Parish Newsletter

Open for Sunday Morning Mass – Now with Bubbles!

Numbers continuing to rise every week, which is so encouraging:

• Week One: 147
• Week Two: 198
• Week Three: 201
• Week Four: 215

Week Five: 232 This is about 58% of our "normal” Sunday Morning Mass congregation, so people are obviously feeling more confident about coming back to Mass reassured by all our safety measures put in place. Thanks, everyone - and thanks Taskforce, Cleaners and Stewards especially, We couldn’t do it without you!

Face Masks / Coverings Now Required in Church

Following Government Guidelines issued three weeks ago, face masks or coverings are now required for church services. Please make sure you bring yours, and we do rely on your co-operation in this vital matter. I myself am now required to wear a mask for distributing Holy Communion. Thanks, everyone, for your co-operation in this and every other aspect.

Masks and Receiving Holy Communion

Our advice to you is that you either remove the mask or slip it beneath your chin while you are in the queue coming up to Communion. Then, after you have reverently received Communion, you can replace the mask. We noticed last week some of you trying to juggle, especially if you also had a handbag or something else in your hands. We hope our advice helps you not to juggle too much at the same time!

More Stewards/Cleaners Needed!

Some of our fantastic wolunteer Stewards and Cleaners are getting ready to go back to University - how very dare they! So, we need half a dozen more. You’ve all seen what’s involved by now, and full training is given. At all times you work under supervision. If you’d like to join the merry band, let FP know FP and we’ll bite your arm off!
4 WOLUNTEERS ALREADY - 2 MORE OUT THERE???

Car Parking Sunday Mornings: Priority for Stewards

Please DON’T 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.

Fridge, Fridge-Freezer and Microwave Oven

All looking for a good home! In excellent condition and entirely free - but, if you’d like to make a donation to St Werburgh’s, we wouldn’t exactly stop you! If you’re interested in any or all of these items, or would like to see them, please let FP know.

First Holy Communions: This Year and Next

When lockdown began, way back in March, we floated the idea of moving our First Holy Communions to September. Fat chance of that now! But Louise and I do want to stress you haven’t been forgotten, and that we are already discussing the right time to start gathering names for May 2021. It’s under active discussion, so please watch this space if you have a child in Year 3 or above in September not in our Catholic Primary School.

Should have been Italy...

9.10 Saturday morning as I write. In other words, 108 Hours, 16 Minutes that I would have been in Italy had I not been a Martyr to this Parish. Counting the time? Moi? Bitter? Twisted? Resentful? What on earth gives you that impression? Anyone smell burning flesh?

Mass Intentions for 2021

I normally start the Diary for next year’s Intentions when I get back from hols, but as I shan’t be away this year, the new 2021 Diary will start receiving requests on Tuesday 1st September. Strictly first come, first served!

References

Always pleased to write Parish Priest References for those who need them, or personal ones if requested: but always a good idea to have word with me first, as it saves the embarrassment to all concerned of being asked for a reference from someone I’ve never heard of!!!

Redemptorist Newsletters Resuming

We haven’t used our usual Newsletter Format for the past six months, with the Redemptorist editorial on the front cover and the Mass Readings and Prayers on the back. You’ll be glad to know they’ll start up again on the first Sunday in September.

Lovely Apartment for Sale in Handbridge

A very spacious two-bedroom apartment for sale by one of our Werbies in a beautiful part of Queens Park, just near the Meadows and a short walk over the Suspension Bridge into town. Very attractive rear garden, garage and ample parking. It’s the bottom half of a two-storey house and is an absolute snip at £275,000. No, before you start asking, I haven’t gone into the Estate Agent Business! But there are special reasons for giving this one a bit of a push. If interested or you’d like to know more, see FP, and I’ll put you in touch with the Agents.

Golden Wedding Congratulations!

Our own Fr Neill and Marlene celebrated their Golden Wedding on Saturday 15th August, with 10.00 am Mass last Sunday for their Intentions. Many congratulations! Fifty years and never a cross word: we’re all proud of you!

Sunday Masses Up and Running: What’s Next?

This is a question many of you are asking. Delighted with how well Sunday Mornings are going, with no need for booking or excessive queues. The Taskforce meets every Monday Morning, and we have under active review the questions of weekdays Masses and Saturday and Sunday Evenings. Watch this space!

Requiem Masses Now Allowed

One small but important easing of Covid-19 Restrictions: Requiem Masses are now allowed in church as well as Funeral Services, but the "thirty maximum” rule still applies. (N.B. Some Funeral Directors may insist on smaller numbers.)

Photo of the Week: Polish Rock Salt Chapel

Another fascinating picture from the Michigan Monsters’ trip to Poland last year, from the Salt Mines of Wieliczka. This is the underground chapel of St Kinga, and the statue, carved in rock salt, of St John Paul II. On the Blog I’ve also posted another picture of two of the hideous little elves who help out in the Salt Mines.