February
2006
We have recently been updating this page .. there may still be a few
errors until 1st March.
Please bear with us
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Key to Parish Groups and Organisations
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Denotes
a Parish Group (or Groups), with members
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Denotes
a Ministry or other Parish Function
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Denotes
another group, charity, or a linked organisation
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Alpha
Designed
primarily for non-churchgoers and new Christians.
In our parish
of Ss Alban & Stephen, Alpha has now been superceded by GIFT and CaFE.
Links: N/A - For more information, refer to GIFT
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Altar Servers. Altar Servers assist the principal minister
at Mass and other liturgies. Both boys and girls are able to become
servers. The Guild of St Stephen is the national association for altar servers.
There are around 35 servers in our parish including 18 at Marshalswick
Mass Centre.. New servers, girls and boys, are welcome. They are expected
to be available to serve at Mass at weekends and on major solemnities
i.e. Christmas, Easter etc. Links: Guild of St Stephen website
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Contacts (pictured, left to right)
Des Coyle
(Church) 01727 850229
Kevin Doran
(M'wick) 01727 860411
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Ascent
Movement An international Christian movement for men and women in
their middle and later years. The ethos of the movement being Spirituality,
Friendship and Mission. There are at present 62 parish groups in England.
Meetings comprise prayer, study session, talks, social activities and outings,
days of recollection, meetings with other national and international groups.
Meetings take place in the Parish centre after 10am Mass on Monday
at fortnightly intervals. New members are very welcome.
Links: Ascent website
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Contact:
Sheila
Taylor
01727 841821
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Association
for the Propagation of the Faith (APF) Educates and finances poor
countries around the world. Sends priests to foreign missions. It is
a national and local organisation. In St. Albans there are 19 promoters and 180 members.
New members welcome to distribute APF magazine and empty mission boxes quarterly. Links: APF website
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Contact:
Mrs Mary Waldren
01727
860039
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At Your Word, Lord (AYWL) Introduced as a diocesan
wide programme of renewal, running from Autumn 2003 to Autumn 2005, AYWL
created over 20 small groups "small communities" of between 6 and 20 people
each, who would meet weekly in homes, for around 90 minutes for prayer and
faith sharing. Even though AYWL is now officially finished, many of
the small groups continue to meet - see Small Communities |
Bethany
Group Prays for, visits and listens to parishioners and their
families who mourn a relative or friend. Member of St Albans
& District Bereavement Network, Central Group. Meetings take
place approximately every six weeks. New
members welcome and undergo training visits Links:
N/A
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Contacts (pictured, left to right)
Terry Pickard 01727 863925
Dorothy Salisbury 01727 867859
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Bulletin Published every week and
available at Sunday masses. Contains mass times & intentions, items of
news and information for parishioners, and homiletic material.
Parishioners may insert notices about sick or deceased parishioners or family
members, events and similar items. Every notice must be accompanied by a
name and address. Entries should be submitted via the website.
Links:
On-line Bulletin
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CaFE This is a process by which
Catholics can explore their faith in Jesus Christ within the relaxed environment
of small groups meeting within the parish. It's now been absorbed into
"GIFT" in this parish.
Links: N/A - For more information, refer to
GIFT, but also Youth CaFE
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Contacts (pictured left to right):
Mike & Sylvia White
01727 854596
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Cafod This is the official overseas
development agency of the Catholic Church in England and Wales. CAFOD works
through the church’s organisations in the developing world in 75 countries.
CAFOD is supported by church members and individuals and has a network of
volunteers. Links: CAFOD website
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Contact:
Eric Harber
01727
838598
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Central
Area Neighbourhood Prayer Groups
The groups have the
following aims:
- To support the faith of members
- To pray for each other, the wider community and for
vocations
- To get to know others in the locality and feel part of the church community
Meetings take place monthly and include discussion on a
scripture reading or religious theme, prayer and socialising. At present
the membership is approximately 30, however we should like to form new groups.
The only commitment sought is that of regular attendance as far as
possible Links: N/A
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Contact
Marion Miller
01727
852096
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Communion
see: First
Holy Communion or Eucharistic
Minsiters
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Confirmation
Our group prepares 13 – 15 year olds for the Sacrament of
Confirmation. The programme usually runs for approximately
10 weeks prior to Pentecost. The team is made
up of 3 core catechists and a number of other catechists. All help deliver
the programme. New members always welcome. They will need to be able to commit
to the programme for 8 – 10 weeks and have the ability to interact with young
teenagers. Flexibility on views of Catholic faith important. Links: n/a
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Contacts (pictured, left to right):
Jacqui
Fowler c/o 01727 853585
Catherine
Gurney 01727 ?????
Tim Stevens 01727 836236
e-mail: confirmation@albanstephen.com
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CWL
(Catholic Women's League)We are open to all women in the parish and
new members are welcome, they are asked to pay an annual subscription of
£10 and to support CWL aims. We are part of a national organisation.
Our members are active in many charitable organisations, and as a group we
support the St Francis Hospice as well as local projects. We have speakers
on a variety of interesting subjects, days out to places of interest, and
a yearly retreat day. Meetings take place on the first Tuesday of each
month after 10a.m. Mass. Links: CWL website
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Contacts:
Mrs Ann Vollborth
01727
855226
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Child
Protection To ensure a safe environment for our children and young
people, the Child Protection team are responsible for registration of all
those working with children, completing Criminal Records Bureau (CRN) disclosure
forms and checks, and providing training on an ongoing basis Links: Westminster Web Pages
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Contacts (pictured left to right):
Cath White (parish contact), 079601 364922
Mgr Harry Turner (diocesan contact), 07814 879129
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Children's
Liturgy A special liturgy for children approx 3 – 8 years during
first half of 10am Sunday mass in Church and 9a.m. Mass at Marshalswick
during term time. This includes reading and talking about the gospel
and drawing, colouring or other practical activity. There are 15 –
17 catechists, mainly parents of children who attend. New members welcome
to help, from older teenagers to other adult parishioners. Normal involvement
is one Mass a term Links: N/A
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Contacts (pictured left
to right):
Chris Moran (Church, 10.00 a.m), 01727 853804
Nick Yates (Marshalswick, 9.00 a.m.) 01727 859276
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Choir
see: Music in the Liturgy
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Churches together in St. Albans CTSA, a member
of Churches Together in England, and is a forum through which Christians
pray and work together arranging ecumenical events, sharing in the organisation
and promotion of national Christian activities and sponsoring projects for
the benefit of the city and surrounding area, suchas Open Doorm St. ALbans
Good Neighbour Scheme, Centre 33. CTSA arranges four open meetings
a year at which speakers present topics of interest to Christians (e.g. Jubilee
2000, Christianity in the workplace). These meetings take place at various
churches on various nights of the week. There are thirty one member churches, one associate member
and five observers. Each member church has a membership of two representatives.
Due to the size of our parish we are allowed six members, representing the
central, Maryland and Marshalswick areas. We welcome new members with
an interest in and commitment to ecumenism to serve as parish representatives. Links: CTSA website
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Churches together in Marshalswick (CTM)
CTM exists
to promote good relationships between 6 member churches (3 Anglican, Baptist,
URC & Catholic) covering Marshalswick, Jersey Farm & Sandridge. Activities
shared and open to all church members include: Quarterly joint services,
Week of prayer for Christian Unity, Lent study courses, Shrove Tuesday social,
Palm Sunday blessing of palms, Good Friday act of witness, Christian Aid
week, One World week social. There are about five meetings per year
at 7.45 pm on various days at each church on a rotation basis. One minister and up to four representatives from each church. New members committed to ecumenism are welcome to serve
as representatives for the Marshalswick Mass Centre. Links: N/A
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Contacts:
Mario
D'Andrea
01727
765625
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Divine
Mercy Prayers
Prayer services
are held every Friday afternoon at
3 p.m. in the Prayer Room Links: N/A
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Contact:
Caroline Samuel
01727 837423
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Don Bosco
Football Club The Don Bosco FC is a youth football club established
in 1975 through the foundation work of Fr Joe Falloon MSC. With a great deal
of success the club has participated in various local leagues, including
Hatfield, Hemel Hempstead and Luton. There are around 20 members who
comprise the team, parents and committee. New players are always welcome,
as also are parents who can take on a possible coaching role, or help in
any way. Links: N/A
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Contacts (pictured left
to right):
John Anderson 01582 793674
N Kirkpatrick 01582
793594
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Eucharistic
Ministers Ministers assist with the distribution of communion at Mass
and/or bring communion to the sick and housebound in their homes and
in hospital. There are some fifty ministers serving the parish community
through the church or mass centres. New ministers are needed. Their
commitment will be to serve the parish community diligently and caringly.
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Contacts (left to right):
Geoff
Miller 852096
Steve
Pickard 863925
Mario D'Andrea
765625
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First Holy Communion Courses are
available for children. Contact should initially be
through Father Charles
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Flowers
Flower arranging for liturgies, especially for weddings. Also flowers for
funeral masses
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Contact:
Rita Carter
01727 858770
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Folk Group
see: Music in the Liturgy
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Football
Clubs
There are two clubs - go to either: Don
Bosco FC or St
Albans Romans FC
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FREdome FREdome is dynamic community project being launched by the
students of St Michael’s Catholic High School. FREdome is a vehicle to propel
wholesome, ethical and truthful ideas from grass-roots level into society.
The school hopes that this initiative will one day grow into a global instrument
for positive change
Links http://www.fredome-giveusabreak.org
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Contact:
Greg Peachey
01727 833730 |
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Friends
of Maryland Support for the Maryland Residential Home and Mass
Centre. Meetings take place monthly 8pm each second Monday.
New members sought once a year and asked to attend
monthly meetings and support social functions.
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Contacts:
Marion
Burgess
01727 865462 |
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Gift Aid A Government scheme that enables the
Parish to reclaim tax paid on donations to the parish. Taxpayers are asked
to sign a Gift Aid declaration authorising the parish to reclaim from the
Inland Revenue, tax paid on Offertory donations paid in numbered Offertory
envelopes or by bankers order. For every £1 donated, the parish can
reclaim an extra 28 pence. Approximately 300 parishioners currently
help in this way. Meetings take place fortnightly on Wednesdays,
2pm – 4pm.
Links:
HM Customs
website
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Contacts:
Geoff
Miller
01727 852096 |
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GIFT (Growing in Faith Together) This is a
process by which Catholics can explore their faith in Jesus Christ within
the relaxed environment of small groups meeting within the parish. The
meetings begin by viewing videos or listening to audio tapes, which are both
enjoyable and stimulate discussion. Topics include those from the CaFE (Catholic
Faith Exploration) programme including "Knowing God Better", "Exploring the
Catholic Church" and "Catholics making a Difference". A wide range
of materials are available for use in small groups meeting in homes and from
time to time courses will be run in the parish - they will be advertised in
the parish bulletin. Links: N/A
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Contacts (pictured left to right):
Mike & Sylvia White
01727 854596
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Golden
Circle This is the parish ‘Over 60s’ club. It provides a get together
venue, a cup of tea, a chat, bingo, outings & speakers. Bring & Buy
sales provide funds for the annual Christmas Party. Membership
is ecumenical and there are 35 – 40 members on register. New members are
always welcome. No special commitment is required.
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Contacts:
Helen
D O'Reilly
01727 862915 |
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Holy
Communion
For more, see either First
Holy Communion or Eucharistic
Minsiters
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Impact Part of the national YCW Impact movement for young
people who are post confirmation. Meetings are held weekly on Sunday
evenings from 7.45 until 9.15. The aim is to take real action to change
situations for real: See - Judge - Act
Links: YCW/Impact
website
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Contacts:
Esme
White Tel: 01727 853585
Mike Walsh (Adult Helpers) 01727 838714 |
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Knights of St Columba (KSC) The Knights of St Columba is a national organisation for
Catholic men who support and assist the work of the Catholic Church. Our
activities include raising money for various charities and causes and social
events. Our membership is 40 at present and is drawn from several parishes.
Meetings are held on the first Thursday of each month at 8pm in the Parish
Hall. Links: KSC Web site
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Contacts:
Paul Quigley 01727 862030 or
Patrick McNulty 01727 831812. |
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Lectors Lectors read the Word
of God at Mass: by rota on Sundays (including vigil) and other Holydays and
ad hoc on weekdays. They are also responsible for asking members of the congregation
to bring up the Gifts at the Offertory. The lectors group also lead
the Stations of the Cross each Wednesday during Lent. Meetings take
place every 8 weeks on a Monday at 8.00 pm in the presbytery to draw
up the rota for the next 8 week period. Meetings generally last no longer
than an hour and all lectors are asked to attend. There are 24 lectors at present. New lectors are always
welcome and training can be provided. Lectors are asked to commit themselves
to adhere to their dates in the rota, or find a replacement: in an 8-week
period lectors read on 2 dates. Lectors are also asked to attend meetings.
Links N/A
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Contacts:
Don't
know
01727
853585 |
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Life - St Albans & District Life Group
Local group of national organisation.
Aims are to:
- Care for pregnant
women and their children,
born and unborn
- Protect and
preserve good health
- Educate young
people and the general public in all matters relating to pregnancy.
With an overall membership of 400 members, new members are welcome. We only
ask that
you are Pro-Life
Links:
Life website
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Contacts:
Helen
Bassill
01727 852250 |
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Marriage
Preparation Couples who are married in the Catholic Church benefit
from our parish marriage preparation programme. Devised by married couples
the programme examines various aspects of married relationship. It also reflects
on Catholic understanding of marriage as a Sacrament. It
is a four night programme given at weekly intervals to groups of 3 or 4 couples.
A fifth night is provided, if required, to assist couples to plan their wedding
ceremony. More couples ideally in the 35/45 range
are needed to help. They must be prepared to be present sor at least one
programme a year. Links: N/A
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Music
in the Liturgy
Our parish is rich in liturgical music, right across the parish from
the Church, to the two Mass Centres. Music is provided by many liturgists
each with very diverse styles, broadly falling into the following categories:
Traditional Music Traditional music
is available throughout the parish, at Maryland Mass Centre, for two masses
in every five week period at the Marshalswick Mass Centre, and in the Church
at every other 9.30 am Sunday Mass and most 11.30 Sunday Masses
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Contacts (pictured left to right, top row first):
Julia White 835493
(9.30am Church)
Martin Spencer xxxxxx (Marshalswick)
Clive Romain xxxxxx (Marshalswick)
John Rose xxxxxxx (Marshalswick)
Vincent O'Reilly xxxxxx (Maryland )
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Choir The choir is committed
to continuing the tradition of singing sacred music within the Mass, as well
exploring new material. The choir is also available to sing at weddings etc.
Generally, the choir sings at the 11.30am Mass on the third Sunday of every
month and at other church liturgies and events. New members are welcome.
Ideally they should be able to read music and be prepared to regularly attend
practices and Mass. Links N/A
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Choir
Contacts (pictured left to right):
Kathy Chaplin 01727 869594
Steve Turner 01727 833649
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Folk Groups Folk music is part of the liturgy
most Sunday evenings at the 7pm Mass in the Church, and every fifth Sunday
at the Marshalswick Mass Centre.
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Folk
Music Contacts:
Jacquie
Fowler 01727 853585
(7pm Church)
Maureen Clarke/Peter Baker 01727 xxxxxx (9.00 am Marshalswick)
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Contemporary Music Contemporary Music
is part of the liturgy on Sundays at both the Church (9.30 am Mass, every
other week) and at the Marshalswick Mass Centre (two Sundays in every five
at the 9.00 am Mass)
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Contemporary Music Contacts (pictured left to right, top row first):
Greg
Peachey 833730, (Church)
Janet Audley Charles 843067 (Church)
Mike & Gill Walsh, 838714 (Marshalswick)
Eamonn Pugh, 759008 (Marshalswick)
Dominic Watts, 759009 (Marshalswick)
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Neocatechumenate
"God loves us all so much, that he sent His only Son for
our salvation!". We have heard this said time and time again to the point
where we lose its truth - we become numb to God's Word. The NeoCatechumenate
becomes a "Way" of initiation to a mature faith - through "instruction" -
(catechesis), and living as the Gospels show us. We have introductory
talks regularly and you are invited to come. Christain, Jew, Muslim, believer
or non-believer, please come and listen. Links
N/A
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Contacts:
Alan Cory
07786 252679 |
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New Beacon Parish magazine published four to six times a year. Articles
by parishioners on local and wider church subjects plus other articles on
matters of varied church interest. All parishioners are encouraged
to be involved by reading and contributing to New Beacon. Links: New Beacon Latest Issue
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Contacts (pictured, left to right)
Top: Fr Jerry
Daly, Peter Berners-Lee, Philip Crabtree
Bottom: Eric Harber, Wendy Lewis, Sara Nash
Tel: 01727
853585
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Newman
Association (Hertfordshire Circle)The Association is a registered
charity which encourages an educated laity, with a deeper understanding of
their faith, through conferences, talks, discussion groups for members, retreats
and quiet days. There are social events and, on a national level, conferences,
pilgrimages etc. A Journal is published three times a year (see web site).
While co-ordinated at a national level much activity is organised locally.
Meetings usually take place on Sunday evenings in a local church
hall, but occasionally on days. There are close
on 900 members nationally, of whom 87 are members of the Herts circle. Although
only Catholics may be full members, all Christians are welcome to join and
take part in its activities. While most of the Herts Circle’s meetings
are open to all, the Newman depends on subscription income and it needs new
applicants for membership to help it maintain and develop its programme.
Currently membership costs £18 per annum for a single membership,
or £22 for joint husband/wife membership. Links N/A
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Contacts (pictured left to right):
Margaret Field 01727 853927
Julia
White
01727 835493 |
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Parish Pastoral Council
The purpose
of the Parish Pastoral Council is to promote the development of the parish
in all its different aspects; to work with and assist the parish priest and
his team in the practical and spiritual growth of the parish as an inclusive
community. In discerning the needs of the parish, the PPC develops and works
towards the vision of the parish and set objectives to be achieved.
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Contacts (pictured left to right):
Top: Stan Grabecki, Sara Nash, Espe Fuentes, Richard Exact,
Mid: Tim Stevens,
Eric Harber, Anne Rose,
Pat Williamson, Trisha Manners,
Bottom: Gio
Payne; Sean Barrie,
Fr. Charles, Fr, Jerry, Fr Tom; Gina Procaccini,
Tel 01727 853585
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Perpetual Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament The intention is to provide
24 hour adoration of the Blessed Sacrament in our parish in the Prayer Room
which is situated at the back of the Presbytery facing on to the car park.
Regular adoration takes place but it is not yet on a 24 hour basis.
Contact either of the following if you would like to regularly spend time
in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament. Links N/A
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Contacts (pictured left to right):
Stella Cowley 01727
839987
Margaret
Leahy 01727 763832 |
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Pre Baptism
Course Our group consists of married couples who run the
courses in the parish. There are approximately 8 courses a year.
New couples would be welcome who would be prepared to undertake up to three
courses a yeat.
Links N/A
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Rite
of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) Diocesan approved
programme for adult initiation and education with a view to reception into
the Catholic faith. Meetings are held at 8pm usually on Thursday
except during school holidays. There are at present two catechists.
Another committed catechist would be welcome
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Contacts:
Steve Pickard
01727
863925 |
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Romans FC We comprise players from the Catholic churches
in and around St Albans. We run one team (16+) that competes in the St Albans
& District Churches League (part of the National Churches League). The
league and club organise a number of non-football social and Christian events
through the year. Meetings take place on Tuesday evenings at
7.30pm for training at St Albans Rugby Club and 10.30 on Saturday mornings
to play matches. We welcome new players and are looking to expand
to a second team. New players should be willing to train regularly
and play on Saturdays. All players commit themselves to playing with
respect for the opposition and referee. Links: Romans
website
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Contact:
Richard Exact
07905 515038
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Rosary
Group Prays the rosary for the sick & suffering, for
priests and other intentions after/before 10am Mass Monday to Saturday.
Anyone is welcome to join with the group at any time.
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Contacts:
Molly Donohue
01727 832321
e-mail
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Sacraments
see:
RCIA
see: pre-baptism
course
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