The month of May is dedicated to The Blessed Virgin Mary
SIXTH SUNDAY OF EASTER
10 MAY 2026
| Saturday 9 May | ||
| St Theresa’s | 5.00pm | Maureen & Michael Cheston’s Intentions |
| St Columba’s | 6.30pm | Keith Skinner RIP |
| Sunday 10 May – Sixth Sunday of Easter | ||
| St Theresa’s | 9.30am | Tom Groom RIP |
| St Columba’s | 11.00am | Parishioners’ Intentions |
| 2.00pm | Kerala Catholic Community Mass in Syro-Malabar Rite | |
| Monday 11 May | ||
| St Theresa’s | Parishioners’ Intentions | |
| St Columba’s | 10.30am | Mary Ryan |
| Tuesday 12 May | ||
| St Theresa’s | Priests’ Intentions | |
| St Columba’s | Parishioners’ Intentions | |
| Wednesday 13 May | ||
| St Theresa’s | Private Intention | |
| St Columba’s | 7.00pm | The Ascension of the Lord. Vigil Mass. Parishioners’ Intentions |
| Thursday 14 May | ||
| St Theresa’s | 10.00am | The Ascension of the Lord. Solemnity Sr Eileen O’Connor |
| St Columba’s | 12.00pm | Funeral Service of Patricia Watson at Crematiorium |
| Friday 15 May | ||
| St Theresa’s | 10.00am | Thanksgiving |
| St Columba’s | The Parish | |
| Saturday 16 May | ||
| St Theresa’s | 5.00pm | Parishioners’ Intentions |
| St Columba’s | 6.30pm | Keith Skinner RIP |
| Sunday 17 May – 7th Sunday of Easter. Day of Special Prayer for World Communications | ||
| St Theresa’s | 9.30am | Eileen Mapp’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 10 May at 9.30a.m.
RECENTLY DECEASED – Please remember in your prayers Patricia Watson, who died recently, and her family and friends. Funeral Service for Patricia is on Thursday 14 May at 12 noon at Chester Crematorium.
ANNIVERSARIES – Mary Suzanne Roberts and Denzel Gordon.
POPES PRAYER INTENTION FOR MAY – THAT EVERYONE MIGHT HAVE FOOD. Let us pray that everyone, from large producers to small consumers, be committed to avoid wasting food, and to ensure that everyone has access to quality food.
CONFESSIONS – After each weekday Mass until 11.30am.
Saturdays:
St Columba’s 6.00p.m. – 6.25p.m.
St Theresa’s 4.30p.m. – 4.55p.m.
WEDDINGS, BAPTISMS & FUNERALS – Please contact one of the Parish Offices to make your arrangements.
CHILDREN’S LITURGY – The Children’s Liturgy normally happens at the 11a.m. service at St Columba’s on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of each month. See the parish website under the Family tab.
PARISH OFFERTORY – Loose Plate: £730.33; Planned Giving: £395.24; Average weekly SO £718.15. (St Columba’s) Dona Stations: £70; Candles: £36.80. Thank you for your kind generosity.
FR WILLIAM – Please remember that Thursday is Fr William’s day off.
PRAYING TOGETHER FOR
- The residents of Churchward Close, The Wien, Mickle Trafford,
- Bowyer’s Close, Ashfield Crescent, Glenside Close, and Longdale Drive.
- The doctors and nurses and all who work in the NHS
- The hospital in this area: The Countess and Wirral and West Cheshire Trust.
- The patients and those who are addicted to drugs or alcohol, or who are mentally ill. Also for those we know at this time who are ill.
- We pray for all those involved in the Countess of Chester Hospitals’ Chaplaincy.
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK – “Those who don’t believe in magic will never find it.” Roald Dahl
SCHOOL MASS – ST COLUMBA’S – There will be a school Mass at St Columba’s for year 1 and 2 on Tuesday 12 May at 10am. All parishioners are welcome to join in.
MESSAGE FROM DEACON LAWRENCE – As the 24th Anniversary of my ordination to the Diaconate approaches, 6th July, Eileen and I have agreed that it will be an appropriate time for my retirement from active ministry. We thank all who have supported this ministry over the years, and give thanks to God for the many blessings received, which have made possible any good that might have been achieved. Please keep us in your prayers.
THE ASCENSION OF THE LORD – 14 MAY – The Ascension is a Holy Day of Obligation. The Vigil Mass will be at 7pm at St Columba’s on Wednesday 13 May, Mass on Thursday 14 May will be at St Theresa’s at 10am.
Please note that as there is Mass at St Columba’s at 7pm there will not be the usual morning Mass, Exposition or Novena Prayers that day.
SPIRITAN APPEAL – 23/24 MAY – The annual Spiritan Appeal will take place at all Masses over the weekend of 23/24 May. It is a time for us to show our appreciation to the Spiritan Community and the work they do.
PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING – A big thank you to all who attended and many thanks to the Council members for all their hard work.
ST COLUMBA’S COFFEE ROTA – We need volunteers every Sunday after 11:00 Mass. To raise money for your good cause, please put your details on the sheet and let Margaret Curtis know on 01244 318424 or marg.curtis@outlook.com
10 May – volunteers please
17 May – Hopeful Ugandan Hearts, Lina Greig
24 May – volunteers please
RE-INTRODUCTION OF HOLY COMMUNION UNDER BOTH KINDS – It is hoped to re-introduce this in the near future. To be able to do this we will need more Extra Ordinary Ministers of the Eucharist, particularly at St Theresa’s Saturday evening 5pm Mass and St Columba’s for both Masses. If you feel you can take on this role please contact one of the parish offices or Fr William. Training will be given. Thank you.
FIRST HOLY COMMUNIONS – At St Columba’s and St. Theresa’s- This Sunday we have our second family celebrations of First Holy Communions. At St. Columba’s the central benches will be reserved for the children and their immediate families. We welcome you all and pray for and congratulate these children: Elizabeth, Evelyn, Aoife Summer, Lawrie. Ray. Liam, Zena, Francisco, Samuel, Ewan and Eleanora.
CONFIRMATION TRAINING – If you are high school age, or older, and wish to prepare to be Confirmed at the next Chester Parishes celebration of Confirmation, on 11 November ’26, for young people – parents please register by emailing stcolumbatheresaconfirmation@hotmail.co.uk . Please include your child’s date of birth and school year. This year the preparation programme for parishioners from all Chester Catholic Parishes will be led by St. Columba and St. Theresa’s Confirmation preparation team at St. Columba’s church. Adults wishing to prepare to be Confirmed please speak to Fr William, or email Father at st.theresas@btinternet.com.
The Confirmation preparation information meeting for youth candidates and their parents will be on Monday 8th June, starting 7pm, in St. Columba’s church. If you are not sure about being Confirmed, you are welcome to come and find out more about the preparation.
DATE FOR YOUR DIARY – The Parish “We’ve Got Talent” event – an evening of entertainment by our very own parishioners – Friday 15 May at 7pm in St Columba’s church hall. Not to be missed.
First half – parishioners performing. Break for sandwiches, tea/coffee. Second half – sing-a-long. Tickets £3.00 (minimum donation) from Ann McCarthy, Sue Carr or parish offices and all proceeds are for parish funds. Bring your own alcohol. Please buy your tickets (£3) in advance for catering purposes. There is a list for anyone needing a lift from St Theresa’s in the church porch. If you can offer a lift, please contact St Theresa’s Office.
FRIENDSHIP THURSDAY 14 May Special guest – This coming Thursday, we are lucky to have a speaker from the group of accredited Chester City Guides. What they know about Chester is fascinating and Isobel Robertson is coming to tell us about Women of Chester, which promises to be very interesting. This group is for anyone so invite friends or neighbours who would like an afternoon in company over coffee, tea and biscuits from 2-4 pm in the parish hall. We ask for £2 per head for expenses. We look forward to seeing you. Lyn Coyle
DIOCESAN LOURDES PILGRIMAGE 2026 – The Pilgrimage Team are very pleased to announce that bookings are now open for our 2026, 75th Anniversary Pilgrimage to Lourdes. By coach 30 July to 7 August and by air 31 July to 6 August. Brochures can be found on the pilgrimage website along with a link to the new online booking system: www.shrewsburypilgrimage.co.uk
2025/2026 ST THERESA’S ACCOUNTS – A shortened version of St Theresa’s accounts are on the noticeboard. If anyone wants any further explanation of the figures please contact St Theresa’s office.
BOOK SALES – ST WERBURGH’S – To celebrate 150 years of St, Werburgh’s Church, Chester, being opened, the parishioners have produced a book describing the history of the church/parish over the last 150 years. Copies of the book will be on sale at the end of mass on the following dates. Price £7 per copy – cost price.
St. Columba – Sat and Sun 6 and 7 June.
St. Theresa – Sat and Sun 13 and 14 June.
We are sure that you will enjoy this book about the roots of Catholicism in Chester and recommend it to former parishioners. (St. Werburgh’s History Group)
CHESTER HALF MARATHON – Sunday 17 May – Please note that access to St. Theresa’s on this day will be limited due to the closure of the roundabout by Aldi.
LOURDES HOSPITALITY GROUP – Shrewsbury Lourdes Hospitality are holding a day of reflection on Saturday 23rd May at Shrewsbury Cathedral Chapter House. The day will include reflections from Father Sean Henry and Dr Kieran Moriarty. There will also be Mass and Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament . All Hospitality members and their guests are welcome to attend.
Please confirm your attendance to secretary@teamshrewsbury.co.uk
RESOURCES – EASY EVANGELISATION – www.IsItTrue.net is a new website designed to encourage people to consider joining the Catholic faith. Please consider sharing it with family and friends.
CATHOLIC FAMILY HOLIDAYS IN THE LAKE DISTRICT- Castlerigg Manor in Keswick (heart of the Lake District) is offering budget-friendly holidays for Catholic families during May, August, and early September. Breakfast and evening meal are included and there will be Mass on site. Guests have full use of the site including the grounds, games room, chapel, and lounges, and Castlerigg is just a short walk from Keswick and Lake Derwentwater. Ideal for individuals, couples, families, or groups of friends. Head to www.castleriggmanor.com >> stay with us or contact director@castleriggmanor.co.uk / Tel: 017687 72711
YOUTH MINISTRY GAP YEAR OPPORTUNITY – Do you know anyone aged 18-25 who is looking for a new challenge? The Diocese of Lancaster has a Youth Ministry team based in Keswick in the Lake District. They run retreats at Castlerigg Manor and also work in Churches and schools around the area. The ‘Youth Ministry Internship’ scheme comes with high quality training, experience, and recognised qualifications and gives young people the chance to join a welcoming community and a vibrant team doing some amazing work.
Interested? Contact director@castleriggmanor.co.uk orwww.castleriggmanor.com >> join the team
ST COLUMBA’S CHURCH & HALL BOOKINGS – To book the Church, Newman Room, or Iona Chapel, contact Magdalena Bukowska at the Church Office 01244 624019, email stcolumbaschurch2016@outlook.com. Office hours Mon-Fri 9a.m. to 2.00p.m.
To check Hall availability, visit the Church Hall calendar on the St Columba’s website, then contact Magdalena during office hours or email: columbashallbookings@gmail.com
NEXT WEEK’S NEWSLETTER – Sunday 10 May to be compiled by Muriel Green, phone: 01244 383836, email: muriel.green@btinternet.com. Deadline: 9.00a.m. Wednesday 13 May
Please include a contact number with your notice. Also email a copy to Fr. William at st.theresas@btinternet.com