The month of August is dedicated to The Immaculate Heart of Mary
SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME – THE ASSUMPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY
16 AUGUST 2026
| Saturday 15 August | ||
| St Theresa’s | 9.30am | Malankara Jacobite Syriac Community |
| 5.00pm | Roy Gent RIP | |
| St Columba’s | 6.30pm | Pat Wilkinson RIP |
| Sunday 16 August | ||
| St Theresa’s | 9.30am | Parishioners’ Intentions |
| St Columba’s | 11.00am | Anne Morris |
| 2.00pm | Kerala Catholic Community Mass in Syro-Malabar Rite | |
| Monday 17 August | ||
| St Theresa’s | Special Intention | |
| St Columba’s | 10.30am | Tony Walsh (Anniv) |
| Tuesday 18 August | ||
| St Theresa’s | Priests’ Intentions | |
| St Columba’s | 6.30pm | Parishioners’ Intentions |
| Wednesday 19 August | ||
| St Theresa’s | Private Intention | |
| St Columba’s | 9.30am | Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament |
| 10.15am | Novena Prayers | |
| 10.30am | Private Intention (CT) | |
| Thursday 20 August | ||
| St Theresa’s | All receiving Exam Resuts | |
| St Columba’s | Priests’ Intentions | |
| Friday 21 August | ||
| St Theresa’s | 10.00am | Joe Blundell RIP |
| St Columba’s | The Parish | |
| Saturday 22 August | ||
| St Theresa’s | 5.00pm | Nicholas Huber RIP |
| St Columba’s | 6.30pm | Philip Francis RIP |
| Sunday 23 August | ||
| St Theresa’s | 9.30am | Parishioners’ Intentions |
| St Columba’s | 11.00am | Parishioners’ Intentions |
| 2.00pm | Kerala Catholic Community Mass in Syro-Malabar Rite | |
LIVE STREAMING OF MASS – Mass will be streamed at St Columba’s on Sunday 16 August at 11a.m.
RECENTLY DECEASED – Please remember in your prayers; Mae Dunne who died recently, and her family and friends.
ANNIVERSARIES – Sarah Jane Flynn, Stanley Wynne and Nicholas Huber.
POPES PRAYER INTENTION FOR AUGUST –FOR EVANGELIZATION IN THE CITY. Let us pray that in large cities often marked by anonymity and loneliness we find new ways to proclaim the Gospel, discovering creative paths to build community.
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.
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: £467.02; Planned Giving: £217.24; Average weekly SO £734.22. Dona Stations: £TBC; Candles: £45.18 (Loose). Thank you for your kind generosity.
ST COLUMBA’S OFFICE – There will be a change of the office hours at St Columba’s from 10 August to 31 August. During that time the office will be officially closed but urgent matters will be dealt with through the kind services of Carol Galvin on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays only between 9am and 12pm.
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK– “Continue to be bold, courageous. Try to choose the wisest thing and once you’ve chosen the wisest thing, go out and try to achieve it. Be it.” ― Maya Angelou
PARISH WEBSITE NEWS AND IMPORTANT MESSAGE – It is a relief that the problems in loading new items appear to have been resolved. Please click on the News tab to find photos of Deacon Lawrence’s Farewell event. There is also an extremely important message about the re-introduction of the Assisted Suicide Bill to Parliament for a further vote in September. Please read this as it asks us, as Catholics who respect life at every stage, to act by writing to our MP. The item gives plenty of reasons for us to use when opposing the Bill. There is a QR code which should work direct from the website for those who wish to use it.
PRAYING TOGETHER FOR
- The residents of Greenfields, Flag Lane North, Oakfield Avenue, The Glen, Jonathan’s Way, Graham Road and Blacon Point Road.
- The Eucharistic Ministers, Altar Servers, Lay Readers, Parish Assistant and Local Church Leaders.
- All those not yet connected to the life of the Church or who have lost their faith.
EXAM RESULTS – to all of our students, wishing you all the very best as your exam results are made available to you. Wishing you every success for your future, whatever that may hold for you. Dream Big. Good luck.
CONFIRMATION – If you wish to prepare to be Confirmed next November and are already at high school, please email ASAP to register: stcolumbatheresaconfirmation@hotmail.co.uk
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
16 Aug – volunteers please
23 Aug – volunteers please
| Please contact your MP to oppose assisted suicide – The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, which seeks to legalise assisted suicide, will return to the House of Commons for its Second Reading and vote on Friday, 11 September 2026. The Bishops’ Conference is urging Catholics to contact their MP and ask them to oppose the Bill. Archbishop Richard Moth has warned that it could place vulnerable people under pressure to end their lives and could create serious difficulties for health and social care staff, hospices and care homes. Please make your voice heard. Even if you have contacted your MP previously, please consider doing so again. The charity Right to Life UK provides a simple online facility to contact your MP by entering your postcode. For information and to take action, visit:cbcew.org.uk/opposing-assisted-suicide (Bishops Conference of England & Wales website) righttolife.org.uk/Sept11vote Contact details for Chester MP – Samantha Dixon, email samantha.dixon.mp@parliament.uk, constituency office, The Bluecoat, Upper Northgate St, Chester CH1 4EE; Parliamentary office, House of Commons London SW1A 0AAPlease read posters in our churches. |
CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING (CST) is a body of moral doctrine developed by the Church on matters of social justice, poverty, and human rights. Rooted in Scripture and modern papal encyclicals starting with Pope Leo XIII’s 1891 Rerum Novarum, it provides a framework for building a just society and living out faith in the modern world. (CAFOD). So far we have briefly covered the principles of Human Dignity, Solidarity and the Care of Creation. This week……
THE COMMON GOOD – The common good means that the fruits of the earth belong to everyone. No one should be excluded from the gifts of creation. Pope Paul VI spoke about this 50 years ago in his encyclical Populorum Progressio. (CAFOD).
The common good is reached when we work together to improve the wellbeing of people in our society and the wider world and that the rights of the individual to personal possessions and community resources must be balanced with the needs of the disadvantaged and dispossessed. (Caritas Australia)
CAFOD CAMPAIGN – Over the next few weeks, we are collecting signatures for a CAFOD petition about the global debt crisis which is causing terrible suffering for our brothers and sisters around the world. Cardinal Stephen Ameyu Martin Mulla from South Sudan has written to parishes in England and Wales to explain. A copy of the letter and petition forms to sign can be found in the church porches. Please take a moment as you leave church to lend your support. Thank you.
CLOTHING APPEAL – Our sincere thanks to the parishioners of both churches who responded so generously to the recent appeal for clothing and toys. The recipient has been overwhelmed by your kindness, and your generosity has helped her emotionally as well as practically during a very difficult time. As she is currently living in a single room, she has no space to store any further donations of clothing or household items. However, when more suitable accommodation becomes available, she will need furniture and essential household goods. The Parish SVP has very kindly offered to help by purchasing the specific items she will need at that time. If you would like to contribute, donations of cash would be greatly appreciated and may be placed in the baskets labelled SVP at the entrances to both churches. Thank you once again for your generosity and continued support.
Pauline Rourke
MARSH & PLESSINGTON, THE CHESTER MARTYRS – This is the theme for the next Churches Together Fifth Sunday service to be held in the Iona Chapel at 4.30 p.m. on Sunday 30 August. Please join us in this short service together with our friends from the other Upton Churches.
CAFOD school volunteers needed! – Could you visit your local Catholic school to talk about the work of CAFOD? We are looking for volunteers to deliver school assemblies and workshops and inspire children and young people to make a difference and take action. For further information please contact Anna Letizia on 07710 094449 emailaletizia@cafod.org.uk
FR WILLIAM – Is available to meet with parishioners after 10.30a.m. Mass on Mondays & Wednesdays or can be contacted at St Theresa’s presbytery (details on top of Newsletter). Thursday is his day off.
ST THERESA’S ANNIVERSARY – On the 15 September it will be 70 years since the first Parish Priest was appointed to St Theresa’s. If anyone has any photos or information they would like to share with the parish, please let us know. Please write your name and tel. no. on them so that the items can be returned. Thank you.
BADMINTON GROUP – The Parish Badminton Group meets on Thursdays from 7p.m. to 9p.m. in St Columba’s Hall and is looking for new members. Mixed group, all ages, all abilities welcome.
FOOD BANK DONATIONS – MORE NEEDED PLEASE – Donated food is taken to the West Cheshire Foodbank at Ellesmere Port every fortnight. Recently, volunteers at the warehouse have had to leave halfway through the day because they had run out of supplies. St Columba’s and St Theresa’s have been very generous in the past. Last time an appeal was made in the newsletter, the response was amazing and the Centre so grateful. As Pope Leo has said, the poor should be at the heart of the Church. Please give as generously as possible, especially UHT milk, Long-life juice, Pasta in sauce, Coffee, Tinned Meat, Pasta sauce, Tinned vegetables Thank you so much. Your generosity makes all the difference
SAFETY IN ST COLUMBA’S PARISH HALL – Following feedback from parishioners and a review of health and safety arrangements in the parish hall, we would like to remind all who come for tea and coffee after the 11.00am Mass on Sundays of the following:
- Children should not enter or play on the stage area, nor touch the curtains, as this presents a safety risk.
- Children should not run around the hall, particularly when hot drinks are being served.
A box of games, colouring and drawing activities will be available for children; it will be kept behind the bar. We kindly ask parents and carers to return the items to the bar area afterwards.
Children are very welcome in our parish community, and we hope that parents and carers will understand the need for these measures to help ensure that the hall remains a safe and welcoming environment for everyone. The Pastoral Council
MARRIAGE IN A RUT? – Or need help with deeper issues? Retrouvaille has helped thousands of couples find hope and healing in their marriage. Next dates: 2nd–4th October. www.retrouvaille.org.uk/info Tel: 0788 7296983
CATHOLIC HOLIDAYS IN THE LAKE DISTRICT THIS SUMMER – During August and September, Castlerigg Manor in Keswick is opening its doors to families, groups of friends, or private individuals who are looking for an affordable stay in the Lake District. Breakfast and evening meal are provided, and Mass is celebrated on site. For more information check out castleriggmanor.com/stay-with-us or contact director@castleriggmanor.co.uk / 017687 72711
QUIET RETREATS FOR ADULTS THIS OCTOBER – During October half term, Castlerigg Manor is running a quiet retreat for individual adults who want to spend a few days of peace, relaxation, and prayer in the Lake District. Each day there will be a talk, Mass, and evening prayer, and then a lot of time to explore the area, pray, or just simply relax. Book at castleriggmanor.com/events or contact director@castleriggmanor.co.uk
ST FRANCIS OF ASSISI, CHESTER – CHANGE OF MASS TIMES
From Sunday, 6 September 2026, the Sunday Mass schedule at St Francis, Chester, will change as follows:
Saturday: 12.00 noon (English), 6.30 pm Vigil (English)
Sunday: 8.00 am Benedictine Abbey (English), 10.00 am (English), 5.00 pm (Polish).
Please note that the 12.00 noon Polish Mass will be celebrated for the final time on Sunday, 30 August.
Weekday Masses remain at 12.00 noon (Monday–Saturday), with 9.00 am Mass at the Benedictine Abbey on Wednesdays.
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 23 August to be compiled by Muriel Green, phone: 07847 629672, email: muriel.green1@btinternet.com. Deadline: 9.00a.m. Wednesday 19 August. Please include a contact number with your notice and also email a copy to Fr. William at st.theresas@btinternet.com