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Those
who perform this ministry provide a very special service to the parish
community as a whole, and particularly to our visitors and newcomers to
the parish. We hope that all who come here to worship go away feeling
welcomed and valued. If you would like to help in this way, we would be
most grateful. Just have a word with those already carrying out this
task at the Mass you attend.
Ministry
of Reading When
the Reader proclaims the Word of God at Mass, it is God in fact who is
speaking to us, revealing the mysteries of our redemption and salvation,
providing us with spiritual nourishment, and revealing His unfailing
love for us. Christ himself, in the form of his Word, is present in our
midst. The one who reads in church is used by God as a channel through
which He communicates with us. If you feel you could fulfil this task,
have a word with either Fr. Tony or our Parish Coordinator of Readers,
John Carr, whose phone number is posted in the porch, and some help and
training will be offered. More readers for the rota would be much
appreciated.
These
help with the distribution of Holy Communion during Mass, and some who
have been given the necessary authorisation and clearance also take Holy
Communion to the sick and housebound. More ministers would be welcome at
any of our Masses. If you feel you would like to be trained to serve the
parish in this way, or if you have already been carrying out this
ministry in another parish and would like to do so here, then please speak to
Fr. Tony.
Ministry
of Music If
you play an instrument or enjoy singing, please let us know. More help
is always needed. Organ accompaniment is provided at most of the weekend
Masses, and twice per month a music group plays at the 10.30 Mass on
Sunday. Apart from Christmas and Easter, we do not have a formal choir
at Sunday Mass, but use a group of singers to lead and assist the
congregation. Cantors willing to sing the Responsorial Psalm and Gospel
Acclamation are always welcome. If you wish to know more about the choir
and singers, contact Denis Connaughton, Tel. 0161 286 1040, and if you
are interested in joining the music group, contact Julia Hathaway, Tel.
0161 941 7155.
This
takes place during school term time at the 10.30am Mass on Sunday. There
are two groups, one for those aged 4 - 6, and one for the 6+ children.
The children process out of church at the start of Mass to go across to
the Parish Hall, and return in time for the Offertory. There they have a
simplified Liturgy of the Word, concentrating mainly on the Gospel
reading. If you would like to help with this important activity, please
contact Tracey Dawson, Tel. 0161 941 7289.
Children’s
Mass On
the first Sunday of the month during term time, instead of the children
going out for their separate celebration of the Liturgy of the Word,
they remain in church, and the Mass is geared to their level. They act
as readers and sometimes cantors as well. A small group of adults take
turns to organise these Masses on a rota basis. Again, if you are
interested in helping, please have a word with Tracey Dawson, Tel. 0161
941 7289.
The
Sacristy Looking
after the sacred vessels, the altar linen, the vestments used by priest
and servers, ensuring the right liturgical colour is selected for the
tabernacle veil, lectern hanging and missal stand, putting out what is
needed for Mass and tidying it away afterwards – these are just some
of the many vital tasks that enable our worship to run smoothly. If you
feel able to help in any way, or wish to know more about what is
involved, please have a word with Fr. Tony.
Those
involved in this task normally work in pairs on a day and time of their
choice. The church is cleaned each week, and Wednesday or Thursday after
the morning Mass seems a fairly popular time.
Prior to the major feasts of Christmas and Easter, a major clean
takes place. More helpers are always needed, and the more who volunteer
the less frequent the rota turn comes round. If you could offer some of
your time for this task, it would be gratefully accepted. Please contact
the parish secretary, Julia Hathaway on 0161 973 1694. Flower
Arranging We
are fortunate to have a team of talented and dedicated parishioners who
provide beautiful arrangements to decorate our church and enhance our
worship throughout the year. If you would like to join them, please
speak to their Coordinator, Mary Mottram, Tel. 0161
980 3115.
Throughout
our lives God is seeking a relationship with us – a relationship that
is never meant to be static, but always developing, deepening, and
maturing. The gift of faith that God has blessed us with – the gift
that enables us to recognise, develop, and rejoice in the relationship
we have with God - is a gift to be lived
ourselves and to be shared with others. Every one of us in that sense is called to
be a ‘catechist’ – a person of faith whose example and support
helps others to recognise and develop their own relationship with God. But
the Church also needs and welcomes people who are prepared in
a more structured way to accompany others on their particular faith
journey. Some individuals, for instance, will be travelling the road to
membership in the Catholic Church; others preparing for one of the
sacraments; young children will need the help of adults as they explore
and celebrate the Good News during the separate Children’s Liturgy of
the Word at Sunday Help
and initial training is always provided for those willing to help in
this way and give generously of their time as a catechist. On-going
formation is also available and valuable. Knowledge and expertise are
things that grow and develop with time. But for those who exercise this
role, more important than anything else is love and trust in God,
gratitude for his goodness, and a willingness to share with others your
own experience of living the faith. If
you would like to know more about what is involved or feel God may be
calling you to this task, please speak to Fr. Tony, or to our Parish
Link Catechist, David Astin, Tel. 0161 973 9154.
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Welcomers
at Mass
Ministers
of Communion
Children’s
Liturgy of the Word
Church
Cleaning
Catechists