The month of August is dedicated to The Immaculate Heart of Mary
NINETEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
9 AUGUST 2026
| Saturday 8 August | ||
| St Theresa’s | ||
| 5.00pm | Healing for Eloisa Sophia | |
| St Columba’s | 6.30pm | Barbara Wilson RIP |
| Sunday 9 August – Nineteenth Sunday in Ord. Time | ||
| St Theresa’s | 9.30am | John Dunne RIP |
| St Columba’s | 11.00am | Deacon Lawrence & Family |
| 2.00pm | Kerala Catholic Community Mass in Syro-Malabar Rite | |
| Monday 10 August-St Lawrence, Dc,M | ||
| St Theresa’s | Parishioners’ Intentions | |
| St Columba’s | 10.30am | Carol & Mark Traynor |
| Tuesday 11 August – St Clare,V Mem. | ||
| St Theresa’s | Priests’ Intentions | |
| St Columba’s | 6.30pm | Private Intention (MC) |
| Wednesday 12 August | ||
| St Theresa’s | Private Intention | |
| St Columba’s | 9.30am | Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament |
| 10.15am | Novena Prayers | |
| 10.30am 2.00pm | Special Intention & Thanksgiving (JW) Requiem Mass for Niall Sullivan | |
| Thursday 13 August | ||
| St Theresa’s | Priests’ Intentions | |
| St Columba’s | Priests’ Intentions | |
| Friday 14 August-St Maximilian Mary Kolbe,P,M Mem | ||
| St Theresa’s | 10.00am | Ann O’Connell RIP |
| St Columba’s | Ian Bullough RIP | |
| Saturday 15 August | ||
| St Theresa’s | 9.30am 5pm | Malankara Jacobite Syriac Community Roy Gent RIP |
| St Columba’s | 6.30pm | Pat Wilkinson (EH) |
| Sunday 16 August The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary | ||
| St Theresa’s | 9.30am | Parishioners’ Intentions |
| St Columba’s | 11.00am | Parishioners’ Intentions |
| 2.00pm | Kerala Catholic Community Mass in Syro-Malabar Rite | |
LIVE STREAMING OF MASS – Mass will be streamed at St Columba’s on Sunday 9 August at 11a.m.
RECENTLY DECEASED – Please remember in your prayers, Niall Sullivan who died recently, and his family and friends. The Funeral of Niall will be held on Wednesday 12 August at 2pm at St Columba’s.
ANNIVERSARIES – Margaret Mary Murray, Roy Gent, Michael Paziuk & Hubert McDermott.
POPES PRAYER INTENTION FOR AUGUST –FOR EVANGELIZATION IN THE CITY. Let us pray that in large cities often marked by anonymity and loneliness we find new ways to proclaim the Gospel, discovering creative paths to build community.
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.
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: £463.98; Planned Giving: £206.82; Average weekly SO £734.22. (St Columba’s) Dona Stations: £105; Candles: TBC. Thank you for your kind generosity.
ST COLUMBA’S OFFICE – There will be a change of the office hours at St Columba’s from 10 August to 31 August. During that time the office will be officially closed but urgent matters will be dealt with through the kind services of Carol Galvin on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays only between 9am and 12pm.
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK– The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams. Eleanor Roosevelt
PARISH WEBSITE – Unfortunately, there is a problem with uploading new material to the website at the moment. Our website manager has reported an issue with WordPress who manage the format of the website. There are items of news and photographs of Deacon Lawrence’s farewell celebration waiting to be uploaded. Please keep looking. It is hoped that this will soon be addressed.
PRAYING TOGETHER FOR –
- The residents of Caughall Road, Acorn Court, The Acorns, Rosedene Close, Endsleigh Gardens, Endsleigh Close, Venable’s Road, St Chad’s Road, Church Hall Close and Cedar Mews.
- The PCC Members, Elders and all who hold Office in the Church.
- Strong leadership by those elected and appointed.
EXAM RESULTS – to all of our students, wishing you all the very best as your exam results are made available to you. Wishing you every success for your future, whatever that may hold for you. Dream Big. Good luck.
CONFIRMATION – If you wish to prepare to be Confirmed next November and are already at high school, please email ASAP to register: stcolumbatheresaconfirmation@hotmail.co.uk
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
09 Aug – volunteers please
16 Aug – volunteers please
23 Aug – volunteers please
CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING (CST) is a body of moral doctrine developed by the Church on matters of social justice, poverty, and human rights. Rooted in Scripture and modern papal encyclicals starting with Pope Leo XIII’s 1891 Rerum Novarum, it provides a framework for building a just society and living out faith in the modern world. (CAFOD)
CARE OF CREATION/STEWARDSHIP – The earth and all life on it are part of God’s creation. We are called to respect this gift. We are responsible for taking care of the world we live in and for sharing all the wonders and resources the earth gives us. Our changing environment prompts us to stop and think about how we live on our planet. We are called to respond and to adopt new ways of living as the late Pope Francis highlighted in his encyclical, Laudato Si’:On the Care for our Common Home. (Caritas Australia)
CAFOD CAMPAIGN: Over the next few weeks we are collecting signatures for a CAFOD petition about the global debt crisis which is causing terrible suffering for our brothers and sisters around the world. Cardinal Stephen Ameyu Martin Mulla from South Sudan has written to parishes in England and Wales to explain. A copy of the letter and petition forms to sign can be found in the church porches. Please take a moment as you leave church to lend your support. Thank you for helping to build a better world.
CLOTHING APPEAL – A neighbour has asked for our help to support a young woman and her two young daughters who have recently moved into a refuge, with very few belongings. They are urgently in need of clothing, toys and educational materials. The woman is 30 years old and wears a size 8. The children need clothing for ages 2–3 years and 4–5 years. If you have any good-quality, clean clothing or toys that you were planning to donate to a charity shop and would be willing to give it to this family instead, it would be greatly appreciated. Please place any donations in the labelled box in the church porch labelled ‘Clothing Request’. Thank you very much for your kindness and generosity. Pauline Rourke
MARSH & PLESSINGTON, THE CHESTER MARTYRS – This is the theme for the next Churches Together Fifth Sunday service to be held in the Iona Chapel at 4.30 p.m. on Sunday 30 August. Please join us in this short service together with our friends from the other Upton Churches.
ST FRANCIS OF ASSISI, CHESTER – CHANGE OF MASS TIMES
From Sunday, 6 September 2026, the Sunday Mass schedule at St Francis, Chester, will change as follows:
Saturday: 12.00 noon (English), 6.30 pm Vigil (English)
Sunday: 8.00 am Benedictine Abbey (English), 10.00 am (English), 5.00 pm (Polish).
Please note that the 12.00 noon Polish Mass will be celebrated for the final time on Sunday, 30 August.
Weekday Masses remain at 12.00 noon (Monday–Saturday), with 9.00 am Mass at the Benedictine Abbey on Wednesdays.
MASS IN SPANISH – Fr Patrick from St Clare’s Church celebrates a monthly Mass in Spanish for Spanish speaking community in Chester and anyone who wishes to participate. Next Mass will take place on Saturday 15 August at 4.00pm at St Clare’s Church. !Todos son Bienvenidos!
FR WILLIAM – Is available to meet with parishioners after 10.30a.m. Mass on Mondays & Wednesdays or can be contacted at St Theresa’s presbytery (details on top of Newsletter). Thursday is his day off.
FOOD BANK DONATIONS – MORE NEEDED PLEASE – Donated food is taken to the West Cheshire Foodbank at Ellesmere Port every fortnight. Recently, volunteers at the warehouse have had to leave halfway through the day because they had run out of supplies. St Columba’s and St Theresa’s have been very generous in the past. Last time an appeal was made in the newsletter, the response was amazing and the Centre so grateful. As Pope Leo has said, the poor should be at the heart of the Church. Please give as generously as possible, especially UHT milk, Long-life juice, Pasta in sauce, Coffee, Tinned Meat, Pasta sauce, Tinned vegetables. Thank you so much. Your generosity makes all the difference
ST THERESA’S ANNIVERSARY – On the 15 September it will be 70 years since the first Parish Priest was appointed to St Theresa’s. If anyone has any photos or information they would like to share with the parish, please let us know. Please write your name and tel. no. on them so that the items can be returned. Thank you.
HOT WEATHER IN ST COLUMBA’S CHURCH – During the current spell of hot weather, it is difficult to cool the church because the small windows at the top of the stained-glass windows can no longer be opened. If you have a personal hand-held fan, please do bring it with you to church. Pauline Rourke
BADMINTON GROUP The Parish Badminton Group meets on Thursdays from 7p.m. to 9p.m. in St Columba’s Hall and is looking for new members. Mixed group, all ages, all abilities welcome.
MARRIAGE IN A RUT? – Or need help with deeper issues? Retrouvaille has helped thousands of couples find hope and healing in their marriage. Next dates: 2nd–4th October. www.retrouvaille.org.uk/info Tel: 0788 7296983
CATHOLIC HOLIDAYS IN THE LAKE DISTRICT THIS SUMMER – During August and September, Castlerigg Manor in Keswick is opening its doors to families, groups of friends, or private individuals who are looking for an affordable stay in the Lake District. Breakfast and evening meal are provided, and Mass is celebrated on site. For more information check out castleriggmanor.com/stay-with-us or contact director@castleriggmanor.co.uk / 017687 72711
QUIET RETREATS FOR ADULTS THIS OCTOBER – During October half term, Castlerigg Manor is running a quiet retreat for individual adults who want to spend a few days of peace, relaxation, and prayer in the Lake District. Each day there will be a talk, Mass, and evening prayer, and then a lot of time to explore the area, pray, or just simply relax.
Book at castleriggmanor.com/events or contact director@castleriggmanor.co.uk
SAFETY IN ST COLUMBA’S PARISH HALL – Following feedback from parishioners and a review of health and safety arrangements in the parish hall, we would like to remind all who come for tea and coffee after the 11.00am Mass on Sundays of the following:
- Children should not enter or play on the stage area, nor touch the curtains, as this presents a safety risk.
- Children should not run around the hall, particularly when hot drinks are being served.
A box of games, colouring and drawing activities will be available for children; it will be kept behind the bar. We kindly ask parents and carers to return the items to the bar area afterwards. Children are very welcome in our parish community, and we hope that parents and carers will understand the need for these measures to help ensure that the hall remains a safe and welcoming environment for everyone. The Pastoral Council
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 16 August to be compiled by Alison Wrigglesworth, phone: 07759 042262, email: a.wrigglesworth@outook.com. Deadline: 9.00a.m. Wednesday 12 August. Please include a contact number with your notice and also email a copy to Fr. William at st.theresas@btinternet.com