THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
26 JANUARY 2025
| Sat 25 Jan | |||
| St. Theresa’s | 5.00pm | Parishioners’ Intentions | |
| St. Columba’s | 6.30pm | Private Intention (CC) | |
| Sun 26 Jan | Sunday of the Word of God | ||
| St. Theresa’s | 9.30am | Margaret Parry RIP | |
| St. Columba’s | 11.00am | Patricia Kelly | |
| Mon 27 Jan | |||
| St. Theresa’s | Tony & Peggy McHugh & Nell Tobin | ||
| St. Columba’s | 10.30am | Jeremiah Bukowski | |
| Tue 28 Jan | St Thomas Aquinas, P, D. Mem. | ||
| St. Theresa’s | Dolly George & Kevin Jones | ||
| St. Columba’s | Parishioners’ Intentions | ||
| Wed 29 Jan | |||
| St. Theresa’s | Priests’ Intentions | ||
| St. Columba’s | 9.30am | Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament | |
| 10.15am | Novena Prayers | ||
| 10.30am | Francis Bukowski | ||
| Thu 30 Jan | |||
| St. Theresa’s | Angela Stanley | ||
| St. Columba’s | Priests’ Intentions | ||
| Fri 31 Jan | St John Bosco, P, R. Mem. | ||
| St. Theresa’s | 10.00am | Henry Michael Lloyd RIP | |
| St. Columba’s | The Parish | ||
| Sat 1 Feb | |||
| St. Theresa’s | 5.00pm | Catherine McHugh RIP | |
| St. Columba’s | 6.30pm | Chris Duncan | |
| Sun 2 Feb | The Presentation of the Lord | ||
| St. Theresa’s | 9.30am | Kathleen Maguire RIP | |
| St. Columba’s | 11.00am | Comerford Family |
Please note if there is no time next to Mass it means there is no Mass for parishioners to attend that day, but the Priests will say Mass privately
LIVE STREAMING OF MASS
Mass will be streamed at St. Theresa’s on Sunday 26th January 2025 at 9.30a.m.
www.facebook.com/thecatholicparishofstcolumbaandsttheresa
POPE’S JANUARY PRAYER INTENTIONS
Let us pray for migrants, refugees and those affected by war, that their right to an education, which is necessary to build a better world, might always be respected.
ANNIVERSARIES
John Francis McNeill, Elizabeth (Betty) Allingham, Josephine Margaret Watts.
CONFESSIONS
There will be Confessions after each weekday Mass until 11.30a.m.
St Columba’s: From 6p.m. before the 6.30p.m. Saturday evening Mass.
St Theresa’s: From 4.30p.m. before 5p.m. Saturday evening Mass.
WEDDINGS, BAPTISMS AND FUNERALS
Please contact one of the Parish Offices to make your arrangements.
PARISH OFFERTORY
Loose Plate: £424.83; Planned Giving £250.40; Average weekly SO £555.00. Candles: £23.65.
ST COLUMBA’S COFFEE ROTA
The coffee rota for 2025 is on the noticeboard in St Columba’s Hall. The rota has a QR code linking to a calendar online: edit your chosen dates. Alternatively, just write your name, charity and phone number on the calendar. But if you can’t access the hall, leave a message on Margaret Curtis’s answerphone on 01244 318424 with your name and date(s) and she will add you to the rota.
PRAYING TOGETHER
Pray for:
- the residents of Dunham Way, Chirk Close, Tintern Avenue, Cleves Close, Roman Drive, Cavalier Drive and Hadrian Drive.
- the prayer groups and ecumenical prayer groups.
- those who have nobody to pray for them.
NEW TO THE PARISH? WELCOME!
We have a New Parish Registration Form to be completed and sent to either parish office to let us know that you are here and enable us to welcome you to the parish. The form can be completed and submitted online or downloaded and printed out. Instructions are on the form, which can also be found in the front porches of both churches. You will find it on the I’m New tab of the website.
INTRODUCTION TO THE HOLY YEAR 2025
A special day will be held at Saint Joseph’s Stockport on Saturday 1st February to introduce the Jubilee Year 2025. The day will begin with Mass at 10.00a.m. and include presentations by our catechetical, marriage and family life, CAFOD and Caritas Diocese of Shrewsbury teams.
Watch this space for Church News: Jubilee Year 2025. What is it?
Jubilee Years are a tradition of the Church dating back to 1300. They are now usually once every 25 years and are designed to be a time of conversion and increased emphasis on God’s mercy and forgiveness; a time for us to focus more on prayer and our life as a Christian.
Pope Francis encouraged all Christians to be “messengers of hope” by saying ‘yes’ to life”.
“Let us not be afraid to throw open bright windows of closeness to those who are suffering, of forgiveness, of compassion, and reconciliation…This invitation resounds in a particular way in the Jubilee Year that has just begun, urging us to be messengers of hope with a simple, but concrete ‘yes’ to life, with choices that bring life… Jesus, the Word Incarnate, is the light that shines in darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it”; The gospel “reminds us, then, how powerful is God’s love, which is not overcome by anything and which, despite obstacles and rejections, continues to shine and illuminate our path”. He added that today is a time of “great need for light, for hope, and a need for peace”.
What does this mean for me?
“How can I open a window of light in my environment and in my relationships?
Where can I be a glimmer of light that lets God’s love pass through?
What is the first step I should take today?”
Throughout the Jubilee Year, there will be opportunities to reflect on these questions. Maybe too, we could resolve to spend more time in prayer, listening to what God is asking of us and making it a reality in our daily lives.
HEALING MASS AT ST WERBURGH’S
Sunday 9th February, 2.30p.m., with an opportunity for the Sacrament of the Sick at the end. Refreshments afterwards. Everyone warmly welcome.
PARISH RETREAT
There will be a Parish retreat on Saturday 15th March from 10a.m – 1p.m. in St Columba’s Hall. All invited. More details nearer the time.
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK
“Knowledge is knowing that tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is knowing not to put it in a fruit salad” – Brian O’Driscoll.
JOB VACANCY
SEN Admin Support Role – Temporary Cover until the Easter holidays with a possibility of extension after that. You would need to be organised, ability to use databases, Microsoft and be able to communicate with staff, parents and external bodies. 8am to 4pm Monday to Thursday and 8am to 3.30pm Friday with 30 minutes lunch each day. £12.65 to £13.06 per hour depending on experience. Please contact kilcoynea@christofidelis.org.uk for more information.
SPUC
There will be a retiring collection at all Masses on the weekend of 1st/2nd February for the Society for the Protection of Children.
PRIESTS RETIREMENT FUND
We will let you know the amount collected when it has been counted.
BOOK MARKS
There are bookmarks for everyone in the parish. Please take one home with you.
CHESTER & ELLESMERE PORT KERALA CATHOLIC COMMUNITY
Every Sunday at 2.00p.m., the Chester & Ellesmere Port Kerala Catholic Community now have a Mass in St Columba’s in the Syro – Malabar Rite. All are welcome
LOURDES ROADSHOW
In this Jubilee Year of 2025, Bishop Mark has asked that our diocesan pilgrimage to Lourdes will be our Jubilee Pilgrimage. To help raise the profile of the pilgrimage and to answer any questions your parishioners might have, we have organised two roadshows for those who are interested in joining our annual diocesan pilgrimage to Lourdes. Our first roadshow will be on 1st February 2pm-4pm at Our Lady & St John’s, Heswall, Wirral, and our second roadshow will be on 15th February 2pm-4pm St Anthony’s, Wythenshawe. Information and register of interest cards will be available, and members of the Lourdes Management Team will be present to answer any questions.
HIGHLIGHT FROM THE HIGH
Last week, the Catholic High School has launched the Jubilee 2025 with the Celebration of the Word for each year group, followed by the opening of a handmade “Holy Door”, purposely built as a symbol of our commitment to bring hope to people. The chaplain and the students would like to hear parishioners’ suggestions on how the school could bring hope to our community. Any ideas, please email Ana to gasparinia@christofidelis.org.uk. Thank you.
ZUMBATHON
On Saturday 15th February, I will be hosting a Zumbathon for Hopeful Ugandan Hearts to raise funds for two Orphanages in Uganda. Children need to go back to school and we’d like to raise funds for school fees. From 11am-1pm two hours of Zumba Gold and Zumba fitness. £10 adults and £5 Children 6+. We’ll have amazing prizes in our Raffle!!! All moves welcome!!! Help us to get the children back to school. Pay at the door or contact Lina Greig 07837512544 for more information.
ST COLUMBA’S CHURCH & HALL BOOKINGS
To arrange meetings etc. in either the Church, Newman Room or the Iona Chapel, please book through Magdalena Bukowska, St. Columba’s Church Office, phone: 01244 624019, email: stcolumbaschurch2016@outlook.com. Office hours Monday to Friday 9a.m. to 2p.m.
Hall availability can be checked by looking at St Columba’s Church website – section for Church Hall gives a calendar of events in the Hall. Then contact Magdalena Bukowska on 01244 624019 for enquires within the office hours stated above or email columbashallbookings@gmail.com to arrange booking.
NEXT WEEK’S NEWSLETTER
Sunday 2nd February edition will be compiled by Harry Sweeney Phone: 01244 327462 or email: harrysweeney45@gmail.com. Please include a phone number in case of queries, and please ensure that items are also emailed to Fr William or phoned to the compiler by 9.00a.m. on WEDNESDAY 29 January 2025