Pastoral Team for Funerals

A group of parishioners have completed their training preparation for this ministry.  The role and work of the Pastoral Team is to be there with a family to guide and advise them as they plan the funeral of their loved one. Above all, they will be there to reassure the bereaved family, to help in making the funeral more personal, meaningful and prayerful as well as leading some of the prayers, beginning in the funeral home, like the Rosary and on occasions, the removal prayers. 

Pastoral Teams for Funerals will not replace the priest.  He will continue his ministry with the bereaved, celebrate the funeral Mass and graveside prayers.  The Pastoral Team will work alongside him as we all strive to minister the love, mercy, consolation and compassion of Christ to all who suffer such loss.

The Ministry of the Word is open to women and men and post confirmation children.  This is an opportunity for parishioners to participate in this important liturgical activity.  Ministers of the Word attend a short training programme which is run by the Pastoral office.  The readers are encouraged to prepare and understand the readings and to deliver them well. They read the Scripture readings on a rotational basis at the Vigil and Sunday Masses. 

Ministers of the Eucharist

The Ministry of the Eucharist is open to women and men 18 years of age and over.  The Ministers of the Eucharist distribute Holy Communion at Masses on a rota basis for three years.  They also bring the Eucharist to Nursing Homes and sometimes to house-bound parishioners.  They first attend a short training programme.