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GROUPS & ASSOCIATIONS
If you would like to participate in, or want further information about, any of our groups please contact the Parish Office.
THE CATENIAN ASSOCIATION
The Catenians are an association of like-minded Catholic men who meet socially for fellowship and encourage families to gather together for friendship and enjoyment.
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Catenians are generally drawn from a professional or business background. They undertake to participate fully in the activities of the local Association, which meets monthly for dinner and fellowship.
Catenians are committed Catholics who take an active part in the work of their parishes and charities connected with the Church. Their families come together at social events.
Catenians support each other and their families in times of trouble and assist young Catholics.
Catenians are encouraged to meet with fellow Catenians elsewhere in the Diocese across the country and internationally.
Membership is by invitation and potential members are encouraged to attend meetings and social events before making a commitment.
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THE CATHOLIC LADIES GROUP
The Catholic Ladies Group (CLG) is a parish group of which all women of the parish are automatic members and are welcome to attend any meetings and/or events.
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The aims of the CLG are three-fold:
- faith (annual Mass and a Day of Recollection)
- fund-raising for good causes
- fun (luncheon meetings, pub evenings and the ever popular Strawberry Social).
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THE ASCENT MOVEMENT
ASCENT is an international movement, membership of which is open to retired men and women of any age.
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The Ascent Movement promotes the growth of:
- Spirituality, through prayer and discussion, using God’s Word to deepen our faith
- Mission, through encouragement to help the sick and the lonely, those without faith and all younger people
- Friendship, offering a practical solution to loneliness and isolation by a loving openness to others, with the inevitable cup of tea!!
The thriving group in our parish meets every first and third Wednesday of each month. Each meeting runs from 2pm to 3.30pm and is held at the Convent. Transport can be arranged, if necessary.
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THE ST VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY
The Saint Vincent de Paul Society (SVP) was established in 1833 by a young Frenchman, Frederick Ozanam, to look after the poor, lonely and destitute in his native Paris. Since then, SVP branches, or Conferences as they are called, are to be found throughout the World. Frederick Ozanam was beatified in 1997.
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In our parish, meetings are held every first and third Wednesday evenings of the month, except during the summer - attendance is not compulsory and everyone is most welcome.
At these meetings, there are prayers followed by a discussion - in confidence - of matters arising from activities of the members in the previous week and plans are agreed for any action needed.
The Society’s aims can be summarised as follows:
- to assist the Parish Priest in any possible way
- to visit sick or lonely parishioners in their homes or in hospital (and to give them small gifts at Christmas)
- to arrange and provide transport for those who cannot get to Mass, including the disabled at Redcliffe House
- to provide assistance to needy children of the parish, mainly by financial help
- to contribute funds to other needy Conferences, especially in India
Funds are raised mainly by collections at each meeting, although the Parish Priest always helps out with any exceptional needs.
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THE THIRD WORLD GROUP
The aim of the Third World Group is to help projects in underdeveloped countries.
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The Group focuses on one project for one or two years and raises money by means of donations made in a collection box at the back of the church, gift aid and social events.
For example, the annual Parish Golf Day has not only raised significant funds but helped to bring the plight of others into sharper focus.
The Group receives regular reports from the project leaders and these are displayed on a notice board at the back of the church.
This is a dynamic group, who always welcome new members.
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The Prayer Group is a small group, dedicated to prayer, that meets at the Convent on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month. New members are always very welcome.
THE ECUMENICAL GROUP
The Ecumenical Group meets to encourage Christian Unity and to support Churches together in Harpenden (CTH). There are now a number of important annual ecumenical events, illustrating harmony in action. New members and supporters are actively encouraged.
Our church is at the heart of our parish. Many people contribute time, energy and skill to keep it looking beautiful.
THE FLOWER GROUP
The Flower Group works as a team to provide flower arrangements for the many special days in the church’s calendar and, on request, for private celebrations such as weddings, baptisms and funerals. The more experienced members of the Group are happy to pass on their skills to those who would like to learn.
THE CLEANING GROUP
The church is cleaned every week by a team of ladies, working on a rota system. New members who are able to spend an hour every five weeks or so, normally during the daytime, are always most welcome.
THE SEWING GROUP
The Sewing Group looks after the vestments and the altar linen and sewers with enthusiasm and new ideas are always welcome.