The month of February is dedicated to the Holy Family
FIFTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
9 FEBRUARY 2025
| Sat 8 Feb | |||
| St. Theresa’s | 5.00pm | Tony McHugh RIP | |
| St. Columba’s | 6.30pm | Margery Whatmough RIP | |
| Sun 9 Feb | |||
| St. Theresa’s | 9.30am | Parishioners’ Intentions | |
| St. Columba’s | 11.00am | Keegan Family | |
| 2.00pm | Kerala Catholic Community Mass in Syro-Malabar Rite | ||
| Mon 10 Feb | St Scholastica, V. Mem. | ||
| St. Theresa’s | Rod, Josie, David, Gillian Intentions | ||
| St. Columba’s | 10.30am | Sean McCabe | |
| Tue 11 Feb | World Day of Prayer for the Sick | ||
| St. Theresa’s | Katherine Gannon RIP | ||
| St. Columba’s | Parishioners’ Intentions | ||
| Wed 12 Feb | |||
| St. Theresa’s | Priests’ Intentions | ||
| St. Columba’s | 9.30am | Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament | |
| 10.15am | Novena Prayers | ||
| 10.30am | Mary Sugrue | ||
| Thu 13 Feb | |||
| St. Theresa’s | 9.30am | School Mass for Mrs Griffiths | |
| St. Columba’s | Priests’ Intentions | ||
| Fri 14 Feb | Ss Cyril, MK and Methodius, B. Feast. Day of Special Prayer for Europe | ||
| St. Theresa’s | 10.00am | Gillian Prescott RIP | |
| St. Columba’s | The Parish | ||
| Sat 15 Feb | |||
| St. Theresa’s | 9.30am | Syriac Orthodox Mass | |
| 5.00pm | Maureen & Michael Cheston | ||
| St. Columba’s | 6.30pm | Patricia Duggan RIP | |
| Sun 16 Feb | Day of Special Prayer for Racial Justice | ||
| St. Theresa’s | 9.30am | Jenny Casey’s Intentions | |
| St. Columba’s | 11.00am | Tony Laydon | |
| 2.00pm | Kerala Catholic Community Mass in Syro-Malabar Rite |
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 at St Columba’s on Sunday 9 February at 11.00a.m. Cover is needed at both churches for occasions when Tim is unavailable. The only requirement is you need to have an Iphone. If you would be willing to help with this please contact one of the church offices. Thank you.
www.facebook.com/thecatholicparishofstcolumbaandsttheresa
POPE’S FEBRUARY PRAYER INTENTIONS
For February-For vocations to the priesthood and religious life. Let us pray that the ecclesial community might welcome the desires and doubts of those young people who feel a call to serve Christ’s mission in the priesthood and religious life.
ANNIVERSARIES
Lt. Lynda Taylor, Eileen Thornber, Mavis Lillian Shaw, Mary Geeleher.
CONFESSIONS
There will be Confessions after each weekday Mass until 11.30a.m.
St Columba’s: From 6p.m. before the 6.30p.m. Saturday evening Mass.
St Theresa’s: From 4.30p.m. before 5p.m. Saturday evening Mass.
WEDDINGS, BAPTISMS AND FUNERALS
Please contact one of the Parish Offices to make your arrangements.
PARISH OFFERTORY
Loose Plate: £573.82; Planned Giving £336.41; Average weekly SO £555.00. Candles: £28.00.
PRAYING TOGETHER
Pray for:
- the residents of Gayton Close, Denhall Close, Moorhouse Close, Milton Road, Mostyn Place, Crabwell Place, Byron Close, and Thomas Close.
- the Scouts, Venture Scouts, Cub Scouts and Beavers, the Ranger Guides, Guides, Brownies, Rainbows, Boys’ Brigade and Girls’ Brigade.
JUBILEE PRAYER
There are copies of the Jubilee prayer available for you take a copy.
SPUC
There will be a retiring collection at St Columba’s on the weekend of 15/16 February for the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children.
| CHURCH NEWS JUBILEE YEAR MESSAGE Pope at Second Jubilee Audience: ‘To hope is to turn around to God’ At his second Jubilee Catechesis on Saturday, Feb 1st, Pope Francis offered a reflection on the meaning of conversion, hope and the transformative power of faith, Conversion, he explained is a “change of direction,” that allows us to change the way we see things in our lives. It is not a one-time event but an ongoing process in which we repeatedly turn away from old ways of thinking and embrace new possibilities. Pope Francis highlighted the figure of Mary Magdalene who embodies the power of divine mercy. “In the Gospels, the figure of Mary Magdalene stands out above all others for this. Jesus healed her with mercy (cf. Lk 8:2), and she changed: the mercy brought her into God’s dreams and gave new purpose to her journey.” The Pope focused on John’s account of the Magdalene’s meeting with the Risen Christ, drawing attention to the repeated mention of Mary “turning around”. Initially, she is focused on the empty tomb, lost in grief, unable to recognize Jesus standing before her. But when she hears Him call her by name, she turns once again—this time with a new understanding: she no longer sees death and despair, but life and hope. Can we make this time of Lent a time to turn ever more sincerely to God? Taken from the Vatican news website Parish Communications Group |
WELCOME TO OUR PARISH
If you are NEW TO THE PARISH, please complete a Parish Registration Form and send (or bring) it to either parish office to let us know that you are here and enable us to welcome you. The form can be completed and submitted online or downloaded and printed out. Instructions are on the form, which can also be found in the front porches of both churches and on the website www.sscolumbaandthersa.co.uk under the I’m New tab. Thank you.
Coffee and tea (and sometimes cakes) are served in the Hall after the 11 am mass at St Columba’s and the 9.30 mass at St Theresa’s and after the 10.30 mass at St Columba’s on Monday and Wednesday. You will be most welcome to join us.
Lyn Coyle, Communications Group
HEALING MASS AT ST WERBURGH’S
Sunday 9 February, 2.30p.m., with an opportunity for the Sacrament of the Sick at the end. Refreshments afterwards. Everyone warmly welcome.
MRS GRIFFITHS LEAVING MASS – 13 FEBRUARY
On Thursday 13 February at 9.30am there will be a leaving Mass for Mrs Griffiths. Mrs Griffiths has worked at St Theresa’s Primary School for 25 years and is now retiring. We wish her a long and happy retirement.
PARISH RETREAT
There will be a Parish retreat on Saturday 15 March from 10a.m – 1p.m. in St Columba’s Hall. All invited. This will be on: “Understanding the biblical roots of a Jubilee year and what it means for this current Jubilee of 2025”.
VOLUNTEER DRIVERS
As part of our Parish Development Plan the Pastoral Council would like to offer transport to Mass for any parishioners who may require this. Before doing so we need to gather a small team of volunteer drivers who would be willing to undertake this service. Perhaps this could be a personal commitment in recognition of the Jubilee Year? It is not expected that driving duty would occur very frequently so if you think you could help please contact one of the Parish offices with your details. Thanks to all.
Nuala Keegan, on behalf of the Pastoral Council.
CHESTER & ELLESMERE PORT KERALA CATHOLIC COMMUNITY
Every Sunday at 2.00p.m., the Chester & Ellesmere Port Kerala Catholic Community now have a Mass in St Columba’s in the Syro – Malabar Rite. All are welcome
MALANKARA JACOBITE SYRIAC ORTHODOX COMMUNITY CHESTER
Every other Saturday morning this group have a Mass at 9.30am at St Theresa’s.
OUR PARISH YOUTH
Our next Youth Group meeting is on Monday 10 February at 7pm until 8.30pm at St Columba’s. Young people in school Year 5 or above are very welcome to join us for faith, fun, friendship…and biscuits! If you need a lift, or more information, please call Denise Lusk (01244 379742), Richard Curtis (+44 7787 782255) or Ann McCarthy (+44 7751 970388)
LOURDES ROADSHOW
In this Jubilee Year of 2025, Bishop Mark has asked that our diocesan pilgrimage to Lourdes will be our Jubilee Pilgrimage. To help raise the profile of the pilgrimage and to answer any questions your parishioners might have, we have organised two roadshows for those who are interested in joining our annual diocesan pilgrimage to Lourdes. The next roadshow will be on 15 February 2pm-4pm St Anthony’s, Wythenshawe. Information and register of interest cards will be available, and members of the Lourdes Management Team will be present to answer any questions.
PRIEST RETIREMENT FUND – THANK YOU
Thank you for your generous donations recently which amounted to £381.42.
ST COLUMBA’S CHURCH & HALL BOOKINGS
To arrange meetings etc. in either the Church, Newman Room or the Iona Chapel, please book through Magdalena Bukowska, St. Columba’s Church Office, phone: 01244 624019, email: stcolumbaschurch2016@outlook.com. Office hours Monday to Friday 9a.m. to 2p.m.
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 Magdalena Bukowska on 01244 624019 for enquires within the office hours stated above or email columbashallbookings@gmail.com to arrange booking.
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK
“Challenges are gifts that force us to search for a new centre of gravity. Don’t fight them. Just find a new way to stand.” – Oprah Winfrey.
LIFT NEEDED
Are you able to offer Fr Peter a lift from St Columba’s back to St Theresa’s after the 6.30pm Saturday evening Mass and the 11am Sunday morning Mass. This is only every other weekend until Fr Peter passes his British driving test. Please contact St Columba’s office if you are willing to help.
HIGHLIGHT FROM THE HIGH
During the Jubilee Year, the chaplain and the students at the CHS would like to hear from parishioners about ideas on how the school could bring hope to our community. Any ideas, please email Ana to gasparinia@christofidelis.org.uk. Thank you to those who already emailed fantastic ideas!
JOB VACANCY
A vacancy has arisen for a Parish Secretary at St Clare’s Parish, Downsfield Road, Chester. CH4 8HH. 4 hours per week @ £14 per hour. For further details, please see the Diocesan Website https://www.dioceseofshrewsbury.org/latest-vacancies/ CV and covering letter should be sent to Pauline McCulloch recruitment@dioceseofshrewsbury.org Closing date Friday 28 February 2025.
ZUMBATHON
On Saturday 15th February, I will be hosting a Zumbathon for Hopeful Ugandan Hearts to raise funds for two Orphanages in Uganda. Children need to go back to school and we’d like to raise funds for school fees. From 11am-1pm two hours of Zumba Gold and Zumba fitness. £10 adults and £5 Children 6+. We’ll have amazing prizes in our Raffle!!! All moves welcome!!! Help us to get the children back to school. Pay at the door or contact Lina Greig 07837512544 for more information.
LIVERPOOL ANGLICAN CATHEDRAL EXHIBITION: THREADS THROUGH THE BIBLE
The cathedral has a magnificent exhibition on display currently, Threads through the Bible. It’s a silk wall hanging exhibit by textile artist Jacqui Parkinson, which took 10 years to make. There are three extraordinary displays:
• Threads through Creation
• Threads through the Cross
• Threads through Revelation
Totalling 44 beautiful silk panels, it really is well worth a visit, available 16th January – 2nd March
SPECIAL ANNIVERSARIES
If anyone has a special wedding anniversary this year, 25th, 40th, 50th or 60th please inform one of the church offices in order to receive your invitation from the Diocese to a special Mass later this year.
AN IMPORTANT THANK YOU TO PATRICK GALVIN
In April last year, Patrick Galvin responded to our request for wool for Fish & Chip Babies by donating seven huge boxes of his late wife, Pauline’s wool. This included crochet and knitting patterns, many needles, buttons and all her other equipment. We can now say all the wool has been distributed to our knitters, and hundreds of recipients all over the world have benefited from the various garments made. Thank you so much, Patrick. A Mass will be said for Pauline.
| NEXT WEEK’S NEWSLETTER: Sunday 16 February edition will be compiled by Eileen Irwin Phone: 01244 371660 or email: st.theresas@btinternet.com. Please include a phone number in case of queries, and please ensure that are also emailed to Fr William or phoned to the compiler by 9.00 a.m. on WEDNESDAY 12 February 2025 |