Ministries & Groups

If you are interested in joining any of our ministries or groups either speak to Fr Louis or email us and we can pass your details to the relevant group.

READERS: Readers exercise their ministry on a rota basis at every Mass, thus making present among us Christ who is the Word of God. There is always room for more readers so please get in touch if you wish to volunteer.

EXTRAORDINARY MINISTERS OF COMMUNION: A number of parishioners have been commissioned to assist at Mass by administering the chalice at Communion. A number of them also take Holy Communion to sick and housebound parishioners in their own homes.

MUSIC: St. Chad’s has a small choir to enhance the liturgy on Sundays, under the leadership of Victoria Holmes. The choir is always ready to welcome new members, so if you enjoy singing there is room for you.

CHILDREN’S LITURGY: Sunday mornings (during school term time) in the Church Hall. The children join the rest of the congregation in church at the Offertory. The catechists who conduct the Children’s Liturgy all have DBS clearance for the safeguarding of children. If you would like to become a catechist for the Children’s Liturgy please get in touch.

CONFIRMATION CATECHISTS: Each year young people in Year 9 and above are invited to receive the sacrament of Confirmation. For several weeks beforehand a group of catechists meet with them each week, in order to prepare them to receive this Sacrament. Confirmation takes place jointly with parishioners from St. Ann’s and Christ Church.

ALTAR SERVERS: Altar Servers have an important role in assisting the Priest with the liturgy. Young people are always welcome to become Servers from any time after they have made their First Communion.

FLOWERS: These ministries are two of the most unsung because we rarely see these people at work, and yet the fruit of their labours is apparent to all with a well-polished church and the altar adorned with flowers.

MISSIO: It is well established in the parish. Members support the Missions firstly by their prayers and secondly by means of the red mission boxes in which they save money for the Missions. If you would like to join in this valuable contribution to the missionary outreach of the Church, please speak to the Missio Secretary, Steve Whalley, or Fr. Louis.

PIETY STALL: There is a Piety Stall which is open after all Masses and operates on an honesty system. Special items can be ordered if they are not in stock. Please speak to Una Tildesley if you would like to see a catalogue.

COFFEE MORNINGS: A fundraising Coffee Morning is held each Thursday after 9.30am Mass in the Parish Hall, supporting the parish and many other charities. All welcome.

300 CLUB: Raises funds for the upkeep of the Parish Hall. Members pay £12 per year for each number they have in the draw. The draw takes place in the Hall after Mass on the third Sunday of the month . There are three winners every month, each receiving £20. Three times a year there is a £50 bonus draw in which there are two winners. Please see Chris Hall if you would like to join.

PARISH FORUM: St. Chad’s does not have a Parish Council as such, but there are regular meetings – open to all – where matters of interest can be discussed. The Parish Forum meets about every two months, on a date agreed at the end of the previous meeting. The date is published in the weekly newsletter and notes from the meeting are provided as soon as possible afterwards for the benefit of parishioners unable to attend.

S.V.P: The parish is fortunate to have a flourishing Conference of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. St. Chad’s SVP meets in the parish hall after Mass on Tuesday evenings. New members are always welcome. If you would like to join the SVP or just find out more, please speak to Fr. Louis or one of the members, or come along to a meeting on a Tuesday evening.

LOURDES GROUP: Each year a number of parishioners take part in the Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes. Our parish group of pilgrims includes a group of young people (16+) who, at their own expense, spend a week in Lourdes caring for sick and disabled pilgrims. The youth group has been taking part in the pilgrimage every year since 2000 under the leadership of Cathy Donnelly and Mary Higginson.

ST. CHAD’S PLAYERS: St. Chad’s boasts its own drama group which stages a pantomime each January. Members range in age from five year olds to grandparents. Many of the mature actors have been members since they were children. Besides the actors there is a whole army of musicians, wardrobe staff, make-up artists, stage managers, lighting technicians etc. New members are always welcome, whether on or off stage. Please speak to John Murray or Karl Collinge if you would like to be involved.

ST CHAD’S SINGERS: An informal community choir who meet weekly on Thursday evening. A varied repertoire of musicals/popular music. The choir hold 2 concerts, one in early summer and at Christmas time. All welcome to join – no audition required.  Please speak to Victoria Holmes if you wish to join.