St. Edmund of Canterbury & St. Thomas More
As they listened to Jesus preaching and teaching in the Synagogue the people are amazed at his knowledge. But then they start to question where he got his knowledge, and they result to saying, “Isn’t this the Carpenter’s Son? Isn’t Mary his mother? Don’t we know his relations? Their questions were leading them to explore the greatest mystery of life: who was Jesus of Nazareth? Sadly, their line of questioning did not lead to faith because they ‘took offence at him’. What a shame, because their minds were beginning to entertain the mystery of the Incarnation – God made man – one of the most fundamental aspects of the panorama of Christian revelation. Just as we need to cultivate a sense of Eucharistic awe, so too we need to nurture a sense of incarnational awe. Of course, the key to this mystery is faith: but to understand, we must first believe. Our minds in themselves are not capable of grasping the incarnation. St Thomas Aquinas said: ‘By the Divine Nature, Christ is simple. By his human nature, he is complex.’
RUBY JUBILEE OF ORDINATION TO THE SACRED PRIESTHOOD
Next Sunday 11th July, I will be celebrating my 40th Anniversary to the Sacred Priesthood. Sadly, due to Covid restrictions I have had to postpone the Jubilee celebrations until a later date, possibly the same time next year. Originally, I had many people travelling from different parts of the world, lots of family & friends, and of course my parish family. But health & safety in these precarious times is of supreme importance. I will celebrate the 11am Mass on the 11th July as a Thanksgiving Mass, and for me, this is the most important thing that I can do as a priest. Monsignor Kevin Hale, our Vicar General, and one of my oldest friends, will be preaching at the Mass. Sue Farrow our Choir Director and Choir members will sing at the Mass. I sincerely hope that you may be able to attend the Mass, even with limited spaces, there will be seating also outside the Church; and we have a speaker that can transmit outside. In humility, I ask for your continued prayers as I celebrate this great milestone, and I thank God for the Gift of the Priesthood.
VICARIATE FOR ADULT FORMATION: Have produced a leaflet entitled ‘The Journey Home’ – Returning to Sunday Mass and the Practice of our Faith. Sunday is the Day of the Lord. It is on this day that we meet the Risen Christ and we are formed into a community of faith, hope and love by the power of His Holy Spirit. All of us have an opportunity to reflect honestly on the practice of our faith and to take the decision to make the journey home to the Celebration of Sunday Mass. The welcome will be assured and warm because it there that Christ waits for us and invites us into his life. For more information about Sunday Mass, please got to the Parish Website for up to date information or contact your Parish Priest. Please visit the new Thresholds of Hope website at: www.thresholdsofhope.co.uk
OFFERTORY COLLECTION: Last weekend’s Offertory £454.78. My ongoing thanks to the whole parish community for your weekly financial support! As you can see our Weekly Offertory bears no comparison to prior Pandemic income; many parishioners have signed up for the online giving and Gift Aid Scheme. I would like to encourage this even more. 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. 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. Thanks!
FIRST HOLY COMMUNION PROGRAMME 2021/2022: I have completed the interviews with parents. I would like to thank all the parents that I was able to see you regarding your child’s forthcoming First Holy Communion Programme. It was really nice to be able to meet up with you, and discuss the programme the children, hopefully, will begin in September. As you know, in light of the Covid Pandemic, we had to cancel this year’s programme; therefore there will be two years of children, Years 3 & 4. There should be about 30 children on the programme. Please keep the children and their families in your prayers. COULD YOU KINDLY RETURN YOUR CHILD’S ENROLMENT FORM AS SOON AS POSSIBLE PLEASE AS BOOKS HAVE TO BE ORDERED.
May God Bless Your 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:
Or you can use Parish Bank Account: Using Online Banking
HSBC Sort Code 40-13-22
Account Number: 11019651
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. It would be wonderful to have a number of enquirers. We follow a systematic programme of instruction, covering all aspects of Catholicism, Doctrine, Scripture, Liturgy, Mariology, Catholic practices. Please spread the word about this programme. Thank you!
PARISH REPOSITORY: There are a large number of gifts and cards available in the Repository. There are rosaries, statues, medals, candles, special cards, prayer crosses, Anniversary Cards for all occasions, and many other items that would be suitable gifts for all occasions. Please leave your money in the basket provided. Thanks
MASS INTENTIONS: It has always been a custom within the Roman Catholic Faith to have an Intention offered when celebrating Holy Mass. Intentions can be for all occasions: e.g. For a deceased member of a family; deceased anniversary mass; Birthday intention; Special Occasions; Get Well Mass; Success in exams; Special milestone anniversaries, Wedding, Ordination, Confirmation. In fact, you can offer a Mass for almost every occasion! There are Mass Intention envelopes and Special Mass Cards for all occasions in the Repository at the back of the Church. (Please complete Mass envelope and enclose your Mass Offering and drop off at the Presbytery); I will always try to accommodate the date you have requested, or the nearest date to it. It’s always beautiful to receive a Mass card from someone!
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/
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
RETURNING TO THE WEEKLY PRACTICE OF THE FAITH: With so amny people having received their Vaccination against Covid, it would be wonderful to see many more return to the weekly practice of the faith. To be without the Sacrametns for usch a long period of time is unprecedented. It’s true that many people have just got out of the habit of going to Church, and live-streaming is not a subsititute for being together with the worhsipping community. Our Church’s opened last July 4th, and many parishioners have returned. To get back into the routine of regular practice is up to the individual, but if you have children, it is so important that this routine recommence once again. Children are guided by their parents, and if chidlren witness that this is not important to you, it will, sadly, not be important to them. There are so many challenges and threats to our lives of faith, on so many fronts these days, please don’t let Covid be another of them!
DIARY JUNE 2021
PLEASE PRAY FOR THOSE SICK IN OUR PARISH
Carmen Antaki, Margaret Baldwin, Evelyn Bearne, Brian Beveridge, Karl Britz, Carlos Camacho, Jane Downs, Steve Dalgliesh, Pat Fenn, Veronica Godsave, Bernadette Hall, Ann Hawkes, Claire Howes, Noel Johnson, Shaun Keel, Angela Long, Lilian Mothersole, John McKernan, Rosemary O’Rourke, Kathleen Pomeroy, Geraldine Taylor, Vera Taylor, Collette Wenborn, Mary Witten, James Wright. And all our loved ones.
ANNIVERSARIES: Alan West RIP, Marie Dawson RIP, and for all whose anniversaries occur at this time and for all of our deceased loved ones, Requiescant in Pace.
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. 30 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 distribution 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.
RECEIVING SACRAMENTS: Recently, 48 of our young people received the Sacrament of Confirmation. This is a milestone in a young person’s life. Sadly I haven’t seen many of them since the day they were confirmed. This Sacrament of commitment and mission is about these young people assuming a certain amount of mature responsibility in their own Faith Journey. It’s not just about stamping the Sacramental Passport; I had it said to me recently, I quote: “my parents said to me if I got Confirmed, I don’t have to go to church anymore.” This is not only an insult to the young person, but even more so, an insult to Almighty God. If faith means so little, why would you go through a Sacramental Programme knowing that you would walk away from the practice of that faith? This is a really serious issue, and not something to be dismissed lightly. I ask everyone to think seriously about what it means to be really committed in your life of faith! Life is not a dress rehearsal, it’s the real thing every day; and there can be so many missed opportunities!
MASS INTENTIONS – JULY 2021
| Sat 3rd | 10.00am | Mary Burton B’day Int’s (Monica Maycraft) |
| Vigil Mass for Sunday: Confessions at 5.30pm | ||
| Sat 3rd | 6.00pm | Sheila Murphy RIP (Rooney Family) |
| Sun 4thSun 4th | 9.00am 10.00am | People of the Parish Gerard Pampellonne RIP ( K Pampellone) |
| Sun 4th | 11:00am | Charles Frost RIP (Martin Frost) |
| Mon 5th | 10.00am 10.30am | Violet Hall RIP (Maureen Perry) Holy Hour with Exposition of Bl. Sacrament |
| Tues 6th | 10.00am | Kathleen Daly RIP |
| Wed 7th | 10.00am | Sheila Murphy RIP (Hornett Family) |
| Thurs 8th | 10.00am 10.30am | Private Int. (Maureen Perry)Holy Hour with Exposition of the Bl Sacrament |
| Fri 9th | 10.00am 10.30am | Margaret Mullaney B’day Ints (M Maycraft) Holy Hour with Exposition of Bl. Sacrament |
| Sat 10th | 9.00am | Veronica Short B’day. (Pat & Margaret) |
| Vigil Mass for Sunday Confessions 5.30pm | ||
| Sat 10th | 6.00pm | Joan Dowding RIP |
| Sun 11thSun 11th | 9.00am 10.00am | People of the ParishAustin O’Dowd RIP |
| Sun 11th | 11:00am | Fr. John’s Int’s 40th Anniversary of Ordination to the Sacred Priesthood |
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.
FOURTEENTH SUNDAY OF THE YEAR
First Reading : Ezekiel 2:2-5
The spirit came into me and made me stand up, and I heard the Lord speaking to me. He said, ‘Son of man, I am sending you to the Israelites, to the rebels who have turned against me. Till now they and their ancestors have been in revolt against me. The sons are defiant and obstinate; I am sending you to them, to say, “The Lord says this.” Whether they listen or not, this set of rebels shall know there is a prophet among them.’
Responsorial Psalm : Psalm 122(123)
Our eyes are on the Lord till he shows us his mercy.
To you have I lifted up my eyes,
you who dwell in the heavens;
my eyes, like the eyes of slaves
on the hand of their lords.
Our eyes are on the Lord till he shows us his mercy.
Like the eyes of a servant
on the hand of her mistress,
so our eyes are on the Lord our God
till he show us his mercy.
Our eyes are on the Lord till he shows us his mercy.
Have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy.
We are filled with contempt.
Indeed all too full is our soul
with the scorn of the rich,
with the proud man’s disdain.
Our eyes are on the Lord till he shows us his mercy.
Second Reading : 2 Corinthians 12:7-10
In view of the extraordinary nature of these revelations, to stop me from getting too proud I was given a thorn in the flesh, an angel of Satan to beat me and stop me from getting too proud! About this thing, I have pleaded with the Lord three times for it to leave me, but he has said, ‘My grace is enough for you: my power is at its best in weakness.’ So I shall be very happy to make my weaknesses my special boast so that the power of Christ may stay over me, and that is why I am quite content with my weaknesses, and with insults, hardships, persecutions, and the agonies I go through for Christ’s sake. For it is when I am weak that I am strong.
Gospel : Mark 6:1-6
Jesus went to his home town and his disciples accompanied him. With the coming of the Sabbath he began teaching in the synagogue and most of them were astonished when they heard him. They said, ‘Where did the man get all this? What is this wisdom that has been granted him, and these miracles that are worked through him? This is the carpenter, surely, the son of Mary, the brother of James and Joset and Jude and Simon? His sisters, too, are they not here with us?’ And they would not accept him. And Jesus said to them, ‘A prophet is only despised in his own country, among his own relations and in his own house’; and he could work no miracle there, though he cured a few sick people by laying his hands on them. He was amazed at their lack of faith. THE GOSPEL OF THE LORD.
St Edmund of Canterbury 