Newsletter 1st February 2026

Mass Readings for Sunday, 1st February 2026

First Reading: Zephaniah 2: 3; Zephaniah 3: 12-13
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 146: 6-7, 8-9a, 9bc-10
Second Reading: First Corinthians 1: 26-31
Alleluia: Matthew 5: 12a
Gospel: Matthew 5: 1-12a

APPLICATION FORMS FOR THE SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION 2025: This is now open to all in Yr 10 and above. Application forms are available at the back of the Churches and at https://www.chelmsfordcatholic.co.uk/sacraments/confirmation The deadline for applications to the Parish office is Monday 9th February.

ROSARY IN OUR LADY IMMACULATE: The Rosary will be prayed each week in Our Lady Immaculate before the Lunchtime Mass on Tuesdays starting at shortly after Noon. All welcome.

SECOND COLLECTION NEXT WEEKEND: For the Lourdes Sick and Helpers Pilgrimage fund. Thank you in advance for your generosity.

VACANCY: Parish Administrator for the linked parishes of Our Lady Immaculate, Holy Name and St Augustine – Chelmsford. 
A vacancy has arisen for a Parish Administrator, with financial experience, to provide administrative and financial support to the Parish Office by implementing and maintaining office systems, processes and procedures and delivering a welcoming, appropriate service to those attending the parish office. The post will be full time working 35 hours per week, Monday to Friday. The salary is £14.50 per hour. The closing date for applications is Monday 2nd February 2026 and we will then invite suitable applicants to interview. 
Further information including the job description is available on our website at https://www.chelmsfordcatholic.co.uk/admin-vacancy  If you have any queries or if you would like to apply, please send your CV and/or completed application form to office@chelmsfordcatholic.co.uk or by post to The Presbytery, Beardsley Drive, Springfield, CM1 6GQ

WELCOMERS NEEDED FOR THE 7PM MASS: To assist the Mass in Our Lady Immaculate Church on Sundays. If you could help welcome all to Mass and support our priests on a rota in Our Lady Immaculate Church please speak to one of the welcomers at Mass or our Priests. Help for this wonderful ministry would be greatly appreciated.

ALTAR SERVER TRAINING IN OUR LADY IMMACULATE: During the Sundays of Lent there will be a new altar server course between 10:30am-11:30am on Sundays with the new servers serving for the first time on Easter Sunday. Please see Mick or Vince at Mass for further information.

MUSIC AT BLESSED SACRAMENT: Live Music at Blessed Sacrament Hall on 7th February Back by popular demand for the second year running. The band 'The Approach' will be playing popular classic rock and pop music from over the decades on Saturday 7th February starting at 7.30pm. This evening promises to be a great night of good live music, dancing and singing along to the songs. Tickets cost £10 each and are available on the door or ring Jenny on 07904 903800 to reserve your tickets. Come along and join in with the entertainment and bring your families and friends with you. 

PARISH OFFICE: Closed on Tuesday 3rd of February. 

LENTEN TALKS AT NEW HALL: Fr Andrew Robinson will be leading a series of Wednesday evening talks on the Passion according to St Matthew. Each session runs from 7.30–8.30pm in the chapel at New Hall School, The Avenue, Boreham, Chelmsford CM3 3HS. The upcoming dates are the 25th February, 4th March, 11th March and 18th March. All are warmly invited. 

LIVESTREAM FROM OUR LADY IMMACULATE: Apologies for the recent poor connection. The fault has been identified as a local area fault and we are trying to resolve it quickly.

NOVENA TO ST JOSEPH: St Joseph's Missionary Society are hosting the yearly Novena to St Joseph March 10th-18th culminating in St Joseph's Feast Day on the 19th March 2026. Should you like to take part, you can look up the daily prayer reflections on the Missio website/write to the Novena Director (Novena Director 6 Colby Gardens, Maidenhead Berks, SL6 7GZ) for a short reflective prayer pamphlet/ send off a petition slip (with stipend) for intentions to be put before the statue of St Joseph and included in masses every day. See posters in church for further contact details. St Joseph, pray for us!  Email: novenamhm@gmail.com  www.millhillmissionaries.com

ST AUGUSTINE 160 CLUB: Last Sunday we had the last draw for the 160 Club,  but we do not know who the winner is.    Can C. O'Sullivan please speak to Cath or Chris so that we can arrange to get the prize money to you, please?    We are now collecting for the next year,  so if you are a shareholder,  or would like (or feel that you ought) to join, speak to Chris about paying and getting your numbers.    We are hoping to get back to 200 members again, but need some new members to do so.

LATEST 200 CLUB WINNERS IN OLI: If you would like more information about the 200 club, please contact the Parish Office. 
December 2025 winners:        January 2026 winners:
7th     92   J Lyons            4th    83  I Feniczek-Ward
14th   19   J Coward Talbot        11th  132  A O'Shea
21st   101  A Welsh-Smyth        18th   7    L Brennan
28th   85   L Ward            25th  14  J Holland

YOUTH MASS AT BRENTWOOD CATHEDRAL:  On Thursday 5th February 2026 the regular monthly Youth Mass will be celebrated at Brentwood Cathedral. The evening begins at 6pm in the Parish Hall with Mass in the cathedral at 7:30pm finishing around 8:30pm. All young catholics from around the diocese are welcome to join. See info@bcys.net for more information.

LENT 2026 ONLINE BIBLE STUDY – A free six-week online Lent course led by Mauro Iannicelli (Come & See Catholic Formation Ministries), exploring each of the Lenten Sunday Gospels to deepen your understanding of the Scriptures and the Mass. Tuesdays from 17 February 2026, 7.00–8.15pm (UK time). Info and registration: comeandsee.org/lent26. See posters in church for more information.

MENS FOOTBALL CLUB AT NEW HALL: A new football club for men of all abilities is starting in New Hall on Monday evenings in term time, promoting men's mental health.

It will be  at New Hall School, 3G Astro North Gate Entrance, CM1 6FU. For further information please see the posters in church or email r.schreiber@newhallschool.co.uk 

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: Support many through their prayer and in person ministry across the Parish. They meet in OLI Hall on Tuesdays at 10am and Holy Name Canon Wilson Hall on Thursdays at 7pm. New members always welcome.

PLEASE PRAY FOR THE SOULS OF THOSE WHO HAVE DIED RECENTLY AND ALL FAMILIES WHO MOURN.
Ben WILLIAMS (RIP) Requiem Mass on Thursday 5th February at 11am in St Augustine Church.

Ann ARAIN (RIP) Requiem Mass on Thursday 12th February at 2pm in Our Lady Immaculate 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, 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, Cathy Ingram, 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.