The month of April is dedicated to The Holy Spirit
SECOND SUNDAY OF EASTER
27 APRIL 2025
| Sat 26 Apr | |||
| St. Theresa’s | 5.00pm | Parishioners’ Intentions | |
| St. Columba’s | 6.30pm | David Innes RIP | |
| Sun 27 Apr | DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY | ||
| St. Theresa’s | 9.30am | Colette Johnson RIP | |
| St. Columba’s | 11.00am | Francis O’Leary | |
| 2.00pm | Kerala Catholic Community Mass in Syro-Malabar Rite | ||
| Mon 28 Apr | St George, M. Solemnity | ||
| St. Theresa’s | Priests’ Intentions | ||
| St. Columba’s | 10.30am | Stuart Worrall RIP | |
| Tue 29 Apr | St Catherine of Siena, V, D. Feast | ||
| St. Theresa’s | Tony & Robin Walsh | ||
| St. Columba’s | Parishioners’ Intentions | ||
| Wed 30 Apr | |||
| St. Theresa’s | Private Intentions | ||
| St. Columba’s | 7.00pm | Requiem Mass Pope Francis | |
| Thu 1 May | |||
| St. Theresa’s | Eileen Mapp’s Intentions | ||
| St. Columba’s | Priests’ Intentions | ||
| Fri 2 May | St Anthanasius, B, D. Mem. | ||
| St. Theresa’s | 10.00am | Tom Groom RIP | |
| St. Columba’s | The Parish | ||
| Sat 3 May | |||
| St. Theresa’s | 9.30am | Malankara Jacobite Syriac Orthodox Community Mass | |
| 5.00pm | Mary Lally RIP | ||
| St. Columba’s | 6.30pm | Parishioners’ Intentions | |
| Sun 4 May | Third Sunday of Easter | ||
| St. Theresa’s | 9.30am | Parishioners’ Intentions | |
| St. Columba’s | 11.00am | Parishioners’ Intentions | |
| 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 27 April at 9.30a.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
DEATH OF POPE FRANCIS 1936 – 2025
Eternal rest, grant upon him, O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon him.
May he rest in peace.
Amen
The following are words from the Vatican’s announcement of the death of Pope Francis on Monday 21 April.
“His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of His Church. He taught us to live the values of the Gospel with fidelity, courage and universal love, especially in favour of the poorest and most marginalised. With immense gratitude for his example as a true disciple of the Lord Jesus, we commend the soul of Pope Francis to the infinite merciful love of the One and Triune God.”
PARISH REQUIEM MASS FOR POPE FRANCIS
As a celebration of his life and as a mark of gratitude for all that he did as Pope, the Parish will hold a Requiem Mass for Pope Francis at 7 pm on Wednesday 30 April at St Columba’s Church. All are welcome to join us and make this a worthy celebration. Please note: there will be NO 10.30 Mass on Wednesday morning.
EASTER THANK YOU
Fr William, Fr Peter and Deacon Lawrence would like to thank everyone for their participation in the services over Easter and to all those who helped in any way with the preparations.
RECENTLY DECEASED
Long standing parishioners of St Columba’s may remember Sarsfield McDonald, who died on 16 April. Sarsfield’s Requiem is on Thursday 1 May at St Francis’ Church at 9.30am. Please pray for him.
ANNIVERSARIES
Michael Thornber, Brian Peter Kelly, Michael Patrick Murray, Thomas William Groom, Mary Lally, John Bond.
POPE’S APRIL PRAYER INTENTIONS
For the use of the new technologies. Let us pray that the use of the new technologies will not replace human relationships, will respect the dignity of the person, and will help us face the crises of our times.
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: TBC; Planned Giving TBC; Average weekly SO £718.15. Candles: TBC.
SOCIETY OF AFRICAN MISSIONS COLLECTION
Many thanks for the amount of £829.94 which was collected for this recent appeal. Your generosity is much appreciated.
PRAYING TOGETHER
Pray for:
- the residents of Abbots Park, Milbourne Close, Neston Drive, Imperial Avenue, Embassy Close, Bristol Close and Virginia Drive.
- Sewing Groups.
FIRST HOLY COMMUNIONS – St Columba’s
On Sunday 4 May and Sunday 11 May at the 11am Mass, children from the parish will be making their First Holy Communions. The central benches in chuch will be reserved for the children and their families on these occasions.
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.
27 April – volunteers please
04 May – volunteers please
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK
“Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get.” Forrest Gump (film character)
Youth Group Jubilee 25 Walk – Pilgrims of Hope
Saturday, 26 April, some of the parish’s youth group and leaders walk from St Theresa’s to St Columba’s as part of our Jubilee 25 celebrations. They will begin their journey at 1pm from the Peace Garden at St Theresa’s and should arrive at St Columba’s by 3.00 – 3.15pm. It would be good if some parishioners could show their support either at the start or the end of the journey.
The plans for this event have been in the making for some time. Little did we know that we would be mourning the death of our Pope at this time. We do however feel that this will be a very fitting tribute to this special man.
TERMINALLY ILL ADULTS (END OF LIFE) BILL
Following the recent Pastoral letter relating to this Bill, to find out more and write to your MP visit www.livesworthliving.org.uk, and or pick up a leaflet from the back of church. Postcards can also be found at the back of church addressed to SPUC relating to a request to the PM to commit to long term reform of hospice and palliative care. Should you wish to contact your MP Samantha Dixon, her address is, House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA, her email address is Samantha.dixon.mp@parliament.uk . Her constituency office address is The Bluecoat, Upper Northgate St, Chester CH1 4EE. The Health Secretary, Wes Streeting can also be contacted at the above House of Commons address and email wes.streeting.mp@parliament.uk.
TOMATO PLANTS
Red Cherry, Gardener’s Delight, Moneymaker and Tumbling Tom Red varieties of tomato plants will be on sale in the hall at St Columba’s after 11am Mass today (27 April) at 40p each or ring Pauline Payne on 01244 350323 to order. All proceeds go to our parish Third World project, the OAKS School in Bo, Sierra Leone.
FRIENDSHIP THURSDAY
The next meeting will be from 2-4pm on Thursday, 8 May. We have a guest who I’m sure we will all enjoy. As usual, we will ask for a donation of £2 towards running costs. Looking forward to seeing you there and any friend you may like to invite, remembering that this group is not just for churchgoers but for anyone who would enjoy some company. Communications group
CAFOD MYANMAR EARTHQUAKE APPEAL
Following the devastating earthquake in Myanmar, CAFOD is responding through the Catholic Church there to support families affected by the disaster. Your donations will provide essentials like water, food, solar lights, and mosquito nets. You can donate online at cafod.org.uk/myanmar or by calling 0300 999 0030. You can also text EARTHQUAKE to 70450 to donate £10.
Prayer for the people of Myanmar. Please join us in praying for the people of Myanmar and other affected areas. God, our strength and our help in times of trouble, be with your people now, in the aftermath of this earthquake. Move us to come together offering shelter for the homeless, rest to the weary comfort to the injured and distressed.
SVP APPEAL FOR WHITE GOODS
The SVP are currently supporting a person who has been rehoused. Do you have a washing machine, fridge/freezer or a free standing electric cooker that you could donate? Please contact Sue McCarthy, Mark Traynor or any member of the SVP. 07515491251. Many thanks
ZUMBA MASTERCLASS IN AID OF “HOPEFUL UGANDAN HEARTS
On Saturday 17 May from 11am-1pm. £10 Adults and £5 Children 6+. Pay at the door.
We are raising funds to support two Orphanages in Uganda. Children need to remain in school and we are helping to pay for school fees, food and rent. Come and join me Zumba with Lina for two hours of Zumba fitness and FUN!!! As always, we’ll have a Raffle, expect great prizes. Any enquiries contact Lina Greig 07837512544.
BRAZILIAN COMMUNITY
Hi all, we are part of the Brazilian community in Chester and would like to invite you to pray the rosary with us. We meet on line on Thursdays at 8p.m. The rosary is prayed in Portuguese, so if you’d like to join us you are more than welcome. Please send us an email and we can send you the link for the meeting. Luciana lucianaalsina@yahoo.com
THE CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL
Prom Dresses and Suits Wanted: The Catholic High School is welcoming donations of dresses and suits for the upcoming ‘Prom Shop’ sale. Donations may be dropped off at the school reception – Old Wrexham Road, CH4 7HS. Thank you.
PLANNED GIVING ENVELOPES 2025/2026
The planned giving envelopes for the next financial year are now available at the back of the church.
There are also a number of blank boxes of envelopes and should you wish to use one please contact Kevin Keegan on 07790 758008 or email at k1bfb@hotmail.com so that your details can be added to the planned giving system.
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.
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: youth2000.org/events/summerfestival2025.
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 4 May edition will be compiled by Eileen Irwin Phone: 01244 371660 or email: st.theresas@btinternet.com. 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 30 APRIL 2025