Newsletter 13th October 2024

Mass Times and Intentions

Pilgrims of Hope 2025 across our Chelmsford Catholic Parish Partnership: As we prepare for the Holy Year 2025 our focus in these coming months is Prayer. The next of our Parish talks is on Thursday 7th November in St Augustine of Canterbury Church on "Prayer, a relationship of the heart."

Youth Gather, Essex Outdoors, East Mersea, 26th – 27th October: For anyone in year 9 and above, join us for a weekend of speakers, workshops, prayer, the chance to try archery or climbing, socialise with friends old and new, and all while sharing in and celebrating our Catholic faith. A few places are still available and you can apply at www.bcys.net/events/youth-gath.../

September 2025 intake – Our Lady Immaculate Catholic Primary School tour: Our Lady Immaculate Catholic Primary School are holding their school tours for prospective parents on Thursday, 17th October at 10am, Tuesday, 22nd October at 2pm and Thursday, 7th November at 10am. Places are limited so please telephone the school office on 01245 353755 to book the tour.

Retreat Manager at Walsingham House:
Walsingham House is an integral part of the youth ministry in our diocese. They are seeking to appoint a Retreat Manager who can oversee the smooth running and delivery of retreats to our schools and parishes. It is essential that applicants have experience in youth ministry. For more information please see their website https://bcys.net/news/vacancie... The closing date is Tuesday 15th October.

Calling married couples of all ages! As part of the Holy Year “Pilgrims of Hope”
, Chelmsford parishes will be offering the enriching experience of the Alpha Marriage Course (see article in the latest Parish magazines), to run during Lent and starting on Monday 3rd March. Please register your interest early at office@chelmsfordcatholic.co.uk to ensure that we have the course material ready for you.

YOUNG ADULTS GROUP - THE NEXT INSTALMENT: Come join Fr Damien and the young adults group 18-40ish for a special movie screening after the 7pm Mass in OLI on Sunday 20th. Bring a friend if you need a social crutch. Drinks and Nibbles provided. The evening will end at about 10pm.

From the Canonesses of the Holy Sepulchre: We are celebrating the Annual Mass for our deceased relatives and friends, in particular those buried in our cemetery, on Saturday 2nd November (All Souls’ Day) at 2pm at New Hall in the School Chapel. The Mass will be followed by visits to the cemetery for those who wish and tea. All welcome. For purposes of catering, please let us know if you will be with us by emailing crssuk@canonesses.co.uk.

Second collection next week: World Mission Sunday 20th October '24. World Mission Sunday is the one Sunday in the year when the Mass is celebrated exclusively for missionary activity. Donations are collected after these worldwide Masses and they go, in their entirety, to support churches, hospitals, schools and vocations in countries where the Church is new, young or poor. Thank you so much for prayers and every contribution. Missio Team.

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN: There are forms available in the back of the Church and online at https://www.chelmsfordcatholic... for this years First Holy Communion Programme with Fr Damien. The course is for children in Yr 3 and above. Applications close on Friday 23rd October. Would you like to help with our First Communion Programme this year? If so please contact Fr Damien in person or via the Parish Office.

ROSARY BEFORE MASSES:
Before all Sunday Masses during the month of October the rosary will be prayed in Our Lady Immaculate and Holy Name churches.

LINKED PARISHES CHRISTMAS FAYRE – SUNDAY 24th NOVEMBER: We are starting to collect items suitable for sale at our forthcoming Christmas Fayre. Donations of toiletries, new items, bric a brac, jewellery, bottles for the bottle stall, toys, and Christmas foods etc. All donations very much appreciated and can be left in the boxes available at the back of our churches. Thank you in advance for supporting this very enjoyable event, which raises much needed funds for the Parishes. For any enquiries and offers of help, please contact Anne on (01245) 257463.

LINKED PARISH CHRISTMAS DRAW TICKETS: Our Christmas Draw tickets will be handed out this Sunday 13th and again on Sunday 20th October. Please take as many of the books as you can to sell to friends and family. 1st prize £300, 2nd prize a large Christmas hamper and many more hampers and lovely prizes to be won! This is a special fundraiser, run in conjunction with the Christmas Fayre, to raise essential funds for the running of our parishes.
Please do support your parish, and try to make this the best result ever! Counterfoils and money from sold ticket books can be put in an envelope and placed in the Sunday collection plate or left at the Parish office.

NEW HALL OPEN EVENING:
We are delighted to invite all prospective Sixth Form students to our Sixth Form Open Evening on Tuesday 15 October 2024.The event will provide an opportunity to discover our Sixth Form specialist subjects and facilities, as well as explore the Sixth Form Boarding Houses, Campion and Dennett House. In addition to our Thomas More Sixth Form Centre, Years 12-13 students at New Hall have exclusive access to university-style study spaces and classrooms, as part of our new Sixth Form Business & Languages Centre, the first phase of which was opened in May. Sign up at via the New Hall Website www.newhallschool.co.uk/

Maranatha Mass at The Sion Community: Sawyers Hall Lane, Brentwood, CM15 9BX, is on Thursday 17th October. The evening begins with Mass at 7pm followed by Prayer and Praise and Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and our Celebrant is Fr. Paschal Uche. Everyone is very welcome to come and join us and we would encourage you to bring a friend if you wish.

HELP NEEDED:
For a partially sighted disabled lady in the parish to shop and clean and general help on Mondays for 3.5 hours and Thursdays for 4 hours in the Springfield area. References and access to a car essential. Rates and hours worked negotiable on application. For more information enquire via the Parish Office or contact 01245 468839 between the hours of 10am and 6pm. Applicants from the Chelmsford locality preferred.

BAPTISMS THIS WEEK: We pray for and welcome Marvell Msughter Bundepuun as the newest member of our Catholic community.

THE SAINT VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY: provides practical support where possible for those who need it. Are you, in need of help, or know someone who is? If so, contact us on 0207 7033030, 07936 579230 or via the Parish Office. All calls are completely confidential. If you would like to donate furniture or are in need, contact the SVP furniture project on 0330 0436474.

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.

PLEASE PRAY FOR THE SOULS OF THOSE WHO HAVE DIED RECENTLY AND ALL FAMILIES WHO MOURN.

Teresa BAKER (RIP) Requiem Mass on Wednesday 16th October at 2pm in Our Lady Immaculate Church.
Margaret O'DONNELL (RIP) Requiem Mass on Wednesday 30th October at 11:30am in Our Lady Immaculate Church.
Muriel TURNER (RIP) Requiem Mass on 23rd October at 1pm in Blessed Sacrament Church.
Michael Walsh (RIP) Funeral Service to be arranged.

PLEASE PRAY FOR THE SICK AND HOUSEBOUND OF OUR PARISHES, (AND ALL WHO ARE SICK.)

Jennifer Bowman, Maureen Byrne, Marie Callahan, Josephine Cheshire, Valerie Cummins, Myrtle Collopy, Doreen Cornish, Mary Denning, Madeleine East, Troy Erickson, Marta Fevola, Mary Fletcher, Michael Hoare, Mike Healy, John Grainger, Robert Godfrey, Connor Hickey, Sheila Hughes, Bill Innes, Maureen Leatherdale, Stuart Lucas, Margaret Lowrey, Maura Magee, Barry Mayo, Sarah & Henry McKeon, Monica McShane, Donny McColl, Grazia Paola, Christine Staines, Rose Turner, Patrick Waters, Anja Welsh-Smyth, Gayle Williams & Shirley Willis.