Newsletter 8th September 2024

SECOND COLLECTION THIS WEEK: For Education Sunday and the work of the Catholic Education Service.

SECOND COLLECTION NEXT WEEK: For Evangelii Gaudium (The Joy of the Gospel) Sunday. The funds support evangelisation and the work of the Bishops’ Conference Mission Directorate in England and Wales.

MARRIAGE PREPARATION ONLINE: Many couples enjoy preparing for their wedding with face-to-face meetings with our trained facilitators. However increasingly young people want to do the course via Zoom or Teams. We are looking for 2 or 3 volunteers to join our small, friendly team and be trained to offer the Marriage Care course in this way. The commitment is to offer one hour a fortnight, working from your home via your laptop or equivalent. For a chat to learn more please email Tim Gallagher at tim@tangentresourcing.co.uk or Denise Carter at denise@sunningdalehouse.com

SVP Fund-Raising for South Sudan - 28th September - Hall of Games: In St Augustine Church at 7 pm. We've pinched ideas from a number of popular television games shows for this. 7pm for a 7:15pm start. Teams of 6 to 8 - bring your own team or join a table to form one and meet new people that evening. Various table top rounds which include general knowledge, music, practical skills, deduction and memory "tasks" - hopefully something for everyone! Tickets £7.50 from an SVP member or e-mail TwinningSudan@svp.org.uk . Children free. Bring your own drinks and nibbles. Please do join us, all very welcome.

LINKED PARISH PILGRIMAGE TRIP TO WALSINGHAM: Monday 7th October 2024. Envelopes available at the back of the Churches to book your place on the coach trip leaving from our three Parish churches. The cost is £20 per person. Envelopes can be handed in to the Parish Office or via the collection plate. Limited places still available. If you require any further information please call the Parish Office.

KSC QUIZ ABOUT TOWN: The Knights of St. Columba are organising their Annual Walking Quiz about town, this year in Felsted, on Sunday, September 29th. It is an observation Quiz, no knowledge of Felsted is necessary, and it is suitable for all ages; children have enjoyed previous years quizzes. We will have supper afterwards, but you can join us for the just the Quiz or the supper. This is an ideal opportunity to meet the Knights in an informal way. More details from Chris Thompson on thompsoncjt01@blueyonder.co.uk

Musicians required for the 7pm Mass in Our Lady Immaculate Church: On the fourth Sunday of every month there will be a new music group to lead the singing at the 7pm Mass in Our Lady Immaculate Church. If you would like to join this group please speak with Martin Humphries or contact the Parish Office.

HELP NEEDED: For a partially sighted disabled lady in the parish to shop and clean and general help on Mondays for 3.5 hours and Thursdays for 4 hours in the Springfield area, short term employment also considered. References and access to a car essential. Rates and hours worked negotiable on application. For more information enquire via the Parish Office. Applicants from the Chelmsford locality preferred.

Pilgrims of Hope 2025 across our Chelmsford Catholic Parish Partnership: As we prepare for the Holy Year 2025 our focus in these coming months of the Church worldwide is Prayer. In these coming weeks we are sharing the experience of our own religious communities in Chelmsford and the wider Diocese. All are welcome to join the presentations in these coming weeks that begin at 7:30pm.

Session (1) Thurs 19th Sept in Holy Name Church Hall.
“Introduction to Prayer” with Fr Martin.

Session (2) Thurs 10th Oct in St Augustine.
“Mary and Prayer” with the Servite Sisters.

Session (3) Thurs 7th Nov in St Augustine.
“The early monastic tradition and Prayer” with Fr Michael Burleigh.

Session (4) Thurs 14th Nov in Blessed Sacrament Church.
“St Ignatius and discernment in Prayer” with Bishop Alan.

Session (5) Wed 4th Dec in Our Lady Immaculate Church Hall.
“The Prayer of the Church” with the Canonesses of the Holy Sepulchre.

As we journey through the coming Holy Year we are invited to reflect on our Christian Community as Pilgrims of Hope. We are looking forward to celebrate and reflect on Marriage and family life through offering an Alpha course on marriage during Lent. Events for young people, a pilgrimage to Rome and local shrines are being planned. If you have any other ideas please contact the Parish Office.

CONFIRMATION MASS WITH BISHOP ALAN: will be celebrated at St Augustine of Canterbury Church at 7:30pm on Wednesday 11th September. Everyone is welcome.

PRAISE AND WORSHIP IN BLESSED SACRAMENT CHURCH: 7pm-8pm on Wednesday 11th September. This will take place once a month. All very welcome to attend.
SVP Coffee Morning today in Our Lady Immaculate Church: The SVP will be serving coffee, tea and soft drinks, as well as delicious home- baked cakes after 9.00 am and 12.00 am masses. All are warmly welcome.

QUIZ NIGHT 5th OCTOBER: Run by Chris and the Knights of St Columba at Blessed Sacrament Parish Hall, Melbourne Avenue. £5 a ticket, children free. Bring Friends and family and make a table of 8 or sign up for a table of 8 and make new friends.

THE LINKED PARISH PARENT AND TODDLER GROUP: resumes on Monday 9th September, 9am-11am, in OLI Parish hall. All welcome.

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.

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

Elaine LARNER (RIP) Funeral Service on Friday 20th September at 12:30pm in Our Lady Immaculate Church.

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.