FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT
SUNDAY 29TH NOVEMBER 2009
MASS TIMES: INTENTIONS:
Saturday Vigil: 7:15 p.m. Maud Boulton
Sunday: 9:15 a.m. November List
11:00 a.m. The Parish
Monday: 9:15 a.m. Service of Word and Communion
Tuesday: 9:15 a.m. Service of Word and Communion
Wednesday: 9:15 a.m. Service of Word and Communion
Thursday: 9:15 a.m. Service of Word and Communion
Friday: 9:15 a.m. NO MASS THIS MORNING
12:30 p.m. REQUIEM FOR JOSEPH FERRI
Saturday: 9.15 a.m. John Bellis
Saturday Vigil: 7.15 p.m. The Parish
Sunday: 9.15 a.m. Louise Whitcombe
11.00 a.m. Bob MacDonald
MORNING PRAYER:
9.00 a.m. in the Sacristy Office, on weekdays excepting Wednesday.
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.
BAPTISMS:
By arrangement with Fr. Cooke. After speaking to Fr. Cooke, it is important that families 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.
We welcome into the family of God, Eryn Mary Wardman-Pierce and Joseph Benjamin Wardman-Pierce who were recently baptised at St. Columba's. Please remember them and their family in your prayers.
LATELY DEAD:
Please remember in your prayers Joseph Ferri who died last week, his requiem mass will be on Friday December 4th at 12.30 p.m. We remember his beloved wife Jane in our prayers and also their family.
ANNIVERSARIES:
We remember Angela Podmore, Peter Garry, Louise Whitcombe, John Henry McCowne, Stan Connelly, Francesca Pace, Baby Ann Burton, Winifride Dorothy Jones, Edward Fox, Sarah Morgan, John Parke, Peter Anthony Burton, Lily Dowd, Angela Chapman, John Wolfe, John Bellis, Charles Maloney, John Burton, Frederick James Wright, Gillian Gallagher, Harold Beedle, Kathleen McAleavy, Joseph Francis Tallon and Agnes Jones.
COFFEE AFTER MASS:
Tea and coffee are served in the Hall after the Sunday morning Masses. All are welcome.
OFFERTORY: (22nd Nov 2009):
Loose Plate: ` £592.15
Planned Giving: £530.45
Hire of Hall: £37.00
POPE’S PRAYER INTENTIONS:
This December, the Pope asks us to pray:
That children may be respected, loved and never be the victims of exploitation in its various forms.
That at Christmas the peoples of the earth may recognize in the Word Incarnate the light which illuminates every man and that the Nations may open their doors to Christ, the Saviour of the world.
UPTON CHURCHES PRAYER DIARY:
This week we pray for:
The residents of Queens Crescent, Weston Grove and Dukesway.
The Friendship Group, Senior Citizens Club and St.Vincent de
Paul Society.
All those who are retired.
ADVENT & 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.
“THE CHESTER CATHOLIC”:
The Autumn 2009 issue of the Newsletter for the Chester & District Local Pastoral Area is now available. Please take a copy. This issue and previous issues can also be found on the website www.chestercatholic.org.uk
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. Thursday 10th December in Beswick 017 at The University of Chester, Parkgate Road, Chester at 7pm. Admission free. See also the poster on the notice board.
STATUE OF ST COLUMBA:
It was suggested at the AGM that the statue of St Columba located in the rear porch be relocated to a more appropriate position. The Pastoral Council would like to know what you think about this. Is the statue in a suitable position? Should it be moved and if so to where? Should it be rotated around two or more positions so that more people can see it? If you have an opinion then please let Paul Wrigglesworth know on 382457 or paul.wrigglesworthYOUKNOWWHATo2.co.uk
SVP COLLECTION:
There will be a collection for the SVP on the weekend 5/6th December; we look forward to your continued support.
HEALTH & SAFETY OFFICER:
The parish is required by the diocese and the LPA to appoint someone to develop its Health & Safety policy based upon guidance provided by the diocese. If you have professional expertise in this area and would like to help then please contact David Savage on 380626 or savage214YOUKNOWWHATbtinternet.com.
AUTUMN FAYRE:
The Autumn Fayre last Sunday raised £460, this will be donated to the SVP and the parish, a big thank you to all those who supported the event. Also thanks to; Gerry, Eileen and Co. who ran the bottle Tombola, all who made the soups, the helpers in the kitchen and on the stalls and the people who donated items. Eileen and Gerry thank all who supported their tombola.
ADVENT HOLY HOURS:
This Advent, the Pastoral Area Team for Chester & District is arranging a series of four Holy Hours in different churches around the area:
Thursday 3rd December 7.30 p.m. at St. Theresa’s, Blacon, arranged jointly between St. Theresa’s and St. Columba’s.
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 now been made regarding our proposed pilgrimage/holiday to Rome next year. The cost will be £975 including bed and 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 is available (in advance). Places are still available, if you are interested, please will you contact either Gerry or Carol Galvin on Tele. (01244) 381243 or by e-mail: gerryandcarol.galvinYOUKNOWWHATbtinternet.com as soon as possible. The closing date is 4th December 2009.
For further information an itinerary which is subject to change can be found in both front and back porches. The cost is subject to a total of 32 parishioners travelling. Copies of the Itinerary can be obtained from Gerry or Carol Galvin on request.
CLIMATE JUSTICE:
Next Saturday, 5th December, is the big Climate Change rally in London, “The Wave”, organised to press for a good outcome to the UN Climate Conference in Copenhagen. Here in Chester, CAFOD is holding a Prayer Vigil at 7.30 p.m.on Wednesday 2nd December in St. Clare’s Church, Downsfield Road, Lache. The Vigil will be followed by refreshments in the CAFOD office. All welcome.
CHESTER CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL – CHRISTMAS PUDDINGS:
The Parents’ Association is again selling Christmas puddings made by a firm in Cumbria and specially labelled for the school. They cost £5 for 1lb plum puddings and for chocolate, ginger and citrus/honey/almond sponge puddings, and £9.50 for 2lb plum puddings, and can be ordered from the school. They will also be on sale in the hall after Mass on 29th Nov.
SVP TRIP TO WALSINGHAM:
A trip to Walsingham next April 12th 2010 is being organised by Ellemere Port SVP. If anyone is interested in going a non-refundable deposit of £25 must be paid by the end of November. If you are interested, please ring Brian Forrest on 01244-318863.
ST WERBURGH’S & ST COLUMBA’S PRIMARY SCHOOL CHRISTMAS FAMILY FUN NIGHT:
Come and join the fun from 6pm-8pm on Friday 4th Dec. in school. Meet Father Christmas and his real reindeer. Lots of stalls, hot dogs, mulled wine and mince pies! Play games from just 30p a go! Entrance £1 per adult, children free.
PARISH SECRETARY, HOLY ASCENSION CHURCH:
Applications are invited for this post. The work involves two, three hourly sessions per week and carries an annual salary of £2900. For application forms and more information please write to: Holy
Ascension Church Hall, Demage Lane, Upton, Chester, CH2 1EL
NEXT WEEK’S NEWSLETTER:
This will be compiled by Ann Siddall:
Tel: 01244-371787.
E-mail: a-siddallYOUKNOWWHATsky.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. Current and past issues of the Newsletter are on the parish website:www.stcolumbachester.org.uk