This week we began our second lockdown in England. It’s quite heart-breaking and soul-destroying going back to square one again. But as the autumn and winter approaches, we are always very conscious of sickness and deaths through flu. With Covid-19 also part of the equation now, the Government experts have presented the science that precipitates the necessity to protect people’s lives through this second lockdown. Hopefully, the public will take notice and abide by these restrictions. Keeping safe and well during these winter months is so important. Obviously, since the summer, when people lowered their guard, and when the weather was so good, we were able to spend a lot of time outside. But now, we need to be vigilant; following the guidelines is vitally essential in preserving our health. No one is invincible! Wearing face coverings, hand sanitisation, and social distancing are all still important.
As you know, there are no public or organised Services in the Church, but I will live stream mass everyday Monday – Saturday at 10.00am. Keeping connected through social media is so important. It gives us the opportunity, as difficult it may be, to express our faith in the solitude of our homes, but at the same time, knowing we are all connected in Christ through this act of worship. In the first lockdown, it was incredible to hear from so many of you, saying it was a real lifeline during a very difficult time. Hopefully, we can do the same this time. Sadly, many people did not return to church when we opened last July. I pray for our Parish daily; and I want you to know that I offer my rosary for you all daily. We really do need the Lord at this time; our faith cannot be put on the backburner. I would like to think that during these months we have had the opportunity to really discover the importance of our faith in our lives; not as something that we just tag on to our existence, but something that is central and key to our lives.
DURING THE LOCKDOWN: The Vigil Mass for Sunday will be celebrated at 6.00pm on Saturday Evening. Sunday Mass will be at 11.00am.
TODAY IS 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.
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 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 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.
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: Joyce Gregory RIP, Pat Salter RIP, Maureen Finnegan RIP, Lucy Byrne-Ingle RIP, Terrence Callahan RIP, and for all whose anniversaries occur at this time and for all of our deceased loved ones, Requiescant in Pace.
OFFERTORY COLLECTION: £719.42 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. 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 are really fastidious about the cleaning and sanitisation of our seats and benches after the church has been used. I’m truly grateful to our faithful stewards for this wonderful work. There are good health & safety procedures in place at church.
RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS: Our RCIA programme continues this week on Thursday 13th November 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 Sacraments – Baptism, the Sacrament of Initiation. 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.
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.
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.
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: 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
YOUR WEEKLY OFFERTORY DURING THE LOCKDOWN: Manifestly, as we are in lockdown for the next month, once again, the weekly offertory is essential to keep our church functioning. As we are open for daily pray for an hour, the heating is on. Like everyone else the bills still keep coming in. I appeal to all our parishioners to use the above methods for your offertory. They are easy and very quick. Or, just put your Weekly Offertory envelope through the Presbytery letterbox. I thank you all for your ongoing support of the parish during these very difficult times.
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.
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!
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!
PARISH REPOSITORY: There are a variety of beautiful Christmas cards, Advent Calendars, Cribs, Candles, Books, and other items in the porch of the Church. During the lockdown the Church is open each day between 10.30am – 11.30am, if you wish to purchase cards or gifts there is Repository money tin to receive the proceeds of your purchase. This will be emptied at the end of each opening of Church. Thank you!
THINKING AHEAD TO CHRISTMAS: It is presumed that the Churches will open again on the 2nd of December after a month’s lockdown. Obviously, by then we will have already celebrated the First Sunday of Advent. Advent, the Holy Season of preparation for Christmas is the Church’s way of celebrating those key moments in Our Lord’s life. This year will be very different all over the world. This Pandemic has claimed hundreds of thousands of lives, and creates an element of fear in many people. But Advent is still a Season of Hope & Joy; the Saviour will be born again into our lives at Christmas.
Due to social Distancing in all of our Churches, with alternate benches being cordoned off, we can only accommodate approximately 125 people in the church at one time. I have been thinking about our Christmas Masses. Usually we have a family mass with a children’s Christmas Tableau, unfortunately this year, this will not take place; but there will be an added surprise for the whole parish to delight in at all of our Masses, which you can see at Christmas.
Masses will continue in the same manner as present; unfortunately, there will be no singing of Christmas Carols, and our masses are now much shorter than usual. I have decided to celebrate 4 Christmas Eve Masses: 5.00pm, 7.00pm, 8.30pm & 10.00pm. Christmas Morning Masses 9.00am, 10.00am & 11.00am. I appeal to all of our parishioners to seriously think about these masses, and kindly do not all turn up for 5.00pm, once we have reached capacity of 125, people would have to be turned away until the next mass. This is the only way I can think of around the numbers who attend at Christmas. Please understand this is going to be a pretty heavy schedule for me personally!
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? (see list in previous notice, page 2) 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 5TH/6TH DECEMBER. The Draw will take place on Sunday 19th 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.
MASS INTENTIONS – NOVEMBER 2020
NO PUBLIC MASSES. MASS WILL BE TRANSMITTED DAILY THROUGH SOCIAL MEDIA
| Sat 7th | 10.00am | Rita Bellini RIP / Holy Souls |
| Vigil Mass for Sunday: Church resumes regular Sunday Schedule | ||
| Sat 7th | 6.00pm | Kazimierz Michalik RIP (Carmen) H/S |
| Sun 8th | No 9.00am or 10.00am Masses | |
| Sun 8th | 11:00am | Eugene & Ellen Carney RIP (C Knight)H/S |
| Mon 9th | 10.00am | Jean, Archie & Ross Sinclair RIP H/S |
| Tues 10th | 10.00am | John William Mills RIP ((Mark & Catherine Mills) Holy Souls |
| Wed 11th | 10.00am | Irene Olivelle (B’day Ints) (Pat & Margaret) / All Holy Souls |
| Thurs 12th | 10.00am | Maggie Stephenson RIP / All Holy Souls |
| Fri 13th | 10.00am 10.30am | Pierina Kavanagh RIP (Diana & Ferdi Tisi)Holy Hour Exposition of the Bl. Sacrament |
| Sat 14th | 10.00am | Breda Dolan RIP (Laura McCrory) / All Holy Souls |
| Vigil Mass for Sunday | ||
| Sat 14th | 6.00pm | Margaret Russell RIP (John & Sue Campbell) / All Holy Souls |
| Sun 15th | No 9.00am or 10.00am Masses | |
| Sun 15th | 11:00am | John McDowell RIP (Gunn Family) 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.
Dear Friends in Christ 32nd Sunday of the Year 2020
This week we began our second lockdown in England. It’s quite heart-breaking and soul-destroying going back to square one again. But as the autumn and winter approaches, we are always very conscious of sickness and deaths through flu. With Covid-19 also part of the equation now, the Government experts have presented the science that precipitates the necessity to protect people’s lives through this second lockdown. Hopefully, the public will take notice and abide by these restrictions. Keeping safe and well during these winter months is so important. Obviously, since the summer, when people lowered their guard, and when the weather was so good, we were able to spend a lot of time outside. But now, we need to be vigilant; following the guidelines is vitally essential in preserving our health. No one is invincible! Wearing face coverings, hand sanitisation, and social distancing are all still important.
As you know, there are no public or organised Services in the Church, but I will live stream mass everyday Monday – Saturday at 10.00am. Keeping connected through social media is so important. It gives us the opportunity, as difficult it may be, to express our faith in the solitude of our homes, but at the same time, knowing we are all connected in Christ through this act of worship. In the first lockdown, it was incredible to hear from so many of you, saying it was a real lifeline during a very difficult time. Hopefully, we can do the same this time. Sadly, many people did not return to church when we opened last July. I pray for our Parish daily; and I want you to know that I offer my rosary for you all daily. We really do need the Lord at this time; our faith cannot be put on the backburner. I would like to think that during these months we have had the opportunity to really discover the importance of our faith in our lives; not as something that we just tag on to our existence, but something that is central and key to our lives.
DURING THE LOCKDOWN: The Vigil Mass for Sunday will be celebrated at 6.00pm on Saturday Evening. Sunday Mass will be at 11.00am.
TODAY IS 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.
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 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 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.
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: Joyce Gregory RIP, Pat Salter RIP, Maureen Finnegan RIP, Lucy Byrne-Ingle RIP, Terrence Callahan RIP, and for all whose anniversaries occur at this time and for all of our deceased loved ones, Requiescant in Pace.
OFFERTORY COLLECTION: £719.42 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. 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 are really fastidious about the cleaning and sanitisation of our seats and benches after the church has been used. I’m truly grateful to our faithful stewards for this wonderful work. There are good health & safety procedures in place at church.
RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS: Our RCIA programme continues this week on Thursday 13th November 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 Sacraments – Baptism, the Sacrament of Initiation. 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.
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.
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.
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: 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
YOUR WEEKLY OFFERTORY DURING THE LOCKDOWN: Manifestly, as we are in lockdown for the next month, once again, the weekly offertory is essential to keep our church functioning. As we are open for daily pray for an hour, the heating is on. Like everyone else the bills still keep coming in. I appeal to all our parishioners to use the above methods for your offertory. They are easy and very quick. Or, just put your Weekly Offertory envelope through the Presbytery letterbox. I thank you all for your ongoing support of the parish during these very difficult times.
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.
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!
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!
PARISH REPOSITORY: There are a variety of beautiful Christmas cards, Advent Calendars, Cribs, Candles, Books, and other items in the porch of the Church. During the lockdown the Church is open each day between 10.30am – 11.30am, if you wish to purchase cards or gifts there is Repository money tin to receive the proceeds of your purchase. This will be emptied at the end of each opening of Church. Thank you!
THINKING AHEAD TO CHRISTMAS: It is presumed that the Churches will open again on the 2nd of December after a month’s lockdown. Obviously, by then we will have already celebrated the First Sunday of Advent. Advent, the Holy Season of preparation for Christmas is the Church’s way of celebrating those key moments in Our Lord’s life. This year will be very different all over the world. This Pandemic has claimed hundreds of thousands of lives, and creates an element of fear in many people. But Advent is still a Season of Hope & Joy; the Saviour will be born again into our lives at Christmas.
Due to social Distancing in all of our Churches, with alternate benches being cordoned off, we can only accommodate approximately 125 people in the church at one time. I have been thinking about our Christmas Masses. Usually we have a family mass with a children’s Christmas Tableau, unfortunately this year, this will not take place; but there will be an added surprise for the whole parish to delight in at all of our Masses, which you can see at Christmas.
Masses will continue in the same manner as present; unfortunately, there will be no singing of Christmas Carols, and our masses are now much shorter than usual. I have decided to celebrate 4 Christmas Eve Masses: 5.00pm, 7.00pm, 8.30pm & 10.00pm. Christmas Morning Masses 9.00am, 10.00am & 11.00am. I appeal to all of our parishioners to seriously think about these masses, and kindly do not all turn up for 5.00pm, once we have reached capacity of 125, people would have to be turned away until the next mass. This is the only way I can think of around the numbers who attend at Christmas. Please understand this is going to be a pretty heavy schedule for me personally!
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? (see list in previous notice, page 2) 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 5TH/6TH DECEMBER. The Draw will take place on Sunday 19th 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.
MASS INTENTIONS – NOVEMBER 2020
NO PUBLIC MASSES. MASS WILL BE TRANSMITTED DAILY THROUGH SOCIAL MEDIA
| Sat 7th | 10.00am | Rita Bellini RIP / Holy Souls |
| Vigil Mass for Sunday: Church resumes regular Sunday Schedule | ||
| Sat 7th | 6.00pm | Kazimierz Michalik RIP (Carmen) H/S |
| Sun 8th | No 9.00am or 10.00am Masses | |
| Sun 8th | 11:00am | Eugene & Ellen Carney RIP (C Knight)H/S |
| Mon 9th | 10.00am | Jean, Archie & Ross Sinclair RIP H/S |
| Tues 10th | 10.00am | John William Mills RIP ((Mark & Catherine Mills) Holy Souls |
| Wed 11th | 10.00am | Irene Olivelle (B’day Ints) (Pat & Margaret) / All Holy Souls |
| Thurs 12th | 10.00am | Maggie Stephenson RIP / All Holy Souls |
| Fri 13th | 10.00am 10.30am | Pierina Kavanagh RIP (Diana & Ferdi Tisi)Holy Hour Exposition of the Bl. Sacrament |
| Sat 14th | 10.00am | Breda Dolan RIP (Laura McCrory) / All Holy Souls |
| Vigil Mass for Sunday | ||
| Sat 14th | 6.00pm | Margaret Russell RIP (John & Sue Campbell) / All Holy Souls |
| Sun 15th | No 9.00am or 10.00am Masses | |
| Sun 15th | 11:00am | John McDowell RIP (Gunn Family) 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.
St Edmund of Canterbury 