Parish Newsletter
SUNDAY 29th JANUARY 2023: FOURTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (YEAR A)
Liturgical
- + 2024
-
- 2023
- 31st December
- 24th December
- 17th December
- 10th December
- 3rd December
- 26th November
- 19th November
- 12th November
- 5th November
- 29th October
- 22nd October
- 15th October
- 8th October
- 1st October
- 24th September
- 17th September
- 10th September
- 3rd September
- 27th August
- 20th August
- 13th August
- 6th August
- 30th July
- 23rd July
- 16th July
- 9th July
- 2nd July
- 25th June
- 18th June
- 11th June
- 4th June
- 28th May
- 21st May
- 14th May
- 7th May
- 30th April
- 23rd April
- 16th April
- 9th April
- 2nd April
- 26th March
- 19th March
- 12th March
- 5th March
- 26th February
- 19th February
- 12th February
- 5th February
- 29th January
- 22nd January
- 15th January
- 8th January
- 1st January
-
+ 2022
- 25th December
- 18th December
- 11th December
- 4th December
- 27th November
- 20th November
- 13th November
- 6th November
- 30th October
- 23rd October
- 16th October
- 9th October
- 2nd October
- 25th September
- 18th September
- 11th September
- 4th September
- 28th August
- 21st August
- 14th August
- 7th August
- 31st July
- 24th July
- 17th July
- 10th July
- 3rd July
- 26th June
- 19th June
- 12th June
- 5th June
- 29th May
- 22nd May
- 15th May
- 8th May
- 1st May
- 24th April
- 17th April
- 10th April
- 3rd April
- 27th March
- 20th March
- 13th March
- 6th March
- 27th February
- 20th February
- 13th February
- 6th February
- 30th January
- 23rd January
- 16th January
- 9th January
- 2nd January
-
+ 2021
- 26th December
- 19th December
- 12th December
- 5th December
- 28th November
- 21st November
- 14th November
- 7th November
- 31st October
- 24th October
- 17th October
- 10th October
- 3rd October
- 26th September
- 19th September
- 12th September
- 5th September
- 29th August
- 22nd August
- 15th August
- 8th August
- 1st August
- 25th July
- 18th July
- 11th July
- 4th July
- 27th June
- 20th June
- 13th June
- 6th June
- 30th May
- 23rd May
- 16th May
- 9th May
- 2nd May
- 25th April
- 18th April
- 11th April
- 4th April
- 28th March
- 21st March
- 14th March
- 7th March
- 28th February
- 21st February
- 14th February
- 7th February
- 31st January
- 24th January
- 17th January
- 10th January
- 3rd January
-
+ 2020
- 27th December
- 20th December
- 13th December
- 6th December
- 29th November
- 22nd November
- 15th November
- 8th November
- 1st November
- 25th October
- 18th October
- 11th October
- 4th October
- 27th September
- 20th September
- 13th September
- 6th September
- 30th August
- 23rd August
- 16th August
- 9th August
- 2nd August
- 26th July
- 19th July
- 12th July
- 5th July
- 28th June
- 21st June
- 14th June
- 7th June
- 31st May
- 24th May
- 17th May
- 10th May
- 3rd May
- 26th April
- 19th April
- 12th April
- 5th April
- 29th March
- 22nd March
- 15th March
- 8th March
- 1st March
- 23rd February
- 16th February
- 9th February
- 2nd February
- 26th January
- 19th January
- 12th January
- 5th January
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+ 2019
- 29th December
- 22nd December
- 15th December
- 8th December
- 1st December
- 24th November
- 17th November
- 10th November
- 3rd November
- 27th October
- 20th October
- 13th October
- 6th October
- 29th September
- 22nd September
- 15th September
- 8th September
- 1st September
- 25th August
- 18th August
- 11th August
- 4th August
- 28th July
- 21st July
- 14th July
- 7th July
- 30th June
- 23rd June
- 16th June
- 9th June
- 2nd June
- 19th May
- 19th May
- 12th May
- 5th May
- 28th April
- 21st April
- 14th April
- 7th April
- 31st March
- 24th March
- 17th March
- 10th March
- 3rd March
- 24th February
- 17th February
- 10th February
- 3rd February
- 27th January
- 20th January
- 13th January
- 6th January
-
+ 2018
- 30th December
- 23rd December
- 16th December
- 9th December
- 2nd December
- 25th November
- 18th November
- 11th November
- 4th November
- 28th October
- 21st October
- 14th October
- 7th October
- 30th September
- 23rd September
- 16th September
- 9th September
- 2nd September
- 26th August
- 19th August
- 5th August
- 29th July
- 22nd July
- 15th July
- 8th July
- 1st July
- 24th June
- 17th June
- 10th June
- 3rd June
- 27th May
- 20th May
- 13th May
- 6th May
- 29th April
- 22nd April
- 15th April
- 8th April
- 1st April
- 25th March
- 18th March
- 11th March
- 4th March
- 25th February
- 18th February
- 11th February
- 4th February
- 28th January
- 21st January
- 14th January
- 7th January
- + 2017
Zephaniah 2,3 – 3,13; Psalm 145; I Corinthians 1, 26-31; Matthew 5, 1-12
Saturday 6.00 pm: Rowton Methodists: Frank Vitelli (2nd Anniversary)
Sunday 9.00 am: St Werburgh’s: Isabella Roddy (Anniversary)
Sunday 10.45 am: St Werburgh’s: Mae and Gerald Kay (Anniversaries)
Sunday 6.00 pm: St Werburgh’s: Adam Bedkowski (L.D., Poland – Kate’s father)
Monday 30th January: Ferial: Hebrews 11, 32-40; Psalm 30; Mark 5, 1-20
11.20 am: Blacon: Funeral Service for Chelsie Carline
12.15 pm: St Werburgh’s: Intentions of the McLelland Family
1.10 pm: University Chapel: University Mass – All Welcome
2.40 pm: Blacon: Funeral Service for Margaret Laird, late of Grosvenor Manor NH
Tuesday 31st January: St John Bosco: Hebrews 12, 1-4; Psalm 21; Mark 5, 21-43
8.30 am: St Werburgh’s: Intentions of Paul W
Wednesday 1st February: Ferial: Hebrews 12, 4-15; Psalm 102; Mark 6, 1-6
12.15 pm: St Werburgh’s: Syd Jones (L.D.)
Thursday 2nd February: The Presentation of the Lord:
Malachi 3, 1-4; Psalm 23; Hebrews 2, 14-18; Luke 2, 22-40
9.00 am: St Werburgh’s: Special Intention (G.S.)
10.00 am: Blacon: Funeral Service for Kathleen Heffernan, late of Oak Grange NH
10.45 am: Tattenhall House Mass – please email for venue
Friday 3rd February: St Werburgh: Hebrews 13, 1-8; Psalm 26; Mark 6, 14-29
9.00 am: St Werburgh’s: Intentions of Mary Galvin
10.30 am: St Columba’s: Funeral Service for Sheila Hainey, late of Lime Grove
1.05 pm High School: Weekly Voluntary Mass
Saturday 4th February: Ferial: Hebrews 13, 15-21; Psalm 22; Mark 6, 30-34
10.30-12.00 noon: St Werburgh’s: Confessions
6.00 pm: Rowton Methodists: Eugene McElduff (L.D., Strabane)
SUNDAY 5th FEBRUARY 2023: FIFTH SUNDAY – FEAST OF ST WERBURGH (YEAR A)
Isaiah 6, 1-8; Psalm 137; I Corinthians 15, 1-11; Luke 5, 1-11
Saturday 6.00 pm: Rowton Methodists: Eugene McElduff (L.D., Strabane)
Sunday 9.00 am: St Werburgh’s: Cliff and Dina Sale
Sunday 10.45 am: St Werburgh’s: Mary Delaney
Sunday 6.00 pm: St Werburgh’s: Neil Longridge (Birthday Remembrance)
Prayer Intentions
Your prayers are asked for the following who are sick: Kath Stanton, Brian Boardman Jnr, James Convey, Bill Hackett, Laura Chadwick, Stuart Clark, Keith Hayes, Ruth O’Kane, and Kevin Maguire and for all the sick of the Parish; and for those who have died recently, especially Syd Jones, Gillian Blundell, Mary Meichsner, Chelsie Carline, Thelma Cain, Sheila Hainey, Kath Heffernan, Bob Pollard and Margaret Laird; and for those whose anniversaries occur about this time: Michael Cochrane, Gerald Kay, Mary Buckley, Kathleen Wilbraham, Sr Christopher Whitehead, Rachael Andrews, Jim Ilott, Baby Dane Layden, Maud Matthews, Denis Mannion, Mary Williams, Jean Bourne, Audrey O’Brien, Zita Box, Patricia Fitzgerald, Gerardina Vitelli, Alex McKeegan, John Smart, William Rainbow, Gertrude Lucas, John Dee, Winifred Esser, Peter Taylor, Margaret Mercer, Bernard Egan, Winifred Fields, Paul Webber, Joan Thornton-Firkin and Francesco Vitelli, Margaret Harris and Jo Matheson. May They Rest in Peace.
Parish events
- + 2024
-
- 2023
- 31st December
- 24th December
- 17th December
- 10th December
- 3rd December
- 26th November
- 19th November
- 12th November
- 5th November
- 29th October
- 22nd October
- 15th October
- 8th October
- 1st October
- 24th September
- 17th September
- 10th September
- 3rd September
- 27th August
- 20th August
- 13th August
- 6th August
- 30th July
- 23rd July
- 16th July
- 9th July
- 2nd July
- 25th June
- 18th June
- 11th June
- 4th June
- 28th May
- 21st May
- 14th May
- 7th May
- 30th April
- 23rd April
- 16th April
- 9th April
- 2nd April
- 26th March
- 19th March
- 12th March
- 5th March
- 26th February
- 19th February
- 12th February
- 5th February
- 29th January
- 22nd January
- 15th January
- 8th January
- 1st January
-
+ 2022
- 25th December
- 18th December
- 11th December
- 4th December
- 27th November
- 20th November
- 13th November
- 6th November
- 30th October
- 23rd October
- 16th October
- 9th October
- 2nd October
- 25th September
- 18th September
- 11th September
- 4th September
- 28th August
- 21st August
- 14th August
- 7th August
- 31st July
- 24th July
- 17th July
- 10th July
- 3rd July
- 26th June
- 19th June
- 12th June
- 5th June
- 29th May
- 22nd May
- 15th May
- 8th May
- 1st May
- 24th April
- 17th April
- 10th April
- 3rd April
- 27th March
- 20th March
- 13th March
- 6th March
- 27th February
- 20th February
- 13th February
- 6th February
- 30th January
- 23rd January
- 16th January
- 9th January
- 2nd January
-
+ 2021
- 26th December
- 19th December
- 12th December
- 5th December
- 28th November
- 21st November
- 14th November
- 7th November
- 31st October
- 24th October
- 17th October
- 10th October
- 3rd October
- 26th September
- 19th September
- 12th September
- 5th September
- 29th August
- 22nd August
- 15th August
- 8th August
- 1st August
- 25th July
- 18th July
- 11th July
- 4th July
- 27th June
- 20th June
- 13th June
- 6th June
- 30th May
- 23rd May
- 16th May
- 9th May
- 2nd May
- 25th April
- 18th April
- 11th April
- 4th April
- 28th March
- 21st March
- 14th March
- 7th March
- 28th February
- 21st February
- 14th February
- 7th February
- 31st January
- 24th January
- 17th January
- 10th January
- 3rd January
-
+ 2020
- 27th December
- 20th December
- 13th December
- 6th December
- 29th November
- 22nd November
- 15th November
- 8th November
- 1st November
- 25th October
- 18th October
- 11th October
- 4th October
- 27th September
- 20th September
- 13th September
- 6th September
- 30th August
- 23rd August
- 16th August
- 9th August
- 2nd August
- 26th July
- 19th July
- 12th July
- 5th July
- 28th June
- 21st June
- 14th June
- 7th June
- 31st May
- 24th May
- 17th May
- 10th May
- 3rd May
- 26th April
- 19th April
- 12th April
- 5th April
- 29th March
- 22nd March
- 15th March
- 8th March
- 1st March
- 23rd February
- 16th February
- 9th February
- 2nd February
- 26th January
- 19th January
- 12th January
- 5th January
-
+ 2019
- 29th December
- 22nd December
- 15th December
- 8th December
- 1st December
- 24th November
- 17th November
- 10th November
- 3rd November
- 27th October
- 20th October
- 13th October
- 6th October
- 29th September
- 22nd September
- 15th September
- 8th September
- 1st September
- 25th August
- 18th August
- 11th August
- 4th August
- 28th July
- 21st July
- 14th July
- 7th July
- 30th June
- 23rd June
- 16th June
- 9th June
- 2nd June
- 19th May
- 19th May
- 12th May
- 5th May
- 28th April
- 21st April
- 14th April
- 7th April
- 31st March
- 24th March
- 17th March
- 10th March
- 3rd March
- 24th February
- 17th February
- 10th February
- 3rd February
- 27th January
- 20th January
- 13th January
- 6th January
-
+ 2018
- 30th December
- 23rd December
- 16th December
- 9th December
- 2nd December
- 25th November
- 18th November
- 11th November
- 4th November
- 28th October
- 21st October
- 14th October
- 7th October
- 30th September
- 23rd September
- 16th September
- 9th September
- 2nd September
- 26th August
- 19th August
- 5th August
- 29th July
- 22nd July
- 15th July
- 8th July
- 1st July
- 24th June
- 17th June
- 10th June
- 3rd June
- 27th May
- 20th May
- 13th May
- 6th May
- 29th April
- 22nd April
- 15th April
- 8th April
- 1st April
- 25th March
- 18th March
- 11th March
- 4th March
- 25th February
- 18th February
- 11th February
- 4th February
- 28th January
- 21st January
- 14th January
- 7th January
- + 2017
A Parish in Mourning
We were all devastated to learn of the death of our beloved Syd Jones on Tuesday morning. He was on wonderful form on Sunday evening, leading our Music Group out at Christleton Methodists, the singing and playing as excellent and joyful as we’ve ever known it. Then the normal Monday morning with Denise here in the house, counting the collection, banking it, and the hundred and one other jobs they always did after the weekend. Taken ill Monday evening and into hospital, he slipped away to the Lord as the dawn rose on Tuesday morning. Impossible to know where to begin saying what he did for this Parish. Secretary and Administrator for over thirteen years, that doesn’t begin to describe the range and depths of jobs he performed for all of us. Quite simply, he was always here, no task ever too big or too small for his enthusiasm, skills and commitment. But first and foremost, he was Denise’s husband of forty-four years, an extraordinary partnership in every area of their lives together. Our total love and prayers goes out to her at this saddest of times. To see them working together was to appreciate just how those two hearts beat at one. Finally, he was a very beloved personal friend of myself. How he put up with me for thirteen years is the sixth Sorrowful Mystery. May Syd rest in the Peace and Joy of the Risen Lord Jesus. Mass will be said for him here on Wednesday morning at 12.15 pm.
Message from Fr Emeka in Nigeria
We have received so many messages of sympathy in the last week, for which we are all truly grateful. But I did want to share this one with you from our dearest friend, Fr Emeka, PP of St Clare’s, on Annual Leave back home in Nigeria: “This is so sad to hear. Thank you for informing me. My heartfelt condolences to Syd’s wife, Denise, Fr Paul and the entire St Werburgh’s family at this difficult time. My thoughts and prayers are with everyone,”
Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
It all came to a triumphant close with the joyful Service at Christleton Methodists on the Sunday evening, the worship led as ever by Denise and Syd and our Music Group Many thanks to everyone who supported in the week beforehand as we went round the different churches of Christleton, Rowton and Waverton at noon each day. This culminated in the Saturday noon service here at St Werburgh’s, with a sumptuous buffet lunch laid on afterwards. Organised by…? Yes, Denise and Syd. I left them here at 2.00 pm to go along to the Cathedral for the county-wide service with Bishop Mark, clearing everything away, tidying up and doing the washing up. You see what I mean?
New Readers Training and Recruitment
Reader training was a cause very dear to Syd and Denise’s heart, Denise herself being one of our very finest readers. They would have been delighted to know that we had such a good session last week, six new Readers coming forward, and benefiting from an excellent hour from Marian McC, our Reader Trainer on “How to Read in Church”. Anyone else like to join the team?
Confirmation: 10th May 2023
The Sacrament of Confirmation with Bishop Mark will be at St Francis on Wednesday 10th May, 7.00 pm. Classes will be here at St Werburgh’s. on Wednesday evenings, starting 1st March. The Launch Meeting (for Candidates and at least one parent) is Monday 20th February. Minimum Age: second year High School (Year 8). No maximum, and always delighted to hear from Adults who weren’t confirmed as youngsters but would like to be now. They will have separate classes. Flyers at back of church with full details.
Would You Like to be a Confirmation Catechist?
A number of our excellent team now feel it’s time to stand down and make room for younger folk. We do thank them, in some cases for many years of faithful service – and their wish to stand down is very much in the spirit of our Parish Renewal Programme, about which you’ll be hearing a lot more in the coming weeks. So, would anyone like to join the Confirmation Catechists Team? It only commits you for one year, not for life! If interested, please let FP know, and there’s an Open Meeting for potential new recruits on Wednesday 1st February at 7.00 pm in the House.
First Holy Communion Preparation
First Forgiveness is on Saturday 28th January, 10.00 and 11.00 am, an hour away as I write. Delighted that all our children now have a Prayer Sponsor, parishioners willing to hold one particular youngster in prayer at this wonderful time in their lives. Let’s pray for our youngsters, the Church of tomorrow.
Planning for Lenten Fridays
We had a good discussion on Wednesday about the best way of using the six Fridays of Lent, Stations versus Meditations, zoom versus in person. We’ve decided to have three Stations and three Meditations, in each case two ‘in person’ and one zoom. We hope this meets everyone’s needs.
Children’s Liturgy Has Started Again at 10.45 Mass
For children 4-8, please. Parents may come with their children, especially initially: but we’d prefer if you dropped them off and picked them up again afterwards, as they’re much better behaved when you’re not there!! (Cheek!) Many thanks, CL Team!
Next Parish Council Meeting: 31st Jan 7.00 pm
Postponed, as a mark of respect.
Diocesan Day for Chester Catechists – 4th Feb
The Diocesan Mission for Catechesis team is organising a day for all catechists (Baptismal, First Holy Communion, Confirmation, RCIA, Marriage Prep, the lot) for all the Chester Parishes, to introduce themselves and explain how they might be able to support our individual work. Saturday 4th February, 10.00-5.00 pm, St Columba’s Parish Hall. Sign-Up Sheet at the Back of Church. All welcome.
Repository Re-Opens Sunday 29th January
Photo of the Week: Liverpool Uni CathSoc
On a visit to Chester last month, and here they are with their Chaplains, Fr Neil and Sr Rachel. They had Mass in St Werburgh’s, and we have another photo of them in a few weeks’ time.