Parish Newsletter

 

Financial Statement: April 2022

Finances have been very unpredictable during the pandemic and lockdowns, for us as for you. But thank you for your continuing generosity and support. We have been very careful with expenditure over the last year, so uncertain have been our income streams; but we are pleased to be able to anounce a very healthy outcome:

• Total Income 2021-22: £105,861.68
• Total Expenditure 2021-22: £65,174.16
• Operating Surplus 2021-22: £40,687.52

Full Financial Report to Parish coming up soon!

Preparing for Pentecost

A small group of parishioners would like to invite you all to join them on Tuesday 31st May for two hours of prayer and reflection in our Day Chapel as a preparation for the great Feast of Pentecost. Meeting at 9.45 for a 10.00 start and finishing with Mass at 12.15 pm. Refreshments provided. Fifteen places available, so please sign up asap.

SVP Elderly Housebound Mass: 8th May at 2.30 pm

The SVP would like to invite you to this Celebration Mass at our Catholic Primary School. There will be refreshments afterwards and transport can be provided. Everyone is welcome! Please contact Fran Waldie (07990-524-780 if you require a lift and Teresa on tnunez@alumni.unav.es for any other information. See you all there!

SVP Second Collection 14th /15th May

To provide financial support to allow families who may not otherwise have a holiday, to have a week in the SVP Holiday Home at Talacre or a family day out, and to fund a Summer Lunch for the elderly and housebound. Assistance with funding is also given to families in need for school trips and various school holiday club activities.

Liturgy Group Meeting – Thursday 12th May 7.15 pm

Do come along everyone, as we review Lent, Holy Week and Easter and plan for the great Summer Feasts coming up. An open meeting – all welcome.

Parish Outing: Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railway

One of the many, many casualties of Covid and Lockdowns, I’m delighted to announce that it is back on again – Wednesday 14th September! Full details next week but get that date in your Diary!

Free Rosaries from the Catenians

Why not consider praying the Rosary every day or at least a decade of this most powerful and life-changing of prayers? If you are unfamiliar with the Rosary, the Catenian Association have left free adult Rosaries and ‘How to Pray the Rosary’ cards at the back of the church, together with small children’s Rosaries if you want to pray as a family. Please only take a free one if you don’t own one already.

Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes

Our Diocesan Pilgrimage will take place from 29 July - 4 August by air and 28 July - 5 August overland. Prices start from £440 which includes travel, full board accommodation and full pilgrimage programme. Further details and booking forms: www.shrewsburypilgrimage.co.uk or from the Pilgrimage Office, Curial Offices, 2 Park Rd South, Prenton, Wirral, CH43 4UX.

Lourdes by Jumbulance: July 2022

Chester Across Group will leave for Lourdes Thursday 14th and return on Saturday 23rd July. We travel overland by a Jumbulance – literally a Jumbo Ambulance. It has seven beds, spacious/reclining seats, an accessible toilet and a kitchen, so we can care for several sick and disabled people. We stay in the four-star Mediterranne Hotel, which has adapted bedrooms, hospital beds and accessible showers.
There are vacancies for a Doctor, nurses, helpers and sick and disabled people. There may be some COVID risks to take into account but please do enquire. The cost is £950. Nurses and younger helpers pay half. However, we have fund raised to provide financial help where necessary. For further information, please contact Tony Murphy on 07881-656-974 or email tonymurphyefc2002@yahoo.co.uk. See www.across.org.uk and search for Bev’s story.

Helping Out in Ellesmere Port and Hooton

For this weekend and next, Fr Neill and myself will be helping out with weekend Masses while Fr Humphrey has a break back home in Ireland.

Christleton Churches Together: Water Aid

Great response: any more Jam Jars to come in?

SVP Holiday Home Availability

Available for two one-week slots on the weeks commencing on the 21st May and 24th September.
If you are interested or know anyone that might benefit from this opportunity, please contact Craig.mullan@outlook.com.

Next Year’s First Sacraments Programme

The programme runs from September to June each year. So, if you have a child in Year 3 or above who does not attend our Catholic Primary School, please contact Fr Paul, preferably by email. The classes begin in October, with First Forgiveness in January and First Holy Communions in May. The closing date for enrolment is Sunday 4th September 2022.

Forthcoming Funerals: Promoted to Glory

Tuesday 3rd May: 12.00 noon: Veronica Rogers
Monday 9th May: 11.30 am: Brian Barlow
Monday 16th May: 2.00 pm: Anna Brennan
May they all Rest in Peace.

SVP Gardening / DIY Gloves Sale

Members of the SVP will be selling a range of Gardening and DIY Gloves after Masses on Saturday 30th April and Sunday 1st May. They’re new gloves, and offered at very competitive prices, all the proceeds going to the SVP Holiday Home, which is due for complete replacement in 2024. Don’t miss this bargain opportunity, especially as the gardening season is now upon us!

Summer Term: Welcome Back, CathSoc Students!

After three weeks of leaving their bags in the hall, coming in all hours, emptying the milk in the fridge, parents are devastated they’ve come back to Uni. Which brings me on to our POTW…

Photo of the Week: Madame Ex-Prezzie Does it!

Warmest congratulations to Chloe, our CathSoc President before Barl, on her Graduation on Tuesday. Here she is, next to the ruins of Chester… CathSoc starts up again tonight for its Summer Term with our usual Week One “Cake and Catch-Up”. All students and wrinklies welcome.