The month of November is dedicated to The Souls in Purgatory
THIRTY THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
16 NOVEMBER 2025
| Sat 15 Nov | |||
| St. Theresa’s | 5.00pm | Christine North RIP | |
| St. Columba’s | 6.30pm | Enrico Lenzi RIP – 1st Anniversary | |
| Sun 16 Nov | World Day of Prayer for the Poor | ||
| St. Theresa’s | 9.30am | Kath Maguire RIP | |
| St. Columba’s | 11.00am | Evan Rothwell RIP – 1st Anniversary | |
| 2.00pm | Kerala Catholic Community Mass in Syro-Malabar Rite | ||
| Mon 17 Nov | |||
| St. Theresa’s | Parishioners’ Intentions | ||
| St. Columba’s | 10.30am | Raymond Harrington RIP (ms) | |
| Tue 18 Nov | |||
| St. Theresa’s | Eric Walsh RIP | ||
| St. Columba’s | Holy Souls | ||
| Wed 19 Nov | |||
| St. Theresa’s | Priests’ Intentions | ||
| St. Columba’s | 9.30am | Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament | |
| 10.15am | Novena Prayers | ||
| 10.30am | Milton, Luciana, Catarina | ||
| Thu 20 Nov | |||
| St. Theresa’s | Holy Souls | ||
| St. Columba’s | Holy Souls | ||
| Fri 21 Nov | The Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Mem. | ||
| St. Theresa’s | 10.00am | Nell Tobin RIP | |
| St. Columba’s | Mark Traynor | ||
| Sat 22 Nov | |||
| St. Theresa’s | 5.00pm | Freda Blundell’s Intentions | |
| St. Columba’s | 6.30pm | Holy Souls | |
| Sun 23 Nov | Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe. Solemnity | ||
| St. Theresa’s | 9.30am | Parishioners’ Intentions | |
| St. Columba’s | 11.00am | Carlos Hernan Archiniega RIP – 1st Anniversary | |
| 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 November at 11.00a.m.
ANNIVERSARIES – David Vaughan, Steven Andrew Roberts, Kenneth Klepalo, Berta Barton.
HOLY SOULS – If you would like any deceased remembering during the month of November please put their names in an envelope marked HOLY SOULS and place it in the basket in front of the altar.
CONFESSIONS – After each weekday mass until 11.30a.m. At the weekend: St Columba’s: from 6.00-6.25p.m. on Saturday. And St Theresa’s; from 4.30-4.55 on Saturday.
WEDDINGS, BAPTISMS AND FUNERALS – Please contact one of the Parish Offices to make your arrangements.
YOUTH SUNDAY – Young volunteers are needed to welcome, collect and read on Youth Sunday, 23 November. If you are a young parishioner and would like to help on Youth Sunday at St.Columba’s please contact Denise Lusk (01244379742) , or to help at St. Theresa’s, contact Ann McCarthy. Thank you.
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.
POPES PRAYER INTENTIONS For November – for the prevention of suicide Let us pray that those who are struggling with suicidal thoughts might find the support, care, and love they need in their community, and be open to the beauty of life.
LARGE PRINT NEWSLETTER – A limited number of large print newsletters are now available at the back of both our Churches. Printed on yellow paper to aid contrast and aid ease of reading. See our Welcomers if you need a copy.
PARISH OFFERTORY – Loose Plate: £523.63; Planned Giving:£306.17; Average weekly SO £718.15; Candles: £42.12; World Mission Collection: £250.56.
There will be Caritas at Christmas Appeal on 29/30 November Masses.
CHRISTMAS COFFEE MORNING & CRAFT FAIR – Saturday 29 November 10.30a.m. to 2.30p.m, Hoole URC Hall, Hoole Road. Range of stalls and cakes and children’s activities, in aid of Chifundo UK, empowering women & girls in Malawi.
SATURDAY EVENING MASS (ST COLUMBA’S) – Please do not use the rear entrance when leaving, as it has led to the church being left unlocked overnight. Thank you for your understanding.
PASTORAL COUNCIL MEETING – 4 NOVEMBER 2025
KEY POINTS:
Parish Financial Situation: Fr William will request a meeting to discuss this with the Diocesan Financial Secretary and Pastoral Council members.
Safeguarding: A Safeguarding information session for the parish will be held on a Saturday morning early next year.
Chester Festival of the Bible: Thanks were given to Lyn Coyle, Deacon Lawrence, and all involved in St Columba’s contribution to this worthwhile event.
Reports: Leaders of various parish groups (Social Committee, Children’s Liturgy, Youth Group, etc.) presented reports. Thanks were given for the generosity of time and commitment shown by everyone: report authors and group members.
AGM: The Pastoral Council AGM will be held on Saturday, 9 May 2026, in St Columba’s Hall, open to all parishioners.
Next Meeting: 7:00p.m, Tuesday, 20 January 2026.
Reports & Minutes: Available on the parish website by the end of November.
Pauline Rourke & Ann McCarthy, Co-chairs
CONTACTLESS DONATIONS WITH A CREDIT OR DEBIT CARD AT ST COLUMBA’S CHURCH – Processing cheques and banking cash has become very expensive so many churches now encourage donations to be made, as you enter or leave, with a credit or debit card. As well as offering convenience, donations are automatically recorded for Gift Aid where appropriate. We plan to use this system at St Columba’s, hopefully before Christmas. Further details will be given in the newsletter. Pauline Rourke
AUTUMN FAYRE 16 NOVEMBER – Soup and a sandwich or a hot dog £2. Anyone wanting a table/stall or to to share a table to sell their goods, please contact Margaret Curtis on 07876061993. There will of course be our usual bottle tombola. Donations of bottles etc are still needed as prizes. Please leave them inside the entrance to St Columba’s and St Theresa’s.
If anyone would like a lift from St Theresa’s to St Columba’s, please put your name on the list at the back of church.
Also the Christmas Party will be on Saturday 13 of December.
MARY, JOSEPH AND THE DONKEY’S ADVENT JOURNEY – Can you look after Mary, Joseph and their donkey this Advent? They’re looking for overnight accommodation on their journey to Bethlehem, actually St Theresa’s Crib. They will arrive in time for the Carol Service on Friday 19 December 2025. The hope is that Mary, Joseph (and the donkey) will be handed from home to home around the parish during Advent before being delivered to St Theresa’s on 19 December. Sign-up lists in the church porches.
ST COLUMBA’S COFFEE ROTA – We would like to thank all parishoners who have volunteered their time to help with tea and coffee after the 11:00am Mass.
16 Nov – Autumn Fair
23 Nov – volunteers please
30 Nov – volunteers please
CHURCHES TOGETHER REMEMBRANCE AND ADVENT SERVICES – Thanks to those of you who supported the recent Remembrance Service at Holy Ascension Church. It was a thought provoking event. The next CTU service will be an Advent Sunday Service at St. Columba’s at 4.30p.m. on Sunday 30 November. It promises something a little different and forms a fitting beginning to the Advent season. Your support for this event would be much appreciated.
FIRST SACRAMENTS (ST COLUMBA’S) – Next Sunday, 23 November we will be celebrating YouthSunday and 25 children from the parish who are preparing to receive First Sacraments this school year will be enrolled in their preparation programme during the 11.00am Mass. Please pray for the children and their families at this important time in their faith journey.
ADVENT PRAYER GROUP – As a legacy of the Jubilee Year, a new parish prayer group will meet during Advent on Tuesdays at 11:00-11.30a.m in the Iona Chapel (Nov 25, Dec 2, 9, 16 & 23). Focus will be on the upcoming Sunday readings with time for personal reflection and shared discussion on their relevance to our daily lives. Contact marilyn.coyle44@gmail.com
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK – Life is like a camera..Focus on what’s important, Capture good times, Develop from negatives, and if things don’t work out ..Take another shot! Snoopy.
PRAYING FOR:
- The residents of Queen’s Crescent, Weston Grove, Lakeside Close, Dukesway, Rhuddlan Road, Carmel Close & Rose Close.
- The Senior Citizens Club, Food & Fun and St Vincent de Paul Society.
- All those who are retired.
ST COLUMBA’S RED MISSION BOX HOLDERS – Could those parishioners at St Columba’s with a MIssio Box, please leave it in the sacresty for Margaret to collect. You can collect your next Red Box from the back of the church, after your donation has been counted.
YOUTH GROUP – The youth group will meet tomorrow, Monday 17 November, 7p.m. start, meet at St.Columba’s back door. This meeting, we will be designing Christmas cards for the SVP to take from our parish to housebound parishioners. We will also play lots of games, have refreshments and finish promptly at 8.30pm in the hall. All young parishioners, year 5 or older are invited and very welcome to attend.
ST COLUMBA’S ON TELEVISION – There are two very good programmes about St Columba currently available on BBC iPlayer: Pilgrimage: The Road to the Isles and How the Celts Saved Britain introduced by Dan Snow (also on BBC Four). Both well worth watching. Pauline Rourke.
SHREWSBURY DIOCESAN PILGRIMAGE REUNION – SATURDAY 22 NOVEMBER AT ST COLUMBA’S – Have you ever been on a Shrewsbury Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes? Whether you’ve travelled as a helper, assisted as part of the Hospitality team, or come as a pilgrim, you are warmly invited to a special Reunion Day organised by the Lourdes Hospitality. Join us at St Columba’s Catholic Church for a celebration of faith, friendship, and shared memories. Mass at 2:00pm Refreshments to follow in the Parish Hall.This is a wonderful opportunity to reconnect with old friends, share experiences, and reflect on the blessings of Lourdes.
MARY POPPINS JUNIOR AT THE CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL – An extraordinary production from the Drama and Music departments. Tuesday 25 & Wednesday 26 November at 7p.m. Please buy your tickets now! £7.50 children, £10 adult tickets, and £30 ticket and dinner with a glass of wine/soft drink before the show. For enquiries, email welcometo@christofidelis.org.uk
COMMEMORATING MRS. OATES’ SERVICE AS HEADTEACHER – We warmly invite you to join us in celebrating Mrs. Oates’ dedicated years of service as Headteacher of St Werburgh’s and St Columba’s Schools on Thursday, 18 December at St Columba’s Church.
The evening will begin at 6.30p.m. with a special service at St Columba’s Church, bringing our community together to give thanks for her commitment to our schools and parishes. Following the service, you are invited to a Cheese and Wine Reception in the church hall from 7p.m. to 8p.m. Children are welcome at both the service and the reception. Please help us spread the word so that as many families connected with the schools as possible can attend. If you plan to join us, kindly complete the RSVP form so we can prepare refreshments: https://forms.office.com/e/9bNg70BFcR.
We look forward to celebrating together!
SOUP WITH SOUL – at the Town House, Chester, open Mon- Fri 12p.m.-2.30p.m. £5 for soup and short bread. Choice of 3 soups. This includes £1 to Soul Kitchen. Creating a positive future for those experiencing homelessness and hardship.
PARISH WEBSITE – Items for website must be about parish-based events and should be sent to Lyn Coyle, who is the parish liaison with the website manager. marilyn.coyle44@gmail.com
FOOD BANK DONATIONS – Urgently Needed – The Food Bank’s is asking for, tinned meat, fish, veg, fruit, tomatoes, spaghetti, puddings, curry sauce, Smash, pasta & sauce, UHT/powdered milk, long-life juice, custard, jams, spreads, and coffee. westcheshirefoodbank.org.uk for up to date needs. Thank you for your support!
STAY SAFE FROM SCAMS – Scammers may know your details, don’t assume they’re genuine. Always think twice. Never share your PIN or passwords. Ignore emails or calls about computer viruses. Delete suspicious emails and mark them as spam. Be safe, if unsure, contact companies using official numbers. Dial 159 to safely reach your bank. Report scams to Action Fraud: 0300 123 2040 or online. Free guide and tips: Age UK Scam Advice the Booklet is available at the back of both churches – please return after reading.
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 November to be compiled by Muriel Green Phone: 01244 383836, email: muriel.green1@btinternet.com. Deadline: 9.00a.m. Wednesday 19 November.
Please include a contact number with your notice. Also email a copy to Fr. William at st.theresas@btinternet.com.