The Liturgy and Prayer

Altar Servers

New altar servers are always welcome. People wishing to serve at Mass and other ceremonies should contact the Parish Priest or Jonathan Yewdall. Formal training is organised as and when necessary.

Extraordinary Ministers of Communion

Ministers are commissioned by the Bishop after invitation by the Parish Priest. They help in the distribution of Holy Communion at all Masses, and take Holy Communion to the sick at home or in hospital. Contact the Parish Priest for further information. The rota is maintained by Kevin Exell.

Holy Communion for the Sick or Housebound

Requests should be made in the first instance to the Parish Priest.

Welcomers and Readers

The rotas for welcomers and readers are arranged by Alan Wenham. If you would like to volunteer as a reader or welcomer at any of the Masses please contact Alan. The current rotas are displayed in the Narthex, on Notice Board C.

Hymn and Mass Books

You will be offered hymn and mass books as you arrive for Mass. Please return them to the welcomers as you leave.

Music and Singing

Music and singing are important elements of the liturgy on Sunday. The ideal is to sing the Mass, taking account of the wishes and capacity of the congregation. Suggestions are welcome. The following people plan the music and singing, with sensitivity to the theme of the Mass and the liturgical season:

9.00 a.m. Mass:

Wendy Allbutt
Nick and Margaret Neale

11.00 a.m. Mass:

Greg Ryan
Jon Burleigh

Youth Mass and Youth Music Group

At 11.00 a.m. on the second Sunday of every month, the young people of the parish take responsibility for the various ministries at the Mass – welcomers, altar servers, readers, taking the collection, forming the Offertory Procession and music. For further information contact Susanne Staub.

The Music Group provides music at the monthly Youth Mass. For further information contact Greg Ryan.

Children's Liturgy

Young Children

The Younger Children's Liturgy Group at the 11.00 a.m. Mass on Sunday is aimed at children from the age of two up to their first Holy Communion. All children should be accompanied by a responsible parent or other carer.

The children come into Mass for the gathering of all the community and leave after the opening prayer. They rejoin the congregation at the offertory where they present their work. During their session they will pray, listen to and discuss a children’s version of the Gospel of the day, sing hymns and either role play or complete a practical activity appropriate to the theme.

The sessions are led by volunteer parents on a rota basis and parents of those who attend regularly are encouraged to join the rota. The current rota, which is organised by Tammy Hervey, is on the notice board.

Older Children’s Liturgy Group

This group at the 11.00 a.m. Mass on Sunday, is run for the benefit of children too old for the children’s liturgy, but who would nevertheless benefit from an opportunity to consider and discuss the Liturgy of the Word in an age-appropriate context. They usually meet in the Upper Room. A few more adults either to lead or just sit in and lend moral support would be welcome. For further information contact Marysia Placzek.

Tea and coffee after Mass

A group of volunteers serve tea, coffee and biscuits after 11.00 a.m. Mass. It is an opportunity to make new friends, meet people in our parish family and view the Traidcraft stall. Money raised through donations for tea and coffee goes to support the work of the Medical Missionary of Mary in Kirambi, Rwanda. If you would like to volunteer to serve, please contact Alan Wenham.

Little Fishes

Praise and Play for 0 – 5 years, with carers, monthly on Mondays from 1.45 p.m. to 3.00 p.m. Meet in the Assisi Hall and then in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel. For further information, contact Clare Byrne.

The Rosary

Friday after morning Mass. For more information, contact Elizabeth Davison or Brian Sowerby.

Lectio Divina

Filled with a desire to get to know Jesus better, this group meets in the Presbytery after the 10.00 a.m. Mass on Monday mornings to read and contemplate one of the books of the Bible – currently the Gospel of St. John. It follows a pattern of prayer to the Holy Spirit, a contemplative reading, quiet time, discussion and a search for a personal response to the Word. For further information, contact John Green.