FIRST WEEK OF LENT
26TH FEBRUARY 2023
Saturday 25th February
St. Theresa’s 5.00p.m Margaret Allmark RIP
St. Columba’s 6.30p.m Family/Friends & sons (EE)
Sunday 26th February
St. Theresa’s 9.30a.m. Vera Joyce RIP
St. Columba’s 11.00a.m. Richard Murphy
Monday 27th February
St. Theresa’s Parishioners’ Intentions
St. Columba’s 10.00a.m. Stations of the Cross
10.30a.m. Caroline & Adam Bennett
Tuesday 28th February
St. Theresa’s Priests’ Intentions
St. Columba’s Priests’ Intentions
Wednesday 1st March – St David, B, Patron of Wales
St Theresa’s Private Intention (MD)
St Columba’s 9.30a.m. Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
10.15a.m. Novena Prayers
10.30a.m. Derek Booth
Thursday 2nd March
St. Theresa’s Kennedy James Rowley RIP
St Columba’s People of Syria & Turkey
Friday 3rd March – Family Fast Day 1
St. Theresa’s 9.30a.m. Stations of the Cross
St. Theresa’s 10.00a.m. Priests’ Intentions
St. Columba’s Parishioners’ Intentions
Saturday 4th March
St. Theresa’s 5.00p.m. Parishioners’ Intentions
St. Columba’s 6.30p.m. Thanksgiving (AE)
Sunday 5th March
St. Theresa’s 9.30a.m. Albert Axon RIP
St. Columba’s 11.00a.m. Drew Hardy
LIVE STREAMING OF MASS:
Mass will be streamed from St Columba’s at 11.00a.m. this Sunday 26th February 2023.
www.facebook.com/thecatholicparishofstcolumbaandsttheresa
STATIONS OF THE CROSS during Lent:
St Theresa’s Friday 9.30a.m.
St Columba’s Monday 10.00a.m.
RECENTLY DECEASED:
Please remember in your prayers Vera Joyce, Syd Jones, Kennedy James Rowley, Josie Watts and Eileen Thornber who died recently. May The Lord console their families and friends. Vera’s Requiem Mass is on Wednesday 8th March at St Theresa’s at 9.30am. Josie’s Funeral Service is on Thursday 16th March at St. Columba’s at 12.30pm. Syd Jones’ Funeral will be held on Monday 27th February at St Werburgh’s at 12 noon.
ANNVERSARIES:
Leo Joseph Carroll, Janet Irene McMahon, Florence Southall, Florence Childs, James John McCafferty.
CONFESSIONS:
There will be Confessions after every weekday Mass until 11.30am. at both churches.
St Columba’s: From 6pm before the 6.30pm Saturday evening Mass.
St Theresa’s: From 4.30pm before 5pm Saturday evening Mass.
WEDDINGS, BAPTISMS AND FUNERALS:
Please contact one of the Parish Offices to make your arrangements.
PRAYING TOGETHER:
We Pray for:
- the residents of Ellesmere Avenue, Pensby Avenue, Kendal Close, Shelley Road, Coleridge Close, Stearns Close and Housman Close.
- Pax Christi, Saving to Share, Mission Groups, Christian Aid, CAFOD and Traidcraft.
- our mission in the wider church.
OFFERTORY:
St Columba’s:
11/12 February – Loose plate: £268.43, Planned Giving: £82.50
18/19 February – Loose plate: £301.16, Planned Giving: £151.51
St Theresa’s: Loose plate – £423.74 Average weekly SO – £161
THANK YOU for all your generous support.
ST. COLUMBA’S COFFEE ROTA:
26th Feb – Chris & Elizabeth, Tombola
5th March – NO COFFEE (Hall will be closed for re-painting)
12th March – Volunteers needed please
Why not donate a little time to make tea and coffee to refresh the parishioners after 11:00 Mass on Sunday? You can make some money for your favourite charity, too. Call Margaret Curtis 01244 3184234 to book.
RED MISSION BOXES, ST COLUMBA’S
If you have a Red Mission box for collection, please leave it in the sacristy. When counted, I can return your box to your home. Thank you, Margaret Curtis 01244 318424.
YOUTH GROUP:
The next youth group will be this Monday 27th February, starting 7pm in the Iona chapel, finishing 8.30pm in St. Columba’s Hall. All young parishioners in school year five or above are invited and very welcome to attend. We have temporarily moved to the fourth Monday because of half term. Would all regular attendees please note the new earlier start and finish times.
WORLD DAY OF PRAYER – 3RD MARCH 10.30am:
This year the Christian women of Taiwan have written the service. It will include prayers for women who face suffering and injustice. Friday 3rd March, to be held at Upton United Reformed Church, Heath Road, CH2 1HX 10:30 to 11:30 followed by refreshments.
HEALTH AND WELLBEING WALK:
Every Monday 10:00a.m. for 10:30a.m. Health And Wellbeing Walk sponsored by St Theresa’s and the URC. For more information ring Brendan Doyle on: 07484353841 or Ann Francis on 01244 959061.
PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL:
The next meeting will be on Thursday 2nd March in St Columba’s at 7pm.
CAFOD FAMILY FAST DAY – LENT APPEAL: FRIDAY 3RD MARCH:
This Lent, CAFOD is supporting familieswith the skills and tools they’ve asked for to fight the climate crisis. In Bangladesh, 14 years old Dristy and her mum Rupali are building seed beds and planting palm trees to protect their crops from flooding and cyclones. Give today to help families grow in strength to adapt to the climate crisis. There are envelopes available in the church porches or give online at cafod.org.uk/lent
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK:
“Bring love wherever you go. Shine light wherever it’s dark. Leave blessings wherever you’ve been. Be kind wherever you are.” – Mary Davis.
WE’RE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER:
Have you seen in the media the different types of cloud formations that people have been spotting. Recently, in Scotland, mother of pearl clouds, usually only seen in the Arctic circle, were iridescent and with hues of orange, purple, pinks etc. Seemingly, once seen, never forgotten. Often, we forget to look up, and check out what is about us. Next time you are out, take a peek and see what you can see. For more information and a gallery of clouds and poetry try out the Cloud Appreciation Society
RESOURCES:
World Book Day will be celebrated by our libraries. The library teams have been busy organising fancy dress swap events and are also getting ready to swap thousands of new books in return for vouchers in libraries on Saturday 4 March. Vouchers will be given out for free to children in schools, nurseries and other settings across the borough on World Book Day, Thursday 2 March. The fancy dress swap events have been a great success with over two hundred fancy dress outfits donated during January and February. Many have already been swapped for free, meaning families could both save money and help the environment. The remaining outfits will be donated to children’s centres and charity shops.
FAIR TRADE COFFEE MORNING:
The parish Justice and Peace group and Chifundo UK invite you to a fair-trade coffee morning, held at Our Lady’s Star of the Sea parish hall, Ellesmereport. CH65 8BY, Saturday 4th March 10am-12 noon. Good parking. Variety of stalls supporting Fair Trade and local charities including Chanasa products from Malawi, cake stalls and raffle.
SVP THEATRE NIGHT – THE GIRL ON THE TRAIN
This gripping new play will keep you guessing until the final moments!! Wednesday 8th March 7.30pm Gladstone Theatre Port Sunlight. Tickets price £10 available from Sue McCarthy 07515 491251 or any SVP members. All proceeds going to support the running of the SVP holiday home.
KEYHOLDERS AT ST COLUMBA’S:
To meet insurance requirements we are undertaking a keyholder review and Fr William will be in contact directly. Please let Carol or Nuala know if you currently hold a key/s and do not receive the update. Thank you.
CONFIRMATIONS 2023:
The Chester Parishes take it in turns to organise Confirmation. Last year it was St Columba’s and St Theresa’s, this year St Werburgh’s, St Clare’s and St Francis. The date is Wednesday 10th May, 7.00 pm, at St Francis. The Classes will be on Wednesday evenings at St Werburgh’s, 7.00 pm. Flyers at the back of church give full details. Minimum age is Year 8 in the High Schools – no maximum! Launch Meeting is Monday 20th February, and first class is Wednesday 1st March. Contact Fr Paul at St Werburgh’s if you need more information – but the flyer should answer most questions.
CLERGY WELFARE OFFICER VACANCY:
Due to the upcoming retirement of our current RGN/Welfare Officer, the Diocese is looking to appoint a replacement. The Welfare Officer is expected to draw on their nursing skills and experience to effectively assist priests approaching retirement, those in retirement and those on sick leave. They will need to be proactive, caring and demonstrate safe and effective practice through a multidisciplinary approach.
They will require a current NMC pin and understand the Catholic faith. For application form please contact Pauline McCulloch recruitment@dioceseofshrewsbury.org. For further information please see link.
Closing date Friday 24 March.
LOURDES BY JUMBULANCE:
Chester and Wirral Across Groups are again travelling to Lourdes this year. There are vacancies for nurses, helpers, and sick and disabled pilgrims. We have taken folk with a wide range of health problems such as stroke, cancer, MS, Motor Neurone Disease, etc. The cost is £995. Nurses and under 25s in full time education pay half. However, financial help may be available for those who cannot afford to pay the full amount. COVID Vaccinations compulsory. See church notice boards for further information, or please contact Tony Murphy on 07881-656-974 or tonymurphyefc2002@yahoo.co.uk
ST COLUMBA’S CHURCH & HALL BOOKINGS
To arrange meetings etc. in either the Church, Newman Room or the Iona Chapel, please book through Nuala Keegan, Church Office, 01244 624019, Email: stcolumbaschurch2016@outlook.com
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 Sue Carr on 07553 114531 or email columbashallbookings@gmail.com to arrange booking.
NEXT WEEK’S NEWSLETTER:
2nd March edition will be compiled by Harry Sweeney Phone: 01244 327462 Email: harrysweeney45@gmail.com. Please include a phone number in case of queries, and please ensure that items are emailed or phoned to the compiler by 9.00a.m. on WEDNESDAY 1ST MARCH
Website: www.sscolumbaandtheresa.co.uk