Altar Servers Ministry
Altar servers serve at some weekend Masses. They are trained to follow the order of the Mass, when they should ring the bell, when and how to safely carry candles.
The role of the Altar Servers leaders is to ensure that all Altar Servers can carry out their Altar Server role correctly and in a safe environment. Training is provided for the leaders. All leaders in this Ministry must be Garda Vetted and attend Safeguarding training conducted by the Archdiocese.
Baptism Ministry
The role of the Baptism team is to look after the booking for baptisms, attend baptisms and attend monthly preparation meeting for parents.
The time commitment of a volunteer on an annual basis would be approx. 6 Sundays from 11.30am to 12.15pm to enrol children for baptism, to attend 4 monthly preparation meetings and attend 4 baptism ceremonies (Saturday or Sunday). Training is provided by the baptism team.
Bealtaine Choir
The Bealtaine Choir sings at the 12.30pm Mass on the first and last Sunday of the month from September to June. There is choir practice every Thursday night for up to 2 hours. The choir also sings at the Christmas Carol Service and 3 times during Easter Week ceremonies. There would be some additional choir practices for these services.
Children’s Choir
The children’s choir provides music and hymns for the 9.30am Sunday Family Mass and any other church ceremony or occasion as requested by the Parish Priest (e.g. Christmas Carol Service). It is for children who have received their 1st Holy Communion. The choir practices weekly, or as required, in the church, usually on Saturdays 13:00 – 13.30.
The leader roles in the children’s choir are a musical director, an administrator and a technical and general support person. All leaders in this Ministry must be Garda Vetted and attend Safeguarding training conducted by the Archdiocese.
Children’s Liturgy Ministry
The Children’s Liturgy team takes the younger children [preschool age up to seven or eight years or First Holy Communion age] into the Day Chapel for informal lessons and activities based on the Gospel/feast of the day. Their aim is to provide an enjoyable place for children to learn about their faith, have fun in the process, and make new friends. Parents/grandparents/guardians/older siblings are also welcome.
The leader prepares the activity for that week. He/she reads the Gospel of the day with the children and chats to them about the main themes, then the children colour in a related picture/draw a picture. The leaders work as a team and there are materials for preparing for the liturgy. All leaders in this Ministry must be Garda Vetted and attend Safeguarding training
Church Cleaning Ministry
The volunteers in this team clean the church on a weekly basis, usually after 10am Mass on Fridays except on the 1st Friday of the month when it is cleaned on Thursday. There are also occasions when additional cleaning will be done, e.g. around Christmas and Easter time or before 1st Communions and Confirmations.
A member of the team does regular clean up of litter from around the church grounds.
1st Communion preparation Ministry
The co-ordinators main role is to plan the Do This in Memory Masses. There are 8 in total, between October and May, at the 9.30am Mass on Sundays. The children preparing for 1st Communion are invited to these Masses along with their families. There is an information evening for parents in September to inform them of the programme and ask for volunteers to help. The co-ordinators liaise with the teachers and the priest before each Mass. The teachers assign various roles to the children. The co-ordinators are present at the 8 Masses and ensure that the children involved are aware of what they need to do. The coordinators must be Garda Vetted and attend Safeguarding training conducted by the Archdiocese.
Confirmation Preparation Ministry
There are 2 roles within this Ministry, to plan preparation Masses and organise the Faith Friend programme.
Preparation Masses (usually five in total). The children preparing for their Confirmation are invited to these Masses along with their families. They are held on a Saturday evening at 6.30pm. The co-ordinator plans the dates for these masses with the parish priest. There is an information evening for parents in November to inform them of the programme and ask for volunteers to help. The co-ordinators liaise with the teachers and the priest before each Mass. The teachers assign various roles to the children. The co-ordinators are present at the 5 Masses and ensure that the children involved are aware of what they need to do.
Faith Friends This usually involves a number of workshop type evenings where the children are invited to the church for a mix of prayer and activities.
The co-ordinators must be Garda Vetted and attend Safeguarding training conducted by the Archdiocese.
Folk Group
The Folk Group sings at the 11am Mass every Sunday from September to June. There is choir practice every Tuesday night for up to 2 hours. The choir also sings at the Christmas Carol Service, Christmas Mass and Easter Week ceremonies. There would be some additional choir practices for these services.
Funeral Ministry
A member of this team accompanies the priest when he is meeting with the bereaved family to plan for the funeral. At the funeral Mass the team member assists and guides the
bereaved family during the Mass. Training will be provided in line with particular role the team member will choose.
Gardening and Maintenance
Currently one person maintains the garden and all the plants. We are looking for a few people to assist. If you can give an hour a week or an hour a month that would be very helpful. A volunteer could decide to take responsibility for the maintenance of a bed or beds.
From time to time there would be a need for minor maintenance type work in the church. If you are in a position to help in this way we would be happy to hear from you.
Hospitality Ministry
There is a plan in the New Year to resume the invitation to parishioners to get together for tea/coffee and a chat in the Day Chapel after 10am Mass on Wednesdays. This team sets up the Day Chapel for this and clears up afterwards.
Occasionally there are any social events in the Parish or hospitality after a special Mass. The team helps with the catering for these events. Anyone who would like to help or to bake for these occasions would be very welcome.
Minister of Holy Communion
The Ministers of Holy Communion assist in distributing Holy Communion at Mass. Volunteers are put on a rota for weekend Masses and there is also a regular rota for weekday Masses. If a Minister is not available for a Mass for which they are rostered they will organise a swop with another Minister or will ask the Ministry Leader to organise it. Separate rotas are prepared for Christmas and Easter. Prior to commencing Ministry, the volunteer receives training for the role consisting of 4 sessions lasting about 1 -1.5 hours.
The role of the Ministry Leader is to prepare the weekend, Christmas and Easter rotas.
Minister of the Word
The Minister of the Word reads the readings at Mass. They also read the Prayer of Spiritual Communion and sometimes read the Prayers of the Faithful. Volunteers are put on a rota for weekend Masses and would normally read 2 times a month. If a Minister is not available for a Mass for which they are rostered they will organise a swop with another Minister or will ask the Ministry Leader to organise it. Separate rotas are prepared for Christmas and Easter. There is also a regular rota for weekday Masses. Prior to commencing Ministry, the volunteer receives training for the role consisting of 3 sessions lasting approximately 1 – 1.5 hours.
The role of the Ministry Leader is to prepare the weekend, Christmas and Easter rotas.
Ministry of Welcome
There are 2 roles within this Ministry
Helping to put out and collect the collection bags and bring them to the Sacristy during Saturday night and Sunday Masses.
A stewarding role at busy times like the Christmas and Holy Week ceremonies when volunteers help people find seating in the church
Miscellaneous
From time to time, for once off projects we may need extra help or even some specialist expertise. If you are interested in helping in this way please contact us and we will keep your details on file.
Also if you have any particular skills/expertise that you feel would be of benefit to the Parish and are in a position to help out we would be very happy to hear from you.
Safeguarding Ministry
Safeguarding is all the things we do to create and maintain safe environments for children and vulnerable adults involved in Church activities.
The responsibilities of the team include liaising with church ministries that involve children and/or vulnerable adults, and ensuring that parish workers and volunteers behave appropriately in such settings. The team also ensure that all information regarding safeguarding, and accessing those resources, is readily available.
The team members must be Garda Vetted and attend Safeguarding training conducted by the Archdiocese.
Technology
The Parish would be very happy to talk to people who have IT/social media skills and who would be interested in helping us to develop and expand the Parish’s use of technology to reach out to the Parish community.
Teen Hope
TEEN HOPE is a parish-based faith outreach to teenagers (1st and 2nd year post-primary level) now operating in the Blanchardstown/Laurel Lodge area. Sessions are held on a monthly basis in the Pastoral Centre beside St. Bridget’s Church, Blanchardstown. The sessions are a mixture of pizza, games, thought provoking videos and discussion. The team delivering the programme have been trained by the Diocese and are fully vetted. Consent Forms signed by a parent/guardian are required for all participants in the programme. We are looking for adults who are interested in training as Youth Leaders and for teenagers who are interested in joining the programme.
Next Session: Friday 25th November, 7-8.30pm, Blanchardstown Pastoral Centre.
Youth Choir
Laurel Lodge Youth Choir sings on Saturday evening at the 6.30pm Mass from September until May. It also sings at Mass on Christmas Eve and is involved in the Children’s Stations of the Cross on Good Friday. The Youth Choir is for young people from the ages of 12 to 18. Anyone in this age group who loves music and likes singing is very welcome to join. The choir practices in the church on Saturday from 5pm to 6.30 and then sing at the 6.30pm Mass on Saturday Night. Choir leaders must be Garda Vetted and attend Safeguarding training conducted by the Archdiocese.
