Altar Linen

Ladies who launder! That is – wash and iron the small towels and purificators needed each week. Men or women are needed for this very practical mission in our Parish. Collect on Sunday, deliver back in pristine condition before the weekend – a simple yet essential task well done.

Contact: Pat Tomlinson 0161 456 7627

Altar Servers

There is a wonderful tradition of Altar Service at St. Peter’s and the current team do an excellent job. They are a great asset to the liturgical life of the Parish and play a vital role on Sundays and Holy Days. New members are always welcome, once a child (boy or girl) has made their First Holy Communion they are eligible to join the team after attending a training session. You will notice some of our Servers wearing medals. This is because they have been enrolled into the Guild of St. Stephen, the patron of Servers. Some of our juniors Servers will be enrolled this December; could you be one of them?

Contact: Fr Peter 0161 483 3476/ Dave Pickup / altar.serving@outlook.com

Church Cleaners

What a lot of sticky fingers we bring to Church! Never mind. Just as long as we can keep the cleaning team rotas beavering away, unseen and largely unsung by most of us, we’ll still be slithering off our benches come next Sunday. Hard work, but go at your own pace. It keeps you fit and is a wonderful niche for any parishioners who think ‘I’d just like to do something practical to help.’ Male and female help useful, especially around Christmas and Easter times.

Contact: Margaret King 0161 483 4584

Eucharistic Ministers

We need approximately 60 parishioners to carry out this vital ministry on rota. Because of its central part in the Mass, ministers renew their commitment periodically. In addition, some ministers volunteer to take the Eucharist to housebound parishioners. We are always pleased to see more volunteers. More people are becoming housebound and ideally we need 24 ministers to operate on a three week rota. This ministry is open to anybody after Confirmation. Please speak to Father Peter if you are interested in this ministry.

Contact: Maureen Horton 0161 483 1590 (Housebound)/ Tony Martin 0161 483 7720 (Church)

Flower Arrangers

These are seriously talented and creative people. Several different styles are seen; often modern and minimalist; sometimes Latin and opulent; always professional and uncluttered. What a wonderful variety they produce for us each week. They give large feast days and special celebrations a joyful setting for our worship. You probably need some creative fingers and/or experience to join this work, but all the teams are so friendly they will give you a hand to know what’s what.

Contacts: Collette Christie 0161 427 4982

Lay-led Liturgy

When Fr. Peter is unavailable on a weekday to serve Mass the Lay Community come together to hold a service of worship.

Contact: Rachel McKay 0161 487 1659

Adult and Junior Choirs

The Junior Choir is open to boys and girls from the age of 7. As well as singing regularly at Mass, the choir frequently perform in special services, concerts, entertainments and festivals, sometimes with the adult choir. Practices are on Friday 5.30pm – 6.15/30pm in term time.

The Adult Choir sings regularly at Mass on Sundays and special feast days and takes part in concerts and festivals with considerable success.Practices are on Thursday, 7.30pm – 9.30pm. There is no audition required for either choir – just come along to a practice and give it a try.

Contact: Eileen Rigg 01625 872948

Folk Group

We’ve been together now for over 30 years (well, some of us). We play/sing most Sundays, at the 10:00am Mass; not at all in August. Young musicians are welcome to join us after they reach Grade 3 in their instrumental exams. That way, we don’t have regular weekly practices, as most of our members are able to pick up new pieces quickly. We also play and sing at big feast days and celebrations.

Contact: Steph Leyden 0161 456 6285

Piety Stall

The Piety Stall is open before and after each Sunday Mass. We would welcome extra helpers. Small items and cards for all occasions are available from the Sacristy.

Contact: Denise Noon 0161 483 0217

Readers

We are always looking for people to read at Sunday or weekday Masses If you would consider putting your name on the rota for Sundays please contact Fr Peter. Copies of the current rota are available from the Sacristy or on this website.

Contact: Monica Beckitt – admin@stpetershazelgrove.org.uk

Welcomers

A small group focussed on trying to make our church community as welcoming as possible for visitors and parishioners. We’ve created leaflets to explain what happens at Mass, at funerals and at baptisms; we offer suggestions in the weekly newsletter and we’re always exploring initiatives to work towards our goal. If you’d be interested in joining us, you’d be very welcome – of course! 

Contact: Anne-Marie Bailey 0161 456 2213

Book Club

Parishioners are invited to join us on the third Tuesday of each month in the Member's Lounge of the parish centre at 7.30 pm to enjoy lively conversation about the books we have read and an even livelier discussion about the books we want to read in the month ahead. We are a small group of avid readers who are happy to read a range of books − please come and join us even if you do not get the time to read all the books we choose. We are happy to receive recommendations, so if you have a read a particularly good book please do get in touch. Contact: Alison McGarr 07792 107152

Parish Newsletter

If you’d like something to be considered for inclusion in the newsletter please let us know.

Contact: Monica Beckett admin@stpetershazelgrove.org.uk

Parish Noticeboards

Contact: Outside – Julie Williams, Inside – Barbara Goodier

Parish Trips

Contact: petersharrocks@stpetershazelgrove.org.uk

Parish Website

Please use the form on the home page of the website to make suggestions.

Special Events

Contact: Helen Lyons 07854 928072

St. Philip’s Friendship Group

Meets every Friday, 10am – 12noon at St. Philip’s. Facilities are available to share skills and talents – knitting, crocheting, sewing, card making, painting – playing cards, dominoes or board games – or just chatting over a cup of tea or coffee. It is open to anyone of any age, nationality, faith or none. Every first Friday of the month, those who wish may stay for soup lunch. Come along.

Teas and Coffee after 10am Mass

A rota of volunteers serve tea, coffee and biscuits after I0:00am Mass on Sundays. It is an opportunity to make new friends and meet people in our parish family and for the children to play together. Money raised through donations for tea and coffee goes to support the work of Mary’s Meals and other charities that we support. If you have ideas of how you would like to use the opportunity, e.g. to hold a bake sale, please come along and let us know. If you are new to the parish please come along – we would be very pleased to meet you.

Contact: Sandra Coleing 0161 419 9083 / Rachel McKay 07724 749217

Theatre Group

Trips are arranged at frequent intervals to the­atrical productions in Manchester. Return travel  is by coach from the church car park to the theatre.  Shows are advertised in the Newsletter and sign-up sheets for names of those who are interested are posted at the back of church.

All prices, unless stated otherwise, include coach from Church.

Contact: Tony Martin 0161 483 7720

The Catenian Association

The Catenians are an 10,500 strong international brotherhood of Catholic men who value faith, family, friendship and fun and who meet socially each month. There are over 300 groups – known as circles – world wide and gatherings regularly involve wives, children and families.

Catenians enjoy bonds of friendship, support each other including access to a Benevolent Fund, have care for widows of deceased members, offer bursaries to help young Catholics seeking to help others and are active in promoting vocations to the Priesthood, Diaconate and Religious Life. Catenians invariably play an active part in parish life.

The nearest Circle to St. Peter’s is the Ringway Circle and meets at Hazel Grove Golf Club on the 2nd Wednesday of the month at 8pm. Feel free to come along. Further details can be found here.

Walking Group

We enjoy regular local walks of easy / medium difficulty one Sunday each month, after 8:30am Mass. Stimulating exercise and friendly chat as we go. If we lose our way, we soon get back on track – no hassle! Well behaved dogs are welcome. The first walk of every new year ends with a meal at a local hostelry.

Contact: Tony and Brenda Martin 0161 483 7720

Alpha

Is the idea of faith new to you? Are you looking to find your way back to God? Or would you like to re-visit faith after not being involved for a while? Maybe you’ve been through tough times and you’re not sure what it’s all about any more. You might simply fancy a refresher of your faith. If any such situation sounds like yours, then Alpha is a good place to begin.

So, what is Alpha? Well, it’s not so much a course, more an experience! It’s an opportunity to explore life and the Christian faith, in a friendly, open and informal environment. Gathering once a week over a ten week period, each Alpha brings together people from every walk of life. Alpha is for everyone and anyone - whatever your denomination or background. (Over 29 million people across the globe have been to Alpha.)

No matter where Alpha takes place, the format is the same: we begin by eating a meal together, we listen to a talk and then we gather in small groups for discussion. The beauty of Alpha is that there are no questions too hostile, too silly or too simple; Alpha has no pre-requisites whatsoever. We come together with one another just as we are, free to be ourselves. Follow this link. 

Alpha runs in the daytime and evening at various times during the year. For more information contact Rachel on 07724 749217. We hope to see you soon.

Baptism Programme

Contact: Anne-Marie Galogly or Karen Haines (justasec55@hotmail.com)

Confirmation Programme

Contact: Rowena Nield 0161 440 8619 rowena.nield@sky.com

First Sacraments Preparation

Contact: Teresa Thiele 07778 848709

Marriage Preparation

Contact: Teresa Thiele 07778 848709

RCIA

This programme follows the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults into the Catholic faith. We call it the Enquirers’ Group and it is for any non-Catholic interested in becoming fully initiated into the Catholic faith. Meetings take place between September and Pentecost and all meetings are as an LPA (Local Pastoral Area) group and the venue will be advertised in the newsletter. Contact: Tony Martin 0161 483 7720

Vocations

Contact: Fr. Peter

CaFE (Catholic Faith Exploration)

The CaFE course is a series of sessions exploring various aspects of Catholicism. The course is held in the parish centre meeting room, in a relaxed setting, starting with a prayer, video and then ending with group discussion. Coffee and refreshments are served.

Contact: Rachel McKay 0161 487 1659

Centering Prayer as taught by Fr Thomas Keating OCSO

Centring prayer is prayer of the heart – God may be loved but not thought, Come and rest in Him. We gather every Tuesday in the Parish Centre at 11.15am. All are welcome.

Contact: Mike O’Malley 0161 483 8296

Churches Together in Hazel Grove 

This brings together representatives from the Christian churches in our town for shared prayer, action and fellowship. Committee members meet regularly and help to organise such events as worship and scripture study during Christian Unity Week, Lent, Pentecost and other key moments, plus the Covenant Renewal Service, which commits the churches to striving towards greater unity. Anybody interested is welcome to join our representatives on the committee.

Contact: Cath Smith: 0161 612 3592

Guided Prayer

Contact: Mike O’Malley 0161 483 8296

Lending Library

A free lending library with a varied selection of spiritual reading material is housed in the bookcase at the back of Church (next to side door). The books range from those suitable for young children through to teenagers and adults. We have some light reads and some more weighty books – there is something for everyone!

Contact: Ann Bonner 0161 456 6152

LPA Liaison

Contact: Julie Williams 0161 285 0244

Mothers’ Prayers

Contact: Teresa Thiele 07778 848709

Praise and Worship

Contact: Rachel McKay 0161 487 1659

Rosary Groups 

The Rosary Group meets fortnightly on Tuesday evenings in the Sacristy (entry via the back door, up the steps) at 7.30pm.  We are a friendly group and pray the Rosary reflectively using music and scripture. All are welcome - no experience of praying the Rosary before is needed! Contact: Laura Small 01625 876752

Scripture Group

The Scripture Group meets at 7.30pm in the parish centre every second and fourth Wednesday evening throughout the year, with a break in August and during the period of Lent to give us the opportunity to attend the Churches Together services. Over the 20+ years we’ve been meeting, we have listened to recorded talks from a wide variety of international and local speakers; we also consider the readings for the following Sunday, putting them in context of both their place in scripture and in our daily lives. Ours is a friendly and informal group; it includes people from other denominations and is always lively, informative and enriching. Contact: Michael O’Malley 0161 483 8296

Bereavement Support

Contact: Helen Lyons 07854 928072

Children’s Liturgy Group

The group aims to explain the Gospel stories to young children aged 3-10 in ways meaningful to them. We operate during the Sunday Mass during term time. After the opening hymn we process out of Church. We pray and then the children work with day’s Gospel in a way suited to them. After the Homily we process back into Church and display our work and discuss the Gospel with Fr. Peter. Our catechists are not all teachers, just adults who enjoy talking and helping children learn.

Explorers for Years 6, 7 and 8. Come and find out why, what and when of the Gospels. Also at 10am Mass.

Contact: Janice Ormerod 0161 456 6157

Explorers

Contact: Joe O’Brien 07976 423203

Little Fishes

Contact: Anne Wroe 07763 387001

The Alpha Marriage Course

Run once a year this course is suitable for all married couples and is a practical guide to an even more successful relationship. It involves seven sessions over seven weeks and a lovely meal is provided at each session. There is no group work involved and all presentation is done via DVD. Contact: David/Laura Small 01625 876752

SPY- St Peters Youth

SPY meetings take place on the 2nd Sunday evening of each month at 7.15pmin the parish meeting room. All young people who attend secondary school or 6th form are invited to join us for an evening of fun, games and faith exploration. New members are very welcome.

Contact: David Small 01625 876752.

Hospital Chaplaincy

Contact: Chaplaincy Office 0161 419 5889, In Emergency (Hospital switchboard will bleep) 0161 483 1010

Justice and Peace

St. Peter’s Justice & Peace meet in the Parish Centre at 8pm on the first Wednesday of every month, except August. The group aims to raise awareness in the Parish about peace and justice issues including homelessness, global poverty, fairtrade, human rights and many other issues. The group also raises money and activates support for local, national and international charities. New members are always welcome.

Contact: Carmel O’Malley 0161 483 8296

LAMBS (Less-Able in Mind and Body) 

We have been running this happy social group one Sunday afternoon a month since 1994. Its main aim is to put the needs of the less­ able before anything else.  About 20-30 members are welcomed, along with their families, friends and carers. We laugh, we dance, we smile, we dance some more, we make new friends, we dance again and we eat delicious food donated by kind parishioners. This is a group which touches many individuals in our parish. Our celebrations for special occasions bring in many helpers, but if you can ‘t get along, sending in some food would be a great help to us. Meetings are on the last Sunday of the month (except Bank Holidays) from 4.00-6.00pm.

Contacts: Jackie Mackay 0161 483 6348
Kath Coll 0161 456 0881

Lenten Lunches

Each Lent a small team gets together to serve soup-and-a-roll, with tea and coffee, after midday Friday Mass. It started a few years ago as a fund-raiser, and continues to support the Mission in Peru where Fr Ned Wall spent five years.  Now it’s just as much a social occasion, although generous donations always bring us back to the primary aim of this Lenten event. (All soup is home made, so if you have a favourite recipe and a large pan, that might be your way to help for one day).

Contact: Helen Lyons 07854 928 072, Jackie Mackay 0161 483 6348

Lourdes Group

If you are aged 16 or over at the end of July and would like to come on the Lourdes pilgrimage with St Peter’s Lourdes Group, you will be very welcome.

The group meets throughout the year to get to know each other and hear about the message of Lourdes. We plan our fund raising activities to help with the cost of the pilgrimage and learn all about your role as a volunteer in Lourdes. As well as helping practically you will be a companion to the pilgrims, taking them to services, shopping or for refreshments. It is a wonderful experience both spiritually and socially.

There is also plenty of scope for adults to come with the pilgrimage, either just as pilgrims or adult helpers. Doctors, RGN Nurses and other healthcare professionals are especially welcome to join the medical team.  Check out the diocesan pilgrimage website. Contact: Mary Conway-Kelly 07809 748805

Luncheon Club

Contact: Margaret Hulme 07775 162694

Missio (Mission Boxes)

The Association for the Propagation of the Faith (Missio) is an easy way of contributing to the mission work of the Church throughout the world. If you would like a red collecting box for those spare coins, then please phone Margaret.

Contact: Margaret King 0161 483 4584 or Fiona Preece 0161 456 4319

SVP (St Vincent De Paul Society) 

St Peter’s has a thriving SVP Conference. We meet on  the  first  Monday of  each month at  8:15pm in the Meeting Room. Members visit older people in residential homes, sheltered ac­commodation and in their own homes. We also provide practical help and friendship wherever it is needed within the local community. Special events such as: the housebound Masses, afternoon teas and lunches mean temporary help is often needed both with the event and for transporting our guests. This may suit parishioners who wish to help but whose busy lives mean they cannot make a regular commitment. participation in this way would be a real help with what is one of the greatest commitments in our parish. New members are always welcome.

Contact: Lorraine Parker 0161 456 5629

Youth SVP

The Youth SVP Conference (for young peo­ple aged 13- 18 years) is also thriving under the leadership of a Youth President they meet every Monday evening at Shepley House from 7:00-8:00pm for activities/visits with residents. Shepley House is a residen­tial care home, in Hazel Grove for older people. There is also a meeting on the 4th Sunday of every month in the Meet­ing Room for spiritual development and planning activities. New members are always welcome.

Contact:Lorraine Parker 0161 456 5629