Newsletter 26th April 2026

Mass Readings for Sunday, 26th April 2026 - Fourth Sunday of Easter 

First Reading: Acts 2: 14a, 36-41
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 23: 1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6
Second Reading: First Peter 2: 20b-25
Alleluia: John 10: 14
Gospel: John 10: 1-10

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 2:50pm 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. FAMILY ROSARY: If would you like to have Family Rosary in your home in May please contact any of the following numbers: Mary on 07709702703 or Maria on 07788837343.

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.

BAPTISMS THIS WEEKEND: We welcome Zeke and Georginia 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

DIOCESAN VACANCIES: For more information about deputy head and headteacher positions available across the diocese please visit: https://www.essexschoolsjobs.co.uk/Vacancies/Details.aspx? VacancyId=118041. 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.

23rd CHELMSFORD SCOUT GROUP (CATHOLIC): St. George is the Patron Saint of the Scout Movement. To celebrate, the Beavers, Cubs, Scouts and volunteers, are holding their church parade at 9am Mass on 26th at Our Lady Immaculate.Our young members range from age six to 14 ½ . It is never too soon to put a child on the waiting list for Beavers, the younger, the better chance they have of getting a place. If you would like further information about any of our Sections, please speak to any of the Leaders after Mass or see our details on the Church Website.Also, have you ever considered being a volunteer with 23rd Chelmsford Scout Group? Speak to the Leaders about this too.

SYNODAL GROUP: On Wednesday 29th April at 7:30pm in the OLI Hall this group will meet again to pray together and listen to the Holy Spirit and one another, discerning how our group of parishes can grow in a synodal way of being Church - walking together in Communion, Participation and Mission.

EVERY ONES IS A WINNER: Phill Perrier will be holding a Tambola at Holy Name 2nd and 3rd of May. As usual it is for Homless in South Africa.

THE CANONESSES OF THE HOLY SEPULCHRE invite you to talk by dr Austen Ivereigh (ON ZOOM): HOPE FOR THE CHURCH IN A CHANGE OF ERA: THE LEGACY OF POPE FRANCIS - 6th May at 7pm. We are delighted to be joined by Austen Ivereigh (British Catholic writer & journalist – known for his two biographies of Pope Francis).For more details visit www.canonesses.co.uk

SECOND COLLECTION this weekend is for the Promotion of Vocations.

OFFSHOOTS SINGING GROUP: Join us for a peaceful evening of song in a beautiful church setting. Location: Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, 61 London Road, Wickford, SS12 0AW on 29/04 at 8:00pm.

THE LEGACY OF ST FRANCIS OF ASSISI As we mark 800 years since the death of St Francis (3rd October 1226), Fr Alban McCoy OFM Con will speak about how Francis changed the Church of his day. The event will take place in the hall at the Catholic Church of Christ the Eternal High Priest, Gidea Park (RM2 6DH) from 11 am until 1 pm on Saturday 2nd May. Refreshments available from 10.30. Everyone is welcome to this free event, which is also available by live stream on www.whatgoodnews.org

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

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

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

Annette O'TOOLE (RIP) Funeral Service on Monday 27th April at 10am in Chelmsford Crematorium

Kevin MCBREARTY (RIP) Requiem Mass to be arranged

Jack NOLAN (RIP) Funeral to be arranged

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.