St. Edmund of Canterbury &
St. Thomas More, Loughton
Parish Lenten Programme for 2022
Dear Friends in Jesus Christ,
We are about to embark upon our Holy Season of Lent once again. As the Covid restrictions were lifted last week, it is hoped that many people will be able to get back to some semblance of normality once again. Lent is a Penitential Season, and some may feel that over the past two years we have been doing our penance during the various lock-downs. But this Lent will give us the opportunity to focus our attention on the spiritual aspect of our lives. Lent is that season of preparation to celebrate the greatest event in the whole history of the creation; that at a moment in time, Jesus Christ, truly God and truly man, triumphed over sin and death for the salvation of the whole of humanity. He continues to invite us to share in the Paschal Mystery. Every time we attend Holy Mass that ‘Saving action’ is made real! We are invited to share His life, and Lent will be a wonderful opportunity to really make a deep commitment in faith to the Lord.
The three disciplines of Prayer, Fasting & Almsgiving are at the heart of the Lenten Season. How we respond to these is very personal. Whatever we decide to do is between ourselves and Almighty God. But I do encourage all of our parishioners to enter into the full spirit of the season. You may like to take on something extra during Lent, e.g. Reading a Chapter of the Bible each day; spending additional time in private prayer; doing some spiritual reading – there are plenty of spiritual books in our library. Attending an additional Mass during the week; or praying the Rosary each day; or attending the Stations of the Cross devotions; or making a Holy Hour before the Blessed Sacrament. The decision is yours, but please don’t Lent pass you by without doing something!
Practical Prayer guide & actions to take during Lent
- Make a serious Act of Contrition and Repentance of your sins before or during these 40 days of Lenten Journey, in order to be at peace with God. The Word of God says in 1 John 1:9, If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive our sins, and cleanse us from all unrighteousness’.
Also, – make peace with whomever that has offended you or you have offended. Matthew 6:14 says ‘For if you forgive men their trespasses, your Heavenly Father will also forgive you.’
- Endeavour to live a holy life during and after this Lenten period. Make holiness your watch word
- Be charitable; visit the less privileged, sick & housebound, provide weekly to the Foodbank.
- Render selfless services to God and support your parish & community; help with parish projects. Join the Altar Society, Volunteer to become a Catechist, Volunteer to become a Uniform Group Leader.
- Spread the Gospel of Jesus anywhere you find yourself through your word, actions and lifestyle. Become a Living Gospel of Christ.
- After this 40 days of prayer, believe that God has answered your prayers. God assured us in Numbers 14:28 that He will do to us whatever he hears us say.
- Equip yourself with the Word of God by reading your Bible daily. This will keep you in tune spiritually. Pray Lectio Divina or Spiritual Reading (there are many spiritual books in our Library).
- Never go back to your past life. Continue to live as a son or daughter of God
TIMES OF MASSES & SERVICES DURING LENT
ASH WEDNESDAY: With Distribution of the Ashes at all Masses
St. Edmund’s 9.00am Please make a very special
St. Edmund’s 12.15pm to attend one of the Masses.
St. Edmund’s 7.30pm Day of Fasting & Abstinence
SUNDAY MASSES
St. Edmund’s 6.00pm. (Saturday Vigil Mass)
St. Edmund’s 9.00am. Parish Mass
St. Edmund’s 11.00am. Parish Family Mass
St. Edmund’s 5.00pm. Stations / Exposition / Benediction
MONDAY
St. Edmund’s Mass 10.00am Try to attend an extra mass during Lent
Followed by Holy Hour / Exposition
TUESDAY
St. Edmund’s Mass 10.00am
WEDNESDAY
St. Edmund’s Mass 10.00am Followed by Holy Hour / Exposition
THURSDAY
St. Edmund’s Mass 10.00am
FRIDAY Fridays are now Fast Days! No meat today
St. Edmund’s Mass 10.00am
10.30am Followed by Holy Hour /
Stations of the Cross/ Exposition
SATURDAY
St. Edmund’s Mass 10.00am. Preceded by Morning Prayer at 9.45
St. Edmund’s 11.00am Confessions in the Church.
St. Edmund’s 6.00pm Vigil Mass for Sunday
SUNDAY MASSES
St. Edmund’s 9.00am Parish Mass
St. Edmund’s 11.00am Parish Family Mass
St. Edmund’s 5.00pm. Stations / Exposition / Benediction
LENTEN DIARY 2022
2nd March Ash Wednesday. 3 Masses. See Newsletter.
Day of Fasting and Abstinence
4th March Women’s World Day of Prayer
5th March Diocesan Meeting on the Synod. Brentwood
6th March Rite of Election. 2 RCIA Candidates – Cathedral
11th March CAFOD Lenten Family Fast Day / Cafod Envelopes
19th March Conclusion of the Year of St Joseph
19th March Children’s First Reconciliations 10am & 11am
27th March BRITISH SUMMERTIME BEGINS. Clocks forward
27th March Laetare Sunday / Mothering Sunday /
27th March First Holy Communion Children leading 11am Mass
HOLY WEEK 2022 BEGINS
10th April Passion Sunday / Palm Sunday.
12th April Parish Penitential Service 7.30pm
13th April Chrism Mass, Brentwood Cathedral, 11.00am
SACRED TRIDUUM
14th April Triduum Begins. Mass of the Lord’s Supper 8.00pm
15th April Good Friday. Passion of Our Lord 3.00pm
16th April Holy Saturday/ Easter Vigil, 7.30pm
17th April Easter Sunday / The Resurrection of the Lord
2 Masses: 9.00am & 11.00am at St. Edmund’s
RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS
This year on our Journey of Faith, two members from the community have decided to go forward to the Reception of the Easter Sacraments. Mark Shelton & Neil MacKinnon will be Baptised, Confirmed, and receive the Holy Eucharist. Please keep them in your prayers over this Lenten Season. These final weeks of instruction will help to prepare them for the Joy of the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday Evening 16th April 2022 at 7.30pm,
St Edmund of Canterbury 