St Werburgh's Roman Catholic Parish, Chester
Parish Newsletter
SUNDAY 11th FEBRUARY 2024: SIXTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (YEAR B)
“Thank You” Message from Maureen McCabe
“I would like to thank all the wonderful parishioners, friends and family for your many messages, cards, love and support after the sad loss of my beloved Peter. I feel so humbled by your love and support. The Funeral Donations for the Heart Foundation came to £200, in memory of Peter. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart.”
St Werburgh’s Feast Day: Report to Parish
If you didn’t take your copy last week, there are still plenty at the back of church: what we’ve achieved in our first six months and our plans for the next six. Thanks, Renewal Steering Group!
University Student Needing Accommodation
Just arrived last week from Pakistan, he’s here in Chester for a one-year master’s in international business studies. From a devout Catholic family, he knows literally no-one in the UK, and is presently living in Oldham. I have met him twice and he’s a lovely young man. Can anyone help out with a room here in Chester, self-catering?
The Parish Family
Gerry and Peter continue to make good, steady progress – well done, chaps! Our two heart surgery chaps are also well on the road to recovery, one of them just about to get back on the Golf Course… Our Brain Op Werbie had his op on Tuesday and was sending me cheeky emails on Thursday! Typical Laurie from Larshay: hurry back, Laurie - the Club Finances are missing you…
Ash Wednesday – 14th 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.
Lenten Holy Hour: Sunday 3rd 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.
Funeral in North Devon Tuesday 20th Feb
My parents retired to Bideford in 1972, desperate to get out of London. They had a wonderful time there, with super neighbours. Dad died in 1986, and Mum stayed on for another fourteen years, coming up to the Wirral in December 1999. After ten years, she eventually took the hint and… I kept in touch with our Bideford neighbours until about four years ago when I got no answer on the phone and assumed the inevitable. But very good to hear this week that the last one, Thelma, had gone home to the Lord well into her 90’s, and had asked in her Will that I take her funeral. A total honour, I can tell you. After Dad died, she looked after the Old Nuisance like a good’un. So, a quick trip down to Devon Monday next week, back on Tuesday
Lenten Talk – “Pilgrimage”
Stephen Tierney will give an informal presentation on pilgrimage on Wednesday, February 28th at 7.00 pm, on the origins of Christian pilgrimage, and why so many go to Santiago de Compostela in northern Spain in particular. He’ll share some of his experiences of walking two of the routes.
Welcome Wednesdays
Another super get-together last Wednesday, with wonderful knitting for our Fish and Chip Babies. If you want to know what they are, you’ll have to come along! Meanwhile, the chaps play Dommies. This coming Wednesday, usual tea, coffee, knit and natter from 10.00 am, and then, at 11.00 am, an hour of shared reflection on the Our Father.
Thanks, Dutton and Hallmark
Simon and Ann at D&H heard about our Welcome Wednesdays and were so impressed they wanted to make us a Donation. £100! Wow! Thanks, D&H! Really appreciated, to help with all the tea, coffee, biscuits, gin… [Shome misktake shurely? Ed]
Music Group Up and Running Again!
Playing at 10.45 Mass next Sunday, with a practice after the 9.00 Mass. All welcome!
Highlight from the High
The students at the CHS are rehearsing for the 'Living Stations of the Cross' performance which will take place in the school hall on Tuesday 26th March at 10.00 am. Parishioners are invited to come and watch the play. Tickets free of charge. Limited places! To book your seat, please email shawk@christofidelis.org.uk
(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 1st 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 four winning designs and yes, there will be prizes! Designs to Church by Sunday 11th 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 3rd.
Parish Social Last Friday Night
Great to see so many of you down at the Club on Friday evening. Thanks to John and Debbie for a super buffet (you know who really did it…) and if you ever wanted to know who Reginald Dwight is better known as or which Prime Minister said that every PM needs a Willie, then that was the Quiz and you missed it…
Chester Male Voice Concert Here - Sat 17th 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
All six slots now taken, so just a case now of sorting out who does what and when. Details next week.
We start with Stations of the Cross next Friday.
Photo of the Week: Welcome Wednesdays!
Please never say no editorial planning goes into these Newsletter…Right on cue, here’s a picture of Marie’s great Flower Arrangement morning, with some D&H paid for biscuits in the foreground…
