2017 Parish Directory Our Lady Queen of Apostles, Stafford

Transcription

1 2017 Parish Directory Our Lady Queen of Apostles, Stafford

2 Our Lady Queen of Apostles Parish is a parish of the Brisbane North West Deanery Parish Mission: To follow the example of Jesus by serving others. PARISH PRIEST: Fr Denis Scanlan PARISH SECRETARIES: Debra Visser OFFICE HOURS: Mon, Tues, Thurs: 9.00am-3.30pm TELEPHONE: FAX: ADDRESS: stafford@bne.catholic.net.au WEBSITE: FACEBOOK: Our Lady Queen of Apostles Parish Directory, Stafford 1

3 MASS TIMES WEEKEND MASSES: SATURDAY: 5.00 pm (Vigil) SUNDAY: 7.00 am 9.00 am 5.30 pm WEEKDAY MASSES: (Often changed for different circumstances) MONDAY: 8.30 am TUESDAY: 8.30 am Prayer of the Church and Holy Communion THURSDAY: 8.30 am FRIDAY: 9.00 am RECONCILATION TIMES SATURDAY: 5.00 pm (until no one waiting) Our Lady Queen of Apostles Parish Directory, Stafford 2

4 Our Lady Queen of Apostles Parish Directory, Stafford 3

5 ALTAR SERVERS 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: BAPTISMS Once a week a St Vincent de Paul group and a Parish group, collect bread donated by local bakeries, which is unsold at the end of the day. They deliver it to parish families in need, who are grateful for this help. People are encouraged to celebrate the Baptism of their child(ren) with their local Parish. In our Parish we celebrate Baptisms on the 3rd Sunday of each month at 10.30am (EXCEPT during LENT). Parents are asked to complete some preparation beforehand (please ring the parish first to book in). We ask that you book your child s baptism in plenty of time, as we are often booked out for months ahead. Contact: Parish Office Ph: BREAD DELIVERY GROUP Contact: Parish Office Ph: Our Lady Queen of Apostles Parish Directory, Stafford 4

6 CARE AND CONCERN Care and concern is a group made up of volunteers who assist in the areas of: Visit new Parishioners to welcome and inform them what is available in the Parish Visitation to homes, hospitals and nursing homes Transport to Mass, medical appointments and shopping Provision of meals in times of stress, illness or other needs Refreshments after funerals services if requested by the family Home help and short term assistance with light housework in time of need Organise morning tea on the first Friday of each month after Mass Send notes of congratulations to those who have been baptized in the previous month Send a condolence note to the family of those recently buried from the Parish. Contact: Maria Curry through the Parish Office Ph: Our Lady Queen of Apostles Parish Directory, Stafford 5

7 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. Endeavors 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 rejoin 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 extend prayer and understanding at home.. Contact: Catherine (Children s Liturgy Coordinator) Parish Office Ph: COMMUNITY ALLIANCE This is a cooperative alliance between churches, mosques, temples, synagogues, trade unions and other community groups (SVDP, Salvoes, etc). It s purpose is to empower the ordinary citizen in lobbying government to achieve a response to real needs in the wider community. It seeks to redress the balance of Government, Business and Civic Society which is essential for a healthy democracy. Stafford Parish is part of a vanguard in North Brisbane and is in partnership with the Archdiocesan Community Alliance Team who in turn is part of the wider Queensland Community Alliance. The Social Justice Group sponsors the Alliance in Stafford. (See Social Justice Group below). Contact: Parish Office Ph: Our Lady Queen of Apostles Parish Directory, Stafford 6

8 CRAFT GROUP The group meets mostly every alternate Wednesday at the tuck shop at Chuter Street Campus. This group coordinates the craft stall for mother s day, Fathers Day and the Christmas stall for the children. There is no cost involved and morning tea is provided. Everyone is welcome. Contact: School Office (Chuter St) Ph: ECUMENICAL GROUP While our lady Queen of Apostles parish has been an active ecumenical parish for many years, there is limited activity at present. A Covenant of Prayer continues between us and it is good to see our parish support for particular events. Ownership of joint church ventures is not easy and individual involvement is in short supply. Your prayers are invited for the future. FAMILY GROUPS Family Groups consist of eight to twelve families, who come together monthly for social actives. The groups consist of a cross section of ages, from new babies to grandparents, and different family structures, for example, parents and children, couples without children, single parent families, widows, widowers and single people. The aims of the Family Group Movement are to: Get to know other members of the parish. Support each other, sharing each other s joys and sorrows and so build a Christian Community as in the early church. Involve our children in our Christian sharing directly, if possible. If not, then indirectly by our example. Each group has many actives at minimal cost. Contact Maria via Parish Office Ph: Our Lady Queen of Apostles Parish Directory, Stafford 7

9 INDOOR BOWLS CLUB You may be interested in Social Club (below) also The club meets every second Wednesday at 9.30am in the hall. It is a happy and friendly gathering and prior knowledge of how to play indoor bowls is not required as there are plenty of helping hands. Contact: Parish Office Ph: LITURGY GROUP 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: Our Lady Queen of Apostles Parish Directory, Stafford 8

10 MUSICIANS AND SINGERS GROUP (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 sub-committee of the Liturgy Group and work together with readers and audiovisual 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: PARISH FINANCE COUNCIL The Parish Finance Council exists to enable the Parish Priest and the people of Our Lady, Queen of Apostles, Stafford to work together responsibly in the mission of our Church. The Council s principal responsibility is to provide advice and assistance to our Parish Priest on financial and administrative matters. The Council is made up of members comprised of parishioners and others decided by the Parish Priest. Other persons such as the Parish School Principal also attend meetings of the Council. The Parish Priest invites members to be part of this Council. Contact: Parish Office Ph: Our Lady Queen of Apostles Parish Directory, Stafford 9

11 PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL The Pastoral Parish Council is a group of committed lay people who come together with their pastor to share responsibility for the development of the parish community of the faith and the mission of the church. It involves listening and studying the life and activity of the parish to: Research and identify needs, ideas, hopes and feedback of parishioners Evaluate parish life and mission in the light of Christ s teaching, broader church initiatives and the values and goals of the parish. Develop, implement, review and improve pastoral programs. The council meets on the first Thursday of each month. Contact: Parish Office Ph: PARISH SCHOOL ( Queen of Apostles Prep to Year 6) Website: The Queen of Apostles School is the major way in which we as a Parish Community try to fulfill the promise we made through the Godparent(s) at a child s baptism. The Parents of the child promised to bring he/she up in the practice of the faith and the Godparents promised to help the parent(s) in their duty as Christian Parents. Our school opened in 1962 and was originally staffed by the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth. The school has two campuses with children in Preparatory Year, Year one and Year two attending at the Early Years Campus at 46 Chuter Street and the children in Year Three to Year Six at the Thuruna Street Campus. The current Enrolment is over 500 children. Applications for enrolment can be submitted at the office at Thuruna Street. An application form can be obtained by phoning the school secretary, Mrs. Elvera Fitzgerald (Ph: ) or downloaded from the school website at The school website contains information relevant for anyone wishing to find out more about the school. Contact: School Office Ph: Our Lady Queen of Apostles Parish Directory, Stafford 10

12 PRAYER GROUPS A group meets for a half an hour each weekday morning before Mass to pray the Rosary. They also meet at pm on Sundays in the Church. Anyone is welcome to attend. 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: OUTSIDE SCHOOL HOURS CARE Queen of Apostles Outside School Hours Care is a service offered by the Parish to support parents who need this service. It is offers before and after school care during school terms. It also offers a vacation care program during school holidays. Bookings are essential. Contact OSHC Ph: RCIA MINISTRY 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: A journey of faith. A chance to discover more about who I am as a son or daughter of a gracious and loving God. A time to reflect on what this relationship means to me and what it may ask of me. An opportunity to come to know Jesus Christ. 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: Our Lady Queen of Apostles Parish Directory, Stafford 11

13 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: RELIGIOUS GOODS STORE The parish operates a stall for the sale of pious items. A range of goods are available such as Holy Pictures, Cards, Rosary Beads, Medals, Crosses and chains, Mass Books, Candles, Gift items and more. This stall is outside the Church and operates prior to and following each of our weekend Masses for a short while. Contact Parish Office Ph: Our Lady Queen of Apostles Parish Directory, Stafford 12

14 SOCIAL CLUB You may be interested in Indoor Bowls Club (above) also The Social Club is a Club: For people of any age, male and female Which meets in the parish hall on alternative Wednesdays to the Indoor Bowls Club. Where a cup of tea or coffee and a chat starts the morning Where yearly fees are $2.00, entry with a lucky door ticket $1.00 and Raffle ticket $1.00. Where Concert Groups come to entertain and enjoy lunch afterwards. Where members bring an item and then buy tickets (5 for $1.00) to try and win a prize. Where intense concentration is needed to fill a line or fill a card at Bingo or to be the first to turn over thirteen cards at Hoy. Where members enjoy numerous bus trips held throughout the year. Where members are recognized with a Life Membership Badge when the age of 80 years is reached. Where new members re most welcome. That will continue to supply a need in the parish. Contact: Julia through the Parish Office Ph: Our Lady Queen of Apostles Parish Directory, Stafford 13

15 SOCIAL JUSTICE GROUP "When I give food to the poor, they call me a saint. When I ask why they are poor, they call me a communist." - Dom Hélder Câmara (Catholic Archbishop in Brazil) The Social Justice Group endeavors : To bring social justice issues before the parish so that parishioners can think about and respond to such issues. To broaden our thinking of social justice issues in our world. To place ideas about current social justice issues in front of parishioners. Examples of recent activities include: Swags initiative which raised a considerable amount of money. Help fundraise for the fight against Human Trafficking Flood response in January and February 2011 Promotion of websites containing social justice issues which provide parishioners the opportunity to get involved in such issues. Promoting the Queensland Community Alliance Sponsoring a Fair Trade shop for people buying Christmas presents. Parishioners are generally asked to contact the office if they would like to contribute to or be part of an initiative. There are currently around 10 members in the Social Justice group New members are always welcome to join. The Group meets monthly The Social Justice group tries to have Lenten and Advent projects, during these times we promote certain charities such as: Caritas and encourage parishioners to think about how they can contribute. Contact: Mary through the Parish Office Ph: Our Lady Queen of Apostles Parish Directory, Stafford 14

16 SOCIETY OF ST VINCENT DE PAUL The society of St Vincent de Paul is a group of parishioners who represent the society at a local level to assist with helping those in need in the Stafford area. Members meet every 2nd Monday at 4.00pm. Vincentians, through the generous support of parishioners, help Families and individuals in need of financial support for food and essential utilities. They also provide advice on budgeting as well advocacy on social justice issues. On a wider scale, other activities including; hospital and hostel visitation and the provision of youth and other services. Our main mission is the development of our own spirituality through prayer and visitation and to see the face of Jesus in the people that we are called to see. Contact Members through the Parish Office Ph: TENNIS COURT HIRE The parish owns two flexipave tennis courts, which are available for hire between 8.00am and 10.30pm seven days a week. We accept regular and one off bookings (depending on availability) and bookings can be made through the Parish Secretary. Contact Parish Office: TEAMS Teams are groups of four to seven couples that learn together to help each other bring Christ to their marriages and ultimately every phase of their lives. A team meets to share prayers, a simple meal, their life stories and events, their attempts (and often their failures) to grow together as a couple in union with God through discussion and sometimes sharing their material goods and skills. Contact: Maria via Parish Office Ph: Our Lady Queen of Apostles Parish Directory, Stafford 15

17 WELCOMING New Parishioners are invited to write their names and contact details on a card found in the Welcoming Book at the main door of the Church. A parishioner will then make contact to discuss with you what the Parish has to offer and to ascertain any specific needs you may have. Parishioners are encouraged to be greeters before and after Masses, being conscious of people who may be new or alone. Contact: Parish Office Our Lady Queen of Apostles Parish Directory, Stafford 16