Parish Newsletter

Liturgical

 

Wisdom 18, 6-9; Psalm 32; Hebrews 11, 1-19; Luke 12, 32-48

Saturday 6.00 pm: Rowton Methodists: Gerardina Vitelli

Sunday 9.00 am: St Werburgh’s: Eugene Barkley (L.D., Co Donegal)

Sunday 10.45 am: St Werburgh’s: Ann and Sean Murphy Golden Wedding Thanksgiving

Sunday 12.30 pm: St Werburgh’s: Baptism of Noah Christopher Grace

Sunday 6.00 pm: St Werburgh’s: Rachael Andrews

 

Monday 12^th August: Ferial: Deuteronomy 10, 12-22; Psalm 147; Matthew 17, 22-27

12.15 pm: St Werburgh’s: Dr Cathy Oakes (L.D.)

 

Tuesday 13^th August: Ferial: Deuteronomy 31, 1-8; Psalm Deuteronomy 32; Matthew 18, 1-14

12.15 pm: St Werburgh’s: Frances Dunne

 

Wednesday 14^th August: St Maximilian Kolbe: Deuteronomy 34, 1-12; Psalm 65; Matthew 18, 15-20

11.00 am: Grosvenor Gardens NH (Crawford’s Walk): Service for Residents

11.45 pm: St Werburgh’s: Hannah Hill (4^th Anniversary)

 

Thursday 15^th August: ASSUMPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY – HOLYDAY OF OBLIGATION

Apocalypse 11,19 – 12,6; Psalm 44; I Corinthians 15, 20-26; Luke 1, 39-56

7.30 am: St Werburgh’s: Holyday Mass: Private Intention (JA)

10.00 am: St Werburgh’s: Requiem Mass for Jean Hewson, late of Ingham Close

11.45: St Werburgh’s: Diamond Wedding Thanksgiving Mass for Jane and David Kluth

2.00 pm: St Werburgh’s: Requiem Mass for Nora Reddy, late of Oaklands NH

7.30 pm: St Werburgh’s: Holyday Mass:

 

Friday 16^th August: Ferial: Joshua 24, 1-13; Psalm 135; Matthew 19, 3-12

11.00 am – 12.00 noon: St Werburgh’s: Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament

12.15 pm: St Werburgh’: Thanksgiving (DH)

 

Saturday 17^th August: Ferial: Joshua 24, 14-29; Psalm 15; Matthew 19, 13-15

10.00 am: HMP Berwyn: Mass for Prisoners and Staff

10.30 am – 12.00 noon: St Werburgh’s: Confessions

6.00 pm: Rowton Methodists:  Nora Lucas (L.D., Clonfert, Ireland)

 

SUNDAY 18^th AUGUST: TWENTIETH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (YEAR C)

Jeremiah 38, 4-10; Psalm 39; Hebrews 12, 1-4; Luke 12, 49-53

Saturday 6.00 pm: Rowton Methodists: Nora Lucas (L.D., Clonfert, Ireland)

Sunday 9.00 am: St Werburgh’s: Jean Hewson (L.D.)

Sunday 10.45 am: St Werburgh’s: John Rogers (16^th Anniversary)

Sunday 12.30 pm: St Werburgh’s: Baptisms of Francesca Evelyn Smith and Frederick Trevor Clarke

Sunday 6.00 pm: St Werburgh’s: Mick Fields

 

Prayer Intentions

Your prayers are asked for the following who are sick: Stuart Clark, Keith Hayes, Sheila Winder, Heather Lannin, James Catterson, Joe and Ruth O’Kane, Henri Diacono, James Donovan, Garth Stocking and Kevin Maguire; and for all the sick of the Parish; and for those who have died recently, especially Jean Hewson and Nora Reddy; and for those whose anniversaries occur about this time: Anne Lynch, Hannah Hill, Doris Kavanagh, Margaret Smith, Pauline Williams, Robert Fergus, Canon Vincent Turnbull, Alice Beatty, John Gannon, Elizabeth Sholl, Jean Foster, Bridget Jones and Joe Przeworski. May they all Rest in Peace. 

Parish events

Fr Neill’s Status

I’ve been asked to clarify Fr Neill’s status in the Parish since his ordination here on 31^st May, and that I’m delighted to do, following Bishop Mark’s recent Ad Clerum, where he listed all the retirements and appointments this summer.  Fr Neill is “retired, in residence in St Werburgh’s”, meaning he’s classed as one of the retired Priests of the Diocese, like Fr Colin, who comes here to supply during my summer break each year, but is available to help out here in St Werburgh’s and neighbouring parishes as and when required. He’s not Assistant Priest here or Curate or part of the management – heavens alive, he’s run enough Parishes in his time, give the chap a break! – but he is here to help, and it’s great to have you with us, Fr Neill!

Dog Days of August

Having said last week that we try to go a bit quieter in August, there’s been an amazing army of people here last week working on the house and garden: Kieran has power-washed the paths all round the house; Anne and Keith have done the weeds in the path, and, with Lesley, been working on the back garden; John and Ada have cut the front hedge; Barbara, David and Matt have done their usual super job on the front garden; and Andy from the Diocese has cleaned all the gutters. Thanks, chaps – and chapesses!

First Holy Communions for 2019-20

For children in Year Three or above in September. Preparation Classes for children attending Non-Catholic Primary Schools: please contact Fr Paul by phone or email before 5^th  September, if you would like your child to prepare for their First Holy Communion. Our Classes and Preparation Books are normally geared to children in Year Three, so if you have an older child, please contact us to discuss.

Our Mission Together Appeal Minor Works List

Our three musketeers have been hard at it all week: Peter is commissioning his local iron craftsman to make some special antique hand-railed for the front door of the House; Michael is carrying on with the Dining Room chairs, but does need YOUR vote on your preferred fabric TODAY, please; and John has been doing sterling work on mending the benches. But it’s become apparent that they are too heavy to move, and it’s moving them that has damaged them. So, apologies to concerts and recitals, but the benches will have to stay where they are now.   

Thursday 15^th August: Holyday of Obligation

Sadly, we are holding two Funerals on Thursday as well as the normal Holyday Masses. Jean’s is definite at 10.00 am; Nora’s is a strong hope for 2.00 pm if we can complete paperwork in time. The 12.15 pm Mass has been brought forward 30 minutes for David and Jane Kluth’s Diamond Wedding. Needless to say, all five Masses count for your Holyday of Obligation. 

October Bible Month – 2020 Bible Year

The Bishops of England and Wales have designated 2020 as “The Year of the Bible”. We’re getting ready by holding a Chester-wide ecumenical “Month of the Bible” in October. A huge number of events going on – brochure being proof-read ready for printing as I write. I think you will find this a very exciting project, both for Chester and for the whole church. 

Tuesday Evening Halton Curve to Liverpool

List now closed. Please meet at Chester station at 5.00 pm – I will buy the tickets. Total cost of trip (inc meal): £15.00. If you have a Senior Railcard, please bring it with you. Back in Chester at 10.30 pm.

 Major Project: Remodelling Front of Church

The major part of our Parish Share on the Diocesan Appeal is going on the remodelling of the front of church, a project we initiated three years ago but which had to go on the back burner once the Great War Plaque became our principal focus. Looking at the front of church, we have five aims in mind:

1. Removing the unsightly railings, gates and flags & replacing them with something more sympathetic;
2. Creating a level patio area as you leave church, as far as the existing railings, and then steps down;
3. Remodelling the Disabled Entrance so that it is impossible for parked cars to block the way in;
4. Repairing the bulging retaining wall under the existing railings, which could give way at any time;
5. Installing floodlights for the front of church.

The Diocese has appointed a new Architect, and he is very keen on coming to meet you all in September to discuss his detailed plans with us all.

Grumpy of Pipers Ash…

Actually, isn’t grumpy at all and has proved the point by coming up with some superb suggestions for a Parish Day out on the Welsh Highland and Ffestiniog Railways, all 40 miles of it, with the possibility of spending some time also in Porthmadog, possibly having Mass there. Watch out for details coming soon, to see who’d be interested in coming on such a trip. It won’t be cheap – perhaps around £40 – but could be a day to remember. Thanks, Grumps!

Staff Holiday Dates This Summer!

Syd’s back from his break on Monday 12^th August. James is away for a fortnight in Scotland, so great to have Tom as our Sunday Organist for the next two weeks. Muggins will be away Tuesday 20^th August to Thursday 5^th September. If you are one of our wizziters in St Werburgh’s today, do come and tell us where you’re from. You’re very welcome here, as we always love having wizziters! 

Photo of the Week: Kaiser-Wilhelm Church

In Berlin, heavily damaged in a bombing raid in 1943, now kept in its ruined state as a War Memorial (rather like St Luke’s in Liverpool). Thanks, Anne and Ged, for sending it in! And if you are away anywhere and spot anything interesting: “Snap It, Send It, Sorted!” (Ó Every annoying train firm in the flaming country).