Newsletter 15th November 2026 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time (A)

Mass Readings for Sunday, 15th November 2026 - 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time (A)

First Reading: Proverbs 31: 10-13, 19-20, 30-31
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 128: 1-2, 3, 4-5
Second Reading: First Thessalonians 5: 1-6
Alleluia: John 15: 4a, 5b
Gospel: Matthew 25: 14-30

OFFICE EMAILS:  Due to microsoft servers being down for the last few days.  We are unable to access the email account for office@chelmsfordcatholic.co.uk.  If you need to contact the office please email on chelmsfordoli@brcdt.org This information is also on the website.

SECOND COLLECTION: The second collection next weekend 22nd November 2026 is for World Youth Sunday. 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 about how to get involved.

Invitation to a Mass of Thanksgiving: All parishioners from across the diocese are warmly invited to attend a Mass of Thanksgiving to be Celebrated by Bishop Timothy Menezes following his appointment as Bishop of the Diocese of Brentwood. Join usin prayer and thanksgiving to welcome our new Bishop and seek God's blessing upon his ministry. All are welcome.  Masses will be celebrated in three locations:

Tuesday 8th Dec: 11:00 a.m – Cathedral Church of St Mary & St Helen, Ingrave Road, Brentwood CM15 8AT
Tuesday 8th Dec:  7:30 p.m – St Antony of Padua Church, St Antony’s Road, Forest Gate, London E7 9QB
Wed 9th Dec:         7:00 p.m - St James the Less and St Helen Church, Priory Street, Colchester CO1 2QB

CHAPTER OF CANONS MASS will take place in the Cathedral Church of St Mary & St Helen, Brentwood on Monday, 14th December at 10.30am Celebrated by Bishop Timothy Menezes. All are very welcome to attend. In the New Year there will be an opportunity for each deanery to welcome Bishop Timothy.

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

GRAVE BLESSINGS: This Sunday 15th November at 2pm - Lawns Cemetery in Great Baddow.

PARISH CHRISTMAS FAYRE: Our Parish Christmas Fayre takes place NEXT Sunday at 10am in OLI school hall.  Please do come along to buy Christmas presents, and other lovely things, have tea and home baked cakes, delicious soup and bacon rolls.  Fun for all the family!  We need 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.

Parish Christmas Draw: 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, 1pm–4pm, as we celebrate the international spirit of our joint parishes! Please bring a traditional dish from your country (with a serving utensil), wear traditional dress, and bring items representing your heritage. Kindly label your dish with its name, country of origin, whether it is vegetarian/vegan, and key ingredients/allergens.
For further details, or to donate drinks, disposable tableware or flag bunting, contact Corinne Jones on 07557 868 006. We look forward to sharing this time of fellowship together!'

CERTIFICATE OF CATHOLIC PRACTICE – SCHOOL APPLICATIONS: Parents applying for Primary Catholic school places must obtain a Certificate of Catholic Practice. Fr Barto the Parish Priest will be available for a drop in signing sessions in OLI Parish Hall between 5-7pm 9th December.

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.

CHRISTMAS WREATH MAKING: we are planning this year’s workshop on Monday, 7 December 12-3pm at St Augustine’s church. Cost; £30/person, that covers all materials and light refreshments. To book a place, contact Cily on - 07504650849 Or  Cathy Lyons - 07784087586.

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.

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.

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. 
                                                               
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: Saturday 21st of November, 7pm at St Augustine of Canterbury No need to book, just come and join in the fun.

BCYS Advent Retreat at Walsingham House: 12th-13th December A weekend of festive fun, friendship, prayer and reflection exploring the meaning of Advent. Open to anyone in school years 10-13. All information and applications at www.bcys.net/events

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.Tea and coffee available from 7.00pm Monday 23 November.

Canonesses of the Holy Sepulchre: Urgent appeal - volunteer driver(s) to give regular lift on Mondays to two elderly ladies who attend our 'Wisdom Club' at Langton Hall, Langton Ave. We are looking for two volunteers to collect the ladies at around 9.30am and take home at 11.45.  Drivers  need own appropriate insurance cover.  Sister Moira 07443-643254.

PLEASE PRAY FOR THE SOULS OF THOSE WHO HAVE DIED RECENTLY AND ALL FAMILIES WHO MOURN:  
Margot Zillig who passed away recently.  Funeral arrangements to follow.
Margaret O'Sullivan who passed away recently.  Funeral arrangements to follow.
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, 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,