Dear friends, we offer our warmest congratulations to those received into the Church last weekend and we very much look forward to Olivia and Taylor being able to join us this Sunday in Eucharistic Communion. It’s at once deeply humbling and very encouraging to welcome these new members into the parish and we will soon be publishing dates for further meetings so that they, and anyone else who might be interested, can continue to grow in the faith, which we all profess and strive, by God’s grace, to live by. Ongoing formation in the faith is essential for us to be able to articulate it with clarity, respect and conviction: in a word “to give reasons for the hope which is within us” (cf. 1 Pet 3:15). One of the consequences of our growing in faith is our commitment to the principles of Catholic Social Teaching to which our Holy Father Pope Leo XIV has added a significant contribution to the teaching left by his predecessors, with the publication of his first Encyclical Letter Magnifica Humanitas to which our Bishop refers in his pastoral letter which will be read at each of the Masses over the weekend, and both texts will be soon made available on the parish website.

In our ongoing attempts to keep the sacristy and window ledges clutter-free, I would encourage you make use of the pigeonholes in the working sacristy for correspondence, DBS forms, expenses claims and the likes. The spaces are labelled. Moreover, with a view to the proposed works to renovate the meeting room, (formerly known as the day chapel), we will soon need to clear out some space and will be appealing for volunteers to help with that. Please watch this space!

Some weeks ago after a talk I gave in church, at Welcome Wednesday, my portable speaker (Soundcore) disappeared. Perhaps someone put it to one side or else it made its way to a new home… I am grateful for any updates before replacing it.

With all good wishes as we celebrate God who reveals himself to us as the eternal communion of living and lifegiving love: Father, Son and Holy Spirit; a mystery, not to try and get our head around, but rather for us “to dive into” through regular prayer and adoration and allow our hearts to rest in his love in whose image we were made and where our greatest joy is to be found. With a blessing, Fr David +

To mark the 175th Anniversary of the Diocese of Shrewsbury, a new website has been launched. The renewed website is not merely a platform for information but offers a window on the life and witness of our Shrewsbury Diocese. The website can be accessed by clicking on: https://www.dioceseofshrewsbury.org/

Parish Database To support Parish Governance and Health & Safety (H&S), we plan to create a database of Parish volunteers, which will include name, role, and contact details. It will also track any H&S training, etc, delivered by the Parish. Please can leaders of parish groups submit a list of volunteers in such groups to the Parish office (admin@stwerbughchester.co.uk). If individuals do not want their information stored in this way, please let us know.

Welcome Wednesday regulars and others thoroughly enjoyed the talk that Gerry Tighe gave to them on Wednesday about the Grosvenor Family’s long association with Chester. As well as being fascinating and entertaining it was extremely informative and once again, we wish to thank Gerry. All are welcome this coming Wednesday, June 3, to join us for chat, dominoes, board games and tea/coffee from 10 a.m.

St Werburgh’s Young Adults Prayer Group on First Friday, June 5th, from 6:30 pm onwards in the meeting room. Whether you’re a student, a young professional, or a couple starting out, this is a space for anyone aged 18+ to feel welcome. We will have a time of praise and worship, sharing and nibbles followed by a game night at the Storyhouse for those of you interested to join!

First Holy Communion News - Next Sunday, 7th June, we will be welcoming our First Holy Communion children to 10:45 am Mass. Please remember them and their families in your prayers, meanwhile, applications are now being accepted for children wishing to join next year's First Holy Communion Group. If your child is in year three or above in September and not attending St Werburgh's and St. Columba's Catholic Primary School, please contact Fr David at parishpriest@stwerburghchester.co.uk and Louise Robertshaw at robertshaw499@btinternet.com before 1^st September.

Road Closures Please be aware of the Chester Triathlon on Sunday 7^th June. Parishioners may need to allow extra time for any journey or arrange alternative methods of transport. Grosvenor Park Rd and Union St will be closed between 6 am and 1 pm. https://bit.ly/ChesterTriathlonRoadClosures

Wheelchair access to the church. Please remember, when parking in front of the Church, to allow access to the wheelchair ramp.

June editions of ‘My Day by Day’ (daily readings) and ‘the Sacred Heart Messenger’ (interesting articles) are now available. Please put your offering in the box towards the back of church.

Reminder for the Sacrament of Confirmation – If you are high school age, or older, and wish to prepare to be Confirmed at the next Chester Parishes celebration of Confirmation, on 11 November ’26, for young people – parents please register by emailing stcolumbatheresaconfirmation@hotmail.co.uk Please include your child’s date of birth and school year. The Confirmation preparation information meeting for youth candidates and their parents will be on Monday 8th June, starting 7:00 pm, in St. Columba’s church. If you are not sure about being Confirmed on 11th November '26, you are welcome to go along and find out more about the preparation.

Heart to Heart women's retreat, 19 - 22 June 2026 - A three-day retreat for women (whether single, married or religious), based on principles of Ignatian spirituality. Guided by Fr Bernard Murphy, CFR and Franciscan Sisters of the Renewal, the retreat will seek to draw participants closer to the Lord through a greater attentiveness to His will. https://christianheritagecentre.com/events/heart-to-heart-retreat/

Welcomers for Sunday Mass – If you would like to volunteer as a welcomer, please contact Pat Floate, or email admin@stwerburghchester.co.uk

Photo of the week: Thank you to Stephen Tierney for sending in this photo of a shrine to Carlo Acutis in his parish church, Santa Maria Segreta, near Conciliazione, in Milan. This photo was taken on the day of his canonisation (8^th September 2025). During the day, a steady stream of people came through the door and, without exception, made a beeline for this side altar.