Parish events

Resumption of Sunday Mass Eucharistic Ministry

Delighted we are able to resume offering the Chalice at Sunday Masses today, initially with just one Minister each side of the Church. Please remember that Receiving from the Chalice is the choice of each individual, and there is no pressure either way. Intinction - taking the Host away and dipping it in the Chalice - is not permitted. Your views on this resumed Ministry always welcome. We are very short of Eucharistic Ministers: pre-Covid we had sixty; thirty of you came to the meetings a couple of months ago to say you wish to continue; but only twenty-two of those are available this summer. So, a major recruitment drive will be under way this Autumn.

Sum of Money Lost in Church Last Sunday

Could the owners form an orderly queue after Mass? Alternatively just have a quiet word with FP...

Risk Assessments: Let’s All Stay Safe!

Another requirement of our H&S Audit is for every Parish Activity to carry out a Risk Assessment. Sounds more complex than it is: put simply, every activity needs to look at what they do and see firstly if there is anything risky, any accidents waiting to happen, and then to see ways of reducing/eliminating that risk. We’ll be helping you with a simple template, and will be rolling this out, activity by activity, over the coming months.

Welcome Wednesdays

Next Wednesday, 24th July, we are out in the Back Garden, hopefully a Summer Party, then 12.15 pm Mass and a light lunch. If only it would stop raining... ! If the weather is good, please go straight to the garden through the garage , entrance on Bath Street (behind the church and wheelchair friendly) or come through the church and Dining Room. The last WW until September!

Day Chapel and Porch Update

As we approach the summer break, a progress update on the Day Chapel and the porch. All necessary surveys have been done, plans drawn up, and ready to go to the Diocesan Historic Churches Meeting in September for their permission. As you can see, we have new tables and chairs, ready to move and very practical. Moving out the fixed tables from the back of church has created so much space, something a number of you have already noticed and favourably commented on. Thanks!

Parish Council Minutes and Email Addresses

Now on the notice board in the Porch. Shortly, the PC members will have an email address for their areas of responsibility, and we will add them to the newsletter so that you can email directly to the appropriate person with ideas and feedback.

Promoted to Glory

Three of our wonderful senior Parishioners have reached Journey’s End in the last week or so, and as we commend them to God’s grace and mercy, we thank them for the wonderful contribution they all made to St Werburgh’s over so many years. These are details for their Requiem Masses:
Friday 26th July: 11.15 pm: Ellen Parry
Tuesday 30th July: 10.30 am: Maureen Richards
Wednesday 31st July: 10.45: Mike Vitelli

2025 Mass Diary

The Mass Diary for next year opens the first weekend of September, Sunday 1st. Many parishioners like to hand in their intentions for the whole year, which is great. We work on a strictly "first come, first served" basis. Please remember the most requested month is January.

Sunday Mass Welcome Rota for July

Still a few gaps if anyone can wolunteer.

Any More Church Cleaners Out There?

Thanks for the names that have come in. Keep’em coming please, everyone! (We even have a new cleaner from Latvia...)

House Masses for July and August

Great to be out at Mike and Liz’s in Clotton (Tuesday 16th July). They’d erected a Gazebo in the back garden, and we all relished the extraordinary views out over Willington and Oscroft towards Kelsall. Thanks, both! For August, we are also out in the country, at John Petterson’s, Great Barrow (Friday 9th August) 12.00.

Chester Across Group to Lourdes in August

By Jumbulance from Thursday 15th to Saturday 24th August. We travel overland in an adapted coach, which has seven beds on board. Therefore, we can take some sick or disabled pilgrims and so far, we have a Doctor and two nurses and several helpers. However, we need two more helpers and there is a place for someone who is sick or disabled. The cost is £1,095 but help with costs is available. Current Passport required. Travel Insurance is available for just £65. Search our website for an example of our care. https://www.across.org.uk/?s=AJ. For more information, please contact Tony Murphy on 07881-656-974 or email tonymurphyefc2002@yahoo.co.uk.

Our First Holy Communions: Eight Names In So Far

For children not at our Catholic Primary School in Year Three or above in the next school year. Introductory Meeting in October, First Forgiveness in January and First Holy Communions in May. Closing date for applications Sunday 1st Sept.

Parish Diary 2024-5: Work Steaming Ahead!

I’ve just done a count-up, and as of Saturday Morning, we have entered 352 dates and events into the Parish Diary for September 2024-July 2025! That gives you all some idea of the size of this military operation. We’ve identified some thirty or so clashes, when we go back to the organisers and negotiate for different dates. All dates must be in by the end of July, and then the great work begins of translating it into hard copies and on-line versions, ready for September. Thanks, everyone!

Retired Priests Second Collection Last Week

£908-15. Many thanks to everyone for your generous response. I’m ignoring all the suggestions of names you also contributed. You can be very hurtful at times, I hope you realise.

FP Holiday Dates: Saturday 17th - Friday 30th August.

And please don’t pretend you’re going to miss me...

Photo of the Week: Our Candle at Lourdes

A large candle was lit at the Grotto for the intentions of everyone here in the Parish. Thanks, Paul, for snapping it - and for placing it there in the first place??