News
Prayer Intentions
During Easter we are asked to pray for these intentions: New Members of the Church, Vocations, The Right use of the Media, The Church and Human work.
Capuchin Brothers from the Warsaw Province
Please pray for our Capuchin Brothers from the Warsaw Province who have just had their Provincial Chapter so that they obey the Holy Spirit in their choices and decisions.
Message From Br Jarek
'I would like to say “Thank you” to all who attended the Holy Week liturgies and a special word of appreciation to all who helped in whatever way towards their dignified celebration: Church cleaners, decorators, flower arrangers, sacristy helpers, altar servers, readers, special ministers, collectors, musicians and singers, and anyone else I have overlooked. May God bless and reward all of you for your generous sharing of your time and your talents.'
Holy Days Of Obligation
Click on this link to the Liturgy Office for further information and a list of Liturgical Dates.
| Date | Holy Day (click on the name to find out further information) Weekday Mass Times - 12 Noon in English and 7.00pm in Polish | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday 10th May | Ascension | ||||
| Friday 29th June | St Peter & St Paul | ||||
| Wednesday 15th August | Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary | ||||
| Thursday 1st November | All Saints | ||||
| Wednesday 25th December | Christmas, the Nativity of Our Lord | ||||
Feast Days This Week
| Date | Feast Day (click on the name to find out further information) | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunday 22nd April | World Day of Special Prayer for Vocations | ||||||||||||
| Monday 23rd April | St. George Patron Of England | ||||||||||||
| Tuesday 24th April | St. Adalbert c956 – 997 | ||||||||||||
| Tuesday 24th April | St. Fidelius c1577 – 1622 | ||||||||||||
| Wednesday 25th April | St. Mark c74 | ||||||||||||
| Saturday 28th April | St. Peter Chanel c1803 – 1841 | ||||||||||||
| St. Louis Marie de Montfort c1673 - 1716 | |||||||||||||
Mass Intentions
| Date | Time | Intention |
|---|---|---|
| Friday 20th April | 12:00 noon | Ambrose McDonagh RIP |
| Saturday 21st April | 12:00 noon | Eileen Bridget Garner RIP |
| Vigil Mass | 6:30pm | Mary Scalley RIP |
| Sunday 22nd April | 8:00am | Holy Souls |
| 9:45am | Parishioners | |
| 12:00 noon | Polish Mass - Intention of Donor | |
| 4:30pm | Polish Mass - Intention of Donor | |
| Monday 23rd April | 12:00 noon | Jacob A. Davey |
| Tuesday 24th April | 12:00 noon | Frances Tatlock |
| Wednesday 25th April | 12:00 noon | Michael Callaghan RIP |
| Thursday 26th April | 12:00 noon | Eleonora Brzecka RIP |
| Friday 27th April | 12:00 noon | Winifred Margaret Cooper Anniversary |
| Saturday 28th April | 12:00 noon | James Connolly RIP |
Anniversaries This Week
Prayers are requested for those whose anniversaries occur this month ✟ Requiescat in Pace ✟
| Date | Names | |
|---|---|---|
| 22.4 | Michael Lukasz Janda (2010), Kathleen Johnson (1996) | |
| 23.4 | Mary Scalley (2009) | |
| 25.4 | Daniel McLoughlin (2011), Karen Betteridge (2002) | |
| 26.4 | John Casey (1996) | |
| 27.4 | Irene Hughes (1996) | |
| 28.4 | Leslie Badrock (2004) | |
To view anniversaries for the whole year visit our Prayers Page
Collection
| Type | Amount | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Collection: | £ 455.57 | ||||||||
| Gift Aid: | £ 413.95 | ||||||||
| Total: | £ 869.52 | ||||||||
Notice of Second Collections
| Date | Second Collection |
|---|---|
| To be announced shortly | |
Gift Aid Scheme
Joining the scheme - for those people not taking part in the gift aid scheme, or those regularly completing white envelopes each week, if you would like to participate and obtain a box of weekly envelopes then please see Fr Jarek after Mass. Please note you need to be taxpayers to join. For every £1 donated by a taxpayer the parish can claim 25p from HM Revenue & Customs. Tax status - please note that if you are currently part of the scheme and no longer pay tax would you please let Fr Jarek know, otherwise it will be assumed that you have paid sufficient income tax for the parish to claim the tax on your donations.
Sick Parishioners
Please let us remember our sick parishioners in our prayers:
Angela Crowe, Pauline Rowlands, Terry Halpin, Arthur Wright, Anne Daly, Kath Heffeman, Barbara Edwards, Kevin Roberts, Margaret Davis, Hilary Linty, Patrick Hannah, Elle Mae Dunne, Elaine Bruce, George Jones, Colin Williams, Christopher Browne, Gill Wright, Christina North, Gordon Jones, Emma Noble, Marie Charlesworth, Veronica Comerford, Julia Milan and Eleanor Milan.
Shrewsbury Lourdes Hospitality: Saturday 12th May 2018
To all members of the Shrewsbury Lourdes Hospitality At the last AGM we voted to begin a working party to look at our constitution and ensure that it is fit for purpose for the future. We have met a couple of times and have come up with some draft proposals. We will meet again at St Mary of the Angels, Hooton on Saturday, 12th May at 1.30pm. Anyone who wishes to join us will be very welcome. If you would like to receive a copy of the existing constitution and the suggested changes or, if you are unable to join us but want to make a comment, please email me at annerogowski584@hotmail.com and I will ensure that your points are fed back. We hope to have a final proposal ready to put before the AGM in September. Anne Rogowski.
NightFever: Friday 15th June 2018
On Friday 15th June we’ll be launching a ‘NightFever’ programme in St Francis’ Church Chester. We will start with Mass at 7pm. Adoration will begin at 8pm running through until 10:30pm. NightFever is a fairly new idea and requires a small team of willing volunteers to go out into busy town/city centres inviting passers-by to come into church to light a candle and experience Adoration. There is also the opportunity to receive the Sacrament of reconciliation.
NightFever is hugely successful across Europe and the USA. So please do come along to Mass and spend some time in prayer during adoration after. If anyone would like to volunteer/more info please contact Ant Hunt on 07714 160 268
Franciscans In Chester: St Francis' Church and Friary Photographs Wanted
They say that a photograph is worth a thousand words. We are currently looking for any photographs of St Francis Church and St Francis Roman Catholic school in Cuppin Street, 'the Sisters' (ie the Faithful Companions of Jesus from Dee House) or other teachers and pupils at the school. Any photographs used will be credited, scanned and made available on-line as part of the history of St Francis School and Church. Please pass any photographs in and envelope with your name, address and a contact number to one of the Brothers. We will simply scan which photographs we wish to use and pass them back to you.
The book can be found by clicking on a new 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.
The Journey in Faith Group (RCIA)
The Journey in Faith Group (RCIA) meet each Wednesday at 6:45pm in the Church. This group is meant, not only for those interested in becoming Catholics, but also for practising Catholics who would like to deepen their faith.
Thursday Prayer Group
We are so grateful to God that for over a year now we have been meeting weekly 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 biweekly or just once in a while when you can make it on Thursday evenings from 6:30 p.m. in the choir of the friary. Entrance is through the green friary door.
If you have questions call deacon Peter on 07497 752272. See you there!
The Rosary: 11:30am Monday - Friday
The custom of praying the Rosary as a family is strongly encouraged, even if it is just to say one decade. In our Parish, the rosary is recited at 11:30am, Monday to Thursday, and all are welcome to join in.
Eucharistic Adoration at St Francis Church
Every Friday from 11.00 am – 12 noon and after Mass until 3.00 pm
Also Saturday from 11.00 am – 12 noon
Divine Mercy Prayer Group
Our Divine Mercy Prayer Group is held every Wednesday 3:00pm in the Church.
Youth Group for 10 - 14 Year Olds
Our new St. Columba's and St. Theresa's youth group, began meeting on Monday 9th October 2017, from 7.15 to 9pm. The group will meet on the second Monday of each month in the Iona Chapel, at the back of St. Columba's church, then move over to the church hall. Each session will have a relevant theme, lots of faith based activities, games and fun, ending with prayers. If your child would like to join please email Anthony Hunt on Hunta@christofidelis.org.uk for more information, the consent form and so we can get refreshment numbers.
Shrewsbury Youth Mission Team
Dave Burke from the Shrewsbury Youth Mission Team introduced the work of the team at our Sunday masses on Sunday 8th April 2018. He explained their vision to encourage, empower and equip the young people, and youth leaders of the Diocese of Shrewsbury.
They continually plan an exciting calendar of events, from regional evenings of music and games, to larger national events like Lourdes, Flame and World Youth Day. This is as well as providing on the ground support of Confirmation Retreat Days, Youth Leaders Training Courses, workshops and training within Schools and much much more!
All the information about the team can be found on their website. www.symt.org.uk
Details of their Lifeteen Summer Camp UK #LTCAMPUK have been posted on our news and events pages. Their website has also been included in our useful links.
Lifeteen Summer Camp UK #LTCAMPUK, 5th – 9th August 2018
What: Lifeteen Summer Camp UK #LTCAMPUK A week packed with high-adrenaline outdoor adventure including archery, mountain biking, climbing and much more. Enjoy a full day at Alton Towers and of course Mass, Reconciliation, amazing music, Eucharistic Adoration and talks from international speakers.
Why: Journey with new friends, be transformed as you pray, share and have fun together. Encounter your faith in a new way and delve deeper into what God has in store for you!
Where: Alton Castle, Staffordshire, ST104TTWhen: Sunday 5th - Thursday 9th August 2018 Who: For young people aged 11-18 Donation: The cost is £265 per person, but we ask for a minimum of £185. Group Leaders: Youth Leaders from Parishes are encouraged to attend with their young people, clergy too! We encourage Parishes to sponsor their Leaders donation for the Camp. Clergy are FREE to attend!
Booking: Bookings are now open. Email to register your interest youth@dioceseofshrewsbury.org
Full details are available from the 'What's On' page of the Shewsbury Youth Mission Team website. www.symt.org.uk
St Francis Rambling Group
Having completed the Bishop Bennet Way, the Rambling Group is now staring its winter programme of walks on quiet country lanes, thereby keeping out of muddy fields. Distances are around 8 miles, so up to about 4 hours' walking. We aim to start and finish at or near a cafe so that we can warm up over a hot drink afterwards. Everyone is welcome to join us, for more details please contact Peter Bamford on 07870 543503.
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; stfrancis.chester@gmail.com 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
Job and Diocesan Vacancies
Caritas Shrewsbury is looking for an experienced and enthusiastic person to be their Volunteer Co‑ordinator. The post is for 28 hrs per week and will you will be expected to travel extensively across the Diocese.
For more information and an application pack please contact Claire Griffiths Tel 0151 652 1281; email claire.griffiths@caritasshrewsbury.org.uk Application packs can also be downloaded from our website www.caritasshrewsbury.org.uk. Closing date for applications is the 4th April 2018.
When available, job vacancies are also advertised on the Diocese of Shrewsbury website here.
The Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes: 26th July – 3rd August 2018
This year marks the 160th anniversary of the apparitions of Our Lady to Bernadette in Lourdes. The Diocesan Pilgrimage will take place from 26th July - 3rd August overland and 27th July - 2nd August by air.
Brochures and booking forms can be downloaded from the Pilgrimage Website: www.shrewsburypilgrimage.co.uk or from the;
Pilgrimage Office: St Alban's, 30 Mill Lane, Wallasey, CH44 5UD.
This year flight seats are limited so early booking is recommended.
Adoremus, The Eucharistic Congress: Liverpool, 7th – 9th September 2018
Adoremus, The Eucharistic Congress will take place in Liverpool on 7-9 September 2018. Cost details are given as £40 per person for attendance for a session taking place on Friday 7 September (intended for those involved in catechesis and formation) or for Saturday 8 September (ie £40 per day). This cost also includes “privileged places” to one of 2 solemn Masses at The Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King in Liverpool on Sunday 9 September. If you are interested to participate please talk with Br Jarek. Full details are available from the announcement page of the Catholic News website. www.catholicnews.org.uk