EASTER SUNDAY
20 APRIL 2025
The month of April is dedicated to The Holy Spirit
| Sat 19 Apr | Holy Saturday Easter Vigil | ||
| St. Theresa’s | NO EVENING MASS | ||
| St. Columba’s | 8.00pm | Easter Vigil Mass Michael Craven RIP |
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| Sun 20 Apr | EASTER SUNDAY | ||
| St. Theresa’s | 9.30am | Parishioners’ Intentions | |
| St. Columba’s | 11.00am | Children’s Liturgy Private Intention (NK) |
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| 2.00pm | Kerala Catholic Community Mass in Syro-Malabar Rite | ||
| Mon 21 Apr | Monday of the Easter Octave | ||
| St. Theresa’s | Priests’ Intentions | ||
| St. Columba’s | 10.30am | Parishioners’ Intentions | |
| Tue 22 Apr | Tuesday of the Easter Octave | ||
| St. Theresa’s | Private Intentions | ||
| St. Columba’s | Parishioners’ Intentions | ||
| Wed 23 Apr | Wednesday of the Easter Octave | ||
| St. Theresa’s | Special Intentions | ||
| St. Columba’s | 9.30am | Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament | |
| 10.15am | Novena Prayers | ||
| 10.30am | Phillip G Francis | ||
| Thu 24 Apr | Thursday of the Easter Octave | ||
| St. Theresa’s | Tony & Robin Walsh | ||
| St. Columba’s | Priests’ Intentions | ||
| Fri 25 Apr | Friday of the Easter Octave | ||
| St. Theresa’s | 10.00am | Mary Scalley RIP | |
| St. Columba’s | The Parish | ||
| Sat 26 Apr | Saturday of the Easter Octave | ||
| St. Theresa’s | 5.00pm | Parishioners’ Intentions | |
| St. Columba’s | 6.30pm | David Innes RIP | |
| Sun 27 Apr | Divine Mercy Sunday | ||
| St. Theresa’s | 9.30am | Colette Johnson RIP | |
| St. Columba’s | 11.00am | Francis O’Leary | |
| 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 20 April 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.
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EASTER WISHES
Fr William and Fr Peter would like to wish all parishioners a Happy Easter. The Lord has risen. Hallelujah!
PARISH OFFICES
Will be closed from Thursday 17 April until Tuesday 22 April.
THE EASTER VIGIL
The Easter Vigil is the heart of the Church’s liturgical year. It is full of symbolism, the most vivid being the image of Christ the Light of the World conquering the darkness of sin and death. It begins in the dark, outside the church, where it might be hard to see or hear. For those lighting the fire, there may be some nerves should the weather be windy. But out of this, there is a certain wonder as the procession begins into a darkened church with the Deacon or Priest carrying the Paschal Candle, singing Lumen Christi – the Light of Christ. Gradually the people enter, and their candles are lit from the Paschal Candle. The Light of Christ spreads throughout the church, Christ’s light shattering the darkness.
ANNIVERSARIES
James Rogerson, Sheila Ann Gilfoyle, William James Hinde, Gerald O’Hanlon, John Bernard Douggie, Michael Thornber.
POPE’S APRIL PRAYER INTENTIONS
For the use of the new technologies. Let us pray that the use of the new technologies will not replace human relationships, will respect the dignity of the person, and will help us face the crises of our times.
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.
PARISH OFFERTORY
St Columba’s: Loose Plate: TBC; Planned Giving TBC; Average weekly SO £718.15. Candles: TBC.
St Theresa’s: Loose £171.04, Envelopes £155.20, Society of African £829.94.
Thank you for your generosity.
PRAYING TOGETHER
- Pray for the residents of Ethelda Drive, Dorfold Way, Sussex Road, Onslow Road, Springwood Close, Overwood Lane and Melverley Drive.
- For all who serve through the Anglican Diocese of Chester, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Shrewsbury and the United Reformed Church Mersey Synod.
- For our churches that they may be filled with the Holy Spirit.
SUNDAY MESSAGE
This week the readings cover only Mass on Easter Day, they do not cover the Vigil Mass. For the Vigil, please pick up one of the Triduum Booklets available in Church which will include the appropriate Readings. Thank you.
The Easter Candle will now burn at all Masses up to and including Pentecost. It will burn during Baptisms and from it the Baptismal candles will be lit. It will stand beside the coffin during the funeral liturgy: a reminder of the Baptism of the deceased person.
TERMINALLY ILL ADULTS (END OF LIFE) BILL
Following the recent Pastoral letter relating to this Bill, to find out more and write to your MP visit www.livesworthliving.org.uk, and or pick up a leaflet from the back of church. Postcards can also be found at the back of church addressed to SPUC relating to a request to the PM to commit to long term reform of hospice and palliative care. Should you wish to contact your MP Samantha Dixon, her address is, House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA, her email address is Samantha.dixon.mp@parliament.uk. Her constituency office address is The Bluecoat, Upper Northgate St, Chester CH1 4EE. The Health Secretary, Wes Streeting can also be contacted at the above House of Commons address and email wes.streeting.mp@parliament.uk.
CAFOD, FAMILY EASTER PRAYER
Risen Jesus,
We rejoice that you are alive and with us.
Make us messengers of Easter joy and hope
for all the world.
Amen
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.
20 April – Easter Sunday, volunteers please
27 April – volunteers please
4 May – volunteers please
CAFOD LENT FAST DAY
The total amount from envelope donations was £429. Many thanks for your continued generosity.
CHORAL MUSIC FOR EASTER – 18 APRIL AT 7PM
On the afternoon of Good Friday, 18 April, the professional group Manchester Baroque will be playing at Manchester Cathedral to perform Bach’s St. John Passion with Manchester Cathedral Choir, one of the most moving pieces of music ever written, performed for the occasion in the Church calendar for which it was originally written. Manchester Cathedral has disabled facilities including disabled toilets and seating with extra legroom. During the interval, a bar will also be available to purchase drinks. Tickets for all budgets start from £10 to book for the St. John Passion head to: https://shorturl.at/kowtW .You can find out more about us at www.manchesterbaroque.co.uk . If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact me. Thank you very much for your assistance. Mike Emmerich.
ST THERESA’S SCHOOL KNITTED CHICK APPEAL
A huge thank you to everyone who knitted chicks for the school’s Easter appeal. The sale of knitted chicks with their chocolate egg inserts raises a whopping £200.00. THANK YOU!
NEEDLES & PINS – WEDNESDAY 23 APRIL
Everyone is invited to this friendly and welcoming needlecraft group in the Newman Room, between 2:00-4:00pm every fourth Wednesday of the month. Hope to see you.
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK
“Bloom where you are planted”, St Francis De Sales
CAFOD MYANMAR EARTHQUAKE APPEAL
Following the devastating earthquake in Myanmar, CAFOD is responding through the Catholic Church there to support families affected by the disaster. Your donations will provide essentials like water, food, solar lights, and mosquito nets. You can donate online at cafod.org.uk/myanmar or by calling 0300 999 0030. You can also text EARTHQUAKE to 70450 to donate £10.
Prayer for the people of Myanmar. Please join us in praying for the people of Myanmar and other affected areas. God, our strength and our help in times of trouble, be with your people now, in the aftermath of this earthquake. Move us to come together offering shelter for the homeless, rest to the weary comfort to the injured and distressed.
SVP APPEAL FOR WHITE GOODS
The SVP are currently supporting a person who has been rehoused. Do you have a washing machine, fridge/freezer or a free standing electric cooker that you could donate? Please contact Sue McCarthy, Mark Traynor or any member of the SVP. 07515491251. Many thanks
ZUMBA MASTERCLASS IN AID OF “HOPEFUL UGANDAN HEARTS
On Saturday 17 May from 11am-1pm. £10 Adults and £5 Children 6+ PAY AT THE DOOR.
We are raising funds to support two Orphanages in Uganda. Children need to remain in school and we are helping to pay for school fees, food and rent. Come and join me Zumba with LiNA for two hours of Zumba fitness and FUN!!! As always, we’ll have a Raffle, expect great prizes. Any enquiries contact Lina Greig 07837512544.
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.
BRAZILIAN COMMUNITY
Hi all, we are part of the Brazilian community in Chester and would like to invite you to pray the rosary with us. We meet on line on Thursdays at 8p.m. The rosary is prayed in Portuguese, so if you’d like to join us you are more than welcome. Please send us an email and we can send you the link for the meeting. Luciana lucianaalsina@yahoo.com
THE CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL
Teaching Assistant Vacancy: For information, please visit www.christofidelis.org.uk Closing date: 12pm Wednesday 23 April 2025 Applications should be returned via email to: Andrew Kilcoyne, kilcoynea@christofidelis.org.uk
Prom Dresses and Suits Wanted: The Catholic High School is welcoming donations of dresses and suits for the upcoming ‘Prom Shop’ sale. Donations may be dropped off at the school reception – Old Wrexham Road, CH4 7HS. Thank you.
PLANNED GIVING ENVELOPES 2025/2026
The planned giving envelopes for the next financial year are now available at the back of the church. There are also a number of blank boxes of envelopes and should you wish to use one please contact Kevin Keegan on 07790 758008 or email at k1bfb@hotmail.com so that your details can be added to the planned giving system.
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.
SUPPORTING THE VOCATION TO MARRIAGE AND FAMILY LIFE
Calling all those interested in supporting the vocation of marriage and family to join Jane Deegan Director of Marriage and Family Life Vocation for a retreat day to find out more about this important work and the various different ways you can help.
When: 7th June 2025 9.30am-4.00pm
Where: Parish Hall, Holy Angels Church, Wicker Lane, Hale Barnes WA15 0HG
To Register and for More Information please contact:
Monika at monika.golembiewska@dioceseofshrewsbury.org Mobile: 07549226794
or Jane at jane.deegan@dioceseofshrewsbury.org Mobile: 07517 906435.
NEXT WEEK’S NEWSLETTER
Sunday 27 April 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 notices are also emailed to Fr William or phoned to the compiler by 9.00 a.m. on TUESDAY 22 APRIL 2025
