8th Otley(Our Lady & All Saints) Brownies:-
The Brownies meet every Tuesday evening during school term time in St Joseph’s
School Hall from 6.30 pm to 7.45 pm. There are 24 Brownies between the ages
of 7 and 10 years old who join in crafts, games, badge work, outings to hospitals,
police stations etc and singing. Church Parades are held at the 9.30 am Mass
on the third Sunday of every month during Term Time.
Alpha:-
Alpha is a programme of evangelisation,
with the emphasis on Christianity rather than a particular denomination. It
was started in the early 1990s by the curate in the Anglican Parish church of
Holy Trinity in Brompton, West London (HTB). The programme gained popularity
very quickly and the number of "courses" being run is now into the
thousands. Although initially aimed at the "unchurched", it is now
being used by established churches as a way to re-start the spiritual formation
of their members. Alpha is non-denominational and has the approval not
only of the Church of England but also the Catholic hierarchy and the Methodists.
Alpha consists of ten weekly sessions covering key questions about Christianity, an Away Day at which three related questions about the Holy Spirit are tackled, and a final session which acts as both a celebration of the course and as an invitation to friends and relatives of the course members to join an Alpha course.
In Otley there have been seven courses so far, two of which have been run at OLAS. In 2000, three Churches (Our Lady & All Saints, the Methodists and the Anglicans) each ran a course with joint ecumenical celebrations at the start and finish. We hope to run our third course in Autumn 2001.
Altar Servers:-
Boys and girls in Year 5 and Year 6 at St. Joseph’s School are encouraged to
become Altar Servers, and to assist at all weekday and Sunday Masses.
Baptism:-
The Church encourages parents wishing their children to be baptised to attend
a course of talks. These are normally held quarterly. Baptisms are by appointment.
CAFOD:-
CAFOD or The Catholic Fund for Overseas Development, is a major relief and Development
agency which funds over 1000 projects and responds to emergencies in many countries.
CAFOD also campaigns to
create greater awareness of the causes of poverty and injustice and to look
at how change can be brought about. Our Parish does not have a specific CAFOD
group. However, we do support the Lent and Autumn collections every year. We
also hold soup lunches and support other CAFOD fund raising activities.
Children’s Liturgy:-
Children’s Liturgy takes place during most 9.30 am Sunday Masses during Term
Time only (the exceptions being the Brownie Parades and the First Communion
Preparation services). The work of the group is to lead the liturgy for children
aged from 3 to 11 years (children are separated into two age groups: 3 – 7 years
and 8 – 11 years) in Clitherow House and to prepare and lead several special
children’s Masses during the year.
Christian Aid:-
Christian Aid is an overseas charity organisation similar to CAFOD and works
with CAFOD on various levels. In Otley, Christian Aid acts as a realisation
of the local churches united concern for overseas needs. There are two main
fund raising events each year, the House Collection and the Sponsored Walks.
Both events are supported by members from all churches. Christian Aid and the
Otley Council of Churches encourage and support the development of "Traidcraft/Tradefair"
sales in town. Help and support are always needed. Please get in touch if you
would like to be involved.
Church Stewards:-
In addition to the Lay Ministries described in this booklet, there
is always a need for Ushers and Collectors for all Sunday Masses as well as
"taxi-drivers" for those unable to get to Mass on their own. Church
Stewards are responsible for all non-liturgical activities at Parish Celebrations
including collections, seating, offertory processions and tidying the Church
after services.
Cleaners:-
Cleaning God’s House is a very important part of our liturgical celebrations.
We have six groups each made up of 6 cleaners but unfortunately we are always
short of full teams. It only takes 45 minutes once every six weeks to keep our
beautiful Church clean.
Clitherow House Social Club:-
The Clitherow Social Club is a family club and all members
of the Parish are welcome to join. The committee helps to maintain the facilities
for social gatherings and functions of the Parish. The club was established
in the early 1980’s and besides providing a friendly meeting place with
a licensed bar (and smoke purification unit), it organises various fund raising
activities throughout the year. The club room is used as a meeting place for
many of the Parish organisations. The Social Club bar is open on Fridays and
Saturdays (8.00 pm -11.00 pm) and Sunday (8.00 pm -10.30 pm).
Communications Group:-
The Communications Group helps to
provide better and more efficient communication throughout the Parish and the
wider local community. It’s responsibilities include the promotion of special
events in the Parish, production of the weekly Parish Bulletin, the publication
of the quarterly Parish magazine "Wharfetales," liaison with the local
newspapers, the production of the Parish Directory, improvements to the Church
noticeboards and, in 2001, publication of a booklet covering the history of
the Parish over the last 150 years. The Communications Group is also responsible
for the Parish Web Site. Meetings are usually held monthly on Sunday evenings
in Clitherow House but more regularly to meet special project deadlines.
Confirmation
Group:-
A team of volunteers, drawn from Parishioners, work with prospective confirmants
from school Year 8 (aged 13+ when confirmed) on roughly a monthly programme
of topics from Spring to October each year. Topics range from sacramental-based
Eucharist and Reconciliation, to community-based service alongside adults visiting
with the SVP and Eucharistic Ministers and includes a day of Recollection. Approximately
ten meetings take place in Clitherow House.
Diocesan Pastoral Council:-
This is a forum, meeting twice yearly, in which the Bishop consults the Diocese
on a wide variety of issues. Each Parish is invited to send a delegate to the
Council and, at present, the position is vacant. Meetings are usually held at
Trinity & All Saints College on a Saturday morning and last for about two
hours.
Ecumenism Group:-
The purpose of the recently established
Parish’s Ecumenical Group is to contribute to the creation of a common Christian
purpose in Otley by co-ordinating the ecumenical activities of parish organisations,
by stimulating working with other churches and by being the channel for the
Otley Council of Churches.
The Group activities will include the provision of awareness, education and information to parish organisations on ecumenical issues surrounding Catholicism and other Christian denominations and the support of those who are working with the other Churches.
Members of the Group represent the Parish on the Otley Council of Christian Churches.
Eucharistic Ministers:-
In Otley we receive Holy Communion under both kinds at all Masses.
We have about 70 Eucharistic Ministers who help with the distribution of Holy
Communion in Church and to take the Eucharist out to the sick and housebound
after the 9.30 am Mass on Sundays.
The Finance & General Purposes
Committee:-
The Finance & General Purposes
Committee is responsible for the general administration of the Parish, Parish
records, administration of Gift Aid (replacement of covenants), the Diocesan
returns and is consulted on plans for major expenditures. It is available for
consultation and advice on the management of the Parish finances, buildings
and administrative functions. Meetings take place in the Parish office about
four times a year.
First Holy Communion
Group:-
Children are prepared for their First Confession and First Holy Communion
by a team of Parish catechists. The group also assists parents in helping their
children. It is a nine-month programme involving all the family in fortnightly
meetings and celebration Masses.
Flower Arrangers:-
Although this group does not meet regularly a rota is issued to each
member and lasts for approximately one year. Contact is maintained by telephone.
We are mostly amateur arrangers, working singly or in pairs, to provide the
weekly floral decoration in the Church, approximately three times a year, plus
helping at Easter, Christmas and weddings. A "Flower Fund" to cover
weekly costs is maintained by a box for donations in the Church. All contributions
to the floral decoration of our Church are welcome, whether it is your time
and skill in arranging flowers or a donation towards costs.
Focolar Word of Life:-
This group meets at 7.30 pm on the
first Friday of each month. The Focolare is an international movement working
for unity in all spheres of life. Inspired by the words of Jesus "Father,
may they all be one " (John 17.21) what was initially a group of young
women has grown to become a global movement of people of all ages, beliefs and
backgrounds whose membership in 1999 was estimated at 2,000,000. The aim of
the group is to help one another put the gospel into practice in daily life.
Handicapped Children's Trust (HCPT):-
We are an Otley based charity (no. 425) and every Easter we take a group
of disabled, special needs or disadvantaged children to Lourdes. We have a number
of social evenings and functions to raise funds to pay for the children’s fares
throughout the year. The group meets in Clitherow House on a Sunday evening
once a month. The Council has its own notice board in the Church porch.
Knights of St. Columba (KSC):-
The Otley Council (no. 425) meets both formally and informally
every month and provides friendship and social activities as well as being
involved in many local and national events of Catholic Action. Any man aged
18 and over is welcome to attend meetings to get the flavour of the organisation
before deciding whether to join us. The Council has its own notice board in
the Church porch.
Knitting Circle:-
A group of ladies in and outside the Parish who crochet, knit and sew squares
making them into baby blankets for the Third World including Romania, Bosnia,
Sarejeva, Kosova and Turkey in times of need. So far they have despatched over
600 blankets.
Lanterna:-
Lanterna was founded in the summer of 1995. It’s aim is to explore and develop
spiritually both within the group and the Parish using a variety of approaches.
During the past four years there have been a number of visiting speakers with
topics ranging from the symbolism of icons to feminist theology. Meditations
and Bible readings feature regularly as do the sharing of a meal and a summer’s
evening walk. Successful and enriching retreat days have been held at The Briery
and Myddleton Lodge while Lanterna has prepared and lead Sunday evening holy
hours and Saturday morning Ecumenical prayer breakfasts.
Lanterna meets one Wednesday each month (varies from month to month) in Clitherow House from 8.00 – 9.30 pm.
Liturgy Group:-
The Parish Liturgy Group was set up about
10 years ago. It has three roles:
The Group meets three times a year (January, May and September). All those organisations involved in the Parish liturgies (eg, Eucharistic Ministers, Altar Servers, Readers, etc) are involved. The meetings are "open" and Parishioners are welcome to attend and give their views on our liturgies.
Marriage Group:-
The Parish runs an annual course (four sessions over one
month) for couples preparing for the Sacrament of Marriage.
Couples should contact the
Presbytery at least six months before the proposed date of the wedding.
Music Group:-
The aim of the Music Group is to learn new hymns, chants, anthems and Mass settings
for use during the liturgy and lead the singing during the liturgy where appropriate.
The group meets in the organ loft at the back on church from 6.45 to 8 pm on
alternate Wednesdays.
Otley Council of Christian Churches:-
Our Church is committed to being
involved with all major Christian traditions in Otley through the Otley Council
of Christian Churches. There are a number of joint (OCC) events including Services,
Study Groups and Festival activities. Ideas and involvement from all
members of the Parish are always welcome as part of our commitment to Christian
Unity. We are committed to support and encourage Christian Unity in Otley. The
group meets in the Parish Church Hall six times per year. Parish Representatives
for this Council are drawn from the Ecumenical Group.
Parish History Group:-
The Parish History Group currently meets six monthly on a weekday evening in
each other’s homes to develop a knowledge and understanding of the Parish community
in Otley. Whilst we are a very small group, much information has been amassed
in the past five years. We will be publishing a book in the Year 2001 to mark
the 150th anniversary of the opening of Our Lady & All Saints
Church in Otley.
Parish Pastoral Council:-
The newly re-formed Parish Pastoral Council acts as a focus for, and takes an
over view of, the work of the Parish, tapping into Otley’s Christian resources,
and facilitating the smooth running of the Parish to meet future developments
or needs as they arise. Members are nominated for three years and meet quarterly.
Prayer Group:-
The Prayer Group meets on the first Monday of every month (excluding Bank Holidays)
in the Lady Chapel at 8.00 pm. They meet to praise God, to intercede with Him
for personal, local and wider needs and to support and build up the Body of
Christ in the Parish. All are welcome to attend meetings and join us in prayer.
Readers:-
Currently, 17 Parishioners share the Ministry of Reader. This involves reading
the Liturgy of the Word at Masses on Sundays and during the week (and the Saturday
Vigil) once every five or six weeks on a rota basis.
If anyone feels called to
this ministry, please contact Father O’Connor. Training can be given if required.
St. Joseph's Primary School:-
Our Lady & All Saints has had a Parish school since 1851. The
original building still stands in Crow Lane. The present building, completed
in 1969, is next to the Church and allows for continued close contact between
Church and School. There are seven year groups with eight teaching staff and
a number of classroom assistants. St. Joseph’s has a long tradition in academic
school performance as well as a keen interest in sport and the arts. A flourishing
PTA supports the School and helps link Parish, School and community.
Prospective parents are always
welcome. Please contact Jean Smith, the Headteacher, on 01943 463840.
St. Mary's Catholic Comprehensive
School:-
St. Mary’s is a Roman Catholic school for boys and girls between
the ages of 11 and 18 years old. It opened in 1964 as a Secondary Modern School
and became Comprehensive in 1973. It serves the Parishes of the Deanery - Addingham,
Burley-in-Wharfedale, Horsforth, Ikley, Otley, Pudsey and Yeadon. The work of
the school is the spiritual, moral, intellectual, aesthetic and physical development
of each pupil. It seeks to put Christ at the centre of every activity - worship,
learning, and service to others.
Further enquiries should
be directed to the Headteacher, Mike Pyle, on
01943 883000.
St. Vincent de Paul Society (SVP):-
The SVP is an international Catholic organisation of lay people founded
in Paris in 1833. It seeks a spirit of justice and charity to help
those who are suffering or deprived or in need. No work of charity is foreign
to the society. It includes, by person to person contact, any form of help that
relieves suffering and promotes human dignity and integrity. Meetings are held
every Tuesday at 8.00 pm in Clitherow House.
Wednesday Club:-
The Wednesday Club first started in June 1949 and was held weekly. At present
it is held monthly, mainly as a meeting for the older Parishioners, but anyone
is welcome to join. We start off by reciting a decade of the Rosary for all,
prayers for the sick and lately deceased. Then follows tea and biscuits, a good
chit chat, a game of bingo and a raffle. Every so often we have a party - when
the occasion demands it. We meet in Clitherow House at 2.15 pm the first Wednesday
of the month.