St. Edmund of Canterbury & St. Thomas More
Parish Weekly Newsletter
Dear Friends in Christ 17th Sunday of the Year 2022
Today we encounter Jesus’ teaching on prayer, which is more radical, challenging and life-changing than we may at first realise because it encourages an approach or attitude to prayer which we might not share or even appreciate. The Lord Jesus positively and unambiguously encourages a bold, confident, even brazen attitude towards approaching God in prayer. The Lord wants us to cultivate a way of praying that is hopeful, expectant and sure of God’s goodness and generosity.
No prayer captures this more beautifully than the Our Father, which the Lord himself taught us to pray. The Our Father is the Magna Carta, the blueprint for all prayer. Despite being so short and compact is encapsulates the essence of prayer and the very heart of our relationship with God. St. Augustine said of the Our Father: ‘If you run through the petitions of all holy prayers, I believe you will find nothing that is not summed up and contained in the Lord’s Prayer.’
Jesus uses the story of a persistent neighbour, who will take not take for an answer to reveal that God the Father is not like the unwilling neighbour, but is generous, kind and benevolent provider for his children’s needs. We discover who God is more through prayer, than any other spiritual exercise, for it is in prayer that the Spirit woks in us to expand not just our minds but our hearts, our imagination and our horizons.
Dear Friends in Jesus Christ,
This week we’ve soaring temperatures like we’ve never seen before; and everyone, whilst trying to keep cool had to get on with everyday work and living. Also, our schools have just closed for the summer holidays. I wish all our teachers, teaching assistants, ancillary staff and pupils a good summer recess. The holidays are always a wonderful time to recahrge the battrries. I hope and pray that everyone will get the opportunity for a couple of weeks away with family and loved ones. It’s truly amazing how this can rejuvenate the spirit. Looking at the world wide temperatires here in over the past couple of weeks, it’s been even hotter here than most Mediterranean countires. Please be careful in the heat and ensure that you use plenty of sunscreen and drink plenty of water.
REDECORATION COMPLETED: This week the painters finally completed the paiting of the Sacristies. I’m so very happy with the end result of this redecoration project. The church is looking truly wonderful, and thank you for all the wonderful comments over the past couple of weeks. It’s truly heartening to know that you like the finished product. Let’s hope it lasts for a good long while!
WEEKLY OFFERTORY DURING THE SUMMER: While most parishioners will take a summer break over this period until the return to school in September. It’s important that we keep our Offertory giving up-to date. If you belong to the Gift Aid Scheme, please use your envelopes. I know may parishioners use online giving & also Standing Orders.
RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS: The Journey of Faith talks will commence on Thursday 8th September at 8.00pm in the Parish Presbytery. This is a systematic programme of Instruction in the Roman Catholic Faith. If you know of anyone else who may be interested in learning a little more about the Roman Catholic faith possibly with the view of being received into full-communion with the Church at Easter 2023, please see Fr. John as soon as possible. Tel No: 020 8508 3492
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May God Bless You All, with Love & Peace
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. The Foodbank have asked for support with the following items: pasta sauce, rice pudding, jam, tinned fruit, snack / breakfast bars, chocolate bars, shower gel, toilet roll and deodorant. URGENTLY NEEDED: Small jars of coffee, washing up liquid, sponge pudding desserts and instant mash. Thank you! You can also keep up to date with the Foodbank news via their facebook page: www.facebook.com/EppingForestFoodbank/
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.
REQUESTED MASS INTENTIONS: At present, I don’t have any requested Mass Intentions. If any parishioners 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.
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!
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
DIARY JULY 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: Mary Moriarty RIP & Alan West 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/ hiccups
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,
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.
SACRAMENTAL PREPARATION FOR 2022/23: My thanks to the Parents who came to see me this week about their children commencing the First 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!
NOTE FOR OUR CONTEMPORARY MUSIC GROUP: We will be singing and playing at our next Mass on Sunday, 7th August at 11am.We appreciate that this is in the middle of the holiday season, but if you are not away, please make every effort to come to the Mass. We’d be grateful if you could arrive 20/30 minutes before Mass starts so that we can run through the hymns and music. Thank you. If you are away, then please do have an enjoyable break, with not too much queuing at the airport if you’re travelling abroad! As always, new singers who may like to join us would be made very welcome – simply come along!
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.
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
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
SHARING THE CHURCH’S STORY CONFERENCE: A renewal for Mission. With world-class speakers, including Bishop Robert Barron (Word on Fire). Saturday 17th September in London. Venue – Friend’s House Conference Centre, Euston Road.
SICK & HOUSEBOUND: We are now permitted to resume the visitation of the Sick & Housebound. If there is anyone in the parish who would like a visit at home, please contact Fr. John on Tel No: 020 8508 3492
MASS INTENTIONS – JULY – AUGUST 2022
| Sat 23rd | 10.00am | Philomena Joseph RIP (Mariet Paul) |
| Vigil Mass for Sunday. Confessions at 5.30pm | ||
| Sat 23rd | 6.00pm | People of the Parish |
| Sun 24th | 9.00am | Robert Thomas Int’s. (Ruiz Family) |
| Sun 24th | 11:00am | Brian & Moira Carter 60th Wedding anniversary. |
| Mon 25th August | 10.00am | Private Intention (Margaret Hiscock) |
| Tues 26th | 10.00am | June Happe RIP ((John & Kathy Frowood) |
| Wed 27th | 10.00am | Rosemary O’Rourke (John O’Rourke) |
| Thurs 28th | 9.00am | Holy Souls |
| Fri 29th | 10.00am | Wil Severijns RIP |
| Sat 30th | 10.00am | Eileen Griffin (M Ryan) |
| Vigil Mass for Sunday. Confessions at 5.30pm | ||
| Sat 30th | 6.00pm | Ronald Pavett RIP (G Ashwell-Pavett) |
| Sun 31st | 9.00am | People of the Parish |
| Sun 11an | 11:00am | Jake McClean RIP (Maria Fray) |
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
17th Sunday in Ordinary Time
First Reading : Genesis 18:20-32
The Lord said, ‘How great an outcry there is against Sodom and Gomorrah! How grievous is their sin! I propose to go down and see whether or not they have done all that is alleged in the outcry against them that has come up to me. I am determined to know.’
The men left there and went to Sodom while Abraham remained standing before the Lord. Approaching him he said, ‘Are you really going to destroy the just man with the sinner? Perhaps there are fifty just men in the town. Will you really overwhelm them, will you not spare the place for the fifty just men in it? Do not think of doing such a thing: to kill the just man with the sinner, treating just and sinner alike! Do not think of it! Will the judge of the whole earth not administer justice?’ the Lord replied, ‘If at Sodom I find fifty just men in the town, I will spare the whole place because of them.’
Abraham replied, ‘I am bold indeed to speak like this to my Lord, I who am dust and ashes. But perhaps the fifty just men lack five: will you destroy the whole city for five?’ ‘No,’ he replied ‘I will not destroy it if I find forty-five just men there.’ Again Abraham said to him, ‘Perhaps there will only be forty there.’ ‘I will not do it’ he replied ‘for the sake of the forty.’
Abraham said, ‘I trust my Lord will not be angry, but give me leave to speak: perhaps there will only be thirty there.’ ‘I will not do it’ he replied ‘if I find thirty there.’ He said, ‘I am bold indeed to speak like this, but perhaps there will only be twenty there.’ ‘I will not destroy it’ he replied ‘for the sake of the twenty.’ He said, ‘I trust my Lord will not be angry if I speak once more: perhaps there will only be ten.’ ‘I will not destroy it’ he replied ‘for the sake of the ten.’
Responsive Psalm : Psalm 137(138):1-3,6-8
On the day I called, you answered me, O Lord.
I thank you, Lord, with all my heart:
you have heard the words of my mouth.
In the presence of the angels I will bless you.
I will adore before your holy temple.
On the day I called, you answered me, O Lord.
I thank you for your faithfulness and love,
which excel all we ever knew of you.
On the day I called, you answered;
you increased the strength of my soul.
On the day I called, you answered me, O Lord.
The Lord is high yet he looks on the lowly
and the haughty he knows from afar.
Though I walk in the midst of affliction
you give me life and frustrate my foes.
On the day I called, you answered me, O Lord.
You stretch out your hand and save me,
your hand will do all things for me.
Your love, O Lord, is eternal,
discard not the work of your hands.
On the day I called, you answered me, O Lord.
Second Reading : Colossians 2:12-14
You have been buried with Christ, when you were baptised; and by baptism, too, you have been raised up with him through your belief in the power of God who raised him from the dead. You were dead, because you were sinners and had not been circumcised: he has brought you to life with him, he has forgiven us all our sins.
He has overridden the Law, and cancelled every record of the debt that we had to pay; he has done away with it by nailing it to the cross.
Gospel : Luke 11:1-13
Once Jesus was in a certain place praying, and when he had finished one of his disciples said, ‘Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.’
He said to them, ‘Say this when you pray:
‘“Father, may your name be held holy,
your kingdom come;
give us each day our daily bread,
and forgive us our sins,
for we ourselves forgive each one who is in debt to us.
And do not put us to the test.”’
He also said to them:
‘Suppose one of you has a friend and goes to him in the middle of the night to say, “My friend, lend me three loaves, because a friend of mine on his travels has just arrived at my house and I have nothing to offer him”; and the man answers from inside the house, “Do not bother me. The door is bolted now, and my children and I are in bed; I cannot get up to give it you.” I tell you, if the man does not get up and give it him for friendship’s sake, persistence will be enough to make him get up and give his friend all he wants.
‘So I say to you: Ask, and it will be given to you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. For the one who asks always receives; the one who searches always finds; the one who knocks will always have the door opened to him. What father among you would hand his son a stone when he asked for bread? Or hand him a snake instead of a fish? Or hand him a scorpion if he asked for an egg? If you then, who are evil, know how to give your children what is good, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!’
St Edmund of Canterbury 