Welcome to the parish page

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. There are two official licensees but several parishioners 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. There are two official Cafod Collectios each year following the March and October Family Fast Days. During Lent each Saturday after the 12 noon Mass a Soup Meal is held the proceeds of which also go to Cafod. On the first weekend of each month a Fair Trade stall is held in the Parish Centre selling Traidcraft goods.
Children’s Liturgy	This takes place once a month. A team of parents of the young children prepare the Liturgy on a rota basis. During Lent this is held each week to help the children better understand the Passion and Death of Jesus.
Choir / Drama	The Adult/ Youth 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 occasionally hold evenings of prayer and reflection. The Young singers aged 5 years and upwards to 16+ meet each Saturday in the Parish Centre where they learn new songs and practice drama / dance 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. .
Counters	Three teams of counters count the weekly collections and record all envelope donations in the numbered register.
Ministers of Holy Communion	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 ordered for display 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 and makes sure everywhere is litter free. A parishioner makes sure that the lawns are cut on a regular basis. . Other parishioners assist 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 all of the Schools
Hospitality	Tea and coffee are served after each Mass at the weekend in the Parish Centre. A group of willing volunteers provides this service. The Parish Centre is a wonderful asset and isvery well used.
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.
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. It is updated each week on the website.
Offertory Gifts	Numerous families, couples and individuals are involved in carrying the gifts to the Altar at Mass.
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	Pilgrimages to Lourdes; The Holy Land; Poland; The Shrines of France; Rome & Assisi and Fatima have been arranged on a regular basis by Fr,. O' Kane assisted by a parishioner. Pilgrimages to Walsingham are shared with a neighbouring parish. Parishioners have also arranged Pilgrimages to Amleforth and Lindisfarne.
RCIA Team	This is a group of Catechists who assist Father O' Kane in speaking to those who are interested in learning more about the Catholic Faith and helping with their preparation to be received into the church if they so decide. They also organise courses on aspects of our faith from time to time.
Readers	Fifty+ 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 a parishioner 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.
Web Cam	This service provides live Mass coverage everyday of the year. The link is on the front page of the Parish Website, It also has the facility to record special events from which DVDs can then be produced. It is also possible to visit church throughout the day.