For those who wish to become more involved in the life of our church, a large number of groups are active within the Parish.
ALTAR SERVER
Altar Servers assist the priest at Mass and other liturgies. Both boys and girls who have made their First Holy Communion are able to become servers. St. Felix has always had a reputation for good altar servers
Contact: John Yelverton
ASSOCIATION OF FAMILY OF JESUS AND MARY (AFJM)
The Association is closely connected to the Religious of Jesus and Mary and the Felixstowe membership is drawn from lay people within our local community. Meetings are held on the 4th Thursday of each month at 7.30 pm at the Convent.
Meetings offer: Prayer and contemplative focus; information on St Claudine, Religious of Jesus and Mary, and news of fellow AFJM worldwide groups. Occasional social meetings with invited speakers.
Contact: Elizabeth Utting (Secretary)
Sr. Mavis RJM
CAFOD
This is the official overseas development agency of the Catholic Church in England and Wales. Drawing inspiration from The Bible, Catholic social teaching and the hopes of people who are poor, marginalised, or oppressed, CAFOD is committed to building a world free from poverty and injustice. It is supported by church members and individuals and has a network of volunteers. Why not join the Friday Fast envelope group?
Contact: Boni & Kate Pinto
CATECHISM CLASSES
Religious instruction and First Communion preparation classes are held at the Convent in Orwell Rd every Saturday morning during term time. These classes are open to all children of the Parish but are aimed primarily at those attending non-catholic schools. The classes run from 8.50am until 9.45am.
Contact: Parish Priest
CHILDRENS LITURGY
Children’s Liturgy of the Word for children approx 3-10 years is provided at the 9.00 a.m. Mass at St Felix. This includes reading and talking about the gospel and drawing, colouring or other practical activities. At the beginning of Mass, the children make their way, with their leaders, to a place where the Liturgy of the Word is celebrated and
return at the Offertory Rite. New people are always welcome to help, from older teenagers to other adult parishioners.
Contact: Parish Priest
CHRISTIAN AID
Christian Aid works to expose the scandal of poverty, to help in practical ways to root it out from the world, and to challenge and change the systems that favour the rich and powerful over the poor. St. Felix Parish does not actively support Christian Aid at present as we have no Parish representative on the local committee.
Contact: Looking for volunteer(s)
CHURCHES TOGETHER IN FELIXSTOWE
This ecumenical group strives to devise ways to develop the mutual friendship and encouragement between our churches and explore ways inwhich we may cooperate in worship, prayer, mission and service.
Contact:
CHURCH CLEANING
A rota of 4 teams help to keep our churches clean and tidy. New volunteers are always needed – it only needs about one hour/month of your time.
Contact: John Yelverton
EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS
Ministers assist with the distribution of communion at Mass and/or bring communion to the sick and housebound in their homes and in hospital.
Contact: The Parish Priest
FINANCE/MONEY COUNTING
The finance committee oversees parish finances and decides priorities when reviewing projected expenditure to ensure that the parish resources are utilised for maximum benefit and that sound economic management is carefully maintained. Weekly Mass collections are counted by a team of volunteers. New counters are always welcome.
Contact: Alan Lamberton.
FLOWERS
A team of parishioners provide flower arrangements for both our churches. New volunteers are always welcome (not just ladies!).
Contact: Giovanna Roberts
GIFT AID/COVENANTS
A Government scheme that enables the Parish to reclaim tax paid on donations to the parish. Taxpayers are asked to sign a Gift Aid declaration authorising the parish to reclaim from the Inland Revenue, tax paid on Offertory donations paid in numbered Offertory envelopes or by bankers order. For every £1 donated, the parish can reclaim an extra 25 pence.
Contact: Alan Lamberton
HALL BOOKINGS
Our Parish Hall is available for private functions and charitable events. Parish use always takes priority.
Contact: Stephen Badcock
HELPING HANDS
HELPING HANDS is a fruit in our Parish of the Jubilee Year of Mercy, in which Pope Francis reminds us of our mission to reach out to our brothers and sisters in need. The Group has twenty volunteers who will be responding to individual requests for help, which could include visiting someone who is housebound, taking someone for an appointment or dealing with a small domestic task light changing a light bulb. All the volunteer are subject to DBS (Disbarring and Closure Service). The contact number for the group is 07342722521, and this will appear in the heading of the Newsheet every week.
Contact: Catherine Richardson
HOSPITAL CHAPLAIN
Rev. Adrian Gates of St. James Parish (01473 726701) visits the Ipswich Heath Road Hospital regularly, assisted by Deacon Clive Brooks and a lay ministry team. In an emergency ask the nursing staff to contact the Chaplain.
Fr. Gates also visits St. Elizabeth’s Hospice, St. Clements and Nuffield Hospital on Foxhall Road.
JOURNEY IN FAITH
A series of talks and discussions held on an occasional basis, especially designed for those who are thinking of becoming a Catholic. However, it is also open to those who are already Catholics, but would like to deepen their understanding of the Church and its beliefs. Information is published in the Parish newsletter.
Contact: Parish Priest
KNIGHTS OF ST COLUMBA
The Knights of St Columba, set up in 1919, is a national organisation for Catholic men who support and assist the work of the Catholic Church. The local Ipswich council was the first in East Anglia formed in February 1929. Our activities include raising money for various charities and causes, social events and outings, providing Holy Week
and Christmas posters and the spiritual welfare of its members. Membership is open to practising Catholics from age 16yrs .We meet monthly alternating between St Felix, Felixstowe and St. James, Ipswich.
For details see the KSC website or notices in the church porches.
Contact: Tom Brazier
MUSIC/CANTORS
Music is provided to accompany most Sunday Masses, and special celebrations. Our resources include a 3-manual electronic organ, a very versatile recorded music player, a small group of musicians with guitars, etc., and a small number of singers who perform as Cantors, and as a Schola group. We are always happy to welcome anyone who would like to offer their services as musicians or singers.
Contact: Doug Birchall
PRAISE AND PRAYER GROUP
We reach out to parishioners who seek to deepen their Catholic faith through charismatic forms of worship and witnessing.
Contact: Brenda Brazier
READERS
A rota of Ministers of the Word read at Mass at weekends and other Holydays and on a volunteer basis at weekday services. New readers are always welcome and training can be provided.
Contact: Fiona Badcock
REPOSITORY
In the church porch at St Felix, a supply of religious goods – cards, missals, rosaries etc, is available for purchase at all weekend masses.
Contact: Philonena Robinson
SACRAMENTAL PREPARATION
First Holy Communion – see catechist input above Baptism – by arrangement with the Parish Priest
Confirmation – preparation usually takes place every 2 years. Speak to the Parish Priest
Marriage – by arrangement with the Parish Priest.
Contact: Parish Priest
SAFEGUARDING FOR ST FELIX PARISH
The Parish Safeguarding Representative is responsible for: making sure the Parish is aware of the importance of safe-guarding children and vulnerable adults; promoting good and safe practice, including what is appropriate and inappropriate behaviour; with their Parish Priest and the Safe-guarding Co-ordinator/Officer decide how to administer the National Safeguarding Policies and Procedures within the Parish.
Contact: Ann and Phil Dance
SUNDAY COFFEE
Coffee is served in St Felix Church Hall after 9.00am Sunday Mass volunteers are always needed to join the coffee rota.
Contact: Any of the Present Teams on a Sunday Morning after mass.
TEAM FELIX
We organise fund raising events for the parish, social events, which include Mass for the Sick, First Holy Communion and The Feast of St. Felix. We also run a monthly lunch club, where all profits will be divided between the parish local charities. We always welcome suggestions for new events.
Contact: Jenny Birchall
TOGETHER CLUB
This is a parish social activity aimed mainly at retired people but all ages are welcome. We have speakers on various subjects, film shows, demonstration, fun afternoons, whole day outings, entertainment and always time to socialise.
We meet at The Convent on alternate Thursday afternoons 2.00pm to 4.00 p.m.
Contact: Teresa Doran
WELCOMING/USHERS
A group of people who welcome everyone to weekend Masses, distribute and collect hymn and mass books, take up the collections and give general help and information to the congregation. New people are always welcome to offer their services.
Contact: Parish Priest
CATHOLIC SCHOOLS IN THE AREA
There are no catholic schools in the Felixstowe area. However the Ipswich area offers a complete 4-19 Catholic education in the maintained sector.
Primary
St. Mark’s Catholic Primary School, Stonelodge Lane West, IP2 9HN is the normal feeder school for Catholics in Felixstowe. Contact Headteacher (Tel 01473 601748)
There are a further two Catholic Primary Schools in Ipswich;
St. Mary’s Catholic Primary School, Woodbridge Road, IP4 4BA
Contact: Headteacher (Tel. 01473 728372)
St. Pancras Catholic Primary School, Stratford Road IP1 6EF
Contact Headteacher (Tel. 01473 742074)
Secondary
St. Alban’s Catholic High School, Digby Road IP4 3NJ is a comprehensive school with a Sixth Form for pupils aged 11-19 years.
Contact Headteacher Tel 01473 726178/719101
Children attending non-catholic schools Religious Instruction is provided for primary school-aged children at the Convent in Orwell Rd on Saturday mornings from 8.50am – 9.45am during term time.
Contact the Parish Priest or Monica Macdonald for further details.
How can you help?
The parish is always looking for more people who are willing to become involved in the various aspects of parish life. Please consider offering your help. For example:-
- The Children’s Liturgy Group is always in need of adult helpers (subject to a CRB check).
- If you were a Eucharistic Minister or Reader in a former parish, you may like to consider continuing that ministry in this parish.
- The parish would greatly welcome anyone with musical talents such as singing or playing an instrument (particularly someone who can play the organ).
- Young people are particularly welcome to put themselves forward as readers, altar servers and ministers of communion (for those who have been confirmed) reflecting a clear signal that their presence is valued in the parish community.
- Anyone with an interest in developing activities for the youth of the parish would be most welcome.
- There is a continuing need for help in organising and running social and fund raising events.
If you have other skills which would be useful in running and maintaining the parish, whether these be administrative, legal, teaching, plumbing, gardening, DIY, electrical, health & safety, and so on, and would like to become involved, then please do let us know by contacting the Parish Priest or one of the parish group co-ordinators.
Your contribution will be greatly welcomed. If each one of us could undertake just one task, no matter how little or
seemingly insignificant, the whole community will benefit.