Newsletter 6th September 2026

Mass Readings for Sunday, 6th September 2026 - 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time (A)

First Reading: Ezekiel 33: 7-9
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 95: 1-2, 6-7, 8-9
Second Reading: Romans 13: 8-10
Alleluia: Second Corinthians 5: 19
Gospel: Matthew 18: 15-20

MESSAGE FROM FR BARTO: In the life of the Church, every farewell opens the door to a new beginning. Some leave, others arrive; missions change, but the mission of the Church continues. With great joy, therefore, we welcome the priests who have been appointed to support the mission of the linked parishes Holy Name, Our Lady Immaculate & Saint Augustine: Fr Janos Csicso and Fr Shajin Jose. Welcome to what we believe is the most beautiful place on earth! We hope that you will quickly feel at home, discover the richness of our communities and bring your gifts, energy and pastoral experience to the mission we share. There is much to do, but there is also much to be grateful for. 

COUNTERS OLI: OLI are looking for counters and bankers for the weekly collection. If interested please contact Fr Barto or the Parish Office. CATECHIST TRAINING & RESOURCES DAY: Saturday 7th November: from 10am–3pm. Brentwood Ursuline High School - Free event. This is for Catechists for First Holy Communion, Confirmation and RCIA. 

CATECHISTS WANTED: If you would like to join the catechist teams for First Holy Communion, RCIA or Conformation please contact the Parish office. We are particularly looking for Catechists from OLI. 

RCIA CATECHIST MEETING: If you are interested in becoming a Catechist for RCIA, a meeting is being held in the Parish Office on 18th September at 7pm. 

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION 26/27: Holy Communion. Enrolment form —available at the back of the church and online and return it to Fr Barto or the Parish Office 2nd October at 7pm - Parents Meeting, 1st Session 10th October 9:30am SA. Deadline for applications - Friday, 27th September 2026 

CONFIRMATION 26/27: To take this beautiful step in spiritual maturity, please complete an enrolment form—available at the back of the church and online and return it to Fr Barto or the Parish Office. 1st Session 4th October - 3pm OLI. Deadline for applications 20 September 2026 

RCIA 25/26 GET TOGETHER: Those that took part in the RCIA programmed last year (25/26) we are inviting you to a get together on 22nd September at 7pm in The Holy Name Parish Hall. We look forward to seeing you there. 

RCIA 26/27 PROGRAMME: The new RCIA programme begins on Wednesday 7th October at 7:3pm in the Our Lady Immaculate (OLI) parish hall. To register your interest, please complete an RCIA Enrolment Form and return it directly to Fr Barto or the Parish Office. 

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. 

PADRE PIO: 23rd September at 2pm, St Augustines will hose an afternoon dedicated to this Saint. All are welcome. We will watch a film of his life; have a short talk/discussion and also spiritual imput from Fr Barto, followed by tea, coffee and biscuits. karinseeman2@gmail.com 

PARISH PICNIC: Join us for our first Parish Picnic on Sunday, 6 September 2026, 1pm to 4pm at the Holy Name Church Grounds. 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 & outdoor games. 

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

SVP COFFEE MORNING: This Sunday, 6th September there will be tea, coffee, home baked cakes and savoury items served in Our Lady Immaculate Church Hall after 9.00 mass only. Many thanks for your continued generous support in the work of the SVP. 

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. THE DIVINE MERCY GROUP: Join us at OLI with your petitions on Mondays for the Holy Face of Jesus devotion at 2.45 pm followed by Divine Mercy devotion at 3pm 

IN NEED OF ACCOMMODATION: Accommodation needed in Chelmsford: A faithful parishioner is seeking a temporary room to rent while looking for permanent housing. If you can help, please contact the parish office. 

WALK FOR BCCS: The Knights of St Columba will be doing a Walk to raise funds for BCCS. We will start from the Viper, Mill Green (CM4 0PT), at 10.00 on 12 September. john_l_holland@icloud.com). On Wednesday, 7 October at 20.00, Chelmsford Knights of St. Columba Annual Lecture “Why Youth Ministry”. Fr. Michael Barwick, St. Augustine’s. 

BYCS EVENTS: Youth Mass – First Thursday of Each Month - Cathedral at 7:30pm. BCYS Rooted 2026 – Years 7–9 / Years 10-13 Saturday 24th October for years 7-9 / Sunday 25th October for years 10-13. FLAME 2027 – Saturday 6th March: Open to young people in Year 9 and above, from £30. 

CHELMSFORD CATHOLIC YOUNG ADULTS GROUP (CCYA) CCYA will take place fortnightly, Friday in the Blessed Sacrament Church hall from 7pm till 8.30pm. The next two dates are: 18th Sept. & 2nd Oct. Aged between 18 & 35 

SEASON OF CREATION: 1st September to 4th October is when the Christian family unites worldwide in prayer and action to care for our common home. This year’s theme is “Living Water”, See website for more details https://www.caritasbrentwood.org/ resource/season-of-creation/ 

WORLD APOSTOLATE OF FATIMA: Join the Diocese of Brentwood on Saturday, 12th September 2pm until 7pm, for a historic Day of Prayer & Devotions hosting the National Pilgrim Statue of Our Lady of Fatima and the relics of Saints Jacinta & Francisco. Bishop Alan and diocesan priests will concelebrate Holy Mass, followed by the Consecration Prayer of the Diocese to the Immaculate Heart of Mary and opportunities for relic veneration. See Poster back of chur 

ADOREMUS 2026: - SATURDAY 10TH OCTOBER 10AM - 6PM This year, after major Eucharistic events in Liverpool and Birmingham, the Adoremus Eucharistic Festival comes to London. It will take place on Saturday 10th October 2026. For more information see poster at back of the church

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

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. Kathleen Wade (Dolly), Funeral Service will be held at Chelmsford Crematorium on 9th September at 1pm. Patrick Kavanagh, Requiem Mass will be held at Our Lady Immaculate on 29th September at 1:30pm.

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.