Dear Friends in Christ Second Sunday of Easter 2021
In this beautiful Gospel we see the first appearance of Jesus to the Apostles. Thomas is absent, and unless he sees Jesus for himself he will not believe. 8 days later, Jesus shows himself to the Apostles again, this time he speaks to Thomas; he’s not angry, but he wants to reassure Ttomas “Happy are those who have not seen and yet believe.” This underscores the very important task that Jesus wants us to undertake even with our human weakness. Jesus will still use us to spread His Gospel to the whole world.
FEAST OF DIVINE MERCY: St. Faustina, a poorly educated daughter of a humble Polish family, kept a 600-page diary of the apparitions she claimed continued for years. Her entries focus on God’s mercy, the call to accept God’s mercy and to be merciful, the need for conversion, and the call to trust in Jesus. It had been Jesus’ own wish, she wrote, to establish a feast day: “I [Jesus] desire that the Feast of Mercy be a refuge and shelter for all souls. . . . I am giving them the last hope of salvation; that is, the Feast of My Mercy.”
Dear Friends in Christ: 2nd Sunday of Easter 2021
I would like to take this opportunity of thanking the whole parish community for your kind Easter Cards & Gifts over the Easter Weekend; I truly appreciate your generosity & thoughtfulness. Also for your Easter Offerings, which form the major part of Priest’s salary. Thank you! It was a real honour and privilege to have been able to celebrate all of the Holy Week & Easter ceremonies with you.
Sadly, there are still a large number of parishioners who do not feel safe attending Church, even though we have put in place the strictest of guidelines for Health & Safety, which has always been my number one priority. I actually haven’t seen anywhere up and down the high street those who employ as strict guidelines as we do at Church; and people still go shopping! Many people have now received either one or both doses of the the Vaccine, which affords so much security to each of us. As long as we continue to maintain social distancing, face coverings, hand sanitisation & track & trace facilities; we are doing everything that the Government guidelines have requested of us.
It’s so easy to fall into the trap of replacing the actual physical presence of the worshipping community with a Virtual Reality online version; obviously it has met a need at a very difficult time, but there will come a time when online live streaming will cease. To be able to participate and receive Jesus Christ in Holy Communion, is ultimately the goal within this Pandemic in every parish throughout the world. It’s a new world order, and we will never look at life in the same way ever again. We have all adapted incredibly. Many diocese’s throughout the world are slowly reinstating the Sunday Obligation after this Pandemic.
I make this heartfelt appeal to the whole parish community, to seriously think about your weekly presence at Holy Mass. The Gathering together for the Sacred Liturgy is the most important thing that we do together as Catholics. Let us come and worship the Lord!
May God Bless You All during this Easter Season,
ELECTRONIC EASTER OFFERING: Envelopes will be available for your Easter Offering, which, is your opportunity to make your Easter gift to your Parish Priest, which goes to make up his 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:
Sort Code: 40-13-22
Account Number: 11019651 Quote: ‘Easter Offering’ & Gift Aid No.
Account Name: Catholic Church Loughton St Edmund
WEEKLY OFFERTORY ENVELOPES: If you belong to the Parish Gift Aid Scheme, could you kindly pick up your new envelopes immediately after Mass. During the Week the envelopes will be in Fr. John’s Garage. The new financial year is about to begin so you’ll need your envelopes! If you would like to join the parish Gift Aid Scheme, please pick up a form, complete it and drop off at the Presbytery. I would like to encourage all those who Gift Aid to make a Standing Order, if possible. The HSBC Bank will be closing in August; which means that we will only be able to pay in the Offertory every two to three weeks. With standing Orders you don’t have to worry about envelopes, other than for Special Collections. Maria Mosquera is our Gift Aid Organiser.
CONFIRMATION PROGRAMME: Will resume again on Wednesday 24th April at 7.30pm Please keep our Confirmation Candidates in your prayers as they prepare for this next stage in their Faith Journey. You will be notified by Mark Anthony the day before the programme begins with Zoom details. I was very saddened & disappointed to see so few Confirmandi attend Easter Masses last weekend. Some Candidates have not been to the Church throughout the whole of the Program; others, I have seen every week. If you have returned to school, obviously you are going out and mixing. Think seriously about Confirmation in these weeks ahead. If you are not able to make this commitment which involves the practice of your faith, think very carefully about the sacred action of Confirmation and the promises that you make.
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. The Foodbank has a list of 40 items needed during Lent and they are also supporting families with packed lunches and food parcels during the Easter holidays. Here are the 40 items being requested during Lent: Laundry tablets, anti-bacterial spray, washing-up liquid, UHT milk, long-life fruit juice, squash, instant coffee, tinned ham, corned beef, vegetarian tinned meal, microwave rice, instant noodles, packet mashed potato, tinned carrots, tinned potatoes, tinned sweet corn, custard, sponge pudding, rice pudding, chocolate bars, tinned spaghetti, cous-cous sachet, packet soup, hot chocolate powder, peanut butter, chocolate spread, jam, breakfast bars, cereal bars, biscuits, halal tinned meat, hand sanitiser, shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, face masks, strong carrier bags. Thank you! You can also keep up to date with the Foodbank news via their facebook page: www.facebook.com/EppingForestFoodbank/
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.
God Bless You All Fr. John
HSBC BANK LOUGHTON CLOSING: 13th August 2021. As we belong to the Diiocesan Central Banking system, unfortunately the HSBC Loughton brance will close in August. It would be good if we could get most parishieorns on to the Gift Aid Direct Scheme.
DIARY APRIL 2021
PLEASE PRAY FOR THOSE SICK IN OUR PARISH
Margaret Baldwin, Evelyn Bearne, Brian Beveridge, Karl Britz, Carlos Camacho, Jane Downs, Steve Dalgliesh, Pat Fenn, Veronica Godsave, Bernadette Hall, Ann Hawkes, Claire Howes, Pamela Houghton, Noel Johnson, Shaun Keel, Angela Long, Lilian Mothersole, Sheila Murphy, John McKernan, Rosemary O’Rourke, Kathleen Pomeroy, Geraldine Taylor, Vera Taylor, Mary Witten, James Wright. And all our loved ones.
ANNIVERSARIES: Sheila Tremble RIP And for all whose anniversaries occur at this time and for all of 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!
RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS: Our RCIA programme has been completed this year Please pray for our Catechumen Steven Bullock who will receive the Easter Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation & the Holy Eucharist on Sunday 11th Apriil at the 11.00am Mass This is a wonderful moment in his life as he will join our Parish Family through Initiation. If anyone is interested in learning about the Catholic Faith please contact Fr. John Tel: 0208 508 3492
SACRAMENTS CELEBRATED DURING ALERT LEVEL 4 RESTRICTIONS: In accordance with Government & Diocesan Guidelines, we are allowed to celebrate Funerals with 30 people present, strictly observing social distancing. 12 people are allowed to be present at a wedding. Baptisms are allowed to take place in the context of a Sunday Mass setting. These are really difficult times, and many couples were disappointed last year not being able to celebrate their marriages. We are hoping with the advent of the vaccine, that things will change dramatically this year. If there are any couples who are thinking about getting married, please notify the parish immediately. Thank you. Obviously until restrictions are lifted all of the above applies for the foreseeable future.
MASS INTENTIONS – APRIL 2021
| Sat 10th | 10.00am | Gladys Hockley RIP (D Bryant) |
| Vigil Mass for Sunday: Confessions at 5.30pm | ||
| Sat 10th | 6.00pm | Mary Walstow RIP (Teresa & Brian Fabbri) |
| Sun 11th Sun 11th | 9.00am 10.00am | Tim Hadley RIP (Pat Ward) People of the Parish |
| Sun 11th | 11:00am | Pat & Jack Steele RIP (Maria Fray) |
| Mon 12th | 10.00am 10.30am | Pam Houghton RIP ((M Hopkinson) Holy Hour with Exposition of Bl. Sacrament |
| Tues 13th | 10.00am | William Kendal (Get Well) Kendal Family |
| Wed 14th | 10.00am | Sheila Tremble RIP (Tremble Family)Holy Hour with Exposition of the Bl Sacrament |
| Thurs 15th | 10.00am | Vera & Joe Duffy RIP (Margaret Duffy) |
| Fri 16th | 10.00am | Mary & Judith Gormley RIP (J Gormley)Holy Hour with Exposition of Bl. Sacrament |
| Sat 17th | 10.00am | Margaret Duffy & Pat Ata (Remy) |
| Vigil Mass for Sunday Confessions 5.30pm | ||
| Sat 17th | 6.00pm | Ben Waters RIP (Ann Petch) |
| Sun 18th | 9.00am 10.00am | Joe Caffrey RIP ((Smith Family) Gerald McCarthy Get Well (G O’Donoghue) |
| Sun 18th | 11:00am | Peter Smith RIP (Paul Falco) |
Please kindly be patient with your mass requests. I will try to accommodate your requested dates, but there have been a large number of requests recently and we celebrate masses in the order in which we receive them.
THE CHAPLET OF DIVINE MERCY
(for the recitation on ordinary rosary beads of five decades. (at the beginning)
Make the Sign of the Cross: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Our Father: Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, Amen.
Hail Mary: Hail Mary, full of grace. The Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death, Amen.
The Apostle’s Creed: I believe in God, the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit, and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day He rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen. —-
(then on the Our Father beads)
Eternal Father, I offer you the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Your Dearly Beloved Son, Our Lord, Jesus Christ, in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world.
(then on the Ten Small Hail Mary beads)
For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world.
(conclude with Holy God – repeat three times)
Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world.
(repeat for the remaining decades Saying the “Eternal Father” on the “Our Father” bead and then 10x “For the sake of His sorrowful Passion” on the following “Hail Mary” beads)
You may download your Divine Mercy app at: https://www.thedivinemercy.org/app
IT IS A POWERFUL PRAYER:
In a vision to St. Faustina in 1935, the Lord revealed
a powerful prayer that He wanted everyone to say –
the Chaplet of The Divine Mercy – Jesus said to Faustina:
“The Lord‟s Promise: The souls that say this chaplet will
be embraced by My mercy during their lifetime and
especially at the hour of their death.” – (Diary, 754).
“[…] I desire that the whole world know My infnite mercy.
I desire to grant unimaginable graces to those
souls who trust in My mercy.” – (Diary, 687).
“My daughter, encourage souls to say the chaplet which
I have given to you. It pleases Me to grant everything
they ask of Me by saying the chaplet […]” – (Diary, 1541).
“[…] Priests will recommend it to sinners as their last hope of salvation. Even if there were a sinner most hardened,
if he were to recite this chaplet only once,
he would receive grace from
My infnite mercy […]” – (Diary, 687).
Divine Mercy Sunday (2nd Sunday of Easter)
First Reading : Acts 4:32-35
The whole group of believers was united, heart and soul; no one claimed for his own use anything that he had, as everything they owned was held in common.
The apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus with great power, and they were all given great respect.
None of their members was ever in want, as all those who owned land or houses would sell them, and bring the money from them, to present it to the apostles; it was then distributed to any members who might be in need.
Responsorial Psalm : Psalm 117(118):2-4,15-18,22-24
Give thanks to the Lord for he is good, for his love has no end.
Let the sons of Israel say:
‘His love has no end.’
Let the sons of Aaron say:
‘His love has no end.’
Let those who fear the Lord say:
‘His love has no end.’
Give thanks to the Lord for he is good, for his love has no end.
The Lord’s right hand has triumphed;
his right hand raised me up.
I shall not die, I shall live
and recount his deeds.
I was punished, I was punished by the Lord,
but not doomed to die.
Give thanks to the Lord for he is good, for his love has no end
.
The stone which the builders rejected
has become the corner stone.
This is the work of the Lord,
a marvel in our eyes.
This day was made by the Lord;
we rejoice and are glad.
Give thanks to the Lord for he is good, for his love has no end.
Second Reading : 1 John 5:1-6
Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ
has been begotten by God;
and whoever loves the Father that begot him
loves the child whom he begets.
We can be sure that we love God’s children
if we love God himself and do what he has commanded us;
this is what loving God is –
keeping his commandments;
and his commandments are not difficult,
because anyone who has been begotten by God
has already overcome the world;
this is the victory over the world –
our faith.
Who can overcome the world?
Only the man who believes that Jesus is the Son of God:
Jesus Christ who came by water and blood,
not with water only,
but with water and blood;
with the Spirit as another witness –
since the Spirit is the truth.
Gospel : John 20:19-31
In the evening of that same day, the first day of the week, the doors were closed in the room where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews. Jesus came and stood among them. He said to them, ‘Peace be with you’, and showed them his hands and his side. The disciples were filled with joy when they saw the Lord, and he said to them again, ‘Peace be with you.
‘As the Father sent me, so am I sending you.’ After saying this he breathed on them
and said: ‘Receive the Holy Spirit. For those whose sins you forgive, they are forgiven;
for those whose sins you retain, they are retained.’
Thomas, called the Twin, who was one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. When the disciples said, ‘We have seen the Lord’, he answered, ‘Unless I see the holes that the nails made in his hands and can put my finger into the holes they made, and unless I can put my hand into his side, I refuse to believe.’ Eight days later the disciples were in the house again and Thomas was with them. The doors were closed, but Jesus came in and stood among them. ‘Peace be with you’ he said. Then he spoke to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here; look, here are my hands. Give me your hand; put it into my side. Doubt no longer but believe.’ Thomas replied, ‘My Lord and my God!’ Jesus said to him:
‘You believe because you can see me.
Happy are those who have not seen and yet believe.’
There were many other signs that Jesus worked and the disciples saw, but they are not recorded in this book. These are recorded so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing this you may have life through his name.
St Edmund of Canterbury 