Get Involved
We always need more volunteers to help in our parish.
We need readers. catechists, cleaners, musicians, gardeners, welcomers,
people to help with Little Church, with our ministry to the bereaved, and many other volunteers.
Fr Mark will be very happy to hear from anyone who would like to become more involved in the life of our parish community.
We need readers. catechists, cleaners, musicians, gardeners, welcomers,
people to help with Little Church, with our ministry to the bereaved, and many other volunteers.
Fr Mark will be very happy to hear from anyone who would like to become more involved in the life of our parish community.
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Altar Servers
Any young people in year 4 or older are very welcome to become altar servers, assisting at the celebrations of masses. Please talk to Fr Mark and pick your forms form the sacristy. Bereavement Group We are now starting a group to support members of our parishes who have been bereaved. If you would like to know more about what might be involved please talk to Fr Mark or look at the leaflet at the back of Church. Financial Support We depend on the generosity of all those who use our church to keep going. If you are a UK taxpayer we can claim back around 25% of any money you give to the church, if you Gift-Aid your donations. Also giving by envelopes a good way of supporting our church. If you go to mass somewhere else in he area and use one of our envelopes, the money will be passed back to St Oswald's or St Sebastian's. You might also like to have a monthly standing order with your bank, donating to St Oswald''s or St Sebastian's, so if you are unable to attend Mass our church is still supported. Please let us know if you would like to Gift-Aid, use envelopes or make a standing order. 
Flower Arranging
Volunteer teams work in both St Oswald's and St Sebastian's. If you would like to help with the flower arranging contact Fr Mark or Sr Dorothy. Social & Fundraising
Can anyone who is able to help with ideas for raising money for the parish, speak to Fr. Mark. Volunteers of any age are needed. We hold monthly coffee mornings, we have arranged a bingo evening, raffles and the annual BBQ. We have had St Sebastian's 'slummy boxes' made, to collect loose change at home, these are available at the back of church. If you are able to help with these ventures talk to Fr Mark. 
KasCare - Knit a square
We have received 1774 squares. Thank you so much to everyone who knitted a square. It is very much appreciated. It takes 35 squares to make a blanket for a child. We have made over 50 blankets. Want to do something useful? Do you Knit or Crochet Don't know what or who to knit for? If any of the answers are yes - you can get involved. Knit or crochet 8" X 8" (20cm) square/s and bring it along to St Oswald's church and put it in the basket provided at the back of church. KasCare will use the squares to support the children of South Africa. 
Music Ministry
Fr Mark chooses the hymns for our Mass. If there are hymns that you would like us to sing, (when they are appropriate), please let Fr Mark know. We need to widen the list of hymns we can sing and any suggestions are gratefully received. |
Prayer of the Faithful Group
A small group meets at St Oswald's each Friday after the 10.00am Mass to write the bidding prayers we use at weekend Masses. If anyone would like to join this group, you would be very welcome. Please let us know at the parish office. Reader Volunteers
We need more people to volunteer to read at weekend Masses. Please give this some thought. Fr. Mark would be delighted to hear from you. We can give you any help you need and you can have a trial run in an empty church to get used to the microphone. Parish Lottery The Parish Lottery is a weekly event raising money for our parish. Half the money raised goes to the parish and the half is for whoever wins. If there is no winner we have a roll-over. Tickets on sale at the back of church. 
St. Oswald's Lunch Club
We meet every second Thursday of the month (except January) in the meeting room of the presbytery. No membership needed, everyone is made very welcome. More... St Sebastian's Slummy Boxes
We have produced 'slummy boxes. Any spare change can be collected and brought back to church. Please pass on a box to family members or neighbour's, who have a connection to our parish and would like to support us. If you would like a box sent to you please contact Fr Mark through the contact page of this website. Bring your money back in a bag marked 'slummy' and keep your box to fill again. 
St Vincent De Paul Society (SVP)
The SVP, meet every month, on a Tuesday evening at 7:00pm in St Oswald's's presbytery. We offer practical and spiritual help to the, marginalised of our community. This can involve home visits, befriending, financial assistance, preparing and delivering food parcels. You can also check out the SVP website-www.svp.org.uk 
St Oswald's Union of Catholic Mothers
This group meets regularly for prayer, friendship and service. In the past year they have run trips, supported several charities, attended study evenings and retreats, listened to guest speakers, taken part in the Christmas Tree Festival and attended Diocesan UCM events. They have been industriously knitting blanket squares for African charities and it's members try to play a full part in the life and ministry of our parish. the group is made up of Catholic women and new members are welcome from both St Oswald;s and St Sebastian's. Leave your name and telephone number in the parish office, if you would like to know more about the group and someone will be in touch. You can also check out the UCM website - www.theucm.co.uk. 
Welcomer's team
If you would like to join the 'Welcomers' team contact Sr. Dorothy or Fr. Mark. Pictures below show some member's of our Welcomer's Team. |