Parish Newsletter

Evan Rothwell

You all knew eleven-year-old Evan with his trademark long hair and lovely smile. He’d just started at King’s after six years at our own Primary School, where his sister Juliet is now in Year 5. Tragically, Evan was involved in a road traffic accident coming out of school on Tuesday evening and went Home to the Lord on Friday. I don’t have to ask you to keep all the family in your prayers at this saddest of times: mum Katie, a stalwart of our Children’s Liturgy Team, Dad James and Juliet, plus both sets of grandparents. Evan was the most wonderful of boys, a star of last year’s Scout Gang Show, and likely to be top of the bill next year. He radiated life and enthusiasm and lit up every room he entered. May the Lord Jesus enfold him and all the family in His love. 

 

Ann Massey

This has been a week of very sad news. Our beloved Ann, always on the door at 8.00 am every Sunday when we opened up, always in that same place, two rows from the front, suffered a bleed on the brain at roughly the same time as Evan, and was taken to A&E at the Countess on Tuesday tea-time, later transferred to Intensive Care. She went Home to the Lord on Friday afternoon. Like Evan, she adored the theatre and was a strong supporter of the Little Theatre in Chester, and Storyhouse. A fanatical reader, you could guess she’d been a Librarian in her working life. No surviving family, she lived with her mother Mollie, who died some ten or fifteen years ago, but she was blessed with hundreds of wonderful friends. Please keep Ann and them all in your prayers. 

 

New Lectionaries from 1st Sunday of Advent

An overwhelming response to our request for Sponsorship: we could have sponsored each volume many times over. Thank you all so much. We will take first offers for both sets. Now we need a good calligrapher in the Parish to inscribe the Memorial Plates in each volume. 
Do please have a look at them on the Sanctuary today. 

 

Cardinal Michael Fitzgerald Talk: 13th November

Over 150 of you came to hear Cardinal Fitzgerald’s excellent talk on Wednesday, telling us all about the document signed five years ago between Pope Francis and the Grand Imam, of Al-Azhar, a groundbreaking statement of common ground between Christianity and Islam. The text of both this document and the Cardinal’s talk are now on our website. Huge thanks to Stephen Tierney for organising this talk, Marian and team for stewarding, and all of you for coming along to listen and to make our many, many guests welcome. 

 

SVP Reconciliation Service: Saturday 30th November

Here at 10.30 in St. Werburgh's. Everyone is welcome.

 

Chester Ursuline Convent Class of 1975

The girls who left the Ursuline Convent in 1975 (aged 16, the last but one year before the Convent closed) are marking 50 years since leaving school with a “Grand Re-union” on 25th April 2025. We have successfully contacted quite a number, but some are proving difficult to find. Can you possibly help? Please contact Pat Riddell  (née Axon) (née Marjorie) patriddell31@aol.com 

 

Welcome Wednesdays Last Week and This

A talk about the work of the Good Shepherd Hospice was warmly received and  Kelly, their representative was delighted by the enthusiasm shown for the goods on display. This week we welcome Beth Gibbons, to talk about “Sanctuary Seekers in Chester and District”. 

 

PAT (Portable Appliance Testing) Here on 28th Nov

By law, every portable appliance using electricity in public premises has to be tested every year, and that includes us. If you bring your own electrical appliance into church - hoover, amplifier, hedge cutter, whatever – then please make sure it is with us for the morning of Thursday 28th November, starting 9.00 am, or you will not be able to use it here.

 

Our Parish Posada Journey

An old Mexican tradition, the journey is made with a 7" model of Mary, Joseph and the Donkey being welcomed into the home of parishioners for each day of Advent. Beginning 1st Sunday of Advent, The Holy Family stays overnight and is then transported by the host to the next person /family on the rota. Please add your name to the rota at the back of the church, giving your location and telephone number. The arrangements for transfer are made between host families. Queries: Elizabeth Hoey 01244 683258

 

Two Admin Vacancies at the Curial Offices

https://www.dioceseofshrewsbury.org/latest-vacancies/  Closing date Friday 29th November 2024.

 

Youth Mass Next Sunday 6.00 pm for Christ the King

We would be delighted if you can join us again for our Youth led Mass. We need Welcomers, servers, readers, musicians & singers. Please sign up at back of Church. All our youngsters will join the offertory procession.

 

“Spend, spend, spend!” Royal Exchange Theatre

The Theatre Outings Group is organising a parish trip to see the musical inspired by the life of lottery winner Viv Nicholson, at the Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester on Thursday 2nd January at 2.30 pm. Tickets are approximately £27 each and we’d take the train together from Chester to Manchester Piccadilly (around £20 return without a railcard). At this point, we’d like expressions of interest. If you’d like to join us on the trip, please sign the form at the back of church by Monday 25th November. Many thanks.

 

“Getting More Involved in the Life of the Parish”

Thank you so much for the many forms that have come in so far. Do please keep them coming in, and we will relish putting you in touch with the various activities.

 

CAFOD Gift Catalogue and Fast Day Envelopes

At the back of church. Gift-wrapped goat, anyone?

 

Assisted Suicide Bill Open Meeting

Tuesday 19th November, 7.30 pm.  All welcome at this Open Meeting where we discuss this Bill together and share our individual responses. There is also a new Bishops’ Conference Statement at the back of church.

 

November – Month of the Holy Souls

• Blessing of Graves: Blacon (17th), Overleigh (24th), Christleton (1st)
• Mass of the Holy Souls: Wednesday 27th 7.30 pm. 

 

CathSoc Tonight, 17th November: Adoration & Prayer

All students warmly welcome: Sunday, 7.00 pm

 

Safeguarding Sunday 17th November – Today!

Our Parish Safeguarding Representatives, Liz Aiello and Chris Proudfoot will be giving a Safeguarding update at all Masses over this weekend.

 

Photo of the Week: 23rd November 1906

The first Mass in Tarporley since the Reformation!