Newsletter 3rd December 2023

FORTY HOURS DEVOTION IN OUR LADY IMMACULATE CHURCH LEADING TO THE PATRONAL FEAST in celebration of the Immaculate Conception of Our Lady on the 8th December.

Tuesday 5th Dec - Opening Mass at 6:30pm followed by adoration until 10:15pm closing with Night Prayer and Benediction.
Wednesday 6th Dec - Mass at 7:30am followed by adoration until 7:45pm closing with Night Prayer and Benediction.
Thursday 7th Dec - Mass at 7:30am followed by adoration until 7:45pm closing with Night Prayer and Benediction.
Friday 8th Dec - Morning Prayer at 7:30am followed by adoration until 7:15pm. At 7:30pm the Mass for the Patronal Feast will begin.

Sign up sheets for a period of adoration will be available in the Our Lady Immaculate Church to ensure that the Blessed Sacrament is not alone in the church during these 40 hours. Please sign up. All are welcome to attend at any time. There will be celebration refreshments in the hall after the Patronal Feast Mass, all welcome.

PARISH CHRISTMAS DRAW: will take place in just over a weeks time on Friday, 8th December after the Patronal Feast Mass in OLI church hall. Please could you return your counterfoils & money along with any unused tickets as soon as possible in an envelope and place in the Sunday collection plate, or bring them in to the Parish office. Lovely prizes to be won!

CHRISTMAS FLOWER COLLECTION AT ST AUGUSTINE: We will be having a collection for Christmas Flowers on Sunday the 10th December. Thank you in advance for helping make the Church so beautiful for the birth of Our Lord.

SCHOOL ADMISSIONS - CERTIFICATE OF CATHOLIC PRACTICE FORMS: Fr Martin will be signing the ‘Certificate of Catholic Practice’ forms in Our Lady Immaculate Church between 17:30-18:30 on Thursday 14th December 2023 and Tuesday 9th January 2024. He will have the Certificate of Catholic Practice forms available, if families could please bring their child's baptism certificate with them.

CHELMSFORD CATHOLIC YOUTH: A new faith and fun filled group is being formed for the young people of Chelmsford (school years 9-11), The group will meet on alternate Friday evenings during term time between 6:45pm and 8:30pm. Forms are available at the back of the churches to register interest for the sessions and contain further details which are also available on the website. Please return to the Parish office by the 8th December.

BCYS YOUTH MASS THURSDAY 7th DECEMBER: For the season of Advent, the youth of the diocese are invited to take part in a service of Reconciliation and Mass with refreshments from 6pm. As well as priests being available to hear confession, there will be a number of prayer stations for focus and reflection. If you would like a seat on the Parish Minibus, leaving from St Augustines Church at 5:45pm please contact the Parish Office.

ADVENT CAROL SERVICE AT ST AUGUSTINE 10th DECEMBER: All are welcome to join the joint communities of St Augustines in our Advent preparation for an afternoon of reflection, prayer and carols at beginning at 4:30pm.

HOLY NAME LADIES GROUP: would like to thank everyone who supported their recent Quiz Night. Special thanks go to Mike & Noreen Hiom for arranging a challenging and fun quiz. We raised a total of £575, to support the Youth of our Parish.

MINCE PIES AND MULLED WINE AT HOLY NAME: on Thursday 14th December in the Canon Wilson hall at Holy Name after the 9.30am mass. Everybody is very welcome. Donations to CAFOD.

PRAYER GROUPS IN ST PHILIP'S CHAPEL: Will not be taking place this Wednesday 6th Dec due to the forty hour devotion.

CHRISTMAS TEA BOXES: Would you like a Christmas Tea Box to support fundraising for the SVP Furniture Bank Project? £14 per person. Delivery is free within the Chelmsford borough area or you are welcome to collect from Church of Our Saviour, CM2 6ST. Boxes will be delivered early afternoon of Saturday 9th December: selection of sandwiches, sausage roll, scone, jam & clotted cream, yule log, gingerbread biscuit and mini mince pie. Please advise of any special dietary requirements. Booking at https://www.trybooking.com/uk/...

SVP CHELMSFORD CHRISTMAS APPEAL- COFFEE MORNING AND CHRISTMAS POP UP: on Sunday 17th Dec after 9am and 12.00 noon Masses held in Our Lady Immaculate Church Hall. Come and meet your fellow parishioners and enjoy a cup of tea, coffee, delicious homemade cakes and browse amongst our new, handmade Christmas Crafts, cards, beautiful hand knitted items and lots more.

ADVENT NIGHT OF PRAYER AND PRAISE IN HOLY NAME: Saturday the 23rd of December at 6pm at Holy Name Church followed by adoration & refreshments. Jesus is the reason for the season! This Advent take some time to prepare spiritually for the most wonderful time of the year. Edwin Fawcett and Adenike are both exceptional musicians and gifted spiritual friends who will lead the music at the Mass then lead us in a time of prayer and praise before the blessed Sacrament as we prepare spiritually for the celebration of Christ's Birth this Christmas. For more information please contact Fr Paschal or the Parish Office.

THE CATHOLIC WOMENS LEAGUE: will meet on Friday 8th of December for the Patronal Feast in OLI Church Hall.
Bishop’s Certificate in Catechesis and Youth Ministry: is an online course is designed to be an entry level qualification to help in the ongoing formation of adults involved in sacramental preparation or youth ministry in the Diocese of Brentwood. It includes both the development of practical skills & the deepening of theological knowledge. For more information or to register your interest please email clairebailey@brcdt.org or see the website https://bcys.net/bishops-cert/

FOR CURRENT VACANCIES IN BRENTWOOD DIOCESE: Across the schools and departments please see: https://www.dioceseofbrentwood...

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 the Legion of Mary can visit you.