Trinity Sunday 2021

St. Edmund of Canterbury & St. Thomas More

The Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity

Dear Friends in Christ

The Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity is always celebrated a week after Pentecost. Trinity Sunday honors the most fundamental of Christian beliefs—belief in the Holy Trinity. The human mind can never fully understand the mystery of the Trinity, but we can sum it up in the following formula: God is three Persons in one Nature. There is only one God, and the three Persons of God—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit—are all equally God, and they cannot be divided. At Holy Mass the Sacred Liturgy lifts the heart, mind and soul up to God, who is Father Son & Spirit. We not only praise the Holy Trinity in the Gloria at the beginning of Mass, but we also make a profession of faith to God in the Trinity while praying the Nicene Creed. The Council of Nicaea was called by the Emperor Constantine in the year 325AD. The Early Fathers of the Church, in response to various heresies rife at that time, formulated a Universal Creed of Belief, formulating not only the belief on the Most Holy Trinity, but also about the Church, Baptism, and Resurrection from the Dead, and Our Blessed Lady’s role in God’s plan of Salvation. Let us pray the Creed with true faith and fervour!

Illustration of the Hospitality of Abraham

Dear Friends in Christ, Trinity Sunday 2021

In light of the latest variant in Corona virus in this country, there is a certain amount of speculation as to whether we are going to be able to open up completely on 21^st June. Manifestly, many people have already had the first shot of the vaccine, and many the second. Social distancing, and the wearing of face coverings are still in place, and everyone is being advised to be cautious. The past 15 months have certainly taken its toll on many people’s lives, and many are just fed up with living this way, but health & Safety is important for all, and letting one’s guard down now could set back the whole process of trying to preserve everyone’s life. Please continue to adhere to all the Governmental guidelines. We will continue to follow Governmental & Diocesan guidelines here at Church until we’re given guidance that we can lift all restrictions.

I would like to commend all of our parishioners who have faithfully returned to the weekly practice of the faith. In speaking to many of you at different times, I know how hard it was to be away; but to be able to receive the sacraments once again is truly wonderful. To those who have not returned, can I make an impassioned appeal to you all, Church is a very safe place, we haven’t had one report of anyone contracting the virus here at St. Edmund’s in all the months we’ve been open. It’s likely that some will never return to the regular practice of faith, either from getting out of the habit, or those who may feel that they don’t need formal religion in their lives anymore. I ask everyone to think seriously about the whole meaning of your Catholic Faith, and whether you can permanently live without it?

CONFIRMATION PROGRAMME: A note to all of our Confirmandi, that the Rehearsal (with sponsors), and Penance Service will take place on Wednesday 2^nd June at 7.00pm at St. Edmund’s. If Catechists could also be present I’d be most grateful. Some candidates have not been present at Mass throughout the whole programme; as a priest I find this really sad, especially when everyone is now back in full time education. Please think very carefully about this commitment through the Sacrament of Confirmation. The Confirmation dates are as follows: Wednesday 9^th June: Groups 4,5,6. Thursday 10^th June: Groups 1,2,3. at 7.00pm. (Due to Covid restrictions and Social Distancing, only the Confirmandi & their Sponsors and parents will be able to be present at the Confirmation Ceremony).

May God Bless You All This Week,

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:

Donate

Or you can use Parish Bank Account: Using Online Banking
HSBC Sort Code 40-13-22
Account Number: 11019651

NEW GIFT AID ORGANISER: Due to unforeseen circumstances our Gift Aid Organiser Maria Mosquera has to step down from her role. I am making an appeal to all parishioners for a volunteer to take over the role of Gift Aid Organiser? Maria will be able to help whoever takes over to learn the role and will be available should problems arise. Obviously Computer Skills will help. I’m truly grateful to Maria for assuming this role for the past few years ago. This would be a wonderful way of serving God through the Parish Community – please think about this request, thank you! If you want to speak to me personally please call Tel No: 0208 508 3492

PARISH REPOSITORY: We have a large selection of gifts for the Sacrament of Confirmation: Beautiful cards, medals, candles, Confirmation crosses, and various other items that would be suitable gifts for Confirmandi. There are also some beautiful new Mass Cards for all occasions. There are a large number of Cards for young people who are taking exams at this present time. Thank you to Teresa & Steve Wallace for looking after the Repository and keeping it well stocked during the past year of Pandemic. I’m really pleased that so many parishioners have made use of the Repository.

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!

POSTPONEMENT OF JUBILEE: I have decided to postopone my 40^th Anniversary Jubilee celebrations until a later date. With ultimate restrictions not being lifted until the latter part of June, it really doesn’t give enough time to send out invitations, and also for many friends who wanted to come from abroad to attend. I will celebrate Jubilee Thanksgiving Mass on Sunday 11^th July at 11am with only my Parish Family.

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 have asked for support with the following items: Long-life fruit juice, tinned tomatoes, instant mash, tinned fish, tinned peas, tinned carrots, tinned potatoes, small jars of instant coffee, small or medium bags of rice, sponge pudding, snack bars, chocolate bars, chocolate spread and savoury crackers Thank you! You can also keep up to date with the Foodbank news via their facebook page: www.facebook.com/EppingForestFoodbank/

GRAND CHURCH CLEAN: Could I make an appeal to all parishioners to come and help with a Grand Church Clean on Saturday 5^th June at 10.30am. I’m truly grateful to Sharon Fitzmaurice & Veronica Short who have, for the most part, kept the Altar Society going over the past 15 months, cleaning the church and doing the altar laundry. But to have a grand clean periodically, apart from the sanitisation of benches after each service gets into all those nooks and crannies that can sometimes be forgotten.

IRREGULAR MARRIAGES: An irregualr marriage is one tht has taken place outside of the Catholic Church without dispensation. For example: Marriages in hotels, and secualr venues, on beaches or Las Vegas; marriage in a non Catholic Church without dispensation from the Bishop. These marriages are not recognised by the Catholic Church, and therefore are non sacramental & irregular. But there is a facility in the Church to recetify these situations called a Convalidation (this is a strictly private facility that is offered by the church). As marriage and family life is what I specialised in while studying Canon Law, if anyone wishes to speak to me confidentially please don’t hesitate to contact me: Tel No: 0208 508 3492

DIARY MAY – JUNE 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: For all whose anniversaries occur at this time and for all of our deceased loved ones, Requiescant in Pace.

OFFERTORY COLLECTION: I would like to take this public opportunity of thanking every single member of this parish Community for your incredible support of the parish over the past 15 months of Pandemic. With the church remaining open and with online daily live streaming of Holy Mass, even during those four and half months of lockdown; in completing our Financial Returns to the Diocese, you will be delighted to know that we broke even this year. My thanks to Michael Manzi our Accountant, who looks after the Parish Accounts & Maria Mosquera who looks after the Parish Gift Aid Scheme; they have both done a truly wonderful job this year. 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 100 people present, strictly observing social distancing. 12 people are allowed to be present at a wedding. Baptisms: you are now allowed up to 30 persons at a Baptism; not too sure what the restrictions are for social event after though! 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 – MAY / JUNE 2021

Sat 29^th	10.00am	Margaret Duffy’s Int’s (Frank Westcott)
		*Vigil Mass for Sunday: Confessions at 5.30pm*
Sat 29^th	6.00pm	Michael McCarthy RIP (Una Machnicki)
Sun 30^th Sun 30^th	9.00am10.00am	Robin Bennett RIP (John & Sue Campbell)People of the Parish
Sun 30^th	11:00am	Michael Green RIP (Arthur & Jenny)
Mon 31^st	10.00am10.30am	Richard Okorogheye RIP (Laffey Family)Holy Hour with Exposition of Bl. Sacrament
Tues 1st June	10.00am	Joyce & Keith Sarson (M Duffy N Ironside)
Wed 2^nd	10.00am	Letitia Fletcher RIP ( K & A Sinclair)
Thurs 3^rd	10.00am 10.30am	Tommy Reilly’s Int’s (M Ryan)Holy Hour with Exposition of the Bl Sacrament
Fri 4^th	10.00am 10.30am	Nancy Hands Int’s (Remy)Holy Hour with Exposition of Bl. Sacrament
Sat 5^th	10.00am	Letitia Fletcher RIP (Nancy Ironside)
		*Vigil Mass for Sunday Confessions 5.30pm*
Sat 5^th	6.00pm	John A Harvey RIP (39 anni) (Fr. John )
Sun 6^th Sun 6^th	9.00am10.00am	Iain Campbell RIP (Brenda Bryant)People of the Parish
Sun 6^th	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. We are running short on Mass intentions at present

The Most Holy Trinity – Solemnity

First Reading : Deuteronomy 4:32-34,39-40

Moses said to the people: ‘Put this question to the ages that are past, that went before you, from the time God created man on earth: Was there ever a word so majestic, from one end of heaven to the other? Was anything ever heard? Did ever a people hear the voice of the living God speaking from the heart of the fire, as you heard it, and remain alive? Has any god ventured to take to himself one nation from the midst of another by ordeals, signs, wonders, war with mighty hand and outstretched arm, by fearsome terrors – all this that the Lord your God did for you before your eyes in Egypt?

‘Understand this today, therefore, and take it to heart: the Lord is God indeed, in heaven above as on earth beneath, he and no other. Keep his laws and commandments as I give them to you today, so that you and your children may prosper and live long in the land that the Lord your God gives you for ever.’

Responsorial Psalm : Psalm 32(33):4-6,9,18-20,22