Pre-Christmas Church Cleaning and DecoratingSaturday 21st December 2024
Thank you to everyone who helped with the church cleaning on Friday 6th December 2024. Your hard work is greatly appreciated!
We would like to announce that the next pre-Christmas church cleaning and Christmas decorating will take place on Saturday, December 21st, at 4:00 PM. During this time, there will be a Christmas catechesis for children aged 6 to 13 in the parish hall. We invite everyone who is willing to help, as well as all families with children, to join us!
Tuesday 21st January 2025We invite you to join the Divine Renovation Book Club!
As a fruit of our recent parish meeting, we are launching a weekly discussion group focused on the Divine Renovation program. Starting on 21st January 2025, we will meet every Tuesday in the parish hall and online via Zoom to discuss one chapter of the book each week.
This initiative is a direct outcome of our last parish gathering, aimed at deepening our faith and engagement as a community. We are now taking orders for the book. To purchase a copy, simply send an email with your name to stfrancis.chester@gmail.com by 21st December 2024. The price is £20.
Weekly Events
Morning Masses at the Friary with the Capuchin Brothers
Starting in December, additional morning Masses will be celebrated at 8:00am in the Friary choir (the brothers' chapel) on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. Access to the choir is through the church, as the chapel is located behind the sanctuary.
On these days, from 7:00am, the brothers pray Morning Prayer (Lauds) and adore the Blessed Sacrament. You are warmly invited to join us for this time of prayer and adoration.
Please note that on these days, there will be no Masses at the Benedictine Abbey on Curzon Park. Masses at the Benedictine Abbey will continue to be celebrated at 8:00 AM on Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.
Weekday Masses at 12:00pm in the church remain unchanged. We warmly invite everyone to join us in prayer.
Invitation to Weekly Parish Community Gatherings Over Coffee and Tea
We warmly invite you to join our weekly parish community gatherings over coffee and tea, held after the Sunday 9:30am Mass. This is a wonderful opportunity to connect, enjoy fellowship, and strengthen our bonds within the community.
If you are interested in helping organize these gatherings on a rotating basis, please send us an email stfrancis.chester@gmail.com Together, we can create a welcoming space where everyone feels at home. We look forward to seeing you this Sunday!
Preparation for Baptism and Confirmation for Adults
Everyone is welcome to join, whether you're already baptized or just looking to grow in your faith. Catechesis classes are held every Saturday at 7:30pm in our parish hall. If you would like to get involved, please let Br Piotr know via email at stfrancis.chester@gmail.com
The Rosary
The Rosary will be recited at 11.30am Monday to Thursday. If you would like to volunteer to lead the Rosary please contact Br Piotr. All are welcome to join in.
The prayers that compose the Rosary are arranged in sets of ten Hail Marys, called "decades". Each decade is preceded by one Lord's Prayer, and traditionally followed by one Glory Be.
Usually, five decades are recited in a session. Each decade provides an opportunity to meditate on one of the Mysteries of the Rosary, which recall events in the lives of Jesus Christ and his mother Mary.
Wikipedia contains a series on the Rosary of the Catholic Church available via this link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rosary
St Francis Holy Hour
We will be meeting weekly for a Holy Hour to pray, to reflect and to share. We pray for our parish and our country in the sacramental presence of our Lord. We reflect on inspired readings and most of all on God’s Word. We share our thoughts and life experiences as Christian brothers and sisters. You are more than welcome to join in weekly, or bi-weekly or just once in a while when you can make it on Thursday evenings from 6:30 p.m. in the Church (Entry via the green door at the left hand side of the Church).
If you have questions call 01244 351331. See you there!
Events in December 2024
Morning Masses at the Friary with the Capuchin Brothers
Starting in December, additional morning Masses will be celebrated at 8:00am in the Friary choir (the brothers' chapel) on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. Access to the choir is through the church, as the chapel is located behind the sanctuary.
On these days, from 7:00am, the brothers pray Morning Prayer (Lauds) and adore the Blessed Sacrament. You are warmly invited to join us for this time of prayer and adoration.
Please note that on these days, there will be no Masses at the Benedictine Abbey on Curzon Park. Masses at the Benedictine Abbey will continue to be celebrated at 8:00 AM on Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.
Weekday Masses at 12:00pm in the church remain unchanged. We warmly invite everyone to join us in prayer.
St Francis Parish Youth GroupMonday 16th December 2024
Our parish has a youth group for young people aged 13–18. We meet every two weeks on Mondays at 6:30 PM. On average, about 15 people attend regularly, but before Confirmation, the group grew to around 25 members. If you know anyone in this age group, we warmly invite them to join us!
Our meetings focus on evangelization, faith, prayer, and community-building. Occasionally, we also go on outings together. At our last meeting, we played a board game! Meetings are held in English, and we look forward to welcoming new members aged 13–18. The next meeting will be on Monday, December 16th, at 6:30 PM. We hope to see you there!
Kids’ Catechesis at St. Francis, Chester Saturday 21st December 2024
We warmly invite all children who have already received their First Holy Communion to join our monthly Kids’ Catechesis sessions!
Theme: St. Francis – His Life and Inspiration for Us Objective: Integration, inspiration, and learning through prayer, activities, and fun. When: Once a month (with some exceptions for dates)
Each session will follow a standard agenda, including prayer, catechesis, practical activities, song, snacks, and opportunities for choir or altar server practice when applicable.
Session Dates and Themes:
Saturday 19th October 2024, at 4 pm Theme: St. Francis’s Inspired Brotherhood
Sunday 3rd November 2024, at 10:30 amAll Saints’ Ball
Saturday 21st December 2024 at 4 pmCombined session with the First Communion Group
These catechesis sessions are a wonderful opportunity for children to grow in their faith, make new friends, and learn about the life and teachings of St. Francis in a fun and interactive way.We look forward to seeing you there!
Pre-Christmas Church Cleaning and DecoratingSaturday 21st December 2024
Thank you to everyone who helped with the church cleaning on Friday 6th December 2024. Your hard work is greatly appreciated!
We would like to announce that the next pre-Christmas church cleaning and Christmas decorating will take place on Saturday, December 21st, at 4:00 PM. During this time, there will be a Christmas catechesis for children aged 6 to 13 in the parish hall. We invite everyone who is willing to help, as well as all families with children, to join us!
Fourth Sunday of AdventSunday 22nd December 2024
- 6:30pm (Saturday) - Vigil Mass in English
- 8:00am (Curzon Park Abbey) - Mass in English
- 9:30am - Family Mass in English
- 12 Noon - Family Mass in Polish
- 4:30pm - Mass in Polish
Monday 23rd December 2024
- 8:00am (Curzon Park Abbey) - Mass in English
- 12 Noon - Mass in English
Christmas Eve Masses and Carol ServicesTuesday 24th December 2024
Everyone is invited to our English Carol Service on Christmas Eve at 7:30pm, followed by the English Night Mass of Christmas at 8:00pm and our Polish Carol Service on Christmas Eve at 11:00pm, followed by the Polish Night Mass of Christmas at 12 Midnight.
- 12 Noon - Mass in English
- 7:30pm - Carol Service in English
- 8:00pm - Christmas Vigil Mass in English
- 11:00pm - Carol Service in Polish
- 12 Midnight - Christmas Midnight Mass in Polish
The Nativity of the Lord, Christmas DayWednesday 25th December 2024
- 12 Midnight - Christmas Midnight Mass in Polish
- 8:00am (Curzon Park Abbey) - Dawn Mass of Christmas
- 9:30am - Mass of Christmas Day in English
- 12 Noon - Mass of Christmas Day in Polish
- (Please note there will be no 4.30pm Mass today)
St Stephen’s DayThursday 26th December 2024
- 12:00 Noon - Mass in English
- 4:30pm - Mass in Polish
Friday 27th December 2024
- 8:00am (Curzon Park Abbey) - Mass in English
- 12 Noon - Mass in English
Saturday 28th December 2024
- 8:00am (The Brothers' Chapel) - Mass in English
- 12 Noon - Mass in English
- 6:30pm - Vigil Mass in English
The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and JosephSunday 29th December 2024
- 6:30pm (Saturday) - Vigil Mass in English
- 8:00am (Curzon Park Abbey) - Mass in English
- 9:30am - Family Mass in English
- 12 Noon - Family Mass in Polish
- 4:30pm - Mass in Polish
Monday 30th December 2024
- 8:00am (Curzon Park Abbey) - Mass in English
- 12 Noon - Mass in English
Tuesday 31st December 2024
- 8:00am (The Brothers' Chapel) - Mass in English
- 12 Noon - Mass in English
Events in January 2025
Mary, the Holy Mother of God (Octave of the Nativity)Wednesday 1st January 2025
- 8:00am (Curzon Park Abbey) - Mass in English
- 12 Noon - Mass in English
- 4:30pm - Mass in Polish
Thursday 2nd January 2025
- 8:00am (The Brothers' Chapel) - Mass in English
- 12 Noon - Mass in English
Friday 3rd January 2025
- 8:00am (Curzon Park Abbey) - Mass in English
- 12 Noon - Mass in English
Monthly First Friday DevotionFriday 3rd January 2025
Join us for First Friday Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, following the 10.30am Stations of the Cross in St Francis Church, in front of the Sacred Heart statue of our Lord Jesus Christ.
The statue depicts the Sacred Heart of Jesus, a representation of the love of Christ, devotion to which, although it first appeared explicitly in the late 13th century, only became widespread after the Napoleonic Wars.
It was declared a universal feast of the Church in 1856, and in 1875, the year our church was opened, Pope Pius IX exhorted all Catholics to consecrate themselves to the Sacred Heart. It might be considered a visual portrayal of the same sense of Jesus's overflowing love for mankind as is conveyed in the words of Methodist hymns dating from the same era.
Saturday 4th January 2025
- 8:00am (The Brothers' Chapel) - Mass in English
- 12 Noon - Mass in English
- 6:30pm - Vigil Mass in English
Monthly First Saturday DevotionSaturday 4th January 2025
Join us for First Saturday Devotion to The Immaculate Heart Of Mary. Prayers will be led by members of The St Francis Prayer Group. Part of The Holy Rosary will be said in different languages. Anyone who would like to lead a decade of the Holy Rosary is welcome to come forward.
Saturday 4th January 2025Invitation to Monthly Saturday Vigil Mass with Worship, Adoration, and Catechesis
We invite you to join us for our monthly English Vigil Mass, held on the first Saturday of each month at 6:30 pm. Following the Mass, there will be musical prayer meetings led by a worship team, along with adoration and catechesis. This month, during catechesis, Br. Loarne will help us delve deeper into the mystery of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, drawing inspiration from Pope Francis' latest encyclical. This initiative is part of our mission to build an international community within our parish for those seeking to deepen their faith.
The next Mass will be on 7th December at 6:30 pm. For those interested in contributing musically, we welcome new members to join the team! There will be a rehearsal on Saturday, 7th December, at 5:00 pm for anyone wishing to participate in the worship team.
We’ve created a dedicated WhatsApp group for communication about rehearsals and organization. Every contribution is welcome! Looking forward to seeing you there!
The Epiphany of the Lord:Sunday 5th January 2025
- 6:30pm (Saturday) - Mass in English
- 8:00am (Curzon Park Abbey) - Mass in English
- 9:30am - Family Mass in English
- 12 Noon - Family Mass in Polish
- 4:30pm - Mass in Polish
Tuesday 21st January 2025We invite you to join the Divine Renovation Book Club!
As a fruit of our recent parish meeting, we are launching a weekly discussion group focused on the Divine Renovation program. Starting on 21st January 2025, we will meet every Tuesday in the parish hall and online via Zoom to discuss one chapter of the book each week.
This initiative is a direct outcome of our last parish gathering, aimed at deepening our faith and engagement as a community. We are now taking orders for the book. To purchase a copy, simply send an email with your name to stfrancis.chester@gmail.com by 21st December 2024. The price is £20.
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