St. Edmund of Canterbury and St. Thomas More
Dear Friends in Christ: Preparing for Holy Week 2021
As we are about to prepare for Holy Week 2021, I’m sure the events of the past twelve months with a world-wide Pandemic are not far from our thoughts. We have all been profoundly affected by Covid 19 and this time last year, we weren’t even allowed to gather as a worshiping community of faith. But thank God this year, with the advent of the vaccine, and the third lockdown the R number has drastically been reduced. I encourage all our parishioners to participate in this year’s Holy Week if you can!
Next Sunday is Palm Sunday and marks the beginning of our Holy Week 2021. We will travel with the Lord Jesus on his triumphal entry into Jerusalem, with the cries of ‘Hosanna to the Son of David’, as they lay their palm branches before him. We also must remember this same crowd in a few days’ time will be baying for his blood with cries of ‘crucify him, crucify him’!
THE TRIDUUM OF THE LORD The most powerful liturgy that we experience during the church’s liturgical year. I encourage you all to participate fully in these most wonderful celebrations of the Lord’s Passion, Death, and Resurrection. We share together the Mass of the Lord’s Supper, the Good Friday Liturgy, and the Easter Vigil, as one continuous celebration of Salvation History.
Just a note of reassurance to the whole parish concerning Health & Safety. We have employed all the necessary guidelines to ensure that everyone who walks through the doors of the Church is safe. Hand sanitising upon entry & exit; face coverings; track & trace; social distancing; one-way system in church; stewards available to facilitate welcome & the distribution of Holy Communion; thorough cleaning of the church after each Service.
I make a very special appeal this year to everyone, especially those who have not yet returned to the Church because of the Pandemic, to make a special effort to really enter the spirit of this Holy Week. It is the high point in the Church’s liturgical Calendar. Parents, this is your opportunity to teach your chidlren about the importance of this Holy Week.
May God Bless You All,
SCHEDULE OF MASSES & SERVICES FOR HOLY WEEK 2021
BRITISH SUMMERTIME BEGINS, CLOCKS GO FORWARD ONE HOUR 28 MARCH
PALM SUNDAY OF THE PASSION: 27th /28th March
6.00 p.m. St. Edmund’s. Blessing of Palms (Sat. 27th March)
9.00 a.m. St. Edmund’s. Blessing of Palms (Sun 28th March)
10.00 am. St. Edmund’s Blessing of Palms .. ..
11.00 am St. Edmund’s. Blessing of Palms .. ..
5.00 p.m. St. Edmund’s. Stations of Cross and Benediction
MONDAY 29th March
10.00 a.m. St. Edmund’s. Confessions after Mass
TUESDAY 30th March
9.00 a.m. St. Edmund’s Mass – Confessions after Mass
9.30 a.m. Cleaning of Church for Holy Week & Easter. Please help us!
7.00pm Penance Service – Only Fr John present for confessions
WEDNESDAY 31st March
9.00 a m St. Edmund’s
11.00 a m Chrism Mass – Brentwood Cathedral – Clergy only
7.00 p.m. Penance Service – Only Fr John present for confessions
THE TRIDUUM
MAUNDY THURSDAY 1st April
9.00 a.m. St. Edmund’s, Morning Prayer, Tenebrae /Confessions
8.00 p.m. MASS OF THE LORD’S SUPPER St. Edmund’s
Only short period of watching after Mass / Confessions
GOOD FRIDAY 2nd April Day of Fasting and Abstinence
9.00 a.m. St. Edmund’s, Morning Prayer. Tenebrae
10.00 a.m. Children’s Stations of the Cross – Short Service
3.00 p.m. THE PASSION OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST
5.00 p.m. THE PASSION OF OUR LORD JESUS CHIRST
7.00 p.m. St. Edmund’s. Stations of the Cross. Confessions
HOLY SATURDAY: 3rd April 2021
9.00 a.m. St. Edmund’s Morning Prayer, Tenebrae, Confessions.
12.30 p.m. Swieconka: Polish Blessing for Easter Food Baskets
7.30 p.m. St. Edmund’s. THE EASTER VIGIL
EASTER SUNDAY 4TH April THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS
8.00 a.m. St. Edmund’s, Parish Mass
9.00 a.m. St. Edmund’s, Parish Mass
10.00 a.m. St. Edmund’s, Parish Mass
11.00 a.m. St. Edmund’s, Parish Family Mass
RESURREXIT SICUT DIXIT, ALLELUIA! ALLELUIA! ALLELUIA!
HOLY WEEK 2021
PARISH PENITENTIAL SERVICES:
I have scheduled two very brief Penitential Services during Holy Week, on Tuesday 30th March & Wednesday 31st March at 7.00pm. As I will be on my own, and we’re not allowed to use the Confessional, I will be available in the back sacristy, with social distancing. I will also schedule Confessions after all the Masses & Services during this coming week & Holy Week. Please try to avail yourselves of the Sacrament in preparation for Easter. Thank you
PALM SUNDAY:
Due to the nature of Palm Sunday, Holy Mass is always a bit longer with the Passion being read. This year we will use the shorter version. But as there is also an additional Mass at 10.00am, could I ask for some extra help with Stewarding and cleaning the Church after the 9am & 10am masses. Please contact Iain McLay if you can help. Thank you!
ELECTRONIC EASTER OFFERING:
This year, as always, envelopes will be available for us to make our Easter Offering, which, as you know, is an opportunity in every Catholic Church for parishioners to make an Easter gift to their Parish Priest, which goes to make up their salary for the Year. This year our Easter Offering can also be made electronically. We just need to transfer the money to the parish account with the reference ‘Easter Offering’; please also quote you Gift Aid Number. Any questions please ask Iain McLay (bloggeriain@gmail.com). The details of the bank account are:
‘Easter Offering’
Sort Code: 40-13-22
Account Number: 11019651
Account Name: Catholic Church Loughton St Edmund
EASTER SUNDAY MASSES:
Please note that the Easter Vigil Mass will take place on Saturday 3rd April at 7.30pm
Easter Sunday Masses will be celebrated at 8.00am, 9.00am, 10.00am & 11.00am. We may need a little additional help with the Stewarding and cleaning of the church in between each mass. If you can help just remain after the mass ends, it will only take a few minutes if there is plenty of help. Thank you!
St Edmund of Canterbury 