Holy Week and Easter Thanks

As the Octave Week of Easter draws to a close, a pleasure to thank everyone who worked so hard to deliver a splendid Holy Week and Triduum, for our own parishioners and for all the many, many wizziters we welcomed over those memorable days. Gerry marshalled our Altar Servers with such dedication and devotion – and wasn’t it moving to see so many of our University Students wanting to come back and serve on the Altar? Huge thanks to Tom and the Choir and Instrumentalists for accompanying the Liturgy so beautifully. Marie and her team decorated the church with lovely Easter flowers – thank you! The Readers did us proud, and we all thank you for the preparation you put into this vital Ministry. Thanks too to our Eucharistic Ministers, our Welcomers, Steve for all his work on Leaflets and Missalettes and to everyone who made our wizziters feel welcome. And to our two Firemen, Papalat and Leo, seasoned arsonists both. A real team effort and enormously appreciated by all of us. 

 

Pope Francis

Well done, thou good and faithful servant! Our sadness at his departure, the father of our Catholic family, is only matched by our joy that he now takes his place in his Father’s House. A wonderful man and a great spiritual leader, he was able to speak to non-Catholics and Catholics alike. We have been very moved by the expressions of sympathy to us by the Cathedral here in Chester and by many other Church Leaders. There are special Prayer Cards today and Bishop’s Pastoral letter.

 

Jane Kluth

Jane and Pope Francis were Promoted to Glory within a day of each other, in the full Glory of the Risen Lord of Easter. Two remarkable people. Jane has been a central member of our community here for half a lifetime, and we cannot begin to list all the wonderful ways she has given to us over those years. She was an amazing support for generations of CathSoc Students, just one example of her unstinting love and generosity. Our hearts and prayers go out to David, their six children and seventeen grandchildren. With typical generosity, Jane left her body to Medical Science. We have arranged her Memorial Mass for Wednesday 28th May at 12.00 noon and know we will see you all there.  

 

150th Celebrations and Fundraising

Another great Planning Meeting last Thursday – always the last Thursday of the month – with Mommalat cracking the whip as successfully as ever! Well done!

 

St Francis Chester at 150

Both churches were opened in 1875, and we send our love and congratulations to all the Franciscans and their parishioners for their own 150th Celebrations. Saturday 5th May has an Exhibition at 10.00 am, Mass at 12.00 noon and a Guided Tour of Franciscan Sites in Chester at 3.00 pm.  Mass is at 6.30 pm, and they have done me the honour of asking me to preach. Sunday 4th May has their usual Masses, with a special Children’s Anniversary Programme in the morning. 

 

Financial Year End Headline Figures: 2024-25

• Total Income = £138,796
• Total Expenditure = £111,843
• Surplus = £26,953

Details to follow in the weeks ahead. Thanks, everyone!

Final Parish Group FHC Meeting on Tuesday 

For parents and children not attending our Primary School, Tuesday 29th April at 6.30 pm. The children will need their preparation books and pencil cases. They will have a chance to practise receiving the host. 

 

Chester Photo Festival: Making Voices Heard

9th-22nd May: entries from all over the world and many people will be coming to see their exhibits and visit our Church. We’re hosting some exhibits from 7th May.

 

Hospice Fund Raising: 26% of the Way There!

Total donations this week: £788.25. Gift Aid so far is £290.50 (Please use the envelopes on the table at the back - it makes such a difference!) Just Giving this week is £350. Almost ready now with our fabulous Parish Recipe Books, and Our Lego Models of the Church are launched today. Our Just Giving page is at https://www.justgiving.com/page/150-years-of-st-werburghs 

 

SVP Spring Mass - Sunday 11th May at 2.30 pm

All warmly invited and most welcome to stay on for a tea party in the back of the church afterwards. If you need transport, please ring Fran 07990-524-780.

 

Christian Aid Big Brekkie

To raise money to fight poverty & injustice worldwide. Sunday 18th May 9.00-11.30. Christleton Parish Hall.

 

Welcome Wednesdays Never Sleep!

Next WW is 30th April when Laura Jones from Age UK Cheshire will give a Talk about her Scam Awareness Project and ask, 'How scam-savvy are YOUI?’  All welcome: we can never be scam-savvy enough. 

 

Young Adults Gathering – Friday May 2nd 

Are you over 18 and looking to meet fellow parishioners? Join us for our Young Adults Gathering on Friday, May 2nd at St Werburgh's at 6.30 pm for an evening of connection, conversation, and community! Nithin will be at the back of Church between Masses on Sunday Mornings and after Mass in the evening on 27th April so come and say hello! 

 

Planting 150 flowers to Celebrate 150 Years

Please include your name and a label with the flower name, so we can plant it in a suitable place and care for it appropriately. Please drop off your bulbs and plants  Sunday 27th April  (Boxes in the porch or by the bench in the garden). Mon 28th to Sat 3rd April: Boxes by the bench in the garden.
Sun 4th May: Boxes in porch or by bench in garden. 

 

Safeguarding Training for All Volunteer Parishioners

Our Parish Safeguarding Representatives will be holding Safeguarding Training Sessions on Tuesday 13th May at 7.00 pm and Thursday 15th May at 2.00 pm. 

 

St Werburgh’s Parish Pilgrimage Walk  to Holywell

Saturday 28th June: St Werburgh’s to Flint. Sunday 29th June: Mass in Flint, then on to St Winefride’s Shrine. 20 places gone, just 10 left.  Details on flyers. Names and questions:  john.egan1935@gmail.com

 

Children’s Liturgy Starts Again Sunday 27th April

 

Photo of the Week: Murder on the Nile

Well, a 4th century Coptic Church actually – but that made you look, didn’t it? Thanks, Marian!

 

150th Anniversary Hospice Fundraising Progress