St Werburgh's Roman Catholic Parish, Chester
Parish Newsletter
SUNDAY 11th JULY: FIFTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (YEAR B)
The Easing of Lockdown Restrictions in Church
Bishop Mark writes:
The Prime Minister indicated on Monday that he envisaged lockdown restrictions in England being lifted from Monday 19th July. This decision is expected to be confirmed on Monday. The Government sees this as a turning point in this protracted crisis, which invites us to assume greater personal responsibility rather than to be reliant on statutory restrictions. This will take us into a new situation where we can expect that advice will be received on best practice within places of worship as statutory requirements are lifted. At the meeting of the Bishop’s Council this week, we reflected on the lifting of all restrictions in our churches and parishes.This will present some new pastoral challenges in helping integrate the expectations and concerns of parishioners. Some, we may anticipate, will approach these changes with delight in the return of freedom; others with anxiety at the loss of stringent protections that have been so long in place. A further group of parishioners may continue to remain at home until the safety of the new arrangements in Church and society becomes clear. Throughout the past sixteen months of the pandemic, we have always sought to be fully compliant to the law and to follow all the public health guidance provided for us. The Government Task Force for Places of Worship in England will meet next week, and we can anticipate that there will be advice forthcoming for churches. In being guided by personal responsibility, whether for example to wear a mask in an enclosed space, we will surely need to be sensitive to parishioners who may make different choices. In the light of local circumstances, you may give thought to something of a phased return to normality; in delaying, for example, the return of congregational singing, rather than seeking to return to all pre-lockdown practices on Sunday 25th July. I am sure it will be a major part of our task in the months ahead not to discourage or even alarm those who have already faithfully returned to Sunday Mass in recent months or those who may be preparing to return this summer. I know that this will not be an easy balance to strike, I will pass on to you all advice as soon as it is received in helping make the best provision in the many and varied Circumstances of the Diocese.
+Mark, Bishop of Shrewsbury.
Getting Back to Normal: Our Four Principles
(1) The emphasis now is as much on individuals deciding for themselves as on central diktat.
(2) As a result, different people will take different positions, and we need to be extra sensitive to those who take a different view from ourselves.
(3) The Government’s Task Force for Places of Worship will issue guidelines very shortly, which we will follow, as appropriate for St Werburgh’s.
(4) We will have a phased return to normality.
Consultation on Weekday Mass Times
56 replies so far! You can either fill out the paper Questionnaire or go online to our home page - https://www.stwerburghchester.co.uk
Public Weekday Masses Re-Starting
Monday 2nd August at 10.00 am.
Beginning of Emergency Lighting Installation
Creating the channels and laying the wiring 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.
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.
Summer Ordinations for our Diocese
Deacons Patrick Breeze, Humphrey O’Connor and Stephen Roberts will be ordained to the Priesthood at Saint Anthony’s, Wythenshawe on Friday 16th July 2021 at 7.00 pm. Sadly, the extension of public health restrictions means it will not now be possible to extend an open invitation to everyone. However, the Ordination Mass will be livestreamed from Saint Anthony’s for everyone who is not able to attend in person. On Saturday 24th July 2021 Dr John McKay and Professor Wilfred McSherry will be ordained to the Permanent Diaconate at Saint Michael & All Angels Church in Woodchurch at 12 noon. This Mass will also be livestreamed for anyone unable to attend in person.
St John Plessington Feast Day: Monday 19th July
The Catenians warmly invite their fellow parishioners and friends to a special Mass at St Werburgh’s at 7.30 pm, celebrated by Fr Neill Robb. The Mass will be preceded by a short memorial Service (led by Fr Neill) in the public garden by the obelisk memorial next to St Paul’s Church in Boughton. After Mass, you are invited to join the Catenians at the Parish Centre, Brook St.
Accommodation Sought
Both the Belgian and the Airbus students are hopefully now fixed up. Now we’re making a new appeal: "Two professional girls are looking for a property with two decent-sized double rooms, ideally with a third bedroom that could be used as an office. We would prefer a furnished property. We would also need two parking spaces. Anywhere within a five-mile radius of Chester, preferably not sharing with others. From start of September, ideally a few weeks before." Any offers to FP.
Photo of the Week: Bicentennial Mass 1994
200 years since the first chapel was opened in Queen Street. Bishop Joseph Gray is the main celebrant with Fr Peter and Fr Paul (Standish) either side of him. Frs Andrew Lloyd and Mike Lester on the left. Recognise anyone else?
