The Catholic Parish of St Columba and St Theresa, Chester

Serving the Chester Community

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Saturday 6.30pm
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Saturday 5.00pm
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You are here: Home / Uncategorised / Newsletter 1 October 2023

Newsletter 1 October 2023

30 September 2023 By amos

TWENTY SIXTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

1ST OCTOBER  2023

Sat 30 Sep Third Annual Count
St. Theresa’s 5.00pm Parishioners’ Intentions
St. Columba’s 6.30pm John Hayden RIP
       
Sun 1 Oct St Theresa’s Feast Day – 3rd Annual Count
St. Theresa’s 9.30am Keith Evans RIP
St. Columba’s 11.00am Mary & Jim Davies. Ann.
       
Mon 2 Oct Guardian Angels Mem
St. Theresa’s Private Intention
St. Columba’s 10.30am Charles Stewart Lupton
       
Tue 3 Oct
St. Theresa’s Special Intention
St. Columba’s Jim Mason RIP
       
Wed 4 Oct St Francis of Assisi Mem
St. Theresa’s 9.30am Priest’s Intention
St. Columba’s 9.30am Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
10.15am Novena Prayer
10.30am Kenneth Kilcoyne RIP
       
Thu 5 Oct St Maria Faustina Kowalska. Mem
St. Theresa’s St Theresa’s School
St. Columba’s Priests’ Intentions
7.00pm Ken Kilcoyne’s Body will be received in Church
       
Fri 6 Oct
St. Theresa’s 10.00am Geraldine Booth’s Intentions
St. Columba’s 2.00pm Requiem Kenneth Kilcoyne
       
Sat 7 Oct Our Lady of the Rosary
St. Theresa’s 5.00pm Charles Woods RIP
St. Columba’s 6.30pm Sheila Judson RIP
       
Sun 8 Oct
St. Theresa’s 9.30am James Casey RIP
St. Columba’s 11.00am The Parish

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 11.000a.m. this Sunday 1st October 2023.
www.facebook.com/thecatholicparishofstcolumbaandsttheresa

POPE’S PRAYER INTENTIONS: For people living on the margins.
Let us pray for those people on the margins of society in subhuman living conditions, that they may not be neglected by institutions and never be cast out.

RECENTLY DECEASED:
Please remember in your prayers Kenneth Kilcoyne and Jim Mason who died recently. May The Lord console their families and friends. Kenneth’s body will be received into Church at 7.00p.m. on Thursday 5th October. His Requiem will take place at St Columba’s Church on Friday 6th October at 2.00 p.m. and he will be received into Church at 7.00 p.m. on Thursday 5th October.  Jim’s Funeral Service will take place at Holy Ascension Church, Upton on Friday 6th October at 10.30a.m.

ANNIVERSARIES:
Howard Jefferson Sherman, Barbara Fry, Martin Connolly, Kathy Dempsey, Kenneth Kilcoyne, Jim Mason, Frank Stone, Eric John Hocking, Elizabeth Rogerson, Elsie Maguire and Mary Dorothy Groom.

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 11.30am,
St Columba’s: From 6pm before the 6.30pm Saturday evening Mass.
St Theresa’s: From 4.30pm before 5pm Saturday evening Mass.

OFFERTORY:
St Columba’s: (17/24/10/23) Loose plate £605/26; Planned Giving £259.50; Average Weekly SO – £574.00; Candles£60.68;
St Theresa’s: Loose plate & Planned Giving £226.72 ; Average weekly SO – £161.00.
THANK YOU for all your generous support.

PRAYING TOGETHER:
We pray for:

  • Pray for the residents of Lumley Road, Demage Lane, Willow Close, Cotes Place, Bridgeman Road, Stubbs Place, South Way.
  • For our senior schools: Upton High School, The Catholic High School and Bishops High School. For all teachers especially those working in RE departments.
  • For all young people attending these schools, especially those from our congregations.

Please keep Parishioner Berl Williams in our prayers, that she be granted strength and comfort in her illness.

ST COLUMBA’S COFFEE ROTA:
1st Oct – volunteers please
8th Oct – Rippon family for Camps International, humanitarian collaboration
15th Oct – volunteers please
Why not donate a little time to make tea and coffee after 11:00 Mass on Sunday?  You can make some money for your favourite charity, too. Call Margaret Curtis 01244 318424 to book your date(s).

PARISH PASTORAL PLAN DEVELOPED FROM PARISH SYNOD CONSULTATION:
Pope Francis’ Synodal Message:

“By growing together in Communion, the people of God deepen their Participation in the life of the Church and so become more effective Missionary disciples in the world”.

Following on from the Synod responses last year and the subsequent implementation of the Parish Action plan, your Pastoral Council has been considering how the parish can be even more inclusive, engaging and outgoing – all topics raised by parishioners. In order to do this we need a lot more people to be actively involved – to deepen their participation in the life of the church- and we need financial support.

On the weekend of 30th September/1st October, Eileen Irwin and Colin Hedley will speak at Masses about how you can further support the parish financially.

As regards volunteering – your Pastoral Council has identified a whole range of areas which need your support, clarified what they are and how much time they demand. We are now asking all of you to consider how you might be able to volunteer.

On the weekends of 15th and 22nd October, co-chairs of the Pastoral Council, Pauline Rourke and Ann McCarthy will be speaking at Masses with details of how you can get involved.

NEWS FROM THE WIDER CATHOLIC WORLD : ST THERESA OF LISIEUX:
The Pope is to publish a letter on St Theresa on 15 October to mark the 150th anniversary of her birth. He said St Theresa lived ‘devoted to God, forgetting about herself, loving and consoling Jesus, and interceding for the salvation of all’. St Theresa’s Jubilee Year ends on 7th January 2024.                                                                                                  

CT UPTON FIFTH SUNDAY SERVICE:
This will be held on the theme of “the Two Saints Way” at Holy Ascension Church at 4.30 p.m. on Sunday 29th October.

FIRST COMMUNION PREPARATION CLASSES:
These classes begin this Wednesday 4th October from 5pm to 6pm in the church hall and are for children who come to St Columba’s or St Theresa’s churches but do not attend a Catholic Primary School. 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 please ring Pauline Payne on 01244 350323 or email pauline.payne4@btinternet.com

RED MISSION BOXES, ST COLUMBA’S
If you have a Red Mission box for collection, please leave it in the sacristy. When counted I can return your box to your home. Thank you, Margaret Curtis 01244 318424.

CELEBRATION OF MARRIED LIFE:
On Saturday 14th October 2023 a diocesan celebration of married life will be held at St Columba’s Church at 12noon. All welcome but those who are celebrating a significant Wedding Anniversary (Silver, Ruby, Golden, Diamond) and newly married couples especially so; if they wish to receive a personal invitation from Bishop Mark, they should  send their names, addresses and Anniversary being celebrated to Theresa Stones at  curia@dioceseofshrewsbury.org by Friday 29 September. 

PARISH FINANCES-GIFT AID APPEAL:
Following the Gift Aid appeal anyone wishing to take advantage of Gift Aid can pick up a form as you leave the church. This can be completed as you leave or be completed and returned to church later in the ballot style boxes that will be available. Alternatively the completed forms can be sent directly to the Diocesan office at the address shown on the form.
Anyone wishing to set up a Standing Order can also obtain a form which can be completed and returned to your bank.

CAFOD FAMILY FAST DAY APPEAL: Harvest collection at Masses this week.
Dr Nasha’s mobile medical clinic gets life-saving help to where it’s needed most, fast – so when her team arrived in Meera’s village in Pakistan after it had been destroyed by flooding, Meera rushed to the clinic to get her children the treatment they needed. See the poster at the front of St Theresa’s and in the front porch at St Columba’s for more details and photographs. Donate to CAFOD today so that more families can get the expert help they need. Please use the envelopes in church or give online at cafod.org.uk

VACANCY ST COLUMBA’S OFFICE: ACCOUNTS CLERK:
There is a vacancy in the parish office for a very part time accounts clerk – half a day a month, morning, afternoon or evening – essentially to input our financial data which is held as paper copy on to the diocesan computer system. As the papers should stay on site the work would be carried out in the Newman Room. Some book keeping or similar experience would be helpful but is not essential as training will be provided by the diocese. For details of salary and further information please speak to Fr William, Colin Hedley or Pauline Rourke.

PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL MEETING:
Your Pastoral Council met in St Theresa’s on Monday 11th Sept. Reports were received prior to the meeting from each of the sub-groups and any matters arising discussed. The reports can be viewed on the website. The main focus of the meeting was consideration and planning of the forthcoming “recruitment of volunteers” strategy which will take place on the weekends of 14/15th Oct and 21st/22nd Oct.  Ann McCarthy

FEAST OF ST THERESA:
Thanks to those who have donated towards flowers to decorate the church, it is much appreciated.  There will be cake with tea and coffee in the club after the 9.30am Mass at St Theresa’s.  All welcome.

SYCAMORE WEBINAR 
A webinar about the Sycamore, a tool for evangelisation in parishes, will take place on Thursday 5th October at 7pm. Clare Dancaster and Natalie Orefice will provide the story of Sycamore, introducing the pathways, how to get started, a walkthrough of resources and support and training. This is an opportunity to discover how to use Sycamore in your parish. For more information or if you have any questions, please email: natalie.orefice@dioceseofshrewsbury.org telephone: 07730 526826 or to register: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/x/sycamore-webinar[1]tickets-676609335737. Online Event Page | Eventbrite

WEEKEND RETREAT, HOLYWELL 27-29TH OCT:
To explore Mary Mother of the Word In Sacred Scripture. Poster giving more details in church Poarch or contact: Barbara Davies Tel: 07450 252 733, e-mail: barbara.davies@dioceseofshrewsbury.org

CT UPTON ANNUAL QUIZ EVENING:
To be held on Friday 27th October in the Hall at 7 p.m.
See poster on the Notice Board for more details.

PRISONERS’ SUNDAY – 8th OCT:
Prisoners Week is 8-14 October. Sunday 8 October is a National Day of Prayer  and Action for prisoners and families.  This is an important opportunity for us all to direct our thoughts and prayers to the needs of prisoners and their families, and those who work to support our brothers and sisters affected by the criminal justice system.

HIGHLIGHT FROM THE HIGH:
 Over 30 students have signed up to complete the Faith in Action Award 2023/2024. This number is growing year by year, a clear sign of commitment from the students to their faith by showing love and service to their neighbours. Five students are working to achieve the Silver Award, which involves completing 20 credits in school and 15 credits in the local community. Good luck to all the students taking part!

CATHOLIC CERTIFICATE IN RELIGIOUS STUDIES:
The diocesan Catholic Certificate in Religious Studies (CCRS) will resume this month, with both an online course or daytime classes in Wythenshawe.  Details are at: www.educationshrewsbury.org/formation-development/ccrs or enquiries to ccrs@diocseofshrewsbury.org

RESOURCES:
Check out the Cheshire West and Chester libraries site on https://www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/news/library-events-to-celebrate-the-past-present-and-future-of-cheshire-west-and-chester-this-international-day-of-older-people International Day of Older Persons, Sunday 1st October. Drop in events at libraries between Monday 2 and Friday 6 October.  Blacon Library from noon to 3pm on 4 October. The events will feature photographs and maps of each area through the years for residents to look at over tea, coffee and cake.
In Upton, The Heath Youth Club has started, open Fridays during term time 6.30-8.30 at Upton URC, 44 Heath Road. For young people year 7 and above. 

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

FREE NEWSLETTER SUBSCRIPTION:
Do you want an electronic version of the newsletter? If so, subscribe via our web page on  https://sscolumbaandtheresa.co.uk/  Front page bottom right – subscribe button. 

NEXT WEEK’S NEWSLETTER:
8th October edition will be compiled by Muriel Green, phone: 01244 383836, email: muriel.green1@btinternet.com
Please include a phone number in case of queries, and -lease ensure that items are emailed or phoned to the compiler by 9.00a.m. on WEDNESDAY 4th October

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