Despite appearances otherwise, we are still open for services and prayer with Covid-19 precautions:
Wednesday 29th July 12.00 – 1.30pm – peaceful reflection/prayer
Friday 31st July 12.00 – 1.30pm – 12.30pm Mass
Sunday 2nd August 10.30am Mass
Tuesday 4th August – 12.00 – 1.30pm – peaceful reflection/prayer
Tower Repair Update
Repairs were attempted from a very impressive ‘Cherry Picker’ but sadly it was just too short! The base had to rest on the sturdy ground outside of the graveyard, meaning that the arm wasn’t able to reach far enough to enable safe access. It was however, tantalisingly colse enough to obtain some informative pictures of the damage – not good.
We are now awaiting the arrival of an even more impressive ‘Cherry Picker’ from Bradford, which is cheaper than scaffolding! All being well, the emergency repairs will be carried out then. It is hoped that a large project to restore the tower and increase the use of the church in the local community will be under way in the near future.
Matthew 16:18And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
We will be reopening for prayer first of all, and then Mass from Friday 10th July:
Friday 3rd July – 12-1pm private prayer
Friday 10th July – 12.30pm Mass
Sunday 12th July – 10.30am Mass 5th Sundy after Trinity
Following this we will continue with normal Mass times – Friday 12.30pm, Sunday 10.30am and Holy Days 12.30pm. The toilet and cafe area are still undergoing refurbishment but the toilets are fully functional and availalble! Please use the side door as the tower entrance needs some repairs and is fenced off. We look forward to welcoming back friends old and new.
Come, let us sing unto the Lord:
let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation.
Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving,
and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms.
For the Lord is a great God,
and a great King above all gods.
In his hand are the deep places of the earth:
the strength of the hills is his also.
The sea is his, and he made it:
and his hands formed the dry land.
Come, let us worship and bow down:
let us kneel before the Lord our maker.
Psalm 95 extract verses 1-6
This year is of course like no other, and the Feast of Corpus Christi has to be celebrated without partaking in the Eucharist within church. In this short devotional video on the theme of Corpus Christi (below), the Bishop of Fulham speaks powerfully of the vital role the Blessed Sacrament has in our spiritual lives. The film is a joint initiative between The Society and the Church Union and was made in accordance with the Government guidelines in place during the pandemic. It is the final film in a series of eight such films, covering the themes of Holy Week, Easter, Our Lady, Pentecost, praying for the dead and, now, Corpus Christi.
READ MARK, learn and inwardly digest
Chester Cathedral would like to invite you to join in with a course for 12 weeks at 1.10 -2pm on Wednesdays starting on 13 May and concluding on 5 August.
Clergy from around the diocese, including Bishop Keith Sinclair will talk about sections of Mark’s gospel each week and will take us through the whole gospel.
There are two ways you can join in
You can join the sessions live on Wednesdays at 1.10pm on Zoom and ask questions of the speaker. If you would like an invitation to be present please contact deansoffice@chestercathedral.com, with READ MARK in the subject line, and you will be sent the link to enable you to connect for 1.10pm.
You will find it helpful to bring a version of Mark’s gospel for the session.
The speakers are following the sections from here, and some will use the material whilst others may refer to it. You may wish to read it beforehand or afterwards or simply listen to the speakers.
We look forward to joining with you in, ‘READING MARK, learn and inwardly digest’ this summer.
Update from St. Peter’s
Although many churches will be opening for private prayer this week, we unfortunately will not be able to at the moment. This is because the kitchen and toilet areas are being upgraded to provide much better facilities for everyone when we do reopen. We’ll keep you posted on works and any plans to reopen. In the meantime, we have a list of online resources you may find helpful.
