Prayer Intentions
During Ordinary Time (Autumn) ie. from September to Christ the King, we are asked to pray for these intentions: Students and Teachers, The Spread of the Gospel, The Harvest, The Fruits of Human Work and the Reverent Use of Creation. Justice and Peace in the World, All victims of War, Young People, Prisoners and their Families.
Monthly Second Saturday Virgil MassSaturday 12th October 2024
A NEW EVENT IN OUR PARISH!
An Invitation to Monthly Saturday Vigil Mass with Worship, Adoration, and Catechesis
Starting in October, our parish will be hosting a monthly Mass in English on the second Saturday of each month at 6:30 pm. Following the Mass, we will have musical prayer meetings with a worship team, as well as adoration and catechesis. This initiative comes from the desire to build an international community in our parish for those who want to deepen their faith.
I’d like to ask if anyone would be interested in contributing to the music for these Masses and services. We have created a dedicated WhatsApp group for this purpose, where all information regarding rehearsals and organization will be shared.
The first Mass will be on October 12 at 6:30 pm, so it’s time to start preparing. If you would like to get involved, please let me know via email at stfrancis.chester@gmail.com Even if you can’t commit every month, you are still welcome to contribute as much as you can in any given month.
On the same day, we will also begin preparation for Baptism and Confirmation for adults, as well as for those who want to explore and deepen their understanding of Catholicism. Everyone is welcome to join, whether you're already baptized or just looking to grow in your faith.
Looking forward to seeing you there! - Br. Piotr
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!
Art and Craft WorkshopSaturday 26th October 2024
We would like to invite everyone, all parish groups and international communities to join us in Art and Craft Workshops this Saturday 26th October at 12 pm which will take place in St. Francis Church Parish Hall.
Entry for adults £5 and children £3.The entry fee will cover materials costs, use of the room as well as refreshments. Every participant can take hand made stuff with them. See you soon!
A quick recap of the first workshop on Saturday 28th September: the projects looked incredible! It was such a pleasure to reunite after the summer break. We enjoyed delicious coffee and had a fantastic time together. The children had so much fun, and their creativity and stunning work truly impressed us! The next meeting is on October 26th, so be sure to mark your calendars!
'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.
Donations Appeal for New Lectionaries
The Lectionary is changing as part of the continuing process of revising liturgical translations. The new Lectionary will use the English Standard Version – Catholic Edition of the Bible and the Abbey Psalter. These changes are meant to ensure more faithful biblical translations and make the text easier to proclaim. The cost of the new Lectionaries is £695.00. Thank you for your generosity!
Important Notice - Change of Sunday Mass Times
- As from Sunday 5th May there will be no Sunday 8:00am mass at St Francis Church.
- The Sunday 9:45am mass at St Francis Church will be moved to start at the earlier time of 9:30am.
This has been discussed in the parish council, please feel free to share your opinions to any of the brothers. There are masses at the Curzon Park Abbey each day at 8:00am and all the masses are open to everyone.
The small change of 9.45am mass to 9.30am will give the English community a few extra minutes for coffee morning before the Polish community arrives for mass.
Sunday Mass Times (from Sunday 5th May 2024)
- Saturday 6:30pm - Vigil Mass in English
- Sunday 9:30am - Family Mass in English
- Sunday 12:00pm - Polish Family Mass
- Sunday 4:30pm - Polish Mass
Mass Times at Curzon Park Abbey
- Every day at 8:00am - In English, all are welcome
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 13th October 2024 Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B) |
---|
Organ Prelude: Chorale Prelude on 'Christe Redemptor Omnium' (C. H. H. Parry) |
Entrance: 970, 'Be Thou My Vision, O Lord Of My Heart' (Tune - Slane) |
Sung: 518, Kyrie; 529, Gloria; Psalm; Alleluia; 570, Sanctus; Eucharistic Prayer Acclamation; 591, Agnus Dei; |
Communion: Organ Solo |
Recessional: 861, 'Forth In Thy Name, O Lord, I Go' (Tune - Song 34) |
Organ Postlude: Fuga in D minor (C. P. E. Bach) |
St. Clare’s Governor Vacancies
In Catholic schools, Foundation Governors are practising Catholics appointed by the Bishop. They make up the majority of the governing board members. A Foundation Governor has a responsibility to preserve and develop the Catholic faith of the school, but like all governors, also has to ensure high standards of educational achievement. To be effective, any Governing body needs to have a range of skills and diversity from both inside and outside the education sector.
St Clare’s RC primary school has vacancies for two Foundation Governors. If you would like to apply to become a Governor at our school, please contact the school office on 01244 445266 or email the school at office@stclares.cheshire.sch.uk
Further Threat to the Unborn of Abortion up to Birth
In the next couple of weeks an attempt is to be made to widely decriminalise abortion up to the birth. This is a further assault on the sanctity of human life in our society. This extreme amendment to the Criminal Justice Bill is being made by Diana Johnson MP and parliamentarians will be under pressure to support the amendment on grounds of compassion for mothers who seek to abort their unborn child beyond the legal limits.
The effect would be to withdraw legal protection from the unborn. It is important to make our voice heard in support of the unborn child. The Right to Life website has details under ‘Take Action’ which enables you to find and contact your MP directly and the website of the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children has helpful information under ‘Resources.’ The Right to Life website also has details of an alternative amendment by Caroline Ansell MP to reduce the legal limit for abortion from 24 to 22 weeks on the basis of the increased survival rates for babies being born at 22 and 23 weeks. We cannot doubt the impact which your e-mail or letter will have in making known opposition to decriminalizing abortion up to birth and in support of the value of every human life.
https://righttolife.org.uk/littlefighters https://www.spuc.org.uk/Mark – Bishop of Shrewsbury
Please contact your Member of Parliament to ask that they oppose the decriminalization of abortion up to birth:
SAMANTHA DIXON Parliamentary office House of Commons London SW1A 0AA Phone: 020 7219 3000 Email: Samantha.dixon.mp@parliament.uk Constituency Office Phone: 01244 343229
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.
Gift Aid Envelopes 2024-25
Boxes of envelopes for the coming year will be placed on the table at the back of the church shortly. Please would you collect your box after Mass. For those people not taking part in the Gift Aid Scheme, or those regularly completing the white individual envelopes each week, if you wish to participate in the scheme and obtain a box of weekly envelopes a special form is available from the Parish Priest. Please complete, sign and date the form and hand it back to the Parish Priest after Mass.
Please also let us know if your circumstances have changed, ie you are no longer a taxpayer or if you have had a change of address since the last envelopes were issued, again please inform the Parish Priest. For every £1 donated by a taxpayer the Parish can claim 25p from H M Revenue & Customs.
Sacrament of ConfirmationFriday 8th November 2024
The next Chester parishes Sacrament of Confirmation will be on Friday, 8th November, 2024. Preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation will be led by St. Columba and St. Theresa's Confirmation team.
Any one who is currently at high school may be Confirmed in November, with no upper age limit. If you wish to be Confirmed please email stcolumbatheresaconfirmation@hotmail.co.uk to register and receive further information about the preparation program. Please say in your email if you are over 18, as adults will be prepared separately.
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
Monthly First Friday DevotionFriday 4th October 2024
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.
Monthly First Saturday DevotionSaturday 5th October 2024
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.