Ministries

Visit the Universalis Website for Readings at Masses and the Liturgical Calander:

Individuals known as Readers play a vital role in delivering the word of God during liturgies in both of our churches. It is important for Readers to be well-acquainted with the biblical texts they will read and to be mindful of their responsibility to deliver these readings effectively to the congregation. The readings for all Masses are sourced from the Jerusalem Bible and can be accessed online through the diocesan website.

The Sunday readings are available in a Sunday Missal or can be collected from the Parish Office the week prior. The schedule for Readers is created three months in advance. This schedule is posted on the Parish Noticeboards, and those involved in this ministry can find a copy in the rota drawer in the Lady Chapel of Ashbourne Church.

Annually, around the Feast of St. Jerome at the end of September, a meeting for Readers is held within the parish. During this meeting, attendees can renew their commitment to the ministry and reflect on the responsibilities of a Reader. Each year, Practical Guidelines for Readers are revised following the Readers’ meeting and can be emailed or printed from the Parish Office.

New Readers are always welcomed and are actively sought through the parish newsletter each September. After completing training and an introduction to the ministry, new Readers can begin their service.

Eucharistic Ministers support the parish priests during Mass by distributing Holy Communion. Their role includes bringing Jesus, present in the Blessed Sacrament, to individuals who come forward for the Eucharist. The schedule for Eucharistic Ministers is organised three months ahead and posted on the Parish Noticeboard. A copy of the schedule for Eucharistic Ministers can also be collected from the Rota drawer in the Lady Chapel of Ashbourne Church.

Once a year, a meeting for Eucharistic Ministers is held in the parish, providing a chance for spiritual renewal and reflection on their ongoing responsibilities within the parish community. Annually, the guidelines for Eucharistic Ministers are revised after the meeting and can be requested via email or obtained in print from the Parish Office. New Eucharistic Ministers are welcomed and commissioned each September during the Feast of Corpus Christi. Additionally, Eucharistic Ministers help the parish by delivering Holy Communion to the sick, with guidelines for using a pyx properly to transport the Blessed Sacrament to them, detailed in our instructions.

This ministry offers young individuals a chance to serve both God and their Parish. It enables them to take an active part in the Mass, and through their example, they help others participate in prayer and appreciate the significance of the celebration. Any child or young person who has received Holy Communion, attends Mass regularly, and has their parents’ support for their wish to be an Altar Server is eligible to serve.

Registration occurs every August, coinciding with children’s preparations to return to school. A parent receives the ‘Mass Server Registration Form’ from a priest following Mass, and after the child and parent fill it out, it is submitted to the Parish Office.

In September each year, the Parish arranges training for the servers. A meeting with parents is held prior to assigning the servers into groups. Typically, servers work in groups with one, two, or three other children, always with family members serving together. More experienced Altar Servers take on the role of prefects within their assigned groups.

An Altar Server may serve during any of the three Masses in our Parish: the 7pm Saturday Vigil, the 11am Mass, or the 12.30pm Mass. The rota for Altar Servers is prepared every three months and is accessible in the Lady Chapel or can be requested from the Parish Office via email or print.

At the training in September, Altar Servers receive a child-friendly A4 sheet that outlines the code of conduct, and the responsibilities involved in this ministry, which is updated as needed. On the first Sunday of October each year, the Altar Servers are welcomed and blessed as they start their ministry.

Upon completing their ministry, each server is presented with a small gift and a certificate of appreciation from the Parish. Ashbourne Parish follows the Child Safeguarding Policy of the Catholic Church in Ireland. Please inform us if there are any concerns regarding child safeguarding or any suggestions for enhancing the liturgical experience for children and young people.

Liturgical music ministry is a key component of our community’s celebration at 11am Sunday Mass in Ashbourne and for all the feasts, seasons, and high points of our parish’s liturgical life. Ephrem and Giovanna have been music ministers in our parish since the year 2000 as cantor, organist, and choral directors. The origins of a choir in Ashbourne can be traced back to 1979, when a group led by Liam Hanley sang in the Phoenix Park for the visit of Pope John Paul II to Ireland. Giovanna and Ephrem took over the directorship of the choir from 2003 to 2021.

Today, singing in our liturgy is led by cantors and choral singers from our community. The music encompasses the best of classical, traditional, Irish and contemporary repertoire. If you would like to offer your vocal or instrumental skills, please contact us. Good music enriches our liturgy beyond words and as St Augustine said: those who sing well, pray twice.

Stewards greet parishioners during the main Masses and liturgies in our Parish. They assist the priest and attendees during the service by distributing hymnals, directing the movement of congregants, and collecting offerings at the appropriate time. Their purpose is to foster an atmosphere of inclusivity by embodying a warm, friendly demeanour that reflects God’s love. Annually, the priests of the Parish gather with the stewards in Ashbourne and Donaghmore to check on their progress, express gratitude on behalf of the parishioners, and assist them in making decisions about their ministry.

We are grateful for all of our Stewards and Ministers and invite anyone who wish to help us enhance our wonderful Parish community. Whether you have a little time to spare or want to dive into a specific task, there are so many ways you can get involved. If any of the opportunities mentioned catch your eye, we’d love to hear from you! Your help would be a much-appreciated addition to Ashbourne Parish, and we always have spots available for those willing to lend a helping hand.