Newsletter 28th September 2025

First Reading: Amos 6: 1a, 4-7
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 146: 7, 8-9, 9-10
Second Reading: First Timothy 6: 11-16
Alleluia: Second Corinthians 8: 9
Gospel: Luke 16: 19-31

OUR LADY IMMACULATE PRIMARY SCHOOL TOURS SEPTEMBER 2026 INTAKE: Our Lady Immaculate Catholic Primary School are holding their school tours for prospective parents on Monday, 20th October at 1.45pm, Thursday, 6th November at 10am and Tuesday, 18th November at 1.45pm.  Places are limited so please telephone the school office on 01245 353755 to book the tour.

SCHOOL ADMISSIONS – CERTIFICATE OF CATHOLIC PRACTICE FORMS: Fr Martin will be available to sign ‘Certificate of Catholic Practice’ forms in Our Lady Immaculate Church Hall on Thursday 9th October, between 4.30pm and 6.00pm. Forms will be provided, but families are asked to bring their child’s baptism certificate with them.  

SECOND COLLECTION THIS WEEKEND: In aid of Brentwood Catholic Children's Society (BCCS): The Chelmsford branch of the Knights of St Columba (KSC) completed their annual charity fundraising walk on Sat 13 September, when a group enjoyed a pleasant four mile/two hour circular walk in the countryside near Ingatestone. The Knights take this collection to support the valuable work of BCCS in our local communities, in particular through our church schools. Please give generously, especially as a a proportion of the donations linked to this walk will see BCCS benefit from match funding (i.e. your donation could be doubled!). Thank you.  

SECOND COLLECTION NEXT WEEKEND CAFOD FAMILY FAST DAY: The Family Fast Day is on Friday 3rd October. There will be a collection in Church that weekend. Thank you for your generosity. 

PARISH SYNODAL GROUP: Interested in the recent Synod in Rome and helping shape the future of our Parish and Church? The group will meet regularly to pray, listen, and reflect on how we can grow as a community of faith. To join the introductory meeting on the 7th October or find out more, contact Sr Clare via the Parish Office.
Knights of St Columba Annual Lecture: On Wednesday 1st October at 8pm in St Augustine’s, Ben Hitchen will share his experience of volunteering with the Hosanna House and Children’s Pilgrimage Trust (HCPT) in Lourdes, what makes it unique, and its impact on children with disabilities and their families. All welcome – bring friends and family. For details, contact thompsoncjt01@blueyonder.co.uk

SAINT ÓSCAR ROMERO TALK: Archbishop John Wilson (Archbishop of Southwark), will be giving a talk on Saint Óscar Romero, in the Cathedral Parish Hall on Wednesday 8th October at 7.30pm.  All Welcome. 

BCYS JUBILEE YOUTH MASS: On Thursday 2nd October, Youth Mass will be celebrated with Bishop Alan at Brentwood Cathedral, following a talk from the Donal Walsh #livelife foundation starting from 6:30pm. All young people around the Diocese are very welcome to join. Get in touch at info@bcys.net for more information.

BCYS CATECHIST TRAINING AND RESOURCES DAY 2025: Open to all confirmation and first holy communion catechists, youth leaders, and children’s liturgy coordinators in the Diocese of Brentwood. The day offers formation, practical workshops, inspiring speakers, and networking to support First Holy Communion and Confirmation programmes. Open to adults and young leaders (16+); full details and booking at www.bcys.net/events/catechists2025

WELCOME ELMA WALSH OF THE LIVELIFE FOUNDATION: Join Fr Damien on Wednesday 1st October at 5pm in OLI Hall for what promises to be a beautiful welcome as he introduces Elma Walsh to our linked parishes and the Diocese. Elma is the mother of Donal Walsh RIP, who died from cancer at 16. She founded the livelife Foundation in his memory and now speaks about making the best of life’s moments. All are welcome to meet her ahead of her talk at the BCYS Youth Mass on Thursday. 

ROSARY BEFORE MASSES: Before all Sunday Masses during the month of October the rosary will be prayed in Our Lady Immaculate and Holy Name churches.

LEGION OF MARY: will be holding a new evening meeting on Thursdays at 7pm  in Canon Wilson Hall behind Holy Name Church. All are welcome to find out more about this vibrant ministry across our Parishes. 

NEW HALL SCHOOL CHAPLAINCY ASSISTANT VACANCY:  New Hall is seeking two people to join our vibrant Chaplaincy Department.  A crucial aspect of this role is working with our sister school, the Ecole Christ Ressuscité, and religious community, the Daughters of the Resurrection, in Masaka, Rwanda, who belong to the same Order as our Founding Community, the Canonesses of the Holy Sepulchre.  The two successful applicants will spend one term volunteering in this vibrant community and teaching in our sister school in Rwanda.  For further details and to apply please see our vacancy: https://mynewterm.com/jobs/115387/EDV-2025-NHS-09524

THE BIBLE TIMELINE COURSE: Understand the Bible from start to finish, the Old and New Testament, with this FREE OF CHARGE, world-renowned course presented online LIVE by Mauro Iannicelli. Starts on Wed 1st October 2025 at 7pm UK time (x8 Wednesday evening sessions). Info & Registration: comeandsee.org 

HEALTH AND WELLBEING SESSION: Our next session will take place on Wednesday 1st October at 10am in the Blessed Sacrament Church Hall. Led by a qualified health coordinator, the session lasts around an hour to 90 minutes. Free to attend, open to family and friends. Refreshments provided, donations welcome.

THANK YOU: Thank you to everyone who came along and/or donated to the Hall of Games event in St Augustine last weekend. To date we've raised just over £430 for the SVP project in South Sudan.

TRADITIONAL IRISH SESSION OF MUSIC AND SONG: in O'Connors Pub ,7 Hall Street (just off Moulsham Street) CM1 0HG on Sunday, 28th September from 12-2pm from the band who played at Fr Damien's leaving gathering.  Everyone will receive a warm welcome, and enjoy good company, music and plenty of songs.

BAPTISMS THIS WEEK: We welcome Harper, Daisy, Adam, Sienna and Oakley to our Catholic community. Please pray for them and their families. 

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 confidentially at 0207 7033030, 07936 579230, or contact the Parish Office. For furniture project donations or assistance, call the furniture bank directly on 0330 0436474.

PLEASE PRAY FOR THE SOULS OF THOSE WHO HAVE DIED RECENTLY AND ALL FAMILIES WHO MOURN.
Patricia NUTTON (RIP) Requiem Mass on Thursday 2nd October at 1pm in Our Lady Immaculate Church.
Noreen SMITH (RIP) Requiem Mass on Friday 3rd October at 1:30pm in Our Lady Immaculate Church. 
Edward SCOTT (RIP) Requiem Mass Tuesday 7th October at 2pm in St Augustine Church
Grazia PAOLA (RIP) Requiem Mass on Thursday 9th October at 1pm in Our Lady Immaculate Church.
Enid MACLEOD (RIP) Requiem Mass on Thursday 16th October at 11am in Our Lady Immaculate Church.
John ROBINSON (RIP) Requiem Mass on Friday 17th October at 2pm in Holy Name 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, Valerie Cummins, Doreen Cornish, Antonia Dias, Victoria Docherty, Peter Dodson, Madeleine East, Troy Erickson, Marta Fevola, Mary Fletcher, Teresa Foster, Michael Hoare,  Mike Healy, Shelia Hughes, John Grainger, Robert Godfrey, Connor Hickey, Cathy Ingram, Maureen Leatherdale, Stuart Lucas, Margaret Lowrey, Anne Lowden, Jim Machin,  Maura Magee, Barry & Shelia Mayo, Henry McKeon, Monica McShane, Donny McColl, Margaret O'Sullivan, Christine Staines, Maureen Sullivan, Patrick Waters, Anja Welsh-Smyth, Paddy Westrip, Gerald Westrip, Gayle Williams, Shirley Willis.