St Werburgh's Roman Catholic Parish, Chester
Parish Newsletter
SUNDAY 6th FEBRUARY: FIFTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME; PATRONAL FEAST OF ST WERBURGH (YEAR C)
Synod Consultation: Week One
Excellent Open Meeting last Monday evening. Many thanks to all of you who came along, for the first-class feedback you contributed, and for the many, many written contributions that have come in, by email and post. The over-riding question of the Synod is: How Can We Walk Together Better?
Week One: Monday 31st January: What works well about the Church? Why am I a Catholic and why am I still a Catholic? What do I like most about being a Catholic? What would I recommend about the Church to someone who wasn’t a Catholic? Thank you for the wonderful submissions on these challenging questions. I can promise you that every single one will be read by our Planning Group and will form part of our final Parish Submission to Bishop Mark.
Week Two: Monday 7th February: What do we not like about being a Catholic? What doesn’t work for me? What negative experiences have I had, experiences of exclusion, rejection, not being welcomed? Either our own experiences or those of people we know? How does the Church hurt people? Again, please come along on Monday 7th, 7.00 pm in Church, or, if you’d prefer, send in your views in writing.
Week Three: Monday 14th February: What Needs to Change?
Week 4: Monday 21st Feb: "Dear Bishop Mark..." What do we want to say in our Parish Submission to our Bishop for him to take on to the other English and Welsh Bishops and for them to take on to the Pope?
After 21st February, our Planning Group - Anne Proctor, Zosia Archibald, Lyn Williams, Syd Jones and myself - will craft all your submissions into a single document for sending to the Bishop. I’m sure this document will reflect a variety of views rather than a single opinion. If you want your views to be taken into consideration, this is your opportunity!
Synod Consultation Exercise: Making Submissions
So many ways: come to the Open Meetings, send me an email, write to me... All submissions will be read carefully. If you wish to contribute anonymously, by all means do so. If you wish to submit confidentially, then please mark it "For FP only": your views will be submitted to the Planning Group but not your personal details or anything that would identify you. The Final Submission will be on behalf of the Parish as a whole, with no names or identifying details.
CAFOD Afghanistan Emergency Appeal
You can donate on the CAFOD website: cafod.org.uk/AfghanistanAppeal
Foodbank 157.32 kg Donated in Last Five Weeks!
Thank you for this magnificent response. I’d love to stand up one day at the end of Mass and announce that the Food Bank was now closing as there was no longer any need for it. Meanwhile...
The Repository: Now Reopened!
A wonderful PRE-LOVED SALE! You could get all your Christmas Presents for next year at one go...
Live Streaming: Can You Help?
We’re already working on it! Excellent first meeting on Friday, and thanks for all offers of help.
St Werburgh’s Feast Day and Social - 18th Feb
Patronal Feast Day today. Parish Social in the Club on Friday 18th February. We’re limiting numbers this year to SIXTY. Tickets (free) available today. Free Buffet, and your ticket entitles you to your first drink free! The other ten you have to pay for.
Appeal for School Governors
If you feel able to offer your services please contact Sue Blackwell, Governance Support Officer for the Diocese, via sue.blackwell@dioceseofshrewsbury.org or telephone 0151 652 9855. The required forms can also be downloaded from the diocesan website www.dioceseofshrewsbury.org. Click on main Education heading and click on Foundation Governors from the dropdowns which will appear on the left-hand side. If you do have any problems, please contact Sue using the contact details above.A
Chester Gang Show
www.chestergangshow.net Always a wonderful show, and lots of Werbie Beavers, Cubs, Brownies, Scouts, Guides, you name’em, taking part this year. Don’t miss it! King’s School, 15th - 19th February.
Christian Aid Lenten Lunches: 12 noon- 1.30 pm
- Monday 7th March: Wesley Methodists
- Thursday 17th March: Hoole URC, Hoole Road
- Monday 21st March: Wesley Methodists
- Friday 1st April: Vicars Cross URC
- Wednesday 6th April: St Mary’s Church Handbridge
Snowdrops out in the Front Garden
Near the Church Wall - a sight to lift the heart! No?
Chester Retreat House
The Retreat House, based here in the Cathedral, are offering Lenten Retreats to local churches and faith groups, in their own premises. Max of twenty people. Anyone interested in one of them here in St Werburgh’s? Sign up on the list at back of church.
Defibrillator in Church
Many thanks to Fifi from Forest Court for researching it, and Piggie Defibrillator Services for professional advice. All looks good to go: not vastly expensive, and an excellent resource given the number of people who do get taken ill here in church every year. It will need as many of us as possible to come to some training to how to use it, but it doesn’t look that complicated. If FP can do it, any idiot can!
Bringing the Day Chapel Back into Use
We’ve started clearing it out, ready for Monday Evening Synod Meetings. Then, as it’s used more, we want to hear YOUR ideas for its long-term future.
Plans for Lent This Year: Stations of the Cross
Each Friday during Lent, 7.00 pm, live-steamed. Just ONE slot now still needing a Leader. Anyone?
Liturgy Group Meeting Planning Holy Week
Excellent meeting, with lots of exciting musical ideas. Many thanks to everyone who turned up.
Photo of the Week: Back of the Church at Night
An extraordinary photo, taken from Bath Street and showing the apse and Day Chapel illuminated both from within and outside. Taken by Geoff Taylor, standing on Jill’s shoulders. Many thanks both!
