Parish Newsletter

 

Parish Renewal: From Dream to Planning

Our fourth and final Open Meeting last Tuesday addressed the question of how we practically take all these renewal ideas forward. You have given us a superb list of activities you want reintroduced – or started for the first time – and the many changes you’d like to see made. So…

Saturday 23rd October: Children’s Liturgy Team

Meet with FP to plan the way forward, looking to re-start on Sunday Mornings next month, November.
Sunday 30th October: last date for submission of written ideas and Volunteer Recruitment forms.
Sundays 30/10, 13/11 and 20/11: Choir Recruitment Drive (see below).
w/c Monday 31st October: Steering Group meet to start collating all your written submissions.
Sunday 4th December: Report to Parish published.

Then we plan to re-launch each activity on a month-by-month basis, approximately two every month, with a big Open Meeting for each one to allow anyone interested to come along, find out what it’s all about, and sign up if they want to.

Remember: the over-arching, all-encompassing vision is WELCOME: that we should be a church that extends a positive welcome to everyone, especially those who feel they are no longer part of the Catholic Church and those who have never heard the Gospel of Christ and His message of Infinite New Beginnings.

Meanwhile, a thousand thanks to everyone who’s been part of this process: week by week, on this Newsletter, you’ll see your ideas being translated into action. Next week: dates for some Prayer Sessions specifically to ask for God’s blessings on our parish and this renewal.

Choir and Musicians Recruitment Drive

If you enjoy church singing or playing an instrument …
then why not consider joining our choir? We are looking to grow the number of singers at Masses and feast days, including support from instrumentalists. Choir Members will be around before and after all the Masses on 30th October 13th & 20th November to tell you more about the choir and answer your questions. Interested? come along for a chat or contact Tom Rozario at tom.rozario@gmail.com or speak to any member of the choir after 9.00 am

Live-Streaming from St Werburgh’s

This has been a popular request from many of you for some time, and we’re pleased to announce that, thanks to two recent small bequests to the Parish, we are able to go ahead. The company has been contacted, and surveys started. Watch this space!

Wine and Cheese Evening for Meningitis Now

Thank you to everyone who generously supported the fundraiser for Meningitis Now. We had a wonderful evening and we're delighted to let you know that, so far, we've raised over £5,000 including on-line donations. Thanks again from Anne and Cathy.

November Holy Souls Book

Please send your names in, preferably by email. A new book is compiled every year, so names are not carried forward from one year to the next. First edition of the book will be on All Saints, Tuesday 1st November.

'Peace to this house': Words and Music for the Soul

An evening of classical and contemporary pieces with a meditative theme, presented by Retreat House Chester with guest violinist Philip Chidell, known to many for his local busking. Friday 4th November 7.30 pm at St Mary's Centre, Handbridge. Tickets £12 include an interval drink. Prize raffle! For information and to book: www.retreathousechester.co.uk

Deanery Conference on Wednesday

All the Priests and Deacons of our Chester and Ellesmere Port Deanery meet here on Wednesday for their Autumn Meeting. Please keep us in your prayers. One of the topics we’ll be discussing is whether, as part of our post-pandemic renewal, there’s any appetite for re-starting the Deanery Pastoral Council.

Rowton Masses Re-Starting on Saturday Evenings

Thanks for those who’ve wolunteered to help run the show – anyone else like to get on board? Saturday 5th November sound sensible? Mass and then a Bonfire….

Repository: Christmas Goods

Our brand-new stock of extremely good value best religious Christmas Cards is now on sale, including Advent Calendars, Candles and some unusual Nativity gifts. In addition, we have our regular stock of beautiful Sympathy and Thinking of You cards, and don't forget our parish Notelets (10 in pack) are still available at the special price of £2.00.

November: Month of the Holy Souls

• Tues 1st: All Saints: Masses 7.30 am, 12.15, 7.30 pm
• Wed 2nd: All Souls: Masses 7.30 am, 12.15, 7.30 pm
• Wed 16th: Mass for the Recently Bereaved: 7.00 pm
• Sunday 20th: Blessing of Blacon Graves: 2.00-4.00 pm
• Sunday 27th: Blessing Overleigh Graves: 2.00-4.00 pm
• Wednesday 30th: Mass of the Holy Souls: 7.00 pm

Calling All Students! Come and Join CathSoc!

We’d love to hear from you and invite you to be part of our Catholic Student Community. Our main meeting night is Sunday, and this week flyers are available telling you all about us. There are sheets at the back of church for you to give us your details – and we’d love to hear from you!

• Sunday 23rd October: Charades Night
• Sunday 24th October: Shared Table Supper
• Six New Students Recruited last Sunday!

Chester Cathedral Annual Heritage Discovery Day

Bigger and better than ever! Join the Cathedral’s very own heritage professionals and friends on Saturday 22nd October in a free event bringing to life the medieval heritage of Chester’s most iconic historic church. Free tickets for the day and the Heritage Lecture Series are available via Cathedral website. Visitors will enjoy a range of activities taking place across the Cathedral site on the first Saturday of half term, with medieval objects on display, live demonstrations of heritage skills, music-making, family activities, tours, and worship, all contributing to this autumnal extravaganza.

Photo of the Week: Outdoor Nativity in Funchal

Spotted last year in Funchal, Madeira, a beautiful Outdoor Crib, full of stunning flowers. Spotted and snapped by Judith and Walter: thanks both! Why can’t we have such Outdoor Cribs in this country?