The month of March is dedicated to St Joseph
THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT
8 MARCH 2026
| Sat 7 Mar | |||
| St. Theresa’s | 9.30am | Malankara Jacobite Syriac Orthodox Community Mass | |
| 5.00pm | May & George Littler RIP | ||
| St. Columba’s | 6.30pm | Pat Wilkinson 90th Birthday | |
| Sun 8 Mar | Third Sunday of Lent | ||
| St. Theresa’s | 9.30am | Parishioners’ Intentions | |
| St. Columba’s | 11.00am | Veronica & Anthony Comerford | |
| 2.00pm | Kerala Catholic Community Mass in Syro-Malabar Rite | ||
| Mon 9 Mar | |||
| St. Theresa’s | Priests’ Intentions | ||
| St. Columba’s | 10.00am | Stations of the Cross | |
| 10.30am | Eddie & David Stockdale RIP | ||
| Tue 10 Mar | |||
| St. Theresa’s | Nicola & Jonny Lally & Family | ||
| St. Columba’s | Lucienne Francis | ||
| Wed 11 Mar | |||
| St. Theresa’s | 12.00pm | Funeral Service for Joyce Mary Burrows | |
| Owain & Jackie Dale-Jones & Family | |||
| St. Columba’s | 9.30am | Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament | |
| 10.15am | Novena Prayers | ||
| 10.30am | J.M.W. Thanksgiving | ||
| Thu 12 Mar | |||
| St. Theresa’s | Martha O’Kane & Family | ||
| St. Columba’s | Priests’ Intentions | ||
| Fri 13 Mar | |||
| St. Theresa’s | 9.30am | Stations of the Cross | |
| 10.00am | Janie Casey RIP | ||
| St. Columba’s | The Parish | ||
| Sat 14 Mar | |||
| St. Theresa’s | 5.00pm | Tony McHugh RIP | |
| St. Columba’s | 6.30pm | Margery Whatmough | |
| Sun 15 Feb | 4th Sunday of Lent | ||
| St. Theresa’s | 9.30am | Kazia Krawiec | |
| St. Columba’s | 11.00am | Ron Williams 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 8 March at 11.00a.m.
RECENTLY DECEASED – Please remember in your prayers Joyce Mary Burrows, Mark Buggy and Carlo Safina, who died recently, and also their families and friends. Joyce’s funeral is on Wednesday 11 March at 12 noon at St Theresa’s. The Requiem Mass for Mark is on Monday 30 March at 11.45am. at St Theresa’s.
ANNIVERSARIES – Eilleen Mary Harland, Mavis Gibson, John James Tully, Doreen Brenda Grainger, Agnes Jones, Mary Evelyn, Formston and Mavis Gibson.
POPE’S PRAYER INTENTION FOR MARCH – FOR DISARMAMENT AND PEACE. Let us pray that nations move toward effective disarmament, particularly nuclear disarmament, and that world leaders choose the path of dialogue and diplomacy instead of violence.
CONFESSIONS – After each weekday Mass until 11.30am.
Saturdays:
St Columba’s 6.00 – 6.25p.m.
St Theresa’s 4.30 – 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: £559.28; Planned Giving: £164.05; Average weekly SO £718.15. St Columba’s Dona Stations: £73.00. Candles: £29.80. Thank you for your kind generosity.
WHITE FLOWER COLLECTION (SPUC) – Many thanks for the amount of £338.20 which was collected for this recently.
CONTACTLESS CARD DONATIONS TO CAFOD AT ST COLUMBA’S – For the next three weeks you can donate to the CAFOD appeal by tapping CAFOD on the Dona station at the rear of the church and Second Collection on the station at the front of church. Pauline Rourke.
RECONCILIATION SERVICE – There will be a Reconciliation Service at St Theresa’s on Tuesday 17 March at 7pm.
MASS REQUESTS – If you would like to have a Mass said, especially on a particular day, please allow at least one month before the date when requesting mass. Requests can be made at the office or using an envelope. Thank you.
FR WILLIAM – Thursday is Fr William’s day off so please try not to arrange meetings on a Thursday if you would like Fr William to attend.
NEWSLETTER – As well as sending to the editor, please send any items for the newsletter to St Theresa’s office email (st.theresas@btinternet.com) for the attention of Fr William. Thank you.
PRAYING TOGETHER FOR:
- The residents of Kingsway West, Rutland Place, Kent Road, Meynell Place, Marlowe Close, Palgrave Close and Tennyson Walk.
- The Growth Groups, Bible Study Groups and nurturing groups
- A deepening of faith and awareness of Christ in us all
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK – The Word of God is a living bread, the food of the soul. Let it sink into your inmost heart and pass into your affections and way of life. Eat plentifully of it and your soul will rejoice. St Bernard of Clairvaux
| RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS – THE SCRUTINIES – As announced last week, during the 11 am Mass this Sunday Fr William will conduct the First of the three Scrutinies with Adam Fitzpatrick. These are rites of self-searching and repentance, with a spiritual purpose, performed in these final weeks of Adam’s preparation for Baptism. A copy of the Scrutiny is available with Newsletters. |
DAY OF RECOLLECTION for new and existing Eucharistic Ministers – You are welcome to attend the Day of Recollection with Natalie Orefice this Sunday 8 March at 2.00 pm in the Newman Room in preparation for the reintroduction of Holy Communion under both kinds in our Parish.
LENT GROUP – This will continue on Tuesday 10 March. Feel free to come when you can. Anyone is welcome. Each week, we shall look at a passage from the gospel of John, trying to imagine ourselves in the scene and sharing our thoughts about our reaction to it. No-one is forced to speak. You can bring your own bible, but copies of the passage will be available. Join us at 10.30 a.m. in the Iona Chapel for 30-40 minutes maximum. For more information, contact Lyn: 07735574397
ST COLUMBA’S COFFEE ROTA – See the rota on the noticeboard in St Columba’s Hall. We need volunteers every Sunday after 11:00 Mass, so if you would like 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
08 Mar – volunteers please
15 Mar – volunteers please
22 Mar – Lina Greig, Hopeful Ugandan Hearts
THE PRICE OF TEAS AND COFFEES in St Columba’s Church Hall on Sundays is £1 now. This will help volunteers raise more for their chosen charity and will encourage more groups to volunteer in the future.
CHRISTIAN AID – Lent lunch from 12 noon-1.30 pm, 9 March in Wesley Methodist Church, St John Street, and 20 March in Hoole URC, Hoole Road.
ST COLUMBA’S RED MISSION BOX HOLDERS – There are three Red Mission boxes collections during the year: March, July and November. To have your box emptied, please leave it in the sacristy before the end of March, then pick up your empty, relabelled box from the rear porch.
FISH & CHIP BABIES KNITTING PROJECT – Photos showing the unpacking of your knitted garments by the recipients in East Africa are on display in the porches of both churches. Thank you and keep knitting!
VOTIVE CANDLES AT ST COLUMBA’S CHURCH – Our candles are safe and environmentally friendly: they may be left to burn when the church is empty, the spent wax is recycled and last year, using these candles, helped prevent 112 trucks of plastic and aluminium cups going to landfill. As they are more expensive, please consider a minimum donation of 50p per candle. You can donate via the Dona system, which increases your offering if you are registered for Gift Aid. Thank you. Pauline Rourke
ST WERBURGH’S & ST COLUMBA’S SCHOOL – The School Mission Team (SMT) have had the idea to use the arch in our prayer garden as a prayer arch. A school member with an intention they want prayed for, can tie a ribbon around the arch. If anyone has any spare ribbon or coloured string, could you please donate it to this project. The SMT are really excited about seeing the arch become colourful with prayer intentions! Thank you in advance.
THE COMMUNITY OF OUR LADY OF WALSINGHAM – Seeks help to purchase a property to accommodate their growing community and further their mission for the re-evangelization of England. Any amount is greatly appreciated and the community assure you of their prayers. More information, as well as the option to donate online, can be found at: www.maryshouseappeal.org E. office@walsinghamcommunity.org T: 01362 692574
THE NATIONAL NOVENA TO ST JOSEPH – The Mill Hill Missionaries will hold their annual National Novena at St Joseph’s, Maidenhead from 10–18 March 2026. Mass times: 10.00 daily,11.00 on Sunday. And will be streamed on YouTube and www.millhillmissionaries.com/novena Novena prayer booklets are available (donations £1). Petitions and booklet requests: novenamhm@gmail.com.
SCHOOL NEWS – both the Catholic High and St Werburgh’s and St Columba’s schools are taking part in the Big Lent Walk this year to raise money for CAFOD.
CHRISTIAN AID LENT LUNCHES – 12 noon – 1.30 on 9 March 9 in Wesley Church, St John St and 20 March in Hoole URC, Hoole Road
CAFOD FAST DAY REMINDER – Your donation can help families around the world grow food in difficult conditions – such as flood resistant floating gardens or using solar-powered water pumps in times of drought. Collect a CAFOD envelope and place in the collection baskets, donate online at CAFOD.org.uk/envelope, call 030303 30 30, use the QR code on the posters in the church porches or the Dona stations (in St Columba’s only).
CHESTER FAIR TRADING SPRING FAIR – 11.00am to 3.00pm on Saturday 14 March in Wesley Methodist Church, St John Street. Help to support global fair trading.
BETROTHED – Shrewsbury Diocese will be running a sacramental marriage preparation course on 21 and 28 March 2026. The course runs over two consecutive Saturdays from 9.30 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. on each day atOur Lady and St Oswald’s Catholic Primary School, Upper Brook Street, Oswestry, Shropshire SY11 2TG
Registration is essential. To register, contact Monika: monika.golembiewska@dioceseofshrewsbury.org.
For more information, contact Jane Deegan: jane.deegan@dioceseofshrewsbury.org
CHURCHES TOGETHER IN UPTON – The next fifth Sunday service will be at Holy Ascension on Sunday 29 March at 4.30p.m. You are invited to join our friends from the other Upton churches in this short service based on “three unusual saints”. An opportunity to test your knowledge of possibly obscure saints. There will be refreshments in the kemp room after the service. A poster on the notice board gives more details.
CALLED TO LOVE – A retreat for singles, dating and engaged young adults who want to think more deeply about relationships and the call to marriage. A relaxed weekend on 2 – 3 May 2026 at the Christian Heritage Centre, Stonyhurst, Clitheroe BB7 9PZ. This year’s retreat will have as its theme masculinity and femininity. For registration visit: https://christianheritagecentre.com/events/called-to-love/
FORMING CATHOLIC STUDENT LEADERS – Two six-day summer courses exploring faith, ethics and leadership for sixth form students, offered by the Christian Heritage Centre at Stonyhurst in the beautiful Ribble Valley.
The Common Good (Year 12) 10-15 August
The Human Ecology (Year 13) 5-10 July
Join us to learn new skills, build your character and develop your relationship with Christ. Please visit:
www.christianleadershipformation.com for registration and more information.
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 15 March to be compiled by Alison Wrigglesworth, phone: 07759042262, email: a.wrigglesworth@outlook.com. Deadline: 9.00a.m. Wednesday 11 March.
Please include a contact number with your notice. Also email a copy to Fr. William at st.theresas@btinternet.com