Societies

St. Vincent de Paul Society (SVP)

The Society's aim is to seek and find those in need and to serve them through person-to-person contact, irrespective of age, colour, creed, gender or ideology. Members meet every three weeks to discuss current work, requests for help and to plan ahead. The Society has been twinned with a conference in India since 1995 and supports them financially, with prayers and by correspondence. Membership is open to men and women.

Latin Mass Society

This Society seeks to preserve and promote the Latin Mass (Extraordinary Rite) which has recently been encouraged and extended by the Pope's Motu Proprio, "Summorum Pontificus". Latin Masses are held at St. Mary's or Holy Cross with the approval of the Bishop and the local clergy. They are attended largely by LMS members but they are open to everyone and are advertised well in advance. A quarterly newsletter is produced for members. This year the Society has organised a Day of Recollection at St. Mary's. The popular devotions of the Church such as Exposition, Benediction, Novenas and Processions are also encouraged.

St. Mary's Crypt

The crypt beneath St. Mary's Church is a popular meeting place both for parishioners and the wider community. It is the only church crypt on the Island which is open on a regular basis. It provides a valuable service as a second-hand shop, mini museum and tea / coffee shop. School parties and visitors appreciate its historical character and the artifacts and pictorial displays.

Repository

The repository at St. Mary's (situated in the Confessional at the back of the church) is open before and after the Sat 6:00pm Vigil Mass on Saturdays and the Sunday 11:00am Mass. Bibles, missals, rosaries, crucifixes, and more are held in stock together with a variety of very reasonably priced Mass cards and cards for all occasions. Any items not held in stock may be purchased via which are kept in the repository.

Flower Arranging (St. Mary's)

There are about fourteen flower arrangers at St. Mary's who work in small groups (usually on Friday afternoons) on a rota basis. The flowers can be sponsored by individuals or a group in memory of an event or a loved one. See poster in the church porch for details. New people are welcome to join the group.

CAFOD

Information about the work of CAFOD is displayed regularly on the parish notice boards. Parishioners are encouraged to support their work and local events which are organised. CAFOD promotes the Harvest, the Lent Fast Days and the Christmas Gifts Scheme (buying for those in Africa and Asia to enable them to survive). Money is raised through "Churches Together" and the profits from our social occasions are divided between CAFOD and Christian Aid.

Presentation Associates

This group of men and women continue their work (although the Presentation Sisters have now left the parish). They discuss and pray for the projects we support such as Fair-trade, look after the planet and care for the marginalised. There are opportunities to go on pilgrimages with the Presentation Sisters. The Associates share a community of faith, prayer and service with the Sisters. The group is open to anyone who is interested.

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