Parish Newsletter

 

Confirmation Last Tuesday

Many thanks to everyone who made our Confirmation Ceremony last Tuesday down at St Clare’s such a joyous occasion: the Candidates themselves, their Sponsors and Families, the Catechists who prepared them, St Clare’s for hosting so graciously, the Musicians from both Parishes, the Catering Team from St Clare’s who laid on such a superb bash afterwards, and especially Bishop Mark for coming along and presiding with such warmth and dignity. And to everyone who helped – a real team effort!

 

First Holy Communion Enrolment Mass

Today at 10.45, we officially welcome all our children for the first time, from both our Primary School and our Parish Group. Many thanks to Music Group for playing.  

Next Meeting of the Parish Group: Tuesday 3^rd December, 6.30 pm, Parish House.

 

Catholic High School Parents’ Association

A Carol Service will be held on Wednesday 18^th December at 6.30 pm at the Catholic High School, followed by refreshments, a Christmas raffle and musical entertainment by the school City Jazz Orchestra & Singers. Free entrance. Everyone welcome.

 

Piano Available to a Good Home

A small, upright piano in excellent condition. If you are interested, or you know of a church, school or community group which may be, please contact Fr. Paul. The piano must be collected by 10^th December.

 

Bottle Bags – Three for £1!!

For some unknown reason, I seem to have a lot of excellent Bottle Bags in the house. Not sure who put them there… On sale today on the Repository Stall, 3 for a £1.

 

Health & Safety Group Meeting Last Thursday

Some big challenges coming up: the Children’s Christmas Eve Mass, some very well-attended Recitals and Erection of the Christmas Tree. Plus, a long list of hazards to be addressed. Big thanks to this excellent team for taking this on.

 

Next First Friday Recital: Friday 6^th December

Abbey Gate College present a concert of music for Christmas. There will be pupils from both the senior school and the infant and junior school providing seasonal music including some congregational carols for you to join in with too.

 

Lunches Last Week

Never out of that kitchen, three 2.00 am starts in a row! Tuesday was Christleton Churches Together, Wednesday our Parish Lunch/Cheshire Churches Leaders, Thursday was Chester Parishes Altar Servers. Thanks, everyone!

 

Mass for Bishop Brian on Wednesday

St Theresa’s at 7.00 pm, for all the Chester Parishes to remember our Bishop 1995-2010.

 

Christmas Coffee Morning for The Hospice

Friday 29^th November, 10.30 am – 2.00 pm

Festival Church, Queen St, Chester CH1 3LG. Tickets £3, including coffee and mince pie.

 

SVP Notices

(1) Reconciliation Service Saturday 30^th November, in St Werburgh's at 10.30 am.

(2) Second Collection on 7^th/8^th December

To support the homeless, provide Christmas parcels for families and to finance a festive lunch for the elderly/housebound.

(3) SVP/Catholic High School Christmas Tea on Wednesday, 4^th December at 2.30 pm. If you know of anyone who would like to join us for this fun and friendly event, or if you would like more information on any of these three events, please contact

Stephen Perry: 07775 851 204.

 

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.

 

Lyn Williams Commissioned as EM Last Sunday

Lyn responded to the recent request for more Eucharistic Ministers to work in the Hospital. Thank you, Lyn! Any more wolunteers?

 

Candle Safety in Church

One of the Penny Candles ended up on the floor the Sunday before last 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.  

 

November Holy Souls Book: Final Edition Today   

 

November Month of the Holy Souls

Sun 24^th Nov, 2.00 pm: Blessing of Graves Overleigh

We start in the “Old Side”, on your left as your head towards Overleigh Roundabout, at 2.00 pm, and then move over to the “New Side” at 3.00 pm.

Tuesday 26^th November, 7.30 pm: Mass of the Holy Souls when every name in our Holy Souls Book is read out and you are invited to come forward and light a candle if you would wish to do so. All welcome.

 

CAFOD Christmas Catalogues Now Out!

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!

Two Deanery Reconciliation Services in Advent: here in St Werburgh’s on Wednesday 18^th December (7.00 pm) and up at Our Lady’s Ellesmere Port on Monday 9^th December (7.00 pm). All welcome at both.

 

Advent Starts Next Sunday, 1^st December

The colour moves to Purple, the Liturgical Year is now Year A for Sundays and Year II for Weekdays. Year Books and Ordos should be out, and we ourselves have an Advent Holy Hour on Sunday 8^th December at 3.00 pm.

 

Photo of the Week: Anglesey’s Famous Church

Our Lady Star of the Sea and St Winefride, Amlwch, in the shape of an upturned boat, with the Church Hall actually underneath the church, partly below ground level. Thanks, Tony!