Parish Newsletter

Today, 19th July: Open Again for Mass!!

The moment we’ve been praying for after four long months - St Werburgh’s open again for Sunday Mass. Our Risk Assessment has been approved by the Diocese, a fantastic number of extra stewards have wolunteered and been trained-up and we’re ready to go this Sunday Morning. These are the KEY points:

1. Masses at 9.00, 10.00, 11.00 and 12.00
2. Half an hour each
3. Maximum of sixty in the congregation for each
4. ONLY sit on the yellow crosses
5. At all times be directed by the Stewards
6. Please sit individually at this stage – no bubbles
7. Face coverings advised but not compulsory
8. Sanitise your hands on the way in

You’ll need to queue up, along towards Bath Street, and come in, six feet apart, when the Stewards tell you. Sanitise your hands and sit where directed. The less impedimenta (good, eh?) you bring with you - bags, shopping, brollies - the better. Anything other than a handbag will need to be left in the porch. At the end of Mass, we will need you to skedaddle as quickly and safely as possible, as the whole church has to be sanitised before the next sixty can be let in. It’s doable if everyone co-operates!

Cheshire County Ecumenical Development Officer

As you know, the Cheshire Church Leaders often come to St Werburgh’s for their bi-monthly meetings (they only come for my sandwiches). Our leader is Rev Andrew Taylor, a Baptist Minister and full-time County Ecumenical Officer for Cheshire - and a thoroughly all-round good egg. He’s now reached retirement age (boo! hiss!) so Churches Together in Cheshire are looking for his replacement. Here’s their advert and it’s a super job for the right person:

"Prompted by the impending retirement of the existing post-holder, Churches Together in Cheshire (Registered Charity No: 1115015), seeks to make an interim appointment to the above position:
This position, for 15 hours a week, is to facilitate and support the churches of Cheshire in their relationships with one another and their wider mission in the world, by encouraging and developing the principles and practicalities of Christian unity throughout the county. It is hoped for an early appointment. The salary is £8,025 p.a. The post is for a period of up to two years, whilst a process of review and re-visioning is conducted.
Completed applications are required for 31st July. It is hoped to interview by the end of August.
For full details of this post and an application form, either printed or electronic, please contact Rev Andrew Taylor on 01270 780529 or by e-mail at: ceo.ctic@gmail.com”

Message from Bishop Mark: Friday 17th July

As I write, exactly 90 of our churches have reopened and from the reports I have received from around the Diocese all is going well. I am very grateful to the clergy, diocesan officers and volunteers who have made this possible in the face of so many complexities and challenges. With remembrance in my prayer and every good wish,
+ Mark Bishop of Shrewsbury.

David Clewes RIP

We were all very saddened to hear in the week of the very sudden death of Norah’s beloved husband David on Tuesday evening after a very normal day together. They were both up here for Private Prayer on Wednesday 8th July. Our deepest sympathy and warmest condolences go out to Norah, Stephen and Tim at this sad time. David, as you know, was a very keen member up at St Thomas’s on Parkgate Road, and we believe that is where the Funeral is to be on Friday 7th August. But do please remember, everyone: while these lockdown restrictions remain, numbers at funerals are strictly limited, and lists have to be compiled by the family. So, please don’t just turn up!!

Chester Catholic High School Foundation Governors

In Catholic schools, foundation governors are practising Catholics appointed by the Diocese. They make up the majority of the board members. A foundation governor has a responsibility to preserve and develop the Catholic character of the school, but like all governors, also has to ensure high standards of educational achievement by the children. To be effective, any Governing body needs to have a range of skills and diversity from both inside and outside the education sector. We are currently requesting the diocese to appoint 2 new Foundation governors to be in place for September 2020. If you feel you have something to offer and are able to make a commitment, please do consider putting yourself forward to be a Foundation Governor at our High School. Full details: www.dioceseofshrewsbury.org/education/governors/foundation-governors
Thank you. Jane Johnson. Chair of Governors.

Ordinations to the Diaconate and the Priesthood

Bishop Mark writes: "I am very happy to announce that Patrick Breeze, David Irwin, Humphrey O’Connor and Stephen Roberts will be ordained to the transitional Diaconate at Shrewsbury Cathedral on Saturday 25th July at 12 noon. Rev Robert Dykes will be ordained to the Priesthood at Shrewsbury Cathedral on Tuesday 4th August at 6.00 pm. Please keep these five men very much in your prayers. The guidance we have received makes clear that the number attending and taking part in these celebrations are strictly restricted to 30, making it impossible for us to extend a general invitation. However, these Ordination Masses can be accessed via livestream.”

Car Parking on Sunday Mornings

A nightmare at the best of times - and these are not the best of times. With a dozen Stewards needing to be on duty all morning, and parking up the side, it will probably be best NOT to try to park at church if you are coming for one of the four Sunday Morning Masses.
Blue Badges: you can park on the main road, as usual.

Monday Morning Reopening Review Meeting

We’ll be sitting down at 10.30 on Monday Morning to look at how Sunday Morning went. So, if you have any comments, do please send them in!

Photo of the Week: Abbey of Notre Dame du Bec

Frances McKenna snapped this fascinating plaque in the Normandy Abbey at Le Bec Hellouin, which commemorates the links between the Abbey and the church in England in the Middle Ages. It specifically mentions Richard, Abbot of St Werburgh Chester, 1093-1117. Thanks for sending it in, Frances!