The month of September is dedicated to Our Lady of Sorrows

TWENTY SIXTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

28 September 2025

Sat 27 Sep
St. Theresa’s<	5.00pm		Kathleen & Jack Lawlor & Kathleen & Elsie Maguire
St. Columba’s	6.30pm		Cristiano Alesina da Silva RIP
Sun 28 Sep			Day of Special Prayer for the Harvest
St. Theresa’s	9.30am		Jessica Baker RIP & Maureen’s and Gerry’s 60th Wedding Anniversary
St. Columba’s	11.00am		Janet Wells RIP
	2.00pm		Kerala Catholic Community Mass in Syro-Malabar Rite
Mon 29 Sep			Ss Michael, Gabriel & Raphael. Mem.
St. Theresa’s			Parishioners’ Intentions
St. Columba’s	10.30am		Mary Ible RIP (CM)
Tue 30 Sep			St Jerome, P, D. Mem.
St. Theresa’s			Priests’ Intentions
St. Columba’s			Parishioners’ Intentions
Wed 1 Oct			St Theresa of the Child Jesus, V, R. Mem.
St. Theresa’s	9.30am		Feast of St Theresa Parishioners’ Intentions
St. Columba’s			No devotions or Mass
Thu 2 Oct			Guardian Angels. Mem.
St. Theresa’s			Private Intentions
St. Columba’s			Priests’ Intentions
Fri 3 Oct
St. Theresa’s	10.00am		Sarah Russell RIP
St. Columba’s			The Parish
Sat 4 Oct
St. Theresa’s	9.30am		Malankara Jacobite Syriac Orthodox Community Mass
	5.00pm		Parishioners’ Intentions
St. Columba’s	6.30pm		John Paddy Campbell RIP
Sun 5 Oct
St. Theresa’s	9.30am		Mary Dorothy Groom RIP
St. Columba’s	11.00am		Kenneth & Mary Kilcoyne
	2.00pm		Kerala Catholic Community Mass in Syro-Malabar Rite

LIVE STREAMING OF MASS
Mass will be streamed at St Theresa’s on Sunday 28 September at 9.30 a.m.

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

ANNIVERSARIES
Jessica Baker, Stephen Blundell, Keith Alexander Evans, Howard Jefferson Sherman, John Anthony Taylor, Eric John Hocking, Barbara Fry, Martin Connolly, Elizabeth Rogerson, Elsie Maguire 

POPE’S OCTOBER PRAYER INTENTIONS
FOR COLLABORATION BETWEEN DIFFERENT RELIGIOUS TRADITIONS Let us pray that believers in different religious traditions might work together to defend and promote peace, justice, and human fraternity.

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. 

FR WILLIAM
Anyone wishing to talk to Fr William should contact one of the parish offices and make an appointment.  Fr William is not available on Thursdays.

PRAYING TOGETHER

• Pray for the residents of Church Lane, Nield Court and Grangeside, Harthill Road, The Parade, Tomlin’s Terrace, and Carlisle Road.
• For the church organists and music leaders, for the ministry of music in our worship.

PARISH OFFERTORY
Loose Plate: £705.67; Planned Giving: £461.73; Average weekly SO £718.15; Candles £33.28.

ST THERESA’S FEAST DAY – 1 OCTOBER
As there will be Mass at St Theresa’s at 9.30am on Wednesday 1 October, followed by tea, coffee and cake in St. Theresa’s Club. There will not be Devotions and Mass at St Columba’s that day.  All welcome to the Parish celebration.

ST THERESA’S FEAST DAY FLOWERS
If you would like to contribute towards the flowers for St Theresa’s Feast Day (1 October) please put your donation in an envelope marked “St Theresa’s Flowers” and place it in the offertory basket.  Many thanks.

FIRST COMMUNION PREPARATION CLASSES
These classes are for children who come to church but do not attend one of our RC Primary Schools. They are held in the Newman Room at St Columba’s on Wednesday evenings in term time from 5pm to 6pm.  If you have a child in Year 3 or above who would like to enrol to join these classes to prepare for First Forgiveness and First Holy Communion this school year, or if you would like any further information, please contact Pauline Payne by email: pauline.payne4@btinternet.com or ring 01244 350323

FAITH EXPLORATION AND SHARING
For any parishioner not yet in full communion with the Church but interested in exploring a way to that, beginning in September the parish will be running the Sycamore course explaining the Catholic faith. If you are interested in joining the group, please contact Deacon Lawrence for more details. If you know someone you think might be interested, why not offer some words of encouragement.

BIBLE TIMELINE COURSE
a free online course starts Wed 1 October at 7pm for 8 evenings.  Infor and registration: comeandsee.org

WELCOME TO OUR PARISH
If you are NEW TO THE PARISH, please complete a Parish Registration Form and send (or bring) it to either parish office to let us know that you are here and enable us to welcome you. Forms can be found in the front porches of both churches and on the website https://sscolumbaandtheresa.co.uk/i-am-new/. Thank you.

FISH AND CHIP BABIES, KNITTING PROJECT
If you have any double-knitting wool to spare, we now need more for the babies in NE Africa. Please arrange to hand it to Margaret Curtis 01244 318424, thank you.

ST COLUMBA’S COFFEE ROTA
Write your name, charity and phone number on the calendar or leave a message with Margaret Curtis on 01244 318424 with your name and date(s).
28 Sept – MacMillan Coffee Morning- Cakes will be on sale after the 6:30pm Mass on Sat 27 Sept after the 11am Mass on Sun 28 Sept for this annual fundraiser. 
05 Oct – volunteers please
12 Oct- volunteers please

CHURCHES TOGETHER IN UPTON
The AGM was held recently.  Lyn Coyle was elected Minutes Secretary and David Savage Chairman for the next twelve months. 

CTU QUIZ
This popular quiz organised by CTU is on Friday 10 October in our Church Hall at 7.00 p.m. Teams of no more than eight. Bring your own drinks and glasses. Table nibbles provided and raffle prizes welcomed. Profits go to the Hospice of the Good Shepherd. See notice boards.

CHESTER BIBLE FESTIVAL & ST COLUMBA’S
We are holding an Open Afternoon called “Catholics and the Bible” in our church from 1-4 pm on Saturday 18 October. Please come and support. Will you also help by lending a Bible of your own for a display of personal Bibles, along with a few words saying what this means to you. Please contact Lyn Coyle if you can help. marilyn.coyle44@gmail.com / 07735574397.

FRIENDSHIP THURSDAY – CHANGE OF TIME- LATER START
Friendship Thursday on 2 October is from 3.00-4.30pm in the Church Hall. No guest speaker this time so bring your knitting, come and play Scrabble, Cards or Dominoes or just spend the time chatting over coffee and cake. Open to anyone, just turn up! Suggested donation of £2.

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK
“Real change, enduring change, happens one step at a time” Ruth Bader Ginsburg

UPCYCLED FASHION SHOW
Upton by Chester High School, St James Ave. 
Wednesday 1 October, 6–7:30pm; Tickets £5 adults,£2.50 children.
Celebrate creativity & sustainability with learners modelling upcycled fashion designed by them and Chifundo UK. Tickets on the door or from school reception. All proceeds to Chifundo UK & the Design & Technology Dept.

CHILDREN’S CHOIR OF ST COLUMBA’S RECRUITMENT
The Little Choir is looking for children, year 3 and above. No previous experience necessary. We practise on Tuesday at 6.45p.m. for one hour. Mass and practice are in St Columba’s Church (entrance at the back door). For further information please contact Giovanna or the director of the choir Mark, at the end of 11.00a.m. Mass.

INSTRUMENT REQUEST FOR THE LITTLE CHOIR
The choir would like to develop its percussion session. If you have any drums that you no longer use and would like to donate, please contact Giovanna and/or Mark after the 11:00 mass on the left of the altar. Thanks for your help.

CAFOD Family Fast Day (3 Oct) Appeal this Harvest
Please donate to our Family Fast Day parish collection to share God’s abundant gifts with our global neighbours. Your generosity offers “signs of hope” in this Jubilee Year, Use the CAFOD envelope in church, available from this weekend, donate online at cafod.org.uk/envelope or call 0303 303 3030.
You can also text CAFOD to 70560 to donate £10. 

SAINT CLARE’S PARISH invite you to hear Christine Allen, the head of CAFOD, speak at our 9.30 a.m. Mass on Sunday, 5th October, the Sunday after Family Fast Day. Everybody is very welcome.

FOOD BANK DONATIONS – MORE NEEDED
The food bank has launched a Harvest Appeal and is looking particularly for donation of the following items:
– Tinned meat/fish/veg/fruit/spaghetti/puddings/tomatoes,
– Curry sauce, smash, pasta and sauce
– Milk (UHT or powdered); Fruit juice (long life)
– Custard, jams and spreads, coffee
A look at the Foodbank website: (westcheshirefoodbank.org.uk) indicates where there is a need for particular items. Thank you so much. 

CHS
The Catholic High school have a couple of vacancies in the school kitchen. Please see the school website www. christofidelis.org.uk/vacancies for more details or contact Mr Kilcoyne School Business Manager on 01244 952788 for an informal discussion.

Pilgrimage of the Jubilee Icon of ‘The Visitation’ (depiction by Margaret Rope) visits The Catholic High School: You are welcome to venerate this icon and to join the Celebration of the Word taking place in the school Hall on Thursday 2 October at 2pm. Please book your place by email to Ana at gasparinia@christofidelis.org.uk

VACANCY – ST. CLARE’S
A vacancy has arisen for a Parish Secretary at St Clare’s Parish, Downsfield Road, Chester. CH4 8HH.  4 hours per week @ £14 per hour.  For further details, please see the Diocesan website https://www.dioceseofshrewsbury.org/latest-vacancies/ CV and covering letter should be sent to Pauline McCulloch recruitment@dioceseofshrewsbury.org Closing date Friday 17 October 2025.

RNLI FUNDRAISER
To raise money for the RNLI, the Chester Branch is holding a Fish and Chip Supper, with The Port Sunlight Shanty Band, between 7pm-10.30pm on Friday 17 October, at St Mary’s Creative Space, Chester. Tickets are £20 from Eventbrite at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/
Please email chesterrnli@btinternet.com if you’d like to know more, or need advice with purchasing the tickets. Thank you, Frances Hughes.

PARISH WEBSITE
If anyone has an item that they would like to have on the website, please contact Lyn Coyle, who is the parish liaison with the website manager. These items must be about parish-based events or information. marilyn.coyle44@gmail.com

MARRIAGE HELP
Retrouvaille helps couples find hope and healing for their marriage. Next date: 17-19 October. www.retrouvaille.org.uk Tel: 0788 7296983

FAMILY AND GROUP STAYS AT CASTLERIGG MANOR THIS OCTOBER HALF TERM
 Castlerigg Manor is a Retreat Centre in the Lake District, and they are opening their doors during October Half Term (Oct 27-31). A good option for anyone looking for a budget get-away in a beautiful part of the country. Book at https://castleriggmanor.com/stay-with-us/ or contact director@castleriggmanor.co.uk

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 2.00p.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 5 October edition will be compiled by  Muriel Green. Phone 01244 383836, or email: muriel.green1@btinternet.com by 9.00 a.m. on WEDNESDAY 1 October 2025. Please include a phone number in case of queries, and please ensure that notices are also emailed to Fr William at st.theresas@btinternet.com.

The month of September is dedicated to Our Lady of Sorrows

TWENTY FIFTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

21  September 2025

Sat 20 Sep
St. Theresa’s	5.00pm		Winifred McGlown
St. Columba’s	6.30pm		Cristiano Alesina da Silva RIP
Sun 21 Sep			Evangelii Gaudium Sunday
St. Theresa’s	9.30am		Parishioners’ Intentions
St. Columba’s	11.00am		Janet Wells RIP
	2.00pm		Kerala Catholic Community Mass in Syro-Malabar Rite
Mon 22 Sep
St. Theresa’s			Priests’ Intentions
St. Columba’s	10.30am		Mary Ible RIP (CM)
Tue 23 Sep			St Pius of Pietrelcina (Padre Pio) Mem
St. Theresa’s			Special Intentions
St. Columba’s			Parishioners’ Intentions
Wed 24 Sep			Our Lady of Walsingham
St. Theresa’s			Private Intentions
St. Columba’s	9.30am		Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
	10.15am		Novena Prayers
	10.30am		Tony Walsh RIP (CM)
Thu 25 Sep
St. Theresa’s			Ann O’Connell RIP
St. Columba’s			Priests’ Intentions
Fri 26 Sep
St. Theresa’s	10.00am		Keith Evans RIP
St. Columba’s			The Parish
Sat 27 Sep			St Vincent De Paul Mem
St. Theresa’s	5.00pm		Kathleen & Jack Lawlor & Kathleen & Elsie Maguire RIP
St. Columba’s	6.30pm		John Paddy Campbell RIP
Sun 28 Sep			Evangelii Gaudium
St. Theresa’s	9.30am		Gerry & Maureen’s 60th Wedding anniversary
St. Columba’s	11.00am		Kenneth & Mary Kilcoyne
	2.00pm		Kerala Catholic Community Mass in Syro-Malabar Rite

LIVE STREAMING OF MASS
Mass will be streamed at St Theresa’s on Sunday 21 September at 9.30 a.m.

CHILDREN’S LITURGY
The Children’s Liturgy normally happens at the 11a.m. at St Columba’s on the 1^st and 3^rd Sundays of each month. For further details, see the parish website under the Family tab.

ANNIVERSARIES
Angela Christine Woodworth

POPE’S SEPTEMBER PRAYER INTENTIONS
FOR OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH ALL OF CREATION Let us pray that, inspired by Saint Francis, we might experience our interdependence with all creatures who are loved by God and worthy of love and respect.

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. 

FR WILLIAM
Anyone wishing to talk to Fr William should contact one of the parish offices and make an appointment.  Fr William is not available on Thursdays.

PRAYING TOGETHER
Please pray for

• the residents of Lawn Drive, Earls Oak, Windmill Rise, Hatton Road, Pulford Road, Leaside Road, Fernhill Road and For Dorin Park School. 
• For all who are physically or mentally disabled, their teachers and families

PARISH OFFERTORY
Loose Plate: £515.77; Planned Giving: £310.88; Average weekly SO £718.15; Candles £33.28.

ST THERESA’S FEAST DAY – 1 OCTOBER
As there will be Mass at St Theresa’s at 9.30am on Wednesday 1 October, there will not be Devotions and Mass at St Columba’s that day.  All welcome to the Parish celebration.

ST THERESA’S FEAST DAY FLOWERS
If you would like to contribute towards the flowers for St Theresa’s Feast Day  (1 October) please put your donation in an envelope marked “St Theresa’s Flowers” and place it in the offertory basket.  Many thanks.

MACMILLAN COFFEE MORNING
Donations of cakes would be very much appreciated – cakes will be on sale after the 6:30pm Mass on Sat 27 Sept after the 11am Mass on Sun 28 Sept for this annual fundraiser. 

YEAR OF THE JUBILEE 2025 MASS
Many thanks to those who came along to this last week and to all who organised it and participated in any way.

FIRST COMMUNION PREPARATION CLASSES
These classes are for children who come to either church but do not attend one of the RC Primary Schools. They are held in the Newman Room at St Columba’s on Wednesday evenings in term time from 5pm to 6pm.  The classes will begin on Wednesday 24 Sept. If you have a child in Year 3 or above who would like to enrol to join these classes to prepare for First Forgiveness and First Holy Communion this school year, or if you would like any further information, please contact Pauline Payne by email: pauline.payne4@btinternet.com or ring 01244 350323

FAITH EXPLORATION AND SHARING
For any parishioner not yet in full communion with the Church but interested in exploring a way to that, beginning in September the parish will be running the Sycamore course explaining the Catholic faith. If you are interested in joining the group, please contact Deacon Lawrence for more details. If you know someone you think might be interested, why not offer some words of encouragement.

FOOD BANK DONATIONS – MORE NEEDED
The warehouse is usually fairly full but recently the crates have been half empty. The volunteers confirmed that they are having to buy in supplies out of their limited resources. A look at the Foodbank website (westcheshirefoodbank.org.uk) indicates where there is a need for particular items. Thank you so much. 

BIBLE TIMELINE COURSE
A free online course starts Wed 1 October at 7pm for 8 evenings.  Infor and registration: comeandsee.org

Marriage & Family Life Ministry Retreat Day
11 October 2025  9:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.  Parish Room, Shrewsbury Cathedral, SY1 1UE. 
Contact Monika: monika.golembiewska@dioceseofshrewsbury.org | 07549 226794 or
Jane: jane.deegan@dioceseofshrewsbury.org | 07517 906435

DIOCESAN JUBILEE EVENTS
Jubilee for Catechists with Bishop Mark Davies, the Dominican Sisters of St Joseph and Natalie Orefice, Diocesan Director of Evangelisation and Catechesis.  On Saturday 15 November at St Joseph’s Eucharistic Shrine, Tatton St, Stockport SK1 1EJ. Book a free place here: https://bit.ly/Jubilee-for-Catechists

ST. WERBURGH’S 150^th ANNIVERSARY
This will be celebrated in December this year. Details of events in the coming week are on the notice board in both churches.

ROSARY RETREAT DAY AND JUBILEE PILGRIMAGE AT SAINT JOSEPH’S, STOCKPORT ON SATURDAY  25 OCTOBER  

Bishop Mark Davies will lead this Jubilee Pilgrimage at the Eucharistic Shrine of Saint Joseph’s, Stockport on Saturday 25 October. The Rosary Retreat will begin at 9.30 am and Holy Mass will be celebrated at 11am. The day will conclude with a Eucharistic Procession and Solemn Benediction at 3.30 pm. Please bring a packed lunch.   

WELCOME TO OUR PARISH
If you are NEW TO THE PARISH, please complete a Parish Registration Form and send (or bring) it to either parish office to let us know that you are here and enable us to welcome you. Forms can be found in the front porches of both churches and on the website: www.sscolumbaandtheresa.co.uk under the “I’m New”

PARISH WEBSITE
If anyone has an item that they would like to have on the website, please contact Lyn Coyle, who is the parish liaison with the website manager. These items must be about parish-based events or information. marilyn.coyle44@gmail.com

PARISH YOUTUBE CHANNEL
The Pastoral Council would like to offer Mass live streamed on our YouTube channel.  To do this, at no cost to us, we need a minimum of 50 subscribers.  We would be very grateful if parishioners could subscribe to the channel which can be found on YouTube as:  St Columba and Theresa RC Church Chester.  Even if you are unlikely to use the service, please do subscribe to benefit others.

FISH AND CHIP BABIES, KNITTING PROJECT
If you have any double-knitting wool to spare, we now need more for the babies in NE Africa. Please arrange to hand it to Margaret Curtis 01244 318424, thank you.

ST COLUMBA’S COFFEE ROTA
Write your name, charity and phone number on the calendar or leave a message with Margaret Curtis on 01244 318424 with your name and date(s).
21 Sept – volunteers please
28 Sept – MacMillan Coffee Morning
05 Oct – volunteers please

NEEDLES & PINS – Wed 24 September
Everyone is invited to this friendly and welcoming needlecraft group in the Newman  Room, between 2:00-4:00pm every fourth Wednesday of the month. Hope to see you.

MARRIAGE HELP
Retrouvaille helps couples find hope and healing for their marriage. Next date: 17-19 October. www.retrouvaille.org.uk Tel: 0788 7296983

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY:

QUIZ
The CTU quiz will be on Friday 10 October in our Church Hall at 7.00 p.m. Teams of no more than eight. Please bring your own drinks and glasses. Table nibbles will be provided and there will be a raffle. Profits in aid of the Hospice of the Good Shepherd

LOOKING FOR OLD LAPTOPS
Do you have an old laptop that you no longer use? They are much in need for asylum seekers and refugees who cannot afford to buy one.. The charity has an IT expert who will ensure that each laptop donated is entirely free of personal information before it is passed on. Any help you can give is immensely valuable. FFI and to donate, contact Lyn Coyle marilyn.coyle44@gmail.com. Please include a telephone number.

FAMILY AND GROUP STAYS AT CASTLERIGG MANOR THIS OCTOBER HALF TERM
 Castlerigg Manor is a Retreat Centre in the Lake District, and they are opening their doors during October Half Term (Oct 27-31). A good option for anyone looking for a budget get-away in a beautiful part of the country. Book at https://castleriggmanor.com/stay-with-us/ or contact director@castleriggmanor.co.uk

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK – Evangelii Gaudium Sunday – Sept 21
This Sunday we celebrate the Church’s mission at home. As baptised Catholics, we are called to grow in faith and share the Gospel in daily life. In this Jubilee of Hope, we are pilgrims of hope, sent out at the end of every Mass (“Ite, missa est”) to live and witness our faith in the world.

CHILDREN’S CHOIR OF ST COLUMBA’S RECRUITMENT
The Little Choir is looking for young children from year 3 and above. You do not need to know the music or be able to sing. We also support young guitarists and percussionists to play for the choir and the Mass service. We practise on Tuesday at 6.45p.m. for one hour (starting on the 16 of September. Mass and practice are in St Columba’s Church (entrance at the back door). For further information please contact Giovanna or the director of the choir Mark, at the end of 11.00a.m. Mass.

INSTRUMENT REQUEST FOR ST COLUMBA’S LITTLE CHOIR
The Little Choir would like to develop the percussion section. If you have any snare, bongo, djembe, cajon, or generic drums that you do not use and would like to donate to the choir, please contact Giovanna and/or Mark after the 11:00 Mass on the left of the altar. Thanks for your help. 

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 Thursday 9a.m. to 2.00p.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 28  September edition will be compiled by Alison Wrigglesworth Phone: 07759 042262 or email: st.theresas@btinternet.com by 9.00 a.m. on WEDNESDAY 24 September 2025. Please include a phone number in case of queries, and please ensure that notices are also emailed to Fr William at st.theresas@btinternet.com.

The month of September is dedicated to Our Lady of Sorrows

EXALTATION OF THE HOLY CROSS

14 September 2025

Sat 13 Sep
St. Theresa’s	5.00pm		Parishioners’ Intentions
St. Columba’s	6.30pm		Rosemary McRoberts Anniv.
Sun 14 Sep			Exaltation of the Holy Cross. Day of Special Prayer for Education
St. Theresa’s	9.30am		Joan Woods RIP
St. Columba’s	11.00am		Tony Walsh RIP
	2.00pm		Kerala Catholic Community Mass in Syro-Malabar Rite
Mon 15 Sep			Our Lady of Sorrows. Mem.
St. Theresa’s			Priests’ Intentions
St. Columba’s	10.30am		Mary Ible RIP
Tue 16Sep			Ss Cornelius, P, M & Cyprian, B, Mem.
St. Theresa’s			Private Intentions
St. Columba’s			Brian Hemsworth RIP
Wed 17 Sep
St. Theresa’s			Special Intentions
St. Columba’s	9.30am		Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
	10.15am		Novena Prayers
	10.30am		Tony Walsh RIP (Wednesday Attenders)
Thu 18 Sep
St. Theresa’s			Eileen Mapp’s Intention
St. Columba’s	7.00pm		Jubilee Mass
Fri 19 Sep
St. Theresa’s	10.00am		Joan Woods RIP
St. Columba’s			The Parish
Sat 20 Sep
St. Theresa’s	5.00pm		Winifred McGlown RIP
St. Columba’s	6.30pm		Cristiano Alesina da Silva RIP
Sun 21 Sep			Evangelii Gaudium
St. Theresa’s	9.30am		Parishioners’ Intentions
St. Columba’s	11.00am		Janet Wells 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 14 September at 9.30 a.m.
Cover is needed at St Columba’s for occasions when Tim is unavailable. (St Theresa’s have a volunteer) The only requirement is you need to have an iPhone. If you would be willing to help with this, please contact one of the church offices. Thank you.
www.facebook.com/thecatholicparishofstcolumbaandsttheresa

ANNUAL MASS COUNT
The annual mass count will take place this week in both Churches and for the next four weekends.

CHILDREN’S LITURGY
The Children’s Liturgy normally happens at the 11a.m. at St Columba’s on the 1^st and 3^rd Sundays of each month. For further details, see the parish website under the Family tab.

ANNIVERSARIES
Kenneth Kilcoyne, Jim Mason.

POPE’S SEPTEMBER PRAYER INTENTIONS
FOR OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH ALL OF CREATION Let us pray that, inspired by Saint Francis, we might experience our interdependence with all creatures who are loved by God and worthy of love and respect.

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. 

PRAYING TOGETHER:

• Pray for the residents of St Christopher’s Close. Dale Drive , Heath Road,  Sumner Road, Fisher Road, Stamford Road, and Church Way. 
• For the Treasurers, Finance Organisers and the Gift Aid Recorders.
• For those who are responsible for the financial affairs of our Churches.

PARISH OFFERTORY
Loose Plate: £501.64; Planned Giving: £277.69; Average weekly SO £718.15; Candles £45.53.

ST THERESA’S FEAST DAY FLOWERS
If you would like to contribute towards the flowers for St Theresa’s Feast Day  (1 October) please put your donation in an envelope marked “St Theresa’s Flowers” and place it in the offertory basket.  Many thanks.

14 – 21 SEPTEMBER WORLD WEEK OF PRAYER FOR PEACE IN PALESTINE AND ISRAEL
Light a candle each evening at 6pm , or any time convenient for you, and pray for an end to
the war and justice for all in the Holy Land. 

ST COLUMBA’S COFFEE ROTA
The coffee rota is on the noticeboard in St Columba’s all. 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.
14 September        Sue McCarthy, SVP
21 September        volunteers please
28 September        volunteers please

YOUTH GROUP
Our next Youth Group meeting is on Monday 15 September at 7pm until 8.30pm at St Columba’s. Young people in school Year 5 or above are very welcome to join us for faith, fun, friendship…and biscuits! If you need a lift, or more information, please call Denise Lusk (01244 379742), Richard Curtis (+44 7787 782255) or Ann McCarthy (+44 7751 970388)

THE CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL OPEN EVENING – Thursday 18 September 6-8pm 
This is a great opportunity for prospective students and their parents to come and see the school. Interactive activities, school tour, meet the teachers! All welcome, no booking required. For more information visit: Www.christofidelis.org.uk email: welcometo@christofidelis.org.uk.

YEAR OF THE JUBILEE 2025 MASS
Pope Francis gave this year’s Jubilee the theme of ‘Pilgrims of Hope’ and invited Catholics everywhere to renew our hope and discover a vision that can “restore access to the fruits of the earth to everyone”. A special Mass to celebrate our faith and renew our hope for the future is to be held in St Columba’s church on Thursday 18 September at 7p.m. followed by refreshments in the hall. All parishioners are encouraged to attend.

In the words of Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster “May our prayer in this Jubilee Year be robust and heartfelt: that God will guide our poor efforts here, enabling us to contribute to the harmony of the world and all its people”. 

FIRST COMMUNION PREPARATION CLASSES
These classes are for children who come to either St Columba’s or St Theresa’s churches but do not attend one of the RC Primary Schools. They are held in the Newman Room at St Columba’s on Wednesday evenings in term time from 5pm to 6pm.  The classes will begin on Wednesday 24 Sept. If you have a child in Year 3 or above who would like to enrol to join these classes to prepare for First Forgiveness and First Holy Communion this school year, or if you would like any further information, please contact Pauline Payne by email: pauline.payne4@btinternet.com

DIOCESAN JUBILEE EVENTS
Jubilee for Catechists with Bishop Mark Davies, the Dominican Sisters of St Joseph and Natalie Orefice, Diocesan Director of Evangelisation and Catechesis.  On Saturday 15 November at St Joseph’s Eucharistic Shrine, Tatton St, Stockport SK1 1EJ. Book a free place here: https://bit.ly/Jubilee-for-Catechists

FAITH EXPLORATION AND SHARING
For any parishioner not yet in full communion with the Church but interested in exploring a way to that, beginning in September the parish will be running the Sycamore course explaining the Catholic faith. If you are interested in joining the group, please contact Deacon Lawrence for more details. If you know someone you think might be interested, why not offer some words of encouragement.

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK
“Peace does not mean an absence of conflicts; differences will always be there. Peace means solving these differences through peaceful means; through dialogue, education, knowledge; and through humane ways.” — The 14th Dalai Lama, Tibet, born 1935  

CHILDREN’S CHOIR OF ST COLUMBA’S RECRUITMENT
If you like singing, learning something new, finding new friends, and using your talent to praise the Lord, you can join the little choir of St Columba.  The Little Choir is looking for young children from year 3 and above. You do not need to know the music or be able to sing.  We will help you to learn to sing and be a member of a choir. We also support young guitarists and percussionists to play for the choir and the Mass service.

We practise on Tuesday at 6.45p.m. for one hour (starting on the 16 of September) and we play for the community every second Sunday of the month (school term only).  Mass and practice are in St Columba’s Church (entrance at the back door).

Participation is free. If you or your parents/guardians want any clarification, please do not hesitate to contact Giovanna or the director of the choir Mark, at the end of 11.00a.m.

INSTRUMENT REQUEST FOR ST COLUMBA’S LITTLE CHOIR
The Little Choir would like to develop the precision session. If you have any snare drum, bongo drum, djembe drum, cajon drum, or generic drum that you do not use and would like to donate to the choir , please contact Giovanna and/or Mark after the 11:00 mass on the left of the altar. Thanks for your help. 

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY:

QUIZ
This popular quiz organised by CTU will be on Friday October 10 in our Church Hall at 7.00 p.m. Teams of no more than eight. Please bring your own drinks and glasses. Table nibbles will be provided and there will be a raffle. Profits in aid of the Hospice of the Good Shepherd.

BIBLE FESTIVAL OPEN AFTERNOON
Throughout October, a Bible Festival is taking place throughout churches in Chester. We have been invited to take part and are putting on an Open Afternoon from on Saturday 18 October 1-4 pm, entitled Catholics and the Bible. More details next week but keep this date free, especially readers and welcomers at church as we would like to involve some of you in this project. Contact Lyn Coyle for further information marilyn.coyle44@gmail.com

FOOD BANK DONATIONS – MORE NEEDED
Donated food is taken to the West Cheshire Foodbank at Ellesmere Port every fortnight. The warehouse is usually fairly full but recently the crates have been half empty. The volunteers confirmed that they have had to buy in supplies out of their limited resources. The donation receipt book shows our parish donation weighing 20.6 kg but another entry showed that 403kg of food had to be purchased at Costco. If you can, please give as generously as possible, especially UHT milk, Long-life juice, curry sauce, tinned spaghetti, and chocolate. A look at the Foodbank website (westcheshirefoodbank.org.uk) indicates where there is a need for particular items. Thank you so much. Your generosity makes all the difference.

LOOKING FOR OLD LAPTOPS
Do you have an old laptop that you no longer use? They are much in need for asylum seekers and refugees who cannot afford to buy one. City of Sanctuary is a charity that aims to support them and raise awareness of their difficulties while waiting for a decision. The charity has an IT expert who will ensure that each laptop donated is entirely free of personal information before it is passed on. The laptops are highly beneficial for English language and training courses necessary to equip sanctuary seekers (asylum seekers and refugees) for life and work in the UK. Any help you can give is immensely valuable. FFI and to donate, contact Lyn Coyle marilyn.coyle44@gmail.com. Please include a telephone number.

MARRIAGE & FAMILY LIFE MINISTRY RETREAT DAY
Calling all those interested in supporting the vocation of marriage and family to join Jane Deegan Director of Marriage and Family Life Vocation for a Retreat Day to find out more about this important work and the various different ways that help is needed. There will also be presentations from representatives of some of the apostolates already working in the diocese in support of marriage and family.
When: 11 October 2025 9.30a.m.- 4.00p.m.
Where: Parish Room Shrewsbury Cathedral – Entrance Address: Town Walls Shrewsbury SY1 1UE (Above the Cafe). Parking is limited but public car parks are available nearby.
To Register and for More Information please contact:
Monika at monika.golembiewska@dioceseofshrewsbury.org Mobile: 07549226794 or
Jane at jane.deegan@dioceseofshrewsbury.org Mobile: 07517 906435

PARISH YOUTUBE CHANNEL
The Pastoral Council would like to offer Mass live streamed on our YouTube channel.  To do this, at no cost to us, we need a minimum of 50 subscribers.  We would be very grateful if parishioners could subscribe to the channel which can be found on YouTube as:  St Columba and Theresa RC Church Chester.  Even if you are unlikely to use the service, please do subscribe to benefit others.

PARISH WEBSITE
If anyone has an item that they would like to have on the website, please contact Lyn Coyle, who is the parish liaison with the website manager. These items must be about parish-based events or information. marilyn.coyle44@gmail.com

WELCOME TO OUR PARISH
If you are NEW TO THE PARISH, please complete a Parish Registration Form and send (or bring) it to either parish office to let us know that you are here and enable us to welcome you. Forms can be found in the front porches of both churches and on the website https://sscolumbaandtheresa.co.uk/i-am-new/. Thank you.

ST. WERBURGH’S 150^th ANNIVERSARY
This will be celebrated in December this year. Details of events in the coming week are on the notice board in both churches.

MARRIAGE HELP
Retrouvaille helps couples find hope and healing for their marriage. Next date: 17-19 October. www.retrouvaille.org.uk Tel: 0788 7296983

SUNSET CAFÉ PROJECT
Chester Townhouse, the Hospitality Hero and Soul Kitchen Chester have launched the Sunset Cafe inside the Chester Townhouse Hotel, Lower Bridge Street from 11a.m. to 3p.m. every Friday until the end of September. This is a live training cafe aiming to educate, train and support individuals stepping back into employment. We would be delighted if any parishioners or visitors in town on a Friday were able to visit the cafe to support this project.

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 Thursday 9a.m. to 2.00p.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 21 September edition will be compiled by Eileen Irwin Phone: 01244 371660 or email: st.theresas@btinternet.com by 9.00 a.m. on WEDNESDAY 17 September 2025. Please include a phone number in case of queries, and please ensure that notices are also emailed to Fr William at st.theresas@btinternet.com.

The month of September is dedicated to Our Lady of Sorrows

 TWENTY THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

7 SEPTEMBER 2025

Sat 6 Sep
St. Theresa’s	5.00pm		Kathleen Baxter RIP
St. Columba’s	6.30pm		Mary Ible RIP (M&G C)
Sun 7 Sep
St. Theresa’s	9.30am		Parishioners’ Intentions
St. Columba’s	11.00am		Tony Walsh RIP
	2.00pm		Kerala Catholic Community Mass in Syro-Malabar Rite
Mon 8 Sep			Nativity of the B V M
St. Theresa’s			Priests’ Intentions
St. Columba’s	10.30am		Mary Ible
St. Columba’s	12 noon		Requiem Mass Mary Ible
Tue 9 Sep
St. Theresa’s			Winifred McGowan RIP
St. Columba’s			Private Intentions
Wed 10 Sep
St. Theresa’s			Private Intentions
St. Columba’s	9.30am		Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
	10.15am		Novena Prayers
	10.30am		Joseph Francis
Thu 11 Sep
St. Theresa’s			Special Intentions
St. Columba’s			Priests’ Intentions
Fri 12 Sep
St. Theresa’s	10.00am		Fr. Jim Kennedy’s Intentions
St. Columba’s			Priests’ Intentions
Sat 13 Sep
St. Theresa’s	9.30am		Malankara Jacobite Syriac Orthodox Community Mass
	5.00pm		Parishioners’ Intentions
St. Columba’s	6.30pm		Rosemary McRoberts Ann.
Sun 14 Sep			Exaltation of The Holy Cross
St. Theresa’s	9.30am		Joan Woods RIP
St. Columba’s	11.00am		Tony Walsh RIP
	2.00pm		Kerala Catholic Community Mass in Syro-Malabar Rite

LIVE STREAMING OF MASS
Mass will be streamed at St Columba’s on Sunday 7 September at 11.00 a.m.
Cover is needed at St Columba’s for occasions when Tim is unavailable. (St Theresa’s have a volunteer) The only requirement is you need to have an iPhone. If you would be willing to help with this, please contact one of the church offices. Thank you.
www.facebook.com/thecatholicparishofstcolumbaandsttheresa

CHILDREN’S LITURGY
The Children’s Liturgy normally happens at the 11a.m. at St Columba’s on the 1^st and 3^rd Sundays of each month. For further details, see the parish website under the Family tab.

RECENTLY DECEASED
Please remember in your prayers: Mary Ible. Mary Ible’s Requiem Mass is on Monday 8 September at 12 noon at St Columba’s. May the Lord console her families and friends. 

ANNIVERSARIES
James Donnelly, Brian Francis Kelly.

POPE’S SEPTEMBER PRAYER INTENTIONS
FOR OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH ALL OF CREATION Let us pray that, inspired by Saint Francis, we might experience our interdependence with all creatures who are loved by God and worthy of love and respect.

TONY WALSH RIP
I would like to thank Fr. Peter and all the Parishioners who attended Tony’s Mass and for all the Mass cards and friends at the Church. They were a great comfort and helped me with the loss of Tony.
Ronnie Walsh.

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. 

PRAYING TOGETHER

• Pray for the residents of Daleside, Meadowsway, Queensway, Cleaveland Road, Stratford Road, Walton Place, and Downham Place.
• For our junior and Infant schools: Acresfield, Upton Heath, Mill View, Westlea, Dorin Park and St Werburgh’s & St Columba’s and St Theresa’s.  Also, schools in Newton, Guilden Sutton and Mickle Trafford.
• For the teachers and pupils that they will be open to the Christian teaching they receive.
• For our local clergy as they lead assemblies.  

FR WILLIAM
We welcome back Fr William who is due to return this weekend. 

PARISH OFFERTORY
Two Sunday collections: Loose Plate: £841.68; Planned Giving: £400.77; Average weekly SO £718.15; Candles £67.51.

ST COLUMBA’S COFFEE ROTA
The coffee rota is on the noticeboard in St Columba’s all. 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.
07 September             volunteers please
14 September             Sue McCarthy, SVP
21 September             volunteers please

CHURCHES TOGETHER AGM
Churches Together in Upton AGM will be held on next Wednesday 10 September at 2p.m. the United Reformed Church in Heath Road.  This is an important meeting at which the Officers for the forthcoming year will be appointed.  You are cordially invited to attend.

YEAR OF THE JUBILEE 2025 MASS
Pope Francis gave this year’s Jubilee the theme of ‘Pilgrims of Hope’ and invited Catholics everywhere to renew our hope and discover a vision that can “restore access to the fruits of the earth to everyone”. A special Mass to celebrate our faith and renew our hope for the future is to be held in St Columba’s church on Thursday 18th September at 7p.m. followed by refreshments in the hall. All parishioners are encouraged to attend.

In the words of Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster “May our prayer in this Jubilee Year be robust and heartfelt: that God will guide our poor efforts here, enabling us to contribute to the harmony of the world and all its people”. 

FIRST COMMUNION PREPARATION CLASSES
These classes are for children who come to either St Columba’s or St Theresa’s churches but do not attend one of the RC Primary Schools. They are held in the Newman Room at St Columba’s on Wednesday evenings in term time from 5pm to 6pm.  The classes will begin on Wednesday 24 Sept. If you have a child in Year 3 or above who would like to enrol to join these classes to prepare for First Forgiveness and First Holy Communion this school year, or if you would like any further information, please contact Pauline Payne by email: pauline.payne4@btinternet.com

DIOCESAN JUBILEE EVENTS
Jubilee Evangelisation Event Sharing Hope with a Broken World with guest speaker Mark Saunders on Saturday 13 September 10.30am-2.15pm at St Joseph’s Eucharistic Shrine, Tatton St, Stockport SK1 1EJ. To book email: natalie.orefice@dioceseofshrewsbury.org

Jubilee for Catechists with Bishop Mark Davies, the Dominican Sisters of St Joseph and Natalie Orefice, Diocesan Director of Evangelisation and Catechesis.  On Saturday 15th November at St Joseph’s Eucharistic Shrine, Tatton St, Stockport SK1 1EJ. Book a free place here: https://bit.ly/Jubilee-for-Catechists

FAITH EXPLORATION AND SHARING
For any parishioner not yet in full communion with the Church but interested in exploring a way to that, beginning in September the parish will be running the Sycamore course explaining the Catholic faith. If you are interested in joining the group, please contact Deacon Lawrence for more details. If you know someone you think might be interested, why not offer some words of encouragement.

THE MARTYR-SAINTS OF THE NORTH-WEST, 12-14 SEPTEMBER
Join us for this weekend studying some of the Reformation-era martyrs of England’s recusant North-West region. Part-retreat, part-biographical, the weekend will be led by Mgr John Allen of Salford Diocese, who has recently published a history of the diocese with a foreword by Eamon Duffy. Extend your stay at Stonyhurst with a discount on accommodation for extra nights. 
For more information and to book: https://christianheritagecentre.com/events/the-martyr-saints-of-the-north-west/ 

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK
“Education is not the learning of many facts, but the training of the mind to think.” – Albert Einstein

AT THE START OF A NEW EDUCATIONAL YEAR
With schools, colleges and universities going back over the following weeks, we wish all our students the very best for the new term and the year ahead, and wish all staff involved in our education establishments all the very best.  Our prayers and support are with you all. Here’s to a successful and fulfilling year ahead for you all.  

URGENT – THE TERMINALLY ILL ADULTS (END OF LIFE) BILL is being debated in the House of Lords on 12 September. Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Archbishop John Sherrington, Bishop Mark and others have written to us to highlight the serious concerns that this Bill raises, warning it risks the lives of vulnerable patients, threatens palliative care, and undermines the role of hospices and medical professionals. Please:

• Contact members of the House of Lords. For paper letters, the address is simply: [Name of Peer], House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW. A full list of Peers can be found at https://members.parliament.uk/members/lords
• Speak up for quality end-of-life care & Pray for the protection of life.

Further information can be found on our church noticeboards, and on our website. 

MARRIAGE & FAMILY LIFE MINISTRY RETREAT DAY
Calling all those interested in supporting the vocation of marriage and family to join Jane Deegan Director of Marriage and Family Life Vocation for a Retreat Day to find out more about this important work and the various different ways that help is needed. There will also be presentations from representatives of some of the apostolates already working in the diocese in support of marriage and family.
When: 11 October 2025 9.30a.m.- 4.00p.m.
Where: Parish Room Shrewsbury Cathedral – Entrance Address: Town Walls Shrewsbury SY1 1UE (Above the Cafe). Parking is limited but public car parks are available nearby.
To Register and for More Information please contact: Monika at monika.golembiewska@dioceseofshrewsbury.org Mobile: 07549226794 or Jane at jane.deegan@dioceseofshrewsbury.org Mobile: 07517 906435.

CHILDREN’S CHOIR OF ST COLUMBA’S RECRUITMENT
If you like singing, learning something new, finding new friends, and using your talent to praise the Lord, you can join the little choir of St Columba.  The Little Choir is looking for young children from year 3 and above. You do not need to know the music or be able to sing.  We will help you to learn to sing and be a member of a choir. We also support young guitarists and percussionists to play for the choir and the Mass service.

We practise on Tuesday at 6.45p.m. for one hour (starting on the 9th of September) and we play for the community every second Sunday of the month (school term only).  Mass and practice are in St Columba’s Church (entrance at the back door).

Participation is free. If you or your parents/guardians want any clarification, please do not hesitate to contact Giovanna or the director of the choir Mark, at the end of 11.00a.m. Mass on the left of the altar. 

PARISH YOUTUBE CHANNEL
The Pastoral Council would like to offer Mass live streamed on our YouTube channel.  To do this, at no cost to us, we need a minimum of 50 subscribers.  We would be very grateful if parishioners could subscribe to the channel which can be found on YouTube as:  St Columba and Theresa RC Church Chester.  Even if you are unlikely to use the service, please do subscribe to benefit others.

PARISH WEBSITE
If anyone has an item that they would like to have on the website, please contact Lyn Coyle, who is the parish liaison with the website manager. These items must be about parish-based events or information. marilyn.coyle44@gmail.com

WELCOME TO OUR PARISH
If you are NEW TO THE PARISH, please complete a Parish Registration Form and send (or bring) it to either parish office to let us know that you are here and enable us to welcome you. Forms can be found in the front porches of both churches and on the website https://sscolumbaandtheresa.co.uk/i-am-new/. Thank you.

ST. WERBURGH’S 150^TH ANNIVERSARY
This will be celebrated in December this year. Details of events in the coming week are on the notice board in both churches.

FOOD BANK DONATIONS – MORE NEEDED
Donated food is taken to the West Cheshire Foodbank at Ellesmere Port every fortnight. The warehouse is usually fairly full but recently the crates have been half empty. The volunteers confirmed that they have had to buy in supplies out of their limited resources. The donation receipt book shows our parish donation weighing 20.6 kg but another entry showed that 403kg of food had to be purchased at Costco. If you can, please give as generously as possible, especially UHT milk, Long-life juice, curry sauce, tinned spaghetti, and chocolate. A look at the Foodbank website (westcheshirefoodbank.org.uk) indicates where there is a need for particular items. Thank you so much. Your generosity makes all the difference.

MARRIAGE HELP
Retrouvaille helps couples find hope and healing for their marriage. Next date: 17-19 October. www.retrouvaille.org.uk Tel: 0788 7296983

SUNSET CAFÉ PROJECT
Chester Townhouse, the Hospitality Hero and Soul Kitchen Chester have launched the Sunset Cafe inside the Chester Townhouse Hotel, Lower Bridge Street from 11a.m. to 3p.m. every Friday until the end of September. This is a live training cafe aiming to educate, train and support individuals stepping back into employment. We would be delighted if any parishioners or visitors in town on a Friday were able to visit the cafe to support this project.

NEXT WEEK’S NEWSLETTER
Sunday 14 September edition will be compiled by Amy O’Donnell Phone: 07854 290897 or email: amyod@hotmail.co.uk by 9.00 a.m. on WEDNESDAY 10 September 2025. Please include a phone number in case of queries, and please ensure that notices are also emailed to Fr William at st.theresas@btinternet.com.

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 9.00a.m. to 2.00p.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.

The month of August is dedicated to The Immaculate Heart of Mary

 TWENTY SECOND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

31 AUGUST 2025

Sat 30 Aug
St. Theresa’s	5.00pm		Parishioners’ Intentions
St. Columba’s	6.30pm		Mary Ible RIP
Sun 31 Aug
St. Theresa’s	9.30am		John Albert Hodkinson RIP
St. Columba’s	11.00am		Caroline Okolie
	2.00pm		Kerala Catholic Community Mass in Syro-Malabar Rite
Mon 1 Sep			Day of Special Prayer for the Care of Creation
St. Theresa’s			Peter Lane RIP
St. Columba’s	10.30am		Mary Ible
Tue 2 Sep
St. Theresa’s			Priests’ Intentions
St. Columba’s			Private Intention (CT)
Wed 3 Sep			St Gregory the Great, Pp, D. Feast
St. Theresa’s			Private Intentions
St. Columba’s	9.30am		Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
	10.15am		Novena Prayers
	10.30am		Joseph Francis
Thu 4 Sep
St. Theresa’s			Special Intentions
St. Columba’s			Priests’ Intentions
Fri 5 Sep
St. Theresa’s	10.00am		Karen Reid RIP
St. Columba’s			The Parish
Sat 6 Sep
St. Theresa’s	5.00pm		Kathleen Baxter RIP
St. Columba’s	6.30pm		Mary Ible RIP (MGC)
Sun 7 Sep
St. Theresa’s	9.30am		Parishioners’ Intentions
St. Columba’s	11.00am		Tony Walsh 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 31 August at 9.30 a.m.
Cover is needed at St Columba’s for occasions when Tim is unavailable. (St Theresa’s have a volunteer) The only requirement is you need to have an iPhone. If you would be willing to help with this, please contact one of the church offices. Thank you.
www.facebook.com/thecatholicparishofstcolumbaandsttheresa

RECENTLY DECEASED
Please remember in your prayers: Mary Ible and Anthony Walsh. Mary Ible’s Requiem Mass is on Monday 8 September at 12 noon at St Columba’s. May the Lord console their families and friends. 

ANNIVERSARIES
John Albert Hodkinson, Winifred McGlown, James Donnelly, Peter Lane, Julia Sheila Ring

POPE’S AUGUST PRAYER INTENTIONS
For mutual coexistence. Let us pray that societies where coexistence seems more difficult might not succumb to the temptation of confrontation for ethnic, political, religious or ideological reasons. 

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: £442.12; Planned Giving:£356.60; Average weekly SO £718.15; Candles £42.60

PRAYING TOGETHER

• Pray for the residents of Lumley Road, Demage Lane, Willow Close, Hillside Road, Belvedere Drive, Furne, Road, and Morton Road.  
• For our senior schools: Upton High School, The Catholic High School and Bishops High School. For all teachers especially those working in RE departments.  
• For all young people attending these schools, especially those from our congregations.

ST COLUMBA’S OFFICE
Office hours at St Columba’s are:  8.00am to 2.15pm, Monday to Thursday.
Office will be closed on 1 September.  Urgent matters will be dealt with through the kind services of Carol Galvin 9.00a.m to 12.00pm.

ST COLUMBA’S COFFEE ROTA
The coffee rota is on the noticeboard in St Columba’s all. 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.
31 Aug          Sue McCarthy, SVP
07 Sept          volunteers please
14 Sept          volunteers please

CHURCHES TOGETHER FIFTH SUNDAY SERVICE
The next CTU Service is TODAY, Sunday 31 August at 4.30 at the URC Church on Heath Road.  The theme is “A Short History of hymns”. It should be very enjoyable with a short social time afterwards. Please come to represent St Columba’s.

FRIENDSHIP THURSDAY SEPTEMBER
Friendship Thursday begins again on Thursday 4 September from 2- 4pm in the parish hall. Come for an afternoon of friendship, chat and sometimes, a guest to listen to. Bring a friend or two- it’s open to anyone. Refreshments, with suggested donation of £2. For information ring Lyn 07735574397

CHILDREN’S LITURGY
The Children’s Liturgy is normally on the 1^st and 3^rd Sunday of each month. This month, that will be 7 Sept and 21 Sept at the 11.a.m. mass at St Columba’s Church. See the parish website for further news.

YEAR OF THE JUBILEE 2025 MASS 
Pope Francis gave this year’s Jubilee the theme of ‘Pilgrims of Hope’ and invited Catholics everywhere to renew our hope and discover a vision that can “restore access to the fruits of the earth to everyone”. A special Mass to celebrate our faith and renew our hope for the future is to be held in St Columba’s church on Thursday 18 September at 7pm followed by refreshments in the hall. All parishioners are encouraged to attend.

In the words of Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster “May our prayer in this Jubilee Year be robust and heartfelt: that God will guide our poor efforts here, enabling us to contribute to the harmony of the world and all its people”. 

FIRST COMMUNION PREPARATION CLASSES
These classes are for children who come to either St Columba’s or St Theresa’s churches but do not attend one of the RC Primary Schools. They are held in the Newman Room at St Columba’s on Wednesday evenings in term time from 5pm to 6pm.  The classes will begin on Wednesday 24 Sept. If you have a child in Year 3 or above who would like to enrol to join these classes to prepare for First Forgiveness and First Holy Communion this school year, or if you would like any further information, please contact Pauline Payne  by email    pauline.payne4@btinternet.com

DIOCESAN JUBILEE EVENTS
Jubilee Evangelisation Event Sharing Hope with a Broken World with guest speaker Mark Saunders  on Saturday 13 September 10.30am-2.15pm at St Joseph’s Eucharistic Shrine, Tatton St, Stockport SK1 1EJ. To book email: natalie.orefice@dioceseofshrewsbury.org

Jubilee for Catechists with Bishop Mark Davies, the Dominican Sisters of St Joseph and Natalie Orefice, Diocesan Director of Evangelisation and Catechesis.  On Saturday 15 November at St Joseph’s Eucharistic Shrine, Tatton St, Stockport SK1 1EJ. Book a free place here: https://bit.ly/Jubilee-for-Catechists

FAITH EXPLORATION AND SHARING
For any parishioner not yet in full communion with the Church but interested in exploring a way to that, beginning in September the parish will be running the Sycamore course explaining the Catholic faith. If you are interested in joining the group, please contact deacon Lawrence for more details. If you know someone you think might be interested why not offer some words of encouragement.

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK
Nothing comes from doing nothing. William Shakespeare 

FISH AND CHIP BABIES KNITTING PROJECT
If you have any double-knitting wool to spare, we now need more for the babies in NE Africa. Please arrange to hand it to Margaret Curtis, thank you.

PARISH YOUTUBE CHANNEL
The Pastoral Council would like to offer Mass live streamed on our YouTube channel.  To do this, at no cost to us, we need a minimum of 50 subscribers.  We would be very grateful if parishioners could subscribe to the channel which can be found on YouTube as:  St Columba and Theresa RC Church Chester.  Even if you are unlikely to use the service, please do subscribe to benefit others.

PARISH WEBSITE
If anyone has an item that they would like to have on the website, please contact Lyn Coyle, who is the parish liaison with the website manager. These items must be about parish-based events or information. marilyn.coyle44@gmail.com

WELCOME TO OUR PARISH
If you are NEW TO THE PARISH, please complete a Parish Registration Form and send (or bring) it to either parish office to let us know that you are here and enable us to welcome you. Forms can be found in the front porches of both churches and on the website https://sscolumbaandtheresa.co.uk/i-am-new/. Thank you.

ST WERBURGH AND ST COLUMBA’S PRIMARY SCHOOL
Our much-loved Headteacher is due to retire in December 2025, and we are looking to appoint a new Headteacher for our happy, vibrant, and successful Primary school. The Governors are looking to appoint a committed and practicing Catholic, an ambitious, dynamic, and inspirational leader who has the vision to continue to drive the school forward. If you are interested in this position, please click on the link for more information and the application pack.  

ST. WERBURGH’S 150^TH ANNIVERSARY
This will be celebrated in December this year. Details of events in the coming week are on the notice board in both churches.

MASS INTENTIONS (ST THERESA’S)
If you would like a Mass saying, please put the name of the person the Mass is for and the date you would like it in an envelope along with the donation.  Please also put your name and a telephone number so that we can contact you if the date you requested is unavailable.  Thank You.

FOOD BANK DONATIONS – MORE NEEDED
Donated food is taken to the West Cheshire Foodbank at Ellesmere Port every fortnight. The warehouse is usually fairly full but recently the crates have been half empty. The volunteers confirmed that they have had to buy in supplies out of their limited resources. The donation receipt book shows our parish donation weighing 20.6 kgs but another entry showed that 403kg of food had to be purchased at Costco. If you can, please give as generously as possible, especially UHT milk, Longlife juice, curry sauce, tinned spaghetti and chocolate A look at the Foodbank website (westcheshirefoodbank.org.uk) indicates where there is a need for particular items. Thank you so much. Your generosity makes all the difference.

MARRIAGE HELP
Retrouvaille helps couples find hope and healing for their marriage. Next date: 17-19 Oct. www.retrouvaille.org.uk Tel: 0788 7296983

SUNSET CAFÉ PROJECT
Chester Townhouse, the Hospitality Hero and Soul Kitchen Chester have launched the Sunset Cafe inside the Chester Townhouse Hotel, Lower Bridge Street from 11a.m. to 3p.m. every Friday until the end of September. This is a live training cafe aiming to educate, train and support individuals stepping back into employment. We would be delighted if any parishioners or visitors in town on a Friday were able to visit the cafe to support this project.

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 Thursday 8a.m. to 2.15p.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 7 September edition will be compiled by Rebecca Vaughan Phone: 01244 318632 or email: rebecca_vghn@yhahoo.co.uk by 9.00 a.m. on WEDNESDAY 3 September 2025. Please include a phone number in case of queries, and please ensure that notices are also emailed to Fr William at st.theresas@btinternet.com.