Altar Servers or members of the Knights of St Stephen are those who volunteer to assist the Priest/or Deacon during the Holy Mass. They are baptised, and have made their First Holy Communion/Confirmation. Altar Servers centre their lives on prayers and living exemplary life in the community. They also seek out those who are in greatest need of prayerful support, and pray for the help and succour that could bring them the support greatly needed.

“The Eucharist is the vital centre of all that the Church is and does. At its heart is the real presence of the crucified, risen and glorified Lord, who continues his saving work among us.” The Second Vatican Council reminds us, ‘The most holy Eucharist holds within itself the whole spiritual treasure of the Church, namely Christ Himself, our Passover and our living bread’” (One Bread One Body n.3). The members of this group are Baptised and Confirmed parishioners who volunteered to assist the Priest during the Holy Mass with the distribution of Holy Communion. They are commissioned to not only assist the Priest during the Holy Mass, but also to take Holy Communion to the sick and housebound who are unable to travel to church for Holy Mass.

Through the gift of ministry, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion serve Christ’s Church through bringing the gift of Jesus Christ Himself to their brothers and sisters. In this they join Christ in a life poured out in loving service of His kingdom. They are called “Extraordinary Ministers” to distinguish them from the Ordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (bishops, priests and deacons).

• Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion at Mass – They serve Christ who is present in the assembly by ministering His Body and Blood to their brothers and sisters. 

• Ministry to the Sick and Housebound – Extraordinary ministers also serve the unity of the worshipping community by taking Communion to those who are prevented by sickness, old age, or other causes from taking part in the gathering for Mass. Ministers who go into homes require a DBS check.

An Extraordinary Eucharistic Minister is ultimately a minister of the “immense charity”, the “immeasurable love” of Christ, who instituted the Eucharist and wants His faithful people to share in it as fully as possible. So, they are at the service of Christ’s love for His people.

If you feel that you are being called to this ministry please speak to Fr. Mario or Maureen Bowsley.

The Extraordinary Ministers of the Word are Baptised and Confirmed volunteers who are commissioned to assist with reading Scripture passages at each Holy Mass. they help the wider congregation in their listening to and understanding of the Word of God.

New volunteers are welcome to join the group.

Saint Anne’s Parish has a lovely choir whose dedicated members lead the singing during Holy Mass at 6:30pm on Saturdays and 11:00am on Sundays; and at all of the other major services. The Choir is a welcoming and open group of singers each Saturday and Sunday. St. Augustine wrote: “Who sings well prays twice.” Their aim is to lead the congregation in a prayerful and joyful manner during worship — to support the liturgy and allow all members of the congregation to have the confidence to prayerfully raise their voices in praise.

New members (singers or musicians) are always welcome to join the Saturday Vigil or Sunday morning choir. If you can sing or are able to play any musical instrument, please consider sharing your musical talent and abilities with us here at St. Anne’s.

Contact Chris Bowsley; or Tricia McClure or any member of the choir for further information.

St Anne’s Parish is a welcoming Christ-centred Catholic Community, where each person can expect to be valued and cared for in our prayerful and vibrant Christian family. This part of our Mission Statement is promoted in a special by the Welcome Ministers who serve the community. their role helps to make visitors and parishioners feel welcomed to worship God.

The Welcome Ministers take on the important responsibility of creating a friendly environment for all who come to visit the Church or for Holy Mass. They do this by greeting all visitors and parishioners with ready smiles while handing out the Newsletters and Mass Books to each person. They also assist the Piety Shop Keeper to serve visitors and parishioners who need to get some Mass cards or sacramentals to take back home with them. The ministers are welcoming, and are ready to have nice conversation with all visitors and parishioners.

The members of St Anne’s SVP work together with those of Saints John and Luke. The Society of St Vincent de Paul in our Parish Communities is made up of volunteers who help to identify people within our Parish communities who are in need of support. This can be physical, practical, emotional or spiritual. They also arrange to visits to these people, and offer various types of support. New Volunteers are always welcomed to this group.

 A TASTE OF CARMEL

The Carmelite family of Friars, Nuns and Secular members have a special charism to witness to the importance of contemplative prayer. This way of life is lived by all. For the Secular members (both married and single), who live their life in the world, this entails a commitment to follow Christ according to one’s state of life and a special ‘Rule of Life’ based on Carmelite tradition. The Carmelite way of life is an invitation to a deep friendship with Christ inspired by St Teresa of Avila and St John of the Cross. The monthly meetings are an opportunity for silent prayer, formation and building friendships which help strengthen our commitment.

Secular Carmel meeting is usually on every 3rd Saturday of the month, unless there is exception like Easter weekend this year, 2025.

Any enquiries can be sent to the community’s council email: flowerofcarmel.ocds@gmail.com 

Programme of the day:

Holy Mass at 12.30pm. 

Carmelite Reflection at 2.00pm.  Adoration at 2.30pm. 

Evening Prayer 3.00pm (Liturgy of the Hours provided).

You are welcome to join.

The Union of Catholic Mothers, UCM for short, in Saint Anne’s Parish has been here for over 54 years. It is part of the National and Diocesan group of Ladies. Here at St Anne’s, they meet weekly, every Monday in the Parish Centre immediately after the 12noon Holy Mass till around 2:45pm.

Our meetings are prayerful ones which is followed by discussions on various subjects. from time to time we have Guest Speakers who come to reflect with us on matters of life and faith. We also do Retreats, Charity Events, Quiz, Fun and Laughter Time, and Meals-out.

Saint Anne’s UCM Group supports Parish events in ways needed. They also join their fellow UCM groups on the Wirral for various activities and meetings.

Ladies who are interested can visit on our meeting days, and are welcome to join. be assured of a warm friendly welcome.

This group began 25 years ago. at the time, the members were only 55 years old, but after 25 years of existence, the members are nearer 75 plus. Therefore, the addition 55 plus.

The group is a Social Club that serves the needs of Saint Anne’s parish and beyond. they meet in St Anne’s Parish Centre on the first Tuesday of the month at 12:30pm, immediately after Holy Mass. It is made up of ladies and gentlemen from the Parish Communities of Saints Anne, Rock Ferry, John the Evangelist, New Ferry and Luke the Physician, Bebington. there are also members who are from St Paul’s, and others who do not have any parish affiliation, but all are welcome.

This Group organises events and get guest speakers to come and enlighten members on important matters of life. They also do fundraisers to help various groups and charities such as R.N.L.I, Assistance Dogs, Operation Smile (Children with cleft palates), Zoe’s Place, and an annual charity at Christmas to Laughter Africa. they also have fun times which involves Strawberry Tea in June, Fish and Chips in October, and Christmas Party.

The members are celebrating 80 years this year, 2025, since the end of the World War II.

The Hospitality Team in Saint Anne’s Parish is a group of volunteers of men and women, who serve the community with Tea and Coffee, and other refreshing delicacies after each Sunday Holy Mass. They are a welcoming and friendly group.

They invite everyone to join the Parish Community at the end of each Sunday Holy Mass to a friendly and refreshing gathering in the presbytery. New Volunteers are welcome to join.

St Anne’s has a lovely Cleaning Team. We are a small but happy band consisting of approximately 6 ladies and 2 gentlemen. We meet on a Friday morning at 8.15 and have usually finished within an hour. With holidays, sickness, caring for family members the number attending each Friday varies and on occasion we have managed with just 2 people. If you could manage to come some Fridays and join the team it would be greatly appreciated. One person does the brasses and they always look great! This is Eric Richards. With time passing he would love to have someone find out from him what ‘doing the brasses ‘involves!  So, if you feel called to get involved, please just come along or speak to Paddy Roberts, Pat Hughes or Eric Richards.

St. Anne’s warmly welcomes all children to join us for the Children’s Liturgy. This special program is designed to help our little ones engage with their faith in a meaningful and joyful way. Our Children’s Liturgy catechists are friendly and supportive.

We invite you to bring your child/children to participate and be part of this wonderful opportunity to grow spiritually within our Parish Community.

 Thank you, and we look forward to seeing you and your child/children at the Church!

Every week, Parishioners bring in much needed food for the Wirral Foodbank. There is a box provided at the back of the church especially for Foodbank. These donations are then taken to the collection depot by our dedicated volunteers.

St Anne’s Church is a beautiful Pugin Gothic style decorated Church. to keep to its beauty and attraction, the parish has Flower Group whose members adorn the church with beautiful flowers. Pauline and Andrea, mother and daughter serve St Anne’s Parish in this regard. They arrange various flowers for the Altar as well as display some in the Church throughout the year, according to the seasons of the yeah.

All are Welcome in This Place

Liturgy is the public worship of Christ and His members – the work of Christ and that of the Church, the Body of Christ.

"Mother Church earnestly desires that all the faithful should be led to that full, conscious, and active participation in liturgical celebrations which is demanded by the very nature of the liturgy. Such participation by the Christian people as "a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a redeemed people (1 Pt 2:9; cf. 2:4-5), is their right and duty by reason of their baptism." (Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, #14)

The Parish Liturgy Group was formed to support the Parish Clergy in the preparation and celebration of Liturgy that will encourage and sustain the ‘full, conscious, and active participation’ in our liturgical celebrations at St Anne’s.

The group includes representatives from people involved with Sacristy duties, Reading, Altar Serving, Extraordinary Eucharistic Ministers, Musicians, Catechists for Children’s Liturgy, and Flower Arranging. The group focuses particularly on special times and services within the liturgical year such as Advent, Christmas, Lent, and the Easter Season, but also discusses the regular Sunday and daily Liturgies.

We are always looking for new people to be involved in helping within our parish. If you want to get involved, in any of these ways, please see one of the members responsible.