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| PARISH GROUPS The following groups meet on either a regular or an occasional basis (or are planned for revival soon) in Holy Family Parish: Friendship Group, SVP, Sacramental Programme, Children's Liturgy, Choir, Social Committee, Pilgrimage Group, Walking Group, Rosary Group and Prayer Group. Information can be found below.
Friendship Group This new group formed after the completion of the new Family Room with its kitchen and other facilities. It also takes advantage of the old choir loft, now re-designated the "Upper Room" and set out for prayer and quiet. Members gather together for a time of prayer followed by discussion, social activity and lunch cooked on the premises. Those who attend are asked for a small donation to cover the cost of lunch and to provide the group with its own funds. New members will always be made most welcome. The group meets fortnightly (except in the cold winter period) on alternate Thursdays from 11.30am - 2.00pm.
Above: an informal SVP meeting
SVP
In 2004, the Society of St Vincent de Paul celebrated 50 years activity in Kirkholt, and Mgr Quinlan (VG) represented the Bishop at their celebrations, beginning with concelebrated Mass. The SVP is a very practical arm of the Church, seeking out people who are lonely or in need and visiting with practical advice and support. If the need arises, they will find food, clothing or furnishings to provide people with the necessities of life.
The group meets in the sacristy on alternate Tuesdays, at 7.30pm.
Above: One of our two First Communion groups, Summer 2007 Sacramental Programme Mainly involving Year 3 children, this group follows the guidelines of Salford Diocese in preparation of our children for the Sacraments of Confirmation and Holy Communion. Any families wishing to enroll should make contact with the Parish, ideally in the Summer term before their child is due to enter Year 3, but we are always willing to help at other times. Meetings take place approximately once a month, according to a schedule handed out each year. They are normally on a Wednesday, from 6.30 - 7.30pm, with the children meeting with "Catechists" (Faith sharers) in the Family Room, whilst parents meet in the Sacristy. The children will present something of their journey of preparation to the parish at the following Sunday Mass.
All our parish activities involving children strive to adhere to the guidelines of the Salford Diocese Safeguarding Commission, so that their motto - "SAFE IN OUR CARE" - can be a reality for the children at every stage.
Children's Liturgy
This group has recently been restarted in the parish, and has proved a very positive influence on parish life. For the first part of the Mass, (the Liturgy of the Word), those children who wish divide into two supervised groups. The under 5s make their way to the new "Family Room" at the back of Church, whilst the older children gather in ths Sacristy at the front, each group adapting the Scriptures in a way to make them more accessible to the younger members of the congregation. They will present their work to the rest of the congregation when they return, after the Creed. Not only does this make the Mass more relevant to the children, it also enables parents to take a fuller part in worship, as they know their children are being cared for nearby and are not getting restless.
Above: New Musicians' Bay Choir
Musical development is ongoing in the parish, and new ideas are always welcome. Our latest newcomers have introduced oboe and viola to the full ensemble, and any more singers or instrumentalists who would like to join would be made most welcome at rehearsals. At major festivals, we have been blessed by the addition of friends from outside the parish who have brought their own gifts and skills and greatly enhanced the celebrations. At Christmas 2007, the music group consisted of organ and piano, 2 guitars, violin, viola, and oboe with a good number of singers and two soloists. The choir from Holy Family Primary School also took part, and impressed the huge crowds present both with their singing and their excellent behaviour throughout.
The Choir meets in church as announced, normally on Thursdays at 7.30pm.
Rosary Group
This group has met on weekday evenings in May and October to honour Our Lady with the recitation of the Rosary, either in the Sacristy or at the Grotto outside. Whilst it has not come together recently, the opportunity is always there for this group to be revived.
Above: Family Room, our "social centre" Social Committee
This group is at present seeking new members! Social events are important to any community, and a parish is no exception. The Social Committee is responsible for the planning and organisation of events ranging from fairs to cheese & wine evenings, quiz nights to ??? Many events have been well supported, both by parishioners and by friends from other local churches and elsewhere, and the new Family Room has greatly broadened the possibilities, and the facilities too. We are most grateful to our Primary School for the support which they give, in particular taking the lead in the revival, from 2005, of the parish Christmas Fair. This takes place in the school hall and acheives great success through the willing efforts of the headteacher and all the staff, along with members of the parish Social Committee and other helpers.
This Social Committee meets as announced.
Right: Pilgrimage to Lourdes, October 1992
Pilgrimage Group
A group from the parish has gone away together, perhaps once a year, for a time of prayer and renewal. A favoured venue in recent times has been Walsingham, the National Shrine of England, but after a break of a couple of years summer of 2008 saw the parish well represented on the Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes. The Friendship Group was largely instrumental in planning this latest venture.
Above: Walking Group at Ingleton Walking Group
A group of all ages who meet outside the Church and travel by car to different venues for a walk, fresh air, a chat - and just a relaxed afternoon! Neither serious nor strenuous. (So we claim...!) After a short break walks have now been revived, normally on Sunday afternoons, as announced. We just need to build up numbers again - so have you polished your boots recently?
Above: the new "Upper Room"
Prayer Group
This small group used to meet on an occasional basis in a private house in the parish, where members called to mind the needs of the world, and those of our parish community. More recently, this vocation of prayer has been continued by the Friendship Group at its fortnightly meetings, with an "Intentions Box" placed in the church foyer for any parishioner or visitor to place requests.
It is also intended, in the near future, to start a separate Prayer Group in the "Upper Room" (the former Choir Loft) - though if anyone wishing to attend had difficulty with the stairs, an alternative venue would be used.
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