SIXTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

SUNDAY, 14th FEBRUARY 2010

MASS TIMES: INTENTIONS:

Saturday Vigil Mass: 7.15 p.m. David Beckett

Sunday: 9:15 a.m. The Parish

11.00 a.m. Emile George

Monday: 9.15 a.m. Joan Hudson

Tuesday: 9.15 a.m. Mollie Massie

ASH WEDNESDAY: 9.15 a.m. Bill Thompson

7:15 p.m. Holy Souls

Thursday: 9:15 a.m. Malcolm Dow

Friday: 12:30 p.m. REQUIEM: Edna Bellis

7:15 p.m. Lent Devotions

Saturday: 9.15 a.m. Mary Jeffes

Saturday Vigil Mass: 7.15 p.m. Andrew James & Eric Shanley

Sunday: 9.15 a.m. Mrs Burrows

11.00 a.m. The Parish

MORNING PRAYER:

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

CONFESSIONS:

Confessions are heard every Saturday after morning Mass, and before Vigil Mass on Saturday evening from 6.45-7.10 p.m.

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: Susan McGann, Margaret Finnigan, Bridget Mary McManus, Lilian May Adams, Marlene Rose Tyrrell, John Cummings, Owen Foulkes, James Marron, John Joseph O’Boyle, Margaret Turner, Harold Joseph Phelan, John Edward Jones, Eileen Harrison, Emily Marian (Marie) Leonard, Wilfred Lee, Anna Spiten, Sheila Kilcoyne, Gwilym Griffiths, Eric Shanley, Thomas Croghan, Anne Rigby, Lilly Shirley, Agnes O’Connell, John Cummins, Hector Burton, Mary Anastasia Jeffs, Joan Wilkin, Mary Jeffes and Gladys Murdoch.

LENT:

Lent starts this week; Ash Wednesday masses are at 9:15 a.m. and 7:15 p.m. and Ashes will be distributed during mass. Lenten Devotions will be on Friday evenings at 7:15 p.m. including Stations of the Cross, Exposition and Holy Communion. We welcome members of other Upton Churches during Lent this year. Please welcome them and guide them through our devotions.

OFFERTORY 6-7TH FEB:

Loose Plate: £554.41

Planned Giving: £522.57

Average Weekly S/O’s £562.00

Thank you for your generous offerings.

COFFEE AFTER MASS:

Tea and coffee are served in the Hall after the Sunday morning Masses. All are welcome. The Traidcraft stall will be operating this Sunday.

LENT – A TIME FOR PRAYER & DEVOTION:

Remember that Lent is a positive time in our Christian lives, deepening the mystery of Jesus’ sacrificial love in us and our community. Please use the season well. Some extra prayers and devotion wouldn’t go amiss.

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 are fully trained and invite people to contact the group by ringing Ruth on (01244) 380300.

EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS & READERS ROTA:

Please collect your new rota from the front Porch. This includes the Rota for Holy Week. Please do not remove the copies from the notice boards - these are for information.

THIRD WORLD GROUP COFFEE MORNING:

The Coffee Morning after the Sunday morning Masses next weekend (21st February) will be run by the parish Third World Group. They will welcome any offers of homemade cakes, jams etc! Please contact Bob Killen on 01244 340026.

RED MISSION BOXES:

Could Red Mission Box holders please bring them to church as soon as possible, so they can be emptied. Leave in the safe in the sacristy. Alternatively, if you would prefer me to collect yours, ring Margaret Curtis 01244 318424.

RECENTLY DIED: Please remember in your prayers Edna Bellis whose funeral mass is on Friday at 12:30 p.m. We offer our prayers in support of her family.

UPTON CHURCHES PRAYER DIARY:

This week we pray for:

The residents of Whitton Drive, Sutton Drive and Greenfield Lane

The Toddler groups, Playgroups, Rising Fives, Praise & Play and all the leaders.

Young Families.

A CELEBRATION OF THE PASTORAL CARE OF THE SICK:

Bishop Brian invites all members of the diocesan family who work in healthcare to a special celebration on Sunday 28th February here at St Columba’s. Mass will be celebrated at 3 p.m. followed by some light refreshments. Bishop Brian hopes that as many as possible of those who work in our hospitals, hospices, surgeries and clinics - whether paid or in a voluntary capacity - will be able to join in acknowledging Christ at work in the healing work that we participate in. This will also be an opportunity to meet old friends and colleagues and make some new ones.

S.V.P. URGENT APPEAL:

SVP and Surestart thank all parishioners for their donations of clothes and toys for the family in need; they are really grateful to you all. God bless!

SVP:

The monthly collection last week amounted to £372.42 and we are most grateful to you all for your donations and continued support.

The problem that some parishioners are finding it difficult to get to Mass was raised at a recent meeting of the Pastoral Council. If there is anyone that can help with lifts to either of the weekend Masses on a regular basis, we would be grateful if you can get in touch with Brian Forest tel: 01244 318863

PARISH BUILDING COMMITTEE:

At the meeting on 25th January two new members joined the committee and Dr John O’Sullivan agreed to become the health and safety representative for the parish. We received a report on the operation of the heating system in church and on fire safety. Several items relating to maintenance or improvement had been reported by parishioners and plans were made to address these in addition to considering further the possibility of refurbishment of the garage and improving the efficiency of the heating system. The next meeting will take place on Monday 1st March at 7.30 pm in the church office. Please contact Pauline Rourke – pauline.rourkeYOUKNOWTHESYMBOLbtinternet.com for further information.

“THE CHESTER CATHOLIC”:

We hope to publish the Spring 2010 issue of the newsletter covering the Chester and District Local Pastoral Area in mid-March. We will welcome a range of topical items of around 200-300 words for possible inclusion, with a deadline of end-February. Please contact Bernard Payne on 01244 350323, email bernard.payneYOUKNOWTHESYMBOLtiscali.co.uk

SOCIETY FOR THE PROTECTION OF UNBORN CHILDREN – THANK YOU:

Sincere thanks to all who supported the White Flower Appeal; the sum of £534 was collected.

MESSAGE FROM BISHOP BRIAN:

Next weekend (20/21st Feb.) the Special Collection for the Retired Priests’ Fund will be held. In this Year for Priests when we are all asked to pray for priests and encourage priestly vocations. It is important to remember the selfless dedication of priests who have given most of their lives in serving the people of the Diocese. When active ministry ceases, our priests no longer have the financial support of a parish to meet their needs. That is why the funding provided by the people of the Diocese in their support of the Retired Priests’ Fund is so important.

Special envelopes are available in the porches for you to use. If you use the weekly offertory envelopes then please write your envelope number on the special envelope and this will enable the tax to be reclaimed where you have signed up for Gift Aid. A leaflet is available should you wish to make your donation by Standing Order.

Thank you for your support.

With every blessing

+Brian, Bishop of Shrewsbury.

CAFOD LENT FAST DAY, 26th FEBRUARY:

This year’s Lent Fast Day marks the 50th anniversary of the very first Fast Day organised by CAFOD in 1960. Over the years the money collected via the Fast Day envelopes, together with ongoing donations, have helped CAFOD support a vast range of relief and development work in many parts of the world. This year’s Fast Day envelopes will be available with the newsletter next weekend, and may be returned in the offertory baskets the following weekend (27-28th February). We will be very grateful for your support in this special anniversary year.

HAITI EARTHQUAKE APPEAL:

Thank you again for all your generous support for this appeal.

VOCATIONS TO THE PRIESTHOOD:

A series of meetings is being held for men who are thinking about a vocation to the Priesthood or Religious Life. Further details can be found in the church porch.

NEXT WEEK’S NEWSLETTER:

This will be compiled by Harry Sweeney.

Tel: 01244 327462

E-mail: harrye_sweeneyYOUKNOWTHESYMBOLhotmail.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.