MASSES & SERVICES THIS WEEK

Saturday 17th November (first Mass of Sunday) (p807) 18.00 St Edmund’s Maureen Murphy †

Sunday 18th November 33rd Sunday of the Year

08.30 St Edmund’s George O’Neill †

10.30 St Edmund’s For the Parish

10.30 Our Lady’s, Lawshall Deirdre Peters †

18.00 St Edmund’s Nicola Andrews †

Monday 19th November Feria 07.30 St Edmund’s Fr Bryan Houghton †

Tuesday 20th November ST EDMUND 08.00 St Edmund’s Morning Prayer

09.30 St Edmund’s For the Parish

Wednesday 21st November Presentation of the BVM 08.00 St Edmund’s Morning Prayer

10.00 St Edmund’s Christian & Jackie Booker †

10.30—12.00 Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament

14.00 Our Lady’s, Lawshall Special Intention Thursday 22nd November St Cecilia

08.00 St Edmund’s Morning Prayer

19.30 St Edmund’s Intentions of Choir Members

Friday 23rd November Feria 08.00 St Edmund’s Morning Prayer

09.30 St Edmund’s Private Intention

Saturday 24th November St Andrew Dung-Lac 08.00 St Edmund’s Morning Prayer

10.00 St Edmund’s Jacqueline Sumner †

MASSES AT ‘MONTANA’ GREAT BARTON

Sunday 10.30; Mon - Saturday 08.15;

FORTHCOMING SPECIAL LANGUAGE MASSES

Saturday 1st December Malayalam Mass at 15.30 at St Edmund’s.

Saturday 15th December Polish Mass at 16.00 at St Edmund’s.

SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION

Wednesday after 10.00 Mass; Saturday 10.30—11.00 & by appointment

St Edmund’s Newsletter

21 Westgate Street, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, IP33 1Q

Tel: 01284 754358/07511 852161 (In emergencies only: Tel 07623 984483 giving name and telephone number)

email: st.edmunds@btinternet.com

Registered Charity No. 278742 www.stedmundkm.org.uk Twinned with St John’s Parish, Siem Reap, Cambodia

Sunday 18th November 2018 - 33rd Sunday of the Year ( B)

THE SOLEMNITY OF ST EDMUND KING & MARTYR

Next Sunday we will celebrate the Kingship of Jesus Christ as we draw to the end of the Liturgical Year. As the Divine Son of God He is supreme and Universal King. Yet we are told by apostles and evangelists, that He did not cling to His dignity as God’s only begotten Son, but instead emptied Himself to become as we are. Then He emptied Himself further, accepting death in our place so that we might have life. Through His Passion and Resurrection, which brought the assurance of God’s forgiveness and mercy, human beings were restored to that dignity which was God’s original intention for them—to share in His life for ever, rejoicing in being made ever-more completely in His image and likeness. This is the Servant King who bestows dignity and freedom on His subjects.

Edmund, the Anglo-Saxon King was first and foremost a follower of Christ. His life and therefore his kingship was to be modelled upon that of his Lord. Whilst Edmund may have been a stranger to those institutions that are meant to uphold human freedom and dignity in our modern world, he was not a stranger to the true source of that dignity. That source lies not in legislation or any human construct or theory, but in God Himself. The dignity of the human person is rooted in the will of God who created us in His own image and likeness—with a value that is not merely mortal but eternal. It is revealed definitively in the person of Jesus Christ. For Edmund as for all believers, the Christian Faith gives dignity and value to all men and women. In refusing to give up this faith, he not only sought to remain a faithful disciple, he upheld the dignity of the people who had been entrusted to him. He remains a valuable example of service to all in positions of civic authority and responsibility.

With every blessing, Fr. Mark

PRAYERS FOR OUR PARISH FOR OUR SICK: Sue & Tony Aldous, Imelda Brown, Gerald Curry, Pat Dowson, Bea Edgar, Helen Edrupt, Nicolette Finch, Malcolm & Janis Fincham Jacques, Sr Flora, Marion Fitzgibbons, Winnie Gare, Louise Green, Rita Grimer, David Higgins, Patti Hickson, Jacqui Holmes, Donald Hunt, Gabrielle Lamont, Barbara O’Neill, Priscilla Lupton, Francis Nisbett, Stefan Oliver, Dee Peters, Richard Reid, Bernard Reynolds, Claire Robinson, Mary de Roeper, David Smeeth-Cardy, Evelyn Stirling, Yohanan Suraj, Jason Stronza, Shelagh Szulc, Robin Taylor, Susan Toole, Tim Udall, Robert Watkinson, Pauline Wells, Romayne Wright, Jim Whyte. May the Lord bring them comfort and healing.

FOR THOSE WHOSE ANNIVERSARIES OCCUR THIS WEEK. Guido Ernesto Cordara, Elisabeth Barnes, Jacqueline Sumner, David Madge, Winifred Wickham, Bessie Tierney, George MacManus, Katie Powell, Henry Smith, Janice Donnelly, Eliza Griffiths, Thomas Webb, Frederick Sawyer, Kathleen Watson, Ethel May Coughlin.

THANK YOU for your generosity in the last week. You gave £1423.92

in the collection and £655 in standing orders and £238.10 from Lawshall.

PARISH CLERGY: Canon Mark Hackeson Parish Priest

Father Jay Magpuyo Assistant Priest

Rev Alan McMahon Deacon

Also resident in the parish: Fr John Warrington

Retired Clergy: Fr Gerry Quigley, Fr Peter Marsh, Deacon Chris Heath.

STOREHOUSE FOODBANK supplies between 4 and 8 families every day with enough

food for three meals for three days. Donations can be placed in the box in Church. Personal toiletries (incl toothpaste) Long Life milk, Pasta Sauce, Breakfast Cereals, incl porridge, tinned vegetables (incl potatoes) and biscuits, fresh sliced bread and tinned meat are needed every day. Thank you to all at St Edmund’s for your support.

1,977 BAGS OF FOOD GIVEN OUT DURING 2017 1,407 BAGS OF FOOD GIVEN OUT TO THE END OF OCTOBER 2018

HELPING HANDS’ GROUP if you are, or know of anyone who is housebound, lonely or in need of practical help, shopping, changing a light bulb etc, or just a visit, or lift to the doctors., contact Sue Fullman 488147 or Mike Sinnott 764236.

message of Jesus' teaching in Mark's gospel is that we should 'Stay awake!' We are called to live in imitation of the Son of Man, who came to serve and to give his life as a ransom for us. Do I look forward to the gathering together of all God's people?

What have I learnt from the liturgical reading of the Gospel of Mark this year?

Let us pray for trustfulness and courage as we face life's trials.

Let us pray for serenity and confidence in the loving kindness of God, whose plans for the world will come to completion in a way and at a time we do not know.

Reflections on the Sunday Gospels, written by Fr. Adrian Graffy

BURSARIES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE UNDERTAKING CHARITY WORK.

The Catenians, founded in 1908, administers a bursary fund which is a registered charity and pro-vides grants to young Catholics wishing to undertake voluntary charitable activity abroad. It is important that applications to the fund are made several months ahead of any proposed venture.

‘LIVING STONES’ is a communion of youth communities born to announce Jesus Christ, the Beauty of the Church, to those who look at the beauty of churches. We

seek to discover the spirituality of the Christian art and to announce the beauty of faith. Through welcoming, prayer and free guided tours the ’Living Stones’ make Christian sacred spaces a place of encounter with God where a tourist becomes a pilgrim. If you are interested in art and want to discover a new way of exploring your faith in a group of young people (aged between 18 to 35) you can contact Riccardo riccaravel@hotmail.it to find out more.

THE WORD OF GOD Mark 13:24-32 24 Jesus said to his disciples: 'In those days, after the time of distress, the sun will be darkened, the moon will lose its brightness, 25 the stars will come falling from heaven and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. 26 And then they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory; 27 then too he will send the angels to gather his chosen from the four winds, from the ends of the world to the ends of heaven. 28 'Take the fig tree as a parable: as soon as its twigs grow supple and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. 29 So with you, when you see these things happening: know that he is near, at the very gates. 30 I tell you solemnly, before this generation has passed away all these things will have taken place. 31 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. 32 'But as for that day or hour, nobody knows it, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son; no one but the Father.' REFLECTION Our gospel reading today is taken from the final chapter of the story of the ministry of Jesus in the Gospel of Mark. In chapter 14 the story of the Passion will begin. In this chapter, Jesus looks to the future and talks about the things that are to come and about the end of time. He has encouraged his disciples to face wars, disasters and persecutions. There will be a 'time of distress' to be endured by all.

Jesus' words become much more dramatic as he talks about cosmic events. He uses the language customary at the time to speak of the end of the world. The climax will be the coming of 'the Son of Man'. Jesus takes this concept from the Book of Daniel and applies it to himself. At his glorious return his followers will be gathered together from all corners of the earth.

People have questioned and speculated about the end of the world, and in particular about the time of its happening. Having spoken of the signs that will precede it, Jesus gives a warning: no-one but the Father knows the time of the end. It is useless to speculate about all this, but, as the gospels repeated-ly urge us, we are to live in readiness for the end of our lives. The final

THIS WEEK SUNDAY 18th NOVEMBER

10.30 CIVIC MASS FOR PATRONAL FEAST OF ST EDMUND. ALL are welcome to this special annual event in the presence of the Mayor of St Edmundsbury, Margaret Marks and her guests. Please come along and welcome them. 12.30 FESTAL LUNCH IN THE CRYPT: EVERYONE IS INVITED: St Edmund’s Ale Stew with crusty bread, followed by apple strudel. No ticket needed, just turn up! All very welcome. Please invite anyone who would other wise be alone.

In response to Pope Francis’ call for a Day of Prayer for the Poor, on this day, we also hope to welcome those in need and provide meals for the homeless and poor in conjunction with other charities in the evening. Donations would be appreciated. 14.00 - 15.00 BAPTISM PREPARATION Session in the Presbytery. 19.30 - 23.00 ST EDMUND’S SOCIAL CLUB Bar open.

MONDAY 19th NOVEMBER 19.45 ENCOUNTER JESUS - Come and spend some time with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel. Enjoy 45 minutes of praise followed by a time of quiet. All are welcome to come and pray in a relaxed atmosphere for the whole time or just a few minutes - whatever you can manage. Details from Clare 07868 371557.

20.00 - 23.00 ST EDMUND’S SOCIAL CLUB in the Crypt. Bar open. Crib 20.00

WEDNESDAY 21st NOVEMBER 16.30 CHARISMATIC PRAYER GROUP meet in the Presbytery.

FRIDAY 23rd NOVEMBER

20.00 - 23.00 ST EDMUND’S SOCIAL CLUB in the Crypt. Bar open.

SATURDAY 24th NOVEMBER 19.00 PIZZA NIGHT after 18.00 Mass. All welcome. Pizza £1 a slice. 19.30 LAWSHALL QUIZ NIGHT at Lawshall Village Hall. £10 per person, jacket potato supper included. Proceeds in aid of restoration of Our Lady & St Jospeh. For details contact Imogen Senior at imogen.senior@gmail.com

THE REPOSITORY is open after Wednesday 10.00 Mass, 10.30 & 18.00 Sunday Masses for cards, statues, gifts, Sunday Missals, gifts etc.

DON’T FORGET…. Please write to Jo Churchill and/or Matt Hancock urging them to vote against Diana Johnson’s 10 minute Rule Abortion Bill - second reading on 23rd November .

PASTORAL LETTER OF BISHOP ALAN HOPES OF EAST ANGLIA FOR

WORLD DAY OF THE POOR

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

The message of the Lord in the reading from the Old Testa-ment and that of the Gospel seems to be full of doom and gloom. However, in spite of the graphic imagery, the Lord conveys to us a message of hope and reassurance – that in spite of everything, God is still in charge of the world and his Presence, now and at the end of all time, changes everything for good.

To his first disciples, who are about to witness his imminent passion and death, Jesus encourages them to be filled with hope. His death will lead to his resurrection and glorification – then he will return to call his people home.

To the first Christian communities who are experiencing the darkness and distress of persecution and martyrdom, the words of Jesus recorded in Mark’s Gospel fills them with hope and strength and re-assurance.

Today we also face dark and challenging days. The Gospel message is often

WORLD DAY FOR THE POOR SUNDAY 18th NOVEMBER, 2018

BLESSED ARE THE POOR IN SPIRIT

‘We are told that the Lord listens to the poor who cry out to him; he is good to those who seek refuge in him, whose hearts are broken by sadness, loneliness and exclusion. The Lord listens to those who, trampled in their dignity, still find the strength to look up to him for light and comfort. He listens to those persecuted in the name of a false justice, oppressed by policies unworthy of the name, and terrified by violence, yet know that God is their Saviour. What emerges from this prayer is above all the sense of abandonment and trust in a Father who can hear and understand. Along these same lines, we can better appreciate the meaning of Jesus’ words, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Mt 5:3).’

Pope Francis, Message for Word Day for the Poor 2018, 1

GOING INTO HOSPITAL? If you are, PLEASE let us know

other-wise the Chaplain will not know you are there; the only way we can find you is if you tell us, so please let us know if you would like a visit. If you or one of your relatives needs a priest in an emergency, i.e. imminent danger of death, please ask a member of staff to ring the switchboard & bleep the Cath-olic Chaplain. We have the pager with us at all times.

IT IS NOW MANDATORY FOR PATIENTS ADMITTED TO WEST SUFFOLK HOSPITAL TO BE ASKED IF THEY HAVE A FAITH AND WHETHER THEY WOULD LIKE A VISIT FROM A CHAPLAIN.

THIS DOES NOT ALWAYS HAPPEN! SO PLEASE INSIST THAT THE QUESTION IS ASKED AND YOUR RESPONSE DULY NOTED AND ACTED UPON.

CARDS FOR GOOD CAUSES at Olivia Benn,

Angel Hill. Christmas cards for 35 national and local charities plus a variety

of small gifts, until Wed 19th December, Mon-Sat, 10am-4pm.

ST EDMUND’S TODDLER GROUP

Fridays (during School Term Time)

9am—11am

The Crypt

Parents/Carers and Toddlers, why not come and join the fun? Just turn up. £1 per session.

Tea/Biscuits/Toys, games, Crafts & Fun

REGULAR NOTICES & PARISH INFORMATION

CAR PARK. A reminder to all parishioners and friends that if you park in the car park (other than Sundays) please do not block any other cars. The car park is used by school staff between 07.30 - 18.00 every week day, with cars coming and going, and Saturday mornings 08.30 - 12.00. Thank you.

NEW YEAR’S EVE - It is hoped that someone would like to organise a family New Year’s Eve Party. You would have full use of the Crypt and the bar would be open. If you are willing to help please contact Yvonne Cheesman 07718 047684 or email stedmundsclub@hotmail.co.uk

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

Saturday 24th Nov Quiz Night at Lawshall Villgae Hall Sunday 2nd Dec Parish Christmas Fayre in the Crypt Monday 3rd Dec St Benedict’s School Carol Service 19.00 Sunday 9th Dec Parish Advent Carol Service 15.00. Friday 14th Dec Moreton Hall Prep School Carol Service 12.00. Sunday 16th Dec Carols by Candlelight in the Crypt after 18.00 Mass Thursday 20th Dec Bury Community Choir Carol Concert 19.30

SUNDAY 2nd DECEMBER after both morning Masses.

If you would like a table, please ring Loraine 07599 911812 or 702274 by 25th November.

BURY COMMUNITY CHOIR Present

Songs at Christmas Thursday 20th December at 19.30

Directed by Mike Berridge, accompanied by Jane Everard All donations to the Bury St Edmunds Branch of Samaritans

Followed by refreshments in the Crypt. All welcome

PARISH ADVENT CAROL SERVICE ‘From darkness to light’

on Sunday 9th December at 15.00 followed by light refreshments in the Crypt. Do come along for an

afternoon of seasonal readings, prayers and carols.

marginalised in favour of new ideologies that seek to destroy the very roots and nature of who we are as human beings, our purpose and destiny. The Church has seemingly lost her moral integrity in the light of the enormity of the terrible clerical and lay abuse scandals. We are overwhelmed by the social and political situation in our world – violence, the culture of drugs and the culture of death, the many who are deprived of their basic human rights across the world.

In all of this, the Lord’s message is that of hope and re-assurance. For in Jesus Christ, God came among us to share in our human life. Pain, anguish, injustice are embraced by Him on our behalf. Jesus assures us that God can be found in our distress. It is when we turn to God, acknowledging our own poverty and nothingness, that we discover true hope and reassurance.

This Sunday of the Christian Year has now been set aside by Pope Francis as the annual World day of the Poor. Not a day of prayer for the Poor – but the World Day of the Poor. He says it is a small contribution which the Church gives to the poor of ‘every kind and in every land’ so that they do not think everyone has forgotten them. It is a day when we are also called to make more than just a gesture in the direction of those who are poor in any way. We are to bring to their lives the hope and re-assurance we have experienced in our own lives.

How do we do this?

First, Pope Francis calls us ‘to try to understand who the true poor are….to hear their cry and recognise their needs’. For there are many different forms of poverty – and we will discover that poverty close to us in our counties, in our neighbourhood, in our loca l Catho l ic communities, in our own families. For we are called upon to bring the message of hope and re-assurance to those whose ‘hearts are broken by sadness, loneliness, and exclusion… to those who are persecuted in the name of a false justice, oppressed by policies unworthy of the name and intimidated by violence….to those who are poor, rejected and marginalised.’

Second, Pope Francis calls us to make ‘a serious examination of conscience in order to understand whether we can hear the voice of the poor in our society.’ If we

do a lot of talking about the poor we will be unable to hear the voice of the poor. If we engage in a lot of activity and provide the answer for those in need, without first listening to the individual, we will be unable to hear the voice of the poor. If we throw a coin into a hat on a street corner and then move on without attempting to engage with the individual, we will be unable to hear the voice of the poor.

Third, Pope Francis tells us in his Exhortation, The Joy of the Gospel, that each ‘individual Christian and every Community is called to be an instrument of God for the liberation and promotion of the poor, and for enabling them to be fully a part of society.’

As a Diocese we are trying to take the Holy Father’s words seriously. I am very aware that across our Diocese there are so many people and parishes engaged in numerous projects and activities to provide for those who are poor in any way. I want to thank the members of the SVP who carry out a great work and especially amongst the lonely and marginalised.

I would like to thank our Catholic Schools who carry out local projects to assist those in need; those parishes who open their parish halls overnight during the winter months to provide warmth and food for the homeless; those of you who work for the many food-banks across our counties; those of you who work for the welcome and integration of refugees; those of you who work in the local authorities and seek justice for those have no voice, and for all who seek to make a difference to other people’s lives.

Our Diocese is now a member of the Caritas England and Wales. It seeks to support and encourage our work for the poor and those in need. Caritas East Anglia will soon be appointing a Director who will be responsible for overseeing and encouraging all that we do as a Diocese so that we can be even more effective in our service of the poor.

The Alive in Faith Fundraising Campaign has already raised a significant sum of money which is now being applied to social outreach projects across the Diocese which seek to assist those who are undergoing real hardship.

The Diocese also has a smaller fund, the St Edmund’s Fund, which seeks to assist individuals who find themselves in a crisis or an emergency situation. Details of both Funds and applications can be found on the Diocesan website. Both these funds have been made possible through the generosity of our parishioners.

In all that we are doing to draw near to the poor, both as individuals and as parishes, Pope Francis reminds us that we are taking the Lord and his message to them – it is he who is welcoming and listening, who loves them and brings a message of hope and reassurance to them all. In his words: ‘we are to bring to them a love which knows how to hide and forget the good it has done.’

With all good wishes and gratitude for all your witness and an assurance of my prayer for you all,

Yours devotedly in Christ,

Bishop of East Anglia

GREETINGS

FOR

ST. EDMUND’S DAY

TO OUR FRIENDS AT

ST. EDMUND KING & MARTYR ON YOUR FEAST DAY

FROM YOUR TWIN PARISH ST. JOHN THE EVANGELIST

SIEM REAP, CAMBODIA