Dear friends, in the frenetic, goal-driven world in which we live, with its increasing demands, one-click buying, deadlines looming et cætera, the call of our Lord in the Gospel we hear this Sunday is so timely! He calls us to shoulder his yoke and to learn from Him, and there to find rest for our souls, close to his gentle heart; but we need to make time to do so. We are called to accept humbly the human condition which is ours and which our Blessed Lord made his own, with its limitations and needs. As the school year winds down, and many are fortunate to take some time out, with maybe even some holiday time away from their usual activities, we would do well to consider that we are called to live our life, as St Paul tells us, “according to the Spirit” and spend a little (more) time in prayerful contemplation, perhaps on a quiet walk in the park, or by the sea, or a few moments in silent prayer in the presence of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, “dear home for every heart, where restless yearnings cease, and sorrows all depart” and in our prayer to stop and let go. To let go of the phone and be still. To let go of the burdens and let God… and dare to silence the all-too-familiar noisiness that fills our days and seek and strive for that peace for which our hearts were made. May God bless us all that we may grow in his love. Fr David +

Altar Serving at St Werburgh’s Church. A number of Senior Servers are moving on for very good reasons in the coming months. Accordingly we shall be recruiting some potential new members, particularly for the 10.45 am and 6.00 pm evening Masses. Applicants must be keen and enthusiastic and prepared to serve on a regular basis. The minimum requirement is to have received First Holy Communion, but it will be great to hear from girls and boys, and youngsters currently at secondary school or college! Want to know more? Contact Gerry on 01244 319353 and come along to a “Getting to Know Us” 30 minutes on Monday 13^th July at 4.00 pm in the church.

CAFOD-Disaster Emergency Committee Venezuela Earthquake Appeal Please help our neighbours affected by the earthquakes in Venezuela with emergency shelter, water and food. CAFOD is working with local Church partners to support people who have lost their homes, but we need your support to help more survivors. Your donation will provide essential supplies and help families rebuild their lives. To donate visit: https://cafod.org.uk/Venezuela or call 0300 999 0030

Welcome Wednesday looks forward this Wednesday 8^th July to a talk from Dr Helen Monk who specialises in lifestyle medicine. Do come and join us for tea/coffee/chat in the meeting room at 10 am. Dr Helen’s talk will start at 10:45 am and be in either the church or the meeting room. There will be time for questions at the end. We will finish at 12 noon.

“Lead, kindly light... Lead, Thou me on.” For those received into full communion with the Church at the end of May, you are invited to a meeting for the second in the series of mystagogical catecheses on Wednesday 8 July at 7pm as we consider the Creed, our profession of faith.

Shrewsbury Lourdes Hospitality will be holding a Predeparture Mass and meeting on Saturday 11th July at St Columba's Church, Plas Newton Lane, Chester CH2 1SA. We will join the Youth Section at 12 noon for Mass, followed by a meeting at 1.30 pm . Please bring a packed lunch. All members of the Hospitality will be welcome.

The repository will close after morning Masses on Sunday 12^th July and reopen on Sunday 13^th September.

First Sacraments news: there will be a short meeting on Thursday 16th July at 6 pm at St Werburgh’s and St Columba’s primary school on Lightfoot St., for parents of year 3 pupils who attend the parish primary school and who would like their child to prepare to receive First Sacraments next year. Parents with children in years 4-6 are also welcome if, for whatever reason, their child has not yet received the sacraments. Parents of children not attending the parish primary school, should contact Fr David parishpriest@stwerburghchester.co.uk and Louise Robertshaw at robertshaw499@btinternet.com before 1^st September for information regarding enrolment etc.

The Chester & Ellesmere Port District of the SVP invites you to an evening of music at the Catholic High School on Friday, July 10^th 7:30 pm. Tickets are £12 and proceeds will support the holiday home in Talacre (as per SVP presentation last weekend). Do come along and bring/tell your friends. svpchester@gmail.com or 07778 392816 or see a member of the SVP after Mass.

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 everyone! Book a place here https://www.webelievefestival.com/

St Werburgh’s Young Adults’ Prayer Group – invites you to join them on a summer walk/hike to Moel Famau on Saturday, August 1^st If interested, please contact Nithin Kuncheria & Diya Denny: +44 7587891623 / munnapalakunnel@gmail.com / diyadenny123@gmail.com For details visit: https://forms.gle/gVyjWao4QkPUUGo1A

Annual Pilgrimage of Reparation and Prayer for the Sanctity of Life - Saturday 1^st August. All are welcome to join us at the Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham. This pilgrimage aims to be a reparation for abortion, with prayers to commend to God the souls of aborted children, but also to pray for all mothers and fathers facing this decision. The pilgrimage begins with Mass and the Angelus in the chapel at 12 noon. The remaining outline of the day includes Eucharistic Adoration, Stations of the Cross, and other prayers. For details: https://prolifepilgrimage.org/ If you cannot join in person, please join the pilgrims in prayer.

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/

Catholic holidays in the Lake District August/September. Castlerigg Manor in Keswick is opening its doors to families, groups of friends, or private individuals who are looking for an affordable stay in the Lake District. Breakfast and evening meal are provided, and Mass is celebrated on site. They are also offering a quiet retreat for adults during October half term. For more information: https://castleriggmanor.com/events / director@castleriggmanor.co.uk or 017687 72711

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.

Marriage in a rut? Or need help with deeper issues? Retrouvaille has helped thousands of couples find hope and healing in their marriage. Next dates: 2^nd - 4^th Oct. www.retrouvaille.org.uk/info Tel: 0788 7296983

Foodbank donations: Please remember to donate, especially during school holidays when families might be struggling.

Photo of the week: Thank you to Mary Birchall for sending in a class photo from St Werburgh’s School, taken in the 1920s.