Parish Newsletter

Car Parking Down the Side of Church on Sundays

We have received an anonymous letter of complaint about Sunday Morning parking down the side of the church. Please, everyone: no anonymous letters!!! If you’ve got a point to make, do come along and make it. I can promise you a sympathetic hearing because I am always grateful for your letting me know how we can run our parish even better. To address the substantive issue: all of us know how tight parking is here. We live with it. If we can give priority in the passageway for those with mobility issues, that would be kind. Remember that City Road is free on a Sunday Morning, and only a five-minute walk away from church. But if we do use the passageway, can we all make sure we do not hang around unnecessarily after Mass? Equally, have a bit of patience, folks, as whoever’s in front of us or behind us can’t be that long in returning to their cars. Thanks, everyone.

John McCann, RIP

Many thanks to all of you who came to John’s Requiem Mass on Tuesday, including many past and present colleagues from the Catholic High School. It was a fine tribute to a great servant of our schools and parishes.

Getting Back to Normal and Autumn Parish Renewal

July now, and the summer speeding on. Just a reminder that when September comes, we will have a major Parish Renewal exercise, which will involve looking at all our activities together and asking what we’ve learnt over the last two and a half years.

Events for Ukrainian Refugees and their Host Families

“Meet and Chat Drop-ins” at Upton URC on Tuesday mornings. Details on the Notice Boards.

Refugees from Ukraine: A Parishioners Writes...

I am shortly going to be welcoming a Ukrainian family to stay with me until it’s safe for them to return home. They have contacted me today to ask if I know of anyone who could sponsor/host their friends (mum 51, son 18 and pet cat). They would like to be near to their friends as they do not speak very good English, although my guests will be able to help with this. Being a sponsor is fully explained in the government’s website here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-a-visa-under-the-ukraine-sponsorship-scheme

Catholic High School Governors

From September 2022 we will be looking to recruit two new Foundation Governors and one Community Governor. Foundation Governors are appointed by the Bishop to oversee that the Catholic ethos is developed throughout the school. You must be a practising Catholic to apply and belong to a parish. This is so your parish priest can vouch for you and sign your application form. Community Governors have the same involvement as all governors and open to everyone regardless of their faith. If you would like an informal chat about governance or wish to express an interest in the Community Governor role, please contact the Chair of Governors via the school email: johnsonj@christofidelis.org.uk.

Next Year’s First Sacraments Programme

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. Closing date for enrolment is Sunday 4th September ‘22.

Welsh Railways Day Out September 19th 2022

If the last few payments could come in, that would be great. More Booking Forms at back of church if needed.

Ordination to the Diaconate of Tony Nuttall

On Saturday 16th July, Tony Nuttall from the Ellesmere Port Group of Parishes will be ordained a Deacon in our Cathedral by Bishop Mark. Coaches will be going from the Port with Fr Edmund, but I thought that as this is our Deanery, it would be good to support Tony and his family by joining them by train - which for Shrewsbury is honestly quicker than driving! 09.30 train down, 15.30 train back. Fancy coming? Sign up on the list if you do! Everyone warmly welcome.

Upcoming Music Concerts in Chester

Sunday 10th July: Chester Festival Chorus, here in St Werburgh’s at 7.30 pm.
Saturday 16th July: 80th Anniversary Celebration Concert, Chester Male Voice Choir, Cathedral 7.30 pm.

Defibrillator Training: Thursday 14th July 7.30 pm

As you know, you asked us to purchase a Defibrillator for here in church, and this we have done - and it’s been the gift of one extremely generous Parishioner, Laurie from Larshay. We are delighted that Dr Rose Penson is going to give us all a Training Session, with Dr Pete Penson as Dummy. Everyone welcome, but could all Parish Groups make sure at least one of their members attends? Meanwhile, there are three excellent videos posted on our website, via the Home Page, to get us all started. Do make sure you give them a good look.

"First Thursday" Tattenhall House Masses

Great for so many of us to get together last Thursday. Please email or contact FP if you would like details of the venue. Next One: Thursday 4th August, 10.30 am.

SVP Summer Lunch: Wednesday 6th July

Many thanks for an excellent lunch and get-together on Wednesday, SVP! All of us thoroughly enjoyed it.

Clearing Day Chapel Corridor: Wednesday 13th July

As the Day Chapel comes back into use for a whole variety of activities, it’s important that the corridor leading to the outside door (by the organ) is now cleared. If any of you have anything there you don’t want tipping, please remove well before then!!

Chester Catenians: Feast of St John Plessington

The Catenians will be marking the Feast Day of St John Plessington, with Mass on Tuesday evening 19th July. Everyone warmly welcome to come along.

Visit of the Relic of St Bernadette to our Church

Wednesday 14th September: Put it in your Diary!

Nice Full Set of Dickens: Sealed Bids Invited

A good set of Dickens has been donated to the church and is on the table at the back of church. It’s complete and would grace any bookshelf! Sealed bids to FP, please, with your name, phone number and amount you would be prepared to pay. Proceeds to Caritas.

Photo of the Week: Our Church in January

These summer months are a lovely time to see our church at the Saturday and Sunday Evening Masses, with the sun flooding in through the upper (clerestory) windows. By contrast, here’s a view from January: just see those black windows!