Newsletter 2nd March 2025

First Reading: Sirach 27:4-7

Responsorial Psalm 92. It is good to give thanks to you, O Lord

Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 15:54-58

Gospel: Luke 6:39-45

SECOND COLLECTION THIS WEEKEND. Annual Appeal for the SVP's work in South Sudan: - 1st and 2nd March: At our Sunday Masses next weekend, we'll be holding our annual appeal to support the work of the SVP in South Sudan. Thank you all for your generosity.

ARTICLES NEEDED: Our next edition of The Parishioner Parish magazine will come out on Easter Sunday 20th April 2025. We would be very grateful for any contributions you might like to make, especially items of parish news from yourself or parish organisations or any suitable articles, obituaries etc. All articles should be with the editor at theparishioner@hotmail.co.uk by the 15th March 2025. With many thanks.

KNIGHTS' ANNUAL DINNER: The Knights of St Columba are holding our Annual Dinner on Thursday, April 3rd, at the highly regarded Blue Strawberry. We will welcome guests (£40 per person) but have a limit to numbers, so it will be first come, first served. Dress: lounge suits. Contact Chris for information thompsoncjt01@blueyonder.co.uk

ST PATRICK'S DAY QUIZ AT ST JOHN PAYNE: The Knights of St Columba (in collaboration with the Catenians) are raising money for sports kit for the girls football team at St John Payne. We will be holding a Quiz (with an Irish tinge) on Saturday, 15th March at St. John Payne at 19.30 (please arrive from 19.15). £7.50 per person / £40 per team (max 6). Bring your own refreshments. To help us plan for numbers, contact thompsoncjt01@blueyonder.co.uk or the school.

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION CLOTHING: If there are any parish families who would like to borrow clothing for their child’s first Holy Communion this year, it will be available after the 10.45 Sunday Mass at Holy Name on the 23rd of March and 6th of April. Please contact c.irven@talk21.com if you have any questions.

Beginning Experience Weekend: is a special residential weekend programme for widowed, separated and divorced people, which helps participants with natural feelings of grief and loss. The weekend is led by trained volunteers, who have experienced having to adjust to life as single people again. This next programme will be held on 4-6 April at the Sion Community, Essex; for further details please contact: Mary: 07730 884315, or email BeginningExperience.SoE@gmail.com.

LENTEN LECTURES AT NEW HALL SCHOOL: Throughout Lent on Monday evenings at 7pm in New Hall school there are a variety of talks on the theme of "Pilgrims of Hope and love the stranger." The first talk on the 10th March is by Fr Martin on the theme 'Pilgrims of Hope'. Refreshments will be provided beforehand. For more information on the other planned weekly talks please see the parish website.

Saint John Payne Lenten Service: Wednesday, 2nd April 2025, at 6:00 PM. The service will take place at St John Payne Catholic School, Patching Hall Lane, Chelmsford, CM1 4BS. For more information, please contact Katy Adams (Chaplain) at KAD@sjp.essex.sch.co.uk. We hope to see you there!

STATIONS OF THE CROSS DURING LENT:
Mondays at 7pm in Holy Name Church
Fridays at 12:30pm in Our Lady Immaculate Church
Saturdays at 11:30am in St Augustine of Canterbury Church
"We adore you, O Christ, and we praise you because by your Holy Cross you have redeemed the world."

FOODBANKS IN OUR CHURCHES DURING LENT: The yearly collection for foodbank items begins next weekend. Thank you so much for your generosity this Lenten season, it really helps those in the local community. For more information about items needed please see the leaflets in church or on our Parish website at : https://www.chelmsfordcatholic.... In St Augustine we continue to support the Little Free Pantry.

INTER FAITH DIALOGUE: An edited recording of the talk given by Cardinal Michael Fitzgerald at Gidea Park parish is now available on the website www.whatgoodnews.org The Cardinal explained how the Second Vatican Council encourages dialogue with people of other faiths, and described especially the contribution of Pope Francis to this work.

SVP Chelmsford: Coffee Morning: Next Sunday 9th March, in Our Lady Immaculate Church Hall. We will be serving coffee, tea and soft drinks, as well as delicious home- baked cakes and sausage rolls after 9.00 am and 12.00am masses. All are warmly welcome. Additionally for our latest fundraiser we are collecting unwanted buttons of different sizes and shape. Please hand them in to the Parish Office.

Caritas Development Officer: This new role within the Diocese will help develop and strengthen our charitable action and ministry. The successful applicant will have excellent digital media, organisation and presentation skills, and a heart for Catholic Social Teaching, helping to share this valuable work in schools and parishes, supporting existing volunteers. £24,000 - £27,000pa depending on experience. Full time, including some evenings and weekends. Closing date 31st March at noon. More information and application details: caritas@dioceseofbrentwood.org

Headteacher – St Peter’s Catholic Primary School, Romford. Our current Head, Mrs Waterfield, is retiring after 20 years. The Governors are seeking to appoint a Headteacher to begin in September to continue the excellent work at this caring, friendly and diverse two form entry primary school. Visits from prospective applicants are warmly encouraged, and can be arranged at a time to suit you. Salary Group 3 L18-24a (depending on experience). Closing date for applications: Monday 17th March. For further details and other school vacancies across the Diocese https://www.dioceseofbrentwood....

THE SAINT VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY: The SVP provides practical help to those in need. If you or someone you know could use support, call us confidentially at 0207 7033030, 07936 579230, or contact the Parish Office. For furniture project donations or assistance, call 0330 0436474.

HOSPITAL AND SICK VISITS: If you or a family member go into hospital, or are sick or 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.

Ian WISEMAN (RIP) Funeral Service on Tuesday 4th March at 1:30pm in St Augustine Church.
Rose TURNER (RIP) Requiem Mass on Wednesday 12th March at 11am in the Church of the Holy Name.
Robin CHESTER (RIP) Funeral Service on Friday 14th March at 11am in St Augustine Church.

PLEASE PRAY FOR THE SICK AND HOUSEBOUND OF OUR PARISHES, (AND ALL WHO ARE SICK.)
Susan Ager, Maureen Byrne, Marie Callahan, Valerie Cummins, Doreen Cornish, Madeleine East, Troy Erickson, Marta Fevola, Mary Fletcher, Michael Hoare, Mike Healy, Shelia Hughes, John Grainger, Robert Godfrey, Connor Hickey, Maureen Leatherdale, Stuart Lucas, Margaret Lowrey, Anne Lowden, Maura Magee, Barry & Shelia Mayo, Sarah & Henry McKeon, Monica McShane, Donny McColl, Grazia Paola, Christine Staines, John Rees, Patrick Waters, Anja Welsh-Smyth, Gayle Williams, Shirley Willis.