SVP Conference

SVP Conference responds to calls for help from families and individuals who are struggling to make ‘ends meet’ for food, to pay energy costs and also for essential household items. Part of their work involves checking that people are receiving all their entitlements and signposting them to agencies that can help.

They visit clients in crisis and where possible supply white goods, furniture, gas, oil and electricity top-ups, food vouchers and food bank vouchers.

All of this work is done within the context of the ever increasing requests for assistance in the North Belfast Area.

Volunteers meet fortnightly and respond to calls for help as and when needed.

Website: https://www.svp.ie/northern-ireland/

Ministry of Hospitality and Welcome

The Ministry of Hospitality and Welcome aims to be the welcoming face of the parish as a caring, sharing community centred in Christ. Volunteers endeavour to ensure that all who come to the church feel that they belong and enjoy the warmth and hospitality provided. Throughout the year this hospitality is provided at a number of liturgical services and events including:

First Sunday of the Month Teas, Wednesday morning ‘drop in’ tea and coffee in the gathering space of Holy Family, Taizé evenings, St Patrick’s Day,  Masses for the sick/bereaved,  Mothers’ Day, Fathers’ Day, Family Fun Day, Ice Cream Sunday, Bambinelli Sunday and the Annual Baptism Celebration

The ushers also have the very important role of welcoming people to mass, advising on seating available and overseeing the collections and offertory processions.

Bethany Bereavement Support Ministry

The Bethany Bereavement Support Group provides a voluntary parish-based service, which aims to support bereaved adults through the grieving process. The volunteers listen with understanding and empathy and use their skills to help the bereaved to journey through their loss in a positive way.

Developing World Group

The Developing World Group raises funds to help relieve poverty in developing countries.

More specifically the Developing World Group undertakes the following:

  – The Trócaire Lenten and Christmas Campaigns

  – Promotion and selling of Fair Trade Goods (usually twice per year)

  – Provision of financial support to the Parish’s adopted project, the Twezimbe Centre in Jinja, Uganda

  – Lobbying to raise awareness of poverty, hunger, climate injustice and other issues impacting the Developing World.

The Developing World Group meet as and when required depending on the campaign or project being undertaken at any one time.

Apostolic Society

The Apostolic Society prays daily for all missionaries and raises funds to help them improve the lives of people in need all over the world. The financial support is achieved by organising an annual church door collection and other fundraising events such as coffee mornings. The Apostolic Society meets three times a year.

Website: https://apostolicworkdc.com/

For more information on any of our groups please contact the Parish Office