St Werburgh's Roman Catholic Parish, Chester
Parish Newsletter
SUNDAY 2nd JUNE 2024: THE BODY AND BLOOD OF CHRIST – CORPUS CHRISTI (YEAR B)
Bishop Mark’s Visitation 28/29 September
Normally, the Bishop comes on Visitation to each Parish of the Diocese every five years, but obviously Covid disrupted that cycle. We last welcomed Bishop Mark in January 2017, and are delighted to welcome him again in September of this year. A big part of the Visitation is the Parish compiling the pre-Visitation Report, our judgement on where we are up to and our plans for the future. This is largely the area of our Parish Renewal over the last twelve months, of course, and writing this Report will be the first task of our new Parish Council. Exciting times!
Grosvenor Villas D Day Service on Thursday
We hold a little Remembrance Day Service in Grosvenor Villas (the old Crawford’s Walk) NH every year, and now they’ve asked if we could do the same for D Day on Thursday. If you’d like to be involved, please let FP know, and gather outside Reception at 10.15 on Thursday Morning.
Bill Baker RIP
A privilege and honour to be asked to help out at Bill’s Funeral on Tuesday. An amazing 94-year-old, he ran the Choir at St Columba’s for the best part of fifty years. His and Marian’s Wedding, on 5th August 1959, was the last that Canon Hugh Welch celebrated, dying far before his time two days later. May Bill, Marian and Canon Hugh Rest in Peace.
First Holy Communion Thanksgiving Mass: 9th June
At the 10.45 Mass on Sunday 9th June, we will be joined by all the children who recently made their First Holy Communion with us, a chance for the Parish to celebrate with our youngsters, the Church of Tomorrow. Please keep them all in your prayers.
Home Communions: DBS Clearance
Three of the six Eucharistic Ministers who volunteered to take out Home Communions have now received their DBS Clearances. As soon as the other three are through we can swing into action! We also need to set up the rota for EM’s to assist at Mass, so all EM’s, expect an email this week asking for your availability over the next three months.
Tables in Church and Day Chapel: Two Gone!
Super tables, very sturdy, excellent condition and easy-wipe surfaces. Their one snag is that they don’t stack, and we want to replace them with a stackable variety, one of which has been at the back of church for some months for your inspection. So, the existing tables are now offered free to anyone who wants them, just one or a dozen! Interested? See FP. Then we will need wolunteers to help move the “old” tables into the Garage so that we can replace them with the new, stackable ones.
Parish Admin Assistant: New Appointment
Seven applications have been received, for which we are very grateful. On Monday we will start the selection and interview process, with the hope of being able to make an appointment very soon.
SVP Theatre Night: Port Sunlight: 4th June
“The Importance of Being Earnest” on 4th June at 7.30 at the Gladstone Theatre Port Sunlight. Tickets are £12.00 and all the funds will be in support of the Holiday Home in Talacre. Please contact Marco to book your tickets – bububaba05@icloud.com
Our New-Look Parish Council: Voting Has Opened!
On-line voting started on Tuesday, and this weekend and next the chance to vote in the traditional way. Please nominate up to three parishioners you feel would be good Parish Council Members. There is no need to ask them first: we do that after all the votes have been counted. Please do not vote for any of the seven already chosen: Marian McCarthy, Denise Jones, Cristina Dominte, Lyn Williams, Lal Cook or Pat Floate/Bernice Meredith (job share).
Key New Parish Council Dates
- Tuesday 28th May: On-line voting opened for our three new members.
- Sunday 2nd June & Sunday 9th June: Paper Voting.
- Week beginning 10th June: approaching those who have gained the most votes to see if they’d be willing to join the Parish Council.
- Sunday 23rd June: Results announced.
- Wednesday 10th July, 7.00 pm: First Meeting of the new-look Parish Council and Social.
Repository Pre-Loved Sale: Last Week Next Week!
Summer Heritage Events: Trena Cox Talk
Trena Cox is the extraordinary artist responsible for the magnificent stained-glass windows in the porch, and in many other local churches. The Wikipedia article lists most of her known windows. Our own Aleta Doran is coming here to St Werburgh’s to give us an illustrated talk on Cox on Wednesday 26th June at 2.00 pm, an occasion not to be missed. This is part of Chester History Festival this year, and we hope to have our own church open for wizziters for most of that week, Sunday 23rd June to Friday 28th June.
Welcome Wednesday Last Week…
Bumper turn-out for a super talk from Liz Aiello, wearing her Wedding Registrar hat. Thanks Liz!
A Reminder: Would You Like to Get More Involved?
Online form to let us know what you are interested in, paper copies at the back of Church. We’d love to hear from you.
Sunday Welcome Rota for June Now Open
The new sheet for June is ready for you to sign. Thanks, everyone, for this very important Ministry.
Catholic High School’s “Holy Reunion Mass”
The CHS would like to acknowledge the FHC’s taking place in all our feeder Parishes by celebrating the "Holy Reunion Mass". Wednesday 26th June, 6.30 pm at the Lyceum (6th Form building at the CHS) followed by refreshments. The candidates are welcome to wear their Communion outfits or their school uniform.
Chester Active Travel Festival - Bike Decorating
Have you any unused balls of wool, old ribbons or out-of-date Christmas garlands that you would be happy to donate for children to use as bike decorations? If so please place them in the box provided at the back of the church on the weekend of 1st/2nd June. Or contact Stephen on 07775 781204. Thank you.
Photo of the Week: From the Top of the Eye!
Louise Robertshaw took this unusual view from the top of the Ferris Wheel in the Park last summer, looking out over the Shot Tower and Steam Mill. Thanks, Louise. Do please keep these photos coming, folks.
