Donnybrook Parish Family Mass

    Donnybrook Parish Family Mass

    Donnybrook Parish has a special Mass each Sunday for children and families. We want to make it as welcoming and accessible as possible for all children and parents.

    Latest news 

    We are looking for new parents to join the Family Mass Team for the school year 2025-2026.
    A very minor (and flexible) time commitment is involved. For more information see the section below on “how to volunteer”. If you have questions, please contact the Team through the Parish Secretary or at the 10.30am Family Mass.

    To stay informed about the Mass over the year, please contact a member of the Family Mass Team at one of the Masses and you can be added to our Whatsapp group. (If your child is a member of the Children’s Choir you will also receive updates via the choir Whatsapp group and do not need to join this other group)

    About the Family Mass and Children’s Choir

    It is at 10.30am every Sunday morning during the school term.

    Special features of the 10.30am Family Mass:

    • Children’s choir with child-friendly selection of hymns (The choir is only being re-started now in May 2022 after the long interruption of Covid. One of the best ways to help a child engage is for them to be actively singing as part of the choir. Children can join at any time by speaking to the choir director Tabitha at any Family Mass or by contacting any member of the Family Mass team – see contact details below)
    • Children do the readings and lead the Creed and Prayer of the Faithful
    • Language of readings tailored for children
    • Homily is specially prepared to be understandable for younger children (to be re-introduced when Children’s Choir is fully back in operation)
    • Children altar servers and children bringing up the offertory gifts
    • Colouring sheets and pencils for younger children and good selection of books and children’s bibles (in the side altar beside the Children’s Choir)
    • Child-centred elements during the year, such as blessing of school bags at start of the school year, SVDP toy collection at Christmas, May procession.
    • Run by families for families – to help our children develop a meaningful relationship with God and to live a life of helping others (see details of the Family Mass team below).
    • A special monthly Do This in Memory Mass connects Parish with on-going First Communion Preparation in local schools
    • Mass normally concludes no later than 11.15am (A Do This in Memory Mass can sometimes take longer.)
    • Sacrament of Confession available on request after Mass
    • Opportunity for families and children to meet each other (there will be refreshments after Family Mass in new Parish Centre when it opens later this year)
    • Any new ideas / suggestions / initiatives / volunteers always welcome.

    How to join the Children’s Choir

    Children are welcome to join as new members of the choir at any point in the year.

    In addition to singing at the Sunday Family Mass, there are rehearsals approximately once a month and a Christmas carol service. We also try to organise a social outing to a show or concert once during the year.

    A parental consent form must be completed for each child who wishes to join the choir. It can be downloaded here and can be returned to a member of the Family Mass Team at the Sunday Mass. 

    How to volunteer with the Family Mass Team 

    The Family Mass is organised by ordinary parents volunteering and working together to promote a welcoming and happy environment that will help all children in the Parish to develop a meaningful and life-enhancing relationship with God and grow in a spirit of service to their neighbour.

    The ordinary term for a volunteer member of the Family Mass Team is 2 years – but people are welcome to volunteer for shorter or longer periods. You can get in touch with the Team through the Parish Secretary or at the 10.30am Family Mass.

    The Diocesan child safe-guarding requirements are followed with all volunteers.

    Some activities for which new volunteers would be particularly welcome are:

    • being present during the monthly choir rehearsals in the Parish Pastoral Centre
    • assisting with the refreshments in the Parish Pastoral Centre after Mass
    • assisting with any occasional events (e.g. carol service or annual outing)