stedmundsloughton1958

Solemnity of Pentecost. Year A, 2023

May 28, 2023 by stedmundsloughton1958

Edmund of Canterbury & St. Thomas More

There are several notable or perhaps somewhat curious elements in the reading chosen for Pentecost Sunday this year. In the first place, this Gospel account of Jesus breathing the Holy Spirit upon the disciples is not speaking about the Day of Pentecost, as we usually think of it. The outpouring of the Spirit upon the disciples in the upper room in Jerusalem took place sometime after Jesus Ascension. The event in the Gospel today took place, obviously before the Ascension. We might remember also, that in John’s account of Jesus on the cross, he breathed out his Spirit upon Mary and the beloved disciples at the moment of death. Breathing out his spirit could also mean that ‘he died’. St. John’s Gospel often contains the irony of double meaning.

We could perhaps say the same about the words of Jesus on the cross: ‘It is finished/accomplished!’ they contain so very much more than a statement about Jesus knowing that his life has ended. Jesus has now fully accomplished all that the Father asked him to do. Now, the new creation begins! Now, Jesus is the true King of Israel, and of the whole world! Now, the Spirit can be given to effect a new creation in others! This is the message that John Wants to understand, and in the same message contained in this account of the incident recorded today. The risen Lord is beginning the process of exercising his Kingship in the world. The disciples are becoming new creations themselves through the gift of the Spirit.

This also explains the fact that twice in this incident, as well as on the other occasions after the resurrection, Jesus says to the disciples, ‘Peace be with you’. Until now, Jesus had never said this. Is there a particular significance? Earlier in St. John’s Gospel, Jesus had said: ‘Peace I leave with you; my own peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid’. ‘Peace’ is the state of living under Jesus’ Kingship, even in the midst of this world – because now all things are under his authority and will, even those things which we might think of as bad!

Dear Friends in Christ, Pentecost Sunday 2023

Today, Pentecost Sunday, we celebrate the birthday of the Church. The Holy Spirit of God’s love was sent by the Lord Jesus to the Apostles in the Upper Room and filled their lives with His eternal presence, empowering them to go out and proclaim boldly the Gospel of the Lord. This was the moment the Apostles understood clearly the mission that had been given to the by Jesus Christ. Life would never be the same again; they were filled with the gifts of God’s Holy Spirit, with courage and strength they went out and boldly proclaimed the Good News that Jesus Christ the Son of God was Risen and glorified and invites all people to share in His life.

A BIG THANK YOU: On behalf of our Catechists and their helpers, I would like to thank our First Holy Communion parents for organising the Communion Reception for the children last Sunday. Also for your kindness in the gifts that you gave to us, it was extremely thoughtful and generous.

NEW ALTAR SERVERS: If any of our First Holy Communicants would like to become Altar Servers, please see Fr. John. It would be wonderful if some of the children would consider this wonderful ministry of serving God and the Community each week. Serving at the Altar is truly a great honour, and I’m always grateful to everyone who has volunteered to become Altar Servers.

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION PROGRAMME 2023/24: Forward planning is extremely important, as the Holy Communion Programme always starts in September. If there are any families whose children will be going into Year 3 in September, and who would like to enrol in the new programme Fr John will be seeing parents from Monday 19^th June to Friday 23^rd June. (Please book an appointment with Fr John Tel No: 020 8508 3492) The prerequisites for enrolment are: a) That you are baptised practicing Roman Catholic attending Weekly Mass. b) That your child will be in Year 3 or above, 7 rising 8 as of September 2023. c) That you live in the Parish of St Edmund of Canterbury.

CHRISTIAN AID WEEK Congratulations to Iain McLay and Billy-the-Dog for completing his sponsored walk to the various Cathedrals last week on behalf of Christian Aid. You may have been following their travels on our WhatsApp Parish site. If you sponsored Iain and Billy he will be available after all of the Masses this weekend to collect sponsorship monies. Also if there any parishioners who would like to make donations to Christian Aid please just give them to Iain personally. (bloggeriain@gmail.com). Thank you!

SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION: Will be celebrated in 2024. If there are any young people wishing to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation next year please see Fr John for an enrolment form. Prerequisites: a) Baptised, Weekly practicing Roman Catholic. b) That you will be 14 years of age and above at the time of Confirmation. c) If you have not been attending church over the past year please don’t waste our time. Sadly, out of the 48 Confirmed in 2021, very few attend weekly Mass. Also I haven’t seen many since the Day of their Confirmation; this is an Insult to Almighty God and the dignity of the Sacrament. The Sacrament of Confirmation is not about stamping the Sacramental Passport!

ALTAR SERVERS: If any of our First Communicants would like to become Altar Servers please see Fr. John as soon as possible. We would arrange for you to have some training. To be an Altar Server is a great honour, in not only assisting and helping the priest at Holy Mass, but serving God in this special ministry.

May God Bless You,

REQUIESCANT IN PACE: In your mercy please pray for the repose of the souls of Edmund Schvindling RIP, (Husband of Remy) who passed away this recently. No funeral arrangement as yet.

ALSO – Bridget Kinsella our oldest parishioner at 100, who passed away recently. Requiem Mass on Friday 2^nd June at 3.00pm. Cremation at Parndon Wood, Harlow at 4.30pm. The remains will be brought into the Church on Thursday 1^st June at 4.30pm

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!

MASS INTENTIONS: There is a lot of availability in the Parish Mass register. If anyone wants a mass intention for any reason, please complete the Mass Envelope in the porch and leave off at the presbytery.

‘THE PRIESTS’ – CHARITY CONCERT: Brentwood Catholic Children’s Society announce the singing trio ‘The Priests’ will be performing a second charity concert on Friday 30^th 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/

NOTE FOR OUR CONTEMPORARY MUSIC GROUP At our 11am Mass on Sunday, 7th May, we had 15 singers – an excellent turnout. It would be really good if we can have the same number (and more!) at our next 11am Mass which in on Sunday, 4th June (Trinity Sunday). We will be practising for this Mass on Thursday, 1st June, 7pm to 8pm and we’d love to see you all there as well. At our last practice, we only had 5 singers turn up and they get the gold stars. We have another 10 or more gold stars to give out, so please do come to the practice as well! Please pass the word around and also encourage more young parishioners and their families to join our happy group!

PARISH REPOSITORY: There are a variety of First Holy Communion gifts available in the repository – Children’s Missals, Rosaries, medals, statues, candles, Communion Cards, crosses. Teresa Wallace is always very helpful in ordering any religious item you wish. The parish repository is available all week. Please leave your money for items in the box provided. Thank you!

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

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/

PLEASE PRAY FOR THOSE SICK IN OUR PARISH

Edgar Azzopardi, Margaret Baldwin, Evelyn Bearne, Karl Britz, Brenda Bryant, Carlos Camacho, Jane Downs, Steve Dalgliesh, Pat Fenn, Bernadette Hall, Ann Hawkes, Claire Howes, Shaun Keel, Bridget Kinsella, Les Langan, 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: 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

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 feel 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.

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/

ST JOHN FISHER VACANCY The Trustees of Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Multi Academy Trust wish to appoint a KS1/2 Teacher. Closing date Thursday 15th June, 12 noon; Interview date: Tuesday 20th June 2023. For further details please visit website below, or alternatively call Mrs Irene Nelson, H.R. Manager on 01279 425383. www.ourladyoffatimatrust.essex.sch.uk

ST LUKE’s CATHOLIC ACADEMY The Trustees of Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Multi Academy Trust wish to appoint an EYFS/KS1 Class Teacher. Closing date Thursday 15th June, 12 noon; Interview date: Monday 19th June 2023. For further details please visit website below, or alternatively call Mrs Irene Nelson, H.R. Manager on 01279 425383. www.ourladyoffatimatrust.essex.sch.uk

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.

PARISH READERS: We are always looking for some new Parish Lectors; parishioners who would be willing to read on a regular basis at one of the Sunday Masses. We have a few already, but it would be wonderful if there could be a few more volunteers. ALSO: If any of our regular weekday Mass attendees would be willing to read at the weekday masses we could organise a rota. Since Covid there haven’t been any regular readers. You may feel called to this ministry, and once again, it is doing something for God and the Community. Please speak to Fr. John.

SACRISTANS: Fr John could really do with some additional help in the Sacristy especially during the week. I have been very dependent upon Veronica Short over the past few years. But it would be good if another couple of people could volunteer during the week to help in setting up for Mass each day, and clearing up afterwards. It really doesn’t take that long to do. We could organise a rota of days. Once again this is service of God and the Community.

THANK YOU: To the 4 parishioners who kindly volunteered to assist with some parish administration. I’m truly grateful for your generosity of spirit; hopefully there will be enough to keep us going for a few weeks.

MASS INTENTIONS – MAY / JUNE 2023

Sat 27^th	10.00am	Frederick & Nancy Burgess RIP (M Abbs)
		*Confessions 11am – 12Noon or on demandVigil Mass for Sunday. Confessions at 5.30pm***
Sat 27^th	6.00pm	David Jarvis RIP (Michael & Sarah Ruiz)
Sun 28^th	9.00am	People of the Parish
Sun 28^th	11:00am	Carmelita Bacani RIP (Rey & Ingrid Bacani)
Mon 29^th	10.00am	Margaret Baldwin’s Int’s
Tues 30^th	10.00am	Lorna Gaynor RIP
Wed 31^st	10.00am	Nancy Hands Int’s
Thur 1^st June	9.00am	Edmund Schwiendling RIP Pat & Margaret
Fri 2^nd	10.00am3.00pm	John & Sue Campbell’s Int’s (V & S Short)REQUIEM MASS Bridget Kinsella RIP
Sat 3^rd	10.00am	Lillian Harrington RIP (Fr John )
		*Confessions 11am – 12Noon or on demandVigil Mass for Sunday. Confessions at 5.30pm***
Sat 3^rd	6.00pm	Ann Duggan RIP
Sun 4^th	9.00am	David Jarvis RIP (Sheehy Family)
Sun 4^th	11:00am	Dec’d Relatives of Camilla Giovannini

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

Seventh Sunday of Easter. Year A, 2023

May 21, 2023 by stedmundsloughton1958

Edmund of Canterbury & St. Thomas More

John 17 contains the longest recorded prayer of Jesus in any of the Gospels. Jesus prays this after He finishes His final instructions to the disciples and before He is betrayed, arrested, and crucified. First, Jesus prays for Himself, then He prays for His disciples, and He closes the prayer by praying for all believers. This intercessory prayer is commonly called Jesus’ High Priestly Prayer.

The office of high priest was instituted at Mount Sinai when God gave the Law to the Israelites through Moses. Aaron and, subsequently, his descendants were chosen to be priests who were responsible for interceding for Israel before God (Exodus 28 – 29). One priest was selected as the high priest who would enter the Holy of Holies on the Day of Atonement to offer the sacrifice that would temporarily cover the sins of the people (Hebrews 9:7). When Jesus came, He offered His life as the ultimate sacrifice that would not only cover the sins of the people but completely cleanse His people and save them. Jesus is the ultimate High Priest, and His intercession for us in John 17 is a wonderful, multi-layered example of His love.

As Jesus begins His High Priestly Prayer, He reveals that His purpose in coming to earth was to glorify the Father by giving eternal life to those who believe in Him. Although Jesus is God and was with the Father before the world began (John 17:5), He humbled Himself and came to earth as a man so people would know “the only true God, and Jesus Christ” whom He sent (John 17:3). Now, the hour had come when Jesus’ work on earth would be finished (John 17:1), and Jesus asks the Father to glorify Him as He prepared to finish the work that would “give eternal life” to those who believe in Him (John 17:2).

Jesus continues His High Priestly Prayer by praying for His disciples. The eleven who remained with Him had accepted Jesus’ words, knew that He is God, and believed that the Father sent Him (John 17:8). Jesus talks about the Father giving the disciples to Him and the disciples belonging to the Father; Jesus and the Father have everything in common (John 17:6, 9–10). Jesus mentions that glory has come to Him through the disciples John 17:10

Dear Friends in Christ, 7^th Sunday of Easter

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION 2023: On Sunday 21^st May all 18 of our First Holy Communicant will come together for their final celebration, their Going Forth Mass. It is always a great joy and honour to help in the preparations of the children for the Sacraments. I would like to congratulate all the children and their families on this wonderful occasion. Of course, none of this could happen without the dedicated service of our Catechists Kathryn Poulter & Elena Manara, ably assisted by our young Catechists Sophia Burrowes & Julia Fabian. On behalf of the whole parish I would like to express my heartfelt thanks for their dedicated service to God and the Parish Community. It’s also been wonderful to have the assistance of many of the parents throughout the programme. After the 11.00am Mass today the children will have their special Communion Reception in the Parish Hall.

THANK YOU: To the 4 parishioners who kindly volunteered to assist with some parish administration. I’m truly grateful for your generosity of spirit; hopefully there will be ehough to keep us going for a few weeks.

May God Bless You,

CHRISTIAN AID WEEK Congratulations to Iain McLay and Billy-the-Dog for completing his sponsored walk to the various Cathedrals this week on behalf of Christian Aid. You may have been following their travels on our WhatsApp Parish site. If you sponsored Iain and Billy he will be available after all of the Masses next weekend to collect sponsorship monies. Also if there any parishioners who would like to make donations to Christian Aid please just give them to Iain personally. (bloggeriain@gmail.com).

REQUIESCANT IN PACE: Mary Webber RIP, late of this parish who passed away recently. Her Requiem Mass will be on Wednesday 24^th 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 25^th 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 – Bridget Kinsella our oldest parishioner at 100, who passed away recently. Funeral arrangements to be confirmed.

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!

ST ANTONY’S WOODFORD VACANCY: The Governing Body of St. Antony’s Catholic Primary School wishes to appoint an experienced KS1/KS2 Class Teacher to start in September 2023. The closing date is Tuesday 23rd May at noon. For more information, please visit the website:

http://www.stantonyscatholicps.co.uk/vacancies or email admin.st-antonys@redbridge.gov.uk

We will be practising for this Mass on Thursday, 1st June, 7pm to 8pm and we’d love to see you all there as well. At our last practice, we only had 5 singers turn up and they get the gold stars. We have another 10 or more gold stars to give out, so please do come to the practice as well!

Please pass the word around and also encourage more young parishioners and their families to join our happy group!

Holy Virgin Godmother Vector Stock Vector.

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

ANNIVERSARIES: Jim Kavangh RIP Please pray for all whose anniversaries occur at this time and for all of our deceased loved ones, Requiescant in Pace.

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

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

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

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)

MASS INTENTIONS – EASTERTIDE – MAY 2023

Sat 20^th	10.00am	Sandy Sandhu RIP
		*Confessions 11am – 12Noon or on demandVigil Mass for Sunday. Confessions at 5.30pm***
Sat 20^th	6.00pm	Jane & Stephen Barrett & Terry Barrett RIP (Margaret Hopkinson)
Sun 21^st	9.00am	Roderick McFadyen RIP (David Knott)
Sun 21^st	11:00am	People of the Parish
Mon 22^nd	10.00am	Ian Campbell (B’day Anni). Brenda Bryant
Tues 23^rd	10.00am	Mary and Ernie Walsh RIP (Helen & Bill Walsh)
Wed 24^th	12.15pm	REQUIEM MASS Mary Webber RIP
Thur 25^th	10.00am2.30pm	Malcolm Campbell RIP (Brenda Bryant)REQUIEM MASS John McMorrow RIP
Fri 26^th	9.00am	Edward Martin Duffy RIP ((Margaret Duffy)
Sat 27^th	10.00am	Frederick & Nancy Burgess RIP (M Abbs)
		*Confessions 11am – 12Noon or on demandVigil Mass for Sunday. Confessions at 5.30pm***
Sat 27^th	6.00pm	David Jarvis RIP (Michael & Sarah Ruiz)
Sun 28^th	9.00am	People of the Parish
Sun 28^th	11:00am	Carmelita Bacani RIP (Rey & Ingrid Bacani)

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

Sixth Sunday of Easter. Year A, 2023

May 13, 2023 by stedmundsloughton1958

Edmund of Canterbury & St. Thomas More

Dear Friends in Christ, Sixth Sunday of Easter

Parental love is a fierce kind of love. Every parent wants the best for their children and will move heaven and earth for them. If a child is thirsty, a parent will get them a drink and not a toy to play with. Or if a child is hungry, a parent will get some food and not a book to read. Using the same analogy Jesus spoke of the Holy Spirit: ‘Which of you fathers, if your child asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?’ God is our Father and the greatest gift we have received is the Holy Spirit.

The question is, though: are we a people of the Holy Spirit? Does the Holy Spirit feature in the way that we think and act? Do we rely on, trust and turn to the Holy Spirit during our day? Next time you face a challenge, a really difficult situation; observe who you turn to first – yourself or the Holy Spirit? And there’s as Shakespeare might say, ‘the rub’. Because the Spirit was given not simply to be with us when we are in a tight spot, struggling or in desperate need – the Spirit was given so that we would walk with God in fellowship and communion.

We are in fellowship with the Spirit in a unique way when we read or hear the word of God in the Sacred Scriptures, because the Bible is the Holy-Spirit inspired Word. We encounter the Holy Spirit in the liturgy of the Church and especially when we celebrate the Eucharist. The Spirit is with us when we pray and when we strive to live not in our own strength but in his power. We are people of the Holy Spirit and it is through the power of the Holy Spirit that we proclaim Jesus as Lord. The Holy Spirit is our Advocate, our Counsellor and our Friend.

‘The Holy Spirit longs to find the gates of our heart, so that he may enter in and dwell there, and sanctify it; and he goes round about to all the gates to see where he may enter.’ (Ephraim the Syrian).

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION 2023: This weekend we will celebrate the First Holy Communion of 18 children from our parish community. This is truly a very special day in their lives as they receive Jesus in Holy Communion for the first time. I extend my sincere and grateful thanks to our Programme Director Kathryn Poulter, and ably assisted by Elena Manara and their young h elpers. The children have been preparing since last September and this weekend it is the culmination of a lot of hard work. On Sunday 21^st May, both groups of First Communicants will gather to celebrate the Going Forth Mass at 11.00am followed by their Communion Reception. Please pray for all these children and their families this weekend. May this be the first of many Communions in their young lives of faith!

ASCENSION THURSDAY: 18^th May 2023 – Is a Holy Day of Obligation; which means it has the same status as a Sunday. Jesus promised the Apostles at the Last Supper, that he would send them the Holy Spirit as the eternal gift of his love, but this could only happen if he returns to the Father. Jesus has completed his earthly ministry, now, in going home to the Father, the work of Evangelisation will begin for the Apostles, who will ‘Go out to the whole world and proclaim the Good News.’

Masses on Ascension Day will be at 9.00am, 12.15pm & 7.30pm at St Edmund’s Church. And 10,00am at St John Fisher School, to which parishioners are invited.

CHRISTIAN AID WEEK this year will be May 14th-May 21st. 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 this weekend. Then, 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 back 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).

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 17^th 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 24^th May at 12.15pm at St Edmund’s at 1.30pm at Parndon Wood 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.

ALSO – Esther Daly (Mother of Joe Daly) who passed away recently.

We extend our condolences to all these families in this time of great loss.

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.

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: Please pray for all whose anniversaries occur at this time and for all of our deceased loved ones, Requiescant in Pace.

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

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

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/

MASS INTENTIONS – EASTERTIDE – MAY 2023

Sat 13^th	10.00am 12Noon	Charles & Yvonne Westcott RIP (Frank Westcott)FIRST HOLY COMMUNION
		*Confessions 11am – 12Noon or on demandVigil Mass for Sunday. Confessions at 5.30pm***
Sat 13^th	6.00pm	Bridget Burrows RIP (Geraldine Taylor)
Sun 14^th	9.00am	Maureen Wright 80^th Birthday (In Thanksgiving)
Sun 14^th	11:00am1.00pm	G B (E L)FIRST HOLY COMMUNION (T Okeowo)
Mon 15^th	10.00am	Peter Smith RIP (Paul Falco)
Tues 16^th	10.00am	Emma & Reuben Dorn’s Int’s (John O’Rourke)
Wed 17^th	12.30pm	REQUIEM MASS: Lidia Cook RIP
Thur 18^th AscensionThursday	9.00am10,00am12.15pm7/30pm	Martin & Maria Laffey’s Int’s (Remy)People of the ParishRemy’s B’day Int’s (Pat & Margaret)Arnold Prayer RIP (Marjorie Fairlamb)
Fri 19^th	9.30am	Kathleen & William Walstow RIP
Sat 20^th	10.00am	Sandy Sandhu RIP
		*Confessions 11am – 12Noon or on demandVigil Mass for Sunday. Confessions at 5.30pm***
Sat 20^th	6.00pm	Jane & Stephen Barrett & Terry Barrett RIP (Margaret Hopkinson)
Sun 21^st	9.00am	Roderick McFadyen RIP (David Knott)
Sun 21^st	11:00am	People of the ParishGOING FORTH MASS

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

6th Sunday of Easter

First Reading : Acts 8:5-8,14-17

Philip went to a Samaritan town and proclaimed the Christ to them. The people united in welcoming the message Philip preached, either because they had heard of the miracles he worked or because they saw them for themselves. There were, for example, unclean spirits that came shrieking out of many who were possessed, and several paralytics and cripples were cured. As a result there was great rejoicing in that town.

When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them, and they went down there, and prayed for the Samaritans to receive the Holy Spirit, for as yet he had not come down on any of them: they had only been baptised in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

Responsive Psalm : Psalm 65(66):1-7,16,20

Cry out with joy to God, all the earth.

Cry out with joy to God all the earth,

O sing to the glory of his name.

O render him glorious praise.

Say to God: ‘How tremendous your deeds!

Cry out with joy to God, all the earth.

‘Before you all the earth shall bow;

shall sing to you, sing to your name!’

Come and see the works of God,

tremendous his deeds among men.

Cry out with joy to God, all the earth.

He turned the sea into dry land,

they passed through the river dry-shod.

Let our joy then be in him;

he rules for ever by his might.

Cry out with joy to God, all the earth.

Come and hear, all who fear God.

I will tell what he did for my soul:

Blessed be God who did not reject my prayer

nor withhold his love from me.

Cry out with joy to God, all the earth.

Second Reading : 1 Peter 3:15-18

Reverence the Lord Christ in your hearts, and always have your answer ready for people who ask you the reason for the hope that you all have. But give it with courtesy and respect and with a clear conscience, so that those who slander you when you are living a good life in Christ may be proved wrong in the accusations that they bring. And if it is the will of God that you should suffer, it is better to suffer for doing right than for doing wrong.

Why, Christ himself, innocent though he was, had died once for sins, died for the guilty, to lead us to God. In the body he was put to death, in the spirit he was raised to life.

Gospel : John 14:15-21

Jesus said to his disciples:

‘If you love me you will keep my commandments.

I shall ask the Father,

and he will give you another Advocate

to be with you for ever,

that Spirit of truth

whom the world can never receive

since it neither sees nor knows him;

but you know him,

because he is with you, he is in you.

I will not leave you orphans;

I will come back to you.

In a short time the world will no longer see me;

but you will see me,

because I live and you will live.

On that day you will understand that I am in my Father

and you in me and I in you.

Anybody who receives my commandments and keeps them

will be one who loves me;

and anybody who loves me will be loved by my Father,

and I shall love him and show myself to him.’

Fifth Sunday of Easter. Year A, 2023

May 7, 2023May 7, 2023 by stedmundsloughton1958

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: 5^th 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 13^th May at 12Noon, and Sunday 14^th May at 1.00pm. The rehearsal date IS Wednesday 10^th May at 5.00pm for Group 1; and 6.00pm for Group 2. This will be in the Church. The following Sunday 21^st 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 6^th May the morning mass will be celebrated at 9.00am – Please join us!

May God Bless You All,

ALSO – Mary Webber RIP, late of this parish who passed away recently. Her Requiem Mass will be on Wednesday 24^th 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 25^th 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.

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).

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

PLEASE PRAY FOR THOSE SICK IN OUR PARISH

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.

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

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

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/

MASS INTENTIONS – EASTERTIDE – MAY 2023

Sat 6^th	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 6^th	6.00pm	Fr Kieran Dodd RIP (Geraldine & Robert Taylor)
Sun 7^th	9.00am	Maureen Mully RIP (Karen Burrowes)
Sun 7^th	11:00am	Bernard & Muriel Gilley RIP (Eileen Ward)
Mon 8^th	10.00am	Frederick & Nancy Burrowes RIP (Burrowes Family)
Tues 9^th	10.00am	Antonia Clancy Int’s (Christine Perrett)
Wed 10^th	10.00am	Noel Johnson RIP (John O’Rourke)
Thur 11^th	10.00am	Jim Kavanagh RIP (Maree Kavanagh)
Fri 12^th	10.00am	In Thanksgiving Brian & Teresa Fabbri
Sat 13^th	10.00am	Charles & Yvonne Westcott RIP (Frank Westcott)
Sat 13^th	12Noon	FIRST HOLY COMMUNION
		*Confessions 11am – 12Noon or on demandVigil Mass for Sunday. Confessions at 5.30pm***
Sat 13^th	6.00pm	Bridget Burrows RIP (Geraldine Taylor)
Sun 14^th	9.00am	Maureen Wright 80^th Birthday (In Thanksgiving)
Sun 14^th	11:00am	G B (E L)
Sun 14^th	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.’

Fourth Sunday of Easter. Year A, 2023

April 30, 2023 by stedmundsloughton1958

Edmund of Canterbury & St. Thomas More

Although we are very familiar with the homely and comforting image of Jesus the Good Shepherd, today’s reading has a rather harder edge. It speaks not simply about the shepherd but also about the gate and the sheepfold, and about the sheep being led in and out of the sheepfold. This is much less easy to understand – not least, his words about people entering the sheepfold by another way than the gate being ‘thieves and robbers’! What do you think that Jesus was talking about? Is there anything that we can draw upon to help us realise what was in Jesus’ mind?

There are two things in particular. The first is the life and practice of shepherds at the time of Jesus, in fact, and even today in the Middle East. This author one day in the Holy Land witnessed a shepherd leading his sheep in a long line down a valley. And then later, about midday, he saw a shepherd sheltering from the heat of the sun under a tree with his sheep in a ring around him. A shepherd in the Middle Easter has a much more intimate relationship with each of his sheep than we see in Western Countries – knowing them by name would not be unusual.

But this leads to the other aspect of Jesus’ words: in the Old Testament, the shepherd was the classic image of the king of Israel – probably because David had been a shepherd boy. However, as the prophets, especially Ezekiel, make clear, many of Israel’s kings were far from being shepherds to their people. On the contrary, they used the people to satisfy their own personal motives, often greed. In that sense, they robbed the people of what they could rightfully expect, and fed off the people rather than leading them to good pasture! In Jesus’ words they were ‘thieves and robbers’. By implication, Jesus probably also had in mind the current Jewish leaders, including Herod, who had completely failed in their proper role.

But the radical thing is that Jesus was claiming not only to be the true shepherd-king of Israel but also the gateway – the way into God’s kingdom and place of feeding or pasture – as well as the source of life (the fullness of resurrection life) for his people.

Dear Friends in Christ: 4^th Sunday of Easter 2023

Today is Good Shepherd Sunday and is the world day of prayer for Vocations to the Priesthood and Religious Life. In the past forty years we have seen an incredible decline in vocations to the preisthood, especially here in our Diocese of Brentwood. We are also fortunate enough to have a seminarian from our own parish Frank Westcott who will be Ordained a Deacon on the Sunday 2^nd July this year; please keep Frank in your thoughts and prayers. But with the age of the clergy in the diocese being very top-heavy, within a matter of five years, we are going to be consderably stretched. We really do need to ask the Lord of the Harvest to send laboureres into his Harvest

WELCOME! On behalf of the Parish I would like to extend a very warm welcome to Fr Aldo Tapparo, who will be supplying for me while I’m on my post Easter break. Fr Aldo is one of my oldest and dearest friends; we overlapped in the Seminary and have been friends for nearly 50 years. Please extend him your usual warm hospitality. Fr Aldo is a retired priest from the Archdiocese of Birmingham.

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION CLASSES: The next session for our children will take place on Sunday 30^th April at 10.00am in the Parish Retreat. As we are rapidly coming to the end of the First Holy Communion Programme, 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 13^th May at 12Noon, and Sunday 14^th May at 1.00pm. The rehearsal date IS Wednesday 10^th May at 5.00pm for Group 1; and 6.00pm for Group 2. This will be in the Church. The following Sunday 21^st 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.

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 17^th Mat 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 24^th May at 12.15pm at St Edmund’s at 1.30pm at Parndon Wood Crematorium.

We extend our condolences to both families in this time of great loss.

‘THE PRIESTS’ – CHARITY CONCERT: Brentwood Catholic Children’s Society is delighted to announce that the Northern Irish classical singing trio ‘The Priests’ will be performing a second charity concert on Friday 30^th 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. Why not organise a minibus or a coach to bring a group from your parish to Brentwood Cathedral? It promises to be a great evening of entertainment. Full details are available on our website: www.bccs.org.uk/get-involved/events/

CORONATION WEEKEND: Next Weekend we will be celebrating 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 6^th May the morning mass will be celebrated at 9.00am

VISITING SEMINARIANS: On 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.

IMPORTANT NOTE FOR OUR CONTEMPORARY MUSIC GROUP

Our practice (for the 11am Mass on Sunday, 7th May) has been changed from Tuesday, 2nd May to Thursday, 4th May at the same time of 7pm to 8pm in the Choir loft. We hope you can all be there for the 4th May practice as well as for the 7th May Mass. We would like to encourage more of our young parishioners and families to join our Group, so please consider coming along to our 4th May practice – you will be made very welcome!

Head of School – St John Fisher Catholic Primary School The Trustees of Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Multi Academy Trust are seeking to appoint a Head of School for St John Fisher Catholic Primary. This person will be an enthusiastic, inspirational leader, who is passionate about learning and who shares the schools values and lives their mission. Required: September 2023; Salary: L10 – 16 ; Closing Date: Monday 8th May, 12 noon Interviews: Wednesday 24th May

For further details please visit www.ourladyoffatimatrust.essex.sch.uk or alternatively call Mrs Irene Nelson, H.R. Manager on 01279 425383.

PLEASE PRAY FOR THOSE SICK IN OUR PARISH

ANNIVERSARIES: Brian & Paul Street RIP. Please pray for all whose anniversaries occur at this time and for all of our deceased loved ones, Requiescant in Pace.

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

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

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/

MASS INTENTIONS – EASTERTIDE – APRIL – MAY 2023

Sat 29^th	10.00am	Tony Ironside RIP (Margaret Duffy)
		*Confessions 11am – 12Noon or on demandVigil Mass for Sunday. Confessions at 5.30pm***
Sat 29^th	6.00pm	Veronica Godsave RIP (Geraldine & Robert Taylor)
Sun 30^th	9.00am	People of the Parish
Sun 30^th	11:00am	Robert Taylor RIP (B’day Anni) Eileen Lee
Mon 1^st May	10.00am	Dec’d of McMorrow & Perry families (Maureen Perry)
Tues 2^nd	10.00am	Pauric Kelly RIP (Sinead Briner)
Wed 3^rd	10.00am	Peter Smith RIP (Paul Falco)
Thur 4^th	10.00am	Charles & Yvonne Westcott RIP (Frank Westcott)
Fri 5^th	10.00am	Dympna McCabe Int’s, (Ian & Rosemary Johnson)
Sat 6^th	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 6^th	6.00pm	Fr Kieran Dodd RIP (Geraldine & Robert Taylor)
Sun 7^th	9.00am	Maureen Mully RIP (Karen Burrowes)
Sun 7^th	11:00am	Bernard & Muriel Gilley RIP (Eileen Ward)

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