Parish Newsletter

Parish Renewal: Where are we up to?

The nine groups in Housekeeping are all up and running now, and doing super work in the church, house and garden. We can’t thank them enough for their enthusiasm, commitment and talents. That’s the fuel on which any Parish operates, and it’s the only fuel available. Thanks, everyone!

Now we’re ready for Phase Two, the Welcomers. Invites have gone out to all those who’ve expressed an interest, either in being part of Welcoming Teams at each of the four weekend Masses, or in compiling our Welcome Pack for new parishioners. Please, don’t forget to check Spam everyone. Ready for the Welcomers Launch Meeting on Thursday 27^th July, here in church, at 6.00 pm.

Earlier on that day, the Catering Team are assembling, at 4.30 pm, to be called on whenever we offer hospitality here in the church or house. If you’d like to join me, 2.00 am in the kitchen, we’d love to see you. Come along to either group, or both!

Very well-deserved break for the fantastic Renewal Steering Group in August (Lyn, Pat, Bernice and Marian), and then Youth is our exciting focus for September. It’s all happening!

North Wales Railways – Thursday 20^th July

All ready to go, a full coach of 48 and Blaenau Ffestiniog here we come! [Where that? Ed] Three pick-up points: Waverton Primary School at 9.40, Peacock Pub at 9.45 (do not go in first!), and St John’s Lay-By at 10.00 am. Then off to BF, scenic trailway to Porthmadog at 12.35 where we change trains for the Welsh Highland Railway to Caernarfon. From there, coach back to Chester, dropping off in Handbridge, City Centre, Peacock and Waverton. It’s going to be a great trip and huge thanks to David Quayle for all the organisation and bus driving.

(I will be driving the two trains myself).

Synod Document: Open Parish Meeting on 31^st July

Do please have a good look at the Synod Agenda Document, on our website. It sets out the themes to be discussed in the international Synod of Bishops in October. It makes for fascinating reading. Parish Website, home page top button (Synod) and the English version is the second one down. Do please read as much of it as you can, and come along on Monday 31^st July, 7.00 pm, if you’d like to be part of a Parish Discussion. This week the Synod Delegates were named: from England and Wales, it’s Archbishop John Wilson (Southwark), Bishop Marcus Stock (Leeds), Bishop Nick Hudson (Auxiliary in Westminster), Professor Anna Rowlands (Durham University) and Rev Timothy Radcliffe OP, from Blackfriars, Oxford.  

National Gallery Exhibition – St Francis: 11^th July

What a great day out we all had! For once, the trains behaved themselves, down on the (packed) 10.32, and then enjoying a stroll down Gower Street. Some then hopped on the Tube, and we all met up in Trafalgar Square for lunch in the National Gallery before seeing the superb exhibition itself. Pizza and a glass of wine up the Tottenham Court Road, and back on the 7.02 train to Chester. Thanks everyone – and any more ideas for future Days Out?

CHS Music Night to Support SVP Holiday Home

Thanks to everyone who supported this fund-raiser last Friday night, as the SVP starts its support for the next holiday home, when this one reaches the end of its life! Really good forward planning, SVP!

Support the Primary School – Vote at Tesco

StW&StC Primary School is bidding for up to £1,500 from a Tesco Community Grant. The project is our Gardening and Wellbeing Club. Voting is open now in these Tesco stores: Chester Pepper St; Chester Delamere St; Chester Sealand Road CH1; Chester Weston Grove; Chester Broughton. Voting closes at the end of September. Customers vote using tokens at the check-out each time they shop.

Primary School Raffle Tickets

Thanks to Mrs Baggs and team for organising this, and to everyone for their support. The Summer Fair raised a wonderful £3,000 for our Primary school, with £822 of that coming from the Raffle. Werbies won five of the twenty prizes, including the top one! (Amazing what a bit of jam will do). Many thanks from everyone at School to all Parishioners.

Eucharistic Ministers September Review Meetings

Time to pick up Eucharistic Ministry once again. We will need to consult the Parish on re-introduction of the Chalice at Mass, but there is nothing now stopping us going back to Home Communions. So, I need to know which of our existing cohort wish to carry on and who wants to step down at this juncture. Four Review Meetings in September for all those carrying on. Please come to one of them:

• Tuesday 12^th September 11.00 am
• Wednesday 13^th September 2.00 pm
• Tuesday 19^th September 7.00 pm
• Thursday 21^st September 10.00 am

Next Year’s First Sacraments Programme

If you have a child who will be in Year 3 or above in September who does not attend our Catholic Primary School, please contact Fr Paul preferably by email. The classes begin in November with First Forgiveness in January and First Holy Communions in May. The closing date for enrolment is Sunday 3^rd September 2023. (NB, if you think you’ve already sent names in, please send them again so we are 100% certain we have not missed anyone)

FP’s Holiday Dates

A question I get asked more and more at this time of the year, often with tears in your eyes, is “When are you going away? Please! We do need a break from you, you realise…” Patience, my children. I shall be away from Friday 18^th August to Friday 1^st September. Grateful thanks to Denise, Fr Neill and Fr Colin, who will be minding the shop. Not long to go!

Parish Diary for 2023-4

Most dates in now, and the monumental work of spotting and resolving clashes well underway. Thanks, Denise! Last call for dates if you wish them to go in: Sunday 30^th July.

Photo of the Week: The Top of the Ferris Wheel

Super aerial view of St Werburgh’s and surrounding area taken from the top of the Ferris Wheel this summer by Louise Robertshaw. Thanks, Louise! And keep those pictures coming, everyone.