Newsletter 7th July 2024

YOUTH 2000 SUMMER FESTIVAL: takes place from Friday 23rd August - Monday 26th August 2024 in the beautiful surroundings of Ampleforth Abbey, North Yorkshire. This festival is an opportunity for young people (aged 16-35) from across the UK to grow in their relationship with God, form friendships and be inspired to live out their faith! Tickets (which include food and accommodation) can be purchased from www.youth2000.org/events. Tickets are also available for priests, religious, families and groups. If you have any questions, please email events@youth2000.org

CAFOD CREAM TEA AT HOLY NAME: We will be holding our annual Strawberry Cream Tea with the promise of a glass of Pimms on Tuesday 16th July at 2.30.pm in the Canon Wilson Hall at Holy Name. All very welcome.

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION NEW HALL PHOTOS AND CERTIFICATES: Memory sticks with the photographs from the New Hall celebration will be available to pick up from the Parish Office from Monday the 8th July. For those who were unable to attend the New Hall Celebration Mass, certificates are also available to be collected from the Parish Office or please email if you would like them to sent out to homes.

PILGRIM VIRGIN STATUE OF OUR LADY OF FATIMA HOME VISITATION: The Pilgrim Virgin Statue of Our Lady of Fatima is now available for home visitation. Families or individuals are encouraged to host the Pilgrim Virgin Statue of our Lady of Fatima in their homes for a week, beginning and ending on a Saturday. Sign up sheets are available in the back of the Church, please speak to a member of the team before or after the 10:30 Mass in OLI Church on Saturdays for more details.

CALLED AND GIFTED TEACHING DAY: On Saturday, 14th September from 9am to 4.15pm at the Most Holy Redeemer Church in Billericay we will be running a “Called and Gifted” teaching day. “Called and Gifted” is a discernment process developed by the Catherine of Siena Institute which enables everyone to understand the gifts and the charisms that God has given to them so that they are able to share these gifts with others. .In order to secure your booking please register your interest before Thursday, 1st August by emailing the Billericay Parish Office at billericay@brcdt.org. If you would like more information about Called & Gifted please visit their website: https://www.calledandgifted.or...

CAN YOU HELP THE KNIGHTS OF ST COLUMBA? The Knights of St Columba are looking to help refugees in local temporary accommodation. There is a requirement for Men's clothing only, specifically trousers and shorts (jeans, joggers or chinos) and for teaching aids, A4 notebooks, pens and pencils. Please leave your donations in the labelled box at the back of the all Churches.
Your donations will be collected by the Knights after the Sunday Masses 6th/7th July and 13th/14th July. The Knights thank you for your support.

CHARITY EVENING WITH 3 COURSE INDIAN MEAL: All are invited on Saturday 13th July 2024 from 6pm for a fundraising event at St Augustine Church in aid of Familia orphanage in Kolkatta, India. The evening will include a three course Indian meal and plenty of entertainment, including a quiz and raffle - with lots of prizes to be won! There are still some tickets left priced at £20 per person and all proceeds will go towards Familia. We hope to see as many of you there as possible for what is sure to be a fun filled evening in aid of a truly worthy cause. Tickets are available in St Augustine before and after the Mass on Sunday. Please speak to Cily or contact the Parish Office for further information.

THANK YOU FROM FR MARTIN: I am deeply touched and grateful for the overwhelming support and generosity shown for my 30th anniversary celebrations. Your prayers, gifts and heartfelt well-wishes have warmed my heart more than words can express. Thank you for celebrating this milestone with me. We are blessed to have such a wonderful community.

THE PARISHIONER - REQUEST FOR ARTICLES: Our next edition of the The Parishioner Parish magazine comes out in September. 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 11th August. With many thanks.

THE CATHOLIC WOMEN'S LEAGUE: next meeting is in Our Lady Immaculate Parish Hall on Monday 8th July at 7:30pm. New members always welcome. Come along and find out more about the CWL and our mission.

BLESSED SACRAMENT CHURCH GARDEN PARTY: Bring and Share Lunch at Blessed Sacrament Church, CM1 2DU. Sunday 14th July From 1pm to 4pm. Please bring your own chairs, drinks and glasses. Many stalls, a tombola, games and family fun. All very welcome.

NEXT WEEKS SECOND COLLECTION - SEA SUNDAY. On Sea Sunday, which falls on 14th July this year, let us pray for seafarers, fishers, and the work of Stella Maris. To find out more about Sea Sunday, please visit: https://stellamaris.org.uk/sea... .

THE SAINT VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY: provides practical support where possible for those who need it. Are you, in need of help, or know someone who is? If so, contact us on 0207 7033030, 07936 579230 or via the Parish Office. All calls are completely confidential. If you would like to donate furniture or are in need, contact the SVP furniture project on 0330 0436474.

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.