St Werburgh's Roman Catholic Parish, Chester
Parish Newsletter
SUNDAY 17th DECEMBER 2023: THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT (YEAR B) – GAUDETE SUNDAY
The Parish Family
All of us were shocked and saddened to hear of the death of Felicity Hughes, Marian Curtis’s daughter, knocked off her bicycle on the way to work on Monday morning. We send Marian, Jeremy and Eve our deepest sympathies and warmest love. A number of other parishioners are also in our prayers at this time, for themselves and their family members.
Christmas Times: Filling Up Fast for 4.30 pm!
- Christmas Eve: 4.30, 6.00, 8.30 and 11.30 pm Booking Essential for 4.30 pm: 200+ 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
Filling up nicely: thanks! If you can fill those few last slots, we’d bite your arm off.
Christmas Stewards: still TWO more needed for the 4.30 pm Christmas Eve Children’s Mass and FOUR for the 6.00 pm Children’s Mass. Please volunteer, whether you’ve been a Steward or not: you’ll all be fully briefed before the day. Contact FP or Marian marian.mccarthy@btinternet.com (07825-048-097).
Christmas Flowers: Second Collection £583-20
Thank you for your very generous response – and the lovely Christmas Tree in the Porch decorated with all your Prayer Stars.
Recent SVP Fundraising
With donations still coming in, the District Holiday Home Sponsored Walk has raised £1,567.28 and our own Parish Christmas Collection netted £1,127.77. We’ll give your final totals when we have them but meanwhile, a thousand thanks to everyone for their generous support.
Cakes for Claire! Magnificent Total of £500 Raised.
Very many thanks to everyone who selflessly bought huge amounts of cake to raise funds for MIND on 3rd December, in memory of our friend Claire Graham. What a tribute to our lovely friend. Huge thanks to everyone for their support.
High School Christmas Fair Tuesday 19th December
You’re all invited to the Fair, 4.30 pm onwards, Entrance £1, followed by Carol Service at 6.30 pm.
Confession Times Next Week
Monday Evening, 7.00 pm: Penitential Service
Saturday Morning, 10.00-12.00 noon: both Fr Neill and myself will be hearing Confessions that morning.
Final Children’s Liturgy of this Year
Sunday 17th December, starting up again on Sunday 7th January. The team would love to have more volunteers if you were able to help out.
CathSoc Fund-Raising
£508 was raised in total for Mary’s Meals, so enormous thanks to everyone for their generosity. The Raffle raised £82 (winning ticket 62, McMahon) and the Sponsored Fast £426.
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 Week before Blackpool…
Bernice and Paula are heading off to Mrs Peabody’s Guest House on the South Shore on 21st December for their usual Turkey and Tinsel Christmas: last chance to buy your Christmas Cards today.
Church Library Last Open Morning of This Year
Monday 18th 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?
Dee Ensemble Sunday 17th 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.
Photo of the Week: FHC 1974
In the Convent Grounds, Christine O’Loughlin making her First Holy Communion, with the young curate, Fr Gerry Courell. Good looking swine, wasn’t he?
