The month of May is dedicated to The Blessed Virgin Mary
FIFTH SUNDAY OF EASTER
3 MAY 2026
| Saturday 2 May | ||
| St Theresa’s | 5.00pm | Christine North’s Intentions |
| St Columba’s | 6.30pm | Frank Stone Junior Anniversary |
| Sunday 3 May – Fifth Sunday of Easter | ||
| St Theresa’s | 9.30am | Parishioners’ Intentions |
| St Columba’s | 11.00am | First Holy Communion Mass Amelia Lourenco RIP |
| 2.00pm | Kerala Catholic Community Mass in Syro-Malabar Rite | |
| Monday 4 May – The English Martyrs Feast | ||
| St Theresa’s | Priests’ Intentions | |
| St Columba’s | 10.30am | Monica Calvert RIP |
| Tuesday 5 May | ||
| St Theresa’s | Private Intention | |
| St Columba’s | Parishioners’ Intentions | |
| Wednesday 6 May | ||
| St Theresa’s | Special Intention | |
| St Columba’s | 9.30am | Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament |
| 10.15am | Novena Prayers | |
| 10.30am | Helen De Lara RIP | |
| Thursday 7 May | ||
| St Theresa’s | Adrian Burns RIP | |
| St Columba’s | Priests’ Intentions | |
| Friday 8 May | ||
| St Theresa’s | 10.00am | Anthony Keith Baker RIP & Tony Walsh RIP |
| St Columba’s | The Parish | |
| Saturday 9 May | ||
| St Theresa’s | 5.00pm | Maureen & Michael Cheston’s Intentions |
| St Columba’s | 6.30pm | Keith Skinner RIP |
| Sunday 10 May – 6th Sunday of Easter | ||
| St Theresa’s | 9.30am | Tom Groom RIP |
| St Columba’s | 11.00am | First Holy Communion Mass Parishioners’ Intentions |
| 2.00pm | Kerala Catholic Community Mass in Syro-Malabar Rite | |
LIVE STREAMING OF MASS – Mass will be streamed at St Theresa’s on Sunday 3 May at 9.30a.m.
RECENTLY DECEASED – Please remember in your prayers Patricia Watson, who died recently, and her family and friends. Funeral Service for Patricia is on Thursday 14 May at 12 noon at Chester Crematorium.
ANNIVERSARIES – Brian Peter Kelly, Michael Patrick Murray, Thomas William Groom, Mary Lally, John Bond, William Baker.
POPES PRAYER INTENTION FOR MAY –THAT EVERYONE MIGHT HAVE FOOD. Let us pray that everyone, from large producers to small consumers, be committed to avoid wasting food, and to ensure that everyone has access to quality food.
CONFESSIONS – After each weekday Mass until 11.30am.
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: £524.13; Planned Giving: £276.30; Average weekly SO £718.15. (St Columba’s) Dona Stations: £70; Candles: £36.80. Thank you for your kind generosity.
FR WILLIAM – Please remember that Thursday is Fr William’s day off.
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK – “Words are never merely sounds. They become echoes that linger long after they’re spoken- touching hearts, shaping minds, and leaving imprints that endure. Choose your words wisely.” Roy T Bennett
PRAYING TOGETHER FOR
- The residents of Arley Close, Lincoln Drive, Grasmere Road, Woodside Road, Oakfield Rd, Highfield Road, and Foxcote Close.
- The elderly and housebound.
- All who prepare the food and for those who come and enjoy the fellowship enjoyed at church meals
SCHOOL MASS – ST COLUMBA’S – There will be a school Mass at St Columba’s for year 1 and 2 on Tuesday 12 May at 10am. All parishioners are welcome to join in.
THE ASCENSION OF THE LORD – 14 MAY – The Ascension is a Holy Day of Obligation. The Vigil Mass will be at 7pm at St Columba’s on Wednesday 13 May, Mass on Thursday 14 May will be at St Theresa’s at 10am.
Please note that as there is Mass at St Columba’s at 7pm there will not be the usual morning Mass, Exposition or Novena Prayers that day.
SPIRITAN APPEAL-23/24 MAY – The annual Spiritan Appeal will take place at all Masses over the weekend of 23/24 May. It is a time for us to show our appreciation to the Spiritan Community and the work they do.
ALL PARISHIONERS ARE INVITED – PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING, SATURDAY 9 MAY 2026, ST COLUMBA’S HALL, 2.30 – 4.30 pm Join us to hear about the Pastoral Council’s work over the past year and to share your ideas for the year ahead. Reports will be presented on parish activities with time for questions.
The winners of the Art Competition (theme Ecology and Creation) will be announced, and entries will be on display. The meeting will be followed by Afternoon Tea organised by the Social Committee.
New Members welcome! If you would be interested in joining the Pastoral Council please give your name and contact details to one of the parish secretaries.
Free Raffle Tickets for all attendees (Pastoral Council members not eligible).
Ann McCarthy, Pauline Rourke (co-chairs Pastoral Council)
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
03 May – Lyn Coyle – Friendship Group
10 May – volunteers please
17 May – Lina Greig – Hopeful Ugandan Hearts
RE-INTRODUCTION OF HOLY COMMUNION UNDER BOTH KINDS – It is hoped to re-introduce this in the near future. To be able to do this we will need more Extra Ordinary Ministers of the Eucharist, particularly at St Theresa’s Saturday evening 5pm Mass and St Columba’s for both Masses. If you feel you can take on this role please contact one of the parish offices or Fr William. Training will be given. Thank you.
FIRST HOLY COMMUNIONS – St Columba’s – Today we have our first family celebrations of First Holy Communions so the central benches will be reserved for the children and their immediate families. We welcome you all and pray for and congratulate these children: Amelia, Julia, Stanley, Amari, Sanaa, Olivia, Jessica, Martyna, Elliot, Oliver and Kaia.
CHESTER PARISHES CONFIRMATION – Bishop Mark Davies will celebrate the next Chester Catholic Parishes Sacrament of Confirmation on 11 November 2026 at St. Columba’s Church. This year the preparation programme for parishioners from all Chester Catholic Parishes will be led by St. Columba and St. Theresa’s Confirmation preparation team. Anyone currently at high school or older may prepare to be Confirmed. For youth candidates, to register, parents please email stcolumbatheresaconfirmation@hotmail.co.uk. Please include your child’s current school year. Adult candidates, please speak to Fr William first and then email the above email address to join the separate adult preparation group. There will be an information meeting about Confirmation preparation in mid-June, details to be announced nearer the time.
DATE FOR YOUR DIARY: The Parish “We’ve Got Talent” event – an evening of entertainment by our very own parishioners – Friday 15 May at 7pm in St Columba’s church hall. Not to be missed.
First half – parishioners performing. Break for sandwiches, tea/coffee. Second half – sing-a-long. Tickets £3.00 (minimum donation) from Ann McCarthy, Sue Carr or parish offices and all proceeds are for parish funds. Bring your own alcohol. Please buy your tickets (£3) in advance for catering purposes. There is a list for anyone needing a lift from St Theresa’s in the church porch. If you can offer a lift, please contact St Theresa’s Office.
DIOCESAN LOURDES PILGRIMAGE 2026 – The Pilgrimage Team are very pleased to announce that bookings are now open for our 2026, 75th Anniversary Pilgrimage to Lourdes. By coach 30 July to 7 August and by air 31 July to 6 August. Brochures can be found on the pilgrimage website along with a link to the new online booking system: www.shrewsburypilgrimage.co.uk
2025/2026 ST THERESA’S ACCOUNTS – A shortened version of St Theresa’s accounts are on the noticeboard. If anyone wants any further explanation of the figures please contact St Theresa’s office.
THANK YOU – CAFOD Lent Appeal: More donations have come in and the final figure now stands at £559.50. Many thanks.
LEPRA – Many thanks for the parish amount of £591.14 which was collected for LEPRA recently.
BOOK SALES – ST WERBURGH’S – To celebrate 150 years of St, Werburgh’s Church, Chester, being opened, the parishioners have produced a book describing the history of the church/parish over the last 150 years. As so many former parishioners are now in your two parishes, we asked permission to bring copies of the book, to sell at the end of Mass on the following dates. Price £7 per copy – cost price.
St. Columba – Sat and Sun 6 and 7 June.
St. Theresa – Sat and Sun 13 and 14 June.
We are sure that you will enjoy this book about the roots of Catholicism in Chester and recommend it to former parishioners. (St. Werburgh’s History Group)
LOURDES HOSPITALITY GROUP – Shrewsbury Lourdes Hospitality are holding a day of reflection on Saturday 23 May at Shrewsbury Cathedral Chapter House. The day will include reflections from Father Sean Henry and Dr Kieran Moriarty. There will also be Mass and Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament . All Hospitality members and their guests are welcome to attend.
Please confirm your attendance to secretary@teamshrewsbury.co.uk
RESOURCES – EASY EVANGELISATION – www.IsItTrue.net is a new website designed to encourage people to consider joining the Catholic faith. Please consider sharing it with family and friends.
CATHOLIC FAMILY HOLIDAYS IN THE LAKE DISTRICT – Castlerigg Manor in Keswick (heart of the Lake District) is offering budget-friendly holidays for Catholic families during May, August, and early September. Breakfast and evening meal are included and there will be Mass on site. Guests have full use of the site including the grounds, games room, chapel, and lounges, and Castlerigg is just a short walk from Keswick and Lake Derwentwater. Ideal for individuals, couples, families, or groups of friends. Head to www.castleriggmanor.com >> stay with us or contact director@castleriggmanor.co.uk / Tel: 017687 72711
YOUTH MINISTRY GAP YEAR OPPORTUNITY – Do you know anyone aged 18-25 who is looking for a new challenge? The Diocese of Lancaster has a Youth Ministry team based in Keswick in the Lake District. They run retreats at Castlerigg Manor and also work in Churches and schools around the area. The ‘Youth Ministry Internship’ scheme comes with high quality training, experience, and recognised qualifications and gives young people the chance to join a welcoming community and a vibrant team doing some amazing work.
Interested? Contact director@castleriggmanor.co.uk orwww.castleriggmanor.com >> join the team
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 10 May to be compiled by Alison Wrigglesworth, phone: 07759 042262, email: a.wrigglesworth@outlook.com. Deadline: 9.00a.m. Wednesday 6 May.
Please include a contact number with your notice. Also email a copy to Fr. William at st.theresas@btinternet.com