Parish Newsletter

Liturgical

Acts 4, 8-12; Psalm 117; I John 3, 1-2; John 10, 11-18

Saturday 6.00 pm: Rowton Methodists: Brian Haslam

Sunday 9.00 am: St Werburgh’s: Rachel and Family (Nottingham)

Sunday 10.45 am: St Werburgh’s: Maureen McLaughlin (L.D., Derry)

Sunday 12.30 pm: St Werburgh’s: Baptism of Reuben Jeffrey Remos Parry

Sunday 6.00 pm: St Werburgh’s: Gerry Cummins (10^th Anniversary)

 

Monday 22^nd April: Ferial: Acts 11, 1-18; Psalm 41; John 10, 1-10

12.00 Noon: St Werburgh’s: Requiem Mass for Ellen Borthwick, late of Richmond Crescent

1.10 pm: University Chapel: Weekly University Mass – All Welcome

 

Tuesday 23^rd April: St George of England: Apocalypse 12, 10-12; Psalm 125; John 15, 18-21

12.15 pm: St Werburgh’s: Gerry Cummins (10^th Anniversary)

 

Wednesday 24^th April: Ferial: Acts 11, 19-26; Psalm 86; John 10, 22-30

12.15 pm: St Werburgh’s: Peter McCabe

 

Thursday 25^th April: St Mark, Evangelist: I Peter 5, 5-14; Psalm 88; Mark 16, 15-20

12.15 pm: St Werburgh’s: Wendy Jones (Birthday Remembrance)

 

Friday 26^th April: Ferial: Acts 13, 26-33; Psalm 2; John 14, 1-6

9.00 am: St Werburgh’s: Richard Spencer (Anniversary)

12.30 pm: St Werburgh’s: Wedding Service for Emily Wszolek and Sam Needham

 

Saturday 27^th April: Ferial: Acts 13, 44-52; Psalm 97; John 14, 7-14

10.00 am: HMP Berwyn: Mass for Prisoners, Staff and Visitors

10.30 am – 12.00 noon: St Werburgh’s: Confessions

1.00 pm: Nuptial Mass for Daniel Oti and Roseline Elendu

6.00 pm: Rowton Methodists: Mary Fazey (Birthday Remembrance)

 

SUNDAY 28^th APRIL 2024: FIFTH SUNDAY OF EASTER (YEAR B)

Acts 9, 26-31; Psalm 21; I John 3, 18-24; John 15, 1-8

Saturday 6.00 pm: Rowton Methodists: Mary Fazey (Birthday Remembrance)

Sunday 9.00 am: St Werburgh’s: Pat Maguire (30^th Anniversary)

Sunday 10.45 am: St Werburgh’s: Lorna Harris (Anniversary)

Sunday 12.30 pm: St Werburgh’s: Baptism of Olivia Louisa Coulthard

Sunday 6.00 pm: St Werburgh’s: Veronica Reynolds

 

Prayer Intentions

Your prayers are asked for the following who are sick: Wendy O’Brien, Jimmy McCahy, Kath Stanton, Brian Boardman Jnr, Bill Hackett, Laura Chadwick, Stuart Clark, Ruth O’Kane and Kevin Maguire and for all the sick of the Parish; and for those who have died recently, especially Ellen Borthwick and Fred Crossley; and for all those whose anniversaries occur about this time: John Flaherty, Mary Barrett, Roy Davies, Raymond Egan, Gazala Thweney, John Davies, Steven Pavia, Isabella Hamilton, Frances Frearson, Maureen Edwards, Norman Cross, Katie Dowling, Pat Maguire, John Heffernan, John McAnally, Cath Clisham, Lorna Harris, Nora Rathbone, Patricia Parsonage, Jane Gregory and John McMahon. May They All Rest in Peace.

 

Parish Information and Contacts

Live Streaming Link: www.churchservices.tv/stwerburghchester.

SVP: svpchester@gmail.com     Countess of Chester Chaplaincy: 01244 364543.

St Werburgh’s is part of the Diocese of Shrewsbury: Registered Charity No 234025.

Safeguarding: safeguarding@stwerburghchester.co.uk Liz Aiello: 07813743723 and Chris Proudfoot: 07711495070

Parish events

 

The Old Day Chapel Becomes the New Celia Murphy Room

For some three or four years now we have been discussing how best to bring the old Day Chapel into use, now that it has not for some time been used for Weekday Masses. Great thanks to those parishioners who steered this project in the early days, inviting you all to come and see the space and give us your views on how it should be developed. Out of these discussions emerged the widespread opinion that it should become a multi-purpose Meeting Room, capable of being used independently of the rest of the church and house. It has its own entrance, of course, from the passageway along the side of the church, and would need its own heating, lighting and kitchen facilities. God is good – you don’t believe me, but He is – and just as these discussions were taking shape, we received the fantastic news that our late, wonderful Celia Murphy, who worked tirelessly for this Parish, had left us a very generous Bequest in her will, if we could identify a fitting project. We met with her Executors and family, and after a series of excellent meetings, listening carefully to their wishes and views, they told us they were more than happy to see Celia’s Bequest support this project. We cannot thank them enough and had no hesitation in deciding that it should be called the Celia Murphy Room in her honour. The Diocesan Architect has been working hard on plans, and on Friday we had a morning with the Electrical and Lighting Contractors. Our detailed plans will go to the Historic Churches Committee in September for approval, and if they give it the thumbs up, which we hope they will, work will start! Exciting times!

 

Parish Renewal: Our New Parish Council

Six “Portfolio Members” (Buildings & Maintenance, Finance, Housekeeping & Hospitality, Liturgy, Social and Outreach) and three elected members without specific responsibilities at this stage. We aim to have these proposals to put to you in detail for Pentecost Sunday, followed shortly afterwards by an Open Parish Meeting for you all to give us your reactions and responses. Then, if you agree, Elections and the new Parish Council having its first get-together in July, to meet each other and be ready for our first Business Meeting in September.

 

SVP Spring Mass

All are invited to the SVP Spring Mass, Sunday 5^th May 2.30 pm here in church. If you'd like to attend, please let Madeleine madeleinemorrin@aol.com 

 

St Francis Parish Retreat

All warmly welcome to join the Franciscans for twenty-four hours of continuous prayer and praise, starting 8.00 pm Friday 3^rd May, finishing 10.00 pm Sat 4^th May. Flyers at back of church with details.

 

Coming Up: Repository Pre-Loved Sale

We will be having our popular Sale of pre-loved items on Sunday 12^th May. Donations welcome!

 

Lighting the Paschal Candle

I know I’ve set a rotten example standing on a chair myself to light it, but we really mustn’t! Please take the candle out and light it that way.

 

SVP Second Collection: 11^th / 12^th May

To support the work of the Holiday Home at Talacre.

  

Apologies for References to Donald Trump

Many of you took me to task last week for allowing political references to creep into the last hymn (“Till trump from east to west shall wake the dead”). Thanks to Clare Black for suggesting we restore balance by now singing together “Abiden with me”. She says she thought of it during the sermon.

 

Calling all Gardeners: Come and Join us!

Thursday Afternoons Our amazing team of gardeners would welcome some extra help. Just a one or two hours a week to keep our gardens looking beautiful.  Let FP or the team know if interested.

 

Sunday Mass Welcomers

Please sign up on the new rota at the back of Church.

 

Pentecost Sunday Evening Youth Mass

We’d like to celebrate our diverse Parish on the Feast of Pentecost by asking children with two languages to take part in the prayers of Intercession. All children at the Mass will take part with the offertory procession, singing or playing instruments. 6.00 pm May 18^th. Please put child’s name and parents contact details on the sheet at the back of Church.

 

New Diocesan Director of Schools

Applications are now open. Details of the role and the application process can be found at

https://www.tes.com/jobs/vacancy/director-of-schools-birkenhead-2040730

 

A Year of Encounter

With a UK general election due sometime this year, politicians will be looking for our votes. We have a responsibility as Catholics to make sure that parties commit to tackling issues such as poverty and injustice. Raising our voices and contacting parliamentary candidates as a parish community will send a strong signal to those standing for election in our local constituencies. See cafod.org.uk/encounter for more information, inc online sessions on Thursday 25^th April and Saturday 4^th May to learn more.

 

Wayfarer Productions present “The Beloved Son”

A remarkable new play about the life of Henri Nouwen. Saturday 11^th May at 3.00 pm, Wesley Church Centre. Tickets £10 (under 18’s £5) from Brian Heald (07734 582061, bcheald92@gmail.com), the Wesley Office (323037) or at the door.

 

Bodnant Gardens & Llandudno: Tuesday 25^th June

Booking open for all parishioners. A few places left!

 

Welcome to all our New Parishioners!

We’d like to invite all new Parishioners for coffee and a catch up in the Day Chapel 7.00 pm on Friday April 26^th. Please email to accept the invitation or add your name and contact details to the sign-up sheet at the back of Church. Plus any parishioners who’d like to be “welcomers” and pal up with one of our new friends.  

 

House Masses

Many thanks to Denise Jones for a lovely House Mass last week. Next up is Mary Briody’s in Newton, (lunchtime on Tuesday 14^th May). Sign-up sheets out now, and all welcome.

 

Photo of the Week: The Parish House

An unusual angle, shot by Geoff standing on Jill’s shoulders. Thanks, both!