Parish Newsletter

Lent Has Started!

Good to see so many of you at the three Ash Wednesday Masses – and over twenty at the Nursing Home Service that morning. Receiving the Ashes is a great way of starting Lent. And thanks to all who joined us for Friday Evening Lenten Devotions. Don’t leave it too late before you get into your own personal Lent this year!

 

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?

Update: one offer has come through. Any more? Just to clarify: he is paying the going rate, at present £350 a month for the room in Oldham.

 

The Parish Family

Wonderful to see Gerry back at Mass last Sunday. We’ve missed him! Peter Meredith continuing to make excellent progress. Of the two Heart Ops, one back at Church – well done! – the other very close to being back on the Golf Course. Which is as good as? Brain op doing incredibly well, giving cheek left right and centre, Not yet back at church or Club (it’s a place in mourning, profits right down) but not far off. On a sadder note, Joe Barlow went Home to the Lord on Friday morning. He and Shirley (from Shot Tower Close) always with us on a Sunday morning until Covid struck. And Margaret Astbury, from Bowling Green Court, also Promoted to Glory, another wonderful parishioner who looked after her husband, Ray, so devotedly for so many years. May they both rest in peace. Please keep Roger and Anne Williams in your prayers, as the years start to catch up with both of them, Roger in Hospital, Anne being looked after at home. 

 

Parish History Group Meeting on Wednesday

21^st February, 6.00 pm in the Parish House.

 

Stations of the Cross in the Hospital Chapel

On Thursdays during Lent in the Hospital chapel at 12.15 pm. All welcome.

 

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.  

 

Funeral in North Devon Tuesday 20^th Feb

Quick trip down to North Devon on Monday for the Funeral of Thelma, our wonderful next-door neighbour for so many years. I cannot thank Thelma enough for the way she looked after both my Dad, who died in 1986, and then the Old Nuisance, until she moved up here in 1999. I am truly honoured to be taking “Little Thelms’s” Funeral.

 

Lenten Talk – “Pilgrimage”

Stephen Tierney will give an informal presentation on pilgrimage on Wednesday, February 28^th at 7.00 pm, on the origins of Christian pilgrimage, and why so many go to Santiago de Compostela in northern Spain in particular. All welcome.

 

Welcome Wednesdays

Another lovely morning last week. Thanks to all who joined us for coffee and a chat, the knitters and natterers, the domino players, our wizziters from Flint… Thanks to Liz for keeping the drinks and biscuits coming, and to Pat for such a beautiful and thought-provoking Reflection on the Lord’s Prayer. If you’ve not been along yet, you don’t know what you are missing!

 

Our Youngsters Designing Our Easter Cards

Thank you for the Easter card entries. Any more ?

 

Our Website Moves Forward

Excellent meeting between our four Tekkies – Brian, Pete, Chris and James – and our new website provider, Titan Webtech, a company based  here in Chester. So, groups, have you started writing your web pages yet and finding your pics?

 

Marriage Prep Last Saturday

Ten couples were with us last week, all preparing for Marriage either here or elsewhere, one of the four Marriage Prep Days we are running in 2024: Mel and Alex, Hannah and Howard, Betsy-Ann and Alex, Chloe and Richard, Jenny and Connor, Stephanie and Michael, Alicja and James, Roseline and Daniel, Annabel and Tim, and Sarah and Alan. Please keep them all in your prayers for this wonderful year in their lives together.

 

SVP Youth Mass at the Catholic High

The Chester Catholic High School is kindly hosting an SVP Youth Mass for all Catholic schools in the Chester and Ellesmere Port area on Wednesday 20^th March at 10.30 am. Local parishioners are very welcome to join us in this special celebration but at this is a school day all guests will need to register their wish to attend in advance. Please contact GaspariniA@christofidelis.org.uk by Friday 23^rd February 2024.

 

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!

 

Music Group Up and Running Again

Playing at 10.45 Mass today. Welcome back!

 

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 26^th 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 1^st  10.30 am.

 

Photo of the Week: South Side of the Church

A view we can’t see any more, the south elevation, now obscured by the Hotel next door. Snapped by Mr Banner-Baggs during the building works in 2017.