The month of May is dedicated to Blessed Virgin Mary
SIXTH SUNDAY OF EASTER
25 MAY 2025
| Sat 24 May | |||
| St. Theresa’s | 5.00pm | Frank & Mary Lally RIP | |
| St. Columba’s | 6.30pm | Cliff Peaker RIP | |
| Sun 25 May | Sixth Sunday of Easter | ||
| St. Theresa’s | 9.30am | Michael Krawiec | |
| St. Columba’s | 11.00am | Colin Swinnerton RIP | |
| 2.00pm | Kerala Catholic Community Mass in Syro-Malabar Rite | ||
| Mon 26 May | St Philip Neri, P. Mem. | ||
| St. Theresa’s | Priests’ Intentions | ||
| St. Columba’s | 10.30am | Edith Stockdale | |
| Tue 27 May | St Augustine of Canterbury. Feast | ||
| St. Theresa’s | Private Intentions | ||
| St. Columba’s | Parishioners’ Intentions | ||
| Wed 28 May | |||
| St. Theresa’s | 7.00pm |
Vigil Mass for the Ascension |
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| St. Columba’s | 10.30am | Priest’s Intentions | |
| Thu 29 May | The Ascension of the Lord. Solemnity | ||
| St. Theresa’s | Special Intentions | ||
| St. Columba’s | 10.30am | Mass for the Ascension Private Intention (MB) |
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| Fri 30 May | |||
| St. Theresa’s | 10.00am | Joshua, Isobel & Alex’s Intentions | |
| St. Columba’s | The Parish | ||
| Sat 31 May | |||
| St. Theresa’s | 9.30am | Malankara Jacobite Syriac Orthodox Community Mass | |
| St. Theresa’s | 5.00pm | Barney Scalley RIP | |
| St. Columba’s | 6.30pm | Barry Taylor RIP | |
| Sun 1 Jun | Seventh Sunday of Easter. Day of Special Prayer for World Communication |
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| St. Theresa’s | 9.30am | Patrick Joseph Casey RIP | |
| St. Columba’s | 11.00am | Thank you to MJ McCarthy | |
| 2.00pm | Kerala Catholic Community Mass in Syro-Malabar Rite |
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 at St Columba’s on Sunday 25 May at 11.00a.m. Cover is needed at both churches for occasions when Tim is unavailable. The only requirement is you need to have an Iphone. If you would be willing to help with this please contact one of the church offices. Thank you.
www.facebook.com/thecatholicparishofstcolumbaandsttheresa
POPE’S MAY PRAYER INTENTIONS
For working conditions. Let us pray through work, each person might find fulfilment, families might be sustained in dignity, and that society might be humanized.
ANNIVERSARIES
Francis William Byrne, Patrick Joseph Casey
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.
WEDDINGS, BAPTISMS AND FUNERALS
Please contact one of the Parish Offices to make your arrangements.
PARISH OFFERTORY
Loose Plate: £514.37; Planned Giving £230; Average weekly SO £718.15. Candles: £28.80.
Thank you for your generosity.
PRAYING TOGETHER
Pray 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.
OFFICE CLOSURE
Please note that the office will be closed on Bank Holiday Monday 26 May as well as 27 and 28 May. Thank you.
SPIRITAN APPEAL – 8 JUNE
There will be a retiring collection over the weekend of 7/8 June which is Pentecost Sunday. The Congregation of the Holy Spirit came into being on Pentecost – the outpouring of the Holy Spirit with his gift. I would like to appeal to parishioners to generously support our mission to educate more younger ones in formation. William Sianyuka who is a student on Pastoral Year, will be making the appeal. Thank you.
SPIRITAN RETREAT
Fr William and Fr Peter will be on their annual Spiritan Retreat from the 25 – 30 May. Fr Alphonsus will be saying Mass for us during their absence. We wish them a peaceful and reflective time.
PARISH ART COMPETITION TO CELEBRATE THE JUBILEE YEAR
As part of our Parish celebrations for the Jubilee Year, we are inviting parishioners and their families, along with students from our local Catholic schools, to enter our art competition by creating a piece of artwork which is inspired by the Jubilee themes.
We have several age groups (4-6 years, 7-11, 12-14, 15-18 and 18+), each with cash prizes. The deadline for entries is Friday 27 June. Winning entries will be displayed at our Parish Pastoral Council AGM on Saturday 19 July. There are information sheets which may provide some inspiration for your entries available at both churches. We look forward to seeing your creativity so please do join in and support us in our celebrations of the Jubilee Year. If anyone would like more information or has any questions, please email Amy on amyod@hotmail.co.uk
CHURCH NEWS
Pope Leo’s Inaugural Homily
I was chosen, without any merit of my own, and now, with fear and trembling, I come to you as a brother, who desires to be the servant of your faith and your joy, walking with you on the path of God’s love, for he wants us all to be united in one family.
Love and unity: these are the two dimensions of the mission entrusted to Peter by Jesus.
If the rock is Christ, Peter must shepherd the flock … he is called to serve the faith of his brothers and sisters, and to walk alongside them, for all of us are “living stones” called through our baptism to build God’s house in fraternal communion…In the words of Saint Augustine: “The Church consists of all those who are in harmony with their brothers and sisters and who love their neighbour”
Tues 27 May Feast of St Augustine of Canterbury who came to England in 597 to bring the faith to the English and established the See of Canterbury. We owe him a great debt. This feast will not be publicly celebrated.
Communications Group
SOCIAL ACTIVITIES
The annual BBQ will be held on the Sunday the 15 June this year to celebrate the feast of St Columba and Fathers’ day. From 11 o’clock onwards at St Columba’s. Fathers will be given a small beer for the Occasion.
Also the annual Coach trip is to Leeds on Thursday the 24 of July. Keep a look out for further information in future newsletters and notice boards.
ANNUAL ST COLUMBA FEAST DAY BARBECUE 15 JUNE
Come along and join us for a bacon butty, burger or sausage in a bun in this annual family get together. As it’s Father’s Day, there’s a free beer included for every Dad who buys a meal!
YOUTH MINISTRY JOB OPPORTUNITY / CASTLERIGG MANOR
Castlerigg Manor is a Catholic retreat Centre in the Lake District run by the Diocese of Lancaster Youth Service. They are looking for a Programme Leader to help look after the residential team of young interns and to lead programmes both at Castlerigg and occasionally around the area. Competitive salary, as well as accommodation and food provided. Anyone interested can contact jack@castleriggmanor.co.uk
FIRST HOLY COMMUNION
Thank you to the children and parents of those who have recently made their First Holy Communion and also to those who prepared the children to receive this sacrament.
FRIENDSHIP THURSDAY: Help Please
Our next meeting is on Thursday 5 June and we need help in setting up the Hall. Our caretaker is not free and help would be appreciated in setting up 8 tables and accompanying chairs in time for the start at 2pm. We could do this at 1pm or earlier in the day at 10.30. The Hall is free all morning. I would come to unlock and help. Please contact me so that I know what time suits. Lyn Coyle marilyn.coyle44@gmail.com/ 07735574397
YOUTH 2000 SUMMER FESTIVAL 2025
Taking place in the grounds of Ampleforth College from Friday 22 – Monday 25 August, the Youth 2000 Summer Festival provides young adults (aged 16-35) from across the UK the opportunity to come together and explore faith, build relationships and find hope. This four-day festival includes great speakers, social time, break-out sessions, Daily Mass, 24/7 Adoration and much more! Register your place at https://youth2000.org/events/summerfestival2025
ST COLUMBA’S COFFEE ROTA
The coffee rota is on the noticeboard in St Columba’s Hall. Just write your name, charity and phone number on the calendar. But if you can’t access the hall, leave a message on Margaret Curtis’s answerphone on 01244 318424 with your name and date(s) and she will add you to the rota.
25 May – Sue Carr, Third World – cakes
01 June – Hopeful Ugandan Hearts, Monica Hogg
08 June – volunteers please
15 June – St Columba’s Feast Day – Annual BARBECUE
NEEDLES & PINS – WEDNESDAY 28 MAY
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.
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK
“God cares for us, God loves all of us, and evil will not prevail! We are all in God’s hands. Therefore, without fear, united hand in hand with God and among ourselves, let us move forward.” – Pope Leo XIV
DAY OF FORMATION IN LITURGICAL PRAYER & SACRED MUSIC
A day of study, prayer, music and reflection. Led by Fr Guy Nicholls, Director of the St John Henry Newman Institute of Liturgical Music. Saturday 28 June at St Joseph’s Eucharistic Shrine, Tatton Street, Stockport, SK1 1EJ. A practical day course on understanding the Liturgy and use of Scared Music within Mass. Begins at 11am and ends with a sung Mass at 5pm. Cost £5 per person (suggested donation payable on the day). Bring a packed lunch. Tea/coffee and biscuits provided. To book or for more information, please email stockportshrine@gmail.com
VOLUNTEER DRIVERS
Are you able to offer Fr Peter a lift from St Columba’s back to St Theresa’s after the 6.30pm Saturday evening Mass and the 11am Sunday morning Mass? More volunteers are needed. The more volunteers we have the fewer times you would be called upon. Please consider this request seriously and if you can help out, contact the parish offices.
WELCOME TO OUR PARISH
If you are NEW TO THE PARISH, please complete a Parish Registration Form and send (or bring) it to either parish office to let us know that you are here and enable us to welcome you. Forms can be found in the front porches of both churches and on the website www.sscolumbaandtheresa.co.uk under the “I’m New” tab. Thank you.
SUPPORTING THE VOCATION TO MARRIAGE AND FAMILY LIFE
Calling all those interested in supporting the vocation of marriage and family to join Jane Deegan Director of Marriage and Family Life Vocation for a retreat day to find out more about this important work and the various different ways you can help.
When: 7 June 2025 9.30am-4.00pm
Where: Parish Hall, Holy Angels Church, Wicker Lane, Hale Barnes WA15 0HG
To Register and for More Information please contact:
Monika at monika.golembiewska@dioceseofshrewsbury.org Mobile: 07549226794 or
Jane at jane.deegan@dioceseofshrewsbury.org Mobile: 07517 906435.
PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL
The Parish Council met on 1 May in St Theresa’s Presbytery. Reports from the various constituent groups outlining their planned activities within the context of the Parish Development Plan had been received in advance and were commented on. The main discussion of the meeting centred around the proposals for the exciting AGM on July 19th (date for your diaries) and further ways to mark the Jubilee 25 year including a special Mass to be held on Thursday 18 Sept (another date for your diaries).
PEACE DOVES IS A LARGE-SCALE ARTWORK AT CHESTER CATHEDRAL
Invites you to reflect on the values of peace, unity, and harmony. Each dove carries a unique message, written by visitors, schoolchildren, and community groups, and together they form a breathtaking installation that offers a serene space for contemplation and hope. Bathed in gentle, evocative lighting and at times accompanied by an original score by David Harper, the exhibit transforms the venue into a sanctuary of quiet reflection. From 2 May 2025 – 17 June 2025. No booking required.
LOURDES HOSPITALITY
Following a meeting held early April exploring the role of the Hospitality, you are invited to continue this reflection at a further meeting. The meeting will take place on Wed 21 May at 7pm at St Columba’s, Plas Newton Lane, Chester CH2 1SA. Confirm your attendance at secretary@teamshrewsbury.co.uk
PLANNED GIVING ENVELOPES 2025/2026
If you would like to Gift Aid your donation please contact St Columba’s – Kevin Keegan on 07790 758008 or email klbfb@hotmail.com, St Theresa’s Steve Parry on 07798 676633 or email steveparry98@yahoo.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 1 June edition will be compiled by Amy O’Donnell. Phone: 07854 290897 or email: amyod@hotmail.co.uk. Please include a phone number in case of queries, and please ensure that notices are also emailed to Fr William or phoned to the compiler by 9.00 a.m. on WEDNESDAY 28 MAY 2025