St. Edmund of Canterbury & St. Thomas More
Imagine a young woman standing by a frozen pond in a local park. There’s a sign beside the pond which says ‘Danger – Thin Ice’. But the young woman is carrying a large suitcase which has the word ‘Faith’ in bold letters on the side of it. She thinks to herself ‘I’ve got lots of faith, so I’ll step out onto the ice. I believe that the ice will support me.’ Is this what we think faith is? Something that, if we have enough of it, will enable us to do seemingly impossible things. The words of Jesus today could appear to imply this. Even the disciples asked that their faith be increased – as though it was important to have lots of it. Did the disciples really know what faith is?
Now imagine a similar, but significantly different scene. The same young woman is standing by the frozen pond. But this time the sign reads ‘Safe – Thick Ice’. She is holding not a great suitcase, but a mini purse and you can hardly read the word ‘Faith’ embroidered on it. But she is thinking very differently: I really don’t have much faith – but I’ll use it to put my trust in what the sign says!’ Does this scene more clearly reflect what faith is? Certainly, it does help us to see that the true focus is what we put our faith in rather than faith itself (and how much of it we have).
Jesus’ words seem to suggest that it really doesn’t matter how much faith we have. A grain of mustard seed is the smallest possible grain. Having the tiniest speck of willingness is enough, he said, to uproot a sycamore and plant it in the sea. So does this mean that we can perform mighty miracles just by exercising a bit of faith? Not really! There is something unspoken in the text of the Gospel. What is it? It is the Word of God that we put our faith in. When God reveals his will, or when God speaks his Word, even the tiniest willingness to believe him will connect us to his power and we shall see his will, or his word being fulfilled. If God revealed that he wanted the sycamore uprooted, we could command it to do so, and it would. The key to faith is to know God’s will or to hear his word.
Dear Friends in Jesus Christ, 26th Sunday of the Year
SPECIAL COFFEE MORNING: After the 11.00am Mass, on Sunday 2nd October. I have a special announcement to make at the 11.00am Mass that day. The Coffee Morning will be a social opportunity for parishioners to meet and also support our efforts in deepening our Community awareness. If any parishioners would be able to bring along some homemade cakes or biscuits these would be gratefully accepted. All funds raised will now go towards the increasing costs of utility bills. We hope to have regular Coffee Mornings this year. Please join us!
THE LAST MINI-BUDGET: The fallout from the Chancellor’s Mini-Budget has been catastrophic! The value of the pound has plummeted to an all-time low both against the Dollar and Euro. It is becoming increasingly more worrying for everyone here in the UK. With winter approaching rapidly and the increase in utility bills, and also the mortgage interest rates rising, we are all very concerned. Could I make a special appeal to the whole parish community to keep an eye on our older parishioners during the winter months? We have a large plant here at St Edmund’s, and as I have been sharing with you over the past weeks, having such large buildings are going to be very expensive to light and heat this winter. We all need to wrap up really well; living in Canada taught me how to layer clothing, which really makes a difference. We are going to try and have some additional fundraising social events to raise funds for the utilities. I ask the whole parish community to support these events please!
OCTOBER – THE MONTH OF THE HOLY ROSARY: As we have just entered the month of the Holy Rosary. I would like to advocate that all families pray at least a decade of the Holy Rosary together each day. If you don’t know the prayer of the rosary there are many websites that can teach you. It has been such a powerful prayer for centuries since St. Dominic gave it to the Church. The very famous Fr Peyton said “The family that prays together stays together.” Parents: this is your opportunity to teach your children. In this secular age, the last thing we want happening, is to lose all of our Catholic Spirituality and Sacramentals. There are plenty of rosaries for sale in the Parish Repository.
May God Bless You All,
SECONDARY SCHOOL ADMISSIONS: Just a head’s up, especially to those Year Six parents who will be considering Secondary School places for their children in September 2023. According to the Brentwood Diocesan guidelines a very strict Admissions Criteria is in place, and if parents and children are not practicing their faith, e.g. weekly attendance at Holy Mass, they will not be eligible for a school place in our schools next September. All families are very aware of these facts, and it’s no use just making an appearance a couple of times prior to a Certificate of Catholic Practice being signed. Everyone has had years to prepare for this moment. Parents will be notified by Essex Education Authority as to when you have to make your application for Secondary School places. You will usually have until 31st October to make the application. Signing of Certificate of Catholic Practice will take place from Monday 10th October until Friday 14th October. (PLEASE PHONE FOR APPOINTMENT) If you are making an application to Davenant Foundation School, I will need a copy of the Form which states the practice of your faith – Weekly / Fortnightly / Monthly / Occasionally. Thank You! Parents, please kindly attend Open Evenings before you complete your Essex County Form.
REQIESCANT IN PACE: In your mercy please pray for the repose of the souls of John Hogan RIP (Father of Frank Hogan) who passed away recently; Requiem Mass Friday 14th October at 12Noon Our Lady of Grace & St Teresa, Chingford. Lucy McLay RIP (Mother of Iain McLay) The Requiem Mass will take place at St Edmund’s on Thursday 13th October at 12.15pm. The Body will be received into the Church on Wednesday 12th October at 4.30pm. Also John Cocklin RIP (Father of Ann Cocklin) who passed away recently. Requiem Mass on Wednesday 19th October at 12.15pm with Cremation at Forest Park Crematorium at 1.30pm
ARE YOU INTERESTED IN A VOCATION TO THE PRIESTHOOD? “Enquirers’ Evening” on Tuesday 4th October at St Edmund of Canterbury Church in Loughton, at 7.00pm, commencing with Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Rosary in the Church. Our guest speaker will be Msgr Gordon Read, PP Kelvedon & Judicial Vicar. Meetings are monthly, usually the first Tuesday of each month. For further information please contact Fr Mark Swires vocprom@dioceseofbrentwood.org
SACRAMENTAL PREPARATION FOR 2022/23: Continues on Sunday 2nd October at 10.00am in the Parish Retreat Room. It is imperative that all children attend each of the Communion Classes. If you are unable to attend for some reason please contact Fr. John. Pre-requisites:- You are members of this Parish, and you are practicing Roman Catholics, attending weekly Mass! We are using a new Programme this year and the children’s work book will cost £8.00, If there are outstanding monies to be paid please bring along to class. 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
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 07854919207 or shazzafitzm@aol.com or Fr John. 0208 508 3492
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.
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
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, or to receive Holy Communion regularly at home, please contact Fr. John on Tel No: 020 8508 3492
DIARY SEPTEMBER 2022
PLEASE PRAY FOR THOSE SICK IN OUR PARISH
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: 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/
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
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
BRENTWOOD CATHOLIC YOUTH SERVICE: BCYS Youth Mass Thursday 6th October, Brentwood Cathedral. Commencing at 6.00pm for Pizza, we are delighted to be joined by Fr Paschal Uche and others to share their Vocations Stories and answer your questions before we begin the Mass at 7.30pm where Fr Paschal will be preaching. Open to all those in Years 9 and above, no booking necessary.
MASS INTENTIONS – OCTOBER 2022
| Sat 1st October | 10.00am | Mariel Navarra-DeGuia (Bacuetes Family) |
| Vigil Mass for Sunday. Confessions at 5.30pm | ||
| Sat 1st | 6.00pm | Isabel Coronado RIP (Anthony Family) |
| Sun 2nd | 9.00am | Luigi, Rosina & Giovanni RIP (Mrs Cobelli) |
| Sun 2nd | 11:00am | Charles Alan Frost RIP (Martin Frost) |
| Mon 3rd | 10.00am | Nancy Ironside RIP 1st Anni. (M Duffy) |
| Tues 4th | 10.00am | John & Anne Studdert RIP (Susan Mulli) |
| Wed 5th | 10.00am | K Mulvaney RIP (Eileen Lee) |
| Thur 6th | 10.00am | Joao Servo RIP (Adeline Alves) |
| Fri 7th | 10.00am | Pat Daly (Get Well) )Geraldine O’Donoghue) |
| Sat 8th | 10.00am | David Sweeney RIP (M Ryan) |
| Vigil Mass for Sunday. Confessions at 5.30pm | ||
| Sat 8th | 6.00pm | People of the Parish |
| Sun 9th | 9.00am | Jim Sullivan RIP (John & Sue Campbell) |
| Sun 9th | 11:00am | John Hogan RIP (Fr John) |
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
27th Sunday in Ordinary Time
First Reading : Habakkuk 1:2-3,2:2-4
How long, O Lord, am I to cry for help
while you will not listen;
to cry ‘Oppression!’ in your ear
and you will not save?
Why do you set injustice before me,
why do you look on where there is tyranny?
Outrage and violence, this is all I see,
all is contention, and discord flourishes.
Then the Lord answered and said,
‘Write the vision down,
inscribe it on tablets
to be easily read,
since this vision is for its own time only:
eager for its own fulfilment, it does not deceive;
if it comes slowly, wait,
for come it will, without fail.
See how he flags, he whose soul is not at rights,
but the upright man will live by his faithfulness.’
Responsive Psalm : Psalm 94(95):1-2,6-9
O that today you would listen to his voice! ‘Harden not your hearts.’
Come, ring out our joy to the Lord;
hail the rock who saves us.
Let us come before him, giving thanks,
with songs let us hail the Lord.
O that today you would listen to his voice! ‘Harden not your hearts.’
Come in; let us bow and bend low;
let us kneel before the God who made us:
for he is our God and we
the people who belong to his pasture,
the flock that is led by his hand.
O that today you would listen to his voice! ‘Harden not your hearts.’
O that today you would listen to his voice!
‘Harden not your hearts as at Meribah,
as on that day at Massah in the desert
when your fathers put me to the test;
when they tried me, though they saw my work.’
O that today you would listen to his voice! ‘Harden not your hearts.’
Second Reading : 2 Timothy 1:6-8,13-14
I am reminding you to fan into a flame the gift that God gave you when I laid my hands on you. God’s gift was not a spirit of timidity, but the Spirit of power, and love, and self-control. So you are never to be ashamed of witnessing to the Lord, or ashamed of me for being his prisoner; but with me, bear the hardships for the sake of the Good News, relying on the power of God.
Keep as your pattern the sound teaching you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. You have been trusted to look after something precious; guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.
Gospel : Luke 17:5-10
The apostles said to the Lord, ‘Increase our faith.’ The Lord replied, ‘Were your faith the size of a mustard seed you could say to this mulberry tree, “Be uprooted and planted in the sea,” and it would obey you.
‘Which of you, with a servant ploughing or minding sheep, would say to him when he returned from the fields, “Come and have your meal immediately”? Would he not be more likely to say, “Get my supper laid; make yourself tidy and wait on me while I eat and drink. You can eat and drink yourself afterwards”? Must he be grateful to the servant for doing what he was told? So with you: when you have done all you have been told to do, say, “We are merely servants: we have done no more than our duty.”’
St Edmund of Canterbury 