St Edmund of Canterbury, Loughton

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. 

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.

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. 

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!

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.

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. 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! 

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   

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/

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^th November 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.

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.     

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

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

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 

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.

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! 

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

PLEASE BOOK ANNIVERSARY MASSES IN ADVANCE. THANK YOU

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.’  

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.

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. 

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

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

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:

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.

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/

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^th November 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.

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.     

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

PLEASE BOOK ANNIVERSARY MASSES IN ADVANCE. THANK YOU

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! 

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. 

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.

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. 

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

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/

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!

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

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 

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^th November 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.

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!

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.    

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.

THE YEAR OF ST. JOSEPH

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

PLEASE BOOK ANNIVERSARY MASSES IN ADVANCE. THANK YOU

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. 

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!

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.

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

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.    

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.

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.  

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/

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.

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 

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^th November 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.

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!

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 Parisih for the past ten years. Sincere Congratulations! 

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. 

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.

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

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

FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT

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

CHRISTMAS EVE 

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

CHRISTMAS DAY

FRIDAY 25th 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 26th Dec

11.00am Family Mass

Enrolment into the Altar Servers Mass Guild of  St. Stephen

NEW YEAR’S DAY MASS

Friday 1st 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

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.

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

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.  

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

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.

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

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. 

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! 

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.  

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/

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.  

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

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 

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.

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.

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!

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^th November 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.

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!

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.    

MASS INTENTIONS – DECEMBER 2020

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

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 parishioners to seriously think about masses they attend. Please don’t all turn up for the first mass, because we will have to turn away parishioners 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.

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.

Please make a very special effort to come and celebrate with us this Christmas. We really do need the presence of the Lord in our lives at this challenging and trying time!

With Love & Christmas Peace to you all

Rev Canon John J Harvey

Dear Friends in Christ

As we opened our Church this week once again after the lockdown, it is truly wonderful to be able to gather again as a Community of Faith. I have had so many comments from parishioners over many weeks, how much they have missed coming together to celebrate faith through the Holy Eucharist. Nothing whatsoever can take the place of being present at the celebration of Holy Mass, and to receive Jesus Christ in Holy Communion. I truly believe that now, more than any other time; we really need our faith and Jesus Christ to be the centre of our lives. 

We have embarked on our Advent Journey; and as we lite the second candle, which represent faith, often known as the ‘Bethlehem Candle’, it is a reminder of Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem. The Faith that Our Blessed Lady & St Joseph had in God’s providence and making provision for them for the birth of Jesus is undoubted. Each one of us should pray for that same faith during this Holy Season. Once again, think about the different ways you can prepare for the Birth of Jesus into your lives again this Christmas. Some examples of things we can do in preparation: Be faithful to daily prayer; read St. Luke’s or St Mathew’s Infancy Narratives at the beginning of each of the Gospels; have some spiritual reading available; attend an additional Mass or two during the week; try to celebrate the Sacrament of Confession; donate to the Food Bank; Keep in touch with elderly relatives and neighbours; try to perform an act of charity every day; be charitable and kind to one another; and many more things you can do. 

ATTENDING WEEKEND MASSES: As we are in Tier 2 in our locality, we must continue to follow the Governmental and Diocesan guidelines about Social Distancing, wearing Face Coverings, Hand Sanitisation. I once again thank all our parishioners who have kindly volunteered to act as Stewards at all our Masses and with the sensitisation of the church after each mass. After all masses this weekend Iain McLay will be present with his clipboard, asking for additional volunteers for the Christmas Masses. If you could assist with this, we would be most grateful. Thanking you in anticipation!

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.

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

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.

GRAND CHRISTMAS DRAW 2020

As we have just come out of our second ‘lockdown’, this is our first weekend together once again. It’s wonderful to be able to celebrate Holy Mass with the Community of Faith. As you know there is No Annual Parish Bazaar this year.  But we have been organising a Parish GRAND DRAW. I would like to thank most sincerely all those who have donated gifts and items for the Draw. We still need some larger Prizes: 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, M & S Gift Cards. If you can donate a Prize please contact Fr. John. Tel No: 020 8508 3492  

CHRISTMAS HAMPERS: Regarding the request for Christmas good items and sweets for Hampers, I’m grateful to one and all for your donations. But please still continue to donate: 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. This week we are going to start to make up some of the Christmas Hampers. There are boxes to receive your gifts and items in the Porch of the Church, Fr. John’s Garage, & at the Presbytery Front Door. Thanking you in anticipation.

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 THIS WEEKEND 5^TH/6^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 after every mass this weekend 5^th/6^th and next 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!    

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.

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

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

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

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 

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^th November 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.

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!  

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.

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

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!

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.

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 at 12Noon.  Please contact Sharon Fitzmaurice if you’re able to help. Thanking you in anticipation. 

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/

DIARY 2020

PLEASE PRAY FOR THOSE SICK IN OUR PARISH 

Margaret Baldwin, Evelyn Bearne, Brian Beveridge, Karl Britz, 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: Nancy Burgess RIP, and for all whose anniversaries occur at this time and for all of our deceased loved ones, Requiescat in Pace.

OFFERTORY COLLECTION: NO OFFERTORY. 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

MASS WILL BE TRANSMITTED DAILY THROUGH SOCIAL MEDIA

Sat 5th	10.00am	Andrew & Catherine Tucker RIP (Mills Family)
		Vigil Mass for Sunday: Church resumes regular Sunday Schedule
Sat 5th	6.00pm	Sapper Raymond Marchant RIP (Pat Marchant)
Sun 6th	9.00am10.00am	People of the ParishMargaret McLaughlin RIP Peter & Christine Burrowes)
Sun 6th	11:00am	Peter Smith RIP ((Paul Falco)
Mon 7th	10.00am	Thomas & Mary Lamb RIP (M Duffy)
Tues 9th	10.00am	Bernard Gilley RIP (Veronica & Steve Short)
Wed 10th	10.00am	Eileen & George Whatmore RIP, Jose & John Leonard RIP (M Duffy)
Thurs 11th	10.00am	Ann Hawkes B’day Ints. (Pat, Margaret & Remy)
Fri 12th	10.00am 10.30am	Peter Smith RIP (Paul Falco)Holy Hour Exposition of the Bl. Sacrament
Sat 13th	10.00am	Florence & Carmelo Gargano RIP (Frank Westcott)
		Vigil Mass for Sunday
Sat 13th	6.00pm	James Macnaboe RIP (Bill & Helen Walsh)
Sun 14th	9.00am10.00am	People of the ParishEdward & Rita Silwa RIP (Boddy Family)
Sun 14th	11:00am	Eugene & Ellen Carney RIP (Catherine Knight)

Please consult the Newsletter for Christmas Masses

Dear Friends in Christ                                      

As we begin this New Liturgical Year on this First Sunday of Advent, we look back over the past several months to the very strange situation that the Universal Pandemic has brought to all our lives. This is totally unprecedented, and there is nothing to compare it with. But here we are, as we enter this Holy Season; a time of preparation, a time of reflection, a time of new resolutions.  I would like to hope and pray that we’ve all had an opportunity over these past several months to reflect on the most important values and aspects of all our lives – our families, our health, our faith – these three are truly at the heart of everything that we strive to be.

Advent 2020 will give each one of us over the next four weeks the opportunity, to not only prepare for the Birth of the Saviour into our lives again this Christmas, but also afford us a special time of Renewal of Faith. I truly believe that if this Pandemic has taught us anything, it is that we truly do need God in our lives. There will always be those who don’t agree with these sentiments; but if we are true to ourselves, we can never use excuses as to why we can’t be bothered with the formal practice of faith. Ultimately, we all stand before God alone, and in our hearts, we know and recognise all our own actions. Manifestly, there are no excuses! We either want to follow Christ, or we don’t. Hopefully this Advent will help us to get back on track, because it’s never too late.  What does the Gospel tell us “Stay awake, because you never know when the time will come!”

HOLY SEASON OF ADVENT: Begins this weekend 28/29 November. Unfortunately during this lockdown, we will have to begin this Holy Season by live streaming our masses, as the churches do not officially open again until Wednesday 2^nd December. This has been such an unusual year, unprecedented; none of us have ever known anything quite like this. And of course there have been all sorts of reactions and responses; sadly 250 thousand deaths. But as Catholic Christians Hope is central to our lives of faith. We have to look forward in Hope and anticipation to the Coming of Jesus into our lives once again this Christmas. Jesus is Saviour, and it is ultimately God who is in control. This week I would like you all to seriously consider who you will be preparing for the Birth of Our Lord this year 2020. There may need to be areas of improvement in our lives: more charity and kindness; giving time to others; getting back to the practice of our faith when our churches open; more daily prayer; reading of scripture; involvement in our parish. Advent Calendars. 

MARANATHA!  –  COME LORD JESUS

CURRENT LOCKDOWN ENDS: On Wednesday 2^nd December. We will resume the Tier 2 guidelines that were in place before the lockdown. There will be continued Social distancing in Church. Families, of course can sit close together. Please wear a face covering and use the hand sanitiser on entry into the church and on leaving. Please avoid congregating outside of Church; I know this is difficult, but we want to avoid an spreading of the Covid-19 virus. Please follow the directions of the Stewards at each of the Masses. Your health and safety are our prime concern. Please don’t be frightened to attend Holy Mass. We are following strictly all the Governmental & Diocesan guidelines. It will be good once again to resume our celebration of Mass together.

PARISH BAZAAR THIS YEAR? We open our Churches once again on Wednesday 2^nd December. As we are planning a ‘Big Grand Draw’ with good prizes, (about 20 prizes). If anyone would like to donate 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, M & S Gift Cards.   Obviously, it would be good to know in advance so we can publish a list of prizes. If you can donate a good prize, please speak to Fr. John.  Tel No: 020 8508 3492 WE NEED MORE PRIIZES PLEASE

CHRISTMAS HAMPERS: Some of our Bazaar Committee Members have suggested that we make up some beautiful Christmas hampers. If parishioners are not in a position to be able to contribute one of the larger prizes, if you could contribute items for  hampers this would be wonderful: 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. Depending on how much we get in, we’ll make as many hampers as possible! During the week, you can leave items in the box in the porch 10.30am – 11.30am; also, I will leave a box at the Presbytery Front Door, and one in my Garage at the back of the Presbytery. Thanking you all in anticipation.

GRAND CHRISTMAS DRAW: This is an additional appeal for GRAND DRAW PRIZES OR MONEY DONATION PRIZES. We need lots of good prizes. Could anyone donate a Colour TV? Or Restaurant Vouchers? Please! Also, we hope to make up as many Christmas Hampers as possible with Christmas goodies; also toiletries to make up Toiletry hampers. No matter how small an offering, it will be used this year.  GRAND DRAW TICKETS WILL GO OUT ON THE WEEKEND 5^TH/6^TH DECEMBER. We have also worked out a Scheme for donating Online. The Draw will take place on Sunday 19^th December after the 11.00am Mass. Perhaps what you would have spent if we had had a Bazaar, you can spend on Draw Tickets. As you know this is our only Fund Raiser each year.

MAKING UP HAMPERS FOR GRAND DRAW: Would any parishioners have any Hamper Baskets they could let us have, to make up the hampers from the gifts you have donated. Our Bazaar committee members suggested that we do this, and of course, everyone loves a Christmas Hamper. If you can continue to donate Christmas food items and goodies for the Hampers. Also toiletries, we’ll have a couple of Toiletry Hampers as well, fancy toiletry gift sets are available for Christmas at the moment in Supermarkets etc. We continue to need Wine and Spirits (Bottles of Whiskey please; also Gin & Brandy, Baileys, Champagne). I would like to thank all those parishioners who have kindly donated items for the CHRISTMAS GRAND DRAW this year. Obviously, without our Parish Bazaar, our only fund-raiser, and with our offertories down considerably, this will be a good way to make up some funds. Please support us! 

WITH GRAND DRAW TICKETS GOING OUT NEXT WEEKEND, COULD I APPPEAL TO ALL PARISHIONERS TO BE AS GENEROUS AS POSSIBLE. WHATEVER YOU WOULD HAVE SPENT AT THE BAZAAR, IF YOU COULD SPEND ON GRAND DRAW TICKETS, THIS WOULD BE WONDERFUL! THANK YOU!  

ELECTRONIC GRAND DRAW TICKETS: 

The traditional paper Grand Draw Tickets will be available after every mass on the weekend 5th/6th December and 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

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: 9.00am, 10.00am & 11.00am

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 next Saturday 5^th December to help with a deep clean, which we are doing every three weeks. We will commence at 12Noon. Please contact Sharon Fitzmaurice if you’re able to help. Thanking you in anticipation. 

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/

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^th November 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.

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. Please also continue to put your Gift Aid envelopes through the Presbytery letterbox; every little helps!

Account, details below: 

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

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

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 

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.

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!

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. Thank you!

REQUIESCANT IN PACE: In your mercy please pray for the repose of the soul of Doreen Wiltshire RIP who passed away recently. We extend our condolences to her family in this time of great loss. Her Requiem Mass will take place on Thursday 3^rd December at 12.15pm at St. Edmund’s; followed by burial at Chigwell Cemetery.

Please also pray for the repose of the soul of Anthony Orsini RIP who passed away recently. His Funeral; Service will take place at Forest Park Crematorium on Wednesday 2^nd December at 1.30pm We extend our condolences to his family in this time of great loss.  

PARISH REPOSITORY: There are a variety of Christmas gifts and items available at the Respository. Religious Christmas Cards, Beautiful Cribs, Advent Calendars, Children’s Christmas Books, Statues, Glass Crib Scenes, Christmas Candles, The Church is open daily 10.30am – 11.30am there is a Money Box available for your purchases. The Church will be open for public masses once again from Wednesday 2^nd December     

DIARY 2020

PLEASE PRAY FOR THOSE SICK IN OUR PARISH 

Margaret Baldwin, Evelyn Bearne, Brian Beveridge, Karl Britz, 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: Pat Murphy RIP, Catherine Wright RIP, & Peter Smith RIP, and for all whose anniversaries occur at this time and for all of our deceased loved ones, Requiescant in Pace.

OFFERTORY COLLECTION: No Weekly Offertory. 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! 

OFFERTORY COLLECTION: NO OFFERTORY. 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! 

BAPTISMS: At present all baptisms have been suspended until after 2^nd December. The new Government guidelines have maintained that only 6 persons can be present at a Baptism. 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 child Sharon Chalk, our Baptism Catechist will meet with you, and go through the whole process of Baptism

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: The Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist – The Jewish Notion of Memory.  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.

SUNDAY MASSES: Nothing can replace Sunday Mass. Livestreaming is not an alternative to Mass and receiving Holy Communion. There is an additional Sunday Mass at 10.00am to help with Social Distancing numbers. We can accommodate approximate 125 people at each mass now. Vigil Mass on Saturday at 6.00pm. Sunday Masses at 9.00am, 10.00am & 11.00am. Please come and join us!

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 Mass, 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. 

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. Thank you!

MASS INTENTIONS – NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2020

Our Parish Church will be open for Public Mass from 

Wednesday 2^nd December.

Sat 28th	10.00am	Peter & Lattricia Jayawardene 50th Wedding Anniversary.  All Holy Souls
	First Sunday of Advent	Vigil Mass for Sunday: Church resumes regular Sunday Schedule
Sat 28th	6.00pm	Emily & Gerald McKernan RIP (McKernan Family).   All Holy Souls
Sun 29th		No 9.00am or 10.00am Masses
Sun 29th	11:00am	Ben Cunnea RIP (S & L Pierce)  H/S
Mon 30th	10.00am	Mrs Pat Hopper RIP & Mrs Alice Egan RIPHoly Souls)
Tues 1stDecember	10.00am	Dec’d members of the Epsom Family
Wed 2nd	10.00am	Thomas Smith RIP  (Noreen Smith)
Thurs 3rd	10.00am12.15pm	Fred & Tracey Quinn RIP (M & K Munro)Requiem Mass – Doreen Wiltshire RIP
Fri 4th	10.00am 10.30am	Tony Rattigan RIP (Maureen Rattigan)Holy Hour Exposition of the Bl. Sacrament
Sat 5th	10.00am	Andrew & Catherine Tucker RIP ((Mills Family)
		Vigil Mass for Sunday
Sat 5th	6.00pm	Sapper Raymond Marchant RIP (Pat Marchant)
Sun 6th	9.00am10.00am	People of the ParishMargaret McLaughlin RIP Peter & Christine Burrowes)
Sun 6th	11:00am	Peter Smith RIP (Paul Falco)

Dear Friends in Christ                  

Today the liturgical year ends in a glorious crowing in the celebration of the feast of Christ the King. Jesus is a King, but not as we understand what it means to be a king. Jesus the King appears without power or glory; his throne is the cross, his crown is made of thorns he has no sceptre but a reed; he has no luxurious clothing, but rather is stripped of his tunic; he wears no ring, but rather his hands are pierced with nails. He has no treasures; he was sold for thirty pieces of silver. His reign is not of this world; he has an army, not of soldiers but of legions of angels. He is the Servant King, and the grandeur of his kingdom is not of power or influence or wealth but of love, the love of God. He is the King of love and he reigns over the kingdom of love. His love forgives all things, hopes all things and sustains all things. His love overcomes sin, death and fear. 

The Scriptures testify that Jesus of Nazareth is the King, not just of the Jews but of the universe, the cosmos, heaven and earth and under the earth. The ancient hymn our forefathers and is now revered as Sacred Scripture proclaims that at his name every knee will bow and every tongue confess that he is King and Lord to the glory of God the Father. Jesus is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation, the Saviour and Creator, for by him all things were made. In him dwells the fullness of the deity and by his cross he has saved, redeemed and reconciled us.

CONTINUED LOCKDOWN: We are amid this current lockdown; but it is hoped that this will be lifted on 2^nd December. Even though there is hope on the horizon with a possible vaccine; but we cannot become complacent and lower our guard. It is still very important to adhere to the Governmental guidelines re. Social distancing, hand washing and sanitisation, and face coverings.  With these Signs of Hope for the future, it is important for each of us to have something to look forward to.  As we will enter the Holy Advent Season next weekend, Christmas and the Birth of Our Lord into our lives once again becomes the central feature of this Holy Time of the year. Let us all reflect on the ways in which we can prepare for Christmas in this very difficult year. 

PARISH BAZAAR THIS YEAR? As we rapidly approach the Advent Season and hopefully the reopening of our parishes on 2^nd December, we are planning a ‘Big Grand Draw’ with good prizes, (about 20 prizes). If anyone would like to donate 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, M & S Gift Cards.   Obviously, it would be good to know in advance so we can publish a list of prizes. If you can donate a good prize, please speak to Fr. John.  Tel No: 020 8508 3492

CHRISTMAS HAMPERS: Some of our Bazaar Committee Members have suggested that we make up some beautiful Christmas hampers. If parishioners are not in a position to be able to contribute one of the larger prizes, if you could contribute items for  hampers this would be wonderful: 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. Depending on how much we get in, we’ll make as many hampers as possible! During the week, you can leave items in the box in the porch 10.30am – 11.30am; also, I will leave a box at the Presbytery Front Door, and one in my Garage at the back of the Presbytery. Thanking you all in anticipation.

MAKING UP HAMPERS FOR GRAND DRAW: Would any parishioners have any Hamper Baskets they could let us have, to make up the hampers from the gifts you have donated. Our Bazaar committee members suggested that we do this, and of course, everyone loves a Christmas Hamper. I you can continue to donate Christmas food items and goodies for the Hampers. Also toiletries, we’ll have a couple of Toiletry Hampers as well, fancy toiletry gift sets are available for Christmas at the moment in Supermarkets etc. We continue to need Wine and Spirits (Bottles of Whiskey please; also Gin & Brandy, Baileys, Champagne). I would like to thank all those parishioners who have kindly donated items for the CHRISTMAS GRAND DRAW this year. Obviously, without our Parish Bazaar, our only fund-raiser, and with our offertories down considerably, this will be a good way to make up some funds. Please support us!   

GRAND CHRISTMAS DRAW: This is an additional appeal for GRAND DRAW PRIZES OR MONEY DONATION PRIZES. We need lots of good prizes. Could anyone donate a Colour TV? Or Restaurant Vouchers? Please! Also, we hope to make up as many Christmas Hampers as possible with Christmas goodies; also toiletries to make up Toiletry hampers. No matter how small an offering, it will be used this year.  GRAND DRAW TICKETS WILL GO OUT ON THE WEEKEND 5^TH/6^TH DECEMBER. The Draw will take place on Sunday 19^th December after the 11.00am Mass. Perhaps what you would have spent if we had had a Bazaar, you can spend on Draw Tickets. As you know this is our only Fund Raiser each year.  

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: 9.00am, 10.00am & 11.00am

NATIONAL YOUTH SUNDAY 2020: Today is the Feast of Christ the King, and the weekend where we especially honour and celebrate the place of young people. Last year Pope Francis wrote a letter to young people, Christus Vivit, where he said “Young people … are meant to dream great things … and to offer the best of themselves to the building of something better.” Covid has had particular effects on the young; since March our Brentwood Catholic Youth Service has offered online opportunities for prayer and service, in wonderful ways, and reaching thousands of people. To discover more – including a series of short videos where young people share their experience of the BCYS – go to www.bcys.net. Donations: This year, in addition to lost retreat income, the lack of congregations at Mass will dramatically affect the second collection that usually takes place today – please give a donation to support the BCYS via the website www.bcys.net/donate or post a cheque to “Brentwood Catholic Youth Service” through the presbytery letterbox and we will pass it on.

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: The Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist – The Jewish Notion of Memory.  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.

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

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

WEEKLY OFFERTORY: During this lockdown, there are no public masses and therefore no income at the weekends. Many of you are using the online giving scheme, and direct debit scheme (details above). Also, please feel free to drop off your Offertory Envelope through the Presbytery letterbox. I would like to thank the whole parish community for your ongoing financial support of the parish during these lockdowns; as we all know, the bills still keep coming in. Please try to keep your Offertory envelopes up to date. Thank you!   

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^th November 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.

HOLY SEASON OF ADVENT: Begins next weekend 28/29 November. Unfortunately during this lockdown, we will have to begin this Holy Season by live streaming our masses, as the churches do not officially open again until Wednesday 2^nd December. This has been such an unusual year, unprecedented; none of us have ever known anything quite like this. And of course there have been all sorts of reactions and responses; Sadly 250 thousand deaths. But as Catholic Christians Hope is central to our lives of faith. We have to look forward in Hope and anticipation to the Coming of Jesus into our lives once again this Christmas. Jesus is Saviour, and it is ultimately God who is in control. This week I would like you all to seriously consider who you will be preparing for the Birth of Our Lord this year 2020. There may need to be areas of improvement in our lives: more charity and kindness; giving time to others; getting back to the practice of our faith when our churches open; more daily prayer; reading of scripture; involvement in our parish. Advent Calendars. 

BAPTISMS: We have been given permission to resume the Baptism of infants in our churches. At present all baptisms have been suspended until after 2^nd December, and then, once again we will have to review the situation in accord with Government guidelines. 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 child Sharon Chalk, our Baptism Catechist will meet with you, and go through the whole process of Baptism

LEAVING WINDOWS OPEN: It may feel a little uncomfortable at times in colder weather. But Government guidelines state that there should be plenty of ventilation in enclosed spaces. Some windows and the doors will remain open in the Church during Sunday Mass. Please dress accordingly, with warm topcoat, gloves and scarf. Keeping everyone safe is our top priority! 

NOTICES FOR WHEN CHURCHES OPEN AGAIN 2^nd DECEMBER 2020

SUNDAY MASSES: Nothing can replace Sunday Mass. Livestreaming is not an alternative to Mass and receiving Holy Communion. There is an additional Sunday Mass at 10.00am to help with Social Distancing numbers. We can accommodate approximate 125 people at each mass now. Vigil Mass on Saturday at 6.00pm. Sunday Masses at 9.00am, 10.00am & 11.00am. Please come and join us!

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 Mass, 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 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

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!

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. Thank you!

REQUIESCANT IN PACE: In your mercy please pray for the repose of the soul of Doreen Wiltshire RIP who passed away recently. We extend our condolences to her family in this time of great loss. Her Requiem Mass will take place on Thursday 3^rd December at 12.15pm at St. Edmund’s; followed by burial at Chigwell Cemetery.

Please also pray for the repose of the soul of Anthony Orsini RIP who passed away recently. His Funeral; Service will take place at Forest Park Crematorium on Wednesday 2^nd December at 1.30pm We extend our condolences to his family in this time of great loss.

DIARY 2020

  PLEASE PRAY FOR THOSE SICK IN OUR PARISH

Margaret Baldwin, Evelyn Bearne, Brian Beveridge, Karl Britz, 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: Dr Douglas St John Murphy RIP, Mrs Eileen Hills RIP, and for all whose anniversaries occur at this time and for all of our deceased loved ones, Requiescant in Pace.

OFFERTORY COLLECTION: NO OFFERTORY. 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 – NOVEMBER 2020

NO PUBLIC MASSES. MASS WILL BE TRANSMITTED DAILY THROUGH SOCIAL MEDIA

Sat 21st	10.00am	Breda Dolan RIP (Laura McCrory) / All Holy Souls
		Vigil Mass for Sunday: Church resumes regular Sunday Schedule
Sat 21st	6.00pm	Margaret Russell RIP (John & Sue Campbell)  /  All Holy Souls
Sun 22nd		No 9.00am or 10.00am Masses
Sun 22nd	11:00am	John McDowell RIP (Gunn Family)  H/S
Mon 23rd	10.00am	NO MASS TODAY
Tues 24th	10.00am	NO MASS TODAY
Wed 25th	10.00am	NO MASS TODAY
Thurs 26th	10.00am	Nancy Burgess RIP (Maria Abbs)  /  All Holy Souls
Fri 27th	10.00am 10.30am	Jhana Marc-Peterkin  (Mary M-Peterkin)Holy Hour Exposition of the Bl. Sacrament
Sat 28th	10.00am	Peter & Lattricia 50th Wedding Anniversary.  All Holy Souls
		Vigil Mass for Sunday
Sat 28th	6.00pm	Emily & Gerald McKernan RIP (McKernan Family).   All Holy Souls
Sun 29th		No 9.00am or 10.00am Masses
Sun 29th	11:00am	Ben Cunnea RIP (S & L Pierce)  H/S

BOOKING MASSES: At present there are many openings for Mass Intentions. If you would like a Mass for a particular intention, please write your details on an envelope and post it through the letterbox at the presbytery. You can Gift Aid your intentions just put the GA number on envelope. Place your Mass offering in 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.