Parish Newsletter
SUNDAY 19th MARCH 2023: FOURTH SUNDAY IN LENT - LAETARE SUNDAY (YEAR A)
Liturgical
- + 2024
-
- 2023
- 31st December
- 24th December
- 17th December
- 10th December
- 3rd December
- 26th November
- 19th November
- 12th November
- 5th November
- 29th October
- 22nd October
- 15th October
- 8th October
- 1st October
- 24th September
- 17th September
- 10th September
- 3rd September
- 27th August
- 20th August
- 13th August
- 6th August
- 30th July
- 23rd July
- 16th July
- 9th July
- 2nd July
- 25th June
- 18th June
- 11th June
- 4th June
- 28th May
- 21st May
- 14th May
- 7th May
- 30th April
- 23rd April
- 16th April
- 9th April
- 2nd April
- 26th March
- 19th March
- 12th March
- 5th March
- 26th February
- 19th February
- 12th February
- 5th February
- 29th January
- 22nd January
- 15th January
- 8th January
- 1st January
-
+ 2022
- 25th December
- 18th December
- 11th December
- 4th December
- 27th November
- 20th November
- 13th November
- 6th November
- 30th October
- 23rd October
- 16th October
- 9th October
- 2nd October
- 25th September
- 18th September
- 11th September
- 4th September
- 28th August
- 21st August
- 14th August
- 7th August
- 31st July
- 24th July
- 17th July
- 10th July
- 3rd July
- 26th June
- 19th June
- 12th June
- 5th June
- 29th May
- 22nd May
- 15th May
- 8th May
- 1st May
- 24th April
- 17th April
- 10th April
- 3rd April
- 27th March
- 20th March
- 13th March
- 6th March
- 27th February
- 20th February
- 13th February
- 6th February
- 30th January
- 23rd January
- 16th January
- 9th January
- 2nd January
-
+ 2021
- 26th December
- 19th December
- 12th December
- 5th December
- 28th November
- 21st November
- 14th November
- 7th November
- 31st October
- 24th October
- 17th October
- 10th October
- 3rd October
- 26th September
- 19th September
- 12th September
- 5th September
- 29th August
- 22nd August
- 15th August
- 8th August
- 1st August
- 25th July
- 18th July
- 11th July
- 4th July
- 27th June
- 20th June
- 13th June
- 6th June
- 30th May
- 23rd May
- 16th May
- 9th May
- 2nd May
- 25th April
- 18th April
- 11th April
- 4th April
- 28th March
- 21st March
- 14th March
- 7th March
- 28th February
- 21st February
- 14th February
- 7th February
- 31st January
- 24th January
- 17th January
- 10th January
- 3rd January
-
+ 2020
- 27th December
- 20th December
- 13th December
- 6th December
- 29th November
- 22nd November
- 15th November
- 8th November
- 1st November
- 25th October
- 18th October
- 11th October
- 4th October
- 27th September
- 20th September
- 13th September
- 6th September
- 30th August
- 23rd August
- 16th August
- 9th August
- 2nd August
- 26th July
- 19th July
- 12th July
- 5th July
- 28th June
- 21st June
- 14th June
- 7th June
- 31st May
- 24th May
- 17th May
- 10th May
- 3rd May
- 26th April
- 19th April
- 12th April
- 5th April
- 29th March
- 22nd March
- 15th March
- 8th March
- 1st March
- 23rd February
- 16th February
- 9th February
- 2nd February
- 26th January
- 19th January
- 12th January
- 5th January
-
+ 2019
- 29th December
- 22nd December
- 15th December
- 8th December
- 1st December
- 24th November
- 17th November
- 10th November
- 3rd November
- 27th October
- 20th October
- 13th October
- 6th October
- 29th September
- 22nd September
- 15th September
- 8th September
- 1st September
- 25th August
- 18th August
- 11th August
- 4th August
- 28th July
- 21st July
- 14th July
- 7th July
- 30th June
- 23rd June
- 16th June
- 9th June
- 2nd June
- 19th May
- 19th May
- 12th May
- 5th May
- 28th April
- 21st April
- 14th April
- 7th April
- 31st March
- 24th March
- 17th March
- 10th March
- 3rd March
- 24th February
- 17th February
- 10th February
- 3rd February
- 27th January
- 20th January
- 13th January
- 6th January
-
+ 2018
- 30th December
- 23rd December
- 16th December
- 9th December
- 2nd December
- 25th November
- 18th November
- 11th November
- 4th November
- 28th October
- 21st October
- 14th October
- 7th October
- 30th September
- 23rd September
- 16th September
- 9th September
- 2nd September
- 26th August
- 19th August
- 5th August
- 29th July
- 22nd July
- 15th July
- 8th July
- 1st July
- 24th June
- 17th June
- 10th June
- 3rd June
- 27th May
- 20th May
- 13th May
- 6th May
- 29th April
- 22nd April
- 15th April
- 8th April
- 1st April
- 25th March
- 18th March
- 11th March
- 4th March
- 25th February
- 18th February
- 11th February
- 4th February
- 28th January
- 21st January
- 14th January
- 7th January
- + 2017
I Samuel 16, 1-13; Psalm 22; Ephesians 5, 8-14; John 9, 1-41
Saturday 6.00 pm: Rowton Methodists: Harry McElduff (L.D.)
Sunday 9.00 am: St Werburgh’s: Jean Hewson (Wedding Anniversary Remembrance)
Sunday 10.45 am: St Werburgh’s: Gregory Phillips (Birthday Remembrance)
St Werburgh’s: 12.30 pm: Baptism of Amber Pimblett
Sunday 6.00 pm: St Werburgh’s: Ken and Simon Riseam
Monday 20th March: St Joseph: II Samuel 7, 4-16; Psalm 88; Romans 4, 13-22; Matthew 1, 16-24
12.15 pm: St Werburgh’s: Very Rev Kevin Lyon (L.D., Co Kildare)
1.10 pm: University Chapel: University Mass – All Welcome
6.30 pm: St Werburgh’s: First Holy Communion Commentary Mass
Tuesday 21st March: Ferial: Ezekiel 47, 1-12; Psalm 45; John 5, 1-16
12.15 pm: St Werburgh’s: Intentions of JG
7.00 pm: St Werburgh’s: Confirmation Class Three for Adults
Wednesday 22nd March: Ferial: Isaiah 49, 8-15; Psalm 144; John 5, 17-30
11.00 am: Grosvenor Manor Nursing Home: Service for Residents and Visitors
12.15 pm: St Werburgh’s: Rebecca Coriam (12 years)
7.00 pm: St Werburgh’s: Confirmation Class Four for Youngsters
Thursday 23rd March: Ferial: Exodus 32, 7-14; Psalm 105; John 3, 31-47
8.00 am: St Werburgh’s: Derek Booth (L.D.)
Friday 24th March: Ferial: Wisdom 2, 1-22; Psalm 33; John 7, 1-30
12.15 pm: St Werburgh’s: Alan Chambers (L.D.)
7.30 pm: St Werburgh’s: Zoom Lenten Meditation – please email FP for link.
Saturday 25th March: The Annunciation: Isaiah 7,10 – 8,10; Ps 39; Hebrews 10, 4-10; Luke 1, 26-38
10.30 am - 12.00 noon: St Werburgh’s: Confessions
6.00 pm: Rowton Methodists: Caroline Miller (5th Anniversary, Michigan)
SUNDAY 26th MARCH 2023: FIFTH SUNDAY IN LENT (YEAR A)
Ezekiel 37, 12-14; Psalm 129; Romans 8, 8-11; John 11, 1-45
Saturday 6.00 pm: Rowton Methodists: Caroline Miller (5th Anniversary, Michigan)
Sunday 9.00 am: St Werburgh’s: Gerald Barcroft (11th Anniversary)
Sunday 10.45 am: St Werburgh’s: Minnie Taylor (30th Anniversary)
Sunday 6.00 pm: St Werburgh’s: Kevin and Dolores Coriam (Anniversaries)
Prayer Intentions
Your prayers are asked for the following who are sick: Kath Stanton, Brian Boardman Jnr, James Convey, Bill Hackett, Laura Chadwick, Stuart Clark, Keith Hayes, Ruth O’Kane, and Kevin Maguire and for all the sick of the Parish; and for those who have died recently, especially Frances Dixon, Lee Jennings and Joan Duff; ; and for those whose anniversaries occur about this time: Barbara McClean, Annie Owens, Essie Lawrie, Daniel Hogan, Frederick Mercer, Linda Wynne, Oscar Dubussy-Durgan, Dolly Huxley, Rita Williams, Patrick Walsh, Thomas Smith, Maria Bannister, Donald Tilston, William Paton, Karen Ash, Arthur Hedges, Mary Partington, Arthur Wright, Ted Finney, James Moore, Sarah Chamberlain, Peter Heaney, Magda Cumberford, Wendy Moore, Bill Dobbins, Bridie Williams, Geraldine Pile, Jean Versey and Anne Roberts. May they all Rest in Peace.
Parish Information and Contacts
SVP: svpchester@gmail.com Countess of Chester Chaplaincy: 01244 364543.
St Werburgh’s is part of the Diocese of Shrewsbury: Registered Charity No 234025.
Safeguarding Reps: Liz Aiello (email: elizabeth.aiello20@btinternet.com, tel: 07813743723) and
Chris Proudfoot (email: chrisproudfoot.stwerbughs@btinternet.com, tel; 07711495070)
Parish events
- + 2024
-
- 2023
- 31st December
- 24th December
- 17th December
- 10th December
- 3rd December
- 26th November
- 19th November
- 12th November
- 5th November
- 29th October
- 22nd October
- 15th October
- 8th October
- 1st October
- 24th September
- 17th September
- 10th September
- 3rd September
- 27th August
- 20th August
- 13th August
- 6th August
- 30th July
- 23rd July
- 16th July
- 9th July
- 2nd July
- 25th June
- 18th June
- 11th June
- 4th June
- 28th May
- 21st May
- 14th May
- 7th May
- 30th April
- 23rd April
- 16th April
- 9th April
- 2nd April
- 26th March
- 19th March
- 12th March
- 5th March
- 26th February
- 19th February
- 12th February
- 5th February
- 29th January
- 22nd January
- 15th January
- 8th January
- 1st January
-
+ 2022
- 25th December
- 18th December
- 11th December
- 4th December
- 27th November
- 20th November
- 13th November
- 6th November
- 30th October
- 23rd October
- 16th October
- 9th October
- 2nd October
- 25th September
- 18th September
- 11th September
- 4th September
- 28th August
- 21st August
- 14th August
- 7th August
- 31st July
- 24th July
- 17th July
- 10th July
- 3rd July
- 26th June
- 19th June
- 12th June
- 5th June
- 29th May
- 22nd May
- 15th May
- 8th May
- 1st May
- 24th April
- 17th April
- 10th April
- 3rd April
- 27th March
- 20th March
- 13th March
- 6th March
- 27th February
- 20th February
- 13th February
- 6th February
- 30th January
- 23rd January
- 16th January
- 9th January
- 2nd January
-
+ 2021
- 26th December
- 19th December
- 12th December
- 5th December
- 28th November
- 21st November
- 14th November
- 7th November
- 31st October
- 24th October
- 17th October
- 10th October
- 3rd October
- 26th September
- 19th September
- 12th September
- 5th September
- 29th August
- 22nd August
- 15th August
- 8th August
- 1st August
- 25th July
- 18th July
- 11th July
- 4th July
- 27th June
- 20th June
- 13th June
- 6th June
- 30th May
- 23rd May
- 16th May
- 9th May
- 2nd May
- 25th April
- 18th April
- 11th April
- 4th April
- 28th March
- 21st March
- 14th March
- 7th March
- 28th February
- 21st February
- 14th February
- 7th February
- 31st January
- 24th January
- 17th January
- 10th January
- 3rd January
-
+ 2020
- 27th December
- 20th December
- 13th December
- 6th December
- 29th November
- 22nd November
- 15th November
- 8th November
- 1st November
- 25th October
- 18th October
- 11th October
- 4th October
- 27th September
- 20th September
- 13th September
- 6th September
- 30th August
- 23rd August
- 16th August
- 9th August
- 2nd August
- 26th July
- 19th July
- 12th July
- 5th July
- 28th June
- 21st June
- 14th June
- 7th June
- 31st May
- 24th May
- 17th May
- 10th May
- 3rd May
- 26th April
- 19th April
- 12th April
- 5th April
- 29th March
- 22nd March
- 15th March
- 8th March
- 1st March
- 23rd February
- 16th February
- 9th February
- 2nd February
- 26th January
- 19th January
- 12th January
- 5th January
-
+ 2019
- 29th December
- 22nd December
- 15th December
- 8th December
- 1st December
- 24th November
- 17th November
- 10th November
- 3rd November
- 27th October
- 20th October
- 13th October
- 6th October
- 29th September
- 22nd September
- 15th September
- 8th September
- 1st September
- 25th August
- 18th August
- 11th August
- 4th August
- 28th July
- 21st July
- 14th July
- 7th July
- 30th June
- 23rd June
- 16th June
- 9th June
- 2nd June
- 19th May
- 19th May
- 12th May
- 5th May
- 28th April
- 21st April
- 14th April
- 7th April
- 31st March
- 24th March
- 17th March
- 10th March
- 3rd March
- 24th February
- 17th February
- 10th February
- 3rd February
- 27th January
- 20th January
- 13th January
- 6th January
-
+ 2018
- 30th December
- 23rd December
- 16th December
- 9th December
- 2nd December
- 25th November
- 18th November
- 11th November
- 4th November
- 28th October
- 21st October
- 14th October
- 7th October
- 30th September
- 23rd September
- 16th September
- 9th September
- 2nd September
- 26th August
- 19th August
- 5th August
- 29th July
- 22nd July
- 15th July
- 8th July
- 1st July
- 24th June
- 17th June
- 10th June
- 3rd June
- 27th May
- 20th May
- 13th May
- 6th May
- 29th April
- 22nd April
- 15th April
- 8th April
- 1st April
- 25th March
- 18th March
- 11th March
- 4th March
- 25th February
- 18th February
- 11th February
- 4th February
- 28th January
- 21st January
- 14th January
- 7th January
- + 2017
Holy Week and Easter Volunteer Rota
Out this weekend! We need wolunteers from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday inclusive for the following roles: Readers, Communion Stewards / Welcomers, Offertory Collectors, Procession of the Oils, and Washing of the Feet. Please sign up asap.
Should We Keep Communion Stewards?
Total Votes Cast: 205 (63% of those present)
Mass Attendance at both morning Masses: 324
- 9.00 am: 102 votes – 33 (32%) for, 69 (68%) against
- 10.45: 103 votes – 43 (42%) for, 60 (58%) against
- Total: 205 votes, 76 (37%) for, 129 (63%) against
So, roughly two thirds think we should drop Stewards, and one third want to keep them. We’ll discuss this at Monday Morning’s Taskforce Meeting and decide the best way forward. Meanwhile, many thanks to everyone for giving us your views – it’s your parish, not ours!
Calling All Eucharistic Ministers
As you know, the reintroduction of the Chalice at Mass is high on the agenda of the Bishops’ Conference: if the decision is made to go ahead, then this reactivates the role of Eucharistic Minister in the Parish. Towards this end would as many as possible come to the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Maundy Thursday Evening (7.30 pm) for the renewal of vows? We appreciate that this reintroduction may well be the moment for some to decide to stand down, and this is fully in the spirit of our ongoing Parish Renewal Programme. Meanwhile, if you are an existing minister do please come along for Maundy Thursday, and then we can look at individual wishes after Easter in the light of whatever the Bishops decide.
Laetare Sunday today = Rose Pink
Today is one of our two Sundays in the liturgical year when the colour is Rose Pink. The other one? The mid-Sunday of Advent, Gaudete Sunday.
SVP Lenten Reconciliation Service
Saturday 1st April, 10.30 am at St. Werburgh's, followed by tea and coffee. Everyone is welcome! Please get in touch with Fran if you need a lift on fran.waldie@gmail.com
New Tax Year Weekly Offertory Envelopes
The 2023/24 envelopes are available at the back of church. They start from the first Sunday in the new tax year which will be Easter Sunday 9th April. If you use envelopes, please help by collecting yours as soon as possible. Thank you.
Christian Aid Lent Lunches: 12.00-1.30 pm
Monday 20th March: Wesley Methodists
This is the final one this year, so do come along if you can. Many thanks to everyone who supported.
NW Chaplains Spring Meeting on Thursday
We meet twice a year as a regional group, Spring and Autumn. The NW Group is one of the biggest, from Bangor up to Chester, all the many Manchester and Liverpool Universities, on to Lancaster, Preston and up to Cumbria. This time we’re at the Catholic Chaplaincy at the University of Salford, courtesy of their wonderful Chaplain, Sister Teresa Wild FMSJ.
St Werburgh's Parish FHC Group
Monday 20th March: Commentary Mass
The Commentary Mass is at 6.30 pm in church, for all the FHC children and their families. This is an important part of the children's preparation, so we expect to see all our First Holy Communion children there accompanied by a member or members of their family. If for any reason, children or parents are unable to attend any of the meetings, it is important for parents to let us know.
Confirmation: 10th May 2023
Both Adults and Youngsters Classes going great guns, and huge thanks to our new batch of Catechists. Tuesday night is Class 3 for the Adults, Wednesday Night Class 4 for the youngsters.
Easter Flowers Second Collection Next Weekend
Lent Friday Evenings: 7.30 pm
Last Friday, the Choir presented a Lenten Musical Mediation for St Patrick’s, here in church, for which many thanks to all involved. Next Friday, 24th March, Lyn will be presenting a Zoom Meditation. Please contact FP for link. The final Friday, 31st March, will be in-person Stations here in Church, led by Denise. And the Friday after that? It's Good Friday, 7th April!
Lent Chapel Visits
Christleton and Waverton Churches Together
We’ve had great visits to the Cathedral and Foxhill so far. On Tuesday 21st March, we’re at the University Chapel, the original heart of the campus, 1839, and beautifully preserved ever since. We gather at 2.30 for a time of prayer and reflection, and then enjoy a cuppa together, leaving at 4.00 pm. The final visit will be out to Hawarden and the Gladstone home. Flyers at the back of church with full details. Everyone very warmly invited to join us.
Zoom Links – why we don’t put link on newsletter
Please, everyone, do not pass zoom links or addresses for House Masses round to other people or parishioners. It’s quite confidential information: we see right into each other’s sitting rooms, and, with House Masses, actually go in! Hence our request to obtain the details from FP only, so that we can vet these are bona fide parishioners.
Diocesan Youth Mission Team
The Diocese is looking to recruit a Youth Mission Team Member to engage with young people in schools and parishes across the Shrewsbury Diocese, based in Stockport. The full-time employee will be a key member of the team led by the Director. Salary £19K to £22K depending on experience. For more information please visit https://www.dioceseofshrewsbury.org/latest-vacancies/ For application form please contact Pauline McCulloch Closing date: 7th April. recruitment@dioceseofshrewsbury.org
Photo of the Week: Sicily Ancient and Modern
Powerful picture taken by Paul W with modern Catania in the foreground and the eternal, very active volcano in the background. Last eruption was November 2022, and it’s been rumbling away ever since… (Bit like some of you??)