Dear brothers and sisters, we have now reached the most important week of the Christian year, as we prepare to commemorate the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Jesus. Please do make time to reflect prayerfully on this mystery, which is at the heart of our faith, and come along, where possible, to participate in the liturgies of Holy Week to consider that love of which we sing “so amazing, so divine”, and which gently calls each one of us from death to life. In the words of the great Swiss theologian, Hans Urs von Balthasar, “when life is hard and apparently hopeless, we can be confident that this darkness of ours can be taken up into the darkness of redemption through which the light of Easter dawns. And when what is required of us seems too burdensome, when the pains become unbearable and the fate we are asked to accept seems simply meaningless – then we have come very close to the man nailed on the Cross at the place of the Skull, for he has already undergone this on our behalf”. This same Jesus is alive, and he opens for us the path to new life and the fulness of joy in God’s presence. May his mystery continue to inspire us, orient our lives and fill us with renewed hope, as we proclaim our faith in him, and in his victory over sin and death, conscious that we do so along with millions of others throughout the world this Easter. And so, as we gather to worship, we make the words of the Apostle Thomas our very own: “My Lord and my God!” May the joy of Easter fill your heart and radiate in your home! United in the love of our crucified and risen Saviour, may God bless you all. Fr David +

Caritas Christmas Appeal – Thank you to all who donated. A total of £783.75 was raised. Your kindness and generosity will help Caritas to continue supporting those across the Diocese who are facing real hardship.

Planned Giving/Gift Aid - If you pay income tax, joining the Gift Aid scheme increases the value of your donations to the Parish by 25% at no extra cost to you. If you no longer pay income tax, have changed your home address in the last 2 years, wish to join the Gift Aid Scheme, or simply update your planned giving/gift aid, please contact Denise Jones via the parish office admin@stwerburghchester.co.uk by 5^th April.

Welcome Wednesday rounded things off this term with a talk from Fr David about Colombia where he had lived for three years before coming to Chester. Our sincere thanks to him for sharing his knowledge and artefacts in such an entertaining way. See you all on 8^th April for more coffee, chat and friendship.

New Tax Year Weekly Offertory Envelopes. The 2026/27 envelopes are available at the back of church. They start from the first Sunday in the new tax year which will be Sunday 12th April. If you use envelopes, please help by collecting yours as soon as possible. Thank you.

There is still the possibility to donate clothes, backpacks, pillows, blankets, pans, tents, sleeping bags etc., to the Ellesmere Port charity Refugee Assist. Please contact SVP: svpchester@gmail.com or 07778 392816

Marriage & Family Life Ministry (MFL) Retreat Day 18^th April 9:30 am to 4:00 pm. Please see the flyers at the back of church for details of this Retreat Day. For more information and to register please email: monika.golembiewska@dioceseofshrewsbury.org

“Come and Sing Messiah” April 18^th, All Saints Church, Hoole, Chester, CH2 3HZ. Registration 10:00 am, Rehearsals 11:30 am. Performance at 7:00 pm. See https://www.deogratiaschoir.com/blank-5 for details

The Shrewsbury Lourdes Hospitality Focus Group 21st April, at 7:00 pm will meet St Columba’s, Plas Newton Lane, CH2 1PL: open to all members (new and old). Fr Sean Henry, Chaplain to the Hospitality, will join us. If you wish to attend, please email Clare Marchmont at secretary@teamshrewsbury.co.uk

Encountering Jesus in the Gospels. The Jesuit Institute is running a short online formation course building the skills and confidence needed to hold and guide groups of those who wish to deepen their relationship with Jesus, in conversation with others, through reflectively praying with gospel texts. Time: Tuesday evenings 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm. Dates: April 21^st, 28^th, May 5^th, 12^th, 19^th, 26^th, June 9^th. For details please see https://jesuitinstitute.org/events

The Bishop will celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation on 11th November next at St Columba’s Church. The program for parishioners from all parishes will be led by St Columba and St Theresa’s Confirmation preparation team. Anyone currently at high school, or older is encouraged to prepare. Pleae email stcolumbatheresaconfirmation@hotmail.co.uk if you are interested. More information will follow concerning the program, dates etc.

Photo of the week: Thank you to Geoff Taylor for his photo of the Lutheran Cathedral in Alta, Norway, known as “The Northern Lights Cathedral”.