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Liturgical worship is given more noble form when it is celebrated in song, with the ministers fulfilling their ministry and the people participating in it. Through this form, prayer is expressed in a more attractive way, the mystery of the liturgy is more openly shown, the unity of hearts is more profoundly achieved by union of voices, minds are more easily raised to heavenly things... Pastors of souls will therefore do all they can to achieve this form of celebration. (Post Vatican ll directive on sacred music in the liturgy, 1967). S.F.X. Choir is are a very important part of the Liturgical Ministry. They sing at the 10a.m. Mass every Sunday except the 3rd Sunday of the month. The main parts of the Mass are usually sung and are chosen so that the congregation can also join in. We feel this is most important because we are there to lead them during these parts of the Mass. The hymns are carefully chosen to reflect the readings of the day. Some are very traditional and others are more modern so the young people do not feel they are left out. Where possible a choir piece is chosen either in Latin or English so that the congregation can just sit and listen and meditate.Christmas and Easter are particularly busy times for the choir. Midnight Mass is a Sing Solemn High Mass with a Carol Service before the readings and Carols which always seem to go very well.Holy Week is a very demanding week for the choir. They sing at Palm Sunday, Holy Thursday, Good Friday and the Easter Vigil. If any of them have voices left they come to lead the singing on Easter Sunday morning.The choir will always sing at Weddings and when possible at Funerals if asked. There is a great need for more part singers especially tenors and bass. If you are at all interested we practice every other Monday at 6.15 p.m. The practice is usually published in the weekly newsletter. If this practice is not possible you can always come at 9.30 a.m. on a Sunday before the 10 a.m. Mass. MUSIC GROUP The Music Group plays at the 10 a.m. Mass on the 3rd Sunday of the month. It was originally started so that the young people of the parish could have some input to what sort of music they wanted at Mass. This group is now made up of more older members than young people.We therefore want all young musicians who play any instrument or who would rather just sing to join this group. You can be at junior school or senior school, and please remember the commitment is only once a month. If you are a parent of any of these children please encourage them to come. The practice is usually on the Friday before the 3rd Sunday at 6.45 p.m. in S.F.X. Church. If you cannot make this practice you can come at 9.30 a.m. on the 3rd Sunday of the month. We really want this group to be for you young people so please do not let your parish down. Any queries or comments about this group please ring Helen Oliver on Hereford YOUTH CLUB The Parish youth club meets every Friday evening in the Annexe at 7.30pm. Members should either be parishioners of secondary school age or attending St Mary’s High School. Younger Parishioners and those attending St Francis Xavier’s School will be invited to join us during their last year at primary school. There is no upper age limit and our older members are encouraged to help with the organization of the club. Our aim is to provide a warm, safe environment where our young people can meet together to exchange news, play pool, table tennis, snooker and listen to their music. We hope to provide a varied programme which includes talks, discos, crafts and sports.We also provide outings and have gone ice-skating in Cardiff, sailing on Bodenham Lake, visited Techniquest in Cardiff and Oakwood Leisure Park. Local visits have also been made to the swimming pool, leisure centre and the bowling alley. Each year we also take our members camping, when they are able to make as much noise as they like and get as muddy and wet as they wish (sorry Mums who have to do the washing, but we do have a great time!!) Members are encouraged to join in with ‘Parish life’, some sing with the choir, others play musical instruments with the Folk Group and some have become readers. Our young people also help at Parish and School Fetes and have helped to raise money for HCPT and Life, If there is anybody in the parish who is interested in becoming a member or would like to help either on a regular basis, or has a specific interest and could pass on his/her skills and knowledge, please call in and see us on a Friday evening, or ring and speak to one of the following. Brenda (850414) Helen (271445) Sue (269330) |
