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RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults)Introduction Session: 9th December 2025
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.
Vigil Mass – First Saturday of the Month at 6:30pm St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Chester
As we prepare for the 800th Anniversary of the Death of St. Francis, our parish is beginning a new series of monthly Franciscan teachings on the Rule of St. Francis, to be given each month by friars and sisters from various Franciscan communities.
The series began on Saturday, 1st November, with a Vigil Mass at 6:30 pm, followed by teaching and adoration with our parish music team. The first reflection, was led by the Minor Sisters of Saint Francis from Birmingham, and focused on the theme “Living the Gospel” — the heart of Franciscan life and spirituality.
Through prayer, teaching, and worship, we will explore how the words and example of St. Francis continue to guide us today in living the Gospel with simplicity, joy, and faith.
All parishioners and friends are warmly invited to take part in each evening of our Franciscan journey.
Upcoming themes in the series: * 6th December 2025 – Call and Formation * 3rd January 2026 – Prayer and Worship * 7th February 2026 – Holy Poverty and Dependence on God * 7th March 2026 – Work as Humble Service * 2nd May 2026 – Fraternal Love and Correction * 6th June 2026 – Obedience and Servant Leadership * 4th July 2026 – Mission in the World * 1st August 2026 – Unity * 5th September 2026 – Simplicity and Purity of Heart
Growing Disciples - Children and Parents Ministry St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Chester
Click on image for larger image in a new tab
We warmly invite all families to join our new Saturday Children and Family Ministry, for children preparing for and after First Holy Communion!
Every Saturday at 6:30 pm, Mass will be at the heart of our ministry, followed by time for children and parents to gather in the parish hall.
* 1st Saturday of the month – Mass with Franciscan teaching, praise & worship. * 2nd Saturday – Mass followed by an icebreaker games in the hall. * 3rd Saturday – Mass and motion worship for children (dance, movement, and prayer in the hall). * 4th (and 5th) Saturday – Mass with teaching and creative/craft activities.
Our ministry includes preparation for First Holy Communion, as well as continued formation and engagement for children after Communion, with prayer, family involvement, and joyful learning.
Starting 14th February 2026, we will also launch the Alpha Course for parents, with parallel activities for children.
We aim to build a vibrant, joyful community of prayer, friendship, and service centered on the Eucharist. Families, children, and friends – all are welcome!
* Volunteer parents wanted!
If you have skills in working with children, know fun icebreaker games, enjoy crafts, art, music, or dance — and want to be part of our team (even just once every two months) — we would love to hear from you. Email: [email protected]
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.
Becoming a Member of St. Francis’ Parish
Over the past few weeks - after two English-language and six Polish-language meetings - over 100 people have already signed up to become members of St. Francis’ Parish. We are deeply grateful for the enthusiasm and faith of our growing community!
If you haven’t yet taken this step, there’s still time. You can join by arranging a personal meeting with Br. Piotr or Br. Loarne, where you’ll learn more about the blessings and responsibilities of being a parish member, and decide whether you are ready to sign up.
We also hope to organise more general meetings in the near future, especially for those who are still discerning and would like more time before making a decision.
Forms are still available at the back of the church or online: https://forms.gle/zgS14xVcWo5Z9vGF9 Let us continue to build our parish family together!
Catholic High School Christmas Fair & Carol Service
This takes place on Tuesday 16th December, 4pm to 6pm in the School Hall. Entry fee is £1 and all welcome! Santa's Grotto, stalls, amazing food and music. Please come support this event!
After the Christmas Fair, there will be a Carol Service in the Lyceum (6th Form building) at 6:30pm. Enjoy mince pies and a glass of wine at the interval before a final blast of Christmas songs and dance!
'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.
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
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!
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 30th November 2025 First Sunday of Advent (Year A) |
|---|
| (In accordance with Catholic Tradition, there are no Organ Preludes or Postludes during Advent, except on the third 'Gaudete' Sunday and on feasts) |
| Entrance: 109, 'Lo, He Comes With Clouds Descending' (Tune - Helmsley) |
| Sung: from 479, p. 202, Kyrie; Psalm; Alleluia; p. 207, Sanctus; Eucharistic Prayer Acclamation; p. 210, Agnus Dei |
| Communion: Organ Chorale |
| Recessional: 355, 'I'll Sing A Hymn To Mary' (Tune - as set) |
| Sunday 7th December 2025 Second Sunday of Advent (Year A) |
|---|
| (In accordance with Catholic Tradition, there are no Organ Preludes or Postludes during Advent, except on the third 'Gaudete' Sunday and on feasts) |
| Entrance: 94, 'On Jordan's Bank The Baptist's Cry' (Tune - Winchester New) |
| Sung: from 479, p. 202, Kyrie; Psalm; Alleluia; p. 207, Sanctus; Eucharistic Prayer Acclamation; p. 210, Agnus Dei |
| Communion: Organ Chorale |
| Recessional: 354, 'O Mary, Conceived In The Grace Of Your Son' (Tune - St. Denio) |
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
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