Our Lady Immaculate and St Andrew, Hitchin

Music and liturgy

An additional programme for children not attending Catholic schools journeys through the liturgical year, exploring its high points and seasons. The Rite of Acceptance is celebrated during Advent, and the Rite of Election and Scrutinies occur during the Sundays of Lent, culminating in the Easter Vigil.

Parish life

The parish has built up various groups and societies to help create and foster community life. The bereavement team are trained visitors who listen and offer support to bereaved persons or family members, visiting after the funeral if asked.

A church cleaning team cleans the church and porch areas once a month. A Pastoral Parish Council supports the parish, with members attending six meetings per year and taking responsibility for an area of interest. Catechists assist the Sacramental Co-ordinator with First Communion, Baptism and Confirmation preparation of candidates. A children's library area is maintained, with old books removed and new ones arranged.

A small team counts collection monies once a month, including collection boxes and Mass stipends. The parish runs a Children's Liturgy group. The parish runs a Community Kitchen. The parish runs a Tuesday Coffee Morning.

The parish runs Our Lady's One World Group. The parish runs Hitchin Pantry.

The parish offers a two-hour Baptism preparation course for parents and expectant parents, held four times a year. Marriage Preparation is a one-day course offered twice a year in May and October. The RCIA programme is for adults who wish to be baptised, confirmed, or received into the Catholic Church, with classes held weekly during term-time.

Sacraments and pastoral care

If neither parent has been baptised Catholic, the parish invites them to join the RCIA programme's Enquiry Stage before their child's baptism. Preparation for Reconciliation and First Holy Communion runs annually from October to June, with applications opening each September.

The Preparation Course for Reconciliation and First Holy Communion is open to children in Year 3 and above. Confirmation preparation is also open to students in Year 9 and above. Confirmation candidates attend a retreat day, which may be a day retreat or overnight retreat. For people over 18 who would like to be Confirmed, the RCIA course is the most appropriate support.

New Catholics are supported in their first few years through a series of Diocesan events run by the Agency of Evangelisation. Eucharistic ministers take communion to those in residential care or housebound. Volunteers help parishioners without transport get to vital places such as hospital and doctor appointments. Parishioners visit housebound parishioners so they do not feel lonely and have contact with someone from the parish.