TWENTY SIXTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

29 September 2024

Sat 28 Sep
St. Theresa’s	5.00pm		Parishioners’ Intentions
St. Columba’s	6.30pm		Sheila Ring RIP
Sun 29 Sep
St. Theresa’s	9.30am		Jessica Barker RIP
St. Columba’s	11.00am		Mollie Mannix RIP
Mon 30 Sep			St Jerome, P,D. Mem.
St. Theresa’s			Tom Groom RIP
St. Columba’s	10.30am		The Parish
Tue 1 Oct			St Theresa of the Child Jesus, V, R. Mem.
St. Theresa’s	9.30am		St Theresa’s School Mass
St. Columba’s			Private Intention
Wed 2 Oct			Guardian Angels Mem.
St. Theresa’s			Priests’ Intentions
St. Columba’s	9.30am		Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
	10.15am		Novena Prayers
	10.30am		Parishioners’ Intentions
Thu 3 Oct
St. Theresa’s	11.00am		Requiem Mass for Sheila Ring
St. Columba’s			Priests’ Intentions
Fri 4 Oct			St Francis of Assisi, R. Mem.
St. Theresa’s	10.00am		Mary Dorothy Groom RIP
St. Columba’s			Family Fast Day Intentions
Sat 5 Oct
St. Theresa’s	5.00pm		Steven Green RIP
St. Columba’s	6.30pm		Rev. John Kingsley
Sun 6 Oct
St. Theresa’s	9.30am		Keith Evans
St. Columba’s	11.00am		Frank Queenan RIP

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

LIVE STREAMING OF MASS:
Mass will be streamed from St Theresa’s at 9.30a.m. this Sunday 29^th September 2024.
www.facebook.com/thecatholicparishofstcolumbaandsttheresa

RECENTLY DECEASED
Please remember in your prayers Sheila Ring and Maria Haydock (Edge) who died recently, and also their family and friends. Sheila’s Requiem Mass is at St Theresa’s on 3^rd October at 11a.m.

ANNIVERSARIES:
Howard Jefferson Sherman, Eric John Hocking, Barbara Fry, Martin Connolly, Elizabeth Rogerson, Elsie Maguie, Mary Dorothy Groom, Kenneth Kilcoyne, Jim Mason.

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

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

PARISH OFFERTORY:
St Columba’s: Loose Plate: £347.92; Planned Giving £150.50; Average weekly SO £455.00; Candles £26.61. Home Missions: £130.30. St Theresa’s: Loose Plate £202.75; Planning Giving £161.30. Many thanks for your generous support.

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.

ST COLUMBA’S COFFEE ROTA:
The coffee rota is on the noticeboard in St Columba’s Hall. Please enter your name and good cause against your preferred dates. You could make £30-£50 for your chosen cause.
29 Sep – Chris and Elizabeth, Autumn Fair Tombola
06 Oct – Macmillan Coffee Morning
13 Oct – Sue McCarthy, SVP

MCMILLAN COFFEE MORNING (ST COLUMBA’S): 
Calling all parish bakers – please bake or buy a cake for this year’s McMillan appeal. Cakes will be on sale after 6:30p.m. Mass on Saturday 5th October and after 11:00a.m. on Sunday 6^th October. Please support this wonderful charity.

ST THERESA’S FEAST DAY:
There will be tea, coffee and cake in the parish centre after the 9.30a.m. Mass this Sunday. Mass will be at 9.30a.m. on Tuesday 1^st October and  there will be tea and coffee in the presbytery afterwards.  St Theresa’s primary school will be joining us for this Mass. All welcome. Thanks to those who have donated towards the flowers.

CAFOD HARVEST FAST DAY:
Harvest Fast Day is on Friday 4^th October. The appeal focuses on the Democratic Republic of Congo. Daniel, a young man in the DRC is carving a better future for his family with carpentry skills he learned in a CAFOD funded training centre. Give to CAFOD today and you’ll fund training, tools, enable us to welcome you to the parish. The form can be completed and submitted online or downloaded and printed out. Instructions are on the form, which can also be found in the front porches of both churches. You will find it on the I’m New tab of the website.

THE TRIUMPH OF THE CROSS:
This afternoon at 4.30 p.m. in the church, we are hosting this ecumenical service for the Upton churches.  You are warmly invited to join us for the service and for coffee afterwards in the Newman Room.

SVP MINI RETREAT AND RETIRING COLLECTION
There will be a mini retreat 10.30-12.30 on Saturday 28th September to which all parishioners are warmly invited regardless of whether you are a member of the St Vincent de Society or not. The retreat will begin with morning prayer followed by thoughts on Synod and mission, “Lectio Divina” and some reflective hymns. If you would be interested to join us please contact Mark Traynor marktraynor96@gmail.com.

Also, the feast of St Vincent de Paul falls on the 27th September and so in recognition of this there will be a retiring collection at both churches the weekend of the 28th/29th September to support the work our SVP does on behalf of the parish.

FISH ‘N CHIP BABIES:
I went to the Post Office on Monday with four large boxes of garments to send off to the Phoenix Project. I am overwhelmed with generosity and support for the project. Thank you all so much for the amazing amount of donations collected at the Coffee Morning at St. Columba’s last Sunday.  You donated £148.25! I was so delighted to meet the folk who knit and sew garments, many of which arrive on my doorstep with a short note. Many thanks and God Bless. Barbara Capstick.

THE CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL OPEN AFTERNOON – MEET THE TUTORS:
Monday 14^th October, 2-3p.m. All welcome! Old Wrexham Road, Handbridge. CH4 7HS. No booking needed.

SHREWSBURY LOURDES HOSPITALITY AGM:
Planned for next Saturday, 28th September has been postponed until mid-November. Further details will be circulated once a date, time and venue have been confirmed.

SEASON OF CREATION
This is a global ecumenical celebration of prayer and action to protect our common home. It started on 1^st September and finishes on the feast of St Francis, 4^th October. During this season we are encouraged to pray and engage in community events in order to deepen our relationship with our God, our neighbour and the earth we share.  When we work together with Creation, the first fruits of hope can emerge.

ST. COLUMBA CHIDREN CHOIR RECUITMENT:
The Little Choir of St Columba plays at 11a.m. Mass on the first Sunday of the month in term time, and young people who would like to sing, play the guitar or percussion are invited to join. Practice Tuesdays 18.45 in the church.  For further information, please contact Giovanna 07728 948946 or Mark 07752 317772.

NEW TO THE PARISH?:
Welcome! We have a New Parish Registration Form to be completed and sent to either parish office to let us know that you are here and enable us to welcome you to the parish. The form can be completed and submitted online or downloaded and printed out. Instructions are on the form, which can also be found in the front porches of both churches. You will find it on the I’m New tab of the website

BUILDING WORKS – ST THERESA’S:
Work started on Monday 16^th September- a week later than scheduled due to the weather.  It is intended to last about 8 weeks.  Church services will not be affected, but there will be vans on the car park and a fenced off area for a skip which means unfortunately that the bins are at the front of church.

SOUND SYSTEM AT ST THERESA’S:
We have received a quote for £17,989.32, no it’s not a typing error! Unfortunately, we do not have the money to carry out the work. If anyone has any fundraising ideas, please let Fr William know.

QUIZ NIGHT:
Churches Together in Upton are holding their Annual Quiz Night at the United Reformed Church on Heath Road on Saturday 12^th October at 7.30 p.m.  You are invited to join in.  There is a poster on the Notice Board giving more details.

ASDA are running Cashpot for Schools from now until November. For those who use the ASDA Rewards App, you can opt in on the cashpots tab and select St Werburgh’s and St Columba’s or St Theresa’s Primary School.   ASDA will then donate to the schools! 

SAYING GOODBYE REMEMBRANCE SERVICE:
Saying Goodbye, (part of the Mariposa Trust) will be hosting a very special Baby loss remembrance and support service on 20^th October at 2.30p.m, in Manchester Cathedral. It is a service for anyone who has lost a baby in pregnancy, at birth or in early years, whether the loss was yesterday or 80 years ago. This event is also for those grieving that they have never been able to conceive. To read more on the charity, please see the Saying Goodbye website, which you can find at: www.sayinggoodbye.org

CHESTER LADIES CHOIR will be having a general knowledge quiz evening at St Columba’s hall on Saturday evening 5^th October at 7p.m. Tables of up to 6 welcome. Cost per entrance £3. Please bring your own drinks and nibbles. All welcome.

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK:
“Out of darkness, can come light, so let that light shine bright.” Catherine, Princess of Wales.

EXAMS OFFICER VACANCY AT THE CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL: 
Permanent Role over 41.2 weeks a year (Term Time) paid over 12 months. 37 hours a week 8am to 4pm (3.30 pm Friday). To include INSET days and exam results days. For more information please email kilcoynea@christofidelis.org.uk

200 CLUB:
We will have a monthly draw for £25 as well as the Grand Draw. This month’s winner is C. Ingram (no 17).

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

NEXT WEEK’S NEWSLETTER:
Sunday 6^th October edition will be compiled by Harry Sweeney, phone: 01244 327462 or email: harrysweeney45@gmail.com. Please include a phone number in case of queries, and please ensure that items are also emailed to Fr William or phoned to the compiler by 9.00a.m. on WEDNESDAY 2nd October 2024

TWENTY FIFTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

22 September 2024

Sat 21 Sep
St. Theresa’s	5.00pm		Parishioners’ Intentions
St. Columba’s	6.30pm		Bukowski Family
Sun 22 Sep
St. Theresa’s	9.30am		Kay George
	2.00pm		Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
St. Columba’s	11.00am		Michael Benton RIP
Mon 23 Sep			St Pius of Pietrelcina – Padre Pio P. Mem.
St. Theresa’s			Philomena
St. Columba’s	10.30am		Michal Drzazga
Tue 24 Sep			Our Lady of Welsingham Mem.
St. Theresa’s			Priests’ Intentions
St. Columba’s			The Parish
Wed 25 Sep
St. Theresa’s			Patrick
St. Columba’s	9.30am		Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
	10.15am		Novena Prayers
	10.30am		Bernard Lendor RIP
Thu 26 Sep
St. Theresa’s			Private Intentions
St. Columba’s			Priests’ Intentions
Fri 27 Sep			St Vincent De Paul, P. Mem.
St. Theresa’s	10.00am		Jack & Kath Lawlor RIP
St. Columba’s			SVP Members
Sat 28 Sep
St. Theresa’s	5.00pm		Parishioners’ Intentions
St. Columba’s	6.30pm		Sheila Ring RIP
Sun 29 Sep
St. Theresa’s	9.30am		Jessica Baker RIP
St. Columba’s	11.00am		Mollie Mannix RIP

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

LIVE STREAMING OF MASS:
Mass will be streamed from St Columba’s at 11am this Sunday 22nd  September 2024.
www.facebook.com/thecatholicparishofstcolumbaandsttheresa

POPE’S PRAYER INTENTIONS: For September
For the cry of the Earth. We pray that each one of us will hear and take to heart the cry of the Earth and of victims of natural disasters and climactic change, and that all will undertake to personally care for the world in which we live. 

RECENTLY DECEASED
Please remember in your prayers Sheila Ring and Maria Haydock (Edge) who died recently, and also their family and friends.  Sheila’s Requiem Mass is at St Theresa’s on 3^rd October at 11am.

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

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

RESPONSES FOR 11.00AM HARVEST MASS
Gospel Acclamation
Alleluia. Alleluia. Those who are sowing in tears will sing when they reap. Alleluia

Communion Antiphon
Lord, the earth is filled with your gifts from heaven
Man grows bread from the earth and wine to cheer his heart.

PARISH OFFERTORY:
Loose Plate: £222.74; Planned Giving £501.97; Average weekly SO £455.00; Candles £22.55. Many thanks for your generous support.

PRAYING TOGETHER:
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.

ST COLUMBA’S COFFEE ROTA:
The coffee rota is on the noticeboard in St Columba’s Hall. Please enter your name and good cause against your preferred dates. You could make £30-£50 for your chosen cause.
22nd Sept –             Marg Curtis & Barbara Capstick, Fish & Chip babies
29th Sept –              volunteers please
 6th Oct –                Macmillan Coffee Morning 

FISH & CHIP BABY GARMENT DISPLAY AND WOOL SALE
After 11:00 Mass today, Barbara and Margaret will have a table showing examples of some of the garment and will be selling wool, patterns and projects. Please do support this wonderful cause.  For more information about this project, please see the website.   There is a NEW September update poster on the noticeboards in your church.

ADOREMUS:
There will be Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament today Sunday 22^nd  September at 2pm at St Theresa’s as asked by the Bishops of England and Wales, who are inviting all Parishes to have a period of Exposition to unite the faithful of the country in focusing on the Eucharist in anticipation of the Jubilee Year with renewed and deepened devotion.

HARVEST THANKSGIVING MASS
This is at 11am today 22^nd September.  There will be a sale in the hall after Mass of any gifts of fruit, vegetables or preserves,  with  proceeds going to CAFOD. Any tinned or non-perishable food donated will be passed to a local foodbank. Thank you very much.

As we give thanks for our own harvest, we will also be thinking of people in developing countries whose harvests may have failed. CAFOD Harvest Fast Day is on Friday 4th Oct. The appeal focuses on the Democratic Republic of Congo. Daniel, a young man in the DRC is carving a better future for his family with carpentry skills he learned in a CAFOD- funded training centre. Give to CAFOD today and you’ll fund training, tools, equipment and safe spaces so more people like Daniel can learn new skills and fulfill their God-given potential. Envelopes are available in the church porches or give online at cafod.org.uk/envelope.

ST THERESA’S FEAST DAY:
This will be celebrated on Sunday 29^th September, with cake in the Parish Centre after the 9.30am Mass.  All welcome.  If anyone would like to give towards flowers for the feast day please put your donation in an envelope marked St Theresa’s flowers and place it in the offertory basket.  Thank you.

SVP MINI RETREAT AND RETIRING COLLECTION
There will be a mini retreat 10.30-12.30 on Saturday 28th September to which all parishioners are warmly invited regardless of whether you are a member of the St Vincent de Society or not. The retreat will begin with morning prayer followed by thoughts on Synod and mission, “Lectio Divina” and some reflective hymns. If you would be interested to join us please contact Mark Traynor marktraynor96@gmail.com.

Also, the feast of St Vincent de Paul falls on the 27th September and so in recognition of this there will be a retiring collection at both churches the weekend of the 28th/29th September to support the work our SVP does on behalf of the parish.

“THE TRIUMPH OF THE CROSS”:
This is the theme for the next Churches Together in Upton Fifth Sunday Service to be held at St. Columba’s at 4.30p.m. next Sunday 29^th September.  Further details to follow.  Put the date in your diary.

SEASON OF CREATION -The season of creation – This is a global ecumenical celebration of prayer and action to protect our common home. It started on 1 September and finishes on the feast of St Francis, 4 October. During this season we are encouraged to pray and engage in community events in order to deepen our relationship with our God, our neighbour and the earth we share.  When we work together with Creation, the first fruits of hope can emerge.

CONFIRMATION GROUP:
Please pray for all who are preparing to be confirmed in November, and for those who are preparing them.

FIRST COMMUNION PREPARATION CLASSES:
Children not attending one of our primary schools who wish to prepare for the Sacraments are invited to attend classes in St Columba’s Hall at 5 to 6pm on Wednesday evenings, starting this week, 25^th September.  For further details please contact Pauline Payne on 01244 350323 or email pauline.payne4@btinternet.com

ST. COLUMBA CHIDREN CHOIR RECUITMENT:
The Little Choir of St Columba plays at 11am Mass on the first Sunday of the month in term time, and young people who would like to sing, play the guitar or percussion are invited to join.  Practice Tuesdays 18.45 in the church.  For further information, please contact Giovanna 07728 948946 or Mark 07752 317772.

THE COMMUNICATIONS GROUP UPDATE:
This newly formed group has evolved from the Welcome to our Parish group. Our remit is to review, improve and extend where necessary all aspects of communication within the parish community. We report to the Pastoral Council. Our members are named below.

So far, we have devised a method for following up the arrival of new parishioners. We have also replaced the notice boards and display of information in the porch..

Currently we are working on improving the website to make it easier to find information and celebrate parish events and our outreach to the wider community. It may not be completed for a few weeks so please bear with any inconsistencies at the moment..

In the spirit of good communications, please send any thoughts you may have for the group’s consideration, in an envelope, to the Parish offices for the attention of the Communications Group or to the parish offices email on the website. Thank you

Lyn Coyle, (Chair), Nuala Keegan, Anne McCarthy, Sue McCarthy, Stephen Parry, Pauline Rourke.
Honorary member, managing the website: Michael Forber

NEW TO THE PARISH?:
Welcome! We have a New Parish Registration Form to be completed and sent to either parish office to let us know that you are here and enable us to welcome you to the parish. The form can be completed and submitted online or downloaded and printed out. Instructions are on the form, which can also be found in the front porches of both churches. You will find it on the I’m New tab of the website

NEEDLES & PINS – Wed 25th 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.

SHREWSBURY LOURDES HOSPITALITY AGM will be held at St Columba’s Church (Newman Room), Plas Newton Lane, Chester, CH2 1SA on Saturday 28 September at 2pm. All members of the Hospitality Group are invited to attend. Please forward any items to be discussed under AOB to secretary@teamshrewsbury.co.uk by Saturday 14th September.

MISSING KEY!:
The key from the key safe at the back entrance to Church is missing.  If you have borrowed it during the past couple of weeks, please can you return it to the Office.  Many thanks.

200 CLUB:
We will have a monthly draw for £25 as well as the Grand Draw.  This month’s winner is C. Ingram (no 17)

BUILDING WORKS – ST THERESA’S:
Work started on Monday 16^th September- a week later than scheduled due to the weather.  It is intended to last about 8 weeks.  Church services will not be affected, but there will be vans on the car park and a fenced off area for a skip which means unfortunately that the bins are at the front of church.

QUIZ NIGHT:
Churches Together in Upton are holding their Annual Quiz Night at the United Reformed Church on Heath Road on Saturday 12^th October at 7.30 p.m.  You are invited to join in.  There is a poster on the Notice Board giving more details.

Thank you– to everyone who attended and or gave donations to the Fair Trade and Chifundo UK talk and fashion show event last Saturday.  Chifundo UK raised £366, which will now go towards empowering girls and women in Malawi through funding their education and enabling them to generate an income. 
https://chanasachifundomalawi.org/aboutchifundouk

ASDA are running Cashpot for Schools from now until November. For those who use the ASDA Rewards App, you can opt in on the cashpots tab and select St Werburgh’s and St Columba’s or St Theresa’s Primary School.   ASDA will then donate to the schools! 

ZUMBATHON:
Zumbathon in aid of Hopeful Ugandan Hearts: Saturday 28th September from 10:30am to 12:30pm at St Columba’s Church Hall.  Once more and for the last time this year we are aiming to keep the children at Home of Peace and Christ’s Heart Home Orphanage in education.  Come and have fun while we raise funds for the children. Dance to Zumba GOLD and Zumba Fitness 80’s Theme Party!! Feel free to dress up to the occasion. £10 Adults, £5 Children 6+. And Raffle with great prices. For tickets contact Lina Greig 07837512544 or email linamahigduran@hotmail.com 

CHESTER LADIES CHOIR will be having a general knowledge quiz evening at St Columba’s hall on Saturday evening 5^th October @ 7pm. Tables of up to 6 welcome. Cost per entrance £3. Please bring your own drinks and nibbles. All welcome.

EXAMS OFFICER VACANCY AT THE CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL: 
Permanent Role over 41.2 weeks a year (Term Time) paid over 12 months. 37 hours a week 8am to 4pm (3.30 pm Friday). To include INSET days and exam results days. For more information please email kilcoynea@christofidelis.org.uk

Thought for the week : “Open up!’. This is the most important thing: to open ourselves to God, open ourselves to our brothers and sisters, open ourselves to the Gospel and make it a compass for our lives.”  Pope Francis , from a service in Papua New Guinea

NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER AND FASTING FOR LIFE:
On Saturday 28^th September, the Vigil of the Feast of St Michael, please pray and fast for the end of abortion and euthanasia. Your prayer and fasting is urgently needed. “And the people of Nineveh believed in God; they proclaimed a fast and put on sackcloth, from the greatest to the least…God saw their efforts to renounce their evil ways. And God relented about the disaster which He had threatened to bring on them, and He did not bring it.” (Jonah 3:5,10) Please Invite others to join the day on Facebook,  https://www.facebook.com/events/1584168772229831/

THE RELIC OF BLESSED CARLO ACUTIS is visiting St Anthony’s, Wythenshawe, between 20th and 23rd September 2024.  For further details and registration please see: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/relic-of-blessed-carlo-acutis-tickets-1010291297467?aff=ebdssbdestsearch

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

NEXT WEEK’S NEWSLETTER:       15th September edition will be compiled by Rebecca VaughanPhone: 01244 318632 or email: rebecca_vghn@yahoo.co.ukPlease include a phone number in case of queries, andplease ensure that items are also emailed to Fr William or phoned to the compiler by 9.00a.m. on WEDNESDAY25TH  September 2024Website: www.sscolumbaandtheresa.co.uknote that the electronic version of the newsletter on the website may contain additional items which it has not been possible to include in the printed copy this week.

TWENTY FOURTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

15 September 2024

Sat 14 Sep
St. Theresa’s	5.00pm		Parishioners’ Intentions
St. Columba’s	6.30pm		John Driscoll RIP
Sun 15 Sep			Evangelii Gaudium Sunday
St. Theresa’s	9.30am		Chris Steele RIP
St. Columba’s	11.00am		Kenneth Kilcoyne RIP
	3.00pm		Pause for Hope
Mon 16 Sep			Ss Cornelius, P.M & Cyprian, B, D
St. Theresa’s			Private Intentions
St. Columba’s	10.30am		The Parish
Tue 17 Sep
St. Theresa’s			Michael Dunne RIP
St. Columba’s			Private Intentions
Wed 18 Sep
St. Theresa’s			Bridgie-Ann
St. Columba’s	9.30am		Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
	10.15am		Novena Prayers
	10.30am		Kenneth Kilcoyne RIP
Thu 19 Sep
St. Theresa’s			The Delaney Family
St. Columba’s			Priests’ Intentions
Fri 20 Sep			Ss Andrew Kim TaegOn, P, Paul ChOng Ha-sang & Companions mem
St. Theresa’s	10.00am		Eileen Connolly RIP
St. Columba’s			Parishioners’ Intentions
Sat 21 Sep
St. Theresa’s	5.00pm		Parishioners’ Intentions
St. Columba’s	6.30pm		Bukowski Family
Sun22 Sep
St. Theresa’s	9.30am		Maureen Ann Richards RIP
St. Columba’s	11.00am		Michael Benton RIP

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

POPE’S PRAYER INTENTIONS For September:
For the cry of the Earth. We pray that each one of us will hear and take to heart the cry of the Earth and of victims of natural disasters and climactic change, and that all will undertake to personally care for the world in which we live. 

LIVE STREAMING OF MASS:
Mass will be streamed from St Columba’s at 11am this Sunday 15^th  September 2024.
www.facebook.com/thecatholicparishofstcolumbaandsttheresa

ANNUAL MASS ATTENDANCE:
The first annual Mass attendance will take place this weekend, (the number of people attending Mass are counted)   This is the figure that is used for the Parish Pastoral Statistics form.

EVANGELII GAUDIUM SUNDAY: 15^th SEPTEMBER
This used to be called Home Mission Sunday and is to support the work of the Bishop’s Conference Department of Evangelisation and Discipleship. A Second collection will take place THIS WEEKEND, 14th/15th September. Please put any donations in the baskets provided.

HAVE YOU BEEN AFFECTED BY CANCER?
TODAY, 15 September at 3pm, there will be an Ecumenical Service named “Pause for Hope” at St Columba’s Church. The service is for anyone who has been affected in any way by cancer. You are most welcome to come for yourself or just to give support to the event. Please invite anyone you know who may benefit from this. There is a poster in the Church porch.

RECENTLY DECEASED
Please remember in your prayers Sheila Ring who died recently, and also her family and friends.  Sheila’s Requiem Mass is at St Theresa’s on 3^rd October at 11am.

ANNIVERSARIES:
John Michael Gaine, Janet Marie Heath Jones, Joan Margaret Woods, Kenneth Kilcoyne, Jim Mason & Angela Christine Woodworth.

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

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

PARISH OFFERTORY:
Loose Plate: £494.80; Planned Giving £205.50; Average weekly SO £735.00; Candles £76.42. Many thanks for your generous support.

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

ST COLUMBA’S COFFEE ROTA:
The coffee rota is on the noticeboard in St Columba’s Hall. Please enter your name and good cause against your preferred dates. You could make £30-£50 for your chosen cause.
15 Sept – volunteers please
22 Sept – Marg Curtis & Barbara Chapstick for Fish & Chip babies
29 Sept – volunteers please

SUCCESSFUL CAKE SALE FOR THE ALTAR SERVERS
Coffee and tea at St Columba’s on 8 Sept was to support the Altar Servers. Richard would like to say a massive thank you to all  who brought cakes and helped on the day – we made £150 to help take the Altar team out for a treat. 

JUBILEE FLOWERS:
Many thanks to Dutton & Hallmark (Undertakers) for their very generous donation of flowers to decorate St. Columba’s Church for our celebration this week-end.

“THE TRIUMPH OF THE CROSS”:
This is the theme for the next Churches Together in Upton Fifth Sunday Service to be held at St. Columba’s at 4.30p.m. on Sunday 29^th September.  Further details to follow.  Put the date in your diary.

PARISH YOUTH GROUP:
Our parish youth group will meet on Monday 16th September, starting at 7pm in the Iona chapel and finishing at 8.30pm in St.Columba’s Church hall. All parishioners in school year 5, or older are very welcome to come along and join our happy group, learn a bit about our faith, play games, do activities, and generally have fun, snacks provided. If you need a lift, or more information, please call Denise Lusk (01244 379742)

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 St Columba’s Hall on Wednesday evenings in term time from 5pm to 6pm.The classes will begin on Wednesday 25th 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 ring Pauline Payne on 01244 350323 or email pauline.payne4@btinternet.com

CONFIRMATION GROUP:
Please pray for all who are preparing to be confirmed in November, and for those who are preparing them.

FISH & CHIP BABY GARMENT DISPLAY AND WOOL SALE
After 11:00 Mass on 22nd, Barbara and Margaret will have a table showing examples of some of the garment and will be selling wool, patterns and projects. Please do support this wonderful cause.  For more information about this project, please see the website. 

ST THERESA’S FEAST DAY – FLOWERS:
If anyone would like to give towards flowers for the feast day please put your donation in an envelope marked St Theresa’s flowers and place it in the offertory basket.  Thank you.

ADOREMUS:
There will be Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament on Sunday 22  September at 2pm at St Theresa’s as asked by the Bishops of England and Wales, who are inviting all Parishes to have a period of Exposition to unite the faithful of the country in focusing on the Eucharist in anticipation of the Jubilee Year with renewed and deepened devotion.

THE WORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES has designated the week from Sept 14th – 21st to pray for  Palestine and Israel. It is suggested that you set aside a time each day,  light a candle and pray for peace – prayer sheets are available in the church porches.

THE CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL OPEN EVENING:
 Thursday 19^th September 6-8pm. No booking needed. Interactive demonstrations, canteen tastings, live sports action, meet & greet our students and staff. All welcome! Old Wrexham Road, Handbridge. CH4 7HS.

SEASON OF CREATION -The season of creation – This is a global ecumenical celebration of prayer and action to protect our common home. It started on 1 September and finishes on the feast of St Francis, 4 October. During this season we are encouraged to pray and engage in community events in order to deepen our relationship with our God, our neighbour and the earth we share.  When we work together with Creation, the first fruits of hope can emerge.

THE RELIC OF BLESSED CARLO ACUTIS will be visiting the St Anthony’s, Wythenshawe, between 20 and 23 September 2023.  This remarkable teenager was a gamer and computer programmer who loved football, with a gift for empathy, a great devotion to Our Lady and a deep love of the Holy Eucharist which he described  as his ‘highway to heaven’. The visit to the Diocese is a very special opportunity to spend time in prayer venerating the Relic of Blessed Carlo Acutis. Confessions will be available, and Mass will be celebrated on each of the days. There will also be inspirational talks on Saturday and Sunday from Monsignor Anthony Figueirdo, STD, who has followed the life of the soon to be Saint Carlo Acutis.  Registration for veneration is now open and can be found at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/relic-of-blessed-carlo-acutis-tickets-1010291297467?aff=ebdssbdestsearch

RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS (RCIA):
It is proposed to reconvene the parish RCIA group in September. If you are thinking about seeking to become a Roman Catholic, or  to be received into in full communion with the Roman Catholic Church, and would like to join the group to look into this, please contact Fr William or Deacon Lawrence for further details.

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

HARVEST THANKSGIVING MASS
Next Sunday 22 Sept we will be having our Harvest Thanksgiving Mass at 11.00am. If you would like to bring harvest gifts to that Mass there will be a table in the hall after Mass for the sale of any fruit, vegetables  or preserves, with  proceeds going to CAFOD. Gifts can be left there before or after Mass. There will also be boxes in the front and back porches if you would like to donate non-perishable tinned or packet food. That will go to the local foodbank to help build up their stocks for the winter. Thank you very much. As we give thanks for our own harvest, we will also be thinking of people in developing countries whose harvests may have failed. CAFOD Harvest Fast Day is on Friday 4 October and envelopes will be available next weekend.

SVP MINI RETREAT AND RETIRING COLLECTION
There will be a mini retreat 10.30-12.30 on Saturday 28 September to which all parishioners are warmly invited regardless of whether you are a member of the St Vincent de Society or not. The retreat will begin with morning prayer followed by thoughts on Synod and mission, “Lectio Divina” and some reflective hymns. If you would be interested to join us please contact Mark Traynor marktraynor96@gmail.com.

Also, the feast of St Vincent de Paul falls on the 27 September and so in recognition of this there will be a retiring collection at both churches the weekend of the 28/29 September to support the work our SVP does on behalf of the parish.

60 GLORIOUS YEARS OF ST COLUMBA’S:
Thank you to those who came along and celebrated or who helped in any way.

CHESTER LADIES CHOIR will be having a general knowledge quiz evening at St Columba’s hall on Friday evening 12.10.24 @ 7pm. Tables of up to 6 welcome. Cost per entrance £3. Please bring your own drinks and nibbles. All welcome.

ST. COLUMBA CHIDREN CHOIR RECUITMENT:
If you like singing, learning something new, find new friends, and use your talent to praise the Lord,  you can join the little choir of St Columba. 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 18:45 for one hours and we play for the community every first Sunday of the month (school term only).  Mass and practise are in St Columba 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 07728948946 or the director of the choir Mark 07752 317772. 

WORKS IN THE PRESBYTERY:
The underpinning work to deal with the cracks in the presbytery has been put back to the 16^th September. There will be no disruption to church services but there will be a skip outside and vans will be parked on the car park during the week.

ZUMBATHON:
Zumbathon in aid of Hopeful Ugandan Hearts: Saturday 28th September from 10:30am to 12:30pm at St Columba’s Church Hall. Come and have fun and raise funds for the children at Home of Peace and Christ’s Heart Home Orphanage.Feel free to dress up to the occasion. £10 Adults, £5 Children 6+. And Raffle with great prices.  For tickets contact Lina Greig 07837512544 or email linamahigduran@hotmail.com 

SHREWSBURY LOURDES HOSPITALITY AGM will be held at St Columba’s Church (Newman Room), Plas Newton Lane, Chester, CH2 1SA on Saturday 28 September at 2pm. All members of the Hospitality are invited to attend. Please forward any items to be discussed under AOB to secretary@teamshrewsbury.co.uk by Saturday 14th September.

NEW TO THE PARISH:
Could new parishoners,please complete a Parish Registration Form and send to either parish office to let us know that you are here and enable us to welcome you to the parish. The form can be completed and submitted online or downloaded and printed out. Instructions are on the form, which can also be found in the front porches of both churches. You will find it on the Our Parish tab, under Welcome (side option Welcome).

NEXT WEEK’S NEWSLETTER:       15 September edition will be compiled by Muriel Green, Phone: 01244 383836 or email: muriel.green1@btinternet.com. Please include a phone number in case of queries, and please ensure that items are also emailed to Fr William or phoned to the compiler by 9.00a.m. on WEDNESDAY 11 September 2024

TWENTY THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

8 September 2024

Sat 7 Sep
St. Theresa’s	5.00pm		Parishioners’ Intentions
St. Columba’s	6.30pm		Mark Hughes RIP
Sun 8 Sep
St. Theresa’s	9.30am		Chris Steele RIP
St. Columba’s	11.00am		Frank Brady RIP, Maureen Richards RIP
Mon 9 Sep
St. Theresa’s			Private Intentions
St. Columba’s	10.30am		Rita Carolan
Tue 10 Sep
St. Theresa’s			Michael Dunne RIP
St. Columba’s			Private Intention
Wed 11 Sep
St. Theresa’s			Bridgie-Ann
St. Columba’s	9.30am		Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
	10.15am		Novena Prayers
	10.30am		John Thurwell RIP
Thu 12 Sep
St. Theresa’s			The Delaney Family
St. Columba’s			Priests’ Intentions
Fri 13 Sep			St. John Chrysostom, F, D. Mem.
St. Theresa’s	10.00am		Eileen Connolly RIP
St. Columba’s			The Parish
Sat 14 Sep
St. Theresa’s	5.00pm		Parishioners’ Intentions
St. Columba’s	6.30pm		John Driscoll RIP
Sun 15 Sep
St. Theresa’s	9.30am		Maureen Ann Richards RIP/td>
St. Columba’s	11.00am		Kenneth Kilcoyne RIP

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

POPE’S PRAYER INTENTIONS:
For September – For the cry of the Earth. We pray that each one of us will hear and take to heart the cry of the Earth and of victims of natural disasters and climactic change, and that all will undertake to personally care for the world in which we live. 

ANNIVERSARIES:
Kathleen Joy Borg, Kathleen Teresa Baxter, John Michael Gaine, Janet Marie Heath Jones, Brian Francis Kelly

EVANGELII GAUDIUM SUNDAY:
This used to be called Home Mission Sunday and is to support the work of the Bishop’s Conference Department of Evangelisation and Discipleship. A second collection will take place 14th/15th September. Please put any donations in the baskets provided.

CONFESSIONS:
There will be Confessions after each weekday Mass until 11.30a.m.
St Columba’s: From 6p.m. before the 6.30p.m. Sat. 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. 

LIVE STREAMING OF MASS:
Mass will be streamed from St Theresa’s at 9.30am. this Sunday 8^th  September 2024.
www.facebook.com/thecatholicparishofstcolumbaandsttheresa

PARISH OFFERTORY:
Loose Plate: £706.65; Planned Giving £313.25; Average weekly SO £735.00; Candles £76.42. Many thanks for your generous support.

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.

RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS (RCIA):
It is proposed to reconvene the parish RCIA group in September. If you are thinking about seeking to become a Roman Catholic, or  to be received into in full communion with the Roman Catholic Church, and would like to join the group to look into this, please contact Fr William or Deacon Lawrence for further details.

ST COLUMBA’S COFFEE ROTA:
The coffee rota is on the noticeboard in St Columba’s Hall. Please enter your name and good cause against your preferred dates. You could make £30-£50 for your chosen cause.
   8^th Sept – Richard Curtis for Altar Server’s Annual Outing
15^th Sept – volunteers please
22nd Sept – Marg Curtis & Barbara Chapstick for Fish & Chip babies

JUBILEE FLOWERS:
Many thanks to Dutton & Hallmark (Undertakers) for their very generous donation of flowers to decorate St. Columba’s Church for our celebration this week-end.

“THE TRIUMPH OF THE CROSS”:
This is the theme for the next Churches Together in Upton Fifth Sunday Service to be held at St. Columba’s at 4.30p.m. on Sunday 29^th September.  Further details to follow.  Put the date in your diary.

PARISH YOUTH GROUP:
Our parish youth group will meet on Monday 16th September, starting at 7pm in the Iona chapel and finishing at 8.30pm in St.Columba’s Church hall. All parishioners in school year 5, or older are very welcome to come along and join our happy group, learn a bit about our faith, play games, do activities, and generally have fun, snacks provided. If you need a lift, or more information, please call Denise Lusk (01244 379742)

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 St Columba’s Hall on Wednesday evenings in term time from 5pm to 6pm.The classes will begin on Wednesday 25th 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 ring Pauline Payne on 01244 350323 or email pauline.payne4@btinternet.com

CONFIRMATION GROUP:
Please pray for all who are preparing to be confirmed in November , and for those who are preparing them.

FISH & CHIP BABY GARMENT DISPLAY AND WOOL SALE:
After 11:00 Mass on 22nd, Barbara and Margaret will have a table showing examples of some of the garments and will be selling wool, patterns and projects. Please do support this wonderful cause. 

HAVE YOU BEEN AFFECTED BY CANCER?
On 15 th September at 3pm, there will be an Ecumenical Service named “Pause for Hope” at St Columba’s Church. The service is for anyone who has been affected in any way by cancer. You are most welcome to come for yourself or just to give support to the event. Please invite anyone you know who may benefit from this. There is a poster in the Church porch.

NEW TO THE PARISH:
Could new parishoners,please complete a Parish Registration Form and send to either parish office to let us know that you are here and enable us to welcome you to the parish. The form can be completed and submitted online or downloaded and printed out. Instructions are on the form, which can also be found in the front porches of both churches. You will find it on the Our Parish tab, under Welcome (side option Welcome).

60 GLORIOUS YEARS OF ST COLUMBA’S:
The 11a.m. Mass on Sunday 8^th September will be to celebrate 60 years since the foundation stone was laid at St. Columba’s. After Mass there will be the usual coffee and cake in the Hall together with photos and info of events over the past 60 years. Please come and share your memories.

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK:
“Peace is the only battle worth waging” Albert Camus

ANNUAL MASS ATTENDANCE:
Over the last two weeks in September and the first two weeks of October, the annual Mass attendance will take place,(the number of people attending Mass are counted)   This is the figure that is used for the Parish Pastoral Statistics form.

FAIRTRADE AND CHIFUNDO UK:
Fashion show, fair trade stalls, refreshments, sustainable clothing and products on sale.  Saturday 14 September 3pm  St Columba’s Church hall.  Tickets £4.00, U18s £2.00(including refreshments). For tickets speak to Anne Mosquera (01244 340243). Tickets available on the door too. 

ST THERESA’S FEAST DAY – FLOWERS:
If anyone would like to give towards flowers for the feast day please put your donation in an envelope marked St Theresa’s flowers and place it in the offertory basket.  Thank you.

WORKS IN THE PRESBYTERY:
The underpinning work to deal with the cracks in the presbytery is due to start on the 9^th September. There will be no disruption to church services but there will be a skip outside and vans will be parked on the car park during the week.

ADOREMUS:
There will be Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament on Sunday 22^ND September at 2pm at St Theresa’s as asked by the Bishops of England and Wales, who are inviting all Parishes to have a period of Exposition to unite the faithful of the country in focusing on the Eucharist in anticipation of the Jubilee Year with renewed and deepened devotion.

ST. COLUMBA CHIlDREN CHOIR RECUITMENT:
If you like singing, learning something new, find new friends, and use your talent to praise the Lord,  you can join the little choir of St Columba. 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 18:45 for one hours and we play for the community every first Sunday of the month (school term only).  Mass and practise are in St Columba 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 07728948946 or the director of the choir Mark 07752 317772. 

ZUMBATHON:
Zumbathon in aid of Hopeful Ugandan Hearts: Saturday 28th September from 10:30am to 12:30pm at St Columba’s Church Hall. Come and have fun and raise funds for the children at Home of Peace and Christ’s Heart Home Orphanage.Feel free to dress up to the occasion. £10 Adults, £5 Children 6+. And Raffle with great prices.  For tickets contact Lina Greig 07837512544 or email linamahigduran@hotmail.com 

BEST WISHES – Wishing all our students, teachers and all staff involved in our schools and colleges all the very best for the new school term. May this new school / college year be a good one for you all.

SEASON OF CREATION -The season of creation – This is a global ecumenical celebration of prayer and action to protect our common home. It started on 1 September and finishes on the feast of St Francis, 4 October. During this season we are encouraged to pray and engage in community events in order to deepen our relationship with our God, our neighbour and the earth we share.  When we work together with Creation, the first fruits of hope can emerge.

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

NEXT WEEK’S NEWSLETTER:    15th September edition will be compiled by Eileen Irwin, phone: 01244 371660 or email: st.theresas@btinternet.com. Please include a phone number in case of queries, and please ensure that items are also emailed to Fr William or phoned to the compiler by 9.00a.m. on WEDNESDAY 11  September 2024

TWENTY SECOND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

1 September 2024

Sat 31 Aug
St. Theresa’s	5.00pm		Parishioners’ Intentions
St. Columba’s	6.30pm		Parishioners’ Intentions
Sun 1 Sep
St. Theresa’s	9.30am		Peter Lane RIP
St. Columba’s	11.00am		Peter and Anna O’Callaghan
Mon 2 Sep
St. Theresa’s			Priests’ Intentions
St. Columba’s	10.30am		Stuart Worrall RIP
Tue 3 Sep			St Gregory the Great, Pp, D.
St. Theresa’s			Private Intentions
St. Columba’s			Joseph Francis
Wed 4 Sep
St. Theresa’s			Special Intentions
St. Columba’s	9.30am		Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
	10.15am		Novena Prayers
	10.30am		Rosemary McRoberts
Thu 5 Sep
St. Theresa’s			Private Intentions
St. Columba’s			Priests’ Intentions
Fri 6 Sep
St. Theresa’s	10.00am		Anita Chalender RIP
St. Columba’s			The Parish
Sat 7 Sep
St. Theresa’s	5.00pm		Parishioners’ Intentions
St. Columba’s	6.30pm		Mark Hughes RIP
Sun 8 Sep
St. Theresa’s	9.30am		Chris Steele RIP
St. Columba’s	11.00am		Frank Brady RIP, Maureen Richards RIP

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

LIVE STREAMING OF MASS:
Mass will be streamed from St Theresa’s at 9.30am. this Sunday 1^st September 2024.
www.facebook.com/thecatholicparishofstcolumbaandsttheresa

POPE’S PRAYER INTENTIONS:
For September – For the cry of the Earth. We pray that each one of us will hear and take to heart the cry of the Earth and of victims of natural disasters and climactic change, and that all will undertake to personally care for the world in which we live. 

ANNIVERSARIES:
Peter Lane, Jessie Teresa Andrews, Winifred McGlown, James Donnelly, Kathleen Joy Borg, John Albert Hodkinson

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: £517.05; Planned Giving £199; Average weekly SO £735.00; Candles £76.42. Many thanks for your generous support.

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: The Catholic High School, Upton High School, Blacon High School, Queens Park 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.

RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS (RCIA):
It is proposed to reconvene the parish RCIA group in September. If you are thinking about seeking to become a Roman Catholic, or  to be received into in full communion with the Roman Catholic Church, and would like to join the group to look into this, please contact Fr William or Deacon Lawrence for further details.

ST COLUMBA’S COFFEE ROTA
The coffee rota is on the noticeboard in St Columba’s Hall. Please enter your name and good cause against your preferred dates. You could make £30-£50 for your chosen cause.
01 Sept – volunteers please
08 Sept – Richard Curtis for Altar Server’s Annual Outing
15 Sept – volunteers please

“THE TRIUMPH OF THE CROSS”:
This is the theme for the next Churches Together in Upton Fifth Sunday Service to be held at St. Columba’s at 4.30p.m. on Sunday 29^th September.  Further details to follow.  Put the date in your diary.

PARISH YOUTH GROUP:
Our parish youth group will meet on Monday 16th September, starting at 7pm in the Iona chapel and finishing at 8.30pm in St.Columba’s Church hall. All parishioners in school year 5, or older are very welcome to come along and join our happy group, learn a bit about our faith, play games, do activities, and generally have fun, snacks provided. If you need a lift, or more information, please call Denise Lusk (01244 379742)

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 St Columba’s Hall on Wednesday evenings in term time from 5pm to 6pm.The classes will begin on Wednesday 25th 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 ring Pauline Payne on 01244 350323 or email pauline.payne4@btinternet.com

HAVE YOU BEEN AFFECTED BY CANCER?
On 15 th September at 3pm, there will be an Ecumenical Service named “Pause for Hope” at St Columba’s Church. The service is for anyone who has been affected in any way by cancer. The choir of St Joseph’s Church will be there to lead singing. You are most welcome to come for yourself or just to give support to the event.Please invite anyone you know who may benefit from this. There is a poster in the Church porch.

THE COMMUNICATIONS GROUP:
One of the outcomes of our parish consultation on the Synod two years ago, was the development of the Welcome to our Parish group. This group has now widened its brief to become the Communications Group. As we looked at ways to welcome newcomers to our parish community, we found ourselves reflecting on the ways that the Parish presents itself: through the notice boards, the newsletter, the website and many other forms of communication. With the approval of Fr William and the Pastoral Council, we now have a wider remit and will be reporting to the Pastoral Council on progress.

We still have work to do and some aims may be more long term. In the spirit of good communications, you are most welcome to send any thoughts you may have for the group’s consideration. Please send in an envelope to the Parish offices for the attention of the Communications Group or to the parish offices’ email addresses on the website. Thank you

Lyn Coyle, Chair

If you are NEW TO THE PARISH, you are asked to complete a Parish Registration Form and send to either parish office to let us know that you are here and enable us to welcome you to the parish. The form can be completed and submitted online or downloaded and printed out. Instructions are on the form, which can also be found in the front porches of both churches. You will find it on the Our Parish tab, under Welcome (side option Welcome). Thank you.

Lyn Coyle, Communications Group

60 GLORIOUS YEARS OF ST COLUMBA’S:
The 11a.m. Mass on Sunday 8^th September will be to celebrate 60 years since the foundation stone was laid at St. Columba’s. After Mass there will be the usual coffee and cake in the Hall together with photos and info of events over the past 60 years.
Please come and share your memories.

ANNUAL MASS ATTENDANCE:
Over the last two weeks in September and the first two weeks of October, the annual Mass attendance will take place (the number of people attending Mass are counted).   This is the figure that is used for the Parish Pastoral Statistics form.

ACCOMMODATION WANTED:
Family of one of our parishioners is searching for a place to rent to relocate to be near daughter. It is for a father only, of 49 years old. Could be a studio or a room. If anyone have any information or recommendations, please send it to parish administrator.

FISH & CHIP BABY GARMENT KNITTING UPDATE:
Please see poster in the porches of St Columba’s and St Theresa’s showing the numbers of fantastic contributions made up to August. Thank you everyone and please keep it up!

FAIRTRADE AND CHIFUNDO UK:
Fashion show, fair trade stalls, refreshments, sustainable clothing and products on sale.  Saturday 14 September 3pm  St Columba’s Church hall.  Tickets £4.00, U18s £2.00(including refreshments). For tickets speak to Anne Mosquera (01244 340243). Tickets available on the door too. 

ST THERESA’S FEAST DAY – FLOWERS:
If anyone would like to give towards flowers for the feast day please put your donation in an envelope marked St Theresa’s flowers and place it in the offertory basket.  Thank you.

WORKS IN THE PRESBYTERY:
The underpinning work to deal with the cracks in the presbytery is due to start on the 9^th September and will take approximately 8 weeks.  There will be no disruption to church services.  Most of the work will take place outside, so there will be a skip outside and vans will be parked on the car park during the week.

ADOREMUS – EXPOSITION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT:
There will be Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament on Sunday 15^th September at 2pm at St Theresa’s as asked by the Bishops of England and Wales, who are inviting all Parishes to have a period of Exposition to unite the faithful of the country in focusing on the Eucharist in anticipation of the Jubilee Year with renewed and deepened devotion.

GARDEN CHAIRS WANTED:
We are after garden chairs for the Peace Garden. If anyone has any they no longer want please contact St Theresa’s office with your name and telephone number.

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

THE SPIRITANS VACANCY:
The Spiritans (Holy Ghost Fathers) are looking to employ an Office Administrator with a background in finance and accounting to work in their Administration Office at Chester.  Working days are Mondays to Thursdays from 9am to 5pm daily.  Please send your application to:- Provincial Bursar, 60 Hoole Road. Chester. CH2 3NL, Email provincialbursar@spiritans.co.uk

MEDJUGORJE IRISH CENTRE PILGRIMAGES APRIL – OCT 2024:
7 Nights Apartment B&B from €273 per person sharing. Airport transfer available on request. Contact us for details and book the dates that suit you. Tel. 020 3239 8662 or website www.med-irishcentre.com

FOODBANK NEEDS – you can download a free app for your mobile phone or computer which shows you what your local foodbank needs urgently, the app is ‘bankthefood’. Food currently needed in West Cheshire is coffee, cup a soup, long life juice, rice, tinned meat meals, tinned puddings, tinned tomatoes. 

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK:
“Take the first step in faith.You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.” —Martin Luther King Jr.

NEWSLETTER:
If anyone has an item they would like put in the newsletter please send it to St Theresa’s office for the attention of Fr William.

NEXT WEEK’S NEWSLETTER: 8th September edition will be compiled by Alison Wrigglesworth, phone: 01244 382457 or email: a.wrigglesworth@outlook.com. Please include a phone number in case of queries, and please ensure that items are emailed or phoned to the compiler by 9.00a.m. on WEDNESDAY4TH  September 2024