Active Age Group
Purpose: To meet over a cup of tea and provide company and support for each other. We enjoy outings together and support the Church at bazaars and other functions throughout the year.
Who is eligible to join? We are open to all who are 55 years of age and over. New members always welcome.
Days/Times/Places of Meetings: Fortnightly meetings take place on a Thursday afternoon at 2.00pm in summer and 1.00pm in winter in the Claret Room, Botwell house.
Principal Officer & Contact: Marie Anthony
Faith and Light
Faith and Light is an International community movement bringing together people with a learning disability, their families, carers and friends, particularly young people. It recognises that everyone has gifts to offer – the ability to welcome others with love and affection and a gift of Celebration. The communities are generally non residential and meet regularly to pray, to share and to celebrate together. Friendships are formed and groups link to share outings and pilgrimages. The most important thing is to meet and listen to the man, woman or child who is often marginalized in today’s society. In this way we get to know each other and nobody is left out.
Faith & Light is operating in our parish. The group meets in the Scout Hut, behind the church, on Saturdays once a month at 3pm – 5pm.
Contact: Sheila Green
Friends of the Homeless
Purpose: To take food, hot drinks and clothing and to give support and friendship to some of the homeless of London. The group relies on the continued support of our parish family and non-Catholic friends. Sandwiches, biscuits etc., can be left at the Parish Office on Fridays, up to 6.00pm, after which these can be handed to the group in the Claret Room (entrance via the rear car park).
The food and hot drinks are taken up to London by the group in the parish mini-bus at 7.00pm every Friday. New helpers are always needed and welcomed.
Co-ordinators: Liz McNulty & Ciaran Quinn
HCPT Group
We are newly launched HCPT (Handicapped Children?s Pilgrimage Trust) group within the Hayes/Hillingdon area. The ultimate aim of our Group is to take children between the ages of 7 to 18 years on an Annual pilgrimage to Lourdes in France at Easter.
The group is made up of:
- teachers,
- learning assistant support workers,
- painters,
- other professionals
They are all committed to the ethos of HCPT and actively give up their own time to support and enhance the lives of children who are disabled or are socially deprived.
Our recent fundraising events have included:
- Raffles
- High Society Ball
- Rock ‘n’ Roll Night
- Sponsored Swim
- Christmas Wrap
How can you help?
- We have many more fundraising events coming up over the next couple of months if you would be interested in hearing more about them please use the contacts below.
- Support your local group and get involved if you want to become a helper or supporter of the group. (see contact details below). We?re waiting to hear from you!
- Promote the fundraising events at your workplace, school, church.
- If you are looking for a charity to support or want to donate prizes or equipment maybe you would consider HCPT Group 128 as all the money raised will go to the children which we take on our pilgrimage. Please use the contacts below.
Key contacts are: Marie-Clair Goswell, Group Leader, Siobhan Fitzpatrick, Deputy Group Leader, Anne Coakley, Group Nurse & Secretary
Meeting Location: Hillingdon Manor School
Justice and Peace Group
Purpose: In his statement on the jubilee, John Paul II called us to “? raise our voices on behalf of the poor of the world?.
The Justice and Peace Group seek to respond to this invitation. It aims to raise awareness in the parish of issues and situations of injustice, both local and international, which challenge our beliefs and Christian commitment to the values of the gospel: to promote and co-ordinate initiatives which aim to respond to these challenges; and to campaign and pray for a world of right relationships between people and Creation, and people and the creator.
In addition the group organise and run monthly Traidcraft stalls as part of the Fair Trade campaign.
Who is eligible to join? The group is open to anyone, regardless of age or denomination.
Principal Officer & Contact: Ann Mullaney
Knights of St Columba (KSC)
The Knights of St Columba are an Order of Catholic Laymen dedicated to the Service of the Church and fellow man. The Organisation, which is non-political and essentially democratic, exists to support the mission of the Catholic Church and at the same time to work for the spiritual and material good of its members and their families.
The KSC was founded in 1919 by a number of Catholic men who wished to be of service to the church and provide for their families and others in need, and to foster the spirit of Brotherhood within the Order. The local Council, No. 243 was formed in Hayes in 1931 and has a full programme of Catholic action.
However, it is not all work. The social side of life is also encouraged for members and their families. Those who have been in the Order for some years are proud of its high reputation and have come to regard membership as a privilege for the friendship it offers, for the benefits it confers and for the satisfaction it can provide in service to God and our fellow men.
All Catholic men are invited to join in this work of service to others, and to help the Church in carrying out her mission.
Who is eligible to join? Practising Catholic men aged 16 years and over.
Days/Times/Places of Meetings: Council Meetings are held the 2nd Monday of every month at 8.00pm in the Upper Room, Botwell House.
For more information about the Knights of St Columba visit the Order’s websites at www.ksc.org.uk and www.province30.co.uk
Principal Officer/s and Contacts: Peter Chidwick (Grand Knight), Michael Bagness (Secretary)
Legion of Mary
Purpose: The sanctification of its members through prayer and active works of mercy. The work is carried out by the Legion and involves visiting the aged, sick and lonely in their homes, in hospital and in residences for senior citizens. At weekly meetings a task is allocated to members, who work in pairs. Members are sworn to secrecy regarding people visited.
The Legion also runs the paper stall in the church porch at weekends and undertakes any work requested by the Spiritual Director. It is a very rewarding apostolate in as much as members are doing something important for Our Blessed Lady.
Who is eligible to join? Practising Catholic men and women 18 years of age and over.
Days/Times/Places of Meetings: Every Tuesday at 8.15pm in Our Lady’s Meeting Room, off the sacristy.
Principal Officers & Contact: Brenda Collins & Georgina Cleary
Senior Citizens Club
Purpose: To help and entertain socially the Senior citizens by holding meetings, and arranging holidays (normally 2 per year) and coach outings to seaside and countryside locations. Last year we visited Eastbourne and Southend. Gatherings normally include a raffle, tea and biscuits and a game of Bingo.
Who is eligible? Men and women 60 years of age and over.
Days/Times/Places of meetings: Every Tuesday, 1.30 – 2.30pm in Botwell Social Centre Foyer (except holidays).
Principal Officers & Contacts: Chair: Violet Doyle, Secretary: Iris McGill, Treasurer: Mary Crewe
Society of Our Lady of Lourdes
Purpose: To enable and encourage pilgrims, mainly from England, to visit Lourdes, minimising barri ers of cost and disability. Originally formed in 1912 by the Catholic Association to care for the sick on the English National Pilgrimage to Lourdes, the Society of Our Lady of Lourdes took over running the whole pilgrimage in 1922.
Still maintaining this heritage of specialising on care for those who require the most support to travel, each year the Society organises an annual pilgrimage for the sick to Lourdes that takes place in early summer. A number of parishioners take part in this annual event.
In addition to this pilgrimage, the Society aims to provide support and information to all pilgrims to Lourdes, organise other events and to promote devotion to Our Lady of Lourdes.
While not a Parish Organisation the Society’s Main Office is located within our grounds and the work they undertake is very close to our hearts.
Contact: Ray Harrison, E-mail: enquiries@soll-lourdes.com | Web Page: www.soll-lourdes.com
Society of St Vincent de Paul
Purpose: Its main aim is to encourage its members to lead a good Christian life and to help those in need. Priority is given to visiting the sick and the lonely.
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul is a lay organisation founded in France in 1983 by Blessed Frederic Ozanam. The needy are not measured by the lack of money. There is poverty of health, loneliness, bereavement, mental disturbance – all of which claim compassionate befriending. Members have to be sympathetic and utterly discreet.
The members meet weekly in a spirit of mutual affection and equality to discuss special works in hand. No vows or promises are taken by members. Members must be prepared to give a little spare time to the needy; in return members find work rewarding and worthwhile.
Who is eligible to join? Men and women of all ages and from all Christian denominations.
Days/Times/Places of Meetings: Tuesday evenings at 8.00pm in the Claret Room, Botwell House.
Principal Officer & Contact: Owen Collins