St Francis of Assisi Church, Newton Chapel of the Holy Name, Athelstone March 2017
Being called to serve others is central to being a Chris an. It is recorded in John s Gospel that a er Jesus had washed the disciples feet he said, So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another s feet (Jn. 13:14). The word Ministry comes from a La n word meaning service. Every Chris an should take this instruc on of Jesus seriously. Most Catholics serve others through leadership in their family, workplace and community, and by par cipa ng in a ministry in their parish. Are you following Jesus instruc on? In what way are you being called to serve? It does not ma er if you are new to our Parish, or you have been here for a long me, there is a ministry for you. As we are invited to serve, God bestows on us the necessary gi s to fulfil our ministry. Please read and reflect on the following descrip ons and then make a one year commitment to at least one Service or Ministry. Complete the enclosed Choice Forms and return to the Parish Office. Within this booklet you will find a SERVICE & MINISTRY CHOICE FORM which you are invited to complete and bring with you to Mass on 1 & 2 April 2017, or return to the Parish Office. Your par cipa on in these services and ministries is most welcomed. Our Parish is a community in which each member is called to the following of Jesus. Training and support will be provided for all Ministries. 2
Adora on of the Blessed Sacrament Eucharis c Adora on is our response to Jesus love for us, whereby we are encouraged to spend a holy hour in His Eucharis c Presence on a regular basis. Choose an hour that suits, and let the parish office know that you will be doing that hour. MONDAY to THURSDAY: FRIDAYS: FIRST FRIDAY of each Month: Prayer & Worship 8:30 am to 9:30 am 8:30 am to 9:30 am AND 8:15 pm to 10 pm 8:30 am to 5 pm AND 8:15 pm to 10 pm Padre Pio Prayer Group The Padre Pio Prayer group encourages prayer and reflec on in the spirit of Padre Pio of Pietrelcina. Mass every First Friday of month 7:30pm. All welcome. Divine Mercy Prayer Group Meet on Mondays 7 to 9pm, for prayer and devo ons of Divine Mercy. The group also collaborates with the arrangements for the Feast of Divine Mercy. Divine Will Prayer Group A group which reflects and prays with the volumes of The Divine Will, and a empts to living out God s Will in daily life. Meet for prayer and reflec on on 1 st and 3 rd Tuesday mornings at 9:30am. Anyone is welcome to a end. Cenacles of the Marian Movement of Priests Cenacles were formed in response to the request of the Blessed Mother that priests, religious and the faithful gather together, with her, in prayer and fraternal love, as when the first apostles gathered with her in the Upper Room in Jerusalem. This group meets for prayer and devo on on Saturday mornings 8:30 am in Bish. Kennedy. Room. Please join us, and come and pray. Devo onal and Festa Commi ees These commi ees individually collaborate to provide devo ons, special liturgies and social celebra ons in honour of par cular saints. These liturgies and celebra ons held throughout the year are for the benefit of the whole parish community. New members for the individual Devo onal and Festa Commi ees are always welcome: St Donato [San Donato] St Joseph [San Giuseppe] St George [San Giorgio] St Mark [San Marco] Our Lady of Mount Carmel [Madonna del Carmine] St Jacobis [San Gius no] St Clare [San Chiara] St Bartholomew [San Bartolomeo] St Pius X [San Pio Decimo] Our Lady of Sorrows [Madonna Addolorata] Our Lady of Montevergine [Madonna di Montevergine] St Francis of Assisi [Francesco d Assisi] Our Lady of the Arch [Madonna dell Arco] St Nicholas [San Nicola] St Lucy [San Lucia] 3
Faith Formation and Spirituality 4 Evangelisa on and Adult Faith Ministry Team The objec ve of this team is to invigorate our Parish community sharing the vision of the Catholic Church as being an evangelising church by ac vely sharing and living the Good News and developing a mission mentality. Through the faith forma on of the team and the delivery of high quality Catholic teaching programs to the parish community, a empt to form disciples with a passion and heart to reach to those who do not know Jesus. Sacramental Prepara ons Supporters Parents, Godparents and Sponsors of infants and children preparing for the Sacraments of Bap sm, Confirma on and First Communion, gather with the Parish Catechist to share their faith, ask ques ons and pray together. Parents have an opportunity to share the rich tradi on of our Catholic church, and deepen their faith with their children in the hope this will lead to a greater commitment and involvement in Church life. Hands on supporters and workers for this important ministry are urgently required. Can you help us? Rite of Chris an Ini a on of Adults [RCIA] For adults inquiring about the Catholic religion there is a process called the Rite of Chris an Ini a on of Adults (RCIA). From within our parish community we require: Team Members who share their faith, and guide those enquiring to discover what faith in Jesus in the Catholic tradi on will entail. Training Provided. Candidate Sponsors who will accompany those enquiring, share with them, support them and be a link to introduce them to the life of faith in the parish community Prayer Companions who will suppor vely pray for those journeying to faith, that they will be open to the grace of God on their journey Secular Franciscan Order The Order of Franciscans Secular (OFS) is a secular movement, established by St Francis of Assisi more than 800 years ago. Our purpose is to bring the gospel to life where we live and where we work. We look for prac cal ways to embrace the gospel in our lives and try to help others to do likewise. New members are ways welcome. Forma on is provided. Catholic Charisma c Renewal Groups Catholic Charisma c Renewal (CCR) is a spiritual movement within the Catholic Church that emphasises the availability of the power and the many gi s of the Holy Spirit in the life of every believer, and the need for a personal rela onship with God through Jesus Christ in order to live life to the fullest. ITALIAN GROUP: Meets every Thursday evening 7pm to 9pm. ENGLISH GROUP: Meets every 1 st Tuesday evening 7pm to 9 pm
Service Parish Pastoral Council Serve our fellow parishioners to enrich the quality of parish life by bringing the voices of the community to the Council table and by prayerfully discerning policy and prac ce which will lead parishioners to live their call to mission and ministry. Parish Finance Council The Finance Commi ee is responsible for the financial stewardship and administra on of the parish. It serves to organise and budget our finances to make our pastoral work possible. Offertory Coun ng Teams On a rostered basis, securely count and prepare for banking, the weekend offering collec ons. Altar Society A group of men and women who, through their faith, wish to perform a prac cal contribu on to the care of their Church in a parish. Cleaning Vacuuming & mopping Sanctuary & body of Church; dus ng and cleaning windows, pews and furniture. Preparing the Sacred Spaces Laundering Altar linen; cleaning brassware and sacred vessels; restocking candles; replenishing Holy Water fonts. St Vincent de Paul Society Newton Conference The Society assists families and individuals, who are disadvantaged or in need, within our local community. New conference members are always welcome. Support and training will be provided. 5
Sunday Eucharist 6 Community Greeters Do you have a welcoming heart? Presen ng a welcoming face to parishioners on arrival at the Church entrance; distribu ng the parish newsle er; and keeping a lookout for new faces that appear at our Sunday Masses. We invite more parishioners to take up this important ministry. Extra-ordinary Ministers of the Eucharist These ministers who are authorised and delegated by the Archbishop, assist with the distribu on of Holy Communion during parish Masses. Training is essen al and is provided. Commentators Commentators confidently introduce the liturgy, read the pe ons of the Prayer of the Faithful and make announcements. Lectors (Readers) Good readers who on a rostered basis, prayerfully prepare the Mass readings at home, and then proclaim the Word of God at Mass. Altar Servers Any young person who has received First Holy Communion is able to train to become an altar server. By their own prayerful and alert par cipa on, they enable the whole congrega on to par cipate more fully. More young people are welcome to train as altar servers. Altar Servers Coordinator Youth or adult leaders are required to train and form our Altar Servers, and assist in the coordina on between Parish and School for all Masses and liturgical seasons. Offertory Collectors At each parish Sunday Mass these men and women assist with conduc ng the Offertory Collec ons. They carry out their ministry with friendly decorum and reverence. More collectors are required for each Sunday Mass. Data Projector Operators at each Mass These people operate the laptop computer and data projector during Mass, which carries the daily themes, readings and songs. Training is provided. We need more assistants to cover all our Sunday Masses. Anyone can help, and young people are most welcome. Liturgy Commi ee This commi ee serves in preparing and enhancing the celebra on of the Mass and other parish liturgies through deeper understanding of its purpose and principles. New members are required.
Sunday Eucharist - continued Liturgical Music Choirs Singers provide leadership in our worship of God in song during liturgical celebra ons and each Weekend Mass. We are seeking to have new singers for each parish Sunday Mass 6pm Vigil; 9am at SFOA; 9am at Holy Name Chapel; 10:30 am Italian Mass; and 5pm Masses. Musicians The parish musicians provide music and accompaniment for the singing of hymns in the Weekend Masses and other liturgical celebra ons. The Mass and other liturgical celebra ons are so much more alive and upli ing in the presence of good music. People with the ability to play musical instruments are required for this important ministry so that we can cover every Sunday Mass. Youth Mass Sundays 5pm at SFOA Church Young people and young adults play music, sing, proclaim the word, and distribute Communion. There is room for many more to join in! Pastoral Outreach Parish Social Commi ee This group arranges a variety of parish func ons which help parishioners socialise. Significant events are: specific Festa celebra ons; Senior s Bus Trips; and Senior s Lunches. New members are urgently required to keep this commi ee viable. St Francis' Table This is a unique ministry of outreach to all those within our community who may be alone, or isolated, perhaps elderly living at home or in Nursing Homes. This outreach group provides opportuni es for hospitality, warmth and welcome on a regular basis to share a meal or just spend me together. We require more commi ed people to assist with this important outreach ministry. Can you assist? Pastoral Care Team This team brings fellowship to people who are confined by illness or age to their homes, nursing homes or hospitals, and also to those who have been recently bereaved. They are able to share a me of prayer and are an important link with the parish community. Team members are Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist delegated by the Archbishop for this role. New volunteers for this important ministry are required. 7
Two SERVICE & MINISTRY CHOICE FORMS are included with this booklet for your generous response. We invite you to bring your completed Choice Forms with you to Mass on 1 & 2 April 2017, or return to the Parish Office. Your par cipa on in these ministries is most welcomed and appreciated. PLEASE NOTE: Catholic Archdiocese of Adelaide Police Clearance is necessary (for those 18 years of age and over) for par cipa on in ALL parish service and ministry. The Parish Office will assist with your applica on. St Francis of Assisi Catholic Community Parish Office: 59 Newton Road, NEWTON SA 5074 Telephone: 8337 3849 Email: newtonparish@bigpond.com March 2017 St Francis of Assisi Church, Newton + Chapel of the Holy Name, Athelstone 8