Welcome to St Patrick’s

We are always in need of helpers to assist Father in the running of the church. In particular, we welcome Eucharistic ministers, readers, choir members, musicians, altar servers, greeters, flower arrangers, cleaners, and money counters. Perhaps you have knowledge, wisdom, or practical skills and could support our Parish Pastoral Council (PPC), which meets in the Parish Room three times a year. In the first instance, please talk to Father or have a word with one of the contacts below.

Regular giving

At St Patrick’s we encourage parishioners to support us through monthly direct debit. If you would like to donate this way, please set up a standing order via your bank account.

If you would prefer to use weekly envelopes, please speak to Zofia Bronowska (Saturday) or Rosemary Earle (Sunday). Standing order and Gift Aid forms are also available. If you donate this way or use the weekly envelopes and have signed a gift aid declaration, then for every £1 given, the parish can claim 25p from HMRC.

Please note that standing order and gift aid declarations must be returned to the parish for processing. Any changes to your details need to be communicated to Zofia or Rosemary on the parish finance email: finance.stpatrickduston@northamptondiocese.org .

CASPAR (contactless giving)

It’s important to us that you register with CASPAR. Please use the QR code in the church porch — we only require your name and an email address so we can send you the weekly newsletter, saving time and money. When you sign up, please make a note of your ID number as this might be useful to you going forward. Those who have not signed up will no longer be registered with the parish. Parish ID #56069.

If you don’t have access to a computer or require assistance getting set up, please speak with the Chair of Pastoral Council or Father.

St Patrick’s welcomes families for sacramental preparation, worship, and spiritual growth. Preparation classes for First Holy Communion and Confirmation are generally held after Sunday Mass during term time only. New candidates for these sacraments should enrol in the September prior to the event. For initial information, please talk to Rosemarie King (Lead Catechist).

Baptisms, weddings, and funerals need to be sorted directly with Father. There’s a Children’s Liturgy every Sunday during the 9.30 am Mass in the church meeting room.

First Holy Communion Confirmation Register a child

We’re delighted to let you know that our Parish Meeting Room is also available during Mass if your little ones are unsettled. The curtains will remain open at both weekend Masses, enabling you to follow the service through the window. Books are available for use from the bookcase, but please feel free to bring anything that helps your child feel calm and comfortable — fidget toys are especially welcome.

Please be aware that your children must be accompanied at all times, as there will be no supervision provided. Our hope is that your children grow to enjoy coming to Mass and feel at home in our lovely parish community.

There is a Prayer Intentions Book on the table at the back of the church — please add to it any prayer requests you have.

The confidential online prayer group will also pray weekly for your needs or those of your loved ones. For those without a computer, smart device, or those who are housebound, there is a non-confidential version of the Prayer Intentions that we can have printed off and delivered. Father Benny is always happy to pray for you if you would prefer not to share.

Please speak to Rosemarie King or Carol Gribble for more information. There is a bespoke email address too in the front of the church book.

Mass intentions for your loved ones or special intentions can be booked after all Masses in the parish room. The red file on the table has booking sheets for each month — no more than 2 intentions per Mass please. We ask you to ensure all names are spelled correctly and written clearly so as to avoid any possible mistakes.

SI is a Special Intention, RIP for the deceased. You could also have a Mass offered for a birthday, anniversary, or thanksgiving. Mass cards are available for purchase if you wish to share as a gift, and there are empty envelopes in the front of the file in which you can place your donation. Thank you.

Daughters of the Holy Spirit

The Associates of the Daughters of the Holy Spirit meet at St Patrick’s (church meeting room) on the second Monday of each month at 1.30 pm. New Associates are always welcome. The Lay Associates are formed in the spirituality of the order, seeking to find the working of the Holy Spirit in everyday life and responsibilities. Their mission is: “to reverence in a special way the presence and power of the Holy Spirit in ourselves, in others and in all creation.”

Ladies Circle

A group of parishioners meet most Tuesday afternoons at 2.00 pm in the church meeting room — a cuppa and a chat with like-minded people. They also organise activities and outings together. All are welcome. Contact Eileen Andrews.

Cathedral Good Companions Group

A social club for people aged 50+ meeting Wednesday afternoons 12.00—2.30 pm in the Cathedral Centre. Companionship with a cup of tea, coffee and homemade cake; diary includes outings, exercise, bingo, quizzes, demonstrations and talks. Contact Philly on 01604 714556 or talk to Rosemary Earle.

St Vincent de Paul Society

Are you interested in offering help with the work of a local branch of the SVP? The St Vincent de Paul Society (England & Wales) is part of an international Christian voluntary network dedicated to tackling poverty, in all its forms, by providing practical assistance to people in need. We foster diverse and inclusive connections as a Society that is welcoming of people of all faiths and none. See svp.org.uk .

• Cathedral & Saints Francis and Therese SVP: 07591 060335
• St Aidan’s SVP: 07513 367148
• St Thomas More: 07517 613487

From the Cathedral’s Safeguarding Policy Statement: every human being has a value and dignity which we as Catholics acknowledge as coming from God’s creation of male and female in his own image and likeness. All people should be valued, supported and protected from harm, and we have a zero-tolerance approach to all abuse — recognising the possible escalation of low-level concerns into more serious incidents if not addressed.

Parish Safeguarding Representative

Antony Daveed — safeguarding.nptonstpatricks@northamptondiocese.org · 07401 623366. You can also speak to the Chair of the Parish Pastoral Council, Mark Watson · 07900 101568.

Health & Safety

Ari Onugha is the parish Health & Safety lead. Contact: ariionugha@gmail.com · 07436 237748.

For diocesan escalation: Danielle Dixon — safeguarding@northamptondiocese.com · 01604 723514.

See the full safeguarding statement for how to raise concerns and for the wider diocesan framework.