Liturgical and Sacramental Ministries
If you would like to volunteer for any of these ministries, you may need to complete the Archdiocesan Volunteer Data Form which is part of our Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults strategy.
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ALTAR SERVERS
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Boys and Girls are eligible after celebrating Confirmation and First Communion. They are normally rostered at the Mass they usually attend and they will be trained "on the job". At Masses where there usually are no servers, adults are most welcome to undertake this ministry after some minimal training.
Contact: Parish Office ph: 3356 7155 |
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CHILDREN'S LITURGY
OF THE WORD |
Children’s Liturgy of the Word provides an opportunity for children not only to celebrate Mass but also to come to understand and be involved with God’s Word. Endeavours have been made to simplify the stages of the Liturgy of the Word through adapted readings, prayers, music and drama in keeping with that of the Mass.
The Liturgy concludes during the Profession of Faith and the children re-join their parents for the Liturgy of the Eucharist. This is offered at 9.00am Mass most Sundays of the year. After every weekend Mass, there is a children’s worksheet available for collection from the tables near the doorways. This is an excellent opportunity for parents to help their children prepare to listen to the Word the following weekend at home. Contact: Sarah (Children’s Liturgy Coordinator) Parish Office Ph: 3356 7155 |
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COMMUNION TO THE SICK
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These people ensure our aged and sick who can no longer physically celebrate with the community still feel a part of the Parish and still have a role in the Parish’s Mass. These people, having done suitable training and having been issued the appropriate documents such as a Police Check (to protect our vulnerable adults) join a roster of ministers to service the local Aged Care Home.
Contact the Parish Office – Ph: 3356 7155 |
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"COORDINATORS" AT MASS
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Setting up for Mass is a great service to the community. Our Coordinators get to the church about 20 minutes before Mass. They set up the Chalices and Plates, Purifiers and Corporals, Missals and Lectionaries. They light the candles, ensure there is an adequate supply of Bread and Wine and everything else that may be needed for this celebration. They are an invaluable resource working in the background.
Contact the Parish Office – Ph: 3356 7155 |
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FAITH FORMATION GROUPS
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The Parish Council is working on establishing two new areas of Faith Formation to accompany the current RCIA Team (see below) and Sacramental Team (see below).
One of these areas is the “ALPHA” programme which enables people through sharing a meal, watching a video, and developing a sense of belonging to come to know not just “about” Jesus but, more importantly “who” Jesus is. Find more information about “ALPHA” by clicking on this link (https://alpha.org/ ). The other area the Council is planning for is to promote and provide resources to help parents form their babies and toddlers in the faith which they promised to do at Baptism. This will gradually progress over the years starting for 0-1 years up to 4 years in age. All of this is underpinned by the “Source and Summit” of our Christian life - regular celebration with their parent(s) at the weekend Mass. Contact the Parish Office – Ph: 3356 7155 |
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LITURGY GROUP
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Liturgy is the “Source and Summit” of our life as Christians. The Liturgy Group is a group of volunteers who form themselves in the documents on Liturgy in our church and then try to create an environment to enhance the worship of the community. (An image of what they do is that they are the cooks who, using a recipe put the dish together.) Linked to this group are those who prepare the music, the rosters, the church building and the many other important roles that need to be done for the good of the Community’s prayer.
Contact: Parish Office Ph: 3356 7155 |
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MUSICIANS & SINGERS GROUP
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(We would love some extra keyboard players – or other musicians to join us)
Music promotes participation of those gathered for Mass. This vital role of prayer in song comes to fruition in the liturgical celebration where the cantors lead the congregation in song. All cantors come together to sing on special occasions such as Christmas and Easter. The Musicians and Singers Group see themselves as a subcommittee of the Liturgy Group and work together with readers and audio-visual operators. This group meets regularly for practice, to learn new hymns and revise existing repertoire and to support new people to familiarize themselves with hymns/ Psalms etc. Band members meet monthly for practice and new members are always welcome. Contact: Gwen via Parish Office Ph: 3356 7155 |
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PRAYER GROUPS
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On the 2nd and 4th Monday of each month The Divine Mercy Chaplet is prayed in the Church from 6.00pm to 7.00pm. Once again this devotion is open to all.
Contact: Parish Office Ph: 3356 7155 |
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RCIA MINISTRY
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RCIA is the acronym for the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults. The RCIA, also called the Catechumenate, is the process by which adult persons are brought into membership of the Roman Catholic Church.
In summary, the RCIA is:
Stafford Parish RCIA Team meetings are held once a month. Special group meetings for all those involved in the RCIA are held several times a year. If you need any more information ring Fr Denis at the Office, drop in or see him after Mass. Also, several times a year, relevant information regarding the RCIA appears in the Parish Bulletin. Parishioners can assist by being a “Welcoming Community” for the new Catholics, Catechumens and Candidates. Contact : Parish Office Ph: 3356 7155. |
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READERS AT MASS
"MINISTERS OF THE WORD" |
Our faith is based on the Scriptures and we believe that Christ is present when they are proclaimed and listened to with faith. Our readers at the Mass are essential in our celebration of the Liturgy. After they have undergone appropriate training, each reader joins a roster. Should they be unable to attend their rostered Mass, readers are asked to arrange a swap or replacement. Readers are expected to attend the occasional training session and to prepare their readings thoroughly.
Contact Parish Office Ph: 3356 7155 |
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SACRAMENTAL TEAM -
Helping parents foster their child's faith |
This is a group of mostly young parents who strive to help their peers in the faith formation of their children as they prepare to celebrate the Sacraments of Confirmation, Eucharist and then Penance. The philosophy of Sacramental Preparation is based on that of the RCIA – It is a journey that has no time limits and varies from person to person. Our premise for planning is that at Baptism, the parent(s) promised to train their child in the practice of the faith and the Godparents (representing the wider church) promised to support the parents in their role as Christian parents. We do what we can to help the parents by word and example train their child(ren) not just for a ceremony, but for life as active disciples of Christ in His community of disciples. Click here for an outline and further information about our programme. Contact Parish Office Ph: 3356 7155
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SPECIAL MINISTERS
"Extraordinary Ministers of Communion" |
For all people (16yrs and older) in our community with a regular commitment to celebrating Eucharist with us and have undertaken suitable training. They help share the One Bread and One Cup (the Body and Blood of Christ) with the community during the celebration of Mass.
Contact Parish Office Ph: 3356 7155 |
