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 The
Guild of St Stephen exists primarily to teach that to serve Mass
is a privilege. This is done
by instruction in how to serve with dignity and reverence and
through helping altar servers to understand the meaning and purpose
of the Mass in which they take part.
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The Ascent movement is a movement
for Christian men and women in their middle and late years,
and was founded in France in 1951 by a retired priest. We
meet to pray and deepen our understanding of the Gospel to
discover Christ's message for us at this stage in life by
sharing our experiences, joys and sorrows. We also meet with
Ascent Groups in Parishes throughout the country for retreats,
conferences and celebrations.
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Canons
Regular of the Lateran
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 The
priests who founded St Peter-in-Chains and served the parish for
110 years belonged to the order of the Canons Regular of the Lateran,
(CRL).
The ministry of Canons Regular is that
of priests and deacons, serving God's people in Word and Sacrament.
They do this in a variety of ways in close co-operation with the
Bishop of the diocese working in Parishes, the missions, education
and other specialised ministries.
The example of St Augustine, and his
Rule formed the foundation of the way of life of the Canons Regular
of St. Augustine. The church reforms of the 11th century included
a desire to reform the clergy, seen as successors of the Apostles,
and one result of this was the formation of communities of canons
regular committed to living the 'apostolic' life.
Many different branches of this movement
emerged over the centuries including the Canons Regular of the
Lateran, named after the Pope's cathedral in Rome where they served
at one time. The Canons Regular of St Bernard are another congregation,
better known for the dogs they breed.
The Lateran Congregation was almost
extinct by the end of the 18th century, but received a new lease
of life when, in 1823, they amalgamated with the Canons Regular
of the Most Holy Saviour. In 1881, the congregation spread to
England, taking up residence in Bodmin, Cornwall where they were
asked to take up responsibility for the Parish.
Later they were given additional responsibilities
in London, which included the Parish of St Peter-in-Chains. they
relinquished the parish to the Archdiocese of Westminster in 2003.
Now the Order serves the Parish of Christ
Church, Eltham, in the Archdiocese of Southwark
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Preparing people to meet God in the
Sacraments is a responsibility which is taken very seriously
in the Parish. We are fortunate to have an experienced team
of catechists who help to prepare members of our Parish for
the Sacraments of Baptism, Reconciliation, Holy Communion, Confirmation,
and Marriage.
There is also a group of catechists
who follow the Rite of the Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA),
and prepare uncatchised adults for Confirmation and Eucharist
and the rite of the reception of baptised Christians into full
communion with the Catholic Church.
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Chatters/Chuckles
Toddlers Groups
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 Chatters
Toddler Group meets one morning a week in St Peter's Parish
rooms. There is a small range of activities including puzzles,
drawing, construction and playdough. Space is limited but the
atmosphere is warm and friendly.
Chuckles Toddler Group
meets one afternoon a week in St Peter-in-Chains' school hall.
There is a wider range of activities including a slide and wheeled
vehicles.
Both children and carers
develop supportive relationships which often extend through
to Infant school. There is a small voluntary contribution per
session which covers the cost of equipment and refreshments.
Parents/carers are responsible for their children at all times
and are expected to help at the sessions.
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There are two choirs in the Parish.
One is part of the 9.45am Mass, and the other is part of the
11.15am family Mass.
The members of the choirs are committed
to using music to enhance the Liturgy. We welcome new members
of whatever ability. If you can play an instrument or can sing,
please be bold and join us!
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Church
Cleaning and Maintenance
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Our small team sets to work on cleaning
the church once a week. There is also another small group
who take turns to launder the linen each week. If you could
spare some time to help, you would be made most welcome.
There are also from time to time,
odd jobs in the Church or in the Priests house which may need
to be done which the regular team cannot do. Often these jobs
need the skills of a plumber, carpenter, electrician, painter
or other skilled worker. If you are willing to give up some
of your time, please contact the Parish Office.
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There is a small group made up from
St Peter-in Chains and Holy Trinity Anglican church in Stroud
Green, which meets to explore ideas and to plan suitable ecumenical
activities for both our Parishes.
The group started in 1997 in response
to Pope John Paul's document, 'Tertio Millennio Adveniente'
- that there should be new ecumenical initiatives to help
prepare for the Jubilee Year of 2000. Activities organised
have included joint Palm Sunday and May processions, day trips
to several Cathedrals, and study courses.
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Our Eucharistic Ministers
give a solemn undertaking to serve the Parish, to assist the
priests and the people of our community by distributing Holy
Communion at Mass, by administering the Eucharist to the sick
in their homes and occasionally conducting Eucharistic Services
in the absence of a priest
At the heart of the commitment
is the resolution to deepen one's faith, to live according to
the Gospel values and to develop a deep love, reverence and
devotion to Our Blessed Lord in the Eucharist.
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 This
is a voluntary commitment of Parishioners in order that the
church may always be honoured by a fresh supply of flowers,
beautifully arranged for most occassions. It is a delightful
chore!
If you would like to join our flower
arrangers please contact the Parish Office.
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This is a group which is part of
the International Catholic Movement for Justice and Peace,
promoting a greater sense of Christian responsibility on issues
of Justice and Peace. The group meets in the Parish rooms.
All are welcome.
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 The
Legion of Mary has a great devotion to Mary the Mother of God,
which is shown by the Rosary which we say each week at our meeting,
and also the 'Magnificat'.
Active work is done by visiting the
sick and elderly, home to home visitation, and speaking to everyone
who comes to the door.
Meetings are held on Wednesdays at 7.30pm
in the Parish rooms.
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 We
meet once a month at St Gildas' Convent. The Rosary is always
prayed in honour of Padre Pio's love for Our lady. The Gospel
of the day is often read and its relevance for us today is discussed.
Padre Pio's life and works are shared
with the group, and prayers are said for his intercession in our
lives.
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The Parish Team is there to encourage
the Parish in its growth and development within the Universal
Church. The Team meets regularly with the Parish Priest , usually
on the second Friday of the month after the morning mass at S.
Gildas' Convent ,to discuss issues affecting the Parish, and the
people and organisations which make up the Parish.
Members of the Team are chosen to reflect,
as far as possible, the various aspects of parish life. owever,
Members are happy to discuss any issues or suggestions with any
Parishioner.
One idea from a Parishioner, led to
Welcoming cards being put at the back of the church so that new
Parishioners can now be contacted by a Team member who will provide
information about the Parish and its activities.
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We participate in the Liturgy of the
Word by ensuring that everyone is able to hear the Word of God.
If you feel you have a gift for this
important ministry, please join us. Help and assistance are available
for new readers, and courses are run from time to time.
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Sisters
of Christian Instruction (St Gildas)
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 The
Sisters of Christian Instruction, known as the Sisters of St Gildas,
were founded in Brittany, France, after the French Revolution.
The first Sisters made their profession in 1820.
The Sisters of St Gildas endeavour to
be in the Church and in the world, humble and joyful witnesses
of the Love of God.
The presence of the Sisters of St Gildas
in England dates from 1903 - the founding of the first Community
in Somerset was linked to political events in France. However,
the Sisters envisaged their presence there as a missionary one,
education being a priority.
In 1914, a Community was founded in
the Parish of St Peter-in-Chains. Many Sisters taught in St Gildas
Independent School, and in St Peter-in-Chains Parish school. After
the independent school was handed over to the Diocese, a few Sisters
remained engaged in education and catechesis for many years.
The Sister's Community is still very
open to the Parish, its activities, and to the people in their
various needs. The Sister's house is always welcome to small groups
requiring space and quiet for various meetings, retreats, or for
private prayer in the Chapel.
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 The
order of the Sisters of Providence was founded in 1806 in France
by a rural Parish priest who was everwhelmed by the lack of educational
and pastoral care of the poor people in his vast Parish. The group
of young women he gathered to assist him pledged themselves to
serve God by a life of prayer and dedication to the people in
the area. They did this by giving the children a basic education
and nurturing their faith as well as caring for families and ministering
to the sick and housebound.
They
had very few resouces and relied completely on God's providence.
The motto even today is 'Deus Providebit' - God will provide'.
The Sisters came to England in 1896,
and are also in France, Belgium, Holland, Madagascar and Sri Lanka,
with a complementary branch in America and Taiwan.
The community in Stroud Green is involved
in full-time work with young people, and also in university chaplain
work. The Sisters share in Parish life as they are required by,
for example, participating in the Soup Run, the choir, and bringing
Holy Communion to the sick and the housebound.
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 The
special vocation of the Sisters of Sion is to witness in the Church
and in the world, God's continued love for the Jewish people,
the poeple of the First Covenant; it is to foster understanding
between Christians and Jews today; to facilitate an understanding
that we are inextricably linked with the Jewish People. Christians
today are more aware of a deep need to know about their faith
in Judaism.
The Sisters of Sion in North London
first came to Stroud Green in 1980 from Highbury, where they had
a house in the St Joan of Arc Parish and in the school. Their
ministry is at all levels of education, with social issues, ecumenical
and interfaith, calling them to work especially with those who
suffer prejudice in any form and where human rights are being
abused.
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Society
of St Vincent de Paul (SVP)
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 The
aim of the SVP is to assist where there is material or spiritual
poverty.
The work of the St Peter-in-Chains SVP
consists largely of visiting the elderly, many of whom are housebound.
We provide furniture, clothes and other goods to families when
resources are available. The SVP also sponsor children's summer
holidays.
We are twinned with an SVP conference
in Orissa, India, which we assist financially, and we organise
several fundraising activities each year.
We meet weekly, on Mondays at 7.30pm
in the Parish rooms.
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 The
purpose of the Soup Run is to make and distribute sandwiches,
tea and coffee amongst the homeless in Lincoln's Inn Field, central
London.
The Soup Run takes place on Saturdays.
There are four teams currently. Each team organising a Soup Run
in rotation once every four weeks. The team consists of two parts
- sandwich makers (who use the Parish rooms), and distributors.
Sandwich making and distributing take about one and a half hours
each. Volunteers are always needed.
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