Anne Proctor and Anne Patey RIP – Promoted to Glory

Two wonderful parishioners went Home to the Lord this week and leave all of us the poorer for their passing. Anne Patey was a great member of our SVP who did so much for us, not least helping to run the Summer Lunch. She had been battling cancer valiantly for some time and died peacefully in Aintree Hospital. Anne Proctor was with us this week for Welcome Wednesday with her husband Tony, and on sparkling form, as sharp, funny and energetic as ever. Very sadly, she collapsed at home that afternoon and could not be revived. Our love and sympathy go out to both families. Well done, thou good and faithful servants!

 

Summer Moves Around the Diocese

And now the moment you have all been waiting for… I shall be on the move this Autumn and you will have a new Parish Priest! As most of you know, I shall be 75 in a few months’ time, which is when we must submit our Resignation to the Bishop. He may or may not accept it!  Bishop Mark has been extremely kind in allowing me to stay on, but move to a smaller, quieter Parish. I have loved every minute of my time in St Werburgh’s – I know, I know, you lot only wish you could say the same. But we all have to suffer for our faith, and, boy, have you lot suffered over the last nineteen years. But just think of the Souls that have made their way out of Purgatory. This is one of the great Parishes of our Diocese, with the additional responsibilities of University, Primary and High School and Hospital. It’s not a Parish to grow old in. So, a very warm welcome indeed to our new Parish Priest, Monsignor David Charters. Fr David has worked for the Vatican Diplomatic Service for the last fourteen years and is presently in the Apostolic Nunciature in Colombia. I know he is very much looking forward to returning to the Diocese and picking up the reins once again of Parish Ministry. I myself am off to the eastern side of the Diocese, to St Peter’s Stalybridge. This is not an area I’m familiar with but I’m very much looking forward to getting to know it. It also has responsibility for St Raphael’s Millbrook, our most easterly mission, and for St James Hattersley, a 1960’s Housing Estate parish. You feel sorry for them already, don’t you? The moves will be made some time in October, and next week I’ll give you the full list. Oremus pro invicem. As they say in German. 

 

House Mass at John’s in Great Barrow on Tuesday

Delighted to be out with John and Chris on their farm for Mass at 12.00 noon and a simple lunch. Please sign up if you’d like to join us, and we will email you full directions. 

 

Next 150th Planning Meeting: Thursday 31st July

Exmommaexlat, but we will meet nevertheless, reviewing our great Holywell Pilgrimage and Open Faith Week, and continuing to plan for the next raft of events. Shall we say 7.00 pm as there’s no Choir Practice that evening? 

 

Thanks for Youth Mass Last Sunday Evening

Another wonderfully vibrant Youth Mass last Sunday, full of the energy of the Church of Tomorrow. We can never give them too much encouragement. They are our future, and they’re the only future we’ve got. 

 

My Holiday Dates This Summer

You can’t wait? I can’t wait!! Monday 18th Aug to Friday 5th Sept. And please don’t pretend you’re going to miss me. 

 

Day Pilgrimage to Shrewsbury: Thursday 31st July

Last chance for booking this weekend.

 

A Request from Welcome Wednesday

We will be grateful and delighted for the services of a Musician or Musicians to entertain us with songs from the Shows and Golden Oldies at our Garden Party on Wednesday, 30th July, 10.45-12 noon and then to accompany Mass in the Garden at 12.15 pm followed by a Shared Table Lunch. Contact FP, Lyn or Pat. This Wednesday we look forward to Tony Barbet’s talk about his family’s “£10 Pom Ticket”. 

 

Hospice Fundraising: Upwards and Onwards!

This week £485.50 has been donated meaning our total now stands at £16,301. Soon be £20,000???

 

Donating to the Parish

It’s now possible to donate to the Parish or our 150th Hospice Appeal online, both through the website and using a QR code that is displayed on the tables at the back of church.  We will also be introducing a card reader/contactless facility in the coming weeks.

 

150th Celebrations: Open Week of Faith

Enormous thanks to Claire Egan for piloting this impressive part of our 150th Celebrations, for all the stewards and musicians who made it possible and to everyone who came along. I am sure it will have touched many hearts and sewn many seeds.

 

Cabaret: Wednesday 13th August: Train Tickets

I’ve cut a deal with Avanti, and the normal £242-30 return fare is ours for £124.60! Down 08.32, back on the 20.00. Cheques or cash when convenient, please.  

 

Ignatian Prayer Meeting: Would You Like to Join?

Wonderful launch meeting on Friday, 14 of you turning up, showing clearly there is an appetite for such great Prayer Groups. Well done, Lyn and all!

 

Parish Dementia Support Group?

If you or a family member are living with Dementia, we invite you to a quiet time of prayer followed by coffee and a chat. Please join us 11.00 am Thursday 24th July in Church to find out more. All welcome.

 

Church Cleaner

Can you help and join the cleaning rota? We need help  1 week in 4  for 1 - 1.5 hrs on a  Monday morning. Email Fr Paul or rich_lyn@hotmail.co.uk

 

Summer Concert Saturday 9th August 7.30 pm

Our next concert here in church is “Music for a Summer Evening – Baritone, Piano and Organ” – by our good friends Henry Smith and Marcus Coleridge.

 

150th Anniversary Thanksgiving Celebration

Friday 12th September, 7.00 pm at the Catholic High School. Please sign up at the back of the church, including the size of your party’ 

 

Names for First Holy Communions Parish Group

Children who will be in Year 3 and above and not at Catholic Primaries. We will take older children, but ideally they should be Year 3. Closing date: Monday 1st September. Please email us the names if interested. 

 

Photo of the Week: Easter Wreath Workshop

What a wonderful event! It kicked off our Hospice Fundraising, made £535, produced beautiful wreaths and was enormous fun. Thousand thanks, Marie!