SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT

SUNDAY 6TH DECEMBER 2009

MASS TIMES: INTENTIONS:

Saturday Vigil Mass: 7.15 p.m. The Parish

Sunday: 9:15 a.m. Louise Whitcombe

11.00 a.m. Bob Macdonald

Monday: 9.15 a.m. P.I. Robert & Lucy

Tuesday: 9.15 a.m. Tim Creswell

Wednesday: 9.15 a.m. Michael Jones A.

Thursday: 9:15 a.m. Peter Cawley

Friday: 9.15 a.m. Simon Chappell (sick)

Saturday: 9.15 a.m. Mike Jones

Saturday Vigil Mass: 7.15 p.m. Joan Woods

Sunday: 9.15 a.m. The Parish

11.00 a.m. Rebecca Teresa Humphreys

LATELY DEAD:

Former Ursuline Convent girls will be sad to learn of the death of Mme Madeleine Jarvis who taught French there for many years.

MORNING PRAYER:

9.00 a.m. in the Sacristy Office on weekdays except on Wednesday.

BAPTISMS:

By appointment with Fr. Cooke. After speaking to Fr Cooke, it is important that parents contact our Baptism Co-ordinator, Ann Siddall (01244 371787) who will arrange for members of our Baptism Team to discuss Baptism and the practical details.

ANNIVERSARIES:

Please remember in your prayers: John Burton, Frederick James Wright, Gillian Gallagher, Harold Beedle, Kathleen McAleavy, Joseph Francis Tallon, Agnes Jones, William Bird, Henry Bird, Michael Burns, Joseph Dowd, Margaret Beech, John Barnett, Elaine White, Janet Haslam, Richard Newbrook, Jane Stubbs, Matilda Hanratty, Michael Lee, George Walker, Sara Jane Brennan, Vera Fox, James Canavan, Fred Fazey, Richard Mitchell, James Francis Galvin, Lily Collins, Michael Whitehouse.

COFFEE AFTER MASS:

Tea and coffee are served in the Hall after the Sunday morning Masses. All are welcome.

CONFESSIONS:

Confessions are heard every Saturday after morning Mass, and before the Vigil Mass on Saturday evenings, from 6.45 p.m. to 7.10 p.m.

STATUE OF ST COLUMBA:

Thanks to all of you who commented on the statue. The overwhelming view is that the statue should stay in its present location and so it will do so.

OFFERTORY:

Loose Plate: £498.58

Planned Giving: £607.20

Hire of Hall £ 75.00

Autumn Fayre £110.00

Thank you very much for your generous offerings.

BEREAVEMENT GROUP:

Has bereavement affected you?

Do you feel the need to talk in confidence?

The Parish Bereavement Group provides support and care to the bereaved and their families. All members have been fully trained and would like to invite people to contact the group by ringing Ruth on (01244) 380300.

ADVENT AND CHRISTMAS AT ST.COLUMBA’S

A coloured leaflet giving details of all the Advent and Christmas liturgies is available. Copies are in both porches. Please take one home with you so that you can refer to it during the Advent and Christmas Season.

CARDS FOR CAFOD:

Kevin Keegan is back in the Hall after the Sunday morning Masses selling his greetings cards in support of CAFOD.

EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS/READERS

CHRISTMAS ROTA:

Please collect your new rota which includes Christmas and New Year arrangements. There are also some notes included in it.

LOVE IN A SHIFTING GLOBE:

You are invited to an Evening of Poetry with Micheal O’Siadhail. Organised by the Department of Theology and Religious Studies, University of Chester, this coming Thursday, 10th December, in Beswick 017 at The University of Chester, Parkgate Road, Chester at 7.00 p.m. Admission free. See also the poster on the Notice Board.

CLOTH FOR THE CRADLE – HYMN AT 11.00 a.m. MASS:

Cloth for the cradle, cradle for the child,

The child for our every joy and sorrow;

Find him a shawl that’s woven by us all

To welcome the Lord of each tomorrow.

1.Darkness and light and all that’s known by sight,

Silence and echo fading,

Weave into one a welcome for the Son

Set earth its own maker serenading.

2.Hungry and poor, the sick and the unsure,

Wealthy whose needs are stranger,

Weave into one a welcome for the Son,

Leave excess and want beneath the manger.

3.Claimant and Queen, wage earners in between,

Trader and travelling preacher,

Weave into one a welcome for the Son,

The Saviour of shepherds and of sages.

CHRISTMAS DAY NATIVITY, 11.00 a.m. MASS:

Children are invited to take part in the Nativity Scene at the 11.00 Mass on Christmas morning. Could parents of any children interested please ring Pauline Payne (01244 350323) this week, and then collect the clothes from the Iona Chapel after the 11.00 a.m. Mass next Sunday, 13th December.

CHRISTINGLE APPEAL:

As in recent years, we would again like to help the children of Bo, Sierra Leone as our Christingle Appeal by continuing to support the OAKS charity – Overseas Aid for Kids of Sierra Leone. The school is now providing education for 250 children aged 4-13 years, funded by the charity. The current needs include constructing an on-site water supply, equipment for the school agriculture project and ongoing classroom expenses. Any parishioners who would like to help are asked to collect an envelope from either Porch this week, and return it in the normal offertory baskets. Thank you very much for your continued support of the Bo project. If anyone would like to borrow a DVD about the Bo project please ring Pauline Payne on 01244 350323.

CHURCHES TOGETHER IN UPTON – CHRISTMAS CARD COMPETITION:

Thanks to all the children who entered the competition this year. The winner this year was Alexander Mosquera from St. Columba’s, whose design appears on the front of the Christmas card that will be delivered to 4,000 houses in Upton. The cards give details of the Advent and Christmas services in the three Upton churches. Can you please help to deliver some of these cards? They are set out in both Porches, labelled with the respective road names. Your help with delivery will be very much appreciated.

CHURCHES TOGETHER IN UPTON – CAROL SINGING:

As part of our outreach into the local community Upton Churches Together organise carol singing in local residential homes. Please come and join in this year’s events – the only qualification is to enjoy singing carols! Further information from Margaret Hainsworth, 01244 381396. Dates and times are:

Tuesday 8th December 7.00 p.m. Newton House

Thursday 10th December 2.30 p.m. Orchard Manor, 3.15 p.m. Greenacres

Monday 14th December 6.30 p.m. Wealstone, 8.00 p.m. Mallard Court

ADVENT HOLY HOURS:

This Advent, the Pastoral Area Team is arranging a series of Holy Hours in different Churches around the area:

Sunday 13th December 3.00 p.m. at St. Clare’s Lache, arranged jointly by St. Clare’s and St. Francis’.

Wednesday 16th December 7.30 p.m. at St. Thomas Becket’s, Tarporley.

Sunday 20th December 3.00 p.m. at St. Werburgh’s Chester.

You are urged to attend these services if you can, which, as well as reminding us of Jesus’ imminent coming, provide an opportunity of meeting people from the other Chester Parishes.

PILGRIMAGE TO ROME

14TH-21ST OCTOBER 2010:

Arrangements have been made regarding this Pilgrimage. The cost will be £975 incl.bed & breakfast, coach transfers and return from St. Columba’s to Airport, transfer from Rome Airport to Hotel and return. Also excursions and visits. Pre-bookable Dinner in the hotel available (in advance).

Places are still available. Please contact Gerry or Carol Galvin (01244 381243 or gerryandcarol.galvinYOUKNOWTHESYMBOLbtinternet.com as soon as possible. Closing date Friday 11th December 2009.

Copies of full itinerary in both Church porches, and cost is subject to 32 Parishioners travelling.

UPTON CHURCHES PRAYERS DIARY:

This week we pray for:

The residents of Gatesheath Dr, Alpraham Cr. And St. James Ave.

For those who prepare couples for marriage, and for those couples married in our churches this year and those to be married.

SVP COLLECTION:

This will take place this weekend and many thanks for your continued support, especially the £350 donation towards the trip to the Garden Centre.

BADMINTON GROUP:

The Badminton Group are holding a sale of used books in the hall after both Masses next Sunday, 13th December. All proceeds to The Hospice.

NEXT WEEK’S NEWSLETTER:

This will be compiled by Carol Galvin.

Tel: 01244 381243

E-mail: carol.gerrygalvinYOUKNOWTHESYMBOLgooglemail.com

Items for inclusion can also be left in the blue folder in the Sacristy. Please ensure that all items are in place by 9.00 a.m. on Thursday. Please include a phone number in case of queries.

Please take your Newsletter home with you and use it for reference and prayer during the coming week.