If you wish to support St Michael’s financially please click here to see the many different ways that can be done.
If you wish to support St Michael’s in one or more of the following activities please contact either our Parish Priest or Elaine our Parish Adminstrator. Contact details are the home page.
Extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion
Eucharistic Ministers are lay people commissioned to assist with the administration of the Blessed Sacrament either in Church, during the celebration of the Eucharist, or by taking the sacrament to the homes of the sick or the housebound. All Eucharistic Ministers are CRB checked (Section 1.6). Requests to include parishioners on the rota should be referred, in the first instance, to our Parish Priest. For further information please contact Elaine Wright.
Proclaiming the Word
The first and second readings, the Responsorial Psalm and the Prayer of the Faithful at Mass are read by a member of the congregation. This is a most important ministry as the reader is the voice of Christ proclaiming the sacred text of scripture for all to hear as they listen attentively. Volunteers are always welcome and anyone interested in reading should contact Elaine.
The sacristans undertake much of the preparation for our liturgical celebrations, including providing all the things that are necessary for special days such as Ash Wednesday (ashes) and Palm Sunday (palms), weddings, baptisms and funerals and of course the busy seasons of Christmas and Easter.
They mark up the liturgical books needed for each celebration, lay out the appropriate vestments and arrange everything else that is needed such as cruets, chalices, ciboria, linens, oils, the processional cross, candles, the thurible and the acolytes’ torches. They also ensure that the vestments, church furnishings, liturgical vessels and other artefacts are kept clean and in good condition. Elaine orders the hosts and the wine and makes sure that there is a supply of clean purificators, corporals, hand towels, incense and charcoal. They wash the altar linens reverently and undertakes the burning of old linens and other objects no longer suitable for liturgical use. They also makes sure that the sanctuary lamp candle is kept burning, that the altar cloths are changed regularly, and that the holy water stoups are always clean and replenished with holy water frequently. They ensure that everything is prepared for the priest and the Mass.
Music ministry
Music plays a very essential part in the Catholic celebration of Mass. It is required that whenever possible the Mass should be sung. This means that there are certain prayers of the Mass itself that are above all to be sung and hymns can also be added if desired. Jane Archer and Simon are our current music group but welcome others to join in on an ah hoc basis. New members for the group would be most welcome.
Children’s Liturgy
On most Sundays the children who have not made their first communion are invited to go to the hall with their worship leader for their own liturgy of the word returning to the main body of the church at the Presentation of the Gifts and take part in the offertory procession.
Sue Ingall is the present leader with others who lead the liturgy on a rota basis. All of our leaders are CRB checked; however parents are always welcome to accompany their children
Handyman, Hall Cleaner and Gardener
Flower Arrangers
Flowers are arranged weekly, depending on the season, normally at the convenience of the arrangers. Volunteers are always welcome.
Church Cleaning
Church cleaning is organised on a rota basis. This generally takes place weekly at the convenience of the cleaners. Volunteers are always welcome.
TACT Representatives
Lizzy Carville and Pat Jackson
TAIZE Representative
Robin Ingall
Red Boxes
Anne Walsh
To facilitate the celebration there are a number of ministries that members of the community are encouraged to perform. If you wish to help in any of these ways please let Elaine Wright know.
Booking St Michaels Hall
Elaine Wright
St Michaels’s Church Hall is available for hire, for clubs, private functions etc subject to availability and compliance with relevant Health & Safety procedures. Users are expected to leave the hall tidy after use and to take all rubbish with them.