The month of March is dedicated to St Joseph
FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT
15 MARCH 2026
| Saturday 14 March | ||
| St Theresa’s | 5.00pm | Tony McHugh RIP |
| St Columba’s | 6.30pm | Margery Whatmough |
| Sunday 15 March –Fourth Sunday of Lent | ||
| St Theresa’s | 9.30am | Kazia Krawiec RIP |
| St Columba’s | 11.00am | Ron Williams RIP |
| 2.00pm | Kerala Catholic Community Mass in Syro-Malabar Rite | |
| Monday 16 March | ||
| St Theresa’s | Priests’ Intentions | |
| St Columba’s | 10.00am | Stations of the Cross |
| 10.30am | Aquiles Paras RIP | |
| Tuesday 17 March – St Patrick, B. Feast | ||
| St Theresa’s | McCreary Family | |
| 7.00pm | Reconciliation service | |
| St Columba’s | The Elwell Family | |
| Wednesday 18 March | ||
| St Theresa’s | Worral Family RIP | |
| St Columba’s | 9.30am | Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament |
| 10.15am | Novena Prayers | |
| 10.30am | Meg Lee RIP | |
| Thursday 19 March – St Joseph, Husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Solemn. | ||
| St Theresa’s | Eileen Mapp’s Intentions | |
| St Columba’s | Priests’ Intentions | |
| Friday 20 March | ||
| St Theresa’s | 9.30am | Stations of the Cross |
| 10.00am | Steele Family Intentions | |
| St Columba’s | The Parish | |
| Saturday 21 March | ||
| St Theresa’s | 9.30am | Malankara Jacobite Syriac Community |
| 5.00pm | Muriel & Jim Halligan RIP | |
| St Columba’s | 6.30pm | Patricia Duggan |
| Sunday 22 March – 5th Sunday of Lent | ||
| St Theresa’s | 9.30am | Margaret Parry RIP |
| St Columba’s | 11.00am | World Peace, God’s guidance and cover over our lives. |
| 2.00pm | Kerala Catholic Community Mass in Syro-Malabar Rite | |
LIVE STREAMING OF MASS – Mass will be streamed at St Theresa’s on Sunday 15 March at 9.30a.m.
RECENTLY DECEASED – Please remember in your prayers Mark Buggy, who died recently, and his family and friends. The Requiem Mass for Mark is on Monday 30 March at 11.45am. at St Theresa’s.
ANNIVERSARIES – Margaret Ellen Finnegan, John James Tully, Doreen Brenda Grainger, Jean Alice Hickman, Margaret Christine Steele.
POPE’S PRAYER INTENTION FOR MARCH – FOR DISARMAMENT AND PEACE. Let us pray that nations move toward effective disarmament, particularly nuclear disarmament, and that world leaders choose the path of dialogue and diplomacy instead of violence.
MOTHERS’ DAY – There are copies of a Mothers’ Day prayer available in St. Theresa’s porch for you to take home with you.
CONFESSIONS – After each weekday Mass until 11.30am.
Saturdays:
St Columba’s 6.00 – 6.25p.m.
St Theresa’s 4.30 – 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: £472.19; Planned Giving: £310.50; Average weekly SO £718.15. St Columba’s Dona Stations: £49.00. Candles: £43.75. Thank you for your kind generosity.
HOLY PLACES COLLECTION – Second collection the weekend of 3-4 April.
CONTACTLESS CARD DONATIONS TO CAFOD AT ST COLUMBA’S – For the next three weeks you can donate to the CAFOD appeal by tapping CAFOD on the Dona station at the rear of the church and Second Collection on the station at the front of church.
RECONCILIATION SERVICE – There will be a Reconciliation Service at St Theresa’s on Tuesday 17 March at 7pm.
MASS REQUESTS – If you would like to have a Mass said, especially on a particular day, please allow at least one month before the date when requesting mass. Requests can be made at the office or using an envelope. Thank you.
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.
NEWSLETTER – As well as sending to the editor, please send any items for the newsletter to St Theresa’s office email: st.theresas@btinternet.com for the attention of Fr William. Thank you.
PRAYING TOGETHER FOR:
- The residents of Kelvin Grove, Western Approach, Thirlmere Road, Blacon Avenue, Keats Terrace, Blacon Hall Road and Malvern Road.
- Greater compassion for those who feel marginalised in our society.
- A deeper unity between the churches
| RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS – THE SCRUTINIES – Fr William will conduct the Second Scrutiny with Adam Fitzpatrick at 11 am Mass this Sunday. Please keep Adam and all concerned in your prayers, in these final weeks of his preparation for Baptism. A copy of the Scrutiny is available with Newsletters. |
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK -‘What we have once enjoyed deeply we can never lose. All that we love deeply becomes a part of us.’ — Helen Keller
SUGGESTION BOXES – “A Parishioner’s Suggestion Box”, with attached pen and paper, is now available in the entrances to each church. If you have any questions, concerns or ideas and are unable to speak to Fr William please put them in the box with a contact number for a reply.
DAY OF RECOLLECTION FOR EXRAORDINARY MINISTERS OF THE EUCHARIST – Many thanks to those who came along to this last Sunday in the Newman Room, there was a good turnout.
HEALING & HOPE SERVICE – At St Werburgh’s church on 21 March at 2pm. The sacraments of reconciliation and anointing of the sick will be offered to those who wish to receive them. All are welcome. Refreshments will be served by members of the SVP at the end.
LENT GROUP, March 17 – Do join us in the Iona Chapel from 10.30a.m. for 30-40 minutes. We shall read and discuss the Parable of the Vine in the Gospel of John, trying to see how this applies to our lives. Anyone is welcome. Copies of the passage will be available. FFI Lyn 07735574397
CHURCHES TOGETHER IN UPTON – The next fifth Sunday service will be at Holy Ascension on Sunday March 29 at 4.30p.m. You are invited to join our friends from the other Upton churches in this short service based on “three unusual saints”. An opportunity to test your knowledge of possibly obscure saints. There will be refreshments in the kemp room after the service. A poster on the notice board gives more details.
EASTER VIGIL REHEARSAL – There will be a rehearsal for those assisting, including altar servers, in the Easter Vigil, at St Columba’s on Monday 30 March at 6.30pm.
ST COLUMBA’S COFFEE ROTA – See the rota on the noticeboard in St Columba’s Hall. We need volunteers every Sunday after 11:00 Mass, so if you would like 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
15 Mar – volunteers please
22 Mar – Lina Greig, Hopeful Ugandan Heart
29 Mar – Elizabeth Wilson, CWL
CHRISTIAN AID – Lent lunch from 12 noon-1.30 pm, 9 March in Wesley Methodist Church, St John Street, and 20 March in Hoole URC, Hoole Road.
ST COLUMBA’S RED MISSION BOX HOLDERS – There are three Red Mission boxes collections during the year: March, July and November. To have your box emptied, please leave it in the sacristy before the end of March, then pick up your empty, relabelled box from the rear porch.
Fish & Chip babies knitting project -There are photos showing the unpacking of your knitted garments by the recipients in East Africa on display in the front porch of St Columba’s. Thank you and keep knitting!
DIOCESAN MASS FOR MARRIAGE 2026 – Bishop Mark will be celebrating the Mass for Marriage on Saturday 13 June at 12 noon at Saint Columba’s. Mass will be followed by a buffet lunch for invited guests in the Parish Hall. All parishioners celebrating a significant marriage anniversary can apply for an invitation from the Bishop’s Office via their Parish Priest or Parish Administrator. Details required are your names, address, telephone number and which anniversary you are celebrating.
THE NATIONAL NOVENA TO ST JOSEPH – The Mill Hill Missionaries will hold their annual National Novena at St Joseph’s, Maidenhead from 10–18 March 2026. Mass times: 10.00a.m. daily,11.00a.m. on Sunday. Services will be streamed on YouTube and www.millhillmissionaries.com/novena Novena prayer booklets are available (donations £1). Petitions and booklet requests: novenamhm@gmail.com.
SCHOOL NEWS – both the Catholic High and St Werburgh’s and St Columba’s schools are taking part in the Big Lent Walk this year to raise money for CAFOD.
CAFOD FAST DAY REMINDER – Your donation can help families around the world grow food in difficult conditions – such as flood resistant floating gardens or using solar-powered water pumps in times of drought. Collect a CAFOD envelope and place in the collection baskets, donate online at CAFOD.org.uk/envelope, call 030303 30 30, use the QR code on the posters in the church porches or the Dona stations (in St Columba’s only).
Reflection on St Joseph: Husband of the Blessed Virgin, Guardian of Jesus, Pillar of Families – Join us for a Reflection on St Joseph from the Scriptures, the saints, popes and others all of which can help us understand the importance of devotion to him, especially within the vocation of marriage and for our families.
When: Feast of St Joseph Husband of the Blessed Virgin 19 March 2026
Where: Shrewsbury Cathedral Parish Room 7.00 pm – 9.00 pm
Speaker: Jane Deegan Director of Marriage and Family Life Vocation, Lay Spirituality and Prayer
BETROTHED – Shrewsbury Diocese will be running a sacramental marriage preparation course on 21 and 28 March 2026. The course runs over two consecutive Saturdays from 9.30 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. on each day atOur Lady and St Oswald’s Catholic Primary School, Upper Brook Street, Oswestry, Shropshire SY11 2TG.
Registration is essential. To register, contact Monika: monika.golembiewska@dioceseofshrewsbury.org
For more information, contact Jane Deegan: jane.deegan@dioceseofshrewsbury.org
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/
THE COMMUNITY OF OUR LADY OF WALSINGHAM – Seeks help to purchase a property to accommodate their growing community and further their mission for the re-evangelization of England. Any amount is greatly appreciated and the community assure you of their prayers. More information, as well as the option to donate online, can be found at: www.maryshouseappeal.org E. office@walsinghamcommunity.org T: 01362692574
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 22 March to be compiled by Eileen Irwin, phone: 01244 371660, email: st.theresas@btinternet.com. Deadline: 9.00a.m. Wednesday 18 March. Please include a contact number with your notice. Also email a copy to Fr. William at st.theresas@btinternet.com
NOTE: The Easter newsletter deadline will be brought forward to. Tuesday 31 March 9am.