Parish Newsletter

A Very ‘Happy Easter!’ To You All

It’s been wonderful to welcome so many to our church over Holy Week, Werbies and Wizziters, Catholics and Non-Catholics alike. Today, Easter Sunday, that welcome is as warm as ever: it’s so good to have you with us, and we hope the Grace and New Life of the Risen Lord Jesus touches you today and every day in the year ahead.

 

Trip to Liverpool Synagogue – Wednesday 8^th May

Booking opens TODAY, Easter Sunday, for our next Parish Outing, this time over the water to Liverpool. We are visiting the magnificent Princes Road Grade I Listed Synagogue for a guided tour, then the original building of Liverpool University, Evening Prayer in the Metropolitan Cathedral, finishing the day with supper in a nearby Italian Restaurant. (Well, why not? Lent’s over by then!) Leaving Chester by coach at 11.30 am, returning to Chester at 8.00 pm. 30 places, total cost £20. Booking List at the back of church, plus Flyers and Booking Forms, to be returned to Parish Office. For a valid booking, we need your FULL NAME and PHONE NUMBER, please.

 

Helen Lydon’s Modern Sculpture

As part of her Fine Arts Degree at LMJU, Helen has produced ‘Hold Fast’, a postmodern sculpture (in various metals with MDF base), shown first in The Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool, as part of an exhibition by LJMU Fine Art students, March 2019. The title is from the words of St Paul in the Bible, Thessalonians 5: “Hold fast to that which is good”. Helen writes “I see this as my creative response to moral struggles and conflict which are present in both individual lives and in the wider life of the church.” On display here for the next two weeks.

 

Parenting 5-15’s

Would you like to join other parents who'd like to know more about making family life supportive and enjoyable? There's another opportunity to join one of the popular parenting courses, this time for those with children aged 5-15.  The course focuses on simple techniques for supporting our children and adapting to the changes that a growing family brings.  The course begins at 7.00 pm on 8^th May at St Werburgh’s and St. Columba's Primary School in Lightfoot Street, Hoole.  If you'd like to know more about the course or book a place, please contact Claire on 07743-704-383 or 07880-553-830.

 

Rev Neill Robb… Fr Neill Robb

Since coming into the Catholic Church, Neill has been pursuing with Bishop Mark the question of Ordination as a Catholic Priest, and we were all delighted that Bishop Mark would like to ordain him here in St Werburgh’s on Friday 31^st May at 7.00 pm. A wonderful gift for Neill, for our Parish and for the Church. Please keep him and Marlene very much in your prayers in these coming weeks.

 

Our Last Priestly Ordination in St Werburgh’s?

John Curtis has been digging in the Archives and found that Fr Andrew McGeever was ordained here in 1905, and now buried in Overleigh. Can anyone remember a more recent one? 

 

Children’s Liturgy

Finishes now for the Easter Break. Back on Sunday 5^th May, and then through until Sunday 21^st July. Any more volunteers to help with this super work?

 

Easter Day-by-Day and Sacred Heart Messengers

Now on the News-Stand. £1 each.

 

CathSoc Summer Term Dates

First Meeting: Sunday 28^th April – Meadows Walk

 

CAFOD Easter Chicks Appeal

Thank you for your generosity in buying Easter Chicks

in support of the CAFOD Cyclone Idai Appeal.

St Werburgh’s Parish raised £177.57.

 

Shrewsbury Diocesan ‘Voice’

Our free quarterly Diocesan Magazine, available today.

 

Catholic High School Parents’ Association

Swing Band Dance Night. An evening of fun and musical entertainment at the annual PA Dance Night Friday 26^th April, 7.30 pm until late, in the School Hall. Free entrance. The bar will be open.

 

SVP Mass for the Elderly and Housebound

Sunday 28^th April in the Primary School at 2.30 pm followed by afternoon tea. Transport will be provided. All are very welcome.

 

First Holy Communions Begin in May

Final FHC Parish Group meeting for parents and children takes place on Tuesday 30^th April at 6.30 pm in the Parish House. The children will have an opportunity to practise receiving the host and from the chalice. Please check that your children’s preparation books are up to date if you’ve missed any of sessions. We look forward to seeing you all.

 

Confirmation – Tuesday 19^th November 2019

Flyer with full details coming soon!

 

St Werburgh’s “First Fridays Recitals” 2019

James has put together another super series of Concert Recitals for 2019, always First Fridays, May to December, always here, always 7.30 pm.

Friday 3^rd May: Felix & Tom, Organ, Piano & Vocal

Friday 7^th June: John Hosking Organ Recital

Friday 5^th July: The Smiths: Flute, Piano, Organ

Friday 2^nd August: Paul Carr Organ Recital

Friday 6^th September: Urszula Cello Recital

Friday 4^th October: Philip Chidell Violin Concert

Friday 8^th November: Cathedral Nave Choir

Friday 6^th December: Abbey Gate College

Glitzy colour flyer available today with full details of this very enjoyable musical series.

 

Photo of the Week: Where Are They Now??

Commercial VI Form 1951 Dee House Convent

Can anyone identify the girls shown on the photograph at the back of church? If so, please write their names on the form below the photograph.

The donor of the photograph would be very pleased.

 

And when exactly does Lent End??

Same answer, dearly beloved: Sunday Evening, 7.05 pm, to that great liturgical sound, chink chink, glug, glug (gulg, gulg?), fizzzzzzzzz…