The month of September is dedicated to Our Lady of Pity
TWENTY-SIXTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
27 SEPTEMBER 2026
| Sat 26 Sep | |
| St. Theresa’s | 5.00pm Parishioners’ Intentions |
| St. Columba’s | 6.30pm Fr John Lennon |
| Sun 27 Sep | |
| St. Theresa’s | 9.30am Jessica Baker RIP |
| St. Columba’s | 11.00am Margaret Patino Pan RIP (CWL) |
| 2.00pm Kerala Catholic Community Mass in Syro-Malabar Rite | |
| Mon 28 Sep | |
| St. Theresa’s | Priests’ Intentions |
| St. Columba’s | 10.30am Margaret Patino Pan RIP (SL) |
| Tue 29 Sep | – Ss Michael, Gabriel & Raphael, Archangels |
| St. Theresa’s | Special Intentions |
| St. Columba’s | 6.30pm Christine Foley RIP |
| Wed 30 Sep | – St Jerome |
| St. Theresa’s | Private Intentions |
| St. Columba’s | 9.30am Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament |
| 10.15am Novena Prayers | |
| 10.30am Margaret Patino Pan RIP | |
| Thu 1 Oct | – St Theresa of the Child Jesus |
| St. Theresa’s | 9.30am Margaret Patino Pan RIP |
| St. Columba’s | Priests’ Intentions |
| Fri 2 Oct | – Guardian Angels |
| St. Theresa’s | 10.00am Eric Hocking RIP |
| St. Columba’s | The Parish |
| Sat 3 Oct | |
| St. Theresa’s | 9.30am Malankara Jacobite Syriac Community |
| 5.00pm Maureen Templeton’s Intentions | |
| St. Columba’s | 6.30pm Joyce Bownas RIP Anniv |
| Sun 4 Oct | – 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time |
| St. Theresa’s | 9.30am Keith Evans RIP |
| St. Columba’s | 11.00am Michael Holland 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 27 September at 11.00a.m.
ANNIVERSARIES – Jessica Baker, Keith Alexander Evans, John Anthony Taylor, Nicholas Philip Lancaster, Howard Jefferson Sherman, Rose Marshall, Barbara Fry, Martin Connolly, Kathy Dempsey.
WELCOME– We welcome Fr Josephat Ezeanlue CSSp as assistant Parish Priest. We hope he settles in soon and enjoys his time with us.
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 – Parents are asked to note that, in future,Baptisms will be carried out in groups on a Sunday designated by Fr William. Individual Baptisms will no longer be 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: £441.08; Planned Giving: £434.81; Average weekly SO £734.72. St Columba’s Dona Stations: £132; Candles £57.16. Thank you for your generosity.
MASS COUNT – Will take place in both churches over the weekends up to 10/11 October.
FEAST OF ST THERESA – Thursday 1 October is the Feast of St Theresa and there will be Mass at 9.30am in St Theresa’s church. Our Primary school will be joining us for this Mass. All welcome.
CHRISTIAN AID: “Singing for Peace” at 4pm on 4 October in Hoole URC, Hoole Road
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 – 112th World Day of Migrants and Refugees, which the Church observes on 27 September. Pope Leo XIV began his Message by insisting that the title “Even just one of these children,” draws our attention to the minors directly involved in the experience of migration and flight, to the care owed to them, and to the Lord’s promise that “whoever receives one such child in my name receives Me” (Mk 9:37).
PRAYING TOGETHER FOR –
- The residents of Church Lane, Nield Court and Grangeside, Harthill Road, The Parade, Tomlin’s Terrace, and Carlisle Road.
- The church organists and music leaders, for the ministry of music in our worship.
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
27 Sept – MacMillan Coffee Morning
04 Oct – Lena Greig, Hopeful Ugandan Hearts
11 Oct – Giovanni, Little Choir
MACMILLAN COFFEE MORNING – It’s finally here, our annual MacMillan fund raiser is this weekend. We will still welcome any donated cakes which can be sold after the Saturday Mass at 6:30pm 26 Sep in the Newman Room and after the Sunday Mass, 11:00am 27 Sep, in St Columba’s Hall. Thank you.
CHURCHES TOGETHER IN UPTON – The AGM was held recently and resulted in a new Chair being appointed, Sheila Dunbar of the URC, David Savage having stepped down after his agreed twelve month tenure. Lyn Coyle remains as Minutes Secretary and there are vacancies for Vice-Chair, Secretary and Treasurer. The programme of Fifth Sunday Services and other events will continue but Committee Meetings will be held less frequently. If you would like to hear more or volunteer to join the Committee then please contact Lyn (07735574397) or David (01244 380626).
FASHION SHOW FOR CHARITY – Wednesday 30th September, 2–4.30 p.m., £5, includes Bren Brews drink and cake; Hoole URC Church Hall, Hoole Road, in aid of Chifundo, women’s Malawi charity. Tickets call/email 01244 381 490, satflynn7@gmail.com
FAITH EXPLORATION AND SHARING (OCIA) – For anyone not yet in full communion with the Church but interested in exploring a way toward that, beginning at the end of September the parish will be running the Sycamore course explaining the Catholic faith. If you are interested in joining the group, please contact the Parish Office for more details. If you know someone you think might be interested why not offer some words of encouragement. Start date TBA soon.
SAVE THE DATE, 16 OCTOBER – There will be a family fun evening in St Theresa’s club starting at 7:00pm. Watch this space for more details.
LITTLE CHOIR – We are launching a drawing competition to design the new cover for the Little Choir of St Columba’s folders. Children are invited to create an A4 drawing about the choir, music and singing in church, including “Little Choir of St Columba, Chester.” Entries can be emailed to StColumbaLittleChoir@proton.me or handed in at church by Friday 9 October. The winner will be announced on Sunday 11th October at the cake sale after the 11:00 Mass, and their artwork will become the choir’s official folder cover.
SEASON OF CREATION: runs throughout September, ending on 4 Oct, the feast of St Francis of Assisi. We give thanks for all that God has made, repent for the damage that we have caused and commit ourselves to take action to protect the earth our common home. (CAFOD). The Children’s Liturgy Group plus members of the Youth group will take part in a special Offertory procession at the 11am Mass at St Columba’s on 4 Oct.
CAFOD: Family Fast Day Appeal this Harvest Please donate to our Family Fast Day parish collection. Put your faith into action and share the Lord’s love by supporting our global neighbours experiencing shortages of food and safe water. Your gift can support children like Tayla in Zimbabwe to stay in school by helping communities and schools provide nourishing meals, improve access to water and grow food in school gardens. Use the CAFOD envelope in church porches, donate online at cafod.org.uk/envelope or call 0303 303 3030.
FEAST OF ST FRANCIS OF ASSISI AND JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS, 3-4 October 2026. Everyone is warmly invited to join the Capuchin Friars at St Francis Church, Chester, as we celebrate the 800th anniversary of the death of St Francis during the special Jubilee Year proclaimed by Pope Leo XIV. On Sat 3 Oct, there will be a special musical performance, The Life of St Francis, at 5 pm, followed by the Transitus and Solemn Vespers at 6 pm, with refreshments in the Parish Hall at 7 pm. On Sun 4 Oct, Bishop Mark Davies will celebrate Solemn Mass at 10 am, followed by a Polish Mass at 5 pm. Please note: Due to the Transitus celebrations, there will be no 6:30 pm Vigil Mass at St Francis Church on Sat 3 Oct.
ROMAN CATHOLIC CHAPLAIN VACANCY AT HMP &YOI STYAL – We are seeking a compassionate and committed Roman Catholic Chaplain (Priest or Lay) to join our multi-faith chaplaincy team in a women’s prison. If you are interested in helping people build brighter futures, we would love to hear from you. This is a one day a week post (8hrs).Please contact Managing Chaplain Jo Hirst for further information 01625 553015 Joanna.hirst1@justice.gov.uk.
FRIENDSHIP THURSDAY – This takes place on the 3rd Thursday of every month from 2pm-4pm in St Columba’s Hall.It is very informal and friendly and is a chance to meet others. We ask for £2 towards running costs please. For further information please see the posters in church or contact Lyn Coyle : 37745574397 or Marilyn.coyle44@gmail.com
FIRST COMMUNION PREPARATION CLASSES – These classes are for children who come to either St Columba’s or St Theresa’s churches but do not attend one of the RC Primary Schools. They are held in the Newman Room at St Columba’s on Wednesday evenings in term time from 5pm to 6pm. The classes started on Wednesday 23 Sept. If you have a child in Year 3 or above who would like to enrol to join these classes to prepare for First Forgiveness and First Holy Communion this school year, or if you would like any further information, please contact Pauline Payne by email: pauline.payne4@btinternet.com
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 2p.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 4 October to be complied by Alison Wrigglesworth, phone: 07759 042262, email: a.wrigglesworth@outlook.com. Deadline: Wednesday 30 September 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