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

CATHOLIC CHURCH OF ST. EDMUND OF CANTERBURY 6 May 2018 Sixth Sunday of Easter 20 Village Way, Beckenham BR3 3NP Email [email protected] Website: www.saintedmunds.net Parish Office 020 8650 0970 Monday to Friday 9 - 1pm

Fr. Steve Wymer - Parish Priest 020 8650 3390 - [email protected] Salesian Sisters Fr. Ashley Beck - 020 8650 4117/ 020 7998 5949 - 25 Village Way, BR3 3NA 020 8650 6313 [email protected] [email protected] Fr. Simplicio D’Souza - 020 8650 7533 - [email protected] Missionary Sisters of St. Deacon Sean Murphy 020 3490 5693 - [email protected] 89 Shortlands Road BR2 0JL 020 8313 3915 [email protected]

The collection next week it is for World Communications Day MY EXPERIENCE OF LOURDES On Easter Sunday, 1st April, 21 strengthen their faith and Coloma girls and I, along with 4 relationships with others. When teachers travelled to Lourdes in we had our end of trip ‘awards the South of France. However, ceremony’ one thing that was this was not the start to our highlighted was that the journey; we met every week for children had become good months preparing and training friends. Something that I’ll for what we were about to never forget is watching the experience on the trip. We children put the other children arrived in Lourdes at around before themselves. Saying 2pm. Getting off the coach I heard someone say ‘why am I goodbye to Group 141 at the here, I’m not holy enough’. Surrounded by many gift shops end of the week was very hard selling pretty much any religious merchandise you could as I had realised that although wish for, I’m not surprised. We had seen all of 10 metres of our aim was to help the children have a trip of a lifetime, Lourdes and we were all freaking out about what we had actually they had helped all of us, the helpers, get along signed up for. Although we were still in the area of the really well and also have an amazing trip. I made friends for hotels it felt like a special place. From here on I didn’t know life and look forward to the group reunion. what to expect. Soon after arriving at the hotel we walked down to the Basilica for Easter Sunday Mass. A small group Going to Lourdes was hands down the best experience of of us had to join another service group and do all sorts of my life. It was like nothing I’d ever experienced before. If chants as the family groups arrived; at this point I knew I you were to ask me what my favourite part about my trip was going to lose my voice at some point. The Easter was I wouldn’t know where to start. I find it hard to describe Sunday Mass was one of the most special parts of my trip, what it was like because you really have to go there to seeing hundreds of people so happy and so many people understand what goes on and if I were to describe it, any- willing to help less fortunate people was overwhelming, one reading would think I’m bonkers! there were definitely lots of tears within the group. I found HCPT, Hosanna Children’s Pilgrimage Trust, is an out how strong the community in our faith is, that I didn’t organisation which allows disabled and disadvantaged realise was there. children to have the experience of their lives through the The next morning, I met my family group - Group 141 from assistance of volunteers and their faith in God. With the the West Country which consisted of 6 amazing young help of HCPT and Coloma’s service group 703, I was able people, 12 helpers, a nurse and a priest. Immediately I to help these children on their journey. knew that this group was for me and the week ahead with I’d like to take this opportunity to thank the people of our them was going to be a good one. This turned out to be true St.Edmunds community for all the donations towards my as I didn’t stop laughing for the entire week. As Group 141, trip and the support I have been given. I’d especially like to we took part in a range of activities and services throughout thank Umberto Ferrando, for informing me about The the week such as celebrating daily Mass and prayer, a trip Catenian Association and helping me to be given a up the mountain where we played in the snow, drinks and bursary. songs in the many cafes and games on the prairie. Seeing everyone so happy all the time made the fact that we were Emily Sawkins, 17, Coloma Convent Girls’ School exhausted unimportant and worth it. In my family group out- side the gates of the Domain we ‘play hard’ and inside the gates we ‘pray hard’. This helped the children in the group focus on the two main parts of the trip, to have fun and to

PARISH NEWS We chose the worst week of the year to open the front doors of the church! At Aylesford this Monday, our Diocese of Southwark is We know that people have felt the cold holding its annual Altar Servers’ Rally. and been uncomfortable but we have When I think of rally the words ‘political’ and ‘bikers’ come also had favourable comments from to mind, but rally as a noun simply means a gathering for a others who are pleased to see our common purpose, a coming together for renewed effort. open doors as a sign of welcome and So that is what altar servers from all over Southwark will friendship. We have to be sensible be doing at an event which includes Mass, the about this. If it feels very cold during presentation of medals and lots of fun activities. We wish mass please shut the door but please them all a wonderful day and at the same time give thanks leave it ajar when mass is over. for the young people of this parish who serve at the altar and those who instruct them. Fr Steve A MESSAGE FROM THE ARCHBISHOP 'Rosary on the Coast encourages us all to join in with others in deep meditation on the PARISH DAY TO WALSINGHAM mysteries of the Incarnation, as seen through Saturday 30 June the eyes of Our Blessed Lady, reminding us £20 per seat to look, as she does, with eyes of love on all Fr Steve will be leading a day trip to Walsingham at the creation in its diversity and richness, remem- end of June. Details of how pilgrims will spend their day bering that we are all equally held in Our are still being finalised but bookings will be taken from Father's love. All the stages of life from birth to death are this week. gifts of his Grace, to be cherished and enjoyed. O holy Mother of God pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of Please be aware before you book that it will be a long day. our death.' The coach will leave St Edmund’s at 7am prompt and will return at about 8pm. NANKESIDO EDUCATION AND WELFARE TRUST You must be confident that you can get on and off the (NEWT) AND 9.30 MASS ATTENDEES coach and are happy with the length of the drive. Deacon Sean and the trustees of his charity are very grate- ful to those who go across to the Hall after 9.30 mass each There are booking forms at the back of the church. Please week for refreshments. The parishioners who organise this fill one in fully for each booking. The options of how to have very generously decided that the money they have pay are on the form. Payment must be made at the raised would be donated to NEWT, Deacons Sean’s charity time of the booking. in southern Ghana which, with the wonderful support of our parish has built an infants school, a computer school and Once again Emily Abonie is organising this trip so if you paid for the tuition of carefully selected students through have any questions please contact her on 0757 676 1990 senior school and university. The charity has just received a or [email protected] and not the Parish Office. cheque for £310 which will go towards the school fees for one of the students.

BAPTISMS DURING APRIL No baptisms are conducted during Lent so from Easter Sunday we have a great many babies and young children being baptised in our church. Harry Paul Oakley Lark Sofia Copperwheat ST MARY’S PRIMARY SCHOOL Luna Florence Copperwheat Friday 25 May Finley Peter John Walsh 11.00 am Mass Francesca Jaime Serene Brancaleone-Phelan As part of St Mary’s School celebrations for Oisin Eamon Dominic Brancaleone-Phelan their 50th anniversary, parents and friends are Harry Oscar Whelan invited to attend a special mass to be followed Maeve Jude McDonagh by a picnic lunch on the field. James Castleden Please see the poster in the porch for more details. John-Paul James Irving Roberts Kara Nikola Akosua Yeboah Joseph Frederick Patrick Walton CLAVER SISTERS GARDEN PARTY Alfred James McEvoy The date will have been in your diary for a few months now Laurence James Henry Watson and the Claver sisters have just revealed the cause for which they are raising money.

With the proceeds from their summer garden party on 14 We welcome all of them and their families into our parish July they hope to raise £6000 to buy the equipment that and will keep them in our prayers. will enable a group of contemplative nuns in Cameroon to make communion hosts. Please start to collect items for the Sisters to sell: bottles, jams and marmalades, books, toiletries, DVDs, plants, luxury items for the hamper and the raffle. MASSES AT BISHOP CHALLONER SCHOOL The mass at the school on 9 May has been cancelled. VOCATIONS WEEKEND FOR YOUNG WOMEN (20s and 30s) Theme: Discerning God's Call in my life LOST PROPERTY Dates: 25-27 May 2018 Items left in the church are normally handed in at the Location: Liverpool sacristy. There is a bag full of items waiting for collection. The weekend is organised by the sisters of the order of the If you have mislaid your gloves, scarf, spectacles or Faithful Companions of Jesus (FCJ). sunglasses please would you ask to look in lost property There will be input from the FCJ sisters on different after Mass aspects of vowed life, and time for prayer, reflection and discussion with other young women who are also considering a vocation to religious life. CHURCH SHOP It is an opportunity to live community life for a weekend The time when many of our young people will be and meet some sisters! celebrating their First Holy Communion is drawing closer. For more information contact Sr Lynne fcJ Remember to visit our church shop to buy cards, bibles, at [email protected] or visit our prayer books, rosaries, candles and other religious gifts. website www.fcjsisters.org Don’t leave it to the last moment and if you cannot see what you want, please ask at the shop. NOW ALSO OPEN SATURDAYS 10.30am to 2.00pm ST EDMUND’S WALKING GROUP Saturday 12 May Meet at Beckenham Junction tram stop at 9.30am. Long, hilly, muddy walk for experienced walkers. Boots and packed lunch required. Margaret 0208 650 2175 or 07880 793175

MARRIAGE PREPARATION In the Southwark Diocese it is necessary for couples MIGRANTS MASS 2018 wanting to marry to contact their priest six months ahead of This Monday, 7 May, St George’s Cathedral at 11am their intended wedding date. This is to allow sufficient time Parishioners from Southwark, Westminster and for them to attend the obligatory Marriage Preparation Brentwood parishes will be celebrating migrants’ Course and also for the clergy to complete the necessary contribution to London’s Catholic community in a paperwork. Our priests would prefer to be given a year to special Mass in our cathedral. complete the paperwork and suggest that couples do not set a date for their wedding until they have spoken to a priest. LOOKING FOR A CHRISTIAN GAP YEAR? Once you have decided to get married please email the Rock UK offers an action packed adventure programme Parish Office with your names and address and a with on the training. You will spend your Christian gap preliminary marriage application form will be sent to you year or 2 years learning and working, at the same time plus an enrolment form for the Marriage Preparation gaining essential experience in youth work and leading Course. groups. The course is residential so you will be living, If you intend to get married at a church other than St working and training together with other like minded Edmund’s our clergy are still responsible for all the Christians, building friendships and making life-long paperwork. As a growing number of our parishioners were memories. Come and find out more about our Instructor born outside the UK we will need to obtain documentation Training Programme at our Frontier Centre at from their previous parishes. This can take some time. https://rockuk.org/open-day/ There is also extra work to be completed for those who are having their ceremony abroad or for those who have had a previous marriage. So, in short, as soon as you decide to SICK LIST IN OUR NEWSLETTER get married, please start the ball rolling by contacting the Our sick list has once again grown. If your name is on it or Parish Office. you requested that a name be included please think carefully about whether that name needs still to be included. From the first newsletter in June we will include only those names that have been asked for.

WORLD COMMUNICATIONS DAY The collection next week supports the work of the Catholic LAW SURGERY Communications Network (CCN), the media office of the The next Law Surgery will be in no 11 from 7pm on Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales. It seeks to Monday, 14 May. Please arrive promptly as callers are develop the public profile of the Church and its teachings seen in turn and the lawyer will leave when the final and promotes the Gospel through the media. person has been seen. MASSES AND SERVICES May 6 - 13 Readings for Sunday 13 May Seventh Sunday of Easter (B) Psalter Week 2 Sunday 6 May Sixth Sunday of Easter Acts 1: 1-11 8.00 am Church Prem Ward RIP Psalm 46 9.30 am Church Ike & Ok Okezie RIP, Mary & Stephen Ephesians 1:17-23 Anyim RIP, Jenny Ibe RIP Mark 16:15-20 11.00 am Church Richard Graves RIP 5.30 pm Church Tommy McCabe RIP DIARY DATES 7.00 pm Church For the people MAY Meditation every Monday in no11 from 5.30-6.15pm - Monday 7 May Feria Includes Bank Holidays 8.15 am Church Ints of the Robertson family Tuesday 8 - Requiem of Jan Bula - 10am 10.00 am Church Marie Nopens RIP 7.30 pm Salesians Adoration Saturday 12 - SVP Coffee & Cake morning Monday 14 - Law Surgery no 11 - 7.00pm Tuesday 8 May Feria Saturday 26 - Contemplative Saturday from 11-12 in no11 8.15 am Claver Rodriguez family JUNE 10.00 am Church Requiem for Jan Bula Wednesday 6 - Bereavement Support from 10.30 - 12 in no11. Wednesday 9 May Feria 8.15 am Claver Ints of the Claver Sisters Saturday 23 - Contemplative Saturday from 11-12 in no11. 10.00 am Church Victoria Kerly RIP Saturday 30 - Parish Day to Walsingham Vigil mass of the Ascension JULY 7.30 pm Church For the people Wednesday 4 Bereavement Support from 10.30 - 12 in no11 Thursday 10 May The Ascension of the Lord A Holy day of Obligation Saturday 14 - Claver Sisters’ Garden Party

7.30 am Church Ints of the Ewing family 9.10 am St Mary’s Private Intention The collection last weekend raised £1883.30 plus 10.00 am Church Derrick Sheehan RIP £761.08 donated electronically. 12 noon Church McAvoy family The collection for St Georges Cathedral raised £989.55 8.00 pm Church Anne Rogers RIP 8.00 pm Claver Adoration & Benediction Thank you so much for your continued generosity.

Friday 11 May Feria Grant, we pray, almighty God, 8.15 am Claver Mather & Gregory families that we, who believe your only-begotten Son, 9.10 am St Mary’s Josie Pluck RIP 10.00 am Church Sr Monica our redeemer, ascended this day to heaven, may also in heart and mind there continually dwell; Saturday 12 May Feria through Jesus Christ who is alive with you, 8.15 am Claver Felix Feeny in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now 10.00 am Church Henry King RIP and for ever. 6.00 pm Church Pro populo Reconciliation from 10.30 - 11 am and 5 - 5.55pm

Sunday 13 May Seventh Sunday of Easter 8.00 am Church Deceased parents and relatives of the Salesian family 9.30 am Church Patricia & Hanrahan RIP 11.00 am Church Edith Ransford RIP 5.30 pm Church Banfield & Dowling families 7.00 pm Church John Murnane, orphans and benefactors.

We pray for those who have died recently: Jan Bula, Aidan Smith, Marie Keene, Albert Slater, William Fox, Mary (Maureen) Dickson, Monica Wells, Orlando Campos and Baby Camilla Zorilla.

COLLECTION Those whose anniversaries are this week: Gilberte Van Der Steen, Jozef Skupien, John Cleary, Barbara Webster, Len Bill, Henry King, Michael Last week’s collection came to £2110.97. Caulfield, Bill Barr, Mary Carthow. Thank you for your continued generosity. We pray for the sick: Peter Appleyard, Baby Valentina Attard, Mary Atsu, James Bekoe, Kim Benardis, Roy Brocklehurst, Christopher Browne, Edith Campos, Vienna-Marie Carpenter, Paul James Claridge, Tony Cox, Ann Couper-Johnson, Christine Curl, Giacomo Dillon, Kate Dillon, John Dillon, Rita Dixon, Elizabeth, Edwards, Ann Elmer, Margaret Fennessy, Umberto Ferrando, Luigi Ferrara, Ethna Fitzgerald, Suzette Fox, Barry Gardiner, Baby Megan May Gavey, Isabelle Ghawi, Guard, Hans Halpin, Eileen Hayes, Pat Hibberd, Norman Holland, Frank Holmes, Daphne Hoyles, Frances Hughes, Dave Hustwayte, Monica Hyland, Kathy Jobson, Alabooso Joe-Jim, Victoria Jovanov, Zara Kadi, Fr Peter Kelly, Keith Kench, Richard Kirin, Grace Knight, Peggy Lake, Langan, Anita Leslau, Sarah Lister, Mim Lodge, Jo McCarthy, Eamonn McGeeham, Kathleen McGeehan, Dominic McGrath, Jim McGrath, Natalie McGrath, Mickey McGuigan, Paul McQuinny and family, Patrick Metters, Philip Mifsud, Halina Mikulko, Eddie Mitchell, Dominic Nash, Sean O’Connor, Valerie Parr, Leonard , John Quaife, Kieran Quinn, Baby Ratinckx, Louise Ridge, Gabriella Rolls, Sandra Sekulic, Marie-Therese Sinon, Mike & Eileen Slemen, Mary Smith, Rebecca Strong, Jo Subieta, Eleni Symeou, John Sylvester, Sarah Thornton, Barry Thorp, Toma Toma, Katie Toone, Jeanne Tadier, Barbara Tucker, Shirley Turner, Hilary Walker, Jimmy Walters, Louise Walters, Patricia Weal, Terry Weal, Emma Winch, Freda Wukolz, George Wukolz and Maureen Young.

Please advise the Office when names can be removed from this list.