Edmund of Canterbury & St. Thomas More
Coronation Weekend of King Charles III
Judaism has invoked God as Father from the very beginning. In the Jewish faith God is Father in as much as he is the Creator. God is also Father to the poor, the orphaned, and the widowed, who are under his loving protection. Jesus, however, revealed that God is Father in a unique and totally unheard-of sense: God is Father in relations to the Son. Jesus claimed that to know him is to know his Father and that only the Son can reveal the Father.
What revelation makes known to us is that Jesus is the image of the invisible God, the exact representation of his being, God’s Eternal and Only Son. Knowing God’s love is about knowing something of the love that exists between God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. A Key part of Jesus’ mission was to reveal his Father to us. A key part of our walk with Christ is that we are growing and deepening in our sense of the Fatherhood of God.
Writing to the Ephesians, Paul urged them to pray to the Father to enlighten them in their inner being so that they could grasp the love of Christ. We are invited, if you like, to partake in the relationship that exists within the Blessed Trinity: The Father reveals the Son, the Son reveals the Father. We are drawn into a communion of love that exists between each person of the Trinity, and we can become increasingly rooted and established in the love that exists within the Godhead, growing and maturing in a living sense that God is our Father and to him we cry ‘Father’, ‘Abba’. This interior knowledge, understanding, revelation, insight, call it what you will, gives us a living sensitivity that God our Heavenly Father protects us, cares for us and has his hand on our lives. This means we can move through our lives confident in the sure knowledge of God the Father’s love for us: ‘Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom’.
Dear Friends in Christ: 5th Sunday of Easter 2023
This weekend we have wintessed the historic Coronation and Installation of King Charles III and his Queen Camilla. At the moving and historic Westminster Abbey, which has seen the crowning of Kings and Queens for nearly a thousand years. A coronation is both the symbolic religious ceremony during which a sovereign is crowned and the physical act of placing a crown on a monarch’s head. It formalises the monarch’s role as the head of the Church of England and marks the transfer of their title and powers. As you will have seen there were many faiths represented at the Coronation Ceremony, including His Eminence Cardinal Vincent Nichols; it will be the first time in nearly 500 years where a Catholic Prelate has played a role in a Coronation Ceremony giving a Blessing.
FIRST HOLY COMMUNION: As we come to the end of the First Holy Communion Programme this year, first and foremost, I would like to express my sincere and grateful thanks to our Programme Director Kathryn Poulter, ably assisted by Elena Manara, and their young helpers. It’s no mean task to give of your time freely to help these children in their Sacramental Preparation, and the parish is very grateful. The children are due to make their Frist Holy Communion on Saturday the 13th May at 12Noon, and Sunday 14th May at 1.00pm. The rehearsal date IS Wednesday 10th May at 5.00pm for Group 1; and 6.00pm for Group 2. This will be in the Church. The following Sunday 21st May the children will celebrate their Going Forth Mass at 11.00am Please keep the children and their families in your thoughts and prayers. This is a really special time in their young lives.
VISITING SEMINARIANS: On this Coronation Weekend 6 seminarians from the Pontifical North American College will join us in the Parish. You are always extremely hospitable to our seminarians, and what a wonderful and historic opportunity for them to visit the UK on this Special Weekend.
CORONATION WEEKEND: This Weekend we will celebrate the Coronation of King Charles III, this is a momentous and historic occasion in all of our lives. The Coronation will be televised around the world, and I’m sure many will want to witness this celebration. On Saturday 6th May the morning mass will be celebrated at 9.00am – Please join us!
May God Bless You All,
REQUIESCANT IN PACE: In your mercy please pray for the repose of the soul of the late Lidia Cook RIP, who was a regular parishioner at St Edmund’s. Her Requiem Mass will be on Wednesday 17th May at 12.30pm at St Edmund’s and 2.00pm at Forest Park Crematorium.
ALSO – Mary Webber RIP, late of this parish who passed away recently. Her Requiem Mass will be on Wednesday 24th May at 12.15pm at St Edmund’s at 1.30pm at Parndon Wood Crematorium.
ALSO – John McMorrow RIP (Brother of Maureen Perry who passed away recently. The Requiem Mass will be celebrated on Thursday 25th May at 2.30pm followed by Cremation at 4.00pm at Forest Park Crematorium
ALSO – Edmund Schvindling RIP, (Husband of Remy) who passed away this week. No funeral arrangement as yet.
ALSO – David Jarvis RIP (Father of Nick Jarvis). David lived in Loughton for many years, and would be known to many parishioners.
We extend our condolences to all these families in this time of great loss.
FROM OUR GIFT AID ORGANISER: Our Parish Gift Aid Organiser is Abbie Akinfenwa – abbie.akinfenwa@btinternet.com or text to 07754700934 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!
CHRISTIAN AID WEEK this year will be May14th-May21st. The world is in turmoil, but despite that charities like Christian Aid keep doing their good work and making a difference to families and children all over the world. There are three things happening during the week to raise money. “Billy-the-Dog”, with Iain McLay, will be sponsored walking to a Cathedral each day, for that they will be collecting sponsors after every mass on the 13/14 May. On the 20th May there will be a sponsored walk around all churches in Loughton, starting at 10am from St John’s Church, with lunch at 12noon at St John’s and then continuing at 1pm and finishing at 3pm, please join for all or part. Finally there is a collection at Loughton Station (3-8pm) on Thursday 16th May and volunteers to help for an hour would be much appreciated, please email Iain McLay if you can help (bloggeriain@gmail.com).
‘THE PRIESTS’ – CHARITY CONCERT: Brentwood Catholic Children’s Society announce the singing trio ‘The Priests’ will be performing a second charity concert on Friday 30th June 2023 at the Brentwood Cathedral at 7.30pm. All tickets can be purchased directly through Eventbrite and are £30 per person plus booking fee: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/528414691567 We urge you to book early in order to avoid disappointment. It promises to be a great evening of entertainment. Full details are available on our website: www.bccs.org.uk/get-involved/events/
CAN YOU HELP ME PLEASE? Would there be a parishioner or two who would volunteer to give me a hand in the Parish Office for a few weeks. There are a number of administration tasks that I’ve got a bit behind with and I really need some help please? If you are willing to give a couple of hours a week I’d be most grateful. Please contact me on the Parish Number Tel: 02085083492 With anticipated thanks, Fr John
READERS & EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS: Thank you to those who contacted Julie to resume your Eucharistic Ministry. Julie Callender, has sent out the Ministers’ Rota, but there may need to be a few adjustments. Julie’s ‘phone numbers are 07834 088661 (mobile – preferred) and 020 8502 3854 (land line) and her email is julie.callander@hotmail.com READERS: We are in need of some new Readers at our weekend and weekday masses. We’ve contacted our former Readers, but it would be good to have some new readers especially some young readers Please contact Julie or Fr John
ESCORTED PILGRIMAGE TO KNOCK SHRINE, IRELAND on 29th May 2023, led by Bishop Alan Williams. £699.00 per person, sharing; single supplement £150.00. Price includes flight, all transfers, 4 nights in Knock House Hotel with full board. All entertainment and excursions included. Day trips to Westport, Ballintubber Abbey, Croagh Patrick, Fr. Peyton Centre & National Museum. Contact Patricia on 01268 762278 or 07740 175557 or email knockpilgrimages@gmail.com.
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 struggling during this cost of living crisis. The Foodbank have asked for support with the following items: sponge pudding desserts, custard, juice, tinned meat, noodles, snack bars, small chocolate bars, shower gel, shampoo, conditioner, toilet roll and deodorant. Please place any donations in the dedicated plastic boxes in the garage. Thank you! You can also keep up to date with the Foodbank news via their facebook page: www.facebook.com/EppingForestFoodbank/
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
PLEASE PRAY FOR THOSE SICK IN OUR PARISH
Margaret Baldwin, Evelyn Bearne, Karl Britz, Brenda Bryant, Carlos Camacho, Jane Downs, Steve Dalgliesh, Pat Fenn, Bernadette Hall, Ann Hawkes, Claire Howes, Noel Johnson, Shaun Keel, Bridget Kinsella, Angela Long, Lilian Mothersole, John McKernan, Rosemary O’Rourke, Remy, Geraldine Taylor, Vera Taylor, Mary & Steve Witten, James Wright. And all our loved ones.
ANNIVERSARIES: Patricia Wright RIP, Reginald Rogers 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
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.
ARE YOU INTERESTED IN A VOCATION TO THE PRIESTHOOD? At present we only have five seminarians training for the Priesthood in the Diocese of Brentwood. The period of formation for each is several years. If you know of anyone who may be interested in learning more about the priesthood, or who feels they may have a vocation to the Priesthood please contact Fr Mark Swires vocprom@dioceseofbrentwood.org
REGISTERING AT THE PARISH: It’s always important to have details of all of our parishioners. There are Parish Registration Forms in the Porch of the Church. Please complete and return to the Presbytery.
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.
RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS: Journey of Faith. Is there anyone who may be interested in the RCIA Programme, possibly with the view of being received into full-communion with the Roman Catholic Faith? Every year we run this programme leading to reception into the Church at the Easter Vigil. It is a systematic programme of every aspect of Catholcism, including Scripture, Sacramental Life, and The Dogma’s of our Faith, Catholic Practice & traditions, Christology & Mariology, Study of the Church. Please see Fr John who will explain the whole process to you.
DO YOU LIKE SINGING? As you know we have a wonderful Choir and Choir Director in Sue Farrow. We are looking for new choir members who like singing with others. We learn traditional and contemporary pieces of music, and also sing Motets in four parts. If you’re interested please speak to Sue or Fr John. Choir practice on Wednesdays & Saturdays.
SICK & HOUSEBOUND: If there are any parishioners who have become sick or housebound, please notify Fr John, who will be only too happy to make a house call and bring Holy Communion on a regular basis. It’s important that we’re able to keep in touch with all of our parishioners, and especially those who are sick.
PARISH ALTAR SERVERS: Quite a number of Altar Servers ceased serving at Mass since the Pandemic. I’m making a special appeal to all former Altar Servers to kindly return their Albs to the Sacristy. Albs are extremely expensive to buy these days, and I believe there a quite a few still out there not being used anymore. If any young person wishes to become an Altar Server, please see Fr. John as soon as possible; we can help to prepare you to serve at the Altar. This is a truly wonderful ministry, and it is a special way of serving God and the whole community of faith.
REGISTERING AT THE PARISH: It’s always important to have details of all of our parishioners. There are Parish Registration Forms in the Porch of the Church. Please complete and return to the Presbytery.
RETROUVAILLE: Help Your Marriage – Do you feel alone? Are you frustrated or angry with each other? Do you argue … or have you just stopped talking to each other? Does talking about it only make it worse? Retrouvaille is a programme to support couples who have difficulties in their marriage. It brings a positive focus, new hope and helps nourish and grow your marriage. Tens of thousands of couples headed for divorce have successfully saved their marriages by attending and using the tools provided. The programme helps spouses uncover or reawaken the love, trust and commitment that originally brought them together. It helps them through difficult times whether they are disillusioned or in deep misery. There is no group therapy or group work. For confidential information about ‘Retrouvaille’ or to register for the next programme. a virtual weekend on 6 – 9 July 2023, call or text 07887 296983 or 07973 380443. Alternatively, email retrouvailleukinfo@gmail.com
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 run by Mrs Sharon Chalk. Baptisms take place on either Saturday or Sunday at 12.30pm
LEADERSHIP VACANCIES IN DIOCESAN SCHOOLS: Details of all positions can be found at the following link https://www.dioceseofbrentwood.net/departments/education /vacancies/school-vacancies/
DIOCESAN PILGRIMAGE TO LOURDES 2023 Join Bishop Alan in Lourdes from Monday 24th to Saturday 29th July. We can support those with medical needs. For further information, please ‘phone Tangney Tours on 01732 886 666 or book online: Brentwood Lourdes – Lourdes – Tangney Tours (tangneytours.com)
IN CASES OF EMERGENCY: Tuesday is usually Fr. John’s Day Off. In cases of emergency please call one of the local parishes, either in Epping – Tel: 01992 572516, or the St. Thomas of Canterbury Friary at Woodford Green – Tel: 020 8504 1688. This would also apply if Fr. John is away for a few days break or on Retreat. All the local funeral directors have a contact number for Fr. John if a funeral needs to be arranged in his absence.
MASS INTENTIONS – EASTERTIDE – MAY 2023
| Sat 6th | 9.00am | King Charles III Coronation (Mass for the Crowned Monarch) |
| Confessions 11am – 12Noon or on demandVigil Mass for Sunday. Confessions at 5.30pm | ||
| Sat 6th | 6.00pm | Fr Kieran Dodd RIP (Geraldine & Robert Taylor) |
| Sun 7th | 9.00am | Maureen Mully RIP (Karen Burrowes) |
| Sun 7th | 11:00am | Bernard & Muriel Gilley RIP (Eileen Ward) |
| Mon 8th | 10.00am | Frederick & Nancy Burrowes RIP (Burrowes Family) |
| Tues 9th | 10.00am | Antonia Clancy Int’s (Christine Perrett) |
| Wed 10th | 10.00am | Noel Johnson RIP (John O’Rourke) |
| Thur 11th | 10.00am | Jim Kavanagh RIP (Maree Kavanagh) |
| Fri 12th | 10.00am | In Thanksgiving Brian & Teresa Fabbri |
| Sat 13th | 10.00am | Charles & Yvonne Westcott RIP (Frank Westcott) |
| Sat 13th | 12Noon | FIRST HOLY COMMUNION |
| Confessions 11am – 12Noon or on demandVigil Mass for Sunday. Confessions at 5.30pm | ||
| Sat 13th | 6.00pm | Bridget Burrows RIP (Geraldine Taylor) |
| Sun 14th | 9.00am | Maureen Wright 80th Birthday (In Thanksgiving) |
| Sun 14th | 11:00am | G B (E L) |
| Sun 14th | 1.00pm | FIRST HOLY COMMUNION |
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
5th Sunday of Easter
First Reading : Acts 6:1-7
About this time, when the number of disciples was increasing, the Hellenists made a complaint against the Hebrews: in the daily distribution their own widows were being overlooked. So the Twelve called a full meeting of the disciples and addressed them, ‘It would not be right for us to neglect the word of God so as to give out food; you, brothers, must select from among yourselves seven men of good reputation, filled with the Spirit and with wisdom; we will hand over this duty to them, and continue to devote ourselves to prayer and to the service of the word.’ The whole assembly approved of this proposal and elected Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, together with Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus of Antioch, a convert to Judaism. They presented these to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.
The word of the Lord continued to spread: the number of disciples in Jerusalem was greatly increased, and a large group of priests made their submission to the faith.
Responsive Psalm :
Psalm 32(33):1-2,4-5,18-19
May your love be upon us, O Lord, as we place all our hope in you.
Ring out your joy to the Lord, O you just;
for praise is fitting for loyal hearts.
Give thanks to the Lord upon the harp,
with a ten-stringed lute sing him songs.
May your love be upon us, O Lord, as we place all our hope in you.
For the word of the Lord is faithful
and all his works to be trusted.
The Lord loves justice and right
and fills the earth with his love.
May your love be upon us, O Lord, as we place all our hope in you.
The Lord looks on those who revere him,
on those who hope in his love,
to rescue their souls from death,
to keep them alive in famine.
May your love be upon us, O Lord, as we place all our hope in you.
Second Reading : 1 Peter 2:4-9
The Lord is the living stone, rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him; set yourselves close to him so that you too, the holy priesthood that offers the spiritual sacrifices which Jesus Christ has made acceptable to God, may be living stones making a spiritual house. As scripture says: See how I lay in Zion a precious cornerstone that I have chosen and the man who rests his trust on it will not be disappointed. That means that for you who are believers, it is precious; but for unbelievers, the stone rejected by the builders has proved to be the keystone, a stone to stumble over, a rock to bring men down. They stumble over it because they do not believe in the word; it was the fate in store for them.
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a consecrated nation, a people set apart to sing the praises of God who called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.
Gospel : John 14:1-12
Jesus said to his disciples:
‘Do not let your hearts be troubled.
Trust in God still, and trust in me.
There are many rooms in my Father’s house;
if there were not, I should have told you.
I am going now to prepare a place for you,
and after I have gone and prepared you a place,
I shall return to take you with me;
so that where I am
you may be too.
You know the way to the place where I am going.’
Thomas said, ‘Lord, we do not know where you are going, so how can we know the way?’ Jesus said:
‘I am the Way, the Truth and the Life.
No one can come to the Father except through me.
If you know me, you know my Father too.
From this moment you know him and have seen him.’
Philip said, ‘Lord, let us see the Father and then we shall be satisfied.’ ‘Have I been with you all this time, Philip,’ said Jesus to him ‘and you still do not know me?
‘To have seen me is to have seen the Father,
so how can you say, “Let us see the Father”?
Do you not believe
that I am in the Father and the Father is in me?
The words I say to you I do not speak as from myself:
it is the Father, living in me, who is doing this work.
You must believe me when I say
that I am in the Father and the Father is in me;
believe it on the evidence of this work, if for no other reason.
I tell you most solemnly,
whoever believes in me
will perform the same works as I do myself,
he will perform even greater works,
because I am going to the Father.’
St Edmund of Canterbury 