Newsletter 6th July 2025

First Reading: Isaiah 66: 10-14c.

Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 66: 1-3, 4-5, 6-7, 16 and 20.

Second Reading: Galatians 6: 14-18.

Alleluia: Colossians 3: 15a, 16a.

Gospel: Luke 10: 1-12, 17-20.

SECOND COLLECTION NEXT WEEK STELLA MARIS: Seafarers play a vital role in all of our lives but they often work in difficult, hazardous conditions. This year Sea Sunday is Sunday 13th July, a day for people to come together to pray for seafarers, and thank them for the vital role they play in all of our lives. Your gifts and prayers will help seafarers and fishers get the support they need. Thank you advance.

Strawberry Cream Tea with Pimms: We will be holding our Strawberry Cream Tea with Pimms once again on Tuesday 22nd July at the Canon Wilson Hall, Holy Name at 2.30pm. You are all very welcome to come to this enjoyable occasion which is in aid of CAFOD. No entrance fee but donations welcome. All are very welcome!

SVP Chelmsford Fundraising: The next Coffee Morning, on Sunday 13th July will be to raise funds towards sending children to SVP Brentwood Vinnie Summer Camp on Mersea Island. The camp provides a holiday opportunity for children who might not otherwise experience one. We will be serving coffee, tea and soft drinks, as well as delicious home- baked cakes and sausage rolls after 9.00 am and 12.00 am masses. Thank you for your continued support; your donations are greatly appreciated. All are warmly welcome.

Parish Administrator Vacancy at Our Lady of Good Counsel- Wickford: A vacancy has arisen for a Parish Administrator, to provide administrative support services to the Parish Office by implementing and maintaining office systems, processes and procedures and delivering a welcoming, appropriate service to those attending the parish office.The post will be part-time working 12 hours per week – (4 Days per week, 3 hours per day). The salary is £12.60 per hour. The closing date for applications is 12pm on 8th July 2025 and we will then invite suitable applicants to interview. If you have any queries or if you would like to apply, please send your CV by email to wickford@brcdt.org

St Augustine's Friendship Chain. During COVID, St Augustine's set up a Friendship Chain to keep parishioners in touch with each other. We have continued to run it since and it is used to advertise events, draw attention to requests for help and so on, and every so often someone sends round a maintenance message to make sure that it is working well.The messages are sent with open addresses so that participants can reply to everyone in the Chain. If you wish to be added, e-mail thompsoncjt01@blueyonder.co.uk

Leadership and Legacy 1-Day Conference: The Future of Women in the Church 11th July 2025 between 10:30am–5:00pm. New Hall, Boreham House, Chelmsford.
Explore the role of women in shaping the Church’s future through ministry, leadership and mission. This inspiring conference features keynote speaker Revd Lucy Winkett, alongside workshops, panels, and personal stories from influential women in the Church today. The ticket includes lunch, refreshments, free transport from Chelmsford station, and a quarterly digital subscription to The Tablet worth £21.50.
Booking and details: https://www.thetablet.co.uk/ev...

UPDATE ON ST PHILIP'S PRIORY: Fr Martin writes:

Dear Parishioners, I write to let you know that the sale of St Philip’s Priory was completed on the 1st of July. We are pleased to share that the new owners were our neighbours for many years, St Cedd’s School, who will be incorporating the Priory into their expanding educational provision. We wish them every success in their new venture.
For our parish, this marks the end of a significant era. St Philip’s Priory has been a faithful home to clergy, Parish Office and the Norbertine community and we are deeply grateful for all the life and service that has grown from it over many years. Previously it was the home of the Servite Sisters who served Catholic Education and who continue to serve Parish life.

Looking to the future, we will be relocating the presbytery and Parish Office closer to Our Lady Immaculate Church, currently the Parish Office is located in the Presbytery next to St Augustine’s church in Springfield. This move will allow us to be more present in the town centre and more accessible to the wider community we serve, especially in terms of pastoral visibility and day-to-day administration. It reflects a practical need to centralise our base, ensuring we can continue to serve all three communities effectively and with greater coordination.

Thank you for your prayers, support and understanding as we enter these new exciting times together.

Latest winners for the 200 club: Here are the latest winners for May / June. If you would like more details about the 200 club please contact the Parish Office.
18th May No. 1 Charles Bowen-Davies
25th May No. 18 M Martin
1st June No. 21 I Doherty
8th June No. 51 M. Sheppard
15th June No. 83 I Feniczek-Ward
22nd June No. 106 J Barrett

FUNDRAISING TOMBOLA: after Mass at St Augustine next weekend. Phil Perrier will be running a tombola for the Denis Hurley Centre in South Africa. Each ticket wins a prize.

PARISH OFFICE UPDATE: Please note above the new address for the Parish office, now located in Springfield near to St Augustine Church. Please note the Parish office will be open in OLI Hall on Thursday between 9-11am

St Vincent de Paul (SVP) Brentwood Community Festival: – Saturday 12th July, 1 PM – 3:30 PM, Brentwood Cathedral. Come along to this free event celebrating the work of SVP volunteers across Essex and East London, and discover how you can help make a difference in our community and beyond. Music, food, and displays of life-changing projects. All welcome! Book your free ticket:www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/communi...

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 on 0330 0436474.

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

May the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

PLEASE PRAY FOR THE SICK AND HOUSEBOUND OF OUR PARISHES, (AND ALL WHO ARE SICK.) Susan Ager, Annie Blake, Maureen Byrne, Marie Callahan, Valerie Cummins, Doreen Cornish, 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, Maura Magee, Barry & Shelia Mayo, Sarah & Henry McKeon, Monica McShane, Donny McColl, Margaret O'Sullivan, Grazia Paola, Christine Staines, Patrick Waters, Anja Welsh-Smyth, Gayle Williams, Shirley Willis.