The month of October is dedicated to the Holy Rosary
TWENTY EIGHTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
11 OCTOBER 2026
| Sat 10 Oct | |
| St. Theresa’s | 5.00pm Dorothy Groom RIP |
| St. Columba’s | 6.30pm Terry Whatmough |
| Sun 11 Oct | – 28th Sunday in Ord. Time. Day of Special Prayer for Prisoners and Their Dependants |
| St. Theresa’s | 9.30am Parishioners’ Intentions |
| St. Columba’s | 11.00am Niall Sullivan RIP (SH) |
| 2.00pm Kerala Catholic Community Mass in Syro-Malabar Rite | |
| Mon 12 Oct | |
| St. Theresa’s | Priests’ Intentions |
| St. Columba’s | 10.30am Peter Graham |
| Tue 13 Oct | |
| St. Theresa’s | All Married Couples |
| St. Columba’s | 6.30pm Frank Stone Sr Anniv. |
| Wed 14 Oct | |
| St. Theresa’s | Special Intentions |
| St. Columba’s | 9.30am Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament |
| 10.15am Novena Prayers | |
| 10.30am Leotina Williams RIP | |
| Thu 15 Oct | – St Theresa of Avila, V.D. Mem. |
| St. Theresa’s | Private Intentions |
| St. Columba’s | The Elwell Family |
| Fri 16 Oct | |
| St. Theresa’s | 10.00am John Murphy RIP |
| St. Columba’s | The Parish |
| Sat 17 Oct | |
| St. Theresa’s | 5.00pm Lionel William Steele RIP |
| St. Columba’s | 6.30pm Margaret Patino Pan (CJ) |
| Sun 18 Oct | – 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time. Day of Special Prayer for World Missions |
| St. Theresa’s | 9.30am Parishioners’ Intentions |
| St. Columba’s | 11.00am Delia Hesketh |
| 2.00pm Kerala Catholic Community Mass in Syro-Malabar Rite |
LIVE STREAMING OF MASS – Mass will be streamed at St Theresa’s on Sunday 11 October at 9.30a.m.
RECENTLY DECEASED – Fr John Kirwan, Mill Hill Father whose work in the Democratic Republic of Congo was supported for many years by our Parish. Please also remember in your prayers, Kate Hughes, and her family and friends. Kate’s funeral will take place at St Clare’s on Wednesday 21 October at 12 noon.
ANNIVERSARIES – Yvonne Rose, Lionel William Steele, Linda Hallam, Margaret Rose Lannin, Bridget (Delia) Hesketh, Peter John Walker
WELCOME– We welcome Fr Josephat Ezeanlue CSSp as assistant Parish Priest. We hope he settles in soon and enjoys his time with us.
CONFESSIONS – After each weekday Mass until 11.30a.m.
On 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.
CHANGES TO BAPTISM ARRANGEMENTS – Baptisms will be carried out in groups on a Sunday designated by Fr William. Individual Baptisms are no longer offered. The next Baptism Sunday will be on 29 November at 12.30 pm, preceded by a meeting with parents on 24 November at 4.30 pm in the Newman Room. Baptism forms will be available in the front and back porches. Please submit the form to the Parish Office by 19 November. The following Baptism Sunday will be on 27 December at 12.30 pm. Parents’ Meeting: 21 December. Deadline for submission of the forms: 16 December.
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: £462.62; Planned Giving: £398.32; Average weekly SO £734.72. St Columba’s Dona Stations: £98; Candles £38.35. Mission Appeal £336.63 Thank you for your generosity.
SECOND COLLECTION– for World Mission Sunday on the weekend of 17th/18th October.
MASS COUNT – Will take place in both churches this weekend.
POPES PRAYER INTENTION FOR OCTOBER – For mental health ministry. Let us pray that the mental health ministry be established throughout the Church, helping to overcome the stigma and discrimination of persons with mental illnesses.
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK – “How beautifully leaves grow old…” — John Burroughs
PRAYING TOGETHER FOR –
- The residents of Old Mill Court, Mill Lane, Mill Close, Deans Close, Durham Road, Canterbury Road, Lichfield Road & Warwick Road.
- Those involved with the upkeep of our church buildings and church.
CONFIRMATION PRAYER REQUEST – Please pray for our young parishioners who are preparing to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation on 11 November.
PAT WILKINSON’S MEMORIAL SERVICE – will take place on Sunday 8 November at 11am. Family, friends and parishioners are warmly invited.
WORLD MISSION SUNDAY 18 OCTOBER – Next weekend, the Holy Father invites all Catholics to support Missio – his charity for world mission. This day of prayer, solidarity and giving unites Catholics worldwide to share the Good News of God’s love which has the power to transform lives and heal our world. There will be a retiring collection at all Masses over the weekend of 17/18 October for World Mission Sunday.
ST COLUMBA’S COFFEE ROTA – We need volunteers Every Sunday after 11:00 Mass. To volunteer, put your details on the sheet and let Margaret Curtis know on 01244 318424 or marg.curtis@outlook.com
11 Oct – Giovanna, Little Choir
18 Oct – volunteers please
25 Oct – volunteers please
CATHOLIC WOMEN’S LEAGUE – The Catholic women’s League will be holding their next meeting on Monday 12 October at 2pm at St Columba’s Church Hall. Our speaker Melanie Latham will be making homemade chutney, jam and marmalade using recipes handed down from her grandmother. .Her produce will be available to purchase at a reasonable price. We warmly invite all our parishioners and friends to join us at this fun event.
FAMILY FUN EVENING – 16 October, 7.00-9.00pm at St. Thresa’s Centre. FREE evening of Quizzes and games. If you need a lift, please put your name and contact details on the list in the front porch of St. Columba’s. Bar open and teas, coffees and juice available at the interval.
YOUTH GROUP – The youth group will meet on Monday 19 October, starting at 7pm in the Newman room and finishing at 8.30pm in St.Columba’s Church hall. All young parishioners school year 5 , or older are welcome and encouraged to join our happy group.
FRIENDSHIP THURSDAY on the third Thursday afternoon of every month from 2-4 pm. Our guest/ or activities till Christmas are:
15 October: a member of our own parish to speak to us on her experiences in the SVP (Society of St Vincent de Paul)
19 November: Fairtrade is coming to speak about their work and to sell all manner of Fairtrade items. Bring your purse and look out for cards, food and gift items for Christmas!
17 December: a chance to make a Christmas table decoration. A generous sponsor has offered to pay the costs so no charge will be made.
CTU QUIZ NIGHT! – CTU Quiz Night on Friday 30 October at 7pm. Teams of 6 to 8 players or come and join a team on the day. Bring your own drinks and glasses; table nibbles, interval hot drink, raffle. Admission £3 per person – all profits to the Hospice.
New to the parish? – Welcome. We hope you will enjoy being part of our parish. Please fill in a New Parishioner form (copies in the back and front porches and available on the website). Please give this in to the office at either church and arrangements will be made for someone to contact you for a friendly call to say Hello and welcome you personally.
WEBSITE GOOD NEWS – The difficulties with the website have at last been overcome, thanks to the hard work of Mike Forber, our website manager. With a helpful paid invoice from St Theresa’s, he was able to prove that an overdue upgrade had not been made. All is well and we shall spend time uploading new items.
ST.COLUMBA’S PARISH OFFICE HOURS – From Monday 19 October the Parish Office will be open 10.00 am – 1.00 pm, Monday to Friday. The Parish Secretary will continue to work from 9.00 am – 2.00 pm. We would be grateful if those wishing to visit or contact the Parish Office could, wherever possible, do so during the office opening hours. This will allow dedicated time within the working day for administration and other parish work. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
Pauline Rourke
ST WERBURGH’S & ST COLUMBA’S SCHOOL – We are looking for new foundation Governors to join our Governing Board. Becoming a foundation governor for a primary school in the Shrewsbury Diocese offers a unique opportunity to contribute to the spiritual and educational development of children. If you are interested in finding out more, please contact school via head@lovelearnlaugh.org.uk
CHS Christmas Fair and Grotto – The High School will once again be hosting its popular Christmas Fair and Grotto on Monday 14 December, from 3.30pm to 6.00pm, in support of the Christo Fidelis Fund. Entry is just £1 per person. If you would like to run a stall at the fair, tables are available to hire for £10. To reserve a table, please contact Sally Faulkner at faulkners@christofidelis.org.uk. We are also gratefully accepting donations for our raffle, including unwanted gifts, bottles, chocolates, and other suitable prizes. Donations can be dropped off at the school reception. We are extremely grateful for your continued support and look forward to welcoming you to this festive community event.
CHESTER THEOLOGICAL SOCIETY LECTURE – Working Beyond the Text: Historical Consultation on the Visual Presentation of Scripture, presented by Dr Katie Turner, King’s College London, at 7.30pm on Wednesday 28 October at Hollybank (Chester University Dept of Theology & Religious Studies).
CHRISTIAN HERITAGE CENTRE, STONYHURST – The Centre is offering three different opportunities for people to deepen their faith and prepare for an important new chapter.
RETREAT: BE STILL AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD – 20–23 November 2026 – Residential retreat exploring mindfulness, psychology and the Christian spiritual life. Find out more and book: https://christianheritagecentre.com/events/be-still-and-know-that-i-am-god/
MARRIAGE PREPARATION WEEKEND – 8–10 January 2027 – Residential Marriage Preparation Weekend offering time and space to explore the beauty of the Church’s teaching of the Sacrament of Matrimony. https://christianheritagecentre.com/events/marriage-preparation/
MEN’S RETREAT: SPIRITUAL EXERCISES OF ST IGNATIUS – 26 February – 3 March 2027 OR 5 – 10 March 2027 – A five-day silent retreat for men (laity and clergy), led by Benedictine monks from St Joseph’s Abbey, Flavigny. https://christianheritagecentre.com/events/mens-retreat-spiritual-exercises-of-st-ignatius/
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 9.00a.m. to 2.00p.m. Open 10.00a.m. – 1.00p.m. visit/contact.
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 11 October to be complied by Rebecca Vaughan, phone: 01244 318632, email: Rebecca_vghn@yahoo.co.uk. Deadline: Wednesday 14 October 9.00 A.M. Please include a contact number with your notice and also email a copy to Fr William at st.theresas@btinternet.com