St Edmund of Canterbury, Loughton

Fifth Sunday of the Year 2021, Year B

St. Edmund of Canterbury & St. Thomas More

Dear Friends in Christ

As we have reached over a hundred & ten thousand deaths from the Coronavirus in the UK since the beginning of the Pandemic; in spite of over ten million vaccinations, there are still people who are very sick in the Covid Wards in our hospitals on ventilators fighting for thieir livies. Our hearts go out to families who have lost their loved ones thtrough this terrible disease, and to those who are vigilent with sick ones still in hospital. The scientific experts have informed us that thingss are slowly beginning to improve, but sadly, there will continue to be deaths until the whole country in vaccinated. Obviously, this is an unknown quantity for the whole world; and the fact that scientists all over the world have managed to formulate several vaccines in such a short space or time is a marvel in itself.

I have spoken to a lot of people over the past several weeks, and there are many who have found the past 12 months an absolute nightmare. Many are suffering from anxiety and depression. Being locked down on three separate occasions has certainly taken its toll on many. Some people handle things better than others. Obviously, families have found it difficult juggling their work from home, and child care and on line education. Many feel inadequate to be teachers as well as trying to hold down their employment from a back bedroom in the house. The stresses and strains it puts on the human spirit are enormous. Ultimately, the preservation of life is one of the strongest and innate human responses in times of trial and threat to life. Certainly, our faith can help us; at times, we never really know why God allows things to happpen in our world, and perhaps some have questioned this during the Pandemic, but to keep faith is a sign of strength and trust, even in the darkets moments.

I have spent a lot of time speaking with families of deceased loved ones of late; but if there is anyone at all who just needs to talk privately and confidentially, just call me. I don’t claim to have all the answers, but I have a good listening ear. Tel No: 020 8508 34492. Fr. John

Dear Friends in Christ: Fifth Sunday of the Year,B

At the house of Simon Peter, which was literally a stone’s throw from the Synagogue in Capernaum. We are introduced to his mother in law who is sick with a fever. We know very little about Peter’s family other than his brother Andrew. Having preached in the Synagogue and cast out a demon, now Jesus assists and restores her to full health. Jesus didn’t want to be seen as some kind of magician or wonder worker. Something much more profound was to be understood in Jesus’ activities. The point of his miracles is pastoral and messianic. In other words, salvation has come to all in the person of Jesus Christ, extending far beyond physical cure, encompassing the entire person, body, soul and spirit. He bent over her, rebuked the fever, and it left her. – Slide 5

The world today in so many ways is still gripped with fever and sickness. We are caught in the grips of a devastating pandemic. Today many are plagued too with the fever of intolerance and hatred, injustice and war, slavery and addiction in so many forms. No less than at the time of Jesus, the world today needs the powerful cure which only Christ can give, freedom from what is not of God. The goal is to belong completely to God’s Kingdom and to share in the eternal life being offered to all people, rich and poor, young and old alike.

ASH WEDNESDAY: 17^th February, marks the beginning of Lent. There will be three Holy Masses with the distribution of Ashes. 10.00am, 12.15pm & 8.00pm. Due to the Pandemic the distribution of Ashes will be very different this year. We will be using the Italian custom. The Ashes will be blessed with the sprinkling of holy water – the words “remember you are dust and to dust you shall return”, will be addressed to the people.

May God Bless You All,

CONFIRMATION PROGRAMME 2021: Our second session in the Confrimation Programme will be streamed Via ZOOM on Wednesday 10^th February. We are using the Sycamore Programme, and it’s imperative that you attend each session. THE THEME THIS WEEK – THE EXISTENCE OF GOD

If anyone missed the first session, could you kindly catch up with the matrial. A few practical notes; you will be notified of the meeting by Mark Anthony the day before our meeting. Whichever email you submitted to Fr. John & Mark Anthony should be maintained throughout the programme, because your email addresses have been fed into the programme so we can break you up into your groups. If you intend using another e.mail you must let us know immediately. At each session of the programme you will be registered present. If you are unable to be present at a particular session through sickness please get a parent to contact Fr. John directly. I would once again encourage parents of our candidates to be present at the sessions. It shows how we conduct the programme, but will also be a great support to your son or daughter. In our Catechists Meeting after the session it was discussed that all Candidates should kindly make themselves visibly present, and not just have a blank image only with your name. And kindly refrain from using your phone for texting during the session. We only have a little over an hour for each session, and have to cover a lot of material.

This is truly a wonderful time in a young person’s life. It’s when you personally make a decision about your ongoing life of faith. Basically, it’s about becoming a young mature adult. The decisions that we make in our lives will always affect the future for all of us. The decision to be Confirmed in Faith is no exception to that rule. It affects the decision to marry in the future; to become a committed Catholic Christian; to assume our rightful place within the life of faith and the Church.

We ask of all our candidates for total commitment to the programme. None of this will make any sense whatsoever if you’re not genuinely committed. In addition, if you are able to attend Holy Mass, (and we have three on the weekend), please kindly do so. I notice many are already attending, but some I haven’t seen for the past year. Our presence at Holy Mass is not only our personal witness to Christ and our faith, but also affords us the grace that we need to become a real strong young Catholics in the Church today. As the Late Pope St. John Paul II, said on his pastoral Visit to the UK back in 1982 of our young people: “In the Church of today, you are the hope of tomorrow.”

Confirmation Welcome Visitors Our Church Greetings - Sacrament Of Confirmation Word Clipart - Full Size Clipart (#1263314) - PinClipart

The Sacrament of Confirmation is the Sacrament of Mission. Think of the first Apostles, who at Pentecost received the gift of the Holy Spirit, empowering them to, ‘Go out into the whole world and procalaim the Good News.’ The Catechism tells us that we become a Soldier of Christ at Confirmation.

All Candidates have now received a Copy of the Programme with dates and times etc. Please ensure that you start to check in about 7.20pm for each session, so that we can start on time at 7.30pm. Hopefully this will help to avoid and technical hitches

All Zoom sessions will be attended by at least two adults – Mark Anthony and Fr John. Where break-out rooms are used, each of these will be attended by an adult catechist and these will be monitored by Mark Anthony and Fr John. For all sessions, the following guidelines must be followed:

• No 1:1s, groups only

• Catechists and children must wear suitable clothing, as should anyone else in the household.

• Any computers used should be in appropriate areas, for example, not in bedrooms; and the background should be blurred, if possible.

• All Zoom sessions will be set up with a password, to reduce the chance of hacking.

• Language must be professional and appropriate, including any family members in the background.

• The catechists will record, the length, time, date and attendance of any sessions held.

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. Basic staple items are always welcome including the unbranded supermarket basic ranges which can make your generous donations go even further. Currently they are in urgent need of the following items: tinned fruit, tinned ham, tinned carrots, sponge puddings, chocolate bars, Nutella, toilet rolls (2 or 4 pack), washing up liquid, laundry tablets/powder and shower gel. Thank you! You can also keep up to date with

the Foodbank via their Facebook page: www.facebook.com/EppingForestFoodbank/

CRIB COLLECTION: Each year is for the Brentwood Catholic Children’s Society. They do incredible work up and down the Diocese with thousands of children and their families. As you can appreciate most of the Aid Agencies over the past twelve months have been unable to fund-raise due to the Pandemic, so this annual Crib Collection is extremely important. For those who Gift Aid, there should be a Special Envelope in your boxes for Crib Collection on 2^nd February. If you wish to use the online Banking System to make a Crib Offering just use the Heading Crib BCCS. You are extremely generous every year, could I make this extra special appeal this year under these difficult circumstances. My thanks to Iain McLay & Martin Laffey for the beautiful Crib outside the church. It was visited by many people passing by, which is a great witness to the faith and the Christmas Story.

REQUIESCANT IN PACE: There have been several deaths in the Parish

Margaret White RIP Forest Park Crematorium 8^th February at 12.00pm

Michael Barrass RIP Requiem Mass Monday 15^th February at 12.30pm

Mary Walstow RIP Requiem Mass Tuesday 16^th February at 12.15pm

Kathleen Whitty RIP Funeral Service Thursday 18^th February at 12.15pm

David Faud RIP Funeral arrangements to be made

I commend all the deceased to your prayers, and please remember their families at this great time of loss. Eternal rest grant unto them O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. Amen

RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS: Our RCIA programme continues Thursday 11^th February 2021 at 8.00pm which will be a Zoom meeting. Theme: Mary – Mother of God – Mother of the Church. Please pray for our enquirer. This programme is a systematic study of all aspects of the Roman Catholic Faith, with the view of the enquirer deciding to receive the Easter Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation & the Holy Eucharist. RCIA | Holy Spirit Parish

WEEKLY OFFERTORY: My sincere thanks to those who are making their weekly contribution of Gift Aid envelopes and through the banking system that has been set up through the Diocese whereby your Offertory can be paid directly into the Parish Account, details below:

Donate

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

God Bless You All Fr. John

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION PROGRAMME 2021: There has been little response this year to applicants for the First Holy Communion Programme. I have spoken at length to Kathryn Poulter who runs the programme; and in light of the Coronavirus restrictions at this present time, it is going to be almost impossible to run any kind of meaningful interactive programme for the children. We considered the prepration for the Sacraments of Reconciliation & the Holy Eucharist far too important to run a programme with no engagment from the children. Therefore, we will postpone the Programme this year until we know when it is safe to gather again as a community. I know this may sound very disappointing; but your Health & Safety are our first priority at this very difficult time. Please pray for all the families of our Parish. Thank you. Fr. John.

HOLY SEASON OF LENT: I know we are barely out of the Christmas Season, but each of the Liturgical Seasons of the Year help to prepare us for the great events in the Life of Our Lord & Saviour Jesus Christ. Sadly, last year, we locked down during Lent & Easter. Hopefully, we will be able to remain open this year. Manifestly, we will have to be attentive to Governmental Guildelines. Ash Wednesday is on 17^th February. I would presume that this lockdown will continue to be in place. But there will be various different ways that each one of us can enter the Lenten Season. Please continue to refere to the Parish newsletter and I will give you a whole programme for Lent 2021. With thanks, Fr John.

5 SPIRITUAL WAYS TO STAY ACTIVE DURING LOCKDOWN:

a) Let there be a spiritual structure to your day: Morning & Evening Prayers on your own or with your family are important. Personal prayer is our lifeline with God.

b) Reading a chapter of the Bible each day from the Old or New Testament’s keeps you in touch with the Word of God.

c) Spiritual Reading – There are many spiritual Books in our Library at the back of the Church

d) Pray the Rosary or learn to pray the rosary – This is a really beautiful prayer and it really does help to focus our prayer life.

e) Attend an additional mass each week. Holy Mass is the most important spiritual thing we do as Catholics – It unites us with Christ and one another.

SACRAMENTS CELEBRATED DURING ALERT LEVEL 5 RESTRICTIONS: In accordance with Government & Diocesan Guidelines, we are allowed to celebrate Funerals with 30 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.

DIARY 2021

PLEASE PRAY FOR THOSE SICK IN OUR PARISH

Margaret Baldwin, Evelyn Bearne, Brian Beveridge, Karl Britz, Jane Downs, Steve Dalgliesh, Pat Fenn, James Geller, Veronica Godsave, Bernadette Hall, Ann Hawkes, Claire Howes, Pamela Houghton, 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: 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!

MASS INTENTIONS – FEBRUARY 2021

Sat 6^th	10.00am	Margaret Tucker RIP ((Maree Kavanagh)
		*Vigil Mass for Sunday:*
Sat 6^th	6.00pm	People of the Parish
Sun 7^th	9.00am	Jacqueline Dodd RIP (S & J Campbell)
Sun 7^th	11:00am	Dorothy Walker RIP (Marjorie Fairlamb)
Mon 8^th	10.00am	Mary Walstow RIP (Noreen Smith)
Tues 9^th	10.00am	Dorothy Joan Goodman (Haydee Ylaya)
Wed 10^th	10.00am	Maureen Barker RIP (Mark Barker)
Thurs 11^th	10.00am	Peter Smith RIP (Paul Falco)
Fri 12^th	10.00am	Sarah McQuade RIP (Margaret Duffy)
Sat 13^th	10.00am	Dean Staggs RIP (Mark Anthony)
		*Vigil Mass for Sunday*
Sat 13^th	6.00pm	Mary Walstow RIP ((The Pover Family)
Sun 14^th	9.00am	John Molloy RIP (John & Sue Campbell)
Sun 14^th	11:00am	Mel O’Reilly RIP (Maureen O’Reilly)

SUNDAY MASS AT 10.00am: I introduced the additional 10.00am Sunday Mass some months ago to accommodate the numbers attending, and to assist with the social distancing. There are so few attending now that I have decided to revert back to our 9am & 11am masses only, where there are still plenty of spaces. If, after the lockdown (March 8^th), the numbers increase again, I will reintroduce it. Thank you!

Fourth Sunday of the Year 2021, Year B

St. Edmund of Canterbury & St. Thomas More

Dear Friends in Christ Fourth Sunday of the Year 2021

As the Universal Pandemic continues, and as we listen daily to the various implications and consequences of this situation, we have seen the emergence this week of another vaccine, that hopefully will assist in protecting more and more people from this terrible disease. Health & Safety will always remain the top priority for everyone. As more and more people are receiving the vaccine, manifestly this will have the knock-on effect of reducing the number of people being admitted to hospital. But obviously, we wont see the benefits of this for another few weeks. Sadly, this past week we peeked at a hundred thousand deaths in the UK. Every single one of these people came from a family, and there are literally hundred of thousands of people grieving at this time. I spent the largest part of the past two weeks talking to families who’ve lost loved ones. Because people are so isolated, even from their own family members, it’s very hard when you’ve lost a loved one, and there’s very little personal support because of isolation and social distancing. Just being able to listen to loved ones talking about their deceased family member is very humbling. Please pray for all who have lost loved ones recently.

I would like to personally thank the many parishioners who have so kindly sent messages and letters & cards about contintuing to provide Masses to the Faith Community. A beautiful card I received during the week talked of the open Church as a ‘life-line in this darkest of times.’ To be able to come in and pray, and light a candle, and also to be able to attend Holy Mass, has been a real source of strength and support to so many. The fact that we are able to contiune to be able to celebrate Funeral Masses, compared to last year when we could only conduct a grave-side service, is a blessing and grace in itself. As you know we follow strictly Governmental & Public Health England & Diocesan Guidelines. Our Health & Safety Officer has checked and approved all the safety measures we have in place, and have given approvel. The Church is open for Mass every day and at weekends, but it is up to the individual as to whether they attend or not. I can assure you, Church is a safe space.

Dear Friends in Christ: Fourth Sunday of the Year,B

Today we see Jesus in the Synagogue at Capernaum; when he is presented with what people at that time considered possession, Jesus completely takes control, and ‘with authority’ releases the man from his infirmity. The words ‘with authority’ have real power behind them. Where does this authoriity come from? Of course, it comes directly from God. That’s why Jesus had such an effect and recognition from the people. But at the same time, it agitated the religious leaders, because they were never able to achieve such faith, in the same way the people believed in the Lord. We have to constatnly remind ourselves who Jesusis, the Son of God; his authority comes directly from the Father, and he never doutbs in what the Father can do in and through him.

These of course, are powerful lessons in faith in our own time also. In an age that is far less conscious of the sacred and divine; in a age of scepticism and cynicism; in an age of apathy and indifference; we have to truly be strong in faith. Faith in God, faith in Christ Jesus, faith in the Church, are the means whereby the Lord continues to reveal himself in the world of the twenty-first century. A take-it-or-leave-it attitude, or Cafeteria style religion is not true Catholicism; total commitment and a desire for understanding in faith are the key constituents of a life lived in Christ. These are not pious sentiments, they are important facts and realities about the life of faith as it can be lived today; It’s up to you if you want to live that life!

May God Bless You All,

CONFIRMATION PROGRAMME 2021: My grateful thanks to all our Confirmation Candidates who tuned in via ZOOM last Wednesday for the beginning of our Confirmation Programme for 2021. After a few technical hitches, we were able to conduct the session resonably well. My thanks to Mark Anthony our Porgramme Director, and also our Catechists who helped in this new venture. Confirmation Welcome Visitors Our Church Greetings - Sacrament Of Confirmation Word Clipart - Full Size Clipart (#1263314) - PinClipart

Our next meeting will take place via ZOOM on Wednesday 10^th February at 7.30pm. A few practical notes; and you will be reminded of these prior to the meeting. Whichever email you submitted to Fr. John & Mark Anthony should be maintained throughout the programme, because your email addresses have been fed into the programme so we can break you up into your groups. If you intend using another e.mail you must let us know immediately. At each session of the programme you will be registered present. If you are unable to be present at a particular session through sickness please get a parent to contact Fr. John directly. I would once again encourage parents of our candidates to be present at the sessions. It shows how we conduct the programme, but will also be a great support to your son or daughter. In our Catechists Meeting after the session it was discussed that all Candidates should kindly make themselves visibly present, and not just have a blank image only with your name. And kindly refrain from using your phone for texting during the session. We only a little over an hour each session, and have to cover a lot of material.

The Programme we use is called Sycamore. It was created by Fr. Stephen Wang, who features throughout the programme. Fr Stephen is Chaplain to London University. It is an engaging programme and will give the Candidate a lot to think about over the next several months in preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation.

The one thing we ask of all our candidates is total commitment to the programme. None of this will make any sense whatsoever if you’re not genuinely committed. In addition, if you are able to attend Holy Mass, (and we have four on the weekend), please kindly do so. I notice many are already attending. Our presence at Holy Mass is not only our personal witness to Christ and our faith, but also affords us the grace that we need to become a real strong young Catholics in the Church today. As the Late Pope St. John Paul II, said on his pastoral Visit to the UK back in 1982 of our young people: “In the Church of today, you are the hope of tomorrow.”

All Candidates will have now received a Copy of the Programme with dates and times etc. Please ensure that you start to check in about 7.20pm for each session, so that we can start on time at 7.30pm. Hopefully this will help to avoid and technical hitches

• No 1:1s, groups only

• Catechists and children must wear suitable clothing, as should anyone else in the household.

• Any computers used should be in appropriate areas, for example, not in bedrooms; and the background should be blurred, if possible.

• All Zoom sessions will be set up with a password, to reduce the chance of hacking.

• Language must be professional and appropriate, including any family members in the background.

• The catechists will record, the length, time, date and attendance of any sessions held.

the Foodbank via their Facebook page: www.facebook.com/EppingForestFoodbank/

CRIB COLLECTION: Each year is for the Brentwood Catholic Children’s Society. They do incredible work up and down the Diocese with thousands of children and their families. As you can appreciate most of the Aid Agencies over the past twelve months have been unable to fund-raise due to the Pandemic, so this annual Crib Collection is extremely important. For those who Gift Aid, there should be a Special Envelope in your boxes for Crib Collection on 2^nd February. If you wish to use the online Banking System to make a Crib Offering just use the Heading Crib BCCS. You are extremely generous every year, could I make this extra special appeal this year under these difficult circumstances; with grateful thanks. As you can see we have two beautiful Cribs this year, and there are collection Boxes at each of them. They will remain until 2^nd February, the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord.

REQUIESCANT IN PACE: There have been several deaths in the Parish

Barbara Pope RIP Cremation Service Tuesday 2^nd February at 1.30pm

Louis Salvoni RIP Requiem Mass Tuesday 4^th February at 12Noon

Margaret White RIP Forest Park Crematorium 8^th February at 12.00pm

Michael Barrass RIP Requiem Mass Monday 15^th February at 12.30pm

Mary Walstow RIP Requiem Mass Tuesday 16^th February at 12.15pm

Kathleen Whitty RIP Funeral Service Thursday 18^th February at 12.15pm

I commend all the deceased to your prayers, and please remember their families at this great time of loss. Eternal rest grant unto them O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. Amen

Donate

Or you can use Parish Bank Account: Using Online Banking
HSBC Sort Code 40-13-22
Account Number: 1101965

God Bless You All Fr. John

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION PROGRAMME 2021: There has been very little response this year to applicants for the First Holy Communion Programme. I have spoken at length to Kathryn Poulter who runs the programme; and in light of the Coronavirus restrictions at this present time, with the virus raging out of control, it is going to be almost impossible to run any kind of meaningful interactive programme for the children. We considered the prepration for the Sacraments of Reconciliation & the Holy Eucharist far too important to run a programme with no engagment from the children. Therefore, we will postpone the Programme this year until we know when it is safe to gather again as a community. I know this may sound very disappointing; but your Health & Safety are our first priority at this very difficult time. Please pray for all the families of our Parish. Thank you. Fr. John.

DIARY 2021

PLEASE PRAY FOR THOSE SICK IN OUR PARISH

ANNIVERSARIES: Maureen Barker RIP, Celia Roe RIP, Eileen Bevan RIP, and for all whose anniversaries occur at this time and for all of our deceased loved ones, Requiescant in Pace.

OFFERTORY COLLECTION: £287.08 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!

RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS: Our RCIA programme continues Thursday 4^th February 2021 at 8.00pm which will be a Zoom meeting. Theme: Eschatology – the four last things. Please pray for our enquirer. This programme is a systematic study of all aspects of the Roman Catholic Faith, with the view of the enquirer deciding to receive the Easter Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation & the Holy Eucharist. RCIA | Holy Spirit Parish

SACRAMENTS CELEBRATED DURING ALERT LEVEL 5 RESTRICTIONS: In accordance with Government & Diocesan Guidelines, we are allowed to celebrate Funerals with 30 people present, strictly observing social distancing. 15 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 – JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2021

Sat 30^th	10.00am	Evelyn Bearne Int’s (Veronica & Noreen)
		*Vigil Mass for Sunday:*
Sat 30^th	6.00pm	Kevin Hopkins Int’s ((Nancy Hands)
Sun 31^st Sun 31^st	9.00am 10.00am	Alan Baker RIP (John & Sue Campbell) People of the Parish
Sun 31^st	11:00am	Peter Smith RIP (Paul Falco)
Mon 1^stFebruary	10.00am	Mike & Maggie Duley 55^th Wedding Anni
Tues 2^nd	10.00am	Mary Walstow RIP (Margaret & Pat)
Wed 3^rd	10.00am	Geraldine Lucey RIP (Monica Maycraft)
Thurs 4^th Thurs 4^th	10.00am 12.15pm	Joseph Duffy RIP (Margaret Duffy) Requiem Mass: Louis Salvoni RIP
Fri 5^th	10.00am	Ann Hawkes Int’s (Remy)
Sat 6^th	10.00am	Margaret Tucker RIP (Maree Kavanagh)
		*Vigil Mass for Sunday*
Sat 6^th	6.00pm	People of the Parish
Sun 7^th	9.00am	Jacqueline Dodd RIP (S & J Campbell)
Sun 7^th	11:00am	Dorothy Walker RIP (Marjorie Fairlamb)

Third Sunday of the Year 2021, Year B

Dear Friends in Christ

As the Pandemic continues all around the world; not to sound lik e some broken record, I would like to reiterate that my one main concerm throughout this situation has always been the Health & Safety of every single person. From the outset of the Pandemic, the Sunday Obligation was lifted with regards to attending Sunday Mass. As you know there have been various lockdowns, and the Church remained closed for 18 weeks in total. As the Scientists and Experts have got to learn more about the virus, so our response has changed. In this present lockdown according to Governmental, Public Health England & our Diocesan Guidelines, places of worship are allowed to remain open for Services & Private Prayer. The decision to attend Holy Mass is ultimately yours. We have complied with all the Governmental recommendations witih reagrds to Hand Sanitisation on entry & exit of the Church; Following the One way System both on entry & exit & the distribution of Holy Communion; The Mandatory Wearing of Face Coverings, which is now Law; the Track & Trace completion of infortmation dockets as you enter the Church (please leave your soiled pens in the buckets provided). Social distancing is maintained, alternate benches have been cordoned off. The Church is disinfected after each service; PPE is available for all of our Stewards, who have volunteered for this great Service to the whole community. Please aquaint yourselves with these guidelines. Manifestly, there are fewer people attending the Church at this time. As I conclude every Mass – Keep Safe & Well. Safety Book Stock Illustrations – 4,510 Safety Book Stock Illustrations, Vectors & Clipart - Dreamstime

Obviously, with the Vaccine being offered to those who are 70 and upwards, hopefully this will have a dramatic effect and reduction in numbers having to to be admitted to Hospital. Please continue to pray for all those working on the Frontline; they’re all being stretched to the liimits, and the emotional strain it is putting on everyone’s lives is most definitely showing. Let us continue to pray earnetly for an end to this Pandemic. Ultimately, it is always God who is in control.

My Dear Friends,

Last Monday 18^th January at 10.10am we lost our dear Mary Walstow at St. Clare’s Hospice, where she had been for three weeks. There have been some wonderful tributes paid to Mary since her death and it is clear that she was truly loved by the whole parish community. Mary lived in Loughton all her life; and examining the Baptismal registers, Mary’s was the third Baptism in the Parish after it was established back in 1926; a truly long history! Many of you have known Mary for such a long time, and her total dedication to the Parish of St. Edmund’s is unquestionable. Daily Mass was the highpoint of her day; and I would suggest if anyone wanted to do something special in remembrance of Mary, it would be to have Mass celebrated for her. There are deceased Mass Cards in the Repository. Mary very kindly ran the Sacristy for many years, and in gratitude of that she was awarded the Bene Merenti Medal for Service to the Church back in 2009. Mary continued to serve the Church in all sorts of different ways even after she retired from the Sacristy. She had boundless energy, and people were often surprised when they learnt how old she was. Over the past 18 months, she was suffering a little, but it stop her coming daily to Holy Mass, even if at times she didn’t feel a hundred percent. I know she found the past year very difficutl with Covid. It was only in October last year that she stopped driving. Mary lived a good long life, happy with her lot in life. She now enjoyes her eternal reward in heaven. May she rest in peace and rise in glory. Amen $C:\Users\User3\Downloads\HR_POV0138.jpg$

Mary’s Requiem Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday 16^th February at 12.15pm. Her remains will be brought into St. Edmund’s on Monday 15^th February at 4.30pm. (perhaps some may like to attend the reception of the Body – We will pray the Holy Rosary). Unfortunately, during this Pandemic only 30 people are allowed to be present at the Funeral. There will be about 8 family and close friends, and the rest will be parishioners, most of whom have known Mary many decades. With the help of Social Media I will livestream the funeral mass, and if anyone would like to pay a personal tribute to Mary, please congregate in the Church Car Park at approximately 12.55pm. Please wear your face coverings and ensure social distancing thankyou! There will be Family Flowers only; any donations should be made to St. Clare’s Hospice.

May God Bless You All,

REQUIESCANT IN PACE: There have been several deaths in the Parish

Michael John Roe RIP Requiem Mass Wednesday 27^th Jan at 12.15pm

Barbara Pope RIP Cremation Service Tuesday 2^nd February at 1.30pm

Louis Salvoni RIP Requiem Mass Tuesday 4^th February at 12Noon

Mary Walstow RIP Requiem Mass Tuesday 16^th February at 12.15pm

Kathleen Whitty RIP Funeral Service Thursday 18^th February at 12.15pm

Michael Edward Barrass RIP To be announced

I commend all the deceased to your prayers, and please remember their families at this great time of loss. Eternal rest grant unto them O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. Amen

CRIB COLLECTION: Each year is for the Brentwood Catholic Children’s Society. They do incredible work up and down the Diocese with thousands of children and their families. As you can appreciate most of the Aid Agencies over the past twelve months have been unable to fund-raise due to the Pandemic, so this annual Crib Collection is extremely important. For those who Gift Aid, there should be a Special Envelope in your boxes. You are extremely generous every year, could I make this extra special appeal this year under these difficult circumstances With grateful thanks. As you can see we have two beautiful Cribs this year, and there are collection Boxes at each of them. They will remain until 2^nd February, the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord.

Donate

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

Please put your name as reference and your Gift Aid number if you have one. If you can set it up as a regular payment this would be excellent and save a lot of time in the future. If you don’t have GIFT AID this is a good time to start, you can do this by e-mailing Maria Mosquera (mjm70@hotmail.com).
With continued thanks for your generosity.

God Bless You All Fr. John

CONFIRMATION PROGRAMME 2021: A very big thank you to all of our Young People who have made application to enrol in the Sacrament of Confrimation. Much to my surpirse we have 44 applications. I have sat down and read every single application; some were only a sentence or two, but others were very thoughtful personal reflections on the Sacrament and what it means to the young person. I found this very inspiring and hopeful! Confirmation Welcome Visitors Our Church Greetings - Sacrament Of Confirmation Word Clipart - Full Size Clipart (#1263314) - PinClipart

Our Programme will commence on Wednesday 27^th January at 7.30pm. We will be using ZOOM which is online. Please ensure that you have the passcode and entry details for the Zoom Meeting. If I haven’t got your email address, you will not have received these details. Each time you sign in with Zoom please kindly register your presence. If you are unable to be present through sickness, kindly speak to Fr John directly. Mr Mark Anthony is our Programme Director, and I will also assist Mark in the Programme. I would encourage the Paretns of our Candidates to also be present for the sessions. It not only shows support to your son or daughter, but will also afford you the oportunity of importance and power of this Sacrament which has been requested by your child. The Porgramme we will use this year is called Sycamore. It was created by Fr Stephen Wang, a Priest of the Westminster Diocese.

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82159217708?pwd=VE9GNTFvY2JJbkt2a0RlS3BaWkt4QT09

Meeting ID: 821 5921 7708

Passcode: jVf5ZN

CONFIRMATION PROGRAMME 2021

Wednesday 27^th January 19.30

Session 1: The Search for Happiness

Wednesday 10^th February 19.30

Session 2: The Existence of God

HALF TERM

Wednesday 24^th February 19.30

Session 3: Who is Jesus?

Wednesday 3^rd March 19.30

Session 4: The Power of Prayer

Wednesday 10^th March 19.30

Session 5: Finding True Freedom

Thursday 18^th March 19.30

Session 6: The Sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation

EASTER HOLIDAYS

Wednesday 21^st April 19.30

Session 7: Forgiveness, Healing and Mission

Wednesday 5^th May 19.30

Session 8: The Christian Vocations

Wednesday 19^th May 19.30

Session 9: The Holy Eucharist

June (TBC) 19.30

Penitential service & rehearsal

June/July 19.00

Confirmation Mass

Safeguarding

• No 1:1s, groups only

• Catechists and children must wear suitable clothing, as should anyone else in the household.

• Any computers used should be in appropriate areas, for example, not in bedrooms; and the background should be blurred, if possible.

• All Zoom sessions will be set up with a password, to reduce the chance of hacking.

• Language must be professional and appropriate, including any family members in the background.

• The catechists will record, the length, time, date and attendance of any sessions held.

We will not be able to have the voluntary work aspect of the course this year due to COVID-19. We hope to run a retreat, but this will be dependent upon government guidelines and will not take place until after Eater at the earliest

DIARY 2021

PLEASE PRAY FOR THOSE SICK IN OUR PARISH

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

ones.

ANNIVERSARIES: Frederick George Burgess RIP, Bruna Maria Morelli RIP, and for all whose anniversaries occur at this time and for all of our deceased loved ones, Requiescant in Pace.

RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS: Our RCIA programme continues Thursday 28^th January 2021 at 8.00pm which will be a Zoom meeting. Theme: The Sacrament of the Sick. Please pray for our enquirer. This programme is a systematic study of all aspects of the Roman Catholic Faith, with the view of the enquirer deciding to receive the Easter Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation & the Holy Eucharist. RCIA | Holy Spirit Parish

SACRAMENTS CELEBRATED DURING ALERT LEVEL 5 RESTRICTIONS: In accordance with Government & Diocesan Guidelines, we are allowed to celebrate Funerals with 30 people present, strictly observing social distancing. 15 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.

DIOCESAN YEAR BOOK: Is now available for purchase from the Parish Repository. It cost £2.80. It really is worth investing in a Yearbook, as it gives all the latest details of parishes, priests’ addresses, statistics, general information about the Catholic Faith and the Church. PLEASE BUY ONE!

PARISH REPOSITORY: Has a large selection of Religious items; gifts for baptisms; Medals, Statues, Religious books for children, Mass cards for all occasions, Bibles, Prayer Books, and many other items. If there is something that would specifically like to order please see Teresa Wallace or Fr. John. Our thanks to those who purchased various Christmas items this year; especially Cribs and Advent Calendars. The Christmas stock has now been removed. Thank you to Teresa for keeping the Repository so well stocked for all occasions.

MASS INTENTIONS – JANUARY 2021

Sat 23^rd	10.00am	Debbie Clarke’s Int’s (Maree Kavanagh)
		*Vigil Mass for Sunday:*
Sat 23^rd	6.00pm	Pat Sheehy RIP (The Ruiz Family)
Sun 24^th Sun 24^th	9.00am10.00am	Anne Jones RIP (John & Sue Campbell)People of the Parish)
Sun 24^th	11:00am	Joyce Casey RIP (Evelyn Bearne)
Mon 25^th	10.00am	Denzil Rose RIP (Marjorie Fairlamb)
Tues 26^th	10.00am	David Emslie RIP (N Ironside)
Wed 27^th	10.00am12.15pm	Mary Walstow RIP (Veronica & Steve)Requiem Mass:
Thurs 28^th	10.00am	Kathy Lowe’s Int’s (Nalan Hassan)
Fri 29^th	10.00am	Martin Maher (sick) (Monica Maycraft)
Sat 30^th	10.00am	Evelyn Bearne Int’s (Veronica & Noreen)
		*Vigil Mass for Sunday*
Sat 30^th	6.00pm	Kevin Hopkins Int’s ((Nancy Hands)
Sun 31^st Sun 31^st	9.00am10.00am	Alan Baker RIP (John & Sue Campbell)People of the Parish
Sun 31^st	11:00am	Peter Smith RIP (Paul Falco)

BOOKING MASSES: If you wish to book masses for various anniversaries, or any occasion, please use the Mass Envelopes available in the Porch of the Church. Complete the details on the front, place your Mass Offering inside and post through the Presbytery Front Door. I will always try to accommodate the nearest date possible for each Mass Intention. Thank you!

Second Sunday of the Year 2021, Year B

Dear Friends in Christ

As I stated to you last week, in light of this Pandemic, every day there is a new story to tell. Over the past week we have heard of the largest number of cases of Coronoavirus in the UK since the Pandemic began. They have exceeded last year’s numbers at this time; and the number of deaths is now approximately eighty seven thousand. This is extrmely frightening! It was vitally necessary for this lockdown to take place, and for everyone to take heed of the warnings set before us daily. But sadly, there are still those who think they know better, and are endangering other people’s lives by flagrant disregard of the law, and for others. Conspiracy theories still abound. Keeping safe, is staying at home, unless you have to go out, or have to work outside the home. As difficult as self-isolation is, the health and safely of every individual should be at the top of our list of priorities. Let us pray for a speedy delivery of the vaccine over these coming months. See the source image

SECOND SUNDAY OF THE YEAR: St John’s Gospel today shows us how St. John the Baptist recognises Jesus as the ‘Lamb of God’; this evokes in two of the disciples the desire to knlw more about him. Jesus’ response to their question, ‘where do you live?’ has echoed down through the centuries of time; ‘Come and see’, is the invitation that is extended to each one of us also. It’s an invitation to share in the life of Jesus Christ at the most intimate level; to really know him, to grow in love of him and to serve him. This is a clear description of what it truly means to be Christian – one who is like Christ. As the Gospel continues, we see Adrew introduce his brother Simon to the Lord – Simon is renamed by Jesus to Peter, the rock, on which Jesus will build the Church. Already we see Jesus’ work of evengelisation beginning and the seeds of the new Church slowly emerging. There will be an incredible journey for each of the Aposltes; it will be an incredible journey of faith leading to eternal life! That is also the journey of every Chrsitian committed in faith to Christ.

My Dear Friends,

Week by week for the past ten months we have listened daily to the news of this Pandemic. This week we learnt that two million people world wide have lost their lives to this terrible disease. Every single one of these people came from a family, and those families are hearbroken at the loss of their loved ones. Some of our own parishioners have lost family members, and we extend our sincere condolences to them. We are all feeling the affects of this Pandemic; our third lockdown. Many people feel isolated and scared. We cannot go anywhere at present; there is no travel or holiday plans afoot for most people. Planning for the future is somewhat limited, until we know how the vaccine is going to impact on the whole of society. Our NHS has been stretched to its capacity; each doctor and nurse and care worker is a human being, and to witness on the TV the emotional stress and exhaution these professionals are experiencing is truly heartbreaking. But each day they get up and go back to work and do it all over again! These are the real heroes during this Pandemic. We can only stand in admiration of them.

Health & Safety, has always been at the top of the list, as far as I am concerned. In accord with the Governmental & Health Advisory Boards we continue to enjoy the facility of keeping our Churches open. They have recognised that our Health & Safety measures are so stringent, and that they are there to protect each person who enters our Churches. The incredible work of our Stewards over the past several months has been a wonderful example of not only service to the community, but the selfless action of parishioners whose faith is enbling us to remain open and the celebration of daily Mass. For many who are sick & housebound, the facility of being able to live-stream our masses on a daily basis and at weekends, has been a lifeline. This is a not of reassurance to all parishioners, that we will continue to place Health & Safety at the top of the list of priorities. As I have said the whole way through this Pandemic, it’s probably far safer to attend Church than making a visit to the Supermarket. Safety Book Stock Illustrations – 4,510 Safety Book Stock Illustrations, Vectors & Clipart - Dreamstime

May God Bless you All,

CONFIRMATION PROGRAMME 2021: A very big thank you to all of our Young People who have made application to enrol in the Sacrament of Confrimation. Much to my surpirse there were 44 applications. I have sat down and read every single application; some were only a sentence or two, but others were very thoughtful personal reflections on the Sacrament and what it means to the young person. I found this very inspiring and hopeful!

The Sacrament of Confirmation in the Diocese of Brentwood is for Young People 14 years upwards. It is a decision that the young person should come to as individuals, but with the support of their faithful family. Obviously, teenage years can be challenging in all sorts of different ways, and to actually come to decision about receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation, is very much a mature decision not only of commitment in faith, but also about their future lives as practicing Catholics. I was so delighted recently when a young man said to me that he wanted to be Confirmend in his faith, because he wanted to be married in the Catholic Church. Obviously, he had thought very seriously about the meaning of the Sacrament and its consequences. In some of the letters, our young people talked of how their lives of faith were growing, especially as they were beginning to understand more fully the meaning and signigificance of all of the Sacraments. Others talked about wanting to make a deeper commitiment to Jesus Christ. Confirmation Welcome Visitors Our Church Greetings - Sacrament Of Confirmation Word Clipart - Full Size Clipart (#1263314) - PinClipart

The Late Pope St. John Paul II, said on his pastoral Visit to the UK back in 1982 that our young people: “In the Church of today, you are the hope of tomorrow.” These words still apply; you young people are our hope of tomorrow. To be strong in faith and bearing witness to Jesus Christ through your young and enthusiastic lives, gives inspiration to us all! I share with you another beautiful quote from Pope St. John Paul II: “It is Jesus you seek when you dream of happiness; he is waiting for you when nothing else you find satisfies you; he is the beauty to which you are so attracted; it is he who provokes you with that thirst for fullness that will not let you settle for compromise; it is he who urges you to shed the masks of a false life; it is he who reads in your hearts your most genuine choices, the choices that others try to stifle. It is Jesus who stirs in you the desire to do something great with your lives, the will to follow an ideal, the refusal to allow yourselves to be grounded down by mediocrity, the courage to commit yourselves humbly and patiently to improving yourselves and society, making the world more human and more fraternal

I have had a long discussion with our Director Mark Anthony with regards to the commencement of the Confirmation Programme this year. Our Bishop was due to have come on a Pastoral Visitation at the beginning of March, but I don’t think this will be happening this year; and, we would never have been able to get a Programme completed by then. Manifestly, with the situation regarding Covid-19 raging throughout the country at present and with Schools closed and online learning taking place; we have decided that the Programme will commence through Zoom; First Session: will take place on Wednesday 27^th January 2021 at 7.30pm. You will need to consult the Parish Newsletter for the Zoom Link on each occasion we meet. There is a registration for each meeting. Obviously, this is not what anyone of us would have wanted, but Health & Safety are of utmost importance. We don’t want to rush the programme, it’s far too important; and with the vaccination programme having been initiated, hopefully by the summer most people will have been immunised, and we can return to some semblance of normality once again. We ask you to kindly be patient; even if it means being Confirmed much later in the year; the most important thing is that you will receive the Sacrament. As many of you are now off School, could I recommend that you Google the Sacrament of Confirmation, and find out as much as you can about the Sacrament. I hope most people have access to laptop or desk top computer. The more knowledge you have the better. JW Digital Clipart Zoom Meeting Cartoon Clipart | Etsy

We would request all of our Young People to join us weekly for Holy Mass; our churches are still permitted to remain open. Even if we’re locked down, we can make that extra special effort to tune in through social Media to our on-line masses. It shows commitment and seriousness about the Sacrament. We would also like to ask our young people to really think seriously about the Sacrament of Confirmation that you’re preparing for. Think of the different ways you can personally bear witness to your Catholic Faith over these next months. Are there things that you can do personally? Involvement in the life of faith and the church is not exclusively for older people. The life is faith is something that can be active. Think about ways in which you can truly put into action your Christian values and principles. Confirmation is the Sacrament of Mission – which is something active! Contact Us - Love In Action Outreach

Finally, could I ask all prospecitive candidates to kindly forward their e.mail addresses as soon as possible please. With thanks. Parents, please wncoruage your son/daughter to read this item in the Parish Newsletter.

CRIB COLLECTION: Each year is for the Brentwood Catholic Children’s Society. They do incredible work up and down the Diocese with thousands of children and their families. As you can appreciate most of the Aid Agencies over the past twelve months have been unable to fund-raise due to the Pandemic, so this annual Crib Collection is extremely important. For those who Gift Aid, there should be a Special Envelope in your boxes. You are extremely generous every year, could I make this extra special appeal this year under these difficult circumstances With grateful thanks. As you can see we have two beautiful Cribs this year, and there are collection Boxes at each of them. They will remain until 2^nd February, the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord.

Donate

God Bless You All

Fr. John

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION PROGRAMME 2021: There has been very little response this year to applicants for the First Holy Communion Porgramme. I have spoken at length to Kathryn Poulter who runs the programme; and in light of the Coronavirus restrictions at this present time, with the virus raging out of control, it is going to be almost impossible to run any kind of meaningful interactive programme for the children. We considered the prepration for the Sacraments of Reconciliation & the Holy Eucharist far too important to run a programme with no engagment from the children. Therefore, we will postpone the Programme this year until we know when it is safe to gather again as a community. I know this may sound very disappointing; but your Health & Safety are our first priority at this very difficult time. Please pray for all the families of our Parish. Thank you. Fr. John.

HOLY SEASON OF LENT: I know we are barely out of the Christmas Season, but each of the Liturgical Seasons of the Year help to prepare us for the great events in the Life of Our Lord & Saviour Jesus Christ. Sadly, last year, we locked down during Lent & Easter. Hoepfully, we will be able to remain open this year. Manifestly, we will have to be attentive to Governmental Guildelines. Ash Wednesday is on 17^th February. I would presume that this lockdown will continue to be in place. But there will be various different ways that each one of us can enter the Lenten Season. Please continue to refere to the Parish newsletter and I will give you a whole programme for Lent 2021. With thanks, Fr John.

DIARY 2021

PLEASE PRAY FOR THOSE SICK IN OUR PARISH

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

ANNIVERSARIES: Brenda Deamer RIP, William Hatley RIP, and for all whose anniversaries occur at this time and for all of our deceased loved ones, Requiescant in Pace.

OFFERTORY COLLECTION: £420.00 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!

RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS: Our RCIA programme continues Thursday 21^st January 2021 at 8.00pm which will be a Zoom meeting. Theme: The Sacrament of Holy Orders. Please pray for our enquirer. This programme is a systematic study of all aspects of the Roman Catholic Faith, with the view of the enquirer deciding to receive the Easter Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation & the Holy Eucharist. RCIA | Holy Spirit Parish

SACRAMENTS CELEBRATED DURING ALERT LEVEL 5 RESTRICTIONS: In accordance with Government & Diocesan Guidelines, we are allowed to celebrate Funerals with 30 people present, strictly observing social distancing. 15 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.

the Foodbank via their Facebook page: www.facebook.com/EppingForestFoodbank/

MASS INTENTIONS – JANUARY 2021

Sat 16^th	10.00am	Kathleen & Tommie Mullaney RIP (Monica Maycraft)
		*Vigil Mass for Sunday:*
Sat 16^th	6.00pm	Margaret Whelen RIP (Marie Sulleyman)
Sun 17^th Sun 17^th	9.00am 10.00am	People of the Parish Maura Hutchins RIP (Alice McCusker)
Sun 17^th	11:00am	Margaret Meaney RIP (Evelyn & Robert Bearne)
Mon 18^th	10.00am	Dec’d members of the Epsom Family
Tues 19^th	10.00am	Mary Walstow (sick) ((The Ruiz Family)
Wed 20^th	10.00am	Ade Osonowo (sick) (Mrs O’Donoghue)
Thurs 21^st	10.00am	Barry O’Rourke RIP (Colette Wenborn)
Fri 22^nd	11.00am	Dorothy Goodman RIP
Sat 23^rd	10.00am	Debbie Clarke’s Int’s (Maree Kavanagh)
		*Vigil Mass for Sunday*
Sat 23^rd	6.00pm	Pat Sheehy RIP (The Ruiz Family)
Sun 24^th Sun 24^th	9.00am 10.00am	Anne Jones RIP (John & Sue Campbell) People of the Parish
Sun 24^th	11:00am	Joyce Casey RIP (Evelyn Bearne)

PLEASE BOOK ANNIVERSARY MASSES IN ADVANCE. THANK YOU

Solemnity of the Baptism of the Lord 2021

Dear Friends in Christ

We have entered this New Year of 2021 with Covid levels even higher now thatn they were at the peak in 2020. Obviously this is a very frighteneing scenarionn for many people, especially our elderly. With the new variant being so contageous a lot of people are self-isolating once again. Manifestly, Health and Safety are always the top priorities for all families. Unfortunately, you still see individuals who think they are invincible and that the virus wont affect them. My brother recently told me how frightening the Covid Ward in the hospital was, and that it wasn’t just old people who were on ventilators. Thankfully he is home now recovering. Obviously, with the vaccine programme now in full swing, and hopefully increasing in the number of injections being given on a daily basis, it will give some protection to our elderly people, which ultimately should result in less people being admitted to hospital. But this is certinaly going to take some weeks before we see a reduction in numbers, and sadly, there will still be more deaths. Please keep safe and well. See the source image
Baptism of Jesus-Los Angeles Cathedral of Our Lady | Arte cristiano, Arte de jesús, San juan bautista

SOLEMNITY OF THE BAPTISM OF THE LORD:

Do you know that date you were baptised? Pope St John Paul II, believed the day of his baptism was the greatest day of his life. Our initiation into the Christian life commences on the day of our Baptism. In the Gospel today we see Jesus’ baptism. It actually wasn’t necessary for him to be baptised as he was free from sin; but he uses it as a witness to those around, how he wishes to be associated with with sinful humanity, as Saviour. The sacred promises made by our loving paretns on the day of child’s baptism are an eternal legacy to the child, that they will do everything in their path to keep that child on the path of Jesus Christ, and ultimately, leading to God. Baptism, is the gateway to the Sacremntal Life; we begin that great jounrney of discovery, and live out daily those promises so solemnly made on our behalf. Perhaps, you can look at your Baptismal Certificate today and memorise the date of your Baptism. (Picture: Baptism of Jesus, LosAngeles Cathedral)

My Dear Friends,

As the song goes “What a difference a day makes!” As the rates of death have peaked to record levels over the past twenty-four hours, and as the Covid virus rages throughout our country. My first concern is for the health and Safety of all our parishioners. As yet, we haven’t heard anything from the Bishop or the Bishops’ Conference with reagrds to clebrating public masses. Hopefully, at some stage today (Saturday), a statement should be made. At present, the directives from Government are that Communal Worship may continue. But listening to the News today they statd that one in twenty people in London are testing positive with the virus, and the contageous nature of the virus is getting out of control. I would ask all of our parishioners, at present, to use your own discretion as to whether you attend public masses. Until we receive Governmental & Diocesan guidelines, I will continue to celebrate Holy Mass, but they will also be live-streamed. YOUR HEALTH & SAFETY ARE MY MAIN CONCERN. Safety Book Stock Illustrations – 4,510 Safety Book Stock Illustrations, Vectors & Clipart - Dreamstime

Manifestly, with our schools being closed, once again our children are having to access some on-line learning. Obviously, with losing out so much time last year mthese are difficult times in education. With the executive decision being made to cancel GCSE’s & A Levels this year, many of our young adults have been left disappointed and frustrated. After all the hard work they have put in through their coruses; thankfuly, the decision by Governement for Teacher’s Assessment is a much better solution than last years adjusment by an algorithm. This is a more fair way to assess our young people. Their teachers will always know best. Please pray for all our Young people and chidlren, and of coruse all our Teachers at this difficult time.
Thank you to all the Contributors to this board I send you my heartfelt thanks for all of your be… | Thank you quotes gratitude, Thank you images, Thank you quotes

Once again, an incredibly BIG THANK YOU, to the whole parish community for your ongoing suppport during this Pandemic. The number of parishioners who have volunteered as Stewards and helpers during this difficult period of time is truly inspiring; and the selfless help and charitable acts of kindness, especially to those who are vulnerable, housebound and sick has been outstanding. Please continue to keep safe, and always be kind and loving to one another.

With Love & Peace to you All,

CONFIRMATION PROGRAMME 2021: A very big thank you to all of our Young People who have made application to enrol in the Sacrament of Confrimation. Much to my surpirse there were 42 applications. I have sat down and read every single application; some were only a sentence or two, but others were very thoughtful personal reflections on the Sacrament and what it means to the young person. I found this very inspiring and hopeful!
Confirmation Welcome Visitors Our Church Greetings - Sacrament Of Confirmation Word Clipart - Full Size Clipart (#1263314) - PinClipart

JW Digital Clipart Zoom Meeting Cartoon Clipart | Etsy

I have had a long discussion with our Director Mark Anthony with regards to the commencement of the Confirmation Programme this year. Our Bishop was due to have come on a Pastoral Visitation at the beginning of March, but I don’t think this will be happening this year; and, we would never have been able to get a Programme completed by then. Manifestly, with the situation regarding Covid-19 raging throughout the country at present and with Schools closed and online learning taking place; we have decided that the Programme will commence through Zoom. Obviously, this is not what anyone of us would have wanted, but Health & Safety are of utmost importance. We don’t want to rush the programme, it’s far too important; and with the vaccination programme having been initiated, hopefully by the summer most people will have been immunised, and we can return to some semblance of normality once again. We ask you to kindly be patient; even if it means being Confirmed much later in the year; the most important thing is that you will receive the Sacrament. As many of you are now off School, could I recommend that you Google the Sacrament of Confirmation, and find out as much as you can about the Sacrament. I hope most people have access to laptop or desk top computer. The more knowledge you have the better.

We would request all of our Young People to join us weekly for Holy Mass; even if we’re locked down, we can make that extra special effort to tune in through social Media to our on-line masses. It shows commitment and seriousness about the Sacrament. We would also like to ask our young people to really think seriously about the Sacrament of Confirmation that you’re preparing for. Think of the different ways you can personally bear witness to your Catholic Faith over these next months. Are there things that you can do personally? Involvement in the life of faith and the church is not exclusively for older people. The life is faith is something that can be active. Think about ways in which you can truly put into action your Christian values and principles. Confirmation is the Sacrament of Mission – which is something active! Contact Us - Love In Action Outreach

Finally, could I ask all prospecitive candidates to kindly forward their e.mail addresses as soon as possible please. With thanks. Parents, please wncoruage your son/duaghter to read this item in the Parish Newsletter.

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION PROGRAMME 2021: There has been very little response this year to applicants for the First Holy Communion Porgramme. I have spoken at lentgth to Kathryn Poulter who runs the programme; and in light of the Coronavirus restrictions at this present time, with the virus raging out of control, it is going to be almost impossible to run any kind of meaningful interactive programme for the children. We considered the prepration for the Sacraments of Reconciliation & the Holy Eucharist far too important to run a programme with no engagment from the children. Therefore, we will postpone the Programme this year until we know when it is safe to gather again as a community. I know this may sound very disappointing; but your Health & Safety are our first priority at this very difficult time.

Please pray for all the families of our Parish. Thank you. Fr. John

the Foodbank via their Facebook page: www.facebook.com/EppingForestFoodbank/

Admissions open on the Essex website on 9^thNovember 2020, and the closing date is this week 15^th January 2021. We ask parents to complete a supplementary form, also obtainable from the admissions page, (especially if they wish to be considered under criteria 2 or 3 of the admissions policy) and can be returned directly to the school. If you need further information, please contact Mrs McGrenra on tmcgrenra@st-johnfisher.essex.sch.uk.

ELECTRONIC CHRISTMAS OFFERING: This year, as always, envelopes are still available for us to make our Christmas Offering, which, as you know, is an opportunity in every Catholic Church for parishioners to make a Christmas gift to their Parish Priest. This year our Christmas Offering can also be made electronically. We just need to transfer the money to the parish account with the reference ‘Xmas offering’. Any questions please ask Iain McLay (bloggeriain@gmail.com). The details of the bank account are:

Sort Code: 40-13-22

Account Number: 11019651

Account Name: Catholic Church Loughton St Edmund

Donate

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

God Bless You All Fr. John

DIARY 2020

PLEASE PRAY FOR THOSE SICK IN OUR PARISH

Margaret Baldwin, Evelyn Bearne, Brian Beveridge, Karl Britz, Jane Downs, Steve Dalgliesh, Pat Fenn, James Geller, Veronica Godsave, Bernadette Hall, Ann Hawkes, Claire Howes, Pamela Houghton, Shaun Keel, Angela Long, Lilian Mothersole, Sheila Murphy, John McKernan, Rosemary O’Rourke, Kathleen Pomeroy, Barbara Pope, Geraldine Taylor, Vera Taylor, Mary Walstow, 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.

RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS: Our RCIA programme continues Thursday 14^th January 2021 at 8.00pm unfortunately, due to the latest Government guidelines we cannot meet together in the Presbytery; therefore, there will be a Zoom meeting. Theme: The Sacrament of Matrimony. Please pray for our enquirer. This programme is a systematic study of all aspects of the Roman Catholic Faith, with the view of the enquirer deciding to receive the Easter Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation & the Holy Eucharist.

SACRAMENTS CELEBRATED DURING ALERT LEVEL 5 RESTRICTIONS: In accordance with Government & Diocesan Guidelines, we are allowed to celebrate Funerals with 30 people present, strictly observing social distancing. 15 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 – JANUARY 2021

Sat 9^th	10.00am	Joan Moffat (Nancy Ironside & Margaret Duffy)
		*Vigil Mass for Sunday:*
Sat 9^th	6.00pm	Julius Zuluetta Rolle (Melinda Staines)
Sun 10^th Sun 10^th	9.00am10.00am	Margaret Whelen RIP (M Duffy)People of the Parish
Sun 10^th	11:00am	Peter Smith RIP (Paul Falco)
Mon 11^th	10.00am	Eileen Newton (sick) (Bill & Helen Walsh)
Tues 12^th	10.00am	Devid Emslie RIP (Anni) (M Duffy)
Wed 13^th	10.00am	Michael & Breege Kerrane RIP (Mary)
Thurs 14^th	10.00am	Aoife Hogan RIP (20^th Anni) (Frank, Sue, Jack & Ryan)
Fri 15^th	11.00am	Eugene Kane RIP (Margaret Duffy)
Sat 16^th	10.00am	Kathleen & Tommie Mullanie RIP (Monica Maycraft)
		*Vigil Mass for Sunday*
Sat 16^th	6.00pm	Margaret Whelen RIP (Marie Suleyman)
Sun 17^th Sun 17^th	9.00am10.00am	People of the ParishMaur Huthins RIP (Alice McCusker)
Sun 17^th	11:00am	Margaret Meaney RIP (Evelyn & Robert Bearne)

PLEASE BOOK ANNIVERSARY MASSES IN ADVANCE. THANK YOU

Second Sunday after Christmas Day 2021

Dear Friends in Christ

NEW YEAR 2021: As we embark upon a New Year 2021. May I take this opportunity of wishing you and all your loved ones a very Happy New Year. Obviously the past twelve months have challenged the whole world in ways we could never have dreamed of; and even still we enter this New Year with many issues to face with regards the World Pandemic. In the past few weeks, we have seen an incredible increase of people contracting this dreadful disease. Many of our own parishioners and family members have been sick and isolating, and still the disease rages. Hopefully the latest implementation of restrictions will alert people to the serious nature of this pandemic. We can only hope and pray that with the advent of the vaccines, that an immunisation programme will begin to take place quickly. As I always say: ‘Keep safe & well, and always be kind and loving to one another.’ See the source image

SOLEMNITY OF THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORD: Holy Day of Obligation, Wednesday 6^th January 2021. As part of the ongoing Nativity Story, we have now reached the point with the arrival of the Magi; the Wise men from the East, probably Star gazers. In following the Star, they arrive in Bethlehem to find the Christ-child. The Magi represent the outside world being introduced to the King of kings. Do they know who he is? Possibly not! But they recognise that this is no ordinary child; in their encounter their lives are transformed. We never hear of them again, but as they return to their own lands, already the work of Evangelisation has begun. Let us also visit the manger and like the shepherds and Magi fall on our knees before our Saviour. He came to bring light into darkness, hope into fear, love into a lack of faith. Jesus Christ, the Word Incarnate, is the Son of God – that love is revealed at a moment in time, and the world will never be the same again. We need to remind ourselves of that reality, especially as we embark upon this New Year.

Wishing you all A Happy New Year, 2021

My Dear Friends,

I would peronsally like to reiterate my sincere and grateful thanks to the whole parish community for your throughfulness and generosity over the Christmas with your greetings and gifts. Also to thank you for your Christmas Offertory, which makes up the majority of the priests’ salary throughout the year. I’m truly grateful.

At the beginning of this New Year of 2021, we have to acknowledge that things are not back to normal in any of our parishes. As we live in the South East of England, there are even more stringent measures being placed upon our schools because of the rapid spread of this variant of the Coronavirus. We are all aware of people, family members, parishioners who have tested positive in the past month, and how it is having such a devastating affect on the National Health Service, being stretched to the limits. At this time of the year there is always an upsurge in flus and colds, but added to that the contagious nature of the conronovirus, they have reached critical levels. Social responsbility, is the only way forward. Thankfully, in our church we have always maintained strict levels of social distancing, hand sanitisation, the wearing of face covereings, stewarding, sanitisation of the church after each service. As I have told you over many months, you’re probably far safer coming to church than going to the supermarket.

They often say that a crisis brings out the best in people. Over these past nine months, I have weitnessed for myself, the incredible kindness and charity of many of our parishioners. Those who have colunteered to be our Stewards at all of our Masses throughout the week and Sundays. Giving of their own time in service of the whole parish family. Iain McLay, who has co-ordinated the whole Stewarding Rotas, and also our Christmas masses. Iain & Martin who built the beautiful crib for us this year. Also the continual weekly response to the Food Bank, your charity and geneoristy is boundless. At a personla leve, I would like to thank those parishioerns who so kindly wrote messages and notes to me over Christmas in your cards; I was very humbled and grateful for your thoughfulness. My role as a Parish Priest is to serve, and I do it willingly and lovingly. Thank you one and all!

RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS: Our RCIA programme continues Thursday 7^th January 2021 at 8.00pm unfortunately, due to the latest Government guidelines we cannot meet together in the Presbytery; therefore, there will be a Zoom meeting. Theme: The Sacrament of Confirmation – Sacrament of Mission. Please pray for our enquirers. This programme is a systematic study of all aspects of the Roman Catholic Faith, with the view of the enquirer deciding to receive the Easter Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation & the Holy Eucharist. RCIA | Holy Spirit Parish

THANKING THE WHOLE PARISH COMMUNITY: I was completely overwhelmed by the incredible response from the whole parish community to the GRAND DRAW that we organised in place of our Annual Parish Bazaar. You truly embraced the spirit of the Draw by your generosity in not only supplying gifts and items for the Draw, but also in the sale of Draw Tickets over the past few weeks. During these difficult times, and it is a real tribute to the whole community in working together for the ongoing support of the parish. My grateful thanks to our Bazaar Committee for the innovation of making up Christmas Hampers as prizes; we had 45 different Christmas hampers and 12 larger prizes. The final figure was £4,595.00, which is truly wonderful! Congratulations to the whole parish community. See the source image

Sort Code: 40-13-22

Account Number: 11019651

Account Name: Catholic Church Loughton St Edmund

Donate

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

God Bless You All Fr. John

CONFIRMATION PROGRAMME 2021:

My thanks to the young people who have made application for the programme. Most of the applications came in over the last two days. I had specifically stated in the Newsletters that candidates for the Sacrament, should be attending weekly mass. Much to my surprise a number of applications have come in from people I have not seen at mass, sometimes for over a year; and others sporadically. Our churches re-opened on 4^th July this year, with stringent Governmental guidelines to protect the Health & Safety for all who attend Holy Mass; and I still didn’t see students or families return to the practice of their faith. I’m sorry, we cannot use the Coronavirus always as an excuse, because all of these young people up until a couple of weeks ago were attending school.

We are now adopting a really strict interpreation of Practice of Faith, which, according the Code of Canon Law means fulfilling our obligation by attending weekly Sunday Mass. If candidates don’t feel able to do this, then they should think twice about prepration for the Sacrament; and if you have no intention of continuing in the practice of faith afterwards, then I would strongly suggest postponing preparation until you feel ready to commit. I feel very strongly about this; we are not playing games here with the life of faith. If this Pandemic has taught me anything, it is of the importance of our faith. Unfortunately, not everyone feels the same! This isn’t just about stamping the Sacramental Passport and moving on.

I would like to think that the decision is being made by our young people and not by their parents. If you do not feel that you can commit to half an hour a week at the Sunday Mass, then don’t put yourselves forward. I don’t want this to sound negative, but historically, the disappointment of young people receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation, and then walking away, sometimes the week after the celebration, has been very prevalent in the 19 years I have been in this parish. I would sooner have a class of five totally committed than a class of forty who make no contribution whatsoever. I will have no hesitation whatsoever this year to dismiss students if they are not attending weekly Mass. It makes an absolute farce of the Sacrament if they are not present with the worshipping community on a weekly basis. It’s about being present, committed and making a contributuion to the community of faith.

I have spoken to Mark Anthony, our Confirmation Programme Director, with regards to how we will conduct the programme this year. Logistically, it is going to be quite difficult; as yet, we haven’t got a starting date for the programme, but hopefully within the next month. Please watch the newsletter for further details. I ask all the candidates to kindly send me your email addresses this week, no later than Friday 8^th January 2021. There will be a register kept for the sessions; and if anyone is missing from sessions you will need to contact Fr John directly.

You may think these requirements are somewhat stringent; but all we are asking our candidates and families is to be present at Holy Mass; which is what they should be doing on a weekly basis anyway. I don’t think this is too much to ask. For those who have not been attending Mass for the past year, I speak plainly to you, think very seriously about this. If you are really serious about your faith, and you’re not being forced into this, then these requests will be be easy to respond to. If not, I would ask you all once again, to think very seriously about enrolment in this programme. Postponement is not a problem; it’s much better to have a willing candidate, than one who is being forced into this by a parent. If anyone has a problem with any of the sentiments in this script, which I have thought and prayed about long and hard, please speak directly to Fr. John

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION PROGRAMME 2021

Once again, thank you to the Parents who have responded to enrolment of your children into a First Holy Communion Programme this year. There have been very few applications. At present, as we’re not allowed to gather together for formal instruction, we are trying to organise a programme that would be suitable for the children and their parents. As you can appreciate, the programme usually starts in September and runs through to May. Obviously, this cannot happen this year, and we may find ourselves in the same situation as last year, by preparing the children and having separate celebrations for a couple of families per week at our Sunday Masses. Manifestly, needs must! I will be meeting with Kathryn Poulter, our Programme Director to finalise details with regards to a way forward in the Programme, it may mean some form of online classes with the children and parents present. If there are any problems with this please contact Fr. John or Kathryn.

SACRAMENTS CELEBRATED DURING TIER 4 RESTRICTIONS: In accordance with Government & Diocesan Guidelines, we are allowed to celebrate Funerals with 30 people present, strictly observing social distancing. 15 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 couple 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.

ST. JOHN FISHER CATHOLIC PRIMARY SCHOOL: (School Applications for September 2021) will not be offering any on-site tours to view our school this year. Instead we have prepared a virtual tour. Please visit our school website on www.st-johnfisher.essex.sch.uk (our admissions page is under the Statutory Info section). The virtual tour will give parents the opportunity to see what the school is like.Admissions open on the Essex website on 9^thNovember 2020, and the closing date is 15^th January 2021. We ask parents to complete a supplementary form, also obtainable from the admissions page, (especially if they wish to be considered under criteria 2 or 3 of the admissions policy) and can be returned directly to the school. If you need further information, please contact Mrs McGrenra on tmcgrenra@st-johnfisher.essex.sch.uk.

DIARY 2020

PLEASE PRAY FOR THOSE SICK IN OUR PARISH

Margaret Baldwin, Evelyn Bearne, Brian Beveridge, Karl Britz, Jane Downs, Steve Dalgliesh, Pat Fenn, James Geller, Veronica Godsave, Bernadette Hall, Ann Hawkes, Claire Howes, Pamela Houghton, Shaun Keel, Angela Long, Lilian Mothersole, Sheila Murphy, John McKernan, Rosemary O’Rourke, Kathleen Pomeroy, Barbara Pope, Geraldine Taylor, Vera Taylor, Mary Walstow, 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, Requiescat in Pace.

OFFERTORY COLLECTION: £321.91 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!

MASS INTENTIONS – JANUARY 2021

Sat 2^nd	10.00am	Vera Watt RIP (Pat & Margaret)
		*Vigil Mass for Sunday: Church resumes regular Sunday Schedule*
Sat 2^nd	6.00pm	Rosemary Mahoney RIP (Bill & Helen Walsh)
Sun 3^rd Sun 3^rd	9.00am 10.00am	Christine Slisz RIP Stefan & Jacqui Slisz) People of the Parish
Sun 3^rd	11:00am	Nell Hayes Int’s (Maureen Perry)
Mon 4^th	10.00am	Jean Fitt RIP (Pat Ata)
Tues 5^th	10.00am	Norah, William & Terry Fitt RIP (Pat & Margaret)
Wed 6^th Epiphany	10.00am 12.00pm 8.00pm	People of the Parish Bridget Kinsella B’day Int’s (Pat & Margaret) Eileen Guerin Int’s (Rooney Family)
Thurs 7^th	10.00am	Irene Phillips RIP (Pat Ata)
Fri 8^th	10.00am	R Ward’s Ints (P Ward)
Sat 9^th	10.00am	Joan Moffat (Nancy Ironside & Margaret Duffy)
		*Vigil Mass for Sunday*
Sat 9^th	6.00pm	Julius Zuluetta Rolle (Melinda Staines)
Sun 10^th Sun 10^th	9.00am 10.00am	Margaret Whelen RIP (M Duffy) People of the Parish
Sun 10^th	11:00am	Peter Smith RIP (Paul Falco)

PLEASE BOOK ANNIVERSARY MASSES IN ADVANCE. THANK YOU

Feast of the Holy Family 2020

Dear Friends in Christ

We have just celebrated the Birth of the Lord into our lives once again this Christmas. An unprecedented year for all of us worldwide. The decisions to limit our access to family and loved ones over this Christmas period has been truly painful for many. Over the past week I have been contacted by so many parishioners who have contracted Covid-19, the stress an anxiety they felt was palpable, especially for their families this Christmas. People are confused and sometimes very angry at all the restrictions being imposed. But ultimately at the end of the day, Health & Safety of everyone is the main concern. Ensuring that we can provide safe homes, safe churches and safe environments for one and all. Manifestly, it is going to take some months before a vaccine can be distributed to the whole Nation, and in the meantime, we must do the best we can to remain responsible in our conduct and daily living. Jesus, Hope for Humanity was born for each one of us! That reality has never changed! See the source image

FEAST OF THE HOLY FAMILY: Today is the feast day of the Holy Family, but also every family’s feast day, since the Holy Family is the patron and model of all Christian families. Today should be a huge family feast, since it is devoted entirely to the Holy Family as a model for the Christian family life. As Rev. Edward Sutfin states: “The children must learn to see in their father the foster-father St. Joseph and the Blessed Mother as the perfect model for their own mother. The lesson to be learned is both practical and theoretical, in that the children must learn how to obey and to love their parents in thought, word and action, just as Christ was obedient to Mary and Joseph. Helping mother in the kitchen and in the housework and helping father in his odd jobs about the home thus take on a new significance by being performed in a Christ-like spirit.”

May I wish all our families of this Parish of St. Edmund of Canterbury a wonderful Feast Day. May the Holy Family of Nazareth inspire you always! All families will receive a general Special Blessing at the end of each Mass today!

My Dear Friends,

I would like to take this public opportunity of thanking the whole parish community for your ongoing support of our parish, not just this Christmas, but during the whole of this Pandemic since last March. We have all been challenged and tested to the limits. The first lockdown for fourteen weeks & then for another four weeks in November, certainly has taken its toll on the spirit of all people. It was very hard celebrating Holy Mass every day in an empty Church. Now we are in the situation of varients in the virus, which has perpetuated the spread of the virus, especially in London & the South East. Obviously, health & safety have always been at the top of the list of priorities. As a parish community we have endeavoured to ensure the safety of all of our parishioners. I would like to single out one parsihioner Iain McLay, who has been truly wonderful in everyhting that he has done over the past nine months in assisting myself and the whole parish community to ensure the smooth running of our parish daily & weekend celebrations of the Holy Eucharist. His enthusiasm, and commitment in ensuring that we have complied with all the requirements necessary has been of great benefit to the whole community. Thank you Iain. See the source image

Grateful thanks to all the Stewards who have been so faithful in their service to the parish Community, during the weekeday hour of private prayer, and at all the weekend masses, with the cleansing of the church after each service. Without your help we would have had to suspend masses. Also thanks to the new Stewards who volunteered for the additional masses over Chrsitmas.

Thank you to the ladies who decorated the Church for Christmas, as you have seen they did a wonderful job, unders difficult circumstances. The fact that we have been able to carry on doing the things we are accustomed to doing prior to the Pandemic, is a great tribute to one and all. My hearfelt thanks to all parishieorns who dontated Poinsettias in remembrance of deceased loved ones to decorate the Church for Christmas, there was an incredible response. See the source image

On a personal note note I would like to thank all of those who have sent Christmas greetings cards and gifts. I truly appreciate you thoughfulness and geneoristy. Also for your Christmas Offertory during these difficult times. I wish you and all your loved ones the ongoing beautify of this Chrsitmas Season, and a Very Happy, Healthy & Blessed New Year for 2021.

Wish Love & the Season’s Blessings

THANKING THE WHOLE PARISH COMMUNITY: I was completely overwhelmed by the incredible response from the whole parish community to the GRAND DRAW that we organised in place of our Annual Parish Bazaar. You truly embraced the spirit of the Draw by your generosity in not only supplying gifts and items for the Draw, but also in the sale of Draw Tickets over the past few weeks. During these difficult times, and it is a real tribute to the whole community in working together for the ongoing support of the parish. My grateful thanks to our Bazaar Committee for the innovation of making up Christmas Hampers as prizes; we had 45 different Christmas hampers and 12 larger prizes. I don’t have a final figure, but I believe we have raised approximately £4,000.00, which is truly wonderful! Congratulations to the whole parish community. See the source image

ELECTRONIC CHRISTMAS OFFERING: This year, as always, envelopes will be available for us to make our Christmas Offering, which, as you know, is an opportunity in every Catholic Church for parishioners to make a Christmas gift to their Parish Priest. This year our Christmas Offering can also be made electronically. We just need to transfer the money to the parish account with the reference ‘Xmas offering’. Any questions please ask Iain McLay (bloggeriain@gmail.com). The details of the bank account are:

Sort Code: 40-13-22

Account Number: 11019651

Account Name: Catholic Church Loughton St Edmund

the Foodbank via their Facebook page: www.facebook.com/EppingForestFoodbank/

Donate

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

God Bless You All Fr. John

ST. JOHN FISHER CATHOLIC PRIMARY SCHOOL: (School Applications for September 2021) will not be offering any on-site tours to view our school this year. Instead we have prepared a virtual tour. Please visit our school website on www.st-johnfisher.essex.sch.uk (our admissions page is under the Statutory Info section). The virtual tour will give parents the opportunity to see what the school is like. Admissions opened on the Essex website on 9^thNovember 2020, and the closing date is 15^th January 2021. We ask parents to complete a supplementary form, also obtainable from the admissions page, (especially if they wish to be considered under criteria 2 or 3 of the admissions policy) and can be returned directly to the school. If you need further information, please contact Mrs McGrenra on tmcgrenra@st-johnfisher.essex.sch.uk.

FEAST OF ST. STEPHEN: Our Annual Altar Servers Mass at 11.00am Saturday 26^th December. Even though our servers have been unable to serve during this Pandemic, we will still celebrate together. I ask all of our Altar Servers to kindly wear their Albs and Medals and sit with your families. Some of our Senior Servers will receive their Silver Medals for serving here in the Parish for the past ten years. Sincere Congratulations!

SACRAMENTAL PREPARATION FOR CONFIRMATION & HOLY COMMUNION 2021: If there are young people 14 years upwards who desire to enrol for Sacrament of Confirmation, could you personally write to Fr. John by 31^st December. For those Year 3 children whose parents wish them to prepare for the Sacrament of Holy Communion please contact Fr. John also by the 31^st December. Probably, both programmes will have to be conducted via Zoom. PS: Please note that candidates for both sacraments should be attending weekly Mass. The Church opened last July, and this past week for Public Masses. If you are not practicing your faith please don’t waste our time! Sacramental Preparation is a very serious act of faith and makes no sense whatsoever if you’re not attending Holy Mass.

THE YEAR OF ST. JOSEPH See the source image

The 150th anniversary of the proclamation of St. Joseph as patron of the universal church was celebrated on the solemnity of the Immaculate Conception this month.

In honour of that anniversary, Pope Francis declared this liturgical year to be dedicated to St. Joseph through his apostolic letter Patris Corde (“With a Father’s Heart”).

What a gift to the universal Catholic Church to have a year dedicated to the fatherhood of St. Joseph!

In Pope Francis’ apostolic letter, he expounds upon the qualities of St. Joseph’s fatherhood and how his fatherhood was an icon of God, the Father’s heart for us, his children. During this Advent season and during this Year of St. Joseph, may our hearts be led to reflect upon the Father through the fatherhood of St. Joseph.

St. Joseph is a beloved father. St. Joseph placed himself at the service of his vocation as husband and father. “He turned his human vocation to domestic love into a superhuman oblation of himself, his heart and all his abilities, a loved placed at the service of the Messiah who was growing to maturity in his home” (PC, 1).

St. Joseph is a tender and loving father. Through St. Joseph’s fatherhood, Jesus saw the tender love of God. Joseph taught him how to walk and offered him his loving embrace when he fell. Joseph teaches us to tenderly look upon our falls, weaknesses, and poverties. “The evil one makes us see and condemn our frailty, whereas the Spirit brings it to light with tender love. Tenderness is the best way to touch the frailty within us” (PC, 2).

St. Joseph is an obedient father. In every message from the Father, St. Joseph did what was asked of him. “In every situation, Joseph declared his own ‘fiat’, like those of Mary at the Annunciation and Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane” (PC, 3).

St. Joseph is an accepting father. Joseph trusted in the angel’s words to him and lovingly accepted Jesus as his own son. He provided a protective home for Mary and Jesus and accepted his call to be a husband to Mary and a father to the Son of God, even when he believed himself unworthy to do so. “Joseph’s attitude encourages us to accept and welcome others as they are, without exception, and to show special concern for the weak, for God chooses what is weak” (PC, 4).

St. Joseph is a creatively courageous father. God entrusted the Holy Family to Joseph and worked through his creative courage to guide and protect the Holy Family. “Arriving in Bethlehem and finding no lodging where Mary could give birth, Joseph took a stable and, best he could, turned it into a welcoming home for the Son of God come into the world” (PC, 5).

St. Joseph is a working father. Work is a means of participating in the work of salvation. Joseph’s work as a carpenter provided a means for the Holy Family to thrive and to remain hidden in Bethlehem. Joseph taught this work to Jesus. “St. Joseph’s work reminds us that God himself, in becoming man, did not disdain work” (PC, 6).

St. Joseph is a father in the shadows. St. Joseph’s fatherhood was a hidden fatherhood that he had to learn how to live. “Fathers are not born but made. A man does not become a father simply by bringing a child into the world, but by taking up the responsibility to care for that child. Whenever a man accepts responsibility for the life of another, in some way he becomes a father to that person” (PC, 7).

At the conclusion of the apostolic letter, Pope Francis echoes the words of Pope St. John Paul II’s teaching on the spousal meaning of the body – when a man or a woman makes a fruitful gift of self, they fulfil the very meaning of their being and existence – when he writes of St. Joseph’s giving the gift of self to Mary and Jesus. “Joseph found happiness not in mere self-sacrifice but in self-gift… Every true vocation is born of the gift of oneself, which is a fruit of mature sacrifice” (PC, 7).

During this year of St. Joseph, may he guide your heart to live a life of fruitful self-giving!

St. Joseph, Patron of the Universal Church,

Pray for us.

PLEASE PRAY FOR THOSE SICK IN OUR PARISH

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

ANNIVERSARIES: Peggy McGillycuddy RIP, Helen Munro RIP and for all whose anniversaries occur at this time and for all of our deceased loved ones, Requiescat in Pace.

MASS INTENTIONS – DECEMBER 2020 – JANUARY 2021

Sat 26^th St. Stephen	10.00am	Jean Moffatt Int’s (N Ironside & M Duffy)
		*Vigil Mass for Sunday: Church resumes regular Sunday Schedule*
Sat 26^th	6.00pm	Sr. Raphael’s Int’s (Maureen Perry)
Sun 27^th Holy Family	9.00am10.00am	Karen, David & Neil Emslie Int’s (M Duffy)People of the Parish
Sun 27^th Holy Family	11:00am	Kitty Mulvaney RIP (Eileen Lee)
Mon 28^th	10.00am	Sarah & Peter McQuade RIP (M Duffy)
Tues 29^th	10.00am	Margaret Whelen RIP (Nancy Hands)
Wed 30^th	10.00am	Frances & Sam Murray & Family Int’s (Margaret Duffy)
Thurs 31^st	10.00am	Joan Bright RIP (Private Donor)
Fri 1^st Jan New Year’s Day	11.00am	Dec’d relatives of those who donated Poinsettias for Christmas. Requiescant in Pace
Sat 2^nd	11.00am	Vera Watt RIP (Pat & Margaret)
		*Vigil Mass for Sunday*
Sat 2^nd	6.00pm	Rosemary Mahoney RIP (Bill & Helen Walsh)
Sun 3^rd	9.00am10.00am	Christine Slisz RIP Stefan & Jacqui Slisz)People of the Parish
Sun 3^rd	11:00am	Nell Hayes Int’s (Maureen Perry)

PLEASE BOOK ANNIVERSARY MASSES IN ADVANCE. THANK YOU

Fourth Sunday of Advent 2020

Dear Friends in Christ

A week in the life of this Pandemic can change everything! Because of the incredible surge in cases in London and the South East, including many parts of Essex, the Government have elevated our locality to Tier 3. Manifestly, many people have not been adhering to the guidelines and hence we have a spike in cases, and an increase of deaths once again. Obviously, this situation is very disturbing, but health and safety for one and all should be our top priority. Here at the Church we have continued to employ the strict Governmental and Diocesan guidelines: Social Distancing, Hand Sanitisation, Wearing Face Coverings, and Stewards to help parishioners, one-way system in the Church. In fact, I would have to say it’s probably safer coming to church than going to the supermarket or a restaurant. But we all must still be vigilant. In Tier 3 the status quo remains; daily and weekend masses will be celebrated at the Parish Church. Christmas celebrating during covid

FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT: Focuses on the role of Our Blessed Lady in the whole of God’s plan of Salvation. In the beautiful Gospel of the Annunciation we see the encounter with God’s messenger, the Angel Gabriel. The very young girl Mary, whose life had always been oriented to God, has, in that moment of revelation the greatest request ever made of any human being, to become the Mother of the Sone of God. In her humility, and even realising the implications and consequences of saying yes, she gives her ‘Fiat’ her personal ‘Yes’ to God; thus, changing the whole course of human history. Mary becomes a model of faith, and a model of the Church, which is why Our Blessed Lady is held in the highest esteem and reverence. As we journey with Mary & Joseph to Bethlehem once again, in these last few days before Christmas, let us pray for that same faith that enables them to humbly respond to God’s holy will

Maranatha! Come Lord Jesus!
Christmas Prize Draw | angel

PARISH GRAND DRAW 2020: On this final Sunday of our Holy Advent Season, I would like to take this opportunity of expressing my heartfelt thanks to the whole parish community during this very difficult year for your incredible support in replacing our Annual Parish Bazaar with a Parish Grand Draw. Your generosity and kindness have been incredible; words cannot express how proud I feel of this wonderful parish family. As you know, we are not a Parish that has many fund-raising activities throughout the year, and in this Year of Pandemic, everyone’s lives have been tested and challenged in so many ways. But the incredible thing is that you always come up trumps! (no pun intended).

I would like to thank all those parishioners who kindly donated prizes, and food stuffs to make up so many wonderful hampers, (I think we have nearly twenty hampers). To all those who donated bottles of wines and spirits, the hampers a laden with wonderful goodies. To Cribbs, our local Funeral Director who donated a 43-inch Smart Colour Television as our top prize, to the many parishioners who donated Money gifts. To our Bazaar Committee for working so hard in making up the various Hampers over the past couple of weeks. And last by now means least, you our parishioners who have been so admirable in your purchases of Draw Tickets. As a Parish during this Pandemic we have tried to the best of our ability to maintain some semblance of normality, as hard as that has been; and our coming together in response to this Grand Draw has been a wonderful effort on the part of the whole parish community. THANK YOU!

THE GRAND DRAW: will take place after the 11.00am Mass on Sunday Morning. Please let us have your Draw Tickets today! All the Prizes are being stored in the Parish Hall. I would encourage all parishioners to kindly collect their prizes before Christmas, especially Hampers, as these will add to your Christmas family celebrations at home. Please contact Fr. John for your prize. A List of prize-winners will be published on the Parish Website (names only).

ELECTRONIC GRAND DRAW TICKETS: You can also purchase the tickets electronically. You just need to email your request for tickets to Iain McLay (bloggeriain@gmail.com) and transfer the money to the parish account with the reference including the term ‘Raffle Tix’. We will then put the equivalent number of tickets, with your name on, into the live draw. The details of the Parish Bank Account are:

Sort Code: 40-13-22
Account Number: 11019651
Account Name: Catholic Church Loughton St Edmund

ADVANCED NOTICE FOR CHRISTMAS MASSES

PREPARING FOR CHRISTMAS: Due to Governmental guidelines on social distancing, at present we are only able to accommodate 125 persons maximum at each mass. Chrstimas tends to be a time of year when more people make a visit to Church. In a bid to cope with numbers, I will add some additional masses. There will be no children’s mass this year; and I would ask all parishioerns to seriously think about masses they attend. Please don’t all turn up for the first mass, because we will have to turn away parishioerns once we have reached our capacity of 125.

Christmas Eve Masses: 5.00pm, 7.00pm, 8.30pm & 10.00pm

Christmas Day Masses: 8.00am, 9.00am, 10.00am & 11.00am

For our older parishioners, those in poor health and for families, it may be useful to have some certainty about the seating at these Christmas services. Therefore, there will be some seats at each service that can be booked in advance. To do that you must send an email to Iain McLay (bloggeriain@gmail.com) stating which mass and for how many people. Your request must be made by Sunday 20^th December and will be confirmed by email.

Sort Code: 40-13-22

Account Number: 11019651

Account Name: Catholic Church Loughton St Edmund

and necessary with this virus being so virulent. We have good health & safety procedures in place at church.

KEEPING OUR CHURCH CLEAN DURING THE PANDEMIC: In compliance with Governmental & Diocesan guidelines, our church is sanitised after every Mass. I’m truly grateful to our Stewards who are helping with this process each week.

CAN YOU HELP? This is an appeal to any parishioner, who would be willing to give half an hour or so For the Grand Christmas Clean on Tuesday 22^nd December. We will commence at 9.30am. Please contact Sharon Fitzmaurice if you’re able to help. Thanking you in anticipation.

the Foodbank via their Facebook page: www.facebook.com/EppingForestFoodbank/

PARISH REPOSITORY: Because the Church has been on lockdown over the past month, we have already entered into the Holy Advent Season. I would like to draw your attention to all the wonderful new Christmas stock that we have in our Parish Repository. There are a variety of Religious Christmas Cards, Candles, Bambino figurines, a large number of Cribs; Advent Colanders (even though we are in December I would still invest in a Religious Advent Calendar for your children). There are Christmas Mass Cards; and a variety of other religious cards for all occasions. There are Children’s Religious Christmas Books, (lovely gifts for the stocking). There are beautiful statues of Our Blessed Lady; Rosaries, medals, prayer cards. Please take some time to have a look at all the wonderful stock before or after Mass on the weekend. The Church is also open between 10.30am – 11.30am daily; there is a money box available for the proceeds of your purchase. This is emptied daily.

http://texanonline.net/am-site/media/cheerful-giver.jpg

Donate

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

God Bless You All Fr. John

Admissions open on the Essex website on 9^thNovember 2020, and the closing date is 15^th January 2021. We ask parents to complete a supplementary form, also obtainable from the admissions page, (especially if they wish to be considered under criteria 2 or 3 of the admissions policy) and can be returned directly to the school. If you need further information, please contact Mrs McGrenra on tmcgrenra@st-johnfisher.essex.sch.uk.

PLEASE PRAY FOR THE SEMINARIANS: At the Pontifical North American College. This will be the first year in 15 years we haven’t had the seminarians with us. Unfortunately, due to the Pandemic, they are unable to leave the Lazio Region for Christmas; no travelling abroad. They will have their Christmas celebrations at the College itself. Let us keep them in our prayers, especially being so far from home at this special time of the year

WELCOME HOME: To Frank Westcott, who has just completed his first term at St. Mary’s College, Oscott. We have five seminarians at Oscott; please keep them in your prayers as they prepare for the Priesthood for our Diocese of Brentwood.
See the source image

POINSETTIAS: This is an appeal for some Poinsettias to help decorate the Church for Christmas. If you would like to donate a Poinsettia in remembrance of a deceased loved one, please leave it off at the Church as soon as possible. Please also leave the name of the person you would like to be remembered. The Poinsettias will help to decorate the Crib in the Church, and the Sanctuary area. With sincere and grateful thanks.

CHRISTMAS CRIB: I would like to thank Teresa Wallace for nurturing the idea; and Iain McLay & Martin Laffey for spending many hours kindly building the new Crib. Next weekend 12^th/13^th December we will unveil the Crib to give the parish and the local community the opportunity to see the beautiful Nativity scene. I truly believe this year we need to have visible signs of the true meaning of Christmas in our lives. Parents please bring you children to the Crib; explain to them the significance of a Crib. If you have a Crib in your homes, please put it in a prominent place, where the whole family can see it. You can do something special with the children over these next weeks, by introducing new figures into the Crib every few days. This will help the children really understand the true meaning of Christmas, and of course on Christmas Day putting the Baby Jesus into the manger. See the source image

CATHOLIC CHIDLREN’S SOCIETY: CRIB COLLECTION Each year all the Crib offerings go to the CCS. This year especially when fund-raising has been at a minimum. Please be generous in your giving. Both Cribs will remain until the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, 2^nd February. Thank you!

DIARY 2020

PLEASE PRAY FOR THOSE SICK IN OUR PARISH

Margaret Baldwin, Evelyn Bearne, Brian Beveridge, Karl Britz, Jane Downs, Steve Dalgliesh, Pat Fenn, James Geller, Veronica Godsave, Bernadette Hall, Ann Hawkes, Claire Howes, Pamela Houghton, Shaun Keel, Angela Long, Lilian Mothersole, Sheila Murphy, John McKernan, Rosemary O’Rourke, Kathleen Pomeroy, Barbara Pope, Geraldine Taylor, Vera Taylor, Mary Walstow, 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, Requiescat in Pace.

OFFERTORY COLLECTION: £532.64 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!

MASS INTENTIONS – DECEMBER 2020

Sat 19^th	10.00am	Edward Duffy RIP (M Duffy)
		*Vigil Mass for Sunday: Church resumes regular Sunday Schedule*
Sat 19^th	6.00pm	Lilian & Scottt Driess RIP (Boddy Family)
Sun 20^th	9.00am	Peter McQuade RIP (M Duffy)
Sun 20^th	10.00am	People of the Parish
Sun 20^th	11:00am	Pietro & Luigia Tisi RIP & Odila & Albert Maton RIP (Diana & Ferdi Tisi)
Mon 21^st	10.00am	P C Joseph RIP (Kumar Family)
Tues 22^nd	10.00am	Mary Walstow’s Int’s (Pat & Margaret)
Wed 23^rd	10.00am	John & Rosemary O’Rourke (Pat & Margaret)
Thurs 24^th Christmas Eve	5.00pm	People of the Parish
Thurs 24^th Christmas Eve	7.00pm	Taylor Family Int’s (Eileen Lee)
Thurs 24^th Christmas Eve	8.30pm	Tony Dixon RIP & Nancy Dixon Int’s
Thurs 24^th Christmas Eve	10.00pm	John & Mary Harvey RIP (Fr. John)
Fri 25^th Christmas Day	8.00am	Kay & Harry Thein RIP (B Thein)
Fri 25^th Christmas Day	9.00am	Doreen Wiltshire RIP (M Caffrey)
Fri 25^th Christmas Day	10.00am	Karl & Margaret Britz RIP (K Britz)
Fri 25^th Christmas Day	11.00am	Peter Smith RIP (Paul Falco)
Sat 26^th St. Stephen	11.00am	Jean Moffatt Int’s (N Ironside & M Duffy)
		*Vigil Mass for Sunday*
Sat 26^th	6.00pm	Sr. Raphael’s Int’s (Maureen Perry
Sun 27^th	9.00am	Karen, David & Neil Emslie RIP (M Duffy)
Sun 27^th	10.00am	People of the Parish
Sun 27^th	11:00am	Kitty Mulvaney RIP (Eileen Lee)

Christmas Message 2020

Dear Friends in Christ,

As we rapidly approach the Birth of the Christ-child once again, I would like to take this opportunity of sending you all my annual Christmas Greetings. What a year this has been; none of us could have imagined this time last Christmas that the whole world would have had to face a Pandemic. It is totally unprecedented, and we have really nothing to compare it with. It has been challenging in so many ways, and we have had to change our mindset and our ways of life to ensure health and safety for all. Sadly, many have died throughout the world and in our own country. But hopefully there is light on the horizon with the new vaccines being produced.

For me, the hardest part of this Pandemic was the closure of our churches for formal worship. As you know I have live-streamed Holy Mass every day during the lockdowns on both occasions. But to celebrate Mass in an empty Church was heart-breaking. Thank the Lord we’ve had the technology to be able to live-stream, and this has kept many people connected. But nothing whatsoever can replace the physical presence at Holy Mass and being able to receive Jesus in Holy Communion. At present the challenges continue. I really do hope and pray that we have all had the time and opportunity to access the most important values of our lives during these past nine months of Pandemic. For me, family, health & faith go hand in hand. One of the downsides of this Pandemic, even though our Churches opened last July for public worship, and again last week; many people have not returned to the weekly practice of faith. I find this really sad! Personally, I cannot live my life daily without the Lord being key and central to everything I do and strive to be.

I would like to take this opportunity to thanking so many people who have kindly volunteered their services during these difficult times. For our Stewards who have been faithful each week ensuring the safety of parishioners and the sanitation of our church after each Mass. To the Altar Society who continue to ensure cleanliness of the Altar and Sanctuary, the Sacred Vessels, and linens. To all those parishioners who have been so generous this year in providing Gifts and items for the Christmas Grand Draw. Also, to everyone for your ongoing support and upkeep of the parish financially. It’s been a tough year for all of us. May 2021 prove to be a brighter, hopefully and happier year!

With Love & Peace to You All

TIMES OF SERVICES & MASSES OVER CHRISTMAS 2020

Monday 14^th Dec	10.00am	St. Edmund’s
Tuesday 15^th Dec	10.00am	St. Edmund’s
Wednesday 16^th Dec	10.00am	St. Edmund’s
Thursday 17^th Dec	10.00am	St. Edmund’s
Friday 18^th Dec	10.00am	St. Edmund’s
HOLY HOUR	10.30am	St. Edmund’s
Saturday 19^th Dec	10.00am	St. Edmund’s

FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT

Saturday 19^th Dec	6.00pm	St. Edmund’s
Sunday 20^th Dec	9.00am	St. Edmund’s
Sunday 20^th Dec	10.00am	St. Edmund’s
Sunday 20^th Dec	11.00am	St. Edmund’s

CHRISTMAS EVE

THURSDAY 24^th December	5.00pm	St. Edmund’s
	7.00pm	St. Edmund’s
	8.30pm	St. Edmund’s
	10.00pm	St. Edmund’s

CHRISTMAS DAY

FRIDAY 25^th December	8.00am	St. Edmund’s
	9.00am	St. Edmund’s
	10.00am	St. Edmund’s
	11.00am	St. Edmund’s. (Family Mass)

FEAST OF ST. STEPHEN

Saturday 26^th Dec

11.00am Family Mass

Enrolment into the Altar Servers Mass Guild of St. Stephen

NEW YEAR’S DAY MASS

Friday 1^st January 2021

11.00am

Mass All welcome!

Your Christmas Offertory is your Personal Gift to your Parish Priest and makes up the major part of his salary throughout the year! Please use your Gift Aid envelopes

ADVANCED NOTICE FOR CHRISTMAS MASSES

Christmas Eve Masses: 5.00pm, 7.00pm, 8.30pm & 10.00pm

Christmas Day Masses: 8.00am, 9.00am, 10.00am & 11.00am

ELECTRONIC CHRISTMAS OFFERING: This year, as always, envelopes will be available for us to make our Christmas Offering, which, as you know, is an opportunity in every Catholic Church for parishioners to make a Christmas gift to their Parish Priest, which forms the major part of their salary. This year our Christmas Offering can also be made electronically. We just need to transfer the money to the parish account with the reference ‘Xmas offering’. Any questions please ask Iain McLay (bloggeriain@gmail.com). The details of the bank account are:

Sort Code: 40-13-22

Account Number: 11019651

Account Name: Catholic Church Loughton St Edmund.

St. Edmund of Canterbury

and

St. Thomas More

CHRISTMAS 2020

Third Sunday of Advent 2020

Dear Friends in Christ

As we continue in our Advent Journey, the reopening of our Churches once again is a moment of great joy. In these unprecedented times to be denied access to the Sacraments has been one of the greatest challenges to the faithful people of God. But even more tragic is that despite reopening our churches once again on two occasions now, many people have not returned to the formal practice of faith. I perfectly understand that many people are fearful of this Pandemic, and there are many who isolate who are vulnerable; but at the same time people are going out shopping, and socialising in restaurants and coffee bars. All our churches follow the strictest of rules from the Government and Diocesan guidelines. I was informed recently that there are many who cannot even be bothered to join in the Weekly celebration anymore on Social Media. This really breaks my heart! Most priests these days feel completely helpless in what to do in trying to encourage the faithful to return to the practice of faith. There are always consequences to all our actions, no matter how great or small, whether we see them now or in the future; but Eternal Life is offered to everyone, and it doesn’t start when we take our last breath, it’s rooted in the here and now. As a priest of Jesus Christ I have always tried to do my best in leading people to Christ; but it is Jesus who does the inviting to share in his life, and hopefully in our positive response the transformation of our lives of faith becomes manifest. Image result for third sunday of advent clipart black & white

This Third Sunday of Advent (Gaudete Sunday – meaning Rejoice), is truly a wonderful opportunity for all of us to review our lives, and especially our preparation for that Birth of Jesus Christ into our lives again at Christmas. The Christmas celebration is not just an opportunity to make an annual token appearance at one of the Christmas Masses, it’s an invitation to renew and really make commitment to Jesus Christ, born for us as Saviour. Never before in our lives have we needed that Hope only he can bring, especially during these past nine months of Pandemic. Hopefully we have been able to recognise that it ultimately God who is in complete control!

ADVANCED NOTICE FOR CHRISTMAS MASSES

Christmas Eve Masses: 5.00pm, 7.00pm, 8.30pm & 10.00pm

Christmas Day Masses: 8.00am, 9.00am, 10.00am & 11.00am

Sort Code: 40-13-22

Account Number: 11019651

Account Name: Catholic Church Loughton St Edmund

PARISH GRAND DRAW 2020: This is our final week for purchasing Grand Draw Tickets. There are plenty of Books of Raffle Tickets available, and if you couldn’t obtain any last week, may I appeal to your generosity in taking some books of tickets today. The monies and counterfoils need to be returned as soon as possible, as the Grand Draw will take place after the 11.00am next Sunday 20^th December. Purchase of tickets may also be done online, please follow directions below. If there are any parishioners who would be able to offer Prizes, Money Prizes, Gifts both big & small, everything will be gratefully received. With the Christmas food items we have been able to make up several Hampers. Please drop off anything you may have to the Presbytery as soon as possible. I want to thank the whole parish community for your incredible generosity; even during these difficult times, you have responded incredibly THANK YOU! The Winners of the Grand Draw Prizes will be published immediately on the Parish Website, through the Email distribution and on Face Book. Hopefully we will be able to contact all winners immediately to collect your prizes before Christmas. I would like to personally thank Cribbs Funeral Directors for kindly donating our top prize a 43-inch Colour Smart Television. Final Appeal for some Restaurant Vouchers please.
See the source image

THANK YOU: To our Bazaar Committee members who have been making up the various Christmas Hampers this week. Obviously, if you still have Christmas food gifts to donate these are gratefully received. Bottles of wine, Bottles of Prosecco, boxes of biscuits, Shortbread, Boxes of mince pies, Jars of jam & marmalade, Jars of pickles, Jars of coffee, Tea, Christmas Puddings, Christmas Cakes, Boxes of Chocolates & Sweets, Candy Canes, Selection Boxes, Chocolate Oranges, Bags of Crisps, Popcorn Crackers for Cheese, Box of Dates, Turkish Delight, Christmas Nuts (Walnuts, hazelnuts, Brazilnuts). Etc.

GRAND CHRISTMAS DRAW TICKETS: No matter how big or small gift items are, everything will be used this year. GRAND DRAW TICKETS WILL GO OUT AGAIN THIS WEEKEND 12^th/ 13^th DECEMBER, please take as many as you can. We have also worked out a Scheme for donating Online (see below). The Draw will take place on Sunday 19^th December after the 11.00am Mass. PERHAPS WHAT YOU WOULD HAVE SPENT AT A BAZAAAR YOU COULD SPEND ON GRAND DRAW TICKETS. This is our only annual Fund-raiser.

ELECTRONIC GRAND DRAW TICKETS:

The traditional paper Grand Draw Tickets will be available again after every mass this weekend 12^th/13^th December. The Grand Draw will take place on Sunday 19th December after the 11.00am Mass. This year, because of the Covid-19 crisis, you can also purchase the tickets electronically. You just need to email your request for tickets to Iain McLay (bloggeriain@gmail.com) and transfer the money to the parish account with the reference including the term ‘Raffle Tix’. We will then put the equivalent number of tickets, with your name on, into the live draw. The tickets are in books of 5, £5 for a book. The details of the Parish Bank Account are:

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

Account Name: Catholic Church Loughton St Edmund

Thanking you all so much for your ongoing generosity!

OFFERTORY: My sincere thanks to those who are making their weekly contribution of Gift Aid envelopes and through the banking system that has been set up through the Diocese whereby your Offertory can be paid directly into the Parish Account, details below:

Donate

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

God Bless You All

Fr. John

RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS: Our RCIA programme continues on Thursday 3^rd December at 8.00pm unfortunately, due to the latest Government guidelines we cannot meet together in the Presbytery; therefore, there will be a Zoom meeting. Theme: Eucharist 2 – The need to worship God in Christs and through the Holy Spirit. Please pray for our enquirers. This programme is a systematic study of all aspects of the Roman Catholic Faith, with the view of the enquirer deciding to receive the Easter Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation & the Holy Eucharist. RCIA | Holy Spirit Parish

and necessary with this virus being so virulent. We have good health & safety procedures in place at church.

CHRISTMAS CRIB: When you come to Holy Mass this weekend you will notice that we have built a brand new Crib outside the Church. I would like to thank Teresa Wallace for nurturing the idea; and Iain McLay & Martin Laffey for spending many hours kindly building the new Crib. Next weekend 12^th/13^th December we will unveil the Crib to give the parish and the local community the opportunity to see the beautiful Nativity scene. I truly believe this year we need to have visible signs of the true meaning of Christmas in our lives. Parents please bring you children to the Crib; explain to them the significance of a Crib. If you have a Crib in your homes, please put it in a prominent place, where the whole family can see it. You can do something special with the children over these next weeks, by introducing new figures into the Crib every few days. This will help the children really understand the true meaning of Christmas, and of course on Christmas Day putting the Baby Jesus into the manger.

CATHOLIC CHIDLREN’S SOCIETY: CRIB COLLECTION Each year all the Crib offerings go to the CCS. This year especially when fund-raising has been at a minimum. Please be generous in your giving. Thank you!

DIARY 2020

PLEASE PRAY FOR THOSE SICK IN OUR PARISH

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

ANNIVERSARIES: Helen Kay RIP, and for all whose anniversaries occur at this time and for all of our deceased loved ones, Requiescat in Pace.

DIOCESAN YEAR BOOK: Is now available for purchase from the Parish Repository. It cost £2.80. It really is worth investing in a Year Book, as it gives all the latest details of parishes, priests’ addresses, statistics, general information about the Catholic Faith and the Church. PLEASE BUY ONE!

MASS INTENTIONS – DECEMBER 2020

Sat 12^th	10.00am	Florence & Carmelo Gargano RIP (Frank Westcott)
		*Vigil Mass for Sunday: Church resumes regular Sunday Schedule*
Sat 12^th	6.00pm	James Macnaboe RIP (Bill & Helen Walsh)
Sun 13^th	9.00am10.00am	People of the ParishEdward & Rita Silwa RIP (Boddy Family)
Sun 13^th	11:00am	Eugene & Ellen Carney RIP (Catherine Knight)
Mon 14^th	10.00am	Fr. Patrick Hayward B’day Int’s (M Duffy)
Tues 15^th	10.00am	John H Harvey RIP (Fr. John)
Wed 16^th	10.00am	Aoife Hogan RIP (21^st B’day), (Frank, Sue, Jack & Ryan)
Thurs 17^th	10.00am	Michael & Breege Kerrane RIP (Mary)
Fri 18^th	10.00am 10.30am	Eileen Christie RIP (Monica Maycraft)Holy Hour Exposition of the Bl. Sacrament
Sat 19^th	10.00am	Edward Duffy RIP (M Duffy)
		*Vigil Mass for Sunday*
Sat 19^th	6.00pm	Lilian & Scott Driess RIP (Boddy Family)
Sun 20^th	9.00am10.00am	Peter McQuade RIP (M Duffy)People of the Parish
Sun 20^th	11:00am	Pietro & Luigia Tisi RIP & Odila & Albert Maton RIP (Diana & Ferdi Tisi)

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