Weekly/Monthly Groups and Activities
| Groups and Activities |
|---|
| 'First Holy Communion Preparation 2025' - See bottom of page for further information |
| 'The Rosary' - Monday to Thursday 11:30am in the Church |
| 'St Francis Holy Hour' - Thursday at 6.30pm in the Church. Everyone who would like to join is very welcome. |
| 'Sunday 9:45am Mass Choir' - Anyone who loves singing and would like to join the new Sunday 9:45am Mass Choir, please see Peter Cooke after the 9:45am Sunday mass. |
| St Francis Parish Youth Group - 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. |
| 'Monthly First Saturday Devotion' - 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. |
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!
Further updates will be posted here when available
Singers Wanted for Sunday 9:30am Mass Choir
Anyone who loves singing and would like to join the new Sunday 9:30am Mass Choir, please see Peter Cooke after the 9:30am Sunday mass.
Sunday 9:30am Mass - Hymns & Music
| Sunday 22nd December 2024 Fourth Sunday in Advent (Year C) |
|---|
| In accordance with Catholic tradition, there are no Organ Preludes or Postludes during Advent, except on the Third ‘Gaudete’ Sunday and on feasts. |
| Entrance: 115, 'Praise We The Lord This Day' (Tune - Narenza) |
| Sung: from 479, p. 202 Kyrie; Psalm; Alleluia; p. 207 Sanctus; Eucharistic Prayer Acclamation; p.210 Agnus Dei |
| Communion: Choir Anthem- Advent Latin Prose 'Rorate Caeli' 'Drop down, ye Heavens, from above' (Words from Isaiah) |
| Post- Communion: 112, 'O Come, O Come, Emmanuel' (Tune - Veni Emmanuel) |
| Sunday 29th December 2024 Feast of the Holy Family (Year C) |
|---|
| Organ Prelude: Pastorale in F (J. S. Bach) |
| Entrance: 128, 'Once In Royal David's City' (Tune - Irby) |
| Sung: 518, Kyrie; 529, Gloria; Psalm; Alleluia; 570, Sanctus; Eucharistic Prayer Acclamation; 591, Agnus Dei |
| Offertory: 137, 'Away In A Manger' (Tune - Cradle Song) |
| Communion: 150, 'The First Nowell' (Tune - as set) |
| Post - Communion: 152, 'Unto Us Is Born A Son' (Tune - Puer Nobis) |
| Organ Postlude: Christmas Chorale Preludes (J. S. Bach) |
Church Cleaning Rota
| Date | Team | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| 19th December 2024 | Team B | - |
| 26th December 2024 | Team C | To be confirmed |
| 2nd January 2025 | Team D | - |
| 9th January 2025 | Team A | - |
Readers Rota for Sunday 9.30am Mass
If you are unable to read on any Sunday allocated to you, please arrange an exchange directly with another reader. Let Alan know of any changes and he will update the website.
December 2024
| Date | Celebration (Cycle B) | 1st Reading | Psalm | 2nd Reading |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22th Dec | 4th Sunday of Advent | Dubravka | Ron | Ron |
| 29th Dec | Holy Family | Arnold | Choir | Arnold |
Being a Reader at Mass Guidance for Those Reading at the Liturgy
Article first published in the St Francis' Newsletter dated April/May 2009.
Why have readers?
We are all involved through our attentiveness in every part of the mass. Some have particular liturgical roles. One of these is the be a Reader (or Lector), an office with a long an honerable history, dating back to the early life of the Church.
The Mass is composed of two parts
1. The Liturgy Of The Word, when the focus is on the Lecturn (or Ambo) and the homily of the priest. We feed on Christ in His 'Word', presented to us in the form of readings, psalmody, lessons and the Gospel. 2. The Liturgy of the Eucharist, when the centre of attention is the Altar. Here we are nourished by Christ sacrementally present in the forms of bread and wine.
Vital role
The Reader has a vital contribution to make in the Liturgy of the Word. Catholics believe that Christ is present in His Word, since it is He Himself who speaks when the Scriptures are read in Church. This important act of service to the community is comparable to the work of Extraordinary Ministers of the Holy Communion. Both have roles of dignity and significance - each deals with holy things and makes available Christ's presence in Word and Sacrament for His people. What could be a greater privilege than that?
Guidance for those reading at the Liturgy
At least once you should get the feel of the space and the sound of your voice in the church. If there is a microphone, practice with it switched on. Practice reading from the lectionary book. Do not read from a hand missal or leaflet, which will lead you to look downward, even to mumble and will look very undignified. Listen carefully to other readers and note their good points.
Be on time and be ready
Arrive at church in good time before the Mass. Go to the lectionary and check that the page is correctly marked. Notice where your passage is in the book, so that you don't fumble when you come to read.
Proclaiming the Reading
When the time comes, go to the lecturn in a dignified manner. Make sure that the microphone is set so that you read into it, even if you did this before Mass. Give the congregation a moment to collect their thoughts before you begin. Stand tall and do not let your head fall forward. Announce the reading with the words in the lectionary. Do not say 'The First Reading' or 'The Second Reading'. Simply read what it says in the book, 'A Reading from...' pause slightly before beginning to read the text.
Read solemnly, loudly and clearly, so that the imporatance of the words is obvious. Remember that it is God's Word. It is more of a 'proclamation' than a reading of it. Read slowly, so that it even feels a little too slow to you. It will sound just right to the ears of the listeners. Practice this speed of reading or you may have a tendency to speed up as you read. Remember the words are all important. If you rush them the people will not hear them and you will sound as though you do not think that they are important.
The Bidding Prayers
When the decon is not available the Reader will often lead these, known also as 'The Prayer of the Faithful' or 'Prayers of Intercession'. The celebrant introduces and concludes the prayers while the Reader speaks the biddings. It is important not to rush but to leave time for the congregation to actually pray. There should be a pause before the words 'Lord, hear us'.
In Conclusion
The reading of the gospel at Mass is reserved to the priest or deacon. This is an instant of the principle that at Mass every ordained minister or authorised layperson performs all the roles allotted to them and only those roles. By the same principle it belongs to the Reader to proclaim the first and second Scripture reading and that task isn't to be taken over by a priest or deacon.
Following the reform of Vatican II, there is a renewed emphasis on the importance of the Liturgy of the Word, with the treasures of the Bible opened up more lavishly. The work of the Reader is of the greatest value in the process of renewal.
Do remember, being a Reader at Mass is a service to the Liturgy, the Church and the community. It requires a spirit of humility and fidelity, for which we should pray.
Registration for First Holy Communion Preparation 2025Sunday 13th October 2024
How to Register: Registration can be done via email at stfrancis.chester@gmail.com and by filling out the registration form: https://forms.gle/kWnCwrg7bJiF8oGW6
The first organizational meeting for parents will be on Sunday, October 13th, at 10:30 AM!
What Requirements Must a Child Meet to Be Enrolled in Preparation? We invite children to preparation who:
Are baptized, were born in 2017 (minimum Year 3 at primary school) or are older. If the child is not yet baptized, please indicate this in the form, and we will arrange a baptism date.
What Does the Preparation Include?
Liturgical Component:
- Participation in the Eucharist every Sunday at any location.
- In Polish at 12:00 PM: October 13, December 8, February 9, April 13, and June 8.
- In English at 9:30 AM: November 10, January 12, March 9, and May 11.
- For children who do not speak Polish, services will be held on the second Sunday of each month at 9:30 AM or on the second Saturday of each month at 6:30 PM.
- Other parish services organized by the parish (to be arranged with parents).
Catechetical Component: Eucharist on the second Sunday of the month at St. Francis Parish in Chester: Led by Brother Piotr Anusiewicz OFMCap and volunteers in English.
A cycle of 9 catecheses on the fourth Saturday of the month at 4:00 PM (approximately 1 hour):
- October 26, 2024
- November 23, 2024
- December 21, 2024 (exceptionally on the third Saturday)
- January 25, 2025
- February 22, 2025
- March 22, 2025
- April 26, 2025
- May 24, 2025
- June 28, 2025
A cycle of 9 home catecheses led by parents for their children, with collaborative homework. A series of meetings for direct preparation for Communion in July (dates to be determined). Memorization of prayers and catechism truths (material will be sent via email).
Participation: A child may have a maximum of 3 justified absences from the aforementioned events. Exceeding this number may result in removal from the candidate group.
What Documents Are Needed for Registration? A baptism certificate from the parish where the child was baptized (due by January 1). Children baptized at St. Francis Parish in Chester do not need a baptism certificate.
Registration form. When Can I Register My Child? Registration is open from October 13, 2024.
When Will the First Holy Confession Take Place in Our Parish? The Sacrament of Holy Confession will be held one week before the scheduled Communion date.
When Will the First Holy Communion Take Place in Our Parish? First Holy Communion is likely to be held on July 13, 2025, at 12:00 PM during the Polish Mass, and on July 20, 2025, at 9:30 AM during the English Mass. Parents will have the option to choose whether their child will receive Communion during the Polish or English Mass.
Can the First Holy Communion Take Place in Poland? It is possible to prepare in our parish and receive a certificate allowing the child to participate in the first confession and communion at another parish, including in Poland.
What Books Do We Need? I recommend purchasing the book "I Belong" from Redemptorist Publications, which will be helpful in the preparation.
Since some parents already have these books, I ask that each parent purchase this book for their child. It would be best to do this before October 26, so the child can bring the book to the next meeting.
The easiest way to purchase it is through the publisher's website for approximately £8. I know that parents have found the books at lower prices on other sites. The choice is yours.
Publisher's Website: https://www.rpbooks.co.uk/i-belong-childrens-book
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Br. Piotr!