La vie en Rose Today is one of just two Sundays of the year, which is characterised using rose-coloured vestments, accompanied by the lighting of the rose-coloured candle on the Advent crown. Why rose or pink? I’ll share with you a simple explanation, which I offered to the altar servers last Sunday, about the mixture of the Advent purple and the white of Christmas. In other words, today, we anticipate the joy of Christmas, while we still await the solemn celebration of the Saviour’s birth. Isn’t this an image of our life? A mixture of joys and sorrows, light and shadows… We “wait in joyful hope”, amid the ups and downs of life, with its stresses and strains. Last weekend, we encountered a fearless John the Baptist; this Sunday, in his dungeon, he is overwhelmed by doubts and questionings. We should not be afraid ourselves to go such places of darkness, as challenging and painful as they may appear: our light and strength is our faith in Christ. Let’s renew our faith in his presence, even -and perhaps most especially -, when sitting in darkness, and then simply breathe in “Marana Tha”, and then breathe out “Come, Lord Jesus!” why not practice this simple way of praying for the remainder of our Advent journey? REJOICE! The Lord is at hand!

Allow me, dear friends, to use this space especially to thank those of you who came on Friday evening for the induction Mass: a truly inspiring and memorable liturgy! There are so many I wish to thank, who worked long and hard behind the scenes, as well as before and during the Mass, from the warm welcome at the door, to the service at the altar, and the first-class music. It was great to welcome so many of you, as well as ecumenical friends, brother priests and family members. I was, at once, humbled by the show of affection and support, and immensely proud of the community that I am called to shepherd. There are some extra prayer cards at the back of church; please do take one home and give one to a friend, and do pray for me, as I pray will continue to do so for you all. Fr David +

Christmas Novena, from December 16 till the morning of December 24, (except for Saturday and Sunday), an extra Mass will be celebrated at 7:30 a.m. a quiet and reflective opportunity to make immediate preparation for the birth of Emmanuel. I think especially of those who work and might welcome the opportunity to come to Holy Mass during the week.

Looking for an Advent resource? Why not take home a copy of Day by Day to reflect on the daily readings, or indeed one of the great CTS pamphlets at the back of church to dive a little deeper into our beautiful Catholic faith.

Reconciliation. Please do avail yourself of the wonderful sacrament of penance in preparation for Christmas. There are various opportunities, including before and between the morning masses this Sunday and next, and at 7 p.m., on Monday the 15^th for a special reconciliation service, with opportunities for individual confession.

Christmas Eve Family Masses (4 pm and 6 pm) An online booking system is now available: do let your friends and family know! Alternatively you may contact admin@stwerburghchester.co.uk

Floral Tribute I am very grateful to Mrs Geraldine Fuller for offering such beautiful flowers in memory of her late husband Mark (+), whose Requiem I celebrated last Tuesday: may he rest in peace and rise in glory. As mentioned, there will be a special collection this weekend at masses for the flowers and tree with which we will adorn the church over the Christmas season. Thank you for your generosity! Do make use of the card machine, if you are cash free at Sunday Mass.

The Catholic High School Christmas Fair & Carol Service takes place on Tuesday 16th December, from 4 to 6pm in the school Hall. Entry fee is £1 and all are welcome! Santa’s Grotto, stalls, amazing food and music. Please come support this event! After the Christmas Fair, there will be a Carol Service in the Lyceum (6th Form building) at 6:30pm. Enjoy mince pies and a glass of wine at the interval before a final blast of Christmas songs and dance!

Three cheers for the volunteers! Why not come and join us on Wednesday afternoon, from around 2 pm., in the former day chapel for coffee and a mince pie as we give thanks for the many gifts so generously shared with the parish.

Carol Singing around Countess of Chester hospital wards. Wednesday 17th December at 6.30 pm. Meeting Point - Spiritual Care Centre F1. For more information: Chaplaincy (01244) 364543 coch.chaplaincy@nhs.net

Make we JOY! Next Saturday, 20^th December, at 3:00 pm., the CHESTER BACH SINGERS will perform their Christmas concert with a program full of carols and festive classics by Mendlessohn, Walton and more. Tickets £16.00/U18’s £5 (including refreshments).

Volunteers for Christmas Ministries. Please sign up as soon as possible using the form available at the back of Church, equally, Welcomers are also invited sign up for December and the Christmas celebrations: all that is necessary is your warm smile and to arrive 30 minutes before Mass!

The “St Werburgh’s Church 1875 to 2025” book is now ready to purchase for a minimum donation of £7. An option for this on the card machine is also available.

A special celebration to thank Mrs Oates for her dedicated years of service as Headteacher at the primary school will take place on Thursday, 18th December at 6:30 pm, at St Columba’s Church. For further information or to confirm your attendance, please contact the primary school or via https://forms.office.com/e/9bNg70BFcR

A massive thanks to those who baked and bought CathSoc cakes for Mary’s Meals. We are able to send £300, which will be doubled by a generous donor. That’s more than 30 children with a nourishing meal every (school) of next year! Great work!

Photo of the week: Thank you to Tommy Teague for this photo of the Assumption of Mary Cathedral in Hiroshima, also known as the Memorial Cathedral for World Peace. It is built on the site of the old Nobori-cho Catholic Church, which was destroyed in the atom bomb attack of 6 August 1945. The four German Jesuits based at the church all survived the bombing. After the war, the Parish Priest Fr Lassalle set about raising funds to build a Cathedral for World Peace. The rebuilt cathedral was completed exactly nine years after the bomb attack, on 6 August 1954.