Parish Newsletter

 

 Happy Feast Day, Everyone!

267 years old today, and not looking too bad? The actual Feast Day for St Werburgh is 3^rd February, but we mark it on the nearest Sunday as well. In addition, we are celebrating on Monday, when we hope to welcome a party from the High School to join us for 12.15 pm Mass, with lunch in the park afterwards. Do come and join us and make our Junior Werbies welcome. Finally, we have our Parish Social on Friday Night at 7.00 pm down at the club. Tickets (free) available today. It means another 2.00 am start for me, of course, to prepare the usual sumptuous buffet supper, but seeing the ghost of a smile on your bitter and twisted lips makes it all worthwhile. Your ticket also qualifies you for your first free drink. The other ten, I’m afraid, you will have to pay for. See you all there!

 

St Werburgh’s Feast Day: Report to Parish

We take the opportunity today to bring you all up to date with our amazing Parish Renewal Programme – what we’ve achieved in the first six months and our aims for the next six. Please read the report included in every Newsletter carefully, and, as always, we’d love to hear any reactions or questions you may have, positive or negative.

 

Our Last Youth Mass

Last Sunday evening, and, as with the time before, our youngsters did us proud – musicians, readers, Welcomers, servers or just coming along. Watch this space for the next, about every two months.

 

The Parish Family

Updating you on the health of parishioners by name in the weeks since Christmas seems to have struck a chord with you and many have said how they appreciate it. Peter Meredith is back at home now, via both the Countess and the EP Cottage Hospitals! He’s making steady progress, thank God. Joe Barlow is in the Countess, I hear, and I hope to get to see him this weekend. Anne and Roger Williams haven’t been in the best of health, which is why we haven’t seen them at Mass in recent weeks: Roger has had a spell in the Countess but is back home now. I hope to get down to see them both next week. Finally, can I ask for prayers from all of you for one of our best, having a major op on Tuesday in the Walton Centre in Liverpool for the removal of a benign brain tumour?

 

Ash Wednesday – 14^th February – and Lent

Not a Holyday of Obligation, but three Masses on that day, at all of which Ashes are distributed: 7.30 am, 12.15 pm and 7.30 pm. Lenten Devotions or Stations as usual every Friday evening at 7.00 pm.

Please note the time of Lenten Devotions – 7.00 pm – not the 7.30 we put in last week’s Newsletter. I really should read my own Parish Diary!

 

Lenten Holy Hour: Sunday 3^rd March, 3.00 pm

This is a Holy Hour for Peace in the Middle East. Please come along to storm heaven for an end to this dreadful tragedy in the so-called Holy Land, and for a lasting peace that will see justice for all.  

 

Posters and Flyers for Church?

If you have any events you want advertising in church via posters or flyers, please place them in the top left hand drawer of the chest in the porch.

 

Calling All Mrs Mopps!

Our wonderful army of church cleaners would welcome a few more recruits, once a month for just an hour, the fourth Wednesday morning in each month. Can you help out? If so, please email Lyn on rich_lyn@hotmail.co.uk Thanks, Sharon, for wolunteering – any more out there?

 

Welcome Wednesday Welcomes Marie Cunniff

Wonderful Flower Arrangements demo from Marie Cunniff (sorry about the “e”!) last Wednesday – very professional, light-hearted and informative. Thanks, Marie, for giving us your time!

 

Lenten Talk – “Pilgrimage”

As part of our series of talks for Lent, Stephen Tierney will give an informal presentation on pilgrimage on Wednesday, February 28^th at 7.00 pm. He will reflect on the origins of Christian pilgrimage, explore some of the reasons for the remarkable growth in the numbers of pilgrims going to Santiago de Compostela in northern Spain in particular, and share some of his experiences of walking two of the routes.

 

Anyone Know a Tame Plumber?

Thanks, Judith, for recommending Barlow’s!

 

First Holy Communion Parish Group

The next meeting for Parents and children: Tuesday 6^th February at Church. The children will receive their First Communion Preparation Books and will need their folders and pencil cases.

 

(Women’s) World Day of Prayer

This year, it has been prepared by the Christian women of Palestine and St Werburgh’s has the privilege of hosting. All welcome. Please put the date in your diary and let’s join in prayerful support. Friday, March 1^st  10.30 am.

 

Our Own St Werburgh’s Easter Cards

Young Artists, your next challenge is to design an Easter card to be sold in Church! The profits will go to a charity chosen by the designers of the 4 winning designs and yes, there will be prizes! Designs to Church by Sunday 11^th February, pick up a flyer for details at the back of church today.

Parishioners, hold  off buying Easter cards , we have some wonderful artists in the Parish and the cards will be on sale from March 3^rd.

 

New Visitor Leaflet

Thanks to Pat Hatton, we have a very informative new Visitor leaflet. Please take a look , you will find them in the porch.

 

Chester Male Voice Concert Here - Sat 17^th Feb

7.30 pm. Traditional pieces but we have undergone modernisation of our repertoire and look forward to a wonderful evening. Come and join us!

 

Friday Evening Devotions During Lent

3 of the six slots taken: anyone like to wolunteer for one of the remaining 3?

 

Photo of the Week: Monte Cassino Monastery

Virtually destroyed in 1944 as the war raged in Italy. Lovingly rebuilt afterwards, this picture shows the interior of the church, the heart of the Benedictine Monastery. Thanks, Marian!