Parish Newsletter
SUNDAY 5th DECEMBER: SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT (YEAR C)
Liturgical
Baruch 5, 1-9; Psalm 125; Philippians 1, 3-11; Luke 3, 1-6
6.00 pm Saturday: St Werburgh’s: Michael Gallagher (L.D., Co Roscommon)
9.00 am: St Werburgh’s: Pauline Davey (L.D.)
10.45 am: St Werburgh’s: Mary Taylor (17th Anniversary)
6.00 pm: St Werburgh’s: Special Intention (GS)
Monday 6th December: Ferial: Isaiah 35, 1-10; Psalm 84; Luke 5, 17-26
9.00 am: High School: Advent Mass III
12.15 pm: St Werburgh’s: Pauline Hackett (L.D.)
1.10 pm: University Chapel: University Mass – All Welcome
Tuesday 7th December: St Ambrose: Isaiah 40, 1-11; Psalm 95; Matthew 18, 12-14
12.00 noon: St Columba’s: Requiem Mass for Steven Andrew Roberts
12.15 pm: St Werburgh’s: Cath Haslam (L.D.)
Wednesday 8th December: The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Genesis 3, 9-20; Psalm 97; Ephesians 1, 3-12; Luke 1, 26-38
9.00 am: High School: Advent Mass IV
12.15 pm: St Werburgh’s: Mary Frances Cary
Thursday 9th December: Ferial: Isaiah 41, 13-20; Psalm 144; Matthew 11, 11-15
9.00 am: High School: Advent Mass V
12.15 pm: St Werburgh’s: Intentions of Vernon
Friday 10th December: Ferial: Isaiah 48, 17-19; Psalm 1; Matthew 11, 16-19
11.20 am: Blacon: Funeral Service for Anthony Paul McGrady
12.15 pm: St Werburgh’s: Mrs Kodicek
1.10 pm: St Werburgh’s: High School: Weekly Voluntary Mass
Saturday 11th December: Ferial: Ecclesiasticus 48, 1-11; Psalm 79; Matthew 17, 10-13
9.00 – 10.00 am: St Werburgh’s: Confessions
10.00 am: HMP Berwyn: Weekly Mass for Prisoners, Staff and Visitors
6.00 pm: St Werburgh’s: James Firth (2nd Anniversary)
SUNDAY 12th DECEMBER: THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT – GAUDETE SUNDAY (YEAR C)
Zephaniah 3, 14-18; Psalm Isaiah 12; Philippians 4, 4-7; Luke 3, 10-18
6.00 pm Saturday: St Werburgh’s: James Firth (2nd Anniversary)
9.00 am: St Werburgh’s: Celia Murphy (L.D.)
10.45 am: St Werburgh’s: Trudy Nowakowska (L.D.)
12.30 pm: St Werburgh’s: Baptism of Daniel James Wilcock
6.00 pm: St Werburgh’s: Neil Longridge (L.D.)
Prayer Intentions
Your prayers are asked for the following who are sick: Duncan Steele, Brian Boardman Jnr, John McMahon, James Convey, Bill Hackett, Laura Chadwick, Elisabeth, Stuart Clark, Keith Hayes, Ruth O’Kane, Garth Stocking and Kevin Maguire and for all the sick of the Parish; and for those who have died recently, especially Steven Andrews, Peter Doig, Gerhard Korchel, Tony McGrady and Brian McNicholas; and for those whose anniversaries occur about this time: Margaret Aspinall, Geoff Crank, Betty Kinsey, Margaret Brotherston, Joan Finney, Peter Wyn Jones, Fred Fazey, Elizabeth Clark, Tom McLoughlin, Patrick McDonough, Margaret Ilott, Patrick Walsh, George Baxter, Bill Gough, Irene Kite, William Barron, Antonio Nardini, Finn Abberton, Joan Baxter, Edith Dodd and Michael Griffiths. May They All Rest in Peace.
Parish events
Christmas Bookings as of Saturday Morning, 4th Dec
160 Maximum for each Mass. These are the numbers for how many have booked by Saturday Morning:
Friday 24th, Christmas Eve
- 4.30 pm: Children’s Christmas Eve Mass I: 158/160
- 6.00 pm: Children’s Christmas Eve Mass II: 68/160
- 8.30 pm: Vigil Mass of Christmas: 66/160
- 11.30 pm: Carols and Midnight Mass: 72/160
Saturday 25th, Christmas Day
- 9.00 am: Dawn Mass of Christmas: 77/160
- 10.00 am: Day Mass of Christmas: 19/170
- 11.00 am: Day Mass of Christmas: 40/160
- 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 opened Thursday 2nd December, online (through the Parish website) and by telephone, 8.00-10.00 am each weekday, Monday to Friday. If booking online, please go through the parish website and complete everything that way, rather than sending an email.
New Covid-19 Variant Restrictions: Bp Mark Writes
“In the past week the latest Covid variant has prompted changes in legal regulations on the use of face masks in shops and on public transport. You may judge this a prudent moment to remind parishioners of the value of face coverings indoors which is among the measures to help enable our churches to remain Covid secure. The Government Review of Covid Safety Measures is due on Friday 17th December, a week before Christmas. I appreciate this doesn’t help our planning and preparations. At this stage, it remains uncertain whether further restrictions and regulations for places of worship will be introduced. We very much hope new restrictions will not prove necessary and we will be able to celebrate Christmas with greater normality.”
Bishops’ Conference Advice: Friday 3rd December
“With respect to the current situation with the omicron variant it is important to ensure the following points are followed in our churches:
- That people displaying any symptoms of Covid-19 should stay at home and not travel to church or participate in person.
- That hand sanitiser is available to those attending the Church.
- That there is a strong recommendation for people to wear a face covering (both nose and mouth) during the act of worship.
- That there is good ventilation and air throughput in the building; in this case, because of climatic conditions, it would be important to remind people to wrap up well in church!
- That a positive message encouraging people to get vaccinated and have the booster jab when able is delivered whenever possible.”
St Werburgh’s Christmas Mass Times Cards
On the table at the back of church – please help distribute them far and wide!
Emergency Lights Installation in Church
Starting Monday 6th December for at least a week and possibly a fortnight.
Repository: Bottle Bags Sale – and Cake Tins!!
Last chance today: Bags 3 @ £1, Tins £1 each.
Christleton Churches Together Cards
Again, on the table at the back of church. Can we please deliver to the following roads? Quarry Lane, Whitchurch Road, Chapel Close & Moor Lane; Croft Close; Toll Bar Road.
CathSoc Storms Ahead on Sunday Nights!!
Sunday evenings, straight after 6.00 pm Mass:
- 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.
Would you like to become a FHC Prayer Sponsor?
Would you be happy to pray for one of the children who is preparing for their First Holy Communion next May? We’d love to hear from you by email or phone.
Shrewsbury Lourdes Diocesan Hospitality
Sunday 12th December, 3.00 pm, Mass to celebrate 70 years at St Vincent’s Knutsford, with Bishop Mark. Meeting beforehand at 1.30 pm.
Christmas Volunteer Rota
Now out at the back of church, for Readers, Welcomers, Collectors. Please sign up!
High School Advent Masses: Last Week and This
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” at St Mary’s: Saturday 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. Tickets are £10 and can be purchased from the Parish Office at St Mary's or from www.christmasstmarys.eventbrite.co.uk
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 Diocesan 2022 Year Books and Ordos
Expected any day now!
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; 27/28 October: 343
Photo of the Week: St Lars Church, Sweden
In the middle of the city of Linköping in Southern Sweden. A nineteenth century church with an unusual bell tower that chimes pleasantly three times a day. Thanks to Michigan Steve for spotting it, snapping it and sending it in!
