The month of May is dedicated to Blessed Virgin Mary
FIFTH SUNDAY OF EASTER
18 MAY 2025
| Sat 17 May | Feast | ||
| St. Theresa’s | 9.30am | Malankara Jacobite Syriac Orthodox Community Mass | |
| 5.00pm | Joe Blundell RIP | ||
| St. Columba’s | 6.30pm | Parishioners’ Intentions | |
| Sun 18 May | |||
| St. Theresa’s | 9.30am | Parishioners’ Intentions First Holy Communion Mass |
|
| St. Columba’s | 11.00am | Stuart Worral RIP – Second Anniversary | |
| 2.00pm | Kerala Catholic Community Mass in Syro-Malabar Rite | ||
| Mon 19 May | St Milburga, Ab, V. Mem. | ||
| St. Theresa’s | Priests’ Intentions | ||
| St. Columba’s | 10.30am | Private Intention MB | |
| Tue 20 May | |||
| St. Theresa’s | Private Intentions | ||
| St. Columba’s | Parishioners’ Intentions | ||
| Wed 21 May | Dedication of the Cathedral. Feast | ||
| St. Theresa’s | Parishioners’ Intentions | ||
| St. Columba’s | 9.30am | Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament | |
| 10.15am | Novena Prayers | ||
| St. Columba’s | 10.30am | Tomasz Klimiuk | |
| Thu 22 May | |||
| St. Theresa’s | Intentions of those who made their First Holy Communion | ||
| St. Columba’s | Priests’ Intentions | ||
| Fri 23 May | |||
| St. Theresa’s | 10.00am | Christina O’Donnell RIP | |
| St. Columba’s | The Parish | ||
| Sat 24 May | |||
| St. Theresa’s | 5.00pm | Frank & Mary Lally RIP | |
| St. Columba’s | 6.30pm | Cliff Peaker RIP | |
| Sun 25 May | Sixth Sunday of Easter | ||
| St. Theresa’s | 9.30am | Michael Krawiec | |
| St. Columba’s | 11.00am | Colin Swinnerton RIP | |
| 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 Theresa’s on Sunday 18 May at 9.30a.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
POPE’S MAY PRAYER INTENTIONS
For working conditions. Let us pray through work, each person might find fulfilment, families might be sustained in dignity, and that society might be humanized.
RECENTLY DECEASED
Please remember in your prayers Edith Stockdale. Her funeral service will be held at St Francis Church on Tuesday 20 May at 11a.m.
ANNIVERSARIES:
George O’Hanlon, Dr Bhaskara Rajan.
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.
PARISH OFFERTORY
Loose Plate: £523.88; Planned Giving £341.15; Average weekly SO £718.15. Candles: £37.50.
SPIRITAN APPEAL – 8 JUNE
There will be a retiring collection over the weekend of 7/8 June which is Pentecost Sunday. The Congregation of the Holy Spirit came into being on Pentecost – the outpouring of the Holy Spirit with his gift. I would like to appeal to parishioners to generously support our mission to educate more younger ones in formation. William Sianyuka who is a student on Pastoral Year, will be making the appeal. Thank you.
SPIRITAN RETREAT
Fr William and Fr Peter will be on their annual Spiritan Retreat from the 25 – 30 May. Fr Alphonsus will be saying Mass for us during their absence. We wish them a peaceful and reflective time.
PRAYING TOGETHER
Pray for:
- Pray for the residents of Newry Park, Grange Road, Eversley Park, Wavertree Road, Western Avenue and Lloyd Place.
- For vocations to the ministry, Foundations for Ministry and those in current training.
- For all lay people in the varied ministries in our Churches
FIRST HOLY COMMUNIONS – St Theresa’s
Today we have our family celebrations of First Holy Communions. We welcome you all and pray for and congratulate the children.
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.
18 May – volunteers please
25 May – volunteers please
01 June – volunteers please
LOURDES HOSPITALITY
Following a meeting held early April exploring the role of the Hospitality, you are invited to continue this reflection at a further meeting. The meeting will take place on Wed 21 May at 7pm at St Columba’s, Plas Newton Lane, Chester CH2 1SA. Confirm your attendance at secretary@teamshrewsbury.co.uk
PLANNED GIVING ENVELOPES 2025/2026
If you would like to Gift Aid your donation please contact St Columba’s – Kevin Keegan on 07790 758008 or email klbfb@hotmail.com St Theresa’s Steve Parry on 07798 676633 or email steveparry98@yahoo.com
PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL
The Parish Council met on 1 May in St Theresa’s Presbytery. Reports from the various constituent groups outlining their planned activities within the context of the Parish Development Plan had been received in advance and were commented on. The main discussion of the meeting centred around the proposals for the exciting AGM on July 19 (date for your diaries) and further ways to mark the Jubilee 25 year including a special Mass to be held on Thursday Sept 18 (another date for your diaries).
PARISH ART COMPETITION TO CELEBRATE THE JUBILEE YEAR
As part of our Parish celebrations for the Jubilee Year, we are inviting parishioners and their families, along with students from our local Catholic schools, to enter our art competition by creating a piece of artwork which is inspired by the Jubilee themes.
We have several age groups (4-6 years, 7-11, 12-14, 15-18 and 18+), each with cash prizes. The deadline for entries is Friday 27 June. Winning entries will be displayed at our Parish Pastoral Council AGM on Saturday 19 July. There are information sheets which may provide some inspiration for your entries available at both churches. We look forward to seeing your creativity so please do join in and support us in our celebrations of the Jubilee Year.
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. Thank you.
NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER FOR SURVIVORS OF ABUSE IN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH
This week we must focus our prayers and thoughts on all survivors of Abuse in the Catholic Church and all the agencies involved in breaking open this serious subject both past and present.
CHURCH NEWS
Wise and challenging words from Archbishop John Wilson, Archdiocese of Southwark, on the election of Pope Leo XIV. What the Holy Father says of himself, is true for us. He is the Servant of the servants of God, but so must we be. We must be servants of God, servants of each other, servants who bring to bear in the world the life and love and mercy of Christ. We in our own little place, time, ministry, vocation and mission, we must preside with charity. We must live with the face and heart of the loving Saviour.
VOCATIONS WEEKEND FOR WOMEN (20s and 30s)
Discerning God’s Call in your life – 23 – 25 May, Liverpool
The weekend is organised by the Sisters, Faithful Companions of Jesus (FCJ). Jesus invites each of us to ‘Come and See’ – this weekend will give the opportunity to explore the vocation to religious life and to reflect on God’s call to you. For more information contact
Sr Lynne fcJ at fcjvocationeurope@gmail.com or
visit our website www.fcjsisters.org.
To register https://bit.ly/FCJVocationWeekend
PEACE DOVES AT CHESTER CATHEDRAL – invites you to reflect on the values of peace, unity, and harmony. Each dove carries a unique message, written by visitors, schoolchildren, and community groups. The installation offers a serene space for contemplation and hope. From: 2 May 2025 – To: 17 June 2025. No booking required.
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.
YOUTH 2000 SUMMER FESTIVAL 2025
Taking place in the grounds of Ampleforth College from Friday 22 – Monday 25 August, the Youth 2000 Summer Festival provides young adults (aged 16-35) from across the UK the opportunity to come together and explore faith, build relationships and find hope. This four-day festival includes great speakers, social time, break-out sessions, Daily Mass, 24/7 Adoration and much more! Register your place at: youth2000.org/events/summerfestival2025.
SATURDAY MAY 24
This day is the Solemnity of Our Lady, Help of Christians, who is the Principal Patron of our diocese. There is no public mass for the occasion but a private prayer to Our Lady might be a good way of marking the day.
DAY OF FORMATION IN LITURGICAL PRAYER & SACRED MUSIC
A day of study, prayer, music and reflection. Led by Fr Guy Nicholls, Director of the St John Henry Newman Institute of Liturgical Music. Saturday 28 June at St Joseph’s Eucharistic Shrine, Tatton Street, Stockport, SK1 1EJ. A practical day course on understanding the Liturgy and use of Scared Music within Mass. Begins at 11am and ends with a sung Mass at 5pm. Cost £5 per person (suggested donation payable on the day). Bring a packed lunch. Tea/coffee and biscuits provided. To book or for more information, please email stockportshrine@gmail.com
VOLUNTEER DRIVERS
Are you able to offer Fr Peter a lift from St Columba’s back to St Theresa’s after the 6.30pm Saturday evening Mass and the 11am Sunday morning Mass? More volunteers are needed. The more volunteers we have the fewer times you would be called upon. Please consider this request seriously and if you can help out, contact the parish offices.
NEXT WEEK’S NEWSLETTER
Sunday 25 May edition will be compiled by Rebecca Vaughan, phone: 01244318632 or email: rebecca_vghn@yahoo.co.uk. Please submit notices to the compiler by 9.00 a.m. on WEDNESDAY 21 May 2025. Please include a phone number in case of queries, and please ensure that notices are also emailed to Fr William.