St Werburgh's Roman Catholic Parish, Chester

Parish Newsletter

 

SUNDAY 24th NOVEMBER: THIRTY-FOURTH SUNDAY IN ORD TIME (C): CHRIST THE KING

Liturgical

 

II Samuel 5, 1-3; Psalm 121; Colossians 1, 12-20; Luke 23, 35-43

Saturday 6.00 pm: Rowton Methodists: Patricia Thomas (1st Anniversary)

Sunday 9.00 am: St Werburgh’s: Gordon Sands

Sunday 10.45 am: St Werburgh’s: FHC Enrolment Mass: Mae Kay

Sunday 12.30 pm: St Werburgh’s: Baptism of Lily Rose Theresa Boekweit

Sunday 2.00 – 4.00 pm: Overleigh: Blessings of Graves – Old Side at 2.00 pm, New Side at 3.00 pm

Sunday 6.00 pm: St Werburgh’s: Bill and Elsie Wilson

 

Monday 25th November: Ferial: Daniel 1, 1-6; Psalm Daniel 3; Luke 21, 1-4

12.15 pm: St Werburgh’s: Mark Hobson (Anniversary)

1.05 pm: University Chapel: University Mass – All Welcome

 

Tuesday 26th November: Ferial: Daniel 2, 31-45; Psalm Daniel 3; Luke 21, 5-11

12.15 pm: St Werburgh’s: Private Intention (S)

7.30 pm: St Werburgh’s: Mass of the Holy Souls – Every Name in our Holy Souls Book Read Out

 

Wednesday 27th November: Ferial: Daniel 5, 1-28; Psalm Daniel 3; Luke 21, 12-19

12.15 pm: St Werburgh’s: John McHugh (5th Anniversary)

7.00 pm: St Theresa’s Blacon: Memorial Mass for Bishop Brian

 

Thursday 28th November: Ferial: Daniel 6, 12-28; Psalm Daniel 3; Luke 21, 20-28

12.15 pm: St Werburgh’s: Patrick, Mary and James Regan

 

Friday 29th November: Ferial: Daniel 7, 2-14; Psalm Daniel 3; Luke 21, 29-33

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

12.15 pm: St Werburgh’s: Alan Harrison (L.D.)

 

Saturday 30th November: St Andrew, Apostle: Romans 10, 9-18; Psalm 18; Matthew 4, 18-22

10.30 am: St Werburgh’s: SVP Advent Penitential Service for the Elderly and Housebound

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

6.00 pm: Rowton Methodists: Intentions of Mike and Paula

 

SUNDAY 1st DECEMBER: FIRST SUNDAY IN ADVENT (YEAR A)

Isaiah 2, 1-5; Psalm 121; Romans 13, 11-14; Matthew 24, 37-44

Saturday 6.00 pm: Rowton Methodists: Intentions of Mike and Paula

Sunday 9.00 am: St Werburgh’s: Stella Farrell (L.D.)

Sunday 10.45 am: St Werburgh’s: Mary Taylor (16th Anniversary)

Sunday 12.30 pm: St Werburgh’s: Baptism of Olivia Isla Holding

Sunday 6.00 pm: St Werburgh’s: Greta Morgan (20th Anniversary)

 

Prayer Intentions

Your prayers are asked for the following who are sick: Tina Johnson, Laura Chadwick, Brian Lee, Elisabeth, Stuart Clark, Keith Hayes, Sheila Winder, 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 Bill Dennan; and for those whose anniversaries occur about this time: Gerald Davies, John Ball, Joseph McArdle, William Logan, Patricia Gardner, Michael Fox, Mary Corr, Aida Balforth, Kevin Connolly, Bridget Jones, Gladys Howard, Mandy Burke, Jeanette Grant, Rosina Burns, Bill Butcher, Greta Morgan, Denis Fitzgerald, Peggy Jennings, Mary Ball, Margaret Kilgannon, Evelyn Mealand and Geoff Buckley. May They All Rest in Peace.

Parish events

 

Confirmation Last Tuesday

Many thanks to everyone who made our Confirmation Ceremony last Tuesday down at St Clare’s such a joyous occasion: the Candidates themselves, their Sponsors and Families, the Catechists who prepared them, St Clare’s for hosting so graciously, the Musicians from both Parishes, the Catering Team from St Clare’s who laid on such a superb bash afterwards, and especially Bishop Mark for coming along and presiding with such warmth and dignity. And to everyone who helped – a real team effort!

 

First Holy Communion Enrolment Mass

Today at 10.45, we officially welcome all our children for the first time, from both our Primary School and our Parish Group. Many thanks to Music Group for playing.  

Next Meeting of the Parish Group: Tuesday 3rd December, 6.30 pm, Parish House.

 

Catholic High School Parents’ Association

A Carol Service will be held on Wednesday 18th December at 6.30 pm at the Catholic High School, followed by refreshments, a Christmas raffle and musical entertainment by the school City Jazz Orchestra & Singers. Free entrance. Everyone welcome.

 

Piano Available to a Good Home

A small, upright piano in excellent condition. If you are interested, or you know of a church, school or community group which may be, please contact Fr. Paul. The piano must be collected by 10th December.

 

Bottle Bags – Three for £1!!

For some unknown reason, I seem to have a lot of excellent Bottle Bags in the house. Not sure who put them there… On sale today on the Repository Stall, 3 for a £1.

 

Health & Safety Group Meeting Last Thursday

Some big challenges coming up: the Children’s Christmas Eve Mass, some very well-attended Recitals and Erection of the Christmas Tree. Plus, a long list of hazards to be addressed. Big thanks to this excellent team for taking this on.

 

Next First Friday Recital: Friday 6th December

Abbey Gate College present a concert of music for Christmas. There will be pupils from both the senior school and the infant and junior school providing seasonal music including some congregational carols for you to join in with too.

 

Lunches Last Week

Never out of that kitchen, three 2.00 am starts in a row! Tuesday was Christleton Churches Together, Wednesday our Parish Lunch/Cheshire Churches Leaders, Thursday was Chester Parishes Altar Servers. Thanks, everyone!

 

Mass for Bishop Brian on Wednesday

St Theresa’s at 7.00 pm, for all the Chester Parishes to remember our Bishop 1995-2010.

 

Christmas Coffee Morning for The Hospice

Friday 29th November, 10.30 am – 2.00 pm

Festival Church, Queen St, Chester CH1 3LG. Tickets £3, including coffee and mince pie.

 

SVP Notices

(1) Reconciliation Service Saturday 30th November, in St Werburgh's at 10.30 am.

(2) Second Collection on 7th/8th December

To support the homeless, provide Christmas parcels for families and to finance a festive lunch for the elderly/housebound.

(3) SVP/Catholic High School Christmas Tea on Wednesday, 4th December at 2.30 pm. If you know of anyone who would like to join us for this fun and friendly event, or if you would like more information on any of these three events, please contact

Stephen Perry: 07775 851 204.

 

Gift Aid & Loose Plate Grant 2018/9

We have received £16,929 from the Government, a welcome addition to our funds. Interested in joining the scheme? Speak to Fr Paul or our Gift Aid Organiser, Denise Jones.

 

Lyn Williams Commissioned as EM Last Sunday

Lyn responded to the recent request for more Eucharistic Ministers to work in the Hospital. Thank you, Lyn! Any more wolunteers?

 

Candle Safety in Church

One of the Penny Candles ended up on the floor the Sunday before last and started a small fire, fortunately quickly extinguished. Candle Safety is high on the list of our excellent new Health and Safety Committee’s Agenda, so we will be asking for your views on this in the weeks ahead.  

 

November Holy Souls Book: Final Edition Today   

 

November Month of the Holy Souls

Sun 24th Nov, 2.00 pm: Blessing of Graves Overleigh

We start in the “Old Side”, on your left as your head towards Overleigh Roundabout, at 2.00 pm, and then move over to the “New Side” at 3.00 pm.

Tuesday 26th November, 7.30 pm: Mass of the Holy Souls when every name in our Holy Souls Book is read out and you are invited to come forward and light a candle if you would wish to do so. All welcome.

 

CAFOD Christmas Catalogues Now Out!

If there’s anyone who’d like a goat for Christmas…

 

“What Time’s Midnight Mass?”

Usual Mass Times this Christmas: Children’s Vigil Mass at 6.00 pm, Main Vigil Mass at 8.30 pm, Carols and Midnight Mass at 11.30 pm, and the two Day Masses at 9.00 am and 10.45 am. See you all there!

Two Deanery Reconciliation Services in Advent: here in St Werburgh’s on Wednesday 18th December (7.00 pm) and up at Our Lady’s Ellesmere Port on Monday 9th December (7.00 pm). All welcome at both.

 

Advent Starts Next Sunday, 1st December

The colour moves to Purple, the Liturgical Year is now Year A for Sundays and Year II for Weekdays. Year Books and Ordos should be out, and we ourselves have an Advent Holy Hour on Sunday 8th December at 3.00 pm.

 

Photo of the Week: Anglesey’s Famous Church

Our Lady Star of the Sea and St Winefride, Amlwch, in the shape of an upturned boat, with the Church Hall actually underneath the church, partly below ground level. Thanks, Tony!