Dear Friends in Christ
This is the fourth weekend that our Churches have been open for Sunday Masses. It was extremely encouraging to see a good number of parishioners at mass last weekend. We have put in place all the necessary measures required by the Government & Diocesan guidelines regarding Health & Safety. I would go so far as to say that you’re safer at Church than you are going shopping. From this weekend, it is a requirement to wear face coverings in shops and supermarkets; I would also strongly recommend that face coverings be worn within the Church. Obviously, it may be a little inconvenient, but it is not too much to ask to keep safe and well.
We are very much creatures of habit, and because we have been away from the Church for nearly four months, its as easy to get out of the habit, as it is to get into the habit. This must be a conscious decision that we have to take. I think this lockdown has certainly focused the mind, and I would like to think that the whole aspect of faith should have featured largely in the values of our lives. Every day we should thank Almighty God we have escaped the scourge of this virus. But we can’t become complacent either; no one is invincible. It was wonderful to hear this week that the Scientists at Oxford have made a breakthrough in finding a vaccine. If the trials go well, there could be a vaccine by Christmas, to offer a ‘double help’ against the virus.
I make a very special appeal to all our families to seriously consider coming back to the weekly practice of Holy Mass. Routine is important, especially for our children. The practice of our faith is not something that we just tag on to the rest of our lives, it is fundamental to who we are, and of course, eventually of what we become. Let us all make a very special effort to consider the importance of our faith, especially in these strange times. Life is not a dress rehearsal, we only pass this way but once, and we need to take every opportunity given to us in our relationship with God.
I would strongly recommend that FACE COVERINGS be worn when you come to Church, not only to protect yourselves, but to protect others also!
FEELING A LITTLE APPREHENSIVE: About attending Sunday Mass; we have set up a Speaker outside the Church; and parishioners can practice Social distancing outside as well. Obviously if you attend as a family, you can sit closely together in the Church. Alternate benches have been blocked off, and with the wearing of Face Coverings we are complying with regulations.
UNABLE TO ATTEND SUNDAY MASS: If you are genuinely unable to attend one of the Sunday Masses, the Bishops Conference of England & Wales has strongly recommended that you make the extra special effort to attend one of the Weekday Mass, at present being celebrated daily at 10.00am. Please wear a Face Covering.
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.
LIVESTREAMING: We will continue to livestream all Masses from St. Edmund’s via the medium of Facebook & the Parish Website
THANK YOU: I would like to sincerely thank all those parishioners who have volunteered as Stewards, at our Sunday Masses, and for the hour of private prayer during the week. I’m truly grateful for your generosity of spirit and service to the whole parish community. It’s truly wonderful to see! We have purchased special cleaning materials for the benches & surfaces, and the they are cleaned every time they are used by parishioners. If you would like to volunteer as a Steward, please contact Iain McLay Tel No: 07806 998187
YOUR WEEKLY OFFERTORY: My sincere thanks to those who are making their weekly contribution of Gift Aid envelopes and through the banking system that has been set up through the Diocese whereby your Offertory can be paid directly into the Parish Account, details below:
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.
Wishing You All A Blessed Week,
Fr. John
BAPTISMS IN THE PARISH: If you have a child due for Baptism please let me know as soon as possible. To avoid any disappointment with dates, contact the Presbytery to book your date. If you are first-time parents, you need to contact Sharon Chalk, who will organise a Baptismal Preparation of two sessions, and then I will come and visit you in your homes. Please don’t forget to collect your Baptismal Information Form.
EPPING FOREST FOODBANK DONATIONS: Thank you to all parishioners who continue to donate items so generously for the Foodbank during the pandemic. Your donations of are needed as much as ever at the moment by people in our area who are struggling to put food on the table. Basic staple items are always welcome including the unbranded supermarket basic ranges which can make your generous donations go even further. This month they are in urgent need of the following items: tea bags (small/medium box), sponge puddings, tinned fruit, tinned meat pies/ham, instant mash, long life juice, tinned spaghetti, chocolate bars, washing up liquid, laundry tablets and shampoo. Thank you! You can also keep up to date with the Foodbank via their Facebook page: www.facebook.com/EppingForestFoodbank/
Lourdes in your Living Room – from Monday 27th to Friday 31st July enjoy an inspiring daily pilgrimage programme, with Mass at 10.30 each day, Morning Prayer (9am) and Night Prayer (9.30pm) as well as afternoon reflections (4.30pm) from Bishop Alan, Michael Barwick, Rev Paschal Uche and Fr Paul Keane, Stations of the Cross (Friday 5pm) and a Marian (“Torchlight”) procession with the Hail Mary prayed in over 40 languages (Thursday 8pm). Everything will be streamed on YouTube (BrentwoodCYS), and the full timetable and links are at www.bcys.net This pilgrimage for all ages includes special events for those aged 15-23, as well as a talent show for all on the Friday evening – if you are a musician, magician, singer or dancer, email info@bcys.net for details of how to send in your entertainment!
Please keep the whole pilgrimage in your prayers – with 10 hours of pre-recorded content and 14 hours of live content it is a major undertaking, and we hope as many people as possible will benefit from it. There will shortly be a liturgy booklet online, which we will also send as a PDF to parishes early next week, so it can be shared prior to the pilgrimage.
IN CASES OF EMERGENCY: Tuesday is usually Fr. John’s Day Off. In
Cases of emergency please call one of the local parishes, either in Epping – Tel: 01992 572516, or the St. Thomas of Canterbury Friary at Woodford Green – Tel: 020 8504 1688. This would also apply if Fr. John is away for a few days break or on Retreat. All the local funeral directors have a contact number for Fr. John if a funeral needs to be arranged in his absence.
MASS INTENTIONS – JULY – AUGUST 2020
| Sat 25th July | 10.00am | Carmen Antaki B’day Ints (Veronica & Jo Johnson) |
| Vigil Mass for Sunday: Church resumes regular Sunday Schedule | ||
| Sat 25th | 6.00pm | Canon Brian O’Shea, Retirement. (Eddie & Mary; Steve, Teresa & Family) |
| Sun 26th | 9.00am | People of the Parish |
| Sun 26th | 11:00am | Int’s Tony Duff (M Ryan) |
| Mon 27th | 10.00am | Rosemary O’Rourke (80th Birthday)
(John O’Rourke) |
| Tues 28th | 10.00am | Edward Pick RIP (Betty Brown) |
| Wed 29th
|
10.00am | Rosemary O’Rourke’s B’day Int’s
(Pat & Margaret) |
| Thurs 30th | 10.00am
7.00pm |
Helen & John Molloy RIP
HOLY HOUR with Exposition. |
| Fri 31st
|
10.00am
10.30am |
Peter Smith RIP (Paul Falco)
Holy Hour Exposition of the Bl. Sacrament |
| Sat 1st
August |
10.00am | Sr. Susan Asher Int’s |
| Vigil Mass for Sunday | ||
| Sat 1st | 6.00pm | Holy Souls |
| Sun 2nd | 9.00am | People of the Parish |
| Sun 2nd
|
11:00am | Alice & Harold Kendal RIP |
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!
DIARY 2020
PUBLIC MASSES HAVE RESUMED ONCE AGAIN AT ST. EDMUND’S. WE ARE STRICTLY FOLLOWING GOVERNMENTAL & DIOCESAN GUIDELINES ON HEALTH & SAFETY. SOCIAL DISTANCING IS IN PLACE. PLEASE MAKE A SPECIAL EFFORT TO RETURN TO WEEKLY MASS WITH YOUR FAMILY. THANK YOU!
PLEASE PRAY FOR THOSE SICK IN OUR PARISH:
Margaret Baldwin, Brian Beveridge, Jane Downs, Steve Dalgliesh, James Geller, Veronica Godsave, Bernadette Hall, Ann Hawkes, Claire Howes, Pamela Houghton, Shaun Keel, Angela Long, Lilian Mothersole, Sheila Murphy, John McKernan, Rosemary O’Rourke, Kathleen Pomeroy, Barbara Pope, Geraldine Taylor, Vera Taylor, Mary Witten, James Wright. And all our loved ones.
ANNIVERSARIES: Mary Cocklin RIP For all 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!
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!
ALL SACRAMENTAL PROGRAMMES & PARISH COURSES: Will cease until further notice. The First Holy Communion celebrations schedules for May have been postponed. No Funerals, only a graveside blessing. Memorial Masses to follow at a later stage
NO MASS INTENTION REQUESTS: Unfortunately there have been very few Mass Intention requests; therefore, there are many openings. If parishioners would like mass intentions for any occasion or anniversary, please put your request & mass offering in an envelope and drop off at the Presbytery as soon as possible. TY!
St Edmund of Canterbury 