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 and Florence 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

Please accept a hymn book as you arrive for Mass and a booklet with the texts of the Mass of the day. 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

Once a month, 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

At the 11.00 a.m. Mass on Sunday, aimed at Children from the ages of 2 up to their first Holy Communion or 7 years of age. 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 of the day. The current rota is on the notice board. However, we always welcome new blood should you like to help out with the art and crafts or even lead a session. Until September 2008 the rota is being organized by Tammy Hervey.

Older Children’s Liturgy Group

This is a group 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. We meet usually in the Upper Room. A few more adults either to lead or just sit in and lend moral support would be welcome. Contact Marysia Placzek.

Coffee after Mass

A group of volunteers serve coffee and biscuits after 11.00 a.m. Mass. It is an opportunity to make new friends and meet people in our parish family, and also to view the Traidcraft stall or browse through the adult and children’s library. 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 2.00 p.m. to 3.00 p.m. Meet in the Upper Room and then in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel. For further information contact Maria Levesley.

The Rosary

Friday after morning Mass. The contact is Elizabeth Davison.

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 Acts of the Apostles. 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. The contact for this is John Green.

Thursday Prayer Group

An opportunity for dedicated spiritual space during the week. Meeting weekly in members’ homes for about an hour and a half, the varied format draws upon the gifts of those within the group. A broad theme may be explored for a month or two, with some weeks being more reflective, others more active. There is always space for individual and collective prayer, usually some singing, whilst periodically there are more explicit acts of liturgy. Whilst members are generally those who have left education recently and/or have young families, the group is open to anyone who needs support and friendship in trying to find time for God in a busy life. For more information contact Jon Burleigh.