Altar Society

Altar Servers

A group of very dedicated ladies who give time each week to help keep the Church Neat and tidy.  They also look after the altar linens, the sacred vessels, candelabra, holy water fonts, etc.

Father O’ Kane invites young boys and girls from year 4 onwards to help serve the altar at Mass and other services.  Adult men are also invited to serve at weekday Masses and funerals when the younger altar servers are not available.
 

 Apparators

Men & ladies who welcome people, distribute Missalettes, newsletters and hymn books, organise collections and show people to their seats on Sundays and Holy Days.
 

 Bar Staff

All the bar workers are volunteer parishioners.  One man is in charge over all but several others make themselves available for parish functions or any time the bar is open. 
 

 Bonanza Draw

One of the main fund raising events that runs throughout the year with the help of loyal agents and members.  The draw takes place on the last Saturday of each month.  The subscription is £1 a week paid annually, quarterly or monthly. In total £7,500 is paid out annually in prizes.
 

 Cafod

Including Traidcraft.
 

 Children’s Liturgy

This takes place once a month.  A team of parents of the young children prepare the Liturgy on a rota basis.
 

 Choir / Drama

The adult choir sing together formally at Easter and Christmas and other special occasions.  At the weekend  they sing at the Mass of their choice.  They practice when needed.  About twice a year  many of them come together to produce some form of entertainment  in the parish and / or evenings of prayer and reflection. eg  Taize; Songs of Praise. The young singers  aged 5 years and upwards meet each Saturday in the Parish Centre where they learn new songs and practice drama skills.   They entertain at least twice a year, either alone or alongside the adults.  Many of them sing in the choir at the weekend and they all sing in Church on special occasions.
 

Christmas Crib

and

Easter Garden 

These are arranged each year in front of the Holy Family  pedestal.
The crib follows the tradition of St. Francis of Assisi, who first thought of the idea.  There are many original ideas in connection with the crib.  The shepherds, sheep and wise men, with their camel, appear on the altar throughout Advent as they make their journey to Bethlehem.
The Easter Garden recalls the Triduum – the three days Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Sunday.  In our garden Easter Day is especially commemorated with the Risen Christ, empty tomb, soldiers and holy women.
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 Covenant with the Poor

Two parishioners attend the Deanery meetings and report back to the parish and organise any fund raising or collections that to be held.
 

 Counters

Three teams of counters count the weekly collections and record all envelope donations in the numbered register.
 

 Derby Fair

This is the largest fund raising and social event run by the parish each summer.  It is held on the Church grounds and in the parish centre.  Many people take part in the preparation and manning the stalls and events on the day.
 

 Eucharistic Ministers

This is a vital ministry in all parishes, helping with distribution of Communion in Church and bringing the Eucharist to the sick at home, nursing home and housebound in their own homes.
 

 Flowers

With exception of Advent and Lent, flowers are a wonderful symbol of life and the splendour of God’s creation.   Besides the weekly flowers, on request they may be arranged in church for weddings and other celebrations, jubilees or anniversaries. Flowers are also arranged for the Parish Centre for  social events.
 

 Gardeners

The grounds of the church, which are quite extensive, have to be kept neat and tidy, showing that we care for the environment and to witness that we are a living caring community.  Father ‘O Kane does a lot of the work on a daily basis, making sure that the lawns are cut and that Kingsway is litter free.   One or two parishioners assist him as required and look after the flower beds.
 

 Gift Aid

This is the means by which the Inland Revenue gives a rebate of tax to the Parish in accordance with the amount they have contributed through the envelope scheme.  Three parishioners are involved in the running of gift aid.
 

 Governors

We have three schools associated with the parish; the Sacred Heart Primary & Nursery; Alice Ingham Primary and St. Cuthbert’s High School.  Several parishioners are Governors at the Schools and Father O’ Kane is governor at Alice Ingham School.
 

 Hospitality

Tea and coffee are served after each Mass at the weekend in the Parish Centre.  A group of willing volunteers provides this service.
 

 Luncheon Club

This is run each Wednesday in the Parish Centre by a group of Senior Citizens for Senior Citizens.  Lunch is served at 12 noon followed  tea / coffee. Then there is time for a game of Bingo and a chat. Outings to a restaurant are organised two or three times each year.
 

 Mission Boxes

The Mill Hill red boxes are held in the homes of parishioners whose families contribute to them.  One parishioner organises the collections several others distribute magazines and calendars  and empty the boxes tour times a year.
 

 Musicians

The organ, sometimes accompanied by the flute and recorder,  is played at all weekend Masses and at Novenas and special devotions.   On special occasions,  eg. Taize Evenings; Songs of Praise, a group of instrumentalists comes together including flutes, recorders, keyboard, clarinets, violin, viola and cello.
 

 Newsletter

This is the Parish Information sheet that is published each weekend.  It gives the times of Masses, Devotions and Spiritual and Social Events.  It also keep as people up to date with all the news of the Parish, the Deanery and the Diocese.
 

 Offertory Gifts

Numerous families, couples and individuals are involved in carrying the gifts to the Altar at Mass.
 

 Quiz Nights

These are held approximately every six weeks in the Parish Centre.  A couple organise these and act as Quiz Masters,  they provide quizzes for Adults and children.
 

 Parish Rambles

 Piety Stall

 This is open in the Parish Centre after each of the weekend Masses selling religious objects and cards.  Two people take responsibility for this at each Mass.
 

 Pilgrimages

These are organised on a regular basis.  For Pilgrimages to Walsingham our parish joins with others in the Deanery.  Father O’ Kane organises pilgrimages  approximately every two years  to Lourdes; the Holy Land ( when available ); and to Rome and Assisi.  There have also been Pilgrimages to Lindisfarne and  Ampleforth Abbey organised by parishioners.
 

 Readers

Forty five parishioners of all ages read the scriptures at Mass and other occasions throughout the year.
 

 Registrars

Three parishioners are assigned registrars for Weddings.
 

 Rotas

The weekly lists of those taking part in the Liturgy as Eucharistic Ministers, Readers or the Offertory Procession , are prepared by Parishioners  and displayed on the Notice board and in the weekly newsletter.
 

 Sacramental Preparation

Father O’ Kane prepares parents for Baptism. The Sacramental Team, consisting of Father, the Parish Coordinator and ten catechists follows the Diocesan Programme of preparation for the Sacraments of Reconciliation, Confirmation and Holy Communion.  A parishioner, who is also a counsellor, helps in the preparation for Marriage.