Altar Servers
There are a number of Altar Servers assisting at different Masses in Holy Cross Church. Parents can approach Father after their children have received First Communion to ask whether their children can receive training to become Altar Servers. Usually around September / October children will attend training consisting of up to three one-hour sessions after school in the Church. They can then attend and serve at the Mass most convenient for them and are allocated tasks on a monthly rota basis. On the Feast of St Stephen (Boxing Day) after a year’s probation, servers are enrolled in the Guild of St Stephen and given a Bronze medal with a red cord, signifying St Stephen was a Martyr, also shown on the medal by the Crown. After 10 years of distinguished service a silver medal is presented with a red cord and a gold medal again with a red cord, after 50 years of distinguished service.
For more information please use the contact form.
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Catechetical Ministry
Our catechists number about fifty in all and help in sacramental preparation of baptism, first communion, confirmation, R.C.I.A. and children’s liturgy.
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Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist
We have fifty Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist covering five Sunday Masses with Holy Communion under both kinds; in addition a number of these Ministers take Holy Communion to the sick and housebound after the Sunday morning Masses and/or during the week. Parishioners are invited to become Extraordinary Ministers at the invitation of the Parish Priest and are commissioned by the Bishop or his representative at either St George’s Cathedral or Aylesford Priory. They renew their commitment to the Parish once a year.
If you would like to be considered and train for this ministry please use the contact form
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Reading Ministry
At one time the priest who celebrated Mass would read everything and no other voice was heard in the Liturgy. Now we have one reader for each reading at every one of the five Sunday Masses and we follow recommended practice and have an additional reader again for the Prayer of the Faithful; 15 readers every weekend. The more we are involved in the celebration, the more we realise and understand the nature of community and the importance of celebrating together as a community.
If you would like to be a part of this ministry please use the contact form
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Children’s Liturgy of the Word
Children’s Liturgy of the Word began in this Parish about forty years ago. It takes place in the Parish Centre during the Sunday 09:30 Mass on the first, third (and fifth) Sunday of each month, but the 9.30 Mass is always orientated towards children. There are two groups: the first is for children in Years 4, 5 and 6 who are joined by Year 3 children once they have received the Sacrament of Holy Communion; the second group is for children in Reception and Years 1, 2 and 3. We welcome all children but ask that parents complete a registration form for each child so we are aware of any needs they may have. Children are brought to the hall, before 09:30, and are marked on a register. Once 30 children are in the younger group and 16 in the older group we are unfortunately unable to welcome any more. Children hear the Gospel story in an age appropriate way, discuss what it means to them, do a craft or colouring activity and take part in singing. They return, during the Offertory, to their families. We have a notice board to display the children’s work and to show what is being covered in the sessions. We welcome offers of help and ask parents and other volunteers to add their names to a rota.
(Due to restrictions currently suspended)
