If you would like to get involved in any of these ministries, please contact the Parish Administrator, Fr Brendan Callanan C.Ss.R, through reception.

 

Ministers of the Word:

The Word of God is proclaimed at all our liturgies and is an indispensable part of our celebrations.  The readers take turns at proclaiming the Word at Sunday Masses and on other special occasions.  The readers prepare for their ministry by becoming familiar with the text in the days leading up to the celebration.  In the recently launched diocesan pastoral plan there is a provision to have training for Ministers of the Word.

Eucharistic Ministers:

The primary task of the Eucharistic ministers is to help in the distribution of Holy Communion at Mass.  We have a large group of ministers and at each weekend Mass a number of them help.  At weekend Masses a designated minister holds a chalice near St Joseph’s shrine for those on a coeliac diet to receive the Precious Blood because they cannot receive the host.  At the weekday Masses ministers sometimes help also.

Children’s Liturgy:

Every Sunday at the 12.30pm Mass (during the school term) the children are invited to go to St Gerard’s Hall for their own liturgy of the Word.  All team members who direct this service are Garda vetted and have regular Safeguarding training.

Music Ministry:

The St Joseph’s senior choir sings at the 11am Mass every Sunday and on other special occasions such as Holy Week and Christmas.  Practice makes perfect and choir members give generously of their time for practice.  Other masses are led by trained cantors and musicians.

Youth Ministry:

In recent years, a team was formed to look into possibilities for engaging with young people.  A number of initiatives are being examined and some activities have been undertaken and others will be launched as time goes on.

Baptism Team:

Baptism is the first sacrament of initiation.  With a view to helping parents and godparents to appreciate the significance of this sacrament, preparatory meetings are conducted by the baptism team on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month.

Altar Servers:

This group plays its role at our weekend Masses.  They have a meeting on the 2nd Sunday of each month in the Monastery.  New members, boys or girls who have already made their first holy communion, are always welcome. Please contact reception if interested.

Collectors:

You are familiar with this group who generously give of their time to take up the collection at the weekend Masses and, of course, during the Solemn Novena.  Some collectors have been giving long and faithful service to St Joseph’s and there are also some new members in the group.

Bell Ringers:

Never seen but active in providing a musical welcome to people coming to church on Sundays and other occasions.  Bell ringing is an important skill in the service that St Joseph’s provides.

Pastoral Council:

This is a group of people who, together with the priests of the Parish, plans, reviews and seeks ways to progress the work of evangelisation.  The Pastoral Plan of the Archdiocese is a source of both inspiration and challenge for the council. A process is currently underway to appoint a new pastoral council.