This an overview of the ministries and activities that take place
within our parish. For more information please see the Parish
Priest or the Key Contact name below or contact
any member of the Pastoral
Council.
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Adult Catechesis
More information will be available shortly. In the meantime
please contact the Parish Priest. See
also Landings & RCIA below.
Other Catechesis:
Baptismal Preparation - Key Contacts:
Gill Hughes
First Communion - Key Contacts: Alison Handy / Katherine
Cooling
Confirmation - Key Contact: The Parish Priest.
A course for Confirmation will take place next year (2007) in the Pastoral Area for those who will be in year 8 or above. If
you wish to take part please enquire at the Parish Office.
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Altar Servers
Please contact the Parish Priest if you are
interested in becoming an Altar Server. This service is open
to both
boys
and girls. |
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Bethany Group
When a parish family experieces bereavement a
member of the group will contact the family and extend
sympathy and prayers
on behalf of the parish. ....Read more.... Key contacts are Carmel Williams
& Bart Fossey. |
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Bidding Prayers
This group is responsible for preparing the Bidding
Prayers for the Sunday and other Celebration Day Masses. Key
contact is Toby Tyler. |
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Catenian Association
Is an international brotherhood
of Catholic business and professional men who meet socially,
at least once a month, at local branches
or 'Circles'. Read more......
Key Contact is Bart Fossey. |
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Child Protection
Policy
We believe that each child or young person in our communities
is created in God's image to 'have life in its fullness'
Read more..... |
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Children's Liturgy
This takes place every week during term time in the Parish Hall during
the 11am Sunday Mass. At least 2 adults explore the Readings
with the childern and help them to relate to their lives
the Word of God that is read at that Sundays Mass. Key Contact
is Teresa Dykes. Click here |
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Church Cleaning
If you would like to assist the church cleaning, please contact
Angela Spellman. |
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Church Site Maintenance
This group of parishoners take responsibilty for the maintenance
of the fabric of the church building, Presbytery, and grounds. If
you would like to offer your services in this essential work,
please contact Maureen Hudd. |
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Coffee Rota
After the
11am Mass every Sunday coffee & tea are served
in the parish hall for parishioners and visitors. |
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Communications Group
The Parish Communications Group is responsible for
facilitating communications with the local media as well as
within the parish. The group is also responsible for producing
the parish magazine... Read more... Key
Contacts are Barry Hudd / Noel Johnston. |
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Ecumenism
St. Francis de Sales Church has from its inception been
committed to seeking the unity of all Christians. We belong
to the Christians Together in the Newbury Area (CTNA)
and our parish participates when possible in local ecumenical
activities.
Key Contact is Sonya Hutchinson. |
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Eucharistic Ministers
Ministers of the Eucharist assist in the distribution
of Holy Communion at Mass and when the need arises they
also take Holy Communion to the house bound and those in
hospital. Key Contact is Robin
Horscroft on robin@horscroft.freeserve.co.uk. |
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Finance
Like most parishes we constantly strive to find new ways
to raise finance to support and maintain the fabric of the
church and adjoining property.In accordance with the Roman
Catholic Church Canon Law we have a Parish Finance Committee
that takes responsibility
for the financial affairs of the parish. This committee meets
4 times per year. An annual statement of the financial accounts
is presented to the parish at the Annual General Meeting.
The sum of the
weekly collections is also published in the Parish Bulletin.
Key Contact is Bart Fossey. |
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Flowers & Liturgical Decoration
We are extremely proud of the expertise and dedication of a
small group of ladies who arrange the flowers in our church
throughout the year. Key Contact is Joan Connolly. |
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Hospitality / Social Group
Key Contact is Sonya Hutchinson. |
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House Visits
The Parish Priest is very happy to visit people in their
homes. If he arrives unannounced and it is inconvenient -
he will
not
be offended! If you would like the parish priest to visit
- please telephone the the main parish number on 01635
40332 |
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Justice & Peace
The St Francis de Sales
Justice and Peace group exists to enable the parish as
a whole, and individuals within it, to fulfil the Church's
mission to uphold the dignity of every human being, particularly
the poor and oppressed. Read
more...... Key Contact is Lucy Tyler. |
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Landings
Are you thinking of coming back to the Catholic
Church ?
You are very welcome to join us in a small group of friendly
practising Catholics for a few evening meetings to see
for yourself. Read more....
Key Contact is Jim Kay and Ann Haynes. |
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Life Group
Life is a non-denominational national charity
which provides a nationwide care service for pregnant women,
unsupported mothers, women with problems relating to pregnancy,
fertility or infertility, or suffering from the effects of
abortion.
Read more.....
Key Contact is Pauline Beale at Our Lady of the Assumption, Thatcham |
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Liturgy Group
The Liturgy Group provides a forum for exchanging ideas and
a support for the people involved in bringing together the
various elements necessary to provide a prayerful ambience
which enables the congregation to join in praising God. Read
more..... Key Contact is Carmel Williams. |
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Music / Choir
We have two music groups which take turns in leading our
worship. Music helps the congregation to raise their hearts
and minds to the Glory of God. Key Contacts are Hy Cobb & Clare
Huckle. Read more... |
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Parish AGM
All parishioners (and visitors) are invited
to attend our AGM usually held in the parish hall once per
year on a Sunday after the 11am Mass. Key Pastoral Council Contact
is Francis Connolly. |
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Pastoral Area Meetings
St Francis de Sales is in Pastoral Area 3 of the Diocese of Portsmouth. Fr. Padraig Faughnan is the Convening Priest. The Area is one of 24 Larger Pastoral Areas within the Portsmouth Diocese. Read more.... |
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Pilgrimages
For information on future pilgrimages from the parish or deanery
please contact the Fr. Eamon. |
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Prayer / Bible Study Group
Groups of parishoners meet in their houses to study the
Bible and pray together in order to deepen their faith and
understanding of the Word of God. If you would like to join
these meetings, please contact Mairi Mackenzie. |
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RCIA (Journey In Faith)
The letters “RCIA” stand for the “Rite
of Christian Initiation
of Adults”, the document flowing from Vatican II which guides the process
by which adults are initiated into our Roman Catholic community. The RCIA describes
a process in which men and women are guided......
Read
more... Key Contact is Maureen Dickson. |
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Readers
Through the service of Lector, the Word of God
is proclaimed to the people. If you would like to offer yourself
for this
service, please contact Geoffery Cleare.
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SVP - St Vincent de Paul Society
Catholic in character, it is open to all who wish to live
their faith by loving their neighbour in the person of the
needy. This parish works together with St Joseph's, the other
Catholic parish in Newbury to form a combined group who work
throughout
Newbury irrespective of the... Read
more...... Key Contact is Bart Fossey. |
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Traidcraft
There is a Traidcraft Stall in the church hall after the 11am
Mass on Sundays. Read more...... |
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US Plus
The group meets on the 2nd Friday of the month in
the parish or in someone's home. This is a purely social
gathering for people who have time to spare during the day
and would like to meet other people in a friendly and relaxed
enviornment. The meetings usually last up to 2 hours with
a presentation / talk on a subject of general interest over
a cup of tea/coffee and chat afterwards. During the Summer
months outings are organised to local places of interest. Key
Contact is Eileen House. |
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Visiting Sick / Hospitals
Our Parish Priest regularly visits the sick at their homes
and in the local hospitals. If anyone is sick the priest should
be contacted and
he will gladly arrange for that person to have the Sacrament
of the Sick. Within the Pastoral Area we usually have a Celebration
of the Sacrament of the Sick in one of the parishes in May
or June. |
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Youth
Various activities are organised throughout the year for
the different age groups. For information on up and coming
events
please contact the appropriate person for the age group....
Key Contact is ???
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