Parish Newsletter

 

Christmas Arrangements 2021

It’s going to be a military operation again this year and we know we can reply on your co-operation one hundred per cent to make it a joyful and safe Christmas for everyone, Werbies and 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:

• 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.

Would you like to become a FHC Prayer Sponsor?

A Prayer Sponsor is a person, usually a member of our congregation, who would be happy to pray for one of the children who is preparing for their First Holy Communion next May. This year we have large numbers making their First Communions, so, if you’re interested, we would love to hear from you by email or phone – Fr Paul or Louise.

Readers at Mass

Lots of wolunteers for 9.00 am, but how about 10.45 or 6.,00 pm? Come on, chaps! (Chapesses?) The Rota will be published next week, so not too late to join: and we will also be appealing for Readers at all the Christmas Masses.

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”

What a superb show! Enormous congratulations to everyone involved, staff and students alike. It’s the best show I’ve ever seen at the High School!

Repository: Bottle Bags Sale – and Cake Tins!!

Last few Second Hand (pre-loved?) Bottle Bags, and magical selection of Cake Tins (£1 each).

High School Advent Masses: This Week and Next

Delighted to be asked to say a series of five Masses so that each year group has their own special one.

“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

“Silver Singers” Concert at St Mary’s: 18th Dec

Celebrate Christmas at St Mary's with an evening of beautiful music! Featuring the amazing opera duo Belle Voci, the Silver Singers, as well as the brand-new St Mary's Youth Choir. With plenty of well-known Christmas songs, traditional carols to join in with and even mulled wine, this will be a festive evening to remember! Tickets are £10 and can be purchased from the Parish Office at St Mary's or from www.christmasstmarys.eventbrite.co.uk Saturday, 18th December, 7.30 pm.

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 This Week

This 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.

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
• 20/21 November: 383

Blessing of Graves at Blacon and Overleigh

At Overleigh this afternoon, 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 (Blackwell’s) 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. (Names may still be submitted if not in our Book.)

Photo of the Week: Brian and Kim Burns

Celebrating their Wedding Anniversary in Lourdes this summer: 36 years and never a cross word!