St. Edmund of Canterbury & St. Thomas More
Thirty-Third Sunday of the Year, 2021
There is no escaping the apocalyptic writings in the Bible. We need to come to terms with the fact that some of what we read is dark and scary, bringing us face to face with the prospect of trials, tribulations and turmoil, both on earth and in the heavens. We can nevertheless discern a consolation at the heart of such passages that overcomes the terror and darkness, which is the coming of Jesus, the son of Man. Borrowing the image of God’s deliverance from Daniel. Mark leaves us in no doubt that one day the world will end, No one knows when: not the Church, not the son, but only the Father.
Drawing on all the wisdom of the ages which it teaches with authority, the Catechism of the Catholic Church states, ‘Since the Ascension Christ’s coming has been imminent even though “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has fixed by his own authority”. This coming… could be accomplished at any moment, even if both it and the final trial that will precede it are delayed’.
St Bernard of Clairvaux explained Christ’s three comings: first, the incarnation; second, his return to earth; and third, his coming into our lives and heart. We rejoice in his first coming and long for his second. Perhaps if we prayed and longed for Christ’s Second Coming more, we would help to usher it in. Imagine, we could play some part in his return! Jesus urges us to be on our guard and keep watch. But are we to guard and keep watch over? Our minds, hearts and lives, but also time.
St Augustine said, ‘Time is a threefold present: the present as we experience it, the past as a present memory, and the future as an expectation.’ In guarding and keeping watch over our time we learn to put our lives at God’s service, striving to live in his presence, with growing awareness that the Lord will return, wrap up time and history, and usher in the eternal kingdom of God.
‘Do not walk through time without leaving worthy evidence of your passage.’ (Pope St John XXIII)
Dear Friends in Christ, 32nd Sunday of the Year
Today is Remembrance Sunday, when we remember in a very special way all of those men and women who gave their lives so gallantly in the two Great Wars; but also those who have given their lives in the subsequent conflicts all over the world. We are very fortunate to live in relatively peaceful times, and one can’t even imagine the horrendous nature of war here in our own country. And yet many of our parents and grandparents had to endure several years of war. We pray for all those who gave up their lives so that we can live in freedom today. My they Rest in Peace. Remembrance Day Service will take place here in Loughton at 12.15pm at the War Memorial, everyone is welcome.
PERSONAL APPEAL – GRAND CHRISTMAS DRAW: My dear parishioners, can I make an impassioned appeal to you all to help with our Grand Christmas Draw & Christmas Hampers. As yet very little has been handed in. We need so really big prizes for the Grand Draw and also quality food items, chocolates, pickles, biscuits, bottles of wine, prosecco & spirits, and lots of other Christmas goodies. The grand Draw is only a month away, and Raffle Tickets will be given out this weekend. Last Year there was an incredible response, and we had been locked down for a month. There are boxes available in the Porch of the Church, at the Presbytery Front Door, and in Fr John’s Garage to receive you gifts and items. Also money donations will be gratefully received. As you know this is our only fundraiser throughout the year. I thank all those who have already donated items. Fr. John
SPECIAL MASS OF REMEMBRANCE (19th November, 7.30pm): For all those parishioners who have lost loved ones over the past year. Many families lost loved ones, some through Covid, over the past twelve months. I would like to invite all families, regardless of whether your deceased passed away in this parish or locality, to come and pray in this Month of Holy Souls at this special Mass which will be at 7.30pm on Friday November 19th. This is an open invitation to the whole parish community; we remember in a very special way all of our Holy Souls in this month of November. Each family will have the opportunity to place a Candle in our Stand in special remembrance of you deceased loved one, and we will pray a decade of the Holy Rosary at the end of Holy Mass for the repose of their souls.
May God Bless You All,
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 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 18th November Theme: The Sacraments – Baptism Initiation into the Christian Life. If you want to know more about the programme, and the whole RCIA process, 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 14th November at 10.00am. Our Theme this week is Listening. Parents’ Meeting – Wednesday 24th November at 7.30pm. Thank you! Please pray for all our children preparing for the sacraments. This is truly a wonderful moment of time in their lives.
REQUIESCAT IN PACE: In your mercy please pray for the repose of the soul of Dr Philip Prashner, who passed away recently. Dr Prashner worked in one of our local surgeries as a GP for many years, and was GP to many of our parishioners. We extend our sincere condolences to David & Tracey and their family in this time of great loss.
REPOSITORY: Available this weekend, a large selection of Religious Christmas Cards, Advent Calendars, Christmas Candles, Cribs, and other Christmas Items. All items are marked with prices, and there is a box available for the proceeds of your items. Thank you!
DIARY NOVEMBER 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: Please for all whose anniversaries occur at this time and for all of our deceased loved ones, ALL OF OUR HOLY SOULS. Requiescant in Pace.
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!
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/
MESSAGE FROM OUR HEALTH AND SAFETY OFFICER: Robin has highlighted two important points: (i) with the onset of cold weather expected soon it would be wise for parishioners to wrap up when they come to mass as good ventilation will need to be maintained; (ii) it is very important that parishioners do not park in the central section of the car park as this blocks access that may be needed if an ambulance has to be called during mass.
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:
NEW EARLY YEARS SCOUTING PROVISIONS FOR 4-6 YEAR OLDS: The 7th Epping Forest Scout Group are looking at being one of the first Scout Groups in Essex to start a Squirrel drey. As a forerunner to Beavers, a Squirrel section is where 4 and 5 year olds can join in the fun for the very first time. We hope that this will be the time to fill the little ones lives with Wow and Wonder and set them climbing the family tree of Scouting. We will expect more involvement of parents in this section as we build strong links with families as their children start out on their Scouting journey, we aim to start early 2022 and are looking for adult volunteers and children now to make this happen. If you are interested please call or text James Geller, Group Scout Leader on 07554 456844.
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 14th & 21st November and the question being explored is, Why should we listen to the Church? Fr Stephen Morrison O Praem, Chelmsford, will consider this question.
For more information about The Thresholds of Hope Questions go to www.thresholdsofhope.co.uk
PARISH REPOSITORY: Just to let all of our parishioners know that we have a wonderful stock of Christmas Cards, Christmas Cribs and Chrsitmas gifts and items that will be available next weekend. Religious Christmas Cards truly convey the true meaning of the Christmas Season. There are Religious cards for all occasions also available. Also Statues, Rosaries, Religious Books, Candles, Medals.
ADVENT CAROL SERVICE: You are warmly invited to join us at Walsingham House at Abbotswick for our annual Advent Carol Service on Sunday 12th December. We will have Christmas carols both classic and contemporary performed by our incredibly talented BCYS musicians, accompanied with readings from scripture and Christmas poems & stories. This year we are running two concerts, at 3pm or 7pm, however there will be limited capacity at each event and this will be dependent on any current Government restrictions or social distancing, in place at the time. Tickets are £10 and the money will go towards supporting our pilgrimages to Lourdes. To book your place please contact Joe Beattie, Walsingham House manager on josephbeattie@dioceseofbrentwood.org or 01277 373 959.
BCYS SUMMER LOURDES PILGRIMAGE: 2022: 23rd – 30th July 2022.
Applications are now open for our summer pilgrimage to Lourdes for those in Years 11-13, with those of school leaver age (18+) invited to join us as young leaders. This is one of our most popular events and after a 2 year gap we are excited to be returning next year. The week is spent travelling alongside the main Diocesan pilgrimage as we assist the elderly and infirm with going to Masses and services, as well as visiting shops and cafes within the town. For those travelling with the BCYS the week will also include a retreat, reconciliation service, as well as social events and a party. Please see www.bcys.net/events/sl22/ for more information including visas, vaccinations and how to apply
A SUNDAY EVENING PARISH YOUTH MASS: We’ve had a couple of these popular and enjoyable Masses over the past few years and hopefully we’ll be able to organise one, possibly early in the new year. The idea would be that you could get involved with the music and the readings and make it your own celebration. Hopefully, we can also have a social gathering in the Hall afterwards.
THE BCYS MONTHLY YOUTH MASS: This takes place on the first Thursday of each month at 6pm in Brentwood Cathedral. Many young people from around our Diocese attend this regular and happy celebration.
PARISH ALTAR SERVERS: It had taken a number of years to build up a good team of Altar Servers. Sadly, since the Pandemic, many have not returned to serving at the Altar. As a matter of courtesy I would be sincerely grateful to know if you have any intention of returning to the regular practice of Altar Serving? If you have no intention of serving anymore more it would be good to know; and also, if you could kindly return your albs, laundered please. I really feel saddened by this, as this is a most truly wonderful ministry for our young pepople to participate in. If there are any other young pepople in the parish who would liike to start serving, could you let Fr John know as soon as possible.
NEXT WEEKEND: We celebrate the great Solemnity of Christ the King, which marks the final week in this Liturgical Year. It is also National Youth Sunday. As we rapidly embark upon the Holy Advent Season commencing the Weekend 27th / 28th November (1st Sunday of Advent, The New Liturgical Year), let us ask the Lord to be with us as we endeavour to make this Advent Journey very special and spiritual, leading us up to the great Solemnity of the Incarnation of the Lord at Christmas.
GRAND CHRISTMAS DRAW & CHRISTMAS HAMPERS
As we’re now into the month of November, I would like to appeal to all of our parishioners to participate in our only fund-rising event of the year. As you are well aware, since the Pandemic our finances have dropped considerably, as many people are not attending church anymore. The Bazaar Committee believe that the Grand Christmas Draw & Hampers, which was such a great success last year, can be repeated again this year. Manifestly, we are wholly dependent on your generosity. No matter how great or small a gift or item may be it will be gratefully received.
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, and 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.
There are boxes in the Porch of the church, at the Presbytery front door & in Fr John’s Garage to receive your gifs and items, and or course you can always drop off personally at the Presbytery throughout the week. If there are any parishioners who would like to donate ‘Money Gifts’ these will be gratefully received. Also, if anyone has any gift baskets you could let us have, these will be good to make up the Christmas Hampers. If you can, please help us once again this year. This is the whole parish working together. The Grand Draw will take place on Sunday 12th December in the Parish Hall at about 12.30pm there will be refreshments available.
GRAND DRAW TICKETS WILL BE DISTRIBUTED THIS WEEKEND
MASS INTENTIONS – NOVEMBER 2021
| Sat 13th | 10.00am | Irene Olivelle RIP (Pat & Margaret)HOLY SOULS |
| Vigil Mass for Sunday: Confessions at 5.30pm | ||
| Sat 13th | 6.00pm | The Dec’d members of Muccini Family RIP(Eleonora Spencer) HOLY SOULS |
| Sun 14th | 9.00am | Sapper Ramond Marchant RIP (Patrick Marchant). HOLY SOULS |
| 12.15pm | REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY SERVICE AT THE WAR MEMORIAL Requiescant in Pace | |
| Sun 14th | 11:00am | Lily Brennan RIP & Ben Cunnea RIP(Louise & Senan Pierce).HOLY SOULS |
| Mon 15th | 10.00am | Dec’d memebers of Senior Citizens Club (Briget Kinsella) HOLY SOULS |
| Tues 16th | 9.00am | Nancy Ironside RIP |
| Wed 17th | 12.15pm | Bernie RIP (Bridget Kinsella)HOLY SOULS |
| Thurs 18th | 10.00am | Michael & Breege Kerrance RIP (Mary) HOLY SOULS |
| Fri 19th | 12.15pm | Bridget Kinsell’s Int’s (RemyHoly Hour with Exposition of Bl. Sacrament |
| 7.30pm | Special Mass for Deceased | |
| Sat 20th | 10.00am | NO MASS THIS MORNING |
| Vigil Mass for Sunday Confessions 5.30pm | ||
| Sat 20th | 6.00pm | Martin Boyle RIP (Paul Boyle) HOLY SOULS |
| Sun 21st | 9.00am | Noel Anderson RIP (Pover Family) HOLY SOULS |
| Sun 21st | 11:00am | Margaret Mary & Karl Joseph Britz RIP (Karl Jude Britz) ALL HOLY SOULS |
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
33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time
First Reading: Daniel 12:1-3
‘At that time Michael will stand up, the great prince who mounts guard over your people. There is going to be a time of great distress, unparalleled since nations first came into existence. When that time comes, your own people will be spared, all those whose names are found written in the Book. Of those who lie sleeping in the dust of the earth many will awake, some to everlasting life, some to shame and everlasting disgrace. The learned will shine as brightly as the vault of heaven, and those who have instructed many in virtue, as bright as stars for all eternity.’
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 15(16):5,8-11
Preserve me, God, I take refuge in you.
O Lord, it is you who are my portion and cup;
it is you yourself who are my prize.
I keep the Lord ever in my sight:
since he is at my right hand, I shall stand firm.
Preserve me, God, I take refuge in you.
And so my heart rejoices, my soul is glad;
even my body shall rest in safety.
For you will not leave my soul among the dead,
nor let your beloved know decay.
Preserve me, God, I take refuge in you.
You will show me the path of life,
the fullness of joy in your presence,
at your right hand happiness for ever.
Preserve me, God, I take refuge in you.
Second Reading: Hebrews 10:11-14,18
All the priests stand at their duties every day, offering over and over again the same sacrifices which are quite incapable of taking sins away. He, on the other hand, has offered one single sacrifice for sins, and then taken his place forever, at the right hand of God, where he is now waiting until his enemies are made into a footstool for him. By virtue of that one single offering, he has achieved the eternal perfection of all whom he is sanctifying. When all sins have been forgiven, there can be no more sin offerings.
Gospel: Mark 13:24-32
Jesus said to his disciples: ‘In those days, after the time of distress, the sun will be darkened, the moon will lose its brightness, the stars will come falling from heaven and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory; then too he will send the angels to gather his chosen from the four winds, from the ends of the world to the ends of heaven.
‘Take the fig tree as a parable: as soon as its twigs grow supple and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. So with you when you see these things happening: know that he is near, at the very gates. I tell you solemnly, before this generation has passed away all these things will have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.
‘But as for that day or hour, nobody knows it, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son; no one but the Father.’
St Edmund of Canterbury 