Parish Newsletter

 

 Arrangements for 14th September – St Bernadette

We may well be welcoming the world and his wife to St Werburgh’s on this great day, so a great deal of planning has had to go into the arrangements. Tom has chosen the music and it’s been sent over to the Diocese. Extra Choir Practices have been arranged. Gerry has recruited a great team of altar Servers, and Denise and Bernice have the catering for the VIP’s well in hand. Now Marian and Syd are asking for Stewards, to look after the morning Schools Visits (9.30-12.15), the big Mass in the middle of the day (11.45-1.30) and the afternoon visits to the church (1.15-4.15). They’ve put out an appeal to existing Stewards, but may well have to come to you, the wider Parish, if we need more. Do we have any qualified First Aiders who could be on duty that day? Excellent Rates of Pay…

FP’s Holiday Dates

Yes, at long last, I’m going away for some hols and leaving you all in peace. Tuesday 16th August to Friday 2nd September, hopefully in my beloved Italy. You’re going to miss me, aren’t you? (I heard that, and it was very hurtful). While I am away, Syd Jones will be in charge as Parish Administrator, a role he has fulfilled excellently in previous pre-Covid years.

Annual Mission Appeal: 27/28 August

For one of the two weekends that I shall be away, Fr William Hattie from the Xaverian Fathers will be with us for all the Masses and preaching the Annual Mission Appeal. I know you will make him very welcome.

Getting Back to Normal and Autumn Parish Renewal

Just a reminder that when September comes, we will have a major Parish Renewal exercise, which will involve looking at all our activities together and asking what we’ve learnt over the last two and a half years. I want us to review everything: what do we need to pick up again, what to pick up but with changes, what to start from scratch and what to drop? Your views will be critical here, so do sit on your beaches and sun loungers during August and give it your best attention!

Gardening Club

We have a wonderful little group of parishioners who look after the front and back gardens. For one reason or another, some of them are off air at present: anyone like to help out, at a time to suit you?

Refugees from Ukraine: A Parishioners Writes…

“I am shortly going to be welcoming a Ukrainian family to stay with me until it’s safe for them to return home. They have contacted me today to ask if I know of anyone who could sponsor/host their friends (mum 51, son 18 and pet cat). They would like to be near to their friends as they do not speak very good English, although my guests will be able to help with this.
Being a sponsor is fully explained in the government’s website here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-a-visa-under-the-ukraine-sponsorship-scheme ”

Catholic High School Governors

From September 2022 we will be looking to recruit three new Governors: Foundation Governors (who must be practising Catholics) and Community Governors are open to everyone. If you would like an informal chat about governance or wish to express an interest in the Community Governor role, please contact the Chair of Governors via the school email: johnsonj@christofidelis.org.uk.

Next Year’s First Sacraments Programme

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. Closing date for enrolment is Sunday 4th September ‘22. A full list of “Names Submitted So Far” will be on the Newsletter next week, just in case you have sent a name in, and we’ve missed it.

Welsh Railways Day Out September 19th 2022

All monies now in – many thanks, everyone!

Ordination to the Diaconate of Tony Nuttall

Many thanks to the little group of parishioners who came with me last Saturday. It was a busy day in Shrewsbury, with a big ’80’s Rock Concert taking place in the town. It was as much as I could do to stop some of our Werbies deciding to slope off to that instead…

Defibrillator Training: Thursday 14th July 7.30 pm

Just to sum up: the Defibrillator is now in place, on the ledge behind where the Altar Servers sit, in a red zip case. Huge thanks to Dr Rose for running such an excellent Training Session, and to Laurie from Larshay for his great generosity in donating the full cost. Were there to be an emergency during Mass, four people will be detailed to deal with it, one to phone 999, one to get the Defibrillator and two to look after the patient. If it’s during Mass, Mass will continue, and the section of the church where the patient is will be sealed off.

“First Thursday” Tattenhall House Masses

Please email or contact FP if you would like details of the venue. Next One: Thursday 4th August, 10.30 am.

Clearing Day Chapel Corridor: Wednesday 13th July

As the Day Chapel comes back into use for a whole variety of activities, it’s important that the corridor leading to the outside door (by the organ) is now cleared. Many thanks to the Team who did the clearing, and to all of you for removing your personal stuff. We’ll have the corridor, outside door and door into the Day Chapel open for all Masses this weekend, so do wander through and see what we’ve done.

Chester Catenians: Feast of St John Plessington

The Catenians marked the Feast Day of St John Plessington, with Mass last Tuesday evening. Many thanks to all who came along to honour our own Saint.

Dickens Set: Sealed Bids: Two Equal Winning Bids!

So, I’ve been on eBay, and found another comparable set, so that each bidder will receive one. After the cost of the second set has been deducted from the total of the two bids, a good sum will be forwarded to Caritas. The Great Man was a wizard fund-raiser. His speech appealing for funds for Gt Ormond Street Children’s Hospital was amongst his finest and raised a fortune.

Tuesday Evening Parish Council Social

On Tuesday this week, a great pleasure to take the Parish Council out for their annual Social, as a little way of saying “thank you” for all the sterling work they’ve done for the Parish, non-stop, over the last twelve months. They have been stars!

Photo of the Week: High Altar on Christmas Eve

This lovely picture reminds me of how much restoration work was done on the frontal of the Altar especially, after the Screen was taken down. It was in poor condition, but the Diocesan Restorers did a fine job.