The month of March is dedicated to St Joseph
SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT
1 MARCH 2026
| Sat 28 Feb | |||
| St. Theresa’s | 5.00pm | Ed & Bernie McCarney & Family | |
| St. Columba’s | 6.30pm | Chris Duncan | |
| Sun 1 Mar | Second Sunday of Lent | ||
| St. Theresa’s | 9.30am | John Christoforou RIP | |
| St. Columba’s | 11.00am | Josie McCann | |
| 2.00pm | Kerala Catholic Community Mass in Syro-Malabar Rite | ||
| Mon 2 Mar | |||
| St. Theresa’s | Parishioners’ Intentions | ||
| St. Columba’s | 10.00am | Stations of the Cross | |
| 10.30am | Lily, Keith, Olive | ||
| Tue 3 Mar | |||
| St. Theresa’s | Priests’ Intentions | ||
| St. Columba’s | Parishioners’ Intentions | ||
| Wed 4 Mar | |||
| St. Theresa’s | Gillian Prescott RIP | ||
| St. Columba’s | 9.30am | Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament | |
| 10.15am | Novena Prayers | ||
| 10.30am | Michael Craven RIP First Anniversary | ||
| Thu 5 Mar | |||
| St. Theresa’s | Catherine McHugh RIP | ||
| St. Columba’s | Priests’ Intentions | ||
| Fri 6 Mar | Women’s World Day of Prayer | ||
| St. Theresa’s | 9.30am | Stations of the Cross | |
| 10.00am | Peter Lloyd RIP | ||
| St. Columba’s | Stephen & Kristy Graham | ||
| Sat 7 Mar | |||
| St. Theresa’s | 9.30am | Malankara Jacobite Syriac Orthodox Community Mass | |
| 5.00pm | May & George Littler RIP | ||
| St. Columba’s | 6.30pm | Pat Wilkinson 90th Birthday | |
| Sun 15 Feb | Third Sunday of Lent | ||
| St. Theresa’s | 9.30am | Parishioners’ Intentions | |
| St. Columba’s | 11.00am | Veronica & Anthony Comerford | |
| 2.00pm | Kerala Catholic Community Mass in Syro-Malabar Rite |
LIVE STREAMING OF MASS – Mass will be streamed at St Columba’s on Sunday 1 March at 11.00a.m.
ANNIVERSARIES – Jayne Lesley McElwaine, Janet Irene McMahon, Michael Craven, Pauline Ann Roberts, Florence Childs, Kathleen Watts, Florence Southall, James John McCafferty.
POPE’S PRAYER INTENTION FOR MARCH – FOR DISARMAMENT AND PEACE. Let us pray that nations move toward effective disarmament, particularly nuclear disarmament, and that world leaders choose the path of dialogue and diplomacy instead of violence.
CONFESSIONS – After each weekday Mass until 11.30am.
Saturdays:
St Columba’s 6.00 – 6.25p.m.
St Theresa’s 4.30 – 4.55p.m.
WEDDINGS, BAPTISMS & FUNERALS – Please contact one of the Parish Offices to make your arrangements.
CHILDREN’S LITURGY – The Children’s Liturgy normally happens at the 11a.m. service at St Columba’s on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of each month. See the parish website under the Family tab.
PARISH OFFERTORY – Loose Plate: £446.90; Planned Giving: £326.06; Average weekly SO £718.15. St Columba’s Dona Stations: £104. Candles: £51.59. Thank you for your kind generosity.
RECONCILIATION SERVICE – There will be a Reconciliation Service at St Theresa’s on Tuesday 17 March at 7pm.
MASS REQUESTS – If you would like to have a Mass said, especially on a particular day, please allow at least one month before the date when requesting Mass. Requests can be made at the office or using an envelope. Thank you.
RETIRING COLLECTION – CAFOD FAMILY FAST DAY. There will be a Second Collection this weekend for CAFOD Family Fast Day.
FR WILLIAM – Thursday is Fr William’s day off so please try not to arrange meetings on a Thursday if you would like Fr William to attend.
NEWSLETTER – As well as sending to the editor, please send any items for the newsletter to St Theresa’s office email (st.theresas@btinternet.com) for the attention of Fr William. Thank you.
HALF MARATHON, SUNDAY 8 MARCH – Please check the route as you may have problems if you intend to come to the 9.30am Mass at St Theresa’s.
PRAYING TOGETHER FOR –
- The residents of Ellesmere Avenue, Pensby Avenue, Kendal Close, Shelley Road, Coleridge Close, Stearns Close and Housman Close.
- Pax Christi, Saving to Share, Mission Groups, Christian Aid, CAFOD and Traidcraft.
- Our mission in the wider church.
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK – “I raise up my voice – not so I can shout, but so that those without a voice can be heard… we cannot succeed when half of us are held back.” – Malala Yousafzai
WORLD DAY OF PRAYER – This is a service for everyone, and will be held at 10:30 am on Friday 6 March at the United Reform Church, Heath Road. All are welcome and there will be coffee and tea afterwards.
DAY OF RECOLLECTION for new and existing Eucharistic Ministers – You are welcome to attend the Day of Recollection with Natalie Orefice on Sunday 8 March at 2.00 pm in the Newman Room in preparation for the reintroduction of Holy Communion under both kinds in our Parish.
LENT GROUP – This will continue on Tuesday March 3. Feel free to come when you can. Anyone is welcome. Each week, we shall look at a passage from the gospel of John, trying to imagine ourselves in the scene and sharing our thoughts about our reaction to it. This is an approach to the gospel which can surprise us with new ideas. No-one is forced to speak. You can bring your own bible, but copies of the passage will be available. Join us at 10.30 a.m. in the Iona Chapel for 30-40 minutes maximum. For more information, contact Lyn: 07735574397
ST COLUMBA’S COFFEE ROTA – See the rota on the noticeboard in St Columba’s Hall. We need volunteers every Sunday after 11:00 Mass, so if you would like to raise money for your good cause, please put your details on the sheet and let Margaret Curtis know on 01244 318424 or marg.curtis@outlook.com
01 Mar – Sue Carr, parish
08 Mar – volunteers please
15 Mar – volunteers please
THE PRICE OF TEAS AND COFFEES in St Columba’s Church Hall on Sundays will be £1 from 1 March. This will help volunteers raise more for their chosen charity and will encourage more groups to volunteer in the future.
SVP THEATRE NIGHT – SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE – Bebington Dramatic Society will present “Shakespeare In Love” on Wednesday 4 March, 7.30p.m. at the Gladstone Theatre, Port Sunlight. All proceeds to support the SVP Holiday Home in North Wales which provides much needed holidays for many people. Tickets £12 available from Sue McCarthy, Mark Traynor or any member of the SVP.
FRIENDSHIP THURSDAY – This week March 5, 2-4 pm in the parish hall. This group is for anyone so invite friends or neighbours who would like an afternoon in company over coffee, tea and biscuits. This week, our guest speaker will present a very interesting local subject “A Railway, its Engineers and their Houses”. £2 per head. We look forward to seeing you.
MASS AND STATIONS OF THE CROSS AT COUNTESS OF CHESTER HOSPITAL – Holy Mass will be celebrated next Thursday 5 March at 12:15 in the hospital chapel. Stations of the cross are prayed each Thursday of Lent at 12:15 in the chapel. All are welcome.
CHRISTIAN AID – Lent lunches from 12 noon-1.30 pm, 2 & 9 March in Wesley Methodist Church, St John Street, and 20 March in Hoole URC, Hoole Road.
CHESTER FAIRTRADING SPRING FAIR – 11.00am-3.00pm on Saturday 14 March in Wesley Methodist Church, St John Street. Help to support global fairtrading.
POP-UP PLAY VILLAGE – to be heldat St Werburgh’s & St Columba’s Primary School on Friday 6 March, from 10:00–11:00am, for toddlers and young children. Whether you are a member of the parish looking for a friendly community activity, or beginning to explore school options for 2026/27, everyone is very welcome to attend. This fun and imaginative play session offers a relaxed opportunity for families to meet one another and enjoy the morning together. Our Headteacher, Mrs Jevons, will also be available to meet parents and carers during the session. If you’d like to join us, please sign up here
Adam Fitzpatrick and Charlotte Jackson took partin the Rite of Election celebrated by Bishop Mark at Shrewsbury Cathedral on Sunday 22 February. The Bishop declared catechumen Adam now to be a member of the Elect, to be initiated into the sacred mysteries at Easter. As part of Adam’s continuing preparation for entering fully into the Church through the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and the Eucharist, during the 11 am Mass next Sunday Fr William will conduct the First of three Scrutinies with him. These are rites of self-searching and repentance, with a spiritual purpose, performed in these final weeks of preparation. Charlotte, who is already baptised, joins in the Lenten spirit of repentance, to hear the Lord’s call to conversion and be faithful to her baptismal covenant, as she makes final preparation to be received into full communion with the Church at Easter.
FISH & CHIP BABIES KNITTING PROJECT – Photos showing the unpacking of your knitted garments by the recipients in East Africa are on display in the porches of both churches. Thank you and keep knitting!
ST BEDES SCHOOL REUNION – Tuesday 3 March from 1 pm, The Albion Pub, Albion Street, Chester. For more information contact Ùna Hardwick, nee Meehan, 07828185867
NATIONAL NOVENA TO ST JOSEPH – 10–18 March. The Mill Hill Missionaries will hold their annual National Novena to St Joseph at St Joseph’s Church, 10–18 March 2026. Mass times 10.00am daily (11.00am on Sunday). Masses will also be streamed via the Mill Hill website and YouTube:
www.millhillmissionaries.com/novena
Novena prayer booklets are available (suggested donation £1). Petitions and booklet requests: Novena Director, 6 Colby Gardens, Maidenhead, SL6 7GZ, or email novenamhm@gmail.com
DANCE THROUGH THE DECADES – From the 60’s to NOW!! DJ Chris Appleton.
In Aid and support of “Hopeful Ugandan Hearts”, on Saturday 7 March from 7p.m.-11p.m. at St Columba’s Church Hall. £15 per person (includes cold food buffet) 18+ Event Alcohol licensing in place. All proceeds help support the Charity’s work.
Music • Dancing • Retro Vibes
Dance your way through the decades with hits from the 1960s right up to today! Dress up from your favourite decade if you wish. To be able to cater for this event please book your ticket in advance by Wednesday 4 March or contact Lina Greig on 07837512544 for more information.
VOTIVE CANDLES AT ST COLUMBA’S CHURCH – Our candles are safe and environmentally friendly: they may be left to burn when the church is empty, the spent wax is recycled and last year, using these candles, helped prevent 112 trucks of plastic and aluminium cups going to landfill. As they are more expensive, please consider a minimum donation of 50p per candle. You can donate via the Dona system, which increases your offering if you are registered for Gift Aid. Thank you. Pauline Rourke
ST COLUMBA’S RED MISSION BOX HOLDERS – There are three Red Mission boxes collections during the year: March, July and November. To have your box emptied, please leave it in the sacristy before the end of March, then pick up your empty, relabelled box from the rear porch.
SIX BIBLE STUDIES ON THE LENTEN SUNDAY GOSPELS – Mauro Iannicelli will break-open the forthcoming Lenten Sunday Gospels with in-depth teaching and stimulating questions.
Starts: Tues 17 February 2026 at 7p.m.
Six consecutive Tuesdays: 17 Feb | 24 Feb | 03 Mar | 10 Mar | 17 Mar | 24 Mar (7-8:15p.m.)
Free of Charge | LIVE on YouTube.
Registration: comeandsee.org/lent26
THE CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL IS JOINING THE CAFOD BIG LENT WALK! – The whole school will complete a circular walk inHandbridge on Friday 27 March to raise money to fight poverty in Ethiopia, which faces a devastating food crisis. If you would like to sponsor the students by making an online donation, please go to our CAFOD portal or scan the QR code. Many thanks for your support. Donate – Donation amount – JustGiving
MUSEUM OF THE MOON ARTWORK – Chester Cathedral, from Thursday 12 February to Sunday 15 March 2026. The installation is a fusion of lunar imagery, moonlight and surround sound composition. No need to book daytime entry, but a donation is advised.
BETROTHED – Shrewsbury Diocese will be running two sacramental marriage preparation courses in early 2026. Each course runs over two consecutive Saturdays from 9.30 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. on each day. The two venues are:
(1) Vincent de Paul Church Westleigh Parish Hall, Groby Road, Altrincham WA14 2BQ, on 28 February and 7 March
(2) Shrewsbury Cathedral Parish Hall, Town Walls, Shrewsbury SY1 1UE, on 21 and 28 March.
Registration is essential. To register, contact Monika: monika.golembiewska@dioceseofshrewsbury.org
For more information, contact Jane Deegan: jane.deegan@dioceseofshrewsbury.org
ST WERBURGH’S & ST COLUMBA’S SCHOOL – The School Mission Team (SMT) have had the idea to use the arch in our prayer garden as a prayer arch. A school member with an intention they want prayed for, can tie a ribbon around the arch. If anyone has any spare ribbon or coloured string, could you please donate it to this project. The SMT are really excited about seeing the arch become colourful with prayer intentions! Thank you in advance.
THE COMMUNITY OF OUR LADY OF WALSINGHAM – Seeks help to purchase a property to accommodate their growing community and further their mission for the re-evangelization of England. Any amount, large or small, is greatly appreciated and the community assure you of their prayers. More information, as well as the option to donate online, can be found at: www.maryshouseappeal.org E. office@walsinghamcommunity.org T: 01362 692574
ST COLUMBA’S CHURCH & HALL BOOKINGS – To book the Church, Newman Room, or Iona Chapel, contact Magdalena Bukowska at the Church Office 01244 624019, email stcolumbaschurch2016@outlook.com. Office hours Mon-Fri 9a.m. to 2.00p.m.
To check Hall availability, visit the Church Hall calendar on the St Columba’s website, then contact Magdalena during office hours or email: columbashallbookings@gmail.com
NEXT WEEK’S NEWSLETTER – Sunday 8 March to be compiled by Magdalena Bukowska Phone: 01244 624019, email: stcolumbaschurch2016@outlook.com. Deadline: 9.00a.m. Wednesday 4 March.
Please include a contact number with your notice. Also email a copy to Fr. William at st.theresas@btinternet.com