Frequently Asked Questions
If I am new to the parish, what do I do? Do I need to fill in any forms?
Everyone is welcome at St John Bosco. If you are new to the church, come along to one of the weekend Masses, and introduce yourself to the priest afterwards. Please collect a St John Bosco handbook from the church porch which will help you to integrate into the community and answer any questions you may have. In the centre of the handbook there is a parishoner data form for you to complete and return to the church office.
What do I do if I am interested in becoming a Catholic?
Make an appointment with the priest. He will discuss the matter with you, and arrange for you to join the Journey of Faith (RCIA) classes, which are run throughout the year.
I am not a Catholic but can I still come to Mass?
Of course you can attend Mass. You are welcome to play as full a part as possible. The only restriction will be that you will not be able to receive Holy Communion; however, you will be able to receive a blessing by simply crossing your arms in front of your chest.
How do I request a Mass Intention to be offered for someone?
Many people request Mass intentions to be offered for a particular cause – usually for someone who is sick or facing a difficult decision. They are also widely used to commemorate the anniversary of a death or as a Thanksgiving. It is good to request a long way in advance, as Mass intentions become booked up very quickly – especially the weekend ones. If the date you want is taken, the nearest available date will be allocated.
In the church porch, there is a book in which to write the details of the intention. It is also customary to make a small donation to the priest celebrating Mass on that day, and you will find small brown envelopes marked “Mass Offering” for that purpose. Just state the person’s full name, mark whether they are deceased or if it is for an intention, and then hand it into the church office. It is usual to donate a minimum of £10.00 if you can afford it.
At the Mass itself, the intention will be read during the bidding prayers. It will also be marked in the church newsletter.
How do I make a donation to the church?
Donations come in all manner of shapes and sizes – not always in the form of money. Any donation is welcome, however small – as long as it is given with love. It is fine to make out a cheque payable to St. John Bosco’s and pop it into the church office. The best way though is to make a Gift Aid donation, by filling out the details on the special yellow envelopes in the church porch.
What is Gift Aid?
Gift Aid is an easy way for a UK tax payer to maximise donations made to the church. As a charity, St John Bosco can reclaim the basic rate of tax you have paid on your donations as the donations are made out of taxed income. (If you are a higher rate tax payer you can claim extra relief on your donations.)
A leaflet entitled “Gift Aid Explained” is available in the church porch.
I would like to help the church community. How do I do this?
There are numerous ways in which you can help the church – and help is ALWAYS needed!. Just look at our Church life and Church groups sections on this website, and you will see just how many and varied ways there are. It might be a job of a practical nature – or it might be something of a more spiritual nature. Whatever it is, you are sure to find something which will suit your skills and temperament. Contact details for most church groups can be found in the St John Bosco handbook or by contacting the church office.
What should we do if we need to arrange a funeral?
Funerals can be celebrated in a variety of ways – at the church, the cemetery or the crematorium. As this is bound to be a difficult time, it is always best to talk things over with the priest before finalising anything with a Funeral Director.
What pastoral support is available for those in need?
Pastoral care is one of the priest’s most important roles, so feel free to talk to him. He, or one of the other Loddon Valley parish priests, are usually available to speak to any member of the church community who is in need of support on any issue. This could include bereavement, a spiritual crisis, marriage difficulties, pressures experienced as a carer, financial troubles or depression.
There are a large number of local organisations that can help. If the support you need cannot be found at the church, we are always pleased to try and help you find it. Many people are unaware of the help and advice which is available to them in the local community. Please, don’t feel you need to struggle on alone. Ask us for help.
St John Bosco can put you in touch with a qualified counsellor, approved and recommended by Fr Chris. click here for more details
What help and advice is available for those in hospital?
If you have to be admitted to hospital, please remember to tell the hospital staff that you are a Roman Catholic. This is important as, under the Data Protection Act, the priest does not have automatic access to a patient’s denomination. If you know you are being admitted to hospital, please let the priest know – and he will be only too pleased to anoint you beforehand.
Apart from his duties at St John Bosco, Fr Chris is the Roman Catholic Chaplain at the Royal Berkshire Hospital in Reading. Feel free to contact him at the Hospital Chaplaincy on 0118 987 7105.
Religious care cards are available in the church porch for all parishoners. These can be shown on admission to hospital and allow the hospital to notify your priest that you have been admitted.
