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All of the groups and activities described below will benefit from the ideas, skills and talents of new members. Anyone wishing to join or wishing to obtain more information will be made very welcome.
Bereavement Group
Members of the Bereavement Group take it in turns to visit, in twos, recently bereaved parishioners and to take them a bouquet of flowers or some other suitable gift as an expression of sympathy on behalf of the parish community.
Contact: Mary Ryan 675593
Children's Liturgy
During Sunday morning Mass, children of primary school age are invited into the hall to take part in Children's Liturgy. It consists an act of sorrow and the Alleluia followed by a simplified version of the Gospel of the day. After a short discussion, the children complete an activity. All children, including visitors, are very welcome.
Contact: Kathleen McComish 672419
Church Care and Cleaning
A voluntary group of ladies of the parish gather after the morning service, usually on Wednesdays, to clean the church and prepare it for the weekend services.
Contact: Mary Ryan 675 593
Fabric and Finance Group
The Fabric and Finance Group was established in 2006 to advise and support the parish priest in maintaining parish buildings and financing their upkeep.
Contact: Fr Eamonn 672324
Flower Group
The Flower Group meet on alternate Thursdays in the church sacristy. There are always fresh flowers in the church, arranged and maintained by members of the group. When there is a special celebration in the church, such as a wedding, participants usually make their own arrangements with their chosen florist.
Contact: Maureen Hamill 670412
Hall Committee
The Hall Committee is responsible for running the Parish Hall and its
maintenance and equipment. Running costs are partly covered by users' donations.
The capital costs of building and equipping the hall and the balance of operating costs
are paid from the proceeds of the 500 Club.
Contact: Walter McAveen 674035
Justice and Peace
Justice and Peace seeks to address the issues of the Third World, Northern Ireland, Peace, Human Rights and Women's Rights. The aim of the group is to provide a Christian perspective on these issues and to increase awareness at local level with the ultimate objective of making the whole parish active and supportive of the principles of the Justice and Peace Commission.
Contact: Maureen Wilkie: 689700
Largs Churches Together
St Mary's is a member of "Largs Churches Together " participating in the inter-church services which are held in different churches once a month throughout the year. We also take part in fund-raising with the other churches for Christian Aid.
Contact: Kathleen Rourke: 676379
Lourdes Group
The Lourdes Group set themselves the project of sending one of their number to Lourdes each year. They raise funds through social events and have sent two or three people on each diocesan pilgrimage to Lourdes since 1985 as pilgrims or helpers. The group welcomes new members as well as the financial support and the prayers of the parish.
Contact: Mary Ryan 675593
Parish Pastoral Council
The Parish Pastoral Council consists of twelve members including representatives from parish organisations. Its purpose is to promote the spiritual growth of the parish community. Each member serves initially for three years with the possibility of a second three-year term. The council meets monthly from September to June and welcomes all suggestions on how best to serve the needs of the parish.
Contact: Fr Eamonn 672324
Prayer Line
The Prayer Line consists of a team of twenty-five parishioners committed to praying for any intention people wish to submit assuring them of the support of prayer for themselves or others. Anyone can phone in with a request which will then be sent by phone along the line and the prayers will begin. The prayer team come together for an annual Mass for all the intentions sent in during the year.
Contact: George McDermott 674395
Pro - Life Group
The Largs Pro-Life Group seeks to protect life, particularly the life of the unborn child, through making counselling and friendship available to any pregnant woman in need of help. Practical help is also given in providing layettes and other costly items. New members are most welcome as are offers of baby garments (materials provided) or donations of appropriate unwanted goods.
Contact: Nancy Heaton 672 869
Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults
RCIA is a rite of the Church designed to assist prospective members to become part of the church community. It applies both to unbaptised people and to adults who have been baptised as infants but have not received the other sacraments. The RCIA team represents the rest of the parish in arranging instruction, prayer-partners and sponsors and in gradually introducing new members to the local church community.
Contact: Margaret McHard SND 670760
Social Group
The Social Group originated as, and remains, an organiser of parish social
activities to raise funds for, and enhance the life of our parish. The
group's activities have also raised funds for other charities. New members
will be most warmly welcomed.
Contact: Marie Ann McCord 673863
Society of St. Vincent de Paul
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul continues the work of its 1833 founder, Frederic Ozanam, by giving to poor people of all denominations and seeking to eliminate all forms of poverty. In Scotland alone there are over 3000 members in 383 Conferences.
As well as providing financial assistance, our Largs Conference visits people in need of support including people who are bereaved, lonely, are single-parent families or are housebound, in hospital or in nursing homes. Thanks to the generosity of the people of Largs, we can assist people in need of furniture or other household equipment. Carpets, beds, suites etc. are always gratefully received. More information can be obtained from members at the back of the Church after Sunday Mass.
Contact: May Fulton
Altar Servers
Young people over nine years of age can play an important part in the liturgy as altar
servers. From time to time, training sessions are organised for newcomers who are always welcome.
Contact: Fr Eamonn 672324
Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist
Extraordinary ministers of the Eucharist are appointed to assist the clergy by distributing Holy Communion at Mass, in Eucharistic Services in the church or in taking the Eucharist to the sick or housebound as an extension of the parish's liturgy. Gifts, usually of fruit, from the Sunday Offertory are also distributed to the sick on behalf of the community.
Contact: Michael Leahy 686774
Music
Music is an integral part of the Mass and it requires musicians and singers to lead and inspire the community in celebrating the liturgy. The terms "musicians" and "singers" cover everyone from the person who can start off a simple chant or hymn to a first-rate professional.
Contact: Anne Timmons
Passkeepers
The team of passkeepers have the responsibility of welcoming people to services and other events in the church. They also ensure that everyone has a place, take up collections and make sure that the church is left tidy when the service is over.
Contact: Bridie Lamont 673869
Readers
The Readers' Ministry is another important part of the liturgy in which lay people proclaim the Word to and for the community during the celebration of Mass. There is
always room for new readers who should express their interest to Father Eamonn.
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