Bishop Alan's -Pastoral Letter
Webmaster • April 9, 2020
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
The first Holy Week – almost two thousand years ago – saw world-changing events happen with bewildering speed. Jesus received a King’s welcome in Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, by Friday he had been crucified to death but on Easter Sunday his disciples were proclaiming his Resurrection.
In any other year I would be encouraging you to take time out of your busy schedule and journey with Jesus in the Holy Week Liturgy and in personal prayer, but this year our churches are closed, many of us are confined to our homes and, as one NHS worker grimly remarked, many of us are now living a three day week – yesterday, today and tomorrow.
Yet our Catholic Christian Faith is very clear that whether in times of suffering or joy, light or darkness – ‘Fix your thoughts on Jesus the Apostle and High Priest whom we confess… Let us fix our eyes on Jesus the Pioneer and Perfecter of our Faith’ (Hebrews 3.1, 12.2).
In the annual rich liturgical and devotional life of the Church this is obvious and can become even routine, but now, in this time of the Covid19 virus, our churches are closed, people are suffering and dying and we are all living in a radically different world.
In that first Holy Week, the last week of our Lord’s life on this earth, the first Christians made little sense of what was happening. The apostles fled from Gethsemane, Peter denied Jesus three times and the Lord died almost alone with just his Mother, St John and one or two others.
Easter Sunday changed everything. Mary Magdalen, filled with love for her friend Jesus, went to the tomb to anoint a body; hope and love had triumphed over paralysis and despair. Mary was the first witness to the empty tomb; much more she was, in the words of Saint Thomas Aquinas, the Apostle of the Apostles (Apostolorum Apostola) and she shared her excitement and joy with the apostles.
Every new generation of Christians discovers and proclaims the crucified and risen Lord – ‘Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever’ (Hebrews 13.8). In these dark and difficult days of the pandemic Mary Magdalen’s longing for life and healing, even when others were plunged into loss and despair, invites all of us to trust God in Christ absolutely.
At His Last Supper our Lord told His disciples, ‘I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you… Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them’ (John 13.15,17). In these challenging days we need to support each other and, especially, look after and pray for the vulnerable and elderly. Our priests are continuing to celebrate Mass for their parishioners and, whenever possible, the Sacraments and other pastoral support are being offered to the people of God. Each and every act of kindness, in imitation of our Lord, reminds us that we are truly blessed by God.
The Holy Father continues to be a source of strength and inspiration – ‘In the midst of isolation when we are suffering from a lack of tenderness and chances to meet up, and we experience the loss of so many things, let us once again listen to the proclamation that saves us: He is risen and is living by our side’ (Pope Francis in St Peter’s Basilica, 27 March 2020).
I wish you many blessings this coming Easter and in the future,
Devotedly in Christ and Mary,
+Alan Williams, sm
Bishop of Brentwood
9 April 2020
HOLY MASS for the repose of the soul of Pope Francis will be celebrated by Bishop Alan in the Cathedral on Sunday 27th April At 11.30am.
VERY MANY THANKS for all your prayers, cards, presents and generous Easter offerings. They are, as always, very much appreciated.
Those who wish to, are invited to gather at the magistrates' court (suggest 9.15am - 9.30am) and walk in small groups, along the pavements to Ken Aston Square as we have done for the past two years. Other than that, please ask people gather at the Square as usual, where we hope to start the service at 10.00am.
Thursday, 17th April at 7.30pm . Volunteers, please, for the Mandatum [Washing of the feet] during the Mass. List on the notice board at the back of the church (women and men, of course).
The debate regarding this issue has been somewhat truncated by the fact that the government has allowed the matter to be dealt with by means of a private member’s bill. Such an important change in the law should never have been allowed to happen in this way. Whilst not impugning the sincerity of those who back this change the amateurish and shambolic way in which it has staggered through a “packed” committee stage in the House of Commons is worrying to say the least. For example, does anyone really believe that a handpicked group of “experts” chosen by the prime minister [who backs the change] is any substitute for an impartial and objective High Court judge being required to oversee the process of dying? Postcards provided by Not Dead Yet UK, a network of disabled people who oppose the legislation, have been included in the newsletter. These are intended to be sent to your local MP. However, please be aware that Wes Streeting, the member of parliament for Ilford North and Secretary of State for Health, has already voted against the bill at second reading. Jas Athwal, the member for Ilford South, voted in favour.
Family Fast Day collection Please donate to our Family Fast Day parish collection and be a pilgrim of hope with CAFOD this Jubilee Year. You’ll be supporting communities suffering the impacts of war, poverty and climate change to find solutions and hope. Use the CAFOD envelope in church or donate online at cafod.org.uk/envelope
These are available at the back of the church in alphabetical order by surname. If your box is not there, please complete one of the slips and it will be available next week. The Gift Aid scheme will benefit the parish by over £10,000 this year at no extra cost to anyone but the inland revenue! All you need to do is complete a simple form and the parish claims back the tax on any amount you give to the parish during the tax year concerned. Of course, you must pay income tax to take advantage of the scheme. Forms are available at the back of the church or please see me after Mass.
are holding simple LENT LUNCHES , consisting of homemade soup and a roll as follows at 12noon : Wednesday 12th March - Holy Trinity, Mossford Green IG6 2BJ Wednesday 19th St. Francis, Fencepiece Road IG6 2LA Wednesday 26th Gantshill Methodist Church, Gantshill Crescent IG2 6TU Thursday 3rd April Hainault Baptist Church, Franklyn Gardens IG6 2UT Wednesday 9th Barkingside Methodist Church, Freemantle Road IG6 2AZ All are welcome.
Join Bishop Alan and other parishes around the Diocese of Brentwood in Walsingham to celebrate the Jubilee Year of Hope. We will celebrate Mass at the Basilica before walking the Holy Mile to the grounds of Walsingham Abbey to celebrate Vespers and Benediction on the site of the Holy House. If you would like to come please contact.