Newsletter 26th July 2026

Mass Readings for Sunday, 26th July 2026 - Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (A)

First Reading: First Kings 3: 5, 7-12
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 119: 57, 72, 76-77, 127-128, 129-130
Second Reading: Romans 8: 28-30
Alleluia: Matthew 11: 25
Gospel: Matthew 13: 44-52

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 you would like to have a family Rosary in your home - or if you would like to know to pray the Rosary - please contact one of our Legionaries on the following numbers - Mary 07709702703 or Maria 07788837343 to arrange a mutually convenient time. Thank you.

DIVINE MERCY PRAYERS: will take place in Our Lady Immaculate Church every Monday at 2.50 pm.

TUESDAY CLUB: You are more than welcome to join our Tuesday Club every Tuesday at the Our Lady Immaculate Church Parish Hall from 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m.

FLOWER GROUP: You are warmly invited to join our flower group at St Augustine. Either regularly or occasionally. No experience needed. Please contact Angie Mear or Cily Tomy after mass or leave a message with the parish office.

CAFOD-DEC VENEZUELA EARTHQUAKE APPEAL: Can you help our neighbours affected by the 24th June earthquakes in Venezuela with emergency shelter, water and food. Your donation will provide essential supplies and help families rebuild their lives. Donate to the

CAFOD-DEC Venezuela Earthquake Appeal today: cafod.org.uk/Venezuela or call 0300 999 0030 or scan the QR code.

ANGLIA RUSKIN UNIVERSITY: If you are a Catholic studying at Anglia Ruskin University from this September, please get in touch with Fr Bartolomeu in person or via the Parish Office.

KNIGHTS OF ST COLUMBA: On Wednesday, 7 October, Chelmsford Knights of St. Columba will be presenting their Annual Lecture on the topic “Why Youth Ministry”. The speaker will be Fr. Michael Barwick, St. Augustine’s Church, Springfield (CM1 6GQ) at 20.00 on Wednesday, 7 October.

BCCS: You are invited to an exclusive, personal tour of Ingatestone Hall, conducted by the Petre family, of their Grade I listed building and gardens, followed by a hot drink and homemade biscuit. Thursday 03rd September, 11:00-15:30 Entry is £25 per person - book online today: www.bccs.org.uk/get-involved/events-campaigns/

CHILDRENS LITURGY AT ALL CHURCHES: We will be taking a summer holiday break resuming on Sunday 6th September. We hope your children have had fun understanding the Gospel and we look forward to seeing you all again in September. If anyone would like to join our group to help to deliver the Gospel to our children, please speak with Fr Barto or email the Parish Office.

SCHOOL AND DIOCESAN VACANCIES PARISH OUR LADY IMMACULATE SCHOOL: Two vacancies have arisen for a Catering Assistant and Ark Club Receptionist. Catering Assistant Permanent Part time term time only 38 weeks per year Scale 2 point 4 Actual salary £4,259 (FTE £25,185) Position Start Date: September 26 Application deadline: 4th September Shortlisting: 7th September Interviews: 10th September. Ark (After school) Club Receptionist Permanent Part time term time only 38 weeks per year Scale 2 Actual salary £6,388 (FTE £25,185) Position Start Date: October 26 Application deadline: 11th September Shortlisting: 14th September Interviews:18th September. Full details of the posts and how to apply can be found at Job Vacancies – Our Lady Immaculate School and Essex Schools Jobs - Teaching Jobs and Support Staff Jobs in Essex

BOOKKEEPER CATHEDRAL HOUSE: A vacancy has arisen for a Parish Bookkeeper, to provide dedicated support in respect of financial control and reporting functions to individual Parishes and manage the day-to-day parish related accounting function within the central finance department. . The post will be primarily based at Cathedral House for 14 hours a week over two days, with some travel to parishes required. The full job description is available at www.dioceseofbrentwood.net/ diocese/working-for-us The closing date for applications is 31st July 2026 If you have any queries or if you would like to apply, please send your CV to hr@brcdt.org

COFFEE IN THE CATHEDRAL: Sat 1 Aug 10:00 - 12:00 Chelmsford Cathedral, CM1 1TY Join us for tea, coffee and homemade scones in the beautiful surroundings of the Cathedral.

CATECHISTS WANTED: If you would like to join the catechist teams for First Holy Communion, RCIA or Confirmation please get in touch with the Parish Office to find out more.

SAFEGUARDING MEETING: For all involved with work across our Parishes. Date for your diary - Wednesday 16th September at 7:30pm a meeting for all in Our Lady Immaculate Parish Hall with all current and prospective DBS holders.

PARISH READERS: If you are interested in becoming a reader in Church, please contact the parish office. On Wednesday 30th September there will be a retreat evening in Our Lady Immaculate Church at 6:30pm for all current and prospective readers from across our Parishes.

OLI WEEKLY COLLECTION COUNTERS: If you are interested in supporting Our Lady Immaculate with the weekly counting of collections, Please see Fr Barto or parish office for more information.

THANK YOU: A huge thank you to all of you who came to our Cream Tea and Pimms event at HN It was a very enjoyable occasion and the Pimms was much appreciated! We raised £367 for CAFOD. Thank you so much for your generosity and continued support

PLEASE PRAY FOR THE SOULS OF THOSE WHO HAVE DIED RECENTLY AND ALL FAMILIES WHO MOURN: Please pray for the soul of Mary Fletcher who passed away recently, Requiem Mass will be held at St Augustine of Canterbury on Tuesday 18th August at 1:45pm.

 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,  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, Patrick Waters, Anja Welsh-Smyth, Paddy Westrip, Gayle Williams, Mary and Rodney Jefferies, Xi and Donald, Charles, Susie and Irene, Martin Fox.