Renewal Steering Group Reaches Finishing Line

End of July on Wednesday and end of term for our wonderful Renewal Steering Group. Since the idea was first floated eighteen months ago of reviewing our whole Parish, root and branch, in the aftermath of Covid, alongside the Universal Church’s call to Synodality by Pope Francis, the four of them – Bernice Meredith, Pat Floate, Marian McCarthy and Lyn Williams – have worked tirelessly to examine every part of our life together, Liturgy, Social, Finance, Buildings and Maintenance, Finance and Outreach, and ask how we might do things better. At the centre of this Review has been the word “Welcome”: to every existing parishioner to come on board, in any way they’d wish. And then to extend that welcome to wizziters, to newcomers, to our partners in the local Ecumenical and Civic world, and to anyone who would like to be part of the family of St Werburgh’s. Their work has born extraordinary fruit, and I’d need another page to list even half of it. They have pioneered the setting up of our new-look Parish Council, and it’s now over to them, first Business Meeting Thursday 12th September, 7.30 pm, to carry on the Renewal Steering Group’s magnificent work. But for the last eighteen months, meeting every Monday morning for several hours, so many meetings in between, all those thousands of emails connecting people together: Thanks, Bernice, Pat, Marian and Lyn. You’ve all played a blinder, and the whole Parish is in your debt. 

Bishop Mark’s Visitation: 28/29 September

Just a reminder, as they all set off on the Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes on Friday 26th July, that we will be welcoming Bishop Mark here on Visitation on the last weekend in September. 

Resumption of Sunday Mass Eucharistic Ministry 

Very pleased that we were able to resume this Ministry last weekend: but 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 underway this Autumn. 

 

Sum of Money Lost in Church

Now found

World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly Sunday 28th July 2024: 

We will celebrate this day in honour of all grandparents and elderly members of our congregation today.  This is the closest Sunday to the feast of St Anne and St Joachim, which we celebrate the Friday before on the 26th July 2024. Pope Francis has written a message especially for this occasion and the Diocese has created a booklet that includes his message and the prayer prepared for the day. Please pick up the booklet and prayer cards from the back of the Church and you will find other resources on the Diocesan website.

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.

Chloe and Richard Wedding on Friday in Derby

Chloe Blencowe was our CathSoc Prezzie for three superb years before Charlotte took over in 2020 and Joel in 2023. We have been truly blessed in our CathSoc Presidents, and I can’t thank them enough for all they do for our Students here in Chester. Richard’s now decided to make an honest women of Madame Blencowe. Personally, I think she could do better, but she never asks me… Delighted to be going down to St Alban’s Derby to preside at their Nuptials. Many congratulations to you both from all of us!

Walking the Diocese to Support the SVP 

Kate Birkenhead (Diocesan SVP Membership Support Officer) is walking over 200 miles across Shrewsbury Diocese, from New Brighton to Ludlow, via South Manchester, to raise money for our local SVP Holiday Homes and Summer Camps.  https://giving.give-star.com/online/saint-vincent-de-paul-society-england-and-wales/kate-and-colin-are-walking-the-length-and-breadth-of-shrewsbury-diocese

Welcome Rota for August

Do sign up, please: the welcome you give everyone at Sunday Mass is so hugely appreciated. 

No meetings in August

August is a gloriously MFZ*. So, everyone, have a good break and recharge the batteries ready for September! 

Risk Assessments: Let’s All Stay Safe!

Marian and I sat down with our H&S consultants on Thursday morning to hammer out a simple but effective Risk Assessment form for every Parish Activity to complete, Anything risky in what you do, and how can it be eliminated? Simples! Watch this space. 

Welcome Wednesdays

Wonderful end to our incredible Wednesday Mornings last week, out in the garden, the rain just about holding off, a great singalong, accompanied by Tina and her Latin American Two, scrumptious refreshments – they didn’t take me long – and then crowning the year with Mass in the garden, over forty of you joining me in thanking God for this great Welcome Wednesday blessing. Break now for the summer, resuming 4th September – and Saturday 21st September a date to get in your Diaries, the first of our regular Parish Walks. 

House Mass August

For August, we are also out in the country, at John Petterson’s, Great Barrow (Friday 9th August) 12.00.

 

First Holy Communion Parish Group

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 September.

Parish Diary 2024-5: Last Week for Dates

You have until Wednesday to get in those dates for September 24 to July 25. Last few days!

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

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

Photo of the Week: Bodnant and Llandudno

What a lovely day that was! But fat chance of getting on with my book with those two harpies to distract me…

(* Meetings Free Zone, geddit?)