Newsletter 23rd August 2026

Mass Readings for Sunday, 23rd August 2026 - 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time (A)

First Reading: Isaiah 22: 19-23
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 138: 1-2a, 2bc-3, 6, 8
Second Reading: Romans 11: 33-36
Alleluia: Matthew 16: 18
Gospel: Matthew 16: 13-20

FR MICHAEL LEAVING PARTY: Fr Michael will be having his leaving party at OLI Parish hall on Friday 4th September at 7:30pm. Please come along to say farewell and thank him for all he has done for the parishes during his time here in Chelmsford.

FR MICHAEL' LEAVING GIFT: There are Collection envelopes for Fr Michael's leaving gift at the back of all the churches. Thank you for your generosity.

BIG THANK YOU: We would like to send a huge thank you to all of our counters across all three of our churches for their vital and constant support. In particular, a massive thank you goes to Nick Perry, who is retiring from his volunteering role after 6 years of counting the weekly OLI collection. We want to express our immense gratitude to Nick for his incredible dedication, time, and hard work over the years. As Nick steps down, we want to wish our current and new counters every success as they carry on this important work. Thank you all for everything you do for our parish!

PARISH PICNIC: The results of our Linked Parishes Survey are in and they reflected an overwhelming interest in a picnic so please join us for our first Parish Picnic on Sunday, 6 September 2026, from 1pm to 4pm at the Holy Name Church Grounds. All parishioners and friends across our linked parishes are warmly welcome. It will be a great opportunity to gather together and meet our new Assistant Priests, Fr Janos and Fr Shajin Jose! Please bring your own picnic lunch, chairs, blankets and outdoor games. You are also welcome to bring a favourite dessert to share. If it’s sunny, please bring a sun umbrella. If it’s raining, we will picnic in the Parish Hall. We hope to see you there!

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. All articles should be with the editor at theparishioner@hotmail.co.uk by the 30th August.

SVP CHELMSFORD REQUEST FOR CLOTHES: Request for clothes for men being released from HMP Chelmsford. All sizes : T-Shirts, Sweatshirts-all sizes, but no hoodies, Jeans, Jogging bottoms, New pants and socks, New trainers-sizes 7-12 Items should be in good condition or new ie suitable to hand on to someone. PLEASE, NO BUTTON UP SHIRTS OR SMART TROUSERS. Please contact SVP Chelmsford via PresidentSVPChelmsford@svp.org.uk or Contact the Parish Office.

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 - Mary 07709702703 or Maria 07788837343 to arrange a mutually convenient time. Thank you.

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.

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

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

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. 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/

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.

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 & HN WEEKLY COLLECTION COUNTERS: If you are interested in supporting Our Lady Immaculate or Holy Name with the weekly counting of collections, Please see Fr Barto or parish office

BAPTISMS: Congratulations to Luca Naylor, Alice Brace, and Olaedo Nwoyeogu, who were recently welcomed into the family of God through the waters of Baptism. May Our Lord guide them always, and may Our Lady protect them on their lifelong journey of faith.

PLEASE PRAY FOR THE SOULS OF THOSE WHO HAVE DIED RECENTLY AND ALL FAMILIES WHO MOURN: Kathleen Wade (Dolly), Funeral Service will be held at Chelmsford Crematorium on 3rd September at 1pm. Bridget Donald Requiem Mass will be held at Our Lady Immaculate on 8th September at 10:30am. Margaret Kirkham Requiem Mass will be held at Our Lady Immaculate on 9th September at 11am, her body will be received in 4:30pm 8th September

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.