News

As a special work of Caritas Brentwood, we are very pleased to share that this year’s St John Bosco Camp gave 170 young people a week away, supported by 120 volunteers who gave up their time to make it happen. Every summer, the camp offers children aged 9 to 12 a week they won’t forget. It’s all about mixing outdoor adventure with faith, giving campers the chance to get outside, make new friends and grow in their faith through Mass and other spiritual activities along the way

Students from St John Payne, Chelmsford recently took part in the Young Catholic Influencers of the Year Award. Noah Ford (Year 7) wrote the following article reflecting on the day they spent at Westminster Cathedral. Taking part in the Young Catholic Influencers of the Year Award was an incredible experience and one that I will never forget. Alongside nineteen other Year 7 students, I had the opportunity to represent St John Payne Catholic School at a joint-diocese event in

Catholic Social Teaching has continued to play an important role in the life of St Helen’s Catholic Infant and Nursery School in Brentwood. Through projects led by the School Council, children learn about supporting others in their community and caring for the environment. As part of the school’s commitment to helping those in need, the School Council organises a food bank collection to support Brentwood Foodbank. The school community donates food and toiletries, with hundred

See below for a message from Mary’s Meals about how their regular donations are being tripled by a generous donor. As children across the UK return to school over the next few weeks, they will be excited and perhaps nervous to start a new school year. But what if their biggest back to school worry was being too hungry to learn, or falling ill in class due to hunger? This is the back to school reality for millions of children living in the world’s poorest communities – but a d

The Ecological Conversion Group (ECG) are hosting a webinar on the 1st September to inaugurate the Jubilee Garden Project. All are warmly invited to join on Tuesday 1st September at 8pm (UK time), to celebrate the launch of the project – created in partnership with ‘The God Who Speaks’ of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales. What is the Jubilee Garden Project? The ‘Jubilee Garden Project’ is an invitation to use physical space to heal, transform and renew. T

Michael (Development Officer, Caritas Brentwood) along with 3 members of our young adult network (Paula, Kacey and Ed) attended the 48th Annual National Justice and Peace Network Conference. Hosted at The Hayes Conference Centre in Derbyshire, the theme for the Conference this year was Just Talk. Addressing how we approach our daily encounters with others, especially with people whose views we might disagree with. The keynote, by Billy Vaughan (Public Affairs Officer, Quakers

The following article was part of the the Newham Deanery News 2026 Edition Magazine. An audience gathered on the evening of Friday 17th July for a thought-provoking lecture that examined one of the most pressing questions of the modern age: just because science allows something, does it mean it should be done? Father Daniel Kelly, a Catholic priest and trained bioethicist, delivered a wide ranging talk that moved between theology, philosophy and contemporary medicine with cla

Welcome to Papal Insights for the month of July! We have a shorter one this month as Pope Leo XIV took some time off at his holiday residence in Castel Gandolfo, where both his private and public engagements were more limited than usual. We hope that you all have a restful Summer! Speech, 11th July 2026 Earlier in July, the Holy Father received 200 guests at Castel Gandolfo. These guests were accompanied by the Diocese of Rome, having been identified as living in “vulnerable

Welcome to our round-up for the month of July 2026! July has probably been our busiest month this year, and it has been a delight to be on the road as much as we have been. Ursuline Links Empowering Young Leaders Conference Siân, Director of Caritas Brentwood, had the privilege of speaking at the Ursuline Links Empowering Young Leaders Conference. Presenting alongside Beth (Strategic Project Director, CYMFed) and Kezia (Young Vincentian Officer, SVP), Siân spoke about leaders

Friends of the Holy Land are looking for Volunteer Ambassadors in the Brentwood Diocese. Volunteer Ambassador Role Can you offer them a few hours each month? Are you concerned about the situation in the Holy Land and want to do something practical to help? Are you willing to speak on behalf of your fellow Christians in the Holy Land? Do you have contacts with groups and individuals locally and across Brentwood diocese? What They Need from You A commitment to make up to 8 talk

Million Minutes is a Catholic youth agency that empowers young people to lead transformative social action, placing their voices at the heart of ministry and inspiring action through Catholic Social Teaching. On 15 June, young people accompanied by staff from Million Minutes travelled to London to join the Columban Missionaries Britain for a day centred on faith, social justice and human dignity. As part of the programme, they took part in a peaceful prayer witness in support

A Rocha are celebrating 10 years of their ‘Eco Church’ project with a special event at Chelmsford Cathedral. A Rocha are delighted to invite everyone to Chelmsford Cathedral on Wednesday 30th September 2026 to celebrate 10 years of Eco Church. The ecumenical service will begin at 5:15pm, followed by light refreshments and and an opportunity to meet, chat, share stories and visit the stalls. The panel discussion will commence at 6.30pm. All are welcome! Attendees can come for