FIFTH SUNDAY OF EASTER

SUNDAY 10TH MAY 2009

MASS TIMES:                           INTENTIONS:

Saturday Vigil Mass: 7.15 p.m. The Parish        

Sunday:                        9:15 a.m.          Nancy Corbett

                                    11.00 a.m.         Jacob Keziam Thanksgiving Catenians Mass for Vocations

Monday                                    9.15 a.m.          Leslie Jones     

Tuesday:                        9.15 a.m.         Derek Kingston

Wednesday                   9.15 a.m.          Margaret Neane L.D.

Thursday:                      9:15 a.m.          Margaret Colman

Friday:                          9.15 a.m           Gerry O’Connor

Saturday:                      9.15 a.m.          Lily Jones

Saturday Vigil Mass:        7.15 p.m.       Elizabeth Poole

Sunday:                           9.15 a.m.       The Parish

11.00 a.m.         Joseph O’Reilly

BAPTISMS:

We welcome into God’s family ABIGAIL HOLLY SMITH and WILLIAM JOHN CONWAY who were recently baptised at St. Columba’s. Please remember them and their families in your prayers.

Baptisms are 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: George Lavender, Wilfred Turner, John Ray Green, Marie (Nancy) Dagger, George Gibbons, William Johnson, William Huxley, Mary Ellen McCorry, Mary Vivian Dagger. Dennis O’Gorman, Bertha Lofthouse, Anthony Wall, Elisabeth Iremonger, Fiona Stuart, Hugh McCafferty, James Edward Jones, Mary Josephine Smith, Terence McNicholas, Cecil Arthur Baker, Janet Evans, Joan Burton, Lionel Dean, Francis Gallagher, Mary McKay, Michael Joseph Barnett, William Walker, Thomas Patrick Dowd and Lillian Rachel Beswick

CONFESSIONS: 

Confessions are heard every Saturday after morning Mass and in the evening from 6:45 p.m. to 7:10 p.m.

COFFEE AFTER MASS:

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

OFFERTORY (w/e 2nd/3rd May):

Loose Plate:                             £472.90

Planned Giving:             £622.30

Donations:

Coffee:                         £31.34

Hall hire:                       £200.50

Aver.Weekly Standing

Order:               £562.00

FIRST HOLY COMMUNIONS:

15 children are celebrating the Sacrament with their families this Sunday, and there will be further groups on 24th May and 31st May. The central benches will be reserved for these children and their families. Please pray for them all at this special time.

CHURCHES TOGETHER IN UPTON:

This week we pray for:

•           Pray for the residents of Abbots Park, Milbourne Close and Neston Drive.

•           For Kneeler and Banner groups.

•           For all those who come seeking to understand more about the Christian Faith.

UPTON CHURCHES TOGETHER – FRIENDSHIP LUNCH:

A Friendship Lunch is being hosted on behalf of Churches Together by Upton United Reformed Church, Heath Road, on Thursday 14th May, from 12 noon to 1.30 p.m. Soup & roll, sandwiches, fruit, tea and coffee will be provided, with donations going to Christian Aid and CAFOD. All are very welcome.

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.

VINCENTIAN VOLUNTEERS:

A positive opportunity for young people to have a challenging experience in service to vulnerable people, and living in a community with other likeminded volunteers. Accommodation and living expense provided.  Volunteer year is 09/2009 – 07/2010. Contact Sr.Barbara Quilty DC at 0161 2269561 or 0161 2099156,

barbaraquilty@hotmail.co.uk, www.vincentianvolunteers.org

PLANNED GIVING ENVELOPES:

The new green envelopes for 2009-10 are now in use.  There are still thirteen boxes of envelopes which have not been claimed.  If one of these is yours, please pick it up from the rear porch today.  If you have any remaining purple envelopes from last year, 2008-9, they should be destroyed.  Thank you for your continuing generosity.

GIFT AID:

The claim for refund of income tax on payments made to the parish through the Gift Aid Scheme has just been submitted.  The total of donations on which income tax has been reclaimed was £46,800 and this should result in the parish receiving a refund, after the diocese has deducted its commission, of approx £11,900.  These donations were made by use of the weekly planned giving envelopes and through regular standing orders.  Sincere thanks are offered to parishioners who continue to support the parish through these schemes.

CONCERT AT ST PETERS:

You are invited to “A musical evening with Eva Warren and friends” at St Peter’s Church, The Cross, Chester at 7.30 p.m. on this Friday 15th May.  Tickets, available from St Peter’s in advance or on the door, £6 concessions £5.  See the posters on the notice boards.

DIOCESAN CATECHISTS GATHERING WITH BISHOP BRIAN:

This will take place on Saturday 13th June at St. Nicholas Catholic High School, Hartford, from 1.30 p.m. to 5 p.m. All parish catechists are invited – please put the date in your diary and you will be contacted with the details by your team leader.

FEAST OF THE WEEK: ST. MATTHIAS

14th May is the feast of St. Matthias. We read in the Acts of the Apostles how Peter spoke to a gathering of 120 disciples about the need to choose someone to fill the place left vacant by Judas Iscariot. Two candidates were nominated, following which they prayed for guidance, then drew lots: "…as the lot fell to Matthias, he was listed as one of the twelve apostles."

CHRISTIAN AID WEEK – THIS WEEK!

We are still looking for volunteers to help with the street-by-street collections this week. If you have a little time and would like to help, please add your name to the list in the Front Porch and we will contact you with all details. Many thanks.

FAIRTRADE:

More volunteers are needed to sell Fairtrade goods at the Traidcraft shop in the Wesley Methodist Church in Chester. We especially need volunteers who could do the occasional half-day when regular members are away or unwell.  Full training will be given.  If you think you could help, please contact Jennifer Kennerley on 01829 770847.

THANK-YOU:

The family of Rachael Andrews (nee Galley) would like to express their sincere thanks to the many people who have shown them such love, kindness and support since the sad loss of their beloved Rachie earlier this year. They have been touched by the generosity of those who have contributed to the £1521.41 that has been raised for the RSPCA in memory of Rachie.

JAMES TALLON:

James is now at home with his family after his extended hospital stay. He is making progress and would like to thank everyone who visited him in hospital, sent good wishes, prayers and masses. Please continue to pray that his recovery continues. Your kindness is much appreciated. Thank you.

NEXT WEEK’S NEWSLETTER:

This will be compiled by Carol Galvin

Tel: 01244 381243

Email: carol.gerrygalvinYOUOPUTITHEREgooglemail.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.