On Saturday 13 December, our parish gardens and halls were filled with laughter, energy and gratitude as we gathered to celebrate our Christmas party for young parishioners.
The afternoon was a heartfelt thank-you to the children and young people who generously give their time throughout the year – serving at the altar, singing in the choir, playing music, reading at Mass, helping with children’s liturgy, assisting with collections and bringing up the offertory.
In total, 45 youngsters joined us, and we were blessed with beautiful weather, which allowed us to make the most of the parish gardens – footballs and basketballs were quickly put to use with Mac, our young seminarian.
The gathering began with a warm welcome from Fr. Saju, who thanked the children sincerely for their commitment and support of parish life. His words set the tone for an afternoon centred on appreciation, joy and togetherness.
Indoors, the fun continued thanks to Debbie Read, our teacher from St Joseph’s Primary School, who organised a wonderful selection of games. The children threw themselves into every activity, filling the hall with smiles and excitement.
Later in the afternoon, Deacon Aidan led a focused 30-minute session with our active altar servers, helping them prepare for the upcoming Christmas Masses. The session was both practical and encouraging, and each altar server was presented with a rosary, kindly gifted by Fr. Saju, as a meaningful reminder of their service.
It was a joyful and grace-filled celebration, and a beautiful way to recognise the young people who play such an important role in the life of our parish. We are deeply thankful for them all and look forward to the year ahead.
