St. Edmund of Canterbury & St. Thomas More
<strong>Twenty Eighth Sunday of the Year, 2022</strong> – St Edmund of Canterbury
Laetare Sunday
British Summertime begins, Clocks go Forward one hour
Jesus attracted those outside of conventional society; tax collectors and prostitutes clearly enjoyed his company, and were drawn by his acceptance of them. This made them open to hearing what he had to say. The Pharisees, in contrast, were scandalised by the company he kept, and they harshly judged those whey saw as morally bankrupt or spiritually inferior.
Typically, Jesus seized the moment to teach about his Father, which is the essence of his mission. Our image of God is often tainted or distorted, and we can fall into two extremes; on one hand we imagine God as a tyrannical judge who’s constantly angry; on the other, we feel he’s over indulgent and avuncular, and it’s easy to pull the wool over his eyes. We may feel that God’s teachings and commandments have little bearing on our lives.
Jesus’ parable brings us right into the heart of his Father. God has given each of us free will and we’re at liberty to follow or reject him. However, this carries with it a profound responsibility, as we’re accountable to our actions and decisions. The son in the parable exercised his freedom and chose to leave the safety of his father’s house. At the dawn of creation, humankind also freely chose the path leading away from God. Removed from the love, security and protection of the Father’s house, we lost our way. Sin, death and corruption robbed us of the dignity we once possessed. Like the prodigal son we became slaves of our passions and drives.
The image of the chastened son returning home is deeply moving. We’d do well to ponder and meditate upon this picture of profound human abjection encountering divine mercy. Jesus’ teaching about our father exposes us to a love so divine and compelling that it has the power to melt the hardest hearts. As we journey through this Lent, we too can experience the warm embrace of our heavenly Father. Pope Francis writes in Evangelii gaudium: ‘“Lord, take me once more into your redeeming embrace.” How good it feels to come back to him whenever we are lost! Let me say this once more; God never tires of forgiving us; we are the ones who tire of seeking his mercy.’
My Dear Friends in Christ, 4th Sunday of Lent 2022
Today is ‘Laetare Sunday’- meaning ‘Rejoice’. It marks the midway point in the Lenten Season. We look forward in anticipation to the great Joy of Easter and the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. This is the day when traditionally, the austerity of the Lenten Season is lessened. We change the colour of our Vestments to Rose. The rigours of Lent can be relaxed today. Laetare Sunday always coincides with Mothering Sunday. We pray for our dear Mothers; and also remembering all of our deceased mothers who are now with God. Let us all savour this relaxation today and truly ‘Rejoice’!
MOTHERING SUNDAY: Today is Mothering Sunday. It gives us a wonderful opportunity to thank Almighty God for our Mothers. Expressing our gratitude for the incredible influence they have on our lives; how they are the heart of our homes, always there when we need them; nurturing us, our strengths and talents, teaching us about the beauty of love and family; loving our fathers, all that’s good in helping us to be the best version of ourselves. Let us also remember those whose mothers are now with God in Heaven. Even though not physically present, they will always be in our hearts.
AID FOR UKRAINE: We have begun Lent this year conscious of the unspeakable acts of terror in the Ukraine. Our brothers and sisters there are experiencing terrible suffering as they struggle to defend their country and preserve their human rights and life itself. We are doing what we can from afar: assisting by the charity of our prayers and also with what practical means we can muster. Aid to the Church in Need is on the frontline of charitable assistance to Ukrainians. If you can help, you will find this link takes you to the ACN website where you can donate: https://acnuk.org/news/ukraine-charity-rolls-out-emergency-aid/
HELPING THOSE IN UKRAINE & UKRAINIAN REFUGEES: Caritas Brentwood are regularly updating information on their website, covering donations, prayer and welcoming those who are fleeing the Ukraine. You will find everything at: http//www.caritasbrentwood.org/Ukraine/
May God Bless You All This Coming Week,
CLOCKS GO FORWARD ONE HOUR ON SUNDAY MORNING
FIRST HOLY COMMUNION CLASS: Today will be at 10am. On this Mothering Sunday the children will be assisting with the Liturgy at the 11.00am Mass. Please continue to pray for them as they prepare for their First Holy Communion in May. Last Week’s Penitential Services were truly wonderful, not only for the children but also for the parents.
STATIONS OF THE CROSS: The traditional devotion during the Lenten Season. I would encourage all our parishioners to attend the Stations of the Cross either on Fridays at 10.30am or Sundays at 5.00pm. This beautiful devotion follows the last journey made by Jesus on Good Friday to Calvary.
RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS I commend to your prayers Neil MacKinnon & Mark Shelton who are at the final stages of preparation to be received into full communion in the Roman Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil. If you want to know more about the RCIA (Journey of Faith) programme, please contact Fr John,
END OF TERM: As Easter is so late this year, the school term ends next Friday the 1st April. I would like to thank our Executive Head Teacher Mr Iain Kendal and all the Staff at St John Fisher Primary School for everything you have done for our children over the past term. It’s truly wonderful to be able to get back into school again and celebrate various liturgies with the Staff & children. I wish you all a very Happy Easter Holiday. School returns on the 19th April.
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 and our donations are still needed desperately as more and more people in our community are finding it hard to make ends meet. They will be running their initiative to support families with food over the Easter holidays and these are the items we can help them with: UHT milk, long-life juice, tinned tomatoes, tinned meat, rice pudding, custard, packet noodles, instant mash, tinned spaghetti, tinned fruit, breakfast bars/ snack bars, jam, chocolate spread, sponge puddings, chocolate bars, bottled sauces (Ketchup/brown sauce), small jars of coffee, toilet roll, laundry powder/tablets, razors, shampoo/conditioner and washing up liquid. You can also keep up to date with the Foodbank news via their Facebook page: www.facebook.com/EppingForestFoodbank/
DATE FOR YOUR DIARY: Fr John’s Fortieth Anniversary of Ordination. Friday 8th July 2022. As this was unable to take place last year, due to the Pandemic. It has been rescheduled to this year, with concelebrated Mass with Bishop Alan, Priests of the Diocese, Family & Visitors from all over the world, and of course, My Parish Family here at St. Edmund’s. My thanks to those who have volunteered and agreed to help. Planning Meeting Wednesday 6th April at 7.30pm in the Retreat. If anyone else wishes to join the meeting please just turn up.
DIARY FEBRUARY – MARCH 2022
PLEASE PRAY FOR THOSE SICK IN OUR PARISH
Carmen Antaki, Margaret Baldwin, Evelyn Bearne, Karl Britz, Carlos Camacho, Jane Downs, Steve Dalgliesh, Pat Fenn, Veronica Godsave, Bernadette Hall, Ann Hawkes, Claire Howes, Jackie Ilines, Noel Johnson, Shaun Keel, Bridget Kinsella, Angela Long, Lilian Mothersole, John McKernan, Rosemary O’Rourke, Geraldine Taylor, Vera Taylor, Mary Witten, James Wright. And all our loved ones.
ANNIVERSARIES: Please pray for all whose anniversaries occur at this time and for all of our deceased loved ones, Requiescant in Pace.
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
SPECIAL APPEAL To all our parishioners who contribute to your parish weekly. Would you please consider to transferring your Weekly Offertory over to a Direct Debit. With the closing of the local HSBC Bank it has been quite difficult paying in the Offertory, and with many banks now only offering a machine deposit service. Please think about this request. Thank you!
PARISH FINANCES: THIS WEEKEND ALL OF THE NEW GIFTAID BOXES ARE READY FOR COLLECTION. PPLEASE PICK UP YOUR BOX AS YOU LEAVE THE CHURCH TODAY. 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 last year. Please consider your weekly offertory to God.
MARRIAGES FOR 2022: If anyone is planning on getting married in 2022, please could you make contact with Fr. John at the beginning of January. For those getting married in the parish we normally ask for six months’ notice; for those getting married outside of the parish at least nine months’ notice. The documentation and preparation takes quite a long time and organising Marriage Preparation Courses through Marriage Care in the responsibility of the Couple. To avoid any disappointments, please make contact as soon as possible.
BCYS YOUTH MASS: Thursday 7th April, Brentwood Cathedral. Come along from 6pm for pizza; FOLLOWED BY Stations of the Cross in the Cathedral for Lent, before Youth Mass starts at 7.30pm. Open to all those in years 9 and above, no booking necessary. (YOUTH MASS takes place on the First Thursday of every month and groups are always welcome! Please let us know in advance if you wish to bring a group, if you are able, so that we can have an idea how much pizza to order! Any groups are always welcome!)
BCYS LENTEN REVISION RETREAT: 2nd – 3rd April, Walsingham House
In years 11 -13 and preparing for exams this year? Get a change of scenery and a fresh perspective at Walsingham House at Abbotswick this lent for times of prayer, socialising and activities, but mostly to revise, alongside friends and the Walsingham House team members. As always the chapel is here for times of quiet reflection throughout the day. Book online NOW at www.bcys.net/events.
SPONSORED SLEEPOUT: 8th – 9th April, 8pm – 8am. Wherever you are in the Diocese, take part in your gardens, schools or parishes, on your own or as part of a group and spend 12 hours sleeping rough outdoors to raise money for a local charity supporting the homeless. Email sleepout@dioceseofbrentwood.org for more information and to take part.
BCYS SUMMER LOURDES PILGRIMAGE: 23rd – 30th July 2022. Assist pilgrims going to Masses and services, shops and cafes of the beautiful French town, join in social time together, take part in retreats, reconciliation service, visit the baths, the stunning mountain town of Gavarnie, enjoy social nights, party and experience the amazing Lourdes processions. The cost is £625 for the week, and is open to all those in school year 11 and above (funding and grant opportunities are available). For more information and to book you can visit www.bcys.net/events/sl22 – applications close Sunday 20th February
BCYS YOUTH GATHER: 22nd – 23rd October, Mersea Island. Stay in cabins and try a brilliant range of outward bound activities from climbing high ropes, archery, zip wires and much more to keep you challenged and entertained, with guest speakers and workshops which will give you fresh insights into yourself, and your faith, by telling their stories. Open to all those in years 9 and above, book NOW at www.bcys.net/events
BOOKING FOR ALL THESE EVENTS – and all information, can be done online at www.bcys.net/events or you can email me with any questions.
THE DIOCESAN LOURDES PILGRIMAGE: led by Bishop Alan, will take place from Sunday 24 – Friday 29 July in Lourdes. Brochures for the pilgrimage, which will include costs, will be available soon. For further information contact Cathy O’Connor: cathy@dioceseofbrentwood.org or 07813 710070.
IRREGULAR MARRIAGES: An Irregualr Marriage is one that 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
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 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 will also have a social gathering in the hall afterwards
CHILDREN’S SUNDAY LITURGY: Thank you for starting children’s Sunday Liturgy again. But we need more help. Parents, can you spare one Sunday every two months to help the children during the 11.00am Mass? We need more parents to join our lovely group. Please contact Mrs Elena Manara at e_vismara@yahoo.com Thank you and we hope to hear from you soon.
ARE YOU INTERSTED IN A VOCATION TO THE PRIESTHOOD? The next “Enquirers’ Evening” for those considering or interested in a vocation to the priesthood is on Tuesday 5th April at St Edmund of Canterbury Church in Loughton, at 7.00pm. The speaker will be Msgr Kevin Hale. For further information please contact Fr Mark Swires vocprom@dioceseofbrentwood.org
CONTEMPORARY MUSIC GROUP: We will be playing and singing at the 11am Mass on Sunday 3rd April, which will be the fifth Sunday of Lent. It would be good if many of our singers could be there – a great way to start Lent! Any parishioners who may consider joining us would be made very welcome. Simply come along. Also, we’d like to spend some more time in practicing, so we’d really appreciate you coming along early at about 10.10am before Mass. Thank you and we look forward to seeing you.
Diocesan Pilgrimage to Walsingham – 28th May 2022: Join Bishop Alan and other parishes around the Diocese of Brentwood in Walsingham as we celebrate the Year of the Family ‘Hearing and Doing the Word of God’. We will celebrate Mass at the Basilica before walking the Holy Mile to the grounds of Walsingham Abbey to celebrate Vespers and Benediction on the site of the Holy House. If you would like to come we would need to organise a Parish pilgrimage from the Church.
MASS INTENTIONS – MARCH – APRIL 2022
| Sat 26th | 9.00am | Mary Harvey RIP (Fr John) |
| Vigil Mass for Sunday. Confessions at 5.30pm | ||
| Sat 26th | 6.00pm | People of the Parish |
Sun 27th | 9.00am | CLOCKS GO FORWARD ONE HOUREve Buenaventura |
| Sun 27th Lenten Devotions | 11:00am 5.00pm | Denis Byrne’s Int’s (M Ryan) Holy Hour / Stations of Cross / Benediction |
| Mon 28th | 10.00am 10.30am | Dec’d members of McDermott FamilyHoly Hour |
| Tues 29th | 10.00am | Margaret & Bertrand Smith RIP (Smih Family) |
| Wed 30th | 10.00am 10.30am | Joanne Taylor RIP (Gunn Family) Holy Hour |
| Thurs 31st | 10.00am | Michael Hill RIP |
| Fri 1stApril Lenten Devotions | 10.00am10.30am | Dec’d relatives of the Epsom FamilyHoly Hour / With Stations of Cross |
| Sat 2nd | 10.00am | John Dowd’s Int’s ((M Ryan) |
| Vigil Mass for Sunday. Confessions at 5.30pm | ||
| Sat 2nd | 6.00pm | People of the Parish |
| Sun 3rd | 9.00am | Catarina Frazoni RIP (Mrs M Cobelli) |
| Sun 3rd Lenten Devotions | 11:00am 5.00pm | James McLay RIP ((Monica Maycraft) Holy Hour / Stations of Cross / Benediction |
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
The Brentwood Diocesan Trust Registered Charity No. 234092
MASS INTENTIONS: Every day in the parish Holy Mass is offered for various intentions; these are usually at the request of you the parishioners. Most intentions are for deceased loved ones, anniversaries, etc. The origin of the Mass Stipend is very ancient, and goes back to making provision for the priest for one day, as they do not earn a salary as such. At present I only have about two weeks of Mass Intentions booked up. If any parishioner would like a mass intention for any occasion whatsoever, e.g. deceased, birthdays, anniversaries, sick, etc. please complete Mass Intention envelope in the Porch.
4th Sunday of Lent (Laetare Sunday)
First Reading: Joshua 5:9-12
The Lord said to Joshua, ‘Today I have taken the shame of Egypt away from you.’
The Israelites pitched their camp at Gilgal and kept the Passover there on the fourteenth day of the month, at evening in the plain of Jericho. On the morrow of the Passover they tasted the produce of that country, unleavened bread and roasted ears of corn, that same day. From that time, from their first eating of the produce of that country, the manna stopped falling. And having manna no longer, the Israelites fed from that year onwards on what the land of Canaan yielded.
Responsorial Psalm : Psalm 33(34):2-7
Taste and see that the Lord is good.
I will bless the Lord at all times,
his praise always on my lips;
in the Lord my soul shall make its boast.
The humble shall hear and be glad.
Taste and see that the Lord is good.
Glorify the Lord with me.
Together let us praise his name.
I sought the Lord and he answered me;
from all my terrors he set me free.
Taste and see that the Lord is good.
Look towards him and be radiant;
let your faces not be abashed.
This poor man called, the Lord heard him
and rescued him from all his distress.
Taste and see that the Lord is good.
Second Reading : 2 Corinthians 5:17-21
For anyone who is in Christ, there is a new creation; the old creation has gone, and now the new one is here. It is all God’s work. It was God who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the work of handing on this reconciliation. In other words, God in Christ was reconciling the world to himself, not holding men’s faults against them, and he has entrusted to us the news that they are reconciled. So we are ambassadors for Christ; it is as though God were appealing through us, and the appeal that we make in Christ’s name is: be reconciled to God. For our sake God made the sinless one into sin, so that in him we might become the goodness of God.
Gospel : Luke 15:1-3,11-32
The tax collectors and the sinners were all seeking the company of Jesus to hear what he had to say, and the Pharisees and the scribes complained. ‘This man’ they said ‘welcomes sinners and eats with them.’ So he spoke this parable to them:
‘A man had two sons. The younger said to his father, “Father, let me have the share of the estate that would come to me.” So the father divided the property between them. A few days later, the younger son got together everything he had and left for a distant country where he squandered his money on a life of debauchery.
‘When he had spent it all, that country experienced a severe famine, and now he began to feel the pinch, so he hired himself out to one of the local inhabitants who put him on his farm to feed the pigs. And he would willingly have filled his belly with the husks the pigs were eating but no one offered him anything. Then he came to his senses and said, “How many of my father’s paid servants have more food than they want, and here am I dying of hunger! I will leave this place and go to my father and say: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you; I no longer deserve to be called your son; treat me as one of your paid servants.” So he left the place and went back to his father.
‘While he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was moved with pity. He ran to the boy, clasped him in his arms and kissed him tenderly. Then his son said, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I no longer deserve to be called your son.” But the father said to his servants, “Quick! Bring out the best robe and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the calf we have been fattening, and kill it; we are going to have a feast, a celebration, because this son of mine was dead and has come back to life; he was lost and is found.” And they began to celebrate.
‘Now the elder son was out in the fields, and on his way back, as he drew near the house, he could hear music and dancing. Calling one of the servants he asked what it was all about. “Your brother has come” replied the servant “and your father has killed the calf we had fattened because he has got him back safe and sound.” He was angry then and refused to go in, and his father came out to plead with him; but he answered his father, “Look, all these years I have slaved for you and never once disobeyed your orders, yet you never offered me so much as a kid for me to celebrate with my friends. But, for this son of yours, when he comes back after swallowing up your property – he and his women – you kill the calf we had been fattening.”
‘The father said, “My son, you are with me always and all I have is yours. But it was only right we should celebrate and rejoice, because your brother here was dead and has come to life; he was lost and is found.”’
The Consecration of the Ukraine to Our Lady
Beloved Queen and Our Mother, Queen of the Holy Rosary, Help of
Christians, Salvation of the human race, Victorious Virgin, here we
humbly fall before you, that you may bring our sincere prayers to
Almighty God in the Trinity.
We come in full confidence that we beg for mercy and protection for
our Motherland in this dramatic time of war. Mother of Mercy, we ask
this not for our merits, which we do not count on, but in view of the
infinite goodness of your Heart and the saving Blood of Christ, your
Son.
May the suffering and cries for help of so many people touch you.
Have mercy on the wounded and victims of the shelling, orphans and
widows, all those who were forced to leave their homes and seek
refuge in safer places. Ask for mercy for those who gave their lives
defending their neighbours and our Motherland.
O Immaculate Mother, ask God for the grace of conversion, and we
especially ask for the conversion of Russia and all those who are
blinded by hatred or thirst for power. Pray for us first of all for those
graces which can change human hearts in an instant, and which will
prepare and bring such a coveted peace. Above all, bring us the gift of
spiritual peace so that the Kingdom of God may grow in peace and
harmony.
Queen of Peace, ask us for the grace of true reconciliation with God
and with each other, so that we can give each other a hand of help
and support.
Throne of Wisdom, inspire all rulers to make wise decisions and
strengthen the efforts of those who contribute to the end of war and
the return of peace.
Queen of the Apostles, ask for our pastors the gift of strong faith and
zeal in the celebration of the Sacraments, so that at this time we may
all be united at the Eucharistic table and in zealous prayer.
Heal the sick, strengthen all medical staff and volunteers who care for
the sick and wounded, ask for their spiritual and physical strength.
Be healing for the sick, strength for the dying and joy for their loved
ones. Just as the Church and all mankind were consecrated to the Heart of
Your Divine Son, and in Him we hope to become an inexhaustible
source of victory and salvation for all, so we dedicate ourselves forever
to You and to Your Immaculate Heart, our Mother and Queen, that
Your love and care may ensure the victory of the Kingdom of God, and
that our Ukraine and all nations reconciled among themselves and
with God may bless and glorify You. Amen!
THE LEONINE PRAYER FOR THE CONVERSION OF RUSSIA
To be said after Mass are:
Three ‘Hail Marys,’ one ‘Hail Holy Queen’ and The Leonine Prayers
“O God, our refuge and our strength, look down in mercy upon the people who cry to Thee; and by the intercession of the Glorious and Immaculate Virgin Mary, Mother of God, of Saint Joseph Her Spouse, of the Blessed Apostles Peter and Paul, and of all the Saints, in Thy mercy and goodness hear our prayers for the conversion of sinners, and for the liberty and exaltation of the Holy Mother the Church, we ask this through the same Christ Our Lord. Amen.” “Holy Michael the Archangel, defend us in the day of battle; be our safeguard against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray: And do thou, Prince of the Heavenly Host, by the power of God thrust down to hell satan and all wicked spirits, who wander throughout the world for the ruin of souls. Amen.”
“Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us.”
“Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us.”
“Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us.”
“Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us.”
Lilies at Easter 2022
Every year at Easter we remember
our deceased loved one by decorating
the Church with White Lilies.
If you would like to have a stem of lilies placed in
the arrangements throughout the Easter Season,
in memory of a deceased loved one, relatives or friends.
Please complete this form below and return to the
Presbytery in an envelope by Maundy Thursday 14th
April 2022
…………………………………………………………………
St. Edmund of Canterbury: _________
Names: of those remembered: (Please print clearly)
……………………………… ………………………………
……………………………… ………………………………
……………………………… ………………………………
………………………………. .……………………………..
Amount enclosed £……………… Gift Aid No:……………..
From:……………………………………………………
ALL DONATIONS CAN BE GIFT AIDED
Please Use Your Spare Gift Aid Envelopes
St Edmund of Canterbury 