Dear brothers and sisters, Sunday by Sunday, in the Gospel, Jesus comes to challenge us to consider reality from a different perspective. In the parable we hear today, what at first sight seems to be a certain injustice, from the human point of view (paying the last as much as the first), in reality reveals the lavish generosity of God. Whether it be the beloved disciple who has spent hours in the company of Jesus or the repentant thief who turns to him for mercy at the hour of death, salvation is sheer gift. “What do you have that you have not received?”, St Paul asks the Corinthians. The question is fundamental, since the ability to hear and answer the call to go into the vineyard, in the first place, is itself a gift, and to work there is a grace. Our life, and every breath we take is a gift from God, as too is our faith. Let’s not take such gifts for granted, my dear friends, but rather labour generously in love for God’s glory and the good of souls. May God bless you all, Fr David +

The Repository will be open from this Sunday for the purchase of Christmas cards and other gifts.

National Retreat Week (19-26 September) - A series of 8 free events in Chester will offer opportunities for reflection through prayer, conversation, the arts and more. Please see the poster in the porch & the Retreat House website: www.retreathouse.uk

We record our thanks to the members of the parish history group for preparing the informative display boards and to others who volunteered as stewards during Heritage Week to keep the church open each afternoon to welcome and help visitors unpack the parish’s history. The history group will hold its usual monthly meeting on Wednesday the 23^rd of September in the presbytery from 6 -7 p.m.

Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) a reminder of the enquiry evening to take place this coming Wednesday, September 23^rd at 7 pm, in church, for anybody wanting to know more about the faith. Please do let any family members or friends know whom you think such a journey might interest. Please contact Fr David for further details.

Welcome Wednesday offers sincere thanks to Marie Cunniff for a very interesting talk and beautiful floral arrangements. Do join us at the back of the church this coming Wednesday at 10 am for sharing, chat, dominoes and coffee/tea and biscuits. A list of Macmillan raffle prize winners is available in the porch. One prize still unclaimed: Anita - ticket 221-225.

The Carers Group looks forward to getting together on Thursday 24^th at 10.45 am for a special time of prayer and a sharing of experiences over a cup of coffee. This month, due to the ongoing work in the meeting room, the group will gather in the presbytery dining room. All welcome. For further details email: rich_lyn@hotmail.co.uk

Parishioner and talented violinist Philip Chidell will be performing with his orchestra at Chester Town Hall, on Thursday 24^th September (2:30 pm and 7:00 pm) playing a selection of light classical music, with special guest appearances. For tickets to what promises to be a wonderful concert, please visit: www.PhilipChidell.com

The Annual Benediction in honour of St Therese of Lisieux to be held at the Carmelite Monastery, 12 Grosvenor Place, Birkenhead, CH43 1UA on Sunday 27^th September at 3:00 pm. All are welcome to attend what will be a beautiful prayer service in honour of a much-loved Saint.

Free Holiday Home Week at Talacre SVP St Werburgh still has one last week available at the Holiday Home in Talacre from 31.10 to 07.11. If you know someone who could benefit from a week’s holiday, or if you would like to apply for this opportunity yourself, please speak to Fr David or contact Marco at svpchester@gmail.com

“Come and visit our school!” St Werburgh’s and St Columba’s Catholic Primary School Families considering a school place for September 2027 are warmly invited to visit us and discover what makes our school such a welcoming and special place to learn. Each open day will include a tour of the school with our headteacher, giving prospective parents and carers an opportunity to see the school in action, meet members of our community and ask any questions they may have. The open days are scheduled for the following dates in 2026: Wed. 30 Sept. at 1.30 pm, Wed. 7 Oct. at 9.30 am, Tue. 20 Oct. at 9.30 am, Wed. 4 Nov. at 1.30 pm, Wed. 11 Nov. at 9.30 am, and Wed. 2 Dec. at 9.30 am. For further information or to reserve your place please contact the school office by emailing office@lovelearnlaugh.org.uk or calling 01244 478968.

Chester Music and Theatre Company - formerly Chester Operatic Society - presents Stephen Sondheim's Follies, in which a group of former showgirls reunite for one last party in their theatre, before it is demolished. Performances at 7.30 p.m. in Chester Town Hall on 1st, 2nd and 3rd October, with a matinee at 2 p.m. on Saturday, 3rd October. Tickets cost £20 and are available from https://ticketsource.com/chestermtc or from the Chester Visitor Information Centre or by telephoning 01244 675431. For further information, please see the poster in the porch or visit www.chestermtc.org

Run for your money: Rowton regular and reader, Anne Rushton will be running the Chester Metric Marathon with Lina Salim, on October 11^th. Donations for the Hospice of the Good Shepherd, as sponsorship, can be made via the parish (an envelope clearly marked on Sunday or left at the presbytery) and will be forwarded after the completion of the race.

Getting married in 2027? Why not prepare for the big day at a residential Marriage Preparation course will run 8-10 January 2027, offering engaged couples a theological and spiritual reflection on the Sacrament of Matrimony. Structured around foundational, Scriptural texts, inspired by St John Paul II’s Catechesis on Human Love. See https://christianheritagecentre.com/events/marriage-preparation/

A social evening of wine, charcuterie and song is being organized for St Werburgh’s parishioners at Hotel Indigo (The Forge) on Wednesday 28^th October from 7 to 9:30 pm. Tickets will cost £30 per person, based on at least 40 participants, and will be available from next Sunday after Mass. Numbers will be finalised mid-October.

Jesus Christ Superstar Palace Theatre Manchester:  On Tuesday 16^th February 2027, we have 40 places on hold, and the outing will include coach transport from Chester to the venue and back. Full costs will follow in next week’s newsletter and we will begin collecting names for those who wish to go along.

CAFOD Family Fast Day Appeal this Harvest. You may wish to consider supporting this appeal. Your gift could, among other things, support children in Zimbabwe to stay in school by helping communities and schools provide nourishing meals, improve access to water and grow food in school gardens. Use the CAFOD envelope in church, donate online at https://cafod.org.uk/envelope or call 0303 303 3030.

CAFOD LiveSimply Award The Catholic High School is delighted to share that it has signed up for the CAFOD LiveSimply Award. Over the coming year, students, staff, and families will work together to live simply, sustainably, and in solidarity with those in need. The school community looks forward to sharing its plans and will invite your support with various initiatives along the way. Thank you for helping us make a positive difference in the school, local community, and wider world. 

Please take a copy of Day by Day for September, if you have not done so already and leave your contribution in the black box.

Photo of the week: Thank you to Francesca Owen for this photo of St Peter's Catholic Parish, the oldest in New York City. The cornerstone of the first parish church was laid on October 5, 1785. The present church, on the same site, was built in 1836.