For those who wish to become more involved in the life of our church, a large number of groups are active within the Parish.
To approach any of the contacts listed below please use the parish email address.
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
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
FIRST HOLY COMMUNION PREPARATION
First Holy Communion preparation classes are held at St Felix after the Sunday 10 am Mass during term time.
Contact: Parish Priest
CHILDRENS LITURGY
Children’s Liturgy of the Word for children approx 3-10 years is provided at the 10.00 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
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
LAY MINISTERS OF THE EUCHARIST
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 advise the parish priest on 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:
FLOWERS
A team of parishioners provide flower arrangements for 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: George Babbington
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
In an emergency ask the nursing staff to contact a Priest.
New priest to be appointed for visits St. Elizabeth’s Hospice 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
CATECHISM GROUP
A group of people meet each Tue. Morning at 10:45 am in the Cooper room to read and discuss the Catechism of the Catholic Church.
Contact: Parish Priest
MUSIC/CANTORS
Music is provided to accompany most Sunday Masses, and special celebrations. Our resources include a electronic organ, a very versatile recorded music player, 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
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 and Monica MacDonald
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 10.00am Sunday Mass volunteers are always needed to join the coffee rota.
Contact: Any of the Present Teams on a Sunday Morning after mass.
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
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 Lay Minister of Communion 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 lay 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.