Newsletter 24th November 2024

CHRISTMAS FAYRE TODAY

Our Parish Christmas Fayre takes place today in Our Lady Immaculate School hall from 10 am until 2.30 pm. Please do pop in and have your breakfast bacon roll, bowl of homemade soup or cup of tea & cake. Much fun for all the family and lots of wonderful Christmas bargains!

MASS FOR DECEASED LOVED ONES: Will be held at 7:30PM in Our Lady Immaculate this Friday.

CHRISTMAS DRAW TICKETS FOR THE PATRONAL FEAST: Just a reminder that sold Christmas draw ticket counterfoils can be put in an envelope with the money and placed in the Sunday Mass collection basket or left at the parish office. The draw will happen after the 7:30pm Mass on the Patronal feast of Our Lady Immaculate Church on the 9th December.

Pilgrims of Hope 2025 across our Chelmsford Catholic Parish Partnership: The final of our Linked Parish Prayer talks in preparation for the Pilgrim Year of Hope beginning in Advent is on Wednesday 4th December at 7:30PM in Our Lady Immaculate Church Hall "The Prayer of the Church," with the Canonesses of the Holy Sepulchre.

THIS WEEK SECOND COLLECTION WORLD YOUTH SUNDAY: A unique opportunity to celebrate the role and significance of young people in the Catholic Church. The second collection supports the work of the Brentwood Catholic Youth Service and there will be a short talk from our young people after the Mass. Find out more at www.bcys.net

CLEANING DAY IN ST AUGUSTINE'S CHURCH: On Saturday the 30th of November from 9.30 am to 11.30am. We hope to tidy up the grounds of the church and the low gutters as well. Please come and help the team, all welcome.

THE SANCTITY OF HUMAN LIFE: The proposed law for to legalise assisted dying for terminally ill adults in England and Wales has been formally introduced in the House of Commons. MPs are due to debate and vote on the bill on 29th November . The Bishops conference ask all to pray to maintain the sanctity of all life from conception until natural death remaining the law, and urge also that we should write to our MP’s strongly objecting to any change in the law legalising assisted suicide. https://righttolife.org.uk/ASt...

Farleigh Hospice 30th November 4pm Carol Service: Christmas can be an especially difficult time when someone close to you has died. Our Light Up A Life services remember those special people who are no longer here with us. We warmly invite you to join us at St Luke's Church Moulsham Lodge for a candle lit Carol service. All welcome.

PRAYER INTENTION OF POPE FRANCIS FOR DECEMBER: For pilgrims of hope: We pray that this Jubilee Year strengthen our faith, helping us to recognise the Risen Christ in our daily lives, that it may transform us into pilgrims of Christian hope.

JOINT CAROL CONCERT IN ST AUGUSTINE: With our joint Christian communities on the 8th December at 3:30pm.

SVP Chelmsford collection for CHRISTMAS: At Christmas, we aim to provide our beneficiaries; families, the elderly, other individual adults, with food staples, sweet and savoury items; chocolates, biscuits, etc, as well as toiletries; shampoo, conditioner, shower gels and toothpaste. Toiletries’ gift sets and small boxes of biscuits are most welcome. We are asking for your support in providing this. Individual food items and toiletries can be brought in and placed in the SVP labelled collection boxes at the back of OLI and HN Churches on the weekend of 30th Nov/1st December. Please ensure that food is in use by date until at least the end of January 2025.Thank you in advance for turning your concern into action.

SVP Chelmsford Coffee Morning 8th December: Coffee, tea, soft drinks, delicious home- baked cakes and savouries will be served after the 9am Mass in Our Lady Immaculate Church. There will also be a selection of beautiful Christmas Crafts on sale. All welcome.

CHRISTMAS FLOWER COLLECTION AT ST AUGUSTINE CHURCH: On Sunday the 1st & 8th December, there will be retiring collections for flowers to decorate our Church at Christmas. A collection box will also be available after weekday Masses. All contributions gratefully received.

CHORAL CONCERT EVENING AT BLESSED SACRAMENT CHURCH: With the Boreham Ladies Choir on Friday 13th December at 7:30pm. Tickets cost £5 and are available on at the door. Raffle tickets on sale, Refreshments available. All proceeds to Blessed Sacrament Hall Refurbishment Fund. Everyone Welcome and all donations gratefully received.

FROM ADVENT NEW LECTIONARIES: will be used in all three churches. Each of the new lectionaries and book of the gospel will have a dedication and inscription in the cover. If you would like to donate one of these in memory or thanksgiving, please speak with a Priest or contact the Parish Office. They are available to view in the sacristy.

CHRISTMAS MEMORIAL SERVICE: Thursday 19th December at 18:30 at the Three Counties Crematorium Chapel CM7 5PB. Please join us to remember those who have passed away and take time to reflect on the memories we all hold. Refreshments available. For more information see the posters in Church.

BAPTISMS THIS WEEK: We pray and welcome Leo and Kenji as the newest members 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.

Bill INNES (RIP) Requiem Mass on Thursday 28th November at 12Noon in Our Lady Immaculate Church.
David O'SULLIVAN (RIP) Requiem Mass on Thursday 12th December at 1pm in Our Lady Immaculate Church.
Josephine CHESHIRE (RIP) Requiem Mass on Friday 13th December at 11:30am 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, Mary Denning, Madeleine East, Troy Erickson, Marta Fevola, Mary Fletcher, Michael Hoare, Mike Healy, John Grainger, Robert Godfrey, Connor Hickey, Sheila Hughes, Mavis Jennings, 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.