St Werburgh's Roman Catholic Parish, Chester
Parish Newsletter
SUNDAY 20th FEBRUARY: SEVENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (YEAR C)
Synod Consultation: Week Three: 14th February
So, what needs to change? Another excellent Open Meeting last Monday, looking at how we build on the positives (Week One) and the Negatives (Week Two) to "renew the Church", the commission given to St Francis. Last Monday we looked at four specific questions: what needs to change in our Parish; how can women be more involved in the decision-making of the church; how can we better support our priests; and how can the church better adapt to changing conditions in society at large? So many wonderful ideas were contributed on Monday, and an amazing number of written submissions have come in too. Now we pull it all together, beginning this coming Monday, 21st Feb, with...
Week 4: Monday 21st February: "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!
Final Date for Written Submissions: Wed 23rd February
Synod Consultation Exercise: Questionnaire
Pope Francis set us ten areas where we might "walk together better": 1. Evaluating what we’re doing and whether we’re doing it well or badly. 2. Being better at listening. 3. Being better at speaking out to the world. 4. Celebrating our Liturgy better. 5. All of us being more engaged with mission and outreach to those not in the Church. 6. Being better at promoting dialogue with others. 7. Working better together ecumenically. 8. Being better at exercising authority, deciding what our rules are and how they should be enforced. 9. Being better at decision-making at all levels. 10. Being a more learning Church. This week, our questionnaire comes out, in which everyone will be asked to tell us their three top priorities in that list. You can do it online or by filling in a sheet, but the more you all participate, the more valuable the final data will be.
CAFOD Lenten Fast Day Envelopes on Table Today
On the Free Table This Weekend...
The portable table went to one of our High School Students to help with his homework in his bedroom - excellent! - and one of the Walkers went too. Today, the other Walker is still there, plus a large number of Padded Envelopes, some sheets of cardboard and a number of Polystyrene Blocks, great for anyone, for example, who still does Polystyrene Modelling. All in the corner by the Library. Help yourselves!
New Tax Year Weekly Offertory Envelopes
The 2022/23 envelopes are available at the back of church. If you use envelopes, please collect yours as soon as possible. Thank you.
Appeal from a Parishioner for Tutor
"I am looking for a face-to-face GCSE Science tutor for my daughter..." One offer came through which we’re following up. Any more offers?
Altar Servers: Now Hiring!
We are delighted to announce that we shall be recruiting a few new Altar Servers in the Spring, immediately following the completion of the First Holy Communion Programme. This is a serious commitment and any boy or girl who has made their First Communion will be eligible to apply. Watch this space for further information.
The Repository: Two More Weeks for Pre-Loved!
We’re finishing on Ash Wednesday, 2nd March, so do have a good look at all our goods before then. No reasonable offer refused! (For the goods, you fools - not for Bernice or Paula!)
St Werburgh’s Feast Day and Social - 18th Feb
A slimmed-down Parish Social in the Club last night, Friday 18th, but still enormous fun - and just so good to have a relaxing evening together. The usual stupid quiz - copies on the table at the back of church to work on during the Sermon today. Super buffet, with a pint to wash it down! It made that 2.00 am start in the kitchen so worthwhile...
Ash Wednesday: 2nd March 2022
Three Masses as usual: 7.30 am, 12.15 pm and 7.30 pm. We are honoured and delighted that Bishop Mark has asked if he can join us for the 12.15 pm Mass and stop on for a soup lunch afterwards. Another 2.00 am start for me!!
Chester Gang Show
I shall be there Saturday Evening, my dancing pumps ready just in case they need me on stage...
Women’s World Day of Prayer: Friday 4th March
St Thomas of Canterbury, Parkgate Road: 10.30 am
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
On Monday 7th March, it’s St Werburgh’s turn to make the soup, with City Road to help us. It’ll mean another 2.00 am start in the kitchen for me, but, in the cause of church unity, I’m willing to suffer.
Confirmation at St Columba’s
Bishop Mark is coming to St Columba’s the week after next for their Confirmation, and it would be great to keep all these youngsters in our prayers at this wonderful time in their lives., Sadly, because numbers are limited, it isn’t possible for them to welcome everyone who’d like to attend, but we can certainly, all of us, hold them all in prayer.
Retreat House, Chester: Thursday 31st March
Retreat House, Chester, an independent Christian Charity, have very kindly offered to come here to provide a Lenten Retreat Day. It’s to be on Thursday 31st March, 10.30-2.15 pm, based in the Day Chapel, Simple Lunch, and limited to 20 parishioners. Signing-Up List at the back of Church today.
Photo of the Week: Our Lady’s, Isles of Scilly
You need to walk through the Presbytery to go upstairs to this tiny Chapel in Hugh Town on St Mary’s. Thanks to Martin O’B for sending it in!
