What goes on in our parish?
There’s lots going on in our parish – at both Our Lady & St. John and Holy Family. Here are some of the groups, teams and organisations that form our parish community. Keep an eye out in our weekly newsletter for any news, changes or new additions!
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You can also visit our 'Meet the team' page for more details about the individuals you can contact if you would like more information. Visit our Children & Families for more details about our children's groups.
Altar servers
Boys and girls who have made their First Holy Communion, are welcome to serve on the altar at all masses. For more information please contact our Parish Priest or Deacons.
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Caritas
Caritas is the new social action and social justice agency of the Diocese of Shrewsbury which seeks to develop the Church’s social mission in the years ahead. We encompass the work of the former Catholic Children’s Society, we have also extended our portfolio to include; intergenerational work, young people at the risk of becoming homeless, accessible community hubs and work with those seeking refuge and asylum. Parishioners have collecting boxes in their own homes, emptied at regular intervals to support this valuable work. For more information, please contact Mary or John Wrigley.
Children's Liturgy
We have a liturgy group during term time for children attending 11.15am Mass at Our Lady & St. John. We explore the Gospel in a child friendly way and have a range of activities such as colouring, craft, and drama. On the first Sunday of the month, we have Lego Church. For more information, see the Children's Liturgy page or contact Laura Jones or Monica Campbell.
Church Cleaners
Volunteers for church cleaning meet each week to clean the church. They vacuum, dust, sweep etc according to needs. Volunteers usually agree on jobs to do and stay for about 45 minutes to an hour. It’s a helpful way to meet people and it’s great to see the church looking good. If you would like to join us please contact Theresa Hurworth at Holy Family or Irene Carroll at Our Lady & St. John.
Communion for the sick and housebound
A small group of parishioners take communion to those who are sick and housebound, new volunteers are always welcome, contact Fr Stephen.
Flowers
The group maintain flowers in church throughout the year, and meets from time to time to plan flower arrangements for the major celebrations – Easter, Christmas, First Communions and Remembrance Sunday etc. If you are interested in helping – no experience necessary – or you want to discuss flowers for a wedding, funeral or other occasion – please contact Veronica Clarke at Our Lady & St. John or Jen Tirebuck at Holy Family.
Hospital Visiting
If you are going into or are in hospital for an extended stay, please let the clergy know so that a visit can be arranged.
Missio
Missio is the Catholic Church’s official charity for overseas mission. It funds the Church of the future in mission dioceses overseas. They build Church infrastructure and support those in need, regardless of background or belief, in 157 countries. Parishioners have red collecting boxes in their own homes, emptied at regular intervals. For more information please contact Mary or John Wrigley at Holy Family or Ian Butler at Our Lady & St. John.
Music Group at Holy Family
Currently there is no established music group at Holy Family. Hymn singing is encouraged by the use of recorded hymns or acapella. If you have any musical talents we would love to hear from you to support hymn singing. Please contact Pauline Eaton or Rev Jeff.
Music: Choir & Organ at Our Lady & S.t John
Music plays an important part in worship within the parish. The choir currently has around 20 members and sings from the beginning of September until the end of July at the 11.15 Sunday Mass. The main role of the choir is to lead the singing of congregational hymns, both in unison and in parts, to lead the singing of a number of settings of the proper of the mass and to perform a variety of motets, anthems, etc. typically at the communion. New members are always welcome. There are no auditions – a singing voice and enthusiasm are all that is required! Organist and Choirmaster: Rachel Belderbos.
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Music History
Click here to read an extract about music at the church from the History of the our Lady & St John.
Readers
Our readers at Mass are drawn from volunteers across the parish who want to partake in this ministry. There are limited numbers at the moment and new volunteers would be welcome, Coaching and guidance can be provided if required. Contact Father Stephen or the Deacons for more information.
Rosary Group
We pray the rosary on Saturdays 9:30am at Our Lady & St. John and 11:30am at Holy Family. Come and spend some time in peace and tranquility, in the presence of Our Lord. We pray for sick in the parish, our families and all the suffering in our world today. All are welcome to come and join us.
Stitch Craft
Our weekly group takes place in the Meeting Room on Tuesday mornings, 10am – 12.30pm. If you are interested please come along and join us.
Society of St Vincent de Paul (SVP)
The St Vincent de Paul Society was founded in France in 1833, and spread throughout Europe, coming to England in 1844. The first meeting of the SVP at Holy Cross took place on 4 May 1930. The group has continued to the present day, its main activities being to offer help and support to the poor and needy members of our local community. The group meets fortnightly in the meeting room at OLSJ. For more information please contact Phil Harvey.
Beavers / Cubs / Scouts
3rd Heswall Scout Group has Beavers, Cubs and Scouts sections. Older Scouts go to the District Explorer unit. The Group Neckerchief is White and Gold, reflecting their catholic heritage.
Please visit their website for more information and contact details: www.3rdheswall.org.uk.
Catechists
Our catechists help to prepare the children and young people in our parish to receive the sacraments of First Forgiveness, Holy Communion and Confirmation. Please visit our Sacraments pages to find out more.
Churches Together in Heswall
Churches together in Heswall is a exists to bringing local Christians together spiritually and socially, and to witness our faith in the area. There are representative of each organisation on a committee which meets every two months. A number of events are organised each year, to which all are welcome. For more information Contact Fr Stephen or Suzy Smallwood
Collection counters
The weekly collection is counted by a number of teams on a rota basis. Volunteers are always welcome to join to spread the load. For more information contact Brian Sharp at Holy Family or Bernard Larkin at Our Lady & St. John.
Create
We are a small but friendly group of “arty” types. All forms of Arts & Crafts are welcome. So whether your medium is watercolour, oils, acrylic, pencil or crayon, or if it’s needlecraft, knitting, creative writing or sculpture you would be made most welcome. We meet each Monday morning from 10am-12noon at the Scout Hut in Marksway, Pensby. For more information contact Ann Newby.
Garden Gang at Holy Family
A small group are working to improve the gardens and borders around the church. This involves trimming and removing overgrown shrubs and trees, planting new shrubs and bulbs and general tidying up. We are always keen to have more members, if you wish to help, please contact Sean Purcell or Brian Sharp.
Health and Safety
The Diocese has an extensive Health and Safety policy, which is being implemented across parish activities. Assistance in inspections and production of documentation is always welcome. Contact Brian Sharp for more information.
Justice and Peace Group
We are a part of the wider Justice & Peace family and are members of the Shrewsbury Diocese Justice & Peace Commission. We promote J&P issues throughout the world and also locally through our links with CAFOD, Traidcraft and Wirral Foodbank. We support a Bishops School Project in the Assam region of Northern India where we sponsor Adivasi Tribe children through the education system in an attempt to break the cycle of poverty and to give them a better life. All are very welcome to come and join us. We meet (usually on a Monday evening) as advertised in the newsletter. Contact Fred Taylor for more information.
Monday Coffee Mornings
Monday morning teas and coffees, after morning mass, 9:30-10:30am in the Meeting Room at OLSJ. Everyone welcome.
Piety Stall
Our piety stall can be found in the church porch. There is a wide selection of cards for all occasions, eg. Baptism, Communion, Confirmation, Weddings and Sympathy. Also available are gifts such as rosary beads, candles, bibles, mass books, baptism gifts etc. If you have any specific requests please contact Theresa Hurworth or Suzy Smallwood at Holy Family or Alexia Camenzuli at Our Lady & St. John.
Planned Giving / Gift Aid
All parishioners are invited to contribute their weekly offering via envelopes under the planned giving scheme. You are also welcome to contribute your weekly offering via Standing Order so that you can automatically donate even when you are away. If you pay Income Tax and sign a Gift Aid Form, the Parish is able to recover the tax that you have paid on your weekly offertory contributions at no cost to you. If you completed a Gift Aid form in the past and you no longer pay any tax please get in touch. This also applies if the amount of tax you pay may be less than the amount we will seek to reclaim on your Offertory gift.
Further information about Gift Aid can be obtained from Fred Taylor at Holy Family and Bernard Larkin at Our Lady & St. John.
Rainbows
We are 7th Heswall Rainbows, meeting at OLSJ Meeting Room every Monday during term time between 5.00 – 6.00pm. We have lots of fun doing craft sctivities, games, trips out and learning new things! Anyone interested in joining please go to Girlguiding.co.uk and follow the links to register an interest.
Refreshments
A group of parishioners provide tea and coffee after Sunday mass on a rota basis, all are welcome to participate and new faces are always welcome to help. Contact Theresa Hurworth at Holy Family or Christine McAlister at Our Lady & St. John.
Social Committee - Holy Family
The social committee aim to run a number of events each year with the main aim of building the community through shared experiences, They are always open to new ideas and help. Contact Jean Jenkins or Vivien Sharp
Safeguarding
The Diocese and the Parish takes the safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults very seriously. The parish representatives (Victoria Hanlon at Our Lady & St. John and Anne O'Keefe at Holy Family), will ensure that the appropriate checks are undertaken on those who are involved with such groups, and can also be contacted if there are any concerns or queries.
Welcome Ministry
The Welcome Ministry are members of the parish who are present at the entrance of church at busy services to welcome the congregation, and resolve any queries. They also perform an important Health and Safety function by being aware of fire precautions and evacuation procedures. Please contact Brian Sharp at Holy or Bernard and Joan Larkin at Our Lady & St. John.