Newsletter 29th October 2023

NOVEMBER - THE MONTH OF THE HOLY SOULS:
November is the month where we honour our beloved dead. Beginning this month we are commencing a new tradition of a Mass each Friday with the intention of the Holy Souls. This month the Mass will be held in our Lady Immaculate Church at 7:30pm and will continue on the First Friday of every Month.
Masses for deceased loved ones: will be held in each of our Parish Churches at 7:30PM on the following dates:
The Holy Name - Friday 10th November.
St. Augustine of Canterbury - Friday 17th November.
Our Lady Immaculate - Friday 24th November.

BLESSING OF GRAVES: Priests will be available to bless graves on the following dates:-
Our Lady Immaculate and St Augustine of Canterbury churchyards - Sunday 5th November after 9am Mass.
Holy Name Churchyards, Sunday 5th Nov after 10:45 Mass.
Chelmsford Crematorium - Sunday 5th November between 3-4pm. Please meet in the car park off the Writtle Road.
Galleywood and Great Baddow Lawn Cemetery. Sunday 12th November at 2pm.

LINKED PARISHES CHRISTMAS FAYRE: SUNDAY 19th NOVEMBER. Our Christmas Fayre to raise much needed funds for our parish takes place in OLI school hall from 10am - 2.30pm. We are urgently in need of donations of good quality items and gifts, toiletries, raffle prizes, Christmas food for hampers, jewellery, bottles of alcohol & toys. Boxes to receive these have been left at the back of our churches. With many thanks for your generosity. Any enquiries please phone Anne on (01245) 257463.

CHRISTMAS DRAW: Our Parish Christmas Draw tickets will be available after all Masses today. The Draw, along with our Christmas Fayre, is our main fundraiser for the year and provides much needed funds for the Parish. Please take as many ticket books as you can and sell to family and friends. Counterfoils can be put in an envelope with the money and placed in the Sunday collection plate. £250 1st prize, large Christmas hamper, 2nd prize & many more hampers & lovely prizes to be won!

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION PROGRAMME 23-24. First Holy Communion application forms are available at the back of the churches. Applications should be returned to the Parish Office by the end of October. For more information see our website at https://www.chelmsfordcatholic...

QUIZ NIGHT HOSTED BY HOLY NAME LADIES GROUP: Quiz Night on Saturday 18th November at 7.30pm in the Canon Wilson Hall at the church of the Holy Name. Tickets will be on sale after all weekend Masses at Holy Name; price £5 each (children free). Please bring own drinks/nibbles. Raffle prizes.

THE RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION FOR ADULTS: group meets for the first time in St Philip's Priory on the 9th November between 7:30-9pm. For more information see on our website at https://www.chelmsfordcatholic...

THE FIRST SATURDAY DEVOTIONS: will follow immediately after 10:30am Mass in Our Lady Immaculate Church on Saturday 4th October.
September 2024 intake – Our Lady Immaculate Catholic Primary School tour: Our Lady Immaculate Catholic Primary School are holding their school tours for prospective parents on Tuesday, 31st Oct at 10am, 1st Nov at 1.45pm and 8th Nov at 1.45pm. Places are limited so please telephone the school office on 01245 353755 to book a tour.

BCYS MAY YOUTH MASS: The next Diocesan Youth Mass will be on Thursday 2nd November in Brentwood Cathedral celebrating all Souls. The event is open to all young people in Year 9 and above. If you would like a seat on the Parish minibus leaving from St Augustine of Canterbury Church at 5:45pm please contact the Parish Office.

LITTLE FREE PANTRY AT ST AUGUSTINE: Next Sunday there will be a collection of food at St Augustine’s for the Little Free Pantry. We know that the Pantry is being well used and demand high so thank you for the help you give.

POPE'S PRAYER INTENTIONS FOR NOVEMBER: For the Pope. "We pray for the Holy Father; as he fulfils his mission, may he continue to accompany the flock entrusted to him, with the help of the Holy Spirit."

ARTICLES FOR THE PARISHIONER MAGAZINE: Christmas Day edition. 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 26th Nov. Many thanks.

FOR CURRENT VACANCIES IN BRENTWOOD DIOCESE: Across the schools and departments please see: https://www.dioceseofbrentwood...
New this week: Parish Secretary for Our Lady of Ransom in Rayleigh.

THE SAINT VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY: provides practical help and support where possible for those who need it. Are you lonely, in need of help, or do you know someone who is? If so, contact us on 07876 551150 to arrange a visit. All calls are completely confidential.

HOSPITAL AND SICK VISITS: If you or a member of your family go into hospital, or are sick and housebound, please inform the Parish Office so a priest or member of the Legion of Mary can visit you.