Parish groups and ministries
Chapel of Saint Michael the Archangel
On the edge of the parish is a beautiful Tudor house, the home of the Eyston family, and a Catholic recusant centre in penal times. There is a Catholic chapel where Mass is celebrated on the last Sunday of the month at 6pm. The house is open to the public during the summer months. Items of Catholic historical interest are on display.
Each year on the Feast of Corpus Christi an outdoor Mass and Procession of the Blessed Sacrament is held in the grounds of the house attended by children of St. Anne's and St. Martin’s schools and many other visitors.
Parish visits may be arranged with Mapledurham Estate Office.
0118 972 3350.
Chat and Craft
For the Ladies of the Parish, to meet and socialise. We make items for sale at the Summer Fête and Christmas Bazaar.
We meet on a Tuesday afternoon in the Parish Room (adjacent to the school) at 2pm.
More information may be obtained from Ann Clark or Rita Welch.
Child Protection Co-ordinator
In line with Diocesan guidance Julia Feeney, a parishioner and local headteacher, has been formally appointed to be responsible for child protection. Work has commenced with various groups to ensure all aspects of policy from the Diocesan Child Protection Office are implemented within the parish.
It is the responsibility of everyone in the parish to ensure that our children worship, learn, play and grow up in the safest and happiest environment.
More information may be obtained from Julia via church.
Children’s Liturgy
Children are invited to attend a specially prepared liturgy, which takes place in the Cenacle during the 10am Mass every Sunday during term time.
It caters for children from around 4 years until they make their first holy communion. Occasionally parents or older brothers and sisters accompany their younger siblings when they first start.
The liturgy follows a similar format each week, which includes a penitential rite, readings and familiar prayers. Songs, drama and craft activities are also used to explore the theme of the Mass.
More information may be obtained from
Cathy Freddi at or
Cathy Carr at
Eucharistic Ministers’ and Readers’ Rota
The Eucharistic Ministers’ and Readers’ rota generally covers a 3 to 4 month period, excluding the Easter and Christmas periods when special arrangements are made. Any additions/retirements from the rota should be notified in the first instance to Fr. Giles. If there are any periods when people on the current rota will be unavailable for the next rota these can be made known to the rota producer direct.
Current ministers/readers should arrange for someone to cover for them if they are unable to minister or read for a particular mass.
The current rota is available on this web site.
More information may be obtained from
Paul Freeman.
Justice and Peace / Cafod
The Justice and Peace Group work to inform the Parish of issues, commitments and responsibilities
of the national Justice and Peace Network and CAFOD within the Catholic Dioceses of England and
Wales. Another important part of this group’s role is to encourage the parish to be actively committed
to fair trade. The group sells Traidcraft (fairly traded goods) on the 1st weekend of the month in the
Cenacle before and after every Mass.
The group meets on the 1st Wednesday of every month in the Cenacle, to talk and pray about what the parish can do to help to achieve justice for the poor and marginalised of the world, and therefore contribute to peace. They also discuss providing parish support for CAFOD’s work in various parts of the world.
Parishioners contribute to regular collections through mission boxes under the auspices of the Association for the Propagation of the Faith. The parish collects approximately £1000 annually through these efforts for the missionary vvork of the Church.
More information may be obtained from
Clare Palmer at
Liturgy Group
The present liturgy group sprang directly from the experience of a variety of liturgies during our parish mission week.
Our first aim is to work together on special liturgies, such as those at Christmas, Easter and to focus on other special events in our parish calendar.
It must be stressed that parish liturgy is for all and that any person who has ideas and the desire to help shape parish celebrations for the benefit of all has ‘The Liturgy Group’ as a forum.
Please share your ideas and talents!
More information may be obtained from
Cathy Carr at or
Tim Livesey at
Our Lady and Saint Anne’s Choir
Formed in 1986 by Patty Naxton, who still runs it, we are a traditional 4-part (SATB) church choir currently numbering 18, many of whom are founder members. Singing regularly at the 10.00am Mass every other Sunday, alternating with the Band, and at all major feasts throughout the Liturgical Year. We are also available, at very reasonable rates, to sing at weddings and other special services. We meet for practice on Tuesdays between 8.00pm and 9.00pm . We aim to enhance the Liturgy and make it more prayerful through the use of music and to keep alive the centuries old musical traditions of the church, whilst introducing newly composed music to the congregation. We particularly enjoy singing 17th & 18th century motets. New members with a real commitment to attending practices and liturgies are always welcome. No auditions are held.
More information may be obtained from Patty Naxton or Berna Macdonald.
There is also a music group that leads the liturgy with guitars and music of the 20th/21st Century.
Parish Community Group
The aim of the Parish Community Group is to bring the parish closer together, by building friendships and sharing all our individual talents.
This team actively organises and runs Parish fund raising events, in particular for the current Gateway Appeal. The group has organised some very successful fètes, including the Annual Parish Summer Fète and the Christmas Bazaar. They also organise other events such as dances and provide advice to parishioners or groups wishing to organise other fund raising events.
The group is also active in running after Mass hospitality in the Cenacle as well as organising the church welcoming team. They also provide a service for visiting parishes or groups when they are visiting the Shrine of Our Lady of Caversham by providing refreshments and assistance.
More information may be obtained from Lex Kujawa or Peter Lennon.
Pioneer Total Abstinence Association of the Sacred Heart Of Jesus
Members, who are popularly known as Pioneers, abstain for life from intoxicating drink. The motivation for their choice is rooted in catholic spirituality. In this perspective, drink like everything else created is good. Evil is always derivative and only arises with the abuse of something good.
The Pioneer believes that moderation in drink is a good thing but to give it up for a high ideal is a better thing. This is a simple extension of the understanding of fasting in Christian tradition. To enjoy a good dinner each day is the normal course of action for most of us. To freely forego this for the love of God and to help others is something better. However, callings and graces differ so we have to discern where each one of us is personally called.
When Fr. Cullen founded the Pioneers in 1898 his main source of inspiration was the Scriptures and in particular 1 Corinthians 12, which stresses that we are all members of the mystical Body of Christ with the consequent responsibility for and indeed the wonderful possibility of helping one another, even people we have never met. Fr. Cullen's insights have foreshadowed the writings of the great French Jesuit Biblical scholar Fr. Xavier Leon-Defour on the use of wine in scripture.
The local Centre meet in St Anne's Parish Rooms (adjacent to the school) on the last Thursday of the month at 8pm to pray together.
More information may be obtained from Frank O'Donnell.
Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA)
The programme is for anyone who would like to know more about being, or becoming a Catholic. Everyone is welcome to join in and to learn about and discuss different topics each week; such as the Bible, Jesus’ life and what it means to be a Catholic today.
Meetings take place in the presbytery on a Monday evening at 8pm.
More information may be obtained from Angela Cottrell.
Saint Vincent de Paul Society
The Conference of Our Lady and St Anne has been working in the parish since 1923. Our members are involved in making regular visits to the lonely and housebound people in their homes, as well as visits to hospitals. The less well off are assisted with practical and financial assistance. The Conference has provided furniture, cleaning and cooking equipment. Less well off children are given toys at Christmas and assistance is given to help them go on school trips. The S.V.P. also organises parties in the parish for the elderly.
As part of an international organisation it supports national and international charitable activities such as assistance to S.V.P. projects in India and the S.V.P. annual pilgrimage to Lourdes. The parish is centred in an area that is often seen as "well off" and people of lesser means find it more difficult to live in this kind of area, as prices tend to be scaled up to higher incomes.
The Conference is very active and meet on Monday evenings in the Cenacle at 8:00pm. The Society has 12 current members and they make between 700-800 visits per year.
More information may be obtained from Brian Morgan or Ian Cane.
The Newman Holiday Trust
Established in 1981, the Trust provides holidays for over 120 disabled children 5-16 each year, in various locations around the UK including the Oratory School in Woodcote. Due to the high level of skilled care these children require or financial circumstances, those selected for these breaks would not otherwise receive a holiday
The holidays are hugely energetic, inspiring and full of fun and laughter. They also allow for quieter, more relaxed moments and each day ends calmly with a gathering in which everyone can reflect on the day’s activities. The Trust’s one-to-one care ratio ensures individual attention and emphasis is also placed on group activities where lasting friendships are often forged.
The holidays are conducted under 24 hour nursing supervision and there is a vast wealth of experience amongst the carers and organisers. Whilst the Trust is based on Christian principles of caring and respect, the children who attend the holidays come from a wide range of religious, cultural and socio-economic backgrounds.
We are looking for people willing to give up one week of their time to work with disabled children. No prior medical training is needed, just a strong will to help others, lots of energy and a sense of humour. The holidays can be tiring and hard work but they are also great fun and very rewarding. The team ethic is strong, and volunteers benefit greatly from the supportive and friendly environment.
In addition to the support we have received from the Lottery Community Fund, the Trust relies on businesses, the public and volunteer-led fundraising events to fund the holidays. We need your help to fund projects at all levels. The Trust has no paid staff and all money goes directly into providing the holidays. If you would like to donate, know more or become involved with the Trust in any way please contact
John Mullaney on 0118 961 4253 or
Page last updated: 7th February 2008