St. Edmund of Canterbury & St. Thomas More
Third Sunday of Easter 2021, Year B
Dear Friends in Christ Third Sunday of Easter 2021
Once again this week we have listened to one of the Post-Resurrection accounts of the Apostles’ encounter with the Risen Lord. There were ten separate appearances after the Resurrectiton, and each one reassured the Apostles and disiciples of Jesus’ triumph over sin and death. He could not be contained anymore by time or space. The reassurance that he gave to his followers, was what they needed to begin the public ministry of preaching the Good News. Everything that Jesus had promised had now come to pass; their sadness turns to joy, their fear turns to courage, their doubts turn to real faitih in the Risen Lord. Nothing can now hold them back in their mission. And with the gift of the Holy Spirit promised by the Lord, their lives are totally transformed, and so the ‘New Life’ begins.
WEEKLY OFFERTORY ENVELOPES: There are still a large number of Gift Aid envelopes which have not been collected by those who belong to the scheme. The table will be outside the Church again this weekend for collection, and then placed in Fr. John’s garage throughout the week. As stated, the HSBC bank will be closing on 13th August, it would be good for as many parishioerns as possible to go over to the direct giving through your bank. If you wish to join the Gift Aid Scheme, please see Fr. John or Maria Mosquera. Thank you for your ongoing support to the Parish.
May God Bless You All during this Easter Season.
Dear Friends in Christ, 3rd Sunday of Easter
Thomas Merton once wrote, “The real reason why so few men believe in God is that they have ceased to believe that even a God can love them.” That’s the great challenge, isn’t it – to believe that an almighty God could care about, much less love, small and sinful me? But the Christian claim is that he absolutely does: God took flesh for my sake, and yours, and died for our sins in order to raise us to eternal life. In today’s Gospel, we hear how the Risen Jesus appears to the disciples not in anger or vengeance, but in reconciliation: “Peace be with you.” It is this peace, this reconciliation that is the mission of the Church – not just bishops and priests, but all of us. We, as the community of believers, must proclaim by our witness and demonstrate by our unity that, in Jesus Christ, God has proven his love for all.
SLOWLY OPENING UP AGAIN: This week, after many weeks of lock down, we saw the second phase of re-opening take place. It is hoped that with so many of the population having received one or both doses of the vaccine, it will assist in giving a lot more confidence to people in this fight against Covid. We cannot lower our guard, and still have to abide by the social distancing measures and face coverings when inside; but with the warmer weather arriving, and hopefully, society trying to get back to some semblance of normality, we will be able to resume life in a more relaxed manner. Obviously, this Pandemic is still raging throughout our world, and even though we may feel a lot safer, there are many countries that have barely even begun a vaccination programme. Foreign travel is still very questionable! Let us continue to be vigilant.
COMING HOME: ‘Landings’, is the name of a programme designed to encourage people to the return of the practice of their Catholic Faith. For over a year now, many people have not felt safe enough to attend weekly mass, even though we have provided Government guidelines and all the necessary PPE provisions to ensure people’s safety when attending public services. We have been fortunate enough to have been open since last July 2020, and many are now slowly returning to Holy Mass. But as I stated last year, it’s very easy to get out of the habit of attending Mass, and before we know it, many will not even bother with virtual attendance either. As I stated nothing can ever replace the physical presence, being part of the worshipping community and receiving Jesus in Holy Communion.
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. Some Candidates have not been to the Church throughout the whole of the Program or over the past year; 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.
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
EASTER OFFERING: Please ensure that you specify ‘Easter Offering’ & your Gift Aid number.
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
RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS: If you know of anyone who may be interested in learning more about the Roman Catholic Faith possibly with the view of receiving the Easter Sacraments in 2022, please contact Fr. John at the Presbytery on Tel No: 020 8508 3492. The programme usually commences in September. If would be wonderful to have a number of enquirers. We follow a systematic programme of instruction, covering all aspects of Catholicism. Please spread the word about this programme. Thank you!
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. Here are the 40 items being requested: 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/
HSBC BANK LOUGHTON CLOSING: 13th August 2021. As we belong to the Diocesan Central Banking system, unfortunately the HSBC Loughton brance will close in August. It would be good if we could get most parishioners on to the Gift Aid Direct Debit 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: Reginald Rogers RIP, and for all whose anniversaries occur at this time and for all of our deceased loved ones, Requiescant in Pace.
OFFERTORY COLLECTION: £597.38 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!
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 17th | 10.00am | Margaret Duffy & Pat Ata (Remy) |
| Vigil Mass for Sunday: Confessions at 5.30pm | ||
| Sat 17th | 6.00pm | Ben Waters RIP (Ann Petch) |
| Sun 18th 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) |
| Mon 19th | 10.00am 10.30am | Patrick Daly (Get well) (G O’Donoghue) Holy Hour with Exposition of Bl. Sacrament |
| Tues 20th | 10.00am | Joe Brown RIP (Betty Brown) |
| Wed 21st | 10.00am 10.30am | William Stephens RIP (Marie Kavanagh) Holy Hour with Exposition of the Bl Sacrament |
| Thurs 22nd | 10.00am | Tony Ironside RIP (Margaret Duffy) |
| Fri 23rd | 10.00am 10.30am | Msgr Henry Posluszny RIP (F Westcott) Holy Hour with Exposition of Bl. Sacrament |
| Sat 24th | 10.00am | Ron Bryant RIP (Brenda Bryant) |
| Vigil Mass for Sunday Confessions 5.30pm | ||
| Sat 24th | 6.00pm | Ben & Katie Romford Paramedics (B Brown) |
| Sun 25th | 9.00am 10.00am | Kenneth Tudhope RIP (M Duffy) People of the Parish |
| Sun 25th | 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.
SACRED SCRIPTURES READINGS FOR THE THIRD SUNDAY OF EASTER 2021
First Reading : Acts 3:13-15,17-19
Peter said to the people: ‘You are Israelites, and it is the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our ancestors, who has glorified his servant Jesus, the same Jesus you handed over and then disowned in the presence of Pilate after Pilate had decided to release him. It was you who accused the Holy One, the Just One, you who demanded the reprieve of a murderer while you killed the prince of life. God, however, raised him from the dead, and to that fact we are the witnesses.
‘Now I know, brothers, that neither you nor your leaders had any idea what you were really doing; this was the way God carried out what he had foretold, when he said through all his prophets that his Christ would suffer. Now you must repent and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out.’
Resposorial Psalm : Psalm 4:2,4,7,9
Lift up the light of your face on us, O Lord.
When I call, answer me, O God of justice;
from anguish you released me, have mercy and hear me!
Lift up the light of your face on us, O Lord.
It is the Lord who grants favours to those whom he loves;
the Lord hears me whenever I call him.
Lift up the light of your face on us, O Lord.
‘What can bring us happiness?’ many say.
Lift up the light of your face on us, O Lord.
Lift up the light of your face on us, O Lord.
I will lie down in peace and sleep comes at once
for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.
Lift up the light of your face on us, O Lord.
Second Reading : 1 John 2:1-5
I am writing this, my children,
to stop you sinning;
but if anyone should sin,
we have our advocate with the Father,
Jesus Christ, who is just;
he is the sacrifice that takes our sins away,
and not only ours,
but the whole world’s.
We can be sure that we know God
only by keeping his commandments.
Anyone who says, ‘I know him’,
and does not keep his commandments,
is a liar,
refusing to admit the truth.
But when anyone does obey what he has said,
God’s love comes to perfection in him.
Gospel : Luke 24:35-48
The disciples told their story of what had happened on the road and how they had recognised Jesus at the breaking of bread.
They were still talking about all this when Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, ‘Peace be with you!’ In a state of alarm and fright, they thought they were seeing a ghost. But he said, ‘Why are you so agitated, and why are these doubts rising in your hearts? Look at my hands and feet; yes, it is I indeed. Touch me and see for yourselves; a ghost has no flesh and bones as you can see I have.’ And as he said this he showed them his hands and feet. Their joy was so great that they still could not believe it, and they stood there dumbfounded; so he said to them, ‘Have you anything here to eat?’ And they offered him a piece of grilled fish, which he took and ate before their eyes.
Then he told them, ‘This is what I meant when I said, while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses, in the Prophets and in the Psalms has to be fulfilled.’ He then opened their minds to understand the scriptures, and he said to them, ‘So you see how it is written that the Christ would suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that, in his name, repentance for the forgiveness of sins would be preached to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses to this.
THE GOSPEPL OF THE LORD
St Edmund of Canterbury 