Parish Newsletter

Celia Murphy

I am very sorry to have to tell you all that our beloved Celia is far from well at the moment. She is a magnificent servant of this Parish and supports everything we do to the utmost extent. She is staying with family for the present, and both Celia and her wonderful family would appreciate your prayers at this time.

Return of the Rowton Mass: Saturday 25th Sept.

• 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.

Continuing to Get Back to Normal

We returned to our two traditional Sunday Morning Mass times last week, 9.00 and 10.45. It seemed to go well. Numbers were slightly down, but that could be for a variety of reasons. Today, we reinstate Hymns. It will be superb to hear the sound of our magnificent organ filling the church after such a long silence. Very soon, we will be singing the Mass parts once again.

New Mass Stewards: Meeting on Tuesday

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 October

Tom is taking over as Choir Leader and bringing a wealth of experience and talent to the post. So, let’s get everyone together to share ideas on how we’d all like to move forward. A great chance for new members to join. 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, and we are delighted that we now have a family to fill it.

SVP Autumn Celebration Mass Tomorrow, 19th

2.30 pm, followed by tea. (I’ve started baking already!) 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 Have Re-started!

Great to see so many of you last week! Thanks to Fr Neill, we’re able to have 12.15 every day next week, plus a couple of 7.30 am’s.

First Holy Communion: Parish Group: List Closed

We will be writing to parents on the list fairly soon with some dates for meetings and classes.

September 1st: Bookings Opened for 2022 Masses

Just pop the names, in an envelope with your name on it in the Basket. Many thanks, everyone.

Sacristans Old and New

As most of you are aware, we’ve lost a number of Sacristans for one reason or another over the last eighteen months. At the same time, we are still being very cautious about only the Priest touching the Sacred Vessels. They perform a vital Ministry, so please watch this space, Sacristans old and new, for a relaunch coming soon.

The Blog Goes Weekly!

Started on 17th March 2020, we’ve only missed one day since then. But with the pace of life appreciably quickening, time now for it to go Weekly. From the end of this month. A thousand thanks to everyone who’s sent in contributions, serious, whacky, amusing, thoughtful. All immensely appreciated. And please keep them coming!! Grazie tanti, tutti! (As they say in German).

Sunday 26th September: Pope Francis’ World Migrant and Refugee Day

The Pope has chosen the theme, "Towards an ever widening We", wishing to indicate a clear horizon for our common journey in this world. This is even more relevant as our own council, CWAC, offers places for newly displaced Afghan families.

Catholic High School Open Evening

Thursday 23rd September, 6.00-8.00 pm. A great opportunity to view our amazing school and find out more about out excellent education. All the teachers and staff will be delighted to welcome you. Visit our website for more information. Address: Old Wrexham Road Handbridge, CH4 7HS. christofidelis.org.uk

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

Photo of the Week: Great War Memorial

A reminder of that splendid evening three years ago when Bishop Mark came to bless and dedicate our new Great War Memorial. We welcomed so many distinguished guests on that happy occasion, especially from our three Armed Forces.