The Our Lady’s Helper’s Group is a parish group for girls aged 7 and up, which aims at fostering in its members an ardent devotion, reverence, and filial love towards the Blessed Virgin Mary.  Through this devotion, and with the protection of so good a Mother, it seeks to make the faithful gathered together under her name good Catholics, sincerely determined on sanctifying themselves, each in her state of life, and zealous, as far as their condition in life permits, to save and sanctify their neighbour and to defend the Church of Jesus Christ against attacks of evil.

Aims

·   To inspire Catholic girls to build a prayerful life and to have a personal devotion to Jesus through Mary.

·   To be an example of Christian womanhood by their appearance, behavior and performance of varied works of Catholic action.

 ·   To become a responsible leader in the Church and in the world.

Work

Each member of Our Lady’s Helper’s Group will assist in preparing the church and congregation ready for Sunday Mass by various practical works, and assist in other major parish events.

1. Sundays: tidying of the votive candle stands, handing out of missalettes, hymn books and newsletters as the congregation arrives, take the offertory collection, bring the offertory gifts to the Sanctuary, lead the offertory procession, and tidy the church after Mass.

2. Help in parish events: Parish Feast Day 11 February, May Procession, Pilgrimage, Christmas and Easter.

Other Activities

·   Occasional Meetings

·   Annual renewal of Promises Mass

·   Volunteer work in the parish

·   Trips and pilgrimages

·   Holiday traditions and parties

·   And much more!

Dress

Helpers in the Our Lady’s Helper's Group of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish wear a blue sash and miraculous medal as a sign of their consecration to the Virgin Mary.

In Church

·   Arrive on time, 9.15am.

·   Bless yourself with Holy Water and make the sign of the Cross.

·   Genuflect to Jesus in the Tabernacle.

·   Assemble in the Chapel of Our Lady.

·   Recite prayers together.

·   Receive task for the Mass.

·   Remember, do not talk in church.

·   After Mass, complete task.

·   Assemble in Chapel of Our Lady and say the special prayers.

·   Genuflect to Jesus in the Tabernacle before you leave.

Sunday Tasks

·   Tidy votive candle stands.

·   Hand out hymn books, missalettes and newsletters at the door.

·   Take offertory collection.

·   Present offertory gifts in procession.

·   Carry torches in procession.

Tidy up hymn books and leaflets after Mass.

New Helpers

·   New Helpers join in September and make their promises and Act of Consecration to Our Lady February 11th, the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes.

·   On the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, Helpers will renew their promises.

Promises

A Helper of Our Lady promises:

·   to be a good and faithful child of Mary;

·   to say the Prayer to Our Lady each day;

·   to  help in church to the best of my ability;

·   to be a good example in church;

·   to be helpful to those I meet each day.

Act of Consecration

Holy Mary, Immaculate Virgin, Mother of God, I choose you this day for my Mother, Queen, Patroness, and Advocate, and I firmly resolve never to depart, either in word or action, from the duty which I owe to you, nor to suffer those committed in my charge, and to say or do anything against your honour and respect which you deserve. Receive me, therefore, as your devoted servant forever, assist me in all the actions of my life, and forsake me not at the hour of my death. Amen.

Prayer Before Mass

Father, deepen in our hearts love and reverence for the Eucharist. Help us to model our service on Jesus Christ your Son. May all who offer this Mass become one with Him, a living sacrifice to you. We make our prayer through Christ our Lord. Amen.

I offer myself to God almighty, and to blessed Mary, our Mother and Patroness.  And I promise to do my best to help regularly at Mass with reverence and understanding, for the glory of God, the service of his Church, and my own eternal salvation.

Hail Mary, ...

Prayer After Mass

Lord Jesus Christ, I thank You for the privilege of having helped at the celebration of Your Eucharistic Sacrifice, and for the grace and strength of soul given to me in this great Sacrament. Now, as I leave the church, I ask for the help to use this grace well, and to be always aware of Your presence. Amen.

Hail Mary, ...

Prayer Before Going to Sleep

Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to your protection, implored your help, or sought your intercession was left unaided.  Inspired with this confidence, I fly unto you, O Virgin or virgins, my Mother.  To you I come, before you I stand, sinful and sorrowful.  O Mother of the Word incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in your mercy hear and answer me.  Amen.