St. Edmund of Canterbury & St. Thomas More
Twenty Seventh Sunday of the Year 2020
Dear Friends in Christ
We have all seen this week the incredible measures that are being taken in various parts of the country because of an increase in those who are testing positive to Covid-19. This disease can spread so quickly, and many people’s cavalier attitude obviously has accelerated the spread of this disease once again. We are all encouraged to follow Governmental guidelines; no one is invincible, and this disease has killed 42 thousand people. Being vigilant is essential; practicing social distancing, hand cleanliness and sanitisation and wearing face coverings all can help in the prevention of transmission. We are constantly being bombarded by these recommendations, but still the virus spreads. Many people don’t know whether they are carriers of the virus or not. If we all take responsibility for ourselves and our families, the sooner this terrible virus will decrease. Let us continue to pray for all those who are sick through this pandemic.
It has been so heartening to see many of our parishioners returning to the weekly practice of our faith by attending Sunday Mass. I have put on an additional mass at 10.00am to cater for numbers and to ensure that social distancing is maintained. The system is working extremely well in the church, and I’m truly grateful o our Health & Safety committee and our Stewards for all the help they give to ensure that everyone is kept safe and that our Church is sanitised after each Mass.
I had really hoped with the chidlren returning to school at the beginning of September, more of our parishioners would return to the practice of their faith. Sadly, this has not happened. Our Church is probably safer than a supermarket or restaurant. Livestreaming can never replace being physically present at Holy Mass and receiving Jesus in Holy Communion. Being away from church for over 100 days certainly took its toll on many people’s lives, both physically and spiritually. Statistically, perhaps some people have decided they don’t need to return to the practice of their faith; but the question we ask, is what replaces it? You can never quantify your relationship with God, because it’s about eternal life!
AUTUMN & WINTER: With the change of seasons, people are preparing to switch on their central heating. Governmental guidelines still advise the circulation of fresh air in enclosed spaces. I seriously advise all parishioners to come to Church warmly dressed during this autumn and winter. Make sure you have a topcoat and warm clothing. We are doing everything to look after your health and safety. Windows will have to be opened at various stages for a through draft. An apology in advance if this causes any inconvenience.
ADDITIONAL SEATING: Our Health & Safety Committee have managed to add some additional seating in the Church, and in the Library (just off the porch). I do ask all our parishioners to kindly follow the directions of the Stewards who will show you to your seats. Please move right into the benches; obviously families can sit close together in their ‘family bubble’, but please ensure social distancing wearing your face coverings.
RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS: Our RCIA programme continues this week on Thursday 8th October at 8.00pm in the Presbytery. Theme: Jesus Christ – truly God & truly man. 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 making a decision to receive the Easter Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation & the Holy Eucharist.
BAPTISMS: We have been given permission to resume the Baptism of infants in our churches. As of 28th September, the Governmental guidelines have reduced the number of people present to 6 persons. Manifestly, this is very distressing to families who really want to celebrate this beautiful sacrament. I really don’t know how long this situation will continue, but the most important thing is that your baby is baptised. If this is your first childs. Sharon Chalk, our Baptism Catechist will meet with you, and go through the whole process of Baptism. Please contact Fr. John for more details.
PARISH BAZAAR THIS YEAR? With the uncertainty regarding the Covid 19 Pandemic, I have made an executive decision not to have our annual Parish Bazaar this year. The Bazaar is our only & main fundraising event of the year and usually brings in several thousand pounds. Obviously these are difficult times. Instead, it would be good to have a ‘Big Grand Draw’ with really good prizes, (about 20 prizes). I know its early days, but if anyone would like to donate really good prizes for the Draw these will be gratefully accepted. Money Prizes, Colour Television, I Pad, Kindle, X Box, Crate of Wine, Restaurant Vouchers, Various Hampers (large & small), Large Bottle of Champagne, Large Bottle of Whiskey/Brandy, Health Spa Treatment, Theatre Vouchers, Set of Crystal Glasses, Men’s / Ladies Watches. Money Donations would also be very welcome. Obviously, it would be good to know in advance so we can publish a list of prizes. If you can donate a really good prize please speak to Fr. John. Tel No: 020 8508 3492
FEELING A LITTLE APPREHENSIVE: About attending Sunday Mass; we have set up a Speaker outside the Church; and parishioners can practice Social distancing outside as well. Obviously if you attend as a family, you can sit closely together in the Church. Alternate benches have been blocked off, and with the wearing of Face Coverings we are complying with regulations.
UNABLE TO ATTEND SUNDAY MASS: If you are genuinely unable to attend one of the Sunday Masses, the Bishops Conference of England & Wales has strongly recommended that you make the extra special effort to attend one of the Weekday Masses, at present being celebrated daily at 10.00am. Please wear a Face Covering. Live streaming is still available daily just go to the Website of St. Edmund of Canterbury, Loughton
FOR THOSE WHO ARE VULNERABLE: For parishioners who are in the vulnerable age bracket 70 plus, (It’s your prerogative to attend Mass). Or if you have underlying health issues or are displaying symptoms of Corona virus PLEASE STAY AT HOME.
THANK YOU: I would like to sincerely thank all those parishioners who have volunteered as Stewards, at our Sunday Masses, and for the hour of private prayer during the week. I’m truly grateful for your generosity of spirit and service to the whole parish community. It’s truly wonderful to see! We have purchased special cleaning materials for the benches & surfaces, and the they are cleaned every time they are used by parishioners. If you would like to volunteer as a Steward, please contact Iain McLay Tel No: 07806 998187
YOUR WEEKLY OFFERTORY: My sincere thanks to those who are making their weekly contribution of Gift Aid envelopes and through the banking system that has been set up through the Diocese whereby your Offertory can be paid directly into the Parish Account, details below:
Or you can use Parish Bank Account: Using Online Banking
HSBC Sort Code 40-13-22
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
EPPING FOREST FOODBANK DONATIONS: Thank you to all parishioners who continue to generously donate items for the Foodbank during these difficult times. Your donations of are needed as much as ever now by people in our area who are struggling to put food on the table. 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: instant mash, tinned meat, packet noodles, savoury crackers, sponge puddings, crisps, snack bars, laundry tablets (small and medium) bars of soap and hand sanitisers. Thank you! You can also keep up to date with the Foodbank via their facebook page: www.facebook.com/EppingForestFoodbank/
CAFOD – CORONAVIRUS APPEAL: This week / next week our parish is marking CAFOD’s Family Fast Day Friday 9th October to help people facing the worst of the coronavirus crisis. We’ve all felt the impact of this terrible disease – let’s come together to help the poorest and most vulnerable people in the world survive, rebuild and heal. Please pray for all those affected and donate online at cafod.org.uk/give or by using one of the envelopes. You can also give easily via text. Text CAFOD to 70085 to donate £10. Texts cost £10 plus one standard rate message and you’ll be opting in to hear more about our work and fundraising via telephone and SMS. If you’d like to give £10 but do not wish to receive marketing communications, text CAFODNOINFO to 70085. For more information please see our Privacy Policy: cafod.org.uk/Legal-information/Privacy-notice
TRINITY CATHOLIC HIG SCHOOL ADMISSIONS SEPTEMBER 2021
In response to the COVID-19 situation and due to extraordinary circumstances this year, the school have commissioned a virtual tour of Trinity Catholic High School, which can be found on our website (https://fc.tchs.uk.net/). The school has taken this decision, not to expose our prospective parents to any unnecessary risks. The school realizes that you, as parents, may be disappointed with regard to this but please be aware that we only have the interests of the parents, and our school community, at the forefront of this decision, and would not wish to disadvantage any parents who may not feel able to attend. The website contains a lot of information regarding Key Stage 3, 4 and 5 teaching and the School Prospectus contains details of the life of the school. Please contact Mrs L Scrivens, Admissions Officer, on LScrivens@tchs.uk.net, if you have any further queries and this will be passed onto the relevant department.
The closing date for applications is 31st October 2020. Please note that applicants will need to complete a common application form which will be provided by their own Local Authority. This application will then need to be returned to the applicants own Local Authority. For applicants wishing to submit a Certificate of Catholic Practice, this Diocesan document can be obtained through your parish priest, on the Diocesan website or the priest who will be signing your form. You will also need to complete a SIF form which can be found on the Trinity website, under Year 7 – 11 Admissions.
Parents will be able to drop these documents off at the Sydney Road entrance in the drop box, not directly to the school office as visitors will not be allowed on site. Please contact the office via the buzzer on the gate to let them know that documentation has been left. Please provide a SAE if you require a receipt’.
May I thank you once again for your help and support with this process and please do not hesitate to contact me if any questions arise.
With every good wish.
Yours sincerely
Dr P C Doherty OBE
Headmaster
APPLICATIONS FOR SECONDARY SCHOOL PLACES FOR 2021
If you have a child who is currently in Year 6 and is eligible to start Secondary School in September 2021, you need to seriously start thinking about the applications procedure. First and foremost, none of the High Schools are having open evenings this year but have published virtual tours of their schools online. The two schools that our parish tend to deal with are Trinity Roman Catholic High School & Davenant Foundation School. Before you make any applications please view the online presentations.
The applications procedure, especially if this is your first time, is through Essex County. It is an online procedure; you must complete the questionnaire application in detail by the 31st October 2020. You will receive a registration number, which you can use to access the application form to change or alter any information up until 31st October; after that date you will be locked out.
FOR TRINITY CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL: A Certificate of Catholic Practice is necessary. This clearly states that you are a practicing Roman Catholic; both you and your child attend Weekly Mass. If you don’t meet this requirement the form cannot be signed, and you must make applications without the CCP form. Obviously, our churches opened again on the 4th July for weekly mass. CCP forms can be downloaded, please hand personally to Fr John after Sunday Mass on weekend 17/18th October.
FOR DAVENTANT FOUNDATION SCHOOL: The applications procedure is slightly different. They have an 11-page online applications form going into detail about their requirements. A Seven Year practice of faith is required. Once again, our churches opened on the 4th July for weekly Mass. I would like a copy of what you recorded for your Weekly Practice please. (I have the relevant page (hard copy) for you to complete). Please collect copy of Weekly Pracice for 7 years from Presbytery and return to Fr. John after weekend Sunday mass 17/18th October. In November the School will contact me with your application form. I can only attest to the truth in my 18 years here in the parish about your practicing of faith. So please be honest and truthful in your personal assessment of practice. I will not sign anything that is untruthful. If you are not a practicing Catholic, you will have to take your chances and make your applications without reference from me.
DIFFICULT DECISIONS: Obviously, parents know what the requirements are for applications into our faith school. I will never compromise my personal integrity by signing a form that I know is not true. Please read both schools Admissions Criteria. You can also find relevant information on the Diocesan Website regarding admissions. The Priests’ guidelines are mapped out very clearly by the diocese.
PUBLIC MASSES HAVE RESUMED ONCE AGAIN AT ST. EDMUND’S. WE ARE STRICTLY FOLLOWING GOVERNMENTAL & DIOCESAN GUIDELINES ON HEALTH & SAFETY. SOCIAL DISTANCING IS IN PLACE. PLEASE MAKE A SPECIAL EFFORT TO RETURN TO WEEKLY MASS WITH YOUR FAMILY. THANK YOU!
PLEASE PRAY FOR THOSE SICK IN OUR PARISH:
Margaret Baldwin, Brian Beveridge, Jane Downs, Steve Dalgliesh, 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.
OFFERTORY COLLECTION: £609.83 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!
THE SISTERS AT CHIGWELL CONVENT: Would be most grateful for your used postage stamps for their Missions. There is a Box in the Porch of the Church for the stamps. Especially all your Christmas Stamps. With many thanks!
PARISH RESPOSITORY: There are a variety of cards for all occasions and religious items available from our Parish Repository. Later in October there will be a variety of Religious Christmas cards available. A box is available to receive your money for purchased items. This is emptied daily.
NO MASS INTENTION REQUESTS: Unfortunately there have been very few Mass Intention requests; therefore, there are many openings. If parishioners would like mass intentions for any occasion or anniversary, please put your request & mass offering in an envelope and drop off at the Presbytery as soon as possible. Please ensure that you put your Gift Aid number on the envelope. Thank you!
IN CASES OF EMERGENCY: Tuesday is usually Fr. John’s Day Off. In
Cases of emergency please call one of the local parishes, either in Epping – Tel: 01992 572516, or the St. Thomas of Canterbury Friary at Woodford Green – Tel: 020 8504 1688. This would also apply if Fr. John is away for a few days break or on Retreat. All the local funeral directors have a contact number for Fr. John if a funeral needs to be arranged in his absence.
MASS INTENTIONS – OCTOBER 2020
| Sat 3rd | 10.00am | Sr Susan Asher’s Int’s |
| Vigil Mass for Sunday: Church resumes regular Sunday Schedule | ||
| Sat 3rd | 6.00pm | Julie Clarke Int’s (Maree Kavanagh) |
| Sun 4th Sun 4th | 9.00am 10.00am | People of the Parish Gerard RIP & Kathleen Pampellonne |
| Sun 4th | 11:00am | Peter McRory RIP & Dec’d of McRory Family (Geri Fitzgibbon) |
| Mon 5th | 10.00am | Staines, Smith, Munnelly & Hassan Families in thanksgiving. (Geraldine Staines) |
| Tues 6th | 10.00am | Julie Clarke’s Int’s (Maree Kavanagh) |
| Wed 7th | 10.00am | Carmel Sheedy RIP (Sue & John Campbell) |
| Thurs 8th | 10.00am | Pierina Kavanagh (sick) (D & F Tisi) |
| Fri 9th | 10.00am 10.30am | Graham Howes RIP (Michael & Gemma)Holy Hour Exposition of the Bl. Sacrament |
| Sat 10th | 10.00am | Cecilia & Fred Adams RIP (Steve & Teresa) |
| Vigil Mass for Sunday | ||
| Sat 10th | 6.00pm | Kazimierz Michalik RIP (Nick & Joanna Jarvis) |
| Sun 11th | 9.00am | People of the Parish |
| Sun 11th | 10.00am | Natalie Cosgrove (Sick) (Philomena Egan) |
| Sun 11th | 11:00am | John Maton (sick) (Diana & Ferdi Tisi) |
ADDITIONAL MASS: With the additional mass at 10.00am, the turnaround must be very quick; it is imperative that the cleaning of the benches takes place as quickly as possible after the 9.00am & 10.00am masses. We still need some more Stewards. Or, if you can assist with the sanitising of the benches after the masses, this would be of great assistance to us.
Once again it was really heartening to see so many of our parishioners slowly
I personally haven’t been out a lot over the past five months; but I was really shocked this week to witness for myself the lack of social distancing taking place in our high street; in restaurants, coffee shops, supermarkets, etc; and even the ignoring of wearing a face coverings. None of us are invincible; all the Covid deaths have shown us that. At the Church we have adhered to all the Governmental & Diocesan guidelines; our main objective is to keep everyone safe & healthy. But if this doesn’t continue outside of the church, then we should not be surprised with a second wave in the autumn and winter. My observations over the past weeks are that you’re probably safer at Church than on the High Street. As people slowly resume their daily lives and routines, it is also imperative that the faithful people of God get back to the regular practice of faith.