Thursday’s Holyday of Obligation

Good to see you all here on Thursday. Our next Holy Day will be All Saints on 1st November!

 

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 24th August: Fr Neill Robb
• Sunday Morning 25th August: Fr Colin Wilson
• Sunday Evening 25th August: Fr Neill Robb

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. We are sorry on this occasion that Bishop Mark cannot be with us for the Saturday evening Rowton Mass, but delighted that he can stay on for the Sunday evening Youth Mass.

 

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 2024.

 

Compiling the Pre-Visitation Report.

Would any members of the Parish Council or other interested Parishioners who would like to help me compile this report come to an open meeting Monday 9th September 7.00 pm in the house?

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.

 

2025 Mass Diary Opens Sunday 1st September 

 

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!!

An excellent meeting on Thursday with our Diocesan Architect, Parish Renewal Group and our Admin Assistant. All the plans for the refurbishment of the Day Chapel were approved and valuable ideas for the new church lighting system discussed. We are very hopeful that everything will be ready for the Autumn meeting of the Historic Church Commission.

 

Loop System in Church

Apologies this has been misbehaving recently: some of you find it’s fine, others don’t. So our sound engineer is coming next month for a complete overhaul of the whole loop system.

 

Sister Act: Liverpool Empire: Friday 4th October

Just one ticket left - £54, coach and ticket. Please sign up quick on the list at the back of church. 

 

New Translation of the Lectionary

Starting first Sunday in Advent. Watch this space!

 

First Holy Communion Parish Group

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

 

So, what does the Auld Eejit get up to in Italy?

A combination of strolling round the fascinating walled city of Lucca and cruising the wonderful Italian railways to all the nearby towns and cities. Check out the word ‘fláneur’, one of Dickens’s favourite concepts if not the word itself. I’ll be taking two fat trollopes with me and spending time with them both on every park bench in Lucca.* Temperatures will be well into the 30’s, so there won’t be that much running around. I may send you all a postcard, or I may not. (* ‘Phineas Finn’ and ‘The Eustace Diamonds’, Parts 2 and 3 of Trollope’s magnificent six-part Palliser Series.  Why, what did you think I meant?)

 

Photo of the Week: Church Garden in Spring. 

The Lord says this: ‘From the top of the cedar, from the highest branch, I will take a shoot and plant it myself on a very high mountain. I will plant it on the high mountain of Israel. It will sprout branches and bear fruit and become a noble cedar.’ Thanks to Lyn Williams.