This Week - 28/11/2020

Adam here, I hope that you are all managing okay as the days get darker and colder more quickly. Wednesday was the second mid-week live streamed Mass. The live streamed Mass will be tomorrow at 11.00am.

Website updates include this week's parish newsletter, News from the Pews, Father Anton's weekly column, and the parish news blog. Some of the News from the Pews entries are actually very funny.

The Christmas Raffle will take place on Saturday, December 12th at 12 noon. See Christmas Raffle.

The lastest news from The Catholic Universe can be read at https://thecatholicuniverse.com/category/news-uk-and-ireland/

Please take care and look after yourselves.

This Week - 21/11/2020

Adam here, I hope that you are all managing during Lockdown Series II. Wednesday was the second mid-week live streamed Mass. The live streamed Mass will be tomorrow at 10.00am.

This week see the welcome return of "News From The Pews". Some of you may remember this.

Website updates include this week's parish newsletter, Father Anton's weekly column, and the parish news blog. I have made new icon pictures on the newsletter page. Newsletter and weekly column icons show the Church Altar at St. Werburgh's. The News from the Pews icon features Altar and pews at St. John the Baptist.

The Christmas Raffle will take place on Saturday, December 12th at 12 noon. See Christmas Raffle.

Please look after yourselves.

Return of "News From The Pews" - 21/11/2020

To help each other through the next few week's leading up to Christmas, it has been decided to resurrect 'News from the Pews' which a few might remember.

Read more

National Youth Sunday is on 22nd November

We encourage all families in parishes and schools to come together and prayer as a family on Sunday 22nd November which is National Youth Sunday.

National Youth Sunday

This Week - 14/11/2020

Adam here, I hope that you are all managing okay in Lockdown Series II. This week's live-streamed Holy Mass will be tomorrow at 10.00am.

This week's update includes the parish newsletter, Father Anton's weekly column, and the parish news blog.

Next Sunday is National Youth Sunday. We encourage all families in parishes and schools to come together and prayer as a family next Sunday 22nd November. See National Youth Sunday

Please check out The Fertile Heart website. There is a Christmas Raffle Prizes taking place on Saturday, December 12th at 12 noon. See Christmas Raffle.

Live-streaming will continue with midweek Mass on Wednesday at 7.00 p.m. Masses on Sunday will be at10.00am. once more. Please keep an eye on these times as they can change from week to week.

Take care and look after yourselves.

This Week - 07/11/2020

Adam here, I hope that you are all managing okay in Lockdown Series II. This week's live-streamed Holy Mass will be today at 6.00pm.

This week's update includes the parish newsletter, Father Anton's weekly column, and the parish news blog.

Please check out The Fertile Heart website. There is a Christmas Raffle Prizes taking place on Saturday, December 12th at 12 noon. See Christmas Raffle.

Furthermore, Lockdown Series II prevents Masses with congregations taking place. The Church will be open for private prayer on Sunday mornings between 11am – 12noon.

Live-streaming will continue with an extra Streamed Mass midweek!

Take care and look after yourselves.

St Werburgh’s Christmas Raffle Prizes on December 12th - 05/11/2020

Father Anton and Mr Grove will be doing the draw on Saturday December 12th at 12 noon, which we will film and upload to Facebook. We will also contact the winners by phone and email to let them know what they have won. Some prizes have already been donated as detailed in the list below and we will add more to the list as they are confirmed.

Christmas Raffle

This Week - 01/11/2020

Adam here, I hope that you are keeping well. Our live-streamed Holy Mass will be on tomorrow at 10am.

This week's update includes the parish newsletter, Father Anton's weekly column, and the parish news blog.

Please check out The Fertile Heart website. This is a new Catholic Education Resource, to teach the new compulsory subject of Relationships Education, to primary and secondary school children, in an authentic Catholic way.

Furthermore, new government guidelines for a four-week lockdown in England prevent Masses with congregations taking place in church. However, activity to facilitate live-streaming is still allowed, and so we will be aiming to broadcast two Masses per week, just as we did during the earlier lockdown. More details to follow.

Take care and look after yourselves.

This Week - 24/10/2020

Adam here, I hope that you are keeping well. Our fortieth live-stream of Holy Mass will be on tomorrow at 11am.

This week's update includes the parish newsletter, Father Anton's weekly column, and the parish news blog.

Check out The Fertile Heart website. This is a new Catholic Education Resource, to teach the new compulsory subject of Relationships Education, to primary and secondary school children, in an authentic Catholic way.

Remember that the clocks goes backwards tonight!

Reminder - The 12 o' clock Mass at St. Chad's on Sunday 1st November will live streamed and dedicated to married couples. Read More

Thank you once again to all the newsletter subscribers.

Support Our Local Foodbank - 24/10/2020

Our representative for Foodbank will be in the church car park gathering supplies for those in need on Sunday 8th November between 2.00 – 3.00pm.

Fertile Heart - New Catholic Education Resource - 24/10/2020

A Fertile Heart is a local initiative, to teach the new compulsory subject of Relationships Education, to primary and secondary school children, in an authentic Catholic way.

It has been developed by a group of teachers and priests alongside a local publisher, 2 of whom are from our own Parish of Our Lady of St Werburghs.

Although a new resource, A Fertile Heart has already been fortunate to be endorsed by Archbishop George Stack of Cardiff and Bishop Mark Davis of Shrewsbury. Both have been helping to bring awareness of the resources to the wider Catholic Community.

Find out more

This Week - 17/10/2020

Adam here, I hope that you are keeping well. This weekend's live-stream of Holy Mass, our thirty ninth, will be on tomorrow at 10am.

This week's update includes the parish newsletter, Father Anton's weekly column, and the parish news blog. I have also amended the pictures on the Prayers page.

Reminder - The 12 o' clock Mass at St. Chad's on Sunday 1st November will live streamed and dedicated to married couples. Read More

Thank you once again to all the newsletter subscribers.

Mass Dedicated To Married Couples is on Sunday 1st November

The 12 o' clock Mass at St. Chad's on Sunday 1st November will live streamed. It will be dedicated to married couples, especially all those celebrating milestone anniversaries in 2020.
Read More

This Week - 10/10/2020

Adam here, I hope that you are bearing up during this challenging time. This weekend's live-stream of Holy Mass will be on Sunday at 10am.

This week's update includes the parish newsletter, Father Anton's weekly column, new livestreamed mass times, and the parish news blog.

The 12 o' clock Mass at St. Chad's on Sunday 1st November will live streamed and dedicated to married couples. Read More

Thank you once again to all the newsletter 114 subscribers.

This Week - 04/10/2020

Adam here, I hope that you are all well. This weekend's live-stream of Holy Mass will be today at 10am.

This week's update includes the parish newsletter, Father Anton's weekly column, and the parish news blog.

Thank you once again to all the newsletter 114 subscribers.

This Week - 26/09/2020

Adam here, I hope that you are all well. This weekend's live-stream of Holy Mass will be tomorrow at 10am.

This week's update includes the parish newsletter, Father Anton's weekly column, and the parish news blog.

Thank you once again to all the newsletter subscribers.

The Potteries Theological Society (Monday 5th October)

Their first meeting since lockdown will Monday 5th October at 7pm. It will take place using Zoom. The meeting will include a very brief AGM. Dr Ian Atherton is talking to us in the first of a new series called "How the Church engages with Secular Society", and his talk is called "Change in Church and Society in the Seventeenth Century".

Read More >>

Happy Feast Day of St Vincent de Paul (Sunday 27th September)

This coming Sunday is the 27th September, the feast day of St Vincent de Paul. We have a variety of resources for you to engage with and a selection of virtual Masses at St Chad's Cathedral, Birmingham, over the weekend.

Read More >>

Cardinal Griffin Catholic College Lay Chaplain required

• To start 9 November 2020
• Salary: £24,507 – £28,735 (The post holder will be employed as an unqualified teacher, salary range
• Cardinal Griffin Catholic College, Cardinal Way, Stafford Road, Cannock, Staffordshire, WS11 4AW

Full details >>

This Week - 19/09/2020

Adam here, I hope that you are all well. This weekend's live-stream of Holy Mass will be tomorrow at 11am.

This week's update includes the parish newsletter, Father Anton's weekly column.

Thank you once again to all the newsletter subscribers.

This Week - 12/09/2020

Adam here, I hope that you are all well. This weekend's live-stream of Holy Mass will be tomorrow at 11am.

This week's update includes the parish newsletter, Father Anton's weekly column, and new dates and times for future Live Masses. Public Mass times are Saturdays at 6.00pm and Sundays at 10.00am and 11.00am.

Tomorrow there is a Foodbank Collection taking place this Sunday between 2-3 pm in the parish car park! Come along and bring your contributions and catch up on the news in general!

Thank you once again to all 113 of the newsletter subscribers.

Supporting Our Local Foodbank - 05/09/2020

Tomorrow between 2.00 – 3.00pm our representative for Foodbank will be in the church car park gathering supplies for those in need.

This Week - 05/09/2020

Adam here, I hope that you are all well. This weekend's live-stream of Holy Mass will now be tomorrow at 6pm. Due to techical issues i am told.

This week's update includes the parish newsletter, Father Anton's weekly column, and new dates and times for future Live Masses.

As requested by many of you all, I have added a picture of myself to this blog in place of the older pictures. I hope you like.

Thank you once again to all 110 of the newsletter subscribers.

This Week - 25/07/2020

Adam here, I hope you are keeping well. Our 24th live streamed Mass is today. This week's updates include opening times for prayer at our Church, the newsletter, and Fr. Anton's column.

Also, The Birmingham Diocesan Trust (BDT) is looking to appoint an experienced and qualified social worker. Full details here.

Thank you all the newsletter subscribers because the list keeps on growing. The number of subscribers is now 109.

Video feeds for Mass continue to be posted on the St. Werburgh School Facebook Page and our website homepage.

Supporting Our Local Foodbank - 25/07/2020

We are looking to help our Local Foodbank. There will be a collection of items next Sunday August 2nd between 2.00 – 3.00 pm. We have had a great response for the last two collections and look forward to your continued generosity.

This Week - 19/07/2020

Adam here, I hope you are keeping well. Our 22nd live streamed Mass is today. This week's updates include the newsletter, and Fr. Anton's column.

Also, we hereby give notice that Frazer Bloor and Rachel Husband are due to be married at All Saints Church, Kings Bromley, Lichfield on September 5th 2020.

Another big thank all the newsletter subscribers. Now at 106!

Video feeds for Mass continue to be posted on the St. Werburgh School Facebook Page and our website homepage.

This Week - 11/07/2020

Adam here, I hope you are keeping well. Our 20th live streamed Mass is today. Last one was on Tuesday. This week's updates include the newsletter, and Fr. Anton's column. New pictures of the small chapel have been added to the St Werburgh picture gallery.

A big thank all the newsletter subscribers. Almost 100! Now 106!

Kenelm Youth Trust is offering Adventure Holidays at Alton Castle. More details

Video feeds for Mass continue to be posted on the St. Werburgh School Facebook Page and our website homepage.

This Week - 05/07/2020

Adam here, I hope you are keeping well. Our 18th live streamed Mass is today. This week's updates include the newsletter, and Fr. Anton's column.

Kenelm Youth Trust is offering Adventure Holidays at Alton Castle. More details

Video feeds for Mass continue to be posted on the St. Werburgh School Facebook Page and our website homepage.

A big thank all 96 of the newsletter subscribers.

This Week - 28/06/2020

Adam here, I hope you are all well. Our 16th live streamed Mass was today. This week's updates include the newsletter, and Fr. Anton's column aswell as new pictures of Father Anton.

Video feeds for Mass continue to be posted on the St. Werburgh School Facebook Page and our website homepage.

A big thank all 96 of the newsletter subscribers.

This Week - 21/06/2020

Adam here, I hope you are all well. Our 14th live streamed Mass was today. This week's updates include the newsletter, Fr. Anton's column and news updates.

New website home page update; A more recent picture of the front of our school. Photo credit to James O' Hara.

Video feeds for Mass continue to be posted on the St. Werburgh School Facebook Page and our website homepage.

Please note that on Tuesday 23rd June Fr. Anton will be celebrating 45 years in the priesthood. We in the parish encourage all parishioners to say the rosary on this day as a spiritual bouquet for Fr. Anton.

A big thank you to all of the newsletter subscribers. Almost 100 subscribers to date.

This Week - 14/06/2020

Adam here, I hope you are all keeping well. The sun is out here in Kent so you are all getting some too where you are. Today was our 13th live streamed Mass to date. This week's updates include the newsletter with Fr. Anton's column.

New website home page update; The single picture of our church altar shows 1 of 3 different pictures whenever the home page is shown. Photo credit to James O' Hara.

Video feeds for Mass continue to be posted on the St. Werburgh School Facebook Page and our website homepage.

Please note that as well as the Streamed Masses Fr. Anton's Congregation of Priests and Brother (The Sacred Heart) is streaming a Novena. This takes place until the Feast of the Sacred Heart on Friday 19th June.  Each night at 7 pm prayers will be said from the various parishes and communities that we serve in.  Fr. Anton's turn is on Tuesday 16th June at 7 p.m.

Fr. Antons birthday was yesterday and the children sang Happy Birthday on the carpark.

Another big thank you to all of the newsletter subscribers. Almost 90 subscribers to date.

This Week - 07/06/2020

Adam here, I hope you are all keeping well. Today was our 10th live streamed Mass. This week's updates include the newsletter with Fr. Anton's column.

If you missed The Virtual Lourdes Pilgrimage it is still available at www.birminghamdiocese.org.uk/lourdes-pilgrimage.

Video feeds for Mass continue to be posted on the St. Werburgh School Facebook Page and our website homepage.

Another big thank you to all of the newsletter subscribers.

Revitalisation of The Parish Foodbank Operation - 31/05/2020

Fr. Anton wished to draw your attention to the revitalisation of the parish Foodbank Operation! On Sunday June 7th from 2 p.m. until 3 p.m. a collector will be present on the Parish Car Park. He will have his car boot open for people to place donations, all social distancing being observed. The need is very real for many of our citizens. Thank you in advance!

This Week - 31/05/2020

Adam here, I hope you are all well and enjoying the nice weather. Today is our 9th live streamed Mass. This week's updates include the newsletter with Fr. Anton's column.

The Virtual Lourdes Pilgrimage is being streamed live from St. Chad's Cathedral. The week features daily Mass, liturgy and Rosary ‘processions’. Full details here

Video feeds for Mass continue to be posted on the St. Werburgh School Facebook Page and our website homepage.

Another big thank you to all of the newsletter subscribers. As of writing, the count is 88 people!

This Week - 24/05/2020

Adam here, I hope you are all well. Today is our 7th live streamed Mass. This week's updates include the newsletter with Fr. Anton's column.

From 24th May there is a Virtual Lourdes Pilgrimage being streamed live from St. Chad's Cathedral. The week features daily Mass, liturgy and Rosary ‘processions’. Full details here

Video feeds for Mass continue to be posted on the St. Werburgh School Facebook Page and our website homepage.

Another big thank you to all of the newsletter subscribers.

Two Ways To Watch The Live Mass

1. You can visit our website home page, the Mass will be shown there
2. You can visit our school's facebook page at www.facebook.com/olswcatholicprimary/live/

This Week - 16/05/2020

Adam here, I hope you are all well. Today is our 6th live streamed Mass. This week's updates include the newsletter with Fr. Anton's column.

Video feeds for Mass and Children's Liturgy continue to be posted on the St. Werburgh School Facebook Page and our website homepage.

Another big thank you to all of you. As of today I am reaching out to 81 of you. Thank you again.

Two Ways To Watch The Live Mass

1. You can visit our website home page, the Mass will be shown there
2. You can visit our school's facebook page at www.facebook.com/olswcatholicprimary/live/

This Week - 10/05/2020

Adam here, I hope you are all well as can be. Today is our third live streamed Mass. This week's updates include the newsletter with Fr. Anton's column. Video feeds will be in place on the St. Werburgh School Facebook Page and our website homepage shortly before Masses start.

Also, a big thank you to you all for subscribing to the email version of the newsletter which i send out once a week. As of today I am reaching out to 77 of you. Thank you.

Live Mass Times

• Thursday May 14th - Live At Mass 7.00pm
• Saturday May 16th - Live at Mass 6.00pm - for Ashley Parish

Two Ways To Watch The Live Mass

1. You can visit our website home page, the Mass will be shown there
2. You can visit our school's facebook page at www.facebook.com/olswcatholicprimary/live/

This Week - 03/05/2020

Adam here, I hope you all enjoyed the first live streamed Mass this morning. Just to confirm, the next Live Mass Times are:

• Tuesday 5th May Live Mass at 6.00pm
• Sunday 10th May Live Mass at 10.00am

Two Ways To Watch The Live Mass

1. You can visit our website home page, the Mass will be shown there
2. You can visit our school's facebook page at www.facebook.com/olswcatholicprimary/live/

This Week - 02/05/2020

Adam here, keeping up updated with communications by email. I hope that you are well. Sunday tomorrow, Mass will be lived streamed from our Church.

How To Watch The Live Mass

1. Visit our website home page
2. Visit www.facebook.com/olswcatholicprimary/live/

I have also added the Archbishop Bernard longley's pastoral letter and the Letter for the faithfull from his Holiness Pope Francis.

Masses will continue to be streamed live at Sacred Heart Hanley, St Teresa’s Trent vale and St Chad’s Cathedral

Archbishop Bernard Longley's Pastoral Letter - 02/05/2020

Read Archbishop Bernard Longley's
Pastoral Letter

Pope Francis letter for the month of May - 02/05/2020

His Holiness Pope Francis has written and letter for all the faithful for the month of May.

Read Full Letter

This Week - 26/04/2020

Adam here, keeping up updated with communications by email. I hope that you are well. The newsletter for this week features Fr. Anton's column, a short story of a reluctant dinosaur, and a poem by Fr, Anton. Also included is a Novena Prayer for the Safe Re-opening of the Churches.

I have this prayer and a prayer for Marriage and Family Life - Family Examen to to the prayers section.

Live from Our Lady and St Werburgh! It's your parish priest!

Next Sunday May 3rd there will be a live streamed Mass from Our Lady and St Werburgh. This will start at 10 a.m.

Masses continue to be streamed live at Sacred Heart Hanley, St Teresa’s Trent vale and St Chad’s Cathedral

This Week - 19/04/2020

Adam here, keeping up updated with communications by email. I hope that you are all keeping fit and well. The newsletter for this week features Fr. Anton's column and a snap shot into a typical day.

I made new slide show for our website having being inspired by the beautiful pictures of St Chad's Catherdral.

I hope that you like it.

Masses continue to be streamed live at Sacred Heart Hanley, St Teresa’s Trent vale and St Chad’s Cathedral

This Week - Maun Day Thursday to Easter Sunday - 09/04/2020

Adam here, keeping up updated with communications by email. I hope that you are well. The newsletter for this week featuring Fr. Anton's column is online. Please read the additional prayer included.

I encourage you all to listen to Archbishop Bernard's message.

See also Live masses times from St Chad’s Cathedral.

Masses continue to be streamed live at Sacred Heart Hanley and St Teresa’s Trent vale.

Live Masses Online - 07/04/2020

Holy Week Masses, celebrated by Archbishop Bernard will be live streamed from St Chad's Cathedral at the following times:

• Daily Mass (Mon 6, Tues 7 and Wed 8 April) – 12.15pm
• Mass of the Last Supper (Thurs 9 April) – 7.30pm
• Solemn Liturgy, Good Friday (Fri 10 April) – 3pm
• Easter Vigil Mass (Sat 11 April) – 8pm
• Easter Sunday Mass (Sun 12 April) – 11am
• Easter Monday Mass (Mon 13 April) - 10am

Masses from St Chad’s Cathedral

Archbishop Bernard Longley's Holy Week Message - 06/04/2020

Archbishop Bernard has recorded a Holy Week message, focusing on solidarity in our current situation.

Listen to Archbishop Bernard's Message

This Week - Palm Sunday - 05/04/2020

Adam here, keeping up updated with communications by email. I hope that you are well. The newsletter featuring Fr. Anton's column is online. Fr. Aton continues to say Mass everyday for us. The at Sacred Heart Hanley and St Teresa’s Trentvale continue to be streamed live.

It has been suggested that if we can procure a branch of greenery that we place it in the entrance to our homes as a sign of welcoming Jesus into Jerusalem.

Fr. Anton suggests setting up a little table for Maundy Thursday placing some bread and wine and a holy book and praying around it. On Good Friday add the crucifix after passing it around the family. And on Holy Saturday and Easter Sunday add the candle, the sign of the resurrection of Jesus from the dead.