Parish Newsletter

Financial Statement: April 2022

Finances have been very unpredictable during the pandemic and lockdowns, for us as for you. But thank you for your continuing generosity and support. We have been careful with expenditure over the last year, so uncertain have been our income streams; but we are pleased to announce a very healthy outcome:

• Total Income 2021-22: £105,861.68
• Total Expenditure 2021-22: £65,174.16
• Operating Surplus 2021-22: £40,687.52

Full Financial Report to Parish coming up soon!

Call-Out for Instrumentalists

Many thanks indeed to Tommy Teague for gracing so many of the Holy Week and Easter liturgies with his beautiful playing of the cello. Do we have any more instrumentalists out there who’d like to join us on an occasional basis? It doesn’t matter what the instrument is – Geoff Hewson has offered the Spoons – just let us know and we’ll see how we can use you.

Lateral Flow Tests

I’m virtually out of them: does anyone have any supplies they’re not using and wouldn’t mind donating? Grateful thanks.

Preparing for Pentecost

A small group of parishioners would like to invite you all to join them on Tuesday 31st May for two hours of prayer and reflection in our Day Chapel as a preparation for the great Feast of Pentecost. Meeting at 9.45 for a 10.00 start and finishing with Mass at 12.15 pm. Refreshments provided. Fifteen places available, so please sign up asap.

SVP Elderly Housebound Mass: 8th May at 2.30 pm

THE SVP would like to invite you to this Celebration Mass at our Catholic Primary School. There will be refreshments afterwards and transport can be provided. Everyone is welcome! Please contact Fran Waldie (07990-524-780 if you require a lift and Teresa on tnunez@alumni.unav.es for any other information. See you all there!

SVP Second Collection 14th /15th May

To provide financial support to allow families who may not otherwise have a holiday, to have a week in the SVP Holiday Home at Talar or a family day out, and to fund a Summer Lunch for the elderly and housebound. Assistance with funding is also given to families in need for school trips and various school holiday club activities.

SVP Theatre Night Wed 8th June: The Vicar of Dibley

A hilarious adaptation of the popular TV comedy by the original author, Ian Gowerton, comes to the Gladstone Theatre, Port Sunlight. Tickets at £9 will be on sale after Masses on w/e 15th and 22nd May, or by contacting svpchester@gmail.com. All proceeds go to the SVP District Holiday Home in Talacre.

Liturgy Group Meeting – Thursday 12th May 7.15 pm

Do come along everyone, as we review Lent, Holy Week and Easter and plan for the great Summer Feasts coming up. An open meeting – all welcome.

Forthcoming Funerals: Promoted to Glory

• Monday 16th May: 2.00 pm: Anna Brennan

May she Rest in Peace.

 
Parish Outing: Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railway

One of the many casualties of Covid and Lockdowns, I’m delighted to announce that it is back on again – Wednesday 14th September! Full details this week – please take a flyer - and get that date in your Diary!

Free Rosaries from the Catenians

If you are unfamiliar with the Rosary, the Catenian Association have left free adult Rosaries and ‘How to Pray the Rosary’ cards at the back of the church, together with small children’s Rosaries if you want to pray as a family. Please only take a free one if you don’t own one already.

Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes

Our Diocesan Pilgrimage will take place from 29 July - 4 August by air and 28 July - 5 August overland. Prices start from £440 which includes travel, full board accommodation and full pilgrimage programme. Further details and booking forms: www.shrewsburypilgrimage.co.uk or from the Pilgrimage Office, Curial Offices, 2 Park Rd South, Prenton, Wirral, CH43 4UX.

Helping Out in Ellesmere Port and Hooton

For last weekend and this, Fr Neill and myself will be helping out with weekend Masses while Fr Humphrey has a break back home in Ireland.

Christleton Churches Together: Water Aid

Great response: any more Jam Jars to come in?

SVP Holiday Home Availability

Available for two one-week slots on the weeks commencing on the 21st May and 24th September.
If you are interested or know anyone that might benefit from this opportunity, please contact Craig.mullan@outlook.com.

Next Year’s First Sacraments Programme

The programme runs from September to June each year. So, if you have a child in Year 3 or above who does not attend our Catholic Primary School, please contact Fr Paul, preferably by email. The classes begin in October, with First Forgiveness in January and First Holy Communions in May. The closing date for enrolment is Sunday 4th September 2022.

SVP Gardening / DIY Gloves Sale: Fantastic Result!

Members of the SVP were selling a range of Gardening and DIY Gloves after Masses last weekend. They were new gloves, and offered at very competitive prices, all the proceeds going to the SVP Holiday Home, which is due for complete replacement in 2024. Many thanks to everyone for their huge support for this sale: and a magnificent total of £650 was raised for the SVP Holiday Home! Huge thanks to SVP for organising the sale, Marco for supplying the gloves and everyone for supporting the sale.

Summer Term: Welcome Back, CathSoc Students!

Tonight: Scavenge Hunt! Meet at Church, 7.00 pm

Photo of the Week: Wedding of the Year, 1949

Lovely photo this week of Ray and Kathleen Wilbraham’s Wedding Day, here on 26th February 1949. Parents of Margaret, John and Maurice, Kathleen was the most wonderful repository of information about our Parish’s History. By a wonderful coincidence, their great-grand-daughter, Eabha Meenan, was one of our First Holy Communion children yesterday, Saturday.