Parish Newsletter

Return of the Rowton Mass: Saturday 25th September

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 TODAY!!

On SUNDAY 12th SEPTEMBER we will revert to our two traditional Sunday Morning Mass Times, 9.00 and 10.45. In the weeks to come, we will be able to reintroduce 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.

Appeal for New Mass Stewards

We need three Stewards to be on duty for each of the Sunday Morning Masses: but this is Steward-Lite compared to the Covid-19 heavy mob! All you have to do is shepherd the folk out to Communion and be ready to act as Fire Marshall in the very unlikely event of the church needing to be evacuated. A doddle! If you think you might be able to help out - and it would only be one week in four or five - do please come to an information/training session on Tuesday 28th September in church at 7.00 pm.

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.

SVP Autumn Celebration Mass

In church here, Sunday 19th September at 2.30 pm, followed by tea. (I’ve started baking already!) For information, or if you know of any elderly or housebound parishioner or friend who might like to come along, contact Fran Waldie, 07990-524-780.

Weekday Masses resume, 12.15 pm, Monday 13th

But it’s an unusual week when we don’t have to alter at least one of those 12.15 slots for one reason or another. So do consult the Newsletter, hard copy or online, for up-to-date info.

First Holy Communion: Parish Group: List Closed

For children not at our Catholic Primary School. The list is now closed, with a bumper nineteen names submitted. We will be writing to all parents on the list fairly soon with some provisional dates for meetings and classes.

September 1st: Bookings Opened for 2022 Masses

Never too early to let me have those special names for 2022. Please place your details and Offerings in an envelope with your name on, marked "Mass Offerings", on the Collection Plate.

Pedal to Paris 2021

Stephen and Caroline Perry successfully cycled the 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.

Shrewsbury Lourdes Hospitality AGM

Sunday 12th Sept, 2.00 pm, St Columba’s. In person or via zoom. If you’d like to attend, by either method, can you please let the secretary know? secretary@teamshrewsbury.co.uk or phone 07451-249-267.

Foodbank Appeal for Donations

"The warehouse is looking a little empty as we emerge from the summer holidays and continue to respond to the ever-growing need from local people for crisis support. We are currently having to purchase food ourselves to keep up with demand. We are facing a potential surge in demand with the planned cut-back in the Universal Credit £20 top-up. We need the following especially: UHT Juice, Tinned Fruit, Tinned Rice Pudding, Instant Mash, Instant Noodles, Tinned Tomatoes, Chocolate Bars and Sweets, Rice, Instant Custard and Coffee." Box at the back of church if you can help out.

Catholic Certificate in Religious Studies

Begins this month with in-person classes on Thursday mornings at St Columba’s. There is also an on-line learning option with in-person seminars at Birkenhead and Wythenshawe. The CCRS is an excellent course for anyone who’d like to learn more about the faith, or who finds themselves in a leadership role in school or parish. For further info and registration: ccrs@dioceseofshrewsbury.org

Saturday and Sunday Evening Masses Restart

Saturday 25th Rowton, Sunday 26th Main Church.

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: One of Trena’s Finest

We’ve been discussing Trena Cox, the stained-glass artist, on our blog, as Anastasia and Aleta Doran have been doing some research work on her. She created our windows in the porch. Today’s POTW is actually in the Disabled Loo. Sorry, Trena!