The month of February is dedicated to The Holy Family
FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT
22 FEBRUARY 2026
| Sat 21 Feb | |||
| St. Theresa’s | 9.30am | Malankara Jacobite Syriac Orthodox Community Mass | |
| 5.00pm | Eileen Lewis Rosenbloon & Families | ||
| St. Columba’s | 6.30pm | Mary Jeffes | |
| Sun 22 Feb | First Sunday of Lent | ||
| St. Theresa’s | 9.30am | Parishioners’ Intentions | |
| St. Columba’s | 11.00am | Richard Murphy | |
| 2.00pm | Kerala Catholic Community Mass in Syro-Malabar Rite | ||
| Mon 23 Feb | St Polycarp, B, M. Mem. | ||
| St. Theresa’s | Joan Hayden RIP | ||
| St. Columba’s | 10.00am | Stations of the Cross | |
| 10.30am | Gerry Galvin RIP | ||
| Tue 24 Feb | |||
| St. Theresa’s | Alistair McCreary RIP | ||
| St. Columba’s | Adam Elwell | ||
| Wed 25 Feb | |||
| St. Theresa’s | Mackie Family RIP | ||
| St. Columba’s | 9.30am | Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament | |
| 10.15am | Novena Prayers | ||
| 10.30am | Special Intention (AJ) | ||
| Thu 26 Feb | |||
| St. Theresa’s | 9.30am | School Mass Jane Walsh’s Intentions |
|
| St. Columba’s | Priests’ Intentions | ||
| Fri 27 Feb | |||
| St. Theresa’s | 9.30am | Stations of the Cross | |
| 10.00am | Tony & Sue Evans & Family | ||
| St. Columba’s | The Parish | ||
| Sat 28 Feb | |||
| St. Theresa’s | 5.00pm | Ed & Bernie McCarney & Family | |
| St. Columba’s | 6.30pm | Chris Duncan | |
| Sun 1 Mar | Second Sunday of Lent | ||
| St. Theresa’s | 9.30am | John Christoforou | |
| St. Columba’s | 11.00am | Josie McCann | |
| 2.00pm | Kerala Catholic Community Mass in Syro-Malabar Rite |
LIVE STREAMING OF MASS – Mass will be streamed at St Theresa’s on Sunday 22 February at 9.30 a.m.
ANNIVERSARIES – John Stead, Jayne Lesley McElwaine, Janet Irene McMahon, Michael Craven.
POPES PRAYER INTENTION FOR FEBRUARY 2026 – For children with incurable diseases. Let us pray that children suffering from incurable diseases and their families receive the necessary medical care and support, never losing strength and hope.
CONFESSIONS – After each weekday Mass until 11.30am.
Saturdays:
St Columba’s 6.00 – 6.25p.m.
St Theresa’s 4.30 – 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.
PRAYING TOGETHER FOR
- The residents of Rosewood Avenue, Whitby Avenue, Egerton Drive, Donne Place, Kipling Road, Wordsworth Mews and Wordsworth Square.
- Those on the brass and flower rotas and those who distribute flowers.
- Those who clean our churches and halls.
PARISH OFFERTORY – Loose Plate: £802.60; Planned Giving: £402.47; Average weekly SO £718.15.
St Columba’s Dona Stations: £65. Candles: £79.75. White Flower Appeal: £339.50. Thank you for your kind generosity.
PROPOSED COFFEE AND TEA PRICE RISE – The price of teas and coffees in St Columba’s Church Hall on Sundays will be £1 from 1 March. This will help volunteers raise more for their chosen charity and will encourage more groups to volunteer in the future.
RETIRING COLLECTION – 21/22 Feb – There will be a retiring collection this weekend for the Holy Family Sisters Appeal.
FR WILLIAM – Please note that Thursday is Fr William’s day off so try not to arrange meetings on a Thursday that you would like Fr William to attend.
LENT GROUP – This will begin on Tuesday 24 Feb and run for 5 weeks, although you do not have to commit to coming every week. Give it a try and see how you feel. Anyone is welcome. Each week, we shall look, with some words of guidance, at a passage from the gospel of John, reading it through, praying about it for some minutes and sharing our thoughts. No-one is forced to speak. You can bring your own bible, but copies of the passage will be available. Join us at 10. 30 a.m. in the Iona Chapel for 30-40 minutes maximum. Lyn 07735574397
VOTIVE CANDLES AT ST COLUMBA’S CHURCH – Our candles are safe and environmentally friendly: they may be left to burn when the church is empty, the spent wax is recycled and last year, using these candles, helped prevent 112 trucks of plastic and aluminium cups going to landfill.
As they are more expensive, please consider a minimum donation of 50p per candle. You can donate via the Dona system, which increases your offering if you are registered for Gift Aid. Thank you. Pauline Rourke
ST COLUMBA’S COFFEE ROTA – The 2026 tea and coffee rota is on the noticeboard in St Columba’s Hall. We need someone to volunteer every Sunday after 11:00 Mass, so if you would like to raise money for your good cause, please put your name and details on the sheet and let Margaret Curtis know on 01244 318424 or marg.curtis@outlook.com
22 Feb – Lina Greig – Hopeful Ugandan Hearts
01 Mar – volunteers please
08 Mar – volunteers please
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK – “Love is the flower you’ve got to let grow.” John Lennon
CAFOD FAMILY FAST DAY – There will be Second Collection for CAFOD Family Fast Day on 3 March 2026. The official Family Fast Day is on Friday 27 February and CAFOD invite us to live out the Gospel call to ‘Love Your Neighbour’. By fasting, and giving what you save, you join in Christ’s compassion and help another family put food on their table. Your donation can help families around the world grow food in difficult conditions – such as flood-resistant floating garden or using solar-powered water pumps in times of drought. Collect a CAFOD envelope, donate at CAFOD.org.uk/envelope, call 030303 30 30 or use the QR code on the posters in the church porches.
SVP THEATRE NIGHT – SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE – Bebington Dramatic Society will present “Shakespeare In Love” on Wednesday 4 March, 7.30p.m. at the Gladstone Theatre, Port Sunlight. All proceeds to support the SVP Holiday Home in North Wales which provides much needed holidays for many people. Tickets £12 available from Sue McCarthy, Mark Traynor or any member of the SVP
THE NATIONAL NOVENA TO ST JOSEPH – will take place from 10-18 March 2026 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 YouTube, 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.
THE COMMUNITY OF OUR LADY OF WALSINGHAM – Seeks help to purchase a property to accommodate their growing community and further their mission for the re-evangelization of England. Any amount, large or small, is greatly appreciated and the community assure you of their prayers. More information, as well as the option to donate online, can be found at: www.maryshouseappeal.org E. office@walsinghamcommunity.org T: 01362 692574
NEEDLES & PINS – Wed 25 Feb – Everyone is invited to this friendly and welcoming needlecraft group in the Newman Room, between 2-4pm every fourth Wednesday of the month. Hope to see you.
FRIENDSHIP THURSDAY – Don’t forget 5 March 5 2-4 pm, guest speaker: “A Railway, its Engineers and their Houses”. More news next week!
The Catholic High School is joining the CAFOD Big Lent Walk! – The whole school will complete a circular walk in Handbridge on Friday 27 March to raise money to fight poverty in Ethiopia as they face a devastating food crisis. If you would like to sponsor the students by making an online donation, please go to our CAFOD portal or scan the QR code. Many thanks for your support. Donate – Donation amount – JustGiving
CHURCHES OF SANCTUARY INFORMATION EVENING – Tuesday 24 February, 7p.m. at Chester Cathedral
Is your church already supporting or wanting to support those seeking sanctuary from war and persecution? This is a chance for members of churches of all denominations to find out more about the Churches of Sanctuary network and to hear from Chester City of Sanctuary. Kirushan Sivagnanam, Chester Cathedral of Sanctuary Artist in Residence, will also offer a viewing of his brand-new exhibition. Use the link below and the promo code ‘sanctuary2026’ to book.
https://chestercathedral.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/shows/1173664495
MUSICAL EVENING – SOIRÉE! – In aid of Chester Parkinson’s UK. Friday 27 March, 7p.m. at St Columba’s Church Hall. £15 pp includes fish and chip supper from the award-winning Weston Grove Chippy. Bring your own alcohol! Tea, coffee, soft drinks available and a RAFFLE! Tickets from Pat Riddell 07941839161 or patriddell31@aol.com
MUSEUM OF THE MOON ARTWORK – Chester Cathedral, from Thursday 12 February to Sunday 15 March 2026. The installation is a fusion of lunar imagery, moonlight and surround sound composition. No need to book daytime entry, but a donation is advised.
DANCE THROUGH THE DECADES – From the 60’s to NOW!! DJ Chris Appleton. In Aid and support of “Hopeful Ugandan Hearts”, on Saturday 7 March from 7p.m.-11p.m. at St Columba’s Church Hall. £15 per person (includes cold food buffet) 18+ Event Alcohol licensing in place. All proceeds help support the Charity’s work.
Music • Dancing • Retro Vibes
Dance your way through the decades with hits from the 1960s right up to today!
Dress up from your favourite decade if you wish.
Pay at the door or contact Lina Greig on 07837512544 for more information.
SIX BIBLE STUDIES ON THE LENTEN SUNDAY GOSPELS – Mauro Iannicelli will break-open the forthcoming Lenten Sunday Gospels with in-depth teaching and stimulating questions.
Started: Tues 17 February 2026 at 7p.m.
Six consecutive Tuesdays: 17 Feb | 24 Feb | 03 Mar | 10 Mar | 17 Mar | 24 Mar (7-8:15p.m.).
Free of Charge | LIVE on YouTube.
Registration: comeandsee.org/lent26
BETROTHED – Shrewsbury Diocese will be running two sacramental marriage preparation courses in early 2026. Each course runs over two consecutive Saturdays from 9.30 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. on each day. The two venues are:
(1) Vincent de Paul Church Westleigh Parish Hall, Groby Road, Altrincham WA14 2BQ, on 28 February and 7 March
(2) Shrewsbury Cathedral Parish Hall, Town Walls, Shrewsbury SY1 1UE, on 21 and 28 March.
Registration is essential. To register, contact Monika: monika.golembiewska@dioceseofshrewsbury.org
For more information, contact Jane Deegan: jane.deegan@dioceseofshrewsbury.org
ST. WERBURGH’S & ST. COLUMBA’S SCHOOL – The School Mission Team (SMT) have had the idea to use the arch in our prayer garden as a prayer arch. A school member with an intention they want prayed for, can tie a ribbon around the arch. If anyone has any spare ribbon or coloured string, could you please donate it to this project. The SMT are really excited about seeing the arch become colourful with prayer intentions! Thank you in advance.
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 1 March to be compiled by Paula Bownas Phone: 01244 379794, email: paulabownas@yahoo.co.uk. Deadline: 9.00a.m. Wednesday 24th February.
Please include a contact number with your notice. Also email a copy to Fr. William at st.theresas@btinternet.com