Parish Newsletter

Open for Sunday Morning Mass - with Bubbles!

First week of Reopening for Mass, we welcomed a total of 147 over the four Masses. Week Two, that went up to 198, then 201 for Week Three, and last week, Week Four, a grand Total of 215. People are obviously feeling more confident about coming back to Mass and are reassured by all our safety measures put in place. Thanks, everyone - and thanks Taskforce, Cleaners and Stewards especially, We couldn’t do it without you!

Face Masks / Coverings Now Compulsory in Church

Following Government Guidelines issued two weeks ago, face masks or coverings are now required for church services. Please make sure you bring yours, and we do rely on your co-operation in this vital matter. I myself am now required to wear a mask for distributing Holy Communion. Thanks, everyone, for your co-operation in this and every other aspect.

Masks and Receiving Holy Communion

Our advice to you is that you either remove the mask or slip it beneath your chin while you are in the queue coming up to Communion. Then, after you have reverently received Communion, you can replace the mask. We noticed last week some of you trying to juggle, especially if you also had a handbag or something else in your hands. We hope our advice helps you not to juggle too much at the same time!

More Stewards/Cleaners Needed!

Some of our fantastic wolunteer Stewards and Cleaners are getting ready to go back to University - how very dare they! So, we need half a dozen more. You’ve all seen what’s involved by now, and full training is given. At all times you work under supervision. If you’d like to join the merry band, let FP know and we’ll bite your arm off!

Car Parking Sunday Mornings: Priority for Stewards

Please DON’T try to park at church if you are coming for one of the four Sunday Morning Masses. Blue Badges: you can park on the main road, as usual.

Fridge, Fridge-Freezer and Microwave Oven

All looking for a good home! In excellent condition and entirely free - but, if you’d like to make a donation to St Werburgh’s, we wouldn’t exactly stop you! If you’re interested in any or all of these items, or would like to see them, please let FP know.

Message from Bishop Mark - Tuesday 4th August

"I have been asked to note that the wearing of face masks requires extra care by people in unlooping the face covering in order to receive Holy Communion and replacing it afterwards. It would be good to draw parishioners’ attention to the importance of this in order to prevent contamination of the covering by the hands. I am told that this is a minimal risk so long as any hand to hand contact is avoided between the priest and the communicant.”

FP Hols This August Postponed! Che Peccato!

I would have been heading off to Bologna on Monday for my annual break in normal times, but obviously out of the question this year. Bitter? Twisted? Me? What on earth give you that impression?

Mass Intentions for 2021

I normally start the Diary for next year’s Intentions when I get back from hols, but as I shan’t be away this year, the new 2021 Diary will start receiving requests on Tuesday 1st September. Strictly first come, first served!

Painting of Outside of Parish House Finished

Scaffolding down, workmen gone. What a performance! But the end result, I hope you agree, is worth it. Do have a look from the far side of Grosvenor Park Rd and then the far side of Bath St.

Redemptorist Newsletters Resuming

We haven’t used our usual Newsletter Format for the past six months, with the Redemptorist editorial on the front cover and the Mass Readings and Prayers on the back. You’ll be glad to know they’ll start up again on the first Sunday in September.

Retirement and Moves: A Further Short List

Bishop Mark Writes: "Father Philip McGovern will retire in September on grounds of health as the Parish Priest of Our Lady, Holy Cross and Saint Paul’s, Birkenhead. We record our thanks for all of Philip’s years of faithful service in the parishes of the Diocese and wish him many fruitful and active years in retirement.
Father Wicktor Ostrowski has completed his service of the Polish Catholic community in Shropshire and Staffordshire and has been recalled to his home Diocese in Poland. We record our thanks for his years of faithful service within this Diocese of Shrewsbury.
Father Michael Coughlan has accepted my invitation to become the new Parish Priest of Our Lady, Holy Cross and Saint Paul’s, Birkenhead from September.
Father Michael Latuszynski has been appointed to serve the Polish communities in Telford and Shrewsbury from August this year replacing Father Wiktor Ostrowski. Please remember in your prayer Father Philip and the two Father Michaels as they begin these new stages of their priestly life and ministry.”

Golden Wedding Congratulations!

Our own Fr Neill and Marlene celebrate their Golden Wedding on Saturday 15th August, with 10.00 am Mass on Sunday for their Intentions. Many congratulations! Fifty years and never a cross word: we’re all proud of you!

Holyday of Obligation: The Assumption

Whenever a Holyday of Obligation falls on a Saturday or Monday, it becomes the Sunday Feast. So today, 16th August, we are celebrating the Assumption, as 15th August this year is a Saturday. Hope that’s clear!

Requiem Masses Now Allowed

One small but important easing of Covid-19 Restrictions in the week: Requiem Masses are now allowed in church as well as Funeral Services, but the "thirty maximum” rule still applies. (N.B. Some Funeral Directors may insist on smaller numbers.)

Photo of the Week: Sette Chiese, Bologna

Sent in by the Grand Duchess of Riga after her trip out to Italy earlier this year. The Sette Chiese (as they say in German) is a complex of seven churches grouped together. The one in the picture is the Basilica of Santo Stefano. (Just trying to rub it in, Lady, aren’t you?)