Parish Newsletter

New Mass Common

We sing seven Mass Commons on a two-weekly basis and are delighted that James and the Choir have been working on a new, eighth one. It Dan Schutte’s ‘Mass of Christ the Saviour’, composed in 2013 for the new translation of the Mass. We’ll introduce it step-by-step, starting next Sunday with the Gloria!

Exposed North Side of Church

The Oil Painting is starting to take shape, partly in London and partly in Chester… Do please keep the photos coming in, so that our Artist has as many as possible to work from.

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 last Tuesday

We welcomed our two new members, Judith Done and Anne Proctor: Minutes will soon be on the Notice Board and on our website.

Crib Down, End of Christmastide

Many thanks to all those who turned up on Thursday for dismantling the Christmas Decorations: and to everybody who contributed to the Crib Collection, for the Diocesan Children’s Society, now Caritas.
We raised £319: last year, it was £238!

West Side Story at Manchester Royal Exchange

Something’s coming… Tonight, tonight?

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

Thanks, everybody, for a super afternoon last Saturday: for the cooks, producing a great Christmas Lunch, for our Musicians and Mini-Vinnies, for all the Taxi Drivers, and to you, the Parish, whose generosity in the SVP Christmas Collection made it all possible. Thanks, SVP!

Caritas Re-Launch

The old “Diocesan Children’s Society” is now “Caritas”, part of the Church’s world-wide Social Work agency. It continues to work with children, but increasingly with families as well. We only have about 20 Box-Holders at present so on 27th January, someone will be coming from the Diocese to tell us about their work, and bringing with them lots and lots of new Boxes…

Next meeting of the Readers’ Group

Monday 21st January at 7.00 pm in the Presbytery.

We Need More Book Cases for Parish Library

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. Thanks, folks!

FHC Parish Group Meeting

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 – which is Saturday 26th January at 10.00 am! 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.

CHS Parents’ Association Family Bingo Night

Friday, 25th January 7.00 pm at the Catholic High School. Bar open. Adults & children welcome.

Parish Day out to Oscott: Wednesday 27th March

We are delighted to announce that we have been given permission to visit the Seminary at Oscott where many students for our Diocese are now receiving their training for the priesthood. After travelling by coach from Chester we shall have the privilege of Holy Mass being celebrated in the College Chapel. A light lunch will follow, and we will then be given a tour of the College by some of our own Diocesan Seminarians. Not to be missed! Watch this space for cost/booking details.

Mission Secretary reporting to Episcopal Vicar

Curial Offices, Birkenhead. £18,000–£20,000 (term time only). 35 hours per week with occasional evening and weekend duties. Administrative support and central contact for the Department of Mission and New Evangelisation. http://www.dioceseofshrewsbury.org/about-us/curia/vacancies Closing Date: 1st February.

CD of the Great War Plaque Evening

Syd took some excellent Photos of 6th November: 40 of them available on a CD for £5.
Please sign up if you’d like one.

Music Group Playing 10.45 Mass Today

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? Free Tickets available today!!

SVP Music Night Friday 8th Feb 7.30 pm

An evening of swing music 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

Photo of the Week: St Martin of Tours

Don’t some of you get to exotic places! This lovely statue is outside the Catholic Church in St Maarten in the Lesser Antilles. (The Caribbean to you and me, Choir!) Thanks, Tony, Pat and Joe B!