The month of May is dedicated to Blessed Virgin Mary
FOURTH SUNDAY OF EASTER
11 MAY 2025
| Sat 10 May | |||
| St. Theresa’s | 5.00pm | William Baker RIP | |
| St. Columba’s | 6.30pm | John Black RIP | |
| Sun 11 May |
Fourth Sunday of Easter |
||
| St. Theresa’s | 9.30am | Parishioners’ Intentions | |
| St. Columba’s | 11.00am | Adam & Eddie Elwell | |
| 2.00pm | Kerala Catholic Community Mass in Syro-Malabar Rite | ||
| Mon 12 May | |||
| St. Theresa’s | Priests’ Intentions | ||
| St. Columba’s | 10.30am | Bertile Newton | |
| Tue 13 May | |||
| St. Theresa’s | Private Intentions | ||
| St. Columba’s | Parishioners’ Intentions | ||
| Wed 14 May | St Matthias, Ap. Feast. | ||
| St. Theresa’s | Tony & Robin Walsh | ||
| St. Columba’s | 9.30am | Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament | |
| 10.15am | Novena Prayers | ||
| St. Columba’s | 10.30am | Mike Craven RIP | |
| Thu 15 May | |||
| St. Theresa’s | Special Intentions | ||
| St. Columba’s | Priests’ Intentions | ||
| Fri 16 May | |||
| St. Theresa’s | 10.00am | Jessica Baker RIP | |
| St. Columba’s | The Parish | ||
| Sat 17 May | |||
| St. Theresa’s | 9.30am | Malankara Jacobite Syriac Orthodox Community Mass | |
| St. Theresa’s | 5.00pm | Joe Blundell RIP | |
| St. Columba’s | 6.30pm | Parishioners’ | |
| Sun 18 May | Fifth Sunday of Easter | ||
| St. Theresa’s | 9.30am | Parishioners’ Intentions | |
| St. Columba’s | 11.00am | Stuart Worral RIP Second Anniversary | |
| 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 at St Theresa’s on Sunday 11 May at 9.30a.m. Cover is needed at both churches for occasions when Tim is unavailable. 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 Edith Stockdale. Her funeral service will be held at St Francis Church on Tuesday 20 May at 11a.m.
ANNIVERSARIES
Mary Suzanne Roberts. Denzel Gordon, George O’Hanlon, Dr Bhaskara Rajan
POPE’S MAY PRAYER INTENTIONS
For working conditions. Let us pray through work, each person might find fulfilment, families might be sustained in dignity, and that society might be humanized.
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: £615.08; Planned Giving £517.55; Average weekly SO £718.15. Candles: £20.82.
PRAYING TOGETHER
Pray for:
- the residents of Churchward Close, The Wien, Mickle Trafford, Bowyer’s Close, Ashfield Crescent, Glenside Close, and Longdale Drive.
- For the hospitals in this area: the Countess and Wirral & West Cheshire Trust.
- For doctors and nurses and all who work in the NHS.
- For 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.
- for all those involved in the Countess of Chester Hospitals’ Chaplaincy.
FIRST HOLY COMMUNIONS – St Columba’s
Today we have our second family celebrations of First Holy Communions so the central benches will be reserved for the children and their families. We welcome you all and pray for and congratulate these children: Evie, Rose, Ambrose and Aoife.
SCHOOL NEWS
Please pray for the Year 6 children in St Theresa’s school and St Werburgh’s and St Columba’s school who are doing their SATs tests from 12 – 15 May.
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. But 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.
11 May – volunteers please
18 May – volunteers please
25 May – volunteers please
YOUTH GROUP
The next youth group meeting is tomorrow, Monday 12 May, starting 7pm in the Iona chapel and finishing at 8.30pm. All young parishioners, school year 5 and above are very welcome to join our happy group.
CTU OPEN CHURCH
On Saturday 17 May, you are invited to drop in to the Holy Ascension Church on Heath Road at any time between 2 and 4.30pm for a look around the church and to get to know our fellow Christians there. Anyone is welcome and it would be good to see some parishioners from St Columba’s to support CTU. It’s very informal with the welcome addition of cup of tea, coffee and cake.
REACHING THE UNREACHED
Fr Antony, the Director of RTU, is visiting the UK in May to commemorate the centenary of the birth of Brother James Kimpton, the RTU’s founder who grew up in Chester. He will be at the 10.45am Mass at St Werburgh’s, Chester on Sunday 18 May and will give a talk. You are invited to attend that Mass to hear and meet Fr Antony.
WORLD DAY OF PRAY FOR VOCATIONS 11 May
Have you considered exploring a vocation to the diocesan priesthood in imitation of Jesus the Good Shepherd? A first step might be to speak to your parish priest or contact the diocesan vocations director at vocationsdirector@dioceseofshrewsbury.org who can help you with discernment. We have a simple website www.Shrewsburyvocations.org where you can explore more. Further resources are available at www.ukvocation.org or www.ukpriest.org.
LOURDES HOSPITALITY
Following a very positive meeting held early April, where we explored the role of the Hospitality, you are invited to continue this reflection at a further meeting. We hope to build on the previous lively discussions and consider areas for further development. The meeting will take place on Wed 21 May at 7pm at St Columba’s, Plas Newton Lane, Chester CH2 1SA. Confirm your attendance at secretary@teamshrewsbury.co.uk
PLANNED GIVING ENVELOPES 2025/2026
If you would like to Gift Aid your donation please contact St Columba’s -Kevin Keegan on 07790 758008 or email klbfb@hotmail.com St Theresa’s Steve Parry on 07798 676633 or email steveparry98@yahoo.com
PEACE DOVES
A large-scale artwork at Chester Cathedral which invites you to reflect on the values of peace, unity, and harmony. Each dove carries a unique message, written by visitors, schoolchildren, and community groups, and together they form a breathtaking installation that offers a serene space for contemplation and hope. Bathed in gentle, evocative lighting and at times accompanied by an original score by David Harper, the exhibit transforms the venue into a sanctuary of quiet reflection. From: 2 May 2025 – 17 June 2025. No booking required.
Thought for the week
“Nothing is more difficult, and therefore more precious, than to be able to decide.” – Napoleon Bonaparte
HALF MARATHON – 18 MAY
The Chester Half Marathon is taking place on Sunday 18 May and some roads may be closed. If you usually come to St Theresa’s on a Sunday morning please check the route to see if your journey will be affected.
PARISH ART COMPETITION TO CELEBRATE THE JUBILEE YEAR
As part of our Parish celebrations for the Jubilee Year, we are inviting parishioners and their families, along with students from our local Catholic schools, to enter our art competition by creating a piece of artwork which is inspired by the Jubilee themes.
We have several age groups (4-6 years, 7-11, 12-14, 15-18 and 18+), each with cash prizes. The deadline for entries is Friday 27th June. Winning entries will be displayed at our Parish Pastoral Council AGM on Saturday 19 July. There are information sheets which may provide some inspiration for your entries available at both churches. We look forward to seeing your creativity so please do join in and support us in our celebrations of the Jubilee Year.
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.
ZUMBA MASTERCLASS IN AID OF “HOPEFUL UGANDAN HEARTS
On Saturday 17 May from 11am-1pm. £10 Adults and £5 Children 6+. Pay at the door.
We are raising funds to support two Orphanages in Uganda. Children need to remain in school and we are helping to pay for school fees, food and rent. Come and join me Zumba with Lina for two hours of Zumba fitness and FUN!!! As always, we’ll have a Raffle, expect great prizes. Any enquiries contact Lina Greig 07837512544.
VOCATIONS WEEKEND FOR WOMEN
(20s and 30s) – Discerning God’s Call in your life
23 – 25 May, Liverpool
The weekend is organised by the Sisters, Faithful Companions of Jesus (FCJ). Jesus invites each of us to ‘Come and See’ – this weekend will give the opportunity to explore the vocation to religious life and to reflect on God’s call to you. For more information contact Sr Lynne fcJ at fcjvocationeurope@gmail.com or visit our website www.fcjsisters.org. To register https://bit.ly/FCJVocationWeekend
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: youth2000.org/events/summerfestival2025.
TERMINALLY ILL ADULTS (END OF LIFE) BILL
Following the recent Pastoral letter relating to this Bill, to find out more and write to your MP visit www.livesworthliving.org.uk, and or pick up a leaflet from the back of church. Postcards can also be found at the back of church addressed to SPUC relating to a request to the PM to commit to long term reform of hospice and palliative care. Should you wish to contact your MP Samantha Dixon, her address is, House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA, her email address is Samantha.dixon.mp@parliament.uk . Her constituency office address is The Bluecoat, Upper Northgate St, Chester CH1 4EE. The Health Secretary, Wes Streeting can also be contacted at the above House of Commons address and email wes.streeting.mp@parliament.uk.
NEXT WEEK’S NEWSLETTER
Sunday 18 May edition will be compiled by Alison Wrigglesworth, phone: 07708 304246 or email: a.wrigglesworth@outlook.com. Please submit notices to the compiler by 9.00 a.m. on WEDNESDAY 14 May 2025. Please include a phone number in case of queries, and please ensure that notices are also emailed to Fr William.
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.