Parish Newsletter

 

Confirmation – Wednesday 10th May 2023

Everything over the last three months will come together, please God, on Wednesday evening when Bishop Mark comes to St Francis to Confirm our youngsters and adults. It has been a superb collaboration between the Chester Parishes, in terms of candidates, musicians and altar servers. A huge vote of thanks to Br Jinson and his great team at St Francis who are hosting our Confirmation this time. They have been a joy to work with. It will be a pretty full church, but we do have a few rows clear at the back if any of our parishioners would like to come along and be part of the celebration.

Claire Graham RIP

We were all devastated to hear of the passing of Claire, a wonderful lady who did so much for all the Chester Parishes, as well as our schools and the wider Chester community. We all send our deepest condolences to Paul and all the family. Claire’s Requiem will be celebrated here at St Werburgh’s on Friday 19th May ay 10.00, followed by burial at Hawarden. May she Rest in Peace.

Cassette Tapes on the Catholic Faith

We have been gifted a superb set of talks on the Catholic Faith on cassettes. If anyone still has a cassette player and would like them, please help yourselves from the table at the back of church.

40 Hours Eucharistic Adoration: Our Lady’s, Ellesmere Port: 26th – 28th May

Everyone is warmly invited to join the parishioners of Our Lady’s, starting with the 12.15 pm Mass on Friday 26th May and concluding with the 11.00 am Mass on Sunday morning, 28th May.

Tattenhall Monthly House Masses

Another joyful gathering last Thursday at Maggie and Dennis’s, who always make us so welcome. If you’d like to join us for this monthly House Mass, don’t hesitate to email for the address (as it changes, month by month.) Delighted that Deacon Tony has now got the monthly Hospital Masses up and running again. As they are also “First Thursdays”, could we possibly switch the Tattenhall House Masses to SECOND Thursdays? That would make the next one Thursday 8th June, then 13th July, 10th August and 14th September, and so on. Thanks, everyone.

Parish Renewal Programme

Apologies for the confusion about dates on last week’s newsletter: our first meeting is this coming Friday morning, 12th May. Delighted that new members are joining the group. We’ll review what we’ve achieved to date, and what we need to do next as we put every aspect of our life together under the post-Covid microscope.

Christ and Creation: Four Talks & Discussions

Wednesday evenings at 7.30 pm, starting 17th May, the first two here and the second two at the Cathedral. Flyers out today giving full details. This is a course not to be missed for all of us who want to deepen our faith and understand more about the Mystery of the Lord Jesus Christ, God Made Man.

The Coronation of HM King Charles III

The Bishops have produced a special prayer card, at the back of church today. Do please take your copy.

Church Cleaning on Wednesday Mornings

Many thanks to everyone who signed up before Christmas. New list now at the back of church for those who’d like to join us.

Lectern Adjustment

Our beautiful lectern, in front of the presidential chair, was specially made for us from the wood of the old choir stalls. It is a stunner, isn’t it? It was part of the fabulous work of our Great War Heritage Group that did so much for us in the years 2014-19. The new, reconstructed Great War memorial is also a memorial to their fine work. The lip of the lectern was never wide enough, with the result that papers sometimes slide off. Now our wonderful Woodworker, John Pritchard, has beautifully matched the wood to make a wider lip. Do have a look at his fine craftsmanship today. Thanks, John

Upcoming Diocesan Courses

Saturday 24th June, 10.00–5.00 pm at St Columba’s Hall: a day of reflection, prayer and discernment about your role and mission in the Church, led by the Dominican Sisters of St Joseph and the Diocesan Mission for Catechesis Team. Flyers at the back of church, plus one about the Mission Team’s work generally and its partnership with the Franciscan Catechetical Institute, and their ‘Loving for Life’ programme for married couples.

SVP Second Collection 13/14th May

To provide financial support to families who may not otherwise have a holiday, to have a week in the Holiday Home at Talacre or a family day out, and to fund a Summer Lunch outing for the elderly and housebound. Also for families in need for school trips and various school holiday club activities. SVP could not provide this support without your help which is very much appreciated.

SVP Celebration Mass

Many thanks to everyone for a particularly joyful SVP Mass last Sunday afternoon, with record numbers there. It was so good to join with St Clare’s SVP for his event. Well done Stephen Perry, our Prezzie, and Little Steve Bonsall, Prezzie of the SVP at St Clare’s.

The Catholic High School 50th Anniversary Mass

You are warmly invited to join the CHS celebration Mass on Friday 9th of June, 11.00 am at Chester Cathedral. If you are interested, please contact Mrs. Mallon by email at mallonk@christofidelis.org.uk. There are a limited number of spaces available – tickets going well!

Parish Renewal: Renewing our Web Site

Tekkies old and new meet on Thursday evening to discuss the renewal of the website and all our electronic communication. If you have any suggestions, please don’t hesitate to send them in.

Photo of the Week: Which One is Which?

Our CathSoc Prezzie took her summer hols at Morecambe last year – beats Cleethorpes? – and couldn’t resist having her picture taken alongside the town’s most famous citizen. One of them is a comic who never takes anything seriously, the other one is Eric. They can’t touch you for it, Barl! She now hands over to BB as Prezzie: what a fantastic job she’s done for the past three years!