Newsletter 12th April 2026

Mass Readings for Sunday, 12th April 2026 - Devine Mercy Sunday

First Reading: Acts 2: 42-47
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 118: 2-4, 13-15, 22-24
Second Reading: First Peter 1: 3-9
Alleluia: John 20: 29
Gospel: John 20: 19-31

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

In the light and joy of the Easter season, I wish to express my profound gratitude to each and every one of you. Celebrating these Holy Days for the first time as your parish priest, across our three parishes, has been a deeply moving and grace-filled experience.

I give thanks to God for the vibrant faith and generous spirit shown in your presence at the Sacrament of Reconciliation and in the Solemn Liturgical Celebrations of Holy Week and Easter. Your prayerful participation has been a true witness to the living presence of the Risen Lord among us.

I extend my sincere appreciation to all who contributed in any way to the preparation and celebration of these sacred days. Mindful that I may unintentionally omit someone, I offer a heartfelt and collective word of thanks to all whose dedication, service, and generosity helped make our celebrations so meaningful and reverent.

I am especially grateful for your kind Easter greetings, cards and for the generous offerings presented to the priests. Your thoughtfulness is received with sincere appreciation and humility. I also wish to convey the sincere thanks of the assistant priest, Fr Michael for your generosity, your presence, and your active participation in the life of the parish during this important time.

I would like, in a particular way, to express my gratitude to the the Fr Roysten and Fr Felician who so generously assisted us during Holy Week and the Easter celebrations. Their availability and fraternal support were a great help and a true sign of priestly communion. This Easter has also been marked by particular moments of grace within our community, especially in the baptism of two adults and the confirmation of eleven candidates, nine of whom were received into full communion with the Catholic Church. We give thanks to God for the gift of their faith and for the witness they offer to us all. Many thanks to those who were involved in their preparation.

At the same time, I wish to acknowledge that, during the busy and intense days of Holy Week, there may have been moments when some felt overlooked or disappointed, or when we were unable to respond to everyone as we would have wished. For this, I sincerely apologise and thank you for your understanding.

I also ask for your continued patience as I complete these first three months of my ministry among you. This period has involved significant transition, including the change of parish leadership, the move into the new presbytery, and the relocation of the parish office to the new presbytery, along with ongoing practical challenges, particularly concerning communication services. I am deeply grateful for your understanding and support throughout this time.

Finally, I wish to express my heartfelt thanks for your kindness, generosity, and the many ways you have helped in preparing and settling the new presbytery. Your goodness and spirit of service are a true blessing to me and to our whole parish family. Entrusting you all to the peace and joy of the Risen Christ, and assuring you of my prayers,

I remain Yours sincerely in Christ,

Be joyful! Be blessed! Do good! Smile!

Fr Bartolomeu Blaj

CHURCH OF HOLY NAME , is holding Divine Mercy Devotion on Divine Mercy Sunday on 12th April 2026 starting with Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Adoration at 2.30pm, continuing with Divine Mercy Chaplet at 3.00pm, All are welcome.

LOURDES WITH OUR DIOCESE: Join Bishop Alan and pilgrims from across our diocese in Lourdes this summer: Friday 17th - Friday 24th July 2026. Bookings open at https://www.tangney-tours.com/ brentwood

DEVOTIONS IN OUR LADY IMMACULATE CHURCH: On Fridays at 2:40pm each week parishioners lead the Divine Mercy devotions. All are warmly invited to join them in prayer.

THE SAINT VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY: The SVP provides practical help to those in need. If you or someone you know could use support, call us on 07936 579230, or contact the Parish Office.

THE LEGION OF MARY: Meet every Tuesday at 10am in OLI Parish Hall. If you would like to pray and put your faith in action, then why not come along and give us a try and help us spread the faith through local ministry and community outreach. All warmly welcome.

ST PETER'S PARISH DAGENHAM (RM9 6UR), is holding Divine Mercy Devotion on Divine Mercy Sunday on 12th April 2026 starting with Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Adoration at 2.00pm, continuing with Divine Mercy Chaplet at 3.00pm, and finishing with refreshments in the Liturgy Room. Confessions available from 2.15pm. All are welcome.

BRENTWOOD CATHEDRAL RECITAL: On Wednesday 15th April at 4:00pm, Brentwood Cathedral is delighted to welcome the Durham University Choir for their first visit. Conducted by Cameron Davies, the programme will include works by Poulenc, Cooke, Bruckner, Harris, Marsh, Rheinberger, and Howells, with the Requiem dedicated to Margaret MacLeay. Admission is free, and as it falls during the Easter break, it is a wonderful opportunity to encourage our young people to attend.

ROSARY AND ADORATION takes place at 9:50am before the 10:30am Mass on Saturdays. The First Saturday Devotions - Adoration, Rosary and Fatima prayers are prayed at 9:50am before the 10:30am Mass on the First Saturdays of the month.

HOLY NAME LADIES GROUP: would like to say thank you for the support they received for the Easter raffle. A sum of £260 was raised which will go towards supporting the youth of the Parish.

ST JOHN BOSCO CHILDREN'S CAMP, SUMMER 2026: Applications are now open for children currently in school year 5 – 7 (i.e. aged 9-12 in August 2026) to spend a week at camp. 25th July – 1st August or 1st – 8th August. Activities include archery, fishing, AquaPark visit, football, kayaking and much more. The camp is especially for children who may not otherwise have a summer holiday. Suggested donation £200, but full bursaries are available. All application details are at https:// boscocamp.co.uk. Places are likely to go quickly – early applications are encouraged.

NEXT SESSION OF MARANTHA will be in the parish of St. Thomas of Canterbury, 16 East Thurrock Road, Grays, RM17 6SR on Thursday 16th April at 7pm Led by Fr. Paschal Uche. Join us for a joyful evening of praise and worship followed by Mass and Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. Everyone is welcome. There will be refreshments afterwards.

GAMES, CAKES AND CRAFTS. Bank holiday Monday 4th of May, St Augustine's Church, from 11am to 3pm. Fundraising for our summer Pilgrimage with the Brentwood Catholic Youth Services to Lourdes where we'll help pilgrims get around the sanctuary.The money raised will help us fund our trip and bring back medals and holy water bottles for the sick and the prisoners. Come and join us, all welcome. From Madeleine and Sarah.

HOLY HOUR SUNDAY THE 19TH APRIL: next Sunday at 4:30 pm the Catholic Bishops of England and Wales have asked parishes to hold a Holy Hour to pray for the promotion of a culture of life in our lands. We holding this in Our Lady Immaculate Church

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

Jane MCEVOY (RIP) Requiem Mass on Friday 24th April at 11.00am in Church of St Augustine of Canterbury.

Nigel MAGUIRE (RIP) Requiem Mass on Thursday 30th April at 1pm in Our Lady Immaculate Church.

Catherine INGRAM (RIP) Requiem Mass on 29th April at 11am in Holy Name Church.

PLEASE PRAY FOR THE SICK AND HOUSEBOUND OF OUR PARISHES, (AND ALL WHO ARE SICK.)
Susan Ager, Helen Bastian, Annie Blake, Maureen Byrne, Marie Callahan, S.Casimir OSM, Valerie Cummins, Doreen Cornish, Antonia Dias, Victoria Docherty, Peter Dodson, Madeleine East, Troy Erickson, Marta Fevola, Mary Fletcher, Teresa Foster, Moreen Healy. Michael Hoare,  Shelia Hughes, John Grainger, Robert Godfrey, Peter Hamilton, Connor Hickey, , Gary Iliffe,  Maureen Leatherdale, Stuart Lucas,  Anne Lowden, Kevin Lyons, Jim Machin,  Maura Magee,  Shelia Mayo, Henry McKeon, Monica McShane, Donny McColl, Anne Newland, Ann McDonald, Margaret O'Sullivan, Christine Staines, Maureen Sullivan, Patrick Waters, Anja Welsh-Smyth, Paddy Westrip, Gayle Williams.