FP Holiday Dates: Sat 17th – Friday 30th August

Very grateful to colleagues for being able to cover for me while I am away: 

• Saturday Evening 17th August: Fr Neill Robb
• Sunday Morning 18th Augst: Fr Alphonsus Beni
• Sunday Evening 18th August: Fr Neill Robb
• Saturday Evening 24th August: Fr Neill Robb
• Sunday Morning 25th August: Fr Colin Wilson
• Sunday Evening 25th August: Fr Neill Robb

Fr Neill will kindly say a 12.15 pm Mass each weekday (except Monday 19th), and hear Confessions each Saturday. I’ll be leaving here crack of dawn on Saturday 17th and returning Friday evening 30th. Going to miss me? Like heck you are.

 

Ave Atque Vale…

As they say in German, ‘hail and farewell’. Welcome to Chester Fr Alphonsus, coming as Community Leader to the Spiritan House in Hoole. His last two Parish appointments have been in the Archdioceses of Westminster (the huge SS Michael and Martin in Hounslow, near to Heathrow Airport) and Southwark (St Francis de Sales, Hartley, Kent). A PhD in Geography and Rural Development from the University in Kumasi, Ghana, before coming to England he was Registrar of the Spiritan University College in Ghana. He’s also a published author in Development Economics so you’re going to get a much better class of sermon today than the usual three-and-fourpence from the Parish Priest. Welcome, Fr Alphonsus! Sadly, it’s Farewell to Bros Jinson and Michael from the Franciscan Friary, and to Fr  Desmond, from St Columba’s and St Theresa’s, and we wish them the very best for their new assignments. In the fullness of time we hope to be greeting their replacements and welcoming them all to Chester. 

 

Bishop Mark’s Visitation: 28/29 September

Just a reminder that we’ll be welcoming Bishop Mark here on Visitation on the last weekend in September, 28th / 29th. 

 

The Lights Are Going Out…

Not all over Europe, but certainly all over the church. Cost of Replacing a lightbulb in church? Bulb = £10, Scaffolding Tower = £500. So… it makes sense to have them all replaced at one go, and, in the process, replace them with much more efficient LED lights and also, in the process, have a new Lighting Plan to allow maximum flexibility in allowing for different combinations of lights. 

 

Diocesan Admin Support Officer

A vacancy has arisen within our Mission and Evangelisation team based in Chester.  Hours: 25 per week (to include occasional and weekend duties as required).  Rate of pay: £12-£15 per hour depending on experience.  More details can be found via the Diocesan website https://www.dioceseofshrewsbury.org/latest-vacancies/    CV’s with a covering letter should be sent to Pauline McCulloch recruitment@dioceseofshrewsbury.org  
Closing date: Friday 30th August. 

 

First Holy Communion Parish Group

Fifteen names now in: closing date Sunday 1st Sept.

 

2025 Mass Diary Opens Sunday 1st September 

Shrewsbury Lourdes Hospitality 

Members are warmly invited to a ‘Day of Reflection’ Saturday 14th September, Shrewsbury Cathedral.  Led by Fr Sean Henry,  the theme will be, “Martha and Mary: The Hospitality we give to Christ”.   9.15 am start with a 3.30 pm finish.  Lunch can be purchased on site or bring your own.  Cost by anonymous donation.  Spaces are limited so please book early.   secretary@teamshrewsbury.co.uk or text Siobhan on 07931-574-348.

 

Open Minds Garden Art Exhibition Fundraiser

Saturday 31st August and Sunday 1st September in aid of Chester Mental Health charity, ‘Platform for Life’. Bottoms Lane Art Garden (Queens Park).
12.00 – 5.00 pm. Refreshments available. 

 

Upcoming Town Hall Concerts

Local classical violinist and busker Philip Chidell will be giving two evening concerts at Chester’s Town Hall next month, with a live orchestra. Saturday 14th and Friday 27th September. Full details: www.PhilipChidell.com 

 

No meetings in August… almost!!

Our Diocesan Listed Buildings Architect wanted to come over next Thursday, 15th, to show us the latest plans for the Day Chapel and Church Lighting.  So, just for Celia, we’re breaking our AMFZ law! If we missed this meeting, we’d have problems getting all the plans to the Historic Churches Commission for their autumn meeting and – hopefully - approval, an essential part of any work in a Listed Church like ours. 

 

Risk Assessments: Let’s All Stay Safe!

Marian and I sat down with our H&S consultants a fortnight ago 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! Huge thanks to Marian who has now produced this form and sent it to six lucky winners in the parish to be our guinea pigs. Great thanks to all!

 

Sister Act: Liverpool Empire: Friday 4th October

All the tickets have flown – thanks so much, everyone, for your response. We’ve now managed to obtain six more, which fills the coach. £54, coach and ticket. Please sign up quick on the list at the back of church. (Thanks Tina and LAT!) 5 gone, one to go!

 

So, Where’s the Auld Eejit Going? 

I’ve been to Italy every Summer for the last twenty years, the only exception being last year, when I had a piece of work on Dickens to finish, and it was either Dickens or Italy, a terrible dilemma to face. Chose Dickens and didn’t regret it. But now back to my beloved Italy, Saturday morning flight to Pisa and then the short train ride twelve miles northwest to Lucca. I’ve got my usual little one-bedroom apartment in the centre of this fascinating medieval walled town. It’s fifty miles west of Flornce, which with Lucca and Siena are the main cities of the Province of Tuscany. Next week: what does the Auld Eejit get up to?

 

Photo of the Week: The Exterior of Palma Cathedral  

Designed in the Catalan Gothic style but with Northern European influences, it was begun by King James I of Aragon in 1229 but only finished in 1601. It sits within the old city of Palma atop the former citadel of the Roman city, between the Royal Palace of La Almudaina and the episcopal palace. Thanks to Mark Perry!