Heritage Open Doors 12- 21 Sept: “Architecture”

As usual we will be contributing to this occasion by opening the church to the public and giving formal and informal talks about the architecture and history of the church. Timetable:

• Sun 14 to Sun 21 Sept: Church Open each day, 1.00 pm – 3.00 pm: We would welcome two stewards each day, to assist the History Group member on duty. Please sign up on the stewards’ rota, if you can possibly help us for a session. In addition, the following events will take place during some of these open church sessions.
• Sun 14 Sept 2.00 -3.00 pm: Talk about the Architecture of St. Werburgh’s and how it changed over the years, in response to Historical Events.
• Wed 17 Sept from 1.00 pm - 3.00 pm: Aleta Doran will be in the porch to talk to anyone about the Trena Cox stained glass windows.
• There is also an event at the Lead Shot Tower from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm on Sat 20 Sep. We have been asked to advertise/attend it, as so many of our parishioners have worked there in the past. You may drop in to see the display and chat to interested visitors.

 

Parish Diary September 2025 to July 2026

Many thanks for all the dates that you have sent in and Steve, our admin assistant, has now entered them on an enormous spreadsheet. Remarkably few clashes were found this year, and where we have, we have gone back to the organisers. With the arrival of a new Parish Priest, we’ve included all the usual dates up to Christmas, to give Fr David a sense of what goes on, but kept it much more flexible from the New Year onwards so that he can make any changes that he feels appropriate. We hope to have a printed version of the Diary out by mid-Sept.

 

Arrangements for my holidays

I will be away from Monday 18th August to Friday 5th September. During this time Steve H, admin assistant, will be monitoring emails and phone calls and Marian McCarthy and Lyn Williams, our outgoing and incoming Chairs of the Parish Council will be the point of contact if anything of an urgent nature comes up. Please contact them through their email addresses: buildingsandmaintenance@stwerburghchester.co.uk
(Marian) and liturgy@stwerburghchester.co.uk (Lyn)

 

Free Table – My Literature Books

So glad William and the CDs have found a good home. Now I am thinning out my literature books. Sets tied together – e.g. 6 Palliser novels, last Summer’s reading.

 

Donating to the Parish – Update

Our Card Reader/Contactless facility has now been installed at the back of church, plus online donations through the website and QR Code, now on Newsletters.

 

Our New 150th Anniversary Parish Prayer Book

In the Autumn, we plan to produce a prayer book to commemorate our 150th Anniversary.
Please send in your personal favourites to : Liturgy@stwerburghchester.co.uk 

 

Hospice Fundraising

With £18,000 already raised – remember, our original target was £15,000, £100 for every year our church has been open – we are having a little August break from rattling the collection tins. But starting again in September, to see what amazing total we can reach by 31st December and handover to the Hospice.

 

Dementia Group.

Our next get together is Thursday September 4th 10.45 am in the Day Chapel. Please join us.

 

House Mass: Wednesday 24th September 5.00 pm

Next House Mass will be at Lyn and Richard's in Hawarden, email Lyn: rich_lyn@hotmail.co.uk

 

Caritas Boxes Collection, 13th/14th September

www.caritasshrewsbury.org.uk  The autumn Caritas Boxes collection will take place at all Masses on 13th & 14th September. Please bring the contents of your box in a strong bag or envelope clearly marked with your name. You can also contribute by Standing Order, via the Caritas website https://tinyurl.com/caritas2025 or the QR code on the 'Outreach' notice boards. Boxes, Standing Order & Gift Aid forms available.

 

Bereavement & Loss Group

Next meeting September 10th at 1:15 pm to 2:45 pm. Old friends and new very welcome to join us.

 

Parish Safeguarding Training Sept. 22nd 7 pm.

Parishioners who would like to continue working to ensure that our parish is a safe and welcoming place, are required at the Safeguarding Training session detailed above. Parish volunteers who have not attended previous sessions and who work with under 18’s and vulnerable adults are required to attend. This is a repeat of previous sessions.

 

Welcome Wednesdays

Re-Starts in the Day Chapel Wednesday 10th September at 10.00.

We look forward to seeing old friends and welcome all who wish to join us for tea/coffee and chat.

 

St Werburgh’s Young Adults – You’re Invited!

It was wonderful to see so many new faces at our last gathering. We’re excited to welcome you back for our next meet-up on Friday, 5th September, from 6:30 pm onwards at St Werburgh’s Church – Day Chapel. Whether you’re a student, a young professional, or a couple starting out, this is a space for anyone aged 18+ to feel welcome, find community, and spend time in prayer together. Feel free to bring a friend along!

 

Gardening Group – New members wanted

Have you got green fingers or just like gardening? Our gardening group need some help. If you would like to find out more, please email : liturgy@stwerburghchester.co.uk

 

Summer Concert on Saturday 9th August

Last Saturday evening it was great to welcome our good friends Henry Smith and Marcus Coleridge for a beautiful concert of Summer Music. These two young men are starting out on their careers as musicians, Marcus as Bass Baritone, and Henry as Pianist and Organist. Thanks, lads, for a super concert!

 

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. Names coming in well, but that really is our deadline, folks!

 

Photo of the Week: The former Cluniac Monastery 

A lovely photo from San Zollo has been sent in by Anne Rushton. The Monastery is now a hotel on the pilgrimage route Camino de Santiago, northern Spain.