Groups

This is a list of our Parish and Community groups. Click on the group name below for more information. If you would like your community group or service to appear on our website please contact the Parish Office.

Parish Groups

The Parish Pastoral Council
President
V. Rev. Robert Smyth, Parish Priest
The Parish Pastoral Council meet each month on a Wednesday evening
The Property & Finance Team, Whitehall
Chairperson:
Aidan Whyte
Members:
Bernard MacNamara, Christine McCabe Smith, Joanie Kelly, Tom Faulkener
Baptism Team
Baptism is a beautiful Sacrament. However, some of its beauty and joy can be missed if it is a rushed affair with little preparation put into it. Our Parish Baptism Team are there to help parents prepare for their child’s Baptism.
This ministry is all about welcoming people and making them feel at home, at home in the Church. It is about smiles, hospitality and friendship. The birth of a baby is a time of great happiness. Soon after the birth, parents make a decision about Baptism, where their child will be welcomed into the Christian Community.
The Baptism Team represents the Christian Community that is the Parish, at the Baptism. They help parents and godparents to prepare for the task they have undertaken when asking for Baptism. To help them prepare for and fulfil their Baptismal role, parents are invited to attend a Baptism preparation meeting with the team. The Baptism preparation meeting provides both the parents and godparents with a greater understanding of the Sacrament of Baptism, as well as ensuring that, the ceremony of Baptism is a more meaningful celebration for all concerned.
New members always welcome, should you be interested in joining the Baptism Team or would like some more information, please contact the Parish Office.
The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA)
Have you or someone you know been wondering about becoming a Catholic? Do you have questions about what Catholics believe? Have you been putting off your decision each year, waiting for the right time? Is this the year for you? Holy Child Parish invites you to come and explore the possibility of becoming a Catholic through the RCIA.
The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults is the process through which those seeking to fully join the Catholic Church are welcomed. This process includes those who have never been baptized, baptized in other Christian faiths, and baptized Catholics who have not received Eucharist or Confirmation. It also included Rites for the Initiation of Children of Catechetical age.
RCIA is a journey of faith. It is not about mastering facts about the church but about deepening your relationship with God. This is done in the company of a sponsor from the parish community, and through experiences of faith sharing, prayer, and communal celebrations, culminating in Initiation at the Easter Vigil.
Our RCIA gatherings depend on the willingness of parishioners to share their faith with the candidates. You have no idea what impact your presence, and the way you live out your faith may have on another person. We welcome any parishioner who would like to serve as a team member, sponsor or catechist or assist with hospitality. Please call to the parish office.
The Funeral Ministry Team & Bethany Bereavement Support Team
When a death is announced a member from the Funeral Ministry Team makes contact with the family and gives assistance with planning the funeral Liturgy. Two Team members attend the reception of the body and the funeral Mass and are a discreet presence and support to the family at this difficult time. The Team also organise three remembrance Masses. The first two Masses are usually during the months of March and July and the third is the annual Mass of Remembrance in November.
The Bethany Team offer support to the family after a bereavement.
On the occasion of the first anniversary after the death of a loved one, a special anniversary card is sent to families assuring them of remembrance in the prayers of the parish Community and the Bethany Team itself.
New Members for the team are always welcome. Should you be interested in joining the team or would like more information, please contact the Parish Office.
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion are lay people who have been commissioned by the Church, usually the Parish Priest, to help with the distribution of Communion at Masses and to bring Holy Communion to the sick, infirm and housebound who can no longer come to Mass. Before being commissioned the Ministers attend a short course outlining the great importance of the Eucharist and also the practicalities involved in the distribution.
This ministry is a very special and sacred one. For the sick, the reception of Communion is not only a privilege but also a sign of support for its members and concern shown by the Christian community for its members who are ill. New members are always welcome. If you would like to get involved in this Ministry please give your name to one of the priests or leave it with the Sacristan or Parish Office.
Ministers of The Word
It is very important to be aware of the demanding nature of the Proclamation of the Word. If the Minister of the Word does not grasp the overall sense of the text, it is more difficult for the congregation to absorb it. On-going training is provided for this members of this ministry group. It is important to get the text a week prior to the reading, and note the connection between the first reading, responsorial psalm, and the Gospel. This helps the minister to communicate effectively in public.
Should you be interested in becoming a Minister of the Word or would like more information, please contact the Parish Office.
Parish Liturgy Team
Chairperson:
Mary Gormley
Members:
Fr. Robert Smyth PP
Bernie Brown; Kay Smyth; Dorothy Gray; Barbara Fitzpatrick; Angela Marron; Caroline Molloy: Liam Murphy; Michelle Rooney; Shirley Scott; Marie McAllister; Marie Tuohy; Marie Partridge.
Liturgy – from the Greek word Liturgia – means what we do together as a gathered community/church. It is a general term for all the ways we gather as Christians to celebrate the sacraments and most frequently to celebrate the Eucharist.
The Liturgy Team was first formed after the Parish Assembly held in 1996. Its main work is the preparation for all liturgical events and to create the most appropriate atmosphere in which the congregation can worship.
All the members on our Liturgy Team are directly involved in liturgical preparations for all celebrations. Each pastoral team has a representative on the Liturgy Team. We are very lucky in this Parish to have so many dedicated and committed people involved in ministry. The Team meets in the Pastoral Centre with the priests of the parish once a month. We pray together, review and plan ahead.
Choirs
Our Parish is very lucky to have so many involved in music ministry.
Our Adult Choir under the direction of Kathyrn Brown sing at Sunday Mass and at the large ceremonies at Christmas and Easter.
The Youth Choir under the direction of Katie Judge sing at the 12.30p.m. Family Mass on Sunday. They also sing at the Family ceremonies at Christmas and Easter.
New members always welcome.

Parish Groups
- The Parish Pastoral Council
  President
  V. Rev. Robert Smyth, Parish Priest
  The Parish Pastoral Council meet each month on a Wednesday evening
- The Property & Finance Team, Whitehall
  Chairperson:
  Aidan Whyte
  Members:
  Bernard MacNamara, Christine McCabe Smith, Joanie Kelly, Tom Faulkener
- Baptism Team
  Baptism is a beautiful Sacrament. However, some of its beauty and joy can be missed if it is a rushed affair with little preparation put into it. Our Parish Baptism Team are there to help parents prepare for their child’s Baptism.
  This ministry is all about welcoming people and making them feel at home, at home in the Church. It is about smiles, hospitality and friendship. The birth of a baby is a time of great happiness. Soon after the birth, parents make a decision about Baptism, where their child will be welcomed into the Christian Community.
  The Baptism Team represents the Christian Community that is the Parish, at the Baptism. They help parents and godparents to prepare for the task they have undertaken when asking for Baptism. To help them prepare for and fulfil their Baptismal role, parents are invited to attend a Baptism preparation meeting with the team. The Baptism preparation meeting provides both the parents and godparents with a greater understanding of the Sacrament of Baptism, as well as ensuring that, the ceremony of Baptism is a more meaningful celebration for all concerned.
  New members always welcome, should you be interested in joining the Baptism Team or would like some more information, please contact the Parish Office.
- The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA)
  Have you or someone you know been wondering about becoming a Catholic? Do you have questions about what Catholics believe? Have you been putting off your decision each year, waiting for the right time? Is this the year for you? Holy Child Parish invites you to come and explore the possibility of becoming a Catholic through the RCIA.
  The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults is the process through which those seeking to fully join the Catholic Church are welcomed. This process includes those who have never been baptized, baptized in other Christian faiths, and baptized Catholics who have not received Eucharist or Confirmation. It also included Rites for the Initiation of Children of Catechetical age.
  RCIA is a journey of faith. It is not about mastering facts about the church but about deepening your relationship with God. This is done in the company of a sponsor from the parish community, and through experiences of faith sharing, prayer, and communal celebrations, culminating in Initiation at the Easter Vigil.
  Our RCIA gatherings depend on the willingness of parishioners to share their faith with the candidates. You have no idea what impact your presence, and the way you live out your faith may have on another person. We welcome any parishioner who would like to serve as a team member, sponsor or catechist or assist with hospitality. Please call to the parish office.
- The Funeral Ministry Team & Bethany Bereavement Support Team
  When a death is announced a member from the Funeral Ministry Team makes contact with the family and gives assistance with planning the funeral Liturgy. Two Team members attend the reception of the body and the funeral Mass and are a discreet presence and support to the family at this difficult time. The Team also organise three remembrance Masses. The first two Masses are usually during the months of March and July and the third is the annual Mass of Remembrance in November.
  The Bethany Team offer support to the family after a bereavement.
  On the occasion of the first anniversary after the death of a loved one, a special anniversary card is sent to families assuring them of remembrance in the prayers of the parish Community and the Bethany Team itself.
  New Members for the team are always welcome. Should you be interested in joining the team or would like more information, please contact the Parish Office.
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
  Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion are lay people who have been commissioned by the Church, usually the Parish Priest, to help with the distribution of Communion at Masses and to bring Holy Communion to the sick, infirm and housebound who can no longer come to Mass. Before being commissioned the Ministers attend a short course outlining the great importance of the Eucharist and also the practicalities involved in the distribution.
  This ministry is a very special and sacred one. For the sick, the reception of Communion is not only a privilege but also a sign of support for its members and concern shown by the Christian community for its members who are ill. New members are always welcome. If you would like to get involved in this Ministry please give your name to one of the priests or leave it with the Sacristan or Parish Office.
- Ministers of The Word
  It is very important to be aware of the demanding nature of the Proclamation of the Word. If the Minister of the Word does not grasp the overall sense of the text, it is more difficult for the congregation to absorb it. On-going training is provided for this members of this ministry group. It is important to get the text a week prior to the reading, and note the connection between the first reading, responsorial psalm, and the Gospel. This helps the minister to communicate effectively in public.
  Should you be interested in becoming a Minister of the Word or would like more information, please contact the Parish Office.
- Parish Liturgy Team
  Chairperson:
  Mary Gormley
  Members:
  Fr. Robert Smyth PP
  Bernie Brown; Kay Smyth; Dorothy Gray; Barbara Fitzpatrick; Angela Marron; Caroline Molloy: Liam Murphy; Michelle Rooney; Shirley Scott; Marie McAllister; Marie Tuohy; Marie Partridge.
  Liturgy – from the Greek word Liturgia – means what we do together as a gathered community/church. It is a general term for all the ways we gather as Christians to celebrate the sacraments and most frequently to celebrate the Eucharist.
  The Liturgy Team was first formed after the Parish Assembly held in 1996. Its main work is the preparation for all liturgical events and to create the most appropriate atmosphere in which the congregation can worship.
  All the members on our Liturgy Team are directly involved in liturgical preparations for all celebrations. Each pastoral team has a representative on the Liturgy Team. We are very lucky in this Parish to have so many dedicated and committed people involved in ministry. The Team meets in the Pastoral Centre with the priests of the parish once a month. We pray together, review and plan ahead.
- Choirs
  Our Parish is very lucky to have so many involved in music ministry.
  Our Adult Choir under the direction of Kathyrn Brown sing at Sunday Mass and at the large ceremonies at Christmas and Easter.
  The Youth Choir under the direction of Katie Judge sing at the 12.30p.m. Family Mass on Sunday. They also sing at the Family ceremonies at Christmas and Easter.
  New members always welcome.