FIFTH SUNDAY OF EASTER
7th MAY 2023
| Sat 6 May | ||
| St. Theresa’s | 5.00pm | Bart Bradshaw RIP |
| St. Columba’s | 6.30pm | Eileen Thornber RIP |
| Sun 7 May | ||
| St. Theresa’s | 9.30am | Parishioners’ Intentions |
| St. Columba’s | 11.00am | The Parish |
| Mon 8 May | ||
| St. Theresa’s | Priests’ Intentions | |
| St. Columba’s | 10.30am | Priests’ Intentions |
| Tue 9 May | Day of Special Prayer for Sexual Abuse | |
| St. Theresa’s | Anthony Baker RIP | |
| St. Columba’s | The Parish | |
| Wed 10 May | ||
| St. Theresa’s | Private Intentions | |
| St. Columba’s | 9.30am | Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament |
| 10.15am | Novena Prayers | |
| 10.30am | The Parish | |
| Thu 11 May | ||
| St. Theresa’s | Priests’ Intentions | |
| St. Columba’s | Private Intentions | |
| Fri 12 May | ||
| St. Theresa’s | Margaret Mary Collins RIP | |
| St. Columba’s | Margaret Mary Collins RIP | |
| Sat 13 May | ||
| St. Theresa’s | 5.00pm | Parishioners’ Intentions |
| St. Columba’s | 6.30pm | Clare Graham RIP |
| Sun 14 May | ||
| St. Theresa’s | 9.30am | Mae Dunne’s Intentions |
| St. Columba’s | 11.00am | The Parish |
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 9.30am. this Sunday 7th May 2023.
www.facebook.com/thecatholicparishofstcolumbaandsttheresa
RECENTLY DECEASED:
Please remember in your prayers Claire Graham, Margaret Collins, Margaret Finnegan, Ron Wright, Stuart Worrall and Tom Groom. May the Lord console their families and friends.
ANNVERSARIES:
Maureen Christine John, Ann Melia, Brenda Gertrude Onions
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.
FIRST HOLY COMMUNIONS – St Columba’s
On Sunday 14th May and Sunday 21st May at the 11.00a.m. Mass, 10 children will be making their First Holy Communions. The central benches in church will be reserved for the children and their families on these occasions.
PRAYING TOGETHER:
We pray for:
- The residents of Churchward Close, The Wien, Mickle Trafford, Woodside Road, Oakfield Rd, Highfield Road and Foxcote Close.
- For the hospitals in this area: the Countess and Wirral & West Cheshire Trust.
- For doctors and nurses and all who work in the NHS.
- For the patients and those who are addicted to drugs or alcohol, or who are mentally ill. Also for those we know at this time who are ill.
- For all those involved in the Countess of Chester Hospitals’ Chaplaincy.
5th SUNDAY SERVICE – CHURCHES TOGETHER UPTON
Thank you to the helpers and all those parishioners from St Columba’s who attended the Fifth Sunday Service last week. We had an excellent turnout to welcome our neighbours for our shared worship. Thank you all.
OFFERTORY:
St Columba’s: Loose plate: £362.12. Planned Giving: £107.50 Average Weekly SO – £574.00;
St Theresa’s: Loose plate & Planned Giving: £233.50; Average weekly SO – £161.
THANK YOU for all your generous support.
ST COLUMBA’S COFFEE ROTA
7th May – volunteers please
14th May – volunteers please
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).
WHITE FLOWER APPEAL 2023:
The Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (SPUC) will be holding its annual appeal this weekend at St Theresa’s. SPUC wants a world where abortion is unthinkable and is raising awareness of the widespread problem of abortion coercion. According to an independent poll, 87% of GPs are concerned that the Government’s “pills by post” scheme leaves women vulnerable to coerced abortion. SPUC is calling on the Prime Minister to condemn this tragedy.
FLORAL CELEBRATION FOR THE CORONATION:
Holy Ascension Church, Upton continues this Sunday 7th May 2pm – 4pm and Monday 8th May 10am – 4pm
CONFIRMATIONS 2023:
The date is Wednesday 10th May, 7.00 pm, at St Francis.
ST PIO PRAYER GROUP :
The next meeting is on 11th May in Flat 5, Abbots Court, Eversley Park, Chester CH2 2DY starting at 2pm. Everyone is welcome.
CHRISTIAN AID WEEK: 14th-20th May
Envelopes are available in the church porches and when filled can be placed in the normal collection baskets
YOUTH GROUP:
The next youth group will be on Monday 15th May, 7pm to 8.30pm, at St Theresa’s. Last session we placed our hand painted ‘peace’ stones in the Peace Garden at St. Theresa’s and took a look around the church. Watch this space for what we will be doing next month! All young parishioners from school year 5 and older are invited to join us.
CHRIST AND CREATION – FOUR TALKS & DICUSSIONS – MAY & JUN 2023:
This course looks at the startling but ancient truth that Jesus Christ as the Second Person of the Trinity has co-existed with the Father and the Holy Spirit from the beginning of time and has a central role in the work of Creation. The four talks are on Wednesday evenings at 7.30 pm, starting 17th May, the first two at St Werburgh’s and the second two at Chester Cathedral. Details on the Notice Boards and the Website. All invited to attend. More from David Savage 01244 380626.
CHESTER HALF MARATHON- 21st May 2023:
This takes place on Sunday 21st May and roads around Blacon will be closed. If you usually attend the 9.30am Mass at St Theresa’s please check the route as you may need to make alternative arrangements.
NHS AT ST THERESA’S:
The NHS will be in St Theresa’s car park on 23rd May and 21st June for Covid booster vaccinations for anyone over 75 years of age or anyone who is immunosuppressed. Health checks are also available. This will be from 10.30am to 4pm on all dates.
THE CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL 50TH ANNIVERSARY MASS:
You are warmly invited to join the CHS celebration Mass on Friday 9th of June, 11am at Chester Cathedral. If you are interested, please contact Mrs. Mallon by email at mallonk@christofidelis.org.uk. There are a limited number of spaces available.
SOCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR YOUR DIARIES
Sun 11th Jun Annual BBQ to celebrate the feast of St Columba
Thurs 27th July Coach trip to York
SAVE THE DATE – SATURDAY 24TH JUNE:
There is a day of reflection, prayer and discernment about your role and mission in the Church on Saturday 24th June 2023 from 10am-5pm at St Columba’s Church Hall. More details to follow.
HIGHLIGHT FROM THE HIGH:
Last week, groups of students from many Catholic Schools across the Diocese gathered at St. Ambrose College for a morning of prayer and reflection, preparing for the upcoming Solemnity of Pentecost. In one of the activities, the students have been writing beautiful cards that will be sent to parishioners in the Diocese. They have also made paper lanterns representing Jesus’ light, for which the students committed to bring it to people as a symbol of spreading the Good News.
Thought for the week: On Tuesday 9 May the Church in England and Wales marks a Day of Prayer for Victims and Survivors of Abuse. We are invited not only to prayer for them, but listen to their voice and learn about how the Church is responding to them. The Northampton Diocese has prepared a Prayer for Healing & Reconciliation
Praise to you Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the source of all consolation and hope. Be the refuge and guardian of all who suffer from abuse and violence.
Comfort them and send healing for their wounds of the body, soul and spirit. Help us all and make us one with you in your love for justice as we deepen our respect for the dignity of every human life.
Giver of peace, make us one in celebrating your praise, both now and forever. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
“Jesus made the crowds welcome and talked to them about the kingdom of God; and he cured those who were in need of healing.” cf. Matthew 4: 123
THANK YOU CONOR & CARINA:
Conor and Carina de Souza will be stepping down as altar servers after 6 faithful years of serving. Conor and Carina have been regular servers at the 6:30pm Saturday mass at St Columba’s. We are grateful to them and their parents for their service and support and wish them all the best in the future.
If anyone is thinking of taking up altar serving, please contact Richard Curtis: 07787782255
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.
Resources: For more information on the Day of Prayer for victims and Survivors of Abuse and to see how the church is responding to the suffering of victims and survivors of abuse in the Church follow the above link.
PLANTS WANTED:
As we come into Spring if you are doing any gardening and find you have some spare bedding plants, the Peace Garden would love to give them a home. Please leave them in the Peace Garden at St Theresa’s or outside of the garage. Thank you.
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.
DIOCESAN PILGRIMAGE TO THE HOLY LAND:
8th – 14th February 2024. For more information please see https://www.dioceseofshrewsbury.org/diocesan-pilgrimage-to-the-holy-land-2024/
Any questions regarding the pilgrimage should be directed to Father David Long: longdv1@aol.com
RETROUVAILLE: a programme for Couples struggling in their marriages.
Retrouvaille is a programme to support couples who have difficulties in their marriage. For confidential information about ‘Retrouvaille’ or to register for the next programme commencing with a Virtual weekend on 6 – 9 July 2023 or a Face to Face weekend in Welwyn Garden City on 13-15 October 2023, call or text 07887 296983 or 07973 380443 or email retrouvailleukinfo@gmail.com – or visit www.retrouvaille.org.uk
NEXT WEEK’S NEWSLETTER:
14th May Edition will be compiled by Alison Wrigglesworth Phone:01244 382457, E-mail: 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 10th MAY