Dear Friends in Christ
Today we celebrate the Solemnity of All the Saints. Remembering all those men and women throughout history who have borne witness to Jesus Christ. We have the first martyrs of the Church, the Apostles, and the Martyrs of the Reformation, and all who have given their lives for Jesus. We have all the Founders of Religious Orders; men and women religious; priests and nuns who witnessed to Christ through the holiness of life. We have the many lay men and women, faithful to the Gospel of Jesus. We have our own deceased loved ones, relatives, friends and benefactors, whom we believe join the Company of Saints. It is our aspiration also one day to join this great company. Let us ask for their Intercession today as we continue along the Journey of Life and Faith. Let Jesus Christ, who inspired each one of the Saints, continue to inspire us also.
NOVEMBER – MONTH OF HOLY SOULS: In the Catholic Church, November is traditionally the Month of the Holy Souls. It is when we remember in a very special way all our deceased loved ones; relatives, friends and benefactors. There are November Deceased Envelopes available for all parishioners. If you would like to remember your deceased loved ones, please make a list and place it in the envelope with your Mass Offering. Holy Mass will be offered each day throughout November for our Holy Souls; and a decade of the Rosary will be prayed at the end of each weekday mass, with the additional prayers for the deceased. Please return your Deceased List Envelopes by All Souls Day 2nd November. There will be three masses that day. 10.00am, 12.15pm & 8.00pm.
As Covid-19 continues to spread throughout the world; there appears to be no immediate end to this Pandemic. We all must be vigilant. The Health and Safety of everyone is of utmost importance. And each one of us should take responsibility to ensure that we follow the Governmental guidelines. Our Diocesan guidelines are also helpful to each of us who attend Weekly Mass. Hand sanitisation, social distancing, wearing a face covering; cleaning the church after every Service. Please continue to co-operate with these agencies.
PARISH BAZAAR THIS YEAR: With the uncertainty regarding the Covid 19 Pandemic, I have made an executive decision not to have our annual Parish Bazaar this year. Instead, it would be good to have a ‘Big Grand Draw’ with really good prizes, (about 20 prizes). If anyone would like to donate really good prizes for the Draw these will be gratefully accepted. Money Prizes, Colour Television, I Pad, Kindle, X Box, Crate of Wine, Restaurant Vouchers, Various Hampers (large & small), Large Bottle of Champagne, Large Bottle of Whiskey/Brandy, Health Spa Treatment, Theatre Vouchers, Set of Crystal Glasses, Men’s / Ladies Watches, 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 really 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.
REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY: The traditional Remembrance Sunday Service on Sunday 8th November will now be an online Service with all the various Christian Churches in Loughton taking part. Each Church has recorded a part of the Service, and this will be transmitted at 12.15pm on Remembrance Sunday. The theme this year ‘Remember at Home’. It’s important to know that Remembrance Sunday is not cancelled but just being done in a different way. Obviously, the Pandemic, to a certain extent, is dictating all our lives at present; but it’s always important to remember all of those men and women who died during the two Great Wars and all the subsequent conflits and wars.
RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS: Our RCIA programme continues this week on Thursday 15th October 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: What is Authority? Canon Law – Church Law. 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.
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? Every three weeks there will be a really BIG CLEAN, on a Saturday morning at 12Noon. If you’re able to help this will be most appreciated. My thanks to all those who turned up on Saturday to assist with the clean. Keeping the Church sanitised and clean is a priority. Mt sincere thanks to Sharon Fitzmaurice for organising this through the Altar Society.
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/
THE LOURDES DIOCESAN PILGRIMAGE 2021: Is planned for Sunday 25th – Friday 30th July 2021. However because of Covid-19 it is not possible to know yet whether the pilgrimage will be practical or in what form. Decisions will have to be made in January was to whether this will be possible. Therefore, watch this space. Thank you! From Fr. Paul Keane, organiser
OFFERTORY: My sincere thanks to those who are making their weekly contribution of Gift Aid envelopes and through the banking system that has been set up through the Diocese whereby your Offertory can be paid directly into the Parish Account, details below:
Or you can use Parish Bank Account: Using Online Banking
HSBC Sort Code 40-13-22
Account Number: 11019651
Please put your name as reference and your Gift Aid number if you have one. If you can set it up as a regular payment this would be excellent and save a lot of time in the future. If you don’t have GIFT AID this is a good time to start, you can do this by e-mailing Maria Mosquera (mjm70@hotmail.com).
With continued thanks for your generosity.
God Bless You All Fr. John
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 9th November 2020, and the closing date is 15th 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.
SEMINARIANS FROM THE NORTH AMERICAN COLLEGE: I was contacted a couple of days ago by one of the Seminarians, who informed me that the whole College has locked down, as several students tested positive with the Covid-19 virus. The whole college is now quarantined, with no one allowed outside of the campus. Manifestly, they believe that there are more students with the virus, who have not yet been tested. They ask for your prayers. Our own Seminarian, Frank Westcott at Oscott Seminary in the West Midlands, continues with his studies and is doing well. The College should have had half-term, but the Rector decided in light of the virus, to not send the students back home for Health & Safety reasons. Pray for all!
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!
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
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!
Just a reminder; I approached our Diocesan Health & Safety Officer this week about the reopening of our parish hall. The Diocese have decided that there are so many stringent government rules and regulations attached to the opening of halls, that for the time being the diocesan policy is that they remain closed. This is extremely disappointing for our Uniforms Groups in the parish, who have worked so hard with the Scouting organisation in strategic planning for groups of children to meet. But the diocese has stated that outside of School Education of children we cannot gather in our halls. Unfortunately, this also means that we are unable to commence First Holy Communion & Confirmation Programmes, which I was hoping to start after Christmas. These are unusual times, and we all must employ as much patience as possible. I don’t know what ‘Normal’ is anymore. But let us see what happens over the next few weeks with these new measures in place!
PARISH REPOSITORY: As we enter the month of November, you may have noticed in the Parish Repository a large selection of Religious Christmas Cards. I know this has been a very difficult year for everyone, but we have to keep before us Christmas as a great source of hope. We can just forget about that even which changed the whole course of human history. People may not be thinking about Christmas at present, but to send or receive a religious Christmas card is very much a sign of hope. There are other Christmas gifts and items also, Cribs, Advent Calendars, Christmas Books for children, Candles, and many more things. Keeping the message alive and preparing for the Birthday of Our Lord is so important. Do what you can this Advent!
DIARY 2020
PLEASE PRAY FOR THOSE SICK IN OUR PARISH
Margaret Baldwin, Evelyn Bearne, Brian Beveridge, Jane Downs, Steve Dalgliesh, James Geller, Veronica Godsave, Bernadette Hall, Ann Hawkes, Claire Howes, Pamela Houghton, Shaun Keel, Angela Long, Lilian Mothersole, Sheila Murphy, John McKernan, Rosemary O’Rourke, Kathleen Pomeroy, Barbara Pope, Geraldine Taylor, Vera Taylor, Mary Walstow, Mary Witten, James Wright. And all our loved ones.
ANNIVERSARIES: Phil Lawless RIP, Vi Clarke RIP, Sheila Quinn RIP, Jan Leach RIP, and for all whose anniversaries occur at this time and for all of our deceased loved ones, Requiescant in Pace.
OFFERTORY COLLECTION: £771.90 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: We have been given permission to resume the Baptism of infants in our churches. As of 28th September, the Governmental guidelines have reduced the number of people present to 6 persons. Manifestly, this is very distressing to families who really want to celebrate this beautiful sacrament. I really don’t know how long this situation will continue, but the most important thing is that your baby is baptised. If this is your first child Sharon Chalk, our Baptism Catechist will meet with you, and go through the whole process of Baptism
LATEST GOVERNMENT GUIDELINES: Every week I receive updates to the latest situation re. Covid-19 guidelines. The Health & Safety Office at the Diocese of Brentwood has sent us a memo about the winter and the turning on of heating in our churches & parish halls; they are awaiting instruction from the Government, and within the next few days I should have a clearer indication as to what we will be able to do. In the meantime, as the temperatures slowly begin to decrease, I would suggest to all our parishioners that you wrap up really well with a topcoat and scarf. The scientists have assured us that ventilation is vital and necessary with this virus being so virulent. We have good health & safety procedures in place at church.
MASS INTENTIONS – OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2020
| Sat 31st | 10.00am | Janet Devine (sick) (Maureen Perry) |
| Vigil Mass for Sunday: Church resumes regular Sunday Schedule | ||
| Sat 31st | 6.00pm | Mary Leahy RIP (Philomena Egan) |
| Sun 1st | 9.00am | Andy Jeffreys RIP (Barbara Jeffreys) |
| Sun 1st | 10.00am | Hazel McClurg RIP (Maureen Perry) |
| Sun 1st All Saints | 11:00am | People of the Parish / Holy Souls |
| Mon 2nd All Souls | 10.00am | Holy SoulsJean Chiswell RIP / All Holy Souls |
| Mon 2nd All Souls | 12.15pm 8.00pm | Maree Kavanagh’s Int’s / H/S |
| Tues 3rd | 10.00am | Neil Millward RIP (Carole Millward) H/S |
| Wed 4th | 10.00am | Peter Smith RIP Paul Falco / All Holy Souls |
| Thurs 5th | 10.00am | Margaret Russell RIP (Catenians) /All Holy Souls |
| Fri 6th | 10.00am 10.30am | Tony Rattigan RIP (M Rattigan) H/SHoly Hour Exposition of the Bl. Sacrament |
| Sat 7th | 10.00am | Rita Bellini RIP / All Holy Souls |
| Vigil Mass for Sunday | ||
| Sat 7th | 6.00pm | Kazimierz Michalik RIP (Carmen) H/S |
| Sun 8th | 9.00am | John William Mills RIP (Mills Family) |
| Sun 8th | 10.00am | H/SPeople of the Parish / Holy Souls |
| Sun 8th | 11:00am | Eugene & Ellen Carney RIP (C Knight)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!
St Edmund of Canterbury 