The month of July is dedicated to the Precious Blood of Jesus

SEVENTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

27 JULY 2025

Sat 26 Jul
St. Theresa’s	5.00pm		Thomas Byrne
St. Columba’s	6.30pm		Parishioners’ Intentions
Sun 27 Jul
St. Theresa’s	9.30am		Deacon Tom Coyle RIP
St. Columba’s	11.00am		Deacon Tom Coyle RIP
	2.00pm		Kerala Catholic Community Mass in Syro-Malabar Rite
Mon 28 Jul
St. Theresa’s			Parishioners’ Intentions
St. Columba’s	10.30am		Michael Pulham RIP
Tue 29 Jul			Ss Mary, Martha and Lazarus. Mem.
St. Theresa’s			Joan Dale RIP
St. Columba’s			Parishioners’ Intentions
Wed 30 Jul
St. Theresa’s			Special Intention
St. Columba’s	9.30am		Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
	10.15am		Novena Prayers
	10.30am		Private Intention (CEC)
Thu 31 Jul			St Ignatius of Loyola, P. Mem.
St. Theresa’s			Priests’ Intentions
St. Columba’s			Priests’ Intentions
Fri 1 Aug			St Alphonsus Mary Liguori, B. D. Mem.
St. Theresa’s	10.00am		Karen Reid RIP
St. Columba’s			The Parish
Sat 2 Aug			Feast
St. Theresa’s	9.30am		Malankara Jacobite Syriac Orthodox Community Mass
	5.00pm		Parishioners’ Intentions
St. Columba’s	6.30pm		Parishioners’ Intentions
Sun 3 Aug
St. Theresa’s	9.30am		Alan Parry’s 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 Theresa’s  on Sunday 27 July at 11.00am.
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

ANNIVERSARIES
Rev Tom Coyle, Margaret Watson, George Kelly

RECENTLY DECEASED
Please remember in your prayers: Enid Mason, Michael Pulham, Kay Daly,  Karen Reid and Anne Patey.  May the Lord console their family and friends. 

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.

POPE’S JULY PRAYER INTENTIONS
For formation in discernment. Let us pray that we might again learn how to discern, to know how to choose paths of life and reject everything that leads us away from Christ and the Gospel.

FR WILLIAM
Fr William will be away until the end of August. We hope he has a well-earned rest.

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: £791.34; Planned Giving: £323; Average weekly SO £718.15. Candles: £64.52.
Peter’s Pence Collection: St Columba’s £148.40; St Theresa’s £64.81
Thank you for your generosity.

PRAYING TOGETHER

• Pray for the residents of Marina Drive, Cross Green, Chatsworth Drive, Cyman Close, Willan Road, Wemyss Road and Phillips Road.
• For Upton Amblers, Walkers Group, Trekkers and all who meet together for outdoor pursuits.

ST COLUMBA’S OFFICE
There will be a change of the office hours at St Columba’s from 14 July:  8.00am to 2.15pm, Monday to Thursday.
Office will be closed: 28-31 July, 6-7, 13-14 and 21 August and 1 September.  When the office is closed, urgent matters will be dealt with through the kind services of Carol Galvin, Monday to Friday 9.00 to 12.00.

ST COLUMBA’S COFFEE ROTA
The coffee rota is on the noticeboard in St Columba’s Hall. Just write your name, charity and phone number on the calendar. 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.
27 July          volunteers please 
03 August     volunteers please
10 August     volunteers please

ST COLUMBA’S RED MISSION BOX HOLDERS
There are three Red Mission boxes collections during the year: March, July and November. To have your box emptied, please leave it in the sacristy before the end of July, then pick up your empty, relabelled box from the rear porch. 

ST THERESA’S RED BOXES
Please leave your boxes in the sacristy to be counted.  Thank you.

OAKS
THANK YOU  to all helped with and supported last Sunday’s coffee morning.  We raised £200 for O.A.K.S. (Overseas Aid to the Kids from Sierra Leone).   OAKS recent newsletter can be seen on the Notice Board in the front porch.

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

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” tab. Thank you.

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

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

CHILDREN’S ART COMPETITION: PILGRIMS OF HOPE
Thanks to Kevin Keegan for the photos of the amazing entries. You can see them on the parish website. Just click on the link on the Events slide of the banner headline. Thank you to everyone who sent in an entry. They were all great.

The winners were announced at the AGM last Saturday and have now been presented with their prizes. Congratulations to:

Reception – Jayla, Year 1 – Mabel, Year 2 – Gertrude, Year 3 – Elsie and Ambrose, Year 4 – Abby and Alfie, Year 5 – Juliet and Year 7 – Isaac

The pictures will also be displayed on the school board at the front of St Columba’s and on the side walls in St Theresa’s.

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK
“The beginning is always today.” Mary Shelley 

SUMMER ACTIVITIES
Cheshire libraries are worth looking at, with the summer reading challenge, family games, story club and plenty of other  activities https://www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/residents/libraries/events. Also check out the Cheshire West and Chester Council web site for further activities and availability as well as Edsential for holiday activities and food programme https://edsential.com/haf/

ST FRANCIS, CHESTER PARISH MISSION: JULY 2025
Fri 25 at 7.00 pm: Meet the Missionaries
Sat 26 at 10.30 am: Healing Talk and Ministry
Sat 26 at 7.30 pm: Worship Talk and Ministry
Mon 28 at 7.00 pm: Exploring Faith Live
Tue 29 at 6.30 pm: Taizé Prayer Service
Thu 31 at 10.00 am: Children’s Mission
Thu 31 at 6.30 pm: International Food
Everyone warmly welcome at all events!

DIOCESAN JUBILEE PILGRIMAGE
This week 430 pilgrims will be on our Diocesan Jubilee Pilgrimage to Lourdes with the theme ‘With Mary, Pilgrims of Hope’.   Services available to watch on Lourdes TV via www.lourdes-france.com include the International Mass at 8.30am UK Time on Sunday 27 July, and the Mass at the Grotto at 9am UK time on Monday 28 July.  Our group will participate in both.  We will be praying for you, please pray for us.

LOURDES BY JUMBULANCE
Chester Across Group is going to Lourdes on 14th to 23rd August. There are vacancies for sick and disabled pilgrims and for nurses and helpers. If you could help with a ‘wish list’ to support our assisted pilgrims please follow this link. For more information, please contact Tony Murphy on 07881-656-974 or tonymurphyefc2002@yahoo.co.uk

WIN A TRIP TO MEDJUGORJE
Medjugorje Irish Centre Free Prize draw. Prize for one person includes 7 nights B&B, return airport transfer and flights up to €300.To enter go to prize draw page on website www.med-irishcentre.com
Tel. 07860 465386
Email reservations@med-irishcentre.com
WhatsApp No: 00387 63 630 604
Website: www.med-irishcentre.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 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 3 August edition will be compiled by Rebecca Vaughan, phone: 01244 318632 or email: rebecca_vghn@yahoo.co.uk. Please include a phone number in case of queries, and please ensure that notices are also emailed to st.theresas@btinternet.com or phoned to the compiler by 9.00 a.m. on WEDNESDAY 30 JULY 2025.

The month of July is dedicated to the Precious Blood of Jesus

SIXTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

20 JULY 2025

Sat 5 Jul
St. Theresa’s	9.30am		Malankara Jacobite Syriac Orthodox Community Mass
	5.00pm		Angela McDevitt
St. Columba’s	6.30pm		Fr Sebastian Kluwak
Sun 6 Jul
St. Theresa’s	9.30am		Dorothy Jeffs RIP
St. Columba’s	11.00am		Dorothy Jeffs RIP
	2.00pm		Kerala Catholic Community Mass in Syro-Malabar Rite
Mon 7 Jul
St. Theresa’s			Alan Parry’s Intentions
St. Columba’s	10.30am		Parishioners’ Intentions
Tue 8 Jul			St Mary Magdalene
St. Theresa’s			Anne McCarthy RIP 100th birthday anniversary
St. Columba’s	11.00am		Requiem Mass for Dorothy Gladys Jeffs
Wed 9 Jul			St Bridget, R.Patron of Europe Day of Special Prayer for Europe
St. Theresa’s			Kath Smith RIP
St. Columba’s	9.30am		Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
	10.15am		Novena Prayers
	10.30am		Stuart Marnoch RIP
Thu 10 Jul
St. Theresa’s			Priests’ Intentions
St. Columba’s			Priests’ Intentions
Fri 11 Jul
St. Theresa’s	10.00am		Mary Walsh RIP
St. Columba’s			The Parish
Sat 12 Jul			St Joachim & Ann, parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary
St. Theresa’s	5.00pm		Thomas Byrne RIP
St. Columba’s	6.30pm		Parishioners’ Intentions
Sun 13 Jul
St. Theresa’s	9.30am		Deacon Tom Coyle RIP
St. Columba’s	11.00am		Deacon Tom Coyle 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 20 July at 11.00am.
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, Michael Pulham, Dorothy Gladys Jeffs, Kay Daly & Karen Reid. May the Lord console their family and friends.  Dorothy Jeffs Requiem Mass will be held at St Columba’s on Tuesday 22 July at 11am.

ANNIVERSARIES
Adrienne Rosina Davis, Winifred Meakin, Mary Walsh, Thomas Byrne and Rev Tom Coyle.

POPE’S JULY PRAYER INTENTIONS
For formation in discernment. Let us pray that we might again learn how to discern, to know how to choose paths of life and reject everything that leads us away from Christ and the Gospel.

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
Fr William will be away until the end of August. We hope he has a well-earned rest.

PARISH OFFERTORY
Loose Plate: £580.86; Planned Giving: £669.68; Average weekly SO £718.15. Candles: £TBC.
Thank you for your generosity.

PRAYING TOGETHER
Pray for
* the residents of Keswick Close, Stanton Drive, Caldy Close, Dyserth Road, Cadnant Close, Aberdaron Drive and Cemlyn Close
the Army Chaplain and all at the Dale Camp, the work of the Armed Forces, the soldiers and their families.

ST COLUMBA’S OFFICE
There will be a change of the office hours at St Columba’s from 14 July:  8.00am to 2.15pm, Monday to Thursday. Office will be closed: 28-31 July, 6-7, 13-14 and 21 August and 1 September.

CHURCHES TOGETHER IN UPTON
At a recent committee meeting, members wished to thank the congregation of St. Columba’s Church for their continued support of events organised by Churches Together in Upton.

ST COLUMBA’S COFFEE ROTA
The coffee rota is on the noticeboard in St Columba’s Hall. Just write your name, charity and phone number on the calendar. 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.
20 July – volunteers please 
27 July – volunteers please 
03 August – volunteers please

ANNUAL SUMMER PARISH COACH TRIP
On Thurs 24 July we have a coach booked to LEEDS, cost £15. Leaving 8:45 from St Columba’s and 9am from St Theresa’s. Read poster in your church porch for details. Sign-up sheets are in the front porches. Please pay Margaret Curtis 01244 318424 as soon as possible. 

ST COLUMBA’S RED MISSION BOX HOLDERS
There are three Red Mission boxes collections during the year: March, July and November. To have your box emptied, please leave it in the sacristy before the end of July, then pick up your empty, relabelled box from the rear porch. 

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

CAFOD – CANCEL THE DEBT
In this Jubilee year, CAFOD is working with our sister Caritas organisations around the world to call for urgent action on the global debt crisis. Please sign the worldwide Church petition located in the church porches. Thank you to those who have already signed. The petition sheets will be left out for the next  week.

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.

NEEDLES & PINS – Wed 23 July
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.

PASTORAL COUNCIL MINUTES
Please note that all Minutes of Pastoral Council meetings are published on the website once they have been approved by the meeting. The latest Minutes have just been published.

ST THERESA’S RED BOXES
Please leave your boxes in the sacristy to be counted.  Thank you.

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

LOURDES BY JUMBULANCE
Chester Across Group is going to Lourdes on 14 to 23 August. There are vacancies for sick and disabled pilgrims and for nurses and helpers. If you could help with a ‘wish list’ to support our assisted pilgrims please follow this link. For more information, please contact Tony Murphy on 07881-656-974 or tonymurphyefc2002@yahoo.co.uk

FEAST OF ST. JAMES
“Please pray and fast for the end of abortion and euthanasia on Thursday 24 July, the Vigil of the Feast of St James. These days seem quite dark, what with Parliament voting to partly decriminalise abortion and voting to legalise euthanasia. Please invite others to join us in praying and fasting for life, you can do so with this link, https://www.facebook.com/events/1419157822872567”

WIN A TRIP TO MEDJUGORJE
Medjugorje Irish Centre Free Prize draw. Prize for one person includes 7 nights B&B, return airport transfer and flights up to €300.To enter go to prize draw page on website www.med-irishcentre.com.
Tel. 07860 465386
Email reservations@med-irishcentre.com
WhatsApp No: 00387 63 630 604
Website: www.med-irishcentre.com

GK CHESTERTON Pilgrimage
“The 15th Annual GK Chesterton Pilgrimage that will take place on Saturday 26 July 2025. As always there are several ways you can join in, either in prayer, or by joining us in walking a short section of the pilgrimage or even in walking the whole 27 miles! To be involved you can; Sponsor Nathanael as he raises funds for Good Counsel’s life-saving work; https://www.gofundme.com/f/helping-mothers-and-babies-with-the-gk-chesterton-pilgrimage.  Send prayer intentions for us to pray for along the way, we will not make the intentions public; catholicgkcsociety@yahoo.co.uk and find other details of the walk and the Mass here, https://www.facebook.com/events/1675870979701803”

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 27 July edition will be compiled by Muriel Green. Phone: 01244 383836 or email: muriel.green1@btinternet.com.  Please include a phone number in case of queries, and please ensure that notices are also emailed to st.theresas@btinternet.com or phoned to the compiler by 9.00 a.m. on WEDNESDAY 23  JULY 2025

The month of July is dedicated to the Precious Blood of Jesus

FIFTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

13 JULY 2025

Sat 12 Jul
St. Theresa’s	5.00pm		Polly Rowlands
St. Columba’s	6.30pm		Doreen Byrne RIP
Sun 13 Jul			Day of Special Prayer for Seafarers
St. Theresa’s	9.30am		Parishioners’ Intentions
St. Columba’s	11.00am		Eileen Vickers RIP
	2.00pm		Kerala Catholic Community Mass in Syro-Malabar Rite
Mon 14 Jul
St. Theresa’s			Special Intentions
St. Columba’s	10.30am		Magdalena & Tomasz Bukowski
Tue 15 Jul			St Bonaventure, B, D. Mem
St. Theresa’s	.		Priests’ Intentions
St. Columba’s			Parishioners’ Intentions
Wed 16 Jul
St. Theresa’s			Private Intentions
St. Columba’s	9.30am		Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
	10.15am		Novena Prayers
	10.30am		Zamirski Family
Thu 17 Jul
St. Theresa’s	9.30a.m.		St Theresa’s School Leavers’ Mass
St. Columba’s			Priests’ Intentions
Fri 18 Jul
St. Theresa’s	10.00am		Eileen Mapp’s Intentions
St. Columba’s			Paula Graham
Sat 19 Jul
St. Theresa’s	9.30am		Malankara Jacobite Syriac Orthodox Community Mass
	5.00pm		Angela McDevitt
St. Columba’s	6.30pm		Fr Sebastian Kluwak
Sun 20 Jul
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 13 July at 11.00am.
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

POPE’S JULY PRAYER INTENTIONS
For formation in discernment. Let us pray that we might again learn how to discern, to know how to choose paths of life and reject everything that leads us away from Christ and the Gospel. 

RECENTLY DECEASED
Please remember in your prayers Dorothy Gladys Jeffs. May the Lord console her family and friends. Her Requiem Mass will be held at St Columba’s on 22 July at 11.00am following by the burial at Blacon Cemetery at 12.30pm.

ANNIVERSARIES
Evelyn Jean Catherine Broadbent, Adrienne Rosina Davis, Winifred Meakin.

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. 

SCHOOL LEAVERS MASS-St Theresa’s
On Thursday 17 September, there will be a Mass for those leaving St Theresa’s Primary school and moving on to High School in September.   All welcome.

PARISH OFFERTORY
Loose Plate: £450.15; Planned Giving: £265.25; Average weekly SO £718.15. Candles: £TBC.
Thank you for your generosity.

FR WILLIAM
Fr William will be away until the end of August. We hope he has a well-earned rest.

DAY OF SPECIAL PRAYER FOR SEAFARERS
There will be a retiring collection this weekend for Seafarers. (Apostleship of the Sea)

PRAYING TOGETHER
Pray for

• the residents of The Croft, Kirby Close, Ambleside, Dinas Close, Tregele Close, Caernarfon Grove, Conway Grove and Beaumaris Grove.
• all who are baptised in our Churches and their families and for the support given to them.
• all who help or attend creches.

ST COLUMBA’S OFFICE
There will be a change of the office hours at St Columba’s from 14 July:  8.00am to 2.15pm, Monday to Thursday. Office will be closed: 28-31 July, 6-7, 13-14 and 21 August and 1 September.

ST COLUMBA’S COFFEE ROTA
The coffee rota is on the noticeboard in St Columba’s Hall. Just write your name, charity and phone number on the calendar. 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.
13 July – Chris and Elizabeth, Parish
20 July – volunteers please 
27 July – volunteers please 

CHURCH NEWS: Pope Leo: Hunger must not be used as a weapon of war
Pope Leo XIV sent a message to participants as the FAO (United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation) marked its 80^th anniversary of its founding to combat food insecurity and malnutrition. He said the Church supports all efforts to end the “scandal of global hunger”, recalling Jesus’ care to feed the crowds who had come to hear Him speak.

“We realise that the true miracle accomplished by Christ was to show that the key to defeating hunger lies more in sharing than in greedily hoarding,” Many people still suffer cruelly and yearn for their needs to be met, as hunger and malnutrition continue despite the excess production in certain parts of the world.

“We are now witnessing, with deep sorrow, the inhumane use of hunger as a weapon of war…Starving civilian populations is a very cheap way to wage war.”

“Political crises, armed conflicts, and economic disruptions play a central role in worsening the food crisis…They hinder humanitarian aid, undermine local agricultural production, and deprive people not only of access to food, but also of the right to live a life of dignity and opportunity. Selfishness and indifference must be set aside on behalf of dialogue and mutual understanding, so that peace and stability allow societies to build resilient agrifood systems.”

ALL PARISHIONERS ARE INVITED TO ATTEND
THE PASTORAL COUNCIL ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING ON SATURDAY 19 JULY 2025, ST COLUMBAS HALL 2.30P.M. – 4.30P.M.

An opportunity to hear about what the Pastoral Council has been doing and to make suggestions for what it could do, for our parish, in the future.

Thank you to all those who have submitted entries for the parish art competition based on the Jubilee 25 theme. The winners will be announced at AGM and entries will be on display.

The meeting will be followed by Afternoon Tea – cakes, drinks etc.

A Free Raffle Ticket for a prize draw will be given to each parishioner who attends the meeting! Pastoral Council members will not be eligible to enter.

The Pastoral Council would welcome new members. If you would be interested in joining, please give your name and contact details to one of the parish secretaries and a member of the Council will contact you to let you know more about it.

We look forward to meeting you on 19^th July.

Pauline Rourke, Ann Mc McCarthy co – chairs Pastoral Council

ANNUAL SUMMER PARISH COACH TRIP
On Thurs 24 July we have a coach booked to LEEDS, cost £15. Leaving 8:45 from St Columba’s and 9am from St Theresa’s. Read poster in your church porch for details. Sign-up sheets are in the front porches. Please pay Margaret Curtis 01244 318424 as soon as possible. 

ST COLUMBA’S RED MISSION BOX HOLDERS
There are three Red Mission boxes collections during the year: March, July and November. To have your box emptied, please leave it in the sacristy before the end of July, then pick up your empty, relabelled box from the rear porch. 

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

CAFOD – CANCEL THE DEBT
In this Jubilee year, CAFOD is working with our sister Caritas organisations around the world to call for urgent action on the global debt crisis. Please sign the worldwide Church petition located in the church porches. Thank you to those who have already signed. The petition sheets will be left out for the next 2 weeks.

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK
You must never be fearful about what you are doing when it is right.  Rosa Parks

NEWSLETTER EDITORS WANTED!
Can you help our editors to get a break? We just need 2 more editors so that the work comes round about 6 times a year. Full support, shadowing, help, and advice provided.  Come and try it out, we don’t bite! And we really need some extra help, please.  Speak to Anne in the first instance, 01244 340243. Thank you. 

TWO SAINTS -TWO ISLANDS
Thank you to those of you who attended this recent CTU Service at Holy Ascension.  The two saints turned out to be Columba and Cuthbert.  We now know far more about our titular saint than before!
The next CTU service is here at St Columba’s on Sunday 30 November.

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” tab. Thank you.

PARISH YOUTH CLUB
The final meeting for this academic year will take place at St Columba’s Church Hall on MONDAY 21 JULY from 7 – 8.30pm. Wear trainers – ready to play games! ALL young parishioners from Year 5 upwards are welcome to attend. Any questions please ring Helen Connor – 07890817017

PASTORAL COUNCIL MINUTES
Please note that all Minutes of Pastoral Council meetings are published on the website once they have been approved by the meeting. The latest Minutes have just been published.

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

LOURDES BY JUMBULANCE
Chester Across Group is going to Lourdes on 14-23 August. There are vacancies for sick and disabled pilgrims and for nurses and helpers. If you could help with a ‘wish list’ to support our assisted pilgrims please follow this link: https://www.amazon.co.uk/hz/wishlist/ls/42FRNUVO3GUX?ref_=wl_share. For more information, please contact Tony Murphy on 07881-656-974 or tonymurphyefc2002@yahoo.co.uk

WIN A TRIP TO MEDJUGORJE
Medjugorje Irish Centre Free Prize draw. Prize for one person includes 7 nights B&B, return airport transfer and flights up to €300.To enter go to prize draw page on website www.med-irishcentre.com
Tel. 07860 465386 or email reservations@med-irishcentre.com
WhatsApp No: 00387 63 630 604Email: reservations@med-irishcentre.com
Website: www.med-irishcentre.com

FEAST OF ST. JAMES
“Please pray and fast for the end of abortion and euthanasia on Thursday 24 July, the Vigil of the Feast of St James. These days seem quite dark, what with Parliament voting to partly decriminalise abortion and voting to legalise euthanasia. Please invite others to join us in praying and fasting for life, you can do so with this link, https://www.facebook.com/events/1419157822872567”

GK CHESTERTON Pilgrimage
“The 15th Annual GK Chesterton Pilgrimage that will take place on Saturday 26 July 2025. As always there are several ways you can join in, either in prayer, or by joining us in walking a short section of the pilgrimage or even in walking the whole 27 miles! To be involved you can; Sponsor Nathanael as he raises funds for Good Counsel’s life-saving work; https://www.gofundme.com/f/helping-mothers-and-babies-with-the-gk-chesterton-pilgrimage Send prayer intentions for us to pray for along the way, we will not make the intentions public; catholicgkcsociety@yahoo.co.uk and find other details of the walk and the Mass here, https://www.facebook.com/events/1675870979701803”

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 20 July edition will be compiled by Eileen Irwin. Phone: 01244 379443, or email: st.theresas@btinternet.com.  Please include a phone number in case of queries, and please ensure that notices are also emailed to st.theresas@btinternet.com or phoned to the compiler by 9.00 a.m. on WEDNESDAY 16 JULY 2025

FOURTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

6 JULY 2025

Sat 5 Jul
St. Theresa’s	9.30am		Malankara Jacobite Syriac Orthodox Community Mass
	5.00pm		Eric James Flewitt RIP
St. Columba’s	6.30pm		Ada & Daniel Wyszynski
Sun 6 Jul
St. Theresa’s	9.30am		Tracy Nixon RIP
St. Columba’s	11.00am		M. Gerard
	2.00pm		Kerala Catholic Community Mass in Syro-Malabar Rite
Mon 7 Jul
St. Theresa’s			Parishioners’ Intentions
St. Columba’s	10.30am		Helena Murias RIP
Tue 8 Jul
St. Theresa’s			Kath Smith RIP
St. Columba’s			Adam & Eddie & Elwell Family
Wed 9 Jul
St. Theresa’s			Priests’ Intentions
St. Columba’s	9.30am		Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
	10.15am		Novena Prayers
	10.30am		Tracy Nixon
Thu 10 Jul
St. Theresa’s			Special Intentions
St. Columba’s			Priests’ Intentions
Fri 11 Jul			St Benedict, Ab. Feast. Day of Special Prayer for Europe
St. Theresa’s	10.00am		Angela McDevitt RIP
St. Columba’s			Ann & James Traynor RIP
Sat 12 Jul
St. Theresa’s	5.00pm		Polly Rowlands RIP
St. Columba’s	6.30pm		Doreen Byrne RIP
Sun 13 Jul
St. Theresa’s	9.30am		Parishioners’ Intentions
St. Columba’s	11.00am		Eileen Vickers RIP
	2.00pm		Kerala Catholic Community Mass in Syro-Malabar Rite

Please note if there is no time next to Mass, it means there is no Mass for parishioners to attend that day, but the Priests will say Mass privately.

LIVE STREAMING OF MASS
Mass will not be streamed on Sunday 6th July.
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.

POPE’S JULY PRAYER INTENTIONS
For formation in discernment. Let us pray that we might again learn how to discern, to know how to choose paths of life and reject everything that leads us away from Christ and the Gospel. 

RECENTLY DECEASED
Please remember in your prayers Dorothy Gladys Jeffs. May the Lord console her family and friends. Her Requiem Mass will be held at St Columba’s on 22 July at 11.00am following by the burial at Blacon Cemetery at 12.30pm.

ANNIVERSARIES
Elizabeth (Marion) Baker, Mary Teresa Rose, Louise Marie Sale, Vincenzo (Larry) Pellegrini

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: £486.70; Planned Giving: £260.37; Average weekly SO £718.15. Candles: £32.87. Piety Stall: £60.95.
Thank you for your generosity.

FR WILLIAM
Fr William will be away until the end of August. We hope he has a well-earned rest.

PRAYING TOGETHER
Pray for
* the residents of Dawpool Close, Ullswater Crescent, Orchard Close, Hafod Close, Nevin Road, Penmon Close and Treborth Road
* the Upton Churches Together Monday Coffee Morning
* the Churches Together in Upton Committee

ST COLUMBA’S OFFICE
There will be a change of the office hours at St Columba’s from 14 July:  8.00am to 2.15pm, Monday to Thursday.

ST COLUMBA’S COFFEE ROTA
The coffee rota is on the noticeboard in St Columba’s Hall. Just write your name, charity and phone number on the calendar. 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.
06 July      Margaret Curtis, Parish
13 July      volunteers please
20 July      volunteers please      

CHURCH NEWS
Pope Leo: Hunger must not be used as a weapon of war
Pope Leo XIV sent a message to participants as the FAO (United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation) marked its 80^th anniversary of its founding to combat food insecurity and malnutrition. He said the Church supports all efforts to end the “scandal of global hunger”, recalling Jesus’ care to feed the crowds who had come to hear Him speak.

“We realise that the true miracle accomplished by Christ was to show that the key to defeating hunger lies more in sharing than in greedily hoarding,” Many people still suffer cruelly and yearn for their needs to be met, as hunger and malnutrition continue despite the excess production in certain parts of the world.

“We are now witnessing, with deep sorrow, the inhumane use of hunger as a weapon of war…Starving civilian populations is a very cheap way to wage war.”

“Political crises, armed conflicts, and economic disruptions play a central role in worsening the food crisis…They hinder humanitarian aid, undermine local agricultural production, and deprive people not only of access to food, but also of the right to live a life of dignity and opportunity. Selfishness and indifference must be set aside on behalf of dialogue and mutual understanding, so that peace and stability allow societies to build resilient agrifood systems.”

ALL PARISHIONERS ARE INVITED TO ATTEND:
THE PASTORAL COUNCIL ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
SATURDAY 19 JULY 2025, ST COLUMBAS HALL 2.30P.M. – 4.30P.M.

This is an opportunity to hear about what the Pastoral Council has been doing in the last year and to make suggestions for what it could do, for our parish, in the future.

A report will be presented on each area of Council activity with opportunities for questions and answers. The winners of the Jubilee Art Competition will be announced, prizes will be awarded, and entries will be on display.

The meeting will be followed by Afternoon Tea – cakes, drinks etc.

As a final encouragement to you to join us a Free Raffle Ticket for a prize draw will be given to each parishioner who attends the meeting! Pastoral Council members will not be eligible to enter.

If you think you can attend the meeting, to help catering arrangements, please would you sign the list in the church porch? If you haven’t signed the list, you will still be most welcome to attend as we always over-cater!

The Pastoral Council would welcome new members. If you would be interested in joining, please give your name and contact details to one of the parish secretaries and a member of the Council will contact you to let you know more about it.

We look forward to meeting you on 19 July.
Pauline Rourke, Ann Mc McCarthy co–chairs Pastoral Council

ANNUAL SUMMER PARISH COACH TRIP
On Thurs 24 July we have a coach booked to LEEDS, cost £15. Leaving 8:45 from St Columba’s and 9am from St Theresa’s. Read poster in your church porch for details. Sign-up sheets are in the front porches. Please pay Margaret Curtis 01244 318424 as soon as possible. 

ST COLUMBA’S RED MISSION BOX HOLDERS
There are three Red Mission boxes collections during the year: March, July and November. To have your box emptied, please leave it in the sacristy before the end of July, then pick up your empty, relabelled box from the rear porch. 

DAY PILGRIMAGE
The five Chester Parishes “Trips to Shrewsbury Cathedral” 31 July is half full so please get your names and menu choices to Fr Paul at St Werburgh’s (werburgh465@btinternet.com) if you would like to come.  Choose your lunch from the selection on the flyer at the back of Church.

FRIENDSHIP THURSDAY
Please note that July’s meeting now takes place this Thursday, 10 July. Due to an unfortunate double booking, the group had to be cancelled last week and apologies are offered to anyone who was inconvenienced. This will be our last meeting until we begin again in September. Watch the newsletter for the new dates each month. We have a little treat for you all so do come. We shall be back on 4 September.

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK
“Cherish the past, adorn the present, construct for the future.” Sir Clough Williams- Ellis

CAFOD – CANCEL THE DEBT
In this Jubilee year, CAFOD is working with our sister Caritas organisations around the world to call for urgent action on the global debt crisis. Many of the world’s poorest countries are suffering huge debt burdens with devastating impacts on ordinary people. Pope Francis
spoke about the need for action many times saying, “More than a question of generosity, this is a matter of justice”. Please sign the worldwide Church petition located in the church porches. Thank you to those who have already signed. The petition sheets will be left out for the next 3 weeks.

ST WERBURGH AND ST COLUMBA’S SCHOOL NEWS
A week last Monday, the school held a very special prayer service to mark the opening of the new Prayer and Peace Garden. It was a beautiful and thoughtful ceremony, with Fr Paul blessing the garden alongside the children.

JOB VACANCY AT CHS
Caretaker vacancy shift pattern 4 days on 4 days off 6.30am to 4.30pm or 1.30pm to 9.30pm. Weekend and Evening Enhanced pay, basic salary  £12.27 rising to £12.65. Closing date: 12pm Friday 11 July 2025 Interviews will take place W/C 15 July 2025. For further information, please visit  www.christofidelis.org.uk or contact Andrew Kilcoyne on recruitment@christofidelis.org.uk.

200 CLUB DRAW
The winners are £100 S. Parry (no. 25), £50 J. Walsh (no. 42) and £25 J. Worrall (no. 32).
The new envelopes to be used from 13 July are now available at the back of St Theresa’s church.  Many thanks for your continued support.

NEWSLETTER EDITORS WANTED!
Can you help our editors to get a break? We just need 2 more editors so that the work comes round about 6 times a year. Full support, shadowing, help, and advice provided.  Come and try it out, we don’t bite! And we really need some extra help, please.  Speak to Anne in the first instance, 01244 340243. Thank you. 

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

PASTORAL COUNCIL MINUTES
Please note that all Minutes of Pastoral Council meetings are published on the website once they have been approved by the meeting. The latest Minutes have just been published.

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

LOURDES HOSPITALITY
The Lourdes Hospitality Predeparture Mass, for this year’s Pilgrimage, will take place at 11.00am on Sunday 20 July at St Mary’s Church, Gatefield Street, Crewe CW1 2JP. This will be followed by light refreshments in the Caritas Centre and a Hospitality Meeting starting at 1.15pm. All Hospitality members are invited to attend. 

LOURDES BY JUMBULANCE
Chester Across Group are going to Lourdes on 14 to 23 August. There are vacancies for sick and disabled pilgrims and for nurses and helpers. For more information, please contact Tony Murphy on 07881-656-974 or tonymurphyefc2002@yahoo.co.uk

FAMILY & SOCIAL GROUP STAYS AT CASTLERIGG THIS AUGUST
Castlerigg Manor is a Catholic residential youth centre in the Lake District and it’s opening its doors to family groups and social groups this August. There are single rooms, twin rooms, and large family rooms at very cheap rates. Guests have access to the grounds, chapel, games room, and lounges, with Keswick and the Lake only a short walk away. For more info  director@castleriggmanor.co.uk or www.castleriggmanor.com/open

YOUTH 2000 SUMMER FESTIVAL 2025
Taking place in the grounds of Ampleforth College from Friday 22 – Monday 25 August, the Youth 2000 Summer Festival provides young adults (aged 16-35) from across the UK the opportunity to come together and explore faith, build relationships, and find hope. This four-day festival includes great speakers, social time, break-out sessions, Daily Mass, 24/7 Adoration and much more! Register your place at: https://youth2000.org/events/summerfestival2025

MARCH FOR LIFE UK
Join March for Life UK on Saturday 6 Sept in London! The right to life underpins every other right we have and without it every other right is rendered meaningless. Unite with thousands of others at this family-friendly event where we recognise the value of life from conception and stand up for all those impacted by abortion. A coach leaves from St Winifride’s Church, 187 Crowmere Rd, Shrewsbury SY2 5LA (6.30am), Our Lady of Perpetual Succour Church, 542 Cannock Rd, Wolverhampton WV10 8PG (7.15am), St Mary’s The Mount, Glebe St, Walsall WS1 3NX (8am). Seats cost £30 for adults, £10 under 16, payable in advance. For more info/to book a seat contact Isabel 07773 501721, Ben 07885 505116 info@marchforlife.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 2p.m.
Hall availability can be checked by looking at St Columba’s Church website – section for Church Hall gives a calendar of events in the Hall. Then contact Magdalena Bukowska on 01244 624019 for enquires within the office hours stated above or email columbashallbookings@gmail.com to arrange booking.

NEXT WEEK’S NEWSLETTER
Sunday 13 July edition will be compiled by Alison Wrigglesworth, phone: 07708 304246, email: a.wrigglesworth@outlook.com. Please include a phone number in case of queries, and please ensure that notices are also emailed to st.theresas@btinternet.com or phoned to the compiler by 9.00 a.m. on WEDNESDAY 9 JULY 2025

The month of June is dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus

Ss PETER & PAUL SUNDAY

29 JUNE 2025

Sat 28 Jun
St. Theresa’s	5.00pm		Anna Blundell RIP
St. Columba’s	6.30pm		Fr Russell Cooke
Sun 29 Jun			Ss Peter & Paul, Ap
St. Theresa’s	9.30am		Charles Woods
St. Columba’s	11.00am		Francis Family Intentions
	2.00pm		Kerala Catholic Community Mass in Syro-Malabar Rite
Mon 30 Jun
St. Theresa’s			Priests’ Intentions
St. Columba’s	10.30am		Fernanda McDevitt RIP
Tue 1 Jul
St. Theresa’s			Private Intentions
St. Columba’s			Parishioners’ Intentions
Wed 2 Jul
St. Theresa’s			Stanley Taylor & Linda Barlow RIP
St. Columba’s	9.30am		Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
	10.15am		Novena Prayers
	10.30am		Magdalena & Kamil Szymanski
Thu 3 Jul			St Thomas, Ap, Feast
St. Theresa’s			Parishioners’ Intentions
St. Columba’s			Priests’ Intentions
Fri 4 Jul
St. Theresa’s	10.00am		Sarah Russell RIP
St. Columba’s			The Parish
Sat 5 Jul
St. Theresa’s	5.00pm		Eric James Flewitt RIP
St. Columba’s	6.30pm		Ada & Daniel Wyszynski
Sun 6 Jul			14th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Day of Special Prayer for Seafarers
St. Theresa’s	9.30am		Tracy Nixon RIP
St. Columba’s	11.00am		M. Gerard
	2.00pm		Kerala Catholic Community Mass in Syro-Malabar Rite

Please note if there is no time next to Mass, it means there is no Mass for parishioners to attend that day, but the Priests will say Mass privately.

LIVE STREAMING OF MASS
Mass will be streamed exceptionally at St Columba’s on Sunday 29 June at 11.00a.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

POPE’S JUNE PRAYER INTENTIONS
That the world might grow in compassion. Let us pray that each one of us might find consolation in a personal relationship with Jesus, and from his Heart, learn to have compassion on the world.  

RECENTLY DECEASED
Please remember in your prayers Dorothy Gladys Jeffs. May the Lord console her family and friends.

ANNIVERSARIES
Rev Russell Cooke, Fausto Nino Biasillo, Louise Marie Sale.

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. 
We pray for Noha who was baptised into our Parish Family last Sunday. Please remember her and her family in your prayers.

PARISH OFFERTORY
Loose Plate: £450.15; Planned Giving: £300.00; Average weekly SO £718.15. Candles: £26.42. Second Collection for Spiritan Fathers: £166.29.
Thank you for your generosity.

FR WILLIAM
Fr William will be away until the end of August. We hope he has a well-earned rest.

PRAYING TOGETHER
Pray for
* the residents of Kingsmead, Linksway, The Oakes Drive, Penfold Hey, Muir Road, Elm Muir, Beech Muir, Silver Muir, Ash Muir and Birch Muir.
* the Church secretaries and those who help with the administration.
* good communication links in our Churches.

SVP CAKE AND COFFEE MORNING
The SVP will be holding a coffee and cake morning after the 9.30 Mass at St Theresa’s on Sunday 29 June. Cakes available to eat in or take home!! 

ST COLUMBA’S COFFEE ROTA
The coffee rota is on the noticeboard in St Columba’s Hall. Just write your name, charity and phone number on the calendar. 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.
29 June          Lina Greig, Happy Ugandan Hearts
06 July           Margaret Curtis, Parish
13 July           volunteers please

CHURCH NEWS: Pope Leo on the world situation
“I wish to renew my appeal to responsibility and reason. The commitment to building a safer world, free from the nuclear threat, must be pursued through respectful encounters and sincere dialogue to build a lasting peace, founded on justice, fraternity and the common good. No-one should ever threaten another’s existence. It is the duty of all countries to support the cause of peace, initiating paths of reconciliation and promoting solutions that guarantee security and dignity for all.”

ALL PARISHIONERS ARE INVITED TO ATTEND
THE PASTORAL COUNCIL ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING ON SATURDAY 19 JULY 2025, ST COLUMBAS HALL 2.30p.m. – 4.30p.m.
This is an opportunity to hear about what the Pastoral Council has been doing in the last year and to make suggestions for what it could do, for our parish, in the future. A report will be presented on each area of Council activity with opportunities for questions and answers. The winners of the Jubilee Art Competition will be announced, prizes will be awarded, and entries will be on display.
The meeting will be followed by Afternoon Tea – cakes, drinks etc.

As a final encouragement to you to join us a Free Raffle Ticket for a prize draw will be given to each parishioner who attends the meeting! Pastoral Council members will not be eligible to enter.

If you think you can attend the meeting, to help catering arrangements, please would you sign the list in the church porch? If you haven’t signed the list, you will still be most welcome to attend as we always over-cater!

The Pastoral Council would welcome new members. If you would be interested in joining, please give your name and contact details to one of the parish secretaries and a member of the Council will contact you to let you know more about it.

We look forward to meeting you on 19 July. Pauline Rourke, Ann Mc McCarthy co – chairs Pastoral Council

FINAL CALL FOR PARISH JUBILEE YEAR ART COMPETITION
You have one more week to create a piece of art inspired by the Jubilee themes to be entered into our competition! Please pass any entries to anyone on the parish pastoral council, or either of the secretaries, by the new deadline of Sunday 29th June. Lots of age categories for all of the family to get involved and cash prizes! More information can be found on the parish website, or email Amy on amyod@hotmail.co.uk.

TWO SAINTS -TWO ISLANDS
This service takes place TODAY at 4.30p.m. at Holy Ascension Church in Church Lane. All welcome.

BLACON FESTIVAL – SATURDAY 5 JULY
Avenue Services have informed us that Blacon Festival will be using the car park next to St Theresa’s Church.  Those attending the 5pm Mass at St Theresa’s will be unable to park on the car park.  Apologies for any inconvenience caused.

ANNUAL SUMMER PARISH COACH TRIP
On Thursday 24 July we have a coach booked to LEEDS, cost £15. Leaving 8:45 from St Columba’s and 9am from St Theresa’s. Read poster in your church porch for details. Sign-up sheets are in the front porches. Please pay Margaret Curtis 01244 328424 or Paul Wrigglesworth 0754 286710 as soon as possible. 

ST COLUMBA’S RED MISSION BOX HOLDERS
There are three Red Mission boxes collections during the year: March, July and November. To have your box emptied, please leave it in the sacristy before the end of July, then pick up your empty, relabelled box from the rear porch. 

DAY PILGRIMAGE
The five Chester Parishes “Trips to Shrewsbury Cathedral” 31 July is half full so please get your names and menu choices to Fr Paul at St Werburgh’s (werburgh465@btinternet.com) if you would like to come.  Choose your lunch from the selection on the flyer at the back of Church.

NEWSLETTER EDITORS WANTED!
Can you help our editors to get a break? We just need 2 more editors so that the work comes round about 6 times a year. Full support, shadowing, help, and advice provided.  Come and try it out, we don’t bite! And we really need some extra help, please.  Speak to Anne in the first instance, 01244 340243. Thank you. 

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK
“There is no trust more sacred than the one the world holds with children. There is no duty more important than ensuring that their rights are respected, that their welfare is protected, that their lives are free from fear and want and that they grow up in peace.” — Kofi Annan

CAFOD – CANCEL THE DEBT
In this Jubilee year, CAFOD is working with our sister Caritas organisations around the world to call for urgent action on the global debt crisis. Many of the world’s poorest countries are suffering huge debt burdens with devastating impacts on ordinary people. Pope Francis spoke about the need for action many times saying, “More than a question of generosity, this is a matter of justice”. Please sign the worldwide Church petition. The petition will be available for signing on the weekend of 28/29 June.

FRIENDSHIP THURSDAY
Don’t forget our next meeting on 3 July, which will be the last of this “term” as we shall take a break in August. We have a little treat for you all so do come. We shall be back on 4 September.

OPEN CHURCH
Thank you to all who helped at this event and for parishioners who came. It was a lovely afternoon where our Church and its activities were admired by visitors, and I think we all learned something about our church that we didn’t know!

RETIRING COLLECTION
There will be a retiring collection this weekend for Peter’s Pence. Peter’s Pence is a financial support offered by the faithful to the Holy Father, the Pope, to help him in his charitable works and to address the needs of the universal Church. It’s a way for Catholics worldwide to share in the Pope’s concern for the Church and those in need. The donations are used for various purposes, including humanitarian initiatives, social promotion projects, and supporting the Holy See.

SINFONIA
We are again invited to join Sinfonia for a musical evening at St Columba’s Church Hall on Friday 4 July at 7p.m. The event will include parts from Schubert’s Unfinished Symphony. These have always been very enjoyable events. Please come along. Free admission and light refreshments provided.

200 CLUB DRAW
The winners are £100 S. Parry (no. 25), £50 J. Walsh (no. 42) and £25 J. Worrall (no. 32).

PASTORAL COUNCIL MINUTES
Please note that all Minutes of Pastoral Council meetings are published on the website once they have been approved by the meeting. The latest Minutes have just been published.

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

LOURDES BY JUMBULANCE
Chester Across Group are going to Lourdes on 14 to 23 August. There are vacancies for sick and disabled pilgrims and for nurses and helpers. For more information, please contact Tony Murphy on 07881-656-974 or tonymurphyefc2002@yahoo.co.uk

LOURDES HOSPITALITY
The next Lourdes Hospitality focus group meeting will take place at St Columba’s Chester (Newman Room) on Wednesday 2 July at 7.30pm. All Hospitality members are welcome to attend.

FAMILY & SOCIAL GROUP STAYS AT CASTLERIGG THIS AUGUST
Castlerigg Manor is a Catholic residential youth centre in the Lake District and it’s opening its doors to family groups and social groups this August. There are single rooms, twin rooms, and large family rooms at very cheap rates. Guests have access to the grounds, chapel, games room, and lounges, with Keswick and the Lake only a short walk away. For more info director@castleriggmanor.co.uk or www.castleriggmanor.com/open

YOUTH 2000 SUMMER FESTIVAL 2025
Taking place in the grounds of Ampleforth College from Friday 22 – Monday 25 August, the Youth 2000 Summer Festival provides young adults (aged 16-35) from across the UK the opportunity to come together and explore faith, build relationships, and find hope. This four-day festival includes great speakers, social time, break-out sessions, Daily Mass, 24/7 Adoration and much more! Register your place at: https://youth2000.org/events/summerfestival2025

MARCH FOR LIFE UK
Join March for Life UK on Saturday 6 Sept in London! The right to life underpins every other right we have and without it every other right is rendered meaningless. Unite with thousands of others at this family-friendly event where we recognise the value of life from conception and stand up for all those impacted by abortion. A coach leaves from St Winifride’s Church, 187 Crowmere Rd, Shrewsbury SY2 5LA (6.30am), Our Lady of Perpetual Succour Church, 542 Cannock Rd, Wolverhampton WV10 8PG (7.15am), St Mary’s The Mount, Glebe St, Walsall WS1 3NX (8am). Seats cost £30 for adults, £10 under 16, payable in advance. For more info/to book a seat contact Isabel 07773501721, Ben 07885 505116 info@marchforlife.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 2p.m.
Hall availability can be checked by looking at St Columba’s Church website – section for Church Hall gives a calendar of events in the Hall. Then contact Magdalena Bukowska on 01244 624019 for enquires within the office hours stated above or email columbashallbookings@gmail.com to arrange booking.

NEXT WEEK’S NEWSLETTER
Sunday 6 July edition will be compiled by Amy O’Donnell, phone: 07854 290897 or email: amyod@hotmail.co.uk.  Please include a phone number in case of queries, and please ensure that notices are also emailed to st.theresas@btinternet.com or phoned to the compiler by 9.00 a.m. on WEDNESDAY 2 JULY 2025