This weekend we celebrate another Epiphany, namely the Baptism of Jesus in the Jordan, when the source of grace himself is washed to sanctify the waters into which we are made children of God. An anonymous 4th century writer meditating upon this mystery speaks to our own reality “Whoever goes down into these waters of rebirth with faith renounces the devil and pledges himself to Christ. He repudiates the enemy and confesses that Christ is God, throws off his servitude and becomes an adopted son. He comes up from baptism resplendent as the sun and radiating purity and, above all, he comes as a child of God and a co-heir with Christ” At Mass, this weekend, we will, once more, bless water and be sprinkled with it to remind us of our baptism and the personal call to holiness addressed to each one of us. Looking to the coming weeks, we will have the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, which begins on the 18th and ends on the 25th. Please see the dedicated item that follows for further information. Soon after, we will have our St Werburgh week, which will start on February 2 and will include a solemn celebration of Mass on the feast day of our patroness, Tuesday, February 3 at 7:30 pm, which will be the crowning of the celebrations for the 150th anniversary; an opportunity to give thanks to Almighty God for the life of the parish and to offer Him all our efforts. I have a few ideas in mind, which I will share an open meeting, in the former day chapel (FDC), this coming Thursday, January 15 at 7:30 pm. Do come along to that meeting if you’re able! Fr David +

Thank you for the Crib offerings for CARITAS Shrewsbury. Still time to visit the crib this weekend and leave a donation there, or online or using one of the card readers. With much gratitude for your support to help less fortunate families in the diocese.

Monday 12th January at 7:00 pm at St Werburgh's and St Columba's School, Lightfoot Street, Hoole, Chester CH2 3AD. A meeting for all First Holy Communion Parents about the Sacrament of Reconciliation in preparation for the celebration of their child’s first forgiveness on 24^th January. Please do pray for the children and their families.

A reminder of the Safeguarding Training at 7.00 pm this coming Tuesday 13th January in the Parish Meeting Room (FDC). Attendees will gain an understanding of safeguarding issues and how to respond to any disclosures. Any volunteers who are DBS cleared and have not attended previous training sessions are required to attend. In addition, we invite any Parishioners who wish to increase their understanding of Safeguarding. This is part of our mission to develop a Safeguarding Culture within the parish to help ensure that it is a safe and welcoming place for everyone.

At Welcome Wednesday, on January 14^th, Judith Done will be giving a talk “My Ukrainian Godson”. All welcome for a cup of tea and a chat. 10 am to 12 noon. At the parish meeting room (FDC).

The Bereavement and Loss Group will also meet in the parish meeting room on Wednesday, Jan 14^th from 1:15 pm to 2:45 pm

The Parish History Group will meet for the first time in 2026 on Wednesday, 21^st January at 6.00 pm in the presbytery.

The annual week of Prayer for Christian Unity begins on Sunday 18^th January and at 5:00 pm all are warmly invited to attend a Service at Chester Cathedral to start. The Preacher, the Rt Rev. Kenneth Nowakowski is the Bishop of the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of the Holy Family of London. Our own Bishop of Shrewsbury will be attending, along with the parish priest. Also, as part of the week of prayer, there will be a short service at 12 noon, each day at the following churches –

• 19th - Waverton Evangelical Fellowship and St Peter's, City Centre
• 20th - Rowton Methodists and The Salvation Army.
• 21st - St Peter's Waverton and St Peter's, City Centre
• 22nd - St James's Christleton and Wesley Methodist, City Centre
• 23rd - Christleton Methodist and St Peter's, City Centre
• 24th - St Werburgh's Church.

Then, on Sunday the 25th at 7 pm., Christleton Methodist Church will host the final service. Refreshments served. Please do try to attend at least one of the services, to join in prayer with fellow Christians that “all might be one”, as Christ himself prayed.

Photo of the week: Thank you to Bernadette Reynard for this photo of the ruins of Whitby Abbey. St Hilda founded a monastery on this site in the 7th century, which was abandoned in the mid-9th century because of Viking raids. It was re-established as a Benedictine monastery in the 11th century. The ruins visible today are of a magnificent church built between the 13th and 15th centuries.