Parish Newsletter

Christmas Times at St Werburgh’s

Please take an A5 flyer today with all the times for Masses, Confessions, Penitential Services and Concerts over the Christmas period – and do please distribute them far and wide.

First Holy Communion Parish Group Meeting

Tuesday 3rd December, 6.30 pm, Parish House.

Christmas Tree - Wednesday 11th December

Many hands make light work! Everyone welcome to help with putting up the Christmas Tree and decorating the church for Christmas: 9.00 am please, Wednesday 11th December. I shall make the mince pies and coffee…

Advent Starts Today, 1st December

The colour moves to Purple, the Liturgical Year is now Year A for Sundays and Year II for Weekdays. Year Books and Ordos should be out, and we ourselves have an Advent Holy Hour on Sunday 8th December at 3.00 pm.

St Werburgh’s Two Great War Books: £10 each

Our two published books, "We Shall Remember Them" (Red) and "A War-Torn Chester Parish" (Blue) will be on sale after most Masses/events, between now and Christmas - the perfect gift for the person who has everything else!

Lourdes Fundraising Calendar

Our Ellesmere Port and Chester Lourdes Group have created a 2020 Calendar which features photos of Lourdes and the group over the years. Also, important dates in the Catholic calendar are marked along with dates relating to Lourdes and the life of St Bernadette. The cost of the Calendar is £5.00. If you would like more information or to order a calendar, please contact Bernadette Letissier on 07885 736149 or email bletissier@hotmail.com

Christmas Volunteer Rota Out Today

Please sign up: we need our usual team of volunteer Eucharistic Ministers, Readers, Welcomers and Collectors for our special Masses on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Catholic High School Parents’ Association

A Carol Service will be held on Wednesday 18th December at 6.30 pm at the Catholic High School, followed by refreshments, a Christmas raffle and musical entertainment by the school City Jazz Orchestra & Singers. Free entrance.

Piano Gone to a Good Home!

Thanks to everyone who expressed an interest!

Bottle Bags – Three for £1!!

They’ve all gone! Many thanks everyone – this really does help Bernice and Paula’s post-Christmas trip to Mrs Peabody’s in Blackpool. And I don’t want to see those bottle-bags back in church, full this time… (He lied).

Next First Friday Recital: Friday 6th December

Abbey Gate College present a concert of music for Christmas. There will be pupils from both the senior school and the infant and junior school providing seasonal music including some congregational carols for you to join in with.

Heaven as a Crowded Conversation?

Brian Flack saw this beautiful painting on-line by Giovanni di Paolo, illustrating Dante’s “Paradiso”. He’s not just a Candle Man and Liverpool supporter…

Mass for Bishop Brian Last Wednesday

Many thanks to everyone who came down to St Theresa’s for last week’s special Mass for all the Chester Parishes to remember our Bishop 1995-2010.

Coffee Morning for The Hospice Last Friday

Many thanks to all who came along to support!

SVP Notices

1. Second Collection on 7th/8th December
   To support the homeless, provide Christmas parcels for families and to finance a festive lunch for the elderly/housebound.
2. SVP Carol Singing, at Grosvenor Villas NH (formerly Crawford’s Walk) on Thursday 12th December at 11.00 am, and then at Oaklands NH, Littleton, at 2.00 pm the same day.
3. SVP/Catholic High School Christmas Tea on Wednesday, 4th December at 2.30 pm. If you know of anyone who would like to join us for this fun and friendly event, or if you would like more information on any of these three events, please contact
   Stephen Perry: 07775 851 204.

SVP Contact Cards Coming Next Weekend

If anyone knows of any local individual, couple or family that they feel would benefit from support and befriending by the SVP please enter their details onto one of the cards provided and hand the card either into Fr Paul as you leave the church or place them in the box on the table by the SVP display at the back of church. In addition, if at any time anyone would like to put a name forward there will always be blank cards left at the back of the church and these should be filled out and handed to FP as and when required. Thank you for your support.

Dee Ensemble Concert Thursday 12th Dec 7.30 pm

A group of ladies who all sang together in Chester Music Society Junior Choir. When in the choir they were semi-finalists in The Sainsbury Choir of the Year competition and sang in various locations including Verona Amphitheatre, The United Nations Building in Geneva and The Royal Albert Hall. Their love of singing kept them going as an alumni choir which is now known as Dee Ensemble. They are conducted by Susan Marrs and accompanied by Fiona Rushforth. Our concert features a variety of songs and readings, including solo items. We are also joined by the folk group, The Waite Collection, one of whose members is in Dee Ensemble.
There will be a retiring collection in aid of Clare House Hospice. All welcome!

“What Time’s Midnight Mass?”

Usual Mass Times this Christmas: Children’s Vigil Mass at 6.00 pm, Main Vigil Mass at 8.30 pm, Carols and Midnight Mass at 11.30 pm, and 9.00 am and 10.45 am on Christmas Day.

Photo of the Week: Shinto Portable Shrine

An omikoshi shrine being prepared for Gyotoku’s annual festival in Honshu, Japan. Many thanks, Tommy and Helen, for such a fascinating picture!