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Parish Organisations
The following organisations and groups are active within the parish. For
further information about becoming involved with any of these groups
please contact the Parish Secretary, Wilma Vertogen, or the Parish Priest
on 352 9275.
Altar Servers
Currently twelve teams of children are rostered to serve at Sunday Mass once
every four weeks. They also participate in special festivals and funeral
Masses if they are available.
Bereavement Care Group
This well trained group assists the priest when there has been a death.
They liaise between family members and the parish.
Catholic Women's League
Meetings are held monthly in the St Joseph's Parish Centre, often with visiting speakers. Members
participate in a wide range of activities including visiting sick and
elderly parishioners, providing practical and emotional support at times
of sickness and bereavement, providing clothing for the needy, supporting
mission stations through prayer, correspondence and financial aid,
fundraising through sales tables, raffles and an annual cake stall and
serving refreshments at special parish functions.
Children's Liturgy Group
The St Joseph's Children's Liturgy Group is made up of teams of parents,
each facilitating one Children's Liturgy session a month. Children aged
from four to First Holy Communion, are invited to attend a liturgy
appropriate to their needs at the 10 o'clock Sunday Masses.
Children's Music Group
A "kiddies" group is run each Monday morning during the
school term in the Parish Centre.
Choir
The Choir participates at Sunday Masses as well as at the Easter and
Christmas ceremonies. Practices are usually held regularly. New members
are always welcome, especially if you enjoy singing. For more information
contact Michael Zon on 381 6444, 027 3577
647 or mikezon@hotmail.com
Church Hospitality Teams
Hospitality teams play a role in welcoming parishioners and acting as
ushers at each of the 4 Sunday Masses.
Church Preparation Group
This group, consisting of florists and helpers who work on a roster
system, is responsible for the care of the brass and arrangement of the
flowers in the church and preparing suitable displays for various
occasions, such as Christmas, Easter, weddings etc.
Faith and Light
The Faith and Light Cornerstone Community numbers more than 60 people and
includes those with intellectual and physical disabilities, parents,
friends and supporters. The group meets for fiestas on the 4th Sunday of the month
in the St Gregory’s Parish Centre for sharing news, lunch, prayers, bible
readings, mimes and plays and colouring and craft making together.
Gardeners Group
An enthusiastic group of people who assist with maintaining the gardens
and surrounds of the churches. People are rostered on at approximately 3 -
4 monthly periods
Marian Group
This active group meets on the
first and third Tuesdays of each month after morning Mass at St Gregory's Parish Centre. The members
participate in a wide range of activities including visiting sick and
elderly parishioners in their homes or rest-homes, providing practical and emotional support at times
of sickness and bereavement and
serving refreshments at special parish functions.
Marriage Preparation
A team of three couples run this programme to help prepare engaged couples
for the sacrament of marriage. The course is run twice a year. The Church
asks that you advise us of your plans six months prior to the wedding
date. This allows time for appropriate preparation of the ceremony, and to
equip you for your married life together. The first step is to make
contact with your local parish priest.
Ministers of Holy Communion to the Sick
Every Friday morning several ministers go forth from Mass entrusted with
the great privilege of taking Holy Communion to over 50 parishioners. In
addition four ministers are rostered on Sunday mornings to go to people at
a number of rest homes. They take the bulletin, prayer helpline intentions
and religious literature and keep people informed on happenings in the
parish. In turn these housebound parishioners pray daily for parish
intentions and in this way they are able to feel part of the parish
community even though they are unable to attend Mass.
Mothers' Prayer Group
There are 9 Mothers' Prayer Groups in the parish with more than 40
members. These groups provide a positive and practical way to help our
children get the best out of life as well as embracing the vocation of
motherhood.
Parish Primary Religious Education (PPRE)
This is for primary age children who do not attend a Catholic school. The
parish PPRE programme is held on Monday evenings at 7.00pm at St Gregory's Parish Centre. A team of volunteer teachers provide lessons each Monday
evening.
Passionist Family Groups
Eight groups are currently meeting monthly to participate in a wide
variety of activities. With an emphasis on building relationships, helping
people feel they belong and a motto of "A Family for All", each
group has developed its own dynamic - comfortable to the group. For more
information see the Family Groups
page.
Prayer and Reflection Group
This group meets for prayer and reflection each Wednesday morning in the
Mercy convent chapel at 141 Main North Road. The Divine Mercy chaplet is
recited for the various intentions, followed by readings for the next
Sunday's Mass and a deeper understanding of the scripture is obtained.
There is also sometimes a sharing of thoughts, which can help understand
the gift of faith we have been given. Morning tea is kindly provided by
the Sisters and provides an opportunity for fellowship.
Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA)
A programme of preparation for those preparing to become Catholics. RCIA
stresses formation in doctrine, liturgy, Church life, and service and
involves the larger Church community in welcoming, instructing, helping
and praying for Candidates.
Rosary Groups
Each Wednesday afternoon a group meets at St Gregory's Church from 1.30 to
2.30pm to recite
the Rosary together. Another group also meets fortnightly at 9.15am in the
St Joseph's Parish Centre.
Scouting
The St Joseph's Scout troop meets weekly on Monday evenings from 6.45pm to
8.15pm in Timoney Hall (next to the Parish Presbytery). Boys and girls
aged 8 - 11 years are welcome to join. As well as earning badges they also
join with other scout groups in various activities such as camping and
visits.
St Joseph's Indoor Bowls Club
This active club meets at 7.30pm on Tuesday nights in the St Joseph's School
Hall, the season commencing at the beginning of March. The club supports all of the
Catholic Tournaments along with visits to and from other clubs.
St Vincent De Paul Society
The St Vincent de Paul Society seeks to relieve those in need without
regard to wealth, position, religions, social status or ethnic origin.
Their assistance is at a very practical level through the provision of
food and food vouchers, furniture and other items to the needy. Assistance
with budget advice and benefit entitlements is also offered.
Walking Group
This informal, relaxed group meets each Wednesday after the 9.15am Mass at
St Joseph's church. The social aspect is most important and walks are
selected to suit the whole group.
Welcoming New Parishioners Group
The main purpose of this group is to visit and welcome new parishioners.
Usually they visit new parishioners in their own homes, providing
information about the parish and its activities and learning about what
interests they may have.
There are other
activities people can be involved in such as:
Collectors
Going on a home cooking roster
Kitchen hospitality (cups of tea at funerals, after Sunday Mass, etc.)
Taking Holy Communion to the sick (Friday or Sunday mornings
Visiting fellow parishioners
Writing Prayers of the Faithful
If you would like to learn more about being part of these activities
contact the Parish Secretary on 352 9275 for more information.
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Last updated 2 February 2012
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