Church of St Lawrence, Feltham

Parish life

Each weekend, volunteers greet people, distribute books and newsletters, show people to seats, assist with collections and the Offertory Procession, and tidy away books and leaflets after Mass. Altar Servers assist at weekend Masses, and young parishioners who have made their First Holy Communion are invited to join the team, with training and refresher sessions provided. Parish Readers present the Word of God at Sunday and weekday Masses and lead the congregation in the weekend Bidding Prayers, with training and an annual Day of Renewal.

Ministers of Communion assist with distributing Holy Communion at Masses, and some also take Holy Communion to the sick and housebound, with training and an annual Day of Recollection. Children receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation in Lent and first receive the Eucharist in May, followed by a Thanksgiving party.

The Parish Pastoral Council represents the significant diversity of the parish. Young people in Year 9 or above who regularly attend St Lawrence's can enrol on the Confirmation programme, with enrolment in autumn and the Sacrament celebrated after Easter.

Sacraments and pastoral care

The parish priests will always try to visit in an emergency to administer the Sacrament of the Sick. Parents presenting babies for baptism at St Lawrence's are required to attend a Baptism preparation course. Couples planning to marry should make an appointment at least six months before the proposed wedding date, and will attend a Marriage Preparation course led by married parishioners.