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 2nd 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 2nd 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 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.
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 3rd 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:
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 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.
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 2nd 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 2nd 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 2nd 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 3rd 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 2nd 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.
St Edmund of Canterbury 