The month of April is dedicated to The Holy Spirit
SECOND SUNDAY OF EASTER
Sunday 12 April 2026
| Saturday 11th April-Saturday of the Easter Octave | ||
| St Theresa’s | 5.00pm | Margaret Collins RIP |
| St Columba’s | 6.30pm | Private Intention (A & LP) |
| Sunday 12th April – Second Sunday of Easter | ||
| St Theresa’s | 9.30a.m. | Pepe Magaway RIP |
| St Columba’s | 11.00a.m. | David Tyrell RIP |
| 2.00p.m. | Kerala Catholic Community Mass in Syro-Malabar Rite | |
| Monday 13th April | ||
| St Theresa’s | Parishioners’ Intentions | |
| St Columba’s | 10.30a.m. | Christiano Alsina da Silva |
| Tuesday 14th April | ||
| St Theresa’s | Priests’ Intentions | |
| St Columba’s | Ivo Jakubowicz Chudy | |
| Wednesday 15th April | ||
| St Theresa’s | Joao Alsina Junior | |
| St Columba’s | 9.30a.m. | Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament |
| 10.15a.m. | Novena Prayers | |
| 10.30a.m. | Jo Staunton | |
| Thursday 16th April | ||
| St Theresa’s | Mirtes Fonseca | |
| St Columba’s | Szymanski Family | |
| Friday 17th April | ||
| St Theresa’s | 10.00a.m. | John & Debbie Dwyer’s Intentions |
| St Columba’s | The Parish | |
| Saturday 18th April | ||
| St Theresa’s | 9.30am | Malankara Jacobite Syriac Community |
| 5.00 p.m. | Rod, Josie, David & Gillian’s Intentions | |
| St Columba’s | 6.30pm. | Victor Silveira Yamagata |
| Sunday 19th April – Third Sunday of Easter | ||
| St Theresa’s | 9.30a.m. | Parishioners’ Intentions |
| St Columba’s | 11.00a.m. | Anne Lucas RIP |
| 2.00p.m. | Kerala Catholic Community Mass in Syro-Malabar Rite | |
| 4.30pm | Adoration of The Blessed Sacrament | |
LIVE STREAMING OF MASS – Mass will be streamed at St Theresa’s on Sunday 12 & 19 April at 9.30 a.m.
ANNIVERSARIES – Margaret Mary Collins, David Joseph Keegan & Angela Crowe.
POPES PRAYER INTENTION FOR APRIL – FOR PRIESTS IN CRISIS. Let us pray for priests going through moments of crisis in their vocation, that they may find the accompaniment they need and that communities may support them with understanding and prayer.
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: £562.48; Planned Giving: £215.77; Average weekly SO £718.15. (St Columba’s) Dona Stations: £120; Candles: £46.25. Easter Flowers £104.28. Thank you for your kind generosity.
EASTER – Fr William and Fr John would like to thank everyone for your cards and good wishes, it is very much appreciated.
FR WILLIAM – Thursday is Fr William’s day off so please try not to arrange meetings on a Thursday if you would like Fr William to attend.
PRAYING TOGETHER FOR –
- The residents of Essex Road, Deva Lane, Walnut Close, Palmerstone Close, Meadowside Mews, Highcliffe Avenue & Sherwood Road.
- For the Libraries, Pavilion & recreational areas in our community.
- For all adults and children that they will be safe as they enjoy leisure time.
ADORATION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT – This will take place at St Columba’s on Sunday 19 April at 4.30pm. All welcome.
LEPRA – Today 475 people will be diagnosed with leprosy, more than 25 of those will be children. Leprosy is a disease that affects the nerve endings and feet and can affect the blink reflex. For further information go to lepra.org.uk. There will be a retiring collection at all Masses over the weekend of 18/19 April.
KIDS EAT FREE (or for £1) – some may need adult spend – https://moneysavingcentral.co.uk/kids-eat-free
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.
12 Apr – volunteers please
19 Apr – volunteers please
26 Apr – Catholic Women’s League
GIFT AID ENVELOPES 2026/2027 – The gift aid envelopes for the new tax year are now available for collection and can be found at the back of the church. There are a small number of un-named boxes also available. If you would like to start using the envelopes, please take a box and contact Kevin Keegan either by email or text message with details of your name and address, the box number and indicate if you are a taxpayer or not. Email: k1bfb@hotmail.com Text: 07790758008
SUGGESTION BOXES- It was agreed at the parish AGM last year that: “a parishioners’ suggestion box be made available at each church and parishioners encouraged to use them”. These have now been placed in the entrances to each church- apologies for the delay in their installation. There is a pen and paper attached to each which we hope will encourage you to use them. They offer you an easy means of making suggestions for improvements which can help us all as a parish. Ann McCarthy, Pauline Rourke (co-chairs Pastoral Council)
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK – “The astonishing event of the resurrection of Jesus is essentially an event of love: The Fathers love in handing over His Son for the salvation of the world; the Son’s love in abandoning Himself to the Father’s will for us all; the Spirits love in raising Jesus from the dead in His transfigured body.” Pope Benedict XVI
CHESTER PARISHES CONFIRMATION – Bishop Mark Davies will celebrate the next Chester Catholic Parishes Sacrament of Confirmation on 11 November 2026 at St. Columba’s Church. This year the preparation program for parishioners from all Chester Catholic Parishes will be led by St. Columba and St. Theresa’s Confirmation preparation team. Anyone currently at high school, or older may prepare to be Confirmed. For youth candidates, to register, parents please email stcolumbatheresaconfirmation@hotmail.co.uk. Please include your child’s current school year. Adult candidates, please speak to Fr William first and then email the above email address to join the separate adult preparation group. There will be an information meeting about Confirmation preparation in mid-June, details to be announced nearer the time.
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. Tickets £3.00 (or donation) will be on sale from 24 April. Proceeds to parish funds. There will be a list for anyone needing a lift from St Theresa’s nearer the time.
A THANK YOU TO ST COLUMBA’S RED MISSION BOX HOLDERS – St Columba’s parishioners have been thanked by Missio for your kind donations totalling £841.93 in 2025. Please see the poster in the front porch.
VOCATION OF MARRIAGE AND FAMILY – There will be a Diocesan Marriage & Family Life Ministry (MFL) Retreat with presentations on the Mission of Marriage, a Reflection on the Book of Tobit and Holy Mass at Midday, on 18 April 2026 from 9.30p.m. to 4.00p.m., St. John Vianney Parish Hall, St Wilfrid’s Church, Witton Street Northwich Cheshire, CW9 5NP. Please Register with Monika Golembiewskaon 07549 226794 or email: monika.golembiewska@dioceseofshrewsbury.org
MISA EN ESPAñOL UNA VEZ AL MES! – Fr Patrick from St Clare’s Church, Downsfield Rd. Chester. CH4 8HH will begin celebrating a Monthly Mass in Spanish..
First Mass: Saturday 18th April at 4p.m.
If you want further information, please contact Lina Greig: 07837512544.
CALLED TO LOVE – A retreat for singles, dating and engaged young adults who want to think more deeply about relationships and the call to marriage. A relaxed weekend on 2 – 3 May 2026 at the Christian Heritage Centre, Stonyhurst, Clitheroe BB7 9PZ. This year’s retreat will have as its theme masculinity and femininity. For registration visit: https://christianheritagecentre.com/events/called-to-love/
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
SHREWSBURY LOURDES HOSPITALITY – will be holding our first 2026 Hospitality Members Focus Group on Tuesday 21 April, at 7pm. This will be open to any Hospitality members, even if you haven’t attended previous Focus Groups. We will be encouraged to review the commitments made last year to improve our way of working with each other. We are also delighted that Fr Sean Henry, Chaplain to the Hospitality, will join us. This will take place at St Columba’s, Plas Newton Lane, Chester CH2 1PL. Please confirm your attendance by emailing secretary@teamshrewsbury.co.uk.
VACANCIES -Two vacancies have arisen within the Shrewsbury Youth Mission Team for a Programme Coordinator and Youth Mission Team Member. Further details regarding both posts can be found on the Diocesan Website. https://www.dioceseofshrewsbury.org/latest-vacancies/ Interested parties should send their CV and covering letter to Pauline McCulloch recruitment@dioceseofshrewsbury.org Closing date Friday 29 April 2026.
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 19 April to be compiled by Paula Bownas, phone: 01244 379794, email:paulabownas@yahoo.co.uk. Deadline: 9.00a.m. Wednesday 15 April.
Please include a contact number with your notice. Also email a copy to Fr. William at st.theresas@btinternet.com