CARRY ON CHRISTMAS · 2018. 1. 6. · FOLK CHOIR SONGBOOKS Those who come to the 5.30 Mass will...
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Fr. Steve Wymer Parish Priest 020 8650 3390 [email protected] Fr. Ashley Beck Assistant Priest 020 8650 4117/ 020 7998 5949 [email protected] Fr. Simplicio D’Souza Assistant Priest 020 8650 7533 [email protected] Deacon Sean Murphy 020 3490 5693 [email protected] CATHOLIC CHURCH OF ST. EDMUND OF CANTERBURY NEWSLETTER 7 JANUARY 2018 The Presbytery, 20 Village Way, Beckenham BR3 3NP Email [email protected] Website: www.saintedmunds.net Parish Office 020 8650 0970 Monday to Friday 9 - 1pm Salesian Sisters 25 Village Way, BR3 3NA 020 8650 6313 [email protected] Missionary Sisters of St. Peter Claver 89 Shortlands Road BR2 0JL 020 8313 3915 [email protected] The second collection next weekend is for Pax Christi CARRY ON CHRISTMAS meaning of Christmas. This weekend, by contrast, we keep the Epiphany, the climax of the Christmas season, marked by exotic customs such as the house blessing with chalk, blessing of waters, the galette des rois, the proclamation of the date of Easter, the moveable feasts and so on. The rich historical imagery of the story of the coming of the Magi to Jesus speaks to us of his divinity, so it goes to the heart of the religious meaning of Christmas, which is after all what it’s all about. The baby in the manger is not simply a baby who grows up to become a ‘good bloke’: he is God in human flesh. His birth is about glory and kingship, and we continue to celebrate Christmas because this religious belief and conviction is so important; indeed 6 January was the original date of Christmas and still is for Eastern Christians. If we let this pass us by then we miss the point of Christmas - we’re left only with a shell, with parties and shopping which happen far too early. As Melanie McDonagh reminds us in many ways the Christmas season lasts for the whole of this month right up to Candlemas on the 2 February, the feast of the Presentation of the Lord in the Temple forty days after his birth. So in this church, as in many parts of the world, we keep the Christmas crib in place until then. For Christians, the crib is of course the most important Christmas decoration; indeed it is more than a decoration, it is a cultic object, a place of prayer (hence the kneeler in front of it). Traditionally we make special offerings in honour of the baby Jesus and in this diocese this year these go to the special Crisis fund being run by the Catholic Children’s Society (see www.cathchild.org.uk ); please put your money in the wall safe in the church. January, for example on Peace Sunday next weekend, enables us in lots of ways to further the spirit of Christmas and what it means. Chalk will be blessed this weekend for the traditional house blessing. The inscription to put above your doors this year is 20 + C + M + B + 18. So Happy New Year and enjoy January - and, unless you are a teetotaler, don’t have anything to do with the ‘un-Christian abomination.’ THE TABLET is by far the best of the weekly Catholic news- papers, and always worth reading. In the double Christmas issue there is a very powerful meditation by Pope Francis dating from when he was a priest in Argentina in the early 80s; there is also a hard-hitting column by the journalist Melanie McDonagh (the funeral of whose uncle, Frank Penston, took place here about a year ago). In it she reflects about how badly we get celebration wrong at this time of year, by starting too early in Advent and then giving up not long after Christmas: ‘...there’s a lull until New Year’s Day, after which it’s back to normal and, for much of the secular populace, the un-Christian abomination known as “Dry January” begins. That’s right, bang in the middle of the Twelve Days of Christmas, people start giving up drink. Yet January is still the Christmas season folks...right up until Candlemas. It is incumbent on Christians to keep the party going all the way to Epiphany, and God knows I try.’ She is entirely right. Every year it shocks me that so many people and institutions throw out their Christmas trees after New Year’s day (indeed supermarket Christmas displays, in place since shortly after Remembrance Sunday, often start going on Boxing day). Advent is traditionally a time for austere reflection, if not penitence, and yet we start parties just as it be- gins in early December (or even earlier) and consequently are hung-over by the beginning of the year. How can we get things so wrong? It is surely a very powerful symbol of how far the country has completely lost touch with Christianity and the
Transcript of CARRY ON CHRISTMAS · 2018. 1. 6. · FOLK CHOIR SONGBOOKS Those who come to the 5.30 Mass will...
Fr. Steve Wymer Parish Priest 020 8650 3390 [email protected] Fr. Ashley Beck Assistant Priest 020 8650 4117/ 020 7998 5949 [email protected] Fr. Simplicio D’Souza Assistant Priest 020 8650 7533 [email protected] Deacon Sean Murphy 020 3490 5693 [email protected]
CATHOLIC CHURCH OF ST. EDMUND OF CANTERBURY NEWSLETTER 7 JANUARY 2018 The Presbytery, 20 Village Way, Beckenham BR3 3NP Email [email protected]
Website: www.saintedmunds.net Parish Office 020 8650 0970 Monday to Friday 9 - 1pm
Salesian Sisters 25 Village Way, BR3 3NA
020 8650 6313 [email protected]
Missionary Sisters of St. Peter Claver 89 Shortlands Road BR2 0JL
020 8313 3915 [email protected]
The second collection next weekend is for Pax Christi
ENVELOPES If you would like to have your deceased family
members remembered in the Masses during November write their
names on a piece of paper and put it into the Holy Souls enve-
lopes provided. They will be placed in a box on the altar during
the Masses this month. Any donations in the envelopes will go to
CARRY ON CHRISTMAS
meaning of Christmas. This weekend, by contrast, we keep the
Epiphany, the climax of the Christmas season, marked by exotic
customs such as the house blessing with chalk, blessing of
waters, the galette des rois, the proclamation of the date of
Easter, the moveable feasts and so on. The rich historical
imagery of the story of the coming of the Magi to Jesus speaks
to us of his divinity, so it goes to the heart of the religious
meaning of Christmas, which is after all what it’s all about. The
baby in the manger is not simply a baby who grows up to
become a ‘good bloke’: he is God in human flesh. His birth is
about glory and kingship, and we continue to celebrate
Christmas because this religious belief and conviction is so
important; indeed 6 January was the original date of Christmas
and still is for Eastern Christians. If we let this pass us by then
we miss the point of Christmas - we’re left only with a shell,
with parties and shopping which happen far too early.
As Melanie McDonagh reminds us in many ways the Christmas
season lasts for the whole of this month right up to Candlemas
on the 2 February, the feast of the Presentation of the Lord in
the Temple forty days after his birth. So in this church, as in
many parts of the world, we keep the Christmas crib in place
until then. For Christians, the crib is of course the most
important Christmas decoration; indeed it is more than a
decoration, it is a cultic object, a place of prayer (hence the
kneeler in front of it). Traditionally we make special offerings
in honour of the baby Jesus and in this diocese this year these
go to the special Crisis fund being run by the Catholic
Children’s Society (see www.cathchild.org.uk); please put your
money in the wall safe in the church. January, for example on
Peace Sunday next weekend, enables us in lots of ways to
further the spirit of Christmas and what it means.
Chalk will be blessed this weekend for the traditional house
blessing. The inscription to put above your doors this year is
20 + C + M + B + 18.
So Happy New Year and enjoy January - and, unless you are a
teetotaler, don’t have anything to do with the ‘un-Christian
abomination.’
THE TABLET is by far the best of the weekly Catholic news-
papers, and always worth reading. In the double Christmas issue
there is a very powerful meditation by Pope Francis dating from
when he was a priest in Argentina in the early 80s; there is also a
hard-hitting column by the journalist Melanie McDonagh (the
funeral of whose uncle, Frank Penston, took place here about a
year ago). In it she reflects about how badly we get celebration
wrong at this time of year, by starting too early in Advent and
then giving up not long after Christmas: ‘...there’s a lull until
New Year’s Day, after which it’s back to normal and, for
much of the secular populace, the un-Christian abomination
known as “Dry January” begins. That’s right, bang in the
middle of the Twelve Days of Christmas, people start giving
up drink. Yet January is still the Christmas season
folks...right up until Candlemas. It is incumbent on
Christians to keep the party going all the way to Epiphany,
and God knows I try.’
She is entirely right. Every year it shocks me that so many
people and institutions throw out their Christmas trees after
New Year’s day (indeed supermarket Christmas displays, in
place since shortly after Remembrance Sunday, often start going
on Boxing day). Advent is traditionally a time for austere
reflection, if not penitence, and yet we start parties just as it be-
gins in early December (or even earlier) and consequently are
hung-over by the beginning of the year. How can we get things
so wrong? It is surely a very powerful symbol of how far the
country has completely lost touch with Christianity and the
PARISH NEWS
PARISH 300 CLUB Following the Christmas draw for £500 and £250 may I draw your attention to the fact that there are currently 32 members with subscriptions outstanding for 2017, all of whom will have had at least two reminders. In the porch there is a complete list of members/numbers and due dates. I would very much appreciate it if these subscriptions could be brought up to date as soon as possible. A cheque for £39 per number should be dropped in to the parish office. Many thanks, Anthony Pontifex Thank you to those who have responded to this item. It proves that some people do indeed read the newsletter! We still have a way to go so if you haven’t sent your cheque in yet we would be happy to receive it.
FOLK CHOIR SONGBOOKS Those who come to the 5.30 Mass will have noticed that we have completed our new songbooks (hurray, at last!) and this of course means that the old ones are no longer needed. If you would like to keep a copy of the old book please ask a member of the choir after 5:30pm mass within the next few weeks. Any that aren't taken will be recycled. As well as keeping the old favourites we have added about 50 new songs in this book. The Folk Choir would gladly welcome anyone who would like to join us in learning them: practices are held weekly on Thursday evenings. Whilst we try to make music of a high standard we are also a fun and social choir. If you are interested in joining us then please speak to a member of the choir after Mass or contact us at: [email protected] Marion on 020 8658 3942 or Sarah on 020 8650 5389.
CATECHISTS Would all catechists look at the boards in the porch to
see details of a couple of training days for those involved in sacramental preparation.
Early morning mass on Monday will be in the Church
Fr Simon Heans has now moved to Ramsgate as the keeper of the Shrine of
St Augustine. In future there will be Benediction at the Claver Convent each
month on the eve of a First Friday and on other occasions when there are clergy
available.
Our priests are very grateful to you all for your generosity
this Christmas, for the lovely gifts and Christmas messages.
The Christmas collection came to £12026.46 in the plate with an additional £954.90 paid via ChurchSuite.
Particular thanks to ChurchSuite users who took the time to set up a special payment.
YEAR 3 PARENTS AT ST MARY'S SCHOOL
Sacramental Programme Parents' Meeting Wednesday 10 January
6.30pm in the Hall
NEW YEAR RESOLUTION We are looking for new volunteers for the refreshments after
9.30am Mass. Usually this would be 2 or 3 times a year. The new rota will start in March.
It is a great way of meeting people and it would be lovely to
see some new or old faces, men or women.
If you are interested please contact Bernadette Lyons at [email protected] or telephone 078877 92385
BAPTISM PREPARATION COURSE The next Baptism Preparation Course will be held on
Sunday, 21 January at 3.00 p.m. in the Hall. There is no need to book - just turn up.
You will be able to arrange a date for your child’s Baptism, but please remember that there are no baptisms during Lent.
BAPTISMS DURING DECEMBER Alfred Aedan Jones
Chelsea Olurunfumi Anashe Latinwo Oliver Benjamin Hall Isabella Emily Clark
were all baptised at St Edmund’s during December. Congratulations to them and to their families.
During 2017 seventy nine babies and children were
baptised here.
LAW SURGERY
Monday January 8 from 7.00 pm in no11. Callers will be seen in turn so please come on time.
NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION MAKE A DIFFERENCE WITH CAFOD Become a volunteer. Make 2018 the year you meet new friends, inspire others to act for social justice, and use your skills to help our sisters and brothers working to overcome poverty around the globe. We are especially looking for… - Confident public speakers who could visit schools or churches to speak about CAFOD’s work. - Good organisers to volunteer, part-time over 10 weeks, in our offices in Waterloo or Bromley to help co-ordinate Lent Fast Day. - Good communicators interested in updating our social media or making phone calls on our behalf. Please get in touch with us on [email protected] or 020 8466 9901 to find out more about how you can make a difference.
A FAMILY AFFAIR - FOR THE WORLD Looking for a way to develop your own faith and that of your family? Are you trying to rediscover the role of marriage and family life in the modern world? If the answer is ‘yes’, then the World Meeting of Families (WMOF) taking place in August 2018 will definitely be of interest. To be held in Dublin from August 21-26 the WMOF will have as its highlight a visit by Pope Francis. During the WMOF there will be a wide-ranging pro-gramme of talks and workshops for adults, events for young people and various activities for children. That’s in addition to exhibitions, cultural events and musical performances plus daily Mass. All are welcome at this important and joyful international gathering. So why not start planning a visit now, perhaps as part of your annual holiday? More details will follow - watch your parish newsletter and notice board. For further information contact Carole Batty of the Southwark Diocesan Marriage and Family Life team on 07913 904 997 or email [email protected]
There is a small box on the right hand reading slope in the porch for any used stamps you might have. They are being collected to raise funds for Child Dialysis. Please do not bring them into the Office.
PAX CHRISTI
Peace Sunday 14 January
The work of Pax Christi is based on the gospel and inspired by faith. Their vision is of a world where people can live in peace, without fear of violence in all its forms. Rooted in Catholic Christianity, they work with all who share their values to abolish war and create communities of peace and justice.
There are envelopes at the back of the Church for you to take home and return next weekend.
INTERNATIONAL DAY We are celebrating International Day in our Parish on January 27. This will be in the form of Mass at 12 noon, followed by a reception in the Church Hall. We need volun-teers to make this a success. If you are able to help with this event please join us for a Planning Meeting, to share ideas and allocate responsibilities. This will be in the Hall at 8.00 pm on January 8. If you cannot make it to the meeting but can still help on the day please get in touch with Sandy Misquitta on [email protected] or 07779 619 701.
CWL The next CWL meeting is on 9 January
in no11 at 2.30 pm as usual
The 2018 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity put together by Churches Together in Beckenham (CTiB) takes place from 18-25 January with a range of Services at local Churches. (Please see the posters at the back of the Church for details.) As part of the Week there are Pulpit Exchanges on Sunday 21 January and here at St Edmund's we will have a guest speaker at 11.00 am Mass and will also provide a guest speaker to the Redeemed Christian Church of God at their 10.30 Service. Do come and spend time with your fellow Christians in Beckenham at as many of these Services as you can. Everyone is Welcome!"
DROP IN CAFE Please mention to friends and neighbours with memory
problems that they are welcome to attend the Drop In Cafe with their carer or a friend. The Cafe runs every Thursday
afternoon from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and is a friendly and welcoming place to be for a couple of hours.
The Drop In Cafe meets either in the Hall or No. 11 but will be signposted each week.
If you want to speak to someone about the Cafe please call 0208 650 1563 and leave a message.
COLLECTION
Last week’s collection came to £2110.97. Thank you for your continued generosity.
We pray for those who have died recently: Penny Wood, Sr Eileen McGarry, Teresa Basquill, Canon Tony Ford, Mary Sloboda, Fr Peter Madden, Mary Lee Berners-Lee, Dot Leaver.and Dorothy Pask Those whose anniversaries are this week: Sheila Morgan, Fr. Byrne, Sheilah Renwood, Alex Tinto, James Wallis, Susan Pace, Anna Belfourd, Muriel Goffart, Teague McGinley, Fabrizio Lanzetti, Frank Penston, John Goodwill, Sr Laserian Fleming, Michael Fitz-patrick, Harry McGuigan and Jean Harrigan. We pray for the sick: Peter Appleyard, Mary Atsu, Neville Baker, James Bekoe, Kim Benardis, Christopher Browne, Edith Campos, Vienna-Marie Carpenter, Barbara Cole, Tony Cox, Ruby Desmond, Giacomo Dillon, Kate Dillon, John Dillon, Rita Dixon, Elizabeth, Ann Elmer, Martin Farquhar, Margaret Fennessy, Umberto Ferrando, Luigi Ferrara, Suzette Fox, Barry Gardiner, Baby Megan May Gavey, Isabelle Ghawi, Philomena Guard, Hans Halpin, Eileen Hayes, Pat Hibberd, Norman Holland, Frank Holmes, Dave Hustwayte, Dawn Hutchinson. Kathy Jobson, Alabooso Joe-Jim, Victoria Jovanov, Zara Kadi, Fr Peter Kelly, Keith Kench, Grace Knight, Peggy Lake, Anita Leslau, Sarah Lister, Mim Lodge, Neelam Malik, Charlie McCann, Eammon McGeeham, Kathleen McGeehan, Dominic McGrath, Jim McGrath, Natalie McGrath, Mickey McGuigan, Paul McQuinny and family, Patrick Metters, Eddie Mitchell, Gaynor Mul-lane, Dominic Nash, Sean O’Connor, Josephine O’Hagan, Valerie Parr, Leonard Pope, John Quaife, Kieran Quinn (13 Months), Baby Isaac Ratinckx, Louise Ridge, Gabriella Rolls, Sandra Sekulic, Claire Shelton-Jones, Marie -Therese Sinon, Mike & Eileen Sle-men, Rebecca Strong, Jo Subieta, Eleni Symeou, John Sylvester, Sarah Thornton, Barry Thorp, Katie Toone, Jeanne Tadier, Barbara Tucker, Shirley Turner, Annette Virdee, Hilary Walker, Jimmy Walters, Louise Walters, Patricia Weal, Terry Weal, Emma Winch, Freda Wukolz, George Wukolz, Maureen Young and Fred Wye (Please advise the Office when names can be removed)
MASSES AND INTENTIONS Sunday 7 The Epiphany of athe Lord (B) 8.00 am Church Aiden Tyndell RIP 9.30 am Church For the people
11.00 am Church John Henegan RIP 5.30 pm Church Aileen Dunning RIP 7.00 pm Church Estela Campos - wellbeing
Monday 8 The Baptism of the Lord
8.15 am Church The Forgotten Holy Souls
10.00 am Church Dan O’Driscoll RIP
There will not be Adoration tonight
Tuesday 9 Feria 8.15 am Claver Nora Dowd RIP 10.00 am Church James Wallis RIP (anniv) Wednesday 10 Feria 8.15 am Claver Stewart Elena and Sullivan families 10.00 am Church Paula Marbach RIP 11.15 am Church Requiem Mass for Teresa Basquill 7.30 pm Church Eileen O’Sullivan Thursday 11 Feria 8.15 am Claver Ernest Simpson RIP 10.00 am Church Margaret Brocklehurst 8.00 pm Claver Adoration Friday 12 Feria 8.15 am Claver Ellen Keane RIP 9.10 am St Mary’s Private Intention 10.00 am Church Veronica Dagger RIP Saturday 13 Feria 8.15 am Claver Dorothy Appleyard RIP 10.00 am Church Alfonso Nesti RIP 12 noon Church Mass in Tamil 6.00 pm Church Jim Carey RIP
Reconciliation on Saturday from 10.30 - 11.00am
and from 5.00 - 5.55pm
Sunday 14 Second Sunday in Ordinary Time 8.00 am Church Suha Wright RIP 9.30 am Church For the people 11.00 am Church John & Pierre Champetier and Nancy & Stephen Dennis RIP 5.30 pm Church Monica Grima RIP 7.00 pm Church Kathy Maleczek RIP
The collection last Sunday came to £2492.22 plus an addi-tional £900 given via ChurchApp or standing order.
Readings for Sunday 14 - Peace Sunday 1 Samuel 3:3 - 10, 19 Psalm 39 1 Corinthians 6:13-15, 17-20 John 1:35-42
DIARY DATES
JANUARY
Meditation every Monday in no 11 from 5.30 - 6.15 Monday 8 - Law Surgery in no 11 from 7pm. Monday 8 - Planning meeting for International Day in Hall at 8 Tuesday 9 - CWL 2.30 pm in no 11.
Wednesday 10 - 11.15pm Requiem Mass for Teresa Bas-quill
Friday 26 - 7.30 pm Prayer Meeting in no 11.
Saturday 27 - St Edmund’s Youth Club in the Hall 7-9 pm
