SUNDAY 4TH DECEMBER 2011

SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT

SUNDAY 4TH DECEMBER 2011.

MASS TIMES: INTENTIONS:

Saturday Vigil Mass: 7.15 p.m. Louise Whitcombe

Sunday: 9:15 a.m. The Parish

11:00 a.m. Michael Kierwan

Monday: 9:15 a.m. Austin Pendelbury

Tuesday: 9.15 a.m. Private Intention

Wednesday: 9:15 a.m. Paddy Moran

Thursday: 9:15 a.m. Mairead O’Malley

Friday: 9.15 a.m. Peter Cawson

Saturday: 9.15 a.m. Private Intention

Saturday Vigil Mass: 7.15 p.m. Michael & Nora Finnegan

Sunday: 9.15 a.m. November List

11.00 a.m. The Parish

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.

CONFESSIONS:

Confessions are heard every Saturday after morning Mass, and in the evening from 6.45 p.m. – 7.10 p.m.

ANNIVERSARIES:

Please remember in your prayers: Lily Dowd, Angela Chapman, John Wolfe, John Bellis, Charles Maloney, John Halligan, 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, Goerge Walker, Sarah Jane Brennan, Vera Fox, James Canavan.

ADVENT & CHRISTMAS AT ST.COLUMBA’S:

Please pick up a copy of the green sheet that gives the details of all the main services and celebrations over the period.

MORNING PRAYER:

9.00 a.m. in the Sacristy Office, except on Wednesday, when Novena prayers are held at 9.15 a.m. before Mass commences.

COFFEE AFTER MASS:

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

RECENTLY MARRIED:

Congratulations to Jennifer Zahra and Sean Fitzgerald married at St Columba’s this weekend. We wish them every good wish for their future happiness.

FEAST OF THE WEEK:

The 8th December, is the feast of The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

OFFERTORY:

Loose Plate: £505.44 Planned Giving: £505.15

Average Weekly Standing Orders £506.00

Many thanks for your generous support.

SVP COLLECTION:

The monthly collection will take place this weekend, 3-4 December. Thank you for your continuing support.

MIKE KIERNON:

The collection at Mike Kiernon’s funeral amounted to £383.26. It has been divided between the SVP and CAFOD. Many thanks to Mary and her family for their support of these causes.

UPTON CHURCHES PRAYER DIARY:

This week we pray for:

• The residents of Cotebrook Drive, Oulton Ave, and Rushton Drive.
• For our churches open on Saturdays and the fellowship enjoyed there.
• For all those who use and maintain the web sites.

AUTUMN FAYRE:

Thank you to everyone who supported the Autumn Fayre on the 20 November. It was as well attended as ever. Also thanks to all the helpers and people who donated bottles and other goods. The total made was £400 of which £350 will be donated to the SVP and the remainder put towards other planned events.

AN ADVENT PENITENTIAL SERVICE

To be held at St Columba’s on Friday 16th December at 7.00 p.m., for all the parishes of Chester & District Local Pastoral Area 11. There will be opportunity for individual Confession during the Service and several priests of the LPA will be present to administer the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

2012 DIOCESAN YEARBOOK:

Copies of the new yearbook for Shrewsbury Diocese are now available, price £4.00. The yearbook contains a wealth of information about the Diocese and its constituent parishes and organisations. It also covers the various changes in diocesan pastoral administration recently introduced by Bishop Mark..

SVP CHRISTMAS OUTING:

Would all parishioners that are going on the outing on 7th December please be at the church car park by 11.30 a.m. as we want to be at the Yacht by 12 noon. Thank you. Margaret Allmark.

ADVENT REFLECTIONS:

There will be two further Reflections at St. Francis Church, Chester, starting at 6.30 p.m. on Wednesdays 7th and 14th December.

9.15 a.m. MASS: HYMN INTROIT:

Behold, O Sion, God will come

to save the nations of the earth.

Your hearts will quicken at the sound

of his majestic, glorious voice.

O Israel’s shepherd, hear our prayer.

You guided Joseph like a flock.

In all your splendour show yourself,

who rides above the heavenly host.

To God the Father, God the Son

and God the Spirit praises be,

who was before the world began,

is now and in eternity.

11.00 a.m. MASS: HYMN; CLOTH FOR THE CRADLE:

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. Wrinkled or fair, carefree or full of care,

Searchers of all the ages,

Weave into one a welcome for the Son,

The Saviour of shepherds and of sages.

CAROL SINGING:

We would be very glad of your support on the following occasions of carol singing out in the community:

• Tuesday 13th December, 2.30 p.m. at Orchard Manor Nursing Home – arranged by Churches Together in Upton.
• Thursday 15th December, 6.30 p.m. at Wealstone Nursing Home, and 8.00 p.m. at Mallard Court, Long Lane – arranged by Churches Together in Upton.
• Thursday 22nd December, singing around the wards of the Countess of Chester Hospital. Meet in the Chapel at 6.30 p.m.

CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL THEME AND PRAYER FOR THE WEEK:

Peacemaker God,

help us to live at peace with other people

and to stop doing anything which causes bad feeling;

to control our tempers when we become angry;

to not judge people when they do things we don’t understand;

and to forgive those who hurt us in what they say or do. Amen.

CHESTER & ELLESMERE PORT SVP WALSINGHAM PILGRIMAGE 2012:

The pilgrimage will take place from Monday 16th to Thursday 19th April. The cost (assuming 50 including driver travel) will be approx. £165 per person including coach travel, accommodation, meals in Walsingham and gratuities. For more details please contact Brian & Val Forrest (01244 318863) or any SVP member.

HALL-LABELLING OF STAGE AND STORE ROOM ITEMS FOR RETENTION:

The Parish Buildings Committee is planning to hire a skip within a couple of weeks to dispose of unwanted items stored in these areas. Will all users of the Hall, including Beavers, Cubs, Brownies, Guides, Scouts, Badminton and Sewing Groups etc, please urgently label those items which are in current use, to prevent them being put in the skip.

DIOCESE J&P ADVENT REFLECTION:

At this year’s Shrewsbury Diocese J&P Advent Reflection Fr Geoff O’Grady will speak on Praying for Social Justice in the Psalms. All welcome. Venue: Wistaston Hall, 89 Broughton Lane, Crewe CW2 8JS. Sunday 11 December, 4.30 – 6.30 p.m. The reflection will be followed by seasonal refreshments, and it would be helpful if you could let the J&P Coordinator know if you are intending to be present (01270 620584).

2012 CALENDARS:

The Mission Today 2012 Calendars are available in both the front and rear porches of the Church.These calendars are provided free as a “thank you” to the parish for all your enthusiasm, prayers and generosity.

CHURCHESTOGETHER IN UPTON:

Thanks to all the children who entered the competition this year. The winner was Lottie Chesworth 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 the Rear Porch, labelled with the respective road names. Your help with delivery will be very much appreciated.

EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS AND MINISTERS OF THE WORD:

Please will you pick up your copy of the Christmas and New Year Rota from the front porch.

CHRISTMAS FLOWERS:

There will be a collection after all Masses next week,10th/11th December, towards flowers for the Christmas season. Thank you in advance for your continued support.

NEXT WEEK’S NEWSLETTER:

This will be compiled by Muriel Green. Tel: 01244 383836

Email: muriel.green1

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. It would be helpful to include a telephone contact number in case the editor needs to get in touch.

This Newsletter and earlier issues can also be seen on the Parish website: www.stcolumbachester.org.uk

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