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
A bill to legalise assisted suicide is being re-introduced into parliament in exactly the same dangerous form that it was rejected before. This is to enable it to be forced through using the Parliament Act thereby bypassing the House of Lords, the revising chamber which safeguarded us all last time. Leaflets regarding a demonstration against this flagrant misuse of parliamentary procedure are available at the back of the church.
Any young person born before 31 st August 2010 who lives in the parish and attends Mass regularly is eligible to apply. Those who live outside the parish must obtain the permission of their own parish priest before applying . Application forms [pink] are at the back of the church [both sides to be completed]. Please ensure a copy of your baptismal certificate is attached to the completed form if you were not baptised in this parish. The preparation meetings will take place on Tuesdays 20 th October and 3 rd , 10 th & 17 th November at 7pm – 8.30pm. The rehearsal will be on Saturday, 21 st November at 10am in the church. The Confirmation Mass will be on Sunday, 22 nd November at 11am. Please make a note of these dates.
The Knights of St Columba invite all parishioners to the meeting room at the back of the church for refreshments following the 6:30pm Mass on Saturday 18th July and the 11:00am Mass on Sunday 19th July. Absolutely everyone is welcome to stay for a chat. You can also learn more about our work; the Knights are actively looking to recruit new members, so if you are a Catholic man interested in faith, friendship, and serving our parish, come and find out how you can get involved.
Seafarers and fishers play a vital role in all of our lives, but they often work in difficult and hazardous conditions. It is when the Church prays for all those who live and work at sea. Your support will make a big difference to seafarers and fishers in need. You can donate in church, by visiting www.stellamaris.org.uk/donate, or by texting ‘SEA’ to 70460 to donate £5. This collection is vital to enable Stella Maris to continue its important work, so please give generously. Thank you.
There will be a retiring collection this week in aid of the Holy Father’s charities and to help defray his personal expenses.
SACRISTANS – required for the 11am Mass on Sundays. If you feel able to help please have a word with me after Mass. It mainly entails coming a little earlier and setting up the vessels, etc. Training, of course, given.
St Bede’s Catholic Church, Bishops Avenue, Chadwell Heath are launching a new club for elderly, isolated and lonely parishioners to give older parishioners regular opportunities to meet others. They know that across Ilford, there are many people who spend much of their time alone. This ‘Golden Hearts Club,’ plans to have meetings once or twice a week, initially on Monday mornings. Launch day is on Sunday the 7th June at 12.30pm , when those who are able, are invited to come for lunch, cost £10. Details can be found on the notice board at the back of the church.