Parish Newsletter

Statement from Bishop Mark: Friday 22nd May
PREPARING TO EMERGE FROM LOCKDOWN

"As we await an announcement regarding the reopening of churches for private prayer, we have been asked by the Bishop’s Conference to begin considering who in each of our parishes might be nominated to serve as a “COVID-19 Safety Leads” to help assist with the implementation of safety policies as our churches re-open. I would be grateful if you begin giving thought as to who might be able to undertake this task at parish level. I would also be grateful if you could begin to give some consideration to those parishioners who might be approached and subsequently trained in public health requirements to serve as stewards. It will be important to be conscious that parishioners who fall into a risk category could not be invited to volunteer for these roles. The risk categories include those aged 70+, pregnant women, and anyone with underlying health conditions. Risk assessments will need to be drawn up and appropriate PPE purchased along with cleaning materials. The Diocesan Health and Safety Officer, Julie Tinsley, will return to work this week to begin drawing up guidance and advice which will be issued in due course. At diocesan level, we have been able to secure some limited supplies of PPE (face masks, gloves, disposable aprons and hand sanitiser along with barrier tape and floor marking tape). However, this will be a good time to consider ways of securing more readily available supplies of domestic cleaning materials such as household disinfectant; disposable cloths, disposable or kitchen "rubber” gloves and disposable aprons. Hand sanitiser will also be needed which should be at least 65% alcohol in order to be effective. I hope when a governmental decision is made and we have received the full advice on public safety measures in co-ordination with Public Health England we will be given sufficient time to undertake the immediate preparation and training for the re-opening our churches. I am conscious that with the public announcement there will be expectation of finding churches open for prayer wherever this is possible, even if this is only for a limited time each day. This expectation will no doubt extend beyond the Catholic community. I am conscious that parish clergy who are self-isolating at this time will not be able to be directly involved in the process of re-opening so consideration will need to be given as to how this process can best and most safely be undertaken in each locality. It will be especially important for us to manage the reopening with both care and responsibility for all who may visit our churches and also as a first stage in the return to Mass and access to the sacraments which we are now seeing in other countries across Europe. The demands of managing stewarding, maintaining social distancing and undertaking cleaning procedures when we receive further guidance and instructions will no doubt be burdensome, yet they will help allow us gradually return to greater normalcy in the life of the Church after these unprecedented weeks of closure and lockdown.”

 

St Werburgh’s Re-Opening Task-Force: up and running, meeting next Monday Morning, 1st June. Watch this space! Thanks, everyone!

STOP PRESS: INTERNET UP AGAIN

No connection last week from Wednesday onwards. Engineer came out Saturday afternoon, umm’ed and aar’ed, as they do, scratched his head, and finally decided it was either a left-handed screeble nut in the wooble doofer OR... We had a ghost in the place. I’m going for the latter. Canon Murphy?

Sunday Mornings 10.00 - 11.00 am

It’s been a pleasure in recent weeks to be outside church for an hour on Sunday Morning to say hello to anyone passing by. I have all the Catholic Newspapers, Newsletters, Mass Cards, if any of you need to pick up any of those. Otherwise, just good to see you in person - but no hugs!! Not that you would anyway...

Mass Intentions During Lockdown

Still honoured and delighted to say your Mass Intentions: but there is only one Mass each day except Sunday (two) and that does mean that some pre-booked Intentions may not be on the exact day you requested if it was a Sunday. I’ll try to say your Mass on the nearest available day.

"Online giving to the Parish”

An online donation page has been added to the Parish website. It’s the third box down on the Home Page. (Box One, Official Statements, Box Two, Blog.)

Richard Curtis’s CAFOD 10k Run

Our excellent friend Richard Curtis from St Columba’s and St Theresa’s is doing a 10K run and has pledged to help raise £250.00 for CAFOD. He writes: "My company works with charities, and with the recent COVID-19 pandemic, charities including CAFOD will have a massive shortfall in funding and donations. Without emergency funding, some of these charities will disappear. If you have a spare few pounds, please sponsor me by going to the link below, but if you can't, don't worry about it - as we all have a lot going on at the moment. Thanks, everyone, Richard.” Richard’s a great chap, Werbies - he organised the Bowling Match for our Altar Servers at Cheshire Oaks a couple of months ago, and he’s a pillar of strength in Chester Parishes Together. Let’s get behind him on this one! https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/richard-curtis18 Closing Date for Donations: Sunday 31st May!

Keeping in Touch during this Period

Newsletters and Information Sheets will be available two ways, as usual: hard copies, in the Newsletter Box on the Front Door of the Church; and on the website, as you’ve always done. Log on to: www.stwerburghchester.co.uk. On the home page, you will see three links: one takes you to all the official statements; the second is the childish Parish Priest’s Daily Blog; the third is online giving.

Photo of the Week: St Augustine’s Church, Tokyo

The banner to the left of the altar - I’ll translate it for you if any of you don’t speak Japanese - says "50th Anniversary of Opening of Church”. Don’t be daft, I’m pleased to help. 1970. Architecture a little reminiscent of our own St Columba’s? Soon be time for another trip, please God, T&H?