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Parish Activities
Parish Activities
CHURCHES TOGETHER IN MOSSLEY HILL (CTMH)
Part of the well-established national organisation, Churches Together in Britain and Ireland. CTMH aim to increase understanding and fellowship between the different Christian churches in the area.
Each church takes responsibility for a specific event and recruits helpers.
A big focus for the group is the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity in January, when joint services are held in each church throughout the area.
Throughout the year there are other events, such as Lenten study-groups, social events, the prayer-group, and a walking group. The regular newsletter click here has details of both events in the CTMH area, and also the wider Merseyside area.
Please do support us by attending events which are advertised either in the bulletin or in the porch, and by praying.
For further information contact Jenny at
CTMH made a 'Solemn Covenant' many years ago not to separate activities that could be done by churches together, and so the ecumenical prayer group was born. The aim of the group is to give witness to the scriptural affirmation, "We are members of Christ's body, members of one another."
The group meets every month in the Hughes Room at 7.45pm for 8.00pm start. Meetings involve prayer, music and meditation. There are no restrictions on membership, all are welcome. Currently 6-12 people join the prayer evening every month. A wide ecumenical group of people joins the group in prayer even if they cannot attend the meeting.
Come along and join us.
Liaison with Local Schools ( Our Lady's Bishop Eton, Carleton House, St. Julie's, SFX), Liaison with Hope University and Youth Development
Our Lady's Bishop Eton is our parish primary school (Reception to year 6) promoting, within a Catholic atmosphere, all the knowledge, skills and qualities which will enable our children to develop fully as individuals and become caring members of society and the Church. It is a feeder school for St. Julie's High School for girls (428 6421) and St Francis Xavier College for boys (228 1000).
The Parish has close ties with Carleton House - a co-ed Catholic Preparatory School for children aged 3 to 11. The school aims to nurture the development of the whole child, academically, spiritually and in the sporting and cultural aspects of their lives
JUSTICE AND PEACE REDEMPTORIST YOUTH (Bishop Eton and St. Mary's)
The group was formed after the October 2015 Parish Awakening Event with the first meeting taking place in January 2016.
We meet together on the first Friday of the month at the Fisher More Hall, Bishop Eton and the third Friday of the month in St Mary's Parish Hall.
The group enables young people between the ages of ten and eighteen to learn about the world and feel as though they can make a difference.
As one member said
"I like J&P because it’s lots of fun and we make new friends all the time. We do fun games, we do God topics, like refugee bags, when we put things in a bag and gave them to refugee children. I love J&P because we get to help people!"
We welcome anyone, from any parish, or none.
We are happy to welcome young leaders from 16 onwards (good for Duke of Edinburgh, UCAS form etc!) who want to support our group.
We work with many different charities and organisations and participate in a variety of activities.
So far the group has heard talks on
- Parish Groups (eg SVP, One World Group)
- The Red Cross
- Dementia awareness
- First Aid
- Asylum Link.
We have collected items to
- Hold table sales for Project Zimbabwe
- Make Refugee welcome packs
- Make up Shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child
Our social events have included
- trips to the theatre
- bowling
- trampoline parks.
There have also been spiritual events such as a one day retreat.
If you are interested in joining the group contact Sarah McGeehan email
Liaison with St Mary's exists to ensure that information is passed to and received from St. Mary's in an efficient manner
St Mary's Parish Office can be contacted on
For the latest news on St. Mary's visit their Twitter feed or Facebook account
Visit St. Marys website at www.stmaryswoolton.org.uk
The Evangelisation area covers the following activities:
ALPHA, APF Mill Hill Missio (Red Boxes); Bereavement Group; Knights of St Columba; Redemptorist Lay Associates, Shrine Ministry
There is also an Ecumenical Prayer Group, which falls into the Ecumenism area of the parish.
ALPHA
What is Alpha?
Alpha is a chance to explore life, faith and meaning based on ‘hospitality, sharing and open conversation’ (Unlocking your Parish’). Pope Francis tells us: ‘The light of faith is unique, since it is capable of illuminating every aspect of human existence.’ (LF) At times for all of us our faith will need energising and encouragement. Alpha is an opportunity to allow this to happen. All are welcome, Christians, Catholics and Those who are Questioning.
The Alpha Course is run once a year - watch out for an announcement in the bulletin.
If you are interested, please contact the Parish Office or email:.
APF (Association of the Propagation of Faith) - MISSIO (RED BOXES)
APF/Mill Hill was 75 years old in 2011 and adopted the new name "Missio". It is the Church's official body for preparing and supporting priests for their mission work in over 27 countries overseas. The Redemptorists in Zimbabwe receive help from Missio. Financial support is provided through fund raising, donations and an obligatory retiring collection. Donations are received either through standing order or collection in the APF/Mill Hill Red Box. Traditionally these red boxes are kept in a prominent place in Catholic homes. Missio also publishes a magazine which is circulated to its supporters.
There are 20, collectors who visit more than 200 homes to distribute the magazine and to empty red boxes three times a year. Others support by standing order.The annual collection usually totals over £6000. The real achievement is that contact is maintained with the church by the visits made to homes by hard-pressed volunteers.
Anyone who wishes to have a red box to display in their homes please contact the monastery reception. New volunteer collectors are always welcome to join the group and it would be nice to see young people taking up the apostolate
Further information can be obtained from the websites of MISSIO and the associated missionary organisations :
Contact the parish office for more information.
BEREAVEMENT GROUP
The group was set up in June 1994 to support those who had been bereaved. The parishioners leading the group attended a bereavement course at Upholland.
The team learnt by trial and error that the bereaved wanted a social side to the meetings where they could forget their sorrow.
Anniversaries are remembered and a memorial book is kept in a display case in front of the Lady Chapel.
There is a monthly social gathering (advertised in the parish bulletin), any bereaved person who wishes to attend is welcome. Tea and biscuits are served.
One to one meetings with a team member can be arranged if desired, to allow the bereaved person to be listened to.
An invitation is sent to all the bereaved to come to the Hughes Room to meet up with those in similar circumstances
New team members are welcome, however, they will need to attend the Archdiocesan course.
KNIGHTS OF ST COLUMBA
The Knights of St Columba are a body of Catholic men who rely also on the support we get from wives family and friends. We have been supporting parishes and charitable organisations since 1919 and we have every intention of continuing this important aspect of our activity in parishes and the wider community. The spiritual director for all the Knights in England,Scotland and Wales is Archbishop Malcolm McMahon OP.
The Knights organise several fundraisers throughout the year which are advertised in the parish porch or on the weekly bulletin. One event is the annual sponsored walk.
Membership is open to Catholic men over the age of 16. New recruits come with new ideas and tend to give fresh impetus and stimulus to any organisation. New membership is our essential lifeblood.
Council 9 of the Knights which covers from Christ the King parish to Halewood hold meetings on the second Thursday of the the month at 8.00pm in St. Francis' parish hall. We have several parishioners on this council.
Our recruitment Officer in this area is Aidan Carney on 0151 427 7126 or by email to
To learn more about the history of the Knights and how to join click here
or visit one of our web-sites
www.ksc.org.uk or http://kscprov02.weebly.com
REDEMPTORIST LAY ASSOCIATES - PARTNERSHIP IN MISSION
There is currently a group in the parish on a journey to discern if they should be Lay Associates of the Redemptorists
Redemptorist Lay Associates are those who:
Live the values of the Gospel
Share in Redemptorist spirituality
may be involved in work within the mission of the Redemptorists
are attracted by the Redemptorist charism
Have a special concern for the abandoned, the poor, those in the periphery, the wounded in our world
Offer themselves and are welcomed by the Redemptorist community to a group.
Are linked to a local Redemptorist community or other Redemptorist organisation
Are accompanied by a Redemptorist religious or duly prepared layperson
Have followed a process of formation in the Redemptorist Charism
Being a Lay Associate is not about doing more but rather doing those things in a way consistent with the Redemptorist charism.
If you think you may be called to be a Lay Associate contact Fr Maurice O'Mahony CSs.R by email on
Shrine Ministry
Please visit the website focusing on our shrine https://www.ourladyshrine.org/
The Parish Charities area covers the following activities:
- CAFOD (Catholic Fund for Overseas Development);
- Nugent
- Project Zimbabwe
- St Vincent de Paul Group.
If you can help in anyway please contact us
CAFOD is the Catholic Agency For Overseas Development.
Poverty. Injustice. Conflict. Climate Change. Inequality. On any given day, many of our brothers and sisters around the world are in need.
CAFOD works with over 500 partners in more than 40 countries across the world to bring hope, compassion and solidarity to poor communities, standing side by side with them to end poverty and injustice. CAFOD works with people of all faiths and none. Inspired by scripture, Catholic social teaching and the experiences and hopes of people living in poverty, CAFOD works for a safe, sustainable and peaceful world.
Nugent (formerly Nugent Care) is a major service provider charity which aims to meet the needs of vulnerable and marginalised individuals and communities across the Archdiocese of Liverpool. Its care homes and special schools provide support for hundreds of children, young people and adults. Its volunteers do thousands of hours of voluntary activity each year. Community teams provide a vital support service to hundreds of individuals across the North West who have learning disabilities, are deaf or hard of hearing, or are older people in need of support or befriending. Specialist services include a welfare and material aid project, support for homeless people and supported living programmes for adults with learning disabilities. The origins of Nugent date back to Victorian Liverpool and the pioneering work of Father James Nugent (1822-1905) in relation to child welfare, relief from poverty and social reform. Through his ministry, Fr Nugent witnessed suffering caused by poverty and appalling conditions and took action to remedy the situation. By the time of his death, Fr Nugent had given homes and valuable skills to thousands of children, and laid the foundations for the work currently undertaken by Nugent. Allied to the Archdiocese, Nugent has provided care and support for over 130 years. While the organisation's values have remained constant, its services have adapted to meet the changing needs of today's society.
Bishop Eton donates to the work of Nugent Care through the blue box scheme. Each box is labelled with a list of client groups who may benefit from donations. The donor is invited to tick the group to which his/her money should be donated. Boxes can be obtained and returned to church after the 10am Sunday Mass or by contacting the organiser who will call at your home to collect your box. Collection and receipt of the next boxes are done at specific times throughout the year when a notice is put into the parish bulletin.
Nugent Charity Shop
Nugent Care had a Charity shop in Allerton Road. If you have any old shoes, clothes, handbags or bric-a-brac that you would like to donate, drop them off at the Charity Shop at 73 Allerton Road, or at the Nugent head office at 99 Edge Lane.
Nugent Crib Appeal
The crib appeal takes place during the Christmas season. A box is placed at the front of the altar for donations. All proceeds are donated to Nugent..
"Together we can make a difference"
Bishop Eton has a close partnership through Project Zimbabwe with Redemptorist parishes in Zimbabwe in Tafara and Mavuku, Harare.
It aims to
- offer prayer for the people of Zimbabwe,
- raise awareness through displays in church and the Fisher-More Hall and
- raise money through various parish activities.
In the last few years we have a number of fund raising events all of the money raised has been sent to the Redemptorists in Zimbabwe to help aid their projects.
ST. VINCENT DE PAUL'S SOCIETY (SVP)
The SVP is an international Catholic charity which was established in Liverpool in 1844. Its aim is to tackle poverty and disadvantage in all forms. The Bishop Eton Conference was established in 1981.
The group has male and female adult members with a range of backgrounds and skills. The main requirement is the willingness and time to serve other people. Members must be over 18 years of age.
The role of the SVP within the parish is mostly visiting people in their homes or care homes, they may be old, ill or find it difficult to get out and would like a regular or occasional chat with members of the SVP who are both men and women. If you would like us to visit you or know someone who may benefit from a visits please contact us via email or via the parish office.
If you wish to refer someone other than yourself you must have their permission.
We are aware that for many elderly people a visit from the SVP has a stigma attached to it but we are trying to lose that image. We see ourselves as a befriending group and get as much satisfaction from the visits as those we visit do. At the moment we could see more people than we do so would welcome more friends to visit.
New members are welcome but membership is by application. Due to the nature of our work in the field, references and a DBS check must be completed along with a probationary period
Anyone can support the work of the SVP through prayer and financial donations. There is a collection once a month or you can donate by Text
Texts cost your donation amount plus one standard rate message and you’ll be opting in to hear more about our work and fundraising via telephone and SMS. If you’d like to give a donation but do not wish to receive marketing communications Text SVPNOINFO to the same number. Gift Aid: if you pay income tax, please don’t forget to gift aid your donation. For every £1 donated, the parish can reclaim 25p! An easy to use form relating to the gift aid scheme can be delivered to you
For further information please contact the president via e-mail
The Liturgy area within the Parish Pastoral Group covers the following activities:
Adoration. Altar servers, Church Flowers; Children's Liturgy & Little Church. Lay Funeral Ministry, Ministry of the Word, Music Ministry, Ministers of Holy Communion, Perpetual Novena and Sacristans.
Eucharistic Adoration takes place on Friday before the noon Mass (11.15am – 11.45am)
To quote St. Alphonsus Liguori (the founder of the Redemptorists)
"Of all devotions, that of adoring Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament is the greatest after the sacraments, the one dearest to God and the one most helpful to us"
Girls and boys, men and women assist with the liturgy by serving on the altar. Anyone of any age who has made his/her First Holy Communion may become a server. Formal training will be made available in due course. New recruits also learn through observation during Mass.
If anyone wishes to become an altar server they should contact the Parish Deacon in the first instance. Former altar servers are welcome to rejoin at any time.
Altar-wear: a team of people to look after the cassocks and cottas would greatly support this service.
If you would like to volunteer please contact the Parish Office
The church flowers team serves God by helping to present the church as a welcoming place to pray.
The team buys flowers every two weeks and the members get together in church to prepare new flower displays. Then every couple of days a member of the team calls into church to water the flowers and keep the displays looking beautiful.
New members are always welcome to join us on a regular basis or to cover for occasional illness or holidays. There are times of the year when we are very busy, such as preparing the church for Christmas, when more help would be most welcome.
Lay funeral ministers serve the community by leading funeral services when there is no priest or deacon available or when it is pastorally desirable for a lay person to lead a particular service.
If you are interested in this ministry speak to Fr. Tim.
Lectors and Ministers of the Word make Christ present in the midst of the faithful, by proclaiming God's word at Mass with conviction. To assist all readers in preparing to read the Word an article has been written by Fr. Peter Morris. Please click here to read it.
Readers should have the confidence to read clearly and may have some previous experience or competence in public speaking. Readers proclaim the Word of the Lord and also read the bidding prayers.
There are separate rotas for each Sunday Mass and for the weekday Masses.
In addition to reading the readers at the noon weekday Mass may remain on the sanctuary to serve the Mass if there is no other server.
More readers are always welcome.
The Ministry of the Word at the Sunday 10am (Family) Mass is organised as part of the Children's Liturgy.
CHILDREN'S LITURGY AND LITTLE CHURCH
Infant children, that is those aged 3-7 years are taken into Little Church which aims to help the children understand the Mass readings.
The allows the priest to preach to older children and adults in church whilst the younger children worship elsewhere.
The children leave the church at the beginning of Mass and go to the Fisher-More Hall where they worship with the catechists returning to Mass at the start of the Liturgy of the Eucharist. There is a group of adult catechists who take it in turns to lead the session.
Every week a different family takes responsibility for reading God's Word and the bidding prayers. The family also undertakes the offertory procession. A monthly family rota is established ensuring that each family has a chance to take part. Every family is encouraged to volunteer for a slot on the rota.
Anyone is welcome to join the team of Little Church catechists. However, new catechists must undertake a DBS check.
SUNDAY - 8.30AM
Our 8.30 Sunday Mass offers a more traditional feel, and is often accompanied by organ music.
SUNDAY - 10.00AM
The ‘10am’ music group plays and sings at the parish’s family mass (every Sunday at 10am). Whilst their aim is to enhance the liturgy with beautiful music, the group also aspires to reflect the nature of the family mass with joyful sound and enthusiastic participation Reverence is maintained but the children (and adults!) leave with joy and wide smiles!
New members are always and genuinely welcome. Musical ability is helpful but not as important as simply being enthusiastic! We do hope you come and join us in our ministry. Any adult wishing to join the group will need to apply for a DBS which allows you to work with children. Applications for a DBS are coordinated via the Parish Office.
SUNDAY - 6.00PM
he music group provides music from the more modern tradition.
We are always looking for new singers and instrumentalists. The only requirement is an enthusiasm for taking part. We meet half an hour before the start of Mass on Sunday evenings to run through the music for that evening's Mass.
The group have occasional social get-togethers which are a chance to socialise and have a sing-song.
If you would like to join the group speak to Eddie or Margie after 6pm Mass. (Adults need a DBS which allows you to work with under 18s, applications for a DBS are coordinated by the Parish Safeguarding team)
Help us to continue to enhance the Sunday evening liturgy
If you are unable to join the group, help us by singing out strongly, and let us know if there are any hymns old or new which you would like us to include in our repertoire.
Ministers of Holy Communion serve the parish by supporting the clergy in either administering communion in church or by taking communion to the sick or housebound.
Everyone beginning this ministry takes part in a day of reflection with the priests and deacon in the Parish Pastoral Area. Following that, new ministers must undertake a DBS check. Ministers serve at every Mass held in the parish, on rotation at Sunday Masses and as required during the week. Ministers take communion to anyone who is unable, for whatever reason, to attend Mass. This may be because the person is sick, elderly or permanently housebound. Or it may be that a person has had an accident, operation or sudden temporary disability which prevents them from attending Mass. Ministers will visit Catholics of any age.
New ministers are usually invited to this ministry. Ministers are over the age of 16. If you are interested please contact the parish office.
PERPETUAL NOVENA IN HONOUR OF OUR MOTHER OF PERPETUAL SUCCOUR
A lay led service Wednesdays throught the year at 7.30pm. No Novena during Holy Week or in the octave of Christmas. The perpetual Novena consists of readings, Novena prayers and normally a hymn. The services are coordinated by the Shrine ministry
The team of lay sacristans aims to ensure that every aspect of sacristy work runs smoothly so that the Church is always prepared for every service which takes place.
Sacristans undertake this service by rota every day of the year. The work involves a wide variety of tasks including setting out vestments and sacred vessels, preparing the audio system, preparing the altar and the lectionary before services, clearing and putting items away at the end of the service. Sacristans must commit to the rota and be good time keepers.
Volunteers are welcome to contact the organiser Jenny via the parish office so that a particular service can be determined and training can begin.
The Hospitality area covers the following activities:
Allerton Brass, Catenian Association; Coffee morning; Ferguson School of Irish Dance; Fisher-More Hall; Girl Guiding UK; Hospitality; Little BEs(for toddlers), Wednesday Lunch and the Women's Group (Some of these groups are run by external organisations)
Allerton Brass are a Fourth Section Brass Band based in Allerton, South Liverpool and as of January 2018 we will be promoted to the Third Section. We have regular performances throughout the year, both for the public and privately, we also have some very exciting projects in the pipeline, which include our Annual ‘Themed’ Concert series.
They rehearse on Monday and Wednesday evening in the neighbouring village of Woolton, at Fisher More Hall, Bishop Eton Church (L16 8NQ) and are available to hire providing ensembles from trios, quartets, quintets, 10-pieces to a full brass band.
Allerton Brass was formed in November 2013, A band was compiled from local brass players who had to travel substantial distances to find bands to play in, lapsed players; retired players etc. The result was a full brass band which put on a fabulous Christmas concert, held at the Capstone Theatre and raised an incredible £1000 for the MS Society and MS Trust.
The group steadily built in strength and stature and in the process was able to do more for several charities including Nugent Care, The Alzheimer’s Society and Asylum Link.
From then they have gone on to perform an Annual ‘Themed’ concert every Spring and an Annual Christmas concert at The Capstone, and perform at the Bishop Eton Celebration of Carols and Parish Celebrations.
The band comprises a mixture of ages from 18 years to almost 61 years.
We already have a number of members who have:
For more information contact Teresa Jackson. Tony Jackson or Mike Jackson via or 07752 678224
The Association was formed in Manchester in 1908 to enable Catholic laymen to meet socially and to pray together. We support each other and our families and also various charitable causes. Our purpose is to 'Strengthen our family life through friendship and faith'.
In Merseyside and North Wales there are ten circles based in Birkenhead, Blundellsands, Chester, Ellesmere Port, Liverpool city centre, Ormskirk, Prestatyn, St Helens, South Liverpool and Wallasey. Approximately 40 Catenian members from the Liverpool and Liverpool South Circles attend Mass regularly at either Bishop Eton or St Mary's Woolton and many are very involved in Parish ministries, including the eucharistic ministry, music, reading, finance and the parish magazine.
There are Catenian circles throughout Great Britain and Ireland and also in Australia, India (6 circles), Zimbabwe (Bulawayo and Harare), Malta and Goa. The newest is in Nazareth. Members are encouraged to visit circles both at home and abroad.
The Association raises funds for several charities including HCPT, Friends of the Holy Land, Nugent , Meningitis Now, Jospice and the Catenian's own charity, the Bursary Fund, which helps young people undertake initiatives overseas and in Lourdes. There is an annual National Conference (the 2014 Conference took place in Liverpool and the 2016 conference in Malta) and Liverpool will once again host the National Conference in 2019 when we expect about 1000 Catenians and wives for the weekend of 17 - 19th May. Pilgrimages are organised nationally to Rome, Lourdes, Fatima and the Holy Land.
At a local level, we organise an annual debating competition for Catholic sixth formers. Masses for deceased members and for vocations to the priesthood occur annually. Members of Liverpool South Circle have recently arranged trips to Cartmel Races, Dublin Circle, the Mersey Tunnels, Jodrell Bank, backstage at the Philharmonic and they also went to St Albans for a weekend away. Liverpool 4 Circle arranged a weekend visit to Bodelwydden Castle, a Murder & Mystery Night, a Barn Dance, a St Patrick's Night Ceilidh and a Family Quiz. Wives, families and friends are included in all of these activities. We also arrange bowling and golf competitions. Several circles have established Ladies' groups which meet for social events such as restaurant meals, walks or visits to places of interest in their local areas.
Circle meetings start at 7.30pm with prayers. After general circle and provincial business, meetings conclude with prayers. This is followed by dinner to which guests, our Ladies and clergy are regularly invited. South Liverpool 164 Circle meets at the Alicia Hotel, Sefton Park on the second Monday of every month. Liverpool 4 Circle meets at the Britannia Adelphi Hotel on the first Thursday of every month.
The Catenian Association is open to all Catholic laymen. Prospective members may attend three meetings without making any commitment to join. Guests are always welcome at any of the functions and activities. If anyone would like to know more about the Catenians he should contact one of the following parishioners:
Liverpool South contact information: Robert Grace (Secretary Liverpool South)
Website: http://www.southliverpoolcatenians.org.uk/
Liverpool 4 contact information: Bob Wheelhouse (Secretary Liverpool 4 Circle)
The group aims to bring families together socially every month after the 10am Sunday Mass in the Fisher-More Hall. There is a small charge for refreshments and any money raised during the coffee morning is given to charity, normally to the Parish' Project Zimbabwe fund.
A small group of volunteers organises the coffee and refreshments on rotation. New helpers are always welcome to maintain the group and to bring fresh energy to the event. If you can help out please email the parish office
The Fisher-More Hall stands in the Church grounds. It was originally built as a Retreat Chapel in 1965 and was refurbished some years ago to provide a meeting venue for parish activities. At that time it was renamed in honour of Saints John Fisher and Thomas More.
Today the Fisher-More Hall is the regular meeting place for many of the groups and organisations listed in this directory. Special parish celebrations and events are also held from time to time in the hall. The hall, which is not a licensed venue, has disabled access and limited catering and toilet facilities. There is seating for just over 80 people. The small kitchen is simply equipped with a fridge, dishwasher, hot water boiler, crockery and cutlery. This building is first and foremost a meeting place for church events and activities. However on occasion is may be made available for other events. If you would like more information about the use of the Fisher-More Hall please contact the Parish Office
FERGUSON SCHOOL OF IRISH DANCE
Rainbows, Brownies and Guides meet in parish venues and are open to all girls both Catholic and non-Catholic, who are interested in Girl Guiding. Each group follows the programme of activities laid down by the UK movement.
Rainbows: open to girls aged 5 – 7 years. The group meets every Thursday in the Fisher-More Hall
Brownies: open to girls aged 7-10 years. There are two groups one meets every Wednesday in the Fisher-More Hall and the other meets every Monday in Bishop Eton Primary School.
Guides: open to girls aged 10 – 14 years. The group meets every Thursday in Bishop Eton Primary School.
New members are welcome to join at any age but there is often a waiting list.
The Hospitality Team is a group of volunteers who help to provide food and drink for parish events which are hosted usually by the parish priest during the year mainly in Fisher-More Hall.
When Fr. Tim was inaugurated as our new Parish Priest we held a celebration for him after a Saturday evening Mass in July. The hall was prepared and refreshments of sandwiches, cakes and strawberries were provided by the team of helpers. This was an informal gathering and was most enjoyable. Other events we have organised have included a parish BBQ in the monastery garden and a social evening for the multitude of volunteer parishioners who organise the many different activities which take place throughout the year.
The most important skill required for this group is to remember that "Many hands make light work" so anybody and everybody is welcome at any time for as much or as little help as they can give. The group is open to anybody of any age. We need a range of skills and strength; those who can make a sandwich, bake or buy a cake or serve a cup of tea and coffee and the occasional glass of wine! We also need helpers to set up the hall for these events. This involves lifting tables and chairs, laying tables and clearing up afterwards. Strong people are really welcome especially men and teenagers as the tables are heavy!
There are no regular meetings. Volunteering is on an occasional basis If you can help contact Cath on .
Please note this is an Independent Group and not affiliated with the parish.
The Toddler group was set up about thirty years ago aiming to bring parents and toddlers together to be able to play and meet each other.
The meetings, take place on Mondays and from 9.30am to 11.00am in the Fisher-More Hall.
The children play, make a craft item and then have song-time. There is also a snack of fruit and toast with a drink. Tea, coffee and toast are available for the adults.
Please come along to the group as a visitor and see whether you wish to join.
The Wednesday Lunch began in January 2006. It gives everyone a chance to meet people, make new friends and meet old friends. It is open to all and is a drop-in; so no need to book.
The Wednesday Lunch is held on the second Wednesday of the month at 12.30pm in the Fisher-More Hall. Up to 50 people attend each month. The lunch menu includes a range of homemade soups, sandwiches, cakes, tea and coffee. There is a charge of £4/head. Thousands of pounds have been donated to local charities over the last six years from the profits.
If you would like to help in any way, let any of the helpers know when you are at the lunch. They will add your name and details to the rota. Please feel free to join us for lunch in the Fisher-More Hall
The group was set up at the end of 2015 with the aim of:
- Providing activities to involve members of both parishes
- Providing social events to offer opportunities for meeting new people
- Offering ‘safe’ events for women who would not usually be able or feel safe doing the same things on their own
- Offering members the opportunity to suggest activities they would like to take part in
- Offering afternoon sessions for just sitting and chatting
Events will be advertised in the weekly bulletin. The Women's Group produces a regular newsletter.
The administrative area within the Parish Pastoral Group covers the following activities:
Monastery Reception; Piety Stall; Safeguarding; Site maintenance and the Website team.
For items related to the website contact .
For all other items contact the parish office
The reception team undertakes reception duties at the monastery in order to support the work of the parish clergy and office team. Duties involve answering the phone, transferring calls, taking and receiving messages, answering the door, receiving visitors, selling Mass cards and dealing with enquiries.
Confidentiality is essential and must be maintained at all times.
Each member of the reception team manages the reception for a fixed 2 hour period from Monday to Saturday. There are some floaters who stand in to cover any absence.
Training is provided by the group organiser. New members are welcome to volunteer for reception duties particularly to cover occasional absences and holiday periods. If you would like to help contact the parish office and your details will be passed to the organiser.
The piety shop aims to supply a variety of religious cards and items for sale at a reasonable price. The shop holds a selection of cards and gifts for all occasions.
During the year cards and gifts are available for Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation, Christmas, Easter, Mothers' Day and St Patrick's Day. All profits made from sales are donated to Project Zimbabwe.
The piety shop is open after Sunday Masses
If you would like any cards or other items please remember to support the parish repository. New helpers and salespersons are always welcome to join the team.
If you can help contact the parish office
Bishop Eton Parish is fully compliant with national safeguarding regulations. Anyone who volunteers to join a parish group or activity involving children or vulnerable adults, as a helper must undergo a DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check. Leaders of such parish groups will refer the volunteer to the parish office so that the Parish Safeguarding Officer can administer the process. Volunteers will only be added to the group rota when the DBS check has been received.
The Parish Safeguarding Officer can be contacted at
Enquiries about all aspects of site maintenance should be directed to John Byrne via the parish office
The web-team:
- Updates the Bishop Eton Parish website, www.bishopeton.org.uk.
- Periodically updates the software supporting the parish web-site
- Periodically refreshes the look of the site
- Updates the Parish Facebook page: bishopeton
- And tweets form the Parish Twitter Page @bishop_eton
- And load images to the Parish Instagram account bishopetonparish
The team lead also
- assists the Redemptorists in maintaining the London Province Website and their Novena at Home website
- Maintains and updates St. Mary’s Woolton website.
- Administers the e-mail accounts on the above websites
The parish website is updated every week so that parish news and information is as up to date as it can be.
Information on upcoming parish events can be sent to for inclusion on the website
Leaders of groups or activities are encouraged to send updates and information to the team for posting on the site. Groups can e-mail photos from events to be included on the site's gallery.
Prior warnings about events is useful so they can be added to the calendar and advertised in the upcoming events section. This is particularly useful in the run-up to Advent and Lent,
If events are cancelled, you have any suggestion on improving the site, you have spotted an error or wish to advertise a parish event please e-mail
The catechesis area covers the following activities:
Baptism; First Reconciliation, First Communion, Confirmation; Marriage Preparation and RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults)
If you can help in anyway or have any questions on catechesis within the parish please contact us
The group was set up a few years ago to prompt parents to reflect on the sacrament of baptism and to help them prepare for the event. The group is split into two teams of catechists. Catechists take parents through a short course. The primary function of the short course is to enable parents to reflect on the meaning of baptism for them and what their expectations of the sacrament are. Parents are also encouraged to embark upon a developing relationship with the parish.
Each team of catechists meets in the Hughes Room once every two months. The short course which they deliver runs for two weekly meetings of one hour.
New catechists are welcome to join the team. If you are interested please attend one of the courses to shadow the team and then register your interest to become fully involved. Contact the parish office for more information.
The marriage preparation programme was established over 30 years ago. It aims to give couples the opportunity to discuss various aspects of married life, both within and outside the sacrament. The course aims to prepare couples for the Sacrament of Marriage and also for their life together.
Today the programme is conducted within the Pastoral Area and is led by the Liverpool Archdiocese. Groups of engaged couples take part in a one day course which is led by married couples from the Pastoral Area. Group sizes vary, but often there are 20 couples taking the course together. Courses involve talks from the leaders, group discussion, ice breakers and other activities. Although organised by the archdiocese, courses take place in one of the parishes of our Pastoral Area.
Couples preparing for marriage will be given contact details when they register their intentions with the parish office at the monastery. An invitation to attend will then be sent to them by the organisers.
RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS (RCIA)
The RCIA group was set up over 20 years ago. Its aim is to prepare adults for reception into the Catholic Church.
The group of 6 catechists leads adults who are interested in knowing more about the Church through a Redemptorist initiation programme. However, the most important aspect of the series of meetings is the sharing of faith. The programme lasts six to seven months. It culminates in a service for all who have been involved in the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King, on the first Sunday of Lent, where the Archbishop conducts the Rite of Election. At the end of Lent, those who have chosen to become Catholics are received into the Church during the Easter Vigil at Bishop Eton.
Catechists have a variety of skills but the most important is the ability to share one’s own faith with others. Members of the RCIA group also need to be able occasionally to lead an evening of reflection.
Meetings take as advertised in the parish bulletin. If you share an interest in either becoming a member of the RCIA group as a catechist or if you wish to explore the programme of reception into the Church please contact the parish office or speak to one of the priests.
CHILDREN'S SCRAMENTAL PROGRAMME
A team of catechists in conjunction with Fr. Tim work with the children to prepare them for First Forgiveness and First Holy Communion. Children in year 4 undertake the programme starting in September, with first reconcilliation being celebrated in Advent, and First Holy Communion the following May/ June.
The finance area covers the following activities:
- Finance Committee
- Gift Aid
The representative on the Parish Pastoral Group Core Group is Dominic
If you can help in any way or have any questions, please contact us
This is a mandatory committee in Canon Law. It was set up in 2003 and serves to advise the parish priest in financial matters. It has no authority. All responsibility and authority in financial matters remains with the parish priest. The committee has oversight of all financial areas of the parish, keeps minutes and works to a written constitution.
Committee membership is by invitation and is made up of nine members including the parish clergy, those who operate the parish accounts and gift aid, and others who have particular financial expertise to offer.
The committee members have a range of financial expertise. That includes a chartered accountant , a retired bank manager, several school teachers and an experienced accounts clerk.
The committee presents Bishop Eton's audited annual accounts to the archdiocese. It also promotes and operates the archdiocesan gift aid scheme on behalf of the parish..
The committee liaise with the archdiocese in securing and managing funding for various repairs and improvements to the church, including compiling a bid for lottery funding.
For the latest summary of the parish accounts click here.
The Archdiocesan Gift Aid scheme replaced the Covenant Scheme and it enables the parish to recover money from the Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC) from tax paid by parishioners. This boosts a person's offering by 20%. For example: if a person contributed £ 1000 per annum, we would get a rebate of £200 from the Inland revenue.
The parish scheme is managed by two people, one of whom maintains the links with the administrators of the Archdiocesan Scheme at LACE. Continuity and strict confidentiality are maintained at all times, and records are computer-based on dedicated software. The Gift Aid team receives help at different levels from the finance committee, and weekly from the collection counting teams.
The parish weekly offering is collected in 3 different ways
- by direct giving onto the plate.
- by placing money into a parish envelope and putting this onto the plate.
- by standing order.
Parishioners using the envelope method are allocated a box of numbered envelopes every year. Gift Aid may then be collected from these donations if the parishioner has signed a declaration form. Records are maintained weekly. Between December and March new boxes are ordered and distributed. In May and June the parish claim is approved and submitted to the archdiocese.
In addition to the weekly collections the Archdiocesan Trustees prescribe the following collections:
| Catholic Education Service | Obligatory | |
| Lenten Alms | Obligatory | |
| Holy Places | Obligatory | |
| Priests Training Fund | Redemptorist Trust | |
| Friends of the Holy Land | Optional | |
| Provision for Priests in Retirement | Obligatory | |
| Peter's Pence | Obligatory | |
| LAMP | Obligatory | |
| Catholic Youth Service | Obligatory | |
| World communications | Obligatory | Bishops' Conference Trust |
| Day for Life | Obligatory | Bishops' Conference Trust |
| Home Missions | Optional | Bishops' Conference Trust |
| CAFOD | Optional | CAFOD Trust |
| Nugent Care | Optional | Nugent Care Trust |
| APF/World Missions | Obligatory | Missio Trust |
If you do not currently gift aid your weekly offering and wish to do so please contact the Parish Office.
