Church Groups

Ministry at Holy Rood

Ministry to the Housebound: Lay Ministers of Communion take Holy Communion each week to those parishioners who are unable to join us at Mass. Father Paul and Deacon Richard are always happy to make additional visits if requested to do so.
 
Children’s Choir: A group of children meet after 11.15 Mass to learn music for special performances and to practise hymns. Julia Craig-McFeely, the organist at Holy Rood, directs the choir and welcomes all children who would like to sing.
 
Music: Any singers who would like to join the Rota to sing the Psalm for Sunday Mass, or to join a small choir who sing for special events please contact Julia Craig-McFeely via the Parish Office.
 
After Mass coffee: Patrick Kennedy and Leanne serve Coffee in the Meeting Room after 11.15 Mass. This is an ideal opportunity for newcomers and visitors to the Parish to meet other parishioners.
 
Welcome Team: Welcomes parishioners before Mass and ensures that they have the necessary Mass sheets and hymn books. They are often the first point of contact for new parishioners, and so fulfil an important role in the worshipping community.  If you would like to help in this way, please contact Maura Dennehy, Rosemary Giedroyc or Helen Clear.
 
Readers: If you would like to join those who proclaim the Word at Sunday Mass, please speak to Father Paul, Deacon Richard or Clare Broome Saunders via the Parish Office, and they will arrange for you to be added to the Rota for Mass.
 
Flowers: Elizabeth King and Monica Cunliffe organise the floral arrangements for Holy Rood. If you would like to join them in their ministry, please contact Monica on (01235) 524109.
 
Church Cleaning: Maura Dennehy and Rosemary Giedroyc, who are always delighted to be joined by willing helpers, lead this essential ministry. Please contact Maura if you could assist.
 

Catholic Neighbours Scheme

The 'Catholic Neighbours' scheme is at the heart of building Communion n our parish. Each area of the Parish has a number of designated Catholic Neighbours', who take responsibility for a small area, usually two or three streets, within the community where they live. In that area, they are in touch with all the Catholics, whether or not they are active members of the worshipping community.

The Catholic Neighbours are asked to pray for these people, maintain contact with them, and be aware of any developments, e.g. sickness, of which the clergy should informed. In addition the Catholic Neighbours deliver cards in Advent and Lent, which give details of all the services and other events in the Parish for Christmas and Easter. Each Catholic Neighbour has a designated member of the Parish Pastoral Council to whom they can go for support and advice, if necessary.

Once a year a supper is held for all those involved in the scheme. The scheme is reviewed, any problems are shared and possible initiatives are discussed. Prayer is an important part of the evening, as it is the corner stone of this activity, as of all others, within our parish.