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CHILDRENS’ CHOIR
The choir was formed in October 2010 to provide an enhanced music liturgy for Christmas that year. It is now well established and rehearses on Wednesday evenings at 7pm for one hour. All children aged 7 plus are eligible to join.The choirmaster, Mark Guerin, has a wide experience of choral singing right back from when he was a boy in Limerick and into his time with Leeds and Brentwood Cathedral choirs. He is now a member of the chorus at the Royal Opera House.
The choir are given vocal training and learn to read music. The music taught is very varied and tries to explore all styles from plainsong through to the most recent music written for the Catholic liturgy. There is a written record of music spanning at least a millennium and so we don’t expect to run out of material any time soon.
At all times we try and keep the music relevant to the church’s season and to help lead the congregation in the observance of the sacraments. At present the choir perform about once every 5 weeks at the 9:00am mass and of course at Christmas and Easter.
Singing is one area where boys and girls play on a level playing field, where children of different ages work together to a common aim. It is quite unlike all the sport or school work which is segregated by age and sex most of the time. In the choir the older children are encouraged to help the younger children to follow the words and to find the next piece of music.
Once better established it is intended to have positions for leaders and a head chorister.
If you are interested in joining then please just come along on Wed evenings or contact the choirmaster on 07970 698992.
“He who sings prays twice” – St. Augustine
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POST CONFIRMATION GROUP
The Post Confirmation Youth Group meets once a month on a Thursday evening (7pm-9pm) in the Parish Hall. It is for those young Adults who have been recently confirmed during Year 9. It leads directly on from the Confirmation preparation and is a great way for the group to continue to meet together once they have been confirmed. For further information please contact Francesca Khaliq on
tel: 01707 654459 or Email Us
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FINANCE COMMITTEE
To assist the parish priest in his administration of the goods of the parish, a finance committee has been established under Canon Law. The parish priest appoints members. Support our Parish
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TEXT GIVING THROUGH YOUR MOBILE PHONE
A new way to support the Parish. By using your mobile telephone you can now text £5 as an offering. Simply type the word Parish, leave a space, then POTBR, to 70800. £5 will be added to your mobile phone bill as a donation which will come directly to our parish. If you have any queries please speak to the Parish Priest or call the Diocese of Westminster at 020 7798 9375.
GIFT AID SCHEME
The parish depends on you for financial support. Many parishioners now donate by Bankers Order or by planned giving envelopes.
Gift Aid Scheme
If you are a taxpayer, you can really help give us ‘free money’ by a simple device of signing a Gift Aid declaration. The Government has made it possible for parishioners to increase their gifts by 25p on each £1 contributed. The Inland Revenue returns to the parish the tax already paid and it will cost you – NOTHING. If you would like to know more, all you need to do is to complete a simple form, available from the parish office.If you would like to support the parish you really can help. Support our Parish
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PARISH ESTATE MANAGEMENT GROUP
This group has the responsibility for the care and maintenance and, where appropriate, the improvement of the parish estate including such measures as are necessary to ensure the health and safety of all users. Contact Martin Connolly on 01707 663501
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CHURCH CLEANING
The care of God’s dwelling is a fulfilling ministry. Volunteers from the Parish clean the church each week. The rota for this is renewed regularly and is displayed on the notice board and published in the weekly bulletin. We are grateful to all people who have been doing this for many years. New volunteers are always welcome. Please contact the office for more information.
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CHURCH FLOWERS
We are a small dedicated team of flower arrangers who volunteer regularly on a rota basis. For major celebrations such as Easter, Christmas, First Communion, etc., we all work together so that the Church looks extra special.
None of us are professional – we just do our best and enjoy enhancing our modern Church with flowers.
Meetings are held from time to time to arrange rotas and discuss future events over a cup of tea or coffee.
Flower Arranging is a very satisfying hobby and the results of our labours are much admired by the congregation. We all just do our best and the results are appreciated.
We would welcome anybody interested in joining our Team. Experience is not necessary.
Please contact Marina via Email or 07934 882001.
Flower donations:
So that as many parishioners as possible can be involved with the church flowers whether they wish to arrange them or not, donations towards buying the flowers may be put into an envelope marked “Flowers” and left at the office.
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WOMEN’S WORLD DAY OF PRAYER
Organises an annual interdenominational service prepared by the women of a different country each year. Contact Ita Flach.
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DIOCESAN SAFEGUARDING
We have implemented child protection procedures in the parish. Chris Lundrigan is our Child Protection parish representative. Telephone 01707 654359
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REPOSITORY
The ‘shop’ is situated in the Narthex between the main church doors and the parish hall. It is open after all weekend masses. A good supply of quality cards and religious artefacts is available or can be ordered.