Parish Groups

Our parish is blessed with a rich variety of ministries, committees, and volunteer groups that work together to support the life and mission of our faith community. Each group plays a unique role in helping our parish grow in prayer, service, and fellowship. Whether through planning, practical service, pastoral care, or the celebration of the liturgy, these dedicated parishioners help make our community vibrant, welcoming, and rooted in Christ.

Below, you will find an overview of the many committees and groups that contribute to parish life, offering countless opportunities to get involved and share your gifts in the service of God and one another.

PARISH COMMITTEES

Pastoral Council
The Parish Pastoral Council (PPC) is a consultative body made up of parishioners who, together with the Parish Priest, discern and plan the pastoral priorities of the parish and work to build a vibrant, faith-filled community.

Finance Committee
The Parish Finance Committee plays an important role in our parish community, supporting the Parish Priest in the responsible management of the parish’s financial resources. The committee is an advisory body to the Parish Priest, assisting him in his tasks of administering parish finances, maintaining parish properties, planning for future capital works, and formulating strategies for raising funds. They are not involved in the day-to-day management of the Parish finances.

Liturgy Committee
The Parish Liturgy Committee plays a vital role in ensuring that the celebration of the Mass and other sacraments is meaningful, reverent, and inspiring for the parish community. The committee collaborates with the priest, liturgical ministers, and parish staff to plan and coordinate liturgical celebrations in accordance with Church guidelines.

Social Committee
The Parish Social Committee plays an important role in building a strong, welcoming, and vibrant parish community. Through organising social gatherings, celebrations, and community events, the committee helps create opportunities for parishioners to connect with one another, deepen friendships, and grow in faith together.

PARISH GROUPS

Altar Servers
Altar Servers have a very special ministry in our parish. By serving at the alter, they assist the priest during Mass and other liturgical celebrations, helping the whole community to pray and worship with reverence.

Baptism Preparation Team
Welcoming a child into the Church is a joyful occasion, and our parish is blessed with a dedicated Baptism Preparation team that guides families as they prepare for this sacred sacrament. Their aim is to help parents and godparents understand the significance of Baptism, its responsibilities, and the lifelong journey of faith that begins at the font.

Children’s Liturgy
The Children’s Liturgy Group is a special ministry in our parish that helps children connect with God and His Word in a way that they can understand. During Mass, children are invited to take part in their own age-appropriate liturgy of the Word, allowing them to learn, pray, and grow in faith.

Choir
Music is a vital part of our worship, lifting hearts and voices to God in prayer. At St Joseph’s, the Parish Choir enriches our liturgies with sacred music that inspires, uplifts and unites our community in faith.

Eucharistic Adoration
The Eucharist is the heart of our faith, and in the quiet of Eucharist Adoration, we encounter Christ in a profound and personal way. Our parish’s Eucharistic Adoration Group exists to foster a deeper love for Jesus, truly present in the Blessed Sacrament, and to support opportunities for prayer, silence, and spiritual renewal.

Funeral Ministry
During times of loss, the Church seeks to support families through prayer, compassion, and the promise of Christ’s hope. Our parish’s Lay Funeral Ministry assists the clergy in caring for grieving families with dignity, ensuring that no faces bereavement alone.

Readers
The proclamation of God’s Word is at the heart of every celebration of the Eucharist. Through Scripture, Christ speaks to His people, offering guidance, encouragement, and truth. Our parish is blessed with Lay Readers who help bring the Word of God to life during Mass with clarity, reverence, and faith.

Sacristans
Behind every well-celebrated Mass and parish liturgy is a quiet ministry of preparation, care, and devotion. Our team of sacristans serve the parish by ensuring that everything needed for worship is ready, reverent, and in its proper place. Their work, often unseen, helps the entire community pray with dignity and peace.

Silver Circle
The Parishioners of Ardkeen have always contributed generously to the development of the parish over many years. On of the earliest fundraising efforts was the Silver Circle Draw, where parishioners contributed a shilling – hence the name ‘Silver Circle Draw’. A small group of dedicated volunteers from our parish continue this fundraising tradition.

Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
The Eucharist is the core of our Catholic faith, representing the true Body and Blood of Christ, shared with the community during Mass. Our parish is blessed with Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion who distribute the Eucharist with reverence, care, and devotion. Their ministry helps guarantee that all the faithful can fully engage in this sacred sacrament.

St. Martha Group
At our Parish, we are blessed to have the St. Martha Altar Society, a group of dedicated parishioners who quietly serve behind the scenes to keep our churches beautiful and prayerful places of worship. Inspired by their patroness, St. Martha, who faithfully served Christ with love and devotion, these volunteers give their time and care to ensure the altar and sanctuary reflect the dignity of the sacred liturgy.