The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary 2022.

St. Edmund of Canterbury & St. Thomas More

The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Dear Friends in Christ,         The Assumption 2022 

Mary’s Assumption points to John 14:3: ‘and when I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and I will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.’ Mary was assumed body and soul into heaven to be with Jesus, the Son of God, who had gone to prepare a place for her. In 1950 Pope Pius XII said ‘Mary, having completed the course of her earthly life, was assumed body and soul into heavenly glory.’We accept this teaching, this doctrine of the Church, as an article of faith. We believe and so we pray, ‘Hail Mary, full of grace.’ Mary is truly the Queen of Heaven.  

We celebrate her life and rejoice in her everlasting reward. Through the witness of Mary, we are also reminded that today is an opportunity for us to renew our own hope in the promise, that on the last day, our soul, which separates from our body at death, is reunited with our resurrection body, and we rise to life everlasting, body and soul. This is an exciting and wonderful truth that should spur us on in the living out of our faith, day by day. Speaking of that body, St. Paul writes: ‘What is sown is persishable, what is raised is imperishable. It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power. It is sown in a physical body; it is raised in a spiritual body.’

Today, we rejoice in Mary, our Mother in faith, and give praise to God for her faithfulness, obedience and love. She is the perfect model of every Christian virtue, and it is fitting that Scripture and tradition unite to proclaim her assumption into eternal reward in heaven.

Dear Friends in Jesus Christ,

As we have been basking in the sunshine for the past several weeks, and there has been very little rain, all the reports on the radio and television have been focusing on the ongoing situation of drought; but coupled with that as we are experiencing temperatures of nearly 100 degrees, there is also the looming cloud of autumn and winter, and the incredible raising of fuel & utility charges. It’s quite a worrying situation, and I’m sure many people will be making the decision of whether to buy fuel or eat. We will all have to tighten our belts and of course make provisions for the winter in the best way possible. Living in Canada for a couple of years, certainly got me used to layering clothing when I went out. As you can appreciate we have huge buildings here in the parish, and I’m sure you will all respond in kind to keep our properties maintained and heated throughout the winter. 

RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS: The Journey of Faith talks will commence on Thursday 8^th 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 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 

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.

ALTAR SERVERS: Recently we had over 30 children make their First Holy Communion. A couple of them have already started Altar Serving. I would like to make an appeal to the whole parish community for some more children to volunteer to become Altar Servers. It is a wonderful way of serving God and the community. Just speak to Fr John directly and he will arrange for training and for you to receive and Alb & Cincture

REQUESTED MASS INTENTIONS: At present, I have very few 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, place your Mass Offering in the envelope and drop it off at the Presbytery.

God Bless You All, 

SACRAMENTAL PREPARATION FOR 2022/23: My thanks to the Parents who came to see me recently 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!  

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 

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 going. If you belong to the Gift Aid Scheme, please keep your envelopes up to date.  I know may parishioners use online giving & Standing Orders. If you want applications for the Gift Aid Scheme, these can be found in the Porch of the Church.  Your Weekly Offertory is your Gift to God!

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

RELICS OF ST BERNADETTE OF LOURDES COMING TO UK: The Churches & Cathedrals hosting St Bernadette’s Relics have a fixed capacity for vistors. To ensure the comfort and safety of pilgrims, visitors will be asked to register to attend with a dedicated timeslot. In the diocese of Brentwood there are two dates and two venues. The Cathedral arriving 11am 16/10/2022 Departing 12Noon 17/10/2022.   Our Lady of Lourdes Wanstead: Arrive 10am 18^th/10/2022. Depart: 9am 19/10/2022

DIARY AUGUST 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: Vera Beryl Mulholland RIP. Martin Duffy 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: 

Donate

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. 

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.

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/

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 rectify 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 6^th 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 17^th September in London. Venue – Friend’s House Conference Centre, Euston Road. 

MASS INTENTIONS – AUGUST 2022

Sat 13th	10.00am	Rob Brazier
		Vigil Mass for Sunday. Confessions at 5.30pm
Sat 13th	6.00pm	People of the Parish
Sun 14th	9.00am	Vera Mulholland RIP
Sun 14th	11:00am	Dec’d of Hall Family RIP
Mon 15th	10.00am	Vocations to the Priesthood & the Sanctification of the Clergy (M Hiscock)
Tues 16th	10.00am	Rob Brazier RIP
Wed 17th	10.00am	Arthur & Peggy Joyce RIP
Thurs 18th	10.00am	Rosemary O’Rourke Int’s (Pat & Margaret)
Fri 19th	10.00am	Julie Farrell RIP (Geraldine O’Donoghue)
Sat 20th	10.00am	Phil Perry RIP
		Vigil Mass for Sunday. Confessions at 5.30pm
Sat 20th	6.00pm	David Faud RIP (Teresa Faud & Family)
Sun 21st	9.00am	Lily McEvoy RIP ((The Ruiz Family)
Sun 21st	11:00am	Martin Duffy RIP (3rd Anni) (Sarah Duffy & Family)

Please kindly put your Mass requests in early for anniversaries etc, this is to avoid any disappointment if a particular date has already been booked, 

Parish Phone No: 0208 508 3492  Email: loughton@dioceseofbrentwood.org

The Brentwood Diocesan Trust     Registered Charity No. 234092