Parish Newsletter

New Tax Year Weekly Offertory Envelopes

If you use envelopes, please collect yours as soon as possible. Thanks! If you’re not in the scheme and would like to be, let FP know!

Access to the Organ Loft: Scaffolding Tower

For some time now we have identified access to the Organ Loft as a major Health and Safety issue, and with the Diocesan H&S initiative this time last year and the formation of our own Parish H&S Group, it’s come to the top of the Agenda. Present arrangements are to put a long ladder up to the loft, and climb over the top into the narrow entrance, which is unacceptably dangerous. For the last six months, we’ve been looking at a range of solutions, and one of them is a Scaffolding Access Tower. We’re going to try this out this week, erected on Monday, dismantled on Wednesday, and all the key players coming Tuesday morning for an inspection and discussion: top team from the Diocese, the Organ Tuners, Rentokil (it’s where the fly trap is situated) and our own H&S people. I’m going to ask them to put white tape round the edge of the Loft Door, so you can all see what we’re talking about. Warning: solution(s) will not come cheap.

Welsh Railways Trip: Wednesday 6th May 2020

The 52 who sent in an "expression of interest" form last Autumn have Priority Booking until Sunday 22nd March, after which it will be open to all Parishioners. Please complete the Booking Form if you would still like to go and return it with your remittance - £53.25 - to the Parish Office as soon as convenient.

Thy Kingdom Come: Ascension to Pentecost

Anyone like to come with me to a Meeting no Tuesday at Hoole URC to plan Chester’s contribution to this Ecumenical initiative?

St Werburgh’s Banner-Making Group

Anyone fancy joining a Banner Group in the Parish to make new ones for hanging from the pillars, to add to the beautiful ones we already have? Six names have come in so far - any more? Then we’ll call a meeting and get stitching!

Ash Wednesday; 26th February

Usual, three Masses - 7.30 am, 12.15 pm and 7.30 pm - and Stations of the Cross every Friday.

Churches Together in Christleton Lent 2020

• 3rd March: Foxhill Conference Centre, Frodsham
• 10th March: Quiet Garden, Frodsham (20 max)
• 17th March: Sisters of Jesus Way West Kirby (20)
• 24th March: Gladstone’s Library, Hawarden
• 31st March: Franciscans at Pantasaph.

Please note there are limited numbers at two venues. If you are definitely planning to attend, please email Judith on judith@edwards5.co.uk

Our Mission Together Minor Works List

The three volumes of the Lectionary are on display on the table under the Pulpit: please have a look at them and see how urgently they need re-binding. Off to the Binders this week! Next Week: Consultation on the Day Chapel

CathSoc Tonight - Reading Week aka Half Term!

Sunday 23rd, Pancakes and Catch-Up. I shall be standing ready with my frying pan...

Wrexham Newman Circle

Friday 28th February, Clare Black will be leading a session on "Retreat as part of living - an afternoon with Retreat House Chester", including a talk, mini Retreat Time and refreshments. 2.00 - 4.30 pm, St Francis of Assisi, Llay LL12 0NT. All welcome.

Mental Health Group Postponed to Tuesday 3rd

Monday 2nd is Chester Parishes Together at St Theresa’s, 7.00, so may we please go back a night?

Saturday 21st March - Singing the Word!

A day offered by the Diocesan Liturgy Commission for cantors, singers, instrumentalists, clergy and congregations. Saturday 21st March 10.00 am to 3.00 pm to join the Liturgy Commission at Saint John Plessington Catholic College on the Wirral. Places are £5 payable on the day to help cover costs (6 places for £25). Our Keynote speaker for the day is Mr Martin Foster a well-known composer and Director of the National Liturgy Office. To reserve a place contact Anthony Timothy (Curial Offices) 0151 652 9855 or anthony.timothy@dioceseofshrewsbury.org

Repository - Second-Hand Sale: £93!

Superb result - many thanks, everyone! The only snag is that Bernice and Paula are talking about up-grading for their post-Easter Break, leaving Mrs Peabody’s Guest House (no stars) and moving to the Pomona Hotel and Rest Home (one star).

Year of the Word Diocesan Spring Talks

Talk Two: Fr John Britto on Pope Benedict’s Encyclical Verbum Domini. Thursday Feb 27th St Columba's, Chester 19:00-20:30.
Talk Three: Miss Barbara Davies: The Language we use to speak of God. Wednesday 4th March, Our Lady’s Ellesmere Port

It Gets Worse!

If you call a Rooster who writes Novels ‘Charles Chickens’ what was his greatest novel? "Great Eggspectations"? Anyone else, do feel free to join in. [Why on earth did I ask such an idiotic question last week? It only brings out the worst in you... "Beak House", "Chickwick Papers", "The Mystery of Edwin Brood", "David Cockerfield", "Peckwick Papers" - Please, please, no more already! There’s only so much flesh and blood can stand...]

Stations of the Cross During Lent: Fridays, 7.30

Huge thanks to the six Parishioners who’ve volunteered to lead:

• 28th Feb: Lyn
• 20th March: Pat
• 6th March: Gerry
• 27th March: Denise
• 13th March: Syd
• 3rd April: Christine

Christian Aid Lenten Lunches

Every Monday during Lent, at the Quakers, Frodsham Street, 12.00 noon till 1.30 pm. St Werburgh’s is hosting on Monday 2nd March.

Photo of the Week; St Werburgh’s in January Sun

Last month was amazingly sunny, wasn’t it? And Geoff has captured the church in the full sharp beauty of the morning sun, January 28th this year.