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
BRENTWOOD DIOCESE will be hosting the relics of St. Gerard Majella as part of the celebrations of his 300th anniversary. Dates are: - 19th January (Basildon); 21st January (Colchester); 22nd January (Walthamstow); 23rd January (Forest Gate). See Poster in Porch for further details.
The first meeting for children only is on Wednesday, 14th January in the Meeting Room at the back of the church from 5.15 – 6.30pm. This is followed by the celebration Mass in the church on Sunday, 18 th January at 11am [arrive in church by 10.45am].
Banks have been increasing their charges for processing cash “payments in” at an enormous rate and our bankers [HSBC] are no exception. This means that a significant proportion of our weekly income goes in bank charges. To help offset this expense terminals will be available in the church from this weekend to enable parishioners to use debit and credit cards to make contributions. They operate in the same way as terminals in shops, restaurants, etc. Should you wish to gift aid your donation just select the option and the terminal will prompt you to enter your details. This only has to be done once as the terminals will remember your gift aid details for donations in the future using the same card.
This programme will commence in the New Year. Application forms are available at the back of the church. Please ensure a copy of the child’s baptismal certificate is attached to the form if they were not baptised in this parish. Completed forms should be posted through the presbytery letterbox. Any child in Year 3 and above who lives in the parish and attends Mass is eligible for First Holy Communion. Those who live outside the parish must obtain the permission of their own parish priest before applying.
VERY MANY THANKS to all our parishioners who helped to make our Christmas celebrations so peaceful and prayerful. Our altar servers, the beautiful flower arrangements, readers, eucharistic ministers, the choir and organist, church cleaners, sacristans, ushers, those who built and assembled the crib. So many people who work so hard behind the scenes to make it possible for us to celebrate Christmas worthily and well. Also thank you for your generous Christmas offerings; they are much appreciated.
HOLY TRINITY & ST LAURENCE MOTHERS’ UNION – invite parishioners to their Annual Festival of Readings & Carols at Mossford Green IG6 2BX at 2.30pm on Tuesday, 9 th December. Please advise for catering purposes if you are attending on 020 8504 3500 or mothersunion@holytrinitybarkingside.org.uk
WORLD YOUTH SUNDAY, celebrating the young people of our Church. There will be a second collection to support the work of the Brentwood Catholic Youth Service, helping young people grow in faith through retreats, pilgrimages, and leadership opportunities. You can donate in the parish this weekend, or online at www.bcys.net/donate , and please keep all young people in your prayers.