Dear Friends in Christ: Preparing for Holy Week 2022
As we are about to prepare for Holy Week 2022, It is truly wonderful to see that some semblance of normality has returned to everyday life once again. It is truly heartening to see many of our parishioners have returned to the practice of the faith and Sunday Mass. But I would still like to encourage everyone to make that extra special effort to return to Church. As Holy Week approaches, what more beautiful time of the year to enter into the beauty of Our Lord’s Paschal Mystery!
Next Sunday is Palm Sunday and marks the beginning of our Holy Week 2022. We will travel with the Lord Jesus on his triumphal entry into Jerusalem, with the cries of ‘Hosanna to the Son of David’, as they lay their palm branches before him. We also must remember this same crowd in a few days’ time will be baying for his blood with cries of ‘crucify him, crucify him’!
THE TRIDUUM OF THE LORD The most powerful liturgy that we experience during the church’s liturgical year. I encourage you all to participate fully in these most wonderful celebrations of the Lord’s Passion, Death, and Resurrection. We share together the Mass of the Lord’s Supper, the Good Friday Liturgy, and the Easter Vigil, as one continuous celebration of Salvation History.
WELCOME: On behalf of the whole parish I would like to welcome a number of deacons and Seminarians from the Pontifical North American College, who will be with us throughout our Holy Week. It’s truly wonderful to welcome the Seminarians back once again after a two year hiatus. There will be various Seminarians with us over the Palm Sunday, Holy Week & Easter Weekend. Please extend them your usual hospitable welcome.
CAN YOU HELP?: This is where I appeal to your generosity of spirit; having a good number of students, could I ask for some help with desserts? Home-made apple pies, etc. Most of them have a sweet tooth and really enjoy English Desserts. Also most of them drink Wine, Whisky & Gin, if you have any spare bottles at home, these would be gratefully received. Thank you! I look forward to sharing with you this Holy Week 2022, May God Bless You All,
SCHEDULE OF SERVICES FOR HOLY WEEK 2022
PALM SUNDAY OF THE PASSION: 9th / 10th April
6.00 p.m. St. Edmund’s. Blessing of Palms (Sat. 9th April)
9.00 a.m. St. Edmund’s. Blessing of Palms (Sun 10th April)
11.00 a.m St. Edmund’s. Blessing of Palms . ..
5.00 p.m. St. Edmund’s. Stations of Cross and Benediction
MONDAY 11th April
10.00 a.m. St. Edmund’s. Confessions after Mass
TUESDAY 12th April
10.00 a.m. St. Edmund’s Confessions after Mass
8.00pm Penance Service – With visiting priests for confessions
WEDNESDAY 13th April
9.00 a m St. Edmund’s
11.00 a m CHRISM MASS – Brentwood Cathedral, All welcome!
THE TRIDUUM
MAUNDY THURSDAY 14th April
9.00 a.m. St. Edmund’s, Morning Prayer, Tenebrae /Confessions
8.00 p.m. MASS OF THE LORD’S SUPPER St. Edmund’s
Watching until midnight with Night Prayer / Confessions
GOOD FRIDAY 15thApril Day of Fasting and Abstinence
9.00 a.m. St. Edmund’s, Morning Prayer. Tenebrae
11.00 a.m. Children’s Stations of the Cross
3.00 p.m. THE PASSION OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST
7.00 p.m. St. Edmund’s. Stations of the Cross. Confessions
HOLY SATURDAY: 16th April 2022
9.00 a.m. St. Edmund’s Morning Prayer, Tenebrae, Confessions.
12.30 p.m. Swieconka: Polish Blessing for Easter Food Baskets
8.00 p.m. St. Edmund’s. THE EASTER VIGIL
EASTER SUNDAY 17th April THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS
9.00 a.m. St. Edmund’s, Parish Mass
11.00 a.m. St. Edmund’s, Parish Family Mass
HOLY WEEK 2022
PARISH PENITENTIAL SERVICE
It was difficult over the past two years to have a proper Penitential Service due to Covid. This Year our Penance Service is on Tuesday 12th April at 8.00pm with visiting Confessors. There will also be a Polish Priest hearing Confessions. I will also schedule Confessions after all the Masses & Services during this coming week & Holy Week. Please try to avail yourselves of the Sacrament in preparation for Easter. Thank you
PALM SUNDAY 10th April:
Our Two Sunday Morning Masses will commence outside of the Church with the Blessing of Palm, and Procession into the Church. Please bring your Hymn Book with to sing opening Hymn: All glory Lord & Honour
ELECTRONIC EASTER OFFERING:
This year, as always, envelopes will be available for us to make our Easter Offering, which, as you know, is an opportunity in every Catholic Church for parishioners to make an Easter gift to their Parish Priest, which goes to make up their salary for the Year. This year our Easter Offering can also be made electronically. We just need to transfer the money to the parish account with the reference ‘Easter Offering’; please also quote you Gift Aid Number. Any questions please ask Iain McLay (bloggeriain@gmail.com). The details of the bank account are:
Sort Code: 40-13-22
Account Number: 11019651 ‘EASTER OFFERING’ + Gift Aid Number
Account Name: Catholic Church Loughton St Edmund
EASTER SUNDAY MASSES 2022:
Please note that the Easter Vigil Mass will take place on Saturday 16th April at 8.00pm
Easter Sunday Masses will be at 9.00am, & 11.00am.
THANK YOU: My sincere thanks this year to all of our Stewards who have been so faithful and helpful in looking after our Parish Community during the Pandemic.
St. Edmund of Canterbury
and
St Edmund of Canterbury 