Parish Newsletter

Fr Neill Writes…

“Thanks to those who contributed to the Ordination Mass. Marlene joins me in thanking you all as a Parish for the welcome we received when we first came to St Werburgh`s and for the love and support you have given to us both. We feel very privileged to be part of the St Werburgh’s family. It’s invidious to mention names in the off chance that you miss someone out; but my thanks to David, Denise and Francis, Readers at the Ordination Masses in the Cathedral and here in St Werburgh`s. To so many for their Prayers, gifts, cards and Mass cards. To James and the Choir and Syd and Denise and the Music group for learning the new pieces that were sung at the Mass. Now, if you are of a certain vintage you will remember Gerry and the Pacemakers. Well here in St Werburgh` we have something far superior......we have "Gerry and the Altar Servers"...my thanks to you all. Also, to those who welcomed visitors on Friday evening. To my Brothers in the Chester Catenian Circle for their support and laying on the buffet on Friday evening in the Parish Club and to John for his help in this venture. I want also to record my thanks to Bishop Mark and clergy I met with during the Process. Finally, and above all thanks to the Lord for His Grace in bringing Marlene and I home to His Church and granting me the Grace of Holy Orders, and to Our Lady for her constant intercession.”

Catholic Enquiry Course

Today, Pentecost Sunday, 10.45, Chloe Blencow and Marco Stigling will be Baptised and Confirmed, Jan Howatt and Dan Johns (already previously Baptised) will be Confirmed. All four will make their First Holy Communion. The end of a long road in all of their cases. Please keep them and their families in your prayers at this beautiful time. So good to welcome family members here from all over the country: Jan’s daughters, Dan’s family here in Chester, Marco’s new family in USA very much with us in prayer, and Chloe’s from Swadlincote, especially Hazel, Jean (and James from Manchester).

Appeal for Hospital Lay Volunteers

There are currently 18 Catholic Lay Volunteers, serving at one or more of three weekly sessions. Two sessions are on Sunday and Thursday mornings at the Countess in Chester, the other one at the Countess’s Ellesmere Port site on Friday afternoons. The work involves assisting the RC Chaplain in ministering to patients with Holy Communion and general pastoral support. Sessions are for about 1½ hours. Volunteers are formally appointed by the Countess Hospital Trust and training arranged by the RC chaplaincy. There is an urgent need for additional volunteers, particularly for the Sunday sessions. If you can help with this essential work, or want more details, please contact the RC Chaplain Fr Jude Nwachukwu 07440-314-905, or Deacon Lawrence 07960-517-463.

Marian Curtis’ Daughter, Kate

I am very pleased that Fr Neill, Syd and Denise are able to represent St Werburgh’s at Kate’s Funeral in Oxford on Thursday.

Vicars Cross URC Evening Service Last Sunday

Thanks to everyone for making this such a superb celebration of our Christian Life together.

CAFOD Strawberry Tea – Sunday 23rd June

Tickets costing just £3.50 are now on sale. 2.30- 4.30 pm, at 49 St Chad's Road, Chester CH1 5LF.
If the last two years are anything to go by, we can promise you a very enjoyable afternoon, delicious strawberry cream tea, in lovely surroundings and beautiful sunshine. Contact Sue on 679270 for more details or to reserve a ticket.

Chester Heritage Festival 21st - 29th June

We are participating in three events this year:

• Wednesday 26th June, 12.15 pm Anne Marie Curtis will speak and answer questions in the Visitor Information Centre at the Town Hall on the role of Belgians, Australians, and Americans in Chester during the First World War.
• Thursday 27th June, 12.15 pm, Gerry Tighe will speak and answer questions in the Visitor Information Centre at the Town Hall about the social and economic face of Chester 100 years ago.
• Friday 28th June the Church will be open from 2.00 -3.30 pm to receive a group of people who are visiting St. Paul’s, St Werburgh’s and St. John’s Churches. Gerry and Anne Marie will greet them and give our visitors some idea of life in our Parish and an introduction to our beautiful Church.

Parishioners are welcome to support these events.

“The Kingdom Come” – Ascension to Pentecost

We are meeting at the Cross, outside St Peter’s, at 5.00 pm on Pentecost Sunday. See you all there!

Caritas Box Holders Spring Collection

This raised a superb £728.15. Thank you to all Box Holders for your generosity. The next collection will take place in the autumn. The dates will be published in the newsletter nearer the time.

High School Assemblies Advertising Confirmation

Pleased once again this year to be given permission to bang the drum for Confirmation:

• Monday 17th June – 12.40 pm – Year 7
• Wednesday 19th June – 1.40 pm – Year 9
• Thursday 20th June – 1.40 pm – Year 10
• Friday 21st June – 1.40 pm – Year 12
• Tuesday 9th July – 1.40 pm – Year 8

New Headteacher - Chester Catholic High School

“The Board of Trustees and the Governing Body are delighted to inform you that following the intention of our Principal, John Murray to retire on the 31st August 2019, a new Head Teacher, Cathryn McKeagney, has been appointed from the 1st September 2019. Cathryn is currently Deputy Head Teacher at St Cuthbert’s in Widnes and was the excellent candidate from a very strong shortlist arising from an exhaustive two-day selection process before half-term. The Board of Trustees and Governing Body offer a warm welcome to Cathryn and very much look forward to working with her in the next stage of the school’s life.”

Photo of the Week: Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris

Taken by Jane Hallas a year before the devastating fire. Thank you so much, Jane.