Parish Newsletter

Liturgical

 

Isaiah 11, 1-10; Psalm 71; Romans 15, 4-9; Matthew 3, 1-12

Saturday 6.00 pm: Rowton Methodists: Susannah Timothy (Anniversary)

Sunday 9.00 am: St Werburgh’s: Deceased Members of Barbara & David Graves’ Family

Sunday 10.45 am: St Werburgh’s: Intentions of Alex Flack

Sunday 3.00 pm: St Werburgh’s: Advent Holy Hour

Sunday 6.00 pm: St Werburgh’s: Mick Fields

 

Monday 9^th December: Immaculate Conception of the BVM

Genesis 3, 9-20; Psalm 97; Ephesians 1, 3-12; Luke 1, 26-38

12.15 pm: St Werburgh’s: Intentions of Hiromi’s Safe Delivery

1.05 pm: University Chapel: University Mass – All Welcome

7.00 pm: Our Lady’s Ellesmere Port: Deanery Penitential Service – All Welcome.

 

Tuesday 10^th December: Ferial: Isaiah 40, 1-11; Psalm 95; Matthew 18, 12-14

10.00 am: Primary School: Year 5/6 Class Mass

12.15 pm: St Werburgh’s: Andrew and Emily Cunniff

 

Wednesday 11^th December: Ferial: Isaiah 40, 25-31; Psalm 102; Matthew 11, 28-30

11.00 am: Grosvenor Manor NH (Heath Lane): Carol Service for Residents and Visitors

12.15 pm: St Werburgh’s: James and Ellen Maughan

 

Thursday 12^th December: Ferial: Isaiah 41, 13-20; Psalm 144; Matthew 11, 11-15

11.00 am: Grosvenor Villas NH (Crawford’s Walk): Carol Service for Residents and Visitors

12.15 pm: St Werburgh’s: Mrs Kodieck

2.00 pm: Oaklands NH, Littleton: Carol Service for Residents and Visitors

 

Friday 13^th December: St Lucy: Isaiah 48, 17-19; Psalm 1; Matthew 11, 16-19

10.30 am: St Werburgh’s: Baptism of Alicja Krokos

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

12.15 pm: St Werburgh’s: Belinda Seery (L.D., Buckley)

2.00 pm: Birch Heath NH, Littleton: Carol Service for Residents and Visitors

 

Saturday 14^th December: St John of the Cross: Eccles 48, 1-11; Psalm 79; Matthew 17, 10-13

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

12.30 pm: St Werburgh’s: Baptism of Hannah Elizabeth Wylie Brown

6.00 pm: Rowton Methodists: Helen Coulson (L.D., Crosby)

 

SUNDAY 15^th DECEMBER: THIRD SUNDAY IN ADVENT – GAUDETE SUNDAY (YEAR A)

Isaiah 35, 1-6; Psalm 145; James 5, 7-10; Matthew 11, 2-11

Saturday 6.00 pm: Rowton Methodists: Helen Coulson (L.D., Crosby)

Sunday 9.00 am: St Werburgh’s: Antonio Nardini (Anniversary)

Sunday 10.45 am: St Werburgh’s: Maureen Thornley (L.D.)

Sunday 6.00 pm: St Werburgh’s: Finn Abberton (Remembrance)

 

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 Maurice Power, Peter Lucas and Jack O’Gorman; and for those whose anniversaries occur about this time: Margaret Aspinall, Geoff Crank, Betty Kinsey, Margaret Brotherston, Joan Finney, Peter Wyn Jones, Fred Fazey, Elizabeth Clark, Tom McLoughlin, Patrick McDonough, Margaret Ilott, Patrick Walsh, George Baxter, Bill Gough, Irene Kite, William Barron, Antonio Nardini, Finn Abberton, Joan Baxter and Edith Dodd. May They All Rest in Peace.

 

 

 

 

 

Christmas Times at St Werburgh’s

Please take an A5 flyer today with all the times for Masses, Confessions, Penitential Services and Concerts over the Christmas period – and do please distribute them far and wide.

 

New Altar Cloths

Next of our Minor Works List now in place: the first of our new Altar Cloths, purple for Advent. You will notice it has a much larger over-hang than the old one. With our two new free-standing candlesticks and therefore no candles on the altar itself, hopefully there will be NO candlewax on the new Altar Cloths!!

 

Christmas Tree - Wednesday 11^th December

Many hands make light work! Everyone welcome to help with putting up the Christmas Tree and decorating the church for Christmas: 9.00 am please, Wednesday 11^th December. I shall make the mince pies and coffee…

 

Advent Holy Hour on Sunday 8^th December

 3.00 pm today: do come and join us for a quiet hour with the Lord, a wonderful “time out” at this busiest of seasons.

 

St Werburgh’s Two Great War Books: £10 each

Our two published books, "We Shall Remember Them" (Red) and "A War-Torn Chester Parish" (Blue) will be on sale after most Masses/events, between now and Christmas - the perfect gift for the person who has everything else!

 

Lourdes Fundraising Calendar

Our Ellesmere Port and Chester Lourdes Group has created a 2020 Calendar which features photos of Lourdes and the group over the years. Also, important dates in the Catholic calendar are marked along with dates relating to Lourdes and the life of St Bernadette. The cost of the Calendar is £5.00. If you would like more information or to order a calendar, please contact Bernadette Letissier on 07885 736149 or email bletissier@hotmail.com

 

Christmas Volunteer Rota Now Out

Please sign up: we need our usual team of volunteer Eucharistic Ministers, Readers, Welcomers and Collectors for our special Masses on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

 

Catholic High School Parents’ Association

A Carol Service will be held on Wednesday 18^th 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.

 

Catholic Newspapers – Worth Buying?

We need your views on whether we should continue with the four newspapers we currently order: Tablet, Catholic Herald, Catholic Times and Universe. We are selling hardly any of the last three, and so returning 80% of them. Any thoughts? After Christmas, we’ll do a little market research here and make a decision.

 

Music Group playing Sunday 15^th December

Practice in Church Mon 9^th December 7.00 pm

 

 

 

 

Last Friday’s “First Friday” Recital

Wow! What a note to go out on for 2019! James and Abbey Gate College gave a fantastic recital, featuring all their Choirs (Infant, Junior and Chapel) and many of their musicians, to a pretty packed church. So much work and effort from them all at this busiest time of year. Well done, one and all! It brings to an end a superb series of “First Friday” Recitals this year, and a huge thanks to James for organising them all and being our Concert Maestro.   Watch this space for details of the 2020 series, starting First Friday in May.

 

Heaven as a Crowded Conversation?

Brian Flack saw this beautiful painting on-line by Giovanni di Paolo, illustrating Dante’s “Paradiso”. An amazing painting, and a copy is now on the Notice Board at the back of church.

 

Coffee Morning for the Hospice

Many thanks to all who supported and contributed to making the Christmas Coffee Morning in aid of The Hospice such an outstanding success. £730 was raised for this very worthy cause.   Special thanks to the willing ‘Werbies’ who unhesitatingly and unstintingly volunteered their help and to the Festival Church for kindly allowing us the use of their coffee lounge.

 

Wednesday Refreshments After Mass

After 4 great years doing the monthly Wednesday Lunches, Denise and Syd would now like to pass this on to new hands. Anyone willing to volunteer? Cake are donated, and “we” make the sandwiches.

 

SVP Notices: Christmas 2^nd Collection Today

SVP Carol Singing, at Grosvenor Villas NH (formerly Crawford’s Walk) on Thursday 12^th December at 11.00 am, and then at Oaklands NH, Littleton, at 2.00 pm the same day.

If you’d like more information on these events, please contact Stephen Perry: 07775 851 204.

 

SVP Contact Cards Out Today!

If anyone knows of any local individual, couple or family that they feel would benefit from support and befriending by the SVP please enter their details onto one of the cards provided and hand the card either into Fr Paul as you leave the church or place them in the box on the table by the SVP display at the back of church. In addition, if at any time anyone would like to put a name forward there will always be blank cards left at the back of the church and these should be filled out and handed to FP as and when required. Thank you for your support.

 

Dee Ensemble Concert Thursday 12^th Dec 7.30 pm

Conducted by Susan Marrs and accompanied by Fiona Rushforth. Our concert features a variety of songs and readings, including solo items. We are also joined by the folk group, The Waite Collection.

There will be a retiring collection in aid of Claire House Hospice. All welcome!

 

Photo of the Week: Canon Murphy’s Golden!

1980, celebrating fifty years a Priest. Left to right, it’s Frs. Wilf Kelly, Des Close, Percy Rees, Francis Murphy, George Leonard and Hugh McHugh. (There isn’t space for all their titles!) May they all Rest in Peace, great Labourers in the Lord’s Vineyard.

 

Parish events

 

Christmas Times at St Werburgh’s

Please take an A5 flyer today with all the times for Masses, Confessions, Penitential Services and Concerts over the Christmas period – and do please distribute them far and wide.

New Altar Cloths

Next of our Minor Works List now in place: the first of our new Altar Cloths, purple for Advent. You will notice it has a much larger over-hang than the old one. With our two new free-standing candlesticks and therefore no candles on the altar itself, hopefully there will be NO candlewax on the new Altar Cloths!! 

Christmas Tree - Wednesday 11^th December

Many hands make light work! Everyone welcome to help with putting up the Christmas Tree and decorating the church for Christmas: 9.00 am please, Wednesday 11^th December. I shall make the mince pies and coffee…

Advent Holy Hour on Sunday 8^th December

 3.00 pm today: do come and join us for a quiet hour with the Lord, a wonderful “time out” at this busiest of seasons.

St Werburgh’s Two Great War Books: £10 each

Our two published books, "We Shall Remember Them" (Red) and "A War-Torn Chester Parish" (Blue) will be on sale after most Masses/events, between now and Christmas - the perfect gift for the person who has everything else!

Lourdes Fundraising Calendar

Our Ellesmere Port and Chester Lourdes Group has created a 2020 Calendar which features photos of Lourdes and the group over the years. Also, important dates in the Catholic calendar are marked along with dates relating to Lourdes and the life of St Bernadette. The cost of the Calendar is £5.00. If you would like more information or to order a calendar, please contact Bernadette Letissier on 07885 736149 or email bletissier@hotmail.com

Christmas Volunteer Rota Now Out

Please sign up: we need our usual team of volunteer Eucharistic Ministers, Readers, Welcomers and Collectors for our special Masses on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. 

Catholic High School Parents’ Association

A Carol Service will be held on Wednesday 18^th 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.

Catholic Newspapers – Worth Buying?

We need your views on whether we should continue with the four newspapers we currently order: Tablet, Catholic Herald, Catholic Times and Universe. We are selling hardly any of the last three, and so returning 80% of them. Any thoughts? After Christmas, we’ll do a little market research here and make a decision.

Music Group playing Sunday 15^th December

Practice in Church Mon 9^th December 7.00 pm

Last Friday’s “First Friday” Recital

Wow! What a note to go out on for 2019! James and Abbey Gate College gave a fantastic recital, featuring all their Choirs (Infant, Junior and Chapel) and many of their musicians, to a pretty packed church. So much work and effort from them all at this busiest time of year. Well done, one and all! It brings to an end a superb series of “First Friday” Recitals this year, and a huge thanks to James for organising them all and being our Concert Maestro.   Watch this space for details of the 2020 series, starting First Friday in May.

Heaven as a Crowded Conversation?

Brian Flack saw this beautiful painting on-line by Giovanni di Paolo, illustrating Dante’s “Paradiso”. An amazing painting, and a copy is now on the Notice Board at the back of church.

Coffee Morning for the Hospice

Many thanks to all who supported and contributed to making the Christmas Coffee Morning in aid of The Hospice such an outstanding success. £730 was raised for this very worthy cause.   Special thanks to the willing ‘Werbies’ who unhesitatingly and unstintingly volunteered their help and to the Festival Church for kindly allowing us the use of their coffee lounge.

Wednesday Refreshments After Mass

After 4 great years doing the monthly Wednesday Lunches, Denise and Syd would now like to pass this on to new hands. Anyone willing to volunteer? Cake are donated, and “we” make the sandwiches.

SVP Notices: Christmas 2^nd Collection Today

SVP Carol Singing, at Grosvenor Villas NH (formerly Crawford’s Walk) on Thursday 12^th December at 11.00 am, and then at Oaklands NH, Littleton, at 2.00 pm the same day.

If you’d like more information on these events, please contact Stephen Perry: 07775 851 204.

SVP Contact Cards Out Today!

If anyone knows of any local individual, couple or family that they feel would benefit from support and befriending by the SVP please enter their details onto one of the cards provided and hand the card either into Fr Paul as you leave the church or place them in the box on the table by the SVP display at the back of church. In addition, if at any time anyone would like to put a name forward there will always be blank cards left at the back of the church and these should be filled out and handed to FP as and when required. Thank you for your support.

Dee Ensemble Concert Thursday 12^th Dec 7.30 pm

Conducted by Susan Marrs and accompanied by Fiona Rushforth. Our concert features a variety of songs and readings, including solo items. We are also joined by the folk group, The Waite Collection.

There will be a retiring collection in aid of Claire House Hospice. All welcome!

Photo of the Week: Canon Murphy’s Golden!

1980, celebrating fifty years a Priest. Left to right, it’s Frs. Wilf Kelly, Des Close, Percy Rees, Francis Murphy, George Leonard and Hugh McHugh. (There isn’t space for all their titles!) May they all Rest in Peace, great Labourers in the Lord’s Vineyard.