Parish Newsletter

 

Financial Statement: Last Year’s Income

As promised, a little more detail on last year’s Finances. The headline figures, once again, were:

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

How was that Income made up?

• Offertory Envelopes: £26,144.28
• Standing Orders: £39,533.00
• Loose Plate: £23,330.59
• Online Giving: £4,555.00
• Donations: £6,295.00
• Wall-Boxes and Candles: £2,698.67
• Legacies: £700.14
• Sundries: £2,605.00
  TOTAL: £105,861.68

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

Many thanks, everyone – I now have plenty!

Vocations Weekend for Young Women: 27-29 May

The weekend is organised by the sisters, Faithful Companions of Jesus (FCJ), in Liverpool. If you are wondering if God is calling you to religious life and would like to find out more why not come along? You are welcome to stay for the weekend or just come along on Saturday for the day. There will be opportunity for prayer, reflection and input, chance to ask questions and to meet others who are also wondering where God is calling them. For more information contact Sr Lynne fcj at lynnefcj@hotmail.com or visit our website www.fcjsisters.org

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

Many thanks to everyone for a lovely afternoon.

SVP Second Collection 14th /15th May

To provide financial support to families who may not otherwise have a holiday, to have a week in the SVP Holiday Home at Talacre or a family day out, and to fund a Summer Lunch for the elderly and housebound. Assistance 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.

Parish Day Out Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railway

For an excellent reason, we have had to change the date to Monday 19th September (see below!) Flyer out today with full details. Here’s some of the Itinerary:

• 09.45: Depart Chester on coach (Mass Beforehand)
• 11.45 arrive Blaenau Ffestiniog
• 12.20: Depart on Railway to Porthmadog
• 14.15: Depart on Railway to Caernarfon
• 17.00 Coach from Caernarfon back to Chester
• 18.30: Arrive back in Chester

We have managed to negotiate an amazing bargain basement price for this day out of £65, including all transport and lunch. The commercial price would be nearer £90. We have a maximum of 50 places, so do take a flyer and sign up quickly.

What’s Happening Wednesday 14th September 2022???

As you may have read, the Relics of St Bernadette of Lourdes are coming to England in September and visiting every Diocese. In each Diocese, the relics will come to the Cathedral and one Parish Church, and we are very honoured that St Werburgh’s has been chosen as the Parish Church for Shrewsbury Diocese. More details as and when they become available.

John Dawson Herd 1st August 1934 - 26th April 2022

Funeral at Our Lady’s in Ellesmere Port 10.30 am, Wednesday 18th May.

Mass Intentions With No Specified Date

Just a reminder, everyone, that if you put in a Mass Intention without a specified date, it takes between six and eight weeks to reach the head of the queue.

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.

Artificial Flowers on the Free Table

Four large displays of blue and white silk flowers were left at the church recently. Unfortunately, we are not able to use them ourselves, so they are on the Free Table this weekend if anyone would like them.

Christleton Churches Together: Water Aid

Great response: final call for Jam Jars today.

Request from Parishioner Living in Chester

“We have booked a holiday for the end of August 2022 and don’t want to put our family dog in kennels, so we are looking for a house sitter.” Anyone interested?

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.

Photo of the Week: Lourdes, Easter 2022

Great to see Lourdes fully opening up again after the Covid Lockdowns, and our own Diocesan Pilgrimage going once again at the end of July. Paul W was there at Easter and snapped this shot of the Priests preparing for Mass in the Underground Basilica. Thanks, Paul!