St. Edmund of Canterbury & St. Thomas More
Have you ever been asked, ‘Are you saved?’ Most of us find such intrusive questions offensive. Perhaps the reason that it offends is that it invites a response. Our hackles get raised, due to embarrassment and a feeling of invasion of our privacy. Jesus was interrogated in a similar fashion, his interlocutor keen to known not whether he will be saved but how?
Jesus doesn’t dismiss the challenge but rather comes at it from a different angle. Refusing to get bogged down in statistics, he counsels that the gateway to everlasting life is a narrow one and then tells a sober parable about a householder who doesn’t know those who pound on his door. This salutary teaching is driven home by the Lord with the stark image that those who remain outside the kingdom are embittered and filled with rage. It’s an amazing truth that those inside are surprised to find themselves there. Try as we might, we cannot remove this kind of emphasis from Jesus’ teaching, as it’s a significant part of his message.
Jesus is the ultimate realist. He never cajoled his people or forces them to do as he said. Rather, his language of love is of warning, urging and pleading. Jesus taught clearly and unequivocally that our eternal destiny is profoundly linked to his person. To accept him as Lord and worship him as God is the key to the door; to walk humbly before him is the way through the narrow gate. Jesus, the Good Shepherd, opens the gate leading to eternal life for everyone who believes in him. He opens the gateway to eternal life and continually knocks on the door of our souls. St Ambrose shrewdly observed, ‘He would never come and knock at the door, unless He wanted to enter; it is our fault that He does not always enter.’
Lord Jesus Christ, you opened the gate of heaven to us. Your saving death purchased for every human the gift of everlasting life. Protect me from being complacent or negligent in my walk with you and teach me that, although the door is narrow, your presence keeps me safe
Dear Friends in Jesus Christ,
As we enter into the last weeks of August, and prepare for the final Bank Holiday before Christmas; it’s wonderful that we’ve been able to really enjoy some truly beautiful weather this summer. Record temperatures soared, and everyone enjoyed the warmth and sunshine, although at times it got too hot! Coupled with that we had constant and daily reports on the economic situation, not only here but throughout the world. The soaring rises in petrol, gas & electricity, plus the rises in all food stuffs in our supermarkets, has most definitely unnerved everyone. The worry as to whether people can keep their heating on or eat is looming not too far away, and it’s always the poorest of poor that get hit first.
As I mentioned last week, having a very large church and hall has certainly focused my mind over these next weeks with regards heating and lighting our buildings. I really do not believe that we can just take the use of utilities for granted. At the end of the day they all have to be paid for. I will be meeting with the finance committee very soon, and working out a strategy for the winter months. Some additional fundraising may have to take place, but this can be in the form of social events and possibly having our annual Bazaar once again this year. Several people have already spoken to me about this! The constant support of the parish is essential, and with the declining numbers since COVID, that financial support has diminished considerably! Please reflect on these comments. Thank you!
May God Bless You All,
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 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
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
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.
SACRAMENTAL PREPARATION FOR 2022/23: My thanks to the Parents who came to see me 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!
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 pligrims, visitors will be asked to register to attend with a dedicated timeslot. In the diocese of Bretnwood 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 18th/10/2022. Depart: 9am 19/10/2022
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
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: 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:
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.
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!
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/
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: Our Parish Gift Aid Organiser is Abbie Akinfenwa – abbie.akinfenwa@btinternet.com or text to 0775470934 with your name and gift aid number. I would encourage all parishioners to join the Parish Gift Aid Scheme. If you are a Tax Payer, it’s a really painless process, all we need is you name and address, there are Gift Aid Application Forms in the Porch of the Church, and Abbie can give you all the help you need re information. We are able to claim back 25 pence in every pound donated to the church, when you use you envelopes or pay by Standing Order. Please think about joining, and thanks to those who already belong!
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 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.
MASS INTENTIONS – AUGUST 2022
| 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) |
| Mon 22nd | 10.00am | Mary, John & Judith Gormley RIP (John Gormley) |
| Tues 23rd | 10.00am | Maureen McCabe RIP (R & I Johnson) |
| Wed 24th | 10.00am | Holy Souls (Margaret Hiscock) |
| Thurs 25th | 10.00am | Peter Smith RIP (Paul Falco) |
| Fri 26th | 10.00am | Maureen Mully (B’day Ints) (Karen Burrowes) |
| Sat 27th | 10.00am | Dec’d members of the Sheahan Family (J & C Gormley) |
| Vigil Mass for Sunday. Confessions at 5.30pm | ||
| Sat 27th | 6.00pm | Wiillie Corcoran RIP (Bill & Helen Walsh) |
| 0Sun 28th | 9.00am | People of the Parish |
| Sun 28th | 11:00am | Corazon Razon RIP (Bacuetes 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
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21st Sunday in Ordinary Time
First Reading : Isaiah 66:18-21
The Lord says this: I am coming to gather the nations of every language. They shall come to witness my glory. I will give them a sign and send some of their survivors to the nations: to Tarshish, Put, Lud, Moshech, Rosh, Tubal, and Javan, to the distant islands that have never heard of me or seen my glory. They will proclaim my glory to the nations. As an offering to the Lord they will bring all your brothers, on horses, in chariots, in litters, on mules, on dromedaries, from all the nations to my holy mountain in Jerusalem, says the Lord, like Israelites bringing oblations in clean vessels to the Temple of the Lord. And of some of them I will make priests and Levites, says the Lord.
Responsive Psalm : Psalm 116(117)
Go out to the whole world; proclaim the Good News.
O praise the Lord, all you nations,
acclaim him all you peoples!
Go out to the whole world; proclaim the Good News.
Strong is his love for us;
he is faithful for ever.
Go out to the whole world; proclaim the Good News.
Second Reading : Hebrews 12:5-7,11-13
Have you forgotten that encouraging text in which you are addressed as sons? My son, when the Lord corrects you, do not treat it lightly; but do not get discouraged when he reprimands you. For the Lord trains the ones that he loves and he punishes all those that he acknowledges as his sons. Suffering is part of your training; God is treating you as his sons. Has there ever been any son whose father did not train him? Of course, any punishment is most painful at the time, and far from pleasant; but later, in those on whom it has been used, it bears fruit in peace and goodness. So hold up your limp arms and steady your trembling knees and smooth out the path you tread; then the injured limb will not be wrenched, it will grow strong again.
Gospel : Luke 13:22-30
Through towns and villages Jesus went teaching, making his way to Jerusalem. Someone said to him, ‘Sir, will there be only a few saved?’ He said to them, ‘Try your best to enter by the narrow door, because, I tell you, many will try to enter and will not succeed.
‘Once the master of the house has got up and locked the door, you may find yourself knocking on the door, saying, “Lord, open to us” but he will answer, “I do not know where you come from.” Then you will find yourself saying, “We once ate and drank in your company; you taught in our streets” but he will reply, “I do not know where you come from. Away from me, all you wicked men!”
‘Then there will be weeping and grinding of teeth, when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, and yourselves turned outside. And men from east and west, from north and south, will come to take their places at the feast in the kingdom of God.
‘Yes, there are those now last who will be first, and those now first who will be last.’
THE GOSPEL OF THE LORD
St Edmund of Canterbury 