Newsletter 4th February 2024

ST VINCENT DE PAUL FUNDRAISER: Save the date. On Saturday the 24th February and Saturday 9th March between 8am-10:30am in St Augustine's Church there will be a buy and sell fundraiser to raise funds to support all the work the SVP do across our communities. It is £10 for a table to sell items and £1 entry. For more information or to help with the event please contact Anna via the Parish Office.

UNWANTED CHRISTMAS GIFTS: With a view to our Christmas Fayre which will be held in November this year, a box will be left at the back of OLI church for the next few weeks to receive any Christmas presents which are surplus to your requirements and which you might like to donate to this worthy cause, which raises much needed funds for our Parish. With many thanks.

KNIGHTS OF ST COLUMBA THE IRISH SHOW LONDON 15th MARCH: Tickets are available for a escorted coach journey picking up at our three linked parish churches on the morning of the 15th March and leaving London to return at 5:15pm. . The price is £85 per adult including return coach travel and a lunch before the show. If you would like further information please contact John Holland on 07754972942 and see the website https://www.bricklanemusichall...

HOLY NAME LADIES GROUP: will be meeting on Thursday 8th February at 7 30pm in the Canon Wilson Hall. New members are always welcome.

YEAR 12 RETREAT: – Focussed on ‘Life to the full’: Walsingham House are running a retreat for students in Yr12 on the weekend of the 16th-18th February. This will be a wonderful opportunity to meet other young people from across the diocese, to make new friends and to take time out from their busy lives to reflect and pray. The cost of the retreat is £35. For more information and to apply please see the website https://bcys.net/events/yr12re...

LENTEN TALKS IN BRENTWOOD CATHEDRAL: Every Wednesday at 7:30pm during Lent there are series of talks based on the recent Synod on Synodality which took place in Rome last October. All the guest speakers were participants in the Synod and will have that first-hand knowledge of all the proceedings.The first talk is on the 21st February by Fr Timothy Radcliffe OP who is Master General of the Dominican Order. He was the guest Preacher and Spiritual Director for the whole Synod.

CARITAS BRENTWOOD DIOCESE: is inviting you to take part in several activities during Lent. We have a photo challenge for all ages, Stations of the Cross for teenagers, a Giving Calendar to help collections for local foodbanks, suggestions on how to raise awareness for the homeless within Essex and East London and some great resources from charities such as SVP and CAFOD. All information and resources can be found at www.caritasbrentwood.org/lent or by emailing sianthomas@brcdt.org

AN EVENING WITH JESUS AND MARY: All are welcome to our monthly evening of catechesis and prayer. Our time together begins with the Holy Rosary, followed by a talk, and ends with a time of adoration. After the event there will be refreshments available in the hall. These nights look to inform, encourage and enrich all who attend, building up our parish life and community. We meet again on the 21st of February, 7pm - 9pm at St Augustine's Church, Springfield with Fr Paschal.

SECOND COLLECTION THIS WEEKEND: This Sunday the second collection is for the Diocesan Lourdes Fund. Thank you for taking this collection. In recent years, this fund has enabled us to subsidize nurses, doctors, and helpers so that we have the team we need to support all our pilgrims, especially our assisted pilgrims. The Fund also allows us to fund pilgrims, who otherwise would not be able to join the pilgrimage.

LOURDES PILGRIMAGE: Join Bishop Alan on the Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes (Friday 19 – Friday 26 July). To book see: Brentwood Lourdes - Tangney Tours (tangney-tours.com) If you wish to discuss any aspect of the pilgrimage, please e-mail Kathryn Young or Suzanne Reeves at Lourdes@brcdt.org

THE SAINT VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY: provides practical help and support where possible for those who need it. Are you lonely, in need of help, or do you know someone who is? If so, contact us on 07876 551150 to arrange a visit. All calls are completely confidential.

HOSPITAL AND SICK VISITS: If you or a member of your family go into hospital, or are sick and housebound, please inform the Parish Office so a priest or the Legion of Mary can visit you.