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| Liturgy and Prayer
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"Come let us sing
for joy to the Lord: Scripture is full of reference to singing, trumpets, harps, tambourines and other instruments. It has been said that, "He or she who sings, prays twice". The music of the liturgy puts the words of scripture on our lips and, once on our lips the Word can take root in our hearts. By singing 'Glory to God', 'Alleluia', and 'Lamb of God' week after week and year after year, these words become an expression of our faith. Music also shapes our calendar. Christmas means carols; Good Friday is the beautifully plaintive 'O my people', Easter is the glorious 'Jesus Christ is risen today'. All the feasts and seasons have their own musical signposts and shape the Christian year, so when we hear a song our memories are aroused and we can celebrate with a shared awareness. Music in St Joan's Masses The following are regularly supported with music throughout the year: Masses: Sunday
9.15 am - family mass with music group. Traditional
and modern hymns. Gloria, Gospel Acclamation, Liturgy of the Eucharist
and Lamb of God are all sung. To participate or if you have any
questions contact Mary Stevens by emailemail Sunday 11.15 am - mass with traditional hymns led by the organ. if you have any questions contact Josie Dobson by emailemail Sunday 6.30 pm - 1st Sunday of every month. Mass with music group. Traditional and modern hymns. Liturgy of the Eucharist is sung. To participate or if you have any questions contact Alistair Emblem by email. Taizé Evenings: First Thursday of every month at 8.00 pm an hour of prayerful music and scripture meditation in the tradition of the Taizé community. Link: www.taize.fr Other events which are supported include:
We need to plan Sunday Masses and other Parish Liturgies to ensure that they are enriching and welcoming celebrations of Christ in our community. If you would like to contribute ideas to this planning - either occasionally or regularly e-mail now. A rich variety of prayer The Mass (Eucharist) is our central act of prayer, but there is so much more to Prayer. The new Catechism of the Catholic Church devotes a whole 66 page section to the topic, explaining the nature of prayer and the many different traditions of prayer which build, sustain and enrich our Christian faith. www.christusrex.org/www1/CDHN/part4.html Prayer can be asking God to help and bless us (Petition), or praying for others (Intercession); but as in any relationship, if we only ask for things, the relationship can remain undeveloped. The Church encourages us also to Praise, Bless, Adore and Thank God; and to "learn the surpassing knowledge of Jesus Christ by frequent reading of the divine Scriptures" accompanied by a dialogue of prayer. To discover opportunities for prayer atSt Joan's click here. Children's Liturgy 
The children's Liturgy Group operates during the 9.15 am Mass and caters for children aged 2-11 years old. Volunteers take a small group and discuss/explain the Gospel of the day in terms the children can readily understand. Shortly after the Mass begins the priest will invite the children to follow the teachers through the door at the front right of the altar. All children are welcome, there is no need to register. Parents are welcome to go with their children in the first instance. We are always happy to welcome new catechists, no training required! We have a rota system and meet occasionally to exchange ideas and discuss programmes. Please e-mail us if you are interested or have any questions concerning the group. Click here for details about the program for sacraments for the children in the parish.
Boys and girls who
have made their First Communion and who would like to serve are
welcome to contact the parish priest or
Special Ministers undergo a period of training by a priest appointed by the Bishop before they are commissioned. They are expected to attend an annual Day of Recollection and prayer. Their ministry is to:
Members of the congregation are usually invited by the Parish priest to become ministers but if you are interested in this particular ministry, the Parish Priest would be very happy to talk to you. Vatican II restored the Liturgy of the Word to its rightful place whereby with the liturgy of the Eucharist they form one single act of worship. The importance of the ministry of reading is that the reader is actually part of the dialogue between God and his people. The reader's task is to proclaim those parts of the Word of God which make way for the Gospel, prepare for it, and set the scene so that the Gospel can be heard and reach the hearts of the congregation.
As Welcomers we aim to make all those who come to the church feel at ease and relaxed. We greet everyone with a warm friendly smile, and by name if we know it. As people arrive we give each person a hymn book and a newsletter. On special occasions the Welcomer may hand out sheets containing the liturgy for that service. At the end of the service we collect the hymn books and return them to the trolley. Any lost property is placed in the porch. If you would like to help with this ministry
and join the rota for the Mass you normally attend please e-mail
us.
Flowers 
Flowers, contact Joyce Lawson
by e-mail Please e-mail us if you would like to join our friendly group. Church cleaning, contact John and June Christie
by e-mail |
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