Newsletter 25th February 2024

STATIONS OF THE CROSS DURING LENT:

• Mondays 7pm in Holy Name Church

• Fridays 12:30pm in Our Lady Immaculate Church

Fridays 7pm in Blessed Sacrament Church (CM1 2DU)

• Saturdays 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.

LENTEN LUNCHES AT OUR LADY IMMACULATE: During Lent on Fridays at 1pm there will be light lunch (soup, bread, and a drink) in our Lady Immaculate Church Hall at 1pm after Stations of the Cross in the Church. All are welcome - there is no charge, although donations to the Mary's Meals will be most appreciated.

FOODBANK IN OUR LADY IMMACULATE AND HOLY NAME DURING LENT: The yearly collection for foodbank items continues this 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....

LITTLE FREE PANTRY AT ST AUGUSTINE: Next Sunday there will be a collection of food at St Augustine’s for the Little Free Pantry. If you are able to help we would welcome donations of dry goods, tins, baby milk and toiletries. We try to avoid anything in glass bottles/jars. The Pantry is being well used so thank you for any help you are able to give.

ARTICLES FOR THE PARISHIONER: Our next edition of the The Parishioner Parish magazine comes out on Easter Sunday. We would be very grateful for any contributions you might like to make, especially items of parish news, from yourself, our schools, parish organisations or any suitable articles, obituaries etc. All articles should be with the editor at the theparishioner@hotmail.co.uk by the 3rd March. Many thanks.

LENTEN TALKS IN BRENTWOOD CATHEDRAL: Every Wednesday at 7:30pm during Lent there are series of talks based on the recent Synod on Synodality which took place in Rome last October. This weeks talk is by Rev Dr Jan Nowotnik. He is Director of Mission for the Bishops’ Conference, and its National Ecumenical Officer. The next talk on the 6th March is by Mr Austen Ivereigh, Roman Catholic Journalist, Biographer of Pope Francis; Writer and speaker on Church affairs.

ST VINCENT DE PAUL FUNDRAISER: On Saturday 9th March between 8am -10:30am in St Augustine's Church there will be a buy and sell fundraiser to raise funds to support all the work the SVP do across our communities. It is £10 for a table to sell items and £1 entry. For more information please contact Anna via the Parish Office.

BCYS YOUTH MASS: Thursday 7th March, 6pm at Brentwood Cathedral. Beginning with pizza & refreshments in the Parish Hall from 6pm, and Stations of the Cross in the Cathedral before Mass celebrated at 7:30pm. Absolutely everyone is welcome. If you would like a place on Chelmsford minibus, please let the parish office know by lunchtime on Wednesday 6th March.

THE FIRST SATURDAY DEVOTIONS: will follow immediately after 10:30am Mass in Our Lady Immaculate Church on Saturday 2nd February. All very welcome.

THIS WEEKENDS SECOND COLLECTION - CAFOD LENTEN APPEAL: Family Fast Day took place on Friday 23rd February . There will be a short talk after the Masses this weekend. Thank you for your generosity during this Lenten season for this official Catholic Aid Charity.

HCPT GROUP 26 RAFFLE: There will be a raffle at St Augustine's Church to raise funds to take disabled and disadvantaged children to Lourdes at Easter. You can buy raffle tickets (cash only) after mass on 3rd March and 10th March. Thanks in advance for your support!

EASTER LILIES IN ST AUGUSTINE: to decorate the Church for Easter in memory of loved ones. If you would like to make a donation ( suggested donation of £ 4.00 ) in memory of a deceased loved one, please place in an envelope marked Easter Lilies and pass to Cath Lyons. We will have a collection after Mass on the 17th March. Many thanks for your generosity.

ST AUGUSTINE 200 CLUB: We are now collecting for next year's 200 Club. This year we had 150 shares taken but, for various reasons, some will be stopping this year. There seems to have been an increase in our numbers over the last year so we hope to replace these and get to 200 shares again, so if you can increase the shares that you hold that will be very welcome. We will be collecting after Mass for the next few weeks, but you can pay directly into the parish account (Catholic Church of St. Augustine of Canterbury, account 91082884, sort code 40-13-22) but please say who it is from and quote "200 Club".
St. Joseph's Missionary Society of Mill Hill: will be hosting the annual National Novena to St. Joseph 10th - 18th March 2024. To take part or request a novena booket via post see their website www.millhillmissionaries.co.uk. St Joseph, pray for us.

SVP SOUTH SUDAN APPEAL: Thank you very much for your generosity towards the South Sudan appeal. A number of donors were planning to make their donations this coming weekend so we don't yet have the final total - but we do know that, including gift aid tax recovery, you have already donated over £1500. Thank you very much.

FOR CURRENT VACANCIES IN BRENTWOOD DIOCESE: Across the schools and departments please see: https://www.dioceseofbrentwood...

DONATIONS OF FIRST HOLY COMMUNION CLOTHING: If you, or any family members, have any First Holy Communion clothing that is in good condition and no longer needed, please consider donating it for it to be loved and used again. We will offer the clothing to our First Holy Communion children from all three parishes, to borrow or to keep for a voluntary charity donation. This will help reduce our impact on the environment, raise money for a good cause and help families when the cost of everything is soaring. Please put donations on a hanger so we can hang them to keep them nice, and either drop them at the Priory or at Holy Name church. Thank you!

THE SAINT VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY: provides practical help and support where possible for those who need it. Are you, in need of help, or know someone who is? If so, contact us on 07876 551150. All calls are completely confidential.

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.