EASTER WEEK THREE
14TH APRIL 2024
| Sat 13 Apr | |||
| St. Theresa’s | 5.00pm | Margaret Collins RIP | |
| St. Columba’s | 6.30pm | Gladys Campbell RIP | |
| Sun 14 Apr | |||
| St. Theresa’s | 9.30am | Jobi Baby | |
| St. Columba’s | 11.00am | The Parish | |
| Mon 15 Apr | |||
| St. Theresa’s | Parishioners’ Intentions | ||
| St. Columba’s | 10.30am | Ray Harrington | |
| Tue 16 Apr | |||
| St. Theresa’s | Priests’ Intentions | ||
| St. Columba’s | Priests’ Intentions | ||
| Wed 17 Apr | |||
| St. Theresa’s | Special Intentions | ||
| St. Columba’s | 9.30am | Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament | |
| 10.15am | Novena Prayers | ||
| 10.30am | Mary Kiernan RIP | ||
| Thu 18 Apr | |||
| St. Theresa’s | Terry Dobson RIP | ||
| St. Columba’s | Private Intentions | ||
| Fri 19 Apr | |||
| St. Theresa’s | 10.00am | Mary Scalley RIP | |
| St. Columba’s | Parishioners’ Intentions | ||
| Sat 20 Apr | |||
| St. Theresa’s | 5.00pm | Ruth O’Donnell RIP | |
| St. Columba’s | 6.30pm | The Parish | |
| Sun 21 Apr | |||
| St. Theresa’s | 9.30am | Parishioners’ Intentions | |
| St. Columba’s | 11.00am | Agnes Williams |
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.
POPE’S PRAYER INTENTIONS – For April – for the role of women – Let us pray that the dignity and worth of women be recognized in every culture, and for an end to the discrimination they face in various parts of the world.
LIVE STREAMING OF MASS:
Mass will be streamed from St Theresa’s at 9.30a.m. this Sunday 14th April 2024
www.facebook.com/thecatholicparishofstcolumbaandsttheresa
ANNIVERSARIES:
Angela Crowe, Daniel Joseph Keegan, James Rogerson, Mary Teresa Kiernan, James Rogerson, Sheila Ann Giloyle, William (Jimmy) Hinde.
CONFESSIONS:
There will be Confessions after each weekday Mass until 11.30a.m.
St Columba’s: From 6pm 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.
OFFERTORY:
St Columba’s: (24/03 & 31/03) Loose Plate £1475.72; Planned Giving £299.00; Average weekly SO £574.00; Candles £103.52; (07/04) Loose Plate £374.27; Planned Giving £246.00; Tea & Coffee £45.20; Clergy Educ.&Training Fund £20.00;
St Theresa’s: (24/03 & 31/03) Loose Plate £441.49; Planned Giving £202.44; SO £161.00.
Many thanks for your generous support.
ST COLUMBA’S COFFEE ROTA:
The coffee rota is on the noticeboard in St Columba’s Hall. Please enter your name and good cause against your preferred dates. You could make £30-£50 for your chosen cause.
14th April – Social Committee, for St Theresa’s sound system
21st April – Lina Greig for Hopeful Ugandan Hearts
28th April – volunteers please.
PRAYING TOGETHER
We pray for:
- The residents of Ethelda Drive, Dorfold Way, Sussex Road, Palmerstone Close, Meadowside Mews, Highcliffe Avenue and Sherwood Road.
- All who serve through the Anglican Diocese of Chester, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Shrewsbury and the United Reformed Church Mersey Synod.
- Our churches that they may be filled with the Holy Spirit.
MORE THANKS FROM DEACON LAWRENCE:
To my great surprise at the conclusion of Mass at St Theresa’s on Easter Friday, Fr William presented me with certification of a blessing from Pope Francis, which had been sought to mark my 80th birthday in January. So, my heartfelt thanks to Fr William and the parish (and the Holy Father!) for that kindness, much appreciated. The evidence is currently with the framers but an image will be posted on the parish website in due course, for anyone interested to see. Lawrence.
DIOCESAN MARRIAGE MASS:
The Annual Diocesan Marriage Mass will take place here at St Columba’s Church on Saturday 8th June 2024. If you have a special anniversary this year, please get in touch with the Diocese of Shrewsbury, Curial Offices, 2 Park Road South, Prenton, CH43 4UX or telephone 0151-652-9855. Many thanks.
CAFOD LENT APPEAL:
The final amount – £681.11. Thank you for your continued generosity.
CAFOD – CALL FOR A CEASEFIRE IN THE HOLY LAND:
Thousands of people have been killed across Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory as the region witnesses the deadliest days in recent history. CAFOD unequivocally condemns this shocking killing and kidnapping of civilians. But we know more violence is never the answer.
The scale of the Israeli government’s violent retaliation is causing more civilian deaths and injuries. The decision to withhold food, water and fuel from reaching the two million inhabitants of Gaza – half of whom are children – will inevitably lead to a humanitarian catastrophe. Will you email the Foreign Secretary to urge the UK to play its part in upholding international law, ensuring humanitarian aid can reach people in need, and works with other world leaders to secure a lasting peace for the region? Go to cafod.org.uk for more details of what to email. In addition we could all consider doing what we can personally to make our views known to those in authority, our MPs for instance. Copies of a CAFOD’s prayer for peace in Israel and Gaza are available in the church porches.
SOCIAL COMMITTEE:
The social committee wish to apologise for the change in plans for this Sunday, 14th April. Due to Easter commitments and volunteers’ holidays, it has not been possible to organise a full afternoon tea. Instead we will be providing delicious scones, jam and cream in St Columba’s church hall after the 11.00 am Mass (at a cost of ONLY £1.50) to raise funds for St Theresa’s sound system.
SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION:
The next Chester Parishes Sacrament of Confirmation will be on 8th November 2024. Preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation will be led by St. Columba and St. Theresa’s Confirmation team. Anyone who is currently at high school may be Confirmed, with no upper age limit. If you wish to be Confirmed please email stcolumbatheresaconfirmation@hotmail.co.uk to register and receive further information. Please say if you are over 18, as adults will be prepared separately. For more information, please call Denise Luck on 01244 379742.
YOUTH GROUP:
The next youth group meeting is this Monday, 15th April, at St Columba’s, starting 7p.m, finishing 8.30p.m. All young people who are in school year 5, or older are very welcome to come along.
PRAYER AND THE SPIRITUAL LIFE WORKSHOP:
Pope Francis has designated 2024 a Year of Prayer. He urges us to embrace prayer ‘as the royal road to holiness’. As part of your journey to deepen your prayer life, we invite you to access a workshop entitled Growth in Holiness: Prayer and the Spiritual Life offered to you freely by the Diocese of Shrewsbury, in conjunction with the Franciscan Catechetical Institute. Please see notice boards or visit this webpage for more information: https://www.dioceseofshrewsbury.org/growth-in-holiness-prayer-and-the-spiritual-life-workshop-offering-for-parishes/
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
Sunday 14th April (today) – Afternoon tea at St Columba’s to raise money towards a new sound system at St Theresa’s.
Sunday 9th June – Annual BBQ to celebrate the feast of St Columba.
Keep your eye on the newsletter and notice board for further information and any other dates of activities.
CONTINUING SUPPORT FOR THE NEWBORN IN AFRICA:
A request for unwanted sewing patterns for young children’s clothing, please. As part of our ongoing support for African children, we would like to make a variety of clothing for them, please arrange a handover with Margaret on 01244 318424.
MISSIO DONATIONS:
In 2023, St Columba’s parishioners donated £880.57 through Red Box donations, thank you very much!
RED BOXES (St Theresa’s):
The boxes are available at the back of Church for you to collect. Thank you for your donations.
CHURCHES TOGETHER IN UPTON:
The Annual Coach Outing will be held on Wednesday 29th May and will be to the church of Our Lady and St. Nicholas in Liverpool. See the Notice Boards for more details.
RESOURCES – MEMORY CAFE 2024:
A place for people with dementia, their families, friends and carers to come together and enjoy a cuppa in the unique setting of Chester Zoo. The Zoos friendly staff and volunteers will be on hand to have a chat and share the latest news from the zoo. Refreshments are available to purchase from Bembe Coffee Shop at the main entrance, which is free to access and has plenty of free parking. Time 10.30 am – 12pm. Dates for the rest f this year include 22 April, 13 May, 10 & 24 June, 8 July, 9 & 23 September, 14 & 28 October, 11 & 25 November and 9 December.
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK:
God loved us before he made us; and his love has never diminished and never shall.” – Julian of Norwich
THE CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL is looking for exam invigilators to support the exams from as soon as possible. If anyone is interested please visit the school website Vacancies – The Chester Catholic High School (christofidelis.org.uk) or email Mr Kilcoyne School Business Manager kilcoynea@christofidelis.org.uk for more details.
RIGHT TO LIFE (UK):
Ask your MP to support the abortion time limit reduction amendment
Support an amendment to reduce our abortion time limit from 24 weeks to 22 weeks. Research indicates that a significant number of babies born at 22 or 23 weeks can now survive outside the womb, leaving a contradiction in our abortion law. Take action: Collect a postcard today from the back of the church and post it to your MP urgently in support of this amendment! – Our MP is Samantha Dixon.
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. Office hours Monday to Friday 8.30a.m. to 12.30p.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 Sue Carr on 07553 114531 or email columbashallbookings@gmail.com to arrange booking.
NEXT WEEK’S NEWSLETTER:
21st April edition will be compiled by Harry Sweeney, phone: 01244 327462; or email: harrysweeney45@gmail.com. Please include a phone number in case of queries, and please ensure that items are emailed or phoned to the compiler by 9.00A.M. on THURSDAY 18TH APRIL 2024