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St Francis Church Newsletter
A PDF copy of the latest weekly newsletter is available by clicking on the link below. The newsletter will open in a new tab in your Internet browser.
The weekly newsletter contains special thoughts on the Sunday mass, weekly feasts and prayer days, weekly anniversaries, prayer requests and mass intentions.
Feast of St Francis of Assisi800th Anniversary CelebrationsSaturday 3 & Sunday 4 October 2026
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As we mark the 800th anniversary of the death of St Francis of Assisi, we warmly invite you and your families to join us for a very special weekend of celebration at St Francis Church, Chester. It will be a wonderful opportunity for our whole parish community to come together, give thanks for the life and witness of St Francis, and celebrate the Franciscan spirit that continues to inspire us today.
Sunday 10:00am Mass - Hymns & Music
| Sunday 4th October 2026 Solemnity of St. Francis of Assisi |
|---|
| Organ Prelude: Chorale Prelude 'Rejoice greatly, O my soul' (Karg - Elert) |
| Hymn: 694, 'All Creatures Of Our God And King' verses 1 to 4 (Tune - Lasst Uns Erfreuen) |
| Sung: 518 - Kyrie | 529 - Gloria; Psalm; Alleluia | 570 - Sanctus; Eucharistic Prayer Acclamation | 591 - Agnus Dei. |
| Communion: Choir Hymn - 'Make me a channel of your peace' (Words from the Prayer of St. Francis) |
| Recessional: 726, 'For The Beauty Of The Earth' (Tune - Dix) |
| Organ Postlude: Carillon in B flat (Louis Vierne) |
Do You Want to Experience the Church More Deeply?
If you feel a desire to grow closer to Jesus, understand the teachings of the Church, and take a fuller part in parish life, we warmly invite you to join RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults).
RCIA is for:
- Adults who are not baptised
- Christians from other traditions seeking full communion
- Catholics who have not yet received Confirmation or Eucharist
- Anyone wishing to deepen their faith
We have now completed our Spring RCIA journey (14 April - 30 June 2026), with more than 30 people taking part. We are now taking a break for the summer and look forward to welcoming everyone back for the Autumn Session, which will run from Tuesday, 15 September to Tuesday, 8 December 2026.
If you are interested in exploring the Catholic faith, it's not too late to join. New participants are always welcome!
Meetings take place on Tuesdays at 7:00 pm.
If you would like to join, please complete the form: https://forms.gle/MppDcqNEKkvCik7x5
Alpha Course - Started on Monday 21 September
Our next Alpha Course began on Monday 21 September at 7:00 pm and will run for 11 weeks.
Alpha is a friendly and relaxed opportunity to explore the Christian faith, ask questions, meet new people and grow in your relationship with God. Each Monday evening begins with food and time together, followed by a talk, conversation and an opportunity for prayer. During the course, there will also be a weekend away for participants.
Alpha is for everyone - those who are not baptised or are simply exploring faith, Christians from different backgrounds, and Catholics who would like to rediscover or deepen their faith. We especially encourage members of our parish to take part. If you have already completed Alpha, you are very welcome to join us again, this time serving as part of the Alpha team and helping others on their journey of faith.
Changes in Our Friary Community
On 17 September, we welcomed some changes in our friary community. Br Jinson left Chester and moved to Oxford, where he has taken up his new ministry as Guardian of the Capuchin community. We thank him warmly for his ministry among us and assure him of our prayers as he begins this new responsibility.
At the same time, we were delighted to welcome Br John Cavanagh to our community. Br John was born in Chester and most recently ministered in Durham. In a sense, he has come home, and we are very pleased to have him with us at St Francis.
Please keep both Br Jinson and Br John in your prayers as they settle into their new communities and ministries.
We very much hope you will join us for these special celebrations as we come together as one parish family to honour our patron saint. Everyone is warmly welcome!
Annual Mass Count
The annual Mass count will take place over four weekends, as it does every year. The first count will be this weekend, 19/20 September, followed by 26/27 September, 3/4 October and 10/11 October.
Those taking the collection are kindly asked to make a note of the number of people attending Mass and inform the Parish Priest after Mass. Thank you for your help.
An Invitation To Serve at St Francis Church
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Mass Schedule ChangesSunday 6th September 2026
Following consultations a revised schedule of masses will come into effect from Sunday 6th September 2026. See the poster below for the full schedule and more information.
Shrewsbury Lourdes Hospitality
There will be a reunion for participants in recent Shrewsbury Diocesan Lourdes Pilgrimages on Saturday 10th October at St Columba's Church, Plas Newton Lane, Chester CH2 1SA. The reunion will start with Mass at 2.00pm followed by refreshments in the church hall. All former pilgrims are welcome.
Confirmation Registration 2026
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CONFIRMATION 2026 - REGISTRATION
We are pleased to announce that Mark Davies will celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation for the Chester Catholic Parishes on: Wednesday, 11th November 2026 at St Columba's Church
Who can apply? Young people: Anyone currently in high school or older Adults: Those wishing to be confirmed
How to register? Please email: [email protected] You will then receive a link to complete the online registration form.
For youth candidates: Parents should include the child's current school year in the email.
For adult candidates: Please email using the address above to begin the process.
Information MeetingAn information meeting for all candidates and parents will take place after registration closes in June.
Further details will be announced nearer the time.
First Holy Communion 2027
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FIRST HOLY COMMUNION 2027 – REGISTRATION
Registration is now open for First Holy Communion preparation at St Francis of Assisi Parish, Chester.
Preparation begins on Saturday 5 September 2026 at 5.00pm and will take place every Saturday as part of our parish programme for children and families.
Open to children who will be in Year 3 or above in September 2026, from all schools.
First Holy Communion: Sunday 30 May 2027 – Corpus Christi.
Register your child here: https://forms.gle/t3kY6tALidvQP38q9
We look forward to welcoming your child and your family and walking together on this journey of faith.
Sacrament Of Confirmation 2026
We are pleased to announce that Mark Davies will celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation for the Chester Catholic Parishes on: Wednesday, 11th November 2026 at St Columba's Church
Who can apply? Young people: Anyone currently in high school or older Adults: Those wishing to be confirmed
How to register? Please email: [email protected] You will then receive a link to complete the online registration form.
For youth candidates: Parents should include the child's current school year in the email.
For adult candidates: Please email using the address above to begin the process.
Information MeetingAn information meeting for all candidates and parents will take place after registration closes in June.
Further details will be announced nearer the time.
Weekday 8.00 am Mass (Friary Choir)
For various reasons, we won’t be celebrating a public 8.00am weekday Mass in the friary choir for the time being. We will keep you informed of any further updates. Thank you for your understanding.
RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults)
Do you want to experience the Church More Deeply?
If you feel a desire to grow closer to Jesus, understand the teach1ngs of the Church, and fully participate in the life of the Catholic community, we warmly invite you to RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults). RCIA Is the Church's pathway for adults seeking to enter more fully into the Catholic faith or to deepen their faith. It prepares participants for Baptism, Profession of Faith, Confirmation, or Eucharist, depending on each person's situation. It is intended for:
• Adults who have not been baptised • Christians from other traditions seeking full communion with the Catholic Church • Catholics who have not yet received Confirmation or Eucharist • anyone desiring a deeper encounter with the Church and its life.
RCIA is a supportive and personal journey: learning to know Jesus more deeply, discovering the richness of the Catholic faith, and growing as a disciple in community.
Schedule
Introduction Session: 9th December 2025
RCIA consists of three 12-week terms: • Winter: 13th January - 24th March 2026 • Spring: 14th April - 30th June 2026 • Autumn: 14th September - 8th December 2026
Further Stages in 2027 • an additional winter section • Lent 2027 as immediate preparation for Baptism or Reception into the Church • mystagogical catechesis in spring 2027, to deepen the experience of the sacraments received.
If you are interested in joining RCIA, please send us an email [email protected], and we will provide you with a link to the registration form. Even if you have not participated in Alpha or other parish programs, RCIA is open to all adults who wish to grow in faith and fully embrace the life of the Church.
Father Francis: 'The Herald of the King' Autobiography Now Available
We warmly invite parishioners and friends to discover the newly published autobiography of Br. Francis, a moving and faith-filled story of a life shaped by grace, surprise, and the gentle persistence of God.
Through memories of priestly ministry, music, friendship, joy and sorrow, Br. Francis reflects on how God works quietly in ordinary days and extraordinary moments. The book is a testimony of gratitude, touching on vocation, love, loss, faith, humour, and the deep hope of Heaven. Above all, it invites the reader to pause and notice God walking beside us, even when unseen.
This autobiography may be a source of encouragement for anyone searching for meaning, longing for peace, or wishing to grow closer to God.
Available to purchase for £15 From our Repository (bookshop) Amazon UK: Click Here
We warmly recommend this book to our parish community.
'St Francis Church in Chester' - Our Facebook Page
Here is the link to our official parish website on Facebook called 'St Francis Church in Chester'.If you have a Facebook account click on the link below to follow and like the page.There will be items published in both, Polish and English.
https://www.facebook.com/stfrancischurchinchester
Gift Aid Envelopes 2025/2026 & Contactless Donations
Gift Aid envelopes for the coming year will soon be available at the back of the church. Please collect your box after Mass. If you would like to join the Gift Aid Scheme and receive a box of weekly envelopes, a form is available from the Parish Priest. Simply complete and return it after Mass.
If your circumstances have changed (e.g., you are no longer a taxpayer or have a new address), please inform the Parish Priest so we can update our records. Remember, for every £1 donated by a taxpayer, the Parish can claim an extra 25p from HMRC (25% extra) at no cost to you.
We are also pleased to introduce a Contactless Card Donation Terminal near the entrance for quick and easy donations. This electronic Gift Aid method is much simpler for us to manage.
How it works:
1. Select the Amount: Use the touchscreen to choose a donation amount or tap “Other Amount” to enter your preferred donation. 2. Tap Your Card: Hold your contactless card, smartphone, or smart-watch over the terminal's reader until you see a confirmation on the screen. 3. Gift Aid Option: If you are a UK taxpayer, maybe you would consider enabling Gift Aid. This allows us to receive an additional 25% from the government at no extra cost to you. To register, simply provide your name, address, and email on the terminal. 4. Save Time Next Time: Once you register for Gift Aid, the terminal remembers your details. When using the same card in the future, you’ll only need to select the donation amount – no additional information required!
Your generosity supports our parish and its mission. In the future, we plan to introduce a portable terminal for even greater convenience. Thank you for your kind contributions!
Ministry to the SickHoly Communion and Confession
Any sick person, whether at home or in a care home, can receive Holy Communion and Confession weekly, monthly, or during the Advent season. If you or someone you know would like to benefit from this ministry offered by our brothers and Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, please contact us at [email protected]
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. Meetings are held in English, and we look forward to welcoming new members aged 13–18.
Car Parking at St Francis Church
Please note the following and many thanks for your co-operation.
- Car park is for Church and Hall use only.
- Park your car prudently using every available space. For those who are arriving first please use the spaces against the wall not the front spaces.
- Any regular parishioners using the car park out of service time must inform one of the brothers using any medium of communication to avoid confusions.
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 [email protected] Together, we can create a welcoming space where everyone feels at home. We look forward to seeing you this Sunday!
Singers Wanted for Sunday 10:00am Mass Choir
Anyone who loves singing and would like to join the new Sunday 9:30am Mass Choir, please see Peter Cooke after the 10:00am Sunday mass.
We are also looking for readers and altar servers. Those interested in these roles and in preparing for this ministry are invited to contact Brother Piotr at [email protected].
Sunday 10:00am Mass - Hymn Sheets
Anyone who loves singing and would like to join our Sunday 9:30am Mass Choir, please see Peter Cooke after the 9:30am Sunday mass. Here are a selection of the hymn sheets that we use. Click on the name to open the sheet as a PDF in a new tab from where it can be downloaded or printed.
[Simple Chant for All Responsorial Psalms]
[Simple Chant for All Alleluias]
[Simple Chant for Lent Gospel Acclaimation]
St Francis' Repository
Cards, calendars etc now on sale in our Repository - you are welcome to have a browse.
Many thanks to everyone who has given to our Repository - this all contributes to the upkeep of our Church and we are most grateful. Please keep bringing them in and we will lovingly restore them! We would especially welcome any unwanted holy items such as statues, crosses, medals and rosary beads.
A good stock of Mass, Prayer and general cards are all available and Holy Water direct from Lourdes! Please feel welcome to browse!
Why not come along and have a look and buy someone special a present!Additional photos on our 'Gallery' page.
'A Journey into The Catholic Faith' by Father Francis Maple
Our very own Father Francis has published a new book, A Journey Into The Catholic Faith, which can be purchased from him or on Amazon for £8. It is intended for Catholics and Non-Catholics alike who wish to gain a deeper understanding of the faith.All royalties go to charity.
At the time of writing his book is number 18 in the Amazon UK best sellers ranking in Catholic Theology.
The book is available in Paperback from Amazon UK - Here
An article about Father Francis' previous publications can be found later on this page.
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 Jinson. 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
An Update on Br Jim
Br Jim is thankfully no longer in the hospital and is currently at Florence Grogan House in Blacon for some respite care after which it is hoped that he will return to the Friary. The address of where he is: Florence Grogan House, Shelley Road, Blacon, Chester, CH1 5XA. Please feel free to visit Br Jim whilst he is in respite at Florence Grogan House. Once he is back at the Friary a notice will be put in the newsletter.
Help Father Francis Feed The Starving
If you are thinking of a present for someone how about buying an article of Fr. Francis' crochet, a coat, a shawl, a slipper or a mitten. You will be helping him raise money for the starving children in the world. They can be bought from the display at the back of the Church.
A Prayer To The Holy Spirit
At the end of year 2022 I asked the Holy Spirit, my best Friend, to help me write a prayer I could recite every day to keep me closer to the Blessed Trinity and get me to Heaven.
This is the prayer He inspired me to write. I give it to everyone who comes to confession to me. You may like to say it too.
Heavenly Father, with the help of your Holy Spirit, may I lead the best life I can today. When the time comes for me to take my last earthly breath, may I be surrounded by Your loving arms. On the day of my death may I hear your Son say to me, "I promise you this very day you will be with me in Paradise."
Father Francis OFM Cap, November 2023
Several of Father Francis' books and publications are now available for sale from the repository at St Francis Church.
A full list of Father Francis' books and publications are available on this link: Books by Father Francis
Father Francis prepared a special homily for All Souls Day which is exclusively avaiilable in the Library page of our website. Here is a link which will take you to the homily on our Library page.
'Pray the Rosary without Distractions' by Father Francis Maple
Our very own Father Francis has published books on Amazon UK.
Do you have difficulty in praying the rosary? If you do, you may find this book helpful. Praying the rosary as described in this book will help you to cut out distractions. You will find that for every Hail Mary there is a thought or picture to keep your mind concentrated on what you are saying.
The paperback book is now available for sale from the repository of St Francis Church priced at £5.00.
The book is also available in Paperback from Amazon UK - Here
The book is available in Kindle format from Amazon UK - Here
A list of books written by Father Francis and published by Amazon UK is available - Here
A link to Father Francis' own website can be found - Here
If you don't have an Amazon UK account an order form can be downloaded - Here
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!
Prayer For Peace
O Prince of peace, one more we hear the guns of war. Once again we see the faces of frightened children. We pray for the people of Ukraine, that they may be granted peace. We pray for the people of Russia, that they may demand peace. We pray for our country, that we may be a positive part of peace-making in the world.
O Prince of peace, lead us from this dark time to a deeper understanding of the global family, so that all may break bread together in the secure embrace of peace. Amen.
Anniversaries
Prayers are requested for those whose anniversaries occur this month ✟ Requiescat in Pace ✟ To view anniversaries for the whole year visit our Prayers Page
Feast Days
The 'Feast Days' page has been added to the main menubar. There is now a direct link to the Wiki page for each feast day. Just click the name to open up the information in a new tab.
To view feast days for the whole year visit our Feast Days
Chester Pastoral Forum
After the initial meeting of the ‘Chester Pastoral Forum’ which took place on 22nd October 2018 we have decided to improve the communication between the Catholic Parishes in Chester. On our website we have added links to the Chester Church websites below.
Links to Chester Catholic Church Websites
- St Clare's Catholic Church, Downsfield Road, Chester, CH4 8HH
- St Werburgh's Catholic Church, Grosvenor Park Road, Chester, CH1 1QJ
- St Columba's Catholic Church, Plas Newton Lane, Chester, CH2 1SA
- St. Theresa’s Catholic Church, 128 Blacon Avenue, Blacon, Chester, CH1 5BU
Franciscans In Chester:St Francis' Church and Friary Book
The book can be found by clicking on the tab on the top menu called 'History'. It was originally published in 2000 to commemorate the hundredth anniversary of the consecration of St Francis’s church in Chester and the 125th anniversary of its opening.
A guided tour of the church was published on our website last year and the full book has now been digitally published over the last twelve months setting out the Catholic and Franciscan history which gave rise to the church, friary and parish.
The book has been brought completely up-to-date with new pictures and topics in this digital edition. Be sure to have a look at our 'History' page and discover the origins of our beautiful Church.
Virtual Church Tour
Our virtual Church tour is now live and accessible via the 'TOUR' tab on the far right of the menu bar or by clicking 'Tour' on the Latest News item. Please have a look and let the other people know how interesting and informative it is. We found it fascinating and learnt so much about St Francis Church and it's history. Alan, Peter and Bernard have done a great job with the tour. We are sure that people all over the world would enjoy a virtual tour of our beautiful Church.
Prayers Web Page
We have set up a very special web page on our internet site which records all the anniversaries of family and friends who have died in the Parish. Throughout 2016 we will be updating this page adding dates of death and special epitaphs.
The page says the following; 'Prayers are requested for those whose anniversaries occur this month. May they Rest In Peace.' Due to the size of the list and the work involved in updating the list, names will be added to the web page each month during 2015 as the year progresses. It is also possible to include the date of death and a short personalised epitaph for your loved ones which will be displayed next to their name. To add relatives, dates or a personalised epitaph to the anniversary list please email to information to; [email protected] We will try to update your information as soon as possible but please allow up to 28 days for the website to be updated.
See Prayers Web Page
The Order Of Mass: Printable Leaflets
We have included an on-line link to the printable 'Order Of Mass' leaflets from the Liturgy Office website which we will leave on our website as a 'Useful Link'.
Here is a direct link to the web page The Order of Mass Printable Leaflets