Newsletter 6th October 2024

LINKED PARISH PILGRIMAGE TRIP TO WALSINGHAM: This Monday 7th October. The coach will leave Holy Name Church at 7:30am, Our Lady Immaculate at 8am and St Augustine Church at 8:30am. Please contact the Parish Office if you are unable to attend that morning as there is a waiting list for places.

Pilgrims of Hope 2025 across our Chelmsford Catholic Parish Partnership: As we prepare for the Holy Year 2025 our focus in these coming months is Prayer. The second of our parish prayer talks will be on Thursday 10th October 2024 at 7:30pm in St Augustine Church with the Servite Sisters on "Mary and Prayer".

Youth Gather, Essex Outdoors, East Mersea, 26th – 27th October: For anyone in year 9 and above, join us for a weekend of speakers, workshops, prayer, the chance to try archery or climbing, socialise with friends old and new, and all while sharing in and celebrating our Catholic faith. Applications are now open and you can apply at www.bcys.net/events/youth-gath.../

September 2025 intake – Our Lady Immaculate Catholic Primary School tour: Our Lady Immaculate Catholic Primary School are holding their school tours for prospective parents on Thursday, 17th October at 10am, Tuesday, 22nd October at 2pm and Thursday, 7th November at 10am. Places are limited so please telephone the school office on 01245 353755 to book the tour.

SVP Chelmsford Fundraising: Step Up Your Style For Less! Expert Tips on restyling your home on a budget: A fun, friendly interactive fundraising event to on Saturday 12th of October at 11.15am in Our Lady Immaculate Church Hall. Entrance £8.00. All proceeds go to the Brentwood Vinnie Summer Camp 2025, which offers the opportunity of a short holiday packed with fun activities and friendship to boys and girls who may well be in need of a break because of family problems such as unemployment, illness, bereavement or relationship breakdown. To book your place email : SecretarySVPChelmsford@svp.org.uk or text 07531241124.

Retreat Manager at Walsingham House: Walsingham House is an integral part of the youth ministry in our diocese. They are seeking to appoint a Retreat Manager who can oversee the smooth running and delivery of retreats to our schools and parishes. It is essential that applicants have experience in youth ministry. For more information please see their website https://bcys.net/news/vacancie... The closing date is Tuesday 15th October.

Calling married couples of all ages! As part of the Holy Year “Pilgrims of Hope”, Chelmsford parishes will be offering the enriching experience of the Alpha Marriage Course (see article in the latest Parish magazines), to run during Lent and starting on Monday 3rd March. Please register your interest early at office@chelmsfordcatholic.co.uk to ensure that we have the course material ready for you.
Book for sale: Raymond Perrier, parishioner and head of the Denis Hurley Centre in Durban South Africa which we support, has written a book about a layman who is an inspiring example of living the mission of Vatican II. Available for £15 from Phil Perrier: call or message 07957 655238. tinyurl.com/333jvpn3

From the Canonesses of the Holy Sepulchre: Recruitment - Cook (Job share) Two cooks required to work via a job share in a unique position within a small Religious Community based in Colchester – The Canonesses of the Holy Sepulchre. 12-7pm. Two days per week and alternate weekends
Additionally the Canonesses are hosting a talk by Prof Tina Beattie at New Hall School. The talk, followed by discussion, starts at 7pm on Oct 8th. Refreshments will be served from 6.30pm. All are welcome but need to register via the following link: https://canonesses.co.uk/event...

THINKING OF THE PRIESTHOOD: The next “Enquirers’ Evening” for those considering or interested in a vocation to the priesthood is on Tuesday 8 October at Brentwood Cathedral. The speaker will be Fr Mark Reilly. For further information please contact Fr Mark Swires: vocprom@brcdt.org

SVP Games Night in aid of South Sudan - thank you to everyone who came along on the night or made donations of raffle prizes, cakes and cash. So far we have raised £415. This was a new format but we'll definitely try it again. Thank you for your support.

ROSARY BEFORE MASSES: Before all Sunday Masses during the month of October the rosary will be prayed in Our Lady Immaculate and Holy Name churches.

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION CATECHISTS: Would you like to help with our First Communion Programme this year? If so please contact Fr Damien in person or via the Parish Office.

CAN YOU HELP? A young Parishioner of our linked Parishes has recently completed her Masters. She is looking for an entry level finance position. If you can help or know a company that can help, please contact the parish office for her details.

LINKED PARISHES CHRISTMAS FAYRE – SUNDAY 24th NOVEMBER: We are starting to collect items suitable for sale at our forthcoming Christmas Fayre. Donations of toiletries, new items, bric a brac, jewellery, bottles for the bottle stall, toys, and christmas foods etc. All donations very much appreciated and can be left in the boxes available at the back of our churches. Thank you in advance for supporting this very enjoyable event, which raises much needed funds for the Parishes. For any enquiries and offers of help, please contact Anne on (01245) 257463.

LINKED PARISH CHRISTMAS DRAW TICKETS: Our Christmas Draw tickets will be handed out next Sunday 13th and again on Sunday 20th October. Please take as many of the books as you can to sell to friends and family. 1st prize £300, 2nd prize a large Christmas hamper and many more hampers and lovely prizes to be won! This is a special fundraiser, run in conjunction with the Christmas Fayre, to raise essential funds for the running of our parishes. Please do support your parish, and try to make this the best result ever! With many thanks. Counterfoils and money from sold ticket books can be put in an envelope and placed in the Sunday collection plate or left at the Parish office.

Open House Billericay: Saturday, 12th October 2024 :On Saturday, 12th October the Most Holy Redeemer Church, Billericay will be hosting a day focusing on parish renewal with talks and workshops designed to help parishes transition from maintenance to mission. Bishop Alan will also be presiding at the Midday Mass. Get inspired by priests and parishioners as they share stories of transformation. Hear what they are learning and dream about the change that could be possible in your own parish. The day will last from 9.30am to 5pm and the cost is £20 per person. In order to attend you need to register in advance by following this link: https://divinerenovation.org/e...

BAPTISMS THIS WEEK: We pray for and welcome Freya and Dulcie Strange as the newest members of our Catholic community.

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.

Teresa BAKER (RIP) Requiem Mass on Wednesday 16th October at 2pm in Our Lady Immaculate Church
Margaret O'Donnell (RIP) Funeral Service to be arranged
Michael Walsh (RIP) Funeral Service to be arranged

PLEASE PRAY FOR THE SICK AND HOUSEBOUND OF OUR PARISHES, (AND ALL WHO ARE SICK.)
Jennifer Bowman, Maureen Byrne, Marie Callahan, Josephine Cheshire, Valerie Cummins, Myrtle Collopy, Doreen Cornish, Mary Denning, Madeleine East, Troy Erickson, Marta Fevola, Mary Fletcher, Michael Hoare, Mike Healy, John Grainger, Robert Godfrey, Connor Hickey, Sheila Hughes, Bill Innes, Maureen Leatherdale, Stuart Lucas, Margaret Lowrey, Maura Magee, Barry Mayo, Sarah & Henry McKeon, Monica McShane, Donny McColl, Grazia Paola, Christine Staines, Rose Turner, Patrick Waters, Anja Welsh-Smyth, Gayle Williams & Shirley Willis.