SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT
16 MARCH 2025
| Sat 15 Mar | |||
| St. Theresa’s | 9.30am | Malankara Jacobite Syriac Community Mass | |
| 5.00pm | Muriel & Jim Halligan RIP Joe Blundell RIP |
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| St. Columba’s | 6.30pm | Tony Layden RIP | |
| Sun 16 Mar | |||
| St. Theresa’s | 9.30am | Parishioners’ Intentions | |
| St. Columba’s | 11.00am | Aquiles Paras RIP Renewal Commitment for Altar Servers |
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| 2.00pm | Kerala Catholic Community Mass in Syro-Malabar Rite | ||
| Mon 17 Mar` | St Patrick, B, Patron of Ireland. Feast | ||
| St. Theresa’s | 12.15pm | Requiem Mass for Colette Johnson | |
| St. Columba’s | 10.00am | Stations of the Cross | |
| 10.30am | Bill Willets | ||
| Tue 18 Mar | |||
| St. Theresa’s | Priests’ Intentions | ||
| St. Columba’s | Parishioners’ Intentions | ||
| 7.00pm | Reconciliation Service | ||
| Wed 19 Mar | St Joseph, Husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Solemnity | ||
| St. Theresa’s | Tony & Robin Walsh | ||
| St. Columba’s | 9.30am | Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament | |
| 10.15am | Novena Prayers | ||
| 10.30am | Mike Craven RIP | ||
| Thu 20 Mar | |||
| St. Theresa’s | Steele Family Intentions | ||
| St. Columba’s | Priests’ Intentions | ||
| Fri 21 Mar | |||
| St. Theresa’s | 9.30am | Stations of the Cross | |
| 10.00am | Glenys Martin RIP | ||
| St. Columba’s | The Parish | ||
| Sat 22 Mar | |||
| St. Theresa’s | 5.00pm | Parishioners’ Intentions | |
| St. Columba’s | 6.30pm | Bernard Owens RIP | |
| Sun 23 Mar | |||
| St. Theresa’s | 9.30am | Muriel & Jim Halligan RIP | |
| St. Columba’s | 11.00am | Parishioners’ Intentions | |
| 2.00pm | Kerala Catholic Community Mass in Syro-Malabar Rite |
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 at St Columba’s on Sunday 16 March at 11.00A.m. Cover is needed at both churches for occasions when Tim is unavailable. The only requirement is you need to have an Iphone. If you would be willing to help with this please contact one of the church offices. Thank you.
www.facebook.com/thecatholicparishofstcolumbaandsttheresa
RECENTLY DECEASED
Please remember in your prayers Colette Johnson, Ilona Hollinger & Michael Craven. The Requiem Mass for Colette Johnson will be held at St Theresa’s on Monday 17 March at 12.15 p.m. Ilona Hollinger’s funeral is at St Theresa’s on Tuesday 25 March at 12 noon. The Requiem Mass for Michael Craven will be held at St Columba’s on 31 March at 12 p.m.
ANNIVERSARIES
Margaret Ellen Finnegan, Stewart Harrison, Doreen Brenda Grainger, Jean Alice Hickman, Michael Byrne, Margaret Christine Steele, James Philip Conde.
POPE’S MARCH PRAYER INTENTIONS
For families in crisis. Let us pray that broken families might discover the cure for their wounds through forgiveness, rediscovering each other’s gifts, even in their differences.
CONFESSIONS
There will be Confessions after each weekday Mass until 11.30a.m.
St Columba’s: From 6p.m. 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.
| CHURCH NEWS: Jubilee News: turning to God In January, the Pope spoke of the need for conversion as a daily task and challenged us to ask ourselves: “Do I know how to turn around to see things differently?” and “Do I have the desire for conversion?He warned that an “overconfident and proud ego prevents us from recognizing the Risen Jesus” who appears in unexpected forms—in the faces of ordinary people, particularly those who are marginalized or overlooked. “Even when we weep and despair,” he added, “we turn our back on Him.” Let us learn to turn towards life, the “real life” where the Risen Jesus has a place and mission for us, “instead of looking into the darkness of the past.” Parish reconciliation Service Tuesday 18 March at 7pm St Columba’s This is a wonderful opportunity to review our life and ask pardon for our sins and failings, renewing our commitment to live for Christ and follow his Way. There is usually a general absolution and the opportunity to make individual confession for more serious sin. It is an occasion for the whole parish to look forward to the joy of Easter.It is a time for the parish to come together to ask for forgiveness from God and one another through a short service. The sacrament of Confession is there for everybody to go to in preparation for the Easter festival. |
PRAYING TOGETHER
- Pray for the residents of Kelvin Grove, Western Approach, Thirlmere Road, Blacon Avenue, Keats Terrace, Blacon Hall Road and Malvern Road.
- For a greater compassion for those who feel marginalised in our society.
- For a deeper unity between the churches.
ST COLUMBA’S COFFEE ROTA
The coffee rota is on the noticeboard in St Columba’s Hall. Just write your name, charity and phone number on the calendar. But if you can’t access the hall, leave a message on Margaret Curtis’s answerphone on 01244 318424 with your name and date(s) and she will add you to the rota.
16 Mar – Chris & Elizabeth, Tombola
23 Mar – volunteers please
30 Mar – volunteers please
NATIONAL NOVENA TO ST JOSEPH 10-18 MAR 2025
The National Novena to St Joseph will take place from 10-18 March 2025 at St Joseph’s Church in Maidenhead. Every year, the Mill Hill Missionaries prepare for the Feast of St Joseph, their Society Patron, with a special Novena of Masses and prayers to ask for God’s blessing on their Society’s missionary outreach, and for the intentions of all those who support their work. If you are able, and if it is possible to attend, Masses are at 10.00am every day of the Novena except Sunday, when it is at 11.00am. These Masses will be available to follow on Zoom, via the Mill Hill website: www.millhillmissionaries.com/novena. The Novena Prayer Booklet is available on request for a suggested donation of £1 per booklet to cover costs.
You are welcome to send in your petitions and/or to request a Novena prayer booklet. Please write to the Novena Director at 6 Colby Gardens, Maidenhead, SL6 7GZ, or email novenamhm@gmail.com
YOUTH GROUP
Our next meeting will be on Monday 17 March, starting at 7p.m. in the Iona chapel and finishing at 8.30p.m. in St. Columba’s hall. The theme will be St. Patrick and St. Joseph, we will also design easter cards for the SVP, plant sunflowers as part of our year of hope, play games and eat nice snacks. All young parishioners, year 5 or older are warmly invited to join our friendly group. Please call Denise Lusk on 01244 379742 if you need a lift.
GOOD FRIDAY FAMILY STATIONS OF THE CROSS, ST COLUMBA’S
Young parishioners are invited to read and/or hold up pictures at the at 11a.m. on Good Friday morning. There are 14 stations, so at least 14 volunteers would be nice. Please see Gillian Blatch, or Denise Lusk after Mass to volunteer, or email Gillian (gh.settle@gmail.com), ideally before Tuesday 1 April, to allow for time to give out readings and have a practice.
CAFOD BIG LENT WALK IN THE JUBILEE YEAR
CAFOD invites Catholics to join their Big Lent Walk as Pilgrims of Hope in this Jubilee Year, walking over 200km over 40 days during Lent. https://walk.cafod.org.uk/ . The Catholic High School is taking part in this challenging event, with walks organised in various ways, including a treadmill in school. They aim to raise £800 – thank you in advance for your generosity: https://schools.walk.cafod.org.uk/fundraising/chsc
JUBILEE PRAYER
There are copies of the Jubilee prayer available for you take a copy.
LENT & EASTER SERVICE TIMES
Copies of this year’s programme are available at the back of church. Please take one home with you.
PARISH OFFERTORY
Loose Plate: £604.22; Planned Giving £240.50; Average weekly SO £555.00. Candles: £20.73.
OPEN CHURCH
The three churches of Churches Together in Upton (CTU) are holding an Open Afternoon when anyone is welcome to visit. It’s an informal opportunity to see the church buildings, each of which is interesting in its own way and a chance to chat with our fellow Christians over a cup of tea, coffee and cake.
On Saturday 22 March , you are invited to drop in to the United Reformed Churchon Heath Road at any time between 2 and 4.30pm. There is no service or organised activity, and you can stay for as long or as little as you like. It would be good to have Catholic representation so do come if you can.
FRIENDSHIP THURSDAY REPORT
Our first session was very promising and very enjoyable. About 30 people attended, mostly from St Columba’s and St Theresa’s. There was lots of conversation, a free book swap table and a special guest, Anne Clark, from the parish, who showed us how to make interesting flower decorations for the home. This was highly enjoyed and sparked good conversation. We asked for feedback and had some good suggestions for future speakers. We have also adjusted the timing of the group to 2-4 pm following feedback as 1.30 proved too early. Huge thanks to the Communications Group and to the wonderful helpers who did us proud.
Next meeting 3 April, 2-4 pm. We’d love to see you!
WELCOME
The Parish welcomes FREDDIE THOMAS SANDS, baptised at St Columba’s church last Sunday, amongst his loving family. Please keep them all in your prayers.
RECRUITMENTS
1. A recruitment process for the Deputy Director of Schools is now underway, further details of which can be found via the link below: Deputy Director of Schools Advert If you would like further information or candidate pack and application form please contact Liam Dowds, our Emmaus Advising Consultant, on 01737 652 043 or email him at ldowds@emmausleadership.me
2. A vacancy has arisen for a Parish Secretary at the parishes of St Vincent’s, Knutsford and St Winefride, Lymm (Based at St Vincent’s). Hours: 12 per week. Rate of pay: £13 per hour. More details can be found via the Diocesan website https://www.dioceseofshrewsbury.org/latest-vacancies/ CV’s with a covering letter should be sent to Pauline McCulloch at recruitment@dioceseofshrewsbury.org Closing date: Monday 31 March 2025.
3. A vacancy has arisen for an Attendance Officer at the Chester Catholic High School. Full details including the application form can be found on our website Vacancies – The Chester Catholic High School
ST COLUMBA’S CHURCH & HALL BOOKINGS
To arrange meetings etc. in either the Church, Newman Room or the Iona Chapel, please book through Magdalena Bukowska, St. Columba’s Church Office, phone: 01244 624019, email: stcolumbaschurch2016@outlook.com.. Office hours Monday to Friday 9a.m. to 2p.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 Magdalena Bukowska on 01244 624019 for enquires within the office hours stated above or email columbashallbookings@gmail.com to arrange booking.
CHRISTIAN AID LENT LUNCHES
This event begins on Monday 10 March from 12 noon – 1.30p.m. at Wesley Methodist Church, St John Street. See poster in church porch for more dates and venues.
ST COLUMBA’S RED MISSION BOX HOLDERS
There will be 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, relabeled box from the rear porch.
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK
“Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness.” – Desmond Tutu
WELCOME TO OUR PARISH
If you are NEW TO THE PARISH, please complete a Parish Registration Form and send (or bring) it to either parish office to let us know that you are here and enable us to welcome you. Forms can be found in the front porches of both churches and on the website www.sscolumbaandtheresa.co.uk under the I’m New tab. Thank you.
CATHOLIC HIGH VACANCY
Teaching Assistant & Attendance Officer positions at the Catholic High. Full details including the application forms can be found on our website Vacancies – The Chester Catholic High School.
FISH & CHIP BABIES KNITTED CLOTHING PROJECT
So that the knitted garments can be shipped to Africa efficiently, there is a growing need for strong cardboard boxes. If you have any 15″x15″x15″ (or there abouts) boxes, can you leave please leave them in the rear porch at St Columba’s. Thank you.
PDP
Parish Development Plan 2022-2025. “You said. We did”
In 2022 the Pastoral Council led a whole-parish consultation on developments in the church and in our parish community. Several themes emerged about inclusivity, children and families, social action, faith outreach and improving communications – with our schools, our parishioners and the wider community.
Everyone’s views were carefully considered and consolidated into our Parish Development Plan in June 2022. The Pastoral Council reviewed progress in November 2024 and thanks to the energy and commitment of many people we are able to highlight the following achievements:
· Children’s Liturgy re-established
· Youth Group established
· Young people’s music group established
· Active participation in Churches Together
· Increased support to SVP, Foodbank and home visiting
· Parish welcomers team established
· Major overhaul to parish website
· Full programme of parish social activities – cream teas, BBQs, coach trips, Autumn fair, Christmas lunches and socials
And more!
For more details of these and priorities for 2025 please see our parish website. Choose the Our Parish tab, click on Parish Development Plan
Why not find out how you can participate? Contact any member of the Pastoral Council by emailing either of the church offices: stcolumbaschurch2016@outlook.com OR st.theresas@btinternet.com
Pauline Rourke and Ann McCarthy, Co-Chairs, Pastoral Council.
NEXT WEEK’S NEWSLETTER
Sunday 23 March edition will be compiled by Amy O’Donnell. Phone: 07854 290897 or email: amyod@hotmail.co.uk. Please include a phone number in case of queries, and please ensure that are also emailed to Fr William or phoned to the compiler by 9.00 a.m. on WEDNESDAY 19 March 2025