Parish Newsletter

Liturgical

Isaiah 60, 1-6; Psalm 71; Ephesians 3, 2-6; Matthew 2, 1-12

Saturday 6.00 pm: Rowton Methodists: Mary Fazey, Tom & Mary Boulton, Fred & Mavis Fazey
Sunday 9.00 am: St Werburgh’s: Len Baker (L.D., Cardiff)
Sunday 10.45 am: St Werburgh’s: Josephine Matheson (L.D.)
Sunday 6.00 pm: St Werburgh’s: J’s Mother (L.D.)

Monday 7th January: Monday after Epiphany: I John 3,22 – 4,6; Psalm 2; Matthew 4, 12-25
12.15 pm: St Werburgh’s: Intentions of Chester CathSoc
1.05 pm: University Chapel – University Mass. All welcome!

Tuesday 8th January: Tuesday after Epiphany: I John 4, 7-10; Psalm 71; Mark 6, 34-44
12.15 pm: St Werburgh’s: Private Intention

Wednesday 9th January: Wednesday after Epiphany: I John 4, 11-18; Psalm 97; John I, 19-28
12.00 noon: St Werburgh’s: Requiem Mass: Lawrence McNay, late Kirkwood Close, Vicars Cross

Thursday 10th January: Thursday after Epiphany: I John 4,19 – 5,4; Psalm 71; Luke 4, 14-22
12.15 pm: St Werburgh’s: Intentions of JO’L, SB and JC

Friday 11th January: Friday after Epiphany: I John 5, 5-13; Psalm 147; Luke 5, 12-16
11.00 – 12.00 noon: St Werburgh’s: Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
12.15 pm: St Werburgh’s: David Charles Cook (L.D., France)

Saturday 12th January: Saturday after Epiphany: I John 5, 14-21; Psalm 149; John 3, 22-30
10.30 am – 12.00 noon: St Werburgh’s: Confessions
12.00 noon: St Werburgh’s: Baptism of Harry Seamus Flannagan
6.00 pm: Rowton Methodists: Intentions of Ben (Los Angeles)

SUNDAY 13th JANUARY: THE BAPTISM OF THE LORD (YEAR C)
Isaiah 40, 1-11; Psalm 103; Titus 2,11 – 3,7; Luke 3, 15-22

Saturday 6.00 pm: Rowton Methodists: Intentions of Ben (Los Angeles)
Sunday 9.00 am: St Werburgh’s: Paul Lawton (55th Birthday Remembrance)
Sunday 10.45 am: St Werburgh’s: Helen Elsden (née Way-Rider; L.D., Spain)
Sunday 6.00 pm: St Werburgh’s: Mick Fields

Prayer Intentions

Your prayers are asked for the following who are sick: Heather Lannin, Lorraine McKeown, James Catterson, 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 Laurence McNay, Helen Jones and Jo Matheson; and for those whose anniversaries occur about this time: George Griffiths, Mary Le Gallez, Bridget Cullen, Arthur Barlow, Winifred Collins, Amelia Sanders, Richard Baxter, Williams Banks, Joan Roberts, Keith Ferguson, Patricia Pickering, Barbara McNay. Neil Roddy John Conroy, William Lucas, Jane Molloy, Norah Douglas, Patrick Kavanagh, Thomas Lynch, Pat Williams, William Wright, Dorothy Costello, Gordon Ierston, Anthony Cooney, Maria Przeworski, Bernard Bamford, Kathleen Kennedy, Sarah Murphy, Joseph Lohinski, Helen Moreton, Basil Patterson, Kathleen O’Connell, Bette Cummings, Lilian Catherall, Grace Moore, Celine Little, Catherine Pate, Maurice Shanley, Miep Clarke. RIP

Parish events

Recent Second Collections

• Christmas Flowers: £594-00
• SVP Christmas Collection: £1,898-70

Thank you all for your great generosity. We have just eight Second Collections each year: three for the SVP, two for Flowers, one for Church Students, one for Retired Priests and one for the Annual Mission Appeal. Our next one will be February 2/3, for the support of our Retired Priests.

No Contractor Parking from Now On

Their cars are starting to creep back on, so we will need to continue positioning the A Boards at each end of the driveway, and replace them after Mass, please. We gave permission for one, but one became two became…

Parenting Teens Course at the High School

The popular parenting course for those with teenage children is running again. The 6-week course starts at 7.00 pm on 9th January at the Catholic High School. If you'd like to join other parents who want to broaden their skills, develop their relationship with their teenagers and negotiate the new freedoms and responsibilities our young people need, please come along. For more information or to book a place, please contact Claire on 07743-704-383.

Photos of Exposed North Side of Church

Did anyone take photos of the north side of the Church when it was briefly exposed by the demolition of the boundary wall with the building site and before the Hotel building started to shoot up? If so, please send them in, as we’re anxious to have some permanent record – both photographs and paintings – of this unique view of the church, alas never to be seen again. Mike Coriam’s pastel drawing is still on the Notice Board – thanks, Mike!

January’s Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

Coming up fast! Sunday 20th is the county-wide Churches Together in Cheshire service, which alternates between the Cathedral one year and a Cheshire Church the other. This year we’re at Tarporley Baptist & Methodist Church, almost opposite the Catholic Church in the High Street, 3.00 pm. Then Monday-Saturday, Christleton and Waverton Churches Together visit the six churches of the area at 12.00 noon each day, for a time of prayer and light refreshments:

• Monday 21st Jan: Waverton Evangelical Church
• Tuesday 22nd Jan: St Peter’s Waverton
• Wednesday 23rd Jan: Rowton Methodists
• Thursday 24th Jan: Christleton Methodists
• Friday 25th Jan: St James, Christleton
• Saturday 26th Jan: St Werburgh’s
• Sunday evening, 7.00 pm, there is a special Service for Church Unity at Christleton Methodists where our Music Group will be leading the worship.

Everyone warmly invited to everything!

Day by Day & Sacred Heart Messengers

January Mags now on sale - £1 each.

Crib Up till Sunday 13th January: Down 17th Jan

The Baptism of the Lord is the official end of Christmastide. Please, don’t forget the Crib Collection. We’ll be taking the Tree and Christmas Decorations down on Thursday 17th Jan, 9.00 am: offers of help gratefully received!

2019 Yearbooks Now Arrived - £4 each

Featuring in the photos a picture of Bishop Mark blessing our new Great War Memorial.

Theatr Clwyd Panto

All the Altar Servers and other Parishioners present have sworn an Oath of Silence over what took place on 27th December, when someone-who-shall-remain-nameless was pulled up on stage by the Dame for the final song and dance. So, it looks as is SWSRN may not be moved just yet to that Parish in South Wales, or Tasmania…

SVP Christmas Lunch

For the elderly and housebound: on Saturday, 12th January at 12.30 in the Primary School. Transport provided. For further information, contact Stephen Perry on 07775-781-204.

New Baptismal Register for the next 60 Years!

The recent small legacy from Anne Hird-Jones paid for our new Register – thank you, Anne!

Chester Catenians Fish and Chip Supper

You are invited you to their Annual Fish & Chip Supper 7.00 pm for 7.30 pm on Friday 11th January at St Columba’s Hall. Tickets £7.50 from Peter Devine on 07825-172-932 or email pjpd1956@hotmail.com. Bring your own ‘drinks’ and mystery entertainment has been arranged.

FHC Parish Group Meetings

Next meeting for FHC Parents only, takes place at 7.00 pm in St Werburgh's and St Columba's School, Lightfoot Street, on Monday 14th January. The next Parish Group Meeting is on Tuesday 22nd January at 6.30 pm in the Parish House for both parents and children. This is the final meeting before the Sacrament of First Forgiveness. Please will you ensure that your children have completed as far as page 12 in their First Forgiveness Books and have learnt the Act of Contrition on page 18. The children should bring their Preparation Books and pencils to the meeting as usual.

University Masses Start Again Mon 7th January

1.05 in the Chapel – everyone warmly welcome.

Dementia and Age-related Day Centre

Do you know anyone who requires respite for an elderly relative or friend with dementia or other age-related conditions? Our successful day centre is up and running in Trafford Street, Chester and a new centre is also opening in West Kirby. To book a free taster session or for further details please contact Louise Gornall at 07753 731931

Photo of the Week: Memento of 6th November

Bishop Mark and Anne Marie Curtis at the wonderful Blessing of our World War I Plaque.