The Catholic Parish of St Columba and St Theresa, Chester

Serving the Chester Community

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St Columba’s: 

Saturday 6.30pm
Sunday 11.00am
St Theresa’s: 
Saturday 5.00pm
Sunday 9.30am

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You are here: Home / Uncategorised / Newsletter 16 July

Newsletter 16 July

14 July 2023 By amos

FIFTEENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

16TH JULY 2023

Sat 15 Jul St Bonaventure, B,D. Mem
St. Theresa’s 5.00pm Millington & Bradshaw Dec’d
St. Columba’s 6.30pm Parishioners’ Intentions
       
Sun 16 Jul
St. Theresa’s 9.30am Marion Baker RIP
St. Columba’s 11.00am Private Intention (NK)
       
Mon 17 Jul
St. Theresa’s Parishioners’ Intentions
St. Columba’s 10.30am Maria Jabbiner (GB)
       
Tue 18 Jul
St. Theresa’s Private Intention
St. Columba’s Paula Graham
       
Wed 19 Jul
St. Theresa’s Priests’ Intentions
St. Columba’s 9.30am Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
10.15am Novena Prayer
10.30am June Leigh
       
Thu 20 Jul
St. Theresa’s 9.30am St Theresa’s School Leavers Mass
St. Columba’s Priests’ Intentions
       
Fri 21 Jul
St. Theresa’s 10.00am Linda Barlow RIP
St. Columba’s Mary Mount
       
Sat 22 Jul St Mary Magdalene
St. Theresa’s 5.00pm Parishioners’ Intentions
St. Columba’s 6.30pm Eileen Thornber
       
Sun 23 Jul
St. Theresa’s 9.30am Private Intention (BW)
St. Columba’s 11.00am The Parish

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.

LIVE STREAMING OF MASS:
Mass will be streamed from St Columba’s at 11am this Sunday 15th July 2023.
www.facebook.com/thecatholicparishofstcolumbaandsttheresa

RECENTLY DECEASED:
Please remember in your prayers Rev. Russell Cooke.
Fr. Cooke’s funeral will take place on Wednesday 26 July at 11.30 at St Winefride’s Church, Neston. As it is expected that a number of parishioners would like to attend the funeral, and parking at St Winefride’s is limited, a coach has been arranged to take any parishioners who wish to attend. Departure time is still to be arranged but will be around 10.30 from St Columba’s Church, returning here after the funeral. The maximum cost will be £10 per person.
If you would like a place on the coach please sign one of the pro-formas at the front or rear entrance to church or ring the church office.

ANNIVERSARIES:
John Culshaw, Mary Devine, Fr Denis Keating, Adrienne Rosina Davis.

CONFESSIONS:
There will be Confessions after every weekday Mass until 11.30am, at both churches.
St Columba’s: From 6pm before the 6.30pm Saturday evening Mass.
St Theresa’s:
From 4.30pm before 5pm Saturday evening Mass.

WEDDINGS, BAPTISMS AND FUNERALS:
Please contact one of the Parish Offices to make your arrangements.

JULY – HOLY FATHER’S INTENTIONS – Month of the Blessed Blood of Jesus:
For a Eucharistic life: We pray that Catholics may place the celebration of the Eucharist at the heart of their lives, transforming human relationships in a very deep way and opening to the encounter with God and all their brothers and sisters.  

OFFERTORY:
St Columba’s:
 Loose plate: £463.88; Planned Giving: £239.50; Average Weekly SO – £574.00; Candles: £26.27p
St Theresa’s:
Loose plate & Planned Giving: £TBC;Average weekly SO – £161
THANK YOU for all your generous support.

PRAYING TOGETHER:
We pray for:

  • the residents of Keswick Close, Stanton Drive, Caldy Close, Dinas Close, Tregele Close, Caernarfon Grove, Conway Grove and Beaumaris Grove.
  • the Army Chaplain and all at the Dale Camp, the work of the Armed Forces, the soldiers and their families

ST COLUMBA’S COFFEE ROTA
16th July – Esme Rippon for World Scout Jamboree
23rd July – volunteers please
30th July – volunteers please
Why not donate a little time to make tea and coffee after 11:00 Mass on Sunday?  You can make some money for your favourite charity, too. Call Margaret Curtis 01244 318424 to book your date(s).

SYNOD 2021-2024
Communion Participation Mission – An earlier posting of this monthly Synod News item announced approval, by the General Secretariat of the Synod, of the Instrumentum Laboris (IL), the working document for the participants in the October 2023 session of the Synod.
The IL can now be downloaded at: www.synod.va>Synodal Process>Universal Phase>Documents
The Foreword of the IL includes the following: The Members of the Synod Assembly are the primary recipients of the IL, which is also made public not only for reasons of transparency but as a contribution to the implementation of ecclesial initiatives. In particular, it can encourage participation in the synodal dynamic at the local and regional levels, while waiting for the outcome of the October Assembly. This will provide further material on which the local Churches will be called to pray, reflect, act and make their own contribution.
The IL is a long read but even a short look could help us understand the Synodal process a little more. Please continue to pray for the Synod and for our participation, walking together along the way, united in Christ, the Way, the Truth and the Life. https://sscolumbaandtheresa.co.uk/prayer-for-the-synod

ANNUAL PARISH COACH TRIP – YORK:
There have been some cancellations, so there are a few seats now available on the trip. If you would like to go to York on Thurs 27th July, please call Margaret Curtis on 01244 318424 or Paul Wrigglesworth on 07708 304246. 

FEAST OF ST JOHN PLESSINGTON – CHESTER’S MARTYR AND SAINT:
The Chester Catenian Circle invite you to the annual Mass to celebrate the feast of St John Plessington on Wednesday 19th July.
6.45pm Short service at the site of his execution – The Monument in Boughton, beside St Paul’s Church.
7.30pm – Holy Mass in St Werburgh’s.
After Mass we will meet in St Werburgh’s Parish Centre, Brook Street.

THANK YOU FROM THE SVP:
Many thanks to all who contributed to the coffee morning at St Theresa’s on Sunday with help and donations. We raised over £86 which is fantastic. Thank you.

LOURDES PILGRIMAGE:
There are still a few spaces available. Booking details can be found on the pilgrimage website: www.shrewsburypilgrimage.co.uk

PASTORAL COUNCIL MEETING 22 JUNE
Members reported on the continuing progress with high priority issues identified on the Parish Development Plan, in particular with the new website and the work of the liturgy group and the social committee. Much of the meeting was spent in further consideration of a means  of increasing the number of volunteers supporting all that the church does. ‘Leaders’ of each of the voluntary groups had sent in written descriptions of the roles which made clear how much commitment they had to their responsibilities and how much they gained from their involvement. It has not been possible to thank each leader personally so I would be grateful if they would take this brief note as thanks from the parish.
Pauline Rourke. Co chair, Pastoral Council 

REV. FR. RUSSELL COOKE RIP:
Fr Russell was appointed parish priest of St Columba’s Parish after the demise of Fr John Lennon in September 1997, and served the parish until his retirement in January 2016. One of his first initiatives in the parish was the foundation of a Pastoral Council, the forerunner of the PC that serves our parish today. For much of his time as our priest Fr Russell also served as Dean of the then local Deanery of Chester, Ellesmere Port, Tarporley and Mouldsworth. In 2008 Fr Russell underwent major heart surgery from which he recovered well, but later deteriorating health led to his eventual retirement. Retirement was spent living close to St Winefride’s Church in Neston; those who cared for him there say that he was comfortable and happy, only relatively lately did he suffer an illness which eventually led to his death, peacefully at home, on Friday 30th June. Parishioners from Fr Russell’s time at St Columba’s will remember a gifted preacher, a priest perhaps not always eager to please but honest and true, and judging by the crowd of well-wishers who gathered to say farewell to Fr Russell in St Columba’s Hall on his retirement, a much-loved parish priest. Requiescat in pace, Fr Russell, our thanks and prayers go with you.

YOUTH GROUP:
Our next meeting will be on Monday 17th July, at St Columba’s from 7p.m to 8.30p.m. All young parishioners, school year 5 and older are most welcome to join our happy friendly group.

HIGHLIGHT FROM THE HIGH:
Congratulations to all the students who completed the Faith in Action Award. The award recognises the students’ active faith lived out through service and reflection. Four students received the Bronze award, and 11 students received the Pin Level. Ashleigh from SYMT went to CHS to give the certificates to the students at the award ceremony. Well done!

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
The famous saying “when one door closes, another door opens,” is actually a famous quote by Alexander Graham Bell.  The quote ends with, “but we often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door that we do not see the ones which open for us.” 

RESOURCES:
Cheshire West and Chester library service is committed to supporting and improving the lives of people living with dementia.   They have a wonderful collection called ‘Reading Well Books on Prescription for Dementia‘ (all available as eBooks), which not only offer information about dementia and normal ageing, but give support and advice on how to live well after diagnosis. The collection also provides practical advice for carers, personal accounts and suggestions for shared therapeutic activities. 

CARITAS-HOME FOR UKRAINE:
Are you interested in making a difference by hosting a family fleeing the war in Ukraine?  For more information please take a leaflet from the back of church or visit the website: www.sjog-homesforukraine.uk

CYCLING WITHOUT AGE CHESTER:
This is an initiative to get the elderly back on bikes.  Specially adapted trishaws take passengers out for free.  For further information contact chester@cyclingwithoutage.org.uk

NEW DAWN IN THE CHURCH:
This takes place from 31 July – 4 August and is a five day Catholic Conference which takes place every year at the Catholic National Shrine & Basilica 9of Our Lady of Walsingham.  For further details please see the leaflets at the back of church.

ST COLUMBA’S CHURCH & HALL BOOKINGS
To arrange meetings etc. in either the Church, Newman Room or the Iona Chapel, please book through Nuala Keegan, Church Office, 01244 624019, Email: stcolumbaschurch2016@outlook.com
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:
16th July Edition will be compiled by Eileen Irwin, phone: 01244 371660, e-mail: st.theresas@btinternet.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 WEDNESDAY 19TH JULYWebsite: www.sscolumbaandtheresa.co.ukPlease note that the electronic version of the newsletter on the website may contain additional items which it has not been possible to include in the printed copy this week.

FREE NEWSLETTER SUBSCRIPTION:
Do you want your newsletter delivered directly to your inbox electronically? If so, subscribe via our web page on  https://sscolumbaandtheresa.co.uk/  Front page bottom right – subscribe button. 

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