Newsletter 15th February 2026

Mass Readings for Sunday, 15th February 2026

First Reading: Sirach 15: 15-20
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 119: 1-2, 4-5, 17-18, 33-34
Second Reading: First Corinthians 2: 6-10
Alleluia: Matthew 11: 25
Gospel: Matthew 5: 17-37

FR BARTO WRITES: With Ash Wednesday, the Church begins the holy season of Lent, forty days of grace in which we prepare our hearts for the celebration of the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. This is a sacred time marked by repentance and conversion. As the ashes are placed upon our foreheads, we hear the call: “Repent and believe in the Gospel,” and we are reminded, “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” These words invite us to humility, to recognise the fragility of life, and to turn back to God with sincere hearts.
The ashes, a symbol of penance since ancient times, remind us of our need for God’s mercy. They invite us to look within, to acknowledge our sins, and to desire true change. Lent is not just another season of the year; it is a spiritual journey. It is the starting point of deeper reflection, a time to step away from routine and rediscover what truly matters.
The Church proposes three essential practices to guide us: prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. Prayer is our living relationship with God, a daily dialogue that shapes our hearts. Fasting teaches us self-control and detachment, making space for God. Almsgiving opens us to others in charity and compassion. Through these practices, may this Lent be a time of renewal, reconciliation, and transformation for us all.

STATIONS OF THE CROSS DURING LENT:
Thursdays after 9:30am  Mass in Holy Name at 10am
Fridays after the 9:30am Mass in St Augustine at 10am
Fridays at 3pm in Our Lady Immaculate Church

EUCHARISTIC MINISTRY TRAINING: All Eucharistic Ministers from our three Chelmsford Linked Parishes are warmly invited to attend a session of training and Adoration on Thursday 19th March at St Augustine of Canterbury Church.  The evening will begin with Adoration from 6.30pm to 7.30pm, followed by training, and will conclude with Adoration and Benediction, finishing at approximately 8.15pm.  This takes place on the Feast of St Joseph, and Frs Barto and Michael would be delighted to spend this time with you. If you are a Eucharistic Minister, please make every effort to attend.

LOURDES WITH OUR DIOCESE: Join Bishop Alan and pilgrims from across our diocese in Lourdes this summer: Friday 17th - Friday 24th July 2026. Bookings now open at https://www.tangney-tours.com/brentwood

THE PARISHIONER MAGAZINE:  Our next edition of the The Parishioner Parish magazine comes out on Easter Sunday. We would be very grateful for any contributions you might like to make, especially items of parish news, from yourself, our schools, parish organisations or any suitable articles, obituaries etc. All articles should be with the editor at theparishioner@hotmail.co.uk by the 8th March. With many thanks.

LENTEN LECTURES AT BRENTWOOD CATHEDRAL: Will take place at Brentwood Cathedral Parish Hall commencing Wednesday 25th February 2026 at 7.30pm.  The theme this year is:  “What does it truly mean to be Catholic?” All are welcome to attend!
Talk 1. Wednesday 25th February. Abbot Hugh Allan, O Praem.    “I Believe…” Living and Proclaiming the Catholic Faith.
Talk 2. Wednesday 4th March. Rev Msgr Kevin W Hale, VG.     Being Catholic and the call to holiness as seen in the lives of some recently canonised saints.       
Talk 3. Wednesday 11th March.  Mr Mauro Iannicelli.    Prayer as the Foundation of our Catholic Life. 7.30pm
Talk 4. Wednesday 18th March.  Rev Msgr John Armitage.    The uniqueness of Catholicism for British Society. 7.30pm

DIVINE MERCY DEVOTION IN OUR LADY IMMACULATE CHURCH: On Fridays at 2:45pm each week parishioners will lead the Divine mercy devotions. All are warmly invited to join them in prayer.

ALTAR SERVER TRAINING IN OUR LADY IMMACULATE: During the Sundays of Lent there will be a new altar server course between 10:30am-11:30am on Sundays with the new servers serving for the first time on Easter Sunday. Please see Mick or Vince at Mass for further information.

DONATIONS OF FIRST HOLY COMMUNION CLOTHING: If you, or any family members, have any First Holy Communion clothing that is in good condition and no longer needed, please consider donating it for it to be loved and used again. We will offer the clothing to our First Holy Communion children to borrow. Last year we raised £100 in voluntary donations for CAFOD. This helps us to reduce our impact on the environment, raises money for a good cause and helps families. Please hand clothing in to the Presbytery or Holy Name and put donations on a hanger so we can hang them to keep them nice. Thank you!

THE KNIGHTS OF ST COLUMBA: are doing a cake sale after the 10:45 Mass in Holy Name Church this Sunday. Please come and support the wonderful work they do across the parishes by buying a cake.

READERS NEEDED AT HOLY NAME: New readers would be welcomed at both the 6pm Saturday vigil and 10.45am Sunday Masses at Holy Name.  Training will be given. Please see Fiona after Sunday Mass or contact her on fionabellamy@hotmail.com or via the office for further details.

FOODBANK COLLECTIONS FROM OLI IN LENT:
We are continuing the tradition of supporting the Chelmsford Foodbank this coming Lent as the need is as great, if not greater, than ever. The parishioners at OLI have been very generous and we hope that this will be the same this year.
There is a full list of the items that the Foodbank want on their website https://chelmsford.foodbank.org.uk but basically it is non-perishable foods, excluding pasta as they have a lot of pasta already. Starting next weekend please leave your donations in carrier bags at the back of the church at the weekend Masses and they will be taken to the Foodbank on each Monday. As the Bishops Conference tells us - Lent is a time for turning again to the practice of our faith - in prayer, self-denial (fasting) and practical generosity (almsgiving).
Thank you

SECOND COLLECTION NEXT WEEKEND SVP SOUTH SUDAN: There will be a fund-raising appeal next weekend for the SVP Projects in South Sudan.  Thank you in advance for your generous support.

MENS FOOTBALL CLUB AT NEW HALL: A new football club for men of all abilities is starting in New Hall on Monday evenings in term time from Monday 23rd February, promoting men's mental health. It will take place at New Hall School, 3G Astro North Gate Entrance, CM1 6FU. For further information please see the posters in church or email r.schreiber@newhallschool.co.uk

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. They meet in OLI Hall on Tuesdays at 10am and Holy Name Canon Wilson Hall on Thursdays at 7pm. New members always welcome.

PLEASE PRAY FOR THE SOULS OF THOSE WHO HAVE DIED RECENTLY AND ALL FAMILIES WHO MOURN.
Nora SMITH (RIP) Requiem Mass on Friday 6th March at 12:30pm in Our Lady Immaculate Church

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, S.Casimir OSM, Valerie Cummins, Doreen Cornish, Antonia Dias, Victoria Docherty, Peter Dodson, Madeleine East, Troy Erickson, Marta Fevola, Mary Fletcher, Teresa Foster, Moreen Healy. Michael Hoare,  Shelia Hughes, John Grainger, Robert Godfrey, Peter Hamilton, Connor Hickey, Cathy Ingram, Gary Iliffe,  Maureen Leatherdale, Stuart Lucas,  Anne Lowden, Kevin Lyons, Jim Machin,  Maura Magee,  Shelia Mayo, Henry McKeon, Monica McShane, Donny McColl, Anne Newland, Ann McDonald, Margaret O'Sullivan, Christine Staines, Maureen Sullivan, Patrick Waters, Anja Welsh-Smyth, Paddy Westrip, Gayle Williams.