Our parish priest Canon Harry Stratton reaches his retirement in 2012. He has kindly agreed to continue being our parish priest, and conduct Masses, baptisms, funerals, etc; however he is expecting to reduce his pastoral workload, and transfer responsibilities to willing volunteers in the parish. Our current Deacon, Gerard Turnbull, also wants to reduce his commitments in 2012.
At an initial parish gathering in 2010, the parish members of endorsed this approach of parish volunteers taking a greater involvement in parish activities, and have enthusiastically embraced the planning for transition to this new arrangement. A volunteer transition group is working to make this new arrangement work. At a second parish gathering in November 2011 details of the many activities within the parish were published. This identified over 50 activities were parishioners could volunteer to help. Of this 9 priority activities were identified where support is required now, with the expectation the others will become a priority during 2012. These 9 areas are:
- CAFOD
- Support for bereaved parishioners
- Eucharistic Ministry and visiting the housebound and those in care homes
- Support for the Brownies group
- Members of the Baptism team
- Members of the church welcoming team at weekend Masses
- Members of sacristan team, taking responsibility for practical matters relating to Masses and other services in the church
- Opening and closing the church at various times over the week.
- Helping organise or undertake parish property maintenance (buildings and gardening) at the church, presbytery, school and community rooms.
In addition:
- There is a parish diary in the church. If you are organising something that you want others to know about, hear about some event that may be of interest to parishioners, or need to book the upper room or the conservatory, just record it in the diary. This is an initial step to let everybody take part in coordinating parish activities. Any suggestions on improvements, let Chris Starkie know.
- posters will be in church showing the priority activities that need that support NOW. If you are interested in being involved, contact the lead person. If you offer to help it is not a step towards overload, as everybody realises that an initial period of time is needed to determine whether that activity is really for you.
If you are interested in knowing the full breadth of activities that our current volunteers do, see the full list activities in the documents listed.
1. Volunteer activities Community Adults and other v3 Nov 11
2. Volunteer activities Community Charitable activities v3 Nov 11
3. Volunteer activities Community Christmas Fair v3 Nov 11
4. Volunteer activities Community Social activities v3 Nov 11
5. Volunteer activities Community Young People and Children Nov 11
6. Volunteer activities Liturgy v2 Nov 11
7. Volunteer activities Parish Communications v3 Nov 11
8. Volunteer activities Parish Organisation v3 Nov 11
9. Volunteer activities Parish Property Maintenance v3 Nov 11