The month of November is dedicated to The Souls in Purgatory
OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, KING OF THE UNIVERSE
23 November 2025
| Sat 22 Nov | |||
| St. Theresa’s | 5.00pm | Freda Blundell’s Intentions | |
| St. Columba’s | 6.30pm | Frank & Gertrude Buddery Anniversary | |
| Sun 23 Nov | Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe. First Sacraments Enrollment Mass. |
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| St. Theresa’s | 9.30am | Parishioners’ Intentions | |
| St. Columba’s | 11.00am | Carlos Hernan Archiniega RIP 1st Anniversary | |
| 2.00pm | Kerala Catholic Community Mass in Syro-Malabar Rite | ||
| Mon 24 Nov | |||
| St. Theresa’s | Holy Souls | ||
| St. Columba’s | 10.30am | Holy Souls | |
| Tue 25 Nov | |||
| St. Theresa’s | Priests’ Intentions | ||
| St. Columba’s | Holy Souls | ||
| Wed 26 Nov | |||
| St. Theresa’s | Holy Souls | ||
| St. Columba’s | 9.30am | Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament | |
| 10.15am | Novena Prayers | ||
| 10.30am | Elizabeth Forrest | ||
| Thu 27 Nov | |||
| St. Theresa’s | Holy Souls | ||
| St. Columba’s | Holy Souls | ||
| Fri 28 Nov | |||
| St. Theresa’s | 10.00am | Ann O’Connell RIP | |
| St. Columba’s | Holy Souls | ||
| Sat 29 Nov | |||
| St. Theresa’s | 5.00pm | Joe Blundell RIP | |
| St. Columba’s | 6.30pm | Milton Luciana & Catarina | |
| Sun 30 Nov | 1st Sunday of Advent | ||
| St. Theresa’s | 9.30am | Jefferey Samuel Parry RIP | |
| St. Columba’s | 11.00am | Holy Souls | |
| 2.00pm | Kerala Catholic Community Mass in Syro-Malabar Rite |
LIVE STREAMING OF MASS – Mass will be streamed at St Therresa’s on Sunday 23 November at 9.30a.m.
LATELY DEAD – Pease remember in your prayers, Janie (Jenny) Casey who died recently, and also her family and friends. Her Requiem Mass is at St Theresa’s on Thursday 11 December at 11.30am
ANNIVERSARIES – Thomas Gilfoyle, Stephen Michael Phillips, Catherine Winifred Bond, Ann White, Hilary Watmough, Annie Keegan, Jeffery Samuel Parry, Paolo Florio, Desmond Dunne.
HOLY SOULS – If you would like any deceased remembering during the month of November please put their names in an envelope marked HOLY SOULS and place it in the basket in front of the altar.
POPES PRAYER INTENTIONS For November – for the prevention of suicide Let us pray that those who are struggling with suicidal thoughts might find the support, care, and love they need in their community, and be open to the beauty of life.
CONFESSIONS – After each weekday mass until 11.30a.m. At the weekend: St Columba’s: from 6.00-6.25p.m. on Saturday. And St Theresa’s; from 4.30-4.55 on Saturday.
WEDDINGS, BAPTISMS AND 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.
SATURDAY EVENING MASS (ST COLUMBA’S) – Please do not use the rear entrance when leaving, as it has led to the church being left unlocked overnight. Thank you for your understanding.
LARGE PRINT NEWSLETTER – A limited number of large print newsletters are now available at the back of both our Churches. Printed on yellow paper to aid contrast and aid ease of reading. See our Welcomers if you need a copy.
PARISH OFFERTORY – Loose Plate: £523.63; Planned Giving:£306.17; Average weekly SO £718.15; Candles: £42.12.
There will be Caritas at Christmas Appeal on 29/30 November Masses.
YOUTH SUNDAY 23 NOV: The youth will be holding a cake sale this Sunday after the 11 o’clock Mass in aid of Claire House Children’s Hospice on the Wirral – a charity chosen by the youth group.
MCMILLAN COFFEE MORNING DONATIONS – Thank you for your fantastic contributions during the charity coffee morning on 28 Sept. McMillan have confirmed we donated £250.50 for their wonderful cause.
ST COLUMBA’S COFFEE ROTA – We would like to thank all parishoners who have volunteered their time to help with tea and coffee after the 11:00am Mass.
23 Nov – Youth Group, Richard Curtis
30 Nov – Hopeful Ugandan Hearts, Lena Greig
07 Dec – volunteers please
PRAYING FOR:
- the residents of Queen’s Crescent, Weston Grove, Lakeside Close, Dukesway, Bowyers Close, Ashfield Crescent, Glenside Close and Longdale Drive.
- For the Senior Citizens Club, Food & Fun and St Vincent de Paul Society.
- For all those who are retired.
FIRST SACRAMENTS (ST COLUMBA’S) – This Sunday, 23 November we are celebrating YouthSunday and 25 children from the parish who are preparing to receive First Sacraments this school year will be enrolled in their preparation programme during the 11.00am Mass. Please pray for the children and their families at this important time in their faith journey.
ADVENT PRAYER GROUP begins this Tuesday, Nov 25. Come to the Iona Chapel for 11 am to 11.30 to look at next Sunday’s readings, pray about them and share our thoughts in a friendly, peaceful way, For more info, contact Lyn Coyle marilyn.coyle44@gmail.com.
ADVENT RETREAT
The Catholic movement Communion and Liberation (CL) will hold its Advent Retreat What is the worth of life if not to be given? at St Columba’s Parish, on Saturday 29 November, led by Fr. Mario Toma of the Fraternity of St Charles Borromeo. Shared lunch 12:30 p.m. in the Newman Room, followed by spiritual lesson, silent reflection, assembly, and Holy Mass in the Iona Chapel. Confession available during the time of silence. Please register by 23 November (today) via clnorthwest.soc@gmail.com or contact Luca (07853 027638).
ADVENT ADORATION – On Sunday 30 November, as we start our journey through the Season of Advent , we invite you back into St Columba’s church at 12.30pm (following 11am Mass and tea and coffee) for a short period of adoration before the Blessed Sacrament. All are welcome and we would love for the children of the parish, especially those who are preparing to make their First Holy Communion, to be part of this time of prayer.
CTU CANDLELIT ADVENT SERVICE – at St Columba’s on Sunday 30 Nov at 4.30 pm, marking the First Sunday in Advent with our fellow Christians from the URC and Holy Ascension churches. Readings, prayers and well-known hymns with refreshments and social time to follow.
NEEDLES & PINS – Wed 26 November – 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.
SINFONIA – our regular hall user, would like to invite all the parishioners for a Sharing Event on 28 November at 7 pm at St Columba’s hall. This year they will be joined by Upton Community Choir. The event is free, but any donations will go to their nominated charity – Kids Bank. Baby/kids clothes and equipment may also be donated.
FRIENDSHIP THURSDAY CHRISTMAS MEETING – 4 December from 2-4 pm in the Hall. Conversation, carols and mince pies!
SENIOR PARISHIONERS’ CHRISTMAS PARTY – Saturday 13 December in the hall.
MARY, JOSEPH AND THE DONKEY’S ADVENT JOURNEY – Can you look after Mary, Joseph and their donkey this Advent? They’re looking for overnight accommodation on their journey to Bethlehem, actually St Theresa’s Crib. They will arrive in time for the Carol Service on Friday 19 December 2025. The hope is that Mary, Joseph (and the donkey) will be handed from home to home around the parish during Advent before being delivered to St Theresa’s on 19 December. Sign-up lists in the church porches.
CHRISTMAS CARDS AND DIARIES – are now available on the Piety Stall. If there is a requirement for items not currently stocked, please contact Janet on 01244 329469 to discuss, as it may be possible to order these separately.
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK – Shine bright today- your joy is contagious and it lights up the world. (various)
CONTACTLESS / BANK PAYMENTS – Processing cheques and banking cash has become very expensive so many churches now encourage donations to be made, as you enter or leave, with a credit or debit card. As well as offering convenience, donations are automatically recorded for Gift Aid where appropriate. We plan to use this system at St Columba’s, hopefully before Christmas. Further details will be given in the newsletter. Anyone from either church wishing to pay directly into the bank instead of cash or cheque, please contact one of the Parish offices.
ST COLUMBA’S RED MISSION BOX HOLDERS – Could those parishioners at St Columba’s with a MIssio Box, please leave it in the sacresty for Margaret to collect. You can collect your next Red Box from the back of the church, after your donation has been counted.
MARY POPPINS JUNIOR AT THE CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL – An extraordinary production from the Drama and Music departments. Tuesday 25 & Wednesday 26 November at 7p.m. Please buy your tickets now! £7.50 children, £10 adult tickets, and £30 ticket and dinner with a glass of wine/soft drink before the show. For enquiries, email welcometo@christofidelis.org.uk
CHRISTMAS COFFEE MORNING & CRAFT FAIR – Saturday 29 November 10.30a.m. to 2.30p.m, Hoole URC Hall, Hoole Road. Range of stalls and cakes and children’s activities, in aid of Chifundo UK, empowering women & girls in Malawi.
COMMEMORATING MRS. OATES’ SERVICE AS HEADTEACHER – We warmly invite you to join us in celebrating Mrs. Oates’ dedicated years of service as Headteacher of St Werburgh’s and St Columba’s Schools on Thursday, 18 December at St Columba’s Church.
The evening will begin at 6.30p.m. with a special service at St Columba’s Church, bringing our community together to give thanks for her commitment to our schools and parishes. Following the service, you are invited to a Cheese and Wine Reception in the church hall from 7p.m. to 8p.m. Children are welcome at both the service and the reception. Please help us spread the word so that as many families connected with the schools as possible can attend. If you plan to join us, kindly complete the RSVP form so we can prepare refreshments: https://forms.office.com/e/9bNg70BFcR
We look forward to celebrating together!
SOUP WITH SOUL – at the Town House, Chester, open Mon- Fri 12p.m.-2.30p.m. £5 for soup and short bread. Choice of 3 soups. This includes £1 to Soul Kitchen. Creating a positive future for those experiencing homelessness and hardship.
PARISH WEBSITE – Items for website must be about parish-based events and should be sent to Lyn Coyle, who is the parish liaison with the website manager. marilyn.coyle44@gmail.com
FOOD BANK DONATIONS – Urgently Needed – The Food Bank’s is asking for, tinned meat, fish, veg, fruit, tomatoes, spaghetti, puddings, curry sauce, Smash, pasta & sauce, UHT/powdered milk, long-life juice, custard, jams, spreads, and coffee. westcheshirefoodbank.org.uk for up to date needs. Thank you for your support!
ST COLUMBA ON TELEVISION – There are two very good programmes about St Columba currently available on BBC iPlayer: Pilgrimage: The Road to the Isles and How the Celts Saved Britain introduced by Dan Snow (also on BBC Four). Both well worth watching. Pauline Rourke.
STAY SAFE FROM SCAMS – Scammers may know your details, don’t assume they’re genuine. Always think twice. Never share your PIN or passwords. Ignore emails or calls about computer viruses. Delete suspicious emails and mark them as spam. Be safe, if unsure, contact companies using official numbers. Dial 159 to safely reach your bank. Report scams to Action Fraud: 0300 123 2040 or online. Free guide and tips: Age UK Scam Advice the Booklet is available at the back of both churches – please return after reading.
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 30 November to be compiled by Magdalena Bukowska Phone: 01244 624019, email:stcolumbaschurch2016@outlook.com. Deadline: 9.00a.m. Wednesday 26 November. Please include a contact number with your notice. Also email a copy to Fr. William at st.theresas@btinternet.com.