Our Lady Star of the Sea | St Bernard of Clairvaux | St Saviour
WEEKLY REFLECTION
All Saints
This week’s Gospel illustration was drawn by Hugh (Year 3) of St Saviour’s Catholic Primary and Nursery School
All Saints and All Souls: A Communion of Prayer
We celebrate the Solemnity of All Saints and commemorate All Souls on Sunday and Monday respectively, through which we are reminded of the beauty of our faith: We are not alone!
We are in communion with those who have gone before us. They are not gone and forgotten. We can intercede for them (those in Purgatory), and they (in Heaven) can intercede for us as we continue our pilgrimage on this side of eternity.
In the Book of Revelation, we are presented with the wonderful vision of “a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages […]” before the throne of God (Rev 7:9). This is reflection of the reality of our parish here in Ellesmere Port, for we are from different countries, cultures, age groups, etc, united in our love for Christ our Saviour who is God, and whom we praise and worship communally every Sunday. It is equally a reminder of our goal: union with God, in the company of the Angels and Saints.
In this Sunday’s Gospel passage, Jesus teaches us the beatitudes which show us the path to holiness. As we strive to be ‘poor in spirit, meek, to hunger and thirst for righteousness, be merciful, pure in heart, peacemakers and endure persecution for righteousness’ sake’, may we ‘rejoice and be glad, for [our] reward is great in heaven’ (Mt 5,1-12). The saints were not necessarily people who lived extraordinary lives, but people who sought to live ordinary lives with extraordinary faith in God.
While All Saints reminds us of those who have reached the glory of heaven, All Souls invites us to remember and pray for those who have died, especially our loved ones and those who have no one to pray for them. Our prayers express our faith that death does not have the final word, and that God's mercy reaches beyond the grave. As we pray for them, we can be comforted that in this communion of prayer, when our own turn comes, those who are left behind will be praying for us!
For all the Faithful departed we pray: Eternal rest grant unto them o Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them, may they rest in peace. Amen.
Parish News & Updates
Adiremus 2026 - A Journey of Faith, Love and God's Presence
A day filled with God’s mercy, endless love and unforgettable blessings. A day when faith brought people together, hearts were touched, and the presence of our Heavenly Father could be felt every step of the way
A Year in Our Parish: Looking Ahead to a Year for Young People
As Fr Godlove marks one year in our parish, he gives thanks for the warm welcome and support of our parish community and shares his vision for the year ahead — with a particular focus on helping our young people grow in faith, prayer and community.
Community Prayers
For the Sick and Housebound
Paul Smith, Dot MacDonald, Antoinette Denney, Carol Elliott, Shirley Stephen, Mark, Angela Bedward, Marcus Vernon, Tom Berry, Wayne Statham, Arthur Harrington, Oliwia Dorocki, Mike Burton and Veronica Page.
Written requests for prayers to be included in the newsletter can be sent to the parish office, given to the clergy, or handed into the sacristy. Please include on the written request; your name, the person you are requesting prayers for, and state that the person is happy for their name to be included in the newsletter. May the Lord watch over, guide and protect all the sick and housebound of our parish. Amen.
The Recently Deceased
Cecilia Conyngham RIP - Funeral MASS Friday 6th November 12.15pm at Our Lady Star of the Sea
Daniel Joseph Rourke RIP – Funeral SERVICE Friday 13th November 12.00pm at Chester Crematorium
Lue Ellis RIP – Funeral Service Friday 20th November 10.45am at Christ Church, Willaston
Roy Mark RIP – Funeral SERVICE Monday 23rd November 1.30pm at Our Lady Star of the Sea
Upcoming Parish Events
7th November - 7pm
Decades Quiz Night
22nd November - 11am
Christ the King International Mass
29th November - 11am
Little Disciples Mass
5th December - 7pm
Christmas Quiz Night
12th December - 11am
Christmas Fair
THE POPE'S INTENTION
For the Proper use of Wealth
Let us pray for the proper use of wealth, that not succumbing to the temptation of selfishness, it may always be put at the service of the common good and solidarity of those who have less.
Notices
FIRST FORGIVENESS & FIRST HOLY COMMUNION
We pray for Martha and Archie Flood who will be making their First Holy Communion at the 11am Mass on 8th November.
RCIA PROGRAMME
The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults programme will commence with Mass at 5pm on Saturday 14th November, followed by a meeting with Fr Godlove in Church afterwards. Please confirm your attendance by email to: parishoffice@ladystar.co.uk
HOLY SOULS
November is the month of Holy Souls. If you would like your family and friends to be remembered at Mass during the month please take an envelope from the back of Church, put their names in it and place it in the basket on the Sanctuary before the start of November.
MEMORIAL PRAYERS AND BLESSING OF GRAVES
We join in prayer to remember our loved ones on Sunday 1st November at 2:00pm in Overpool Cemetery
The blessing of the graves in St Mary of the Angels Churchyard will take place after the 9:00am Mass.
PRIMARY SCHOOL MASSES
Over the next few weeks our Parish Primary Schools will be having their termly Masses in Church. These Masses are open to all Parishioners so please do join the pupils and staff in these Masses if you are able.
ALTAR SERVERS
As we have had a number of new altar servers recently can ALL altar servers please complete a Regular Volunteer form. If you are over 18 please complete The Adult Regular Volunteer form.
Parents/Guardians please complete the Junior Regular Volunteer form in respect of your child.
Having up to date contact information will help us in the planning of the Sunday Mass rotas and services especially as we approach Christmas.
OFFERTORY ENVELOPES
Offertory envelopes for the next financial year will be ordered soon. If you do not currently use an envelope and would like one, or if you currently use a St. Saviour's envelope and would like future donations to be made to Our Lady's please pass your details to the Parish Office or Patricia Jenkins (email gwpajenkins@live.co.uk,phone 07913819048) so that an envelope can be ordered for you. However this maybe a good opportunity to consider moving to Standing Order to replace cash giving.
STANDING ORDER FORM REPLACING CASH GIVING
All banks have introduced significant bank charges for services recently. For example, whereas previously we were charged 28p per £100 of cash banked, it is now £1.50 per £100 of cash banked. Likewise with cheques, to bank a cheque was previously 18p, now it is £1. It would be very helpful to us if Parishioners might consider setting up a standing order for their regular giving. The Standing Order Form available at the back of church asks that you consider a monthly donation of an amount that you consider possible in your own circumstances. Thank you, in anticipation, for your kindness and generosity for the work of the Parish. This Standing Order would simply leave your bank account rather than having to remember to bring cash to Mass with you, or draw cash out for the collection. It makes giving to the Parish easier, it reduces the bank charges we must pay on any cash income, and it ensures a regular monthly income for the Parish that enables us to budget and monitor income and expenditure without the fluctuations of cash giving. Thank you for your support of the Parish. May God bless and repay your generosity.
GIFT AID DECLARATION
If you are a taxpayer, and are willing to kindly complete the Gift Aid Declaration, the Parish can claim an additional 25p for every £1 from HM Exchequer at no extra cost to you. All that is required is the details requested on the form, which are kept confidential and used only to evidence to HM Exchequer that the individual is a taxpayer. No action is required from you, other than simply completing the form and returning to the Parish Office.
PARISH QUIZ
Join us for a fun evening of decades trivia!
Put your knowledge to the test and join us for a fantastic evening of fun and laughter at our Decades Quiz Night on Saturday, 7th November at 7:00 pm in Our Lady’s Parish Centre
There’ll be a raffle, tea, coffee and treats from our tuck shop to keep you refreshed throughout the evening!
Gather your friends and family and come along for a great night out!
Everyone welcome — we look forward to seeing you there!
CHRISTMAS FAIR – DONATIONS WELCOME!
We are looking for donations for our Christmas Fair on Saturday 12th December 2026 and would be incredibly grateful for any contributions.
We are happily accepting donations of:
raffle prizes, bottles, chocolate and sweets, beauty products, children’s books and toys. Cakes and baked treats can be brought in the day before the fair or on the day itself.
Every donation, big or small, is greatly appreciated and will help make our Christmas Fair a wonderful event for everyone!
Thank you so much for your kindness and support. We look forward to seeing you all there!
CHRISTMAS CARDS IN SUPPORT OF THE HOSPICE OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD
If you would like to order Christmas Cards (or artwork) in support of the Hospice of the Good Shepherd, contact Mark on 07568 561272.
They start at £1 each, but the more you buy the cheaper the unit costs e.g. 10 cards for £8.
You can also check out other designs on Facebook and Instagram; search ‘MarksCharityArt HOTGS’
LIVING FAITH BOOKLETS
The Living Faith booklets have arrived and are now available for collection from the Piety stall priced at £4.95 each. Many thanks for your
patience during this delay which was out of the supplier’s control.
CAMINO PARISH PILGRIMAGE OCTOBER 2027
Are you interested in joining the Parish Camino pilgrimage? All interested pilgrims are invited to attend a meeting where the practical arrangements will be shared, including dates, accommodation, walking schedules, and other important logistics. This will also be a great opportunity to ask questions and find out more; no commitment is necessary at this point – just an interest in participating.
This meeting will take place on Saturday 28th November after the 5pm Mass.
DIOCESE VACANCY
A vacancy has arisen within the Diocese for a Fundraising and Planned Giving Manager.
Hours: Full time. Rate of pay: Competitive, commensurate with experience. Further details can be found via the Diocesan Website https://dioceseofshrewsb27ury.org/careers/fundraising-and-planned-giving-manager-2 Closing date: 27 November 2026.
Please contact Pauline McCulloch recruitment@dioceseofshrewsbury.org for an application form.