Newsletter 2nd August 2026

Mass Readings for Sunday, 2nd August 2026 - Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (A)

First Reading: Isaiah 55: 1-3
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 145: 8-9, 15-16, 17-18
Second Reading: Romans 8: 35, 37-39
Alleluia: Matthew 4: 4b
Gospel: Matthew 14: 13-21

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SR CASIMIR: Sr Casimir is 90 years old this weekend, God Bless you

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.

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

CATHOLIC TEACHING IN THE WORLD OF AI: Pope Leo has recently published Magnifica Humanitas, anencyclical letter on ‘safeguarding the human person in the time of artificial intelligence’. It puts ‘artificial intelligence’ in the context of Catholic Social Teaching. The Holy Father writes: ‘In the era of artificial intelligence, when human dignity is treated by new forms of dehumanisation, ours is the pressing duty to remain profoundly human.’. Saturday 26th September 2026 at the Catholic Church of Christ the Eternal High Priest in Gidea Park, beginning at 11 am. The event is in-person but is also available live-stream from www.whatgoodnews.org The talk will be of particular interest to our young people, with their IT competence.

THE PRIESTS RETURN TO THE BRENTWOOD DIOCESE!: Fr Eugene O'Hagan and Fr. Martin O'Hagan - formerly of the celebrated singing trio 'The Priests' - invite you to join them at a one-off charity weekend, hosted by and in support of the Brentwood Catholic Children's Society - this is an occasion not to be missed! 09th-10th October at The Lawnsdd, Rochford - for full details and to purchase tickets, please visit www.bccs.org.uk/get-involved/events-campaigns/ or contact Julie Abbott 07912 277413

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.

200 CLUB WINNERS

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

Mary Fletcher, Requiem Mass will be held at St Augustine of Canterbury on Tuesday 18th August at 1:45pm. Eileen Hyland, Requiem Mass will be held at St Augustine of Canterbury on Thursday 20th August at 11am.

Please also pray for James Vincent O’Hare who passed away during the week.

PLEASE PRAY FOR THE SICK AND HOUSEBOUND OF OUR PARISHES, (AND ALL WHO ARE SICK.) Thomas Welsh-Smyth, James Patient, 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, 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, , Donny McColl, Henry McKeon, Monica McShane, 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.