Parish Newsletter

FP Away on Hols: Friday 18^th Aug – Friday 1^st Sept

Good to be back on Friday after a very restful fortnight away. Don’t pretend that you missed me, because I know you didn’t. Huge thanks to Denise for minding the shop so expertly. Syd always used to tell me that, for my summer hols, he did all the work and Denise just made the tea. Now I know the truth! Grateful thanks to Fr Neill and Fr Colin for covering all the Masses and to everyone who kept an eye on the place while I was away. Ta, muchly!

 

Monday University Masses Re-Start This Week

1.10 pm in the University Chapel, and everyone welcome to join us. The students will start coming back to Chester next week – some coming for the first time, of course - so I know we will give them a very warm welcome to Chester, St Werburgh’s and to CathSoc. If you see anyone who looks like a student, do go up and say hello and tell them what a student- friendly parish we are. We are, aren’t we?

 

Mass Diary for 2024

Now open, so do please get those special dates to me as soon as possible. We operate on a strictly ‘first come, first served’ basis. If you want to give me the list for the complete year, that’s fine: then at least you know that it’s done!

 

SVP Autumn ‘Welcome Mass’

The SVP would like to invite everyone to the Welcome Mass that will take place on Sunday 17^th September at 2.30 pm at St Werburgh’s and St Columba’s Primary school. We'd love to see you there! Please get in touch with Fran fran.waldie@gmail.com if you need transport.

 

Monthly Hospital Mass Next Thursday

Thursday 7^th September at 12.15 pm in the Countess of Chester Hospital Chapel.  This month I’m the Celebrant. This Mass is for all the staff, patients, patient families, volunteers and parishioners of our area. First Thursday of each month, we would love to welcome you to this Monthly Hospital Mass.

 

SVP Pulpit Address Next Weekend

Delighted to welcome members of our fantastic SVP Conference to the pulpit at each of the four Masses next weekend to bring us all up to date with the amazing work they are doing, in the Parish and in the wider area. So many new initiatives, I thought you’d all welcome this a chance to be updated on what they’re doing and how we can all help.

 

Ministry of the Word (Readers) Review Meetings

• Wednesday 4^th October at 7.00 pm
• Tuesday 9^th October at 11.00 am
• Monday 23^rd October at 7.00 pm

Attendance at one of these review meetings is compulsory, so please make a note in your diary now. A call out for your planned attendance date will be made during September. Thanks, everyone!

 

Next Year’s First Sacraments Programme

If you have a child who will be in Year 3 or above in September who does not attend our Catholic Primary School, please contact Fr Paul preferably by email. The classes begin in November with First Forgiveness in January and First Holy Communions in May. The closing date for enrolment is Sunday 3^rd September.

  

Chester Cathedral’s Heritage Discovery Day

Returning for its third year, Saturday 9^th September,  exploring everything Tudor! Explore Chester Cathedral as never before in this free event, with lots of interactive and engaging ways to explore our Tudor heritage in the heart of Chester. Including some paid activities such as the Fantastic Byrd organ recital. Book your tickets at chestercathedral.com

 

Our Local Foodbank: Some July Statistics

• 1,191 people fed, including 328 children
• 20% increase on referrals from last July
• 1,150 kg food received in July
• 921 kg food given out

Tesco Collection Dates: 30^th Nov – 2^nd Dec

Can you help? Contact info@westcheshirefoodbank.org.uk

Food needed NOW: cuppasoups, custard, jams and spreads, biscuits and small jars of coffee.

 

Parish Renewal: Summer Hols

Our phenomenal Renewal Steering Group (RSG) are back from Hols and rearing to go on the next stage of Parish Renewal. You have been warned!

 

House Masses: Anyone Like to Host on Tues 26^th?

 Let’s push the boat out and see if there’s interest in a monthly House Mass in our parish. There’s a list at the back of church, different times each month, for you to sign up if interested in hosting. 26^th Sept??

 

Catholic Enquiry Course 2023-24

Another of our very popular and successful Courses will be launched in the autumn, ten sessions, one a fortnight, from October round to Lent, with Easter the moment that those who would like to become full Catholics can do so. Launch Meeting is Monday 9^th October at 7.00 pm. Do please get in touch if you’d like a chat about the course and what it entails. Please draw this notice to the attention of anyone you know who you think might be interested. 

 

Concert by Visiting Norwegian Choir

Saturday 16^th September, here in church, at 4.00 pm, for about an hour. Admission free, so do please come along and bring your friends.

 

Faith Talk by Steve McCarthy – Monday 11^th Sept

At 7.00 pm. Steve writes: “I will touch on topics such as who or what God is; the nature of prayer; and spirituality versus religion. But we can be confident that the Holy Spirit is still at work in the world and that we can look forward with hope. I will illustrate his talk with a number of photographs”. Sounds an interesting evening, so do please all feel welcome. 

 

Eucharistic Ministers September Review Meetings

• Tuesday 12^th at 11.00 am; Wed 13^th at 2.00 pm;
• Tuesday 19^th at 7.00 pm; Thursday 21^st at 10.00 am.

Two big issues we need to consult on and resolve in September: do we reintroduce the Chalice for the congregation at Mass, and do we reintroduce the physical sign of peace? We’ll be asking for your views on both key questions, so do please be thinking about both over the holiday period.

 

Photo of the Week: Flowers in Church

Remember these beautiful flowers from May? Donated by Brian Flack as a Votive Offering for his football team, who needed all the prayers they could get…