Parish ministries and groups
Some of the many ministries and groups that are active in our parishes. Most are common to both parishes unless indicated. More information will appear as it is written.
Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharistic
The parishes enjoy the services of approximately 20 or more lay people who assist with the distribution of Holy Communion at Masses. For example, at St Rose’s, each Minister assists at Sunday (or Saturday evening) Mass on a monthly basis. In both parishes, a number of Ministers also assist at the Weekday Masses or conduct “Word & Holy Communion” services when no Mass is celebrated. In addition, several or more also visit the sick and housebound, taking Holy Communion to them on a regular basis, such as weekly, fortnightly or monthly. Ministers are expected to aspire to a level of appreciation and to the expectation required by the Church in the conduct of this most important Ministry. Appropriate training is given and Ministers are also expected to attend several sessions each year that reflect on, and promote a devotion to, the Blessed Sacrament. Anyone who believes that they have a calling to exercise this Ministry should contact the Parish Priest on telephone 0121 475 1634, or meet with him after any Mass. The role of an Extraordinary Minister is open to any adult who must show that they extol the appropriate disposition and discernment.
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Lay Readers
There are approximately 24 Lay Readers across the parishes of St Rose and St Peter. They all read on a regular basis, usually every month, and are given full training and support. Some read at Weekday Masses too. We have very few young people who regularly read, and any young person who is capable will be most welcome to join this important Ministry! There is no requirement to read in an Oxford-English fashion – all accents and tones are acceptable! Stage fright can often prevent volunteers coming forward, but with proper training and support, this Ministry can be very fulfilling. One is only expected to appreciate that the microphone is an essential tool and that there is a necessity to talk clearly and with some effort at voice projection. Anyone interested in becoming a Lay Reader should contact the Parish Priest on telephone 0121 475 1634, or meet with him after any Mass. The Catholic Liturgy Office have prepared an excellent resource for readers available from their website in PDF format. Download Ministry of Reader
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Altar Servers
Altar serving is open to anyone who has made their first Holy Communion – boys and girls, men and women! Although the role often appears reserved to young people, at Weekday Masses our more mature parishioners serve at the Altar with great aplomb! Altar Servers who have been serving regularly for at least 12 months are admitted to the Guild of St Stephen (on St Stephen’s Day, i.e. Boxing Day), and are awarded with the Guild Medal, which is worn around the neck. Altar serving is traditionally the “senior service” in any parish, and often fosters vocations to the priesthood and religious life. To become an Altar Server, simply approach the Parish Priest or one of the Altar Servers immediately after Mass for an exploratory discussion, when training can be organised.
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The Legion of Mary and the Junior Legion of Mary
The Legion of Mary was founded in Dublin, Ireland, on 7 September 1921. It is a lay Catholic organisation operating today in almost every country in the world.
Members of the Legion of Mary give service to the Church on a voluntary basis, working together in a unit or “Praesidium” in each parish or deanery. The Legion’s object is the glory of God through the holiness of its members, developed by prayer and active co-operation in Mary’s and the Church’s work. The Legion sees as its priority the spiritual and social welfare of each individual. Members participate in the life of the parish through visitation of families, the sick, both in their homes and in hospitals, and through collaboration in every apostolic and missionary undertaking sponsored by the parish. This work equates to around two hours work every week and is conducted in the spirit of faith and in union with Mary.
The Senior Praesidium meets every Tuesday at 7.30 p.m. in the presbytery at Our Lady and Saint Rose for one hour, where prayer is intermingled with reports and discussions.
The Junior Praesidium meets every Friday at 3.30 p.m. in the presbytery at Our Lady and Saint Rose for one hour and is open to young people between the ages of 7 and 17. The Juniors assist the Seniors in many ways and is an ideal springboard to the Senior group.
For further information about the Legion of Mary, or enquiries about joining either the Senior or Junior Praesidium in the parish of St Rose, please contact:
Miss Doris Lawrence
15 Honnington Court
Manor House Close
Weoley Castle
Birmingham B29 5LA
Telephone 0121 476 4880
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Saint Vincent de Paul Society
The Conference of Our Lady and Saint Rose of Lima reformed on the 3rd March 2003.
We meet fortnightly on Monday evenings at 7.30 p.m. in the presbytery and limit the time spent at the meeting.
The meetings have a formal agenda with prayers, spiritual readings and contemplation to enable us to make the right decisions and support each other when there are special needs.
Each member decides how much time they are able to devote to visiting and work by visiting in pairs either on a regular basis or a short period depending on the need.
At each meeting there is a secret collection to enable us to give practical help as necessary.
We visit a wide range of parishioners at home, in hospital, in residential homes, the housebound, the elderly, the bereaved, those in poor health, indeed anyone who needs our support.
The money collected has helped to supply our twinned conference—a village in India—with livestock to enable families to be self-supporting.
In the parish, we have provided help with decorating, furniture, gardening, repairs, holidays, pilgrimage to Lourdes, in fact most things that are urgent will be considered providing there is funding. Generally, only one-off help is given to prevent people becoming dependent.
We always welcome new members, men and women with some time to spare, to visit and support when needed.
We also have auxiliary members who are not able to find time o attend meetings but who are in a position to devote some time to help.
With thanks to Mary Milton
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