Parish Newsletter

Masses on Sundays: No Change at Present

Sunday Masses for the foreseeable future will continue at 9.00, 10.00, 11.00 and 12 noon. Total attendance last Sunday was 297. Until restrictions are lifted and we’re back to “normal”, the message is a clear one: if you want to be sure of a place at Sunday Mass, please don’t come at the last minute!

Beginning of Emergency Lighting Installation

Very useful Site Meeting here last Monday with all the key players. The work will be in two parts: creating the channels and laying the wiring; and then installing the lights. The first will take a lot longer than the second, and begins on Monday 12th July, hopefully for a fortnight. The workmen will be here Monday to Friday, and everything left neatly for the weekend, so we hope not too much disruption to our daily life together.

Reintroduction of Public Weekday Masses

Owing to the start of the electrical work in church we will have to push back reintroducing public Weekday Masses by a month, to be on the safe side. So, Weekday Masses will restart on Monday 2nd August, at the temporary time of 10.00 am while we conduct our major Consultation Exercise on what time you would permanently like to see our Weekday Masses.

Consultation on Weekday Mass Times

Not having had public Weekday Masses for the past 18 months allows us to revisit the question of time. Throughout July & August, we’re going to have a major Consultation Exercise: do you think we should have Weekday Mass at the same time every day (in which case, when) or different times on different days (in which case, when?) You can give your views on-line or by paper Questionnaire. We really do want to hear from you! There will be three Questions for you to answer:
1. Should Weekday Masses be at the same time every day or at different times on different days?
2. If it’s the same time, what time do you prefer?
3. If it’s different times, what ones do you prefer?

Taskforce and Tekkie Two are working hard to get the wording of the three questions water-tight, and we plan to launch the Questionnaire next weekend, 4th July, and let it run throughout July and August. If all goes well, our new Weekday Mass times will start in September.

Sacrament of Confirmation

The long-awaited next Chester Parishes Confirmation will be on Wednesday 23rd February at St Columba’s. To be Confirmed then, you must already be in High School now; however, there is no upper age limit. If you wish to be Confirmed then, want more information or have any questions, please email stcolumbatheresaconfirmation@hotmail.co.uk or contact Denise Lusk on 01244-379742. If you wish to join the adult preparation group, please also introduce yourself to Fr William.

Reintroduction of Confessions

Starting Saturday 3rd July, 9.00-10.00 am, on the Sanctuary, two chairs socially distanced. Please sit on the Red Plastic Chairs while you are waiting.

CAFOD News

Thanks to your support, CAFOD has been helping communities around the world to cope with the pandemic. Just in Zambia in the past year, our reports show that we’ve been able to reach 1,234,200 people with messages on Covid-19, provide 13,312 people with access to safe water, train 392 frontline health workers from Zambia’s 11 Dioceses to prepare and respond to Covid-19 in their local communities and donate over 1,000 handwashing hygiene stations in communities to support cleanliness. Thank you for standing alongside people in Zambia and for supporting people in more than 30 other countries worldwide.

Primary School and High School

For the next Half Term, up to the Summer Break, I am planning to go into each school on a weekly basis, spending a morning or afternoon in each. It’s the least I can do to support the excellent work they are doing in these very difficult circumstances. Starting with the High School this week on Wednesday afternoon.

World Day of Prayer: Friday 25th June

Great to see so many of you over at Christ Church Newtown for this lovely annual service. This year, the focus was on the Women of Vanuatu, a group of South Sea Islands north of New Zealand and east of Australia. Congratulations to Rev Anna, the Curate at Christ Church, and the team there for leading us in such a beautiful service.

Photo of the Week: St John Plessington

The stained glass in the porch is all by Trena Cox, one of the most exciting stained-glass artists in the twentieth century. Sadly, not possible to stop and gaze during these Covid-19 times, and her magnificent Plessington window will have to wait till the Disabled Toilet is once again in use. When it is, do please sit, dearly beloved, and contemplate this masterpiece of contemporary art… Meanwhile, our POTW shows you what you are missing.

SS Peter and Paul: 29th June

Tuesday’s Holyday of Obligation has Masses at 10.00 am and 11.00 am. See you all there!

Traidcraft Week: 21st – 27th June 2021

Many thanks to all who went along to support.

Message from Caritas Diocese of Shrewsbury

Caritas would like to express their sincere gratitude for the generous donation of £420.68 which has been sent to them over the past 6 months from St Werburgh's box holders. 2020 was a challenging year for everyone and Caritas really appreciate the support that parishioners have given them, which will enable them to continue their work with children, families and communities in the most challenging situations across the diocese.
Until box collections can resume as before, please consider other ways of getting your donations to Caritas, e.g. by setting up a Standing Order. Forms can be obtained by contacting Dominique Gresty at dmgresty0620@gmail.com, or use this email address for any query you may have. Thank you.