Parish Newsletter

Confirmation – Wednesday 10th May 2023

Bishop Mark presided over a very joyful Confirmation at St Francis on Wednesday, when 33 of our youngsters and young adults received the Gift of the Holy Spirit in a very special way. It was a joint effort between the three Parishes, St Clare’s, St Francis and St Werburgh’s, and heartfelt thanks to everyone who made it such a memorable evening: the candidates, their families, the choir and musicians, the altar servers, the wonderful team of catechists, and Bishop Mark for leading the whole celebration. A special thanks to Denise who works so tirelessly for weeks beforehand on the Booklet and the Certificates, a labour of Hercules. [Who he? Ed]

Message from the High School

“We would like to congratulate the young people, especially a group of students from our school, who have been Confirmed last Wednesday 10th of May at St. Francis Church, Chester. The chaplain celebrated with the newly confirmed students and their parents the following morning, sharing a delicious breakfast in the conference room. May the Holy Spirit guide them all in their faith journey.”

Confirmation Follow-Up Cards

Lovely initiative from Lyn and Pat from our Parish Renewal Team, sending each of the Confirmation Candidates a beautiful hand-written card, congratulating them and asking how they’d now like to become more involved in the life of their Parish. A wonderful gesture, and I know it will bear fruit.

Live-Streaming and Day Chapel Refurbishment

Both projects have been quietly steaming away, far from simple in a Listed Church likes ours. Plans for the live streaming now completed and ready for submission, so fingers crossed for Werbies On Air in the not-too-distant future. Diocesan Architects can now give full attention to plans for the Day Chapel…

First Holy Communion Masses Next Saturday

We look forward to our two First Holy Communion Masses next Saturday, 20th May, the first Mass is at 9.30 am and the second at 11.00 am. Please could all families arrive at church at least twenty minutes before the services are due to begin?

Ascension Holyday of Obligation on Thursday

Usual Holyday Mass Times: 7.30 am, 12.15 pm and 7.30 pm. You must, of course, come to all three…

Chester Heritage Festival June 17th–28th

Once more we have been asked to contribute to this popular festival. Ann Marie Curtis will give a power point presentation at 2.30 pm on Sunday 25th June, at St Werburgh’s, about Chester Lead Shot Tower, its owners and the people who worked there. She may also lead a walk around the Boughton area on the following morning, of Monday 26th June. Anyone interested in helping, please contact cheshire.historian@outlook.com

New Day by Days

Now on the News-Stand: £1 each

Claire Graham RIP

Claire’s Requiem will be celebrated here at St Werburgh’s on Friday 19th May at 10.00, followed by burial at Hawarden. May she Rest in Peace.

 

What does Chester Cathedral mean to you?   

 Join Chester Cathedral and the University of Chester in the initial research and exploration of our Cathedral’s place in British history, its empire, and slavery in our exhibition Imperial Legacies, Sacred Space. Open in the South Transept from Thursday 18th – Tuesday 30th May, this exhibition seeks to tell the hidden narratives of colonialism, slavery, and empire at Chester Cathedral. The content of the exhibition has been informed by research from the University of Chester, and objects and narratives held in the collections of Chester Cathedral, Cheshire Archives. Click to chestercathedral.com to find out more about the exhibition.

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

Starting with 12.15 pm Mass on Friday 26th May and concluding 11.00 am Mass on Sunday 28th May.

Parish Renewal Steering Group

Excellent first meeting Friday morning. Watch this space for exciting developments in the weeks ahead.

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.

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.

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. Please contact Mrs. Mallon by email at mallonk@christofidelis.org.uk.

Parish Renewal: Renewing our Web Site

Tekkies One (Brian), Two (Pete), Three (Chris) and Four (James) met Thursday evening, with great plans for renewing our Parish Web Site and Social Media use. But what on earth is Tik-Tok?? Again, watch this space for exciting developments.

Photo of the Week: St Mary’s Cathedral Newcastle

Lovely photo, with the statue of Cardinal Basil Hume in the foreground. Thanks, Oisin! But someone told me the cathedral is currently closed. Is this true? Any news gratefully received.