The Eagle Has Landed! Welcome, Fr David!

The warmest of welcomes to our new Parish Priest, Monsignor David Charters. The long journey from Colombia has now brought him to the centre of Chester and our wonderful Parish. He brings a wealth of new ideas and the perspective of having served the Universal Church in three continents over the last dozen or so years: from the Central African Republic to the United Nations in New York to South America, he now returns to Europe and takes up the reins of being Parish Priest of Saint Werburgh’s. I know we will all keep him in our prayers and give him every ounce of encouragement and support of which we are capable. This has always been a Parish of phenomenal enthusiasm and commitment, and those wonderful qualities will be his for the asking from all of us. He has worked through the handover file and made a list of the key players he wants to meet with first. So, please be patient, everyone and wait for him to invite you in for a chat rather than requesting that chat yourselves. He will get round to everybody, and everyone will be as helpful as they always have been especially as we now start to think about the month of the Holy Souls, advent and Christmas. May God bless him richly in his new mentally. Benvenuto! (As they say in German). 

 

Free Table. Boxes of Sheet Music, 3 Volume Lectionary

The Pioneer Turntable needing repairs found someone who loves repairing old equipment – and he tells me he’s already got it working! The fold-up mattress in a big blue green carrying bag found a second owner, as did the inevitable books. Much of the sheet music went, and the remnant has been taken to Oxfam Bookshops by Nikki. Some files on the table today, suitable for any of our students. Just help yourselves!

 

Two Catholic High School Kitchen Vacancies

School website www.christofidelis.org.uk/vacancies. For more details or for an informal discussion,, contact Mr Kilcoyne, School Business Manager on 01244 952788.

 

Foundation Governors Wanted for the Catholic High

You do not have to be a parent of a child in the school, but you must be a practising Catholic. For further information or for a visit: www.educationshrewsbury.org/governance.  You would need the signature of your Parish Priest and DBS checks.

 

Wesley Methodists Autumn Fair

Wesley Church Centre, St John Street, CH1 1DA, Saturday, 18th October, 11.00 am – 3.00 pm, Please support Fairtrade Homeware, Food and Jewellery 

 

Our Parish Caritas Collection

If you would take a collection box in which to put any loose change, or by setting up a standing order, just let Dominique know. You can donate anytime via a QR code or online at www.caritasshrewsbury.org.uk 

 

Welcomers at Mass – Please Sign Up for October!

A  lovely ministry, welcoming both our Werbies and our Wizziters. Do please join us if you can.

 

Thanksgiving Meal Photos: 

Please send in photos from the 150th Thanksgiving meal to admin@stwerburghchester.co.uk

 

St Werburgh’s Prayer Group:

We meet in the Day Chapel Friday 19th at 10.45 am. All welcome. Further information please email: liturgy@stwerburghchester.co.uk

 

Blessing of Former Parish Priests Graves on Tuesday

A wonderful climax to this great project on Tuesday. Gerry Tighe and John Egan have been driving it through all year, as one of our 150th Year projects. The renovation of the graves of Canon Chambers (PP 1902-24) and Canon Welch (1948-59) and now complete and Blackwells have done a marvellous job. We were proud to bless both on Tuesday afternoon,  with over twenty Werbies able to join us, and Steve himself there to be thanked in person by all of us. Refreshments in Pickles [Where that? Ed] rounded off a super occasion. 

 

Repository Christmas Cards for the Hospice

We will be selling the charity Christmas cards, stocking fillers and gifts from the Hospice of the Good Shepherd, at all the Masses, 09.00, 10.45 and 6.00 pm, commencing Sunday 12th October & Sunday 19th  October. All proceeds to our 150th Hospice Appeal.

 

Welcome Wednesday Last Week - Geoff Returns!

More fascinating stories from Taylor’s Boatyard – thanks Geoff! Tea from 10.00, talk at 10.40.
  

Parish Prayer Book: Send those suggestions in!

By the end of Sept: Liturgy@stwerburghchester.co.uk.

 

Two Diocesan Vacancies

1. Parish Secretary at Our Lady’s Ellesmere Port. Flexible 3 days per week between 9.00 am and 1.00 pm.  Hourly rate: £14 per hour.
2. Clergy Welfare Support Worker.  The role would be to support the Diocesan Welfare Nurse in her duties.  Hours:  22.5 per week over 3 days. Closing date for both posts, 24th Oct.  For details of both: ro/latest-vacancies/

 

Path to the Front Door Relaying

Currently out of use for health and safety concerns. Work starts on Wed 15th Oct, to relay the path, which will take a week. During this work please use the street side gate to access the front door.

 

Photo of the Week: St Paul’s Cave, Rabat, Malta

Where St Paul is said to have stayed when he first arrived in Malta, AD 60. Thanks, Ray!

And finally…

I’m hopeless at saying goodbyes. Lots of you can manage big bashes and waving off from the front door, I wish I could. I can only sneak out the back one. But I want you to realise how grateful I am to everyone for everything over the last nineteen years. I have loved every moment of my time in St Werburghs - I know, I know, you lot only wish you could say the same. But we all have to suffer for the faith. Being your Parish Priest has been the greatest privilege of my lifetime. My prayer for Fr David is that he will be as happy here as I have been. God bless you all, and thank you, everyone,  for being my friend.