Dear Parishioners, this evening is our first mass of Easter starting at 6pm and tomorrow Easter Sunday Mass will be at 10am. We can make our Easter offering in so many ways (as you know, the Easter offering is traditionally a personal gift from each of us to our Parish Priest). One of the simplest way to give is through the Brentwood diocese giving webpage for St Edmunds. Just click on this link to go there.
https://www.dioceseofbrentwood.net/donations?parish=loughton Please remember to include your gift aid number (if you have one) when you enter your name, so just add the number in brackets at the end of your name i.e. “Horace McFarlane(104)”.
There are several other ways to give during these difficult times:
The gift aid envelopes are available from Father’s garage which is open during the day. You can still use these by putting them through Father’s door.
Another way to give is by transferring money or setting up a standing order please contact Iain McLay by email bloggeriain@gmail.com to organise that.
ST. EDMUND’S PARISH WHATSAPP GROUP
WHATSAPP GROUP: ST. EDMUND’S PARISH GROUP 07806 998187.
We have a wonderful WhatsApp group going, please think of joining it, and keeping in touch on a daily basis. The group has been set up to help people during this crisis.
If you’re already on WhatsApp, all you need to do is text
Iain McLay 07806 998187. and he will add you to the group.
Please be assured of my daily thoughts and prayers
With Peace & Many Blessings
Fr. John
Making your Offering to the Parish
We have just received a very useful link from Brentwood Diocese which will make it even easier to make our donations.
https://www.dioceseofbrentwood.net/donations?parish=loughton
If you click on this link it will take you straight to the giving page for St Edmunds. Here you can make your general Sunday offering and also make your special Easter offering which, as you know, is traditionally a personal gift from each of us to our Parish Priest.
Please remember to put your gift aid number as part of your name when you make you donations as this will help Maria to collect the gift aid. If you want to join the gift aid scheme or set up standing orders you just need to email Maria Moschera (mjm70@hotmail.com).
Palm Sunday of the Passion 2020
Dear Friends in Christ,
These are unprecedented times. The world has never known anything quite like this shut down. We are all now very conscious of self-isolation and keeping well. We’ve seen the incredible work of the front-line workers in the NHS, and all those workers in our supermarkets, pharmacies, etc. who are working flat out to provide for the general public. It has brought the best out in most people; there will always be those who take advantage of these situations, but for the most part the good will and kindness of people far outweighs selfishness.
I would like to thank all those parishioners who have been keeping in regular contact with me, especially over the past week. Your thoughts and prayers mean so much. With the miracle of modern technology, we have been able to live-stream Holy Mass each day. I thank all those who have tuned into our daily celebration at 10.00am. First and foremost, it is a lifeline with our faith, even though people aren’t able to receive Jesus sacramentally, there is the wonderful opportunity to make ‘Spiritual Communion’.
Second Sunday of Lent, 2020
Dear Friends in Christ,
Today we are given a glimpse into another world – a heavenly, eternal world, far beyond this world but mysteriously right at the heart of it. Jesus was transfigured before the three chosen disciples – Peter, James & John. Jesus’ face and clothes became dazzling white and we are told, by these reliable witnesses, that Elijah and Moses appeared among them. The Two Old Testament prophets spoke with the Lord about his forthcoming ‘departure, which he would accomplish at Jerusalem’. God the Father also spoke as a voice from heaven saying, @this is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him’.
What do you make of this incident in Jesus’ life? What is its meaning, it significance? Well, in that holy moment Jesus disclosed his divine glory. He also revealed that his glory was achieved first and foremost by embracing the shame of the cross. Jesus kissed the cross in order to enter the glory of heaven. It also presents us, as St. Thomas Aquinas explained, with a revelation of God as Trinity: ‘The whole Trinity appeared: The Father in the voice; the Son in the man; the Spirit in the shining cloud.’ This revelation of God as Trinity also occurred on the threshold of other significant moments in Jesus’ life such as his baptism and his Passion.
Jesus’ transfiguration can be understood as the sacrament of our future resurrection from the dead. Through the grace of baptism, we somehow share in the resurrection of Jesus. The Transfiguration is a foretaste of the life to come, when our lowly bodies will be changed to be like his glorious heavenly body. However, we too must embrace the shame of the cross in our lives for, as Paul taught, ‘We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God. We. Like Peter prefer the mountain-top experiences, but St. Augustine exhorts us: ‘Peter did not yet understand this when he wanted to remain with Christ on the mountain. It has been reserved for you, Peter, but for after death. For now, Jesus says, “Go down to toil on earth, serve on earth, to be scorned and crucified on earth. Life goes down to be killed; Bread goes down to suffer hunger; the Way goes down to be exhausted on his journey; the Spring goes down to suffer thirst; and you refuse to suffer?”’
Fifth Sunday of Lent, 2020
Dear Friends in Christ,
As we continue in this world shut down, our Lenten journey also continues. These are unprecedented times and trying to keep some semblance of normality is very difficult. People are becoming inventive and using initiatives to pass time each day in the confines of our family homes.
I’m truly grateful to everyone who has joined our parish WhatsApp Group, and those who are using social media, Facebook & the Parish Website. Holy Mass is celebrated each day at 10.00am and this is live-streamed. I’m grateful to all who tune in each day and join us for holy Mass. It is a wonderful way of keeping connected with our faith. The Sadness is not being able to receive Jesus in Holy Communion; but I encourage all who tune in daily to make a Spiritual Communion.
A big thank you to all those parishioners who are going out of their way to assist and help those who are self-isolating; our parishioners who are over 70 yeas of age, and those who are sick and housebound.
Message from Fr. John to all parishioners.
It is with sadness that I have to announce the complete closure of our Parish Church, St. Edmund of Canterbury, Loughton. But in compliance with the Prime Minister’s address last night, and with a great sense of everyone’s well-being it is absolutely necessary!
If it is possible, make a special place of prayer in each of your homes. Place a crucifix, An open bible, a rosary, a statue of Our Blessed Lady, a candle. You may like to begin & end each day by lighting your candle as a family and simply praying the Our Father, Hail Mary & Glory Be together, and any other family prayers you may have. Prayer really focuses the mind & heart.
In every celebration of Holy Mass I will keep all of your intentions in my heart and offer them up to the Lord through His Holy Eucharist. In these difficult and trying times, we must never lose faith or hope. Jesus said “I have overcome the world!”
I will celebrate Holy Mass each day at 10.00am. If you are free to join us through Facebook, you need to access the St. Edmund of Canterbury Loughton FB site.
Please be assured of my thoughts, prayers & love as we continue on this strange journey. May God Bless You All.
Fr. John
ST. EDMUND OF CANTERBURY, LOUGHTON. RESPONSE TO CORONAVIRUS
DEAR FRIENDS IN CHRIST,
At this very difficult time throughout the world, when people are worrying and anxious about Coronavirus, in conjuction with the Medical Health Officer & The Bishop’s Conference of England & Wales, The Catholic Church has made the decision to cease all public masses & services. This includes Daily & Sunday Masses, Baptisms, Weddings, Confessions, Funerals, etc. There will be no congregating together as Community. This is totally unprecedented; we have never known anything quite like this before, but we must continue to trust in the Lord Jesus, and pray daily that Almighty God will be with each one of us and our families.
ST EDMUND’S CHURCH
I will be praying Morning Prayer each day at 8.30am offering the Intentions for our whole Parish Community.
I will then celebrate Holy Mass on my own at 9.00am behind closed doors.
I will pray Evening Prayer at 6.00pm once again behind closed doors.
HOLY WEEK & EASTER
If we are able to set up a Livestream we will broadcast all of the Triuduum & Easter Services. Hopefully this will be a way of keeping in touch. I’ll let you know details when I have them.
Liturgical Advice for the Bishops of England and Wales in the light of the COVID-19 Pandemic
CATHOLIC BISHOPS’ CONFERENCE OF ENGLAND AND WALES
Liturgical Advice for the Bishops of England and Wales
in the light of the COVID-19 Pandemic
18th March 2020
This advice will be reviewed and developed as necessary weekly
The Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, having consulted the Ordinaries of the Dioceses, has agreed that the cessation of public liturgies should begin from Friday evening 20th March 2020. Because of the situation the Church finds herself in, the obligation for the faithful to attend Holy Mass on a Sunday or Holy day of Obligation is removed, until further notice.
The following instruction is now given for the celebration of the Sacraments and sacramentals of the Church at this time.
Celebrations of Holy Mass
Priests (parish priest and assistant priests) who hold parochial office should continue to celebrate Mass in a church within their parish without the faithful on a daily basis. Other priests (i.e. retired from office or entrusted with a non-parochial ministry) may celebrate Mass without the faithful in a church, chapel or their private home. Deacons should not participate in these celebrations.
The continuing celebration of Mass ensures that the faithful can join in spiritual communion with the priests of the Church. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states (1364): As often as the sacrifice of the Cross by which ‘Christ our Pasch has been sacrificed’ is celebrated on the altar, the work of our redemption is carried out. Daily liturgical resources for those at home, including those for making a “Spiritual Communion” with the priest, will be available on the CBCEW website.
Information about the live-streaming of the celebration of Mass will be made widely available in our dioceses so that the faithful can participate in the prayers of the priest at Mass at home. A fine example of this is from The National Shrine of Our Lady at Walsingham will continue its full liturgical programme and this will be available to all via the Internet (www.walsingham.org.uk)
Wherever possible, during this period, churches will remain open, especially on Sundays, for individual private prayer, without any organised services, and offering prayer before the Blessed Sacrament.
Baptisms
Baptisms should be deferred until such time that the public health advice is that congregations can gather safely. In case of necessity, baptisms should be celebrated with all the hygiene precautions that have been laid down by the Church in its COVID-19 advice.
Sacrament of Reconciliation
Confession may be offered on request as long as hygiene and social distancing requirements are observed (eg a physical barrier between the penitent and the priest such as a grille and cloth). The use of Rite II and Rite III of the Rite of Penance is not permitted as this, by necessity, requires the gathering of people in our churches.
First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion
These celebrations should be postponed until a time that allows for families and friends to gather safely within our churches.
Confirmation
The celebrations of Confirmation should be deferred until such time that the public health advice is that congregations can resume public worship.
Matrimony
If possible, the celebration of the sacrament of Matrimony should be deferred until such time that people can gather in numbers safely. However, if this is not possible and only in the most pressing of circumstances, then those present for the marriage should be restricted to the celebrant, bride and groom and immediate family, and if necessary, the legal Registrar.
Anointing of the Sick
No pastoral visits should be made to people who are self-isolating until the isolation period ends. However, do offer phone support. When anointing the sick, the Oil of the Sick can be applied using a cotton bud which can be burned afterwards (one end for the head and the other for the hands) and the priest extend his hands over the sick person for laying on of hands, without physical contact. This has been confirmed as a valid mode of celebrating the sacraments which involve “laying on of hands.” Visits to people in care homes or hospitals should follow advice from the staff on infection control.
Sacraments of Initiation at the Easter Vigil
This will be dependent on the forthcoming decisions of the Bishops for the Holy Week ceremonies.
Funerals
There must be great pastoral sensitivity to this issue. The funeral service should take place at the graveside or at a crematorium, subject to the conditions laid down by the cemetery or
crematorium authorities. Arrangements should be made for a Mass to be celebrated in memoriam when congregations are allowed to gather.
Rev. Canon Christopher Thomas General Secretary
18th March 2020
A letter from the President and Vice-President on behalf of all the Bishops of the Conference
CATHOLIC BISHOPS’ CONFERENCE OF ENGLAND AND WALES
A letter from the President and Vice-President on behalf of all the Bishops of the Conference
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
In response to the Coronavirus pandemic, so many aspects of our lives must change. This includes the ways in which we publicly express our faith. It is very clear that, following official advice and in order to keep each other safe, save lives and support the NHS, at this time we must not gather for public acts of worship in our churches. This will begin from Friday evening, 20th March 2020, until further notice.
Our churches will remain open. They are not closing. They will be a focal point of prayer, where you will find solace and strength. In visiting our churches at this time, we will observe with great care the practices of hygiene and the guidance on social distancing.
However, the celebration of Mass, Sunday by Sunday and day by day, will take place without a public congregation.
Knowing that the Mass is being celebrated; joining in spiritually in that celebration; watching the live-streaming of the Mass; following its prayers at home; making an act of spiritual communion: this is how we share in the Sacrifice of Christ in these days. These are the ways in which we will sanctify Sunday, and indeed every day.
We want everyone to understand that in these emergency circumstances, and for as long as they last, the obligation to attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days is removed. This is, without doubt, the teaching of the Church (Catechism of the Catholic Church 2181). This pandemic is the ‘serious reason’ why this obligation does not apply at this time.
You will find more details about the pathway of prayer and sacramental life we are now to take in the accompanying document and on the Bishops’ Conference website (www.cbcew.org.uk). Your own bishop and parish priest will provide further support, encouragement and information about our way of prayer together in the coming weeks.
The second vital aspect of these challenging times is our care for each other. There are so many ways in which we are to do this: being attentive to the needs of our neighbour, especially the elderly and vulnerable; contributing to our local food banks; volunteering for charitable initiatives and organisations; simply keeping in touch by all the means open to us.
During these disturbing and threatening times, the rhythm of the prayer of the Church will continue. Please play your part in it. The effort of daily kindness and mutual support for all will continue and increase. Please play your part in this too. For your commitment to this, we thank you.
‘The Lord is my shepherd, There is nothing I shall want.’
May God bless us all.
Vincent Cardinal Nichols President
18th March 2020