Newsletter 31st March 2024

NEW DIOCESAN APPOINTMENT: Earlier this week Bishop Alan appointed Fr Damien as his new Episcopal Vicar for Youth and Formation alongside his ministry here in Chelmsford. The Vicariate that he will lead has responsibility for the work of Brentwood Catholic Youth Service, Walsingham House Retreat Centre and supporting Catechists and Chaplains across the diocese in continuing to form our Young People to live out the Gospel values of Christ confidently in society today. Please pray for the young people of the diocese and Fr Damien as they begin their journey together.

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, Paschal and I are truly grateful. We realise that many people now give to the parish through standing orders and throughout these past years of COVID this has proved absolutely crucial in helping to balance our books. 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 Easter and Christmas 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 ‘Easter’ (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 weekend or in the Easter Offering envelopes available in the back of the Church. For all this and your continued generous support of our parishes…Many thanks!

YOUTH 2000 COME AND SEE: Youth 2000 are running a retreat day for young adults (16-35) on 11th May at Sacred Heart Parish in Wimbledon. It is jam-packed one day event, where people come together as a community of young adults in prayer and friendship. The retreat is an invitation to come as you are, and to come and see who Jesus is and what He can do in your life. The cost £25 and more information can be found at: https://www.youth2000.org/even...

AUXILIARY MEMBERS OF THE LEGION OF MARY are invited to the Legions Annual consecration to Our Blessed Lady (ACIES). This year it will be held in St Teresa of Lisieux Catholic Church CO2 9BE at 2pm on Saturday 6th April.

APPLICATION FORMS FOR CONFIRMATION 2024. This is now open to all Yr 10 and above or students in year 9 who are currently on the Alpha Course. For more information see the website and letters and application forms available in the back of the Church.

REFERENCE REQUESTS: If you require a reference from one of the Priests of the Parish kindly contact them beforehand via the Parish Office.

REFRESHMENTS AFTER MASS ON THURSDAY IN ST AUGUSTINE: Tea, coffee and cakes available. All Welcome.

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION REPOSITORY GIFTS: are now available in Our Lady Immaculate Church repository to purchase after all Masses on Sundays. There are lovely rosaries, books, gift sets, cards and many other religious items available to buy, for any occasion.

THANK YOU FROM HOLY NAME LADIES GROUP: A big thank you to all at Holy Name and OLI who donated so generously to the recent CAFOD Lenten Appeal.We raised £1286.36. It's not too late if you were unable to donate-you can go to cafod.org.uk to donate online. Thank you also to those who came to the Holy Name soup lunch. Thanks to your generosity we raised £168.50. The soup was delicious!

LATEST 200 CLUB WINNERS IN OLI: If you would like to join the 200 club, forms are available at the back of Our Lady Immaculate Church
4th February 125 D Barham
11th February 53 S Kelly
18th February 92 J Lyons
25th February 89 M Fleming
3rd March 2 P Waters
10th March 79 P Flynn

ST AUGUSTINE 200 CLUB: Message from Chris Thompson. "We are approaching the first draw of the 200 Club. We will have a monthly prize fund of at least £60, but we want to get it closer to £100. If you have yet to renew (or increase) your shares you have a couple of weeks to do so, but we are hoping that new shareholders will join us. I can take cash at Mass or you can pay directly via our usual bank details: If you can't find them I can supply them."

YOUTH MASS BRENTWOOD CATHEDRAL: The next Youth Mass is on Thursday 4th April in Brentwood Cathedral. Refreshments from 6pm, Mass at 7:30pm. Unfortunately due to School Holidays there is no Parish Minibus available.

MARRIAGE CARE TRUSTEE ROLE: Marriage Care is a Catholic organisation providing marriage preparation and relationship counselling services across England, Wales and Gibraltar. We are looking for Trustees to strengthen our board and to help us continue to provide vital relationship support services to the Catholic community and beyond. For more information please visit: www.marriagecare.org.uk or email: volunteer@marriagecare.org.uk

FOR CURRENT VACANCIES IN BRENTWOOD DIOCESE: Please see: https://www.dioceseofbrentwood...

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.