Fr David, our new Parish Priest, writes…

“Dear friends at St Werburgh’s. Greetings from Bogotá! Let me tell you how happy I am to have received the news that, upon my return to the Diocese, I will have the privilege of serving in your midst as Parish Priest. As Fr Paul informed you, the last 14 years I have spent in service to the Universal Church, from my studies in Rome to the heart of Africa; four unforgettable years in Bangui, in the Central African Republic, and then to the heart of Manhattan, working at the United Nations Headquarters, and then, for the past three years, working here at the Nunciature in Colombia; a great privilege indeed and a country I have really grown to love. And now, it’s time to return to service of the local Church, in the inspiring words of Pope Leo XIV “among the people from whom you hail, to whom you continue to belong and to whom you will be sent”. Please know of my prayers for you and your loved ones, and indeed for all those whom we, as a community, are called to continue to serve in charity and in the joyful proclamation of God’s kingdom. I am confident that with your prayers and those of my predecessor himself, my time in Chester, Deo volente, will be richly blessed. 
Hasta octubre, entonces, Fr David +”

 

Summer Moves Around the Diocese: The Full List

Very nicely, it’s “Two Out and Two In”, two Retirements balancing two Ordinations. Our good friend Fr Peter Sharrocks is retiring from Hazel Grove and Offerton (Stockport area) as is Fr John Feeney from Moreton and Leasowe (top of the Wirral). Warm welcome to newbies Fr Adam Bamber (appointed to the Cathedral) and to Fr Joseph Fawcett Wood (going to St Vincent’s Altrincham). Now the moves: Fr Edmund Montgomery to Our Lady Queen of Peace, Wythenshawe, and Fr Ramesh Amaldoss to the other Wythenshawe Parishes, now a Team Ministry. Fr Godlove Amungwa comes to Our Lady’s Ellesmere Port, and Fr Paschal Ohesiaba to Leasowe and Moreton. Frs Louis Maggiore and Humphrey O’Connor are adding St Mary’s Hooton and St Saviour’s Great Sutton to their existing Parish, Christ the King Bromborough. Fr Philip Atkinson is going from Stalybridge and Hattersley to Hazel Grove, and guess who’s taking over from him?  Mgr David Charters is coming here to St Werburgh’s. Fr Tom Cunnah will be PP at Neston, as well as Diocesan Chancellor. Fr Francis George goes from Neston to Whitchurch. Finally, Fr Barry O’Sullivan, on loan from Salford Diocese, will look after Whaley Bridge and Poynton. After that lot, the poor Bishop must be exhausted, and ready for Lourdes!

 

Free Table – And So the Great Chuck-Out Begins…

Today lots of Maths books, all levels – just help yourselves

 

House Mass at John’s in Great Barrow Last Tuesday

Thanks, John, Chris, Marcia and Coady – it was great! 

 

St Francis Chester Parish Mission: July 2025

• Monday 28th at 7.00 pm: Exploring Faith Live
• Tuesday 29th at 6.30 pm: Taizé Prayer Service
• Thursday 31st at 10.00 am: Children’s Mission
• Thursday 31st at 6.30 pm: International Food

Everyone warmly welcome at all events!

 

Hiroshima & Nakasaki 80th Anniversary: Wed 6th Aug

8.00 pm on the Groves. All welcome to meet for readings, music and the dropping of flowers from the bridge. Organised by Chester Peace Group. 

My Summer Holiday: Mon 18th Aug–Fri 5th Sept

 

Re-Laying the Garden Path

Anyone recommend a good firm/contractor? 

 

Next 150th Planning Meeting: Thurs 31st July 7 pm

 

Welcome Wednesday Winding Down for Summer

First of all a huge Thank You to Tony Barbet from us all for his fantastic and amusing Talk last Wednesday about his £10 Pom Ticket and his subsequent life in Australia.  Wednesday, 30th July will be our last WW until September, and we will finish with a Party in the Parish Garden.  Bring your party food at 10.00 am and we will aim to share our food and have our tea/coffee about 10.30.  Bob Jones has kindly offered to entertain us with golden oldies and songs from the musicals. We will finish our morning with Mass in the garden at 12.15 pm. Everyone welcome 

 

Hospice Fundraising: Another Tremendous Week

An amazing £906.25 has come in, including £500 from our wonderful Club – thanks, John and Debbie!

 

St Werburgh’s & St Columba’s Primary School.

Mrs Oates, our much-loved Headteacher, is due to retire in December 2025. We are looking to appoint a committed and practising Catholic who has the vision to continue to drive the school forward.
ctgonline.co.uk/jobs/6870b6a9473dd8927720524a 

 

Day Chapel Conversion: The Celia Murphy Room

Our team, Lyn, Marian, Pat & Bernice, met the new Architect on Wednesday. Now it’s full steam ahead!

 

Cabaret: Wednesday 13th August

2 extra tickets have become available for Cabaret. Theatre tickets £65; Train ticket £124.60 return. 

 

Repository Summer Closure: 27th July – 14th Sept

Our special Bookmarks celebrating the 150th Anniversary of St Werburgh's, priced at £1 each, will still be available on the Repository stand.

 

Parish Dementia Support Group

Thanks to an amazing group of people who joined together last Thursday to support each other
on this challenging journey. We will meet once a month on a Thursday morning. Do please join us!

 

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 
church, including size of your party. 110/150 places gone. 

 

Names for First Holy Communions Parish Group

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. 

 

Photo of the Week: Johns Family Hits Big Apple…

St Patrick’s Cathedral… then looking across to Manhattan… It looks amazing. Thanks, Ruth, Dan, Ciaran, Rory & Cillian!