Altar Servers
It is an honour to serve on the Lord’s Sanctuary.
After at least one year of faithful service, altar servers may be invited to enrol into the Guild of St Stephen – the patron Saint of Altar Servers.
Those interested must have made their first Holy Communion. Parents are asked to give every encouragement to their children to become Altar Servers.
Catechists
Parish catechists prepare our children for the Sacraments of Eucharist, Reconciliation and Confirmation. Courses are also run for parents who wish Baptism for their children.
Ministers of Holy Communion
These are parishioners commissioned to distribute Holy Communion at Masses.
In addition to their Mass duties some visit and take Holy Communion to the sick and housebound on a regular basis on both Sundays and weekdays. If at any time you are sick, or you know someone who is sick and would like Holy Communion a minister will bring the Sacrament on request. Please contact the Parish Office to arrange this.
Hospital Chaplaincy
Is any among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; and the prayer of faith will save the sick man, and the Lord will raise him up; and if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.” (James 5:14-15)
Members of the parish are part of a Chaplaincy Team of volunteers who visit patients in St Peter’s Hospital. Members of the chaplaincy team bring Holy Communion to Catholic patients in the wards.
A patient (or relatives of the patient) on entering hospital, and giving details like name, address, etc., should say that they are Catholic and wish a visit from a member of the Chaplaincy Team. If the sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is needed, inform the Chaplaincy Team or ask the nurse to do so, and a priest will be called to administer the sacrament.