THIRTY FOURTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, KING OF THE UNIVERSE
24 NOVEMBER 2024
| Sat 23 Nov | |||
| St. Theresa’s | 5.00pm | James Alexander Fletcher RIP | |
| St. Columba’s | 6.30pm | Ann Chappell RIP | |
| Sun 24 Nov | Christ Our Universal King, Enrolment Mass for the Youth |
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| St. Theresa’s | 9.30am | Parishioners’ Intentions | |
| St. Columba’s | 11.00am | William Upperman RIP | |
| Mon 25 Nov | |||
| St. Theresa’s | Tony Simic | ||
| St. Columba’s | 10.30am | Malakai Savage | |
| Tue 26 Nov | |||
| St. Theresa’s | Priests’ Intentions | ||
| St. Columba’s | Holy Souls | ||
| Wed 27 Nov | |||
| St. Theresa’s | Special Intentions | ||
| St. Columba’s | 9.30am | Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament | |
| 10.15am | Novena Prayers | ||
| 10.30am | Sean McCabe | ||
| Thu 28 Nov | |||
| St. Theresa’s | 9.30am | School Mass | |
| St. Columba’s | Holy Souls | ||
| Fri 29 Nov | |||
| St. Theresa’s | 10.00am | Carol Galvin’s Intentions | |
| St. Columba’s | Holy Souls | ||
| Sat 30 Nov | |||
| St. Theresa’s | 5.00pm | Parishioners’ Intentions | |
| St. Columba’s | 6.30pm | Bill Mansley RIP | |
| Sun 1 Dec | |||
| St. Theresa’s | 9.30am | Jeffrey Samuel Parry RIP | |
| St. Columba’s | 11.00am | Alvis Deans RIP |
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 NOT be streamed this Sunday 24th November 2024.
www.facebook.com/thecatholicparishofstcolumbaandsttheresa
POPE’S NOVEMBER PRAYER INTENTIONS
For anyone who has lost a child. We pray that all parents who mourn the loss of a son or daughter find support in their community and receive peace and consolation from the Holy Spirit.
ANNIVERSARIES
Ann White, Hilary Watmough, Fr Edward McCann CSSp, Jefferey Samuel Parry, Paolo Florio.
WEDDINGS, BAPTISMS AND FUNERALS
Please contact one of the Parish Offices to make your arrangements.
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.
PARISH OFFERTORY
Loose Plate: £727.82; Planned Giving £229.10; Average weekly SO £555.00.
Clergy and Education Fund Collection: £236.26.
Many thanks for your generous support.
ST COLUMBA’S COFFEE ROTA
The coffee rota is on the noticeboard in St Columba’s Hall. Please enter your name and good cause against your preferred dates. You could make £30-£50 for your chosen cause.
24 Nov Volunteers please
1 Dec Richard Curtis – Altar Servers
PRAYING TOGETHER
Pray for:
- the residents of Cotebrook Drive, Oulton Avenue, Rushton Drive, Wavertree Road, Western Avenue and Lloyd Place.
- our churches open on Saturdays and the fellowship enjoyed there.
- all who use and maintain the web sites.
ASSISTED SUICIDE BILL
The Bill is to be debated in the House of Common later this month (Friday 29th November) that would legalise assisted suicide in this country. It is extremely important that concerned citizens write to their MP to make their voice known. This vote could go either way, and we know that MPs are getting many letters from the assisted suicide lobby. The contact details for our MP are: Samantha Dixon c/o House of Commons. London. SW1AQ 0AA email: samantha.dixon.mp@parliament.uk.
There are cards available at the back of church for you to complete and send to Samantha Dixon, our MP. Resources with more information: A video of a zoom event put on for the Diocese of Arundel and Brighton: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-pKBNU4jlC4
A short (18 minute) video produced by Being Catholic TV for the Bishops’ Conference of which presents the arguments well. It includes interviews with Cardinal Vincent Nichols and various palliative care doctors. https://rcpolitics.org/do-no-harm-a-new-short-documentary-on-assisted-suicide
CORRECTION THE ADVENT AND CHRISTMAS LEAFLET
The Upton Churches Fifth Sunday Service on Sunday 29th December will be at Upton United Reformed Church and not at Holy Ascension.
THE HOLY SOULS – NOVEMBER:
Please put names/donations in an envelope, marked Holy Souls, and place in the basket in front of the altar.
FIRST SACRAMENTS – ST COLUMBA’S
Today, Sunday 24th November, we are celebrating Youth Sunday. 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.
SEASON OF ADVENT
On Sunday 1st December, 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.
BLESSING OF THE NEW LECTIONARIES
The new lectionaries will be Blessed at all Masses on the weekend of 1st December 2024.
NEW PRAYER GROUP – LECTIO DIVINA
There’s still time to join! Lectio Divina simply means Sacred Reading and it is a way of praying through reflection on God’s word, with a leader to guide the group. Initially, the plan is to have four sessions in the weeks before Christmas on Thursdays Nov 28th, Dec 5th, Dec 12th and Dec 19th in the Iona Chapel at 11 a.m. Each session will last no more than 40 minutes, allowing a little time to introduce the process. Would anyone who is interested and would like to know more/ join with no commitment, please send a brief email to me so that I can send a bit more information. Please send to marilyn.coyle44@gmail.com.
Lyn Coyle
SINFONIA
Sinfonia are having their end of year rehearsal/party on Friday 29th November 7p.m. in the Church Hall and have again invited parishioners to attend. Last year’s event was a lovely start to the festive season with music and song. Please come along and enjoy this occasion. Tea and nibbles will be provided
NEW TO THE PARISH? WELCOME!
We have a New Parish Registration Form to be completed and sent to either parish office to let us know that you are here and enable us to welcome you to the parish. The form can be completed and submitted online or downloaded and printed out. Instructions are on the form, which can also be found in the front porches of both churches. You will find it on the I’m New tab of the website.
WALK WITH ME – £1
There are copies of this Advent booklet price £1 available at the back of church.
CHESTER AID TO THE HOMELESS
With winter coming, the charity are in desperate need of the following items of clothing: Men’s Shorts; men’s joggers; men’s underwear; men’s socks. They are also looking for some men’s clothing in XXL including a few coats! Any items can be left by the foodbank boxes in our church porches or contact Alex Mosquera on 01244 506 877 who will organise collection. Thank you.
BAPTISMAL CANDLES AND CERTIFICATES
Irene Queenan is going to retire soon from the art of preparing Baptismal Candles and Certificates. If anyone would like to take over this role, please contact the office.
CHRISTMAS CARDS
Christmas cards are on sale in the Piety Shop. If anyone would like any other religious items, please ring Janet on 01244 329469 as I have a catalogue and can order the item or see Carol after Sunday morning Mass at St Theresa’s.
NEEDLES & PINS – Wed 27th 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.
RED MISSION BOXES, ST COLUMBA’S
If you are a red Missio box holder, please leave your box in the sacristy for counting and pick up your emptied box, with your name on, from the table in the rear porch of St Columba’s.
200 CLUB
This month’s winner is £25 B Doyle (no. 20)
ADVENT JOURNEY – HOSTING OUR KNITTED MARY, JOSEPH & DONKEY FIGURES
To continue our Advent tradition, we’re asking households, particularly those with young children, to host our knitted Mary, Joseph and donkey for one or more nights to symbolise the journey to Bethlehem. The knitted family will arrive at St Theresa’s crib, during the Carol Service. If you can host these small figures, they really are no trouble, please add your details to the list (in both churches’ porches) by 27th November, so we can plan the route and arrange the transfer from host to host.
SOUND SYSTEM AT ST THERESA’S
We have had a trial of a new sound system installed at St Theresa’s and the feedback so far has been very positive.
TWO ADMINISTRATOR VACANCIES
Two Administrator vacancies, (full time: 35 hours and part time: 25 hours) have arisen within our Inter-Diocesan Fuel Management Department, which is a Catholic organisation purchasing gas, electricity, fuel oil and biomass for all Catholic Dioceses in England and Wales. Salary: £23K to £25K (pro rata) depending on experience. Further details can be found via our Diocesan website https://www.dioceseofshrewsbury.org/latest-vacancies/ completed application should be sent to Pauline McCulloch, recruitment@dioceseofshrewsbury.org Closing date Friday 29 November 2024.
CHAPLAINCY VACANCY
A chaplaincy vacancy at HMP Stoke Heath has arisen. For a job description and application information: 92268 – Roman Catholic Ordained Priest/ Deacon, Religious Brother, Sister – MoJ. Alternatively, applicants can contact: Mohammed Rahman, Imam & Managing Chaplain, HMP & YOI Stoke Heath, Market Drayton, TF9 2JL, Tel : 01630 636175, quoting Vacancy Ref: 92268 – Roman Catholic Ordained Priest/ Deacon, Religious Brother, Sister, Lay Person. Closing date: 13/12/2024 – 23:55
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK
“Your beliefs become your thoughts, your thoughts become your words, your words become your actions, your actions become your habits, your habits become your values, your values become your destiny”. Mahatma Gandhi
HELP AT HOME
A parishioner requires 1 hours help on Saturdays, Sundays, Mondays, and Tuesdays from 9.30a.m. to 10.30a.m. No cleaning. Just a few light duties. Please ring 01244 370310 for more information. Thank you.
CHESTER URSULINE CONVENT CLASS OF 1975
The girls who left the Ursuline Convent in 1975 (aged 16, the last but one year before the Convent closed) are marking 50 years since leaving school with a “Grand Re-union” on 25th April 2025. We have successfully contacted quite a number, but some are proving difficult to find. Can you possibly help? Please contact Pat Riddell (nee Axon) patriddell31@aol.com The girls who left the Ursuline Convent in 1975 (aged 16, the last but one year before the Convent closed) are marking 50 years since leaving school with a “Grand Re-union” on 25th April 2025. We have successfully contacted quite a number, but some are proving difficult to find. Can you possibly help? Please contact Pat Riddell (nee Axon) patriddell31@aol.com
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 1st December edition will be compiled by Eileen Irwin Phone: 01244 371660/01244 379443 or email: st.theresas@btinternet.com. Please include a phone number in case of queries, and please ensure that items are also emailed to Fr William or phoned to the compiler by 9.00a.m. on WEDNESDAY 27th November 2024.