Parish Newsletter

Live Streaming Now Officially Launched

Via the Parish website (follow the link from the home page) or at

https://www.churchservices.tv/stwerburghchester

 It shows a fixed view from the back of the Church of the whole sanctuary area (inc pulpit & lecterns) and the first three rows of the congregation.

 

Christmas Times: 196/300 Booked for 4.30 pm!

• Christmas Eve: 4.30, 6.00, 8.30 and 11.30 pm. Booking Essential for the 4.30 pm: 196 booked so far!
• Christmas Day: 9.00 am and 10.45 am.
• Boxing Day: 10.00 am: Altar Servers Mass.

 

Christmas Volunteer Rota Out Today

For all those hundred and one volunteer roles.

Please sign up today if you can help out in any way. We need a tip-top team (good, eh?) of Welcomers in particular, to give everyone coming at Christmas, Werbie and Wizziter, the warmest of welcomes.

 

Christmas Flowers: Second Collection Today

 

Would Make Beautiful Christmas Presents…

We’ve had donated two new Ukuleles, in cases, with Instruction Booklets – they might be a breeding pair, but I can’t be sure – and a lovely Stamp Album mainly featuring Vatican Stamps. On the table at the back of church for your inspection. Sealed bids to FP please, and all proceeds to Caritas.

 

Repository: Final Two Weeks before Blackpool…

Bernice and Paula are heading off to Mrs Peabody’s Guest House on the South Shore on 21^st December for their usual Turkey and Tinsel Christmas: last chance to buy your Christmas Cards today and next Sunday.

 

Church Library Last Open Morning  of This Year

Monday 18^th December, 9.30 – 11.30 am, with a good selection of books on display on Advent and Christmas. Everyone welcome – why not bring the youngsters and get them into the Library habit?

 

Primary School Raffle: £884 Raised!

Wonderful result and Mrs Baggs and team would like to thank everyone who supported. The four prizes were all won by Parishioners, and given to the PP…

 

Upcoming Christmas Concerts in Our Church

• Tuesday 12^th Dec: 7.00 pm: Primary School
• Saturday 16^th Dec: 3.00 pm: Chester Bach Singers
• Sunday 17^th Dec: 3.00 pm: Dee Ensemble

 

Dee Ensemble Sunday 17^th December at 3.00 pm

A return concert by this Ladies Choir, made up of alumni from Chester Music Society Junior Choir. Conductor Anne Rushforth, accompanist Fiona Rushforth. Festive songs, carols and readings.

Free entry and refreshments provided at the end of the concert. Retiring collection for Platform for Life, a Mental Health charity who provide support, counselling and play therapy for low-income families in high deprivation areas around Chester.

 

Message from the Flower Team - Christmas Tree

“There are small white stars at the back of church: please take one, add your special wish and leave it in the box to be added to the tree. No message too small, let’s fill our tree with hope and positivity.”

 

CathSoc Fundraising Events in December

We are planning a 24 hour fast between the 9^th and 10^th of December. To sponsor us, please donate to Mary's Meals using the JustGiving link below: https://www.justgiving.com/page/marysmealsukccathsoc?utm_medium=fundraising&utm_content=page%2Fmarysmealsukccathsoc&utm_source=whatsapp&utm_campaign=pfp-whatsapp We are also organising a raffle for a Christmas hamper in Church. We will be selling raffle tickets at the 9.00 am and 6.00 pm Masses on the 3^rd and 10^th of December.

 

Tattenhall House Masses

Lovely final Mass of 2023 on Thursday, at Maggie and Dennis’ house, with some festive carols and a batch of my legendary mince pies. We meet again on Thursday 11^th January at Tony and Anne’s. Thanks to all the Tatties who support this monthly Mass in the south-east corner of our Parish and make it such a joyous occasion.

 

CathSoc End-of Term Christmas Meal Tonight

Nineteen of us gathering Sunday evening before the Students head off for Christmas Holidays. Thanks for all your support this term, students, and please keep it going on Sunday evenings throughout 2024!

 

Advent Posada Statue Traveling Round the Parish

The journey began a week ago with the blessing of the Statue. Now it travels around the Parish.

 

Welcome Wednesdays – CAFOD Gift Last Week

Another super Welcome Wednesday last week, the place full and buzzing, and thoroughly enjoying my mince pies and coffee. I’m here to serve. Thanks to all of you who contributed to the buying of a CAFOD present, a goat. Now we just have to try and wrap the blessed thing. If only it would stand still!

 

Advent Prayer Evening Last Wednesday

What a beautiful evening! Huge thanks to the great team who put it all together, and the wonderful number of you who turned up to be nourished by the Advent music, prayers, reflections and visuals. I do hope such parishioner-led services will now become a regular feature of our life together.

 

Carol Singing in the Nursing Homes

Thursday 14^th December: Grosvenor Villas at 11.00, and Oaklands Care Home at 14.30. Come and join us!

 

Liturgy Group Meeting Thursday 14^th Dec 7.00 pm

To put the finishing touches to all the Christmas arrangements. All welcome!

 

High School Christmas Fair Tuesday 19^th December

If you have any books in good condition that you would like to donate, please drop them off at the school reception for the attention of Ana. You are all invited to the Fair, 4.30 pm onwards, Entrance £1, followed by the Carol Service at 6.30 pm.

 

Advent Day by Days Now on Newsstand: £1

Also the Sacred Heart Messengers (£1).

 

Photo of the Week: St Nicholas Cathedral Vienna

This is the Russian Orthodox Cathedral, as you can probably guess from its onion-shaped minarets.

Many thanks to Miss Cooper for sending it in!