The month of June is dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus
MOST HOLY BODY AND BLOOD OF CHRIST SUNDAY
22 JUNE 2025
| Sat 21 Jun | |||
| St. Theresa’s | 9.30am | Malankara Jacobite Syriac Orthodox Community Mass | |
| 5.00pm | Parishioners’ Intentions | ||
| St. Columba’s | 6.30pm | Anne Rooney RIP | |
| Sun 22 Jun | Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ | ||
| St. Theresa’s | 9.30am | Beryl Williams RIP | |
| St. Columba’s | 11.00am | Kath Crogan RIP | |
| 2.00pm | Kerala Catholic Community Mass in Syro-Malabar Rite | ||
| Mon 23 Jun | |||
| St. Theresa’s | Priests’ Intentions | ||
| St. Columba’s | 10.30am | Private Intention (SVP) | |
| Tue 24 Jun | Nativity of St John the Baptist | ||
| St. Theresa’s | Marjorie Kaye RIP | ||
| St. Columba’s | Parishioners’ Intentions | ||
| Wed 25 Jun | |||
| St. Theresa’s | Private Intentions | ||
| St. Columba’s | 9.30am | Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament | |
| 10.15am | Novena Prayers | ||
| 10.30am | Mrs Elwell – ongoing prayers thanksgiving | ||
| Thu 26 Jun | |||
| St. Theresa’s | Angela McDevitt RIP | ||
| St. Columba’s | Priests’ Intentions | ||
| Fri 27 Jun | The Most Sacred Heart of Jesus | ||
| St. Theresa’s | 10.00am | Peter Lloyd RIP | |
| St. Columba’s | The Parish | ||
| Sat 28 Jun | |||
| St. Theresa’s | 5.00pm | Anna Blundell RIP | |
| St. Columba’s | 6.30pm | Fr Russel Cooke | |
| Sun 29 Jun | Ss Peter & Paul, Ap | ||
| St. Theresa’s | 9.30am | Charles Woods | |
| St. Columba’s | 11.00am | Francis Family Intentions | |
| 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 exceptionally at St Theresa’s on Saturday 21 June at 5.00p.m. Cover is needed at St Columba’s for occasions when Tim is unavailable. (St Theresa’s have a volunteer) 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 JUNE PRAYER INTENTIONS
That the world might grow in compassion. Let us pray that each one of us might find consolation in a personal relationship with Jesus, and from his Heart, learn to have compassion on the world.
ANNIVERSARIES
Francis (Frank) Joseph Brady, Mary Kilcoyne, Margaret Christine Alcock, Patricia Lally.
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
Loose Plate: £773.13; Planned Giving £281.50; Average weekly SO £718.15. Candles: £23.72.
Thank you for your generosity.
FR WILLIAM
Fr William will be away until the end of August. We hope he has a well earned rest.
PRAYING TOGETHER
Pray for:
* the residents of Somerset Road, The Crescent, Heathfield Close, Rawson Road, Nant Peris, Plas Dinas, Glyn Garth and Sealand Road
* the Pastoral Groups and Caring and Sharing
* the pastoral care of the community.
HOLY REUNION MASS AT CHS
All the children who have recently done their FHC or are about to receive this sacrament are invited to celebrate Mass followed by light refreshments at the Catholic High School on Wednesday 25 June, 6pm. The children are welcome to wear their Communion outfits or the school uniform. Family and friends are welcome to join us. Please book your places by email to gasparinia@christofidelis.org.uk.
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. 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.
22 June volunteers please
29 June volunteers please
06 July volunteers please
SVP CAKE AND COFFEE MORNING
The SVP will be holding a coffee and cake morning after the 9.30 Mass at St Theresa’s on Sunday 29 June. Cakes available to eat in or take home!!
| CHURCH NEWS: From the Vatican Speaking to the Bishops of England and Wales, Pope Leo has expressed his spiritual closeness to them, when they say that “Christian hope is not just naïve optimism but, rather, an unshakeable trust in the power and presence of God who is with us always,” “This hope,” they say, “can endure the darkness of human suffering and even see beyond it.” In a telegram addressed to Archbishop John Sherrington of Liverpool, Pope Leo says the Jubilee Year theme, “seeks to draw people’s attention to how the mystery of suffering, so prevalent in the human condition can be transformed by grace into an experience of the Lord’s presence.” The Holy Father goes on pray that through “common witness to the God-given dignity of every person, without exception, and to the tender Christ-like accompaniment of the seriously ill, all in society will be encouraged to defend rather than undermine a civilization founded on authentic love and genuine compassion.” |
TWO SAINTS – TWO ISLANDS
This is the theme for the Churches Together in Upton Fifth Sunday Service to be held at Holy Ascension Church on Sunday 29 June at 4.30 p.m. We have been asked to read one of the Lessons, so if anyone would like to do that please contact David Savage 01244 380626.
BLACON FESTIVAL – SATURDAY 5 JULY
Avenue Services have informed us that Blacon Festival will be using the car park next to St Theresa’s Church. Those attending the 5pm Mass at St Theresa’s will be unable to park on the car park. Apologies for any inconvenience caused.
ALL PARISHIONERS ARE INVITED TO ATTEND
THE PASTORAL COUNCIL ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
SATURDAY 19 July 2025, ST COLUMBAS HALL 2.30 – 4.30 pm
This is an opportunity to hear about what the Pastoral Council has been doing in the last year and to make suggestions for what it could do, for you, in the future. A report will be presented on each area of activity with opportunities for questions and answers. The winners of the Jubilee Art Competition will be announced, prizes will be awarded and entries will be on display.
The meeting will be followed by Afternoon Tea – cakes, drinks etc.
The Pastoral Council would welcome new members. If you would be interested in joining, please give your name and contact details to one of the parish secretaries and a member of the Council will contact you to let you know more about it. As a final encouragement to you, there will be a Free Raffle Ticket given to each parishioner who attends the meeting! Pastoral Council members will not be eligible for the free draw. Pauline Rourke, Ann Mc Carthy.
FINAL CALL FOR PARISH JUBILEE YEAR ART COMPETITION
You have one more week to create a piece of art inspired by the Jubilee themes to be entered into our competition! Please pass any entries to anyone on the parish pastoral council, or either of the secretaries, by the new deadline of Sunday 29th June. Lots of age categories for all of the family to get involved and cash prizes! More information can be found on the parish website, or email Amy on amyod@hotmail.co.uk.
NEEDLES & PINS – Wed 25 June
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
ANNUAL SUMMER PARISH COACH TRIP
On Thurs 24 July we have a coach booked to LEEDS, cost £15. Leaving 8:45 from St Columba’s and 9am from St Theresa’s. Read poster in your church porch for details. Sign-up sheets are in the front porches. Please pay Margaret Curtis 01244 328424 or Paul Wrigglesworth 0754 286710 as soon as possible.
DAY PILGRIMAGE
The five Chester Parishes “Trips to Shrewsbury Cathedral” 31 July is half full so please get your names and menu choices to Fr Paul at St Werburgh’s (werburgh465@btinternet.com) if you would like to come. Choose your lunch from the selection on the flyer at the back of Church.
NEWSLETTER EDITORS WANTED!
Can you help our editors to get a break? We just need 2 more editors so that the work comes round about 6 times a year. Full support, shadowing, help, and advice provided. Come and try it out, we don’t bite! And we really need some extra help, please. Speak to Anne in the first instance, 01244 340243. Thank you.
CAFOD
In this Jubilee year, CAFOD is working with our sister Caritas organisations around the world to call for urgent action on the global debt crisis. Many of the world’s poorest countries are suffering huge debt burdens with devastating impacts on ordinary people. Pope Francis spoke about the need for action many times saying, “More than a question of generosity, this is a matter of justice”. Please sign the worldwide Church petition. The petition will be available for signing on the weekend of 28/29 June.
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK
“Don’t wait for the perfect moment. Take the moment and make it perfect.” Zoey Sayward
PASTORAL COUNCIL MINUTES
Please note that all Minutes of Pastoral Council meetings are published on the website once they have been approved by the meeting. The latest Minutes have just been published.
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 https://sscolumbaandtheresa.co.uk/i-am-new/. Thank you.
ST. WERBURGH’S 150th ANNIVERSARY
This will be celebrated in December this year. Details of events in the coming week are on the notice board in both churches.
LOURDES BY JUMBULANCE
Chester Across Group are going to Lourdes on 14-23 August. There are vacancies for sick and disabled pilgrims and for nurses and helpers. For more information, please contact Tony Murphy on 07881-656-974 or tonymurphyefc2002@yahoo.co.uk
FAMILY & SOCIAL GROUP STAYS AT CASTLERIGG THIS AUGUST
Castlerigg Manor is a Catholic residential youth centre in the Lake District and it’s opening its doors to family groups and social groups this August. There are single rooms, twin rooms, and large family rooms at very cheap rates. Guests have access to the grounds, chapel, games room, and lounges, with Keswick and the Lake only a short walk away. For more info director@castleriggmanor.co.uk or www.castleriggmanor.com/open
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: https://youth2000.org/events/summerfestival2025.
MARCH FOR LIFE UK
Join March for Life UK on Saturday 6 Sept in London! The right to life underpins every other right we have and without it every other right is rendered meaningless. Unite with thousands of others at this family-friendly event where we recognise the value of life from conception and stand up for all those impacted by abortion. A coach leaves from St Winifride’s Church, 187 Crowmere Rd, Shrewsbury SY2 5LA (6.30am), Our Lady of Perpetual Succour Church, 542 Cannock Rd, Wolverhampton WV10 8PG (7.15am), St Mary’s The Mount, Glebe St, Walsall WS1 3NX (8am). Seats cost £30 for adults, £10 under 16, payable in advance. For more info/to book a seat contact Isabel 07773501721, Ben 07885 505116 info@marchforlife.co.uk
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.
NEXT WEEK’S NEWSLETTER
Sunday 22 June edition will be compiled by Rebecca Vaughan. Phone: 01244 318632 or email: Rebecca_vghn@yahoo.co.uk. Please include a phone number in case of queries, and please ensure that notices are also emailed to st.theresas@btinternet.com or phoned to the compiler by 9.00 a.m. on WEDNESDAY 25 JUNE 2025