Newsletter 19th April 2026

Mass Readings for Sunday, 19th April 2026 - Third Sunday of Easter 

First Reading: Acts 2: 14, 22-33
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 16: 1-2, 5, 7-8, 9-10, 11
Second Reading: First Peter 1: 17-21
Alleluia: Luke 24: 32
Gospel: Luke 24:13-35

ST GEORGE'S DAY - 23RD APRIL: We remember and celebrate St George, patron saint of England, a model of courage, faith, and unwavering witness to Christ. Though little is known of his life, his example reminds us to stand firm in our beliefs and to live with bravery and trust in God.As we mark this day, may we be inspired by St George to face our own challenges with faith and hope, and to remain strong in our commitment to the Gospel.This feast will be celebrated at Mass in both Holy Name and St Augustine Churches. All are warmly invited to join us in prayer. St George, pray for us.

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.

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. All application details are at https://boscocamp.co.uk. Places are likely to go quickly – early applications are encouraged.

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.

HOLY HOUR SUNDAY THE 19TH APRIL: This 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. ST AUGUSTINE'S 200 CLUB: We are approaching the first draw of the 200 Club, and we have passed last year's number of participants. We are hoping to reach our target of 200 shares taken and have a couple of weeks to reach the target. Contact Chris Thompson at Mass (or on thompsoncjt01@blueyonder.co.uk) and give us cash or pay directly.

CAFOD: Belated thanks. Apologies for the lateness of this item in the newsletter but a big thank you to the parishioners of OLI and HN for their continued support for Cafod. As a result of our Lenten appeal in March we raised £1359.86. We also raised a further £190 from the soup lunch held at HN. Thank you to all who came to support us.

BAPTISMS THIS WEEKEND: We welcome Joshua, Kingsley and Morgan as the newest members of our Catholic Community. Please keep them and their families in your prayers.

BRING & SHARE THANK YOU LUNCH FOR GINNY 16 MAY In thanks for Ginny's hard work for the parishes, we will be holding a thank you lunch after the noon Mass at St Augustine on Saturday 16 May. All welcome. There is a sheet at St Augustine for signing up for food donations but if you are attending from another Mass centre, please bring something suitable to share at a buffet lunch. Many thanks

VACANCIES: St. Peter’s Catholic Primary School, Billericay are seeking to appoint a Classroom Teacher for September 2026. For more information about the position and to apply, please visit: https://www.essexschoolsjobs.co.uk/Vacancies/Details.aspx? VacancyId=118041. Closing date is Midday on Friday 24th April 2026.

Deputy Headteacher - Holy Family Catholic Primary School, Benfleet Deadline for applications: 23:59 Thursday 30th April 2026

Headteacher - St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Stanford Le Hope Deadline for applications: 23:59 Thursday 30th April 2026

Headteacher – St Mary’s Catholic Primary School, Hornchurch Deadline for applications: 17:00 pm 1st May 2026

Headteacher - St Thomas More's Catholic Primary School, Colchester Deadline for applications: 09:00 am Tuesday 5th May 2026

HOLY ROSARY takes place at 12Noon every Tuesday and at 11:00am after the 10:30am Mass on Saturdays. The First Saturday Devotions Rosary and Fatima prayers are prayed at 11:00am after the 10:30am Mass.

BCYS SUMMER LOURDES PILGRIMAGE A small number of last-minute places are now available for the BCYS Youth Service Pilgrimage to Lourdes, open to young people currently in Year 10 and above. There are a number of funding opportunities available. Find out more and apply at: www.bcys.net/events/sl26

WORLD YOUTH DAY 2027 (Seoul, South Korea) Be part of something extraordinary at World Youth Day 2027 in Seoul, South Korea. Travel with the Brentwood Catholic Youth Service to join hundreds of thousands of young Catholics from around the world, gathered with Pope Leo for this global celebration of faith. Open to those currently in Year 13 and above. Details and applications: www.bcys.net/events/ wyd27

BCYS YOUTH MASS The next Youth Masses will take place at Brentwood Cathedral on Thursday 7th May, 4th June and 2nd July. It is open to any young people from around the Diocese to enjoy pizza, prayer, workshops and celebrate Mass together! For more information, please visit www.bcys.net/events

DIOCESAN WALSINGHAM PILGRIMAGE Saturday 23rd May Representatives from the BCYS will be joining the Diocesan Pilgrimage to Walsingham, and we would like to invite other young people to join and assist with the liturgy. Please contact gabriellaskinner@brcdt.org if you are interested.

FLAME 2027 – Saturday 6th March, OVO Wembley Arena We already have a group of 1,000 people from the Diocese registered to attend this national event, full of speakers, musicians, artists, guest organisations and concluding with Adoration. A limited number of early bird tickets (£30) remain available. To book for a group, please complete the form: https://forms.office.com/e/KTevSZwGQH

WALSINGHAM HOUSE TEAM APPLICATIONS Applications are open for those finishing Year 13 or university who are interested in a year of volunteering at Walsingham House. It is a unique opportunity to grow in faith, serve others and gain key life skills along the way! For further information, please email clairebailey@brcdt.org.

CHELMSFORD CATHOLIC PARISHES BANQUET.New Hall School, Saturday 25th April. A reminder the arrival time is 7 for 7.30. Carriages at 10.Could you please park in the car park to the left of the main building. It is fine to drop off at the main entrance. Any questions please contact Paul at. paulcrittell@icloud.com Many thanks on behalf of the Knights of St Columba.

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.

Kevin Mcbrearty (RIP) & Santi Williamson (RIP)

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.