Newsletter 26th November 2023

ARTICLES FOR THE PARISHIONER MAGAZINE : Christmas Day edition. 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 theparishioner@hotmail.co.uk by the 26th Nov. Many thanks.

SVP CHELMSFORD – GIFT APPEAL: We would like your help in reaching out to those in need by providing gifts for children and adults this Christmas. Please donate an age-appropriate gift for a child or mother by selecting a gift tag from SVP members who will be outside the churches on 25th/26th Nov. We are supporting: The Angel Tree Project which delivers donated gifts to the children of prisoners, the Women’s Refuge and families and individuals supported by the SVP locally. We are asking for sweet and savoury items; chocolates, biscuits, etc. and toiletries; shampoo, conditioner, shower gels, toothpaste. Individual food and toiletries items can be brought in and placed in the collection boxes at the back of OLI and HN Churches the weekends of 25/26th November and 2/3rd December. Please ensure that gifts are new and food is in use by date until at least the end of January 2024. No second-hand clothing, goods or toys, please. Thank you in advance for turning your concern into action.

REFRESHMENTS AFTER 9AM MASS OLI: There will be tea, coffee and mince pies, after the 9am Mass in OLI. Proceeds go to CAFOD and Missio.

PARISH CHRISTMAS DRAW: will take place in 2 weeks’ time on Friday, 8th December after the Patronal Feast Mass in OLI church hall. Please could you return your counterfoils & money as soon as possible in an envelope and place in the Sunday collection plate, or bring them in to the Parish office. Lovely prizes to be won!

CHRISTMAS FLOWER COLLECTION AT ST AUGUSTINE: We will be having a collection for Christmas Flowers on Sunday the 11th December. Thank you in advance for helping make the Church so beautiful for the birth of Our Lord.

SCHOOL ADMISSIONS - CERTIFICATE OF CATHOLIC PRACTICE FORMS: Fr Martin will be signing the ‘Certificate of Catholic Practice’ forms in Our Lady Immaculate Church between 17:30-18:30 on Thursday 14th December 2023 and Tuesday 9th January 2024. He will have the Certificate of Catholic Practice forms available, if families could please bring their child's baptism certificate with them.

SECOND COLLECTION TODAY - WORLD YOUTH SUNDAY: World Youth Day is a unique opportunity to celebrate the role and significance of young people in the Catholic Church, along with the global Church, and is celebrated on the feast of Christ the King. There will be a second collection for the Brentwood Catholic Youth Service, and any money raised on will go towards supporting those in need of financial support to go on pilgrimages and to events, as well as allowing the BCYS to continue running events, such as the monthly Youth Masses, provide support and training to those working with young people and so much more. Please pray for all our young people and those who work with them. To find out more about the work of the BCYS, please visit www.bcys.net

THE CATHOLIC WOMEN'S LEAGUE: will meet in The Parish Hall on Monday 27th November at 7.30pm. All welcome.

FORTY HOURS DEVOTION IN OUR LADY IMMACULATE CHURCH LEADING TO THE PATRONAL FEAST: in celebration of the Immaculate Conception of Our Lady on the 8th December.

Tuesday 5th Dec - Opening Mass at 6:30pm followed by adoration until 10:15pm closing with Night Prayer and Benediction.
Wednesday 6th Dec - Mass at 7:30am followed by adoration until 7:45pm closing with Night Prayer and Benediction.
Thursday 7th Dec - Mass at 7:30am followed by adoration until 7:45pm closing with Night Prayer and Benediction.
Friday 8th Dec - Morning Prayer at 7:30am followed by adoration until 7:15pm. At 7:30pm the Mass for the Patronal Feast will begin.

Sign up sheets for a period of adoration will be available in the Our Lady Immaculate Church to ensure that the Blessed Sacrament is not alone in the church during these 40 hours. Please sign up. All are welcome to attend at any time.

MEDUGORJE PRAYER EVENING 29th NOVEMBER: All are welcome to our monthly evening of catechesis and prayer. Beginning with the Holy Rosary, followed by a talk the evening will end with an extended time of adoration with some refreshments for you as you leave. These nights look to inform, encourage and enrich all who attend, building up our parish life and community. Come along this month and hear Suzanne Davison from our Parish share her testimony of how Our Lady brought her back from a turbulent and troubled life to Jesus and the safety of our Catholic faith. 7pm-9pm at St Augustine's Church.

CHRISTMAS FAYRE THANK YOU: Our Christmas Fayre took place last Sunday and was a lovely occasion for the Parish, raising a wonderful £3,252.49 for church funds. Many thanks go to all who donated goods or supported the Fayre in any way, especially our valiant helpers, who worked so hard to make it all happen.

CHELMSFORD CATHOLIC YOUTH: A new faith and fun filled group is being formed for the young people of Chelmsford (school years 9-11), The group will meet on alternate Friday evenings during term time between 6:45pm and 8:30pm.

This course of faith exploration will serve as an excellent preparation for those young people currently in Year 10 and who are hoping to present themselves for sacramental preparation for Confirmation in 2024. Sessions will take place in the St Anne Line Building at Saint John Payne Catholic School.

Forms are available at the back of the churches to register interest for the program and contain further details, also available on our website. Please return to the Parish office by the 8th December.

FOR CURRENT VACANCIES IN BRENTWOOD DIOCESE: Across the schools and departments please see: https://www.dioceseofbrentwood... New this week: Office Clerk at Cathedral House, Brentwood and Parish Centre Co-ordinator in Romford

THE SAINT VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY: provides practical help and support where possible for those who need it. Are you lonely, in need of help, or do you know someone who is? If so, contact us on 07876 551150 to arrange a visit. 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 member of the Legion of Mary can visit you.