At this difficult moment, we ask that, as a Catholic community, we make full use of our churches as places of individual prayer and sources of solace and help.

We must sustain each other in our patterns of prayer, joining a national shared moment of prayer each day at 6pm, and observing the Vigil of Christ the King (21st November) as a day of prayer for the ending of this pandemic. And we encourage you all in your practical service and support of each other and those around you in need.

All Christians have been asked to offer special prayer at 6.00pm until December 2nd

In response to this call, our church in Kelvedon will be open for private prayer on Saturday 21st November from 10-12am.

We also encourage those who can pray daily at 6pm to do so.

Among other churches who are life streaming the rosary at 6pm is Our Lady of Good Counsel Wickford https://www.walsingham.org.uk/live-stream/ and the Shrine at Walsingham https://www.walsingham.org.uk/live-stream/

We are hoping that by now, all our parishioners would have received a parish letter explaining what the Pastoral Care Parish Group can do for you during this new lockdown and in the weeks ahead.

If for whatever reason you have not received your letter, please click on the link to view it.

Further to the information provided in the letter, we can also:

• Add your prayer intentions to our Rosary Group and to the personal prayers of the members of the Pastoral Care Parish Group.

• In some cases, depending on demand and availability, we can go for a walk with ONE person who might feel in need of exercise and conversation.

If you have any other request not stated above or in the letter, please contact your coordinator.

We will be happy to hear from you.

If you would like to help in any way, please let us know via email:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 07719-577923.

We would specially appreciate help from our young people.

Covid Pastoral Letter

For those of you who would like to attend Sunday or daily Mass online please go to

https://www.walsingham.org.uk/live-stream/

or for a full list of mass times and churches visit

https://www.churchservices.tv/timetable/

19th April 2020

The words of Jesus to St Faustina, "I desire that the Feast of Mercy be a refuge and shelter for all souls, and especially poor sinners.

On that day the very depths of My tender mercy are open.

The soul that will go to Confession and receive Holy Communion shall obtain complete forgiveness of sins and punishment." (699) "Souls perish in spite of My bitter Passion.

I am giving them the last hope of salvation; that is, the Feast of My Mercy.

If they will not adore My mercy, they will perish for all eternity...tell souls about this great mercy of Mine, because the awful day, the day of My justice, is near. (965) Wake up people of the World, and repent of your sins, this just might be our last hope of salvation!

Read more www.divinemercysunday.com/message.htm

Fr John Armitage is starting a one week retreat via the livestream service from Walsingham.

The retreat will begin on Sunday night at 8pm (following Compline or Night Prayer) and will last for a week.

There will be two talks everyday at 10:30 am and 4pm.

For more information please go to www.walsingham.org.uk.

They also have a YouTube channel .

You will find the link below the main picture on the website.

Link to prayers for every day of Novena you may find here:

https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/devotions/novena-13366

The Novena prepares us to the Feast of Divine Mercy (the first Sunday after Easter).

Jesus desires that we adore his inconceivable Mercy.

He promises “ocean of graces” when we observe certain actions: confession, Holy Communion.

He promises that we “obtain complete forgiveness of sins and punishment”.

Read more of Jesus’ wonderful words to us, as he appeared to St Faustina here:

https://www.thedivinemercy.org/articles/divine-mercy-sunday-whats-feast-all-about-anyway

Even through it is a difficult time for us all, we continue to fulfil Jesus’ desires, to celebrate the Divine Mercy, because He died for us and wants us to remember about this every day and love Him immensely just as He loved us.

JESUS, I TRUST IN YOU! The feast will be live-streamed from many churches and shrines.

The attached stations of the Cross have been written during the Coronavirus Pandemic.

As we journey with Jesus to the cross, we notice many vivid echoes and resonances for us at this time – most especially that Jesus does not abandon us in grief, stress or suffering, but profoundly understands us.

And along his journey – as in ours – there is cast of characters that appear on the road, offering moments of soothing and generous relief in the midst of agony and distress.

These Stations can be used in private prayer, at any time; each Station contains the Scripture that directly relates to it, or – where there is no direct mention in Scripture – another relevant and inspiring passage from the Bible.

The Stations will also be prayed and streamed live from the grounds of Walsingham House at Abbotswick at 10.30am on Good Friday morning. You will find this on Instagram BrentwoodCYS.

You are very welcome to share the attached booklet wherever it may be useful.

It is also on our website, if it helps to have a website link:

https://bcys.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Stations-of-the-Cross-with-reflections-on-the-CoronaVirus-pandemic.pdf

Link for online Masses during Easter from Westminster Cathedral:

https://www.churchservices.tv/westminster

We are pleased to announce that the online donation facility is now available, and can be accessed via the Diocesan website.

https://www.dioceseofbrentwood.net/donations/

Donations may be made to individual parishes, and to separate funds within those parishes.

Parishes will receive their particular donations via the monthly parish statement.

There are now seperate links for online donations/offertory to our three churches:

St. Mary Immaculate and the Holy Archangels: https://www.dioceseofbrentwood.net/donations?parish=kelvedon

St. Bernard: https://www.dioceseofbrentwood.net/donations?parish=coggeshall

St. John Houghton: https://www.dioceseofbrentwood.net/donations?parish=tiptree

Do not look forward in fear to the changes and chances  of this life; rather, look to them with full confidence that, as they arise, God, to whom you belong, will in his love, lead you safely through all things.

He has guided you thus far in life, and He will lead you safely through all trials; and when you cannot stand it, God will carry you in His arms.

We are continuing to pray the Corona Virus Novena; please follow on https://www.praymorenovenas.com/ or see our Social Media pages.

The Dedication in 1381

The first dedication was made by King Richard II in Westminster Abbey as he sought the protection of Our Lady in the face of great political turmoil. At this point, England received the title 'Mary's Dowry'; meaning that England was 'set aside' as a gift, a dowry, for Our Lady under her guidance and protection.

In order to offer intercession and consolation during this time of exceptional discomfort THE HOLY FATHER will preside over a time of prayer and Eucharistic Adoration on Friday 27th March at 5:00pm London Time in St Peter's Square without a congregation.

25th March 2020: Consecration to Jesus through Mary on the Feast of the Annunciation

All those wishing to consecrate themselves to Christ through Mary on the Feast of the Annunciation are invited to join midday Mass livestreamed from the Shrine on Wednesday 25th March 2020.

The Consecration Prayers will follow the Homily.

 Due to the Coronavirus, many UK Catholic Diocesan newspapers are now on one website so parishioners can stay in contact with their Church and their community.

The  website, www.ChurchPaper.co.uk  contains over 600 editions newspapers,

 with more papers expected to follow next week.

As you might know by now, the Bishops Conference of England and Wales has suspended all masses and services in our Catholic Churches.
Masses will continue to be said everyday but behind CLOSED DOORS!

Message from Fr Gordon :

We have now received instructions from the Bishops - detailed text attached.