The month of August is dedicated to The Immaculate Heart of Mary
EIGHTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
2 AUGUST 2026
| Saturday 1 August | ||
| St Theresa’s | 9.30am | Malankara Jacobite Syriac Community |
| 5.00pm | Parishioners’ Intentions | |
| St Columba’s | 6.30pm | Pat Wilkinson RIP |
| Sunday 2 August – Eighteen Sunday in Ord. Time | ||
| St Theresa’s | 9.30am | George Kelly RIP 10th Anniversary |
| St Columba’s | 11.00am | Pat Wilkinson RIP(SVP) |
| 2.00pm | Kerala Catholic Community Mass in Syro-Malabar Rite | |
| Monday 3 August – St Oswald K, M. Mem. | ||
| St Theresa’s | Special Intention | |
| St Columba’s | 10.30am | Mary Ible RIP 1st Anniversary |
| 1.00pm | Funeral Service for Sandra Maria Brookfield | |
| Tuesday 4 August – St John Vianney, P. Mem. | ||
| St Theresa’s | Priests’ Intentions | |
| St Columba’s | 6.30pm | Bob Roberts RIP |
| Wednesday 5 August | ||
| St Theresa’s | Private Intention | |
| St Columba’s | 9.30am | Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament |
| 10.15am | Novena Prayers | |
| 10.30am | Graham Leech RIP | |
| Thursday 6 August – THE TRANSFIGURATION OF THE LORD. Feast | ||
| St Theresa’s | 6.30pm | Sarah Williams RIP |
| St Columba’s | 10.30am | Parishioners’ Intentions |
| Friday 7 August | ||
| St Theresa’s | 10.00am | Margaret Rogers RIP |
| St Columba’s | The Parish | |
| Saturday 8 August | ||
| St Theresa’s | 5.00pm | Healing for Eloise Sophia |
| St Columba’s | 6.30pm | Barbara Wilson RIP |
| Sunday 9 August – 19th Sunday in Ord. Time | ||
| St Theresa’s | 9.30am | John Dunne RIP |
| St Columba’s | 11.00am | Deacon Lawrence & Family |
| 2.00pm | Kerala Catholic Community Mass in Syro-Malabar Rite | |
LIVE STREAMING OF MASS – Mass will be streamed at St Columba’s on Sunday 2 August at 11a.m.
ADDITIONAL MASSES – For the feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord on Thursday 6 August there will be Mass at St Columba’s at 10.30am as well as at 6.30pm at St Theresa’s.
RECENTLY DECEASED – Please remember in your prayers, Bob Roberts, Sandra Brookfield and Neil O’Sullivan who died recently, and their family and friends. The Funeral of Sandra will be held on Monday 3 August at 1pm at St Columba’s.
ANNIVERSARIES – Mary Ible, Josephine Shanley, George Kelly and John Dunne
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: £531.11; Planned Giving: £275.50; Average weekly SO £734.22. (St Columba’s) Dona Stations: £111; Candles: £53.49. Second Collection for Apostleship of the Sea: £258.55. 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.
PRAYING TOGETHER FOR –
- The residents of Acres Lane, Alwyn Gardens, Brooke Avenue, Rhuddlan Road, Carmel Close and Rose Close.
- The clergy of the Churches in Upton and Blacon and for their congregations.
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK – “What day is it?” asked Pooh. “It’s today,” squeaked Piglet. “My favourite day,” said Pooh.” ― A.A. Milne
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
02 Aug – volunteers please
09 Aug – volunteers please
16 Aug – volunteers please
THANK YOU – Many thanks to those who supported our cake/tea and coffee sales on Sunday 25 July after mass. £123.35 was raised for the parish Youth Club. We appreciate your generosity and support. Youth Club leaders
CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING – Over the coming weeks in the newsletter there will be a very brief introduction to the 7 principles of Catholic Social Teaching with a view to exploring the principles in more detail later in the year. 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)
Solidarity: Solidarity requires that we see another person as a neighbour, a fellow human who is equal in dignity. Solidarity means recognising the responsibilities we have to each other, and taking an active role in helping others attain their full potential. This is more than just a feeling. It drives us to action. We are called by the principle of solidarity to take the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:29-37) to heart, and to express this understanding in how we live and interact with others, not as a matter of charity, but of justice. Solidarity makes it impossible for us to look away from the injustices that our sisters and brothers experience. (Caritas Australia)
CAFOD NEWS – Re the global debt crisis: let’s build on last year’s progress and call for further action on debt. A new petition has been introduced and will be available to sign over the summer months. Ann McCarthy will speak at Masses over the weekend of 1-2 August.
CLOTHING APPEAL – A neighbour has asked for our help to support a young woman and her two young daughters who have recently moved into a refuge, with very few belongings. They are urgently in need of clothing, toys and educational materials. The woman is 30 years old and wears a size 8. The children need clothing for ages 2–3 years and 4–5 years. If you have any good-quality, clean clothing or toys that you were planning to donate to a charity shop and would be willing to give it to this family instead, it would be greatly appreciated. Please place any donations in the labelled box in the church porch labelled ‘Clothing Request’. Thank you very much for your kindness and generosity. Pauline Rourke
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
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.
MASS IN SPANISH – Fr Patrick from St Clare’s Church celebrates a monthly Mass in Spanish for Spanish speaking community in Chester and anyone who wishes to participate. Next Mass will take place on Saturday 15 August at 4.00pm at St Clare’s Church. !Todos son Bienvenidos!
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.
FROM EILEEN AND LAWRENCE – To Fr William for the appreciative words of his homily and to the parish at large for the many kind thoughts and good wishes, on the occasion of Lawrence’s retirement from active ministry as parish Deacon, our heartfelt love and thanks. Thanks particularly for the overwhelming generosity shown in your farewell gift, which we intend to use in celebration of our Diamond Wedding anniversary later in the year. With our prayers always.
HOT WEATHER IN ST COLUMBA’S CHURCH – During the current spell of hot weather, it is difficult to cool the church because the small windows at the top of the stained-glass windows can no longer be opened. If you have a personal hand-held fan, please do bring it with you to church. Pauline Rourke
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.
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 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 9 August to be compiled by Eileen Irwin, phone: 01244 371660, email: st.theresas@btinternet.com. Deadline: 9.00a.m. Wednesday 5 August. Please include a contact number with your notice and also email a copy to Fr. William at st.theresas@btinternet.com