Parish Newsletter

Parish Fête: Your Chance to See Everywhere!

Everywhere will be open : Church, Day Chapel, the front and back gardens, the outhouses and all over the Parish House. You may not get this chance again in your lifetime! It’s a magnificent 16-room house and beautifully comfortable. But some work will need to be done on it soon, principally renewing bathrooms and kitchen, and possibly re-wiring and a complete redecoration. Come and look over the whole house: no parts are off limit. And, for the children (of all ages) there’s a Treasure Hunt to take them into every room, from top to bottom! A once in  a lifetime opportunity. 

Parish Diary: September 2025 – July 2026

Starting to collect dates now; so, group organisers, please send yours in asap. Closing date: end of June. 

Catholic Enquiry Course

This Autumn we will be running our usual Catholic Enquiry Course for those who are not Catholic but would like to find out more about our Church, with a possible view of joining. If you think you might be interested, please contact FP for a no-commitments chat.

Donations for the 150th Fundraising Fete

Please leave in Church’s Library corner: Bottle Tombola (Bottles please, no beer); Chocolate Tombola - Packs of small chocolate bars; Bric a Brac - Good quality only (no jumble); Winted Vinted - Good quality, nearly new clothing, adults and children and coat hangers! Toy Stall - Good condition toys and children’s books; Cake Stall - cakes, traybake and scones (Please contact the Repository); Books in good condition; Craft Stall - handmade, new knitted items. Can you lend: Camping tables, Gazebo / Awnings, Bunting?? Needed: First Aider & Stewards, 12-3.00 pm. Sign up at the back of Church.

St Werburgh’s Parish Recipe Book

Our Parish Recipe Book will be on sale from this weekend. Over 100 delicious recipes, all tried out by FP at - you guessed it - 2 am. Great value at £8 with all profits going to our 150th Fundraising for the Hospice

Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes: Last Call for Pilgrims

Currently we have 15 seats available on the coach, 1 seat left on the pilgrimage plane, and 3 seats left on a flight from Luton (coach travel transfer included). Booking forms are still available on our website www.shrewsburypilgrimage.co.uk 

Red Box Missions. Bernie Writes…

“Thank you for the generous amount raised by St Werburgh's for 2024, a total of £3,606.52 which includes donations from the red boxes, Direct Debit and gift aid.  If anyone is interested in having a red box, please contact Bernie on 07759-634-885. Thanks, everyone.”

Statement from Catholic Bishops of England & Wales

On the crucial parliamentary vote on assisted suicide expected either Friday 13th June, or the following Friday, 20th June. Copies at back of church. 

Catholic High Looking to Recruit a Caretaker 

Please check the school website for full details. www.christofidelis.org.uk  Closing date: Friday 13/6.

Jane Kluth Memorial Donations for the Hospice

Many thanks for all the donations that have come in subsequent to Jane’s Memorial Mass: a magnificent total of £438. Thank you, David! 

Holy Reunion Mass at Catholic High School

All the children who have recently made their FHC or are about to receive this sacrament are invited to celebrate Mass followed by light refreshments at the Catholic High School on Wednesday 25th June 6.00 pm. The children are welcome to wear their Communion outfits or the school uniform. Family and friends are welcome to join us. Please book your places by email to gasparinia@christofidelis.org.uk.

Fiona Rushforth Writes…

“My daughters, Jen and Cat, and I are running a 10k Race for Life on the 15th June to raise money for Cancer Research.  Would anyone like to sponsor? https://fundraise.cancerresearchuk.org/page/fionas-race-for-life-3274689063 . Grateful for any support!”

Welcome Wednesdays: The Fun Goes On!

Grateful thanks to Ann Marie for her fascinating History Talk about the early years of Catholicism in Chester and how our present church building began 150 years ago.  This coming week there will be more coffee, chat and dominos. We are so grateful to all who have and will sponsor our six hour Marathon Domino Game in the Day Chapel on the 21st June.

Two “Day Pilgrimages” to Shrewsbury Cathedral

There and back by train (a beautiful one-hour ride from Chester). 25 places on each trip, Tuesday 24th June and Thursday 31st July. Please sign up on the list at the back of church: First come, first served!

Upcoming House Masses

• Tues 17th June, Evening: Still available
• Tues 22nd July: 12.00 noon: John P, Great Barrow
• Thursday 14th August: Still available

First Holy Communions This Year and Next

Thanksgiving Mass: Sunday 8th June, 10.45. We are now collecting names for next year for Children who will be in year 3 and above and not at Catholic primary schools. The closing  date for applications is Monday 1st September; email is our preferred method. 

Bereavement and Loss Group 

Come for a cup of tea and chat Wednesday 11th June between 1.15 and 2.45 pm, Day Chapel. All welcome.

Hospice Fundraising: Another Great Week

Another amazing week of generous donations: £742.50 Total = £7,815.40 = 52%: Over halfway now!

Next Parish Walk Together: Wed 2nd July, 7.00 pm

Along the canal to the Cheshire Cat at Christleton. A gentle stroll. (“You said that last time, and it turned into a 7½ mile hike!”). All welcome.

Cabaret London’s West End

13/8: 8 Tickets Left!

CHS Parent / Carer Tours on Monday 30th June

Catholic High School will be holding a number of scheduled tours of the school for parents and carers of Year 5 students, led by our Headteacher, Mrs McKeagney, the chance to see our school in action. 10:00 am, 11:15 am, and 1:00 pm. To book a place WelcomeTo@christofidelis.org.uk.

A New Banner for our 150th Celebrations

Plan to make a Lace Collage hanging for the church to celebrate St Werburgh’s 150th Anniversary. 
Inspired by the design of St Werburgh’s Pilgrimage badge depicting 5 geese in a wooden pen:
 
If any parishioners would like to contribute pieces of traditional cotton lace or tatting (doilies etc) to be incorporated into this celebratory collage, please contact FP with name and any lacework information you want to give. (Please note the appliqué/assemblage design process will necessitate your donations will probably be modified and couldn’t be removed or returned. )

Photo of the Week: Fascinating Victoriana

A carte de visite – ubiquitous in the nineteenth century – for Bishop James Brown, our first Bishop.  

150th Anniversary Hospice Fundraising Progress