Parish Newsletter

 

Christmas Arrangements 2021

It’s going to be a military operation again this year, folks, and your Monday Morning Covid Taskforce has been planning it for some weeks now. This is what we’ve come up with, and we know we can reply on your co-operation one hundred per cent to make it a joyful and safe Christmas for all our Werbies and all our many, many Wizziters.

Friday 24th, Christmas Eve

• 4.30 pm: Children’s Christmas Eve Mass I
• 6.00 pm: Children’s Christmas Eve Mass II
• 8.30 pm: Vigil Mass of Christmas
• 11.30 pm: Carols and Midnight Mass

Saturday 25th, Christmas Day

• 9.00 am: Dawn Mass of Christmas
• 10.00 am: Day Mass of Christmas
• 11.00 am: Day Mass of Christmas
• 12.00 noon (if needed): Day Mass of Christmas

Booking essential for all Masses, as numbers will be limited due to Social Distancing. Tickets will be issued, and no admittance without a ticket. Booking opens Thursday 2nd December, online (through the Parish website) and by telephone, 8.00-10.00 am each week, Monday to Friday.

CathSoc Storms Ahead on Sunday Nights!!

Sunday evenings, straight after 6.00 pm Mass:

• 21st November: Advent Candle – Joy
• 28th November: Advent Candle – Peace
• 5th December: Christmas Quiz
• 12th December: Christmas Supper Together

If you’re a student at Chester or any other University, and over 18, we’d love to welcome you.

Covid-19 and Standing at the Back

Please, everyone: to keep us all Covid safe, could everyone SIT for Mass, and not stand at the back? That’ll prevent congestion during Holy Communion.

Readers at Mass

Lots of wolunteers for 9.00 am, but how about 10.45 or 6.,00 pm? Come on, chaps! (Chapesses?)

Shrewsbury Lourdes Diocesan Hospitality

Sunday 12th December, 3.00 pm, Mass to celebrate 70 years of the Shrewsbury Pilgrimage, St Vincent’s Knutsford. Celebrated by Bishop Mark, followed by refreshments. Meeting beforehand at 1.30 pm.

Catholic High School Production of “Matilda”

This coming week, Tuesday 23rd to Thursday 25th inc, 7.30 pm, with refreshments available from 7.00 pm. Tickets, £6.50, from School Office, 01244-952788. I shall be there myself, of course, with my dancing pumps, just in case any of the chorus has an unfortunate accident and isn’t able to go on…

“Simply Christmas!” Concert at St Mary’s

Friday 10th December and Saturday 11th, concert of Christmas Choral Music by Chester Operatic. 7.30 pm at St Mary’s Handbridge. Tickets £15, including refreshments, £7.50 for under-12’s. 01244-675431, or www.ticketsource.co.uk/chesteroperatic

Hospice of the Good Shepherd: Light up the Dark

The children of St Werburgh’s & St Columba’s Primary School are lighting up their classroom windows at night. Donations of £1 will light a candle with your special message or prayer of remembrance for someone who’s gone before. All profits to the Hospice. Please fill in a sticker and place donation in the basket at the back of church.

New Liturgical Year Begins Next Week

Next Sunday, 28th November, is the 1st Sunday of Advent and the beginning of our new Liturgical Year. The Sunday Cycle of Readings moves from B to C, and the Weekday Cycle from I to II.

Day by Day and Sacred Heart Messenger

Advent Day by Days (£1) and November and December Sacred Heart Messengers (£1.50 each) both on sale at the back of church.

Reg Snow Reception into Catholic Church

This Sunday, 21st November, another joyous day for St Werburgh’s as we welcome Reg, our sparkling 93-year-old, into the Catholic Church. It’s been a joy instructing him, and he is immensely welcome into the family of St Werburgh’s. Never too late to become a Werbie!!!

Celia Murphy Memorial Mass

Celia’s family wished to hold a small, private Funeral, but are delighted that we can also have a much bigger, public Memorial Mass for her here in St Werburgh’s. Tuesday, 30th November at 12.00 noon. We will be using all the hymns and readings that Celia herself chose for her funeral. Everyone very warmly invited to attend.

October/November Mass Count 2021

• 25/26 September: 369; 2/3 October: 372
• 9/10 October: 380; 16/17 October: 399
• 23/24 October: 414; 30/31 October: 383
• 6/7 November: 413; 13/14 November: 397

Blessing of Graves at Blacon and Overleigh

Sunday 21st November at Blacon, the following Sunday, 28th, at Overleigh, 2.00-4.00 pm each afternoon. Just turn up! At Overleigh, I will begin in the older side (on the right as you drive towards the Overleigh Roundabout) at 2.00 pm and move over to the newer side at 3.00 pm.

Mass of the Holy Souls Monday 29th November

7.30 pm, when every name in our Holy Souls Book will be read out and you are invited if you wish to come forward and light a candle in their memory.

Holy Souls Book: Final Edition This Week

The book is updated every week during November: the Final Edition appears today, with all names submitted up to last Thursday. Many thanks!

Repository: Bottle Bags Sale. Coming Next: Tins!!

Last few Second Hand (pre-loved?) Bottle Bags. 3 for a £1!! When they’re gone, they’re gone.

Photo of the Week: Catholic Cathedral Edinburgh

St Mary’s, something of a “hidden gem”! Many thanks to Steve from Michigan for sending it in!