Newsletter 14th December 2025

Mass Readings for Sunday, 14th December 2025

First Reading: Isaiah 35: 1-6a, 10
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 146: 6-7, 8-9a, 9bc-10
Second Reading: James 5: 7-10
Alleluia: Isaiah 61: 1
Gospel: Matthew 11: 2-11

Rt Rev. Thomas McMahon, Bishop Emeritus of Brentwood Diocese RIP : It was with deep sorrow that the death of Bishop Thomas McMahon was announced on Monday 24th November. Please keep him in your prayers and give thanks for his long and faithful service. May he rest in peace.

Funeral arrangements: Sunday 14th December at 4 p.m. Reception of the body and Mass at Our Lady and St Joseph, Stock, CM4 9LJ.

Monday 15th December at 5 p.m. Reception of the body and Vespers at the Cathedral Church of St Mary and St Helen, 28 Ingrave Road, Brentwood, CM15 8AT.

Tuesday 16th December at 11.30 a.m. Requiem Mass in the Cathedral followed by burial in the Cathedral cemetery.  Entry to the cathedral is via tickets and unfortunately they are all allocated. 

PLEASE NOTE: There will be no Mass in Our Lady Immaculate Church on Tuesday due to Priests attending the Bishop's Funeral instead there will be a eucharistic service. The funeral may be watched via livestream at https://www.shealolin.co.uk/bishop-thomas

ADVENT CAROL SERVICE AT ST JOHN PAYNE: The students and staff of Saint John Payne invite you to their Advent Carol Service, Prepare A Way for the Lord. All are welcome, with light refreshments afterwards. Thursday 18th December 2024 at 6pm Aquinas Hall, Saint John Payne Catholic School.

CHRISTMAS WEEK MASS TIMES: Are available for the linked parishes on our website link:  https://www.chelmsfordcatholic.co.uk/newsletters-and-events/christmas-2025  Please note there is a penitential service with opportunities for individual confession on Thursday 18th December at 7:30pm in Our Lady Immaculate Church.

CANONESSES OF THE HOLY SEPULCHRE ADVENT REFLECTION: On Sunday 21st December at 7.30pm, Sisters Moira and Margaret of the Canonesses of the Holy Sepulchre will lead an Advent Reflection at Blessed Sacrament Church, Melbourne. The reflection will last about 30 minutes and will be followed by seasonal bites and drinks. All are very welcome.

Children at Holy Name on Christmas Eve Vigil Mass: Carols from 5pm. Mass at 5:30pm. All children are welcome to dress up in a Nativity costume and take part in our Christmas Eve Mass. All costumes are provided. Please arrive before 5pm and come through the church to the Canon Wilson Hall to collect a costume. If you would like any further information or if you know in advance that your child would like to take part, please email Claire at c.irven@talk21.com with your child's first name and age to help us to get the costumes ready. Thank you.

CAROL SINGING TUESDAY 16th DECEMBER: Calling all singers and musicians …. we’ve been asked if we would like to join with St Luke’s and the Moulsham Lodge Methodist Church to so some Carol singing at the Eagle & Hind pub this Tuesday. They will be fund-raising for Farleigh Hospice and McMillan Cancer Care as these are charities that the pub regularly support. Starting at 6pm (there’s live football later, hence the early start) they are aiming to make it a special event with hot chocolate, roast chestnuts etc.Carol sheets will be provided on the night – but if you can wear you Christmas jumpers and hats, that would be great. If you’d like to join us or need any more information, please contact Sarah Hiom on 07771 786184 

SVP COFFEE MORNING: There will be tea, coffee, cakes, mince pies and savoury items in the Church Hall after 9.00  and 12.00 masses today. There will also be a small selection of crafts and Christmas cards on sale. All welcome. Thank you for your continued support.

A Warm Welcome to Our New Parish Priest: We are delighted to share that Father Bartolomeu Blaj will be joining our linked parishes in the New Year. Father Barto comes to us from St Anne Line in South Woodford, where he has served with great dedication and care. We look forward to welcoming him into our community, getting to know him, and supporting him as he begins this new chapter of ministry among us. Please keep Father Barto in your prayers as he prepares to join us.

DIVINE MERCY DEVOTIONS: Take place in Holy Name Parish Church after the 7:30pm Mass on Monday 15th December. All are very welcome.

CAROLS BY CANDLELIGHT: This Sunday the 14th December in St Augustine of Canterbury Church at 5pm. All very welcome for festive pies and hot drinks afterwards.

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN: There are forms available in the back of the Church and online at https://www.chelmsfordcatholic.co.uk/sacraments/fhc2026 for this years First Holy Communion Programme with Fr Michael. The course is for children in Yr 3 and above. Applications close on Friday 9th January.

CHRISTMAS DRAW: Thank you so much to all of you who supported our Christmas Draw, which together with the Christmas Fayre, raised over £6,000 for church funds. The lucky winners are: 1st prize £300 Miriam Mascarenas, 2nd prize large Christmas hamper Pat West, 3rd prize 3 litre bottles spirit Mary Stokes, 4th Christmas hamper Pat O’Connor, 5th Christmas hamper Tony Lyes, 6th basket 6 bottles wine U. Allinson, 7th Christmas hamper Claire Fairlamb, 8th Christmas hamper Mike Gladwin, 9th Christmas hamper Joan Sidoli, 10th Christmas hamper Jade Chan, 11th hamper R. Kelly, 12th hamper Mike Fleming, 13th toiletries R. Spencer, 14th £25 M&S voucher Geulia DS, 15th basket 4 wines Murrell, 16th Port M Wells, 17th hamper wine Z White, 18th litre whisky F Spencer, 19th hamper Betty Herbert, 20th toiletries J Lyons, 21st wines Travason, 22nd Port Sue Palk, 23rd Port Denise Carter, 24th £10 M&S voucher A Wing, 25th Prosecco & chocks Jan Morris, 26th Jameson whiskey Kath Pickett.

MESSAGE FROM FR MARTIN - CHRISTMAS COLLECTION : Many people will be aware that the collections at Christmas and Easter form the greater part of the personal income for the priests of our parish communities. For this Fr Michael, and I are truly grateful, especially in these hard times. We realise that many people now give to the parish through standing orders. In order that our auditors fully appreciate the intention of donors through the standing order scheme it would be very useful if parishioners could indicate whether they consider a proportion (2 weeks of the 52 weeks of the year) to go to the Christmas and Easter offering amounts. A simple email or note to the office (office@chelmsfordcatholic.co.uk) would clarify our accounts. We fully appreciate that some will wish to contribute separately to the priests at this time and this could be a one-off BACS transaction marked ‘Christmas’ (with gift aid number if applicable), or a marked envelope (again with gift aid number if applicable). You may of course wish simply to place offerings in the usual collection at the Christmas Masses for the priests. For all this and your continued generous support of our parishes… Many thanks!

THE SAINT VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY: The SVP provides practical help to those in need. If you or someone you know could use support, call us on 07936 579230, or contact the Parish Office.

THE LEGION OF MARY: Support many through their prayer and in person ministry across the Parish. The meet in OLI on Tuesdays at 10am and Holy Name on Thursdays at 7pm. New members welcome.

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

Michael CURRAN (RIP) Funeral Service on Friday 19th December at 10am in Holy Name Church.
Kathryn GOLDING (RIP) Requiem Mass on Friday 19th December at 1pm in Our Lady Immaculate Church.
Patricia SMITH (RIP) Requiem Mass on Monday 22nd December at 10am in Our Lady Immaculate Church.
Anthony KELLY (RIP) Requiem Mass on Tuesday 23rd December at 2:30pm in Our Lady Immaculate Church.
Sheelagh HILL (RIP) Requiem Mass to be arranged. 

PLEASE PRAY FOR THE SICK AND HOUSEBOUND OF OUR PARISHES, (AND ALL WHO ARE SICK.)
Susan Ager, Helen Bastian, Annie Blake, Maureen Byrne, Marie Callahan, Valerie Cummins, Doreen Cornish, Antonia Dias, Victoria Docherty, Peter Dodson, Madeleine East, Troy Erickson, Marta Fevola, Mary Fletcher, Teresa Foster, Michael Hoare,  Shelia Hughes, John Grainger, Robert Godfrey, Connor Hickey, Cathy Ingram, Maureen Leatherdale, Stuart Lucas, Margaret Lowrey, Anne Lowden, Jim Machin,  Maura Magee,  Shelia Mayo, Henry McKeon, Monica McShane, Donny McColl, Anne Newland, Margaret O'Sullivan, Christine Staines, Maureen Sullivan, Patrick Waters, Anja Welsh-Smyth, Paddy Westrip, Gayle Williams, Shirley Willis.