Parish Newsletter

Celia Murphy RIP

Celia’s family would like to thank everyone for their very kind messages of sympathy and condolence. It was their wish that Celia should have a small private Funeral Service, which Celia had planned herself. We will be having a Memorial Mass for her in the not-too-distant future here in St Werburgh’s, using all the hymns and readings she herself selected. Everyone warmly welcome to this celebration of her great life and faith.

CathSoc Starts Up Again Sunday Night!!

Sunday evenings, straight after 6.00 pm Mass:

• 24th October: Debate Night
• 31st October: Halloween in Church
• 7th November: Advent Candle - Hope
• 14th November: Advent Candle - Faith
• 21st November: Advent Candle - Joy
• 28th November: Advent Candle - Peace
• 5th December: Christmas Quiz
• 12th December: Christmas Supper Together

If you’re a student and here at Mass, please make yourself known to Fr Paul afterwards, and he will bite your arm off. That’s a promise.

Caritas Donations

A poster at the back of church gives the QR code for online donations. Or you can send a cheque to Caritas, Wheatland Lane, Wallasey, CH44 7ED. We hope it won’t be too long before we organise a round-up of Collection Boxes. Standing Order and Gift Aid forms from Dominique on dmgresty0620@gmail.com or 07757-518-312.

Repository Re-Opens Sunday 17th October

Starting with some Stock Clearance - out with the old, in with the new! - to make room for newly ordered Christmas Goods. Christmas Cards now in. Meanwhile, come and grab a bargain!

Pauline Hackett RIP

A predictably packed church on Friday lunchtime to celebrate Pauline’s extraordinary life and faith. The family delivered a very moving eulogy, reminding us of "Family Pauline" as well as "SVP/Parish Pauline". She lived so many lives in her 81 years! An utterly unforgettable lady, and a superb servant of this parish and diocese, may she rest in peace. We placed her Bene Merenti medal on her coffin at the start of the Requiem, awarded by Pope Francis in 2018.

All Saints and All Souls

All Saints becomes the Sunday Feast (as 1st November is a Monday). Tuesday is All Souls: Masses at 7.30 am, 12.15 pm and 7.30 pm.

Large Print Sunday Mass Readings and Prayers

Excellent suggestion from Joe O'Kane that there should be some Large Print Mass Texts available on the table at the back of church for those who find the print on the Newsletter a little too small.

First Holy Communion: Parish Groups

Group One: Tuesday 2nd November: 6.30 pm
Group Two: Tuesday 9th November: 6.30 pm
Children and Catechists in church, Parents in Dining Room. Because we have so many youngsters this year (thanks to Covid lockdowns!) we are needing to split them into two groups.

Altar Servers

We would like to recruit some new trainee Altar Servers to join our team here at St Werburgh’s. The minimum age is 8, and the applicant must have made their First Holy Communion. Boys and girls equally welcome to apply. Watch this space for further information.

Deanery Conference: Here on Thursday

All the Priests and Deacons of Ellesmere Port and Chester met here on Thursday for the first in-person Deanery Conference for two years. I’ll put the minutes on the website as soon as our Deanery Secretary (aka Muggins) has written them up. We have fifteen active clergy in our Deanery. In case you’re wondering who they are, here they are!

• Ellesmere Port and Hooton: Frs Edmund and Humphrey; Deacon Paul
• St Clare’s Chester: Fr Emeka
• St Francis Chester: Frs Jinson and Piotr; Deacon Peter
• St Columba’s and St Theresa’s Chester: Frs William and James; Deacons Lawrence and Tom
• St Werburgh’s Chester: Frs Neill and Paul
• Spiritans: Frs Jude and Chima

Choir Practices have Re-Started!

Thursdays, 6.00 pm, in church. The Choir will normally sing at the 9.00 am Mass - but if you’re not a 9.00 o’clocker but would still like to join in for the big Feasts, please make yourself known. There will be extra practices as Christmas approaches. If you’d like to join us, just come along any Thursday at 6.00 pm. There are no auditions, and you don’t have to read music. Covid measures will still be in place for the time being.

Ed Black Marathon

Ed completed his Lindon Marathon last weekend - picture on the Blog, crossing the finishing line with his parents to support him. His time was 3:48:23! Fantastic! Three days, forty-eight hours, twenty-three minutes. We’re proud of you, Ed! A magnificent total of £2,800 was raised for his chosen charity. Many thanks to everyone who contributed. Well done, Ed!

Foodbank Appeal: Box at Back of Church

Thanks for your ongoing magnificent support. They need the following: UHT Juice, Tinned Fruit, Tinned Rice Pudding, Instant Mash, Instant Noodles, Tinned Tomatoes, Chocolate Bars and Sweets, Rice, Instant Custard, Coffee. Please keep’em coming!

University Masses Re-Starting after Half-Term

Delighted we are able to resume our Masses in the University Chapel. Beginning Monday 1st November at 1.10 pm. Everyone warmly welcome to join us.

November Holy Souls Book

Delighted to be able to resume this vital part of our life together as well. Please send in your names by email or letter. If writing them by hand, please PRINT them to avoid misspellings. Thank you.

Photo of the Week: Gallarus Oratory, Co Kerry

An 8th Century church at the far end of the Dingle Peninsula. A dry-stone structure, one door at the front, one small window at the back. Snapped by Frances McKenna - thanks, Frances!