St Werburgh's Roman Catholic Parish, Chester
Parish Newsletter
SUNDAY 28th JUNE: SAINTS PETER AND PAUL (YEAR A)
We Are Open Again!
Great to welcome so many of you on Wednesday evening, and to see that our systems worked well. Thousand thanks to the Taskforce and the Stewards, without which none of this would be possible. Two times each week: Wednesday Evenings 6.00-7.30 pm, and Sunday Mornings 11.00-12.30. If all goes well, and there’s a demand for it, we will then have more sessions, culminating in the great day - not there yet! - when we are open for Mass and all the Sacraments. Meanwhile...
Here are the Guidelines for Reopening. We’ve tried to keep them to a minimum, and not make them appear too bossy. But we do have to work to Government and Diocesan instructions, and that we’ve been keen to do from the outset.
- Please queue along the pavement towards the hotel, at 2 metres (six feet) distance from others.
- You may not bring any bags, other than a handbag, nor umbrellas into the church. They must be left in the porch.
- On entry to the church please take a single squirt of the hand gel provided.
- You are strongly encouraged to wear a face covering during your visit.
- Move as quickly as you can to a chair, as directed by a steward.
- Sit (or kneel if you wish) for the time you are in church.
- Do not move the chair from its marked spot, to maintain correct distancing.
- Please avoid unnecessarily touching anything other than your chair.
- Unfortunately, none of the rest of the church is accessible.
- Please depart the church as quickly as you can when the bell rings to signal the slot is over, again as directed by a steward, and keeping six feet apart.
- Use hand gel again as you leave the church.
- If you want to chat, at a safe distance, to anyone else, please do so outside the church.
SORRY: NO PARKING AT CHURCH AT THESE TIMES.
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.
Hour Outside Church Sunday Morning
10.00-11.00 am, for Catholic papers, Newsletters or just to say "Hello!” Why not come along? Then the doors open at 11.00 until 12.30 pm.
Bishop Mark’s Message This Week: 28th June
A MOMENT OF GREAT JOY
We are about to embark on the next, decisive stage of our re-emergence from the state of national lockdown with the public celebration of Mass and the availability, at set times, of the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation. All is due to begin from Saturday 4th July however, I wish to stress that every parish must feel free to go safely and surely at its own pace. The reports which you have shared with me of the joy that has marked the re-opening of church doors, came about thanks to all the hard work involved in the detailed preparation of some 60 of our churches to open for private prayer. I am very much aware of the pressure which the demands of COVID safety have brought. However, nothing can take away the joy of being able to assist many to return, in the weeks ahead, to Confession, Mass and Holy Communion. Amid the pressure of the many details of our compliance with standards of safety may we keep in sight the goal and great joy to be shared.
MESSAGE FROM THE FOUR ARCHBISHOPS
On the website home page, under "Documents”.
SUNDAY AND HOLY DAY OBLIGATION
The faithful continue to be dispensed in this national emergency from the obligation to attend Holy Mass on Sundays and Holy Days. We have not yet returned to a state of "normality” and there are parishioners who may remain shielded/isolated for many medical reasons. For this reason, I would want to encourage the livestreaming of Mass to be continued wherever possible and the encouragement of prayer in the home and acts of spiritual communion for those unable to attend Mass.
TWO GUIDANCE DOCUMENTS
Two documents received from the Bishops’ Conference, both of which are on the website: Guidance for the Celebration of Mass and Guidance for the Celebration of Confession. Both are summarised on today’s Blog. Rest assured, everyone, your Reopening Taskforce will go through both with a fine toothcomb [What that? Ed] and apply each and every instruction to the local situation of St Werburgh’s. Bishop Mark doesn’t want us to be rushed, and above all wants us to be SAFE.
WEDDINGS
I told you on the Blog that Bishop Mark had given permission Thursday Night for two of our couples who wish to have "Mini-Weddings” here, one in July, one in August, for them to go ahead. The couples are delighted! This was his general statement yesterday:
I would wish to clarify that it is now possible to proceed with weddings from 4th July onwards wherever it has been possible for you to complete the preparations. The Government’s announcement was specific in indicating that no more 30 people should be present. I know the safe capacity of many churches will be greater than this and I will seek further clarification. Until then I think it is wise for us to follow the direction given for all couples marrying in the weeks ahead.
Photo of the Week: Fr Neill’s First Blessing
A truly beautiful picture from Fr Neill’s First Mass, here in St Werburgh’s, Sunday 2nd June 2020. By tradition, the newly-ordained Priest gives his First Blessing after Mass to anyone who would wish to receive it. And here he is, with his beloved wife Marlene, who’s had so much to put up with...!!! If there were medals to be given...
