Newsletter 8th November 2026 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time (A)

Mass Readings for Sunday, 8th November 2026 - 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time (A)

First Reading: Wisdom 6: 12-16
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 63: 2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8
Second Reading: First Thessalonians 4: 13-18
Alleluia: Matthew 24: 42a, 44
Gospel: Matthew 25: 1-13

NOVEMBER LISTS OF THE DEAD: During the month of November, Masses are offered for the repose of the souls whose names are placed on the sanctuary during the month of November. Envelopes and lists are available at the back of the churches, please return to a Priest, Sacristan or Parish Office.

MASSES FOR DECEASED LOVED ONES: Will be held at 7:30PM on the following dates - St. Augustine of Canterbury - 13th November. The Church of the Holy Name - 20th November. Our Lady Immaculate - 27th November.

GRAVE BLESSINGS DURING NOVEMBER: This Sunday 8th November - After the Masses in Our Lady Immaculate and St Augustine Church graveyards and at 2pm - Chelmsford Crematorium, meet in main car park. Sunday 15th November at 2pm - Lawns Cemetery in Great Baddow

HOLY HOUR OF ADORATION: Every Thursday 7pm OLI.

PARISH CHRISTMAS FAYRE - 10am, SUNDAY 22nd NOVEMBER, OLI SCHOOL HALL: With only 2 weeks to go to our Christmas Fayre, we are urgently in need of donations, especially of bottles of alcohol for the bottle stall and Christmas food. Also needed are new items, toiletries, jewellery, nice bric a brac and toys, which will be greatly appreciated. Boxes are available at the back of the churches for donations. Thank you in advance for your generosity in supporting this very enjoyable event, which raises much needed funds.

CHRISTMAS DRAW TICKETS: drawn on Tuesday 8th December Please DO take as many raffle books as you can to sell to family and friends (books still available at the back of the churches), and return counterfoils & money in a marked envelope, either to the Presbytery or put in the Sunday collection. There are lovely prizes to win - £300 1st prize, large Christmas hamper 2nd prize, and many other Christmas hampers and prizes to win! All funds raised go to church funds. 

INTERNATIONAL BRING AND SHARE LUNCH: Join us for an International 'Bring & Share' Lunch at Our Lady Immaculate Hall on Sunday 29 November from 1pm to 4pm as we unite in God's presence to celebrate the international spirit and diverse blessings of our joint parishes! You are warmly invited to bring a traditional dish from your country of origin (along with a serving utensil), wear traditional dress and bring decorations/items that represent your heritage. Kindly label your dish with the country of origin, the dish's name, whether it is vegetarian or vegan contact Corinne Jones at 07557 868 006.

CERTIFICATE OF CATHOLIC PRACTICE – SCHOOL APPLICATIONS: Parents applying for Primary Catholic school places must obtain a Certificate of Catholic Practice. This is issued to parishioners who regularly attend Mass as practising Catholics. Fr Barto the Parish Priest will be available for a drop in signing sessions in OLI Parish Hall between 5-7pm 9th December, 5–7pm.

THE PARISHIONER MAGAZINE CHRISTMAS: Our next edition of The Parishioner Parish magazine will come out on Christmas Day. We would be very grateful for any contributions you might like to make, especially items of parish news from yourself or parish organisations or any suitable articles, obituaries etc. All articles should be with the editor at theparishioner@hotmail.co.uk by the 22nd November. With many thanks.

PARISH WALK: Thanks to your feedback in the parish survey, we are starting a WhatsApp group for community walks. To join or find out more, please contact Clare Fairlamb (Tel: 07749361386 or email: clare.fairlamb@sky.com). If you are interested in joining a new Parish walking group, please see the poster at the back of the church.

KNIGHTS OF ST COLUMBA: Retiring collection - 7 & 8 November in aid of Brentwood Catholic Children's Society (BCCS): The Chelmsford branch of the Knights of St Columba (KSC) completed their annual charity fundraising walk earlier in the autumn when a group enjoy a pleasant four mile/two hour circular walk in the countryside near Ingatestone. The Knights will be taking this collection to support the valuable work of BCCS in our local communities.

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.

SVP CHELMSFORD: Sunday, 8th November there will be tea, coffee, home baked cakes and savoury items served in Our Lady Immaculate Church Hall after 9.00 and 12.00 mass. Come and meet your fellow parishioners. Many thanks for your continued generous support in the work of the SVP.

ANGLIA RUSKIN UNIVERSITY CATHOLIC STUDENTS: Fr Barto celebrates Mass every Friday 12:15pm at MAB118 at Anglia Ruskin Chelmsford Campus during Term time. You are most welcome.

OLI MISSIO RED BOX HOLDERS & PARISHIONERS: Your 2027 Missio thank-you calendars will soon be ready for collection from the rear of the church! These are specially reserved for our dedicated Red Box holders, so please only take one if you hold a box to ensure all our donors receive their copy. We have also replenished the Missio prayer cards on the stand; We kindly ask everyone to take just one each so there are enough for the whole community. If you would like extra copies of the cards to share, please contact us directly and we will gladly arrange them for you—thank you so much for your support and understanding!

ST CECILIA'S DAY MUSIC QUIZ NIGHT: This year the Padbury family are holding their St Cecilia's day music quiz night in support of the SVP in South Sudan: Come and let yourselves be entertained by our music and quirky questions with home made cakes and hot drinks. Saturday 21st of November, 7pm at St Augustine of Canterbury No need to book, just come and join in the fun.

BRENTWOOD CATHOLIC YOUTH SERVICE: World Youth Sunday – 22 November: There will be a second collection for the Brentwood Catholic Youth Service, supporting events, retreats and pilgrimages for young people in Essex and East London. If you wish, you can also donate online at Www.Bcys.Net/Donate, and please do visit the website to find out more and how to get involved.

BCCS CHRISTMAS CRAFT & GIFT FAIR: Join us for Christmas crafts, stunning gifts & refreshments, in support of BCCS. Sunday 15th November - 10:30-15:30 - The Mill Arts & Events Centre, Rayleigh, SS6 7ED £1.50 entry (free for under 14s) & free onsite parking

ADVENT LECTURE SERIES: For those interested in deepening or beginning their journey before Christmas, there will be a two-part lecture series, delivered by Fr Andrew, to prepare us for Advent. The dates are Monday 23 and 30 November from 7.30pm - 8.30pm in The Barn at New Hall School. There will be tea and coffee available from 7.00pm Monday 23 November : The Annunciation to Mary Monday 30 November : The Birth of Our Lord. Monday 23 November : The Annunciation to Mary, Monday 30 November : The Birth of Our Lord.

PLEASE PRAY FOR THE SOULS OF THOSE WHO HAVE DIED RECENTLY AND ALL FAMILIES WHO MOURN:  
Mr Marie Cyril Descroizilles who passed away recently. Requiem Mass - OLI - 16th November at 11am.
Emma Smith who passed away recently.  Requiem Mass - OLI - 18th November at 11am.  Body received in the night before at 4:30pm.
Christina Langham who passed away recently.  Her funeral service will take place at 3pm on 4th December at Chelmsford Crematorium.

PLEASE PRAY FOR THE SICK AND HOUSEBOUND OF OUR PARISHES, (AND ALL WHO ARE SICK.) 
John Coggins, Margaret O'Sullivan, 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, 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,Christine Staines, Patrick Waters, Anja Welsh-Smyth, Thomas Welsh-Smyth,  Paddy Westrip, Gayle Williams, Mary and Rodney Jefferies, Xi and Donald, Charles, Susie and Irene,