Parish Newsletter

Lockdown Three: St Werburgh’s Remains Open

Some signs that the pace of the virus is slowing, but we are far from being out of the woods. The latest figures for infections Bishop Mark sent us on Friday night for the eleven Local Authorities in our Diocese are as follows, with the figure for last week and the week before that in brackets:

• Halton: 522 per 100,000 (897; 1,148)
• Wirral: 384 (763; 976)
• Telford and Wrekin: 373 (588; 550)
• Warrington: 369 (577; 780)
• Shropshire: 244 (500; 420)
• Manchester: 339 (488; 492)
• Cheshire West: 314 (464; 528)
• Tameside: 309 (418; 407)
• Stockport: 274 (416; 503)
• Trafford: 263 (406; 495)
• Cheshire East: 212 (368; 388)

Numbers at Mass last week were slightly down at 152, from 184 the previous week and 179 the week before that. But given the snow and wintry conditions, we were pleasantly surprised at 152. We continue to monitor the situation week by week, under direction from Bishop Mark. As of Friday 29th, nine Diocesan Parishes have closed for the time being, either because they are in Covid-19 hot-spots or because the Parish Priest himself has tested positive. Some signs of a national and regional slowing down, then, but still a critical need for everyone to take maximum care, both here in Church and in every other part of our lives. Meanwhile, good to hear that so many of you had had your first jabs. Some of you have been kind enough to enquire when I will receive mine: thanks for asking but I’m happy to wait in the queue with the other 50-60 year olds...

Bishop Mark Writes, Friday Evening...

The evenings in these last days of January are becoming noticeably lighter. At the same time, it is encouraging to learn of the fall in weekly infections across the Diocese; the progress of the national vaccination programme and reports in the parishes of rising numbers at Mass - including parishioners returning for the first time since the beginning of this crisis. It is encouraging too, that the Government is beginning to look at the pathway out of the state of national lockdown and has remained firmly committed to the freedom and continuance of public worship throughout this third, national lockdown. I appreciate it is much too early to make plans for the post-pandemic period and the past year has taught how setbacks may still lie ahead. However, we can at least begin to look forward to recovery and re-building as this year progresses. Entrusting the year ahead of us to the prayers of Saint Joseph,
+ Mark Bishop of Shrewsbury

Baptisms, Weddings and Funerals?

Baptisms: permitted, but "Rule of Six" - maximum of six people allowed to attend.
Weddings: only in exceptional circumstances such as grave illness, and, again, "Rule of Six".
Funerals: permitted, with a maximum of thirty people attending.

St Clare’s: The Eagle Has Landed

Driving away from St Clare’s on Wednesday morning after their mid-week Mass, I saw the door of the Parish House open just a crack and a hand poke through and give a wave. Clearly, the Eagle Has Landed. Welcome back, Fr E! Now I prepare for my final open-air Drive-In Mass this afternoon. Winter draws on.

New Notices Around Church

New laminated notices displayed in prominent places, reminding everyone about the Covid-19 essentials: hand-sanitising as often as possible, wearing masks properly, and keeping 2 metres apart.

If I can touch you, we are too close!

The really important Covid-19 Regulations can be boiled down to "Face-Hands-Space". Speaking personally, I am very happy with the way we are all observing the first two in St Werburgh’s. But the third sometimes gives me the heebie-jeebies (as they say in German). We are getting far too close to one another, and I never thought I’d have to say that! Seriously, everyone: this horrible virus spreads from person to person, and the major way it does that is by physical contact. So, a new rule in St Werburgh’s:
IF I CAN TOUCH YOU, THEN WE ARE TOO CLOSE.

Want to Get on Zoom?

To state the obvious: none of us had the slightest idea when Lockdown One began last March that we’d still be here virtually twelve months later. Like many of you, I was a reluctant convert to Zoom, but it’s been an absolute lifesaver, bringing people together in all sorts of ways. I’m grateful to Marco and the SVP for sorting me out and getting Zoom installed. Would any of you like a hand to get it installed? If you have a computer or laptop, we can help you. The kit (microphone and camera, that just plug in) costs about £25, and we can order it for you. If you’re interested, just let me know - or if you’d like to offer your services as an installer for someone else.

Magazines, Year Books, Ordos...

Day by Day (£1) magazines and Sacred Heart Messengers (£1.50) are both available in the porch as you leave, as well as the Diocesan Year Books and Ordos (£5 each). Don’t worry if the "one-way system" makes paying difficult: just take the mags and pop the money in next week!

Diocesan Mission for Catechesis

Reuben Purchase from our Diocesan Mission for Catechesis is now back at work and the Mission for Catechesis now has its own YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgLVgfUIN3HarGh2AP803qA
Reuben and the Diocesan Mission for Catechesis now have their own website and you can find it on: http://www.weareallcatechists.com

This Week’s Photo of the Week: 1992

900 years since the Benedictine foundation of what became Chester Cathedral. See two formers PP’s, one of them - Fr Peter - looking remarkably youthful. Mind you, he was just starting his stint here. He didn’t look like that at the end!!