Newsletter 17th May 2026

Mass Readings for Sunday, 17th May 2026 - Seventh Sunday of Easter 

First Reading: Acts 1:12-14
Responsorial Psalm: Ps 27(26):1. 4. 7-8a. ℟13
Second Reading: 1 Peter 4:13-16
Alleluia:John 14:18
Gospel:John 17:1-11a

WALSINGHAM PILGRIMAGE NEXT SATURDAY 23rd MAY: There are still places available on the Diocesan Pilgrimage led by Bishop Alan. 
The pick up time for the coach from Chelmsford is 7am at St Augustine (please note church will be closed) and 7:20AM from OLI and we expect to return at 5pm.Final deadline Monday 18th May for places. Newcomers please let me have payment  of £25 per person, name and pick up point ASAP. To make a booking please call 0735967466 or email at Karin at karinseeman2@gmail.com or Sophia at scygenekanwa@gmail.com as soon as possible

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 why not come along and give us a try and help us spread the faith through local ministry and community outreach. All warmly welcome.

FAMILY ROSARY: If would you like to have Family Rosary in your home in May please contact one of the following numbers: Mary on 07709702703 or Maria on 07788837343.

HOLY ROSARY PRAYERS IN OLI: take place at 12Noon every Tuesday and at 11:00am after the 10:30am Mass on Saturdays. On the First Saturday of the month First Saturday Devotions, Rosary and Fatima prayers are prayed at 11:00am after the 10:30am Mass.

MAY DEVOTIONS: Throughout the month of May, the May devotions for our linked parishes will take place every Friday at 7:00pm at Our Lady Immaculate Church, with the Rosary and Benediction. All are warmly welcome.

STATUE OF OUR LADY OF FÁTIMA resume home visits from 26th May. Families and individuals are invited to sign up and welcome Our Lady into their homes. The statue may be collected after the 10:30am Mass on Saturdays and will remain with each family or individual for seven days, before being returned the following Saturday. Collection dates will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.For further information or to sign up, please speak with Sophia or Adline.

NEXT WEEKEND SECOND COLLECTION: Sunday 17th May is for World Communication.

LIBRARY BIBLES / CTS BOOKLETS: We are happy to see that parish is making use of the books in the library!  Please do remember to return library books and CTS booklets when you are finished with them so that others can read them.  Many thanks!

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

SVP COFFEE MORNING – SVP is having a coffee morning on 17th May in Our Lady Immaculate. After the 9:00am and 12Noon Masses, there will be coffee and delicious cakes. Thank you for your continued generous support.

SYNODAL GROUP On Wednesday 27th May between 7:30pm and 8:30pm, this group will meet again to pray together and listen to the Holy Spirit and one another, discerning how our group of parishes can grow in a synodal way of being Church - walking together in Communion, Participation and Mission.  
This meeting will take place in the Hall at the Holy Name Church in the hope that we can attract more participants from across the city.  The group welcomes all and everyone's voice is valuable.

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.

ST JOHN BOSCO CHILDREN'S CAMP, SUMMER 2026: Applications are now open for children currently in school year 5 – 7 (i.e. aged 9-12 in August 2026) to spend a week at camp. 25th July – 1st August or 1st – 8th August. All application details are at https://boscocamp.co.uk. Places are likely to go quickly – early applications are encouraged.

BCYS SUMMER LOURDES PILGRIMAGE: A small number of last-minute places are now available for the BCYS Youth Service Pilgrimage to Lourdes, open to young people currently in Year 10 and above. There are a number of funding opportunities available. Find out more and apply at: www.bcys.net/events/sl26

WORLD YOUTH DAY 2027 (Seoul, South Korea) Be part of something extraordinary at World Youth Day 2027 in Seoul, South Korea. Travel with the Brentwood Catholic Youth Service to join hundreds of thousands of young Catholics from around the world, gathered with Pope Leo for this global celebration of faith. Open to those currently in Year 13 and above. Details and applications: www.bcys.net/events/wyd27

BCYS YOUTH MASS: The next Youth Masses will take place at Brentwood Cathedral on Thursday 4th June and 2nd July. The evening begins with something to eat in the Parish Hall at 6pm followed by Mass at 7:30pm For more information, please visit www.bcys.net/events

THE DIVINE MERCY APOSTOLATE, London is holding a First Saturday Divine Mercy Recollection Day at the Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham, on Saturday 6th June 2026 from 10:30 am to 4:30 pm. The Recollection Day will include Holy Mass, Talk, Hour of Mercy with Benediction and Veneration of the Image of Merciful Jesus. All welcome. Pls call Millie on 07957594646 for more information. Coaches from Slough, Ealing Broadway, North London, Barking and Victoria.

NATIVITY EXHIBITION  29th NOVEMBER to 6th DECEMBER – HELP NEEDED. St Augustine of Canterbury church is hosting a Nativity Exhibition on these dates. It is being organised by the Anglican, Methodist and URC community, and they are looking for assistance with hosting it. They will need help with setting it up, providing refreshments, running a small stall and finally taking it down. They are planning 3 shifts a day 10-12; 12-2 and 2-4, plus on Friday 4th 6-8pm There is a planning meeting on the 12 June at 2.30pm in St Augustine’s. If you would like to assist, please contact Deborah Wilkes on 07875  149093 or infostaugustines@gmail.com or find out more by attending the meeting on the 12th June.

THE CHELMSFORD CATHOLIC YOUNG ADULTS GROUP (CCYA): We are starting a new young adults group for Catholics aged from 18-35 years old. It is being started by 3 members of Blessed Sacrament parish and is due to start on Friday 29th May at 7-8.30PM in the church hall. There will be a mix of social evenings and sessions orientated towards growing in our faith, where all members can get to know each other better, grow in fellowship and community as well as nights for bible study, worship and other activities that allow us to further our knowledge and our understanding of our faith. 
Each meeting will be every fortnight starting from the 29th May, we look forwards to seeing you then. However, if you have any questions message Aaron on: 07849257507.

BRENTWOOD CATHOLIC CHILDRENS SOCIETY: invites you to a wonderful charity two-course luncheon at the beautiful Grade II listed Georgian house, The Lawn in Rochford. Friday June 19th - 13:00-15:30 - Tickets are £38.50 per person. Please scan the QR code to book or go to https://www.bccs.org.uk/get-involved/events-campaigns/

CATHOLIC LEGACY WEEK, 24th-30th May, is a time when Parishes and Catholic charities such as CAFOD celebrate the work made possible in the life of the Church through gifts in Wills. Find out more about the week at cafod.org.uk/CatholicLegacyWeek

SPRINGFIELD PRESBYTERY Whilst the future of the Presbytery is considered over the coming months, for the security of the building, it will be important for the site not to look unoccupied. If you would be happy to help maintain the gardens (front and back), please contact the parish office.Many thanks.

HOLY NAME CHURCH On the 23rd May at 5.15PM is the Vigil of Pentecost with the Confirmandi. All are welcome. We invite all to pray for Candidates who will receive the sacrament of Confirmation on 24th May.

ST AUGUSTINE OF CANTERBURY JMC: The JMC is the committee that is responsible for the upkeep and management of the Church buildings. We currently are looking for a new treasurer as the current incumbent only took this on as a temporary measure. The role will include producing accounts each year, making payments and checking money that is due is up to date. It also includes management of the bank account. The accounts are currently in good order and the incumbent will be very happy to assist with the handover. 
If you would be interested in taking on this role please speak to Fr Barto, Peter Allen or contact the parish office.

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

Jack Nolan (RIP) Funeral Service on Wednesday the 27th May ay 11:30am in Chelmsford Crematorium
Kevin McBrearty (RIP) Requiem Mass on Thursday 4th June at 11:00am at St Augustine Church.
Peter Dodson (RIP) Requiem Mass on Friday 12th June at 1:30pm at The Church of the Holy Name. 

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,  Madeleine East, Troy Erickson, Marta Fevola, Mary Fletcher, 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, 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.