Newsletter 9th August 2026

Mass Readings for Sunday, 9th August 2026 - Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (A)

First Reading: First Kings 19: 9a, 11-13a
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 85: 9, 10, 11-12, 13-14
Second Reading: Romans 9: 1-5
Alleluia: Psalms 130: 5
Gospel: Matthew 14: 22-33

FR MICHAEL COLLECTION & LEAVING PARTY: There are Collection envelopes for Fr Michael at the back of church. Fr Michael will be having a leaving party on Friday 4th September in OLI Parish hall. All are welcome, please bring a dish to share and own drinks. If anybody would like to volunteer to help arrange this event please contact the parish office.

A KIND REMINDER FROM PARISH OFFICE: Please note that our opening hours are Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 1:00pm. We kindly ask that you only contact the office during these times so we can manage our workload effectively. If you have an urgent matter outside of these hours, please leave a voicemail and someone will get back to you quickly. Thank you for your support and cooperation.

THE PARISHIONER MAGAZINE: Our next edition of the Parishioner Parish magazine comes out on Sunday 20th September. 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. All articles should be with the editor at theparishioner@hotmail.co.uk by the 30th August.

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 come along 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. 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.

CHILDRENS LITURGY AT ALL CHURCHES: We will be taking a summer holiday break resuming on Sunday 6th September. BCCS: You are invited to an exclusive, personal tour of Ingatestone Hall, , 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/

SCHOOL AND DIOCESAN VACANCIES PARISH A K 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

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 -09th-10th October at The Lawns, Rochford - 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

BAPTISMS: 

Congratulations to Thomas and James Owen, Adrianna Player, Celine Eliz Joseph, who recently received the Holy Sacrament of Baptism and began their journey of faith in the Catholic Church.

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

Bryan Blaxall, Funeral Service will be held at Chelmsford Crematorium on 12th August at 3pm.

Mary Fletcher, Requiem Mass will be held at St Augustine of Canterbury on 18th August at 1:45pm.

Eileen Hyland, Requiem Mass will be held at St Augustine of Canterbury on 20th August at 11am.

Bridget Donald Requiem Mass will be held at Our Lady Immaculate on 8th September at 10:30am

Please also pray for James Vincent O’Hare who passed away recently. Funeral details to follow.

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.