Newsletter 22nd December 2024

CONFESSIONS: There will be additional availability for confessions in Our Lady Immaculate Church on Tuesday 24th December between 11:30am-12:15pm and directly after the 12:30 Mass.

NEW YEARS EVE VIGIL AND MASS AT MIDNIGHT: Join us at Our Lady Immaculate Church for an evening filled with prayer, silent time with Our Lord, ushering in the sacred presence of Jesus into the New Year. Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament commences at 11pm. At Midnight we'll celebrate together the first Mass of 2024. Join us for this beautiful time with Jesus—whether it's for a few minutes, a couple of hours, or the entire duration of Adoration—because He eagerly awaits your presence. This inclusive service is open to all; extend the invitation to friends and family. Let's collectively embark on the New Year, choosing to be with Jesus, the true source of our blessings and grace.

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, and I are truly grateful, especially in these hard times. 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 Christmas Masses for the priests. For all this and your continued generous support of our parishes… Many thanks!
Journey Through Advent Together: The Canonesses of the Holy Sepulchre final Advent Reflections at is online at 5.30PM this Sunday. This link can be found on our website www.canonesses.co.uk

THANK YOU TO ALL THOSE WHO CAME TO THE MINCE PIES AND MULLED WINE EVENT AT HOLY NAME: Thanks to your generosity we raised £196. We have decided to buy items from the Cafod World Gifts brochure: A marvellous moo cow for a vulnerable family along with training on how to care for it, some chirpy chickens and equipment to keep fishermen safe when at sea.

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. If you would like any further information 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 in advance for your support.

TUESDAY CLUB IN OLI HALL: is on a Christmas break and will recommence on the 7th January in the new year.

SVP CHELMSFORD: would like to extend a heartfelt thanks to parishioners for their outstanding generosity this Christmas. Through your donations, we have been able to provide delicious Christmas treats and beautiful presents for 27 families and 30 other individuals. We would like to also thank those parishioners who have so generously supported us throughout the year, either through one off or regular online donations, or by attending our popular monthly coffee mornings. We would like to wish you all a Happy Christmas.

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 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.

“Let us exult in this gift of grace! ... Rejoice, you who have abandoned all hope, for God offers you His outstretched hand; He does not point a finger at you, but offers you His little baby hand, in order to set you free from your fears, to relieve you of your burdens and to show you that, in His eyes, you are more valuable than anything else.”
Pope Francis Urbi et Orbi Christmas 2023

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

Mavis JENNINGS (RIP) Requiem Mass on Thursday 9th January 2025 at 12Noon in Our Lady Immaculate Church.

Shelia TURNER (RIP) Requiem Mass on Friday 10th January 2025 at 12:30pm in Our Lady Immaculate Church.

Maureen PORTER (RIP) Requiem Mass on Tuesday 14th January 2025 at 1:30pm in Our Lady Immaculate Church.

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

Jennifer Bowman, 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 Mayo, Sarah & Henry McKeon, Monica McShane, Donny McColl, Grazia Paola, Christine Staines, Rose Turner, John Rees, Patrick Waters, Anja Welsh-Smyth, Gayle Williams & Shirley Willis.