Newsletter 8th March 2026

Mass Readings for Sunday, 8th March 2026

First Reading: Exodus 17: 3-7
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 95: 1-2, 6-7, 8-9
Second Reading: Romans 5: 1-2, 5-8
Verse Before the Gospel: John 4: 42, 15
Gospel: John 4: 5-42

EUCHARISTIC MINISTRY TRAINING: All Eucharistic Ministers from our three Chelmsford Linked Parishes are warmly invited to attend a session of training and Adoration on Thursday 19th March at St Augustine of Canterbury Church.  The evening will begin with Adoration from 6.30pm to 7.30pm, followed by training, and will conclude with Adoration and Benediction, finishing at approximately 8.15pm.  This takes place on the Feast of St Joseph, and Frs Barto and Michael would be delighted to spend this time with you. If you are a Eucharistic Minister, please make every effort to attend.

LOURDES WITH OUR DIOCESE: Join Bishop Alan and pilgrims from across our diocese in Lourdes this summer: Friday 17th - Friday 24th July 2026. Bookings open at https://www.tangney-tours.com/brentwood

LENTEN LECTURES THIS WEEK: Will take place at Brentwood Cathedral Parish Hall. The theme this year is:  “What does it truly mean to be Catholic?” This Wednesday 11th March 2026 it is Mr Mauro Iannicellil. on “Prayer as the foundation of Catholic Life.” For upcoming talks see the website: https://brentwoodcathedral.org.uk/lent-lectures-2026/ 
Also this Wednesday evenings Fr Andrew Robinson will continue leading a series of evening talks on the Passion according to St Matthew. Each session runs from 7.30–8.30pm in the chapel at New Hall School.

DEVOTIONS IN OUR LADY IMMACULATE CHURCH: 
On Fridays at 2:40pm each week parishioners will lead the Divine Mercy devotions. All are warmly invited to join them in prayer.
Rosary and Adoration takes place before the 10:30 am Mass on Saturdays. The First Saturday Devotions - Adoration, Rosary and Fatima prayers are prayed before the 10:30am Mass on the First Saturdays of the month.

STATIONS OF THE CROSS DURING LENT:
Mondays before the 7:30pm Mass in Holy Name starting at 7pm
Thursdays after 9:30am  Mass in Holy Name starting at 10am
Fridays after the 9:30am Mass in St Augustine starting at 10am
Fridays at 3pm in Our Lady Immaculate Church

LIBRARY BIBLES/CTS BOOKLTES: We are happy to see that parish is making use of the books in the library!  Please do remember to return library books and CTS booklets when you are finished with them so that others can read them.  Many thanks!

SVP CHELMSFORD FUNDRASIER FOR MOTHERING SUNDAY: Pick up your ‘Mother’s Day Treat Bag’ for only  £3.50 and make her day!A fantastic treat for your Mum, Grandma, Nanny or Nonna See more on our website: https://www.chelmsfordcatholic.co.uk/groups/svp.

SVP COFFE MORNING IN OLI: This Sunday,  the 8th March, tea, coffee, delicious home-baked cakes and savoury foods will be served after 9.00 and 12.00 Masses. There will also be a selection of cakes to take away, on a first come, first served basis. Children/Adults will have an opportunity to buy a Mother's Day Gift bag or picture, so as to be able to give a unique, personally created card or present on Mother's Day. Come and meet your fellow parishioners. Many thanks for your continued generous support for the work of the SVP.

SVP SOUTH SUDAN  2nd COLLECTION: Thank you so much for you generous support for the SVP Projects in South Sudan.  Some donations are still coming in but to date we have raised over £1568,30.
FOODBANK COLLECTIONS FROM OLI AND HOLY NAME DURING LENT: Thank you for your continued support. Collections continue.

MENS FOOTBALL CLUB AT NEW HALL: A new football club for men of all abilities is starting in New Hall on Monday evenings in term time on Mondays, promoting men's mental health. It will take place at New Hall School, 3G Astro North Gate Entrance, CM1 6FU between 6:30-7:30pm. For further information please see the posters in church or email r.schreiber@newhallschool.co.uk

EASTER RAFFLE: The Holy Name Ladies group will be holding a raffle to raise funds for the youth of the Parish. Prizes will include an Easter hamper and many treats to enjoy over the Easter holidays.
Tickets will be available after the Saturday night and Sunday morning masses on 14th/15th March, and 21st/22nd. Raffle will be drawn after 10.30 Mass on 29th March in the Canon Wilson Hall.

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION CLOTHING:  If there are any parish families who would like to borrow clothing for their child’s first Holy Communion this year, it will be available after the 10.45 Sunday Mass at Holy Name on the 22nd of March and 29th of March. Please contact c.irven@talk21.com if you have any questions.

THE LATEST 200 CLUB WINNERS IN OLI: Winners for February are:
1st February     No. 30   M Waters 8th February     No. 10   C Cronin
15th February   No. 79   P Flynn    22nd February  No. 88   M. Gladwin.

200 CLUB ST AUGUSTINE: The last Draw for the 200 Club was won by C.O'Sullivan,  but we can not find who that is. Can C. O'Sullivan please contact us so that we can get your prize to you? We are now collecting for next year's Club. We are hoping to get back to 200 shares sold, to give a £100 per month prize fund. Please renew your shares and,  if possible,  take out new ones. You can pay direct to our bank account: for details see Chris Thompson in church.

PRAISE AND WORSHIP WITH ADORATION:  will take place at Blessed Sacrament Church, Melbourne Avenue, Chelmsford on Wednesday 11th March from 7-8pm with refreshments afterwards in the hall. Contact Jane Parker for more information. Tel: 07952610233

PARISH SYNODAL GROUP: We continue to meet for prayer and discussion about ways in which a synodal approach can enhance communion, participation and mission in our Chelmsford Churches.  The next meeting will take place in the hall at St Augustine’s at 7:30pm on Thursday12th March.  We look forward to Fr Barto leading the group in Lectio Divina in our next session. Everyone is welcome.

BAPTISMS THIS WEEKEND: We welcome Matthew as the newest member of our Catholic Community. Please keep him and his family in your prayers.

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. They meet in OLI Hall on Tuesdays at 10am and Holy Name Canon Wilson Hall on Thursdays at 7pm. New members always welcome.

EASTER AT NEW HALL: New Hall School are delighted to invite all to join them to celebrate the Easter Triduum from Maundy Thursday to Easter Sunday. For full details and programme, visit: https://isu.pub/6kxcZCk For booking, find New Hall School on Ticketsource.co.uk or visit: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/newhallschool.

PLEASE PRAY FOR THE SOULS OF THOSE WHO HAVE DIED RECENTLY AND ALL FAMILIES WHO MOURN.
Leszek PLEWA (RIP) Requiem Mass on Thursday 12th March at 11:00am in Our Lady Immaculate Church.
Veronica D'SA (RIP) Requiem Mass on Friday 13th March at 11:30am at Holy Name Church.
Philip CUNNINGHAM (RIP) Requiem Mass on Friday 20th March at 1:00pm 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, S.Casimir OSM, Valerie Cummins, Doreen Cornish, Antonia Dias, Victoria Docherty, Peter Dodson, Madeleine East, Troy Erickson, Marta Fevola, Mary Fletcher, Teresa Foster, Moreen Healy. Michael Hoare,  Shelia Hughes, John Grainger, Robert Godfrey, Peter Hamilton, Connor Hickey, Cathy Ingram, Gary Iliffe,  Maureen Leatherdale, Stuart Lucas,  Anne Lowden, Kevin Lyons, Jim Machin,  Maura Magee,  Shelia Mayo, Henry McKeon, Monica McShane, Donny McColl, Anne Newland, Ann McDonald, Margaret O'Sullivan, Christine Staines, Maureen Sullivan, Patrick Waters, Anja Welsh-Smyth, Paddy Westrip, Gayle Williams.