Parish Newsletter

Return of the Rowton Mass: Saturday 25th Sept

Our Taskforce has met with Rowton’s, and we’re delighted that we can agree a programme for the return of the Saturday Evening Mass there:

• Restarting Sat 25th Sept, 6.00 pm
• We will use every other bench
• You are all expected to wear masks
• Max in any one bench - 3 singletons, two pairs or one large bubble
• Total Max for whole Chapel - 40
• If you come late, you risk not getting in
• Stay in your seats for Holy Communion and I will come round to you
• Chapel to be sanitised afterwards ready for Sunday Morning and the Methodists Service.

Getting Back to Normal Next Week

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 will 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’s 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. Excellent meeting last Thursday, when the Team got together for the first time. Watch this space for great developments, everyone!

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 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: List Closed

For children not at our Catholic Primary School. The list is now closed 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. We have a bumper list of names, and the classes will almost certainly need to take place in the church rather than in the Dining Room. We cannot guarantee this Programme will go ahead this autumn, but we need to plan in case it can. We will be writing to all parents on the list fairly soon with some provisional dates for meetings and classes.

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 opened on 1st September. Lots of lists have come in so far, for which many thanks. Easiest way to get the Mass Offerings to us is in an envelope with your name on it, on the Collection Plate. Thanks, everyone!

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: Fly away Peter...

1995, and our two Priests then, Fr Peter Sharrocks and Fr Paul Standish. Where are they now??