Parish Groups

“For the Son of man himself came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.’

Matthew 23:11

The parish provides tea and coffee following the 9am Mass every Sunday morning in the church hall. The service is run by volunteers who provide the milk and biscuits (and sometimes cakes!) for the session and make the drinks. Typically we arrive about 20 minutes before mass to organise the cups and put the water heater on. The volunteers usually leave just after Holy Communion to make the tea and be ready as people arrive after Mass. Parishioners are asked to make a voluntary contribution for their drinks. The funds raised is split between going back into the parish for social events and for specific charitable causes. We stay about 45 minutes to an hour after mass to serve and clear up afterwards. The tea/coffee rota is an ideal way of getting to know some of your fellow parishioners and helps to provide a social gathering for all. It raises valuable charitable funds. People volunteer to be on a rota, so the more people that volunteer, the less often the commitment. It is usually possible to swap your slot if you are unable to attend on your designated date.

“Be filled with the Spirit, as you sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, singing and making melody to the Lord in your hearts.”

Ephesians 5:19

The music group aims to provide the music for all Sunday 9am mass and for other occasions such as the First Communion Mass and the Christmas Family Mass. We tend to number between 8 and 12 but would love to expand! Anyone is welcome to join the group regardless of what instrument they play or what singing voice they have: you don’t even have to be a parishioner or a catholic – just someone with a desire to praise God through music and song. We would really like to add more voices and instruments to our current line-up of guitars, flutes and (from time to time) keyboard, bass guitar and drums. The hymns we sing at Mass are always based on the readings for that Sunday. We meet in the Hall on selected Tuesday evenings to choose hymns and to practice.

We welcome feedback (eg if you have any hymn suggestions) so feel free to come to speak to any of the choir members after mass.

“God would not be so unjust as to forget all you have done, the love that you have for his name or the services you have done, and are still doing, for the holy people of God.”

Hebrews 6:10

A key role in the parish is that of the Sacristan who looks after the church and the sacristy and ensures that everything functions as it should. Whilst most of us come Sundays just before Mass starts and leave when it finishes, someone has to open up the church in good time and prepare what is needed for mass and afterwards clear away, tidy up and lock up. In our parish this is Marianne who also undertake a number of other roles in the parish. But this of course is not all, candles need to be ordered, envelopes got ready for special collections, candle money boxes to be emptied, and various rotas to be organised etc. It takes 10-12 hours a week and more at times of celebration such as Christmas and Easter. If you are inspired to work in the house of God and serve the parish community, Marianne will appreciate if you might be able to help in any way.

“When the time for the banquet came, he sent his servant to say to those who had been invited, “Come along: everything is ready now.”

Luke 14:23

What do people expect when they come to Mass on Sunday morning? Perhaps they expect the church to be clean, the altar linen white, the flowers fresh and someone to play the organ to accompany the hymns. Marianne came to St. Patrick’s over forty years ago and getting involved gave her the opportunity to change things and the feeling that she belonged to the church community and that the service to the parish is a privilege. As Parish Secretary, she deals with Hall bookings, safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults, collection counting with 2 helpers and banking it, representing the parish at the Deanery Pastoral Council and washing the altar linen. These are not jobs exclusively for this role – they are open to anyone who wishes to help and indeed will be most welcomed. The church is God’s family and in a family we work together for the good of all. If you’re interested in helping out, please speak to Marianne after mass. 

“So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.”

Romans 10:17

If you are reading this, and you’re looking to help out in the Parish, then read on…because you can be a Reader too! The Reader proclaims the readings from the Bible, recites the psalm between the readings (when there is no psalmist) and presents the intentions for the general intercessions. A Reader prepares by looking at the readings in advance, so that when the Reader proclaims the Word of God, the faithful may conceive in their hearts a vibrant and living affection for the Sacred Scripture. We currently have a small team of Sunday readers. The rota is displayed on the notice board in the narthex. Anyone is welcome to join us – no experience required. If you are interested in learning more, feel free to come to speak to any of us, or email your interest to: presbytery@outlook.com

“First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, for kings and all who are in high positions, so that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and dignity “

1 Timothy 2:1–2

The Bidding Prayers is one of the ways all members of the parish can contribute to the celebration of the Mass. After each intercession the Reader invites the congregation to pray together. The liturgical year, the readings of the day, topical events and the Parish all offer inspiration, so a prayerful attitude, awareness of the needs of the Church and the world are usually the starting point for writing the intercessions. At the moment there is a five-weekly rota of three of us who write the Bidding Prayers each week and we would welcome others to join us. Guidance and support would be given. If you think that this is a role you would like to undertake, please contact Deacon Barry, Lisa Bergin or Elizabeth Brooke.

“Thank you for serving at the Lord’s altar and for making of this service a real school of learning the faith, and charity toward your neighbour. Thank you also for having begun to respond to the Lord, like the prophet Isaiah, “Here I am. Send me” ”

Pope Francis’ Address to Altar Servers

The Altar Servers are a very important part of the parish and we are all really grateful for the work they do. Altar Servers help the Priest and the Deacons during the Mass and at other religious services throughout the year. Any person who has made their First Holy Communion is eligible to become an Altar Server. Our servers say that they learn a lot about the Mass and that it is good to be able to help the parish in this way. They also say that they make new friends and get to see how the Church works. They serve most weeks at the Sunday morning mass. There are currently 6 altar servers. Anyone wanting to become an altar server will get training and will be able to learn from the other, more experienced servers. If you are interested in becoming a server please see Father Chris, Deacon Brendan or Deacon Barry.

“Then he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying: ‘This is my body, given for you; do this in remembrance of me.’ He did the same with the cup after supper, and said, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood, poured out for you.”

Luke 22: 19-20

Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion are lay people who assist the ordinary ministers in distributing Holy Communion and/or the Holy Blood at the mass so that the Communion Rite is not unduly long. They also serve the unity of the worshipping community by taking Holy Communion to those members who are prevented by sickness, old age, or other cause from taking part in the gathering for Mass. Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion are commissioned by the Priest or a Deacon, before they are allowed to work within our parish. Training is provided by Deacon Barry. Holy Communion and the Holy Blood should always be distributed with the utmost dignity and reverence.

As Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, we also act as role models for the younger members in the parish. Serving as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion is also a wonderful opportunity, as a parent, to demonstrate to your child(ren) the importance of serving in the parish community. Perhaps this role model action will inspire your child to serve in the parish community as they get older.

We have a team of 5 and, between us, we make sure we are available to cover for sickness, holidays etc.

“Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. In truth I tell you, anyone who does not welcome the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”

Mark 10:14-15

The Children’s Liturgy provides an opportunity for young children (aged 0-8 years) to access the Gospel reading and message of the Mass for a short time during the Sunday mass. Children leave just before the Readings and Gospel and return after the Offertory has been made.

The Children’s Liturgy is led by a member of a voluntary group who are usually parents of children who attend St Patrick’s. The role involves planning and leading the session for the children and preparing one or two activities to support the children’s understanding of the Gospel. The group works on a rota basis and a leader will run two Sundays every 6-8 weeks and so it isn’t a huge commitment.

It’s very rewarding seeing the children learn each week and be able to recall key messages from the Gospel and to transfer these into their daily lives. Another result of the Chilrden’s Liturgy group is that children develop friendships with each other and, even if they are from different schools, they soon become a close-knitted group. This is a great benefit for the community spirit of the wider church.

As a Children’s Liturgy leader, you will be actively developing the children’s understanding of the Gospel and also making it meaningful and fun for their peers. No specific qualifications are required for the role, just confidence and commitment to our young people! All volunteers undergo a full Enhanced DBS (no fees) as specified by the Diocese, but no one leader is ever expected to be alone with a child other than their own son or daughter.

This is a very enjoyable role to play in the life of the Parish, which also opens up opportunities for you to make friendships with the other leaders. Please get in touch with any one of us if you want to find out more.

“Whatever you are doing, put your whole heart into it, as if you were doing it for the Lord.”

Colossians 3:23 ​​​​​​​​​

The ‘Hall Cleaning Teams’ are responsible for keeping the hall and kitchen, the meeting room, toilets, corridor from the car park entrance and narthex clean.

We work in two Teams of three volunteers: Team 1 cleans on the first Friday or Saturday morning of the month and Team 2 on the 3rd Saturday morning of the month (whichever is more convenient to all 3 volunteers, starting at 10am. If 3 people are working it takes us a maximum of an hour and a half to complete the tasks. The commitment is therefore only an hour and a half, once a month. If any member cannot attend their session, they try to swap with a member of the other team.

Our present parish volunteers feel that, as parishioners, it is something that we can individually commit to, to help make sure the facilities we have are kept clean and tidy, for the benefit and safety of us all, to help preserve the fabric of the internal fittings and furniture, and to encourage people who may want to hire the Hall for meetings or events.

Our aim now: is to recruit two or three ‘Occasional’ volunteers, male or female, who could stand in on the rare occasions that a swap with a member of the opposite team is not possible.

 Jean Humby organises the rota and will be happy to have a chat if you’d like to know more or get involved – Mob 0781 889 8145.

It is really rewarding to work with others for the benefit of the parish; and we get an added bonus: If it is our turn to wash the floor of the hall, we get a FREE ‘work out’!!
Most people don’t notice the work that has been done… unless it isn’t done!! That is fine by us… but, rightly or wrongly, when we walk into the building to go into Church for Mass, having cleaned on that Saturday morning, I’m afraid we DO notice and it is good to see, even though we wouldn’t say that to anyone else, except when we sit or kneel down before Mass we can say… “We did it for you Lord.”

“Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. In truth I tell you, anyone who does not welcome the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”

Mark 10:14-15

The role involves visiting parishioners who are ill, housebound or in a local Nursing Home and taking them Holy Communion. Holy Communion is taken to the home or care home of those not well enough to attend Mass. We visit on a day and frequency to suit, and if possible stay a while for a chat if the person would like it. The service takes about 10 minutes, but can be quicker if necessary. One current Pastoral Visitor commented, ‘It is a privilege to be able to do this work. I very much enjoy chatting to the people and hearing about their families etc. No qualifications are required but you must be discreet, be a good communicator and a good listener.’

The Pastoral Visitor needs to be approved by the Parish Priest and have a DBS check.

“When did we see you a stranger and make you welcome? And the King will answer, “In truth, I tell you, in so far as you did this to one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did it to me.”

Matthew 25:38,40

At St Patrick’s, it is important to make everyone welcome, especially visitors. The role involves talking to people, handing out the news bulletin, giving them information. We especially look out for visitors and make a point of telling them where everything is – hymn books, Mass sheets, Holy water etc – and inviting them into the Hall after Mass for tea and coffee.

If you are interested in helping, please make yourself known to Deacon Brendan. or Deacon Barry.

“In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.'”

Acts 20:35

We run fundraising events throughout the year to supplement regular donations. These events also serve to bring our communities together. Our biggest events are the Summer Fete and the X’mas Fayre.

These events are all organised and run by volunteers, no skills required just a willingness to participate! All help is appreciated; no long term commitment is required. If you’d like to help out, or to join us in organising future events, please speak to Ruth, Jo or Maria.

“Preserve my soul, for I am a godly man; O You my God, save Your servant who trusts in You.”

Psalm 86:2

Our shop is located in the Narthex and typically opens Sunday before/after 9am mass. Stocking a variety of traditional & modern piety items:

+ Crucifixes, Jewellery, Medals

+ Rosaries, Pin Badges

+ Plaques

+ Holy water bottles and fonts

+ Prayer cards

+ First Holy Communion gifts

+ Magnets & keyrings

+ Cards for all religious occasions

+ Religious gifts

If you’re looking for something that we don’t currently stock, feel free to mention to our friendly shop keeper who can try to source it for you.

“Consider this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each must do as already determined, without sadness or compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”

2 Corinthians 9:6-7

Gift Aid is a government scheme to return Income Tax, given as an Offering, to recognised charities. The Gift Aid Secretary is the parish’s link with the Clifton Diocese Finance Office. The role involves promoting Gift Aid; including providing the necessary forms, advice, and answers to parishioners questions.

Other duties of the Gift Aid Secretary include: providing annual totals of Offertory Envelope donations; providing stamped envelopes for all contributors; maintaining a list of St Patrick’s Gift Aid donors; and informing the Diocesan office of any changes. There is an annual meeting with the Diocesan finance team which the Gift Aid Secretary is expected to attend. The time commitment amounts to little more than an hour per month. An advice pack is provided, as well as having access to diocesan finance team for day to day questions.

“There can be neither Jew nor Greek, there can be neither slave nor freeman, there can be neither male nor female — for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”

Galatians 3:28

“For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink,”

Matthew 25:35

The pandemic made us change our ways of collection and transport of food and other items for the Trussell food bank in Gloucester. Since then we have encouraged donations to be made directly at the collection points in the big stores. We trust that all commit as best they can, to remember those who struggle to make ends meet.  However if it is more convenient to bring items to the Church and place them in the box under the table in the porch, then we will ensure to take them to the collection points. For more information see Lisa or Michael Bergin.

Jesus said, “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them; for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.”

Matthew 19:14