SIXTEENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
23rd JULY 2023
| Sat 22 Jul | St Mary Magdalene. Feast | ||
| St. Theresa’s | 5.00pm | Parishioners’ Intentions | |
| St. Columba’s | 6.30pm | Eileen Thornber RIP | |
| Sun 23 Jul | |||
| St. Theresa’s | 9.30am | Private Intentions (BW) | |
| St. Columba’s | 11.00am | Parishioners’ Ints | |
| Mon 24 Jul | |||
| St. Theresa’s | Mary Walsh RIP | ||
| St. Columba’s | 10.30am | Linda Barlow RIP | |
| Tue 25 Jul | St James Apostle Feast | ||
| St. Theresa’s | Private Intentions | ||
| St. Columba’s | Rev Russell Cooke RIP | ||
| Wed 26 Jul | St Joachim & Ann, parents of BVM | ||
| St. Theresa’s | Tom Groom RIP | ||
| St. Columba’s | 9.30am | Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament | |
| 10.15am | Novena Prayer | ||
| 10.30am | Mary Bristow | ||
| Thu 27 Jul | |||
| St. Theresa’s | Private Intention | ||
| St. Columba’s | Priests’ Intentions | ||
| Fri 28 Jul | |||
| St. Theresa’s | 10.00am | Joan Dale RIP | |
| St. Columba’s | Parishioners’ Intentions | ||
| Sat 29 Jul | Ss Martha, Mary and Lazarus | ||
| St. Theresa’s | 5.00pm | Parishioners’ Intentions | |
| St. Columba’s | 6.30pm | The Parish | |
| Sun 30 Jul | |||
| St. Theresa’s | 9.30am | Eileen Mapp’s Ints | |
| St. Columba’s | 11.00am | Parishioners’ Intentions |
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 from St Theresa’s at 9.30am this Sunday 22nd July 2023.
www.facebook.com/thecatholicparishofstcolumbaandsttheresa
JULY – HOLY FATHER’S INTENTIONS -Month of the Blessed Blood of Jesus:
For a Eucharistic life: We pray that Catholics may place the celebration of the Eucharist at the heart of their lives, transforming human relationships in a very deep way and opening to the encounter with God and all their brothers and sisters.
RECENTLY DECEASED:
Please remember in your prayers Rev. Russell Cooke and Evelyn Broadbent, who died recently. Evelyn’s Funeral Mass will take place on Monday 31st July at 1.00 p.m. at St. Columba’s followed by internment at Blacon Cemetery at 1.40 p.m.
ANNIVERSARIES:
Peter Quinton Sweetman, Mary Walsh, Frederick Aloysius Eadon, Eileen Morris, James Aloysius Brennan, Mary Dolores Parry, Joan O’Hanlon, Frank Barcroft & Margaret Watson.
FR. COOKES FUNERAL
Fr. Cooke’s funeral will take place on Wednesday 26 July at 11.30 at St Winefride’s Church, Neston. As it is expected that a number of parishioners would like to attend the funeral, and parking at St Winefride’s is limited, a coach has been arranged to take any parishioners who wish to attend. The coach will leave promptly at 10.30 from St Columba’s Church, returning here after the funeral. The maximum cost will be £10 per person.
There are still some places available on the coach so if you would like a place please sign one of the pro-formas at the front or rear entrance to church or ring St Columba’s church office.
There will be Devotions & Mass as usual at St Columba’s.
CONFESSIONS:
There will be Confessions after each weekday Mass until 11.30am,
St Columba’s: From 6pm before the 6.30pm Saturday evening Mass.
St Theresa’s: From 4.30pm before 5pm Saturday evening Mass.
WEDDINGS, BAPTISMS AND FUNERALS:
Please contact one of the Parish Offices to make your arrangements.
OFFERTORY:
St Columba’s: Loose plate: tbc Planned Giving: tbc; Average Weekly SO – £574.00; Candles: tbc
St Theresa’s: Loose plate & Planned Giving: £239.40; Average weekly SO – £161
THANK YOU for all your generous support.
PRAYING TOGETHER:
We pray for:
- the residents Marina Drive, Cross Green, Chatsworth Drive, Dyserth Road, Cadnant Close, Aberdaron Drive & Cemlyn Close.
- For Ramblers & Walking Groups, Trekkers and all who meet together for outdoor pursuits.
NEEDLES & PINS – WED 26th JULY
Everyone is welcome to come along to this friendly needlecraft group in St Columba’s Hall, between 2.00-4.00 every fourth Wednesday of the month. Hope to see you.
ST COLUMBA’S COFFEE ROTA
23rd July – volunteers please
30th July – volunteers please
6th Aug – volunteers please
Why not donate a little time to make tea and coffee after 11:00 Mass on Sunday? You can make some money for your favourite charity, too. Call Margaret Curtis 01244 318424 to book your date(s).
SYNOD 2021 – 2024
In Rome, from 4-29 October, bishops, priests, religious and lay people will be asked to consider a series of questions as part of the global synod process. The document for discussion will consider how women can better participate in “governance, decision–making, mission and ministries at all levels of the church.” Pope Francis has ruled that, for the first time, women will take part in the assembly as voting members. Questions to be considered include the ordination of married men, greater acceptance of LGBTQ+ Catholics, a reform of governance, the selection of bishops and lay leadership. These are all issues which emerged from last year’s consultation process in which our parish played its part.
Pauline Rourke
PASTORAL COUNCIL MEETING 22 JUNE
Members reported on the continuing progress with high priority issues identified on the Parish Development Plan, in particular with the new website and the work of the liturgy group and the social committee. Much of the meeting was spent in further consideration of a means of increasing the number of volunteers supporting all that the church does. ‘Leaders’ of each of the voluntary groups had sent in written descriptions of the roles which made clear how much commitment they had to their responsibilities and how much they gained from their involvement. It has not been possible to thank each leader personally so I would be grateful if they would take this brief note as thanks from the parish.
Pauline Rourke. Co chair, Pastoral Council
REV. FR. RUSSELL COOKE RIP:
Fr Russell was appointed parish priest of St Columba’s Parish after the demise of Fr John Lennon in September 1997, and served the parish until his retirement in January 2016. One of his first initiatives in the parish was the foundation of a Pastoral Council, the forerunner of the PC that serves our parish today. For much of his time as our priest Fr Russell also served as Dean of the then local Deanery of Chester, Ellesmere Port, Tarporley and Mouldsworth. In 2008 Fr Russell underwent major heart surgery from which he recovered well, but later deteriorating health led to his eventual retirement. Retirement was spent living close to St Winefride’s Church in Neston; those who cared for him there say that he was comfortable and happy, only relatively lately did he suffer an illness which eventually led to his death, peacefully at home, on Friday 30th June. Parishioners from Fr Russell’s time at St Columba’s will remember a gifted preacher, a priest perhaps not always eager to please but honest and true, and judging by the crowd of well-wishers who gathered to say farewell to Fr Russell in St Columba’s Hall on his retirement, a much-loved parish priest. Requiescat in pace, Fr Russell, our thanks and prayers go with you.
ANNUAL PARISH COACH TRIP – YORK
When arriving by car for the York trip, please park in the square carpark next to the Newman Room, seen from the hall windows. NOT the main carpark surrounding the church.
There have been some cancellations, so there are a few seats now available on the trip. If you would like to go to York on Thurs 27th July, please call Margaret Curtis on 01244 318424 or Paul Wrigglesworth on 07708 304246.
SCHOOLS:
We wish everyone a pleasant summer break, and best wishes to those moving on to higher education .
AID TO THE CHURCH IN NEED
There will be a retiring collection at all Masses over the weekend of 29/30 July.
CHESTER SINFONIA ‘CONCERT’
Chester Sinfonia were delighted that so many from St Columba’s and St Theresa’s were able to join them for what was a very enjoyable ‘open rehearsal’ a week last Friday and sent Sue Carr a lovely thank you letter. They were very appreciative of our hospitality and their offer has been accepted to do a similar event around Christmas with some participatory carols and solos from their lovely singer Hannah. Stand by for further information in November! Pauline Rourke
CARITAS-HOME FOR UKRAINE:
Are you interested in making a difference by hosting a family fleeing the war in Ukraine? For more information please take a leaflet from the back of church or visit the website: www.sjog-homesforukraine.uk
CYCLING WITHOUT AGE CHESTER:
This is an initiative to get the elderly back on bikes. Specially adapted trishaws take passengers out for free. For further information contact chester@cyclingwithoutage.org.uk
NEW DAWN IN THE CHURCH:
This takes place from 31 July – 4 August and is a five day Catholic Conference which takes place every year at the Catholic National Shrine & Basilica of Our Lady of Walsingham. For further details please see the leaflets at the back of church.
MISSIONARY SISTERS OF ST PETER CLAVER
Many thanks for the amount of £521 which our parish collected at their recent appeal.
APOSTLESHIP OF THE SEA
Many thanks for the amount of £141.16 which our parish collected recently.
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK
“Make each day your masterpiece.” — John Wooden
RESOURCES – Cheshire West and Cheshire Library events over the summer holiday period for both children and adults. From science fun, pebble painting, board games, animal fun and much, much, more. Some activities may need tickets, but the activities are free. Check out the web sites https://www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/residents/libraries/library-events or pop into your local library.
WE’RE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER: – Sometimes you read something, and it makes you think and reassess. Maya Angelou the American author said. “This is a wonderful day. I’ve never seen it before.” And as Winnie the Pooh also says, “yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift. That’s why we call it the present”. They are both right, there is only ever one today, one present. We should celebrate all the small moments that it can give us. All the joys and challenges it brings. All those gifts that we are given and how we use them. Enjoy your wonderful day. Have a lovely week.
RED MISSION BOXES, ST COLUMBA’S
If you have a Red Mission box for collection, please leave it in the sacristy. When counted I can return your box to your home. Thank you, Margaret Curtis 01244 318424.
| SYNOD 2021-2024 – Communion Participation Mission An earlier posting of this monthly Synod News item announced approval, by the General Secretariat of the Synod, of the Instrumentum Laboris (IL), the working document for the participants in the October 2023 session of the Synod. The IL can now be downloaded at: www.synod.va/Synodal Process/Universal Phase/Documents The Foreword of the IL includes the following: The Members of the Synod Assembly are the primary recipients of the IL, which is also made public not only for reasons of transparency but as a contribution to the implementation of ecclesial initiatives. In particular, it can encourage participation in the synodal dynamic at the local and regional levels, while waiting for the outcome of the October Assembly. This will provide further material on which the local Churches will be called to pray, reflect, act and make their own contribution. The IL is a long read but even a short look could help us understand the Synodal process a little more.Please continue to pray for the Synod and for our participation, walking together along the way, united in Christ, the Way, the Truth and the Life. https://sscolumbaandtheresa.co.uk/prayer-for-the-synod/ |
ST COLUMBA’S CHURCH & HALL BOOKINGS
To arrange meetings etc. in either the Church, Newman Room or the Iona Chapel, please book through Nuala Keegan, Church Office, 01244 624019, Email: stcolumbaschurch2016@outlook.com
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 Sue Carr on 07553 114531 or email columbashallbookings@gmail.com to arrange booking.
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| NEXT WEEK’S NEWSLETTER: 16th July Edition will be compiled by Alison Wrigglesworth, Phone: 01244 382457, E-mail: a.wrigglesworth@outlook.com Please include a phone number in case of queries, and please ensure that items are emailed or phoned to the compiler by 9.00a.m. on WEDNESDAY 26th JULY |