The month of May is dedicated to The Blessed Virgin Mary
PENTECOST SUNDAY
24 MAY 2026
| Saturday 23 May | ||
| St Theresa’s | 5.00p.m. | Parishioners’ Intentions |
| St Columba’s | 6.30p.m. | Private Intention (A&LP) |
| Sunday 24 May – PENTECOST SUNDAY – Day of Special Prayer of the Church | ||
| St Theresa’s | 9.30a.m. | Altar Services |
| St Columba’s | 11.00a.m. | Parishioners’ Intention |
| 2.00p.m. | Kerala Catholic Community Mass in Syro-Malabar Rite | |
| Monday 25 May – Mary Mother of the Church. Mem | ||
| St Theresa’s | The Spiritans | |
| St Columba’s | 10.30a.m. | Veronica Johannessen |
| Tuesday 26 May – Our Lady Help of Christians. Solemn | ||
| St Theresa’s | Michal Krawiec RIP | |
| St Columba’s | Parishioners’ Intentions | |
| Wednesday 27 May – St Augustine of Canterbury. Feast | ||
| St Theresa’s | Priests’ Intentions | |
| St Columba’s | 9.30a.m. | Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament |
| 10.15a.m. | Novena Prayers | |
| 10.30a.m. | Jean McDonald RIP | |
| Thursday 28 May – Our Lord Jesus Christ The Eternal High Priest. Feast | ||
| St Theresa’s | Special Intentions | |
| St Columba’s | Priests’ Intentions | |
| Friday 29 May | ||
| St Theresa’s | 10.00a.m. | Eileen Mapp’s Intentions |
| St Columba’s | The Parish | |
| Saturday 30 May | ||
| St Theresa’s | 5.00p.m. | Private Intention |
| St Columba’s | 6.30p.m. | Theresa Stanley |
| Sunday 31 May – THE MOST HOLY TRINITY. Solemn | ||
| St Theresa’s | 9.30a.m. | Parishioners’ Intentions |
| St Columba’s | 11.00a.m. | William Nash RIP |
| 2.00p.m. | Kerala Catholic Community Mass in Syro-Malabar Rite | |
LIVE STREAMING OF MASS – Mass will be streamed at St Columba’s on Sunday 24 May at 11.00a.m.
RECENTLY DECEASED – Please remember in your prayers Kate Paradyz, who died recently, and her family and friends. Requiem Mass for Kate is on Friday 19 June at 2p.m. at St Columba’s.
ANNIVERSARIES – Brenda Garner, Francis William Byrne
POPE’S PRAYER INTENTION FOR MAY – THAT EVERYONE MIGHT HAVE FOOD. Let us pray that everyone, from large producers to small consumers, be committed to avoid wasting food, and to ensure that everyone has access to quality food.
CONFESSIONS – After each weekday Mass until 11.30a.m.
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: £660.30; Planned Giving: £278.82; Average weekly SO £718.15. (St Columba’s) Dona Stations: £92; Candles: £13. Thank you for your kind generosity.
FR WILLIAM – Please remember that Thursday is Fr William’s day off.
PRAYING TOGETHER FOR
- The residents of Ormonde Road, Newton Hall Drive, Beechway, Upton Dene, Upton Grange, Maitland Way, Canberra Way, Roebourne Rise and Melbourne Road.
- The staff and patients of the Hospice of the Good Shepherd and the local support groups.
- Those who are terminally ill and those who care for them.
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK – “Keep your eyes on the stars and your feet on the ground.” – Theodore Roosevelt
THE SPIRITANS – The annual Spiritan Appeal will take place at all Masses over this weekend (23-24 May). It is a time for us to show our appreciation to the Spiritan Community and the work they do. Fr Alphonsus Beni CSSp will be the celebrant that day and students Denis Davis & Martin Ekere will give the appeal.
On Monday 25 May the Spiritans in the Liverpool area will be joining us for our 10.30a.m. Mass at St Columba’s. After Mass there will be a meeting in St Theresa’s presbytery for the Spiritans.
ST THERESA’S PARISH OFFICE – This will be closed this week, but Fr William will attend to emails and ‘phone calls as usual.
FIFTH SUNDAY SERVICE NEXT SUNDAY – The next Churches Together Fifth Sunday Service will be held at Upton United Reformed Church at 4.30 p.m. on next Sunday, 31 May. You are cordially invited to join us in this joint act of worship.
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
24 May – volunteers please
31 May – volunteers please
07 June – St Columba’s Feast Day, Barbecue
FRIENDSHIP THURSDAY HELP NEEDED – Between 20 and 30 people enjoy the Friendship Group once a month and find it very supportive and welcoming. We are short of helpers at the moment because we need about 6 people to make coffees, set up the hall, welcome our members and sometimes, put out tables and chairs. We are very grateful to those who help but not everyone can commit to being free every month and so a rota of helpers for once every two months would be helpful so that we know we can go ahead. Sometimes, we may only need 2 or 3 people to put out tables and chairs from about 1,30 for half an hour. Can you help just one afternoon a month/ every 2 months? To find out more or offer to help, contact Lyn Coyle 07735574397 marilyn.coyle44@gmail.com
Our next session is June 4 when we have a very interesting speaker for part of the time. Thank you.
PARISH “WE’VE GOT TALENT” EVENT – Thank you to everyone for making this such a successful event last Friday – our MC, Peter Daly, all the performers, the social committee, and helpers and of course you, the parishioners for singing so well and supporting it. We do indeed have talent!!
PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION AT PENTECOST – Some of the prayers this Sunday will be read in different languages to celebrate the universality of the church.
NEEDLES & PINS – WED 27 MAY Everyone is invited to this friendly and welcoming needlecraft group in the Newman Room, between 2:00 – 4:00p.m. every fourth Wednesday of the month. Hope to see you.
ANNUAL PARISH COACH TRIP – NOTTINGHAM – The annual coach trip this year will be to Nottingham on Thursday 30 July. The cost is £18 per person. More details and a poster will be issued soon. There will be a list in each church to put your name down.
TOUR OF THE RELICS OF ST GERARD MAJELLA – In the last week of May, our diocese will be hosting the relics of St Gerard Majella on their tour of England and Wales, to mark St Gerard’s 300th anniversary. The relics will be at St Werburgh’s on Tuesday 26 May, with Mass at 12.15p.m. and 7p.m. The relics will be available for prayer between Masses. The church will be open an hour before Mass for personal prayer, and blessings with the relics will be available after Mass.
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.
RESOURCES – EASY EVANGELISATION – www.IsItTrue.net is a new website designed to encourage people to consider joining the Catholic faith. Please consider sharing it with family and friends.
CONFIRMATION PREPARATION – If you are high school age, or older, and wish to prepare to be Confirmed at the next Chester Parishes celebration of Confirmation, on 11 November ’26, for young people – parents please register by emailing stcolumbatheresaconfirmation@hotmail.co.uk. Please include your child’s date of birth and school year. This year the preparation programme for parishioners from all Chester Catholic Parishes will be led by St. Columba and St. Theresa’s Confirmation preparation team at St. Columba’s church. Adults wishing to prepare to be Confirmed please speak to Fr William, or email Father at st.theresas@btinternet.com.
The Confirmation preparation information meeting for youth candidates and their parents will be on Monday 8th June, starting 7p.m., in St. Columba’s church. If you are not sure about being Confirmed, you are welcome to come and find out more about the preparation.
BOOK SALES – ST WERBURGH’S – To celebrate 150 years of St, Werburgh’s Church, Chester, being opened, the parishioners have produced a book describing the history of the church/parish over the last 150 years. Copies of the book will be on sale at the end of mass on the following dates. Price £7 per copy – cost price.
St. Columba – Sat and Sun 6 and 7 June.
St. Theresa – Sat and Sun 13 and 14 June.
We are sure that you will enjoy this book about the roots of Catholicism in Chester and recommend it to former parishioners. (St. Werburgh’s History Group)
CATHOLIC FAMILY HOLIDAYS IN THE LAKE DISTRICT – Castlerigg Manor in Keswick (heart of the Lake District) is offering budget-friendly holidays for Catholic families during May, August, and early September. Breakfast and evening meal are included and there will be Mass on site. Guests have full use of the site including the grounds, games room, chapel, and lounges, and Castlerigg is just a short walk from Keswick and Lake Derwentwater. Ideal for individuals, couples, families, or groups of friends. Head to www.castleriggmanor.com >> stay with us or contact director@castleriggmanor.co.uk / Tel: 017687 72711
YOUTH MINISTRY GAP YEAR OPPORTUNITY – Do you know anyone aged 18-25 who is looking for a new challenge? The Diocese of Lancaster has a Youth Ministry team based in Keswick in the Lake District. They run retreats at Castlerigg Manor and also work in Churches and schools around the area. The ‘Youth Ministry Internship’ scheme comes with high quality training, experience, and recognised qualifications and gives young people the chance to join a welcoming community and a vibrant team doing some amazing work. Interested? Contact director@castleriggmanor.co.uk orwww.castleriggmanor.com >> join the team
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 31 May to be compiled by Amy O’Donnell Phone: 07854290897, email: amyod@hotmail.co.uk. Deadline: 9.00a.m. Wednesday 27 May. Please include a contact number with your notice.
Also email a copy to Fr. William at st.theresas@btinternet.com