Dear brothers and sisters, St Paul’s words of encouragement to the first communities of Christians are addressed to us as brothers and sisters who wish to live as authentic disciples of the Lord in the world today, that in our minds we be the same as Christ Jesus, who in obedience to the Father, lived his life among men in humility, service and selfless giving, free of ambition and conceit, an example for all and the hallmarks of a genuine Christian community. Jesus shows us how to be coherent in word and in deed and how to “walk the talk”, as we hear it said today. And as we look towards an important Franciscan milestone next weekend, 800 years since the death of il poverello, the poor man of Assisi, we recall his words to his own disciples, “preach at all times, use words when necessary!” May the Lord bless us as we seek to follow the example of Christ and the saints. Fr David +

Dig deep for the SVP! As mentioned last Sunday, during the announcements at the end of Mass, this weekend you will find a selection of high-quality gardening products, including warm waterproof gloves, kneeling cushions, sculptures and other accessories. These can be taken in exchange for a contribution to the St Vincent de Paul Society (SVP), which will help towards the charitable work the conference does across the parish. Thank you for your support.

Today at 3pm, Prayer Service and Annual Benediction in honour of St Therese of Lisieux at the Carmelite Monastery, 12 Grosvenor Place, Birkenhead, CH43 1UA.

The Repository is now open at all Sunday morning Masses. From Sunday October 11^th there will be a selection of Christmas cards and other gifts for sale.

Free Holiday Home Week at Talacre SVP St Werburgh still has one last week available at the Holiday Home in Talacre from 31^st October to 7^th November 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.

Welcome Wednesday will take place at the back of the church from 10 am to 12 noon on Wednesday 30^th October. All are welcome to join us for chat, tea/coffee and biscuits.

Chester Music and Theatre Company - presents Stephen Sondheim's Follies Performances at 7.30 p.m. in Chester Town Hall on 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd October, with a matinee at 2 pm on Saturday, 3^rd October. Tickets cost £20 are available from ticketsource.com/chestermtc For further information, please see the poster in the porch or visit www.chestermtc.org

Feast of St Francis of Assisi and Jubilee Celebrations, 3-4 October 2026 Everyone is warmly invited to join the Capuchin Friars at St Francis Church, Chester, as we celebrate the 800^th anniversary of the death of St Francis during the special Jubilee Year proclaimed by Pope Leo XIV. On Saturday 3^rd October, there will be a special musical performance, The Life of St Francis, at 5 pm, followed by the Transitus and Solemn Vespers at 6 pm, with refreshments in the Parish Hall at 7 pm. On Sunday 4^th October, Bishop Mark Davies will celebrate Solemn Mass at 10 am. Polish Mass at 5 pm. Please note: Due to the Transitus celebrations, there will be no 6:30 pm Vigil Mass at St Francis Church on Saturday 3^rd October.

Fire Drill There will be a practice fire drill at the end of all three Masses, in church, on Sunday 4th October. There will be a briefing for the congregation before Mass starts followed by a practice evacuation of the church at the end of Mass. Please listen carefully to the briefing and then follow the instructions of the Fire Safety Marshals as the church is emptied swiftly and safely.

Shrewsbury Diocesan Lourdes Pilgrimage Reunion. Participants in the recent Shrewsbury Diocesan Pilgrimages are invited to a reunion on Saturday 10th October at St Columba's Church, Plas Newton Lane, Chester CH2 1SA. The reunion will start with Mass at 2:00 pm followed by refreshments in the church hall. All former pilgrims are welcome.

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. For information regarding road closures, please visit https://bit.ly/CMRoadClosures

Pause For Hope – An ecumenical service for anyone in anyway affected by cancer. Sunday 18th October at 3:30 pm in Saint Michael & All Angels church, New Hey road, Woodchurch. https://www.pauseforhope.org.uk

Calling all extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion (EMHC), as per the announcement made at the end of the Eucharistic Catechesis, we will host a meeting on Wednesday 28^th October at 6:30 pm, in church, for all current and future special ministers to consider various practical aspects of the role.

An autumn social evening of wine, charcuterie and song is being organized for St Werburgh’s parishioners at Hotel Indigo (The Forge) on Wednesday 4^th November 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.

Getting married in 2027? Why not prepare for the big day at a residential Marriage Preparation course, which 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/

'Jesus Christ Superstar' We are organising a parish trip to see "Jesus Christ Superstar" at the Palace Theatre, Manchester on Tuesday 16th February 2027 at 7:30 pm, starring the well-known "Eurovision" star Sam Ryder with tickets selling quickly! The cost will be £90 per person. If you would like to join us on the trip, please sign the form at the back of the church by Monday 21^st September. We have 40 places which will go on a first come first served basis. If you would like more detail, please speak to Fr David or Tina Bainbridge.

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.

Please take a copy of Day by Day for October leave your contribution in the black box.

Photo of the week: Thank you to Lucy Stern for sending in this photo of her parents, Ann and Alan Sharp, on their wedding day, the 28^th September 1966. Renewed congratulations to you both from the parish community.