CHRIST THE KING has traditionally been celebrated as WORLD YOUTH SUNDAY, therefore, today, we are invited especially to pray for all young people, some of whom will be involved in various ways at the evening mass. In his Message for the occasion, His Holiness calls young people to be witnesses. Such witness, He writes “arises from friendship with the Lord” and that “through this friendship, Pope Leo says to young people “Jesus listens to you, motivates you, and guides you, calling each of you to a new life”. Let’s pray for our young people and for ourselves that we can grow in our relationship with Christ. 

 

The second-round of the traditional blessing of graves will take place today, 2-4 pm at Overleigh Cemetery. I will start in the lower cemetery and then proceed to the upper cemetery. I am very grateful to Fr Neill for his time spent last Sunday at Blacon.

 

Chim-chimeree, chim-chimeree chim-chim, chim-cheroo: “They’ve a few tickets left, why not buy one or two?” Come along and see MARY POPPINS at Chester Catholic High on Tuesday 25th & Wednesday 26th November at 7 pm. Please buy your tickets now! For further Information please contact welcometo@christofidelis.org.uk.  

 

4 Bible Studies on the Advent Sunday Gospels: Mauro Iannicelli will break-open the forthcoming Advent Sunday Gospels with teaching and stimulating questions over four Wednesdays: 26 November and 3, 10 and 17 Dec (7pm – 8pm). Parish readers are encouraged especially to sign up. Free of charge on YouTube Registration: https://comeandsee.org/advent25.

 

The Reimagining Baptism Conference will take place at St Joseph's Catholic Church, Tatton Street, St Petersgate, Stockport, SK1 1EJ. on Saturday 29 November, from 10:30 am – 4:15 pm. For further information please contact natalie.orefice@dioceseofshrewsbury.org. More info on the poster in the porch. 

 

Dementia Support Group will meet in the Day Chapel on Thursday 27th November at 10:45 am. All are very welcome for a quiet time of prayer and chat. For further information see Lyn or Pat, alternatively  email: Liturgy@stwerburghchester.co.uk

 

150th working group meeting: Thursday 27th November 7.30 pm in the Day Chapel. Please join us as we start to come to the end of our 150th year and begin to plan our closing mass and final celebrations'

 

Drop-in-Social: A date for your diary - Friday, 28th November, in the Day Chapel from 6 to 9 pm for chat, wine and nibbles. This is a real opportunity to get to know both new and old parishioners in an informal setting. Everyone Welcome.

“Let ev’ry heart prepare him room…” The journey of the Holy Family is scheduled to start on Advent Sunday, November 30th,  if you would like to offer your home as a posada as we prepare for Christmas, then please do add your name and contact details to the rota, in the next two weeks. For further information please contact Elizabeth Hoey on 07884581897

 

Last Sunday, CATHSOC listened to a fascinating presentation by Hannah Moore from Mary’s Meals, a wonderful charity offering a nourishing meal to almost 3 million school children in some of the world’s poorest countries. For further information regarding the great work of this organization, there are some leaflets at the back of church, alternatively see their website: www.marysmeals.org.uk This Sunday after the Mass for young people, members of CathSoc will watch a screening of Triumph of the Heart a highly acclaimed and newly released film on the life and sacrifice of St Maximilian Kolbe (d. 1941). All welcome. Pizza provided! 

 

First Sacraments Meeting and Class for families whose children are not at St Werburgh’s and St Columba’s School The next meeting and class for children and their parents will take place on Tuesday 2nd December at 6:30 pm at St Werburgh’s. The parents will meet with Fr David in church, as discussed, to allow for both parents to attend, if they wish. The children will need their workbooks, folders and pencil cases for their catechesis in the meeting room.

 

We’re being invited to support show some support to the fundraising efforts of the PTA of St Werburgh’s and St Columba’s School: Raffle tickets will be on sale, after Mass at 9 & 10:45 on Nov 23 and 30. 

 

Welcome Wednesdays — Thank you all for making the crowns for our Youth Mass celebrating the Feast of Christ the King at the 6 pm Mass. Our grateful thanks to Gerard O’Neill for his fascinating and entertaining presentation about British Airways. 

 

Fr Paul donations: Thank you for your generous donations in gratitude for Fr Paul’s 19 years of devoted service to the parish. A total of £3000 has been donated.

 

The Induction of Monsignor David as our new parish priest will take place during Mass, celebrated by our Bishop, the Rt Revd Mark Davies, on Friday December 12 at 7 p.m., on the liturgical memoria of our Lady of Guadalupe. Fr David will make publicly his profession of faith and oath of fidelity, as he commits to service at St Werburgh’s. It would be great to see the various groups and faithful of our parish represented at the celebration. Gerry has been motivating the servers for the past few weeks, and Tom Rozario, our music director, is helping put together a program of music, including a brand-new composition in honour of our Lady and some great hymns. 

 

The 150 Anniversary book is at the printers! The book will be available for purchase for a minimum donation of £7, starting from the weekend of 28/29 November until Christmas. Buy early to avoid disappointment! 

 

Next weekend, we will take up – albeit belatedly (!) - the annual retiring collection for the Clergy Education and Training Fund. Please give generously to support the formation of our future pastors and remember them in your prayers.

Photo of the week: Thank you to Mark Perry for sending in this photo of the Church of St Peter in Pais, Catalonia.