Parish Newsletter

Lockdown Three: St Werburgh’s Remains Open

Here are the latest figures for infections Bishop Mark sent us on Friday 5th February. They are for the eleven Local Authorities in our Diocese, with the figures for previous weeks in brackets:

• Halton: 378 per 100,000 (522; 897; 1,148)
• Wirral: 252 (384; 763; 976)
• Telford and Wrekin: 305 (373; 588; 550)
• Warrington: 312 (369; 577; 780)
• Shropshire: 211 (244; 500; 420)
• Manchester: 291 (339; 488; 492)
• Cheshire West: 250 (314; 464; 528)
• Tameside: 238 (309; 418; 407)
• Stockport: 251 (274; 416; 503)
• Trafford: 211 (263; 406; 495)
• Cheshire East: 197 (212; 368; 388)

Gratifying to see significant falls in all eleven areas, but we cannot stress too much that we are far from out of the woods. Managing the lifting of restrictions, nationally and locally, and as churches, will require the judgment of Solomon, and we must pray for all leaders who have to make unenviable decisions in these perilous times. Numbers at Mass last week were up again at 183, the three previous weeks being 152, 184 and 179. We continue to monitor the situation week by week, under direction from Bishop Mark. At present, there are ten Diocesan Parishes temporarily closed, (out of 110), either because they are in Covid-19 hot-spots or because the Parish Priest himself has tested positive. 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+’s.

Arriving for Mass at the Last Minute

I know it’s the mark of a true Catholic to arrive for Mass thirty seconds before the Bell rings, but in these Covid-19 times, that’s one particular habit our Door Stewards would love you to give up for Lent!! They tell me it was particularly bad at the 11.00 am and 12.00 noon Mass. They have to keep you socially distanced, six feet apart, take down your Track and Trace details, make sure you’ve hand-sanitised and then show you to your seat. Can’t be done in thirty seconds, folks! Especially if there are lots of you on that particular kick. PLEASE break the habit of a lifetime and arrive five minutes before Mass starts?

Gift Aid Envelope Users: IMPORTANT

As we are unable to put the 2021/22 Gift Aid envelopes out in church for you to collect, we plan to deliver them to your home. It is therefore essential that we have your correct address. If you have moved in the last few years or are unsure if we hold your current address, please let Denise our Gift Aid Organiser know as soon as possible. Denise can be contacted at: Email: sydanddenny@btinternet.com; Phone: 01244 345676. Thank you for your ongoing support for St Werburgh’s during these difficult times which is very much appreciated.

Bishop Mark Writes, Friday 5th February...

Pope Francis’s announcement of a new memorial to celebrate the family of Bethany - Saints Martha, Mary and Lazarus - reminded me how our churches, and indeed every place where the Blessed Sacrament is reserved with love and devotion, becomes a Bethany for us. During this long crisis, so many have been able to be "at home" in our churches, initially via the internet in those first, difficult months, then by visits to the Blessed Sacrament in the initial re-opening of church doors and finally through the happy return for the celebration of Mass and the Sacraments. I hope the experience of this year and all the efforts which have been made will allow our churches to keep such a treasured place in peoples’ hearts and wherever possible have open doors so many can be at home in His Eucharistic Presence. Asking the prayers of Saints Martha, Mary and Lazarus,
+ 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

Last Saturday afternoon at 4.00 pm? I made a nice cup of tea and snuggled down in the warm...

If I can touch you, we are too close!

Want to Get on Zoom?

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 laptop or tablet (or smartphone), then the microphone and camera are ready-installed. If, like me, you only have a desktop, the kit costs about £25. We can order it for you. Interested? Just let me know, and we can help.

Magazines, Year Books, Ordos...

Day by Day (£1) magazines and Sacred Heart Messengers (£1.50) in the porch as you leave, plus Diocesan Year Books and Ordos (£5 each). Just take the mags and pop the money in next week!

Diocesan Mission for Catechesis

Reuben Purchase from our Diocesan 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: 1955 Wedding

Actually, the Wedding of the Year, 29th October, Eileen and Eddie Mapp. Look at the paved area outside the main doors, and that’s the effect we are seeking to re-create in re-modelling the front of the church. Eddie went Home to the Lord some years ago, but Eileen is very much still with us. She is 108.