Welcome to St. Vincent’s. Whether you have been a parishioner for many years or have just started coming along you may be wondering what groups currently exist in the parish, or who is responsible for a particular area – if so, we hope that this booklet will provide the answers.
Furthermore, you may be looking to get more involved in parish life. You will see from this booklet that there are a wide range of groups already active. All of them would be keen to welcome new members and participants. To get more information on any of the activities, and to find out how you may be able to help, please use the contacts given (all phone numbers are Sheffield unless indicated otherwise). If no contact name or details are given for a particular area, please contact Fr Paddy in the first instance.
Our parish functions as a vibrant and outward-looking community as a result of parishioners like yourself taking on responsibilities and getting involved, so please take the plunge and find out more.
This is the first time we have compiled such a list, so it is possible that we have missed some groups or responsibilities which could be usefully added; or that we have made some mistakes in the existing text. If so please let us know so we can amend future editions. You can contact Fr Paddy or Dominic Rice, at church or using the details below:
The information in this booklet is also available on the St. Vincent’s parish website: www.stvincentschurch.com
September 2023
PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL
The Parish Council has a key role in working with the parish priest to serve the people of the parish. The members of the Council aim to represent different aspects of the parish community and they meet about once a month. It should be possible to catch one of them after Mass on Sunday. Posters detailing the members can be found in the narthex and in the hall. Please don’t hesitate to introduce yourself if you are new to the parish, have something to raise, or have a question to ask.
Contact: Russell Brynes (Chair) tel: 07775 573443 russellbrynes@gmail.com Maria Mawson (Secretary) tel: 07584 040199
"The Mothers" have met on a regular basis in St. Vincent's Parish since the early 1900s. They were first known as the Guild of St. Anne and met in the parish hall on Monday afternoons before collecting their children from school. The number of members has dropped since those early days but around 14 members still meet in the church hall each Wednesday. The meetings involve: prayer; organising fundraising and social events; discussions; and, organising visits to the sick and housebound parishioners. Members also attend Diocesan meetings, study days, retreats and the National UCM Annual pilgrimage to Walsingham.
CATHOLIC MEN'S SOCIETY (CMS)
The Catholic Men's Society, established in 1854, is the oldest Catholic lay society in Great Britain. The object of the Society is the continual formation of its members spiritually, so that each may better fulfil his Christian vocation within the parish and the world. The aim is to be achieved through regular meetings and four special works or 'promotions': the Mass; planned study discussions; retreats; and community service. There is a St. Vincent’s branch of the Society in Sheffield.
The St. Justin group was established over 40 years ago to help the parish of St. Vincent to support people in developing countries. The group meets every two months (Monday, 7pm) at St. Vincent’s. Events to raise funds are organised throughout the year and money is distributed to projects in developing countries via personal contacts. The society distributes the money raised as soon as possible so that it gets to those in need in countries such as Ethiopia and Kenya. Relevant parish justice and peace issues are also discussed at each meeting. Recent events include themed international evenings, concerts, coffee mornings and stalls at the Christmas bazaar. Coffees after the Sunday 9:30am mass raise money for St. Justin’s each week. If anyone would like to help organise a social event to raise funds please come along to a meeting or get in touch with one of the committee members. Contact: Ann Burke (chair) tel: 2682515 annburke45@gmail.com Marie Miller (secretary) tel: 07572 582136 millerbolehills@gmail.com Steve Foley (treasurer) tel: 2305254 spfoley@tiscali.co.uk
ST. VINCENT’S PANTOMIME PLAYERS
This is a group of people of the parish - of all ages - who volunteer to put on a pantomime each year, usually some time in February. The commitments are 5 rehearsals and 3 performances, during January and February. The aim is to create a good social occasion and to raise money for charity. If you can't be in it, come and support the show.
The Finance Committee is a small group who assist Father Paddy in managing the Parish’s finances and property. The Committee meets on a regular basis to review the Parish’s accounts, set a budget, consider proposed items of expenditure and assist Father Paddy with any other legal or financial matters that arise from time to time. The Committee also works closely with Father Paddy and the Diocesan Trustees to manage and develop the Parish’s land and property, including the Church at Pickmere Road, St Michael’s Cemetery and the Mission Hub at Solly Street.
This group contributes to the liturgy at the Sunday 9:30 mass, playing and singing for the sung parts of the liturgy and hymns. All ages contribute, and both instrumentalists and singers of any standard are welcome. The music is planned by the co-ordinator several weeks in advance, and the schedule for the next few weeks is sent to members of the group. You do not have to commit to coming every week to join the group. They practice on Sunday at 9am, half an hour before mass. They also sometimes contribute to other parish events, such as weddings or specific concerts.
There is also an emerging music group at the 6pm Sunday evening mass. They currently play on the first Sunday of each month. The group meet at 5.30pm to prepare for the Mass that day. Musicians of any age and ability are welcome to join.
Lay ministers make an essential contribution to Sunday mass, and to weekday masses. There are weekly rotas for the Sunday 9:30 and 6pm masses, which cover the following roles: Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion: These ministers assist the priest in distributing communion during mass. Some ministers also take communion to the sick of the parish. Training and commissioning are organised for those becoming communion ministers, either by the diocese or the parish. This comprises both initial training for those taking up the ministry for the first time, as well as up-date sessions for existing ministers. Communion ministers should be re-commissioned every 4 years or so, and this is usually done within the parish at one of the Sunday masses. Readers (Ministry of the Word): These ministers read the scripture readings, and the bidding prayers at mass (and sometimes the Psalm and/or Gospel Acclamation if they are not being sung). Training is arranged now and again for readers, both at deanery and parish level. In St. Vincent’s we have also arranged commissioning services for readers in the past, as part of Sunday mass, to emphasise the importance of the ministry. Welcomers: One or two people, who stand in narthex before mass to welcome arrivals. They also give out the weekly bulletin, check if the ministers for the mass have arrived, find volunteers to take up the bread and wine (offertory), hold collection baskets at end of mass, and deal with any queries. If appropriate they will also open doors or windows, and close them after mass.
The ministry of altar server is open to everyone, regardless of age, who has made their First Holy Communion. There is a weekly rota for altar servers for the Sunday 9:30 mass; several children, aged between 8 and 14, are currently on the rota (though there is no upper age limit). There are also servers at the 6pm mass, but on a less regular basis. Training is provided for new servers.
This happens at the Sunday 9:30 mass, during term-time. The aim of the Children’s Liturgy is to help our children to enjoy the experience of coming to Church through making the Word of God more accessible to them. This is achieved through the use of age-appropriate readings, prayers, music and activities. We help them to relate to the key messages of the Gospel, by sharing and drawing on their own experiences, and by making it more applicable to their world. New volunteers always welcome to support this vital ministry - support will be given
Fairtrade coffee and tea are currently served after Sunday morning mass. People gather in the church hall and it is a good opportunity for parishioners and visitors to come together in a relaxed environment. There is a regular rota. Milk, coffee and biscuits are usually provided by the people on the rota although there are often donations of supplies from other parishioners. Donations are collected at the counter and funds are passed to the parish St. Justin group, going directly to support projects in developing countries. Around £600 in total is raised throughout the year. (For more details of the St Justin group see the relevant section). The rota is prepared for 6 months at a time. Currently members take their turn every 10 weeks or so and they volunteer in pairs. If an individual would like to be on the rota Marie can help locate another person to help with them.
The first communion programme is generally run once a year, starting early in the New Year. It takes place after the 9:30 Sunday morning mass, for around an hour each week, and prepares children for making their first communion in the late Spring/early Summer. Candidates should be aged 8 years and over (usually in Year 3 at primary school).
We aim to run the confirmation programme each Autumn on Sunday evenings from 7-8pm - depending on demand. Covering a variety of topics in an interactive and (hopefully) engaging way, we give the young people a chance to consider their decision to become mature members of the church. Candidates should be aged Year 9 and above.
The sacristan role is currently carried out by a group of people, who between them ensure that everything is prepared for mass, as well as tidying up afterwards. Tasks include: washing the vestments and linen (such as altar cloths, cassocks, purificators, finger towels, corporals); sewing; cleaning the brasses and chalices; maintaining and sorting the candles; preparing the altar; putting things away after mass.
Contact: Christine Hopewell tel: 2667468
FLOWERS
A small groups of parishioners maintains flower arrangements in the church throughout the year; they also decorate the church for major feasts, weddings, First Holy Communion and Confirmation days, etc.
SAFEGUARDING
The role of the parish safeguarding representatives is to be the contact for safeguarding at the local level, helping to maintain a safeguarding awareness at all times. They have specific responsibility for promoting safe practices in all activities involving children, young people and vulnerable adults within the parish, group or congregation. With a sound knowledge of the policies and procedures, they understand who to contact in specific circumstances and are the link between the parish, their organizations, the Diocese and the Commission.
In Autumn 2022 a group of parishioners, with the agreement of Fr. Walsh, submitted a plan to Cafod for working towards the Live Simply Award. Achieving the award is not itself the chief aim. Rather the 3 principles on which it is based – Living Simply, Living Sustainably and Living in Solidarity with others – form a framework ‘to strengthen the bonds of community, nourish spiritual life and care for God’s gift of creation.’ (www.cafod.org.uk/campaign/livesimply-award). Much already happens in the parish that fits into this framework, and the Live Simply group is not a separate entity, but a small element in the parish effort to live out our faith. See the parish website for more information.
SHARING THE WORD: A reflective reading of the Sunday Gospel (Lectio Divina)
This group meets on zoom for 30 minutes on Thursday evenings at 7pm. It is an opportunity to listen, read and reflect on the Gospel for the coming Sunday. We give some time to sharing the insights we have and to pray on this. Zoom links for the meeting are sent out via e-mail and the parish WhatsApp. E-mail Catherine if you would like a link.
The Repository (shop), situated behind the glass doors in the narthex, stocks a range of religious goods. These include: cards, rosaries, crucifixes, and candles. It is generally open when the church is open. Goods can be purchased and payment left by the repository.
Church and Hall cleaning is done on a weekly basis. There is a schedule of cleaning tasks in the “sink room” detailing weekly, two weekly and monthly cleaning tasks. People contribute to this activity by simply selecting a task and ticking when completed. At present there is a pattern of Friday morning cleaning but this is totally flexible for individuals. The group is currently made up half a dozen people, but more would be welcome. The maintenance function is carried out on an ad hoc basis and includes some aspects relating to St Michael’s Rivelin, as well as ongoing garden maintenance. A small group regularly ensure that fire systems are tested (recorded in fire log in cabinet near back door). A variety of parishioners contribute to maintenance tasks but extra help dependant on individual skills is always welcome.
There is an ongoing project to manage the large grassed area adjacent to the car park with a view to supporting biodiversity. (See ‘Plan for St. Vincent’s green space’ on main website page, or the picture of the proposal in the Narthex.) There are other areas planted more formally, but still with an intention to attract pollinating insects and avoid use of chemicals: Our Lady’s Garden at the front, Father Paddy’s patch at the side of the car park, and the troughs at the back entrance. Growing vegetables is another ambition. Any help with weeding, pruning and planting, and any donations of plants are welcome.
The parish holds a Christmas bazaar each year at the church, in late November/early December. Different groups and individuals in the parish set up a range of stalls, some of which raise money for particular causes. Refreshments are usually available. It is very much a social occasion for the parish, but also provides an opportunity for fund-raising – and for Christmas shopping! In past years it has included carol singing and visits from Father Christmas.
The parish bulletin is produced each week. It provides an outline of masses for the coming week as well as notices of what is going on in the parish, relevant events in the wider community, and other news. Paper copies can be picked up at church, but it is also available every week on the parish WhatsApp group and Website, to help reduce paper use. If anyone wants to put a notice in the bulletin they should send it to the e-mail address below. The deadline for notices for the coming Sunday is the Friday before.
For those interested in being baptised or confirmed, or in joining the Catholic Church, there is a series of evenings during the year where we provide talks and discussions on our faith. The talks and discussions are led by the parish priest.
St. Michael’s Catholic Cemetery (Rivelin Valley Road, S6 5GL) and its chapel are part of St. Vincent’s parish. The cemetery is now fairly full, and most burials these days are in existing family plots rather than new graves. Extensive renovation work to restore the chapel to its former glory, with the help of English Heritage, was completed in 2005. Mass is held in the chapel at 10.30 am on the first Monday of every month, plus Bank Holiday Mondays - all are welcome. Many people visit St Michael's, not just from the Sheffield area, but from further afield in the UK and abroad. For more information visit the website for the cemetery: www.saintmichaelscemetery.org
PARISH SOCIALS
Various events are organised on an occasional basis by different groups and individuals, which provide an opportunity for parish members to come together socially. If anyone is interested in organising an event to bring people together they can contact the parish priest or another member of the parish pastoral council. They could also contact any group representative if they would like to raise some funds at the same time.
ST. VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY
The SVP is recently re-established in the parish. Initially we shall be focusing on visiting those members of the parish who are sick and would welcome a visit from our members. We have plans to develop the services we offer as we grow in confidence and experience. Please contact one of the members if you would like a visit. New members are always welcome. We meet every other week.
Contact: SVP contact number: 07904664898 Chair of parish SVP group: Russell Brynes tel: 07775 573443 russellbrynes@gmail.com
WHATS APP GROUP
There is a parish WhatsApp group, which any member of the parish can join. Regular items are uploaded to it, such as the weekly bulletin and Fr. Walsh’s sermon, as well as ad hoc items of interest. If you would like to be added please contact one of the group administrator(s) via Fr. Walsh.
ST. WILFRID’S CENTRE – and food donations box
St Wilfrid’s Centre is a day centre in Sheffield which helps and supports vulnerable and socially isolated adults from across the city as well as individuals who are homeless. It provides a safe, friendly space to socialise with others. It also offers practical support including: hot meals, snacks and drinks, clothing, sleeping bags, laundry facilities, emergency food parcels, showers, advocacy, support and advice. A range of activities are offered to enable clients to develop new skills and improve their self-esteem and quality of life. It is a charity within the Hallam Diocese and is reliant on financial donations as well as regular donations of tinned food from all the parishes in Sheffield. At St Vincent’s we have been asked to specifically donate tins of vegetables (peas, carrots, sweetcorn, potatoes). These can be left for collection in the yellow box under the newspaper shelf in the church narthex. St Wilfrid’s Centre always welcomes new volunteers. If you are interested in learning more about their work or volunteering opportunities, please look on the website www.stwilfridscentre.org, or have a chat with Louise Finnigan, who is the Welfare Manager at St Wilfrid’s Centre and a parishioner at St Vincent’s. Contact: Louise Finnigan tel: 2555720 louise.finnigan@stwilfridscentre.org
