Newsletter 7th December 2025

Mass Readings for Sunday, 7th December 2025

First Reading: Isaiah 11: 1-10
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 72: 1-2, 7-8, 12-13, 17
Second Reading: Romans 15: 4-9
Alleluia: Luke 3: 4, 6
Gospel: Matthew 3: 1-12

Rt Rev. Thomas McMahon, Bishop Emeritus of Brentwood Diocese RIP : It was with deep sorrow that the death of Bishop Thomas McMahon was announced on Monday 24th November. Please keep him in your prayers and give thanks for his long and faithful service. May he rest in peace.

Funeral arrangements: Sunday 14th December at 4 p.m. Reception of the body and Mass at Our Lady and St Joseph, Stock, CM4 9LJ.

Monday 15th December at 5 p.m. Reception of the body and Vespers at the Cathedral Church of St Mary and St Helen, 28 Ingrave Road, Brentwood, CM15 8AT.

Tuesday 16th December at 11.30 a.m. Requiem Mass in the Cathedral followed by burial in the Cathedral cemetery.  If you wish to attend please contact the Parish Office for tickets. 

The funeral can be watched via livestream from https://www.shealolin.co.uk/bishop-thomas  

FORTY HOURS DEVOTION 6th - 9th DECEMBER IN OUR LADY IMMACULATE CHURCH:  
Sunday 7th December – Adoration from 10am to 12 noon, and again from 1pm to 7pm.
Monday 8th December – Adoration from 9am to 2pm, and 3pm to 7pm, concluding with our Patronal Feast Mass at 7.30pm celebrating the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception. After this Mass there will be an event in the Parish Hall and the Parish Christmas Draw.

JOINT CAROLS IN ST AUGUSTINE CHURCH: Carols by candlelight on Sunday 14th December at 5pm for our Christian communities who worship at St Augustine. All very welcome including for a festive pie and hot drink afterwards. 
Mince pies and mulled wine at Holy Name Church: Our annual Mince Pies and Mulled Wine event will take place on Thursday 11th December in the Canon Wilson Hall after the 9.30am mass at Holy Name. All are most welcome. Any donations will go to CAFOD.

ADVENT CAROL SERVICE AT ST JOHN PAYNE: The students and staff of Saint John Payne invite you to their Advent Carol Service, Prepare A Way for the Lord. All are welcome, with light refreshments afterwards. Thursday 18th December 2024 at 6pm Aquinas Hall, Saint John Payne Catholic School.

CHRISTMAS WEEK MASS TIMES: Are available for the linked parishes on our website link:  https://www.chelmsfordcatholic.co.uk/newsletters-and-events/christmas-2025  
Please note there is a penitential service with opportunities for individual confession on Thursday 18th December at 7:30pm in Our Lady Immaculate Church

LEGION OF MARY CHRISTMAS STALL IN HIGH CHELMER: On Friday 12th November between 2pm to 5.30 pm, the Legion of Mary will be in High Chelmer with a nativity display, carols and details of our Christmas services across our churches. They would love some extra hands, whether chatting with shoppers or joining the singing. Please let the parish office know if you can help support this lovely evangelisation opportunity and outreach event in the local community.

CANONESSES OF THE HOLY SEPULCHRE ADVENT REFLECTION: On Sunday 21 December at 7.30pm, Sisters Moira and Margaret of the Canonesses of the Holy Sepulchre will lead an Advent Reflection at Blessed Sacrament Church, Melbourne. The reflection will last about 30 minutes and will be followed by seasonal bites and drinks. All are very welcome.

Children at Holy Name on Christmas Eve Vigil Mass: Carols from 5pm. Mass at 5:30pm. All children are welcome to dress up in a Nativity costume and take part in our Christmas Eve Mass. All costumes are provided. Please arrive before 5pm and come through the church to the Cannon Wilson Hall to collect a costume. 
If you would like any further information or if you know in advance that your child would like to take part, please email Claire at c.irven@talk21.com with your child's first name and age to help us to get the costumes ready. Thank you.

CHRISTMAS APPEAL: The Knights of St Columba are organising a collection to support those in need this winter. We’re seeking warm clothing (coats, jumpers, trousers), stationery (notebooks, pens, pencils), games, and books for teens and adults. Donations can be brought on the weekends of the 6th–7th December and 13th-14th and left in the box at the back of OLI. Thank you for your support

PARISH BANQUET: New Hall will be hosting a Parish Banquet for the Chelmsford parishes (and friends) on 25th April 2026. There are limited places available. Full details are on the poster on the noticeboards, and there are some places still available,please contact Paul via email paulcrittell@icloud.com for more information. 

FIRE MARSHALS: If you can support our churches by being trained as a named Fire Marshall at Mass, please contact the parish office.

PARISH CHRISTMAS DRAW - MONDAY 8th DECEMBER: Our Parish Christmas Draw takes place in OLI hall on Monday 8th December after the 7.30 pm Patronal Mass.  Counterfoils and money can be put in an envelope marked ‘Christmas Draw’ and placed in the Sunday collection, left at the presbytery at St. Augustine’s, or left with the priests after all midday Masses.  £300 1st prize, very large Christmas hamper 2nd prize, and lots more lovely Christmas hampers and prizes to win!

RESPONDING TO HOMELESSNESS WITH CARITAS BRENTWOOD: January 24th 2026 (10am-12:30pm) at St Francis of Assisi Catholic Church Parish Hall. This event will offer practical support, shared insights, and meaningful discussion with local organisations working on the frontline of homelessness. All are warmly invited to join and strengthen our collective response as a Diocese.

THE DIVINE MERCY APOSTOLATE: London is holding a Divine Mercy Advent Reflection on Saturday 20 December from 1 pm - 4:30 pm at St Mary Mother of God, 213 Hornchurch Road, Hornchurch, Essex RM12 4TF The Retreat will include teachings on the Message of Mercy, Stations of the Cross, Holy Mass, Hour of Mercy with Adoration and Benediction and Veneration of the Image of Merciful Jesus. All Welcome. Please call Millie on 07957594646 for more information.

FREE MONEY FOR THE DENIS HURLEY CENTRE: Many of you have supported our sister project in Durban over the years.  If you donate to them as part of the Big Give, your donation is automatically doubled.  Adding in Gift Aid that means a donation of £20 becomes £45 - enough for them to help 10 homeless and refugee patients in their clinic!  Please donate before 12 noon on Tues 9 Dec via tinyurl.com/HurleyBigGive .

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. The meet in OLI on Tuesdays at 10am and Holy Name on Thursdays at 7pm. New members welcome.

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

Shelia BEARFIELD (RIP) Memorial Mass on Monday 8th December at 11:30am in St Augustine of Canterbury Church. 
Michael CURRAN (RIP) Funeral Service on Friday 19th December at 10am in Holy Name Church
Patricia SMITH (RIP) Requiem Mass on Monday 22nd December at 10am 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, Valerie Cummins, Doreen Cornish, Antonia Dias, Victoria Docherty, Peter Dodson, Madeleine East, Troy Erickson, Marta Fevola, Mary Fletcher, Teresa Foster, Michael Hoare,  Shelia Hughes, John Grainger, Robert Godfrey, Connor Hickey, Cathy Ingram, Maureen Leatherdale, Stuart Lucas, Margaret Lowrey, Anne Lowden, Jim Machin,  Maura Magee,  Shelia Mayo, Henry McKeon, Monica McShane, Donny McColl, Anne Newland, Margaret O'Sullivan, Christine Staines, Maureen Sullivan, Patrick Waters, Anja Welsh-Smyth, Paddy Westrip, Gayle Williams, Shirley Willis.