Parish Newsletter

 Our Response to the War in Ukraine

We all feel powerless as we watch these evil events unfold: and a common response to feelings of powerlessness is “We must DO something”. We all wish we could do more to bring this hideous war to an end. Two things we CAN do are Prayer and practical support for the Refugee Crisis. Many thanks to those who have joined Prayer Vigils so far. Here in St Werburgh’s we will have a Prayer Vigil on the evening of Good Friday, 7.00-9.00 pm. If you’d like to be involved in the planning of this Vigil, please let FP know. On the Refugee Crisis, Bishop Mark writes:

“We are presently witnessing a refugee crisis in Europe greater than any seen since the Second World War. Caritas International, represented by CAFOD in our own country, is active in the provision of aid in the countries now receiving this vast and tragic exodus. I know there has already been a tremendous response from our own parishes to the appeals being co-ordinated by the Emergencies Committee. I am also grateful for the generous offers of help and various suggestions received this past week as the UK begins its response to the humanitarian challenge of housing refugees. I appreciate the frustration and impatience of many of my correspondents who see little happening in practical terms. I only hope what appears to be the slowness of the UK’s response might arise from a desire to care for the refugees and the considerable needs of those who will eventually come to us following the trauma and upheaval of war. Caritas in our Diocese of Shrewsbury, with its experience of working with refugees from Syria and Afghanistan, is in conversation with the Catholic Social Action Network as to how we can most effectively respond in the weeks and months ahead. Individuals who are already offering to host refugee families through the Government’s matching and homesforukraine scheme are advised to link with an organisation with refugee experience. The CSAN Ukraine Toolkit is being continuously updated and this is the link: https://www.csan.org.uk/ukraine/ Thank you.”

 

Holy Week and Easter Wolunteer Rota

Now out, at the back of church. If you are a reader of perform any other Ministry for us, please sign up as soon as possible. Normal rotas are suspended for this week, and we rely on wolunteers. Do sign up.

 

Vacancies at the Catholic High School

School Premises Manager - 37 hours per week, Grade 9. Deadline for applications will be 25^th March with a view to interviewing 29^th March 2022. The successful candidate will start April 2022.

Teacher of Mathematics – Permanent, full-time, MPS. The vacancy would suit an Early Careers Teacher. Closing date for applications is 9.00 am on Monday 28^th March 2022. Interviews will be held on Friday 1^st.

Curriculum Leader of Learning for Mathematics – Full time, MPS/UPS+TLR1b. The deadline for application form will be 9.00 am on Monday 28^th March. Interviews will be held on Thursday 31^st March 2022.

For further details and application forms, please visit our website www.christofidelis.org.uk under recruitment or contact Mrs Mallon, Head’s PA on 01244 267870 or mallonk@christofidelis.org.uk

 

CAFOD Lenten Fast Day Envelopes on Table Today

Please return on the Collection Plate. Thank you.

  

Parish Renewal – Autumn 2022

Coming out of Covid and on the back of our excellent Synod Consultation, let’s look at our whole Parish: what do we want to pick up again, what do we want to drop, what new ventures do we want to start?

 

SVP Reconciliation Service 2^nd April 10:30

Please contact Stephen on 07775-781-204 or Teresa on tnunez@alumni.unav.es if you'd like to attend.

 

Holy Week and Easter Service Times Cards

Out next week: please distribute far and wide.

 

Gift Aid: Three Important Notices

(1) Tax Status

If you no longer pay income tax, please let Fr Paul or Denise Jones know by 5^th April, otherwise it will be assumed that you have paid sufficient income tax for the Parish to claim Gift Aid on your donations for the tax year 2021/22. Thank you.

(2) Change of Address in last two years?

Please let us know if you have changed your address.

(3) Offertory Envelopes 2022/23 – Reminder

If you haven’t yet collected your box, please take it!

Joining the Gift Aid Scheme

If you’re interested in joining the scheme, contact FP or Denise Jones.

 

Repository:  Lots of lovely Easter goods now in.

 

CAFOD Ukraine Appeal: news@email.cafod.org.uk

Please use the website address above if you’d like to help the humanitarian relief effort.

 

Christian Aid Lenten Lunches: 12 noon - 1.30 pm

Friday 1^st April: Vicars Cross URC

Wednesday 6^th 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 5^th April at 7.00 pm. Tickets are £5 and include light refreshments, from Cathedral Website:

https://chestercathedral.ticket olve.com/shows/1173621282

 

Retreat House, Chester: Thursday 31^st March

Delighted this is now fully booked – well done!

10.00 am onwards: gather for tea and coffee in the Dining Room.

10.30: Retreat First Hour in the Day Chapel, with some time apart.

11.30: Second Hour, with time apart.

12.30: Lunch – please bring a packed lunch, with something to share with others if you’d like.

1.10: Third Hour, with time apart.

2.00: Gather for Close of Retreat.

2.15: Tea and Coffee.

2.45: Mass for the End of the Retreat.

The whole church area and house is free for your use, so do, please make use of all these lovely spaces for your quiet time on your own.

 

Zoom Stations of the Cross: Friday Evenings in Lent

Please email FP for the link. Everybody welcome.

 

Photo of the Week: The Arrival of the Old Nuisance

Twenty years ago, and the arrival on the Wirral of – no, not the Queen of Sheba, but the Old Nuisance, coming up from Devon to live round the corner from me in Port Sunlight. The years have not been kind?