Parish Newsletter

Christmas Times: No Booking Needed for Other Masses

• 4.00 pm Christmas Eve Mass BOOKED OUT (250/250)
• 6.00 pm Christmas Eve Mass BOOKED OUT (250/250)
• 8.30 pm: Vigil Mass of Christmas
• 11.30 pm: Carols and Midnight Mass
• 9.00: Dawn Mass of Christmas
• 10.45: Day Mass of Christmas
• 10.00 am Boxing Day: Altar Servers Mass of St Stephen

  

Christmas Volunteer Rota – Last Few Gaps

Please sign up for the few remaining gaps.

 

High School Carol Concert

Congratulations to the High School on an excellent Carol Concert last Tuesday Evening.

 

Update on Parish Building Projects

If all goes according to plan, we will be starting the work on the Porch in early January. Watch this space for details.

 

Congregation Fire Safety: Five Key Points

• If you spot a fire sound the alarm.
• Top third of the Church exit through house door or door by the organ. Bottom two thirds exit via Porch.
• If you are on your own, go home.
• If two or more, make your way to the park entrance; when your group is all present, go home.
• Wheelchairs/assisted mobility people exit last.

 

Christmas Flowers 2^nd Collection Last Weekend

Christmas flowers collection total: £488.04.

 

Music for Advent

The Choir will be singing a Communion anthem at the 9.00 am Mass each week: (4^th) Come, Come Emmanuel.

Not too late to join our Midnight Musicians and Singers: contact Tom on music@stwerburghchester.co.uk.

 

Christmas Tree 2024

Not too late to add your own special prayer or wish to adorn the branches of our Christmas tree. No wish too small and we would love as many of you as possible to get involved. There are white stars at the back of church; please add your wish and leave it in the box provided.

 

Ann Massey’s Memorial Service

We will be holding a Memorial Service here for Ann Massey on Saturday 4^th January at 11.00 am. Everyone is warmly welcome to come along and celebrate her life and loves.

 

Bottle Bags & Wine Boxes – 50p each on Piety Stall

 

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

You are warmly invited to a County-Wide Christian Unity Service with Andy Flannagan on Sunday 19^th January 2025  at Hoole United Reformed Church, 3.00 pm, followed by some refreshments. In addition, we will be taking part in the usual Christleton, Rowton and Waverton Churches Together visit to each other’s Churches. We will be hosting on Saturday 25^th January at 12.00 noon.

 

Almost New Fieldscope – Back of Church

Last chance for sealed bids today, Sunday 22^nd Dec.

 

Knitted Nativity Raffle Draw

The draw for the knitted Nativity was made by Gabriel O'Hanlon at the last Welcome Wednesday gathering. The winner was Ruth Tierney. Congratulations. The raffle raised £160 for CAFOD.

 

January and February Day by Days: Now Out - £1

Also Sacred Heart Messengers for January - £1

 

Welcome Wednesdays

Lovely finish to the year with Carols and Mince Pies – Tom provided the former, FP, of course, the latter. Huge thanks to everybody for a superbly successful year of WWs and to Dutton & Hallmark for their very generous donation of £100 towards the cost of our refreshments. We meet again Wednesday 8^th January for a trip down Memory Lane with Ann Marie Curtis from our History Group.

 

New Stewards and Readers Wanted

We are looking for new readers to join the Ministry of the Word. All you need is a clear voice and the confidence to have a go! Training is provided. Interested? Then let Fr Paul know or email  marian.mccarthy@btinternet.com as soon as possible.

 

Stewards for Christmas season:

We will need 3 or 4 stewards at most of the Christmas Masses, working alongside the Welcomers, to ensure that everyone gets a seat for the busy Masses. Whether you have stewarded before or not, if you think you could help then please sign up on the Christmas Volunteers sheet at the back of church. Briefing will be provided.

 

St Werburgh’s Christmas Mass Times Cards

Now available from the back of the Church, for your use and for sharing far and wide.  Thanks, everyone!

 

Safeguarding Training

Our Parish Safeguarding Representatives, Liz Aiello and Chris Proudfoot, will deliver Safeguarding Training at 7.00 pm on Tuesday 14^th January. The aim is to increase Safeguarding awareness across the Parish to ensure a safe environment where everyone in the Parish can feel welcome. Training open to all.

 

2025 Diocesan Year Books and Ordos

Now out – on the News Stand - £5 each

 

Our Parish Posada Statue Journey Continues

The beautiful statue of the Holy Family moves round the parish, one night in each parishioner’s home, as an Advent Symbol of the journey of Mary, Joseph and Jesus to that stable in Bethlehem.

 

Saturday 21^st December – the Shortest Day

And already the bulbs are poking through in the Front Garden, a wonderful sign of new life.

 

Photo of the Week: St Francis, Melbourne.

It is the oldest Catholic church in the state of Victoria and is one of very few buildings in central Melbourne which was built before the gold rush of 1851. Many thanks to Bury Convent and Tekkie One for sending in the picture!