COME AND JOIN US:
ORGANISATIONS WITHIN OUR PARISH:
Society of St.Vincent De Paul (SVP)
The SVP is an international lay organisation with more than 11,000 volunteer members who reach out to those in need, offering friendship and providing practical help and support. Members also provide help on the annual SVP pilgrimage to Walsingham held in July. We meet at St Joseph’s on Monday Evenings at 8.00.pm
Contact: Jim Keane – 01234 926570
Secular Franciscan Order
We are a secular international order of men and women founded by St Francis of Assisi in 1221 to help people live in the Franciscan spirit of detachment from earthly possessions and to observe the Gospel of Our lord Jesus Christ. Members make a lifelong commitment to the daily office, regular participation in the sacraments, and support of the clergy and local charities. Monthly meetings are held on the fourth Sunday of the month in Holy Cross Parish Hall, Goldington Road 3.15 pm.
Contact: Michael Simmonds – 01234 308395
Knights of St. Columba
Our motto is Charity, Unity and Fraternity, which we try to live up to through the varied work we carry out. We are a friendly organisation of Catholic men who support the clergy in the diocese with their spiritual and practical work. We raise money for local and national charities, particularly in times of crisis and emergency. We organise regular social fundraising events within the Bedford Pastoral Area for a variety of purposes. We meet on the second Wednesday of the Month at our Lady’s Kempston at 8.00pm.
Contact: Jim Kinsella – 01234 400787
Mothers’ Prayer Group
The mothers’ Prayer Group meets in the reconciliation Chapel at St Joseph’s on the first Monday of the month, after the 10.45 am mass. We meet to pray for the needs of mothers and families, who are one of the cornerstones of our Catholic faith. The group is dedicated under the protection of the Holy Mother and our liturgy and songs reflect our aims. The group is open to all who wish to pray for the need of Mothers.
Contact: Teresa Williams – 01234 217201
Families’ Home Shrine of Our Lady Of Guadalupe
The Families’ Home Shrine of Our Lady Of Guadalupe is a very popular devotion within our Parish. Our Lady of Guadalupe is the patron of the unborn, families and the clergy. The shrine spends 6 days in the home of a family or single persons.
A planned programme of prayer and devotion with the rosary at its centre is followed throughout the week. Families and individuals are enrolled in the Devotional Group at feast day Mass on 12th December.
Contact: Sheila Allen – 01234 344743 Email: saguadalupebedford@gmail.com (St Joseph’s)
Contact: Mary Frost – 01234 304014 (Our Lady’s)
AMDG Young Adults’ Music Group
The group meets weekly, to practise and develop the musical liturgy for the 6.30pm Sunday Mass and other special services throughout the Church Year. We wish to bring praise and glory through the gift of sacred music both new and old. We are always looking for new recruits to join us, you don’t have to be a professional, just love playing music.
Contact: Clare Moubarak – 01234 214227
Altar Servers
Boys and girls are welcome to train as altar servers. You must have made your first communion and be available on a regular basis for certain Sunday masses and other services throughout the Church Year.
Contact: Parish Priest – 01234 352569
Catenian Association
The Catenian Association was founded in Manchester in 1908. Its aims were simply to provide a monthly opportunity for Catholic business and professional men to meet in a cordial atmosphere, pray together and enjoy a social meal. The association is exclusive to catholic men, ladies nights are held in March, October and December. There are various social events held throughout the year. The President for the year nominates a charity which the members will actively support through fundraising and practical help.
Contact email: bedford177@btinternet.com
Children’s Liturgy
The children’s liturgy is at the centre of the 9.30 Sunday mass. activities take place in the guild room at St Joseph’s and the meeting room at Our Lady’s. Here children are involved, with their adult helpers in developing a practical and enjoyable way of understanding the theme of the Mass and the day’s Gospel. After this preparation, the children join the main congregation to bring back their work for the benefit of all. Adult helpers are always required. You do not have to be a parent to assist. Following our Diocesan guidelines, all those who help the children with the liturgy are required to complete an application and Enhanced Criminal Records Bureau check. Training and support is given to volunteer helpers.
Contact: Parish Priest – 01234 352569, Lyn: 01234 268163
Contact: Mary Frost – 01234 304014 (Our Lady’s)
Parish Fund Raising Group
The group is made up of members of both our Churches. We meet every two or three months, at St Joseph’s, to discuss and review the fundraising events being undertaken on behalf of the year’s chosen charity. This also includes monitoring, on behalf of the parishioners, the money which has been raised so far. The projects have ranged from helping the infrastructure of Catholic schools in Palestine, supporting Children from Father Boniface’s orphanage in Uganda, to assisting organisations such as Olive Aid which helps Farmers rebuild their lives, having been cut off from their olive groves by the Israelis’ blockade.
Contact: Parish Priest – 01234 352569
Flower Arranging and Display Group
Come and join us. We meet fortnightly on a rota system to arrange and display the flowers at St Joseph’s and Our Lady’s, which enhances the beauty of our church and liturgy. You will need enthusiasm, rather than experience, as support and training will be given.
Contact: Parish Priest – 01234 352569
WELCOME TO OUR CHURCH:
ARE YOU NEW TO THE PARISH?
WE WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM YOU!
PLEASE TAKE A FEW MINUTES TO COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING DETAILS:
NAME:
ADDRESS:
POSTCODE:
PHONE:
EMAIL:
SCHOOL-AGE CHILDREN:
NAME(S): AGE(S):
Please download and hand this form to one of the Priests and we would be very happy to talk to you about life in our parish.
Alternatively, you can drop this form into the sacristy. We will contact you by return.
*All information retained is subject to the provisions of the data protection act*.
VOLUNTARY OFFICERS WITHIN THE PARISH:
HEALTH AND SAFETY:
Please contact the Health and Safety Officer, if you see anything which concerns you, regarding health and safety issues within our parish.
Contact: Ken Cooke – 01604 459596
DBS CHECKS AND PROTECTION POLICY ISSUES:
In line with Diocesan policy, you are required to undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service check if you are working with children and vulnerable adults within our Parish. Please contact the parish priest to discuss how this may affect you when volunteering your help in certain areas of our Parish Ministry. If you would like information it can be obtained by contacting Mary our co-ordinator.
Contact: Mary O’Sullivan – 01234 261272
FINANCE, GIFT AID, AND DONATIONS:
If you would like to sign up or need more information about our gift-aid scheme or would like to make individual donations to our various parish projects.
Contact: Parish Priest – 01234 352569