St. Edmund of Canterbury & St. Thomas More
SOLEMNITY OF ALL SAINTS, 2021
One of the striking features of the Sermon on the Mount is that Jesus sat down to teach. It was an act of solidarity with his disciples by not towering over them in the fashion of pagan rulers. Indeed, in John’s Gospel the Lord says, ‘I have called you friends, for all that I heard from my Father I have made known to you’. And from his seated position, the Lord gives a beautiful blueprint for Christian living.
The danger is to ‘pick and choose’ Beatitudes, rather than viewing them as a collective whole. St. Gregory of Nyssa taught that the Beatitudes build upon each other, culminating in the promise of the kingdom of heaven.
We find the most perfect embodiment of the Beatitudes in the life of Mary. Indeed, there is a striking mirror of language between the Beatitudes and elements in her Magnificat. She speaks of how ‘all generations will call me blessed’, with a keyword in this context being ‘blessed’. She is blessed and so will the people of God that Jesus envisages as he teaches his Sermon on the Mount. She is mournful, particularly at the foot of the cross where no one can share the sharpness of her grief, and her heart is pierced by sorrow as the suffering of her divine Son. Her thirst for justice can be found when she proclaims that God, ‘has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty’.
She is pure of heart, by reason of her Immaculate Conception and her immunity from Original Sin, and with her coronation in heaven she is afforded the full sight of God’s face. She was also persecuted for the cause of uprightness, when she was forced to flee to Egypt as a result of King Herod decreeing the death of all new-born babies.
So, on this Feast of All Saints we invoke the help of our most Blessed Mother and reflect on the Seven Sorrows of Mary.
Dear Friends in Christ, All Saints Day
We not only celebrate the great Solemnity of All the Saints today, but on Tuesday we commemorate in a special way all of the Faithful Departed on All Souls day. WE REMEMBER OUR DEAD and the communion that we still enjoy with them during this month of November. We also pray and offer Masses for the repose of their souls in the eternal life of God. Why do we offer Mass for the dead? We believe that there exists a living communion between us and our brothers and sisters “who have gone ahead of us marked the sign of faith”. Just as we pray for each other and share each other’s burdens on earth, we can offer prayers and sacrifices to help the departed souls undergoing purification, and no better prayer could be offered than that of the holy sacrifice of the Mass.
It is a deep and ancient instinct for Catholics to pray and offer Mass for the dead. St. Ambrose (d. 397) preached, “We have loved them during life; let us not abandon them in death, until we have conducted them by our prayers into the house of the Lord.” St. Augustine (d. 430) recorded the dying wishes of his mother, St. Monica in his Confessions: “One thing only I ask you, that you remember me at the altar of the Lord wherever you may be.” Pope St. Gregory (d. 604) said, “Let us not hesitate to help those who have died and to offer our prayers for them.”
NOVEMBER DEAD ENVELOPES: During November, please write and place the names of your deceased in these envelopes. The names of your deceased will be placed before the altar at every Mass and those “who have gone ahead of us marked by the sign of faith” will be raised up before the Lord in prayer. Also a decade of the rosary will be prayed at the end of each weekday mass for ther repose of their souls. Please place the name(s) of your deceased loved ones with your donation in the ‘Month of the Holy Souls’ envelope and drop it off at the Presbytery before 2nd November.
There will be three masses offered on All Souls Day in Commemoration of the Faithful Departed: 10.00am, 12.15pm & 7.30pm. Please make a very special effort to attend one of these Masses. Also during the Pandemic we have lost a number of Parishioners. There will be a special mass on Friday 19th November at 7.30pm I ask all those families who have lost loved ones this year, to come and pray for the repose of their souls.
May God bless you all during the coming week,
BRTISH SUMMER TIME END THIS EVENING. PLEASE PUT
YOUR CLOCKS BACK ONE HOUR
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 PLEASE BE GENEROUS IN YOUR
Account Number: 11019651 GIFT TO GOD & HIS CHURCH
PARISH FINANACES: As you can appreciate, during this pandemic the parish income took a severe hit, and we are still not back at the same levels as we were prior to 2020. My sincere and grateful thanks to those who have signed up for online giving and Gift Aid, this is helping. Many parishioners have not returned to the regular practice of faith, and many Gift Aid boxes were not collected this year. Please consider your weekly offertory to God.
RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS The Presbytery at 7.30pm next Thursday 4th November Theme: How do we recognise the Church today? If you want to know more about the programme please contact Fr John, Tel No: 0208 508 3492 or Email: loughton@dioceseofbrentwood.org
FIRST HOLY COMMUNION PROGRAMME: The Children’s Programme will resume again on Sunday 7th NOVEMBER at 10.00am. (NO CLASS THIS WEEK) Please put these class dates in your diary. Thank you! Please pray for all our children preparing for the sacraments. This is truly a wonderful moment of time in their lives.
PERSONAL NOTE: Unfortunately, during lockdown last November 2020 I had to go into hospital to have a small tumour removed from my bladder. On a recent check-up they discovered two more back in the bladder. I had surgery earlier in the month, and my consultant is very happy with the biopsy results. The reason I share this with you is to avoid speculation and rumour, as a few people have already spoken to me about being unwell. All I ask are your prayers; I have great faith in Almighty God and also my wonderful consultant. Thank you! Fr John x
ANNUAL CHRISTMAS GRAND DRAW & CHRISTMAS HAMPERS May I appeal to your incredible generosity once again this year, as we’ve decided not to have a formal traditional Bazaar. Last year we had a successful Grand Draw with Hampers, which proved to be very successful. There are Boxes to receive your gifts and food items and bottles, in the Porch of the Church, in Fr John’s Garage, and at the front do of the Presbytery. These will be emptied on a daily basis. Money gifts are also welcomed – if you use the Gift Aid Scheme, please use one of your spare envelopes to gift aid your money donation.
Some ideas for the Grand Draw are Flat Screen TV, Laptop, Other New Electrical Goods, Restaurant Vouchers, Hotel Vouchers, National Trust Family Memberships, Crate of Wine, Department Store Vouchers. Also Smart Tech Wearables: Fit Bits, Garmins, Air Pods, Beats. Suggested Hamper Donations: Luxury Brand Christmas Cakes & Christmas Puddings; Bottles of Champagne, Prosecco, Spirits, Port & Wine; Tinned Meats – Gammon Ham, Potted Duck Pates; Tinned Fish – Salmon, Dressed Crab & Lobster; Jars of Fruit in Syrup; Jars of Pickles, Chutneys & Olives; Festive Marmalades; Tea & Coffee, Hot Chocolate. Biscotti, Ginger Snaps & Shortbread. Diced Fruit & Nuts; Chocolate Nut selections. Sweetmeats – Turkish Delight. Biscuits & Crackers for Cheese. Boxes of Luxury Chocolates & truffle.
THANKING YOU ALL IN ANTICIPATION OF OUR GIFTS AND HAMPER ITEMS
COP 26 on CLIMATE CHANGE: Most of the leaders and governments of the world will be meeting in Glasgow over the next two weeks for this historic gathering; to discuss, most importantly, the situation of Climate Change. The destruction of our land, oceans and forests is threatening people’s homes and their ability to earn a living. The future of the planet and civilisation depends of agreement between nations to reduce carbon gases; slowing down changes to the world’s climate.
We are custodians of the planet and our duty is to look after and care for that which is entrusted to us. But sadly, with the destruction of rain forests through logging, and the use of fossil fuels, abuses have taken place, which has resulted in an increase of carbon gases, which in affect is changing the world’s climate. In recent years we have seen an increase of the world’s temperature. Climate change is already having visible effects on the world. The Earth is warming, rainfall patterns are changing, and sea levels are rising. These changes can increase the risk of heatwaves, floods, droughts, and fires.
Please pray for this COP 26 summit that agrrement can be reached by all!
FROM THE VICARIATE FOR ADULT FORMATION:
1. One of the new projects to help adult lay men and women deepen their understanding of the Catholic Faith is a series of online talks given by priests of our diocese. This is not a systematic course that one needs to commit to in order to benefit from but rather online talks that people can dip in and out of as they wish. I wonder if you would be kind enough to include this brief notice in your newsletter or bring these talks to the attention of your parish as you see fit:
THE THRESHOLDS OF HOPE QUESTIONS: are a series of talks for adults who want to grow in understanding and confidence when questioned or speaking about their Catholic Faith. The talks and discussion take place on Zoom from 4.00 – 5.00 p.m. on a Sunday afternoon.
The next talks will be on the 31st October & 7the November and the question being explored is What does it mean to talk about morality? Fr Martin Boland, dean of Brentwood Cathedral will consider this question.
For more information about The Thresholds of Hope Questions go to www.thresholdsofhope.co.uk
2. I would also like to draw your attention to another online project developed by Mauro Iannicelli that provides an accessible guide to the Bible for adults. Mauro is a committed Catholic layman in our diocese and has provided input for the Newham Deanery in the past. He is also willing to send to your parish 200+ course invitation A6 flyers, completely free of charge. Just drop him an email request for the flyers at mauro@comeandsee.org, or to ask him any questions about the course. I recommend this initiative to you and if you feel able to do so, to promote his course in your newsletter or elsewhere:
The YouTube Bible Timeline Course Do you feel the Bible is too big and too difficult to understand? Do you get lost with all the characters and stories? If so, this course aims to help you better understand the riches of the Bible in a simple and straightforward way. For more information and to register go to www.comeandsee.org
FOR A SYNODAL CHURCH: COMMUNION, PARTICIPATION & MISSION: Pope Francis wants us to be more synodal at every level of the Church which is why he has convokeda synod about synodlaity itself. Communion, participation, and mission looked very dofferent in our country during the Reformation; and manifested itself, again, in different ways, for example, after the restoration of the hierarchy in the 19th Century. Missions preceded parishes. Communities came together to build churches and schools.
What is the Holy Spirit saying to us now as Church? What are the opportunities that are opening up? How might the Church look tomorrow? Pope Francis is inviting us all to pray, listen and discern together what the Holy Spiriti saying to us in our own community, to our diocese and the whole Universal Church. This will be the first phase of a process which will conclude in Rome in 2023. The Pope is asking us to be more Synodal, calling each and everyone of us to have a say in how the Church could change by discerning together the signs of the times and dreaming where we would like to be. This is a chance to all to have a voice, and see where we would like to be.
DIARY OCTOBER 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, Mary Witten, James Wright. And all our loved ones.
ANNIVERSARIES: Vi Clarke RIP, Phil Lawless RIP, Neil Millward RIP Sheila Quinn RIP/ And for all whose anniversaries occur at this time and for all of our deceased loved ones, Requiescant in Pace.
REQUIESCAT IN PACE: In your mercy please pray for the Repose of the Soul of Irene Olivelle RIP, who passed away this week. We extend our condolences to her family in this time of great loss. The Requiem Mass will be celebrated on Friday 12th November at St Edmund’s Church at 12.15pm followed by Cremation at Forest Park at 1.30pm.
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!
BAPTISMS: It is now permissible once again to have Baptisms with larger groups of family & guests. Manifestly, there are many people who haven’t been able to have baptisms over the past 20 months. Kindly contact Fr. John to arrange your child’s baptism as soon as possible please. There is a Baptism Programme for first time parents.
ALTAR SOCIETY: If anyone else would like to join the Altar Society please contact Sharon Fitzmaurice on 07854919207 or shazzafitzm@aol.com It probably works out to about an hour a month, and you can do as much or as little as you wish; the more help we have the easier it is to keep the church really clean. Thanking you in anticipation!
CATECHISTS TRAINING & RESOURCES DAY: Saturday 6th November, Sacred Heart of Mary Girls’ School, Upminster. 10am (arrivals for 10.30am start) – 3pm. The school is a short walk from Upminster Station, on the District & C2C Lines.
EPPING FOREST FOODBANK DONATIONS: Thank you to all parishioners who continue to generously donate items for the Foodbank. They 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: tinned soup, tinned spaghetti, tinned tomatoes, savoury crackers, sponge puddings, chocolate bars, small and medium bags of rice, snack bars and razors. Thank you! You can also keep up to date with the Foodbank news via their Facebook page: www.facebook.com/EppingForestFoodbank/
PARISH REPOSITORY: We have a large selection of religious items available in the Parish Repository. There are lots of candles, especially candles for cemetaries during the month of November & the Holy Souls. In a couple of weeks we wiill displaying a large selection of Religious Christmas Cards, and Christmas Cribs.
IRREGULAR MARRIAGES: An irregular marriage is one that has taken place outside of the Catholic Church without dispensation. For example: Marriages in hotels, and secualar 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 rectify 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
MASS INTENTIONS – OCTOBER 2021
| Sat 30th | 10.00am | Pina & Albert Martinelli (M Duffy) |
| Vigil Mass for Sunday: Confessions at 5.30pm | ||
| Sat 30th | 6.00pm | Maree Kavanagh Int’s (Remy) |
| Sun 31st All Saints | 9.00am | Dec’d Member of Lawless Family (The Ryan Family) |
| Sun 31st All Saints | 11:00am | Guilermo Remo Jnr RIP (Jane Bacuetes) |
| Mon 1st November | 10.00am | Mary Ann Hannon RIP (Kelly Family) |
| Tues 2nd All Souls Day | 10.00am 12.15pm 7.30pm | Peter Smith RIP H/S (Paul Falco) Nancy Ironside RIP H/S (Pat Ata) Odilia, Albert & John Maton RIP (Diana & Ferdi Tisi) HOLY SOULS |
| Wed 3rd | 10.00am | Nancy Ironside RIP H/S (Veronica & Steve Short) |
| Thurs 4th | 10.00am | Michael Barrass RIP H/S (Anne Barrass) |
| Fri 5th | 10.00am 10.30am | Ann Cullin ((sick) H/S (Joe Harvey) Holy Hour with Exposition of Bl. Sacrament |
| Sat 6th | 10.00am | Nancy Hands Int’s H/S (Remy) |
| Vigil Mass for Sunday Confessions 5.30pm | ||
| Sat 6th | 6.00pm | Mass for Helen & Family (The Godsave Family) H/S |
| Sun 7th | 9.00am | Richard Black RIP H/S (Kendal Family) |
| Sun 7th | 11:00am | Bernard John Gilley RIP H/S (Eileen Ward) |
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.
Parish Phone No: 0208 508 3492 Email: loughton@dioceseofbrentwood.org
SOLEMNITY OF ALL SAINTS
First Reading:
I, John, saw another angel rising where the sun rises, carrying the seal of the living God; he called in a powerful voice to the four angels whose duty was to devastate land and sea, ‘Wait before you do any damage on land or at sea or to the trees, until we have put the seal on the foreheads of the servants of our God.’ Then I heard how many were sealed: a hundred and forty-four thousand, out of all the tribes of Israel.
After that I saw a huge number, impossible to count, of people from every nation, race, tribe and language; they were standing in front of the throne and in front of the Lamb, dressed in white robes and holding palms in their hands. They shouted aloud, ‘Victory to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!’ And all the angels who were standing in a circle round the throne, surrounding the elders and the four animals, prostrated themselves before the throne, and touched the ground with their foreheads, worshipping God with these words, ‘Amen. Praise and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honour and power and strength to our God for ever and ever. Amen.’
One of the elders then spoke, and asked me, ‘Do you know who these people are, dressed in white robes, and where they have come from?’ I answered him, ‘You can tell me, my lord.’ Then he said, ‘These are the people who have been through the great persecution, and they have washed their robes white again in the blood of the Lamb.’
Responsorial Psalm:
Second Reading
Think of the love that the Father has lavished on us,
by letting us be called God’s children;
and that is what we are.
Because the world refused to acknowledge him,
therefore it does not acknowledge us.
My dear people, we are already the children of God
but what we are to be in the future has not yet been revealed;
all we know is, that when it is revealed
we shall be like him
because we shall see him as he really is.
Surely everyone who entertains this hope
must purify himself, must try to be as pure as Christ.
Alleluia, alleluia!
Come to me, all you who labour and are overburdened
and I will give you rest, says the Lord.
Alleluia!
Gospel Reading:
Seeing the crowds, Jesus went up the hill. There he sat down and was joined by his disciples. Then he began to speak. This is what he taught them:
‘How happy are the poor in spirit;
theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Happy the gentle:
they shall have the earth for their heritage.
Happy those who mourn:
they shall be comforted.
Happy those who hunger and thirst for what is right:
they shall be satisfied.
Happy the merciful:
they shall have mercy shown them.
Happy the pure in heart:
they shall see God.
Happy the peacemakers:
they shall be called sons of God.
Happy those who are persecuted in the cause of right:
theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
‘Happy are you when people abuse you and persecute you and speak all kinds of calumny against you on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven.
THE GOSPEL OF THE LORD
St Edmund of Canterbury 