Altar Servers
Our Parish has a large team of devoted Altar Servers. Always eager for new recruits, we welcome any young person in P5 or above who can commit to serving once a week at a Sunday Mass, either in St Therese or Holy Family Church. The Altar Serving Team meets regularly for training and get-together sessions, enabling them to build friendships within the parish and to participate in fun activities and moments of reflection. Altar Servers are responsible for the smooth running of the weekly Masses and have a key role in the facilitation of Easter and Christmas Liturgies.
Building Resilience [Pilot in Holy Family PS – Year 7]
From February to June 2015 the P7 boys and girls in Holy Family Primary School, their parents and Confirmation Sponsors will have the opportunity to participate in a Pilot Programme under the auspices of IBDI and the Public Health Agency. The Programme aims to help the young people through the transition from Primary to post-Primary School and to enable them to make good decisions about friendships and lifestyle choices.
Parents and Sponsors can participate in TATI [Talking About Tough Issues] workshops over a 4 week period and the boys and girls will engage in a 6 week classroom based programme during April and May. The Pilot Programme will conclude with a Day of Celebration in June.
Children’s Choir and Family Mass
The Children’s Choir provides the Sacred music at the 10am Sunday Mass in Holy Family Church. The Choir was established in November 2014 as a new initiative in the Parish. After several weeks of training and practicing the children made their debut on the First Sunday of Advent 2014. The aim is to gradually develop this Mass in to a Family Mass, with the Choir as the core, and working towards families taking part in the Offertory Procession, Readings etc.
Under the direction of Mark Mooney, a dedicated team of volunteers assist and support the young people during their time within the Choir. [All the members of the leadership team have been vetted in line with Diocesan Safeguarding Policy and Access NI].
The Choir comprises approximately 25 enthusiastic young boys and girls. The weekly practice is held on Sunday mornings at 9.30am in Holy Family Church. Membership is open to young people aged 6 upwards – we are always delighted to welcome new members, those who sing and those who play an instrument - and encourage everyone to get involved. If you are interested in joining, please speak with Mark after 10am Mass or come to a practice or contact the Parish Office. [Mark Mooney]
Children’s Liturgy
The Children’s Liturgy is celebrated during 10.00am Mass in Holy Family Church and 10.30am Mass in St. Therese Church. The Primary 4 to 7 children join the leaders for their very own Liturgy of the Word. The Sunday Gospel is read to them, the children have time to talk about the meaning of the Gospel story and how they can live the message of the Gospel during the week ahead. They also do a colouring page and other Gospel based activities. In short – faith, fun and friendship! Have you noticed their smiles, excitement and enthusiasm? If you are 18+ years pf age and would like to become a leader please contact the Parish Office or Mary Quigley [10am Holy Family] or Pat McGuinness [10.30am St Therese]
GIFT 1 Programme
The GIFT 1 Programme is for Year 8 students. The theme of the Programme is ‘Remembering our Confirmation’ and this will be explored through topics e.g. caring for others, we are instruments of God’s love, celebrating our gifts and talents, our Parish. Sessions will include prayer, meditation, music, painting, first aid, circus skills.
Information about the starting date will be printed in the Bulletin and posted on the website.
GIFT 2 Programme
The GIFT 2 Programme for Year 9 students is running from February to May with 14 boys and girls participating. The theme of the Programme is ‘Called to Serve’. The young people will learn about how to serve others, how to care for themselves and how we are all made in God’s image and likeness. There will be opportunities to learn how to plait hair, make smoothies, do copper etchings and ice cakes.
The young people will prepare and present the Stations of the Cross in Holy Family Church on Good Friday
John Paul II Award
Please refer to the Youth Faith Development Programme [YFDP]
Living Youth
W: www.downandconnor.org/living youth
E: info@livingyouthni.org
T: 9023 2432
Address: 16 Chapel Lane, Belfast BT1 1HH
Pray-as-you-go
This site brings together daily prayer downloads for MP3 players. It combines music, Scripture and some questions for reflection.
Youth Faith Development Programme [YFDP]
Dead Theologians Society - This is a group for Year 13 and 14 students who want to take some time out and learn about the lives of the Saints. This group meets on a Monday afternoon from 3.30-5pm. They look at a different saint every week and have discussion and prayer. There are great conversations and chats over hot chocolate. New people are always welcome.
Getting Connected – this is a group especially for Year 11 students. Again it runs on a Monday from 3.30-5. This group is a social awareness group and is for young people who want to make a real difference to the local community and the world. This group organises a shoebox campaign for Christmas and collections for the homeless here in Belfast. They also look at and organise events for Fair Trade. Refreshments and hot chocolate are provided. New people are always welcome.
Holy Family ‘Life’ Group - This is a group for Year 12 students who are hoping to get involved in campaigning for Life issues. The group will be looking at pro-life issues and will be involved in organising events to raise awareness of life issues in our community. It is a great group to be involved in – lots of discussions and debates and has the potential to make a big difference to a lot of people.
Happy Thursday club – this is a group for Year 8 students and it will run from 8am to 8.45am every Thursday morning. The group will be organised by Year 13 and 14 students who will have a variety of activities and experiences for the Year 8 students. New people are always welcome.
John Paul II – Year 13 and 14 students are actively involved in gaining their John Paul II Award. This is an award organised and facilitated by the diocese and encourages young people to devote time to their parish and community. The young people are involved in many events during the year and give freely of their time to organise prayer services, assemblies and to deliver faith programmes to younger people.
Faith Friends – This is a group of Year 13/14 students who work with our Primary Seven students in the weeks before their Confirmation. They work through a programme with the P7 children and encourage them to share their faith in a very real way.