The month of July is dedicated to The Precious Blood of Jesus
SEVENTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
26 JULY 2026
| Saturday 25 July | ||
| St Theresa’s | 9.30am | Malankara Jocobite Syriac Community |
| 5.00pm | Thomas Byrne RIP | |
| St Columba’s | 6.30pm | Philip Francis RIP (SVP) |
| Sunday 26 July – Seventeenth Sunday in Ord. Time | ||
| St Theresa’s | 9.30am | Dolan Intentions |
| St Columba’s | 11.00am | Tony Walsh RIP 1st Anniversary |
| 2.00pm | Kerala Catholic Community Mass in Syro-Malabar Rite | |
| Monday 27 July | ||
| St Theresa’s | Parishioners’ Intentions | |
| St Columba’s | 10.30am | Joan Dale Anniversary |
| Tuesday 28 July | ||
| St Theresa’s | Special Intention | |
| St Columba’s | 6.30pm | Deacon Tom Coyle RIP |
| Wednesday 29 July – Ss Mary, Martha and Lazarus. Mem. | ||
| St Theresa’s | Priests’ Intentions | |
| St Columba’s | 9.30am | Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament |
| 10.15am | Novena Prayers | |
| 10.30am | Deacon Tom Coyle RIP | |
| Thursday 30 July | ||
| St Theresa’s | The Spiritan Community | |
| St Columba’s | Priests’ Intentions | |
| Friday 31 July – St Ignatius of Loyola, P. Mem. | ||
| St Theresa’s | 10.00am | Eileen & Lawrence Hordley’s Intentions |
| St Columba’s | The Parish | |
| Saturday 1 August | ||
| St Theresa’s | 5.00pm | Parishioners’ Intentions |
| St Columba’s | 6.30pm | Pat Wilkinson RIP |
| Sunday 2 August – 18th Sunday in Ord. Time | ||
| St Theresa’s | 9.30am | George Kelly RIP |
| St Columba’s | 11.00am | Parishioners’ Intentions |
| 2.00pm | Kerala Catholic Community Mass in Syro-Malabar Rite | |
LIVE STREAMING OF MASS – Mass will be streamed at St Columba’s on Sunday 26 July at 11a.m.
RECENTLY DECEASED – Please remember in your prayers, Sandra Brookfield who died recently, and her family and friends. The Funeral of Sandra will be held on Monday 3 August at 1pm at St Columba’s.
ANNIVERSARIES – Mary Walsh, Thomas Byrne, Anthony James Walsh, Deacon Tom Coyle, Margaret Watson.
POPE’S PRAYER INTENTIONS FOR JULY – FOR RESPECT FOR HUMAN LIFE – Let us pray for the respect and protection of human life in all its stages, recognizing it as a gift from God.
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.
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: £477.09; Planned Giving: £225.97; Average weekly SO £734.22. (St Columba’s) Dona Stations: £70; Candles: £41.48. Thank you for your kind generosity.
PRAYING TOGETHER FOR –
- The residents of Marina Drive, Cross Green, Chatsworth Drive, Cyman Close, Willan Road, Wemyss Road and Phillips Road.
- For Upton Amblers, Walkers Group, Trekkers and all who meet together for outdoor pursuits.
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK – When one door closes another opens; but we so often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door, that we do not see the ones which open for us. Alexander Graham Bell.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS – To our students, teachers and support staff in schools, wishing you all a happy and fulfilling summer break.
CONFIRMATION – If you wish to prepare to be Confirmed next November and are already at high school, please email ASAP to register: stcolumbatheresaconfirmation@hotmail.co.uk
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
26 July – Helen Connor, Youth Group
02 Aug – volunteers please
09 Aug – volunteers please
COFFEE, TEA AND CAKE THIS SUNDAY, 26 JULY – Proceeds will go towards activities for the parish Youth Club. Please support! Thank you.
FROM EILEEN AND LAWRENCE – To Fr William for the appreciative words of his homily and to the parish at large for the many kind thoughts and good wishes, on the occasion of Lawrence’s retirement from active ministry as parish Deacon, our heartfelt love and thanks. Thanks particularly for the overwhelming generosity shown in your farewell gift, which we intend to use in celebration of our Diamond Wedding anniversary later in the year. With our prayers always.
CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING – Over the coming weeks in the newsletter there will be a very brief introduction to the 7 principles of Catholic Social Teaching with a view to exploring the principles in more detail later in the year.
Catholic Social Teaching (CST) is a body of moral doctrine developed by the Church on matters of social justice, poverty, and human rights. Rooted in Scripture and modern papal encyclicals starting with Pope Leo XIII’s 1891 Rerum Novarum, it provides a framework for building a just society and living out faith in the modern world. (CAFOD)
Dignity – that every human life is sacred and made in the image of God, regardless of race, status, or background. God is present in every human person, regardless of religion, culture, nationality, orientation or economic standing. Each one of us is unique and beautiful. We are called to treat every person and every creature with loving respect.
CAFOD NEWS – Re the global debt crisis: let’s build on last year’s progress and call for further action on debt. A new petition has been introduced and will be available to sign over the summer months. Ann McCarthy will speak at Masses over the weekend of 1-2 August.
ST COLUMBA’S RED MISSION BOX HOLDERS – There are three Red Mission box collections during the year: March, July and November. To have your box emptied, please leave it in the sacristy before the end of July, then pick up your empty, relabelled box from the rear porch.
FOOD BANK DONATIONS – MORE NEEDED PLEASE – Donated food is taken to the West Cheshire Foodbank at Ellesmere Port every fortnight. Recently, volunteers at the warehouse have had to leave halfway through the day because they had run out of supplies. St Columba’s and St Theresa’s have been very generous in the past. Last time an appeal was made in the newsletter, the response was amazing and the Centre so grateful. As Pope Leo has said, the poor should be at the heart of the Church. Please give as generously as possible, especially UHT milk, Long-life juice, Pasta in sauce, Coffee, Tinned Meat, Pasta sauce, Tinned vegetables. Thank you so much. Your generosity makes all the difference
ANNUAL PARISH COACH TRIP – NOTTINGHAM – Our annual coach trip this year is to Nottingham on Thurs 30 July for just £18 per person. We depart St Columba’s at 08:45 and St Theresa’s at 09:00 and leave Nottingham at about 5:00pm. If you haven’t yet booked, you will go on the reserve list, as all the seats are currently taken.
HOT WEATHER IN ST COLUMBA’S CHURCH – During the current spell of hot weather, it is difficult to cool the church because the small windows at the top of the stained-glass windows can no longer be opened. If you have a personal hand-held fan, please do bring it with you to church. Pauline Rourke
SAFETY IN ST COLUMBA’S PARISH HALL – Following feedback from parishioners and a review of health and safety arrangements in the parish hall, we would like to remind all who come for tea and coffee after the 11.00am Mass on Sundays of the following:
- Children should not enter or play on the stage area, nor touch the curtains, as this presents a safety risk.
- Children should not run around the hall, particularly when hot drinks are being served.
A box of games, colouring and drawing activities will be available for children; it will be kept behind the bar. We kindly ask parents and carers to return the items to the bar area afterwards.
Children are very welcome in our parish community, and we hope that parents and carers will understand the need for these measures to help ensure that the hall remains a safe and welcoming environment for everyone. The Pastoral Council
MARSH & PLESSINGTON, THE CHESTER MARTYRS – This is the theme for the next Churches Together Fifth Sunday service to be held in the Iona Chapel at 4.30 p.m. on Sunday 30 August. Please join us in this short service together with our friends from the other Upton Churches.
FR WILLIAM – Is available to meet with parishioners after 10.30a.m. Mass on Mondays & Wednesdays or can be contacted at St Theresa’s presbytery (details on top of Newsletter). Thursday is his day off.
DIOCESAN PILGRIMAGE TO LOURDES – Next week, the 2026 75th Anniversary Diocesan Pilgrimage will set out for Lourdes. Please remember us in your prayers.
Parishioners can follow Lourdes TV via the Sanctuaries website https://www.lourdes-france.com and may wish to join us for the International Mass on Sunday 2 August at 9.30am (8.30am UK time) and Grotto Mass on Monday 3 August at 10am (9am UK time). Other liturgies maybe live streamed too.
This year Bishop Mark has invited the Pilgrimage to pray for the following intentions:
- For Our Holy Father, Pope Leo.
- For all who have gone before us over the 75 years of our Diocesan Pilgrimage.
- That we and all pilgrims will respond to the message of prayer and conversion, walking together in Eucharistic faith and love, all our lives.
- That we will generously respond to our calling, and for an abundance of new vocations in our Diocese to the great callings of Marriage, the Priesthood and the Consecrated Life.
- For the peace of the world amid many dangers and conflicts.
- That the threat of euthanasia to the sick and the aged will be averted and the lives of the most vulnerable cherished and safeguarded.
- With Our Lady and Saint Bernadette that through the pilgrimage of life we will always remain in the joy of the Gospel.
ST THERESA’S ANNIVERSARY – On the 15 September it will be 70 years since the first Parish Priest was appointed to St Theresa’s. If anyone has any photos or information they would like to share with the parish, please let us know. Please write your name and tel. no. on them so that the items can be returned. Thank you.
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.
CATHOLIC HOLIDAYS IN THE LAKE DISTRICT THIS SUMMER – During August and September, Castlerigg Manor in Keswick is opening its doors to families, groups of friends, or private individuals who are looking for an affordable stay in the Lake District. Breakfast and evening meal are provided, and Mass is celebrated on site. For more information check out castleriggmanor.com/stay-with-us or contact director@castleriggmanor.co.uk / 017687 72711
QUIET RETREATS FOR ADULTS THIS OCTOBER – During October half term, Castlerigg Manor is running a quiet retreat for individual adults who want to spend a few days of peace, relaxation, and prayer in the Lake District. Each day there will be a talk, Mass, and evening prayer, and then a lot of time to explore the area, pray, or just simply relax. Book at castleriggmanor.com/events or contact director@castleriggmanor.co.uk
MARRIAGE IN A RUT? – Or need help with deeper issues? Retrouvaille has helped thousands of couples find hope and healing in their marriage. Next dates: 2nd–4th October. www.retrouvaille.org.uk/info Tel: 0788 7296983
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 2 August to be compiled by Magdalena Bukowska, phone: 01244 624019, email: stcolumbaschurch2016@outlook.com. Deadline: 9.00a.m. Wednesday 29th July
Please include a contact number with your notice and also email a copy to Fr. William at st.theresas@btinternet.com