Parish Newsletter

 

Syd Jones RIP: Requiem Mass

The Requiem Mass for our beloved Syd Jones will be celebrated on Monday 27th February at 12.00 noon, followed by Committal at Blacon at 1.20 pm.

Messages of Condolence

Thank you for the amazing number of cards, letters, emails and phone calls, expressing sympathy at the death of Syd. They have all been immensely appreciated by Denise and the Parish.

World Day of Prayer (Formerly Women’s WDP!)

A global, ecumenical, women led movement. A service will be held on Friday 3rd March 2023 at 10.30 am in the Presbyterian Church of Wales, City Road, Chester CH1 (opposite the Premier Inn at this end of City Road). This year's service has been prepared by the Christian women of Taiwan. All are welcome. This is always a lovely gathering, so do come along!

Christian Aid Lent Lunches: 12.00-1.30 pm

• Thursday 2nd March: Hoole URC, Hoole Road
• Monday 6th March: Caldy Valley Community Church
• Mon 13th March: Wesley Methodists (St W’s hosting)
• Monday 20th March: Wesley Methodists
• Thursday 30th March: St Mary’s Handbridge

All proceeds to Christian Aid

Do We Still Need Holy Communion Stewards?

From Sunday 26th February to Sunday 19th March, we are going to experiment with suspending communion stewarding at 9.00 am and 10.45 am Masses, to see if we still need them. The success of this trial will depend upon everyone in the congregation continuing to follow the procedure that we are all now used to as follows:

• The central benches go up to Communion in the central aisle starting with the front benches, row by row, and return to the benches via the side aisles;
• The two side aisles benches, starting from the front benches, walk to the back of the church, then round and up the central aisle to receive Communion and then return via the side aisles;
• No one should cross from the side benches through the middle benches.
  After 19th March, we will consult the whole Parish on Communion Stewards, restoring the Chalice for the congregation and the physical Sign of Peace.

SVP Theatre Night at Port Sunlight: 8th March

Wednesday 8th of March, at 7.30 pm at the Gladstone Theatre, in Port Sunlight. The play is The Girl on the Train, a fantastic thriller based on the book by Paula Hawkins. We have 50 tickets available to purchase at £10 per ticket. The SVP will be selling them at the end of Mass on Sundays 19th and 26th February. They can also be reserved via email contacting annepatey1@gmail.com, and collected and paid on arrival at the theatre. All money raised will go to support the SVP Holiday Home project. We hope to see you there for a lovely theatrical evening!

Repository Pre-Loved Sale

Finishing end of February. No reasonable offer refused – and that includes for Bernice and Paula…

Deanery Conference here on Tuesday

For all the Priests and Deacons of Chester and Ellesmere Port. On the Agenda: Restoring the Chalice and the physical Sign of Peace, the Role of Eucharistic Ministers, Home Communions, Confirmation 2023, High School 50th Mass, the Hospital, and much else besides. And then lunch together. 2.00 am in the kitchen for me, but if it brings smiles to those bitter and twisted lips…

Lent Chapel Visits

Christleton and Waverton Churches Together organise a lovely series of visits to local Chapels during Lent – last such in 2019, thanks to Covid! But up and running again this year. 2.30 pm each time:

• Wed 1st March: Gaia Exhibition at the Cathedral
• Wed 8th March: Foxhill Conference Centre
• Tuesday 21st March: University Chapel
• Thursday 30th March: St Deiniol’s, Hawarden

Flyers at back of church with full details.

Betty Park

Saddened to hear news last week of the death of Betty Park, so soon after her beloved husband, John. Betty’s Requiem Mass will be on Wednesday 8th March at 12.00 noon.

And the bulbs keep appearing!

Do you remember our fantastic Bulbathon in November 2020? They are starting to come up once again, a memorial to those dreadful lockdown days.

Confirmation: 10th May 2023: Launch on Monday

The Sacrament of Confirmation with Bishop Mark will be at St Francis on Wednesday 10th May, 7.00 pm. Classes will be here at St Werburgh’s on Wednesday evenings, starting 1st March. The Launch Meeting (for Candidates and at least one parent) is Monday 20th February. Minimum Age: second year High School (Year 8). Not too late to send names in!

Planning for Lenten Fridays

Anyone else like to offer a Stations or a Lenten Meditation? We have gaps for one more of each.

Catholic High School 50th Anniversary Mass

Chester Cathedral – Friday 9th June 2023 11.00 am – everyone warmly invited, space permitting – so get that date in your Diary! The whole school will be attending, plus VIP’s, former students and staff. It’ll be a magnificent celebration of our first fifty years.

Syria and Turkey Earthquake Appeal

Both CAFOD and Caritas have launched appeals to provide urgent food, water and shelter to the survivors of this dreadful catastrophe. These links have more information and online donation links: cafod.org.uk and www.caritas.org or just google “CAFOD earthquake appeal”.

Lent ‘Day by Days Now on the News-Stand

Plus, Sacred Heart Messengers: £1 each

White Hard Hat, Protective Gloves/Eye Protection

Anyone got to lend me for one day? (Don’t ask!)

Photo of the Week: Polish Community in Lerwick

Up in the Shetlands, they come together for weekday Masses in this small chapel, located in the Priest’s House. Thanks to Tony B for sending it in.