Parish Newsletter

Liturgical

Genesis 2,7 – 3,7; Psalm 50; Romans 5, 12-19; Matthew 4, 1-11

Saturday 6.00 pm: Rowton Methodists: Deceased Members of the Boulton and Fazey Families
Sunday 9.00 am: St Werburgh’s: Albert Norman (20th Anniversary)
Sunday 10.45 am: St Werburgh’s: Intentions of John Flack
Sunday 12.30 pm: St Werburgh’s: Baptism of Frank Jozef Bargiel
Sunday 6.00 pm: St Werburgh’s: Andrew and Emily Cunniff

Monday 2nd March: Ferial: Leviticus 19, 1-18; Psalm 18; Matthew 25, 31-46
12.15 pm: St Werburgh’s: Betty Nugent (Anniversary)
1.05 pm: University Chapel: University Mass today – all welcome!
2.00 pm: Heswall Methodists: Talk to Afternoon Fellowship

Tuesday 3rd March: Ferial: Isaiah 55, 10-11; Psalm 33; Matthew 6, 7-15
11.00 am: St Werburgh’s: Intentions of Patricia (Walton Hospital)
12.00 noon: Blacon: Funeral Service for Kathleen Jones, late of St James Avenue, Upton
2.30 pm: Christleton Churches Together visit to Foxhill Conference Centre, Frodsham

Wednesday 4th March: Ferial: Jonah 3, 1-10; Psalm 50; Luke 11, 29-32
12.15 pm: St Werburgh’s: Nasser Mazhari (L.D. Teheran)

Thursday 5th March: Ferial: Esther 4, 17; Psalm 137; Matthew 7, 7-12
12.15 pm: St Werburgh’s: Christine Scanlan (1st Anniversary)

Friday 6th March: Ferial: Ezekiel 18, 21-28; Psalm 129; Matthew 5, 20-26
10.30 am: St Mary’s Handbridge: World Day of Prayer Service
11.00 am – 12.00 noon: St Werburgh’s: Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
12.15 pm: St Werburgh’s: Those Lost Aboard the ‘Herald of Free Enterprise’
7.30 pm: St Werburgh’s: Stations of the Cross, followed by Exposition till 9.00 pm

Saturday 7th March: Ferial: Deuteronomy 26, 16-19; Psalm 118; Matthew 5, 43-48
10.00 am: HMP Berwyn, Wrexham: Mass for Prisoners, Staff and Visitors
10.30 am – 12.00 noon: St Werburgh’s: Confessions
6.00 pm: Rowton Methodists: Mae Kay

SUNDAY 8th MARCH: SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT (YEAR A)
Genesis 12, 1-4; Psalm 32; II Timothy 1, 8-10; Matthew 17, 1-9

Saturday 6.00 pm: Rowton Methodists: Mae Kay
Sunday 9.00 am: St Werburgh’s: Trudy Blake (L.D., Limerick)
Sunday 10.45 am: St Werburgh’s: Trudie Sinnott (L.D.)
Sunday 12.30 pm: St Werburgh’s: Baptism of Louie Maurice Higginbotham
Sunday 6.00 pm: St Werburgh’s: Denis Hickey (Birthday Remembrance)

Prayer Intentions

Your prayers are asked for the following who are sick: Kerry Woodbury, Tina Johnson, Laura Chadwick, Elisabeth, Stuart Clark, Keith Hayes, Sheila Winder, James Catterson, Joe and Ruth O’Kane, Henri Diacono, James Donovan, Garth Stocking and Kevin Maguire; and for all the sick of the Parish; and for those who have died recently, especially Kathleen Jones, Anne Moore and Kevin Smyth; and for those whose anniversaries occur about this time: Kenneth Warburton, Annie Connolly, Michael Snee, Elizabeth Tierney, John Thomson, Mary Ivory, Mary Pink, Mary Smythe, John Doolan, Margaret Rees. Margaret Everett, Mary Gough, Jean Dean, Albert Thomas, Tom Boulton, Kasimierz Dabrowski, John Burns, Leonard Whittle, Mary Evans, Maurice Murphy, Cyril McLoughlin, Reginald Sweeney, John Beatty and Cathy Taylor. RIP.

Parish events

Bishop Mark: Statement on Coronavirus

Full letter on notice board. The key paragraph: “At this point, I am not setting out directives toward the containment of potential infection. Some dioceses have already proposed the availability of sanitiser gel. However, I would want to remind you of the discretion that each of you has regarding shaking of hands at the back of church; the distribution of Holy Communion under both kinds; and the exchange of the Sign of Peace. If anxiety within your community requires you to take local action regarding these optional practices within or without the celebration of the Liturgy, then please be assured of my support and understanding. Bishop Mark.”

Access to the Organ Loft: Scaffolding Tower

Excellent meeting on Tuesday morning, the “temporary scaffolding” in place for all the key players to inspect and discuss. Full Minutes of the Meeting on the noticeboard. Building a permanent safe access could cost in the region of £70,000. Hiring scaffolding two or three times a year costs about £850 each time. No decisions yet, but you can see the way it’s going? We’ve placed white tape over the loft door, so you can all see what we’re talking about.

Welsh Railways Trip: Filling Up Fast!

Wednesday 6th May 2020: 31 of the 48 places have already been booked. So, if you were one of our “Expressions of Interest” Priority Booking people, get your form and cheque in asap. After 22nd March, it’s opened up to the whole Parish.

Thy Kingdom Come: Ascension to Pentecost

Geoff and Barl came to the meeting with me on Tuesday, and we were all enthused by what we heard. Full report next week.

Churches Together in Christleton Lent 2020

• 3rd March: Foxhill Conference Centre, Frodsham
• 10th March: Quiet Garden, Frodsham (20 max)
• 17th March: Sisters of Jesus Way West Kirby (20)
• 24th March: Gladstone’s Library, Hawarden
• 31st March: Franciscans at Pantasaph.

Please note there are limited numbers at two venues. If you are definitely planning to attend, please email Judith on judith@edwards5.co.uk

Our Mission Together Minor Works List

Lectionaries now at the Binders, reupholstered Dining Room Chairs on display, now for the Day Chapel next weekend…

Haydn’s Creation – Next Saturday, 7.30 pm

Chester Bach Singers present this glorious work here. One not to be missed, a choir of forty and an orchestra of thirty. Anyone like to help me with refreshments in the interval?

CathSoc Tonight

Stoodies v. Wrinklies Quiz!

Pastoral Letter from the Bishop Today

World Day of Prayer

Annual Service at St Mary’s Handbridge on Friday 6th March at 10.30 am. Service prepared this year by the Women of Zimbabwe. All welcome.

 

Mental Health Group Postponed to Tuesday 3rd

Monday 2nd is Chester Parishes Together at St Theresa’s, 7.00, so may we please go back a night? We’re going to have another of our very popular and fascinating Poetry Nights, so do bring along anything you’ve written or would like to share. For the Chester Parishes Meeting on Monday, we’ve produced a Deanery Leaflet with what’s going on for Lent in all the Deanery Parishes. Please take a copy.

Saturday 21st March - Singing the Word!

10.00 am to 3.00 pm to join the Liturgy Commission at Saint John Plessington Catholic College on the Wirral. Places are £5 payable on the day to help cover costs. (Half a dozen Werbies Choir are going if anyone else would like to join them?)

Holy Week Ministers Rota – Calling Volunteers!

Out today. Please sign up for these vital ministries.

First Holy Communion Meetings for March

• Tuesday 10th March at 6.30 pm in the Parish House: a meeting for the Parish Group and their parents. Children will need their new Preparation Books and pencil cases.
• Monday 16th March at 7.00 pm in the Primary School: a meeting for all FHC parents. Please let us know your child’s FHC date, if you haven’t done so.
• Monday 23rd March at 6.30 pm in St Werburgh’s Church: Commentary Mass for FHC children and their families.

CAFOD Lent Fast Day Envelopes: Back of Church

Forthcoming SVP Events

SVP Teas at the Catholic High School will be hosted by the students on Wednesday, 11th March at
2.30 pm. Transport provided. For further info, contact Stephen Perry on 07775-781-204.
The SVP Holiday Home in Talacre Beach, North Wales is available without charge to any local individual, couple or family that would otherwise not be able to enjoy a holiday. Other dates may also be possible on special request. A leaflet containing more details can be obtained from the SVP stand at the back of church. If interested contact Stephen or email svpchester@gmail.com

The Raven Folk Club Presents…

“Dance in the Face of Extinction – a Climate Emergency Ceilidh” with “A Band on Ship” and caller. St Columba’s Church Hall, Saturday 7th March. Cash bar and raffle. Adults £10, Children 8+ welcome £5 includes a light vegan supper. Tickets going fast from www.wegottickets.com.

Year of the Word Diocesan Spring Talks

Talk Three: Miss Barbara Davies: The Language we use to speak of God. Wednesday 4th March,
Our Lady’s Ellesmere Port

Stations of the Cross During Lent: Fridays, 7.30

• 6th March: Gerry
• 13th March: Syd
• 20th March: Pat
• 27th March: Denise
• 3rd April: Christine.

Christian Aid Lenten Lunches at the Quakers

St Werburgh’s is hosting on Monday 2nd March.

Photo of the Week: Mission Church PNG

Papua New Guinea, the other side of the earth. Thanks for sending it in, Bill!