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There are many groups and activities taking part within Sacred Heart Parish. New members and volunteers are welcome. Call 01788-813263 if you would like to be involved. Here are the latest reports of what the groups have been doing.
Social Committee
The committee organises four or five events each year, giving everyone the chance to get together and make new friends. There was an excellent turnout for the barbecue last August which marked the 50th anniversary of the parish. Wonderful weather helped make it an enjoyable afternoon. In November, we staged our third parish concert and the hall was packed for an evening of music and comedy. Unfortunately, the music quiz planned for this February had to be cancelled due to lack of support. Other events for 2010 are a parish barbecue in August, concert in November, and parish dance in December. New members of the committee would be most welcome. June 2010
Homeless Project
Earlier this year saw the opening of the new Hope4 Centre. It is currently open Tues and Thurs 11 to 2pm, Sunday 1 to 4 pm. Around 12 people have now been referred to the centre via either the soup kitchen or an agency such as CAB. The Centre is now looking to open up on a Saturday, continuing its guidance to clients on housing matters plus hot food, showers & laundry services. It is hoped that a further part-time paid support worker can be found to assist the present support worker. One of our clients has joined a kitchen team rota to offer help and we have also set up a clothes scheme with the charity Emmaus. Clients who need clothing can get a voucher from the Hope4 Centre and (with the support worker) can choose from the clothes Emmaus has in its scheme. The soup kitchen on a Mon, Wed & Fri evening continues as usual at St Andrew's. The recent addition of a new cooker & hob unit is making life easier so our thanks to St Andrew's for providing this. June 2010
Liturgy Group and Music Group
 Liturgy is central to our life as a worshipping community and careful thought is given to its preparation. Our Liturgy Group meets regularly to reflect on our liturgy and plan for the future. We decided to make some changes to the Christmas Eve liturgy - with new readings and music - and these were very well received. We have continued to introduce new settings and songs on a regular basis, drawing on some of the very best Catholic composers. During the year, three of us went to a workshop evening with well-known composer Marty Haugen and discovered some exciting new music to share. Some of our most memorable services during the year have been those to mark the 50th birthday of the parish, Creation Sunday, and the Easter services. The music group continues to flourish and draw new members, though I would like to find more singers to balance our excellent musicians. If you are interested, please let me know. June 2010
Hospitality Group
This group was set up in 1989, as one of the outcomes of a parish mission held in that year. In order to make the parish more welcoming and friendly it was decided to arrange for hymn books and newsletters to be handed out personally, so that everyone was greeted on arrival and newcomers and visitors made especially welcome. Those who "welcome" also take the retiring collections when there is no official collector. The other task of this group is to provide refreshments in the hall after each mass. This opportunity to meet other members of the community has become very popular.
Parish Catechetics
Over the years our provision of Parish Catechetics has done much to build up a sense of community here at the Sacred Heart. Through participation in the various programmes and groups friendships have been made and a true sense of belonging encouraged. Hopefully this then enables us to reach out and share what we have with others. We need to ensure that this will continue and for that we need to build up our catechetical skills and encourage people to get involved as catechists.
Sacramental Programmes
Preparation for the sacraments of Reconciliation, Eucharist and Confirmation are very much home and parish based. Many of our children do not attend Catholic Schools. Parents are encouraged to take an active part in the preparation and are involved in sessions aimed at their level building up confidence and a sense of community. The last session of each programme is always about going out to share the Good News. Preparation for Confirmation follows a pattern of weekly meetings for the candidates and includes a workshop day towards the end of the programme. There is an emphasis on prayer, community and mission, carefully linking these with everyday experiences. It is interesting that some parents are now choosing to defer the sacrament until their children are at secondary school.
First Communion and Reconciliation - Six children followed the programme this year. The Parents' Sessions were well attended. We were fortunate to have one of the participants baptised during the First Communion Mass. Altogether a great celebration with many positive comments from family and parishioners. Liz Fry and Clare Watkin have worked very successfully alongside Diane this year and will now take over. We wish them well for the future in this important building block of our parish community.
Confirmation - Bishop William Kenney celebrated this sacrament with us on Sunday 13 June. Seven young parishioners together with one adult were confirmed. Our preparation this year was very successful. All the candidates were enthusiastic and the attendance at the sessions was excellent. We wish them all well for the future. June 2010
Children's Liturgy and Satellites
 Our facilities for young parishioners during Mass continue to thrive. We have a team of 15 volunteers working with children from 2 years upwards in three groups. Our post First Communion Group, Satellites, is now catering for a very wide age range as people do not seem to want to leave until well into their teens. It is proposed to begin a monthly group for those who are 13 plus. The idea has come from our young people and it will be organized by Greg Floyd. This bodes well for the future. June 2010
The Mother and Toddler GroupThis group meets on Tuesday mornings in Sacred Heart Church Hall from 10am to 11.30am during term times. There are toys for all ages, puzzles and books, role play activities, a baby area, and a weekly art and craft activity. There is an outdoor patio and a large grassy area for outdoor games in warmer weather. And of course, drinks and biscuits! The cost is 50p per child per session. Contact Anne on 810846 or 01788-819131 if you would like to join.
Breaking The Word
This group used to meet on alternate Mondays in term time for an hour to read and reflect on the Gospel reading for the coming Sunday. It is an opportunity to look at Christ's message and attempt to discern what it means for us in our everyday lives. The meeting is informal, inviting and thought provoking. It encourages us to be more familiar with the Word of God. This group is currently not meeting.
Prayer Group
The prayer group meets on the second Wednesday of each month following the weekday Mass. Prayers of intercession are shared and printed copies of prayer sessions are distributed to parishioners following Mass. Copies are also distributed to housebound and sick parishioners prior to Mass to help personal prayer and involve the parish more widely in the daily liturgy. This is our 7th year as El Shaddai Prayer for Inner Healing. Contact is maintained with Catholic Home-Mission which offers help and advice for parish outreach initiatives. The group makes use of the following - format for prayer time; El Shaddai thought for the week; Visual Arts resource; Plan of action Starting Afresh from Christ (taken from Novo Millennio Ineunte); Bible Alive reflection material; Letter of encouragement from Archbishop Peter Smith. June 2010
Union of Catholic Mothers
One of the thriving groups in the parish is the Union of Catholic Mothers (UCM) who hold their meetings on the last Wednesday of every month in the parish hall. After a very successful 2009 we move into 2010 with an air of anticipation. We now have 32 paid up members. During last year we raised approximately 1500 pounds which we divided between our chosen charities: Ed-Aid and David Lewis Foundation, Epilepsy. This year it was decided to focus our charity fundraising nearer home, namely the refurbishment of the hall toilets, the Flush Fund. We held our annual Bingo evening, at which we raised over 400 pounds and had a whole lot of fun. We are looking forward to our annual pilgrimage to Walsingham in July. It was decided to organise a Parish Fete to be held in September and we are hoping for as much input from the Parish as possible. June 2010
Adult Education
Aimed at providing a fresh understanding in a few key areas a short series of talks and discussions entitled Living Faith have been held each Autumn. Subjects have included What's the point of going to church? with Vicky Cosstick, How do you stay in love? with Kevin Caffrey, Why bother with the Bible? with Tom Deidun (IC) and Are we expected to love all our neighbours? with David McLoughlin. Sessions are held in Sacred Heart Hall and began with a meal together followed by a talk, group discussion and questions. The talks are open to all the Rugby parishes. Talks will be happening again in October of 2010. Other talks take place in Advent and Lent focussing on the scriptures.
The Holiday Club
 This is one of the main fundraising activities in the parish. Parishioners pay 1 pound per week and there are weekly cash prizes. There is also a twice-yearly draw with a 1,000 pounds first prize. Another good year maintaining a membership of 221. We are always on the lookout for new members as we do loose one or two along the way. Ted White has decided to stand down after nearly 25 years and Jim Devlin will take over where Ted has left off. The parish owes Ted a debt of gratitude for the considerable work he has undertaken during this time.To join the Holiday Club, see Teresa after any Sunday mass.
Association for the Propagation of the Faith (APF)
During 2003 there were approximately 60 active red box holders in the parish. In addition there are a small number of parishioners who contribute directly on an annual basis. The parish has made the following contributions:
2001 1,383 - 59
2002 1,385 - 94
2003 1,180 - 68
Bilton Churches Together (BCT)
This local council of churches brings together representatives from St Mark's (C of E), Bilton Methodists, Bilton Evangelical Church and Sacred Heart to explore how we can work together more effectively. Over the past year BCT has met four times and handed over the following to groups to organise: Carols around Residential Homes before Christmas; The Unity Service (at BEC this time and rather different); Three Quiet Hours (two in Cock Robin Wood and one at Sacred Heart); Co-operation with Warwickshire Wildlife in managing Cock Robin Wood; The reading of a whole Gospel on four Saturdays in Lent; (Matthew at Methodists, Mark at St Mark's, Luke at Sacred Heart and John at BEC); Two meeting with our MP to deal with a range of issues raised by members and a further meeting on Climate Change at the time of the Wave March at Westminster. The Barn Dance had to be cancelled for lack of a caller. June 2010
The Monday Club
 This is a friendly group open to all denominations, who meet each other on Monday afternoons to socialise. We meet in the hall 2pm to 4pm on Mondays. At present we have 16 members, 7 of whom are Catholics. New members are always welcome. Our activities consist of Bingo, a raffle and a Quiz followed by refreshments. From the profits we treat ourselves to a summer lunch and a Christmas dinner. This year we lost one of our founder members, Pat McGreevy, who left Rugby to be near her daughter. Also Mr and Mrs Canale-Parola have stepped down from running the club, Maria after 18 years service and Alfred after 12 years. June 2010
The Caring GroupThis group has been in existence for about thirty years. Its role has changed over the years and now due to small numbers not all the original activities take place. However, we still visit the sick, whether in home or hospital and keep in touch with the housebound. Help with shopping and transport is also undertaken. Each year, in December, we hold the annual party for our senior citizens, an opportunity for friends to meet and exchange news. Each guest receives a small Christmas gift on behalf of the parish.
Justice and Peace
A group was formed in 1985, following a series of CAFOD talks and discussions on Third World issues. The group has endeavoured to make the parishioners aware of the work of CAFOD in fundraising and campaigning.The group has met five times between June 2009 and 2010, having brought together Justice& Peace, CAFOD, Environment and Homelessness concerns. The main activities has been around support for CAFOD and its campaign for Climate Justice and promoting care of the environment in the parish. Apart from its commitment to CAFOD the group has decided to focus more on Homelessness (including use of the parish shelter, the Deepmore Road project and support for refugees). We have invited St Marie's and English Martyrs to our next meeting in an attempt to have a combined group for Rugby. June 2010
Sacristan & allied ministries
For the last 20 years or so Richard Clarke has been a most reliable sacristan ensuring that everything is carefully prepared and in place for the liturgy. Recently, he was awarded the Bene Merenti. Celebrations are enhanced by having a faithful team of young servers, both boys and girls and a rota of willing church cleaners and flower arrangers. Sacred Heart is also fortunate in having the services of a most efficient team (formed when we were without a priest) looking after building maintenance.
Open Door
 For many years the parish has run a programme for those wishing to learn more about Catholicism and for those who perhaps have been taking a holiday from the practice of their faith and now, wishing to return, would value an update. The Group meets for one hour and covers many subjects from The Sacraments of Initiation to the Church's Social Teaching. The practical living out of our faith is what we are about. The invitation is to come and see and the group is open to all. The need is for the whole community to be involved in pointing out the open door.
Rugby Interfaith Network
This is a network of some 50 members from the main faith communities in Rugby - Baha'i, Christian, Jewish, Hindu, Muslim and Sikh. Up to 20 people meet about once a month to share their faith on such topics as festivals, prayer, scriptures, stories and holy men (or women). The network is open to anyone who shares the aim of growing in understanding and respect for the faith of all God's children. In the autumn of each year with our Mayor and MP and the leaders of the faith communities in Rugby and 80 to 100 people we take part in a Peace Walk visiting a Church, the Hindu Temple, the Sikh Gudwara and the Mosque. We set out from the Peace Tree we planted beside the Library for the millennium, beside which is a plaque bearing the millennium resolution. The Centre for Jewish-Christian RelationsInformation on dialogue between Christianity and Judaism.
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