applies for the foreseeable future.

MASS INTENTIONS – MAY 2021

Sat 22^nd	10.00am	Anthony Rattigan RIP (Maureen Rattigan)
		*Vigil Mass for Sunday: Confessions at 5.30pm*
Sat 22^nd	6.00pm	Tess Bowles RIP (Margaret Spiers)
Sun 23^rd Sun 23^rd	9.00am 10.00am	Maura McDonald RIP (Fitzmaurice & Norgueira) People of the Parish
Sun 23^rd	11:00am	Patricia Reid RIP (M Ryan)
Mon 24^th	10.00am 10.30am	Malcolm Campbell RIP (Brenda Bryant) Holy Hour with Exposition of Bl. Sacrament
Tues 25^th	10.00am	Pat Gardner RIP (Veronica & Steve Short)
Wed 26^th	10.00am	Michael & Breege Kerrane RIP (Mary)
Thurs 27^th	10.00am 10.30am	Pat Ata’s Int’s (Frank (Westcott) Holy Hour with Exposition of the Bl Sacrament
Fri 28^th	10.00am 10.30am	Molly & Stewart Mitchell Int’s (M Duffy) Holy Hour with Exposition of Bl. Sacrament
Sat 29^th	10.00am	Margaret Duffy’s Int’s (Frank Westcott)
		*Vigil Mass for Sunday Confessions 5.30pm*
Sat 29^th	6.00pm	Michael McCarthy RIP (Una Machnicki)
Sun 30^th Sun 30^th	9.00am 10.00am	Robin Bennett RIP (John & Sue Campbell) Eufemia Coronel RIP (Bacuetes Family)
Sun 30^th	11:00am	Michael Green RIP (Arthur & Jenny)

Pentecost

First Reading : Acts 2:1-11

When Pentecost day came round, they had all met in one room, when suddenly they heard what sounded like a powerful wind from heaven, the noise of which filled the entire house in which they were sitting; and something appeared to them that seemed like tongues of fire; these separated and came to rest on the head of each of them. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak foreign languages as the Spirit gave them the gift of speech.

Now there were devout men living in Jerusalem from every nation under heaven, and at this sound they all assembled, each one bewildered to hear these men speaking his own language. They were amazed and astonished. ‘Surely’ they said ‘all these men speaking are Galileans? How does it happen that each of us hears them in his own native language? Parthians, Medes and Elamites; people from Mesopotamia, Judaea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya round Cyrene; as well as visitors from Rome – Jews and proselytes alike – Cretans and Arabs; we hear them preaching in our own language about the marvels of God.’

Responsorial Psalm : Psalm 103(104):1,24,29-31,34

Send forth your spirit, O Lord, and renew the face of the earth.

Bless the Lord, my soul!

Lord God, how great you are,

How many are your works, O Lord!

The earth is full of your riches.

Send forth your spirit, O Lord, and renew the face of the earth.

You take back your spirit, they die,

returning to the dust from which they came.

You send forth your spirit, they are created;

and you renew the face of the earth.

Send forth your spirit, O Lord, and renew the face of the earth.

May the glory of the Lord last for ever!

May the Lord rejoice in his works!

May my thoughts be pleasing to him.

I find my joy in the Lord.

Send forth your spirit, O Lord, and renew the face of the earth.

Second Reading : Galatians 5:16-25

If you are guided by the Spirit you will be in no danger of yielding to self-indulgence, since self-indulgence is the opposite of the Spirit, the Spirit is totally against such a thing, and it is precisely because the two are so opposed that you do not always carry out your good intentions. If you are led by the Spirit, no law can touch you. When self-indulgence is at work the results are obvious: fornication, gross indecency and sexual irresponsibility; idolatry and sorcery; feuds and wrangling, jealousy, bad temper and quarrels; disagreements, factions, envy; drunkenness, orgies and similar things. I warn you now, as I warned you before: those who behave like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. What the Spirit brings is very different: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, trustfulness, gentleness and self-control. There can be no law against things like that, of course. You cannot belong to Christ Jesus unless you crucify all self-indulgent passions and desires. Since the Spirit is our life, let us be directed by the Spirit.

Gospel : John 15:26-27,16:12-15

Jesus said to his disciples: ‘When the Advocate comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who issues from the Father, he will be my witness. And you too will be witnesses,because you have been with me from the outset. ‘I still have many things to say to you but they would be too much for you now. But when the Spirit of truth comes he will lead you to the complete truth, since he will not be speaking as from himself but will say only what he has learnt; and he will tell you of the things to come. He will glorify me,since all he tells you will be taken from what is mine. Everything the Father has is mine; that is why I said: All he tells you will be taken from what is mine.’ TH GOSPEL OF THE LORD

CATHOLIC BISHOPS’ CONFERENCE OF ENGLAND AND WALES Pastoral Letter for Pentecost 2021

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

The Solemnity of Pentecost reminds us that everything which exists, every person and the whole of creation, is a gift of “God the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth.” God our loving Father creates and continues to give life to the world through His Word, Jesus Christ, in the power of His Holy Spirit. The outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the Church, which we celebrate at Pentecost, is not something separate from Creation. God’s revelation of himself in Creation is inseparable from the revelation of his love for us in Christ and in his desire to live in us through his Holy Spirit.

‘God’s Spirit is always and everywhere “the Lord, the Giver of Life”, and the voice of Pentecost is echoed in the voice of creation being transformed into the glorious liberty of God’s children.’ In this liberty, as God’s children, we call on the Spirit to ‘renew the face of the Earth’, and as his children, we are called, in turn, to use this liberty for the good of creation and for the good of all that brings life. Our world, God’s creation, is a precious gift to us. It is our common home entrusted to each generation. But how have we used that glorious liberty? How do we honour this precious gift? Are we really demonstrating love, care and respect for our common home?

As we celebrate Pentecost this year, we are acutely aware of the damage that continues to be inflicted on the Earth, and the repercussions for the well-being of our brothers and sisters, both here in our own countries and, more especially, in the poorest countries of our world. Pope Benedict XVI and Pope Francis have both taught us that everything is interconnected and interdependent. The way we live our everyday lives has an impact on everyone and on the earth. The urgency of the situation, and the enormity of the challenges we face, have spurred us to speak out together this Pentecost Sunday, as bishops of England, Wales and Scotland, about the role that the Catholic Church and our faith must play in our shared care for God’s gift to us.

For all too long we have either been ignorant of, or ignored, the systematic exploitation of our planet and the unsustainable consumption of its resources. While accepting the crucial need and demand for energy for the benefit of the poorest of our brothers and sisters, the provision of our energy must, nonetheless, be by means which radically reduce the use of carbon-based fuels. In our political thinking, there must be a new global understanding of our world, where nations recognise our common responsibility for the dignity of all people and their rights to sustainable livelihoods, in authentic freedom. Pope Francis speaks of a global politics that looks beyond our own needs to the needs of all, most especially the poor and the marginalised.

But we cannot leave the healing of our common home and the wellbeing and care of our brothers and sisters merely to a response from industry and governments. Our own local concern and action is necessary and has far-reaching consequences. We all have a part to play, each and every one of us, in the routines, choices and decisions of our everyday lives and our aspirations for the future. The actions of parishes, families, schools, and individuals will have a significant impact on our efforts to restore our common home. There are now many resources, freely available, to advise us on our choice of food, saving of water and electricity, suggestions about travel, waste, and re-use. These are measures that everyone can employ, in some degree, with minimal inconvenience and change. They are effective ways in which we can each reaffirm our personal vocation to be stewards of creation.

This Pentecost comes at a time of remarkable challenge and opportunity. We are gradually emerging from the tragedies and restrictions of the pandemic. We have the ability to make changes. Our countries are also hosting two most important meetings this year, the G7 in June and COP26 in November. These meetings will gather together men and women who have the power to make defining choices and policies which will help us build back better, provide for our brothers and sisters, and take care of our common home.

In all our human endeavours, we need the presence of the Holy Spirit, “the Lord, the Giver of Life”, whose gift to the Church and the world we celebrate again at Pentecost. Let us keep this Feast with that enduring hope that we can begin to repair the damage we have done and provide a healthy home for future generations. Our hope will be strengthened by our prayer. May our constant request be that the Holy Spirit guide us, strengthen our resolve and ‘renew the face of the earth’.

CATHOLIC BISHOPS’ CONFERENCE OF ENGLAND AND WALES

Reflection by the Bishops of England and Wales

The Day of Lord

Gathering as Bishops in Conference this week, we wish to pay tribute to all in the Catholic community who have shown such courage, generosity and understanding in the face of adversity this past year. Across England and Wales, families and parish communities have risen to the challenge of sustaining one another through times of great isolation, loneliness and grief in an impressive variety of ways, spiritual, emotional and practical. We thank all who have worked tirelessly in prisons, in hospitals, care-homes and across the medical profession for giving of themselves so generously. We thank all who have worked valiantly in our schools, facing unforeseen demands and meeting them with characteristic professionalism and dedication.

We wish also to pay tribute to those who have given of their time and energy to keep open our churches as havens of peace and prayer. Churches up and down the land have realised the vision of Pope Francis that they be like village-wells where the thirsty come to drink in the midst of their journey; and centres of “constant missionary outreach.” We thank all who have developed diverse new patterns of outreach – of prayer, catechesis, study and spiritual solidarity; all who have made participation in the Mass possible through the internet.

Also prominent in this tribute should be thanks to all who have contributed to the immense effort of providing food for those most in need. The generosity shown in the distribution of so very many meals has given eloquent expression to the mercy, love and compassion which are at the very heart of God. Many have been touched by the joy of meeting Christ in the poor; and many of the poor by the joy of meeting Christ in selfless parishioners. The provision of food is often the first step into a deeper relationship of help and accompaniment, including the sharing of the gift of faith in our Blessed Lord.

‘Vibrant’ is a word which seems to have characterised so many of our parishes throughout the pandemic. We wish to salute our priests in particular for the leadership they have shown in this time of crisis. We thank them for their deep devotion to both the liturgy and to their parishioners. We commend every priest who made of his parish “a ‘sanctuary’ open to all” and with a particular care for the poor; and the many Deacons who have exercised with such generosity their mission of charity.

What will be the pace of our emerging from this pandemic remains as yet unclear. What is clear is the challenge we face of bringing our communities and the practice of the faith to a still greater expression and strength. As your bishops, we are aware of a threefold pattern to this challenge.

There are the fearful and weary, anxious about coming into the enclosed spaces of our churches; those who have simply lost the habit of coming to church. Personal contact, clear reassurance, and sensitive invitations will all be needed.

b) There are those who will have reassessed their pattern of life and priorities. The practice of faith within the community of the Catholic Church may not be among those priorities. A gap may have opened up, or widened, between the spiritual dimension of their lives and any communal expression of that spiritual quest. They represent a particular focus and concern for our outreach.

There are those whom we might describe as the ‘Covid curious’, those who have come into contact with the Catholic Church through our presence on the internet – a contact we may be able to develop through our continuing presence across diverse media platforms.

In facing these challenges, we are endowed with veritable treasures which serve to resource and enrich us. Among them are our schools, in which so many are regaining confidence to come together with others. We believe our schools can indeed be bridges back to church. There is also the remarkable work of social outreach which has grown exponentially during these long months of pandemic. On this, too, we must build. But the greatest treasure is, of course, the sacramental life of the Church, and, pre-eminently, the Eucharist.

It is the Eucharist, the celebration of the Mass, that makes the Church; and it is the Church, in the gift of the Holy Spirit, which makes the Eucharist. The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is the lifeblood of the Church. It requires our active participation and, to be fully celebrated, our physical presence.

At this moment, then, we need to have in our sights the need to restore to its rightful centrality in our lives the Sunday Mass, encouraging each to take his or her place once again in the assembly of our brothers and sisters. We face the task of seeking to nurture the sense of Sunday as “a weekly gift from God to his people” , and something we cannot do without; to see Sunday as the soul of the week, as giving light and meaning to all the responsibilities we live out each day; to see the Sunday Eucharist as food for the unique mission with which we have been endowed.

In the time to come we can do no better than to rekindle in our hearts, foster and encourage, a yearning for the Real Presence of the Lord and the practice of prayer before the Blessed Sacrament, a gift so deeply appreciated in these times of lockdown. We need to begin by fostering this in ourselves. For the Eucharist should be the cause of our deepest joy, our highest manner of offering thanks to God and for seeking his mercy and love. We need to make it the foundation stone of our lives.

The invitation to Sunday Mass resonates all the more deeply when we consider, as Pope St John Paul II reminds us in the Encyclical Letter Dies Domini, that the Sabbath rest is nothing if not a call to remember the gift of God’s Creation. The Eucharist is indeed a celebration of the created world, called into life by the Eternal Word, for the bread and wine of the earth becomes the Body and Blood of Christ who is that same Lord of all life. The Christ to whom we come so close in the Eucharist must be the foundation of our strivings, not least in the urgent task we face of caring for creation and our environment.

Pope St John Paul II spoke of our amazement at the gift of the Mass and the abiding Presence of our Blessed Lord in the Sacrament of the Altar. Herein lies our treasure, enriching our relationship with Jesus and bringing together every aspect of our life and mission. This is such an important focus for our task in the coming months. 22nd April 2021 FINAL

Seventh Sunday of Easter 2021

https://anchor.fm/st-edmunds-loughton/episodes/Seventh-Sunday-of-Easter-2021-e10tv7h

St. Edmund of Canterbury & St. Thomas More

Dear Friends in Christ

This Sunday we have listened to the beautiful ‘Priestly Prayer of Christ’ from St. John’s Gospel. Jesus, recognising his own fate and his eventual death, prays earnestly for the Apostles. Those men whom he called and prepared for the future work of the Church, he now entrusts to the Father, that he will look after each one of them. Jesus knows that they will be challenged because of him, but he also knows that they will will have the strength and courage to continue with the work of Evangelisation. They will eventually take the Gospel message to all known quarters of the world.

As we have just celebrated the Ascension of the Lord, now the work of the apostles must begin. In the Acts of the Apstles we have been listneing to all the events of the early church; the teething problems that the aposltes faces, and the various trials they had to encounter is sharing the Good News. But Jesus promised to be with them untiil the end of the age. And through the gift of the Holy Spirit they had great courage and strength to continue this work that the Lord had begun. So the ongoing story of Jesus Christ continues today through you and me!

We look forward to the outpouring of the gift of the Holy Spirit promised by the Lord to the Apostles. The Spirit who is that guiding force of love within the life faith and the Church, who is forever present to each one of us.

https://tse3.mm.bing.net/th?id=OIP.7kZULvli8PTZMtEC0eJU0wHaDQ&pid=Api&P=0&w=362&h=160

Dear Friends in Christ,

Next Monday we will see the next phase of the Government plan to slowly open up the courntry and the economy once again. Obviously, they have been extrmely cautious over the past months, and with many variants still taking root in this country, they are even more vigilent with regards to everyone’s health & safety. This has been a difficult year in so many different ways, and has affected everyone! But there is that desperate desire to resume some semblance of normality once again.

As you know I have tried to do everything that the governmental & diocesan guidelines have allowed throughout this Pandemic. Manifestly, Health & Safety have always been at the forefront of my mind, and I believe we have certianly catered for the spiritual wellbeing of the whole parish community. There are still a large number of parishioerns who have not returned to the weekly practice of the faith, and I earnestly encourage them to return to regular practice of your faith. I truly would like to have beleieved that this Pandemic has focused the mind, and helped each one of us evaluate the whole of our lives. To be able to give thanks to God for bringing us through, thus far, is fundamental to who we are as Catholic Christians.

Please contine to be vigilant in the forthcoming weeks. Hopefully by 21^st June we should see a lifting of most restrictions, and possibly even social distancing. Being sensible is fundamentally at the heart of ending this pandemic. Continue to keep yourselves safe and well. Fr. John

KEEPING YOU UP TO DATE: As of Monday 17^th May, the Governmental Guidelines on Covid 19 are allowing more than 30 to attend a funeral service. It is being left to the parishes to decide how many people they can accommodate, manifestly, continuing to use social distancing, face coverings and hand sanitisation. Here at St. Edmund’s we would comfortably accommodate about 100 persons for a funeral. Hopefully by 21^st June there may be an update with regards the full opening of the church with few restrictions. I pray that we will be able to return to the celebrations of all the sacraments very soon, including Baptisms & First Holy Communion Programme. Thank you all for your patience.

May God Bless You All This Week,

CONFIRMATION PROGRAMME: Our final session in the Programme will take place on Wednesday 19^th May at 7.30pm (all candidates should be present at this session). My Thanks to our Director and Catechists for all the hard work that has been achieved throughout this programme. As our Bishop is not able to attend the Confirmation ceremonies, delegation has been given to Fr. John to celebrate the Sacrament as the extra-ordinary Minister. In preparation for the Sacrament a Penitential Service will take place at the Church on Wednesday 2^nd June, also a brief rehearsal for the celebration. The Confirmation dates are as follows: Wednesday 9^th June: Groups 4,5,6. Thursday 10^th June: Groups 1,2,3. Please pray for our Confirmandi. I would like to see all candidates for Confirmation present at Holy Mass over these next weeks in preparation for the reception of the Sacrament. Sadly, some candidates haven’t been present at all throughout the whole programme. I would ask them to think very seriously about the Sacrament before they receive it!

Donate

Or you can use Parish Bank Account: Using Online Banking
HSBC Sort Code 40-13-22
Account Number: 11019651

RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS: If you know of anyone who may be interested in learning more about the Roman Catholic Faith possibly with the view of receiving the Easter Sacraments in 2022, please contact Fr. John at the Presbytery on Tel No: 020 8508 3492. The programme usually commences in September. If would be wonderful to have a number of enquirers. We follow a systematic programme of instruction, covering all aspects of Catholicism. Please spread the word about this programme. Thank you!

DIARY APRIL 2021

PLEASE PRAY FOR THOSE SICK IN OUR PARISH

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

OFFERTORY COLLECTION: With continued thanks for your Weekly Offering. If you would like to join the Gift Aid Scheme, there are application forms in the Church Porch or ask Fr. John for a form. If you forget your envelope, there are spares in the Porch. Thank you!

SACRAMENTS CELEBRATED DURING ALERT LEVEL 4 RESTRICTIONS: In accordance with Government & Diocesan Guidelines, we are allowed to celebrate Funerals with 100 people present, strictly observing social distancing. 12 people are allowed to be present at a wedding. Baptisms are allowed to take place in the context of a Sunday Mass setting. These are really difficult times, and many couples were disappointed last year not being able to celebrate their marriages. We are hoping with the advent of the vaccine, that things will change dramatically this year. If there are any couples who are thinking about getting married, please notify the parish immediately. Thank you. Obviously until restrictions are lifted all of the above applies for the foreseeable future.

MASS SCHEDULE FOR MAY 2021

Sat 15^th	10.00am	Special Int (Maree Kavanagh)
		*Vigil Mass for Sunday: Confessions at 5.30pm*
Sat 15^th	6.00pm	Joseph Nganda’s Int’s. (John O’Rourke)
Sun 16^th Sun 16^th	9.00am 10.00am	Joe & Cathy Daly (40^th Wedding Anniversary) People of the Parish
Sun 16^th	11:00am	Robert Edom RIP (Parish Choir)
Mon 17^th	10.00am 10.30am	Teresa Coyle RIP (Marie Fleming) Holy Hour with Exposition of Bl. Sacrament
Tues 18^th	10.00am	Carlos Camacho (get well) (Stewarding Team)
Wed 19^th	10.00am	Maureen Dumont RIP (Steve & Veronica Short)
Thurs 20^th	10.00am 10.30am	Letitia Fletcher RIP (Nancy Ironside) Holy Hour with Exposition of the Bl Sacrament
Fri 21^st	10.00am 10.30am	Michael Barass RIP (Monica Maycraft) Holy Hour with Exposition of Bl. Sacrament
Sat 22^nd	10.00am	Anthony Rattigan RIP (Maureen Rattigan)
		*Vigil Mass for Sunday Confessions 5.30pm*
Sat 22^nd	6.00pm	Tess Bowles RIP (Margaret Spiers)
Sun 23^rd Sun 23^rd	9.00am 10.00am	Maura McDonald RIP (Fitzmaurice & Norgueira) People of the Parish
Sun 23^rd	11:00am	Patricia Reid RIP (M Ryan)

Sixth Sunday of Easter 2021

St. Edmund of Canterbury & St. Thomas More

https://anchor.fm/st-edmunds-loughton/episodes/Sixth-Sunday-of-Easter-2021-e10g5tq/a-a5ghqlb

Dear Friends in Christ Sixth Sunday of Easter 2021

When I was 19 years of age in my first year of studies for the Priesthood, I remember vividly hearing the Gospel that we just listened to today. I thought to myself, if ever I become a priest that’s the Gospel I would like read at my Ordination Ceremony. Well, thank the Lord I was Ordained to the Sacred priesthood, & that was the Gospel read at the ordination. I never tire of hearing it, and always glean some wonderful new insight every time I hear it. The setting is the Last Supper, and Jesus & his disciples are gathered around the table. This is their last meal together, and he shares so many things with them in preparation for the future. But the most important message of all is the message of love; “Love one another, as I have loved you”. Jesus treasures the friendship that he had established with these men and women, and he knows that his Love will eventually abide in them completely and totally after his passions, death and resurrection. In offering them his Body & Blood in Love he establishes the great mystery of the Holy Eucharist. It’s the Sacrament of Love, because it was freely given by the Lord. It will become the sustaining force in the lives of the disciples, and they will continue to draw upon its strength forever. It’s the same Love the Lord offers to you and me, right here and now!

SOLEMNITY OF THE ASCENSION OF THE LORD: Next Thursday 13^th May is the Solemnity of the Ascenion of the Lord, and is a Holy Day of Obligation. Forty days after the Resurrection, Jesus now returns home to the Father. In the post-resurrection appearances since Easter, Jesus has reassured the Apostles, given them hope and courage once again to go out to the whole world and proclaim the Good News. He has promised his disciples that he will be with them to the end of time. Jesus has left them the gift of himself in the Holy Eucharist; now he returns to the Father, with the promise of the gift of the Holy Spirit. Now the work of the newly founded Church will begin! There will be three Masses on the Feast Day. 10.00am, 12.15pm & 8.00pm. Please join us!

Dear Friends in Christ,

As we progress with the vaccination process here in the UK, a high percentage of adults are now vacinated against the Corona Virus. People’s confidence is slowly returning, and many more people are venturing out and trying to get back to some semblance of normality. But there are still many people who are apprehensive and possibly even frightened. The past year has taken its toll on many families lives. Many families have lost loved ones; many people expereinced the infection itself. We all witnessed the incredible work of the NHS over the past 15 months. Life has changed, forever, all over the world. Nothing in living memory for everyone, has affected the whole world in on the way that Covid 19 has! Whatever the ‘new normal’ is, it’s going to take a long time for everyone to adapt to these new ways of looking and the world, whether it be through travel, the way we work eityher in and office or at home, through schooling and tertiary education.

I would like to invite the whole parish community to seriously think about returning to the weekly practice of the the faith. Many of you are already here, and have been throughout the whole of the time that we have been opened since last July. Our Holy Father Pope Francis, and the Bishops’ Conference of England & Wales have advocated that all the faithful people of God seriously return to the weekly practice of faith. It’s very easy to get into the habit of not making that extra special effort to attend Holy Mass. After being away for such a long period of time, some people may have decided that they don’t really need the faith any more. Obviously, these are personal decisions that people make; but they are serious decisions that will have a long-term effect, not only on the individual but also on families and subsequent generations. Pleased think seriously about these snetiments.

POSTPONEMENT OF JUBILEE: I have decided to postopone my 40^th Anniversary Jubilee celebrations until a later date. With ultimate restrictions not being lifted until the latter part of June, it really doesn’t give enough time to send out invitations, and also for many friends who wanted to come from abroad to attend. I will celebrate Jubilee Thanksgiving Mass on Sunday 11^th July at 11am with my Parish Family.

May God Bless You All,

CONFIRMATION PROGRAMME: Our final session in the Programme will take place on Wednesday May 19 at 7.30pm My Thanks to our Director and Catechists for all the hard work that has been achieved throughout this programme. As our Bishop is not able to attend the Confirmation ceremonies, delegation has been given to Fr. John to celebrate the Sacrament as the extra-ordinary Minister. In preparation for the Sacrament a Penitential Service will take place at the Church on Wednesday 2^nd June, also a brief rehearsal for the celebration. The Confirmation dates are as follows: Wednesday 9^th June: Groups 4,5,6. Thursday 10^th June: Groups 1,2,3. Please pray for our Confirmandi.

Donate

Or you can use Parish Bank Account: Using Online Banking
HSBC Sort Code 40-13-22
Account Number: 11019651

RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS: If you know of anyone who may be interested in learning more about the Roman Catholic Faith possibly with the view of receiving the Easter Sacraments in 2022, please contact Fr. John at the Presbytery on Tel No: 020 8508 3492. The programme usually commences in September. If would be wonderful to have a number of enquirers. We follow a systematic programme of instruction, covering all aspects of Catholicism. Please spread the word about this programme. Thank you!

KEEPING YOU UP TO DATE: As of Monday 17^th May, the Governmental Guidelines on Covid 19 are allowing more than 30 to attend a funeral service. It is being left to the parishes to decide how many people they can accommodate, manifestly, continuing to use social distancing, face coverings and hand sanitisation. Here at St. Edmund’s we would comfortably accommodate about 100 persons for a funeral. Hopefully by 21^st June there may be an update with regards the full opening of the church with few restrictions. I pray that we will be able to return to the celebrations of all the sacraments very soon, including Baptisms & First Holy Communion Programme. Thank you all for your patience.

DIARY MAY 2021

PLEASE PRAY FOR THOSE SICK IN OUR PARISH

ANNIVERSARIES: Josie Jaego RIP, Mary Christina Leith RIP, and for all whose anniversaries occur at this time and for all of our deceased loved ones, Requiescant in Pace.

SACRAMENTS CELEBRATED DURING ALERT LEVEL 4 RESTRICTIONS: In accordance with Government & Diocesan Guidelines, we are allowed to celebrate Funerals with 100 people present, strictly observing social distancing. 12 people are allowed to be present at a wedding. Baptisms are allowed to take place in the context of a Sunday Mass setting. These are really difficult times, and many couples were disappointed last year not being able to celebrate their marriages. We are hoping with the advent of the vaccine, that things will change dramatically this year. If there are any couples who are thinking about getting married, please notify the parish immediately. Thank you. Obviously until restrictions are lifted all of the above applies for the foreseeable future.

MASS INTENTIONS – MAY 2021

Sat 8^th	10.00am	Letitia Fletcher RIP (Margaret Duffy)
		*Vigil Mass for Sunday: Confessions at 5.30pm*
Sat 8^th	6.00pm	Tess Bowles RIP (Fr John)
Sun 9^th Sun 9^th	9.00am 10.00am	Scott Sarson RIP (M Duffy & n Ironside) People of the Parish
Sun 9^th	11:00am	Pam Houghton RIP (Maria Fray)
Mon 10^th	10.00am 10.30am	Richard & Margaret O’Rourke Holy Hour with Exposition of Bl. Sacrament
Tues 11^th	10.00am	Rosalind Johnson RIP (Brenda Bryant)
Wed 12^th	10.00am 10.30am	Stacey Oliver RIP (Jacky Taylor) Holy Hour with Exposition of the Bl Sacrament
Thurs 13^th AscensionDay	10.00am 12.15pm 8.00pm	Remy (Martin Laffey) Peter Smith RIP (Paul Falco) Dan Lynch RIP (John O’Rourke)
Fri 14^th	10.00am 10.30am	Josephine Coffey RIP (John Kelly) Holy Hour with Exposition of Bl. Sacrament
Sat 15^th	10.00am	Special Int (Maree Kavanagh)
		*Vigil Mass for Sunday Confessions 5.30pm*
Sat 15^th	6.00pm	Richard & Margaret O’Rourke RIP (J O’Rourke)
Sun 16^th Sun 16^th	9.00am 10.00am	Joe & Cathy Daly (40^th Wedding Anniversary) People of the Parish
Sun 16^th	11:00am	Robert Edom RIP (Ann Cocklin)

6th Sunday of Easter

First Reading : Acts 10:25-26,34-35,44-48

As Peter reached the house Cornelius went out to meet him, knelt at his feet and prostrated himself. But Peter helped him up. ‘Stand up,’ he said ‘I am only a man after all!’

Then Peter addressed them: ‘The truth I have now come to realise’ he said ‘is that God does not have favourites, but that anybody of any nationality who fears God and does what is right is acceptable to him.’

While Peter was still speaking the Holy Spirit came down on all the listeners. Jewish believers who had accompanied Peter were all astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit should be poured out on the pagans too, since they could hear them speaking strange languages and proclaiming the greatness of God. Peter himself then said, ‘Could anyone refuse the water of baptism to these people, now they have received the Holy Spirit just as much as we have?’ He then gave orders for them to be baptised in the name of Jesus Christ. Afterwards they begged him to stay on for some days.

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

The Lord has shown his salvation to the nations.

Sing a new song to the Lord

for he has worked wonders.

His right hand and his holy arm

have brought salvation.

The Lord has shown his salvation to the nations.

The Lord has made known his salvation;

has shown his justice to the nations.

He has remembered his truth and love

for the house of Israel.

The Lord has shown his salvation to the nations.

All the ends of the earth have seen

the salvation of our God.

Shout to the Lord, all the earth,

ring out your joy.

The Lord has shown his salvation to the nations.

Second Reading : 1 John 4:7-10

My dear people,

let us love one another

since love comes from God

and everyone who loves is begotten by God and knows God.

Anyone who fails to love can never have known God,

because God is love.

God’s love for us was revealed

when God sent into the world his only Son

so that we could have life through him;

this is the love I mean:

not our love for God,

but God’s love for us when he sent his Son

to be the sacrifice that takes our sins away.

Gospel : John 15:9-17

Jesus said to his disciples:

‘As the Father has loved me,

so I have loved you.

Remain in my love.

If you keep my commandments

you will remain in my love,

just as I have kept my Father’s commandments

and remain in his love.

I have told you this

so that my own joy may be in you

and your joy be complete.

This is my commandment:

love one another, as I have loved you.

A man can have no greater love

than to lay down his life for his friends.

You are my friends, if you do what I command you.

I shall not call you servants any more,

because a servant does not know

his master’s business; I call you friends,

because I have made known to you

everything I have learnt from my Father.

You did not choose me:

no, I chose you; and I commissioned you

to go out and to bear fruit,

fruit that will last;

and then the Father will give you

anything you ask him in my name.

What I command you

is to love one another.