Newsletter 17th December 2023

CHRISTMAS PERIOD MASS TIMES:

On Christmas Eve (24th Dec) there will be Carols beginning half an hour before the Vigil Masses.
5:00pm Carols in Holy Name, before 5:30pm Mass

6:30pm Carols in Our Lady Immaculate before 7pm Mass

8:00pm Carols in St Augustine, before 8:30pm Mass

11:30pm Carols in Our Lady Immaculate, before Midnight Mass.

On Christmas Day (25th Dec) Mass times are:
9:00am in Our Lady Immaculate,
9:00am in St Augustine of Canterbury
9:00am in St Philip's Priory Chapel
10:45am in The Holy Name Church
12Noon at Our Lady Immaculate
On St Stephen's Day (26th Dec) Mass time is:
12Noon in Our Lady Immaculate

MESSAGE FROM FR MARTIN: Many people will be aware that the collections at Christmas and Easter form the greater part of the personal income for the priests of our parish communities. For this Frs Damien, Paschal and I are truly grateful, especially in these hard times of a sharp rise in the cost of living. We realise that many people now give to the parish through standing orders. In order that our auditors fully appreciate the intention of donors through the standing order scheme it would be very useful if parishioners could indicate whether they consider a proportion (2 weeks of the 52 weeks of the year) to go to the Christmas and Easter offering amounts. A simple email or note to the office (office@chelmsfordcatholic.co.uk) would clarify our accounts. We fully appreciate that some will wish to contribute separately to the priests at this time and this could be a one-off BACS transaction marked ‘Christmas’ (with gift aid number if applicable), or a marked envelope (again with gift aid number if applicable). You may of course wish simply to place offerings in the usual collection at the weekend. For all this and your continued generous support of our parishes… Many thanks!

SCHOOL ADMISSIONS - CERTIFICATE OF CATHOLIC PRACTICE FORMS: Fr Martin will be signing the ‘Certificate of Catholic Practice’ forms in Our Lady Immaculate Church between 17:30pm-18:30pm on Tuesday 9th January 2024. He will have the Certificate of Catholic Practice forms available, if families could please bring their child's baptism certificate with them.
Parish Christmas Draw: Thank you so much for all who supported this fundraiser. The lucky winners from our Christmas Draw held last Friday were: 1st prize £250 Angela Sclater, 2nd prize large Christmas hamper, Jessica Bailey, 3rd prize 3 litre bottles spirit Mrs J. Ogu, Dee Northrop, Mrs Perrier, Mr P. Dodson, Gill c/o Anna, Anna Doube, Sue Palk, Mrs A. Cipullo, Ann Kelliher, Stephen Bailey, S. Farooqi, Claire Fairlamb, Peter Rosenvinge, A. Gilbert, Les, Mim Doherty, Peter Crisp, Sister Moira, Hilary Adler, G. Migliori, Marie Luff, Angela Sumpton, John Seward, K.Porter, T. Sullivan, Jasmine & James Ball. Thank you so much to all who supported this fundraiser and commiserations to all who didn’t win this year. £2,828 was raised, which combined with the £3,262.48 from the Christmas Fayre, made a magnificent £6,090.48 for church funds.

SVP CHELMSFORD CHRISTMAS APPEAL- COFFEE MORNING AND CHRISTMAS POP UP: on Sunday 17th Dec after 9am and 12.00 noon Masses held in Our Lady Immaculate Church Hall. Come and meet your fellow parishioners and enjoy a cup of tea, coffee, delicious homemade cakes and browse amongst our new, handmade Christmas Crafts, cards, beautiful hand knitted items and lots more. To donate to the SVP Christmas event online see https://giving.give-star.com/o...

DIVINE MERCY DEVOTIONS: Take place in the Church of the Holy Name after the 7:30pm Mass on Monday 18th December. All welcome.

Children at Holy Name on Christmas Eve. Carols 5pm - Vigil Mass 5.30pm: All children are welcome to dress up in a Nativity costume and take part in our Christmas Eve Mass. All costumes are provided. Please arrive before 5pm and come through the church to the Canon Wilson Hall to collect a costume. If you would like any further information or if you know in advance that your child would like to take part, please email Claire at c.irven@talk21.com with your child's first name and age to help us to get the costumes ready. Thank you.

DAY OF MERCY (Confessions) IN OUR LADY IMMACULATE CHURCH: On Thursday 21st December in Our Lady Immaculate Church in preparation for Christmas there will be time of prayer in the Church for us all to reflect on God's Mercy.

The day will commence with an opening Mass at 7am, following this a Priest will be available at all times during the day from 7:30am to 6:45pm for confessions and the church open for opportunity to spend time in quiet prayer before Blessed Sacrament. The day will close with a reconciliation service at 7pm with opportunity for individual confessions. All very welcome.

TUESDAY FRIENDSHIP CLUB: Meets weekly after the 12:30pm Mass on Tuesdays in Our Lady Immaculate Parish Hall. This coming week it will be a Christmas themed event, all welcome to meet friends new and old and enjoy plentiful refreshments.

ADVENT NIGHT OF PRAYER AND PRAISE IN HOLY NAME: Saturday the 23rd of December at 6pm at Holy Name Church followed by adoration & refreshments. Jesus is the reason for the season! This Advent take some time to prepare spiritually for the most wonderful time of the year. Edwin Fawcett and Adenike are both exceptional musicians and gifted spiritual friends who will lead the music at the Mass then lead us in a time of prayer and praise before the blessed Sacrament as we prepare spiritually for the celebration of Christ's Birth this Christmas. For more information please contact Fr Paschal via the Parish Office.

Interested in a Vocation to the Priesthood? - Vocations Pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of Willesden on Saturday 23rd December. Contact Fr Mark Swires - VocProm@brcdt.org – for more information.

PRIORY CHAPEL PRAYER GROUPS ON WEDNESDAYS: The Holy Rosary of the crucifixion Prayer group meets every Wednesday at 6:15pm. All are welcome to join us in praying this beautiful devotion. This is followed at 7pm by traditional prayers, litanies and devotions until 7:45pm. All very welcome.

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.

FOR CURRENT VACANCIES IN BRENTWOOD DIOCESE: Across the schools and departments please see: https://www.dioceseofbrentwood...
New this week: Assistant headteacher in Standford Le Hope

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.