There a number of Parish Ministries who contribute time and expertise to running the parish.
Some of them have a need for new helpers. Please contact the Parish Office at 01 ( 2680041)
The following ministries are currently active:
Altar Servers
Parents are welcome to enrol their sons and daughters to serve Mass on Sundays and at other special Liturgies during the year.
Boys and girls must have received their First Holy Communion.
New Altar Servers are welcome and parents can contact Fr. Peter.
Ministers of Eucharist
Special Ministers of Holy Communion or Ministers of the Eucharist join with the Priests of the Parish to serve our Lord by ministering his Body and Blood to those present at daily and weekend Masses and other special liturgies. Holy Communion is also brought to parishioners in their homes on request and also on Sunday mornings to patients in Vergemount Hospital.
Parishioners who would like to participate in this Ministry can contact Fr. Peter who will outline the process involved.
New volunteers are always welcome. There is a rota for all weekend Masses.
Ministers of the Word
The Ministers of the Word proclaim the Word of God at daily and weekend Masses.
New volunteers are always welcome Training is provided and there is a rota for all Masses. If you are interested, please contact Fr. Peter.
Baptism Team
Our Baptismal Team offer support through monthly Baptism preparation meetings, welcoming Masses on Sundays before the Baptism takes place and they are also involved in the Baptism ceremony on the first Saturday of the month.
New volunteers are required for this Ministry. Please contact the Parish Office.
Bethany Group
The Bethany Bereavement Support Group is a voluntary parish based ministry which aims to help the bereaved and grieving. The name “Bethany” recalls the visit of Jesus to Mary and Martha on the death of their Brother Lazarus.
In our Parish members of the Bethany Group are available at any time to help the bereaved and can be contacted through the Parish Office.
The group prepares and organises the Annual Mass for the Deceased which is celebrated each November.
Bethany members are trained to listen in confidence to those who grieve and to support them with understanding through the grieving process.
Those wishing to join this Ministry may contact the Parish Office. New members are needed and welcomed.
Choirs
Our group of singers’ praise, through song, at the 10am & 11.30 am Masses on Sunday mornings and special liturgies.
The 11.30am Choir, under the guidance of the Choir Director, have regular rehearsals. We are delighted to have a very talented organist.
New members are always welcome to join either of our choirs.
If you are interested – singing is praying twice – please contact the Parish Office.
Church Cleaning
This is a dedicated group who keep our beautiful church and sacristy clean and tidy. They hoover, polish, dust and remove the candle grease from the shrines. They meet every Thursday after 10am Mass.
More volunteers are always welcome – many hands make light work. Please contact the Parish Office.
Counters
This group counts all donations and offerings on a weekly basis. New collectors are required. Please contact the Parish Office if you can help.
Collectors
The Collectors organise and collect the offerings that parishioners generously donate to the Share and Offertory Collections at all Sunday Masses and on Holy Days of Obligation.
New collectors are required. Please contact the Parish Office if you can help.
Child and Vulnerable Adults Safeguarding
We, the Parish of Saints Columbanus and Gall, Milltown, in the Dublin Diocese, value and encourage the participation of children and young people in all parish activities that enhance their spiritual, physical, emotional and social development. We recognise the dignity and rights of all children and are committed to ensuring their protection.
In keeping with this we will do all in our power to create a safe environment for children and young people in order to secure their protection and enable their full participation in the life of the Church.
We appreciate the generous service of the adults who facilitate such participation and respect their integrity.
Designated Liaison Person (DLP): Andrew Fagan, Tel no. 01-8360314. andrew.fagan@dublindiocese.ie
Deputy DLP: Deirdre Donnelly, Tel no. 01 8360314. deirdre.donnelly@dublindiocese.ie
Milltown Parish is guided by the Archdiocese of Dublin Child Safeguarding and Protection Policy and Procedures (2008 and subsequent amendments).
For further reference visit www.csps.dublindiocese.ie.
Deliverers
Deliveries are made to each house in the Parish twice a year.
They usually include details of Christmas and Easter Services, seasonal dues as well as other key events.
Our willing deliverers are always looking for more help, so please get in touch with the Parish Office if you can assist, even by delivering in your own area.
Eucharistic Adoration
Eucharistic Adoration takes place each week after Mass (from 10.30am – 11.00am approximately) on Monday, Tuesday & Saturday.
Flower Guild
This is a welcoming group and always appreciate more help. They arrange and maintain Altar flowers. There is a rota for this.
No experience in flower arranging is required, as training will be given.
Please contact the Parish Office for further information on this group.
Finance
In accordance with diocesan regulations, the Parish Finance Committee is an advisory committee assisting the Parish Priest by clarifying the issues and making recommendations so that the Parish Priest is fully aware of all aspects of parish finances when making any particular decision.
Our Finance Committee comprises of 6 members including the Parish Priest.
The key advisory roles of the Finance Committee are:
• The maintenance of proper books of account and the implementation of effectiveinternal financial control
• The review of parish accounts at least quarterly
• The recommendation of the annual financial statements
• The preparation of an annual parish budget
• Maintenance of parish property and review of insurance cover
• Financial arrangements for new projects
Garden
This group maintain the plants and shrubs outside the church and the Parish Pastoral Centre. Please contact the Parish Office for further information on this group.
Hospitality
This group arrange catering requirements for various parish functions which take place in the Parish Pastoral Centre. They also ensure that these social events run smoothly. Additional volunteers are very welcome. Please contact the Parish Office for further information.
Liturgy
This group, comprising of priests and parishioners, meet to plan and organise significant liturgical services throughout the year. volunteers are very welcome. Please contact the Parish Office for further information. For further information, please contact Fr. Peter.
Maintenance
This group look after the maintenance of the church and Parish Pastoral Centre buildings and equipment. New volunteers are always welcome.
Parish Pastoral Centre
The function of our Parish Pastoral Centre is to serve parishioners as a venue for both pastoral and recreational activities.
The Parish Pastoral Centre is open from 10am – 12.30pm from Monday to Friday. It also opens for refreshments after Sunday morning Masses.
The Centre hosts parish meetings for the Pastoral Council, the Baptism Preparation Team, the Bethany Group and the Parish Liturgy Group.
A variety of recreational activities currently take place in our Parish Pastoral Centre. These include: Active Retirement meetings, Art Group, Bridge classes & Bridge Club, Book Club, Craft mornings, Gentle Activity to music classes, I.C.A. meetings, Pilate classes, Slimming World meetings and Yoga classes.
Parish Pastoral Council
The Parish Pastoral Council forms a core group within the parish that directs and monitors the development of the Christian Community.
The Council fosters a close working relationship between priests and people in developing a parish community that is characterised by faith, mission, worship and service.
It guides the parish by discerning its pastoral and spiritual needs and the implementation of its practical decisions.
The Parish Pastoral Council consists of 12 members, broadly representing age and gender and meets monthly on 10 occasions in the year and on other times when required.
Sacristans
Our team of Sacristans open and close the church.
They arrange the liturgical books, vestments and other items needed before the celebration of Mass begins.
Our Sacristans are also in attendance for Baptisms, Marriages and Funerals. They contribute greatly to the Christmas and Easter Services. There is a rota for the Sacristan Team.
Society of St. Vincent D’e Paul
A joint Conference of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SVP) operates in conjunction with Clonskeagh Parish. The SVP is a Christian voluntary organisation whose mission seeks to eliminate poverty, to provide financial and other support and friendship, to promote self-sufficiency and to work for social justice.
The Society respects the dignity of those who contact them, offering assistance and advice when sought – maintaining their dignity while assisting them towards long-term self- sufficiency in a relationship of friendship, trust and confidentiality.
Funds are raised at Milltown through the collection boxes in the Church and the annual Christmas appeal which takes place each December. New volunteers are most welcome. If you are interested, please contact the Parish Office for further information.
Welcome
This group welcome visitors and parishioners and handout Mass leaflets to them as they enter our church to participate in major religious services throughout the year.
New volunteers welcome.
If you are interested and willing to help please contact the Parish Office.