Parish Newsletter

Holy Week and Easter

Enormous thanks to everyone who made last week such a joyous and wonderful celebration here in St Werburgh’s. Numbers aren’t the whole story, but they are one indication we always need to keep an eye on. For all the Holy Week and Triduum services, they were up to pre-Covid levels, with a packed church on Good Friday afternoon and standing four deep at the 10.45 Mass on Easter Sunday morning. So many positive comments received afterwards: to our amazing Choir and Musicians (thanks, Tom!), to all the first-class Altar Servers (thanks, Gerry and James!), to Marie and team for the flowers, and to all the army of helpers who acted as Readers, Eucharistic Ministers, Welcomers, and so on. We couldn’t have done any of this without you.

Thank you most sincerely.

 

Parish Renewal Programme: What’s Next?

We are on to our final lap now, the programme finishing in July. And then on to the next stage! That means all the wonderful initiatives and revitalising that’s gone on since last summer will roll forward. But for that to happen, we need a new Parish Council to oversee everything and new secretarial help in the office before FP finally drowns under the tidal wave of emails… What form should that take? The Parish Renewal Team are having an Away Day on Friday up at Foxhill to brainstorm all these ideas, the management structure that will ensure all the great work of this year continues. Then we will want your views, as the Parish. Watch this space, everyone!

 

Tattenhall Monthly House Mass This Week

10.30, as usual. Email or contact FP for venue.

 

Parish Library: Open Morning on Monday 15^th April

9.30 am-11.30 am when a selection of works by modern writers will be on display. The library is also accessible every Sunday before and after Mass. Do come and take a look at all the books available. Just help yourselves and return when finished reading.

 

Wayfarer Productions present “The Beloved Son”

A new play by Murray Watts, performed by Andrew Harrison, a remarkable new play about the life of Henri Nouwen (80 mins duration). Saturday 11^th May at 3.00 pm, Wesley Church Centre. Tickets £10 (under 18’s £5) from Brian Heald (07734 582061, bcheald92@gmail.com), the Wesley Office (01244 323037) or at the door – see www.wesleychester.co.uk for more information.

Refreshments available.

 

Can Peace Exist in a World with Religion?

Join Chester Cathedral in tackling the BIG topics in our society. Speakers to include Prof Caroline Tee (University of Chester) and Peter Gaskin (Chester Humanist Congregation). More information and free tickets: chestercathedral.com

 

Transferred Feast of the Annunciation

25^th March as a rule, but because that was in Holy Week this year, the Feast has been transferred to Monday 8^th April. Can I quash any rumours, emanating from Heatherways, that this means the date of Christmas, nine months after the Annunciation, will now be moved back, to

8^th January 2025?

 

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!

Meeting on Tuesday 9^th for all those interested in helping with Home Communions: either 10.00 am or 7.00 pm. We’re now drawing up the rota for regular assistance at the Sunday Masses and inviting a number of you to consider becoming new Eucharistic Ministers.

 

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.”

 

Caritas Spring Collection

£383.79 received so far, with contributions still coming in. Caritas are most grateful for your support of their work: caritasshrewsbury.org.uk

The next collection will be in the autumn. If you’d like to become a box holder or contributor, please contact Dominique on 07757-518-312. 

 

Welcome Wednesdays Starting Up Again

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 now, and all welcome.  

 

Clink, Clink, Glug, Glug, Fizzzzzzzz….

Good to see that little knot of you standing outside the Presbytery last Sunday evening at 7.05 to hear one of the great ‘Sounds of Old Chester’. You weren’t wrong, folks: there were a couple more glugs this time than usual. Well, it’s been that sort of Lent year.

 

Photo of the Week: Cleaning Out the Out-Houses

Our fantastic Thursday afternoon Gardening Club – Cristina, Tony and David – did an amazing job cleaning out all the outhouses at the back of the Presbytery. We’ll open them up one Sunday for everyone to come and have a look. They’re a great team, and if you fancy joining them, just let FP or them know.