Our pupils are encouraged to help out with ministries in their local parish.
In proclaiming the word of God, readers exercise their responsibility in mediating the presence of Christ. God speaks to the congregation through them, and, the impact of God’s message will depend significantly on their conviction, their preparation, and their delivery.
The reader has responsibility for not simply reading the word, but assisting the congregation to hear the word. This requires the reader to be attentive to the congregation, and careful to allow for times of pause and silence as the congregation prepares to listen and, once the reading has been proclaimed, as it takes the word of God to heart.
We are incredibly lucky to have a team of readers from Sacred Heart School who help us understand the ‘Liturgy of the Word’ each week. We thank them for their service and commitment to this role – it can be very difficult to read and project your voice to a church full of people.
A servant's heart is the most important quality when practising this ministry. This team is made up of families who share their warmth and hospitality by giving a friendly smile to make people feel welcome at Sacred Heart Church.
Whoever you are, wherever you are from, whatever your background, you are welcome at Sacred Heart and the welcome team serve others by ensuring the congregation have the books and information needed to participate and share in the Mass with our whole congregation. They also hand out the parish newsletter.
Thank you to the children from Sacred Heart and their families for carrying out this incredibly important ministry. You are the first people visitors see and you give that first impression of what our community is like – a happy place to be, a place where we can come to know God more closely.
A number of our pupils are Altar Servers or are in training to be Altar Servers. Our Altar Servers enjoy serving Mass in school and in the parish.
Thank you all for your service.