THIRTY FOURTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
26th NOVEMBER 2023
| Sat 25 Nov | |||
| St. Theresa’s | 5.00pm | Parishioners’ Intentions | |
| St. Columba’s | 6.30pm | Bernard and Maureen Wilkinson | |
| Sun 26 Nov | Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe | ||
| St. Theresa’s | 9.30am | Jefferey Samuel Parry RIP | |
| St. Columba’s | 11.00am | Eddie and Family | |
| Mon 27 Nov | |||
| St. Theresa’s | Holy Souls | ||
| St. Columba’s | 10.30am | Alphie Lewis RIP | |
| Tue 28 Nov | |||
| St. Theresa’s | Sheila Gilden RIP | ||
| St. Columba’s | Priests’ Intentions | ||
| Wed 29 Nov | |||
| St. Theresa’s | Holy Souls | ||
| St. Columba’s | 9.30am | Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament | |
| 10.15am | Novena Prayer | ||
| 10.30am | Brian Haslam 90th B.D | ||
| Thu 30 Nov | St Andrew, Patron of Scotland | ||
| St. Theresa’s | Holy Souls | ||
| St. Columba’s | Gerry Galvin B.D | ||
| Fri 1 Dec | |||
| St. Theresa’s | 10.00am | Ints of St Theresa’s School | |
| St. Columba’s | Holy Souls | ||
| Sat 2 Dec | |||
| St. Theresa’s | 5.00pm | Parishioners’ Intentions | |
| St. Columba’s | 6.30pm | The Parish | |
| Sun 3 Dec | |||
| St. Theresa’s | 9.30am | Christine Hunter RIP | |
| St. Columba’s | 11.00am | Parishioners’ Intentions |
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 from St Theresa’s at 9.30a.m. this Sunday 26th November 2023.
www.facebook.com/thecatholicparishofstcolumbaandsttheresa
POPE’S PRAYER INTENTIONS – NOVEMBER:
Let us pray for the Pope that, with the help of the Holy Spirit, he may continue to accompany in the faith the flock entrusted to him.
RECENTLY DECEASED:
Please remember in your prayers Cath Carter who died recently. May the Lord console her family and friends.
ANNIVERSARIES:
Ann White, Hilary Watmough, Liliana Gittins, Jefferey Samuel Parry, Paolo Florio, Susan Mary Roberts, Peter Anthony B urton, Christian Mapp, Mary Taylor
WEDDINGS, BAPTISMS AND FUNERALS:
Please contact one of the Parish Offices to make your arrangements. We welcome into God’s family Jack Anthony James Shone and Santino Antonio Stanford, who were baptised recently. May God bless them and their families.
CONFESSIONS:
There will be Confessions after each weekday Mass until 11.30am.
St Columba’s: From 6pm before the 6.30pm Saturday evening Mass.
St Theresa’s: From 4.30pm before 5pm Saturday evening Mass.
OFFERTORY:
St Columba’s: Loose plate TBC; Planned Giving TBC; Average Weekly SO – £574.00; Candles TBC.Badminton £206
St Theresa’s: Loose plate & Planned Giving £477.94; Average weekly SO – £161.00.
THANK YOU for all your generous support.
PRAYING TOGETHER
We pray for:
- the residents of Gatesheath Drive, Alpraham Crescent, St James Ave, Donne Place, Kipling Rd. Wordsworth Mews, & Wordsworth Square.
- For those who prepare couples for marriage.
- For those couples married in our churches this year and those who are about to be married.
ST COLUMBA’S COFFEE ROTA
26th Nov – Lina Greig for Christ Heart Children’s Orphanage, Uganda – money raised will go towards children’s Christmas lunch, presents and clothing
3rd Dec – Claire O’Donnell for Mind
10th Dec – Rippon family for Camps International Humanitarian Collaboration
Why not donate a little time to make tea and coffee after 11:00 Mass on Sunday? You can make some money for your favourite charity, too. Call Margaret Curtis 01244 318424 to book your date(s).
THE AUTUMN FAYRE
Thank you to all who helped out at the Autumn Fayre and for donations, plus those who attended to make it a success.
FIRST SACRAMENTS – ST COLUMBA’S:
This Sunday 12 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.
CHESTER CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL. GOVERNOR VACANCY NOVEMBER 2023
There is currently a vacancy for 1 new Foundation governor at Chester Catholic High. As a Foundation governor you would ensure the Catholic teachings are preparing all our students, Catholic and non-Catholic alike, to be ready to leave school prepared for their future in this ever changing world. We all have talents to share. You just need to be able to offer your time and commitment as a volunteer for the benefit of the students and staff in our school. The term of office is 4 years.
To apply, you do not have to have a connection with the school but you must be a practicing catholic and belong to a parish. This is so your parish priest can vouch for you and sign your application form.
There are full details of the role and how to apply on the Diocese website: https://educationshrewsbury.org/schools&academies- governance.
A Disclosure Barring service (DBS) will be applied for once an application for any governor role has been approved.
If you would like an informal chat about governance, or wish to express an interest in the role, please contact the Chair of Governors via the school email:johnsonj@christofidelis.org.uk.
HIGHLIGHT FROM THE HIGH:
Students from The Catholic High School, Chester are performing ‘Annie Jr’ on Tuesday 28th and Wednesday 29th November at 7pm. There are over 70 students involved in the production and it is set to be a fantastic performance. If you would like to buy tickets please do so by heading to https://app.parentpay.com/ParentPayShop/Uniform/Default.aspx?shopid=7772 £8.50 per adult; £7.00 per child (any child still in school/sixth form)
EXHIBITION IN THE PARISH HALL:
Today, 26th November after Mass, while we have tea and coffee in the hall, you can see a free exhibition about the life and teaching of Servant God Fr. Luigi Giussani. He is the founder of the Catholic Movement of Communion and Liberation. The encounter with Fr Giussani (1922-2005) has left an indelible mark on the lives of many people worldwide, including some members of our parish. Joint us in discovering a legacy that goes beyond borders and generations. Giovanna and Luca
UPTON DRAMATIC SOCIETY:
The 39 Steps – Upton Village Hall Wednesday 29th November to Saturday 2nd December. Tickets £10 each. Call 07847619190 (see poster in porch)
COMMUNITY CAROLS – BLACON:
This Carol service will take place at Holy Trinity Church, Norris Road, Blacon on Monday 4th December at 6pm. All are welcome.
CAFOD WORLD GIFTS
are a range of virtual charity gifts that will delight the people you give them to and help transform the lives of families experiencing poverty. Each World Gift is a real example of CAFOD’s work. When you choose a gift, you support the area of our work that this gift represents. So, for example, when you buy chickens, you support our work with poor farmers in rural areas of the countries we work in, by contributing to our Farming fund.
Catalogues are available in the church porches
CHURCHES TOGETHER IN UPTON: THURSDAY COFFEE MORNING:
This event has donated £700 to various local and national charities during 2022/23. Details are on the Notice Board. Thanks for your support
ADVENT JOURNEY – HOSTING OUR KNITTED MARY, JOSEPH & DONKEY FIGURES
To focus our attention on Advent, we’re asking all 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 in Bethlehem, actually St Theresa’s crib, on Friday 22nd December during the Carol Service.
If you can host these small figures, (they’re no trouble) please add your details to the list in the church porch BY 3rd DECEMBER IF POSSIBLE, so we can plan the route and arrange the transfer from host to host.
CHRISTMAS Party for Seniors (50+) and volunteers Sat 9th Dec
This year’s Christmas Party for Senior parishioners and also Parish volunteers, is been held on Sat 9th of December in St Columba’s Church Hall starting at 2 p.m. Free food and drinks plus entertainment by Upton Community choir.
SINFONIA
Are a local music group who use the Hall for their rehearsals. They gave a very enjoyable concert earlier this year and are going to give a Christmas Concert on Friday 8th December at 7pm in the Hall. Admission free. Tea & mince pies free. A retiring collection will be available for Dee Banks School. Please come along and support this event.
ANGELS, SHEEP, DONKEYS, KINGS, ACTORS AND SHEPHERDS NEEDED!
The children’s liturgy invites children of all ages to come and take part in St Columba’s Christmas Eve celebration Mass at 4.30 pm. Whether you are a budding actor, narrator, musician or would just like to dress up and be part of the celebrations we want to hear from you. For further information please contact Gillian Blatch at stcolumbaschurch2016@outlook.com and mark it for the attention of Gillian Children’s liturgy.
ST COLUMBA’S CHURCH & HALL BOOKINGS
To arrange meetings etc. in either the Church, Newman Room or the Iona Chapel, please book through Carol Galvin, St. Columba’s Church Office, phone: 01244 624019, Email: stcolumbaschurch2016@outlook.com, Office hours Monday to Friday 9.00am to 1.00pm
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.
REPORT FROM PASTORAL COUNCIL MEETING 25 OCTOBER 2023
Reports were received and discussed from the SVP, youth group, buildings, social committee etc and on the recent appeals to parishioners to consider their financial donations and for volunteers. Appreciation was expressed for those parishioners who responded. It was agreed that the level of donations should be monitored and that another appeal held in the future. All the new volunteers will be approached in the next few weeks and a small group of ‘welcomers’ assembled to consider some possibilities for widening this role. The two chairpersons are now working on a recruitment strategy for volunteers for the more spiritual aspects of church life. Ann McCarthy, Pauline Rourke
Resources: The Cheshire prize for literature 2023/24 is now open and will close on January 31st 2024. There are three age groups: primary, secondary and over 18’s and four categories: short stories, poetry, children’s literature and scriptwriting. No theme, so you can write about anything. Further details on cwac.co/4ByYG. Any queries about the competition should be emailed to cheshireprize@chester.ac.uk or phone 01244 511344.
WE ARE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER: World Youth Sunday will be celebrated on Sunday 26 November. This year the Pope has chosen “Rejoicing in Hope” (Rom 12:12) as its theme. The Pope talks of “As young people, you are indeed the joyful hope of the Church and of a humanity always on the move. I would like to take you by the hand and walk with you on the path of hope. I would like to speak with you about our joys and hopes, but also of our sorrows and concerns, and those of all our brothers and sisters in the human family..How can we live without hope? What would our days be like? Hope is the salt of our daily lives.” He asks our youth to “Remain open, like canals in which the hope of Jesus can flow and spread in all the areas where you live”. God bless our youth, they are our future, and God bless all families, parents, guardians, teachers, youth workers, coaches and all who help our Youth, to be the best that they can be. The full link to the Pope’s message to the Youth can be found at https://worldyouthday.com/message-of-his-holiness-pope-francis-for-the-xxxviii-world-youth-day/
PIETY STALL:
The Piety stall is now selling Christmas Cards, diaries and calendars. If you need anything else, I have a catalogue, please telephone me on 01244 329469. Many thanks.
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.
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NEXT WEEK’S NEWSLETTER:
3rd December edition will be compiled by Alison Wrigglesworth, phone: 01244 382457 or Email: a.wrigglesworth@outlook.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 29th November