St Werburgh's Roman Catholic Parish, Chester
Parish Newsletter
SUNDAY 17th NOVEMBER: THIRTY-THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (YEAR C)
Plans For Re-Modelling Front of Church
We have a new architect working on this now, Robert Harrington, and he has produced three possible designs for us to look at – on the noticeboard at the back of church. Plus, two new Wedding Photos from the 1950’s, which clearly show what it looked like before the changes to Grosvenor Park Road altered everything. As you will see, in the old days we came out of church onto a large flat paved area, and that’s what we’re seeking to recreate, as well as re-model our Disabled Entrance and tidy everything up generally.
Marriage Prep Day Next Saturday
We welcome seven couples to St Werburgh’s. So, Confessions will be 9.30-10.30 that morning.
October Mass Count 2019
Werbies Numbers holding up well, alleluia! These are the totals for all four Sunday Masses.
- 2011: 589
- 2012: 594
- 2013: 624
- 2014: 636
- 2015: 617
- 2016: 601
- 2017: 642
- 2018: 636
- 2019: 614
Health and Safety Group Meeting on Thursday
We’ve slimmed down now to a core committee of six very committed parishioners, for which I’m extremely grateful. Top two priorities have been Working at Height / Ladder Safety, and Fire & Evacuation Safety. Watch this space for more details over the coming weeks leading up to Christmas and jam-packed churches.
Caritas Shrewsbury Vacancy
An Office Administrator (closing date: 22nd November) based at their Head Office on the Wirral. For further details and an Application Pack: www.caritasshrewsbury.org.uk (‘Job Vacancies’ can be found under the ‘News’ Section) / Tel: 0151 652 1281 / info@caritasshrewsbury.org.uk
Refreshments After Mass Next Wednesday
We also welcome to Cheshire Church Leaders for lunch and meeting on that day, so it really will be a 2.00 am start!
Next Meeting of the Readers' Group
Monday November 18th at 7-00 pm in the Presbytery for about an hour, to look at the readings for the next 4 Sundays. All are very welcome whether readers or not. It' s a completely open meeting. Do come along!
NW University Catholic Chaplains Meeting
Great to welcome our guests from Manchester University, Manchester Met, Salford, Liverpool University, Liverpool John Moores and Liverpool Hope, and our National Co-Ordinator. Thanks, Bernice and Gillian, for a super lunch, which everyone hugely enjoyed, not the least being the chance to sit over coffee afterwards and just spend time together. Real Table Fellowship.
Gift Aid & Loose Plate Grant 2018/9
We have received £16,929 from the Government, a welcome addition to our funds. Interested in joining the scheme? Speak to Fr Paul or our Gift Aid Organiser, Denise Jones.
Finances This Year
Excellent Parish Council Meeting on Wednesday. The main item was Parish Finances so far this year. We looked at the seven-month figures (April-October) and the pressures are unmistakeable. We know this is true for every family too, so don’t be surprised if there’s some belt-tightening coming, folks!
Lyn Williams Commissioned Today
Lyn responded to the recent request for more Eucharistic Ministers to work in the Hospital. Thank you, Lyn! She has been trained there, but we are delighted to commission her here, in her Parish, where she will also assist – at 9.00 am today.
SVP Elderly / Housebound Reconciliation Service
in St Werburgh's, Saturday, 30th November at 10.30 am, with the opportunity for Confession and will be followed by refreshments. All are welcome. For information contact Stephen Perry on 07775 851 204.
Caritas Boxes Collection – Mille Grazie!!
The Caritas Autumn Collection raised a superb £860.09, over £110 more than the Spring Collection. A big thank you for your generosity.
Christmas Coffee Morning in aid of The Hospice
Friday 29th November, 10.30 am – 2.00 pm
Festival Church, Queen St, Chester CH1 3LG
Tickets £3 including coffee and mince pie
Candle Safety in Church
One of the Penny Candles ended up on the floor last Sunday morning and started a small fire, fortunately quickly extinguished. Candle Safety is high on the list of our excellent new Health and Safety Committee’s Agenda, so we will be asking for your views on this in the weeks ahead.
Confirmation Night on Tuesday!
Tuesday 19th November, 7.00 pm, down at St Clare’s. Please keep all our candidates – youngsters and adults - in your prayers.
November Holy Souls Book
Edition Three out today, Sunday 17th. Last Edition will be next Sunday, so deadline for submitting names is Wednesday evening this week.
Bishop Brian Noble R.I.P.
We are having our own Ellesmere Port & Chester Deanery Commemoration Mass on Wednesday 27th November at St Theresa’s, 7.00 pm, and it would be good to see as many of you as possible there.
November Month of the Holy Souls
Sun 17th Nov, 2.00 pm: Blessing of Graves Blacon
Sun 24th Nov, 2.00 pm: Blessing of Graves Overleigh
Tuesday 26th November, 7.30 pm: Mass of the Holy Souls (every name read out) – All welcome.
CAFOD Christmas Catalogues Our Today!
If there’s anyone who’d like a goat for Christmas…
“What Time’s Midnight Mass?”
Usual Mass Times this Christmas: Children’s Vigil Mass at 6.00 pm, Main Vigil Mass at 8.30 pm, Carols and Midnight Mass at 11.30 pm, and the two Day Masses at 9.00 am and 10.45 am. See you all there!
Photo of the Week: Rosary Basilica at Lourdes
Taken by Paul on a recent visit there – thanks, Paul!
