Newsletter 1st March 2026

Mass Readings for Sunday, 1st March 2026

First Reading: Genesis 12: 1-4a
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 33: 4-5, 18-19, 20, 22
Second Reading: Second Timothy 1: 8b-10
Verse Before the Gospel: Matthew 17: 5
Gospel: Matthew 17: 1-9

FR BARTO WRITES: With gratitude to God and great confidence in the future, we are pleased to welcome Patrycja as our new Parish Administrator. Patrycja joins us with a generous spirit, strong organisational skills, and a genuine desire to serve the life of our parish. In this role, she will be a key point of support for parishioners, clergy, and volunteers alike, helping to ensure that the everyday work of our parish continues with care, efficiency, and warmth. We are very grateful that Patrycja has offered her gifts and time to this community, and we look forward to working closely with her going forward. Please join me in extending a warm welcome and offering her your prayers and support as she settles into this ministry among us. May the Lord bless Patrycja, guide her in her work, and grant her wisdom, patience, and joy in her service to our parish family. Be Holy. Be Joyful. Be Blessed. Do Good and always smile.

EUCHARISTIC MINISTRY TRAINING: All Eucharistic Ministers from our three Chelmsford Linked Parishes are warmly invited to attend a session of training and Adoration on Thursday 19th March at St Augustine of Canterbury Church.  The evening will begin with Adoration from 6.30pm to 7.30pm, followed by training, and will conclude with Adoration and Benediction, finishing at approximately 8.15pm.  This takes place on the Feast of St Joseph, and Frs Barto and Michael would be delighted to spend this time with you. If you are a Eucharistic Minister, please make every effort to attend.

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

THE PARISHIONER MAGAZINE:  Our next edition of the The Parishioner Parish magazine comes out on Easter Sunday. We would be very grateful for any contributions you might like to make, especially items of parish news, from yourself, our schools, parish organisations or any suitable articles, obituaries etc. Articles should be with the editor at theparishioner@hotmail.co.uk by the 8th March. With thanks.

LENTEN LECTURES THIS WEEK: Will take place at Brentwood Cathedral Parish Hall. The theme this year is:  “What does it truly mean to be Catholic?” This Wednesday 4th March 2026 it is Rev Msgr Kevin Hale, Vicar General. on “Being Catholic and the call to holiness as seen in the lives of some recently canonised saints.” For upcoming talks see the website: https://brentwoodcathedral.org.uk/lent-lectures-2026/ 
Also this Wednesday evenings Fr Andrew Robinson will continue leading a series of evening talks on the Passion according to St Matthew. Each session runs from 7.30–8.30pm in the chapel at New Hall School

DEVOTIONS IN OUR LADY IMMACULATE CHURCH: 
On Fridays at 2:40pm each week parishioners will lead the Divine Mercy devotions. All are warmly invited to join them in prayer.
Rosary and Adoration takes place before the 10:30 am Mass on Saturdays. The First Saturday Devotions - Adoration, Rosary and Fatima prayers are prayed before the 10:30am Mass on the First Saturdays of the month.

STATIONS OF THE CROSS DURING LENT:
Mondays before the 7:30pm Mass in Holy Name starting at 7pm
Thursdays after 9:30am  Mass in Holy Name starting at 10am
Fridays after the 9:30am Mass in St Augustine starting at 10am
Fridays at 3pm in Our Lady Immaculate Church

SECOND COLLECTION THIS WEEKEND CAFOD LENTEN APPEAL: There will be a fund-raising appeal this weekend for CAFOD. Thank you in advance for your generous support.

POPES PRAYER INTENTION FOR MARCH: For disarmament and peace. "Let us pray that nations move toward effective disarmament, particularly nuclear disarmament, and that world leaders choose the path of dialogue and diplomacy instead of violence."

LIBRARY BIBLES AND CTS BOOKLETS: We are happy to see that parish is making use of the books in the library!  Please do remember to return library books and CTS booklets when you are finished with them so that others can read them.  Many thanks!

SVP CHELMSFORD FUNDRAISERS FOR MOTHERING SUNDAY: Pick up your ‘Mother’s Day Treat Bag’ for only  £3.50 and make her day!
A fantastic treat for your Mum, Grandma, Nanny or Nonna See more on our website: https://www.chelmsfordcatholic.co.uk/groups/svp

SVP COFFEE MORNING IN OLI: Next Sunday,  the 8th March, tea, coffee, delicious home-baked cakes and savoury foods will be served after 9.00 and 12.00 Masses. There will also be a selection of cakes to take away, on a first come, first served basis. Children/Adults will have an opportunity to buy a Mother's Day Gift bag or picture, so as to be able to give a unique, personally created card or present on Mother's Day. Come and meet your fellow parishioners. Many thanks for your continued generous support for the work of the SVP.

49 CLUB IN HOLY NAME: Winners for the last few months are Diane and Patrick O’Connor, Noreen Hiom, Tamara Calthorpe, Noreen Scanes and K Bushell – congratulations to all of the winners.
If you’d like to be a member of the 49 Club, please contact Sarah Hiom (sarah@hiom.co.uk ) or on 07771 786184.

FOODBANK COLLECTIONS FROM OLI AND HOLY NAME DURING LENT: Thank you for your continued support. Collections continue.

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 on Mondaysy, promoting men's mental health. It will take place at New Hall School, 3G Astro North Gate Entrance, CM1 6FU between 6:30-7:30pm. For further information please see the posters in church or email r.schreiber@newhallschool.co.uk

WALSINGHAM HOUSE TEAM 26/27: Being on the team is a wonderful opportunity to work with young people from across the diocese, live in community and to share and deepen our faith. Applications are open to those aged 18-23 (current Yr13 and above). For more information including the application form please see the website https://bcys.net/whabbotswick/be-on-team/ or email michaelkearns@brcdt.org.

BAPTISMS THIS WEEKEND: Please pray for Ava, Dustin, and Etta and their families as we welcome them as the newest members of our Catholic Community.

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.
Nora SMITH (RIP) Requiem Mass on Friday 6th March at 12:30pm in Our Lady Immaculate Church.
Leszek PLEWA (RIP) Requiem Mass on Thursday 12th March at 11:00am in Our Lady Immaculate Church.
Veronica D'SA (RIP) Requiem Mass on Friday 13th March at 11:30am at Holy Name Church.
Philip CUNNINGHAM (RIP) Requiem Mass on Friday 20th March at 1:00pm 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, 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, 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.