“Peter and Paul, columns of the Church, by your intercession may our hearts be open to the Spirit and may we be affirmed in the faith”. These words are a rough translation of a hymn from the Byzantine tradition, a troparion, in honour of the Holy Apostles, whom we celebrate this Sunday. We might use these words as a prayer over these coming days, for indeed, the more open we are to the Holy Spirit, the more we will be affirmed in our faith, the faith of the Church; and the greater our faith, the more abundantly Spirit is given to us, for these gifts grow and increase in proportion to one another. At the end of Mass this weekend, a retiring collection will be taken up for Peter’s Pence, where the efforts and financial contributions of Catholics all across the world are used to support the mission of Holy Father, the Successor of St Peter. An option will also be made available on the card reader till the end of July, for those who may wish to help in that way. Grateful, as ever, for your great generosity and for the way in which you live out your own calling in communion with the Church and her Mission.

This Sunday, I wish to thank Spiritan missionary, Fr Hugh, Franciscan friar, Br Jinson, OFM, Cap., and Fr Robert, one of my Diocesan confreres, and parish priest at St Joseph’s, Upton, for offering to help with the celebration of Mass, and, as always, we acknowledge the support that Fr Neill offers to this parish. We are, as previously mentioned, in ordination season, and the presence of my brother priests enables me to attend the ordination and first Mass of Fr Henri. Do please pray for the ordinands, for their families and their communities, and why not, at the same time, ask the Lord of the harvest to send labourers into his vineyard and give us priests after his own Heart?

We continue to hold Fr Neill and his family in our prayers as they prepare for Marlene’s funeral, to be celebrated here on Thursday, July 9 at 12 noon. I would encourage as many of you who are able to come along (please see Fr Neill’s note below). May God bless you and may he keep us always united in his love and service. Fr David+

Fr Neill, Alexander and Miriam welcome parishioners to join them after Marlene’s Requiem Mass, at Vicars Cross Golf Club. If you would like to attend and already know you can make it, please put your name on the list at the back of church to help us gauge numbers and enable us to provide adequately. We would like to thank the many who have sent cards, Mass cards and messages in these days of our very sad loss. Marlene’s suffering is over, May she Rest in Peace and Rise in Glory.

First Holy Communion Group 2026-27. Applications are now being accepted for children from the parish wishing to join. If your child is in year three or above in September and not attending the parish primary school, please contact Fr David at parishpriest@stwerburghchester.co.uk and Louise Robertshaw at robertshaw499@btinternet.com before 1^st September.

Welcome Wednesday enjoyed a first-class talk last week from Brother Loarne, a Franciscan Friar based at the friary in Chester. His talk was inspiring and full of humour as he traced his path from schoolboy to his profession as a Friar and gave us glimpses of the interesting challenges he faced on the way to the variety of work he is now involved in. Welcome Wednesday will meet again on the 1^st July at the usual time of 10:00 am for chat, tea/coffee and dominoes. Everyone is very welcome.

St Werburgh’s & St Columba’s primary school is pleased to invite members of the parish to its Summer Fair on Friday 3rd July from 4 pm to 6 pm at the school on Lightfoot Street. Entrance is £1 per adult, free for children! If any bakers could bake a cake for the fair this would be much appreciated. Please bring to the school office before 3 pm on the day and write a list of all ingredients for allergy reasons! All money raised is used to fund school’s projects. In 2025, this included the new Prayer Garden. Raffle tickets will be on sale between morning Masses this Sunday 28 June.

St Werburgh’s Young Adults’ Prayer Group – invites you to join them Friday, July 3^rd, from 6:30 pm onwards in meeting room, for a relaxed and supportive space to connect, pray, and grow together in faith for those aged 18+. The group is organizing a summer walk/hike to Moel Famau on Saturday, August 1^st The day will start with Holy Mass at 9:00 am, followed by the journey and hike. Why not join for a day of fun, friendship, and faith, with moments of reflection and sharing led by Fr David and other members of the group. Young adults welcome! If interested, please contact Nithin Kuncheria & Diya Denny: +44 7587891623 / munnapalakunnel@gmail.com / diyadenny123@gmail.com For more details please visit: https://forms.gle/gVyjWao4QkPUUGo1A

Elgar’s The Dream of Gerontius, Saturday 4 July 7:30 pm Liverpool Philharmonic Hall. The story of a lonely soul’s journey towards eternity, told in music that’ll break your heart. The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Choir and an unrivalled team of solo singers will bring their own, very personal perspective to this masterpiece of British music. BSL interpretation provided at this performance. Call 0151 709 3789, email ticketing@liverpoolphil.com or visit https://www.liverpoolphil.com/whats-on/classical-music/elgar-the-dream-of-gerontius/9562 to book tickets.

The Chester & Ellesmere Port District of the SVP invites you to an evening of music at the Catholic High School on Friday, July 10 at 7:30pm. Tickets are £12 and proceeds will go to support the holiday home in Talacre (as per SVP presentation last weekend. Do come along and bring/tell your friends. There’s a fully licensed bar to keep you refreshed, as you enjoy some classics courtesy of a Handbag of Harmonies, directed by Matt Baker. See you there for a singalong! Please contact svpchester@gmail.com or 07778 392816 or see a member of the SVP after Mass.

Looking Ahead… dates for your diary! We Believe Festival of Catholic Life. St Mary's College, Oscott, 24-27 July 2026. There will be content for all ages and all stages of the faith journey. Great for families! Great for everyone! Book a place here https://www.webelievefestival.com/

Free Will & Grace, 28 - 31 August 2026: Join us for a theological and philosophical deep dive into one of the great themes of the Christian Faith: human freedom and Divine grace. With lectures and workshops building on St Thomas Aquinas' writings, the course will also explore questions of conscience and the problem of evil. This year's guest speaker will be Rev. Dr Simon Gaine, OP. https://christianheritagecentre.com/events/free-will-grace-course/

Jubilee Year – Pilgrimage Day at St Francis Church, Chester. As part of the Jubilee Year and in preparation for the 800th anniversary of the death of St Francis of Assisi, Franciscan churches have been designated as places of pilgrimage where the faithful may obtain a Plenary Indulgence under the usual conditions. Parishioners from across the Diocese are invited to a special Pilgrimage Day at St Francis Church, Chester, on Thursday 17th September from 10:30 am to 6 pm, for the Feast of the Stigmata of St Francis.

Photo of the week: Thank you to Yana Laszcziw this week for sending in this photo of a golden statue of Our Lady with the Child Jesus, photographed during travels in the South of France in 2023