Parish Newsletter

Re-Forming our Parish Liturgy Group

This is an open group, to which everyone is welcome, and which plans our forthcoming liturgies for the next couple of months. We’re starting up again next Thursday, 1st December, at 7.30 pm in the house, and our main task will be planning for Advent, Christmas and New Year. Do come along if you’d like to join us.

“Ministry of Welcome” Recruitment Drive

Day Chapel, Live Streaming, Choir, Children’s Liturgy – those four plates are now up and spinning. Next one to join them is the Ministry of Welcomers, the good folk who stand at the back of church, give out Music Sheets and Newsletters, and generally make everyone feel welcome, especially first-timers and wizziters. Again, I’d hope you’d be on duty about once a month, unless you’re Mr Reebok and have to be there every Sunday Evening… Essential we have you in place for Christmas, so email coming round this weekend to see the best time we can all get together, old hands and new.

Children’s Liturgy Open Meeting

We have an excellent core group. As soon as DBS checks have been completed, they’ll be ready to swing into action. Anyone else like to join them, giving our 4-8 year-olds their own start to Mass at 10.45 each Sunday? See FP or any member of the group if you would. You’d be on duty one Sunday in four.

Moving Forward on Building Work

Our Diocesan Buildings Manager and Listed Buildings Architect came down for an hour on Thursday morning and looked at our plans for Live Streaming and refurbishing the Day Chapel. They seemed to like our ideas, but now detailed proposals have to be put to both the Diocese and the Historic Churches Committee. Huge thanks to all the parishioners who have worked so hard on both projects. Good news on Friday is that the Diocese have approved the funding for the Live Streaming and would look sympathetically on an application for the Day Chapel costs.

Slippery Garden Path: Thanks for all the offers!

The path has been given one good treatment, but it’s still a little slippery in places, especially right under the birds’ nests! So, take care everyone until it’s had its second go-over.

Sale of Red and Blue Parish History Books: ₤10

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 2022

Many thanks to everyone who sent in names, such an important part of our November Devotions.

CAFOD Christmas Catalogue

On the table at the back of church. Full of great gift ideas, and supporting a very worthwhile charity.

NW Universities Catholic Chaplains Meeting

Great to host everyone last Wednesday and catch up on Chaplaincy News. Commiserations to Manchester, out of Avila House, as it’s needing extensive rebuilding works. Hang on in there. J’s!

“First Thursday” Tattenhall and Hospital Masses.

Both moved to second Thursday this month, 8th December: 10.30 at Tattenhall, 12.15 in the Hospital.

SVP Second Collection 3rd / 4th December

Used to support families in need with food and Christmas presents, to provide small gifts to prisoners’ children and to fund a Festive Party in January for those we support and befriend in our local community. Gift Aid envelopes available.

SVP Advent Reconciliation Service

Saturday 3rd December at 10.30. Everyone is very welcome to attend this service in the church, with tea and biscuits to follow. We would also like to encourage parishioners to let us know of any person who may wish to join this event and we will do our best to arrange transport. Contact svpchester@gmail.com or 07775 781204.

Candle Safety Here in St Werburgh’s

When lighting a tealight candle: 1) Do not remove the tealight from its metal holder, and if it is out of a holder put it back into a holder before putting it on the stand. 2) Only place the tealights in designated metal cups on the stand and as far as possible try to fill up the cups from the back of the stand. 3) If the stand is full then use a different stand; there are several around the church. 4) Always supervise any child who wants to light a candle. Thank you.

SVP Holiday Home

The current holiday caravan at Talacre Beach is now in need of replacement and the SVP needs to raise £45,000 to replace it in the next 15 months. They have already raised £26,000. The SVP have been putting together a crowdfunding application that will give them the opportunity to raise the balance needed. They now need to demonstrate very clear community support for their project. They need as many people as possible to back them by pledging to give £2 towards the fund. www.spacehive.com/holidays-for-disadvantaged-people
Update: Saturday, 26th November – we now have fifty backers, which is great, but we still need more. Meeting with CWAC next week to see if we reach the threshold for Community Support.

Super Keyboard to the Highest Bidder

On the table at the back of church. Would make a lovely Christmas present for someone. Sealed bids to FP by Sunday 18th December. Highest bidder wins!

CHS Tea

The Catholic High School Tea will take place on Thursday 8th December at 2.00 pm. Everyone is welcome! Join us for a chat and nice tea and cakes! Please get in touch with fran.waldie@gmail.com if you would like us to organise transport for you.

November: Month of the Holy Souls

• 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!

• Sunday 27th November: Christmas Quiz
• Sunday 4th December: Film Night
• Sunday 11th December: Christmas Meal Out

Photo of the Week: Altar Servers Celebration

Lovely reminder of this time last year when all the Altar Servers came out for a meal, as a small way of thanking them for all they do for us.