Parish Newsletter

Annual Financial Return: 2023-24

Final figures through now, and I’m pleased to be able to report another very good year ending March 2024

• Total Income: £135,101
• Total Expenditure: £104,683
• Annual Surplus: £30,418

I hope you agree with me that these are very satisfactory figures, and very much in line with our projections for the past eighteen years: income about £130,000 and Expenditure about £100,000. I’ll feed a few more detailed figures through to you over coming weeks, beginning next week with the Headline Figures (Income, Expenditure, Surplus) for those past eighteen years. Great thanks to our Finance Committee - Denise Jones, Marian McCarthy, Paula Wszolek – who help so considerably by keeping such a tight eye on the books, week by week,

 

Syd Jones Memorial Music Workshop

After much thought and consultation with Denise, we have agreed on a fitting memorial for a wonderful servant of our Parish, Parish Secretary and much more besides. Syd loved music, listening to it, playing it (guitar) and singing (choir and music group) and leading the music group. His talents weren’t restricted to our Parish but shared with churches and organisations all over Chester. And so in Syd’s memory, we are introducing the annual Syd Jones Memorial Music Workshop. All are welcome… The annual workshop is open to all Parishioners and friends of St Werburgh's, This year we are delighted to welcome Damian O’Keefe to lead the workshop, a Baritone who began his musical career as a Choral Scholar at St John’s College Cambridge and is a well-known voice coach. Tom, our music director, and Damian will put together a great workshop. Please put the date in your diary, come and join us, no experience necessary. Saturday July 13^th 12 noon -4.00 pm. Further details nearer the time.

 

Welcome Wednesday This Week: Open from 10.00

Back by popular demand, as they say: another Flower arranging Demo from Marie “Constance Spry” Cunniff. (Who remembers Constance Spry?)

 

Parish Renewal: Our New Parish Council

Six “Portfolio Members” (Buildings & Maintenance, Finance, Housekeeping & Hospitality, Liturgy, Social and Outreach) and three elected members without specific responsibilities at this stage. We’ll have these proposals for Pentecost Sunday, followed by an Open Parish Meeting for you all to give us your reactions and responses. Elections and the new Parish Council having its first get-together in July, to be ready for our first Business Meeting in September.

 

SVP Spring Mass

All are invited to the SVP Spring Mass, Sunday 5^th May 2.30 pm here in church. If you'd like to attend, please let Madeleine madeleinemorrin@aol.com 

 

St Francis Parish Retreat

All warmly welcome to join the Franciscans for twenty-four hours of continuous prayer and praise, starting 8.00 pm Friday 3^rd May, finishing 10.00 pm Sat 4^th May. Flyers at back of church with details.

 

Coming Up: Repository Pre-Loved Sale

We will be having our popular Sale of pre-loved items on Sunday 12^th May. Donations welcome!

 

SVP Second Collection: 11^th / 12^th May

To support the work of the Holiday Home at Talacre.

 

Calling all Gardeners: Come and Join us!

Thursday Afternoons Our amazing team of gardeners would welcome some extra help. Just one or two hours a week to keep our gardens looking beautiful.  Let FP or the team know if interested.

 

Sunday Mass Welcomers

Please sign up on the new rota at the back of Church.

 

Pope Francis’ Year of Prayer 2024

Come and join our online webinar with Sycamore. Pope Francis has asked that 2024 be a ‘Year of Prayer’, as a preparatory year for the Jubilee Year of 2025. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn how to get the most out of the prayer pathway on Sycamore!  On Wednesday 15^th May 7.00 pm-8.00 pm.

Email Natalie Orefice for the link to join: Natalie.orefice@dioceseofshrewsbury.org.

 

Caritas Donations 2023/24

Caritas would like to thank all Box Collection Holders for your support and generous total of £1,366.66 raised in the past 12 months. If you’d like to become box holder, to set up a standing order or a gift aid mandate, contact Dominique on 07757518312. For information about Caritas: caritasshrewbury.org.uk.

 

Assemble at Chester Cathedral

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 Tuesday 30^th April, 6.45 pm

 

Pentecost Sunday Evening Youth Mass

We’d like to celebrate our diverse Parish on the Feast of Pentecost by asking children with two languages to take part in the  prayers of Intercession. All children at the Mass will take part with the offertory procession, singing or playing instruments. 6.00 pm May 19^th. Please put child’s name and parents contact details on the sheet at the back of Church.

 

New Diocesan Director of Schools

Details of the role and the application process at

https://www.tes.com/jobs/vacancy/director-of-schools-birkenhead-2040730

 

Wayfarer Productions present “The Beloved Son”

A remarkable new play about the life of Henri Nouwen. 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 (323037) or at the door.

 

Bodnant Gardens & Llandudno: Tuesday 25^th June

Just three places left. When they’re gone, they’re…

 

Welcome to all our New Parishioners!

Fantastic open meeting Friday night, eight Newbies and six Werbies really getting to know each other.

In either category, come along to the next one?

 

Photo of the Week: My Retirement Parish

Many thanks to Brian Flack for finding this little spec for me, church and Priest’s House, Stađur Is, North Iceland. Looks great! Thanks, Brian!