amos – Page 19

Newsletter 28 January 2024

27 January 2024 By amos

FOURTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

28TH JANUARY 2024

Sat 20 Jan
St. Theresa’s	5.00pm	Alison Carbert RIP
St. Columba’s	6.30pm	The Parish

Sun 21 Jan
St. Theresa’s	9.30am	Kathleen Maguire RIP
St. Columba’s	11.00am	Carole & Dave Roberts

Mon 22 Jan
St. Theresa’s		Special Intention
St. Columba’s	10.30am	Richard John Murphy RIP

Tue 23 Jan
St. Theresa’s		Parishioners’ Intentions
St. Columba’s		Priests’ Intentions

Wed 24 Jan		St John Boscoe, P, R
St. Theresa’s		Katherine Gannon RIP
St. Columba’s	9.30am	Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
	10.15am	Novena Prayers
	10.30am	Sr Anne Morris

Thu 25 Jan
St. Theresa’s		Parishioners’ Intentions
St. Columba’s		Private Intention

Fri 26 Jan		The Presentation of The Lord
St. Theresa’s	10.00am	Sean, Sarah & Rebecca’s Intentions
St. Columba’s		Private Intentions

Sat 27 Jan
St. Theresa’s	5.00pm	Alexander James McKeegan RIP
St. Columba’s	6.30pm	The Parish

Sun 14 Jan
St. Theresa’s	9.30am	Davis Klutch Intentions
St. Columba’s	11.00am	Cath Carter (SH)

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 from St Theresa’s at 9.30a.m. this Sunday 28^th January 2024
www.facebook.com/thecatholicparishofstcolumbaandsttheresa

Pope’s Prayer Intentions for January – For the gift of diversity in the church – Let us pray that the Spirit help us to recognize the gift of different charisms within the Christian community, and to discover the richness of different ritual traditions in the heart of the Catholic Church.

WEDDINGS, BAPTISMS AND FUNERALS:
Please contact one of the Parish Offices to make your arrangements.

CONFESSIONS:
There will be Confessions after each weekday Mass until 11.30am.
St Columba’s: From 6pm before the 6.30pm Saturday evening Mass.
St Theresa’s: From 4.30pm before 5pm Saturday evening Mass.

RECENTLY DECEASED:
Please remember in your prayers Brian Haslam, Muriel Halligan, Terence Smith and Stephen Phillips, who died recently. May the Lord console their families and friends.
Frederick Hercules funeral service is on Wednesday 31 January at 3.20pm at Chester crematorium.

ANNIVERSARIES:
Michael Booth, John Francis McNeill, Elizabeth (Betty) Allingham, Josephine Margaret Watts, Teresa Gibson, Terry Keogh, Margaret Parry, Rev. Francis Gabriel Bligh, Veronica Mary Joyce, Alexander James Keegan,.

OFFERTORY:
St Columba’s: Loose plate £311.66; Planned Giving £160 Average Weekly SO – £574.00, candles £31.45;
St Theresa’s: Loose plate ££240.50; Planned Giving TBC; Average weekly SO – £161.00.
THANK YOU for all your generous support.

ST COLUMBA’S COFFEE ROTA
The 2024 coffee rota is on the noticeboard at St Columba’s Hall, so please enter your name and good cause against your preferred dates. You could make £30-£50 for your chosen cause.
28^th Jan – Sue Carr, parish
4th Feb – Sue McCarthy, SVP
11th Feb – volunteers please
18th Feb – Margaret Curtis, fish & chip babies

PRAYING TOGETHER
We pray for:

Pray for the residents of Whitton Drive, Sutton Drive, Bidston Close, Greenfield Lane, Cleves Close, Roman Drive, Cavalier Drive and Hadrian Drive.
For Sunshine Tots, iPraise & Play and for all the leaders.
For young families.

ST COLUMBA’S CAR PARK
The re-surfacing is finished. The area nearest to the hall has been completely re-surfaced but the area nearer the church was in better condition so has had potholes and uneven surfaces top dressed. As some have observed, the car park might have looked even better if it had all been re-surfaced but it would have been a lot more expensive. The new parking spaces are a little wider than the original ones to account for the larger cars which are common nowadays.

Would parishioners please note the new No Parking signs alongside the church and refrain from parking there. We have been advised that there should be a 5 metre space available behind parked cars to enable them to get out safely and if cars are parked in the No Parking space that is not possible. Thanks for your assistance. Pauline Rourke

SPECIAL YEAR OF PRAYER:
2024 has been named by Pope Francis as a special year of prayer and as part of our response to that, following 11a.m. Mass (and tea and coffee) on Sunday 28^th January, we invite you back into church at 1pm for a short period of adoration before the Blessed Sacrament. Adoration will be introduced and led in a child accessible way but we would love for you all to be present. If you are new to this way of praying with the Lord it will provide a good introduction and if you are a regular attendee at adoration it would be wonderful if you could help us share this way of praying with our younger members of the parish. We look forward to joining together with you in prayer on that day.

RETREAT DAY ON PRAYER:
The year 2025 is the next Jubilee Year in the Church. Pope Francis has asked the Church to prepare well. In order to help us do so, (beginning from advent 2023), Pope Francis has called 2023/2024 “A Year of Prayer.” In response, the Shrewsbury Diocese Team for Evangelisation and Mission will be running a Retreat Day on Prayer for parishes in the Chester area in February 2024: Date: Saturday the 3^{rd of} February 2024 Time: 10.00am-3.00pm. Place: St Columbas Parish Hall Plas Newton Lane Chester CH2 1SA. See posters in our porches and website. All are welcome. Please bring a packed lunch.

FIRST FORGIVENESS CELEBRATION:
On Saturday 27^th January, 13 children from St Columba’s and St Theresa’s parish will receive the Sacrament of First Forgiveness in a special service of celebration at 10.00a.m. Please pray for the children and their families at this special time in their faith journeys.

MASS IS TO BE CELEBRATED ON 1^ST FEBRUARY 2024 AT 12.15 PM:
Mass will be celebrated in the Countess of Chester Hospital and this month Fr Bernard Forshaw is joining us. This Mass is for all the staff, patients, patient families, volunteers and parishioners of our area. If you are able to attend, we would love to welcome you to Holy Mass once a month in the GOCH chapel.May God bless you all, and your families. Deacon Antony Nuttall.

FOUNDATION GOVERNOR VACANCY:
St Werburgh’s & St Columba’s Primary School is currently recruiting a Catholic Church Foundation Governor to join our Governing Body. The vacancy must be filled by community member affiliated with the Catholic Church, who are not related to any children within our school. The role would suit someone with an interest in serving our community and supporting the needs of our school children and who has a financial background. The role of a School Governing Body is:

Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos, and direction of the school.
Holding the headteacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils.
Overseeing the financial performance of the school and making sure its money is well spent.

If you are interested in finding out more about the role, please contact the school in the first instance to arrange an informal chat. Telephone Sarah on 01244 478954 or email admin@lovelearnlaugh.org.uk. Please note that for the protection of children, all governor appointments are subject to an identity check. Information of this vacancy can be found on the notice board at the back and front porch of the Church.

SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION:
The next Chester Parishes Celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation will be on Friday 8th November 2024 at St. Columba’s. Anyone currently at high school may be Confirmed, no upper age limit. More information will follow in this newsletter in a few weeks.

LOURDES BY JUMBULANCE 2024:
Wirral and Chester Across Groups are taking sick and disabled pilgrims to Lourdes on Thursday 30^th May – Saturday 9^th June and Thursday 15^th – 24^th August. A Jumbulance has seven beds on board, spacious seating, an accessible toilet and kitchen. We stay in a four star hotel with excellent facilities to care for them and recruit a team of nurses and helpers to do so. The experience for younger helpers is good for the CV, especially those considering a career in health or social care. We all do a DBS. Everyone must be COVID vaccinated. The cost is £1,095. Half price for nurses and young people under 25 in FTE. We do fund raising to help support those who cannot afford the full amount. Travel Insurance for the sick is available at just £65. Visit our website and read Bev’s story. www.across.org.uk/?s=AJ. For further information, contact Tony Murphy on 07881-656-974 or tonymurphy2002@yahoo.co.uk.

PRIESTS RETIREMENT FUND COLLECTION:
Priests Retirement Fund collection will take place on the week-end of 3^rd/4^th February.

DIOCESAN CHOIR FESTIVAL – ‘SING A NEW SONG’:
You are invited to come along and sing as part of a diocesan choir. Learn music throughout the day and lead the singing for Mass at 5pm. We will learn Schutz: Praise to you Lord Jesus, Schubert: Mass in G and more, on Saturday 24^th February, 10.30a.m.-4.30p.m. with Mass beginning at 5p.m. At St Anthony’s, Dunkery Road, Woodhouse Park, Wythenshawe, M22 0WR. Refreshments and registration from 10.30am, rehearsals begin at 11am. Tea and coffee will be provided, please being a packed lunch. The cost is £5 per person, payable on the day. Book by completing the form at HTTP://TINYURL.COM/DIOCESANCHOIRFESTIVAL The deadline for bookings is Friday 16^th February. For more information contact reception@dioceseofshrewsbury.org.

‘THANK YOU’ FROM DEACON LAWRENCE:
To Fr William and well-wishers, for the kind thoughts and greetings received marking my recent ’significant’ birthday; all very much appreciated. With love and prayers, Lawrence and Eileen.

CAFOD:
“The Church relies on people getting involved. Our parish, our community, our world needs you. Could your New Year’s resolution be getting more involved in the life of our church? Could you give a bit of time to help our parish flourish? CAFOD, the Catholic Agency for Overseas Development, is looking for people to give just a little time and join them in their mission. Could you help in our parish, to build a better world. They also need people to visit our local schools: Training & support provided. See cafod.org.uk/Volunteer for more information or contact shrewsbury@cafod.org.uk Or could you take part in The Big Lent Walk? cafod.org.uk/walk “

ADVENT JOURNEY 2023:
Thank you again to all those who offered accommodation to Mary, Joseph and the donkey during Advent. A map of the route taken plus some short stories on their travels can be seen at thefront of St Theresa’s and in the back porch at St Columba’s.

APPEAL FOR KNITTERS:
St Theresa’s Catholic Primary School Council would like to sell knitted Easter chicks, which will be filled with a chocolate egg. We are appealing for knitters who would be able to produce the little chicks. We can supply the wool and a knitting pattern if you can provide the talent! Please contact Anne Ellis aellis@st-theresas.cheshire.sch.uk if you would be willing to help.

“RETROUVAILLE”- A LIFELINE FOR MARRIED COUPLES:
The primary goal of Retrouvaille is to provide help for couples who live in the disappointment and pain of marriage problems. They offer A Virtual programme commencing with a weekend on Thursday 8^th to Sunday 11^th Feb 2024. For more information access www.retrouvaille.org.uk or see the church notice board.

Thought for the week: Wherever you go, no matter what the weather, always bring your own sunshine. Anthony J D’Angelo

We’re all in this together: So what storm name will it be next, and what weather will be thrown at us. We seem to have had it all over the last few weeks. It reflects life, storms and then calms; some storms come together, like the buses (as they say), and others are widely spaced apart. But life has its ups and downs. There are many references to storms and calms in the Bible, an example is Psalm 107:29-30 “He calmed the storm and its waves quieted down. So they rejoiced that the waves became quiet, and he led them to their desired haven.” If we are able to put our faith in God, he will see us through whatever storm we are experiencing. Keep safe and have a lovely week.

Resources: This winter’s NHS flu vaccination programme ends on 31 January, if you haven’t had it yet and are eligible contact you GP. Residents are also urged to check that they and their families are up-to-date with their measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccines. Young children are offered the vaccine by their GP as part of the UK national vaccination programme. They are offered two doses of the vaccine – the first following their first birthday and the second before they start school, when they are around three years and four months old. To check if you or your family are up-to-date with their vaccines, contact your GP.

Please note that both Churches operate a hearing loop system if you need it.

PROPOSED WALSINGHAM PILGRIMAGE 8th -11th APRIL
Fr William has given his blessing to organising a pilgrimage to Our Lady’s National Shrine. The cost (assuming 30 on pilgrimage) would be approximately £400 per person including coach travel, accommodation in ensuite single or double/twin rooms, with breakfast and evening meal, in Elmham House, Walsingham. To register your interest in joining the pilgrimage, please add your name and contact details to one of the lists in the church porches or contact one of our parish secretaries. Thanks.

ST COLUMBA’S CHURCH & HALL BOOKINGS
To arrange meetings etc. in either the Church, Newman Room or the Iona Chapel, please book through Carol Galvin, St. Columba’s Church Office, phone: 01244 624019, email: stcolumbaschurch2016@outlook.com. Office hours Monday to Friday 9.00am to 1.00pm
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 Sue Carr on 07553 114531 or email columbashallbookings@gmail.com to arrange booking.

NEXT WEEK’S NEWSLETTER:
4^th February edition will be compiled by Amy O’Donnell, phone: 07854 290897 or email: amyod@hotmail.co.uk. Please include a phone number in case of queries, and please ensure that items are emailed or phoned to the compiler by 9.00a.m. on WEDNESDAY 31^ST JANUARY 2024

Newsletter 21 January 2024

19 January 2024 By amos

THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

21 JANUARY 2024

Sat 20 Jan
St. Theresa’s	5.00pm	Collins’ Family Intentions
St. Columba’s	6.30pm	Cath Carter RIP

Sun 21 Jan
St. Theresa’s	9.30am	Parishioners’ Intentions
St. Columba’s	11.00am	Anthony Comerford RIP

Mon 22 Jan
St. Theresa’s		Priests’ Intentions
St. Columba’s	10.30am	Priests’ Intentions

Tue 23 Jan
St. Theresa’s		Anthony Baker RIP
St. Columba’s		The Parish

Wed 24 Jan		St Francis de Sales, B, D. Mem
St. Theresa’s	12noon	Requiem Mass for Muriel Halligan RIP
St. Columba’s	9.30am	Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
	10.15am	Novena Prayers
	10.30am	Cath Carter RIP

Thu 25 Jan		The Conversion of St Paul, Ap
St. Theresa’s		Special Intention
St. Columba’s	11.00am	Requiem Mass for Stephen Michael Phillips

Fri 26 Jan		Ss Timothy & Titus, B. Mem
St. Theresa’s	10.00am	Catherine McHugh RIP
St. Columba’s		Private Intention

Sat 27 Jan
St. Theresa’s	5.00pm	Alison Corbert RIP
St. Columba’s	6.30pm	The Parish

Sun 14 Jan
St. Theresa’s	9.30am	Kathleen Maguire RIP
St. Columba’s	11.00am	Carole & Dave Roberts

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 from St Theresa’s at 9.30a.m. this Sunday 21^st January 2024
www.facebook.com/thecatholicparishofstcolumbaandsttheresa

RECENTLY DECEASED:
Please remember in your prayers Brian Haslam, Muriel Halligan, Terence Smith and Stephen Phillips, who died recently. May the Lord console their families and friends.
The Requiem Mass for Muriel Halligan is at St Theresa’s on Wednesday 24^th January at 12 noon.
Stephen’s Requiem Mass will be held at St Columba’s on Thursday 25^th January at 11.00am.

ANNIVERSARIES:
Anthony Keith Baker, Margaret Parry, Michael Booth, John Francis McNeill, Rev. Francis Gabriel Bligh, Veronica Mary Joyce.

WEDDINGS, BAPTISMS AND FUNERALS:
Please contact one of the Parish Offices to make your arrangements.

OFFERTORY:
St Columba’s: Loose plate £472.07; Planned Giving £210.10; Average Weekly SO – £574.00; Candles £36.13
St Theresa’s: Loose plate TBC; Planned Giving TBC; Average weekly SO – £161.00.
THANK YOU for all your generous support.

ST COLUMBA’S COFFEE ROTA
The 2024 coffee rota is now on the noticeboard at St Columba’s Hall, so please enter your name and good cause against your preferred dates. You could make £30-£50 for your chosen cause. Call Margaret Curtis 01244 318424 to book your date(s).
21^st Jan – volunteers please
28^th Jan – volunteers please
4^th Feb – Sue McCarthy, SVP

PRAYING TOGETHER
We pray for:

The residents of Dunham Way, Chirk Close, Tintern Avenue, Boleyn Close, Tudor Green, Saxon Way and Palatine Close.
The prayer groups and ecumenical prayer groups.
Those who have nobody to pray for them.

ALTAR SERVERS – GUILD OF ST STEPHEN ENROLMENT MASS:
St Stephen is the patron saint of altar servers. The altar servers of our parish are enrolled into the Guild of St Stephen and receive a bronze medal. The enrolment mass will be this Sunday 21^st January (today) 11.00a.m. at St Columbas’s. The enrolment ceremony will only take a few minutes and will begin after the homily.

ST COLUMBA’S CAR PARK:
The resurfacing began on Monday 8^th January and, weather permitting, will be completed by Friday 26th January. This week the car park alongside the church, accessed from Plas Newton Lane, is closed and access to the church is from the rear entrance. For the week beginning 15^th January the whole car park will be closed and pedestrian access to the church will be from the front entrance. Whether the whole car park will be closed this weekend will depend on progress in the first week so please be prepared to park on the road if necessary. Pauline Rourke

Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos, and direction of the school.
Holding the headteacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils.
Overseeing the financial performance of the school and making sure its money is well spent.

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK: “The earth has music for those who listen.” William Shakespear

NEEDLES AND PINS – WEDNESDAY 24^TH JANUARY:
Everyone is welcome to come along to this friendly needlecraft group in the Newman Room between 2p.m – 4p.m. every fourth Wednesday of the month. We’d love to see some new faces!

ADVENT JOURNEY 2023:
Thank you again to all those who offered accommodation to Mary, Joseph and the donkey during Advent. A map of the route taken plus some short stories on their travels can be seen at the front of St Theresa’s and in the back porch at St Columba’s

LOURDES HOSPITALITY NEXT MEETING:
A meeting of the Shrewsbury Lourdes Hospitality will take place at St Columba’s Church (meeting room) on Saturday 20^th January at 2pm. All members of the Hospitality are welcome to attend.

WE’RE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER:
The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is traditionally observed from Thursday 18^th to Thursday 25^th January. The Theme for the week is “You shall love the Lord your God … and your neighbour as yourself” (Lk 10:27). Churches and organisations within Burkina Faso have collaborated in drafting the prayers and reflections for this week. Burkina Faso is currently experiencing a serious security crisis & Christian churches have been expressly targeted by armed attacks. They have invited us to join them in reflection as they consider what it truly means to love thy neighbour in the midst of a security crisis. “Communities in the British-Irish context may be less vulnerable to acts of mass violence than in Burkina Faso, but there are still many living with the memory and/or the threat of serious violence, centred on issues of identity and belonging. There are also groups within communities, including people from ethnic minority backgrounds and people seeking asylum, who feel particularly vulnerable to violence or being displaced by the threat of violence” .(CTBI) the Christians of Burkina Faso commit themselves to walking the path of love of God and love of neighbour. They are confident that God’s love will overcome the violence that currently afflicts their country. May we help them with our prayers and reflections. ctbi.org.uk and https://www.cbcew.org.uk/ for further information.

RESOURCES:
The Cheshire Libraries are holding a Health and Wellbeing week 22^nd– 28^th January. As part of this week, a number of wellbeing walks will be taking place, book a place by contacting healthranger@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk or phone 07872464989. Walks include from Upton Library Monday 22^nd, 10a.m. 40 mins; Storyhouse Monday 22^nd, 2pm, 30 min; Saturday 27th, 10a.m, 40mins; Blacon Library, Tuesday 23^rd at 10a.m, 45 mins. Plenty of others, check out the website on http://cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/walks

APPEAL FOR KNITTERS: St Theresa’s Catholic Primary School Council would like to sell knitted Easter chicks, which will be filled with a chocolate egg. We are appealing for knitters who would be able to produce the little chicks. We can supply the wool and a knitting pattern if you can provide the talent! Please contact Anne Ellis aellis@st-theresas.cheshire.sch.uk if you would be willing to help.

NEXT WEEK’S NEWSLETTER:
28^th January 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 emailed or phoned to the compiler by 9.00a.m. on WEDNESDAY 24^TH JANUARY 2024

Newsletter 14 January 2024

13 January 2024 By amos

SECOND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

14TH JANUARY 2024

Sat 13 Jan
St. Theresa’s	5.00pm	Parishioners’ Intentions
St. Columba’s	6.30pm	The Parish

Sun 14 Jan
St. Theresa’s	9.30am	Graham George RIP
St. Columba’s	11.00am	Joan Bullough

Mon 15 Jan
St. Theresa’s		Priests’ Intentions
St. Columba’s	10.30am	Anne Daly

Tue 16 Jan
St. Theresa’s		John Williams Intentions
St. Columba’s		Hilda Welford RIP

Wed 17 Jan
St. Theresa’s		Private Intention
St. Columba’s	9.30am	Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
	10.15am	Novena Prayers
	10.30am	Antonio Patino Pan

Thu 18 Jan
St. Theresa’s		Special Intention
St. Columba’s		Priests’ Intentions

Fri 19 Jan
St. Theresa’s	10.00am	Sarah Russell RIP
St. Columba’s		Paula and Pete Graham

Sat 20 Jan
St. Theresa’s	5.00pm	Collins’ Family Intentions
St. Columba’s	6.30pm	Cath Carter RIP

Sun 21 Jan		Cath Carter RIP
St. Theresa’s	9.30am	Parishioners’ Intentions
St. Columba’s	11.00am	Anthony Comerford RIP

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 from St Columba’s at 11.00a.m. this Sunday 14^th January 2024
www.facebook.com/thecatholicparishofstcolumbaandsttheresa

Pope’s Prayer Intentions for January – For the gift of diversity in the church-Let us pray that the Spirit help us to recognize the gift of different charisms within the Christian community, and to discover the richness of different ritual traditions in the heart of the Catholic Church.

RECENTLY DECEASED:
Please remember in your prayers Brian Haslam, Muriel Halligan, Terence Smith and Stephen Phillips, who died recently. May the Lord console their families and friends.

The Requiem Mass for Muriel Halligan is at St Theresa’s on Wednesday 24th January at 12 noon.

Brian Haslam’s Requiem Mass is at St Werburghs Church on Monday 15th January at 2.00 p.m. followed by Blacon Cemetery at 3.20 p.m. and then Refreshments at the Grosvenor Arms Aldford at 4.00 p.m.

Stephen’s Requiem Mass will be held at St Columba’s on Thursday 25^th January at 11.00am.

ANNIVERSARIES:
Catherine (Cath) Bond, David Whitby, Antonio Patino Pan, Christine Appleton, Frederick Arnold Basnett, Stanley Edward Taylor.

WEDDINGS, BAPTISMS AND FUNERALS:
Please contact one of the Parish Offices to make your arrangements.

OFFERTORY:
St Columba’s: Loose plate TBC; Planned Giving TBC Average Weekly SO – £574.00, Loose Plate: £151.19, Planned Giving: £104. 50
St Theresa’s: Loose plate £299.44; Planned Giving TBC; Average weekly SO – £161.00.
THANK YOU for all your generous support.

ST COLUMBA’S COFFEE ROTA
The 2024 coffee rota is now on the noticeboard at St Columba’s Hall, so please enter your name and good cause against your preferred dates. You could make £30-£50 for your chosen cause. Call Margaret Curtis 01244 318424 to book your date(s).
14^th Jan – Margaret & Elizabeth for CWL
21^st Jan – volunteers please
28^th Jan – volunteers please

PAX CHRISTI:
This Sunday, 14th January, is designated as Peace Sunday and the theme chosen by Pope Francis is ‘Artificial Intelligence and Peace’. You can read a full copy of his message for the World Day of Peace on the Pax Christi website paxchristi.org.uk

PRAYING TOGETHER
We pray for:

the residents of Shocklach Road, Horrocks Road, Bolesworth Road,Exeter Place, Burns Way, Masefield Drive, Aragon Green, Brentwood Road.
For the choirs and music groups.
For uniting all who play and sing from the three churches.

FIRST FORGIVENESS PARENTS’ MEETING:
Parents are reminded that the meeting to discuss the Sacrament of First Forgiveness is on Monday 15th January at 7pm in St Werburgh’s and St Columba’s School. The Celebration of the Sacrament for the children will be on Saturday 27th January at 10.00am here in St Columba’s Church.

YOUTH GROUP:
The next meeting of the Parish Youth Group is Monday 15th January at 7:00-8:30pm in St Columba’s Hall. Join us for fun and learning. All young people from year 5 and upwards are welcome to join our friendly group. 🙂

ALTAR SERVERS – GUILD OF ST STEPHEN ENROLMENT MASSES:
St Stephen is the patron saint of altar servers. The altar servers of our parish are enrolled into the Guild of St Stephen and receive a bronze medal. The enrolment masses will be:
• Sunday 14th January 9:30am at St. Theresa’s – Grace Hankin celebrating 10 years of service
• Sunday 21st January 11:00am at St Columba’s
The enrolment ceremony will only take a few minutes and will begin after the homily.

ST COLUMBA’S CAR PARK:
The resurfacing began on Monday 8 January and, weather permitting, will be completed by Friday 26th January. This week the car park alongside the church, accessed from Plas Newton Lane, is closed and access to the church is from the rear entrance. For the week beginning 15 January the whole car park will be closed and pedestrian access to the church will be from the front entrance. Whether the whole car park will be closed this weekend will depend on progress in the first week so please be prepared to park on the road if necessary. Pauline Rourke

LOURDES HOSPITALITY NEXT MEETING:
A meeting of the Shrewsbury Lourdes Hospitality will take place at St Columba’s Church (meeting room ), Plas Newton Lane , Chester CH2 1PL on Saturday 20th January at 2pm . All members of the Hospitality are welcome to attend.

We’re all in this together _ Peace Sunday 2024 is this Sunday, 14 January and the theme chosen by Pope Francis is ‘Artificial Intelligence and Peace’. “The Bishops of England and Wales invite us to make today a day of prayer for world peace, using the theme proposed by Pope Francis. It might seem a strangely technical, rather abstract title, of limited interest except to experts. But new technologies are developing so quickly that we need to think about their consequences for our freedom, peace and security. Who is gaining power through AI – and who is being disempowered? We also need to think of the risk of Artificial Intelligence, which will only have as much soul and ethical vision as those who programme it, calling the shots on the battlefield, deciding who lives and who dies – and possibly one day even triggering wars automatically. ” (Pax Christi) We need to understand better this new world and what it means. The blurring of the boundaries between truth and falsehood, what is right and what is wrong. We need to be informed to understand better and act accordingly.

Resources https://www.cbcew.org.uk/peace-sunday-2024/ Pax Christi have put together resources relating to Peace Sunday they can be found on the Catholic Bishops web site.

Thought for the week “Peace cannot be kept by force; it can only be achieved by understanding.” Albert Einstein.

THANK YOU FROM THE FOOD BANK
West Cheshire Food Bank would like to thank everyone who kindly and generously donated to the food bank last year both at our Churches and all donation sites across the city. Donations at Church amounted to 518kg during the year (just over half a ton!!).
Thank you for your continued support.

CAFOD, the Catholic Agency for Overseas Development, is looking for people to give just a little time and join them in their mission. Could you help in our parish, to build a better world. They also need people to visit our local schools: Training & support provided. See cafod.org.uk/Volunteer for more information or contact shrewsbury@cafod.org.uk Or could you take part in The Big Lent Walk? cafod.org.uk/walk “

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 Sue Carr on 07553 114531 or email columbashallbookings@gmail.com to arrange booking.

NEXT WEEK’S NEWSLETTER:
14^th January edition will be compiled by Rebecca Vaughan, phone:01244 318632 or Email: rebecca_vghn@yahoo.co.uk. Please include a phone number in case of queries, and please ensure that items are emailed or phoned to the compiler by 9.00a.m. on WEDNESDAY 17th JANUARY 2024

Newsletter 7 January 2024

6 January 2024 By amos

THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORD

7^TH JANUARY 2024

Sat 6 Jan
St. Theresa’s	5.00pm	Kathleen Lawlor
St. Columba’s	6.30pm	Kevin Campbell

Sun 7 Jan		The Epiphany
St. Theresa’s	9.30am	Jessica Baker RIP
St. Columba’s	11.00am	Lily and Keith

Mon 8 Jan		The Baptism of The Lord
St. Theresa’s		Bridget Williams RIP
St. Columba’s	10.30am	Frank Jeffes

Tue 9 Jan
St. Theresa’s		Parishioners Intentions
St. Columba’s		Hilary Timson RIP

Wed 10 Jan
St. Theresa’s		Priests’ Intentions
St. Columba’s	9.30am	Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
	10.15am	Novena Prayers
	10.30am	Catherine McAlinden

Thu 11 Jan
St. Theresa’s		Gillian Prescott RIP
St. Columba’s		Priests’ Intentions

Fri 12 Jan
St. Theresa’s	10.00am	Sarah Asher RIP
St. Columba’s		Parishioners’ Intentions

Sat 13 Jan
St. Theresa’s	5.00pm	Parishioners’ Intentions
St. Columba’s	6.30pm	The Parish

Sun 14 Jan
St. Theresa’s	9.30am	Graham George RIP
St. Columba’s	11.00am	Joan Bullough

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.

THANK YOU!
Thank you, Gillian, and all involved in the Childrens’ Nativity Mass on Christmas Eve. It was a great success.

LIVE STREAMING OF MASS:
Mass will be streamed from St Columba’s at 11.00a.m. this Sunday 7^th January 2024.
www.facebook.com/thecatholicparishofstcolumbaandsttheresa

Pope’s Prayer Intentions for January
For the gift of diversity in the church-Let us pray that the Spirit help us to recognize the gift of different charisms within the Christian community, and to discover the richness of different ritual traditions in the heart of the Catholic Church.

RECENTLY DECEASED:
Please remember in your prayers Brian Haslam, Muriel Halligan and Terence Smith who died recently. May the Lord console their families and friends.

The funeral service for Terence Smith is at St Theresa’s on Thursday 11th January at 12 noon. The Requiem Mass for Muriel Halligan is at St Theresa’s on Monday 22nd January at 12 noon. Brian Haslam’s Requiem Mass is at St Werburghs Church on Monday 15th January at 2.00 p.m. followed by Blacon. Cemetery at 3.20 p.m. and then Refreshments at the Grosvenor Arms Aldford at 4.00 p.m.

ANNIVERSARIES:
(Chris) Czeslawa Klepalo, Francina Anna J Wright, Betty Audrey Gore, Elizabeth McGovern.

WEDDINGS, BAPTISMS AND FUNERALS:
Please contact one of the Parish Offices to make your arrangements.

OFFERTORY:
St Columba’s: Loose plate (24.12) £448.83; (25.12) £916.49’ Planned Giving (24.12) £106.50; (25.12) £368.00 Average Weekly SO – £574.00; Candles £29.85p
St Theresa’s: Loose plate £333.3; Planned Giving £116.60; Average weekly SO – £161.00.
THANK YOU for all your generous support.

ST. COLUMBA’S COFFEE ROTA:
Why not donate a little time to make tea and coffee after 11:00 Mass on Sunday? You can make some money for your favourite charity, too. The 2024 coffee rota is now on the noticeboard at St Columba’s Hall, so please enter your name and good cause against your preferred dates.

PRAYING TOGETHER
We pray for:

The residents of Newton Lane, Appleton Road, Handforth Road, Durham Road, Canterbury Road, Lichfield Road and Warwick Road.
The Archive Group, Social Committees and Fund-Raising groups.
The fellowship and sharing at social gatherings.

ST COLUMBA’S CAR PARK
The resurfacing will begin on Monday 8 January and, weather permitting, will be completed by Friday 26th January. In the week beginning 8 January the car park alongside the church, accessed from Plas Newton Lane, will be closed and access to the church will be from the rear entrance. For the week beginning 15 January the whole car park will be closed and pedestrian access to the church will be from the front entrance. Whether the whole car park will be closed for the weekend of 13, 14 January will depend on progress in the first week so please be prepared to park on the road if necessary. Pauline Rourke

CTU FIFTH SUNDAY SERVICE:
Many thanks to those of you who supported the Service last Sunday evening. A good time was spent with our friends from the other churches, both in the worship and in the coffee and cakes which followed.

ST PIO PRAYER GROUP:
The next meeting is on Thursday, 11 January at 2pm in Flat 5, Abbots Court, Eversley Park, Chester CH2 2DY. Everyone is welcome.

ST.THERESA’S 200 CLUB:
The winners of the Grand Draw are £150 M Turnbull (no.7) £100 M. Baker (no.3) and £50 C. Ingram (no.17)

YOUTH GROUP:
The next meeting of the Parish Youth Group is Monday 15th January at 7:00-8:30pm in St Columba’s Hall. Join us for fun and learning.
All young people from year 5 and upwards are welcome to join our friendly group. 🙂

ALTAR SERVERS – GUILD OF ST STEPHEN ENROLMENT MASSES:
St Stephen is the patron saint of altar servers. The altar servers of our parish are enrolled into the Guild of St Stephen and receive a bronze medal. The enrolment masses will be:
• Sunday 14th January 9:30am at St. Theresa’s – Grace Hankin celebrating 10 years of service
• Sunday 21st January 11:00am at St Columba’s
The enrolment ceremony will only take a few minutes and will begin after the homily.

HOSPITAL SERVICES:
Mass is celebrated on the first Thursday of the month at 12.15pm. This mass is for all the staff, patients, patient families, volunteers and parishioners of our area. If you are able to attend, we would love to welcome you to Holy Mass once a month in the COCH chapel.

Thought for the week: “May we all have a vision now and then, of a world where every neighbour is a friend. Happy New Year.” ABBA

Resources: If you are struggling a bit after Christmas the NHS have Every mind matters- Find your little big thing for your mental health- There are little things we can all do to lift our mood or ease our anxiety – we need to find what works for us. This could be as simple as taking a walk in nature, prioritising our sleep or opening up to a friend. Our little thing, if we keep doing it, will make a big difference to how we feel. www.nhs.uk/every-mind-matters/

We’re all in this together: January can sometimes feel like a difficult month, the festivities have finished and the bills are coming in, and the weather isn’t always that nice. But a friend of mine suggested a gratitude jar, (although could be a note book!) – the jar or book start empty and, once a day or once a week, write a note about something good that has happened. At the end of the year, re read your notes, you may be surprised quite how many things we are truly grateful for and enjoyed. They don’t have to be big things, they might just be the ordinary stuff of everyday life, but they have made you smile, feel good, be welcomed or just made you laugh out loud.

NEXT WEEK’S NEWSLETTER:
14^th January edition will be compiled by Muriel Green, phone:01244 383836 or Email: Muriel.green1@btinternet.com. Please include a phone number in case of queries, and please ensure that items are emailed or phoned to the compiler by 9.00a.m. on WEDNESDAY 10th JANUARY 2024.

Newsletter 31 December 2023

29 December 2023 By amos

THE HOLY FAMILY

31^st DECEMBER 2023

Sat 30 Dec
St. Theresa’s	5.00pm	Parishioners’ Intentions
St. Columba’s	6.30pm	Frank & Gertrude Buddery

Sun 31 Dec		The Holy Family
St. Theresa’s	9.30am	Keith Evans RIP
St. Columba’s	11.00am	The Parish

Mon 1 Jan		Mary The Mother of God
St. Theresa’s		Priests’ Intentions
St. Columba’s	10.30am	Priests’ Intentions

Tue 2 Jan		Basil The Great. Mem
St. Theresa’s		Priests’ Intentions
St. Columba’s		Private Intention

Wed 3 Jan		Wednesday of the Christmas Season
St. Theresa’s		Private Intention
St. Columba’s	9.30am	Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
	10.15am	Novena Prayers
	10.30am	Margaret Haughney

Thu 4 Jan		Thursday of the Christmas Season
St. Theresa’s		Priests’ Intentions
St. Columba’s		Mr Scott & Family

Fri 5 Jan		Friday of the Christmas Season
St. Theresa’s	10.00am	Baker Family Intentions
St. Columba’s		Cath Carter RIP

Sat 6 Jan
St. Theresa’s	5.00pm	Kath Lawlor RIP
St. Columba’s	6.30pm	Kevin Campbell

Sun 7 Jan		The Epiphany
St. Theresa’s	9.30am	Jessica Baker RIP
St. Columba’s	11.00am	Lily & Keith

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 from St Theresa’s at 9.30a.m. this Sunday 31^st December 2023.
www.facebook.com/thecatholicparishofstcolumbaandsttheresa

HAPPY NEW YEAR
Fr William and Fr Desmond wish you all a very Happy and Holy New Year and thank you for your support throughout the year.

RECENTLY DECEASED:
Please remember in your prayers Joyce Backhouse and Terence Smith who died recently. May the Lord console their families and friends.

ANNIVERSARIES:
Mary Patricia Dee, Jean Barbara May Blake, Kathleen Lawlor, Patricia Hainey, Genevieve Suzanne M Jones.

WEDDINGS, BAPTISMS AND FUNERALS:
Please contact one of the Parish Offices to make your arrangements.

OFFERTORY:
St Columba’s: Loose plate £ TBC; Planned Giving £TBC; Average Weekly SO – £574.00;
St Theresa’s: Loose plate & Planned Giving £TBC; Average weekly SO – £161.00.
THANK YOU for all your generous support.

ST COLUMBA’S COFFEE ROTA
Why not donate a little time to make tea and coffee after 11:00 Mass on Sunday? You can make some money for your favourite charity, too. Call Margaret Curtis 01244 318424 to book your date(s).

PRAYING TOGETHER
We pray for:

the residents of Newhall Road, Winston Court, Arradon Court, Breton Close, Wealstone Lane, Well Lane, Bank Close, Newton Halol Drive, Willow Drive, Naomi Close, Dentith Drive & Egerton Road.
For the Care Homes in our parish and for all those who live and work in them.

CHRISTMAS FLOWERS:
Thank you to all who donated towards the Christmas flowers, and to those who arranged them so beautifully.

ADVENT JOURNEY – HOSTING OUR KNITTED MARY, JOSEPH & DONKEY FIGURES
Thank you to all who gave lodgings to the Nativity figures on the lead up to Christmas. They have given you all a five start rating on Trip Advisor. They have now safely arrived at St Theresa’s Church.

ST COLUMBA’S CAR PARK
The contractors have informed me that the re-surfacing of the car park is due to commence in the week beginning 8^th January. I will provide further information as it becomes available. Pauline Rourke.

HIGHLIGHT FROM THE HIGH:
Thank you to everyone who supported our school in every initiative taking place during this year. The Catholic High School would like to wish you all a blessed and peaceful Christmas and a prosperous new year 2024.

RED MISSION BOXES, ST COLUMBA’S:
If you have a Red Mission box for collection, please leave it in the sacristy. When counted I can return your box to your home. Thank you, Margaret Curtis 01244 318424.

CAFOD WORLD GIFTS are a range of virtual charity gifts that will delight the people you give them to and help transform the lives of families experiencing poverty. Catalogues available in the church porches along with Advent prayer cards.

Thought for the week: “Tomorrow is the first blank page of a 365 page book. Write a good one!”. Brad Paisley

WE’RE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER:
Imagine a world where differences are embraced, not feared, where dialogue takes precedence over aggression, where love reigns supreme. As we enter a new year, let us carry the torch of peace, illuminating the path towards a world where tolerance and harmony reign supreme. Together, we can foster a world where compassion and understanding flourish. Let peace be our guiding light, leading us towards a brighter future. A Happy and peaceful New Year to all.

New year fun facts
From the 12th century until Britain adopted the Gregorian calendar in 1752, the official new year was not on January 1 but on March 25.

Officially in England, 1751 was the shortest year ever, lasting only from March 25 to December 31.
January is derived from the two-headed god Janus, who could look backward and forward, to the old year and the new, at the same time.

NEXT WEEK’S NEWSLETTER:
7^th December edition will be compiled by Alison Wrigglesworth, phone:07708 304246 or Email: a.wrigglesworth@outlook.com. Please include a phone number in case of queries, and please ensure that items are emailed or phoned to the compiler by 9.00a.m. on WEDNESDAY 3^rd JANUARY 2024

Newsletter 28 January 2024

Newsletter 21 January 2024

Newsletter 14 January 2024

Newsletter 7 January 2024

Newsletter 31 December 2023

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