St Werburgh's Roman Catholic Parish, Chester
Parish Newsletter
SUNDAY 13th MARCH: SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT (YEAR C)
Synod Consultation: Our Submission is in!
If you didn’t pick up your copy last weekend, it’s at the back of church on bright yellow paper.
Covid-19: Where are we up to? Easter this year?
The last Statement from the Bishops’ Conference is on our website: basically, it lifts most of the existing restrictions, and paves the way for as normal a Holy Week and Easter as possible. On Masks, it says: “Those who wish to wear a face covering may do so during the celebration of Mass”. It allows for Individual Veneration of the Cross on Good Friday, but our Monday Taskforce Meeting decided we at St Werburgh’s may not be ready for this just yet, and so will have the Communal Veneration as we did last year. But the Washing of the Feet, the Procession to the Altar of Repose, and the Easter Fire in the Garden are all back, we’re delighted to announce.
Synod Consultation Exercise: Questionnaire
Last chance to take part today, Sunday 13th March.
Parish Council Meeting on Tuesday
We will be looking together at the next six months and how we, as a Parish, get back to those pre-Covid areas we want to return to, and to move on to those areas where we feel the need to change. Not everything will go back to the way it was, nor should it. This is sometimes called “the new normal” and if you have any views here, do please send them in.
Liturgy Group Meeting on Thursday: 7.15 pm
Do please come along – it’s an open meeting, and everyone is invited – if you would like to help us shape the Holy Week and Easter Liturgies this year.
CAFOD Lenten Fast Day Envelopes on Table Today
Please return on the Collection Plate. Thank you.
Forthcoming Meetings for our 1st Holy Communions
- Monday 14th March at 7:00 pm in St W’s and St C’s School, Lightfoot St. Meeting for all parents.
- Monday 21st March at 6:30 pm in church. The Commentary Mass for all our First Holy Communion children and their families.
CAFOD Ukraine Appeal: news@email.cafod.org.uk
The situation there is desperate, as we see every day on our televisions and in our newspapers. Please use the website address above if you would like to make a contribution to the humanitarian relief effort.
On the Free Table This Weekend…
Last chance today for the sheet music, padded envelope and cardboard squares.
New Tax Year Weekly Offertory Envelopes
The 2022/23 envelopes are at the back of church.
Gary Carter Visiting Chester This Weekend
Great to have Gary with us, on a weekend break from Seminary at Allen Hall in Chelsea. Gary was a student here at the University ten years ago, then a member of the Baptist Church. He went back to his home in Surrey and took on a temporary job at his local Catholic High School, Salesian College Chertsey. One thing led to another, and he became a Catholic – the fool! One thing kept leading to another and he applied for Seminary – the even bigger fool! He’s now in his Third Year for his home Diocese of Arundel and Brighton. (We must pray for him, poor devil).
Marriage Prep Day Next Saturday
Another sign of starting to get back to “normal”. Seven couples will be joining us on Saturday, either marrying here or being prepared by us to marry elsewhere. Please keep them in your prayers – and please note the earlier Confessions (9.30-10.30 am).
Ukraine Prayer Vigil Last Sunday
Many thanks to all those who turned up outside the Town Hall last Sunday afternoon – and do please keep this tragic and evil situation in your prayers.
High School SVP Afternoon Tea
Hosted by the Catholic High School students. On Wednesday 16th March at 2.00 pm in the school. For further info: Fran Waldie on 07990-524-780.
Parish Safeguarding Officers
Liz Aiello has done a wonderful job over the last few years, very much on her own. We are delighted that she is now to be joined by another excellent Werbie, Dr Chris Proudfoot. They will be our Safeguarding Officers jointly. Watch this space for more details!
Jars of Change: Christleton Churches Together
This year, we are supporting WaterAid, the great charity that helps to bring clean water to those who need it most in the Third World. During Lent, please put your spare change into a jam jar, and bring it along at Easter. Let’s see how much we can raise!
Parish Buildings Group
The installation of the Emergency Lighting has now been completed, and Tuesday morning we have a Hand-Over Meeting, explaining how it works, and what we need to do to maintain it. Anyone interested in joining a Parish Buildings Group to help with this side of our life together?
Christian Aid Lenten Lunches: 12 noon- 1.30 pm
- 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
Learning about the Passover
Rabbi Warren Elf will give a talk about the Jewish Passover in the Cathedral Refectory on Tuesday 5th April at 7.00 pm. Tickets are £5 and include light refreshments, from Cathedral Website:
https://chestercathedral.ticket olve.com/shows/1173621282
Lent Day-by-Day (£1) & March Messengers (£1.50)
On the News-stand at the back of church.
Retreat House, Chester: Thursday 31st March
Retreat House, Chester 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. Only three places left!
Zoom Stations of the Cross: Friday Evenings in Lent
7.00 pm, every Friday evening during Lent, Please email FP for the link. Everybody welcome!
Photo of the Week: St Theresa’s Blacon, 1965
A packed church for the UCM – and not an uncovered head anywhere! (“Does anyone – still wear – a hat?”)
