Volunteers

Throughout the church year, particularly during Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter, and Pentecost, liturgical art is displayed in our churches. A team of committed volunteers assists the priests in ensuring that the church setting represents the specific liturgical season. The purpose of liturgical art is to immerse individuals in the mystery of the season being celebrated. Flowers and plants also contribute to the decoration of the sanctuary, especially during Easter and Christmas.

Another volunteer makes sure that is always enough bread and wine in our churches for the celebration of the Sacred Eucharist. Approximately over, 90456 hosts are used in Masses in the year 2024. All hosts are made by the Redemptoristine Nuns in Drumcondra, Co. Dublin

Did you know that a parishioner looks after the four shrines in Ashbourne church? This is perhaps one of the lesser-known ministries in our parish. On average 105,768 candles are lit in Ashbourne each year. Candles are ordered as needed, deliveries received, and the shrines cleaned and replenished.

Altar cloths, purificators, corporals, and baptism towels must all be laundered after use. Volunteers in Donaghmore and Ashbourne carry out this task quietly and diligently. They ensure that the albs and vestments worn in the church are regularly cleaned.

For many years there is a cup of tea and a chat after the 11am Sunday Mass. This happens in the Parish Pastoral Centre every Sunday from the beginning of September to the end of June. A small team of volunteers set up the tables, put on the kettles. get goodies ready and make us all welcome. This is a great occasion as our priests and people come together, exchange words and get to know one another as we build a sense of community.   

Ashbourne Parish follows and implements the Catholic Church’s safeguarding policy for all adults working with children or vulnerable adults in Ireland. Our Parish child safeguarding committee is made up of our parish priest and trained Parish safeguarding representatives. The committee meets regularly to look at creating and sustaining good environments for children involved in parish activities. They ensure that all parish personnel coming into direct contact with children are garda vetted and that safeguarding matters are to the fore in parish activities. The committee is responsible for ensuring that the parish safeguarding policy is published and information on the Designated Liaison Person is displayed on parish noticeboards. Twice a year the committee organises ‘Safeguarding Sundays’ with the aim of creating awareness around safety for children involved in church activities. Each November the committee completes an audit on Child Safeguarding that is submitted to the diocesan Safeguarding Officer.

The Parish Finance Committee supports, helps and guides the parish priest with fundraising and decision making around parish finances and property. The committee is made up of the priests of the parish and lay volunteers with competence in this field. The committee serves a fixed term of four years and meets four to five times a year. It follows the diocesan guidelines on good financial and property practices. One of the important roles is to ensure that all income and expenditure is recorded and accounted for in a clear and precise manner. The Parish Finance Committee ensures that the parish has good accountancy practices and shows financial prudence and competency in its decision making. The Committee publishes the Parish Income and Expenditure each year when the accounts return from the accountant and keeps parishioners informed on the financial affairs and capital works of the Parish.

Ashbourne Parish Pastoral Assembly was formed in November 2023 and follows Meath Diocesan Norms for the functioning of Parish Assemblies. It seeks to be a faith-filled, consultative body of parishioners, through which priests and people work together as co-responsible partners in furthering the mission of Christ in the parish. From a comprehensive survey on pastoral matters four issues were identified for the Parish Pastoral Assembly’s four-year term. In the autumn of 2023 eighteen parishioners put themselves forward to be part of the Parish Pastoral Assembly. These volunteers received training from Fr. Derek Darby, Diocesan Vicar for Pastoral Development. During this term the Parish Pastoral Assembly are working on:

1. Adult faith development with emphasis on helping Parents/Guardians with children for the sacraments growing in faith.
2. Involving young children/youth more in Sunday Masses and forming a youth prayer group.
3. Improving our Parish website/social media outreach to strengthen our communication of God’s word.
4. Enhancing the celebration of the Eucharist in our churches especially on a Sunday. 

Volunteers welcome people to the Parish Pastoral Centre during office hours, help with the booking of Masses and answer any queries callers have with regard our parish. Our office volunteers work as part of a vibrant team assisting our parish secretary and priests with their work. 

Sacristans make sure that our churches are set up for each Mass or liturgy. All the sacristans in our parish are voluntary and nominate to take on the role at a set Mass on a particular day. Our sacristans work closely with the priests of the parish in making sure that all the liturgical requisites are in place for Mass and that church equipment works correctly. Our sacristans who minister at Masses where children serve are Garda Vetted and work with the priests in making sure that we have a positive, safe and nurturing environment for children.

Volunteers help our priests open and close Ashbourne church and grounds each day. To secure and protect our property at night we lock the church building and gates in Ashbourne at 8pm each evening. Donaghmore Church is opened by parishioners for Sunday Masses and liturgies as they occur. 

In June 2024 our parish priest formed a committee to help him with decision making and the ongoing enhancement of Ashbourne Church Cemetery. The committee will help our parish mark the 60th anniversary of the establishment of this burial ground in September 1965.

We are grateful for all of our volunteers 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.