The month of January is dedicated to The Holy Name of Jesus

THE BAPTISM OF THE LORD 

11 JANUARY 2026

Sat 10 Jan
St. Theresa’s	5.00pm		Janie Casey RIP
St. Columba’s	6.30pm		Bob Breen RIP
Sun 11 Jan			The Baptism of the Lord. Feast
St. Theresa’s	9.30am		Jessica Baker RIP
St. Columba’s	11.00am		Pat Kelly
	2.00pm		Kerala Catholic Community Mass in Syro-Malabar Rite
Mon 12 Jan
St. Theresa’s			Parishioners’ Intentions
St. Columba’s	10.30am		John Cotter RIP
Tue 13 Jan
St. Theresa’s			John & Sue McCarney RIP
St. Columba’s			Parishioners’ Intentions
Wed 14 Jan
St. Theresa’s			Margaret McCarroll & Elaine Heskayne RIP
St. Columba’s	9.30am		Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
	10.15am		Novena Prayers
	10.30am		David Whitby
Thu 15 Jan
St. Theresa’s			Denis Parsonage RIP
St. Columba’s			Priests’ Intentions
Fri 16 Jan			Feast
St. Theresa’s	10.00am		Sarah Nash’s Intention
St. Columba’s			The Parish
Sat 17 Jan
St. Theresa’s	5.00pm		Parishioners’ Intentions
St. Columba’s	6.30pm		Mary & Brian Marks RIP
Sun 18 Jan			Second Sunday in Ordinary Time. Day of Special Prayer for World Peace
St. Theresa’s	9.30am		Graham George RIP
St. Columba’s	11.00am		Roy Burns RIP
	2.00pm		Kerala Catholic Community Mass in Syro-Malabar Rite

LIVE STREAMING OF MASS – Mass will be streamed at St Theresa’s on Sunday 11 January at 9.30 a.m.

RECENTLY DECEASED – Please remember in your prayers, James (Jim) Dowd who died recently, and also his family and friends.  The funeral is at St Theresa’s on Thursday 22 January at 9.30 a.m. Please also remember Nuala Wynne-Jones who died this week; her funeral will be at St Columba’s, details to be announced.

ANNIVERSARIES – Betty Audrey Gore, Czeslawa Klepala, Elizabeth McGovern, Robert William Hocking, Stanley Edward Taylor.

CONFESSIONS – After each weekday Mass until 11.30am. Saturdays:
St Columba’s    6.00 – 6.25 p.m.
St Theresa’s     4.30 – 4.55 p.m.

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

POPE’S PRAYER INTENTIONS FOR JANUARY 2026 – For prayer with the Word of God. Let us pray that praying with the Word of God be nourishment for our lives and a source of hope in our communities, helping us to build a more fraternal and missionary Church.

CHILDREN’S LITURGY – The Children’s Liturgy normally happens at the 11 a.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 – For the weekend of 3-4 January: Loose Plate: £487.96; Planned Giving: £295.31; Average weekly SO £718.15; Candles: £45.51.
Dona Stations Collection in December: £293.

THANK YOU – Fr William, Fr Peter and Deacon Lawrence would like to thank everyone for their cards and gifts and to wish everyone a Happy New Year.

GOODBYE – As we wish Fr Peter a fond farewell on his return to Nigeria on 12 January, we thank him for his ministry to our parish and send him our prayers and good wishes.

RETIRING COLLECTION – There will be a retiring collection next weekend (17-18 January) for the Priests’ Retirement Fund.

CAFOD DONATIONS – Many thanks for the donations received following the Carol Service on 19 December. £100 was gratefully received and 5 gifts of “Firewood for Winter Warmth” were purchased from CAFOD’s World Gifts catalogue.

PRAYERS – please pray for

• The residents of Newton Lane, Appleton Road, Handforth Road, Exeter Place, Burns Way, Masefield Drive, Aragon Green, and Brentwood Road.
• The Archive Group, Social Committees, and fundraising groups.
• The fellowship and sharing at social gatherings. 

ST COLUMBA’S COFFEE ROTA – The 2026 tea and coffee rota is on the noticeboard in St Columba’s Hall. We need someone to volunteer every Sunday after 11:00 Mass, so if you would like to raise money for your good cause, please put your name and details on the sheet.

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK – “Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see the shadows.”  Helen Keller

SHREWSBURY YOUTH MISSION TEAM – Vacancies have arisen within the Shrewsbury Youth Mission Team for a Programme Coordinator, Youth Mission Team Member and an Administration Assistant.  Further details regarding the three posts can be found on the Diocesan Website: https://www.dioceseofshrewsbury.org/latest-vacancies/ 
Interested parties should send their CV to Pauline McCulloch: recruitment@dioceseofshrewsbury.org 
Closing date Friday 23 January 2026.

CONTACTLESS CARD DONATIONS AT ST COLUMBA’S CHURCH – I hesitate to tempt fate, but I hope I can say that the card machines at the front and back of church are now fully operational and will now allow you to register for Gift Aid if you haven’t already done so. If you have not registered you will be asked if you want to do so after you make a donation. Click ‘yes’ and follow instructions on screen or click ‘no’. If you have already registered (with the card you are using) that will be automatically recognised and you will not be asked if you wish to Gift Aid. Pauline Rourke

HEATING AT ST COLUMBA’S CHURCH – Most of the heaters have now been fixed. A friendly reminder, however: please do not turn off any radiators or interfere with the heating system in any way. Thank you.

WEEK OF PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY – This will be marked by two services:

• Churches Together Cheshire Service at Chester Cathedral, Sunday 18 January at 5 p.m.
• Churches Together Upton Service at Holy Ascension church, Thursday 22 January at 2.30 p.m.

See the noticeboards for further details.  You are warmly invited to support these two events.

BETROTHED – Shrewsbury Diocese will be running three 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 three venues are:
(1) St Clare’s Church Parish Hall, Downsfield Road, Lache, Chester CH4 8HH, on 7 & 14 February
(2) Vincent de Paul Church Westleigh Parish Hall, Groby Road, Altrincham WA14 2BQ, on 28 February & 7 March
(3) Shrewsbury Cathedral Parish Hall, Town Walls, Shrewsbury SY1 1UE, on 21 & 28 March.

Registration is essential. To register, contact Monika: monika.golembiewska@dioceseofshrewsbury.org
For more information, contact Jane Deegan: jane.deegan@dioceseofshrewsbury.org

PRO-LIFE UPDATE – 2025 was one of the most challenging and busiest years ever for the pro-life movement in the UK, with the biggest battles on abortion and assisted suicide in over 50 years. Thanks to the support of our parish, there has been a strong, coordinated response in Parliament, in the media and among the wider public. The 2025 Right to Life UK Year in Review sets out some of the key areas in which significant progress has been made this year. Please visit http://righttolife.org.uk/2025 to read the Year in Review to find out more about what we have achieved together for life this past year.

MUSEUM OF THE MOON ARTWORK – Chester Cathedral, from Thur 12 Feb – Sun 15 Mar 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.

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 18 January to be compiled by Magdalena Bukowska Phone: 01244 624019, Email:stcolumbaschurch2016@outlook.com. Deadline: 9.00a.m. Wednesday 14 January
Please include a contact number with your notice and email a copy to Fr. William at st.theresas@btinternet.com

The month of January is dedicated to The Holy Name of Jesus

SECOND SUNDAY AFTER CHRISTMAS

4 JANUARY 2026

Sat 3 Jan
St. Theresa’s	5.00pm		Muriel & Jim Halligan RIP
St. Columba’s	6.30pm		Roy Burns RIP
Sun 4 Jan
St. Theresa’s	9.30am		Parishioners’ Intentions
St. Columba’s	11.00am		Kevin Campbell RIP
	2.00pm		Kerala Catholic Community Mass in Syro-Malabar Rite
Mon 5 Jan			Monday Of The Christmas Season
St. Theresa’s			Mae Dunne’s Intentions
St. Columba’s	10.30am		Parishioners’ Intentions
Tue 6 Jan			Epiphany of the Lord. Solemnity
St. Theresa’s	10.00am		Parishioners’ Intentions
St. Columba’s			Parishioners’ Intentions
Wed 7 Jan
St. Theresa’s			Priests’ Intentions
St. Columba’s	9.30am		Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
	10.15am		Novena Prayers
	10.30am		Ann Behan, Parents, Nan & Martin
Thu 8 Jan
St. Theresa’s			Special Intentions
St. Columba’s			Priests’ Intentions
Fri 9 Jan
St. Theresa’s	10.00am		Jane Walsh’s Intentions
St. Columba’s			The Parish
Sat 10 Jan
St. Theresa’s	5.00pm		Janie Casey RIP
St. Columba’s	6.30pm		Bob Breen RIP
Sun 11 Jan			The Baptism of The Lord. Feast
St. Theresa’s	9.30am		Parishioners’ Intentions
St. Columba’s	11.00am		Parishioners’ Intentions
	2.00pm		Kerala Catholic Community Mass in Syro-Malabar Rite

LIVE STREAMING OF MASS – Mass will be streamed at St Columba’s on Sunday 4 January at 9.30a.m.

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. 

POPES PRAYER INTENTIONS FOR JANUARY 2026 – For prayer with the Word of God. Let us pray that praying with the Word of God be nourishment for our lives and a source of hope in our communities, helping us to build a more fraternal and missionary Church.

ANNIVERSARIES – Kathleen Lawlor, Betty Audrey Gore, Czeslawa Klepala, Elizabeth McGovern

CHILDREN’S LITURGY – The Children’s Liturgy normally happens at the 11am service at St Columba’s on the 1^st and 3^rd Sundays of each month. See the parish website under the Family tab.

PARISH OFFERTORY – Many thanks for your generous offerings, over Christmas and throughout the year. Much appreciated.  

NEW YEAR GREETING AND THANKS – Fr William and Fr Peter would like to wish everyone a Happy New Year. And a very big thank you to all those who have helped in any way with all of the Christmas services and preparation for Christmas. Thank you for all your support throughout the year.

PRAYERS – please pray for 

• the residents of Newhall Road, Winston Court, Arradon Court, Breton Close, Wealstone Lane, Well Lane, Bank Close, Newton Hall Drive, Durham Road, Canterbury Road, Lichfield Road and Warwick Road.
• Orchard Manor, Wealstone and Crabwall Hall. For all those who live and work in these Homes.

PRO-LIFE UPDATE – 2025 was one of the most challenging and busiest years ever for the pro-life movement in the UK, with the biggest battles on abortion and assisted suicide in over 50 years. Thanks to the support of our parish, there has been a strong, coordinated response in Parliament, in the media and among the wider public. The 2025 Right To Life UK Year in Review sets out some of the key areas in which significant progress has been made this year. Please visit http://righttolife.org.uk/2025 to read the Year in Review to find out more about what we have achieved together for life this year.

FRIENDSHIP THURSDAY 8 JANUARY – Our first meeting of 2026, from 2-4p.m. in the Hall. Let’s start the New Year in friendly fashion over coffee and biscuits. If you can bring a small donation, we may have a raffle to raise funds for the group.

ST COLUMBA’S COFFEE ROTA – We would like to thank all who volunteered their time to help with tea and coffee after the 11:00a.m. Mass. 
04 Jan – volunteers please 
11 Jan – volunteers please
18 Jan – volunteers please

SHREWSBURY YOUTH MISSION TEAM – Vacancies have arisen within the Shrewsbury Youth Mission Team for a Programme Coordinator,  Youth Mission Team Member and an Administration Assistant.  Further details regarding the 3 posts can be found on the Diocesan Website. https://www.dioceseofshrewsbury.org/latest-vacancies/ Interested parties should send their CV to Pauline McCulloch recruitment@dioceseofshrewsbury.org  Closing date Friday 23 January 2026.

HEATING AT ST COLUMBA’S CHURCH – Most of the heaters have now been fixed. A friendly reminder, however; please do not turn off any radiators or interfere with the heating system in any way. Thank you.

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK – “It’s a new dawn. It’s a new day. It’s a new life, for me. And I’m feeling good.” Nina Simone 

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.

STAY SAFE FROM SCAMS – Scammers may know your details, don’t assume they’re genuine. Always think twice. Never share your PIN or passwords. Ignore emails or calls about computer viruses. Delete suspicious emails and mark them as spam. Be safe. If unsure, contact companies using official numbers. Dial 159 to safely reach your bank. Report scams to Action Fraud: 0300 123 2040 or online. Free guide and tips: Age UK Scam Advice the Booklet is available at the back of both churches – please return after reading.

NEXT WEEK’S NEWSLETTER – Sunday 11 January to be compiled by Paula Bownas, phone: 01244 379794, Email:paulabownas@yahoo.co.uk. Deadline: 9.00a.m. Wednesday 7 January. Please include a contact number with your notice.  Also email a copy to Fr. William at st.theresas@btinternet.com.

The month of December is dedicated to The Immaculate Conception

THE HOLY FAMILY SUNDAY

28 December 2025

Sat 27 Dec
St. Theresa’s	5.00pm		John James Tobin RIP 1st Anniversary
St. Columba’s	6.30pm		Lorraine Probert RIP
Sun 28 Dec			The Holy Family
St. Theresa’s	9.30am		Michael Dunne RIP
St. Columba’s	11.00am		Mary & Horace Walpole RIP
	2.00pm		Kerala Catholic Community Mass in Syro-Malabar Rite
Mon 29 Dec			St Thomas Becket, B, M. Feast.
St. Theresa’s			Parishioners’ Intentions
St. Columba’s	10.30am		Joe Clifford
Tue 30 Dec			Sixth Day of Christmas Octave
St. Theresa’s			Priests’ Intentions
St. Columba’s			Parishioners’ Intentions
Wed 31 Dec			Seventh Day of Christmas Octave
St. Theresa’s			Pamela Dobson RIP
St. Columba’s	9.30am		Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
	10.15am		Novena Prayers
	10.30am		Sr Anne Morris
	9.00pm		Kerala Catholic Community Mass in Syro-Malabar Rite
Thu 1 Jan			Mary Mother of God. Solemnity
St. Theresa’s			Bridget Williams RIP
St. Columba’s			New Year’s Mass Mary & Mike Kiernan
Fri 2 Jan			SS Basil the Great, P, D & Gregory Nazianzen, B, D. Mem.
St. Theresa’s	10.00am		Joseph Russell RIP
St. Columba’s			The Parish
Sat 3 Jan
St. Theresa’s	5.00pm		Muriel & Jim Halligan RIP
St. Columba’s	6.30pm		Roy Burns RIP
Sun 4 Jan			Second Sunday After Christmas
St. Theresa’s	9.30am		Parishioners’ Intentions
St. Columba’s	11.00am		Kevin Campbell RIP Intentions
	2.00pm		Kerala Catholic Community Mass in Syro-Malabar Rite

LIVE STREAMING OF MASS – Mass will be streamed at St Columba’s on Sunday 28 December at 11.00a.m.

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. 

POPE’S PRAYER INTENTIONS for December – for Christians in areas of conflict. Let us pray that Christians living in areas of war or conflict, especially in the Middle East, might be seeds of peace, reconciliation, and hope.

RECENTLY DECEASED – Please remember in your prayers, Michael Hayden & Roger John Warburton, who died recently, and also their families and friends.

ANNIVERSARIES – Jean Barbara Mary Blake, Sheila Patricia Hainey, Kathleen Lawlor.

CHILDREN’S LITURGY – The Children’s Liturgy normally happens at the 11am service at St Columba’s on the 1^st and 3^rd Sundays of each month. See the parish website under the Family tab.

PARISH OFFERTORY – Loose Plate: £438.22; Planned Giving: £256.50; Average weekly SO £718.15; Candles: £44.54. 

CLERGY EDUCATION & TRAINING FUND – Many thanks for the amount of £190.39 which was collected recently for this.

CHRISTMAS OFFERINGS – The offertory collection at the Christmas Masses is for the parish.  Anyone wishing to give to either Fr William or Fr Peter personally should put their offering in an envelope marked “personal” with their name on and put in the Offertory basket. Thank you.

PRAYERS – please pray for 

• The residents of Dorset Road, Shipbrook Road, Mannings Lane South, Peckforton Way, Sumner Road, Fisher Road, Stamford Road & Church Way.
• The way of Churches Together in Upton and Churches Together in Chester & Praying for Blacon.
• All the Churches in Upton & Blacon.

CHRISTMAS MEMORY TREE – A time to remember those who will not be with us this year. There will be a tree and cards on side Altar at St. Columba’s (near the back door) to write your memories and hang on the tree. The memory is the important thing, but if anyone wishes to make a donation, there will be a basket with donations going to the Parish Third World Group.

PRO-LIFE UPDATE – 2025 has been one of the most challenging and busiest years ever for the pro-life movement in the UK, with the biggest battles on abortion and assisted suicide in over 50 years. Thanks to the support of our parish, there has been a strong, coordinated response in Parliament, in the media and among the wider public. The 2025 Right To Life UK Year in Review sets out some of the key areas in which significant progress has been made this year. Please visit http://righttolife.org.uk/2025 to read the Year in Review to find out more about what we have achieved together for life this year.

FRIENDSHIP THURSDAY 8 JANUARY– Our first meeting of 2026, from 2-4p.m. in the Hall. Let’s start the New Year in friendly fashion over coffee and biscuits. If you can bring a small donation, we may have a raffle to raise funds for the group.

ST COLUMBA’S COFFEE ROTA – We would like to thank all who volunteered their time to help with tea and coffee after the 11:00a.m. Mass. 
28 December – volunteers please
04 January – volunteers please
11 January – volunteers please

HEATING AT ST COLUMBA’S CHURCH – Most of the heaters have now been fixed. A friendly reminder, however; please do not turn off any radiators or interfere with the heating system in any way. Thank you.

PARISH OFFICE CLOSURES
St Columba’s office will be closed from Tuesday 23 December to Thursday 1 January and will re-open on Friday 2 January. Carol Galvin will be in the office for emergencies from 9a.m. – 12noon during this time.
St Theresa’s office will be closed from Thursday 24 December to Friday 2 January. The office answer machine is available for messages to be left.

CHESTER CATHEDRAL CHRISTMAS TREES – Enjoy over 80 trees decorated in the theme of Christmas Around the World. Booking required. However, no booking or entry fee on Sundays.

UPTON CHURCHES CRIB – The CTU Crib has been erected in the rear porch at St Columba’s together with, for the first time, its backdrop. The figures will follow in due course.

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK – “Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow” – Albert Einstein

STAY SAFE FROM SCAMS – Scammers may know your details, don’t assume they’re genuine. Always think twice. Never share your PIN or passwords. Ignore emails or calls about computer viruses. Delete suspicious emails and mark them as spam. Be safe. If unsure, contact companies using official numbers. Dial 159 to safely reach your bank. Report scams to Action Fraud: 0300 123 2040 or online. Free guide and tips: Age UK Scam Advice the Booklet is available at the back of both churches – please return after reading.

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.

NEWSLETTER Deadline – Due to the printers’ holiday closures over Christmas and New Year, the newsletters covering Sunday 21 December through to 4 January have now been printed. If you have an urgent item that needs announced over Christmas or New Year, please ring St Theresa’s (01244 371660) with the details. Thank you.

The month of December is dedicated to The Immaculate Conception

THE NATIVITY OF THE LORD

25  December 2025

Wed 24 Dec			CHRISTMAS EVE
St. Theresa’s	4.30pm		Carols
	5.00pm		Vigil Mass John Lloyd RIP
St. Columba’s	4.30pm		Children’s Nativity Mass
	7.00pm		Vigil Mass Kevin, Francis & Martin Connolly
Thu 25 Dec			THE NATIVITY OF THE LORD
St. Theresa’s	9.30am		Christmas Day Mass Parishioners’ Intentions
St. Columba’s	11.00am		Christmas Day Mass Parishioners’ Intentions
Fri 26 Dec			St Stephen, M. Feast
St. Theresa’s	10.00am		Paul Murphy RIP
St. Columba’s			The Parish
Sat 27 Dec
St. Theresa’s	5.00pm		John James Tobin RIP 1st Anniversary
St. Columba’s	6.30pm		Lorraine Probert RIP
Sun 28 Dec			The Holy Family. Feast
St. Theresa’s	9.30am		Michael Dunne RIP
St. Columba’s	11.00am		Parishioners’ Intentions
	2.00pm		Kerala Catholic Community Mass in Syro-Malabar Rite

CHRISTMAS MASS TIMES – A leaflet containing all Mass times is available in the porches of each church. It is also on the website under Our Parish > Mass times.

CONFESSIONS – After each weekday Mass until 11.30am.
Saturdays:
St Columba’s    6.00 – 6.25pm
St Theresa’s   4.30 – 4.55pm

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

POPE’S PRAYER INTENTIONS for December – for Christians in areas of conflict. Let us pray that Christians living in areas of war or conflict, especially in the Middle East, might be seeds of peace, reconciliation, and hope.

RECENTLY DECEASED – Please remember in your prayers Michael Hayden, who died recently, and also his family and friends.

ANNIVERSARIES – Muriel Halligan, Michael Gerrard Dunne.

CHILDREN’S LITURGY – The Children’s Liturgy normally happens at the 11am service at St Columba’s on the 1^st and 3^rd Sundays of each month. See the parish website under the Family tab.

CHRISTMAS OFFERINGS – The offertory collection at the Christmas Masses is for the parish.  Anyone wishing to give to either Fr William or Fr Peter personally should put their offering in an envelope marked “personal” with their name on  and put in the Offertory basket.Thank you.

CLERGY EDUCATION & TRAINING FUND
Many thanks for the amount of £190.39 which was collected recently for this.

PRAYERS – please pray for

• all residents of Blacon, Chester and Upton — for our churches, parishioners and wider communities.
• We remember especially those who cannot be with us this Christmas time, those who feel lonely, and all who are suffering in body, mind or spirit.
• We hold in our hearts those who are in hospital or receiving care, asking that they may know comfort, strength and hope.
• May God’s peace surround each one of us.

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK – “I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year. I will live in the Past, the Present, and the Future. The Spirits of all Three shall strive within me. I will not shut out the lessons that they teach”. Charles Dickens 

CHRISTMAS BLESSINGS – As we celebrate the joy of Christ’s birth, we wish you all a very happy and holy Christmas. May the light and peace of the newborn Saviour fill your hearts and homes with hope, love, and gratitude. We also pray that the coming New Year brings you every blessing, good health, and a deepening of faith.  With our prayers and best wishes,
Fr William, Fr Peter and Deacon Lawrence

CHRISTMAS MEMORY TREE – A time to remember those who will not be with us this year. There will be a tree and cards on side Altar at St. Columba’s (near the back door)  to write your memories and hang on the tree. The memory is the important thing, but if anyone wishes to make a donation, there will be a basket with donations going to the Parish Third World Group.

UPTON CHURCHES CRIB – The CTU Crib has been erected in the rear porch at St Columba’s together with, for the first time, its backdrop.

HEATING AT ST COLUMBA’S CHURCH – Most of the heaters have now been fixed. A friendly reminder, however: please do not turn off any radiators or interfere with the heating system in any way. Thank you.

ST COLUMBA’S COFFEE ROTA – We would like to thank all who volunteered their time to help with tea and coffee after the 11:00am Mass. 
28 Dec  volunteers please
04 Jan   volunteers please
11 Jan   volunteers please

ALTAR SERVERS – we need you! An appeal for altar servers at both St Columba’s and St Theresa’s churches please. At the moment, we have no active altar servers at St Theresa’s. If you or your children are interested in altar serving at either church, please contact Richard Curtis (07787782255 / rich.curtis89@yahoo.co.uk). Training can be flexible around your availability, often focusing in 15-30 minutes sessions after Mass for convenience. 

FRIENDSHIP THURSDAY – We had a very enjoyable Christmas Afternoon, and thanks are owed to our helpers and to Upton Community Choir who sang to (and with) us. It was a shame that many of our usual attendees were unable to come and I hope that they have recovered from any illnesses and will be back on 8 January 2026.

SENIOR PARISHIONERS & VOLUNTEERS CHRISTMAS PARTY – Thanks to those who went along to this – I’m sure you enjoyed it.  A special thanks to those who organised the event and who helped in any way.

 PRO-LIFE UPDATE – 2025 has been one of the most challenging and busiest years ever for the pro-life movement in the UK, with the biggest battles on abortion and assisted suicide in over 50 years. Thanks to the support of our parish, there has been a strong, coordinated response in Parliament, in the media and among the wider public. The 2025 Right To Life UK Year in Review sets out some of the key areas in which significant progress has been made this year. Please visit http://righttolife.org.uk/2025 to read the Year in Review to find out more about what we have achieved together for life this year.

FOOD BANK DONATIONS – Urgently Needed – The Food Bank is asking for tinned meat, fish, veg, fruit, tomatoes, spaghetti, puddings, curry sauce, Smash, pasta & sauce, UHT/powdered milk, long-life juice, custard, jams, spreads, and coffee. See westcheshirefoodbank.org.uk  for up-to-date needs. Thank you for your support!

STAY SAFE FROM SCAMS – Scammers may know your details, don’t assume they’re genuine. Always think twice. Never share your PIN or passwords. Ignore emails or calls about computer viruses. Delete suspicious emails and mark them as spam. Be safe. If unsure, contact companies using official numbers. Dial 159 to safely reach your bank. Report scams to Action Fraud: 0300 123 2040 or online. Free guide and tips: Age UK Scam Advice the Booklet is available at the back of both churches – please return after reading.

**CHRISTMAS QUIZ**
1 What gifts did the Wise Men bring to Jesus?

2 What did the angel say to the shepherds first?
A. “Glory to God in the highest!”
B. “Do not be afraid.”
C. “The Saviour is born.”
D. “Peace be with you.”

3. Who brought the news to Mary that she would have a baby?
A. Michael
B. Raphael
C. Gabriel
D. Uriel

4. Why don’t Christmas trees knit?

5 Why did Santa go to music school?

PARISH WEBSITE – Items for the website must be about parish-based events and should be sent to Lyn Coyle, who is the parish liaison with the website manager:marilyn.coyle44@gmail.com

PARISH OFFICE CLOSURES
St Columba’s office will be closed from Tue 23 Dec & will re-open on Fri 2 Jan. Carol Galvin will be in the office for emergencies from 9am – 12noon during this time.
St Theresa’s office will be closed from 24 Dec until Fri 2 Jan.  The office answer machine is available for messages to be left.

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.

NEWSLETTER Deadlines: Due to the printers’ holiday closures over Christmas and New Year the  newsletters covering Sunday 21 Dec through to 4 January have now been printed.  If you have an urgent item that needs to be announced over Christmas or New Year, please ring St Theresa’s number with the details  01244 371660.    Thank you.

 **Quiz Answers**
 1 Gold, frankincense and myrrh – the gifts of the Wise Men carried deep meaning. Gold recognised Jesus as King, frankincense honoured Him as God, and myrrh pointed to His future sacrifice.
 2 B “Do not be afraid.”
 3 C. Gabriel
 4 Because they always drop their needles!
 5 So he could improve his “wrapping” skills!

The month of December is dedicated to The Immaculate Conception

FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT

21 December 2025

Sat 20 Dec
St. Theresa’s	9.30am		Frank Lally & Ruth O’Donnell
St. Columba’s	6.30pm		Bob Breen RIP
Sun 21 Dec			Fourth Sunday of Advent. Day of Special Prayer for Expectant Mothers
St. Theresa’s	9.30am		Parishioners’ Intentions
St. Columba’s	11.00am		Eddie Elwell
	2.00pm		Kerala Catholic Community Mass in Syro-Malabar Rite
Mon 22 Dec
St. Theresa’s			Constance & Joseph Rowlands
St. Columba’s	10.30am		Parishioners’ Intentions
Tue 23 Dec
St. Theresa’s			Henry Lloyd RIP
St. Columba’s			Parishioners’ Intentions
Wed 24 Dec			CHRISTMAS EVE
St. Theresa’s	4.30pm		Carols
	5.00pm		Vigil Mass John Lloyd RIP
St. Columba’s	4.30pm		Children’s Nativity Mass
	7.00pm		Vigil Mass Kevin, Francis & Martin Connolly
Thu 25 Dec			THE NATIVITY OF THE LORD
St. Theresa’s	9.30am		Christmas Day Mass Parishioners’ Intentions
St. Columba’s	11.00am		Christmas Day Mass Parishioners’ Intentions
Fri 26 Dec			St Stephen, M. Feast
St. Theresa’s	10.00am		Paul Murphy RIP
St. Columba’s			The Parish
Sat 27 Dec
St. Theresa’s	5.00pm		John James Tobin RIP 1st Anniversary
St. Columba’s	6.30pm		Lorraine Probert RIP
Sun 28 Dec			The Holy Family. Feast
St. Theresa’s	9.30am		Michael Dunne RIP
St. Columba’s	11.00am		Parishioners’ Intentions
	2.00pm		Kerala Catholic Community Mass in Syro-Malabar Rite

LIVE STREAMING OF MASS – Mass will be streamed at St Columba’s on Sunday 21 December at 11.00am.

CHRISTMAS MASS TIMES – A leaflet containing all Mass times is available in the porches of each church. It is also on the website under Our Parish > Mass times.

CONFESSIONS – After each weekday Mass until 11.30am.
Saturdays:
St Columba’s   6.00 – 6.25pm
St Theresa’s     4.30 – 4.55pm

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

POPE’S PRAYER INTENTIONS for December – for Christians in areas of conflict. Let us pray that Christians living in areas of war or conflict, especially in the Middle East, might be seeds of peace, reconciliation, and hope.

RECENTLY DECEASED – Please remember in your prayers, Michael Hayden & Roger John Warburton, who died recently, and also their families and friends.

ANNIVERSARIES – Margaret Rose Allmark, Ellie Marsden, Ruth O’Donnell, Francis Joseph Lally, Muriel Halligan & Michael Gerrard Dunne.

CHILDREN’S LITURGY – The Children’s Liturgy normally happens at the 11am service at St Columba’s on the 1^st and 3^rd Sundays of each month. See the parish website under the Family tab.

PARISH OFFERTORY – Loose Plate: £438.22; Planned Giving: £256.50; Average weekly SO £718.15; Candles: £44.54. 

CLERGY EDUCATION & TRAINING FUND – Many thanks for the amount of £190.39 which was collected recently for this.

CHRISTMAS OFFERINGS – The offertory collection at the Christmas Masses is for the parish.  Anyone wishing to give to either Fr William or Fr Peter personally should put their offering in an envelope marked “personal” with their name on and put in the Offertory basket. Thank you.

PRAYERS– please pray for 

• The residents of Woodlea Avenue, Cornwall Road, Aldford Road, Cleaveland Road, Stratford Road, Walton Place & Downham Place. 
• For All Age Family Worship, Messy Church, Junior Church and Children’s Liturgy.  
• For all children who attend our churches each Sunday and their leaders.

CHRISTMAS MEMORY TREE – A time to remember those who will not be with us this year. There will be a tree and cards on side Altar at St. Columba’s (near the back door) to write your memories and hang on the tree. The memory is the important thing, but if anyone wishes to make a donation, there will be a basket with donations going to the Parish Third World Group.

UPTON CHURCHES CRIB – The CTU Crib has been erected in the rear porch at St Columba’s together with, for the first time, its backdrop. The figures will follow in due course.

PRO-LIFE UPDATE – 2025 has been one of the most challenging and busiest years ever for the pro-life movement in the UK, with the biggest battles on abortion and assisted suicide in over 50 years. Thanks to the support of our parish, there has been a strong, coordinated response in Parliament, in the media and among the wider public. The 2025 Right To Life UK Year in Review sets out some of the key areas in which significant progress has been made this year. Please visit http://righttolife.org.uk/2025 to read the Year in Review to find out more about what we have achieved together for life this year.

FRIENDSHIP THURSDAY – We had a very enjoyable Christmas Afternoon, and thanks are owed to our helpers and to Upton Community Choir who sang to (and with) us. It was a shame that many of our usual attendees were unable to come and I hope that they have recovered from any illnesses and will be back on 8 January, 2026.

ST COLUMBA’S COFFEE ROTA – We would like to thank all who volunteered their time to help with tea and coffee after the 11:00am Mass. 
21 Dec – Sue McCarthy, SVP
28 Dec – volunteers please
04 Jan – volunteers please

SENIOR PARISHIONERS & VOLUNTEERS CHRISTMAS PARTY – Thanks to those who went along to this – I’m sure you enjoyed it.  A special thanks to those who organised the event and who helped in any way.

PARISH OFFICE CLOSURES

St Columba’s office will be closed from Tue 23 Dec to Thur 1 Jan and will re-open on Fri 2 Jan. Carol Galvin will be in the office for emergencies from 9am – 12noon during this time.

St Theresa’s office will be closed from Thur 24 Dec to Fri 2 Jan.  The office answer machine is available for messages to be left.

FOOD BANK DONATIONS – Urgently Needed – The Food Bank is asking for tinned meat, fish, veg, fruit, tomatoes, spaghetti, puddings, curry sauce, Smash, pasta & sauce, UHT/powdered milk, long-life juice, custard, jams, spreads, and coffee. See westcheshirefoodbank.org.uk  for up-to-date needs. Thank you for your support!

ALTAR SERVERS – we need you! An appeal for altar servers at both St Columba’s and St Theresa’s churches please. At the moment, we have no active altar servers at St Theresa’s. If you or your children are interested in altar serving at either church, please contact Richard Curtis (07787782255 / rich.curtis89@yahoo.co.uk). Training can be flexible around your availability, often focusing in 15-30 minutes sessions after Mass for convenience. 

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK– “By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:35)

SOUP WITH SOUL – continues at the Town House, Chester Mon-Fri 12noon-3pm until the 23 December. They have added to the menu for Christmas: soup, sausage roll, Christmas cracker & shortbread, house wine, beer, mince pies. Take your pick! Creating a positive future for those experiencing homelessness and hardship. 

CHESTER CATHEDRAL CHRISTMAS TREES – Enjoy over 80 trees decorated in the theme of Christmas Around the World. Booking required.  However, no booking or entry fee on Sundays. 

PARISH WEBSITE – Items for the website must be about parish-based events and should be sent to Lyn Coyle, who is the parish liaison with the website manager: marilyn.coyle44@gmail.com

STAY SAFE FROM SCAMS – Scammers may know your details, don’t assume they’re genuine. Always think twice. Never share your PIN or passwords. Ignore emails or calls about computer viruses. Delete suspicious emails and mark them as spam. Be safe. If unsure, contact companies using official numbers. Dial 159 to safely reach your bank. Report scams to Action Fraud: 0300 123 2040 or online. Free guide and tips: Age UK Scam Advice the Booklet is available at the back of both churches – please return after reading.

ST COLUMBA’S CHURCH & HALL BOOKINGS – To book the Church, Newman Room orIona 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.

NEWSLETTER Deadlines: Due to the printers’ holiday closures over Christmas and New Year the newsletters covering Sunday 21 Dec through to 4 January have now been printed. If you have an urgent item that needs announcing over Christmas or New Year, please ring St Theresa’s number with the details 01244 371660. Thank you.