4^TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

29th JANUARY 2023

Saturday 28^th January
St. Theresa’s     5.00pm     Katherine Gannon RIP      
St. Columba’s   6.30pm     The Parish

Sunday 29^th January
St. Theresa’s     9.30am      Kathleen Maguire RIP
St. Columba’s  11.00am     Ellie Marsden RIP             

Monday 30^th January
St. Theresa’s                       Parishioners’ Intentions
St Theresa’s   12.30pm Funeral service – Betty Gore
St. Columba’s  10.30am     Margaret Allmark RIP

Tuesday 31^st January – St John Bosco, P, R.  Mem
St. Theresa’s                       Alison Carbet RIP
St. Columba’s                     Priests’ Intentions

Wednesday 1^st February – The Presentation of The Lord
St Theresa’s                        Special Intention
St Columba’s    9.30am      Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
10.15am      Novena Prayers
                        10.30am      Fr James

Thursday 2^nd February
St. Theresa’s                       Priests’ Intentions
St Columba’s                      Private Intention

Friday 3^rd February – St Werburgh,    Mem
St. Theresa’s     10.00am    Henry Michael Lloyd RIP
St. Columba’s  10.30am Requiem Mass – Sheila Hainey  Saturday 4^th February
St. Theresa’s       5.00pm    Parishioners’ Intentions
St. Columba’s     6.30pm    The Parish           

Sunday 5^th February
St. Theresa’s       9.30am     Margaret Parry RIP
First Holy Communion enrolment mass
St. Columba’s   11.00am     Sheila Wright RIP           

LIVE STREAMING OF MASS:
Mass will be streamed from St Columba’s at 11.00am this Sunday 29th January 2023. 
www.facebook.com/thecatholicparishofstcolumbaandsttheresa

RECENTLY DECEASED:
Please remember  in your prayers  Margaret Allmark, Sheila Wright, Sheila Hainey,  Betty Gore and Chelsie Carline who  have died recently. May The Lord console their families and friends. 

Betty Gore’s funeral  is on Monday 30^th January at 12.30pm at St Theresa’s.

Sheila Hainey’s funeral is on Friday 3^rd February at 10.30 a.m. at St. Columba’s

ANNIVERSARIES:
Lieselotte Dodds, Josephine Johnston, Louisa Maud Rogers, Elizabeth (Betty) Allingham, Terry Keogh, Alexander James Keegan

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

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

PRAYING TOGETHER:
We Pray for:

• the residents of Whitton Drive, Sutton Drive, Bidston Close, Greenfield Lane, Owen Close, Shelley Road, Chaucer Close, Browning Close and Alderley Place.
• Sunshine Tots, iPraise & Play and for all the leaders.
• Young families.

OFFERTORY:
St Columba’s: Loose plate:  £221.28 Planned Giving: £107.00,Average weekly SOs – £574.00.
St Theresa’s: £296.00.

Columba’s Coffe Rota
29^th Jan – Sue Mcarthy, SVP
5^th Feb – Chris & Elizabeth for the Tombola 
12^th Feb – Sue Carr for the Third World Fund

Why not donate a little time to make tea and coffee to refresh the parishoners after 11:00 Mass on Sunday – and make some money for your favourite charity? Call Margaret Curtis 01244 3184234 to book your date(s).

FIRST FORGIVENESS CELEBRATION:
On Saturday 28^th January, 18 children from St Columba’s and St Theresa’s parish received the Sacrament of First Forgiveness in a special service of celebration at 10.00a.m. Please pray for the children and their families at this special time in their faith journeys.

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION ENROLMENT:
The children from St Theresa’s Primary School making their First Holy Communion will be enrolled at the 9.30am Mass on Sunday 5^th February 2023.  Please pray for them and their families.

DIOCESAN DAY FOR CHESTER CATECHISTS:
Saturday 4^th February at St Columba’s Hall. The Diocesan Office for Catechesis, based down at St Clare’s, is laying on a day for all the catechists in all the Chester Parishes – Baptism, First Holy Communion, Confirmation, Children’s Liturgy, Marriage Prep, RCIA, Bereavement, every type of catechetical activity we provide in our individual parishes. The aim of the day is two-fold: for us to get to know each other and explore any ways in which we might share or collaborate; and, secondly, for the Diocesan Team to tell us what they have on offer by way of support and resources. Should be a great day! Bring a packed lunch. Names to Fr Paul at St Werburgh’s, please, when each group in each parish has had a chance to consult its members. Flyers with more details at the back of church.

UPTON CHURCHES TOGETHER FIFTH SUNDAY SERVICE:
The next Fifth Sunday Service, on the Theme of “Two Gardens (+1)”, will be held at Holy Ascension Church TODAY 29^th January at 4.30 p.m.  You are invited to join us there.  More details are on the Noticeboard.

SONGS OF PRAISE AT CHESTER CATHEDRAL:
Come and join the congregation for the recording of hymns and songs including ones for Easter amongst many others at 1.30pm – 4.30pm on Saturday 4^th February 2023.
All tickets to our recordings are free of charge. To apply for tickets, please contact SOPcongregations@afantimedia.tv with name, contact number and the number of tickets you’d like.
Please be sure to include ‘Songs of Praise Chester’ in your subject header

ST COLUMBA’S CHOIR:
St Augustine used to say: ‘when you sing you pray twice’.
In 2022 some children started to take part in the parish choir. They sang regularly at mass, they took part at a Parish event and made recordings for the Parish website. Thanks to all the children and the parents that took time and effort to celebrate with their voice and talent the Glory of God.

In 2023 we would like to invite even more young people and children to participate in the choir.  If you like singing, if you want to support the choir, learn something new, find new friends and pray twice you just need to sit on the front left side of the church. You do not need to know the music or be able to sing.  Please come to mass a bit earlier around 10:30 so we can warm up the voice and sometimes we will ask to stay a bit longer after mass to practise.  

If you or your parents/guardians want any clarification please do not hesitate to contact Giovanna 07728 948946 or the director of the choir Mark, 07752 317772 or approach them after mass.

CONFIRMATIONS 2023:

The Chester Parishes take it in turns to organise Confirmation. Last year it was St Columba’s and St Theresa’s, this year St Werburgh’s, St Clare’s and St Francis. The date is Wednesday 10^th May, 7.00 pm, at St Francis. The Classes will be on Wednesday evenings at St Werburgh’s, 7.00 pm. Flyers at the back of church give full details. Minimum age is Year 8 in the High Schools – no maximum! Launch Meeting is Monday 20^th February, and first class is Wednesday 1^st March. Contact Fr Paul at St Werburgh’s if you need more information – but the flyer should answer most questions.

FR JAMES
Fr James has arrived safely and is enjoying spending time with his family.  The final amount collected for him was £1245.00.

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK:
Be thankful for yesterday. Be grateful for today. Be hopeful for tomorrow. Roger Lee

WE’RE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER:
Reading an article this week, it is said that the older you get, the more serious you become – on average, adults laugh 15 times a day while a toddler laughs 400 times a day!  That’s quite a difference.  I know, as adults, we generally have more to concern us, work, family, bills, etc. but, maybe in all of that “life”, we have lost our happy place.   How do we get the laughter back and be a bit more toddler like? I did once have a colleague who told us a joke a day; it would certainly break the ice on the day ahead.  Maybe, it’s to see the days in multi colour with all its fascinating facets and take more of those opportunities that arise to smile, giggle and laugh.  Why should the toddlers have all the fun!  Have a good week. 

RESOURCES:
Gaia at Chester Cathedral Tuesday 7 February – Sunday 5 March Gaia is open normal Cathedral hours.  Measuring six metres in diameter, Gaia features high resolution NASA imagery of the Earth’s surface. The artwork provides the opportunity to see our planet on this scale, floating in three-dimensions. Booking not required. Free entry.  Donations welcome.

RETIRED PRIESTS’ FUND – SPECIAL COLLECTION 4th & 5th February (St Columba’s Only):
Next weekend, at St Columba’s, the annual Collection for the Retired Priests’ Fund is being held. With your help, we can build up the Fund to help meet the future needs of our sick and retired priests. If you wish to Gift Aid your donation, please make your donation Online. To donate Online please go to www.dioceseofshrewsbury.org/retired-priests-fund
An electronic version of a leaflet about the Fund is available at www.dioceseofshrewsbury.org/retired-priests-fund and this also explains how you can donate to the Fund by Standing Order or Cheque (please make payable to Retired Priests’ Fund) and how to Gift Aid donations made using these methods.

ST COLUMBA’S CHURCH & HALL BOOKINGS
To arrange meetings etc. in either the Church, Newman Room or the Iona Chapel, please book through Nuala Keegan, Church Office, 01244 624019, Email: stcolumbaschurch2016@outlook.com

Hall availability can be checked by looking at St Columba’s Church website – section for Church Hall gives a calendar of events in the Hall. Then contact Sue Carr on 07553 114531 or email columbashallbookings@gmail.com to arrange booking.

NEXT WEEK’S NEWSLETTER:
22^nd January edition will be compiled by Eileen Irwin, Phone: 01244 371660, Email: st.theresas@btinternet.com
Please include a phone number in case of queries, and please ensure that items are emailed or phoned to the compiler by 9.00a.m. on WEDNESDAY 25^TH JANUARY
Website: www.sscolumbaandtheresa.co.uk

THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

22ND JANUARY 2023

Saturday 21^st January
St. Theresa’s        5.00pm      PJ and the Poor Souls
St. Columba’s      6.30pm      The Parish

Sunday 22nd January
St. Theresa’s         9.30am     Parishioners’ Intentions
St. Columba’s     11.00am     Anthony Comerford RIP  

Monday 23rd January
St. Theresa’s                          Anthony Baker RIP
St. Columba’s     10.30am     Sheila Wright RIP

Tuesday 24th January – St Francis de Sales, B, D. Mem
St. Theresa’s                         Priests’ Intentions
St. Columba’s                       Margaret Allmark. RIP

Wednesday 25th January – The Conversion of St Paul, Ap
St Theresa’s                          Special Intention
St. Columba’s       9.30am    Exposition of theBlessed Sac.
                           10.15am    Novena Prayers
                           10.30am    Michael Booth  A

Thursday 26th January – Ss Timothy & Titus, B. Mem
St. Theresa’s                         Priests’ Intentions
St Columba’s     12 noon Memorial Service Peter Walker

Friday 27th January
St. Theresa’s       9.30am      Sheila Hainey RIP
St. Columba’s                       Kitty McAlinden

Saturday 28th January – St Thomas Aquinas, P, D. Mem
St. Theresa’s        5.00pm     Katherine Gannon RIP
St. Columba’s      6.30pm     The Parish                          

Sunday 29th January
St. Theresa’s         9.30am    Kathleen Maguire RIP
St. Columba’s     11.00am    Ellie Marsden RIP

LIVE STREAMING OF MASS:
Mass will be streamed from St Columba’s at 11.00am this Sunday 22nd January 2023. 
www.facebook.com/thecatholicparishofstcolumbaandsttheresa

RECENTLY DECEASED:
Please remember  in your prayers  Margaret Allmark, Sheila Wright, Sheila Hainey,  Betty Gore and Chelsie Carline who  have died recently. May The Lord console their families and friends. 

Betty Gore’s funeral  is on Monday 30^th January at 12.30pm at St Theresa’s.

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

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

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

PASTORAL COUNCIL:
The next meeting of the Pastoral Council will take place at 7.00pm on Tuesday 24 January at St Theresa’s Social Centre.

PRAYING TOGETHER:
We Pray for:

• the residents of Dunham Way, Chirk Close, Tintern Avenue, Cleves Close, Roman Drive, Cavalier Drive and Hadrian Drive.
• For the prayer groups and ecumenical prayer groups. 
• For those who have nobody to pray for them

OFFERTORY:
St Columba’s:
Loose plate:  £273.48 Planned Giving: £90.00, Average weekly SOs – £574.00.
St Theresa’s: TBA

Columba’s Coffe Rota
22^nd Jan – Elizabeth & Margaret, CWL for the parish
29^th Jan – Sue Mcarthy, SVP
5^th Feb – Chris & Elizabeth for the Tombola 
Why not donate a little time to make tea and coffee to refresh the parishoners after 11:00 Mass on Sunday – and make some money for your favourite charity? Call Margaret Curtis 01244 3184234 to book your date(s).

FIRST FORGIVENESS CELEBRATION:
On Saturday 28^th January, 18 children from St Columba’s and St Theresa’s parish will receive the Sacrament of First Forgiveness in a special service of celebration at 10.00a.m. Please pray for the children and their families at this special time in their faith journeys.

DIOCESAN DAY FOR CHESTER CATECHISTS:
Saturday 4^th February at St Columba’s Hall. The Diocesan Office for Catechesis, based down at St Clare’s, is laying on a day for all the catechists in all the Chester Parishes – Baptism, First Holy Communion, Confirmation, Children’s Liturgy, Marriage Prep, RCIA, Bereavement, every type of catechetical activity we provide in our individual parishes. The aim of the day is two-fold: for us to get to know each other and explore any ways in which we might share or collaborate; and, secondly, for the Diocesan Team to tell us what they have on offer by way of support and resources. Should be a great day! Bring a packed lunch. Names to Fr Paul at St Werburgh’s, please, when each group in each parish has had a chance to consult its members. Flyers with more details at the back of church.

UPTON CHURCHES TOGETHER FIFTH SUNDAY SERVICE:
The next Fifth Sunday Service, on the Theme of “Two Gardens (+1)”, will be held at Holy Ascension Church on next Sunday 29^th January at 4.30 p.m.  You are invited to join us there.   More details are on the Noticeboard..

SONGS OF PRAISE AT CHESTER CATHEDRAL:
Come and join the congregation for the recording of hymns and songs including ones for Easter amongst many others at 1.30pm – 4.30pm on Saturday 4^th February 2023.
All tickets to our recordings are free of charge. To apply for tickets, please contact SOPcongregations@afantimedia.tv with name, contact number and the number of tickets you’d like.
Please be sure to include ‘Songs of Praise Chester’ in your subject header

ST COLUMBA’S CHOIR:
St Augustine used to say: ‘when you sing you pray twice’.
In 2022 some children started to take part in the parish choir. They sang regularly at mass, they took part at a Parish event and made recordings for the Parish website. Thanks to all the children and the parents that took time and effort to celebrate with their voice and talent the Glory of God.

In 2023 we would like to invite even more young people and children to participate in the choir.  If you like singing, if you want to support the choir, learn something new, find new friends and pray twice you just need to sit on the front left side of the church. You do not need to know the music or be able to sing.  Please come to mass a bit earlier around 10:30 so we can warm up the voice and sometimes we will ask to stay a bit longer after mass to practise.  

If you or your parents/guardians want any clarification please do not hesitate to contact Giovanna 07728 948946 or the director of the choir Mark, 07752 317772 or approach them after mass.

SYNOD 2021-2024 Communion Participation Mission News from the Vatican on the extension of the Synod to 2024 -The Pope’s decision means that the Synod will now close in 2024 rather than 2023 as originally planned. The extra year will be used to convene a second meeting of the Synod participants. Sr. Becquart XMCJ, Undersecretary of the Synod’s General Secretariat, has commented ‘So it’s one Synod in two sessions. And in the meanwhile the Synod participants will come back to their diocese and there will be time to continue the process, to discern, to experience synodality. It’s really a decision – and Pope  Francis has explained that – to deepen discernment, because synodality is really about discerning together, listening to each other, listening to the Holy Spirit. It’s learning by doing, we can say. So it takes time.’ Please pray for the Synod and for our participation, walking together along the way, united in Christ, the Way, the Truth and the Life. Adsumus Sancte Spiritus: We stand before You, Holy Spirit, as we gather together in Your name. With You alone to guide us, make Yourself at home in our hearts; Teach us the way we must go and how we are to pursue it. We are weak and sinful; do not let us promote disorder. Do not let ignorance lead us down the wrong path nor partiality influence our actions. Let us find in You our unity so that we may journey together to eternal life and not stray from the way of truth and what is right. All this we ask of You, who are at work in every place and time, in the communion of the Father and the Son, forever and ever. Amen.

SYNOD WEBINAR:
The Newman Association invite you to a Zoom based Synod Webinar on Thursday 26th January at 7.00 p.m.
Christopher Lamb from the Tablet will present at the webinar on the Holy See document, ’Enlarge the space of  your tent’. This will be followed by discussion in breakout rooms.

To register please click on the link
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

CONFIRMATIONS 2023:
The Chester Parishes take it in turns to organise Confirmation. Last year it was St Columba’s and St Theresa’s, this year St Werburgh’s, St Clare’s and St Francis. The date is Wednesday 10^th May, 7.00 pm, at St Francis. The Classes will be on Wednesday evenings at St Werburgh’s, 7.00 pm. Flyers at the back of church give full details. Minimum age is Year 8 in the High Schools – no maximum! Launch Meeting is Monday 20^th February, and first class is Wednesday 1^st March. Contact Fr Paul at St Werburgh’s if you need more information – but the flyer should answer most questions.

FR JAMES:
Fr James would like to thank everyone for their gifts and good wishes and asks that you remember him in your prayers as he will pray for us.  Thank you to everyone who came along last Sunday to bid farewell to Fr James . He will be leaving the country on the 23^rd January, we wish him a safe journey.

Fr James received £1195, a papal Blessing and a Weekday and a Sunday Missal from the parish.

THANK YOU:
Ellie Marsden’s family would like to thank all those at St Columba’s Church who helped to make her funeral  service a memorable occasion, particularly for her family. We would also like to thank parishioners, her friends and the St Columba’s community who attended the service, sent cards and arranged to have masses and prayers said for her.    As a family we are very grateful for the kindness and support we received  as our mothers very long life came to a close. Many Thanks.

NEEDLES AND PINS:
Everyone is welcome to come along to this friendly needlecraft group in St Columba’s Hall, between 2:00-4:00pm every fourth Wednesday of the month. Hope to see you 25^th January.

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK:
How very good and pleasant it is when kindred live together in unity’ – Psalm 133 

WE’RE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER:
With Fr James saying his last Masses in our parish last weekend, we say a very fond farewell to him and grateful thanks for all his work.  He leaves us for a sabbatical, time out, just to be and refresh.  It’s important for us all to look after ourselves, we can try and use down time to refresh and be calm.  And with “Blue Monday” (third Monday of January) having just gone, often billed as the most depressing day of the year, with Christmas festivities long forgotten and the shine already wearing off New Year’s resolutions, it’s time for us to look after ourselves.  It might only be time for a cuppa, listening to a meditation, listening to our favourite music, reading a book, or taking a stroll, but time out and to ourselves, however that may happen, can often be helpful to our own mental and physical health.  Enjoy your time. See you next week.  

RESOURCES:
Try something new with our libraries during health and wellbeing week 23-29 January  Tickets available. https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/cwaclibraries . Variety of things to try from seated exercise, nordic walking, driving for longer, crafting, singing…. plenty to try. 

ST COLUMBA’S CHURCH & HALL BOOKINGS
To arrange meetings etc. in either the Church, Newman Room or the Iona Chapel, please book through Nuala Keegan, Church Office, 01244 624019, Email: stcolumbaschurch2016@outlook.com
Hall availability can be checked by looking at St Columba’s Church website – section for Church Hall gives a calendar of events in the Hall. Then contact Sue Carr on 07553 114531 or email columbashallbookings@gmail.com to arrange booking.

NEXT WEEK’S NEWSLETTER:
22^nd January edition will be compiled by Amy O’Donnell, Phone: 07854 290897, Email: amyod@hotmail.co.uk
Please include a phone number in case of queries, and please ensure that items are emailed or phoned to the compiler by 9.00a.m. on WEDNESDAY 25^TH JANUARY

Website: www.sscolumbaandtheresa.co.uk