Newsletter 9th March 2025

First Reading: Deuteronomy 26:4-10

Responsorial Psalm 91. Be with me Lord in my Distress

Second Reading: Romans 10:8-13

Gospel: Luke 4:1-13

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."

Cafod Lenten Appeal: The Lenten Fast Day is Friday 14th March. This will be followed by an appeal over the weekend of 15th/16th March.and there will will be a second collection over the weekend of 22nd/23rd March.

HN parish will also be hosting a Soup Lunch on Wednesday 26th March. Do come along and join us for a light lunch and to meet old/new friends.

KNIGHTS' ANNUAL DINNER: KSC will hold their Annual Dinner at the famous Blue Strawberry on Thursday, 3 April. We have 40 places and over 30 have already been taken. The price is £40. If you would like places, e-mail Chris Thompson on thompsoncjt01@blueyonder.co.uk as soon as possible.

ST AUGUSTINE'S 200 CLUB: We will be collecting for next years 200 Club over Lent, starting this Sunday. We had over 150 shares taken last year so we would like to get the number over 200 this year. Please see Chris to give cash or cheques at Mass one Sunday, or pay directly to our bank account. For more details speak to Chris Thompson or e-mail thompsoncjt01@blueyonder.co.uk

ST PATRICK'S DAY QUIZ 15TH MARCH AT ST JOHN PAYNE: KSC are holding a Quiz at St. John Payne to raise money for kit for the girls football team (in conjunction with the Catenians). Teams of up to six are invited at £7.50 per person (£40 for a team). Arrivals from 19.15 starting at 9.30 and bring any drinks and refreshments that you require. Please e-mail thompsoncjt01@blueyonder.co.uk or contact Abi Watson at school if you are attending to aid planning.

HOLY NAME LADIES' GROUP EASTER RAFFLE: to raise funds for any future needs in the Parish. Tickets will be on sale before and after all weekend Masses starting on 15th March. The draw will be on 13th April (Palm Sunday) after 10.30 Mass in Canon Wilson Hall.
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!

FOODBANKS IN OUR CHURCHES DURING LENT: Our collection for foodbank items this Lenten season has begun. Thank you so much for your generosity this Lenten season, it helps directly those in need in the local community. For more information about items needed please see the leaflets in church or on our Parish website. 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 the vital contribution of Pope Francis to this work.
South Sudan Appeal: Thank you for your generous response to the appeal last week. Some parishioners are kindly making donations this week so we will confirm the total raised next week.

LENTEN LECTURES : On Monday evenings at 7pm in New Hall School the talks are 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.' On the 17th March the talk is by Dr Paul Thomas on Science & Religion. Refreshments will be provided beforehand. For more information on upcoming talks please see the Parish website and posters in Church.
At Brentwood Cathedral on Wednesday evenings there are talks beginning at 7:30pm on the theme of 'Those Who Believe Don't Leave.' This week on the 12th March the talk is by Brendan Thompson on 'This is my Body - Eucharistic Revival." On the 19th March the talk is by Fr Philip Caldwell: On the Eucharist & and the Saints. For more information https://brentwoodcathedral.org...

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.

SVP Chelmsford: Coffee Morning: This 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 noon 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.

Parish Gift Aid Boxes 2025/26: Will be available over the next few weeks. If you are not in the scheme but are a taxpayer then please do consider joining because it increases the value of your donations by 25%. Due to the freezing of the tax thresholds, you may be in a position where you have recently begun to pay tax. Thank you for your ongoing generosity.

THE DIOCESAN LOURDES PILGRIMAGE 2025: Join Bishop Alan in Lourdes from Friday 18th to Friday 25th July. There is additional support available for those with medical needs. For further information, please 'phone Tangney Tours on 01732 886 666 or online at https://www.tangney-tours.com/...

Headteacher – St Peter’s Catholic Primary School, Billericay are seeking to appoint aLearning Support Assistant to join our team. Closing date is noon on Friday 14th March 2025. Visits are welcome and to arrange, or for further information, please contact the Office Manager, Mrs Foster by phone 01277 653770 or email on admin@st-peters-pri.essex.sch.uk For further details and other school vacancies across the Diocese https://www.dioceseofbrentwood....

THIS WEEK'S BAPTISMS: We welcome Zara and Roisin as the newest members of our Catholic Community.

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.

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

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.