St. Edmund of Canterbury & St. Thomas More
Some may not believe in God but God believes in them. Unbelief is common these days, but it’s different from doubt. Thomas knew all about doubt. This isn’t a bad thing, though, because God gave us minds to think and reason. Faith is truly a gift, intended to work together in harmony with reason.
The Lord appeared to Thomas to lead him from unbelief to faith: ‘Do not be faithless, but believing’. Through seeing the Risen Lord, Thomas came to a profound faith, and his confession of faith should be on the lips of every believer: ‘My Lord and my God’. However, faith is often tested and tried, and we struggle with doubts. We doubt that God lives us. We doubt that he has a plan for our lives and will take care of us. We doubt that he can change certain areas of our lives, especially those with which we have struggled for years.
We, like Thomas, need Jesus to lead us from doubt to faith, from unbelief to belief. Paul wrote, ‘So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes from the preaching of Christ’. We tend to understand a text of Scriptures like this to mean that the Gospel should be preached by a bishop, priest or deacon, but actually we must first learn to preach the Gospel to ourselves. We must learn, if you like, to be the bearer of the Good News to ourselves and to the situations and challenges we face. We need to let the Gospel enter us and change us.
What truths do we need to proclaim? The truth of the Gospel; is that God is love and that God loves you. Make this prayer during your day: ‘Lord, I know you love me and died for me. Give me a deeper knowledge and understanding of your divine mercy.’ Also, try and praise God during your day, praying, ‘Praise you, Lord Jesus. You are the Holy One and you are worthy of glory, honour and praise.’
Dear Friends in Christ: Second Sunday of Easter 2022
I would like to take this public opportunity of thanking the whole parish community for such a wonderful Holy Week. I really felt we were getting back to some semblance of normality after the revious two years of Pandemic. But we should also remember that Covid is still with us!
So many people enriched our Holy Week Service. This year our Choir were excpetional, learning new pieces of music and singing in full force. If anyone else would like to join the choir, please go and introduce yourself to Sue Farrowy our Choir Director. We are only too happy for more new members, especially if you enjoy singing.
My thanks to David Knott & Robert Hatt our MC’s and all our Altar Servers; it was wonderful to see you serving at the Triduum Service last week. This year we were joined by 4 Deacons & 6 seminarians from the Pntifical North American College, which really enhanced our Liturgy and Holy Week Services. It’s truly wonderful to have the seminarians back witih us once again, after a two year hiatus. They have asked me to convey their thanks to the whole parish community for their incredible & hosptiable welcome. Also on a personla note a big thank you to all parishioenrs who dropped off Desserts, Pies & Cup Cakes, also bottles of Gin, Whiskey & Port. They certinaly appreciated it, and put a big dent in all those goodies!
My thanks to the Altar Society for all their hard work in prepratation for Easter; but also throughout the rest of the eyar. Unfortunaly, many people have stopped helping with the Society, and we are in desperate need of some additional help in maintiaing, cleaning the church. If you are able to help for an hour or so a month, please contact Fr John or Sharon Fitzmaurice.
DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY: From the private revelations to St Faustina; Jesus asked Faustina to make known his great love and mercy. He wants people to trust in his mercy, to ask for it, and to allow themselves to be vessels of his mercy for others. Traditionally, the Divine Mercy Chaplet is prayed at 3.00pm the time of the Lord’s death. St. Faustina recounted that Jesus asked people to pray and reflect on his Passion during this hour, and to ask for God’s mercy on the world. He promised that “In this hour, I will refuse nothing to the soul that makes a request of Me in virtue of My Passion.”
May God Bless you All this week,
ELECTRONIC EASTER OFFERING: If you have not made your Easter Offering yet, it’s still not too late! Envelopes are still available for your Easter Offering, which is your opportunity to make your Easter gift to your Parish Priest, which goes to make up his 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 Quote: ‘Easter Offering’ & Gift Aid No.
Account Name: Catholic Church Loughton St Edmund
WEEKLY OFFERTORY ENVELOPES: If you belong to the Parish Gift Aid Scheme, could you kindly pick up your new envelopes immediately after Mass. During the Week the envelopes will be in Porch. The new financial year has begun so you’ll need your envelopes! If you would like to join the parish Gift Aid Scheme, please pick up a form, complete it and drop off at the Presbytery. I would like to encourage all those who Gift Aid to make a Standing Order, if possible.
CONTEMPORARY MUSIC GROUP: We will be joyfully singing and playing at our next Mass, 11am on Sunday, 1st May, which is the Third Sunday of Easter. Would all singers kindly arrive by around 10.35 so that we can run through the hymns and Mass setting? We’d really like to see more of our regular singers turn up and any young families or new singers who may like to join us would be made very welcome! With thanks and we look forward to seeing you all there.
ST EDMUND’S PARISH HALL: Is in the process of being redecorated. It’s a number of years since the last decoration. Hopefully it should be completed by the end of next weekend. We have also ordered brand new curtains for the hall. Apologies for any inconvenience this may have caused to various groups. The Church will also hopefully be decorated both inside and out during May & June. It’s over 25 years since the outside of the church was decorated and 16 years for the inside. As you can see it’s beginning to look a little tired. Thankfully the diocese has given permission for these projects, and the proceeds of the sale of St Thomas More site will offset all the costs. I will notify you when I’ve been given the dates for commencing work on the Church.
FIRST HOLY COMMUNION PROGRAMME: The children will meet on Sunday 24th April at 10.00am. Theme; Receiving the Eucharist. Please keep all of the children in your prayers as they prepare to receive Holy Communion of the first time next month. Rehearsals for Frist Communion on Wednesday 11th May at 4pm group 1, 5pm group 2, 6pm group 3. First communion celebrations: Saturday 14th May at 12Noon, Sunday 15th May at 1.00pm. Sunday 22nd May, 11.00am Going Forth Mass. Communion Party
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,
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/
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.
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. If you can help in anyway whatsoever, please contact Fr John or Lorraine Leith
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 3rd May at St Edmund of Canterbury Church in Loughton, at 7.00pm. The speaker will be Fr Gary Dench. For further information please contact Fr Mark Swires vocprom@dioceseofbrentwood.org
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.
PARISH REPOSITORY: There is a lot of new stock in the repository. A variety of Candles – large and small. Greetings Cards for all occasions. Mass Cards for deceased. Children’s books about Lent. There are also a number of CTS little books in a special stand on all sorts of different issues, the saints etc. There are Statues, rosaries, medals, bracelets. A Variety of Easter Cards. Teresa Wallace is happy to order anything your request; it usually takes about a week to arrive.
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.
DIARY APRIL – MAY 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: Jamie McRory RIP, Michael Tuohy RIP. 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: 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.
PLEASE COLLECT YOUR GIFT AID BOXES THIS WEEKEND
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
BAPTISMS: If there are parents wishing to have their children baptised at St Edmund’s could you kindly contact Fr John as soon as possible. For frist time parents there is a Baptismal Programme. Baptism take place on either Saturday or Sunday at 12.30pm
MASS INTENTIONS – APRIL 2022 EASTER WEEK
| Sat 23rd | 10.00am | Fr Kieran Dodd’s Int’s (Remy) |
| Vigil Mass for Sunday. Confessions at 5.30pm | ||
| Sat 23rd | 6.00pm | Jane & Stephen Barrett RIP (Margaret Hopkinson) |
| Sun 24th | 9.00am | Mrs Aida DeGala Carlos (Rey Bacani) |
| Sun 24th | 11:00am | Dorothy Joan Goodman RIP (Haybee Ylaya) |
| Mon 25th | 10.00am | Kenneth George Tudhope RIP (M Duffy) |
| Tues 26th | 10.00am | Dec’d members of Munro family ((The Munro family) |
| Wed 27th | 10.00am | Sylvester Duff RIP (M Ryan) |
| Thurs 28th | 10.00am | Int’s of Antonia Clancy (Christine Perrett) |
| Fri 29th | 10.00am | Kathleen ‘Babs’ Wood RIP (Anthony family) |
| Sat 30th | 10.00am | Ann Hawkes Int’s (Remy) |
| Vigil Mass for Sunday. Confessions at 5.30pm | ||
| Sat 30th | 6.00pm | Nora Reardon RIP (Kathleen Pampellonne) |
| Sun 1st May | 9.00am | Lynnanne Rollocks (sick) (K Pampellonne) |
| Sun 1stMay | 11:00am | Brian & Paul Street RIP (Barbara Street) |
Divine Mercy Sunday (2nd Sunday of Easter)
First Reading : Acts 5:12-16
The faithful all used to meet by common consent in the Portico of Solomon. No one else ever dared to join them, but the people were loud in their praise and the numbers of men and women who came to believe in the Lord increased steadily. So many signs and wonders were worked among the people at the hands of the apostles that the sick were even taken out into the streets and laid on beds and sleeping-mats in the hope that at least the shadow of Peter might fall across some of them as he went past. People even came crowding in from the towns round about Jerusalem, bringing with them their sick and those tormented by unclean spirits, and all of them were cured.
Responsive Psalm : Psalm 117(118):2-4,22-27
Give thanks to the Lord for he is good, for his love has no end.
Let the sons of Israel say:
‘His love has no end.’
Let the sons of Aaron say:
‘His love has no end.’
Let those who fear the Lord say:
‘His love has no end.’
Give thanks to the Lord for he is good, for his love has no end.
The stone which the builders rejected
has become the corner stone.
This is the work of the Lord,
a marvel in our eyes.
This day was made by the Lord;
we rejoice and are glad.
Give thanks to the Lord for he is good, for his love has no end.
O Lord, grant us salvation;
O Lord, grant success.
Blessed in the name of the Lord
is he who comes.
We bless you from the house of the Lord;
the Lord God is our light.
Give thanks to the Lord for he is good, for his love has no end.
Second Reading : Apocalypse 1:9-13,17-19
My name is John, and through our union in Jesus I am your brother and share your sufferings, your kingdom, and all you endure. I was on the island of Patmos for having preached God’s word and witnessed for Jesus; it was the Lord’s day and the Spirit possessed me, and I heard a voice behind me, shouting like a trumpet, ‘Write down all that you see in a book.’ I turned round to see who had spoken to me, and when I turned I saw seven golden lamp-stands and, surrounded by them, a figure like a Son of man, dressed in a long robe tied at the waist with a golden girdle.
When I saw him, I fell in a dead faint at his feet, but he touched me with his right hand and said, ‘Do not be afraid; it is I, the First and the Last; I am the Living One, I was dead and now I am to live for ever and ever, and I hold the keys of death and of the underworld. Now write down all that you see of present happenings and things that are still to come.’
Gospel : John 20:19-31
In the evening of that same day, the first day of the week, the doors were closed in the room where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews. Jesus came and stood among them. He said to them, ‘Peace be with you’, and showed them his hands and his side. The disciples were filled with joy when they saw the Lord, and he said to them again, ‘Peace be with you.
‘As the Father sent me,
so am I sending you.’
After saying this he breathed on them and said:
‘Receive the Holy Spirit.
For those whose sins you forgive,
they are forgiven;
for those whose sins you retain,
they are retained.’
Thomas, called the Twin, who was one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. When the disciples said, ‘We have seen the Lord’, he answered, ‘Unless I see the holes that the nails made in his hands and can put my finger into the holes they made, and unless I can put my hand into his side, I refuse to believe.’ Eight days later the disciples were in the house again and Thomas was with them. The doors were closed, but Jesus came in and stood among them. ‘Peace be with you’ he said. Then he spoke to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here; look, here are my hands. Give me your hand; put it into my side. Doubt no longer but believe.’ Thomas replied, ‘My Lord and my God!’ Jesus said to him:
‘You believe because you can see me.
Happy are those who have not seen and yet believe.’
There were many other signs that Jesus worked and the disciples saw, but they are not recorded in this book. These are recorded so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing this you may have life through his name.
St Edmund of Canterbury 