Newsletter 6th April 2025

First Reading: Isaiah 43:16-21

Responsorial Psalm 126 v1-6"What great deeds the Lord worked for us! Indeed we were glad"

Second Reading: Philippians 3:8-14

Gospel: John 8:1-11

STATIONS OF THE CROSS DURING LENT:

Mondays at 7pm in Holy Name Church

Fridays at 12:30pm in Our Lady Immaculate Church

Fridays at 7pm in Blessed Sacrament Church

Saturdays at 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."

HOLY NAME LADIES' GROUP EASTER RAFFLE: to raise funds for any future needs in the Parish. Tickets will be on sale before and after all weekend Masses beginning this weekend. The draw will be on 13th April (Palm Sunday) after 10.30 Mass in Canon Wilson Hall.

FOODBANKS IN OUR CHURCHES DURING LENT: The last collection for foodbank items will be next Sunday, Palm Sunday. Thank you so much for your continued generosity this Lenten season, it helps directly those in need in the local community. For more information about items needed please see the leaflets in church or on our Parish website. In St Augustine we continue to support the Little Free Pantry.

LENTEN LECTURES IN NEW HALL SCHOOL: Continue on Monday evenings at 7pm on the theme of "Pilgrims of Hope and Love of the Stranger." The next talk on the 7th April the talk is from the Srs Margaret and Moira CRSS on "Finding Hope in Fragile Places" They take place in New Hall Barn, near to the southern exit, to the right of the main building. Please note during the school holidays the only entrance is is via Remembrance Avenue. Refreshments provided.

DEVOTIONS TO OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL HELP: take place immediately following the 10:30 AM Mass on Saturday 12th April in Our Lady Immaculate Church. All welcome.

ST AUGUSTINE PRESBYTERY MEETING: There is an update on the way forward with the Presbytery on Tuesday 8th April at 7:30pm in St Augustine Church. If you would like any items to be included on the agenda, please email the Parish Office by Monday 9am.

CLEANING DAY ST AUGUSTINE: on Tuesday 8th April before our Holy Week celebrations begin. If you can help please see Cath Lyons for further details.

HCPT GROUP 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 today after Mass. Thank you for your support!

EASTER LILIES ENVELOPES AVAILABLE: to decorate our Churches for Easter in memory of loved ones. If you would like to make a donation in memory of a deceased loved one, please place in an envelope marked Easter Lilies and pass it to a Priest or the Parish Office. Many thanks for your generosity.

HOLY WEEK AND EASTER SCHEDULE FOR OUR CHURCHES: is now available in leaflets at the back of the Church or online via our website main page header.

KNIGHTS OF ST COLUMBA REFUGEE APPEAL: The Knights of St Columba would like to thank all for the donations given to our churches over this lent. This weekend is the last weekend for donations to the church.

PASTORAL LETTER FROM BISHOP ALAN: This weekend a joint pastoral letter from Bishop Alan and Cardinal Vincent Nichols on The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill with all the Bishops of England and Wales will be read at all Masses on the Fifth Sunday of Lent, 5th and 6th April 2025. A copy of this letter and further resources is is available on our website at https://www.chelmsfordcatholic...

LEGION OF MARY HOUSE ROSARY: Two members of the Legion of Mary will be happy to visit your home to say a rosary with your family during May. If you would like a visit there are sign up sheets at the back of churches or contact the Legion of Mary via the Parish Office.

HUNGRY BUCKET AT HOLY NAME UPDATE: Thanks to the continued generosity of the Holy Name parishioners we have been able to donate £350 to three charities. £150 to Mercy Ships who do such wonderful work on their hospital ships to improve the lives of those who suffer pain or disability, £100 to Shelter Box who work in countries affected by war and famine and £100 to the sisters in Melbourne Chelmsford who work tirelessly for the good of others in their parish and their work in the Democratic Republic of Congo.and Rwanda.Thank you!

The Canonesses of the Holy Sepulchre: warmly invite you to join them at New Hall for two special moments during the Triduum in the chapel. Firstly to join us on Good Friday at 7.30pm "Fauré Requiem" – either come and sing or come and listen. And secondly to come to the Holy Saturday reflection at 10:15am. All very welcome.

YOUNG VINCENTIANS ON THE RADIO: The Young SVP members from St John Payne Catholic School invite you to listen to their Easter Story recording on Sunday, 20th April. Their readings will be broadcast on Chelmsford City Radio and Broomfield Hospital Radio at 9am on Easter Sunday.
Join us for a special time of reflection and prayer. Listen live at www.hrc.org.uk. We wish you all a happy and holy Easter, from the Young Vincentians.

FURNITURE BANK SLEEP OUT: Join us for one night sleepover at the Church of Our Saviour in Chelmer Village to raise money for the vital work they do across the community. Without Springfield Furniture bank, there would be many people in the city sleeping on the floor, they regularly supply beds to people moving in without.
Breakfast will be provided the following morning for those joining the sleepover. For more information speak to a member of the SVP or you can sponsor those taking part at www.justgiving.com/page.anight...

UPCOMING JOB VACANCIES IN THE DIOCESE:
St Marys Catholic Primary school, Hornchurch - Headteacher.
For further details of these roles and other vacancies see https://www.dioceseofbrentwood...

PLEASE PRAY FOR THE SOULS OF THOSE WHO HAVE DIED RECENTLY AND ALL FAMILIES WHO MOURN.

Iroma BENZIE (RIP) Requiem Mass on Tuesday 15th April at 1:30pm at The Church of the Holy Name.

Mary ANTHONY (RIP) Requiem Mass on Wednesday 30th April at 2pm at Our Lady Immaculate Church.

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