Something for everyone! Newcomers in particular are encouraged to read this section and see how you can learn more about, and if you wish participate in, parish activities.

The parish is both rich and varied in the organisations with which it has close ties. Most of these are listed below in alphabetical order – click on the ones that appeal to you to learn more. We hope eventually to link to pages actually written by each organisation – “under construction� as the best websites say!

Contact with any of the groups should, in the first instance, be through the parish office by e-mail or telephone - 01636-704936. We can tell you more about the group in which you are interested, give you contact details for the representative or arrange an introduction if you prefer. If you are new to the parish this is an ideal way to meet new, like-minded people and find out about parish life. Please complete the enquiry form with your contact details and indicate if you are happy to be added to the parish database. When we organise events and celebrations (such as our Mission in 2000 or our Silver Jubilee week in 2004) you will receive information and a personal invitation. Your contact details are treated as confidential and will not be passed on to any other agency or parishioner without your prior consent.

PARISH FACILITIES
Holy Trinity Community & Partnership Centre –
The Sports Area
The Repository
GROUPS AND ORGANISATIONS
Altar Servers
Catechists
Catholic Women’s League
Children’s Liturgy Group
Choir and Music
Church Cleaners
Churches Together in Newark
Eucharistic Ministers
Finance Committee
Flower Arrangers
Friends of Holy Trinity
Football Clubs
Hospital Chaplaincy
Irish Dancers
Knights of St. Columba (KSC)
Lay Readers
Leisure Club
Netball
Parent & Toddlers
Parish Pastoral Team
R.C.I.A (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults)
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul (S.V.P)
Table Tennis
Youth Group

SOCIETIES
The Association for the Propagation of the Faith (A.P.F)
CAFOD
Christian Aid

Holy Trinity Community & Partnership Centre – for details about the facilities available for parish group meetings and private hire follow this link or telephone 01636 605423.

The Sports Area is located next to the school playground and playing fields and provides all-weather, hard surface facilities for a range of sporting activities. Floodlights are available for play in the Autumn and Winter months. The area must be booked in advance with the parish office – there is a small hire fee – the lights wil be programmed via an internal timer to coincide with booked periods of use.

The Repository for the purchase of Mass and greetings cards, small gifts, religious items and books is kept in the hall adjacent to the presbytery/sacristy entrance. The best time to call is on a Tuesday or Thursday. On occasion a stall will be set up at the back of church at weekend Masses. We do not keep a large stock but items can be ordered on request – ask to see the catalogues.

Many of the following groups meet in the Community Centre. Most meetings are publicised in the newsletter available at Masses at the weekend and on this website – here

We would give a very warm welcome to any young person – boys and girls – who have made their First Holy Communion and would like to serve in a very special way with the priest in celebrating Jesus’ presence in the Eucharist. More details about being an altar server can be found by following this link As well as serving at Mass, social events such as bowling or ice skating, are sometimes arranged.

The parish is always happy to hear from volunteers who are prepared to share their faith with young people preparing for the Sacraments. This is very rewarding work and you do not need special qualifications to help but the Diocese do offer a number of training opportunities for those who wish to explore and learn more about their faith.

The CWL meets on the first Thursday of each month at 2.00pm to pray and plan activities, and to enjoy the support and friendship of fellow members. The CWL aims to promote the participation of members in charity, religious, intellectual and social work. As part of a national body there are opportunities to meet members from other towns and counties at national events and celebrations. Catholic women and non-Catholic wives of Catholic men, of all ages, are all welcomed.

CWL Committee as of 4 March 2010:

• Chairman - Freda Richmond;
• Secretary - Wendy Skinner;
• Treasurer - Elsie Corcoran.

Meets in school term time during the 10.00am Mass on Sunday. This is a pre-First Holy Communion group for children aged 3-8 years; and the aim of the C.L.G is to help the children prepare to take a full part in the Mass. It gives children the opportunity to reflect on and
celebrate the Word of God at their own pace and understanding.
		The children enjoy prayer, song, discussion and simple activities based on the Gospel of the day. Once a month the children and parents are the hosts for refreshments served after Mass. The C.L.G tutors are made up of parents.

The choir sings at the 10.00am Mass on Sundays, and at special celebrations as and when required throughout the year. Music is provided by organ and guitars on alternate Sundays. Practice is held on Saturday at 3.00pm, usually in church. Both modern and traditional hymns are sung. A very warm welcome awaits new singers!

Can you give up an hour every 4-6 weeks to join of the teams who ensure our church is kept clean and tidy and a fitting place in which to worship? This is important work for the Lord and new volunteers are always welcomed – the more we have, the more the rotas can be spread over a longer period of time.

The parish is a member of Churches Together in Newark, an ecumenical group representing 15 Christian Churches throughout the Newark and Balderton area which meets every month to discuss issues of mutual and plan joint activities, services and celebrations which take place throughout the year. All events are widely publicised and all are welcome; three parishioners serve on the committee. Parishioners are also involved in Christian Aid, Justice and Peace, and the work and ministry of Inter-Church families. The parish is committed to praying and working for the unity of all Christians.

Commissioned by the Bishop, the principal task of Eucharistic Ministers is to take Holy Communion to our sick and housebound parishioners. Ministers also assist the priest at Mass when required, and conduct Services of the Word and Holy Communion on occasion when a priest is not available for Mass. All assignments are made with the prior approval of the Parish Priest and the Diocese provides training.

The Finance Committee, made up of parishioners and an accountant, exists to advise the Parish Priest in financial matters. It prepares the accounts for the parish and diocese. There is a planned giving scheme and a Gift Aid scheme. Wherever possible parishioners are encouraged to pay their contributions via standing order, as this is a more convenient method of payment, and a more secure system for the parish. Bank details are published on the weekly newsletter, or contact the parish office for details. Gift-Aid forms are also available from the office – if you are a taxpayer your contribution could be worth at least another 28p in the £ at no extra cost to yourself.

Each volunteer on the church flower rota takes a two weekly cycle to provide and arrange flowers for the church and in particular the altar (except during Lent) at weekends. Usually the whole team meets to prepare special arrangements for occasions such as Christmas, Easter, Sacramental and other special celebrations. Training is given where required and all expenses paid. Flower arrangers also participate on occasion in local events – such as Newark Churches Together flower festival.

FHT is a social organisation, made of parents, parishioners and staff, which supports the school by raising funds to buy additional resources. A variety of events are organised throughout the year, to which all are welcome, and these are publicised through school and parish – follow the link on our website to Holy Trinity School website where further details can be found about friends.

Holy Trinity Football Club was founded in 1977. Its aim is the mutual support and fellowship of its members in assisting in the practice of the Faith. There are currently two senior teams and an Under 11’s team, and coaching sessions are also run for 7 year olds. In addition, a group calling themselves “Fat Dads� meet on a Tuesday evening to play football and provide a social forum for yet another sector of our parish!

The Chaplaincy aims to support the hospital in providing “physical, emotional and spiritual support to patients and their carers.� The team offer friendship, a listening ear, a shoulder to lean on, pastoral counselling, prayer and Holy Communion depending on the most appropriate needs. The team recognises and respects people who have no religious belief, or beliefs that are not familiar to them, and do their utmost to contact a spiritual advisor of the patient’s or her/his carer’s wishes.

Two groups of meet regularly in the school or parish room to learn and practise the art of Irish Set Dancing. The groups aim to provide enjoyment as well as take part in competitions and entertain at local hospitals and events on occasion.

The Order of the Knights of St. Columba exists to support the mission of the Catholic Church and is open to Catholic men aged over 16. In the parish the K.S.C. sells Catholic papers, Christmas cards, raises funds for local and national causes, and provides assistance in church on a regular basis. Monthly meetings every first Tuesday are held at 6.30pm in the parish room.

Would you like to be more involved in the participation of the Mass? There are approximately 40 lay readers, all volunteers and spanning every age group. Working on a rota system the readers take part in the readings and the bidding prayers at all masses. Readers are also involved with the liturgy at Easter and other important feasts.

The group aims to provide a setting for the older members of the parish where they can come and spend a few hours over a chat and a cup of tea in a friendly Christian atmosphere. Enjoy a game of bingo, and in the summer months outings are organised. Currently the group meets at 2.00pm every Wednesday.

Meets on a Tuesday night – if you are a sporty type let us know and we will put you in touch with like-minded parishioners who can advise you on the opportunities available for keeping fit whilst you make new friends!

The Parent and Toddler group provides a safe, happy environment for 0-3 year olds to play in and a friendly atmosphere for their parents/carers to socialise in, providing their first link with Holy Trinity School. Sessions are held on Tuesday afternoons. All newcomers can be assured of a friendly welcome.

A team of parishioners, including 6 young members, elected to serve a three-year period, meets once every two months to facilitate activities and events to encourage and support the spiritual and social life of parishioners. The Pastoral Team is currently collecting and collating information from all groups on how their activities fit in with the six main criteria laid down by the Diocesan Pastoral Plan, and how we can further and develop our activities in line with this and a parish plan to meet our own specific needs. 2005 is our Year of Pilgrimage and a sub-group of the team meets to devise, plan and implement a series of visits, mainly day events, to places of pilgrimage and spiritual interest.

A series of talks and discussions are held on a regular basis for adults interested in finding out more about the Catholic faith, often leading to non-Catholics being received into the Church after a period of instruction.

The S.V.P follows the ethos of its founder, Frederic Ozanam, to work in a spirit of justice and charity to help those who suffer, mostly on a one to one basis, using whatever resources are available to them. Annual summer camps are organised for children who may not otherwise get a holiday. On a national and international level the Society works hard to provide funds, practical support and assistance, and, where appropriate, lobbying, to bring about relief and justice for those whose lives are blighted by natural disaster, poverty and famine. The Newark Conference meets most Thursdays at 9.30am.

All are welcome, youngsters and adults, to enjoy a game of table tennis together on a Tuesday evening once a fortnight, in the Centre.

Every other week, at 7.30pm on a Thursday, a group of 11 –14 year olds meets, with adult supervision, to enjoy a variety of activities and games together. On occasion special events are organised, such as a bike ride, football, entertainer, guest speaker, craft and art demonstrations, bowling, ice skating and a theatre visit. Members of the Youth Group on occasion prepare readings and drama to be performed during Mass. Organisers of the Youth Group also publicise and promote diocesan and national activities – such as World Youth Day in Germany in August 2005, and events at the diocesan youth centre, The Briars.

National and International bodies with local representation and supported by the parish.

The A.P.F is the official Mission Support agency of the Catholic Church. It was founded in 1822 and supports the work of spreading the Gospel throughout the world. Please ask if you would like to become a supporter and contributor to the A.P.F.

CAFOD aims to give information about, pray for and raise funds for our brothers and sisters in the Developing World. Second collections are held in the parish for CAFOD, especially times of natural disaster when overseas aid is badly needed, and Family Fast Days will be publicised and envelopes provided, through posters and the newsletter.

The Newark Christian Aid Committee is formed from representatives of the churches in Newark. Every Wednesday from Ash Wednesday to September simple lunches are arranged at St. Mary Magdalene Parish Church. The committee co-ordinates the annual Christian Aid Week collection and takes part in campaigns promoted by the organisation.

We have tried to include everybody on the website – if we have inadvertently missed your activity, you have a contribution to make or wish to expand on the piece about your organisation, please submit your copy by email. Pictures welcome – sent electronically if possible please. We will also endeavour to publicise special events and dates on a `Stop Press’ or ‘Dates for your diary’ page, linked from the home page, so long as adequate notice is given. Our webmaster is yet another very hard-working and willing parish volunteer who has a `proper’ job to do as well!