St. Edmund of Canterbury & St. Thomas More
We know that God cares for us body and soul. By death the soul is separated from the body, but our hope is that they will be reunited on the last day. Jesus’ resurrection revealed the nature of this new body, a risen body, infused with God’s light and life, and not prone to sin or death.
John’s Gospel records some deeply personla and intimate mometns in Jesus’ life, such as when he wept at Lasarus’ death, or when he invited his disciples to ‘Come and have breakfast after cooking fish for them.
The breakfast story leads into a fascinating exchange between Jesus and Peter, in which Peter is asked three times to feed the Lord’s sheep. This meant that as the Rock, Peter must ensure that beleivers are fed with the noursihment of Christ. We see this in Peter’s First Letter: ‘Like newborn babaies, crave pur spiritual milk, so that by it you that you may grow up in your slavation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.’
One way we can literally feed off this pure spiritual milk is by prayerfully studying the meditating on peter’s two letters. When we do this, we draw directly from the origianl rock on which the Church was built, the pure well of our salvation. If we don’t eat (feed), we grow weak and unhealthy. This is also true in our spiritual lives and the staple diet from which we feed is: prayer, the Scriptures, the Church’s teaching (the Magisterium) and Lectio Divine (spiritual reading).
Supremely we are fed by the Eucharist and the Sacraemtns, food for our soul and food which is good for this life and the next. We don’t live in a parched land; God has given us rich sources of spiritual food, and a banquet of teaching and spiritual life has been prepared for us. Just as with our physical bodies, eating on the run isn’t ideal; we must carve out time and space with the Lord where we can be nourished by him.
Dear Friends in Christ: Third Sunday of Easter 2022
You may have been aware that the Parish Hall was closed during the past two weeks as it has just been redecorated. It’s a number of years since the last decoration and because of the vast use of the hall it was certinaly beginning to look a little tired. Thankfully, it has been completed and will resume use again as of Sunday 1st May. Apologies for any inconvenience this may have caused various groups. We have also ordered new curtians, which obviously will take a few weeks to make. I really hope you all like the finished redecoration.
Also, as I mentioned in last week’s Newsletter we will commence redecoration of the Church both inside and outside in May & June. It’s over 25 years since the outside of the church has been decorated and 16 years for the inside of the Church, both are in desperate need of attention. Obviously, with the painting of the Church we will have to celebrate Holy Mass in the Parish Retreat each weekday, and on Friday afternoons have a big clean-up to prepare the Church for the weekends. I will be appealing for some help on Fridays during June to assist in preparing the church. If you can assist, this would be of great help to the whole parish community. The Interior decoration will probably take a month commencing on the 6th June.
You may have noticed the front porch entrance to the Presbytery. I have been extrmely concerned about this for some time now; the plasterwork is extremely precarious, and to avoid any falling debris, this project will also be tackled soon; the replastering and making good of the porch and balcony will take place soon.
For the past several years the area behind the parish hall and along each side of the hall has overgrown dramatically; it’s in a pretty bad state. I have managed to secure a landscape gardener who will commence work on its clearance. This is no mean task and will take a while, but it is all in abid to make our property look presentable. We had to replace some panels recently at the back of the propeprty which were damage a couple of months ago with the severe winds.
This is just to keep you all inform ed with what is happeneing. The Diocese has given the go ahead for all these projects with the proceeds from the Sale of the Site at St Thomas More, Debden.
Wishing You All A Happy 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.
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. We will definitely need help on the day.
FIRST HOLY COMMUNION PROGRAMME: The children will meet on Sunday 8th May 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 First 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.
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, commencing with Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Rosary in the Church. 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. First Holy Communion gifts and items. A variety of Candles – large and small. Greetings Cards for all occasions. Mass Cards for deceased. Children’s books. 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.
MAY THE MONTH OF MARY: The Church gives the Month of May to Our Blessed Lady. Devotion to Mary has a.lways been part and parcel of the Roman Catholic tradition. I would encoruage every family in the parish to pray at least a decade of the Rosary each day throughout the month of May. The Rosary is a very powerful prpayer, and it’s mysteries remind us not only what Our Lord & Saviour Jesus Christ has won for us through his act of selfless love, but also the great example of Our Blessed Lady in her response to God’s Holy will to become the Mother of His Son.
DIARY 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: Brian & Paul Street 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
IN MEMORIAM: A special mass of Thanksgiving for the life of Brian Beveridge RIP will be celebrated on Saturday 14th May at 12 Noon at St Thomas of Canterbury, Woodford Green. Brian passed away late last year and his family and friends and parishioners will gather together on this day in thanksgiving for his life. ALSO: Holy Mass for the Repose of the Soul of Brian Beveridge will be celebrated on Sunday 15th May at 9.00am at St Edmund’s Parish Church.
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 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. Baptisms take place on either Saturday or Sunday at 12.30pm.
MASS INTENTIONS – APRIL – MAY
| 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 1st May | 11:00am | Brian & Paul Street RIP (Barbara Street) |
| Mon 2nd | 10.00am | Dec’d parents of Lorraine McDonagh (Christine Perrett) |
| Tues 3rd | 10.00am | Philomena Joseph RIP (Mariet) |
| Wed 4th | 10.00am | Eamonn Commins RIP |
| Thurs 5th | 10.00am | Remy 70th Birthday (Pat & Margaret) |
| Fri 6th | 10.00am | Holy Souls |
| Sat 7th | 10.00am | Nicole Gillen RIP (Mary Ryan) |
| Vigil Mass for Sunday. Confessions at 5.30pm | ||
| Sat 7th | 6.00pm | Dec’d members of the Ray Family |
| Sun 8th | 9.00am | People of the Parish |
| Sun 8th | 11:00am | Pat & Jack Steele RIP (Maria Fray) |
3rd Sunday of Easter
First Reading: Acts 5:27-32,40-41
The high priest demanded an explanation of the Apostles. ‘We gave you a formal warning’ he said ‘not to preach in this name, and what have you done? You have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and seem determined to fix the guilt of this man’s death on us.’ In reply Peter and the apostles said, ‘Obedience to God comes before obedience to men; it was the God of our ancestors who raised up Jesus, but it was you who had him executed by hanging on a tree. By his own right hand God has now raised him up to be leader and saviour, to give repentance and forgiveness of sins through him to Israel. We are witnesses to all this, we and the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him.’ They warned the apostles not to speak in the name of Jesus and released them. And so they left the presence of the Sanhedrin glad to have had the honour of suffering humiliation for the sake of the name.
Responsive Psalm: Psalm 29(30):2,4-6,11-13
I will praise you, Lord, you have rescued me.
I will praise you, Lord, you have rescued me
and have not let my enemies rejoice over me.
O Lord, you have raised my soul from the dead,
restored me to life from those who sink into the grave.
I will praise you, Lord, you have rescued me.
Sing psalms to the Lord, you who love him,
give thanks to his holy name.
His anger lasts a moment; his favour all through life.
At night there are tears, but joy comes with dawn.
I will praise you, Lord, you have rescued me.
The Lord listened and had pity.
The Lord came to my help.
For me you have changed my mourning into dancing:
O Lord my God, I will thank you for ever.
I will praise you, Lord, you have rescued me.
Second Reading : Apocalypse 5:11-14
In my vision, I, John, heard the sound of an immense number of angels gathered round the throne and the animals and the elders; there were ten thousand times ten thousand of them and thousands upon thousands, shouting, ‘The Lamb that was sacrificed is worthy to be given power, riches, wisdom, strength, honour, glory and blessing.’ Then I heard all the living things in creation – everything that lives in the air, and on the ground, and under the ground, and in the sea, crying, ‘To the One who is sitting on the throne and to the Lamb, be all praise, honour, glory and power, for ever and ever.’ And the four animals said, ‘Amen’; and the elders prostrated themselves to worship.
Gospel : John 21:1-19
Jesus showed himself again to the disciples. It was by the Sea of Tiberias, and it happened like this: Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee and two more of his disciples were together. Simon Peter said, ‘I’m going fishing.’ They replied, ‘We’ll come with you.’ They went out and got into the boat but caught nothing that night.
It was light by now and there stood Jesus on the shore, though the disciples did not realise that it was Jesus. Jesus called out, ‘Have you caught anything, friends?’ And when they answered, ‘No’, he said, ‘Throw the net out to starboard and you’ll find something.’ So they dropped the net, and there were so many fish that they could not haul it in. The disciple Jesus loved said to Peter, ‘It is the Lord.’ At these words ‘It is the Lord’, Simon Peter, who had practically nothing on, wrapped his cloak round him and jumped into the water. The other disciples came on in the boat, towing the net and the fish; they were only about a hundred yards from land.
As soon as they came ashore they saw that there was some bread there, and a charcoal fire with fish cooking on it. Jesus said, ‘Bring some of the fish you have just caught.’ Simon Peter went aboard and dragged the net to the shore, full of big fish, one hundred and fifty-three of them; and in spite of there being so many the net was not broken. Jesus said to them, ‘Come and have breakfast.’ None of the disciples was bold enough to ask, ‘Who are you?’; they knew quite well it was the Lord. Jesus then stepped forward, took the bread and gave it to them, and the same with the fish. This was the third time that Jesus showed himself to the disciples after rising from the dead.
After the meal Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me more than these others do?’ He answered, ‘Yes Lord, you know I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Feed my lambs.’ A second time he said to him, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’ He replied, ‘Yes, Lord, you know I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Look after my sheep.’ Then he said to him a third time, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’ Peter was upset that he asked him the third time, ‘Do you love me?’ and said, ‘Lord, you know everything; you know I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Feed my sheep.
‘I tell you most solemnly,
when you were young
you put on your own belt
and walked where you liked;
but when you grow old
you will stretch out your hands,
and somebody else will put a belt round you
and take you where you would rather not go.’
In these words he indicated the kind of death by which Peter would give glory to God. After this he said, ‘Follow me.’
St Edmund of Canterbury 