Parish Newsletter

 

Parish Renewal: Processing the Recruitment Forms

52 of you sent in “I’d like to be more involved” forms, and we’re processing them all as I write. This was a wonderful expression of interest, so expect to hear from us soon. It’s just the new blood we need.

 

Choir and Musicians Recruitment Drive

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 13^th & 20^th 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.

 

Interested in Children’s Liturgy? Come along next Saturday, 19^th November at 3.30 pm

Open meeting for anyone interested in joining the Children’s Liturgy team for the 10.45 Mass. The Team – Claire, Raluca, Shabna, Ruth, Jo, Katie and Chloe - are starting with a single Age Group, 4-8, with the possibility of going to an older group later on. Would you like to be involved? Come along and find out what it’s all about. If it’s for you, come on board!

 

Day Chapel Refurbishment Group First Meeting

Excellent first meeting on Wednesday, led by Judith and Anne, and Clare, Fr Neill, Syd, Denise, Madeleine and Pat (and Mrs Baggs in absentia, as they say in German) contributing really valuable ideas. A full report on “Progress to Date” is on its way. That will then be presented to the Diocese for their visit here on 24^th November. Two constraints: what we can do given we’re a listed building, and what we an afford. I don’t anticipate either being a major obstacle, but both have to be factored in, as you will understand.

 

Live-Streaming from St Werburgh’s; Moving Forward

Delighted to have Chris P on board with this one, who’s a lot cleverer than he looks. He and Syd had a highly tekkie conversation with the company via Zoom on Wednesday morning. I didn’t understand a word of it, but what else is new? They seem happy with the progress and will have proposals to put to the Diocese.

 

Rowton Masses Re-Started on Saturday Evenings

47 of you turned up last Saturday and packed the chapel to its safe capacity. Wow! Great feeling of being back again and huge thanks to everyone for their patience and understanding over the almost three years we’ve been away.

 

Slippery Garden Path

A combination of the moss and the birds nesting above leaving their visiting cards has made the path up to the front door of the house rather slippery. Anyone got a power wash to give it a go over? If not, I shall go down on my knees with a palette knife for several hours, praying for your souls as a I go…

 

Sale of Red and Blue Parish History Books

Excellent value at £10 each and a fascinating read for any parishioner/ lover of history. Stocks of the Blue Book in particular are limited.

 

November Holy Souls Book: Last Edition Next Week

Final Edition: Sunday 20^th November. Names will need to be with us by noon on Friday if they’re to be included, so please don’t leave it to the last minute.

 

CAFOD Christmas Catalogue

On the table at the back of church. Full of great gift ideas, especially if you wanted to give your best friend a goat this year. Might also suit your worst enemy. Word of warning: they’re heaven’s own challenge to wrap. Don’t keep still long enough.

 

Fire at St Clare’s on Tuesday Night

Extremely sorry to hear that the church has suffered serious smoke damage in the week from a candle left burning all night. I’ve been in touch with Fr Emeka to offer any practical help we can. Our own Taskforce will review our Candle Safety in the light of this incident. Take care, everyone!

 

Upcoming events for First Holy Communion Group

Initial Parents’ Meeting and Baptismal Service on Monday 14^th November at St Werburgh’s and St Columba’s School Lightfoot St at 7:00 pm.

Enrolment Mass at St Werburgh’s Church for all our FHC children and their families at 10:00 am on Saturday 19^th November.

 

SVP Sponsored Walk for Holiday Home

A total of £595 was raised through Gift Aided sponsorship, JustGiving, cash donations and a significant anonymous donation. As many of you will already be aware the Chester & District group of SVP conferences is committed to giving free holidays to families in need from our local community. The current holiday caravan at Talacre Beach is now in need of replacement and we need to raise £45,000 to replace it in the next 15 months. Thanks to exceptional generosity over the last 5-6 years, we have already raised £26,000. The SVP have been putting together a crowdfunding application that will give us the opportunity to raise the balance needed. We now need to demonstrate very clear community support for our project. We need as many people as possible to back us by pledging to give £2 towards our fund. At this stage the number of backers is more important than the individual donation amount, so 10 people each pledging £2 is more important than one donation of £20. Please can you help by supporting our project on the Spacehive crowdfunding site at www.spacehive.com/holidays-for-disadvantaged-people

 

November: Month of the Holy Souls

• Wed 16^th: Mass for the Recently Bereaved: 7.00 pm
• Sunday 20^th: Blessing of Blacon Graves: 2.00-4.00 pm
• Sunday 27^th: Blessing Overleigh Graves: 2.00-4.00 pm
• Wednesday 30^th: Mass of the Holy Souls: 7.00 pm

 

Calling All Students!  Come and Join CathSoc!

• Sunday 13^th November: Cake and Catch-Up
• Sunday 20^th November: Advent Candles
• Sunday 27^th November: Film Night
• Sunday 4^th December: Christmas Quiz
• Sunday 11^th December: Christmas Meal Out

 

On the Free Table: Last of the A3 Blank Paper

Coming up: Vatican Stamps and Apple Mac Computer

 

Photo of the Week: Freda Strikes Again!

Freda from Frodsham has been gadding and gallivanting again – is she ever at home? – and sent us two lovely snaps from the Parish Church of St Blaise in Dubrovnik, Croatia. Thanks, Freed!