Parish Newsletter

Sheila Winder RIP

Last week we said farewell to one of our great Werbies, Cath Blucher, and this week we salute Sheila Winder, now "Promoted to Glory" in that lovely Salvation Army expression. Sheila, her late husband John, and their four children (Helen, Liz, David and Clare) have been part of our life here for so long. Sheila herself was a pillar of the SVP for years. In her professional life, she was Domestic Science Teacher at Blacon High School for countless children. A wonderful, spirited, gutsy and very funny lady, I know she’s making them all laugh in Heaven now. Rest in peace, Sheila! Her Requiem Mass is Friday 10th September at 10.30, followed by Cremation at Blacon at 12.00 noon.

Getting Back to Normal: Two Weeks to Go!

On SUNDAY 12th SEPTEMBER we will revert to our two traditional Sunday Morning Mass Times, 9.00 and 10.45. No longer being constrained to half-an-hour, we will be able to reintroduce over the coming weeks so many of our traditional Mass elements, not the least of which being the chance to say hello to each other before and after Mass without some pesky Steward chasing us away! Sunday 19th September is when we hope to be back singing hymns, and then watch this space for all the other old favourites starting up again.

Music in St Werburgh’s: Our New Chapter

Returning to our full Masses allows us to pick up Music once again, and ushers in a new chapter in our musical life together. Instead of a designated Director of Music we will now have a team of six. I am delighted that Tom Rozario is taking over the Choir - brave man! - and playing the Organ for 9.00 am Mass. Our wonderful friend Bob Owens will play at 10.45 and take on most of our Funerals. Michael Reynolds, such a talented man and such a busy one, has kindly agreed to help out with Weddings where he can. The fourth member of the Organists Quartet is Mike Riley, the new kid on the block, who has recently joined our music team and will cover for all Masses and Services as required. Then Denise and Syd will continue to run our wonderful Music Group, as they have done so brilliantly for so many years. Welcome, one and all! We’ve our first meeting together this coming Thursday 11.00 am.

Relaunching the Choir: Open Meeting on 7th Oct

With Tom taking over as Choir Leader and bringing such a wealth of experience and talent to the post, we thought it would be a good opportunity to get everyone together to share our ideas on how we’d all like to move forward together. At the same time, this would be a good chance for new members to join us. Thursday, 7th October, in the House, 7.00 pm. Everyone warmly welcome.

SVP Holiday Home in Talacre, North Wales

St Werburgh’s has an allocated week beginning 25th September, for any local family in need. The home can take up to six people and is entirely free to any family who wouldn’t otherwise have a holiday. If you are interested or know of anyone who might benefit from this offer, please contact svpchester@gmail.com or call 07775-781-204.

First Holy Communion: Parish Group

For children not at our Catholic Primary School. We are currently taking names for those who would like to make their First Forgiveness next January and First Holy Communion next May - all conditional on Covid-19 Regulations, of course. Please email Fr Paul if you would like your child’s name added to the list. If you emailed for last year’s cancelled programme, we believe we still have your name, but it would be very helpful if you could do so again, just to make sure. We cannot guarantee this Programme will go ahead this autumn, but we need to have your names in case it does. Numbers may need to be limited. Closing date for applications is Sunday 5th September.

September 1st: Bookings Open for 2022 Masses

For those who like to submit their Mass Intentions well in advance to guarantee those special dates, the 2002 Mass Diary opens on 1st September.

Consultation on Weekday Mass Times: Results!

• 125 of you submitted questionnaires
• 117 were valid, 8 were "spoilt ballot papers"!
• 63.8% of you preferred the same time every day
• 36.2% of you wanted different times different days
• 40.9% wanted 12.15 pm
• 34.1% wanted 10.00 am
• 11.4% wanted 9.00 am
• 9.1% wanted 7.30 pm
• 4.5% wanted 7.30 am

So, Weekday Masses resume, 12.15 pm, Monday 13th September.

Pedal to Paris 2021

Stephen and Caroline Perry will be cycling 300 miles over three and a half days, from London to Paris, from 3rd to 6th September, in aid of the Royal British Legion. If you’d like to support their effort, please visit www.justgiving.com/search and enter Stephen Perry in the Search Box.

CAFOD Thanks: 10 Years of Syrian Conflict

Thanks to your donations, CAFOD have been helping the people of Syria ever since the crisis began ten years ago. Over 12 million people have left their homes, and 5.6 million are now refugees in neighbouring countries. Initially, CAFOD provided essential food and blankets; now the emphasis is equally on education and health provision and helping people back into the workplace. None of this would have been possible without your generosity. From CAFOD, a hearty "Thanks!"

Receptionist Vacancy at Diocesan Curial Offices

Full-time post, providing the highest standards of reception for both employees and a wide variety of visitors, contractors and personnel. For more information, please see our website: www.dioceseofshrewsbury.org/about-us/vacancies CV’s to Pauline McCulloch: recruitment@dioceseofshrewsbury.org Closing date: Friday 17th September.

Photo of the Week: Santa’s Little Helpers 2010

Decorating the Christmas Tree eleven years ago. You’ll have to guess who ended up as Fairy on top!