Parish Newsletter

Last Monday’s Mass and Lunch with the Bishop

Many thanks to you all for a remarkably successful day. Bishop Mark asked me to pass on his sincerest thanks to everyone, for the Mass and the lunch. I told him it hadn’t taken me long… Everyone seemed to think that it was a great day: having the three groups together – Junior Priests, Seminarians and Discerners, each sharing with the others. The Mass was a perfect way of celebrating both St Werburgh and our togetherness as a Diocese. And the lunch afterwards was perfect. Cold salmon, salad, cous-cous and new potatoes. To finish it off perfectly, an Apricot Flan – one of my better ones – just disappeared, and there were about six strawberries left. All washed down with a glass of rather cheeky Château Huntington 2018. Everyone was so appreciative: and I just said it’s the sort of event we all enjoy putting on, both the Mass and the Lunch. I walked them over the park and along the river afterward, up to the Castle and back to St Francis, where they had left cars. They set off for Pantasaph, nourished in spirit and body! Many thanks team, for a superb Mass and Lunch. It made my two o’clock start so worthwhile…

New Baptismal Register Commissioned

We have now filled the last page of the existing Register which began in 1962! On the altar for you to look at. So, work has started on commissioning a new one to take us up to 2078…

Parish Diary 2018/19

Almost there now, ironing out the clashes we’ve identified. Hopefully, to the printers in August, all ready for distribution in September.

Next First Friday Recital – The Lute Family!

Friday 3rd August, we welcome back our old friend Hugh Cherry and his amazing collection of Lutes, plus Soprano Deborah Catterall and Tenor Gareth Glyn Roberts. Info sheet at back of church with full details! Do please take one.

Chester Across Group Nurse Urgently Needed

This summer marks the 25th annual pilgrimage to Lourdes by the Chester Across Group. Sadly, one of our two nurses has had to drop out due to personal circumstances. So, we desperately need another nurse - and a Doctor would be a bonus! Dates - Thu 30th Aug to Sat 8th Sept
Cost - approx £400 but we have funds to subsidise folk who cannot afford this.

Refreshments After Mass on Wednesday

Syd, our Parish Secretary, is on a spot of leave, so we won’t have our scheduled Refreshments After Mass this week. Watch the Newsletter for the next one!

Poor Clares Leaving Hawarden

Tuesday 31st July, 7.30 pm, Mass of Thanksgiving for all the Chester friends of the Sisters.

Next meeting of the Readers' Group

Monday July 16th at 7.00 pm for about an hour to look at the Sunday readings for the next four weeks. In the Presbytery. All are always welcome!

Music Group Playing at 10.45 Mass Today

Meetings This Week

• Monday 7.00 pm: Readers’ Group
• Tuesday 2.30 pm City Centre CT at St Mary’s
• Wednesday 18th 7.00 pm Parish Council
• Thursday 7.30 pm Catenians Clergy Night

Carmel Centenary on Monday

Monday night at 7.00 pm, we celebrate one hundred years of our beloved Carmelite Sisters being in Birkenhead, with a Mass led by Bishop Mark. I shall be going if anyone wants to follow and isn’t sure of the way.

Parish Council Meeting on Wednesday

Any items to any member, please.

Headteacher Vacancy St Hugh’s Timperley

Please see noticeboard or Diocesan website for full details.

SVP Summer Holiday Second Collection

There will be an SVP collection on the weekend of 21/22 July to fund summer holiday support for some families and to assist the SVP Holiday Home caravan. Your contributions are vital to the work of the SVP and are much appreciated.

Saturday 29th July – Mass at Chamboree 2018

Chamboree is Cheshire’s Scout and Guide Jamboree, which takes place at Tabley every four years and welcomes thousands of youngsters from all over the globe for an amazing week’s programme. See their website for details. I’m honoured to be asked to go out and say Mass for them on the Saturday Evening, 29th July, and delighted that our good friend, Fr Mark Connolly, from the Spiritans, is able to say the Rowton Mass for us. Dyb, dyb, dyb!

Water Aid: Sponsored Bike Ride

Jeremy Black is cycling the Prudential 100 Mile "Ride London" on July 29th to raise money for Water Aid. Please get in touch with him if you’d like to sponsor him, or just find out a bit about Water Aid's work to promote clean water.

Mental Health Group on Tuesday at 7.00 pm

Last Meeting before the summer break: everyone warmly welcome, as always.

Photo of the Week: What is that baby saying?

If this one doesn’t provoke the usual spate of Caption Competition entries, then I’m not the Archbishop of Canterbury…

Chester Little Theatre Youth Group Last Friday

Many thanks to them for their performance of George Crabbe’s astonishing poem, ‘Peter Grimes.’

Residential & Nursing Home Religious Services

Thanks for offers of help: meeting in September!

New Catholic Enquiry Course

Starting in September and running fortnightly till Easter: have a word with FP if interested.

My Holiday Dates:

20th August – 7th September