Parish Newsletter

Our Holy Week So Far…

As I write, Saturday morning, the church quiet until the Easter Vigil this evening, it is not too early to thank everyone for a wonderful Triduum and Holy Week so far. After low numbers for the Advent Penitential Service, we were wondering if there was a demand for such services: 35 turned out on Monday for the Lenten Penitential Service, which beautifully answered our question. The numbers on Thursday evening for the Mass of the Lord’s Supper and Friday afternoon for the Liturgy of the Passion were way above pre-Covid levels, standing room only on Friday. Numbers are not the whole story, of course, in any Parish, but they are one indicator we need to take into account in asking how we’re doing in St Werburgh’s. No room for complacency, but keep up the great work, everyone!

 

Choir and Altar Servers

Many of you have commented on the extraordinary number of musicians and servers we have seen this week: 24 servers on Thursday evening and an amazing 34 choir members and instrumentalists. It’s such a sign of vitality, and real encouragement to the work of Parish Renewal we’ve all been embarked on since last September. None of it would happen without the phenomenal leadership of Tom as Musical Director and Gerry and James as Altar Servers organisers. The parish owes them all a tremendous debt. Having said that, I fully expect only about six of you to turn out for the Easter Vigil this evening at 8.30 pm, with the skies opening at 8.35… Hey-ho.

 

Chrism Mass at St Michael’s Woodchurch

So good to have the parish represented at the Diocesan Chrism Mass on Wednesday evening, and great thanks to the six parishioners who joined me in the minibus up the M53. We have now have our oils, blessed by Bishop Mark, for all the Baptisms, Confirmations and Anointings of the Sick we will be celebrating over the next twelve months.

 

Bodnant Gardens & Llandudno: Tuesday 25^th June

Date now fixed and booking now open. Priority Booking until April 21^st for those who put their names on the Expression of Interest list.

 

Children’s Liturgy

On a well-earned Easter Break, starting again on Sunday 14^th April. Anyone else like to join the team? Please let FP or any team member know.

 

Welcome to all our New Parishioners!

We’d like to invite all new Parishioners for coffee and a catch up in the Day Chapel 7.00 pm on Friday April 26^th. Please email to accept the invitation or add your name and contact details to the sign-up sheet at the back of Church.

 

Eucharistic Ministers Ready for Service Again!

Many thanks to all who renewed their Commitment on Maundy Thursday. Please stand ready now for regular ministry at the Sunday Masses. We will need to recruit a number of new Eucharistic Ministers, but please note everyone, this will be by invitation rather than people volunteering.

 

Confirmation for Chester Parishes

The Chester Parishes alternate in organising Confirmation, St Columba’s & St Theresa’s one year and St Werburgh’s, St Clare’s and St Francis the other year. Our celebration was last year, in May, at St Francis, so this year it’s the turn of St Columba’s and St Theresa’s. We’ve received this message from them: “The next Chester Confirmation will be on Friday 8^th November. Anyone currently at High School is eligible, with no upper age limit. Email stcolumbatheresaconfirmation@hotmail.co.uk to register or receive further information, with your names and dates of birth.”

 

Holy Week Volunteer Rota

All gaps filled: and enormous thanks to the army of wolunteers who helped out in so many ways.

 

Caritas Spring Collection: Sunday 17^th March

Any more “box contents” gratefully received.

 

Welcome Wednesdays

Having post-Easter break this week, but kettle’s on for Wednesday 10^th April at ten! See you all there!

 

House Masses

A lovely gathering recently up at Lyn and Richard’s in Hawarden. The next two are at Denise Jones’s in Vicars Cross (Thursday lunchtime, 18^th April) and at Mary Briody’s in Newton, (lunchtime on Tuesday 14^th May). Sign-up sheets out soon, and all welcome.

 

Palm Sunday Evening Youth Mass 6.00 pm

Excellent youth Mass, and huge thanks to all our talented youngsters. Is there no limit to the Burns Family??? Thanks to the adults who made it possible.

 

Catholic Enquiry Course

Eight wonderful young people have been on this course since September, learning about the Catholic Faith and experiencing a parish in action. At the end, seven said “yes” to joining the church, and one said “no”, which is absolutely as it should be, an “enquiry” course with the complete freedom to decide at the end that it’s not for you. Of the seven, four will be coming into the Church at the Easter Vigil tonight: Heather, Jenna, Jordan and Stacey, with two preferring quiet Reception services on their own. Welcome on board, one and all!

 

Our Wonderful Parish Library

Do come and take a look at all the books available, before and after Mass every Sunday. Just help yourselves, and return when finished reading

 

Highlight from the High

'Living Stations of the Cross', school hall, Tuesday 26^th March 10.00 am. An outstanding performance by our youngsters, and all of us present were blown away by the devotion and commitment of pupils and staff. Well done, High School!

 

Photo of the Week: The Tiger’s Nest Monastery

Clinging precariously to the cliffs, this Tibetan Buddhist monastery is 10,240 ft above sea level in the Paro Valley in Bhutan. Thanks to Dr Proudfoot for sending it in. (He got it from Google…)