SECOND WEEK OF LENT
5th MARCH 2023
Saturday 4th March
St. Theresa’s 5.00p.m. Parishioners’ Intentions
St. Columba’s 6.30p.m. Thanksgiving (AE)
Sunday 5th March
St. Theresa’s 9.30a.m. Albert Axon RIP
St. Columba’s 11.00a.m. Drew Hardy
Monday 6th March
St. Theresa’s Private Intention (MD)
St. Columba’s 10.00a.m. Stations of the Cross
10.30a.m. The Parish
Tuesday 7th March
St. Theresa’s Priests’ Intentions
St. Columba’s Private Intention
Wednesday 8th March
St Theresa’s 9.30a.m. Requiem mass for Vera Joyce
St Columba’s 9.30a.m. Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
10.15a.m. Novena Prayers
10.30a.m. Gerry Galvin
Thursday 9th March
St. Theresa’s 9.30a.m. Yr 4 class mass (in church)
St Columba’s People of Syria & Turkey
Friday 10th March
St. Theresa’s 9.30a.m. Stations of the Cross
St. Theresa’s 10.00a.m Priests’ Intentions
St. Columba’s Lucienne Francis
Saturday 11th March
St. Theresa’s 5.00pm Parishioners’ Intentions
St. Columba’s 6.30p.m. Thanksgiving & Pte. Int. (EE)
Sunday 12th March
St. Theresa’s 9.30a.m. Kazia Krawiec RIP
St. Columba’s 11.00a.m. The Parish
LIVE STREAMING OF MASS:
Mass will be streamed from St Theresa’s at 9..30a.m. this Sunday 5th March 2023.
www.facebook.com/thecatholicparishofstcolumbaandsttheresa
STATIONS OF THE CROSS during Lent:
St Theresa’s Friday 9.30a.m.
St Columba’s Monday 10.00a.m.
RECENTLY DECEASED:
Please remember in your prayers, Vera Joyce, Josie watts & Eileen Thornber. Vera’s Requiem Mass is on Wednesday 8 March at 9.30am at St Theresa’s. Josie’s Funeral Service is on Thursday 16 March at 12.30pm at St Columba’s and Eileen’s requiem Mass is on 20 April at 10.30am at St Columba’s.
ANNVERSARIES:
Florence Southall, James John McCafferty, Agnes Jones, Christine Elizabeth Scanlan.
CONFESSIONS:
There will be Confessions after every weekday Mass until 11.30am. at both churches.
St Columba’s: From 6pm before the 6.30pm Saturday evening Mass.
St Theresa’s: From 4.30pm before 5pm Saturday evening Mass.
WEDDINGS, BAPTISMS AND FUNERALS:
Please contact one of the Parish Offices to make your arrangements.
PRAYING TOGETHER:
We Pray for
- Pray for the residents of Kingsway West, Rutland Place, Kent Road, Meynell Place, Marlowe Close, Palgrave Close and Tennyson Walk.
- For the Growth Groups, Bible Study Groups and nurturing groups.
- For a deepening of faith and awareness of Christ in us all
OFFERTORY:
St Columba’s: Loose plate: £379.50 Planned Giving: £122.00; Average Weekly SO – £574.00; Wednesday Badminton £200.00; Wednesday Tai Chi £30 .00.
St Theresa’s: Loose plate & Planned giving £279.57Average weekly SO – £161
THANK YOU for all your generous support.
ST COLUMBA’S COFFEE ROTA:
5th Mar – No coffee – decorating the hall
12th Mar – volunteers please
19th Mar – Lena Gregg for Uganda Orphans
26th Mar – Sue McCarthy for SVP
Why not donate a little time to make tea and coffee to refresh the parishioners after 11:00 Mass on Sunday? You can make some money for your favourite charity, too. Call Margaret Curtis 01244 3184234 to book your date(s).
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.
HEALTH AND WELLBEING WALK:
Every Monday 10:00a.m. for 10:30a.m. Health And Wellbeing Walk sponsored by St Theresa’s and the URC. For more information ring Brendan Doyle on: 07484353841 or Ann Francis on 01244 959061.
AN ONLINE COURSE ON VATICAN II:
In response to Synodal Submissions, the Diocese is offering a series of short podcasts throughout Lent. Accessible on the diocesan website at dioceseofshrewsbury.org they are not time-bound and may be listened to anytime. You will also find handouts there on various topics, whilst a leaflet outlining the content of the recordings is available in the parish. If you have difficulty accessing this material or have any other questions, don’t hesitate to call Barbara Davies on 07730 526821.
DIOCESAN PILGRIMAGE TO LOURDES 2023:
Booking are now open for this years Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes. Under the leadership of Bishop Mark, the theme for our pilgrimage will be “… tell the priests to build a chapel here“. This years overland pilgrimage will depart on Thursday 27 July returning on Friday 4 August. Those pilgrims wishing to fly will depart from Liverpool airport on Friday 28 July returning on Thursday 3 August. More details, brochure and booking forms are available on the pilgrimage website http://www.shrewsburypilgrimage.co.uk . Young pilgrims (aged 16 – 22) who wish to join us in Lourdes and offer their time and energy to assist and serve the sick and elderly pilgrims are asked to contact Sandy Fairley at the Youth Mission Team (youth@dioceseofshrewsbury.org) for more details.
LOURDES BY JUMBULANCE:
Chester and Wirral Across Groups are again travelling to Lourdes this year. There are vacancies for nurses, helpers, and sick and disabled pilgrims. We have taken folk with a wide range of health problems such as stroke, cancer, MS, Motor Neurone Disease, etc. The cost is £995. Nurses and under 25s in full time education pay half. However, financial help may be available for those who cannot afford to pay the full amount. COVID Vaccinations compulsory. See church notice boards for further information, or please contact Tony Murphy on 07881-656-974 or tonymurphyefc2002@yahoo.co.uk
LOURDES BY JUMBALANCE:
Tony Murphy will be giving a talk at all Masses the weekend of 18/19 March.
SHREWSBURY LOURDES HOSPITALITY MEETING
The next meeting of the Shrewsbury Lourdes Hospitality will be on the 7th March 2023 at 7.30pm via Zoom. Please register your attendance, request the link, and send items for the agenda to secretary@teamshrewsbury.co.uk or text/call 07451 249267.
Please pass on these details to any hospitality members who may be interested in attending.
NEW EXTRAORDINARY MINSTERS OF THE EUCHARIST AND READERS- 25 March:
There will be a meeting for new Ministers on Saturday 25th March at St Theresa’s. If you have already registered an interest or would like to become either an extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist or a Reader please come along.
KEYHOLDERS AT ST COLUMBA’S:
To meet insurance requirements we are undertaking a keyholder review and Fr William will be in contact directly. Please let Carol or Nuala know if you currently hold a key/s and do not receive the update. Thank you.
CONFIRMATIONS 2023:
The Chester Parishes take it in turns to organise Confirmation. Last year it was St Columba’s and St Theresa’s, this year St Werburgh’s, St Clare’s and St Francis. The date is Wednesday 10th May, 7.00 pm, at St Francis. The Classes will be on Wednesday evenings at St Werburgh’s, 7.00 pm. Flyers at the back of church give full details. Minimum age is Year 8 in the High Schools – no maximum! Launch Meeting was held on Monday 20th February, and first class was held on Wednesday 1st March. Contact Fr Paul at St Werburgh’s if you need more information – but the flyer should answer most questions.
ST CLARE’S HEADTEACHER VACANCY:
There is a vacancy for a Headteacher at St. Clare’s Catholic Primary School, Chester. Closing date is 20th March at 10:00am. An application pack is available from the school office at admin@stclares.cheshire.sch.uk. Telephone 01244 445266.
CLERGY WELFARE OFFICER VACANCY:
Due to the upcoming retirement of our current RGN/Welfare Officer, the Diocese is looking to appoint a replacement. The Welfare Officer is expected to draw on their nursing skills and experience to effectively assist priests approaching retirement, those in retirement and those on sick leave. They will need to be proactive, caring and demonstrate safe and effective practice through a multidisciplinary approach.
They will require a current NMC pin and understand the Catholic faith. For application form please contact Pauline McCulloch recruitment@dioceseofshrewsbury.org. For further information please see link. Closing date Friday 24 March.
ST.COLUMBA’S HALL:
The hall and kitchen are to be re-decorated on Saturday 4th and Monday 6 th March so it will not be possible to use the hall this weekend. It should look fresh and attractive to welcome all back for coffee next Sunday!
CHESTER 10K – 12 MARCH:
The Chester 10k run is taking place on Sunday 12 March and roads around Blacon will be closed in the morning. If you usually attend the 9.30am Mass at St Theresa’s please check the route to see if you will be affected by the road closures.
SVP THEATRE NIGHT – THE GIRL ON THE TRAIN
This gripping new play will keep you guessing until the final moments!! Wednesday 8th March 7.30pm Gladstone Theatre Port Sunlight. Tickets price £10 available from Sue McCarthy 07515 491251 or any SVP members. All proceeds going to support the running of the SVP holiday home.
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK:
In every walk with nature, one receives far more than you seek. John Muir.
WE’RE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER:
I love this time of year, we see the first signs of spring, flowers peeping through, blossom on the trees, leaves and buds on bushes and trees just starting to show, birds signing and collecting nesting materials, lighter days and, if we are very lucky, the warmth of the sunshine on us as we go about our daily tasks. Shopping the other day, I also stopped to look at a pack of spring flowers to plant, their variegated petals were just so beautiful. We are fortunate to be surrounded by wonder and such breath-taking beauty. Have a lovely week and enjoy the wonders that surround us.
RESOURCES:
Applications are now open for communities in west Cheshire to receive up to £500 to fund celebrations and activities to mark the Coronation of King Charles III. For further details on how to plan an event and apply for a grant see the Cheshire West and Chester Web site
THANK YOU:
Coffee and cakes last Sunday raised £100 which has been sent to the D.E.C.
ST COLUMBA’S CHURCH & HALL BOOKINGS
To arrange meetings etc. in either the Church, Newman Room or the Iona Chapel, please book through Nuala Keegan, Church Office, 01244 624019, Email: stcolumbaschurch2016@outlook.com
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.
NEXT WEEK’S NEWSLETTER:
9th March edition will be compiled by Amy O’Donnell, Phone: 07854 290897, Email: amyod@hotmail.co.uk. 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 8th MARCH