Parish Newsletter

Liturgical

I Samuel 3, 3-19; Psalm 39; I Corinthians 6, 13-20; John 1, 35-42

Saturday 6.00 pm: Rowton Methodists: Birthday Intentions - James
Sunday 9.00 am: St Werburgh’s: Albert and Sheila Norman
Sunday 10.45 am: St Werburgh’s: Mary O’Shea
Sunday 6.00 pm: St Werburgh’s: Kathleen and Patrick O’Connell

Monday 15th January: Ferial: I Samuel 15, 16-23; Psalm 49; Mark 2, 18-22
8.00 am: Poor Clares, Hawarden: Special Intention
12.15 pm: St Werburgh’s: James Barlow (L.D., Lewisham)
1.05 pm University Chapel: University Mass - All Welcome!

Tuesday 16th January: Ferial: I Samuel 16, 1-13; Psalm 88; Mark 2, 23-28
8.00 am: Poor Clares Hawarden: Special Intention
10.30 am: St Werburgh’s: Bill and Jane Butcher, and all the Butcher Family
12.00 noon: St Joseph’s Seacombe: Requiem Mass for Deacon Norman Carew

Wednesday 17th January: St Anthony, Abbot: I Samuel 17, 32-51; Psalm 143; Mark 3, 1-6
12.15 pm: St Werburgh’s: Intentions of Ann Doyle and Family (Ireland)

Thursday 18th January: Ferial: I Samuel 18,6 – 19,7; Psalm 55; Mark 3, 7-12
10.30 am: St Werburgh’s: Greta Morgan

Friday 19th January: Ferial: I Samuel 24, 3-21; Psalm 56; Mark 3, 13-19
11.00 am: St Werburgh’s: Requiem Mass for Johan Toussaint
2.00 pm: St Werburgh’s: Thanksgiving Service for the Life of Finn Abberton

Saturday 20th January: Ferial: II Samuel 1, 1-27; Psalm 56; Mark 3, 13-19
10.00 am: HMP Berwyn, Wrexham: Mass for Prisoners and Staff
12.00 noon: St Werburgh’s: Christleton & Waverton Churches Together Ecumenical Service – All Welcome
6.00 pm: Rowton Methodists: Sean Brosnan (L.D., Michigan)

SUNDAY 21st JANUARY: THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (YEAR B)
Jonah 3, 1-10; Psalm 24; I Corinthians 7, 29-31; Mark 1, 14-20

Saturday 6.00 pm: Rowton Methodists: Sean Brosnan (L.D., Michigan)
Sunday 9.00 am: St Werburgh’s: Joan Baxter (L.D.)
Sunday 10.45 am: St Werburgh’s: Barbara Stoppard (1st Anniversary)
Sunday 3.30 pm: Chester Cathedral: Churches Together in Cheshire - Archbishop John Sentamu of York
Sunday 6.00 pm: St Werburgh’s: Kathleen Wilbraham (1st Anniversary)

Prayer intentions

Your prayers are asked for the following who are sick: Ruth O’Kane, Iris Philp, James Donovan, Garth Stocking, Ann McGowan-Scanlan, Mary Lyons, Kevin Maguire, Christine Davies, Michael Morton; and for all the sick of the Parish; and for those who have died recently, especially Carole Pollard, Finn Abberton, Joan Baxter, Norah Douglas, Maureen Middleton, Margaret Wilkinson, Brenda Blackwell and Zygmunt Dowicz; and for those whose anniversaries occur about this time: Jane Butcher, Mary Smith, Barbara Stoppard, Beatrice Holding, Rose Hughes, Gerard Melia, George Kirby, Kath Lewis, Ellen Milner, Winifred Larkin, Maureen Hodges, Bridget Murphy, Mary Moran, Agnes Martin, Michael Kimpton, Alethea Griffin, John Beatty, Jerry McCann, Veronica Clyne, Brida Stanton, Eric Roberts, Marion Dowdall, Rocky Donnelly, Patrick Nicholson, Christine Andrews, Sheila Norman, David Roberts, Mary Rowlands and Gwynneth Power. May they all Rest in Peace.

Parish events

Ordinary Time - Year B - The Colour Green

This Sunday, 14th, we pick up Ordinary Time again - Year B - and it is the Second Sunday. Next stop Ash Wednesday, 14th February!

Taking down the Christmas Tree and Decorations

Many thanks to everyone who turned up on Thursday morning and rolled up their sleeves!

Next Meeting for all FHC Parents

7.00 pm in St Werburgh's and St Columba's School, Lightfoot Street, on Monday 15th January. Please could you ensure that your children learn the Act of Contrition on page 18 of their First Forgiveness preparation books before their next meeting on 23rd January?

Photo of the Week: Gozo

Taken by Mike and Gillian Rogers in July, this chapel on Gozo, dedicated to Our Lady of Lourdes, stands on a promontory overlooking Mġarr Harbour. It enjoys spectacular views of the Gozo Channel and the Island of Malta. [Spending the kids’ inheritance, eh? Go for it!]

SVP Music Night, Friday 9th February 7.00 pm

St Columba’s Parish Hall. A night of musical entertainment, dancing and fun, featuring the Chester Catholic High School Band, ‘Nuns and Rosaries’ and guests. All proceeds in support of the Chester and Ellesmere Port SVP Holiday Home. Tickets £10 on sale after all Masses on Saturday/Sunday 20/21 January.

Music Group

Playing at 10.45 am Mass next Sunday. Usual practice in Church, Monday 15th January 6.45 pm.

Bringing Holy Communion to You

If at Sunday or Weekday Mass you would find it easier for us to bring Holy Communion to you, please just stay in your seat and raise a hand at the end. We’ll be looking out for you!

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

Churches Together in Cheshire, the County Ecumenical Body, alternates a service in one of the larger Cheshire Churches - last year it was St Laurence’s Frodsham - with a service in the Cathedral at which a national figure is invited to preach. In 2016 it was Lord Griffiths from the Methodists, 2014 Archbishop George Carey and 2012 Cardinal Cormac. This year it is the Archbishop of York coming to Chester Cathedral on Sunday 21st January 3.30 pm. With his dog collar. It’s going to be a packed Cathedral, so please get there early.

SVP Christmas Lunch Saturday, 13th January

Many thanks, SVP, for organising this lovely event, and thanks, Parish, for your generosity in making it possible. We’re looking forward to it!

Children’s Liturgy - Starts Again 14th January

Next Readers' Group Monthly Meeting

To explore the readings for the next month and prepare to read them. We meet in the Presbytery at 7.00 pm for about an hour on Tuesday 16th January. Everyone welcome - do come along!

Part time Domestic Cleaner Wanted

For large house in Curzon Park. Duties include ironing, hoovering, dusting, general cleaning, etc. 4 hours a week preferably on Thursday or Friday. Good rate of pay. Contact John on 01244 683875 or 07905 982251.

Christleton and Waverton CT Week of Prayer

As in previous years, we visit each other’s churches at 12.00 noon each day for a time of Prayer and Fellowship. Everyone warmly invited!

• Monday 15th: Waverton Evangelical Fellowship
• Tuesday 16th: Christleton Methodists
• Wednesday 17th: St James Christleton
• Thursday 18th: St Peter’s Waverton
• Friday 19th: Rowton Methodists
• Saturday 20th: St Werburgh’s

As many people will be in town already, we lay on a simple Sandwiches and Cake lunch on the Saturday. It means another 2.00 am start for yours truly, but, in the cause of Church Unity...

Retired Priests 2nd Collection 27/28 January

This is one of our eight 2nd Collections each year. Gift Aid envelopes available as usual. Many thanks, everyone, for any support you can give!

First CathSoc Meeting: Sunday 14th January

Welcome back! Usual Sunday Evening Programme - but our February Half-Term Pilgrimage / Retreat coming up - going to North Yorkshire and Ampleforth! Monday 19th - Thursday 22nd. We have room this year to take a few Parishioners with us. Anyone interested?

Parish Council on Wednesday Next - 7.00 pm

Any items to any Council Member, please.

Refreshments After Mass: Saturday not Wednesday

Would normally be next Wednesday, but we are providing our usual spread for the Christleton and Waverton Churches Together Service on Saturday at 12.00 noon, with Refreshments at 12.30. Two 2.00 am starts in any one week would be a bit much, even for your PP. Everyone welcome to join us on Saturday lunchtime for tea and tab nabs!

Prison Mass Next Saturday. 21st January

My turn on the Rota, so no Confessions that day.

Reformation Talks

Finished on Friday with a repeat of Talk III on Shakespeare. Copies of all three talks on the table at the back. The series seemed to go well: any ideas for future topics?