Parish Newsletter

Sunday Evening Mass 10th March

Super visit over to Manchester University Chaplaincy last Sunday, and the Jesuits could not have made us more welcome. We’re adopting Fr Thomas SJ!

Building Work Next Door and Passageway

It’s going to be chaos for the last eight weeks, so many thanks for your continued patience.
Completion Date for the whole project: 17th May!!

Next Meeting of the Readers Group

Monday March 18th 7.00 pm in the Parish House, for about an hour, to explore Lent’s readings for the next four Sundays. Open to everyone - whether readers or not, so do come along.

Christleton Churches Together Lent Programme

This Lent, we are visiting five of the Chapels of Chester that serve people of any faith and none. Last Tuesday we were at the Hospice, and this Tuesday we visit the Catholic High School. Tuesday 26th we’re at the Countess, Tuesday 2nd at St Peter’s at the Cross, and lastly Thursday 11th April at the University Chapel. 2.30 start time – all welcome.

First Holy Communion Parish Group Meetings

The next Parents' Meeting is in our Primary School on Monday 18th March at 7.00 pm. This is an important meeting for all FHC parents. At the meeting you will be asked for the return slip indicating your child's choice of First Holy Communion date and Mass time.

Easter Ministries Volunteer Rota

Now at back of church – please sign up!

Music Group

Playing at 10.45 am Mass today.

Gift Aid & Envelopes: Three Important Notices

(a) Tax Status: If you no longer pay income tax, please let Fr Paul or Denise Jones know by 5th April, otherwise it will be assumed that you have paid sufficient income tax for the Parish to claim Gift Aid on your donations for the tax year 2018/19. Thanks.
(b) Offertory Envelopes: If you have not yet collected your box, please collect asap. Thanks.
(c) Joining the Gift Aid Scheme: If you pay income tax, joining the Gift Aid scheme increases the value of your donations to the Parish at no extra cost to you. If you are interested in joining the scheme, please contact Fr Paul or Denise Jones.

SVP Afternoon Tea for Elderly & Housebound

Hosted by students at the Catholic High School on Wednesday 20th March at 2.30 pm. Transport will be provided. For further information contact Fran Waldie on email: fran.waldie@gmail.com

Visit to Oscott: Wednesday 27th March

Coach departs from the lay-by outside St John’s Church (by the Amphitheatre) at 8.45 am. PROMPT. As you know we cannot wait for any latecomers! Back in Chester by 5.30 pm.

Caritas at Rowton – Saturday 16th March

Our friends from Caritas were not able to come to Rowton on their recent visit, so we are pleased to welcome them this Saturday evening. Anyone else want to become a Caritas Box Holder??

Catholic Women’s League Chester Section

CWL Shrewsbury Diocesan Branch Annual Review Saturday 23rd March. St Columba’s Church Hall. Mass at 12 noon followed by lunch and Meeting.

Friday Evenings in Lent: 7.00 pm

• Friday 22nd March: Stations
• Friday 29th March: Devotions (Lectio Divina)
• Friday 5th April: Devotions
• Friday 12th April: Stations

Followed by Exposition until 9.00 pm.

Tesco Supporting Val’s Fencing Club

Val Scipanovs has been running the club for over 12 years now and as part of their school programme they deliver fencing sessions in Chester and Cheshire schools involving over 200 pupils per term. His Club has been selected for Tesco Bags of Help scheme, for customer vote March - April 30th in all of Chester’s Tesco main and Convenience stores. If you shop there, please give Val’s Club your support! Liels paldies!

CathSoc Bake Sale: £330.51 for CAFOD

Well done, students, and many thanks, Parish!

Parish Health and Safety Group Meeting

Room for another two or three volunteers on this Group if anyone would like to join us. Next Meeting: Wed 20th March at 7.00 pm.

Catholic Enquiry Course 2018-19

We finished the twelfth and final Session last Wednesday, and now we split into smaller groups and one-to-ones, looking at the question of whether our enquirers do want to join the Catholic Church or not. For those who do – and it won’t be everyone – the great day will be Pentecost Sunday, 9th June.

Commissioning of Berwyn’s Catholic Chaplain

5.30 pm Tuesday, our new Lead Catholic Chaplain, Wally Vella, will be officially Commissioned. Wally’s been in Social Work all his life, and the Vellas are one of the great families from both St Joseph’s High School in Wrexham and then (because they don’t have a Sixth Form), our own Catholic High Sixth Form in Chester.

Parish Council Meeting on Tuesday, 7.30 pm

Lots to discuss: because of Wally’s Commissioning, could we please start at 7.30 pm not 7.00 pm? Unless I get locked in, of course…

Photo of the Week: Film Noir meets Art Deco!

A beautifully atmospheric shot from the Blessing of the Memorial, Canon Chamber’s cope caught in the haze of incense…