Calendar of events and future parish activities
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Calendar of events 2007
| SEPTEMBER 2007 | |
| Friday 28th | Mass of Dedication. Archbishop Vincent Nichols |
Looking to the future
The preparations for our Golden Jubilee year began in the winter of 2005. At the beginning of the liturgical year, the First Sunday of Advent, we launched an official time of preparation. Since then by our prayer and by inviting suggestions we have looked at the different ways we can commemorate this important milestone in the parish’s life. We have also taken the opportunity to review every aspect of our life as it currently stands. From this personal assessment and from the suggestions that we so far have received, we have drawn up plans and priorities for the future. These cover everything from the renewal of our spiritual and sacramental life, to improving our welcome to visitors, particularly those who come with special needs.
It was decided that the best way for us to be fully prepared for our Golden Jubilee and ensure that these future plans one day become a present reality, was to form several groups to focus on specific areas of responsibility. They are as follows:
The Social and Fundraising Group
This was set the task of strengthening the parish’s communion by arranging various social events over the course of the year. It has also looked at the various different ways funds can be raised to help us celebrate the year of Jubilee and to carry out the proposed renovations. So far they have arranged very successful events such as a quiz afternoon, an “Antiques Roadshow”, many raffles and a couple of cake sales. Plans are now well underway for a number of future events.
The Pastoral and Liturgical Group
This was set the task of affirming the life of the parish in the present moment and in doing so looking to see how we can strengthen and renew our communion and mission in the future. They have looked at the following key areas of the life of the parish:
- Liturgy, Music, Sacramental Life and Spirituality
- Leadership and Stewardship
- Formation and Education
- Outreach and Welcome
- Charity and Social Justice
- Future Parish Structures
One of its primary tasks will to organise the liturgical celebrations for Year of Jubilee. The group decided that each of the three main Jubilee Masses would celebrate in turn our past, present and future. The group has also developed a programme of retreat days, pilgrimages and various liturgical celebrations for the Holy Year to help rejuvenate our spiritual life.
The History Booklet Group
It was decided that a good way to commemorate our Golden Jubilee would be to produce a Jubilee Booklet. A group was formed to write a parish history, celebrating the people who have been instrumental in the parish’s development. It was also decided that this booklet should look to the life of the parish in the present moment and the future vision of its life and the parish’s development.
Re-ordering of the church
At the heart of our future plans is the re-ordering of the sanctuary. By replacing our temporary altar and lectern we hope to end our Holy Year with the consecration of the church. We have sought advice from the Diocesan Art and Architecture Committee and also from architects and from those who specialise in church renovation. Plans are in the advanced stage and by the end of the Jubilee Year we hope to have a fixed and permanent:
- Altar
- Lectern
- Baptismal font
- Tabernacle plinth
- Tabernacle
Our aim is also:
- To redefine the sanctuary area with a screen to hide the uppermost part of the sanctuary
- To install a stained glass window in the screen or in front of the screen
- To bring out the sanctuary in order to be able to move freely around the altar
- Improve the lighting
- New carpeting
In addition to the above we have set ourselves the task of creating a practical wish list of those things that need to be renewed in the church and those things that could improve our facilities and hospitality. The suggestions we have received so far:
- Accessible toilet
- Improve access to the presbytery
- To install a new kitchen area in the Fr. Tuite Room (parish meeting room)
- Creation of parish website
- Establishing a library and evangelisation resource area
- Replacement of old fuse boards
- The replacement of existing toilet facilities and decoration of that area
- Painting of the outside of the church
- Decoration of the inside of the church
- Landscaping of grounds
- Resurfacing of Car Park
- New Servers Albs
- Large print Missals
- New Hymnbooks
The work we are hoping to do is ambitious but very necessary and we are relying on the generosity of the parishioners here. If you would like to help us by making a pledge to our Jubilee Fund your donation would be gratefully received. We will enter you into our book of benefactors and remember you at our Jubilee Masses.
Donation forms are available to download in both PDF and Microsoft Word format and the links are below:
» Download donation form in PDF
» Download donation form in Microsoft Word format
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