My dear parishioners: How time flies! Christmas day was 40 days ago, January is behind us and February is even shorter. We need to stop and take heed of the wisdom of the psalms “Make us know the shortness of our life” and live it from that fulness which our loving Saviour brings (cf. Jn 10:10). The Gospel today offers us the charter for living out our Christian commitment, the blessedness that comes not from following the logic of the world, but rather from being conformed to the life of Jesus. The coming week gives us a special opportunity to recall the sacrifices of those who built the parish from its humble beginnings and give thanks together for the parish church and especially for the community of missionary disciples that we are called to form, as living stones, set close to Christ and built on him (cf. 1 Peter). I hope to see as many parishioners as possible, along with visitors and friends to give thanks, to celebrate and to look forward with hope and enthusiasm. Both the Feast day Mass and the Mysteries of Faith event are open to all. For the social at the parish centre, you are requested to sign up @ stwerburghchester.co.uk/parish-social/ or at the back of church by Monday afternoon at the latest, for catering purposes.

The week also affords us two opportunities to pray near the shrine of the patron of the parish and the city, at Chester’s Anglican Cathedral. On Monday 1^st February, we will meet at the main entrance at 3:50 pm to make a visit to the shrine and recite the Holy Rosary for the intentions of the parish, in the Lady chapel, and then on Sunday, 8^th February, at 3 pm, the Dean cordially invites for Festal Evensong, at which a new anthem for St Werburgh will be premiered, written by local composer Martin Bussey, the service will feature the choirs of Liverpool & Blackburn Cathedrals. So plenty of opportunities to celebrate! On another ecumenical note, can I say how very grateful I am to all who took part in events marking the week of prayer for Christian unity. Those who came here and those we joined in other places were really touched by the warmth of the welcome and response. Special thanks to musicians and singers for all your hard work both in the past week and in the week to come!

It was wonderful to see such an encouraging response to our enquiry evening and to hear some very moving stories. Our next encounter will be on Wednesday February 11 at 7:30 p.m. Anyone else interested in knowing more about the Catholic faith should call or email.

You will have noticed some new Marking for Parking, please do make good use of the bays provided and ensure that the exit is kept clear should we need to evacuate in case of emergency. You have two spaces under the noticeboard at the main entrance. Thank you for your collaboration!

I also wish to thank you for your support at recent special collections made in church. The flower fund raised £764.07; meanwhile, the Crib offerings for CARITAS Shrewsbury amounted to £931.36, and then the parish contributed £995.73 in support of our retired priests. May God reward your kindness

Entrusting each of you in my daily prayers to almighty God. Let’s ask for the help and protection of dear St Werburgh for our continuing mission here in Chester. Fr David +

Thank you to Tony Proctor on behalf of Welcome Wednesday for his fascinating presentation last week. Doors will open again on February 4^th to celebrate St Werburgh, look back at the anniversary year, with a time for prayer, cake and glass of fizz, with a visit to our own St Werburgh’s Shrine led by members of the History Group. All are warmly invited to come along.

Copies of the Sacred Heart Messenger for February & Day by Day for Lent are now available at the back of church, please leave your donation and consider gifting a copy to a friend or neighbour.

Mark Gorzelak leads the Gardening Group that helps maintain St Werburgh’s Church and Presbytery gardens. The group would welcome some new faces to join the small but eager band of volunteers.

‘The Slow Work of God’. A presentation at St Werburgh’s on the 12th February at 7.30 pm, by Stephen McCarthy about his latest book, of the same title. Flyers at the back of church.

St Bede’s School Reunion Tuesday 3^rd March 1:00 pm: All former pupils are invited to a reunion at the Albion Inn, Albion Street, Chester, CH1 1RN. The pub provides food if required. Please spread the word to family and friends and if you have any photos or memorabilia please it along to share those memories. Please contact Geraldine Jones (née Hughes) on 07763662701 for further information.

The School Mission Team (SMT) at St Werburgh's & St Columba's School will use the arch in the prayer garden as a focus for prayer. The school are invited to tie a ribbon on the arch for each prayer intention. Please donate ribbons or coloured string you no longer need by placing these in the box at the back of Church. The SMT are really excited about seeing the arch become colourful with prayer intentions! Thank you in advance.

CAFOD Lent Fast Day Meeting, Weds 11^th Feb, 4-6pm in St Alban’s Parish Hall, Mill Lane, Liscard, Wallasey CH44 5XB. Join Kathryn Keenan, CAFOD representative for the Diocese, for this meeting in advance of Lent Family Fast Day. Find out more about our work, funded by donations from previous fast days, and hear how communities are adapting to climate change. All CAFOD volunteers, supporters and anyone who is interested in learning more are welcome. Email kkeenan@cafod.org.uk for more info and to register (not essential but helpful).

Next weekend’s retiring collection will be taken up for the work of the St Vincent de Paul Society (SVP) monies raised will be used to cover the costs of Christmas and subsequent winter activities carried out in the parish to help a number of individuals and families, for which we are all grateful. Cash or card donations welcome.

Photo of the week: Thank you to Tommy Teague for sending in these photos from Itsukushima, better known as Miyajima (‘Shrine Island’). Only a few miles from Hiroshima, it is regarded as sacred. The Shinto torii gate (top left) stands on the shore facing the great 12th-century Itsukushima shrine (bottom left). On the right, a five-storey pagoda, and part of the Senjokaku ‘hall of a thousand tatami mats’.