The month of August is dedicated to The Immaculate Heart of Mary
21st SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
23 AUGUST 2026
| Saturday 22nd August | ||
| St Theresa’s | 5.00pm | Nicholas Huber RIP |
| St Columba’s | 6.30pm | Philip Francis RIP |
| Sunday 23rd August | ||
| St Theresa’s | 9.30am | Parishioners’ Intentions |
| St Columba’s | 11.00am | Niall Sullivan RIP |
| 2.00pm | Kerala Catholic Community Mass in Syro-Malabar Rite | |
| Monday 24th August – St Bartholomew Feast | ||
| St Theresa’s | Andrew Lester RIP | |
| St Columba’s | 10.30am | Mary Ryan |
| Tuesday 25th August | ||
| St Theresa’s | Private Intention (RM} | |
| St Columba’s | NO MASS | |
| Wednesday 26th August | ||
| St Theresa’s | Steve & Ann Gannon’s Wedding Anniv. | |
| St Columba’s | 9.30am | Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament |
| 10.15am | Novena Prayers | |
| 10.30am | Danny Glynn | |
| Thursday 27th August | ||
| St Theresa’s | Priests’ Intentions | |
| St Columba’s | Priests’ Intentions | |
| Friday 28th August | ||
| St Theresa’s | 10.00am | Requiem Mass for Mary (Mae) Dunne RIP |
| St Columba’s | 1.00pm | Requiem Mass for Margaret Patino Pan RIP |
| Saturday 29th August | ||
| St Theresa’s | 5.00pm | Parishioners’ Intentions |
| St Columba’s | 6.30pm | Sandra Brookfield RIP |
| Sunday August 30th August | ||
| St Theresa’s | 9.30am | Stephen James Taylor RIP |
| St Columba’s | 11.00am | Philip Francis RIP |
LIVE STREAMING OF MASS – Mass will be streamed at St Columba’s on Sunday 23 August at 11a.m.
RECENTLY DECEASED – Please remember in your prayers, Peter Cunniff and Margaret Patino Pan, and Mae Dunne. Mae’s Requiem Mass will be held at St. Theresa’s Church at 10.00am on Friday 28 August Margaret’s Requiem Mass is at St. Columba’s Church on Friday 28 August at 1.00 p.m.
ANNIVERSARIES – Nicholas Huber, Stephen James Taylor and Patricia Mary Blythe.
POPE’S 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: £TBC; Planned Giving: £TBC; Average weekly SO £TBC. Dona Stations: £TBC. Thank you for your kind generosity.
ST COLUMBA’S OFFICE – St Columba’s office is officially closeduntil 31 August, but urgent matters are being dealt with through the kind services of Carol Galvin on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays only, between 9am and 12pm.
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK – “My plea to people would be: take off those earpieces so you hear nature and, of course, birdsong. You may not realise how precious it is until it’s gone.” Bill Oddie
PRAYING TOGETHER FOR
- the residents of Oakfield Drive, Flag Lane South, Upton Lane, Weldon Close, Cotes Place, Bridgeman Road, Stubbs Place, and South Way.
- For the Wardens, Deputy Wardens, Sides persons and Collectors.
- For our Churches being welcoming to newcomers.
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
23 Aug – Hopeful Ugandan Hearts, Lina Greig
30 Aug – volunteers please
06 Sept – volunteers please
There will be coffee and cakes for sale today, 23 August.
| Please contact your MP to oppose assisted suicid e- The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, which seeks to legalise assisted suicide, will return to the House of Commons for its Second Reading and vote on Friday, 11 September 2026. The Bishops’ Conference is urging Catholics to contact their MP and ask them to oppose the Bill. Archbishop Richard Moth has warned that it could place vulnerable people under pressure to end their lives and could create serious difficulties for health and social care staff, hospices and care homes. Please make your voice heard. Even if you have contacted your MP previously, please consider doing so again. The charity Right to Life UK provides a simple online facility to contact your MP by entering your postcode.For information and to take action, visit: cbcew.org.uk/opposing-assisted-suicide (Bishops Conference of England Wales website) righttolife.org.uk/Sept11vote Contact details for Chester MP – Samantha Dixon, email samantha.dixon.mp@parliament.uk, constituency office, The Bluecoat, Upper Northgate St, Chester CH1 4EE; Parliamentary office, House of Commons London SW1A 0AAPlease read posters in our churches. |
EXAM RESULTS – to all of our students, wishing you all the very best as your exam results are made available to you. Wishing you every success for your future, whatever that may hold for you. Dream Big. Good luck.
NEEDLES & PINS – Wed 26 Aug – 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.
| FR WILLIAM is available to meet with parishioners after 10.30 Mass on Mondays and Wednesdays, or can be contacted at St Theresa’s presbytery (details on top of Newsletter). Thursday is his day off. |
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.
ST THERESA’S ANNIVERSARY – The first Parish Priest was appointed to oversee the creation of St Theresa’s parish on 15 September 1956. To celebrate this 70th anniversary, there will be cream tea after 9.30am Mass on Sunday 13 September. A bigger celebration to mark the building of the church will take place in 2028.
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.
SAVE THE DATE – 16 OCTOBER – There will be a family fun evening in St Theresa’s centre starting at 7:30pm. Watch this space for more details.
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). So far we have briefly covered the principles of Human Dignity, Solidarity, the Care of Creation and the Common Good. This week……
Preferential Option for the Poor – The option for the poor reminds us of God’s preferential love for the poorest and most vulnerable people. God’s love is universal; he does not side with oppressors, but loves the humble. (CAFOD)
How we treat our most vulnerable people defines our values and principles. In a world where there are increasing divisions between rich and poor, our faith instructs us to put the needs of poor and vulnerable first for the sake of the common good. (Catholic Church in England and Wales).
CAFOD CAMPAIGN – Over the next few weeks, we are collecting signatures for a CAFOD petition about the global debt crisis which is causing terrible suffering for our brothers and sisters around the world. Cardinal Stephen Ameyu Martin Mulla from South Sudan has written to parishes in England and Wales to explain. A copy of the letter and petition forms to sign can be found in the church porches. Please take a moment as you leave church to lend your support. Thank you.
COMMUNITY VOLUNTEER CAR SCHEME – DRIVERS NEEDED – Pat Riddell writes as Chair of Chester Parkinson’s UK: Many charities like ours organise and fund wonderful activities for our members, but our main difficulty is always transport. Before my diagnosis of Parkinson’s I was a volunteer driver for Lache Day Centre and more recently for MacMillan and I found both very rewarding. If you are a driver, with your own car and have some time to spare, you might be interested in volunteering for https://www.changing-lives-together.org.uk/ who are trying to set up a car scheme for the most vulnerable in our community. If you are interested please email: Sarah Jolliffe, the Community Transport Manager at Changing Lives with your contact details and a little information about yourself. Sarah.Jolliffe@changing-lives-together.org.uk Thank you
DIOCESAN VACANCIES – Exciting new vacancies have arisen within the Diocese. The Shrewsbury Youth Mission Team (SYMT) are recruiting for a Programme Coordinator and Team Member; both roles are full time based in Stockport. The Curial office is also looking to recruit an Accounts Assistant, full time, based in Birkenhead. CV’s to be sent to Pauline McCulloch recruitment@dioceseofshrewsbury.org Closing date: Friday 18 September. Further details for all vacancies can be found on the Diocesan website using this link https://dioceseofshrewsbury.org/careers
ST FRANCIS OF ASSISI, CHESTER – CHANGE OF MASS TIMES
From Sunday, 6 September 2026, the Sunday Mass schedule at St Francis, Chester, will change as follows:
Saturday: 12.00 noon (English), 6.30 pm Vigil (English)
Sunday: 8.00 am Benedictine Abbey (English), 10.00 am (English), 5.00 pm (Polish).
Please note that the 12.00 noon Polish Mass will be celebrated for the final time on Sunday, 30 August.
Weekday Masses remain at 12.00 noon (Monday–Saturday), with 9.00 am Mass at the Benedictine Abbey on Wednesdays.
CAFOD school volunteers needed! – Could you visit your local Catholic school to talk about the work of CAFOD? We are looking for volunteers to deliver school assemblies and workshops and inspire children and young people to make a difference and take action. For further information please contact Anna Letizia on 07710 094449 emailaletizia@cafod.org.uk
CLOTHING APPEAL – Our sincere thanks to the parishioners of both churches who responded so generously to the recent appeal for clothing and toys. The recipient has been overwhelmed by your kindness, and your generosity has helped her emotionally as well as practically during a very difficult time. As she is currently living in a single room, she has no space to store any further donations of clothing or household items. However, when more suitable accommodation becomes available, she will need furniture and essential household goods. The Parish SVP has very kindly offered to help by purchasing the specific items she will need at that time. If you would like to contribute, donations of cash would be greatly appreciated and may be placed in the baskets labelled SVP at the entrances to both churches. Thank you once again for your generosity and continued support. Pauline Rourke
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.
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
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: 2–4 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 9am to 2pmTo 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 30 August to be compiled by Rebecca Vaughan, phone 01244 318632, email: Rebecca_vghn@yahoo.co.uk. Deadline: 9am Wednesday 26 August. Please include a contact number with your notice and also email a copy to Fr William at st.theresas@btinternet.com