Parish Newsletter
SUNDAY 13th JANUARY: THE BAPTISM OF THE LORD (YEAR C)
Liturgical
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
Monday 14th January: Ferial: Hebrews 1, 1-6; Psalm 96; Mark 1, 14-20
12.15 pm: St Werburgh’s: Margaret Sproston
1.05 pm: University Chapel – University Mass. All welcome!
Tuesday 15th January: Ferial: Hebrews 2, 5-12; Psalm 8; Mark 1, 21-28
10.15 am: St Werburgh’s: Funeral Service for Helen Jones, late of Abbot’s Wood
12.15 pm: St Werburgh’s: Birthday Intentions (JA)
Wednesday 16th January: Ferial: Hebrews 2, 14-18; Psalm 104; Mark 1, 29-39
12.15 pm: St Werburgh’s: Bill and Jane Butcher, and family
2.00 pm: Flintshire Crematorium, Northop: Funeral Service for Leeanne Stigling
Thursday 17th January: St Anthony of Egypt: Hebrews 3, 7-14; Psalm 71; Luke 4, 14-22
12.15 pm: St Werburgh’s: Intentions of Peter Burns (Southampton)
Friday 18th January: Ferial: Hebrews 4, 1-11; Psalm 77; Mark 2, 1-12
8.00 am: St Werburgh’s: Intentions of KS
Saturday 19th January: Ferial: Hebrews 4, 12-16; Psalm 18; Mark 2, 13-17
10.00 am: HMP Berwyn, Wrexham: Mass for Prisoners and Staff
6.00 pm: St Werburgh’s: John and Vera Clyne
SUNDAY 20th JANUARY: SECOND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (YEAR C)
Isaiah 62, 1-5; Psalm 95; I Corinthians 12, 4-11; John 2, 1-11
Saturday 6.00 pm: Rowton Methodists: John and Vera Clyne
Sunday 9.00 am: St Werburgh’s: Albert and Sheila Norman (Birthday Rem and Anniversary)
Sunday 10.45 am: St Werburgh’s: Sister Christophora Fernando (L.D., Sri Lanka)
Sunday 3.00 pm: Tarporley Methodist & Baptist Church: Churches Together in Cheshire Service
Sunday 6.00 pm: St Werburgh’s: Jo and Jerry McCann (Anniversaries)
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 Leeanne Stigling, Laurence McNay, Helen Jones and Jo Matheson; 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, Jo McCann, Patrick Nicholson, Christine Andrews, Sheila Norman, David Roberts, Mary Rowlands and Gwynneth Power. Rest in Peace.
Parish events
Recent Second Collections: Two of the Eight!
- Christmas Flowers: £594-00
- SVP Christmas Collection: £1,898-70
Thank you all for your great generosity. Our next one will be February 2/3, for the support of our Retired Priests. Thanks in advance!
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, everyone.
Parenting Teens Course at the High School
The 6-week course started at 7.00 pm on 9th January at the Catholic High School. For more information or to book a place, please contact Claire on 07743-704-383.
Photos of Exposed North Side of Church
Thanks, Geoff and Ronan, for super photos!
January’s Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
Sunday 20th is the county-wide Churches Together in Cheshire service 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: see flyer for details.
Sunday evening, 27th 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!
Parish Council Meeting on Tuesday
We welcome our two new members, Judith Done and Anne Proctor: if you’ve any items you’d like discussed, please pass to any Council Member.
Crib Up till Sunday 13th January: Down 17th Jan
Today is the official end of Christmastide. Please, don’t forget the Crib Collection. Tree and Christmas Decorations down on Thursday 17th Jan, 9.00 am: offers of help gratefully received!
West Side Story at Manchester Royal Exchange
Something’s coming…
Gluten-Free Hosts on Sundays
As more Parishioners are requiring the square Gluten Free Hosts, two requests: they let myself or the Altar Servers know before Mass begins, and they come to my queue (I know who they are!) which will always be on the Sacristy Side.
SVP Elderly/ Housebound Christmas Lunch
Saturday, 12th January at 12.30. I’m looking forward to it as I write! (Saturday 9.00 am.)
Parish Health and Safety Committee
Three wolunteers so far who’d like to be involved – any more offers? (The Diocesan Team are visiting us on 31st January.)
Next meeting of the Readers Group
Monday 21st January at 7.00 pm in the Presbytery for about an hour, to look at the Sunday readings for the next 4 weeks. Everyone is very welcome!
We Need More Book Cases for Parish Library
Any to donate?? See Dominique or FP, please.
Candle Safety in Church
Please: ‘Penny Candles’ (the long thin ones) MUST be placed in the prongs on the stand, and the ‘tea lights’ in the cups on the stands. Please DON’T place them anywhere else, especially balanced precariously on the edge, as this really is ‘an accident waiting to happen’. If the stand is full, light your candle, say your prayer, blow it out and leave it on the base of the stand, and it will be lit later. Thanks, everyone!
FHC Parish Group Meetings
Next meeting for FHC Parents only, takes place at 7.00 pm in the Primary School 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, the final one 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.
CHS Parents’ Association Family Bingo Night Friday, 25th January 7.00 pm at the Catholic High School. A bar will be open. Adults and children welcome. Thank you in advance for your support.
Up-Date on Parish DBS Safeguarding Clearance
Children’s Liturgy Group and the Altar Servers have received their paperwork and instructions for DBS clearance. Now we are moving on to the Home Eucharistic Ministers, and then Confirmation. A thousand thanks to Liz for her amazing hard work here – we are all in her debt.
Music Group
Playing 10.45 Mass Sunday 20th Usual practice in Church, Mon 14th Jan, 7.00 pm
House Security During Meetings
If you’re using the House for a Meeting, PLEASE close the Front Door during and after.
St Werburgh’s Parish Social Friday 8th February
Our very enjoyable annual Parish Social, down in the Club, 7.30 pm, free buffet, first drink free (the other ten you have to pay for), usual irritating FP Quiz, children especially welcome.
What’s not to like? Tickets available next week.
SVP Music Night Friday 8th Feb 7.30 pm
An evening of swing music by the City Jazz Orchestra and singers from the Catholic High School in St Columba's Church Hall in aid of the SVP Holiday Home. Tickets £10 each will be on sale at the back of church on the weekend of 19/20 January or from Stephen Perry, 07775781204 or email svpchester@gmail.com
Dementia and Age-related Day Centre
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: The Angels of the Passion
Interestingly, the final versions ring the Sanctuary – but there are less finished sandstone ones on the Sacristy Side Aisle pillars. Ever noticed?