Parish Activities
We have a five Parish Committees established to support our Parish Priest with his work:
1.
Evangelisation and Formation Committee
The purpose of the Evangelisation and Formation Committee is to support ministries and programmes which evangelise and catechise as a part of the mission of the Church. Evangelisation and formation is a lifelong process aimed at personal conversion, growth in faith, and transformation of society. This Committee collaborates and consults with members of the parish Clergy on the design, implementation, and evaluation of all the formation programmes in the parish. These programmes can include: evangelisation efforts, sacramental preparation, children ministry, parish school and home relations, youth and young adult ministry, adult and family ministry.
Because the mission of formation in discipleship is so extensive, the committee may form sub committees or ministry teams to work directly with specific ministries. The committee's role is to monitor, evaluate, and collaborates with any sub committees or teams to minister more effectively. Any Committees or ministry teams should report their activity regularly to the Committee, sub committees should meet with these groups periodically to discuss the current state of the ministerial activity and to exchange new ideas for growth.
The evangelisation committee assists the parish to effectively to effectively respond to the challenge, “Go and Make Disciples”. Evangelisation is what we are called to do as disciples and as church. Every area of the mission of the church involves evangelisation.
Evangelisation must be understood in its three dimensions: internal, external and personal. Evangelisation involves proclaiming the Gospel to the already- existing community of disciples or the internal. It further involves reaching out to those who have not heard or taken to heart the message of the Gospel or the external. Finally, every person needs to embrace the Good News and live a life of ongoing conversion which is the personal.
The Evangelisation Committee may have a tendency to become involved with
everything in the parish. It is important, therefore, that the
responsibilities of the committee are clearly identified so that the mission to
evangelise is prominent in the life of the community as well as practical for
the committee.
2.
Finance and Property Committee
This committee is involved with the preparation and development of a Parish annual return. The committee covers and studies all the incomes and expenditures of the parish.
The Committee, advises the parish priest on expenditures and projects. It presents its annual reports to The Parish Representatives Group and participates in the projection of the finances of the parish.
The Committee is also tasked to look after the buildings and grounds, it is concerned with the state and condition of parish facilities and property, there maintenance and upkeep. The committee prioritises and presents needs as part of the budget process and identifies any situations which require immediate action.
The Committee plays an important role in
the development and monitoring of a master site plan and organisation of
funds raising events. The plan allows the parish to maximise the use of
property and facilities, establish a timeline for the updating of mechanical
and electrical systems, and anticipate any building or renovation projects.
Furthermore, it will help to find the way of finding financial resources for
any parish project.
3.
Liturgy Committee
The purpose of the Liturgy Committee is to support the liturgical ministries and to assist with the preparation for the liturgical and prayer life of the parish community. This Committee collaborates and consults with members of the Clergy in regard to the formation and training of various ministers for the Eucharist: such Extraordinary Eucharistic Ministers, Readers, Welcomers, Ushers and other sacraments as well as preparing sacred environments and liturgical resources.
Because the mission of worship is complex,
the Committee is to work directly with specific
liturgical ministries. The committee's role is to monitor, assess, and
collaborate with all involved Liturgy or
the Clergy to minister more effectively. It is understood that specific worship
ministries, function more as a grouping of parishioners who participate in a
particular ministry, such as choir, extraordinary ministers of the Eucharist,
welcomers, and so on than as a meeting of people gathered round a table.
Committee or ministry teams should report their activity regularly to the Parish
Priest. .
4.
Social and Pastoral Committee
This committee plans, promotes, facilitates and coordinates activities that bring parishioners together, for mutual support, celebration of special parish and life events. These events help build a sense of community among the members. Christian community life is expansive enough to include everyone.
This committee primarily focuses on social activities. There are a wide range of activities which this committee can coordinate: funeral receptions, luncheons, parish feast day, parish anniversary, holiday bazaar, parish BBQ , fish fries, heritage potluck supper, festivals, fiestas, etc.
The purpose of the Parish Social and
Pastoral Committee Is to discern the needs of people in
the parish and wider community - especially the poor- and identify resources to
meet those needs while enlisting the active support and participation of
parish members. This Committee helps to fulfil the justice dimensions of
scripture and our Catholic social teaching tradition while acknowledging that
every Christian is called to service and to work for justice. The Committee focus of the Commission is on
the fourfold task of Catholic social ministry: direct service, justice
education, advocacy and empowerment.
·
Direct service - assist the parish in
performing works of charity and in relating to organisations that provide
direct service to people in need
·
Justice education – raise awareness among
parishioners about social justice issues and Catholic social teaching
·
Advocacy - form partnerships with
organisations that serve as advocates for the poor, vulnerable, and the unborn
that work for changes in public policy and societal structures so as to aid the
poor, the vulnerable, and the unborn.
·
Empowerment - develop practises and support
organisations which encourage people in need to take action themselves
5.
Halls Committee
The role of the Halls Committee is to manage the Halls, report any repair work to the Finance and Property Committee, to let the hirers in an out. Inspect the cleanliness of the hall and others.
Membership of any parish committee is subject to approval of the parish priest. Committee positions are open to parishioners only and all committee members are expected to adopt an active role and be responsible for an agreed aspect of the Committee’s activity.
You will see from the above that there are a number of activities going on in our parish and there are a number of opportunities for parishioners to help out from attending parish events, involving themselves in the Sunday liturgy as welcomers, readers, musicians, singers, helping with the floral arrangements, catering after each Mass etc. A number of parishioners support the active Children’s Liturgy at the 11 am Mass on Sunday.
Calls for volunteers to help with activities are put into
the newsletter and if you wish to know more about any of these activities
please get in touch by email to folkestone@rcos.org.uk
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