St. Edmund of Canterbury & St. Thomas More
<strong>Twenty Eighth Sunday of the Year, 2022</strong> – St Edmund of Canterbury
There’s a real sense of urgency in today’s Gospel, which is contrasted with the more relazed approach of 1 Kings, where Elisha is allowed time to say goodbye to his family before joining Elijah in his ministry. As Jesus’ Passion draws nearer, the Lord’s call to his potential disciples to follow him allows them no time. They must be willing to put service of the Lord before every other call in their life, even seemingly legitimate ones.
This high level of commitment can lead to a feeling among the laity that Jesus’ words don’t apply to them, just ot the clergy or missionaries. This, however, isn’t the case. The Lord’s call to ‘Follow me’ applies to all believers. To follow the Lord with great urgency can even occur within a family home. Following him may mean turning away from the television and instead praying the Rosary. Or picking up the telephone and calling a relative or friend you’ve been meaning to speak to for some time.
In order to fulfil Christ’s mandate to ‘spread the news of the kingdom of God’, it is necessary to have a sense of urgency every day. By asking the Holy Spirit for guidance, and being led away from the trap of routines, the Lord presents us with constant challenges that will bring fresh insight to our faith. One example of this is St Catherine of Siena. In her youth she lives in an incredibly crowded house, but, amidst the hustle and bustle of her family home, she consistently withdrew and sought the Lord out in prayer.
A little later in St Luke’s Gospel Jesus sends his disciple out in pairs and we’re told they came back rejoicing. The Lord’s sense of urgency wasn’t lost on them and they joined in his radical style of life. This sense of urgency still exists today, particularly in the face of growing secularism in Western Europe. The Lord says to all of us. ‘Follow me.’ What will our response be?
Dear Friends in Christ, 13th Sunday of theYear
REDECORATION OF THE CHURCH: The work is progressing gradually, as you can see the fresh bright & clean look of the painted ceiling and walls have most definitely brightened the church up! During this coming week, the painters will focus on the Sanctuary and the Organ Loft and the Porch. Also the benches will be put back in place and fixed to the floor; all new brackets have been made to fix the benches to the floor. As the celebration for the Jubilee rapidly approaches, the painters will cease work on Wednesday 6th July, and resume again on Monday 11th July. The sacristies and the outside of the Church will be painted, giving a wonderful fresh look to the whole building. I thank you kindly for your patience and understanding while all of this work has been going on.
I would be sincerely grateful for some help in giving the Church a bit of a clean on Saturday mornings 25th June & 2nd July at 9.00am. Obviously there will need to be a really big clean during the week leading up to the Jubilee Mass.
RUBY JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS: Friday 8th July at 7.00pm – The whole parish community is cordially invited to share with me in the Celebration Mass of Thanksgiving for my Fortieth Anniversary of Ordination to the Sacred Priesthood (actual date of anniversary 11th July, Feast of St Benedict). Our Bishop Alan and many priests from the diocese and outside the diocese will be attending. Also Family and friends from all over; several priests and friends from the United States, family and friends from Ireland & Italy, and of course you my parish family for the past twenty years. I would like to reiterate my Invitation to you to come to the Thanksgiving Mass and also the reception afterwards. There will be plenty of Food and Drink. My sincere and grateful thanks to Lorraine Leith & her organising committee for all the hard work they have put in behind the scenes over the past months. There will be a Marquee erected in the Church Car Park on Thursday 7th July, please do not park in Car park on that day. We will need a lot of help on Friday 8th July, more details next weekend. May God Bless You All,
CAN ANYONE HELP ME? I’m in need of a couple of Chauffeurs. I have a friend coming from Italy & one from Ireland who are returning home after the Jubilee and need a ride to Stansted Airport. Italy is leaving on Saturday 9th July and Ireland on Sunday 10th July. I would be sincerely grateful if any parishioners could help with this transport please! Please call Fr John – 020 8508 3492
SACRAMENTAL PREPARATION FOR 2022/23: My thanks to the Parents who came to see me this week about their children commencing the Frist Holy Communion Programme in September. It was good to have the opportunity to meet with you. Pre-requisites:- You are members of this Parish, and you are practicing Roman Catholics, attending weekly Mass! If you’re not practicing please don’t waste my time and yours. The meetings have now concluded Thank you!
IMPORTANT NOTE FOR OUR CONTEMPORARY MUSIC GROUP: We will be playing and singing at our next Mass at 11am on Sunday, 3rd July. Would all singers please arrive 20/25 minutes beforehand so that we can run through the music and hymns for the Mass. Thank you. New singers and musicians who would like to join us would be made very welcome – simply come along!
NB: Please note meanwhile that Fr. John and Sue have warmly invited our singers to join the Parish choir for Fr. John’s anniversary Mass at 7pm on Friday, 8th July. Sue will be having rehearsals at 7pm on Wednesdays and 11am on Saturdays between now and then, so please go to at least one of the rehearsals where you will be made very welcome! Thank you!
REQUEST: ‘Would anyone who enjoys cooking be interested in cooking an evening meal for my elderly parents three days a week? They do enjoy good food and a bit of company. We were thinking Tuesday, Thursday & Saturday but this could be flexible. This is a paid role. My parents live in North Chingford.’ Jan Kay. Please contact Jan Kay on 07831 160496 or 020 8502 2620. Thank you!
REQUESTED MASS INTENTIONS: At present, I don’t have any requested Mass Intentions. If any parishioner wishes to have a Mass celebrated for deceased relatives, anniversary masses, birthday masses, special intentions, for someone who maybe sick, or for any other special occasion, please make your request with the mass envelopes provided in the Porch of the Church.
DIARY JUNE 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, Remy, Geraldine Taylor, Vera Taylor, Mary Witten, James Wright. And all our loved ones.
ANNIVERSARIES: Kazimierz Michalik RIP, Tom Smith 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.
AID FOR UKRAINE: The unspeakable acts of terror in the Ukraine are atrocious, many amounting to genocide. 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.
VACANCY FOR KS1/2 TEACHER: The Trustees of Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Multi Academy Trust wish to appoint a KS1/2 Teacher and a Learning Support Assistant. The closing date for applications is Friday 1st July. For further details please visit www.ourladyoffatimatrust.essex.sch.uk Or alternatively call Mrs Irene Nelson, H.R. Manager on 01279 425383.
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. Teresa Wallace is happy to order anything your request; it usually takes about a week to arrive.
FROM OUR GIFT AID ORGANISER: If you are part of the Gift Aid scheme, you would have received your summary for tax purposes this week either in the post or via email. If you have not received a letter by Monday the 23rd May, please send me an email at abbie.akinfenwa@btinternet.com or text to 0775470934 with your name and gift aid number. Emails have been sent already. If you received a letter and are happy to receive an email next time, please send me your email address as this helps us save stationery, admin and postage costs. Thank you for your co-operation
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.
EXAMINATION TIME: I would like to commend all our GCSE & A Level Students to your prayers over the next few weeks as they sit their respective exams. This is an important time in their lives as they plan for the future. May all their efforts and study be rewarded over the next months. And may the Holy Spirit give them the guidance and strength to perform well in the exams.
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.
CAN YOU HELP? We are desperately in need of additional help for the Altar Society; over the past year or so, we’ve lost a number of our regular helpers who clean the church. If you are able to give an hour or so every month to help keep our Church beautifully clean and tidy, this is all we ask. If you’re able to help please contact Sharon Fitzmaurice or Fr John,
IRREGULAR MARRIAGES: An Irregualr Marriage is one that has taken place outside of the Catholic Church without dispensation. For example: Marriages in hotels, and secular 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 first time parents there is a Baptismal Programme. Baptism takes place on either Saturday or Sunday at 12.30pm
ARE YOU INTERESTED IN A VOCATION TO THE PRIESTHOOD? The next “Enquirers’ Evening” for those considering or interested in a Vocation to the Priesthood is after the summer holidays on Tuesday 6th September at St Edmund of Canterbury Church in Loughton, at 7.00pm, commencing with Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Rosary in the Church. Meetings are monthly, usually the first Tuesday of each month. For further information please contact Fr Mark Swires vocprom@dioceseofbrentwood.org
MASS INTENTIONS – JUNE / JULY 2022
| Sat 25th | 9.30am | Martin Laffey’s Int’s (Remy) |
| Vigil Mass for Sunday. Confessions at 5.30pm | ||
| Sat 25th | 6.00pm | People of the Parish |
| Sun 26th | 9.00am | Mr Cobelli RIP (Anni) (Mrs Cobelli) |
| Sun 26th | 11:00am | Mercedes Turner RIP (Bacuetes Family) |
| Mon 27th | 10.00am | Barbara Hinchley RIP (Margaret Duffy |
| Tues 28th | 10.00am | Martha De’Souza’s B’day Int’s. ( Pat & Margaret) |
| Wed 29th SS Peter & Paul. | 9.00am 10.00am 12.15pm 7.30pm | John McCormack RIP People of the Parish John & Rosemary O’Rourke’s Int’s Dec’d Relatives of Pietro Leonardelli |
| Thurs 30th | 10.00am | Rob Brazier RIP |
| Fri 1stJuly | 10.00am | Dec’d relatives of Camilla Giovannini |
| Sat 2nd | 10.00am | Holy Souls |
| Vigil Mass for Sunday. Confessions at 5.30pm | ||
| Sat 2nd | 6.00pm | People of the Parish |
| Sun 3rd | 9.00am | Dec’d Members of the Hatt family RIP |
| Sun 3rd | 11:00am | Rob Brazier |
Parish Phone No: 0208 508 3492 Email: loughton@dioceseofbrentwood.org
The Brentwood Diocesan Trust Registered Charity No. 234092
13th Sunday in Ordinary Time
First Reading: 1 Kings 19:16,19-21
The Lord said to Elijah, ‘Go, you are to anoint Elisha son of Shaphat, of Abel Meholah, as prophet to succeed you.’
Leaving there, Elijah came on Elisha son of Shaphat as he was ploughing behind twelve yoke of oxen, he himself being with the twelfth. Elijah passed near to him and threw his cloak over him. Elisha left his oxen and ran after Elijah. ‘Let me kiss my father and mother, then I will follow you’ he said. Elijah answered, ‘Go, go back; for have I done anything to you?’ Elisha turned away, took the pair of oxen and slaughtered them. He used the plough for cooking the oxen, then gave to his men, who ate. He then rose, and followed Elijah and became his servant.
Responsive Psalm: Psalm 15(16):1-2,5,7-11
O Lord, it is you who are my portion.
Preserve me, God, I take refuge in you.
I say to the Lord: ‘You are my God.
O Lord, it is you who are my portion and cup;
it is you yourself who are my prize.’
O Lord, it is you who are my portion.
I will bless the Lord who gives me counsel,
who even at night directs my heart.
I keep the Lord ever in my sight:
since he is at my right hand, I shall stand firm.
O Lord, it is you who are my portion.
And so my heart rejoices, my soul is glad;
even my body shall rest in safety.
For you will not leave my soul among the dead,
nor let your beloved know decay.
O Lord, it is you who are my portion.
You will show me the path of life,
the fullness of joy in your presence,
at your right hand happiness for ever.
O Lord, it is you who are my portion.
Second Reading: Galatians 5:1,13-18
When Christ freed us, he meant us to remain free. Stand firm, therefore, and do not submit again to the yoke of slavery. My brothers, you were called, as you know, to liberty; but be careful, or this liberty will provide an opening for self-indulgence. Serve one another, rather, in works of love, since the whole of the Law is summarised in a single command: Love your neighbour as yourself. If you go snapping at each other and tearing each other to pieces, you had better watch or you will destroy the whole community.
Let me put it like this: if you are guided by the Spirit you will be in no danger of yielding to self-indulgence, since self-indulgence is the opposite of the Spirit, the Spirit is totally against such a thing, and it is precisely because the two are so opposed that you do not always carry out your good intentions. If you are led by the Spirit, no law can touch you.
Gospel: Luke 9:51-62
As the time drew near for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely took the road for Jerusalem and sent messengers ahead of him. These set out, and they went into a Samaritan village to make preparations for him, but the people would not receive him because he was making for Jerusalem. Seeing this, the disciples James and John said, ‘Lord, do you want us to call down fire from heaven to burn them up?’ But he turned and rebuked them, and they went off to another village.
As they travelled along they met a man on the road who said to him, ‘I will follow you wherever you go.’ Jesus answered, ‘Foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.’
Another to whom he said, ‘Follow me’, replied, ‘Let me go and bury my father first.’ But he answered, ‘Leave the dead to bury their dead; your duty is to go and spread the news of the kingdom of God.’
Another said, ‘I will follow you, sir, but first let me go and say goodbye to my people at home.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Once the hand is laid on the plough, no one who looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.’
St Edmund of Canterbury 