Saturday 6:00 pm: Rowton Methodists: For the people of the Parish
Sunday 9:00 am: St. Werburgh’s: Peter Meredith (1 year ann.)
Sunday 10:45 am: St. Werburgh’s: Charles Barnes (ann.)
Sunday 6:00 pm: St. Werburgh’s: for the health and wellbeing of Mario Remo Palozzo and Maria Cristina Verlini de Palozzo.
Monday 16th February: Ferial – James 1:1-11; Psalm 118; Mark 8:11-13
9:00 am: Special Intention
10:30 am: St Werburgh’s: Funeral Service for the late Margaret Chantler then committal at Blacon Crematorium, for this reason, There will be no Holy Hour in church today
12:15 pm: Maria Prez (Anniversary)
Tuesday 17th February: Seven Holy Founders of the Order of Servites:
James 1:12-18; Psalm 93; Mark 8:14-21 : Clergy Day of Recollection for Lent
PLEASE NOTE earlier time for Mass today at 9:00 am: Robin Knowles (RIP)
Wednesday 18th February: ASH WEDNESDAY – Joel 2:12-18; Psalm 51; 2 Corinthians 5:20 – 6:2; Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18 DAY OF FASTING AND ABSTINENCE
7:30 am: For Catechumens and those joining the Church
12:15 pm: For Helen and Pete Jones (sick)
7:30 pm: Skinner McGovern (RD)
Thursday 19th February: Thursday after Ash Wednesday:
Deuteronomy 30:15-20; Psalm 1; Luke 9:22-25
PLEASE NOTE for THURSDAYS IN LENT *** 7:30 am: Ian Bruce (RD)
11-12 - Holy Hour in church followed by Mass at 12:15 pm David Smith (Anniversary)
Friday 20th February: Friday after Ash Wednesday: Isaiah 58:1-9; Psalm 50; Matthew 9:14-15
11-12 - Holy Hour in church followed by Mass at 12:15 pm Corius William Bonner
7:00 pm: Way of the Cross followed by Eucharistic Adoration till 9:00 pm
Saturday 21st February: Saturday after Ash Wednesday: Isaiah 58:9-14; Psalm 85; Luke 5:27-32
9:00 am: Holy Souls Followed by Adoration & Confessions till noon.
6:00 pm: Rowton Methodists: Mary Moffat (RD)
SUNDAY 22nd FEBRUARY 2026: FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT
Genesis 2:7-9, 3:1-7; Psalm 51; Romans 5:12-19 Matthew 4:1-11
Saturday 6:00 pm: Rowton Methodists: Mary Moffat (RD)
Sunday 9:00 am: St. Werburgh’s: For the people of the Parish
Sunday 10:45 am: St. Werburgh’s: Ints. of Horsinka Family
Sunday 6:00 pm: St. Werburgh’s: For Bishop Mark Davies
Prayer Intentions
Your prayers are asked for the following who are sick: Helen and Peter Jones, Rita Spencer, Duncan Mason, José Luis Velasco, Jimmy McCahy, Kath Stanton, Brian Boardman Jnr, Bill Hackett, Stuart Clark, Kevin Maguire, Ruth O’Kane, Phillip Peers and Adele Vance, and for all the sick of the Parish. We also remember our beloved dead, particularly those who have died recently, including Teresa Bainbridge, Mary Bannon, Ian Bruce, Alexandra Mays Chandler, Margaret Chantler, Elizabeth (Betty) Cooney, Pam Corkerton, Ruby Daniel-McCann (aged 2), Antonia Daniel-Passmore, Ena Donovan, Mark Fuller, Jamie Lee Granger, Wendy Griffiths, Harry Huxley, Sam Marsden, Ed Mulligan (New Jersey), Victor Piggott, Elizabeth Kathryn Skupski, Elizabeth Tobin, Margaret Tudor, Father Paul O’Grady and Deacon Terry Simms, and those whose anniversaries occur about this time, including Josephine Owens, Margaret Connolly, Bernard Flaherty, John Axon, Mary Barr, Kathleen Vickers, Winifred Swaine, Garry Nelson, Mary Lambert, Harry Keyzor, Peter Melia, Eric Muldoon, Dorothy Welch, Fred McClelland, Joe Dunne, Kathleen Ward, Bob Ward, Bernie Clark, Irene Whitehouse, Winifred Morris and Paul Power, Peter Chesterman, John McMahon, Jennifer Sherwood, Thelma McGowan, Margaret Willson, Dorothy (Dolly) Holly, Rev Patrick Egan, Rev Brendan McDonald and Rev Stephen Dwyer.
May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace
Live Streaming Link: www.churchservices.tv/stwerburghchester
SVP: svpchester@gmail.com Countess of Chester Chaplaincy: 01244 364543.
St Werburgh’s is part of the Diocese of Shrewsbury: Registered Charity No 234025.
Safeguarding: safeguarding@stwerburghchester.co.uk Liz Aiello: 07813743723 and Chris Proudfoot: 0771149507
Dear friends, Wednesday marks the beginning of our Lenten journey towards the celebration of the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ at Easter: the holiest time of the Christian year, for which we make our hearts ready through prayer, fasting and works of charity. We will renew, once more, the promises of our baptism and publicly profess our faith together. As you can see, on Wednesday, we will have the blessing and imposition of the ashes at mass to be celebrated at 7:30 am, the usual 12:15 pm, and then at 7:30 pm, at which the choir will sing the Mass of San Lorenzo, which will then be used on each of the Sundays throughout Lent.
Each Friday evening, Stations of the Cross will take place at 7 p.m., and will be led by individuals or groups from the parish), beginning on the 20th of February, followed by Eucharist Adoration, which will conclude with Benediction and Night Prayer of the Church (Compline). Also, I will offer an extra Mass each Thursday morning at 7:30 a.m., during Lent; a quiet and reflective moment for those who wish to come along before heading off to school or to work.
On Saturday, March 21st, at 2 p.m., we will have a service of healing and hope during which we will pray for those who are sick, and the sacrament of reconciliation and anointing of the sick will be offered. More details will follow nearer to the time.
Brothers and sisters, I do encourage each one of us to use the Lenten journey well and make the most of the opportunities, both here in the parish and at home, to grow in your relationship with the Lord, through prayer and service to your neighbour. As St Paul reminds us: “Now is the favourable time, this is the day of salvation.” With every good wish and blessing, Fr David +
Welcome Wednesday. 18th February 10 am to 12 noon. We look forward to a talk from David Kluth. He will tell us about his experiences with “The Great Man-made River Project”. All are welcome. Come along for a cuppa & a chat.
A Liturgy Planning Meeting to look specifically at Holy Week and Easter will take place on Thursday 19th February at 7 p.m. in the parish meeting room (former day chapel)
Lead Kindly Light – The Journey in Faith. The next meeting will take place on Wednesday 25th February at 7 p.m., when Fr David will share with the group on the theme of Divine Revelation “The God who speaks”. There is still time to join us, however, we will soon finalise the calendar of meetings for those who wish to commit to this journey.
Hospice fundraising – read all about it! Please see the information sheet at the back of church for details of monies raised during the 150th anniversary year.
Parish prayer book to be launched at the start of Lent and will be available for a donation of £5. All proceeds to Mary’s Meals. www.marysmeals.org.uk
Lenten material at the back of church from CAFOD including information & envelopes for the customary Family Fast Day, scheduled this year for Friday 27th February. Please help yourself to an envelope and prayer card and visit cafod.org.uk/livelent for further resources and information.
Sacred Heart Messenger for this month and next, and My Day by Day for Lent are also available at the back of church, please do take one if you wish to nourish your spiritual formation. Offerings in the box. Many thanks!
World Day of Prayer Service, International, Ecumenical, Women-led, All Are Welcome Friday 6th March 10.30 am, At St John the Baptist Church, Vicarage Lane, Chester CH1 1QX
Photo of the week: Thank you to Anne Rushton for sending in this photo of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour and St Cumin in Morar, near Mallaig on the west coast of Scotland. The church was built and dedicated by the Lovat family in 1889 for the people of the area.

