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St. Joseph's, Norton, - Parish Activities
There are many groups / organisations within the Parish which
may be of interest to you.
Select any from the list below to find out more about the group / organisation.
ADORATION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament takes place every Thursday
2.00 - 7.30 p.m., Friday 8.15 - 9.15 a.m. and Saturday 9.45 - 10.30 a.m.
Why not spend some quality time with the Lord !
ALTAR SERVERS
It is a great privilege to be an altar server, having a very important part to play whenever serving at Holy Mass. If you would like to help in this respect training will be given. Boys and girls are both welcome.
Contact: Father Shaun O'Neill
BAPTISM
Parents need to accept seriously their undertaking as the first
teachers of the Catholic faith to their children. Baptism begins a life long
partnership between parents, families, schools and the parish in developing
the faith of our children and young people.
Courses are carried out during the year and will be notified in the bulletin.
Contact: Father Shaun O'Neill
BROWNIES,GUIDES, RAINBOWS
Rainbow Group - girls 5-7 years. A new venture to prepare them for entrance to the Brownies. They meet in the Thornton Hall on Tuesday, 6.00 p.m. - 7.00 p.m.
Contact: Barbara Stockdale
Brownies - girls 7-10 years. They aim to live and work together with emphasis on outdoor activity. Meet in the school hall on Tuesday 6.00 p.m. - 7.30 p.m.
Contact: Maureen Morton
Guides - girls 11+ years. Develop more skills - go to camp and generally prepare for adult life. Meet in the school hall on Tuesday 7.30 p.m. - 9.00 p.m.
Contact: Glynnis McNaughton
CHILDREN'S LITURGY
There is a Children's Liturgy in the Thornton Hall every Sunday
morning during the 10.00 a.m. Mass.
The children all begin Mass with their families in the church. They then go
into the Thornton Hall and finish activities in time to join the Offertory
procession, after which the children return to their families.
Contact: Sharon Wilson
CONFIRMATION
We endeavour to have the sacrament of confirmation every year.
We currently aim at confirmation for year 10 pupils at secondary school.
Young people are prepared over a period of six months for this sacrament.
It usually includes a weekend retreat, Celebration Masses and a sponsored
walk.
Contact: Father Shaun O'Neill
CHURCH CLEANERS
Volunteers are organised into teams. Each team will usually
be called upon approximately once every four weeks, with special efforts being
called for at Christmas and Easter from all the cleaners.
Keeping the church looking its best is an extremely important activity in
the Parish and is dependent entirely on willing volunteers. If you would like
to help then please
Contact: Mary Daly
CHURCHES TOGETHER IN NORTON
This is an inter-denominational group, formed by representatives
from all of the Churches in Norton. The group meets to both work and worship,
with the purpose being to both discuss and progress God's work in the community
of Norton.
The group meets in the Friends Meeting House on The Green, in Norton, on Thursdays
every 2 months.
In addition to the above regular meetings, the group also enjoys occasional
social events. An appropriate pilgrimage is organised every two years.
Contact: Molly Byrnes and Pat Hamilton
COMPUTER FACILITIES
Software packages and the parish web site are located on the parish computer. Any queries with regard to the parish computer facilities should be directed to:
Edward Nicholl
COVENANT SCHEME / GIFT AID
The basis of the scheme is that the Government is willing to
refund any tax previously paid on a gift made to a registered charity. St.
Joseph's parish, through the Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle, is such a charity.
The parishioner must be a standard rate tax payer.
The contribution to the parish must be through the numbered Planned Giving
envelopes provided by the parish. We also have a standing order facility if
required.
The parishioner signs a Gift Aid Declaration. This states that all money paid
to the parish through the numbered envelope (or Standing Order) should be
treated as a gift and therefore eligible for a tax refund.
For every £10 given to the parish under the scheme we are able to recalim
£2.50 from the tax man. We have about 100 families in the scheme at present
which results in a tax refund of about £5000 each year, - valuable additional
income for the parish.
if you would like to take part in this scheme, please contact
Tony Fowler
EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS
There are a number of parishioners who help the Parish Priest to distribute the Blessed Sacrament at Holy Mass and to sick parishioners. This is done on a rota basis drawn up by Pat Alderson. The appointment of new Eucharistic Ministers is made by the Parish Priest.
FIRST HOLY COMMUNION
The children make their First Holy Communion at the age of eight years old. This is a combined Parish/School activity.
Contact : Father Shaun O'Neill
FINANCE COMMITTEE
The Finance Committee works together with the Parish Priest
in monitoring the income and expenditure of the Parish. The Committee approves
the annual accounts which are submitted to the Diocesan Treasurer.
The Committee meets formally three times a year -January, April and September.
Committee Members:
Father Shaun O'Neill
Mauveen Brown - Treasurer
Anne White
Dorothy Nicholson
Peter Roddam
John Morgan
Tony Fowler
FLOWERS
The church flowers are provided and arranged by:
Irene Wase
HOLY HIKERS
This group enables people to visit the countryside and to enjoy
the beautiful scenery by walking. The group has developed a good ethos, is
ecumenical and has grown in popularity. All walks are reached by coach (there
is a small charge for each seat on the coach). Non-walkers are welcome providing
that there is room on the coach.
The programme of walks takes place between April and November and each walk
is well advertised.
Contact : David Mackintosh
JOURNEY IN FAITH (R C I A)
This group's aim is to help people to explore the meaning of Catholic Christianity and to support those whose faith journey may be bringing them into full communion with the Catholic Church, or who simply want to know more about their faith. Meetings are arranged to meet the needs of individuals. Volunteers who wish to share their faith with interested people are always welcomed.
Contact : Peter & Dorothy Roddam
LAY LEADERS OF THE EUCHARIST
There are currently eleven lay leaders in the parish who have completed a training course and are commissioned to lead Eucharistic Services in the absence of a priest.
Pat Alderson
Joan Armstrong
Joan Colley
Kath Todd
Mary Gardner
Peter White
David Mackintosh
Alan and Margaret Jamieson
Peter and Dorothy Roddam
LEGION OF MARY
The purpose of the Legion of Mary is the greater glory of God
through the holiness of its members. This is developed by prayer and active
cooperation.
The work of the Legion includes visiting the sick, the house-bound, the bereaved
and the lonely of the Parish. Residential homes are visited as is the hospital.
The Legion are also involved with the lapsed. They visit those recently baptised
and the First Holy Communion and Confirmation children. Work is also undertaken
whenever specially requested by the Parish Priest.
There are two regular weekday meetings of the Legion of Mary held in the Committee
Room of St. Joseph's church.
Contact : Mary Daly
LIFE
"Life" is a national charity which offers help to women with
problems relating to pregnancy which includes infertility and abortion.
"Life" seeks to promote, by word and deed a philosophy that is "pro-life".
It runs a haven for severely afflicted babies (0-4 years), which is the first
of its kind in the U.K. This is part of a "Life" Health Centre which also
provides fertility treatment and "pro-life" education in the North West. A
similar centre for the North East will be opened in Middlesbrough in 2002.
Help is always welcome and much needed to promote the aims of "Life" and provide
financial support. Such support will become even more important when the new
centre opens locally.
"Life Care Centre", Middlesbrough 829834
LOURDES GROUP
Every year the Parish takes part in the Diocesan pilgrimage
to Lourdes. Many people join in the pilgrimage simply for the opportunity
of taking part in a unique spiritual experience. Others may need help both
financially and medically to join in the pilgrimage.
The Lourdes Group raise funds to enable a number of Parishioners to join the
annual pilgrimage, where they would otherwise not be able to afford to do
so. The Group also supports the annual pilgrimage and assists in obtaining
volunteers to help with the sick and elderly.
Contact : Joan Armstrong
Peter White
MARRIAGE
Anyone wishing to marry in the church is asked to give Father Shaun as much notice as possible to allow for arrangements.
MARRIAGE CARE
Although this is a nation-wide Catholic organisation, the Parish
has a representative who is able to put individuals in touch with help or
counselling if required.
Marriage care offers a confidential counselling service, locally, for people
with relationship problems -especially those that occur within marriage.
Counsellors are unpaid professionals, who have undergone rigorous training
and receive on-going supervision and in-service training. They work on a nonjudgemental
basis. Counselling will normally take the form of weekly one hour sessions,
arranged to take place at a mutually convenient time.
The counselling service is offered free of charge although donations are welcomed
where clients can afford it.
Contact : Margaret Jamieson
MINISTRY OF PRAYER FOR INNER HEALING
Two meetings held each week in the Chapel, - on Mondays and Tuesdays at 7.30 p.m. All welcome.
Contact : Alan Guile
MISSION BOXES (Association for the Propagation of the Faith)
The purpose of the Society is to support, by collecting money, the Priests, Brothers, Sisters and Lay People in the Missions. There are a number of collectors in the Parish who visit (four times a year) the homes of Parishioners who hold red collecting boxes.
Contact : Lynn Kreczak
MOTHER AND TODDLER GROUP
A small group of mothers with pre-school children meet between 9.15 -11.15am most Mondays (during school term ) in the Thornton Hall. A chat, a cup of tea, and help and support to one another in a Christian atmosphere.
Contact : Diane Watson
PARISH BULLETIN
The Parish Bulletin is produced weekly by a team of people.
It provides information on the times and intentions of Masses, the times of
devotions, events and activities in the parish and wider area.
Any items for inclusion in the Bulletin should be written clearly and placed
in the Red Folder marked "Bulletin" before
10.00 a.m. on a Wednesday. The folder can be found in the wall pocket to the
right of the Piety Cupboard.
PARISH CO-ORDINATOR FOR CHILD PROTECTION MATTERS
To ensure that everyone who comes into contact with children, through their work for the parish, is conversant with the requirements of the Diocesan Guidelines for Child Protection. Most importantly it is a safeguard that people who work with children in the parish to have been adequately screened, and have a central point of contact.
Contact : Dorothy Nicholson or Terry Watson
COMMUNICATIONS / NOTICE BOARDS
The notice boards and literature on the tables in the porch are updated each week by Pat Hamilton Please place any posters for display in the Blue plastic folder marked "Noticeboard".
PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL
The Parish Council consists of elected parishioners who meet
every two to three months with the parish priest to share the responsibilities
and pastoral needs of people in the parish and area. Members usually take
a particular interest in at least one of the groups within the parish and
report in turn to the Council.
Members of the Council are normally elected to serve a two year term and are
instrumental in developing the life of the parish in various ways. All
meetings are open to parishioners.
Members
Father Shaun O'Neill - President
Lawrence Serewicz- Chair
(Vacant) - Vice Chair
Letty Hunt - Secretary
Molly Byrnes, Lesley Holland, Win Joyce, Terry Watson, Maureen Allinson,
Kathleen Morgan, David Mackintosh, Jim Maloney
Contact : Father Shaun O'Neill
PIETY
A selection of prayer books, rosaries, bibles and a comprehensive selection of cards is available for sale in the church porch at weekend masses.
Contact : Win Joyce
READERS
The ministry of readers is one of the most important in the
Parish. Good reading goes a long way in helping people to listen and respond
to the word of God in their lives.
Many parishioners read at week day and Sunday Mass on a rota basis. New readers
always welcome.
Contact : Otto Von Bertele
ST. JOSEPH'S SINGERS
The choir leads the singing once in three weeks at 10 o'clock Mass on Sundays. New members are most welcome.
ST. JOSEPH'S PRIMARY SCHOOL
Head Teacher : Miss Mary Tate
Ragworth Road, Norton.
Tel/Fax No. 360401
Serving the parishes of St. Joseph's Norton and St. Mary's Stockton.
St Joseph's is a voluntary aided school that plays a very important role in
the life of the two parishes, - being the place where parents and children
work together to create and foster a truly Christian atmosphere in which children
can grow intellectually, physically and spiritually.
Within the school there are 10 classrooms, one of which is the Nursery. There
are presently twelve full time teaching staff plus approximately 12 auxiliary
staff looking after approximately 300 children in the main school. A new 26
place nursery will be built in the new year.
As a Catholic school, St. Joseph's provided an important support for parents
who want their children to grow in the knowledge and practice of the Catholic
faith. Each year, the school and Parish catechists prepare children for First
Communion and the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
The school strives to bring out the best in every child and to nurture positive
attitudes and a good self-image. It provides opportunities for each child
to reach its full potential, regardless of ability, within a warm and caring
environment.
ST .MICHAEL'S R.C. SECONDARY SCHOOL
Head Teacher: Mr J White
Beamish Road, Billingham.
Tel. No.870003
St. Michael's school serves the whole community from which our children are drawn, including St. Joseph's. This offers them an extensive range of educational, pastoral and liturgical experience within a caring Christian context.
SOCIETY FOR THE PROTECTION OF THE UNBORN CHILD (S P U C)
The aims and ethics of the Society are wholly in line with the
Catholic Church. SPUC represents a voice for the unborn and promotes awareness
of the humanity of the unborn child. It recognises that all human life is
of equal value.
The Stockton branch of SPUC is one of 300 branches throughout the UK
We usually have a "White Flower" collection once a year to raise funds.
Contact : Mary Daly, Pat Walker
S V P
The purpose of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul is to bear
witness to Christ and to his church, by showing that the faith of Christians
inspires them to work for the good of humanity.
To bring together men and women of goodwill, to assist them by mutual example
and true friendship in drawing nearer to the Divine Model ,namely the love
of God in the person of our fellow man. The aims and ethics of the Society
are wholly in line with the teachings of the Catholic Church. Joseph's SVP
members meet weekly in the church.
Contact : Any member of the SVP
SCOUTS, CUBS AND BEAVERS
The aim of the Scout Association is to promote the development
of young people in achieving their full physical, intellectual, social and
spiritual potentials, as individuals, as responsible citizens and as members
of their local, national and international communities. This is achieved by
providing an enjoyable and attractive scheme of progressive training based
on the Scout Promise and Law and guided by adult leadership.
Beaver Scouts - for boys aged from 6-8 years. Meet in the School Hall,
Monday 6.15 p.m. - 7.15 p.m.
Cub Scouts - for boys aged from 8 to 10 years and 6 months. Meet in
the School Hall Thursday 6.15 p.m. - 7.45 p.m.
Scouts. Meet in the School Hall Monday, 7.30 p.m. - 9.00
p.m.
Explorer Scouts. Meet Monday 8.00 p.m. - 9.30
p.m. Contact Mike Nicholson.
The meetings take place during term time. In addition to the uniformed leaders
who run the Group, there are adult volunteers. There is always
a need for helpers.
Contact : Dorothy Nicholson
TRANSPORT
For those people who have difficulty getting to church under
their own steam and have no transport, a team of willing volunteers take it
in turns to ensure that everybody who wants to is able to get to church.
Each volunteer is only called upon every few months to provide this transport.
If you either need transport to get to church or would like to volunteer to
provide transport then please contact:
Otto Von Bertele
YOUNG ADULTS
For anyone who would like to join other young people, - usually once a month at St. Patrick's, Fairfield, praying, sharing, and socialising
Please contact : Lorraine (Tel: 559446)
