Adults are enabled to grow in faith and understanding through the RCIA Course. It is designed to be run at Parish level, which enables candidates to be instructed and received by the Parish Priest. Throughout, candidates are supported by members of our Parish community. Meanwhile, we keep each one in our prayers during their time of instruction.
Also please find below a list of liturgical groups that may be of interest to you.
In our Parish, each new RCIA Course begins in October and continues until May. During the course, candidates share their thoughts, hopes and also their fears with each other. Finally, at the Easter Vigil and if it is what each candidate desires, they will become full members of the Catholic Church. During the Easter Celebration each newly received member is welcomed with great joy by the entire Parish community.
At the beginning of Sunday's 10.45am Mass during term-time, Father Brett calls the children to him. Anyone old enough to sit and listen, usually aged from three to the end of Year Four may answer his call. Then with their Catechist leaders the children process to the Parish Hall. The group holds its own Liturgy, hearing the Gospel for the day, and then responding to it at their own level. During this time, their parents remain in Church, having the chance to listen to the Word of God in peace!
New members are very warmly welcome. There is a particular need for Altos, tenors and basses. You must be prepared to attend the practices which are held at each Thursday evening, at 8.00pm and to be at the 10.45am Mass each Sunday.
The Sacristan ensures that all Liturgical services, including Holy Mass and The Sacraments are correctly prepared and perfect. It is necessary to keep stock of all that is needed for every service and to order everything that is required, in good time.
Here in St George's Parish, this responsibility is shared by a small team of Sacristans, each being accountable for a particular liturgical service, or a specific day, every week.
We all recognise that being met with a warm smile as we come to Mass ensures that we feel welcome. This important ministry is undertaken by teams of Greeters at all major Masses at both St George's and St Gregory's. The welcome any stranger or newcomer receives at church makes a lasting impression. It is the introduction to our Parish. The confidence of many new members is boosted by a sincere smile. A greeter often introduces a new member of OUR community to someone already established. Greeters readily step in when the need arises, whether major or trivial.
Any member of the congregation can become a Reader, there is no upper or lower age limit, although an understanding of the reading is necessary. Are you a confident and competent reader with a clear voice? Does this ministry appeal to you? Would you be able to serve as a Reader at your particular Eucharistic Celebration for the foreseeable future?
Reading at Mass is an essential Lay Ministry through which the Word of God is proclaimed to the congregation. Whichever of the three weekend Eucharistic Celebrations you attend, there is always room for additional readers. If this is your expertise, the rota organiser listed above would gladly welcome you or, in the first instance, you may prefer to speak to Father Brett.
Each Altar Server is privileged to help Father Brett conduct the Liturgy with dignity and reverence. If you have already made your First Holy Communion, the opportunity to become an Altar Server is open to everyone, boy or girl. New recruits are always very welcome and annual training sessions are held each week during October and November. When running, this course usually takes place directly after the Sunday 10.45am Mass.
The Repository, our Parish Shop, holds a selection of items for sale, available after all major Masses at St George's and St Gregory's (limited due to COVID restrictions at present). You are cordially invited to spend a little time browsing. With limited space at St Gregory's, the stock held there is more restricted than at St George's. If you would like to order an item from the repository please speak to Serena at St. George's or to Brian at St. Gregory's
Our Parish Prayer Group promotes a spirit of prayer within the Parish community. We surround, with prayer, our priest, everyone in the Parish, their families and all visitors to our much-loved Church. Meetings include Evening Prayer from the Divine Office Book, Bidding Prayers and Intentions which are taken from the Prayer Request books located in Parish Office and St Gregory's church. Any requests for Prayers are always welcome. If you are interested in joining the Group, please phone Chris and Don on 01702 296544, they will be delighted to hear from you.
Every month or so the normal 10.30am Sunday Mass at St. Georges Church is replaced by a Family Mass, where the younger members of our parish take the lead. We are always looking for new members, whether young or old, to join our choir or band. If you are interested why not have a chat with either Sarah or Emma after a family mass. Details of family masses are printed in the Weekly Newsletter
St George's takes seriously the exhortations of the Second Vatican Council and Pope John Paul II. Over the years relationships have become warm and there is real friendship and mutual respect. Covering three areas; Shoeburyness, Thorpe Bay and Great and Little Wakering, there are two Churches Together Groups with two Fraternals of the clergy. This latter group is called C.A.M.E. (Catholics, Anglicans, Methodists and Evangelicals).