Parish Organisations
Christ Church is a very active parish and there are many groups and organisations which meet regularly at the Church or the Parish Hall. For more details, contact the representative of the group concerned at The Priory.
Ascent Movement The Ascent is a Christian movement for older people who have retired from active working life and are looking for friendship with a spiritual dimension within their parish. The Ascent in a nutshell could be called a spiritual friendship group. Our parish group meets on the 2nd and 4th Monday of each month at the Priory at 1.45pm.
Contact: Eileen Tatt Website: www.ascentmovement.org.uk
CC4K Our Parish Youth Groups for Yrs 6,7 and 8. They meet on alternate Wednesdays in the Upper Room at 7pm.
Contact: Tricia Murphy
Christchurch Women's Association The aim of the Association is the promotion of both spiritual and social companionship among its members. We meet in the parish hall on each second Thursday of the month.
Contact: Jacquie Day
Church Cleaning With more than 1000 people passing in and out of church on Sunday and another 100 or more each weekday, regular cleaning is a major operation. More willing hands are needed to join.
Contact: Parish Secretary
Finance Committee The finance committee is an advisory body, established in Canon Law, to help the priests in the administration of the goods of the parish.
Contact: Tony Crowe
Greenwich Handicapped Fellowship This is a voluntary organisation based in Blackheath. A monthly Mass is arranged at a different church in the Deanery to which all are welcome. Help is always needed.
Contact: Jim Cuthbert
Fundraising Committee A group of people who plan fundraising events, including the Summer Fair, Christmas Bazaar, Quiz evenings and Harvest fair. All monies raised go towards the Church/Hall renovation project which includes plans for a new Church entrance with improved access for all and toilet facilities.
Contact: Fr John
Hall Committee Our parish hall, Christ Church Centre, is a valuable parish resource. The Committee is charged with the management of the hall on a self-supporting basis, at no cost to the parish. It is responsible for the day-to-day running of the hall and for repairs and renewals. Income is derived from the letting of the hall both to parish and outside organisations, with charges to parish organisations being kept to the lowest possible level.
Contact: Parish Secretary
Legion of Mary Our objective is the spiritual formation of members through prayer and action under ecclesiastical guidance. A parish group was formed in 1996.
Contact: Muriel St Hill
Life – Eltham Life is a nationwide care service for pregnant women, unsupported mothers and women with problems relating to pregnancy, fertility or infertility.
Contact: Vivienne Simmons
Literature Group The group meet on a Thursday at 10am in the Priory, where they read and discuss poetry and literature.
Contact: Pamela Ray
Mercy Associates We meet for prayer at the convent on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of each month.
Contact: Dorothy Mahony
Parent & Toddler Group Meet every Wednesday during term time in the Parish Hall 9.30-11.30am.
Contact: Jerry Stockman
Refreshments after 9.30am & 11.30am Sunday Masses Refreshments are served after these Masses in the Parish Hall and this is a good opportunity to meet and welcome our friends we see each week at Mass. If you would like to help with refreshments, please contact the parish office. Repository Our parish repository is open after the Sunday morning Masses to sell a number of religious items. Contact: Margaret Money, Jeanette Simmonds and Geraldine Smith
Our Catholic Schools
- St. Mary's Junior and Infant School
Glenure Road, Eltham SE9 1UF Headteacher: Miss M Jackson - St. Thomas More Secondary School
Footscray Road, Eltham SE9 2SU Headteacher: Mr M Ryan
SE9 Hungarian Language School Our Parish Hungarian school offers a great opportunity for children as well as adults to learn Hungarian. The aim of our school is:
- To provide a relaxed and fun environment for learning a new language.
- To introduce learners to Hungarian customs and culture in addition to learning the language.
- To develop a focus for the local Hungarian community.
- To give an opportunity for those who have already mastered some Hungarian to practice and develop their language skills further.
Classes are held in the Parish Hall every Saturday 2.00pm to 3.30pm
Contact: Brigitta Rhule or Szilvia Budai
Tel: 0778433 5057
Email: se9hungarianschool@hotmail.co.uk
Website: www.elthamhungarianlanguageschool.co.uk
Society of St. Vincent de Paul Our parish group meets each week at the Priory. We concentrate on visiting the housebound and the hospitalised in the area and we assist the poor in the parish. Contact: Pat Timms
Liturgical and Catechetical Groups
Altar Servers
Contact: Fr John Fricker, CRL or Peter Eastwood
Altar Society Worthy celebrations of the Church's prayer and sacraments are enhanced when the altar and its furnishings are looked after and kept clean. We have a dedicated "altar society" team who maintain everything in good order. More members are welcomed.
Contact: Parish office
Catechists - Children's Liturgy This liturgy takes place every Sunday at the 9.30am Mass. In the children's liturgy, the catechists aim to involve the children in the Mass at a level that suits them and to introduce them to God's love for us. In the Upper Room (younger age group) and in the Priory (up to 1st Communion age) the catechists are concerned with the first part of the Mass, the Liturgy of the Word. This is adapted to the children's needs before they rejoin their parents for the offertory procession.
Contact: Fr John Fricker, CRL
Catechists – Communion Preparation begins in November with First Confession being celebrated in the following March and First Communion in May. Children should have reached the age of eight by the time they make their First Communion (Year 3).
Contact: Fr John Fricker, CRL
Catechists – Confirmation Candidates should be in Year 8 at the beginning of the programme which is in November each year and the Sacrament is normally celebrated the following June or July. Parish-based sessions are held on a Wednesday evening from 7pm to 8pm.
Contact: Tricia Murphy
Catechists - Journey in Faith This is for people who don't belong to any Christian church, but want to know more about our life and belief - perhaps with a view to eventually joining the Catholic Church and also for those who already belong to the Christian Church but are thinking about becoming Catholics. The group meets every Tuesday evening.
Contact: Fr John Fricker, CRL
Choirs There are various choirs in the parish for children and adults.
Children’s Choir meet after the 9.30am Mass on Sunday in the new Parish Meeting room.
Contact: Helen Chittenden
Chamber Choir meet on Tuesday at 6.15pm in the Priory.
Contact: Jenny Clifford
Adult Choir meet on Tuesday at 7.45pm.
Contact: Helen Chittenden and Tricia Murphy Please contact the parish office for more information.
Emmaus Group We pray regularly for the sick, the bereaved, our deceased relatives, friends and parishioners. We have a prayer service for the sick each Tuesday morning, after the 9.00am Mass, followed by coffee and chat in the hall.
Contact: Shirley Williams
Flower Arrangers A voluntary commitment of parishioners in order that the church may always be honoured by a fresh supply of flowers, beautifully arranged for most occasions. It is a delightful chore!
Contact: Joan McQuillan
Ministry of Welcome A developing ministry where we aim to make all welcome and feel at home in the church, so we can truly become a welcoming and prayerful community. Ushers help in the smooth and dignified celebration of the liturgy, especially in regard to the offertory and the "crowd" flow for the reception of the Eucharist.
Contact: TBA
Mother’s Prayers Meet every Friday 9am Mass. You are most welcome to come along and join in with our prayers.
Contact: Joanne Murphy
Special Ministers of the Eucharist Because of the numbers attending Mass in our parish, we have a team of Special Ministers who assist the priests in distributing Holy Communion. They also meet together for prayer and reflection on the nature of the Blessed Sacrament. Some ministers take Communion to the sick at home or to those in hospital.
Contact: Richard Jackson
Special Ministers of the Word (Readers) Readers are those who proclaim the Liturgy of the Word at Mass and other services. At Mass they read the first two readings and the bidding prayers.
Contact: Brenda Hayman