Ministers of the Word
Each of our three Parish Churches is served by Ministers of the Word. After a period of training the Ministers of the Word are commissioned for 3 years. They undertake to proclaim the Sacred Scriptures during Mass and other Liturgical celebrations. They are co-ordinated by Michael Devine (Holy Family), Maurice Jordan (St. Thérèse), and Bernadette Keenan (Church of the Resurrection).
Ministers of the Eucharist
The Ministers of the Eucharist assist the Priest with the distribution of Holy Communion. They also bring Holy Communion to housebound and infirm Parishioners in their own homes, in Nursing Homes and in the Hospice. Following a period of study and training they are commissioned for a three year period. The Ministers of the Eucharist are co-ordinated by Philomena Donaldson (Holy Family), Bernadette Cunningham (St Thérèse), and Joe Baxter (Church of the Resurrection).
Music Ministries
Our Liturgies are wonderfully enriched with singing and music led by the leaders of the various Choirs, Folk Groups and Instrumentalists. If you are gifted in these areas and would like to join a Choir or Folk group or play an instrument please contact the relevant leader after Mass.And for those of us in the Congregation, let’s bring to life the phrase ‘s/he who sings prays twice’!!!
Altar Societies
Each Church has a team of volunteers who care for the Altar linens, the Sacred Vessels and the cleanliness of the Sanctuary. The beauty and dignity of each Sanctuary area is tremendously enhanced by the creativity and skill of the teams of Floral Artists. Their displays really do help us to ‘raise our minds and hearts to God’.
Ushers
The ushers have a key role in arranging many practical aspects of our Parish Eucharistic Celebrations, Funerals, First Communion and Confirmation. They organise the take-up of collections, arrange the Offertory Procession, distribution of Bulletins, sales of Catholic literature and care for the ambience of the Churches during Ceremonies.
Prayer Groups
Lectio Divina
Tuesday 10.30 – 11.30am ~ Pastoral CentreYou are warmly invited to join this group and enjoy using the Sacred Scriptures as the focus of your Prayer
Charismatic Prayer
The members of this Prayer Group meet every Thursday evening at 7.45pm in St. Thérèse Presbytery – new members are always welcome.
John Main Meditation
If you would like to form a Meditation Group based on the John Main method, please telephone Charlie McCormack ~ 9077 0366.
SVP Conferences
There are three very busy, active SVP Conferences in our Parish. Home visitation remains the cornerstone of Vincentian work. Members visit needy, disadvantaged and vulnerable people offering spiritual, financial and material help. The members are also involved in many other activities:
- breakfast and after school clubs
- the holiday home for the elderly
- cross community work
- placement opportunities
- home management courses
- new furniture and white goods
- ‘Vincent’s’ clothing outlets
- hospital and prison visitation
- twinning with Ghana
To find out more about SVP just speak with a member of your local Conference after Mass or visit the website: www.svp-ni.org
SPRED (Special Religious Education)
Parishioners with special needs and volunteer catechists grow together in faith and love through this educational and recreational programme. The SPRED motto is Faith, Fun and Friendship. There are two SPRED groups in the Parish ~Tuesday, 7.00 – 8.30pm in Little Flower School, led by Kathleen Fearon. Thursday, 2.00 – 3.30pm in St. Thérèse Presbytery, led by Nuala Leonard. A SPRED meeting is a wonderful and inspiring experience – if you have time to spare, why not think about becoming a SPRED volunteer?
Apostolic Society
The Parish Apostolic Society is part of a Diocesan wide organisation. The members of the Society raise funds to help support missionary priests, religious sisters and lay people working in the Developing World. Various fund raising events happen throughout the year e.g. coffee mornings, bring-and-buy sales, ballots, tombola, - in short, the members of the Apostolic Society have an infectious enthusiasm and energy. A heartfelt ‘thank you’ to all Parishioners for your on-going support.The members of the Lisbreen Apostolic Society meet on the 1st Tuesday of the month at 10.30am in St Thérèse Presbytery. Perhaps you would consider going along to a meeting to find out more….
Saturday Club
The Saturday Club offers an opportunity for people with special needs and those who are able-bodied to spend time together growing in friendship and understanding whilst enjoying fun and sharing. The members of the Saturday Club meet in Holy Family Youth Centre on Saturday afternoons from 2.00 – 4.00pm.New members and new volunteers are very welcome to come along.
Inter –Church Group
This group comprises lay people representing Holy Family Parish, Fortwilliam Presbyterian Church, Cavehill Methodist Church, Rosemary Presbyterian Church, St. Peter’s Church of Ireland and St. Paul and St. Barnabas’ Church of Ireland who meet occasionally to organise ecumenical events.For further details please contact Bernadette Keenan ~ 9077 9103
Developing World
The very successful Jubilee Twinning Project with Holy Family Parish, Labasa, Fiji (2000 – 2005) has been formally concluded, although the bonds of friendship with Father JJ Ryan, Doreen Robinson and Serafina Saukilagi continue to thrive via regular e-mail and snail mail. A sub-committee of the Pastoral Council is currently researching potential opportunities to twin with another Parish in the Developing World so as to keep alive, in a very tangible way, the Church’s missionary mandate. Full details will be available soon.
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