The month of October is dedicated to the Holy Rosary
30th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
25 OCTOBER 2026
| Sat 24 Oct | |
| St. Theresa’s | 5.00pm Czeslawa Boryslawska RIP |
| St. Columba’s | 6.30pm Unborn Child |
| Sun 25 Oct | |
| St. Theresa’s | 9.30am Jessica Baker RIP |
| St. Columba’s | 11.00am Margaret Patino Pan RIP |
| 2.00pm Kerala Catholic Community Mass in Syro-Malabar Rite | |
| Mon 26 Oct | |
| St. Theresa’s | Parishioners’ Intentions |
| St. Columba’s | 10.30am Peeter Thomas Pountain RIP |
| Tue 27 Oct | |
| St. Theresa’s | Priests’ Intentions |
| St. Columba’s | 6.30pm Priests’ Intentions |
| Wed 28 Oct | Ss Simon & Jude |
| St. Theresa’s | Private Intention |
| St. Columba’s | 9.30am Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament |
| 10.15am Novena Prayers | |
| 10.30am Jo Staunton | |
| Thu 29 Oct | |
| St. Theresa’s | Parishioners’ Intentions |
| St. Columba’s | The Parish |
| Fri 30 Oct | |
| St. Theresa’s | 10.00am John Rogers RIP |
| St. Columba’s | Parishioners’ Intentions |
| Sat 31 Oct | |
| St. Theresa’s | 5.00pm Katherine Gannon RIP |
| St. Columba’s | 6.30pm John McMahon RIP |
| Sun 1 Nov | 31st Sunday in Ord. Time – All Saints |
| St. Theresa’s | 9.30am Nicholas Gannon RIP |
| St. Columba’s | 11.00am Avondale Williams RIP |
| 2.00pm Kerala Catholic Community Mass in Syro-Malabar Rite |
LIVE STREAMING OF MASS – Mass will be streamed at St Columba’s on Sunday 25 October at 11.00a.m.
RECENTLY DECEASED – Fr John Kirwan, Mill Hill Father whose work in the Democratic Republic of Congo was supported for many years by our Parish. Please also remember in your prayers, Kate Hughes, and her family and friends.
ANNIVERSARIES – Maureen Teresa Brady, Doreen Mary Judge, Kathleen Holden, John Fletcher, Nicholas Philip Lancaster, Rose Marshall.
ALL SOULS’ DAY – MONDAY 2 NOVEMBER – Mass will be celebrated at St Columba’s at 10.30am.
If you would like to remember any deceased 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 next weekend.
CONFESSIONS – After each weekday Mass until 11.30a.m.
On 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.
CHANGES TO BAPTISM ARRANGEMENTS – Baptisms will be carried out in groups on a Sunday designated by Fr William. Individual Baptisms are no longer offered. The next Baptism Sunday will be on 29 November at 12.30 pm, preceded by a meeting with parents on 24 November at 4.30 pm in the Newman Room. Baptism forms will be available in the front and back porches. Please submit the form to the Parish Office by 19 November. The following Baptism Sunday will be on 27 December at 12.30 pm. Parents’ Meeting: 21 December. Deadline for submission of the forms: 16 December.
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: £475.51; Planned Giving: £198.84; Average weekly SO £734.72. St Columba’s Dona Stations: £43; Candles £41.70. Mission Appeal £336.63 Thank you for your generosity.
POPES PRAYER INTENTION FOR OCTOBER – For mental health ministry. Let us pray that the mental health ministry be established throughout the Church, helping to overcome the stigma and discrimination of persons with mental illnesses.
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK – “When life throws you a rainy day, play in the puddles”. And “A hug is always the right size”. Pooh, A.A. Milne (100th anniversary of Winnie the Pooh).
PRAYING TOGETHER FOR –
- The residents of Upton Drive, Pine Gardens, Bache Avenue, Boleyn Close, Tudor Green, Saxon Way & Palatine Close.
- The British Legion, Golf Club and Village Hall Committee, and all who use their facilities.
- Those who have served their country.
CONFIRMATION PRAYER REQUEST – Please pray for our young parishioners who are preparing to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation on 11 November.
PAT WILKINSON’S MEMORIAL SERVICE – Will take place on Sunday 8 November at 11a.m. Family, friends and parishioners are warmly invited.
TOMBOLA PRIZES NEEDED PLEASE – We are now collecting donations for the Tombola at the Autumn Fair on 15 November. Please leave your kind donations of bottles and other prizes inside the entrance to St Columba’s and St Theresa’s.
ST COLUMBA’S COFFEE ROTA – Every Sunday after 11:00a.m. Mass. To volunteer, put your details on the sheet and let Margaret Curtis know on 01244 318424 or marg.curtis@outlook.com
25 Oct – Maggie Burns, Maisy – Zanzibar
01 Nov – Volunteers please
08 Nov – Remembrance Sunday
LATIN NIGHT – Latin Night in aid of Hopeful Ugandan Hearts!! Saturday 14 November from 7p.m. to 11p.m. at St Columba’s Church Hall. £20 Adult tickets include welcome drink and Latin Food buffet. Cash/card bar. Booking essential contact Lina Greig 07837512544. All proceeds will support 60 children to go to school, buy food and specially get their Christmas presents. Come, dance and enjoy an evening of Latin dancing and food to make a difference of the children in Uganda.
DIOCESE’S MESSAGE REGARDING ONLINE NEPAL APPEAL – The Diocese is aware that an overseas priest who previously served in the Diocese has been seeking financial support for work in Nepal. While we recognise the desire to assist those in need, the Diocese would not recommend responding to fundraising requests of this nature. Those wishing to support relief efforts in Nepal are encouraged instead to donate through CAFOD’s emergency appeal, which is supporting the work of Caritas Nepal. Any contribution would be gratefully received. https://cafod.org.uk/give/donate-to-emergencies
SUGGESTION BOXES – Nine suggestions, received through the boxes, were discussed by Fr William and Pastoral Council members. It was encouraging to see parishioners sharing their thoughts, which were largely positive and constructive.
Suggestions included holding a memorial Mass for Pat Wilkinson in recognition of her contribution to parish life; encouraging parishioners, on occasion, to ask one another how they are after Mass, as a simple way of strengthening community spirit; making Mass more engaging for younger children through age appropriate hymns as learnt at school, and other activities.
One comment expressed concern that families may feel intimidated by older parishioners’ disapproval when their children are not completely quiet in church. We want families to feel welcome and children to know that they belong in our parish community.
Other suggestions raised wider questions about the Church, including women priests, married priests and greater visibility and welcome for LGBTQ+ people. While some matters lie beyond the Parish Council’s remit, all comments provide an opportunity to listen and reflect.
Thank you to everyone who contributed. Please continue to share your ideas as we work together to build a welcoming and caring parish. Ann McCarthy, Pauline Rourke, co-chairs Pastoral Council.
CTU QUIZ NIGHT! – It is Quiz Night on Friday 30 October, at St Columba’s Hall, so do come for a fun evening. Be there for a 7p.m. start or come to join a team on the spot. Bring your own drinks and glasses; table nibbles are provided and a hot drink at the interval. There will be a raffle. Admission £3 per person at the door with all profits going to the Hospice of the Good Shepherd.
WEBSITE UPDATE – Sadly, we celebrated too soon. Yet another glitch has arisen which is not at all our fault. All should be well soon when WordPress has performed another action, long overdue. Apologies again.
NEEDLES AND PINS – WEDNESDAY 28 OCTOBER – 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.
NEW TO THE PARISH? – Welcome. We hope you will enjoy being part of our parish. Please fill in a New Parishioner form (copies in the back and front porches and available on the website). Please give this into the office at either church and arrangements will be made for someone to contact you for a friendly call to say Hello and welcome you personally.
THE CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL, CHESTER – 6th FORM OPEN EVENING
Thursday 12 November. 6.00pm–8.00pm – Arrivals from 5.45pm.
Year 11 students and their families are warmly invited to our Sixth Form Open Evening. Join us to discover the courses we offer, meet subject teachers, explore Emmaus, our purpose-built Sixth Form building, and learn more about the application process and key dates. We look forward to welcoming you!
CHS CHRISTMAS FAIR AND GROTTO – The High School will once again be hosting its popular Christmas Fair and Grotto on Monday 14 December, from 3.30pm to 6.00pm, in support of the Christo Fidelis Fund. Entry is just £1 per person. If you would like to run a stall at the fair, tables are available to hire for £10. To reserve a table, please contact Sally Faulkner at faulkners@christofidelis.org.uk. We are also gratefully accepting donations for our raffle, including unwanted gifts, bottles, chocolates, and other suitable prizes. Donations can be dropped off at the school reception. We are extremely grateful for your continued support and look forward to welcoming you to this festive community event.
FRIENDSHIP THURSDAY on the third Thursday afternoon of every month from 2-4p.m. Our guest/ or activities till Christmas are:
19 November: Fairtrade is coming to speak about their work and to sell all manner of Fairtrade items. Bring your purse and look out for cards, food and gift items for Christmas!
17 December7: a chance to make a Christmas table decoration. A generous sponsor has offered to pay the costs so no charge will be made.
ST.COLUMBA’S PARISH OFFICE HOURS – From Monday 19 October, the Parish Office will be open 10.00a.m – 1.00p.m, Monday to Friday. The Parish Secretary will continue to work from 9.00a.m. – 2.00p.m. We would be grateful if those wishing to visit or contact the Parish Office could, wherever possible, do so during the office opening hours. This will allow dedicated time within the working day for administration and other parish work. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation. Pauline Rourke
CHESTER THEOLOGICAL SOCIETY LECTURE – Working Beyond the Text: Historical Consultation on the Visual Presentation of Scripture, presented by Dr Katie Turner, King’s College London, at 7.30p.m. on Wednesday 28 October at Hollybank (Chester University Dept of Theology & Religious Studies).
CHRISTIAN HERITAGE CENTRE, STONYHURST – The Centre is offering three different opportunities for people to deepen their faith and prepare for an important new chapter.
RETREAT: BE STILL AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD – 20–23 November 2026 – Residential retreat exploring mindfulness, psychology and the Christian spiritual life. Find out more and book: https://christianheritagecentre.com/events/be-still-and-know-that-i-am-god/
MARRIAGE PREPARATION WEEKEND – 8–10 January 2027 – Residential Marriage Preparation Weekend offering time and space to explore the beauty of the Church’s teaching of the Sacrament of Matrimony. https://christianheritagecentre.com/events/marriage-preparation/
MEN’S RETREAT: SPIRITUAL EXERCISES OF ST IGNATIUS – 26 February – 3 March 2027 OR 5 – 10 March 2027 – A five-day silent retreat for men (laity and clergy), led by Benedictine monks from St Joseph’s Abbey, Flavigny. https://christianheritagecentre.com/events/mens-retreat-spiritual-exercises-of-st-ignatius/
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 9.00a.m. to 2.00p.m.
Open 10.00a.m. – 1.00p.m. visit/contact
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 1 November to be complied by Paula Bownas, phone: 01244 379794, email: paulabownas@yahoo.co.uk. Deadline: Wednesday 28 October 9.00 A.M.
Please include a contact number with your notice and also email a copy to Fr William at st.theresas@btinternet.com