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AnnouncementThe Death of the Holy Father, Pope Francis
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Dear brothers and sisters,
With deep sorrow, we announce that our Holy Father, Pope Francis, passed away this morning at 7:35. He returned to the house of the Father after a life devoted to the service of God and the Church. With gratitude for his witness of faith, love, and humility, we now commend his soul to God’s infinite mercy.
Today (Monday 21st April 2025) at 3:00pm, in the Hour of Mercy, we will pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet in English for the repose of the soul of Pope Francis.
Following that, there will be silent Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.
At 4:00 p.m., we will pray the Rosary in Polish, and at 4:30pm, we will celebrate Holy Mass in Polish.
We invite you all to join us in prayer for our beloved Holy Father.
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.
[St Francis Church Weekly Newsletter]
Holy Week and Easter 2025 Services
Maunday Thursday - 17th April
- 11:00am - 12:00 Noon | Confessions
- 7:00pm | Mass of The Lord’s Supper (in English)
- Silent Adoration until 10:00 pm
- 10.30am | Stations of the Cross (in English)
- 11.00am - 12:00 noon | Confessions
- 3:00pm | Celebration of The Lord’s Passion (in English)
- 11:00am - 12:00 Noon | Confessions
- 2:00pm - 3:00pm | Blessing of Easter Food (in Polish)
- 8:00pm | Easter Vigil (in English)
- 8:00am | Mass (in English) – at the Benedictine Abbey
- 9:30am | Mass (in English)
- 12:00 noon | Mass (in Polish) (Please note: There will be no 4.30pm mass today)
- 8:00am | Mass in English – at the Benedictine Abbey
- 12:00 noon | Mass in English
- 4:30pm | Mass (in Polish)
- By placing your offering in the donation box at the back of the church
- Through the card payment terminal
- 10:30am – Stations of the Cross
- 11:00am - 12:00pm – Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament & Lenten Confession
- 11:00am - 12:00pm – Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament & Lenten Confession
- 11th April 2025 - TAIZÉ prayer services in our parish hall, featuring Adoration of the Cross, biblical meditation and beautiful Taizé hymns
- 4th - 8th March 2025 - We will welcome the Sisters Minor of St. Francis from Birmingham, who will share their experiences of living the Franciscan charism after Masses.
- April 8th – Ministry Clear Expectations (p.153 – p.164) Strength-Based Ministry (p.164 – p.168)
- 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.
- 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
Good Friday - 18th April
Holy Saturday (Easter Vigil) - 19th April
Easter Sunday - 20th April
Easter Monday - 21st April
Celebrating 150 Years of St. Francis Church2nd - 4th May 2025
Join us in celebrating the 150th Anniversary of St. Francis Church from May 2nd to May 4th! This special milestone will be marked with a series of events to bring our community together in prayer, reflection, and joy.
The celebrations begin on Friday 2nd May with First Friday Devotion. Confessions and Adoration will start at 5:30pm, followed by a Polish Mass at 6:30pm. The evening will conclude with a social gathering in the Parish Hall at 7:30pm.
On Saturday 3rd May the day will start at 10:00am with a Historical Exhibition and an Organ Recital. At noon we will celebrate a Jubilee Mass with invited past parish priests. At 3:00pm a special tour and lecture will highlight the church’s history and significance. At 5:00pm, there will be a Praise & Worship Session with testimonies. The day will culminate with a Solemn Mass at 6:30pm and a formal Anniversary Dinner at 7:30pm which is reserved for approximately 80 long-time parish contributors.
Sunday 4th May will feature our regular Masses, including a guest preacher at 9:30am and a special Children’s Jubilee program from 10:30am to 12:00pm. The Polish community will have two Masses at 12:00am and 4:30pm to conclude the celebrations.
At our last planning meeting, we formed a leadership team responsible for organizing the Jubilee. However, we still need volunteers to help make this event a success. If you would like to join and support the preparations, please email us at [email protected].
Fundraising for the Jubilee of St. Francis Church
As we prepare to celebrate the 150th anniversary of St. Francis Church, we invite you to support this special occasion. Your generous contributions will help us organize a worthy and joyful celebration of this milestone in our parish’s history.
Donations can be made in the following ways:
Every contribution, no matter the size, is deeply appreciated and will make a difference. Thank you for your kindness and support in making this anniversary a truly memorable event. May God bless you abundantly!
Lenten Invitation at St. Francis Parish
We warmly invite you to journey through Lent with us at St. Francis Parish. We began the Lenten season on Ash Wednesday:
Throughout Lent, we encourage you to join our morning Masses with the Capuchin Brothers in the friary chapel on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays at 8:00am. You may also arrive earlier to participate in Morning Prayer and Adoration from 7:00am. Access is through the main church, and we will lead you to the chapel at 6:55am and 7:55am.
On Fridays we invite you to:
On Saturdays we invite you to:
This year, we also have special spiritual events:
Let us walk this Lenten journey together in prayer, reflection, and renewal. You are all most welcome!
St Francis Church - News & Events
If you would like to stay informed about current parish matters and receive our newsletter directly on your phone, join our parish WhatsApp group by scanning the following QR code.
'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
Divine Renovation Book Club Meeting Tuesday 8th April 2025
We have just finished reading Divine Renovation and are excited to continue our formation journey together! Starting March 11th, we will resume our Tuesday meetings (both in person and on Zoom) to explore Fr. James Mallon’s Ten Foundation Stones, following the Five Systems Analysis.
Each week, we will focus on two Foundation Stones, deepening our discussions and sharing insights. To make the most of our conversations, please read the respective pages in advance
Upcoming Sessions:
Join us in person or on Zoom! Let’s grow together in faith, deepen our discussions, and continue building a vibrant community. Looking forward to seeing you there!
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!
Lourdes Appeal
Tony Murphy would like to thank all those who donated towards the Chester Across Pilgrimage to Lourdes. £496,50 was given, plus some Gift Aid to follow. We light a candle and pray for our benefactors at the Grotto.
Anyone wanting to find out more about going to Lourdes for yourselves, or other people, should contact Tony via email [email protected].
We Need Your Help!
Hello everyone
I have asked for your prayers many times for Kamila Jaroslawska, a loving mother of three children aged 3, 6, and 12. Her 6-year-old daughter is disabled and requires round-the-clock care. Until recently, Kamila devoted her entire life to caring for her daughter.
As you may already know, on November 8, Kamila’s heart stopped for 33 minutes. Although doctors managed to save her life, her heart was irreparably damaged. On December 19, Kamila received a new heart through a transplant. While this gave her a second chance at life, she now faces a long and difficult road to recovery.
During this time, her fiancé, the family’s sole provider, is unable to work because he needs to care for Kamila and their children. Without his income, the family has no means to cover their living expenses.
I believe that, as a Parish Community, we can help them in many ways. Your prayers have already borne incredible fruit, as the doctors see Kamila’s recovery as nothing short of a miracle.
In addition, we are starting a fundraiser to support Kamila’s family in covering their daily expenses until she regains her strength and is able to care for her children again. Your kindness and generosity can truly transform this family’s life during such a challenging time.
We have created a website: https://kamilacharity.com, where you can find all the necessary information on how to make a donation, whether privately or through a business.
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your help.
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.
Diocese of Shrewsbury - News & Events
Stay up to date with everything that is happenning on our Diocese. Click on the link below to open a new tab to the Diocese of Shrewsbury website news and events page.
Diocese of Shrewsbury - News and 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.
Car Parking at St Francis Church
Please note the following and many thanks for your co-operation.
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!
Invitation to Join Our Music Teams!
"He who sings, prays twice" - St. Augustine
On November 22, the liturgical calendar commemorated St. Cecilia, the patron saint of church music, including cantors, psalmists, choristers, musicians, organists, and vocal-instrumental ensembles.
On this special day, we extended our heartfelt gratitude to all those who serve in the music ministry at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Chester. Starting with the youngest, we thanked our Children’s Choir, which sings at the 12:00pm Mass on the second Sunday of the month and, starting this year, also at the 9:30am Mass every two months. The Children’s Choir is guided by Magdalena and supported by dedicated parents who also foster a sense of community through organizing integration events.
Moving to the older contributors, we expressed our deep appreciation for the English Choir, led by organist Peter Cooke, which enhances the 9:30am Sunday Masses with their small yet devoted group of singers. We also thanked the Polish Liturgical Choir, which typically sings during the 12:00pm Mass on the first Sunday of the month. This choir is led by Ewa, who creates a welcoming atmosphere and shares her musical expertise to inspire the ever-growing group of members. The choir is accompanied by Tomasz, who plays the flute. This year, we were delighted to welcome the newly formed International Worship Band, which serves at Vigil Saturday Masses and other services once a month. We are grateful to these musicians and vocalists for contributing to the evangelizing mission of our community.
We must also recognize our Psalmists and Cantors, who serve throughout the liturgical year. Special thanks go to Ron, Alan, Monika, Wioleta, Magdalenas, Anna, Ewelina, Tomasz, and Leszek, as well as organists Peter, Bob, and Damian. In addition to playing for Sunday Masses, organists also serve during special celebrations such as weddings and funerals.
Finally, we thanked all those who contribute in any way to the beauty of the liturgy in our church. May God bless you with perseverance in this mission, which glorifies Him and strengthens the faith of the community. We warmly invite new members — both children and adults — to join our music teams!
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.
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 9:30am Mass - Hymns & Music
| Sunday 13th April 2025 Palm Sunday |
|---|
| Entrance: Choir Antiphon - 'Hosanna to the Son of David' |
| Procession of Palms: 229, 'All Glory, Laud, And Honour' (Tune - St. Theodulph) |
| Sung: Hymn Book 479, p.202 Kyrie; Psalm; Gospel Acclamation;p.207 Sanctus; Eucharistic Prayer Acclamation; p.210 Agnus Dei |
| Communion: Choir Hymn - 'Vexilla Regis' 'The Royal Banners forward go' |
| Recessional: 230, 'Ride On, Ride On In Majesty' (Tune - Winchester New) |
| Organ Postlude: Chorale Prelude 'All Glory, Laud, and Honour' (J. S. Bach) |
| Sunday 20th April 2025 Easter Sunday |
|---|
| Organ Prelude: Chorale Preludes on Easter Melodies (J. S. Bach) |
| Entrance: 267, 'Jesus Christ Is Risen Today' (Tune - Easter Hymn) |
| Sung: 518, Kyrie; 529, Gloria; Psalm; Alleluia; 570, Sanctus; Eucharistic Prayer Acclamation; 591, Agnus Dei |
| Easter Sequence before Alleluia and Gospel: Choir - 'Christians to the Paschal Victim' |
| Offertory Hymn: 275, 'The Strife Is O'er' (Tune - Vulpius)' |
| Communion: Choir Motet 'Come, ye faithful, raise the strain' |
| Recessional: 287, 'Thine Be the Glory!' (Tune - Maccabaeus) |
| Organ Postlude: Easter Hymn 'O Rejoice! for the Lord is arisen!' (from 'Cavalleria Rusticana' - Mascagni) |
Sunday 9:30am 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
Sick Parishioners
Please let us remember our sick parishioners in our prayers:
Terry Halpin, Barbara Edwards, Kevin Roberts, Margaret Davis, Hilary Linty, Patrick Hannah, Elle Mae Dunne, Elaine Bruce, Christopher Browne, Gill Wright, Emma Noble, Colette Lazenby, Rita James, Sheila McCoy, Peter Mooney and Andrea Burns.
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
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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
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