Newsletter 22nd February 2026

Mass Readings for Sunday, 15th February 2026

First Reading: Genesis 2: 7-9; 3: 1-7
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 51: 3-4, 5-6, 12-13, 14 and 17
Second Reading: Romans 5: 12-19 or 5: 12, 17-19
Verse Before the Gospel: Matthew 4: 4b
Gospel: Matthew 4:1-11

FR BARTO WRITES: It is with both gratitude and regret that we announce the departure of our parish secretary Ginny, next Friday, after three and a half years of dedicated service to our parish as she responds to a new calling as a chaplain. 
During her time with us, Ginny has been far more than a secretary. She has been a confidant to many, a steady presence in difficult moments, and an excellent organiser for parishioners and priests alike. Her generosity, commitment, and care have deeply enriched our parish community, and she will be greatly missed. Thank you, Ginny. You will be remembered with affection and gratitude. We are grateful that, as a parishioner, you will continue to be part of the life and mission of our parish.

We pray that the Lord will bless you and keep you, guide and protect you, and fill the next chapter of your life with compassion, strength, and hope. May God’s grace go before you and remain with you always. Be Holy. Be Joyful. Be Blessed. Do Good and always smile.

Frs Michael, Barto and the Linked Parishes

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 THIS WEEK: 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?” This Wednesday the 25th February the talk is from  Abbot Hugh Allan, O Praem on “I Believe…” Living and Proclaiming the Catholic Faith. For upcoming talks see the website: https://brentwoodcathedral.org.uk/lent-lectures-2026/ 

Also on Wednesday evenings Fr Andrew Robinson will be leading a series of evening talks on the Passion according to St Matthew beginning on Wednesday 25th February. Each session runs from 7.30–8.30pm in the chapel at New Hall School

DEVOTIONS IN OUR LADY IMMACULATE CHURCH: 
On Fridays at 2:40pm each week parishioners will lead the Divine mercy devotions. All are warmly invited to join them in prayer.
Rosary and Adoration takes place before the 10:30 am Mass on Saturdays. 
The First Saturday Devotions - Adoration, Rosary and Fatima prayers are prayed before the 10:30am Mass on the First Saturdays of the month.

STATIONS OF THE CROSS DURING LENT:
Mondays before the 7:30pm Mass in Holy Name starting at 7pm
Thursdays after 9:30am  Mass in Holy Name starting at 10am
Fridays after the 9:30am Mass in St Augustine starting at 10am
Fridays at 3pm in Our Lady Immaculate Church

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:  thank all who made the cake sale a success after Mass at Holy Name last week. The financial proceeds are donated to charities that the brotherhood of Knights support.

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.

SVP CHELMSFORD FUNDRAISER FOR MOTHERING SUNDAY: Pick up your ‘Mother’s Day Treat Bag’ for only  £3.50 and make her day!
A fantastic treat for your Mum, Grandma, Nanny or Nonna There will be more information in flyers next week about this or you can see more on our website: https://www.chelmsfordcatholic.co.uk/groups/svp

FOODBANK COLLECTIONS FROM OLI AND HOLY NAME 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 and HN 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 THIS WEEKEND SVP SOUTH SUDAN: There will be a fund-raising appeal this weekend for the SVP Projects in South Sudan.  Thank you in advance for your generous support.

CAFOD LENTEN APPEAL: There will be a short talk after the Masses this weekend at Holy Name and Our Lady Immaculate Churches for the CAFOD Lenten Appeal. Family Fast Day is on Friday 27th February. We will also be holding our usual Soup lunch on Friday 20th March at Holy Name. More details to follow but keep the date free.

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.
Leszek PLEWA (RIP) Requiem Mass on Thursday 12th March at 11:00am in Our Lady Immaculate Church.
Veronica D'SA (RIP) Requiem Mass on Friday 13th March at 11:30am at Holy Name Church.
Philip CUNNINGHAM (RIP) Requiem Mass on Friday 20th March at 1:00pm 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.