Ministries - John 23rd

Acolytes and Adult Servers

The Parramatta Diocesan Policy on Ministry at the Altar, developed by the Parramatta Liturgical Commission and endorsed by Bishop Bede Heather, is an expression of the Vatican II mandate, that "in the restoration and promotion of the sacred liturgy, (the) full and active participation by all the people is the aim to be considered before all else." (Constitution on Sacred Liturgy 14). The Policy is as follows:

The ministry of serving at the altar is open to women as well as men. Those performing this ministry are to be commissioned by their pastor and called adult servers.
Those currently instituted as acolytes will continue to serve as such while being mindful that all functions at the altar may be performed by both acolytes and adult servers.
The question of what is appropriate dress is to be decided by each local parish.
The minimum age to qualify as an adult server is 16.
The continuation of junior servers, male and female, is to be encouraged.
The ministries of adult server and special minister of the eucharist are to remain distinct, enabling men and women to minister in either capacity but not necessarily in both.
The matter of a fixed term for either the ministry of adult server or special minister of the eucharist is to be decided by the local parish.
All who serve at the altar and minister communion are to receive initial formation approved by the diocese, followed by training in their own parish and opportunities for ongoing formation.

Altar Servers

Besides the adult servers the practice of having junior servers, both girls and boys, continues in Blessed John XXIII Parish. Junior servers are representative of the worshipping assembly and for this reason their ministry is important. This ministry can also be a source of fostering the spiritual growth of young people. Junior servers are invited to this ministry around age 10 years and are required to participate in a course of formation before they undertake their ministry.

Church Environment

The weekly care of our worship space depends upon the three groups of volunteers. These are the Banner makers, Flower Ministry and Church Cleaners. Hospitality helps create the atmosphere of the worship environment but other elements like church furnishings, banners, floral decorations are necessary for good liturgy and not incidental to it. The Church is a large space, with flexible seating arrangements which can easily be moved to suit the various celebrations e.g. Sunday and week day Masses, Liturgy of the Hours, Liturgy of the Word. Changing the environment to suit the assembly is appropriate as it brings people close together so that they can see and hear the entire liturgical action which helps them feel and become involved. "As common prayer and ecclesial experience, liturgy flourishes in a climate of hospitality: a situation in which people are comfortable with one another, either knowing or being introduced to one another; a space in which people are seated together, with mobility, in view of one another as well as the focal points of the rite, involved as participants and not as spectators." (Environment and Art in Catholic Worship, I-11) Some furnishings of artistic note add to the environment.

Floral Decorations: Floral decorations make a contribution to our worshipping environment and again reflect the liturgical season. Because of our church design and space, floral arrangements are not a major feature of our environment. Donations of flowers are always welcomes and can be delivered to the church on Saturday morning.Couples planning church weddings need to check with the celebrant beforehand about floral decorations that fit the building and that are placed appropriately.

Banners: Banners reflect the liturgical seasons, the major feasts and the sacramental celebrations of the parish. In many instances the banners also depict the message of the Word proclaimed for that particular Sunday. Interested parishioners with gifts in this area are encouraged to "let your light shine and not hide it under a bushel."

Church Cleaning: Church cleaning is a very necessary and important responsibility for our volunteers. Cleaning can be done on Saturday morning or earlier in the week. If you can spare two hours of your time each five weeks we would love to hear from you. In fact, one hour's contribution is of great assistance. Contact the parish office for more information.

Children's Liturgy

"Let the little children come to me...for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs." Lk. 10:14. The Children's Liturgy of the Word has as its primary purpose: to help children participate fully ass members of the community gathered for worship. Concretely, this means to help children celebrate liturgy in a meaningful way by: hearing the Word proclaimed; by responding with silence, song and prayer and by being lead to understand the proclaimed word. This is a time of prayer and celebration; it is not a time for formal catechism classes, such as the term "Sunday School" would suggest. It is a time more like listening and responding to God; a time to experience God more than to learn about him. Parents are welcome to accompany children to their Liturgy of the Word. The children leave the church after the opening prayer and return during the time of preparation of the gifts.

Cathecists

The National Catechetical Directory has established the ideal qualities for a catechist:

RESPONSE TO CALL: Catechists are called by God through the Church to the ministry of catechesis, not only to give time and talent for re-echoing the faith but to be open to one's own deepening, understanding and living of the Catholic faith.
WITNESS TO THE GOSPEL: Catechists are called to believe and witness the gospel and its power to transform life. Catechists are persons with an ongoing commitment to God's Word, in their mind, in their hearts and in their lives.
COMMITMENT TO THE CHURCH: Catechists are called to be ministers of the Word and representatives of the Church. They are called to teach what the teaching authority of the Church proclaims, and when teaching any subject must always teach what the Church teaches, regardless of personal beliefs or opinions.
SHARES IN COMMUNITY: Our God is a community of persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Made in the image and likeness of God, we are called to be God's people a community of faith. Catechists are therefore called to foster and build a faith community in their classrooms and in all aspects of the parish.
SERVANT OF THE COMMUNITY: Catechists are called to serve the Christian community in the spirit of Jesus and the prophets. This service means not only seeking to meet the needs of individuals within the parish but also in the larger local and global community. This challenges the Catechist to be aware of Church teaching and actions in terms of peace and justice.
KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS: Catechists are called to prepare for this important ministry by acquiring the knowledge, skills and abilities needed to communicate gospel values and Church teachings effectively for different age groups.

Collectors

After each mass, there is a team of people that collect the donations from the parishioners. All we ask is that you arrive early before mass and speak to the acolytes for the day and let them know that you are here to help.

Devotional Stall

The Devotional Stall operates for the convenience of our parishioners and visitors and is open after each of our usual weekend masses. We stock many gifts suitable for Baptisms, Reconciliation, Confirmation, First Communion, Christmas, Easter, Friendship, Mothers and Fathers Day as well as other occasions. The devotional items include Bibles, Sunday Missals, Catechism, Rosary Beads, Baptism Candles, Plaques, Children's Story Books, Calendars, Diaries and Cards. Our prices are very reasonable and the profits made are donated to the Parish. The Stall is operated by volunteers and new helpers are always needed and most welcome.

Eucharistic Ministers

Ministers of Communion come forward from the assembly to assist with the breaking of the bread and pouring from the large decanter into small cups; they take the bread and wine to the assembly and, after the Communion Procession, place the vessels on a side table and receive Communion themselves. Their movements, gestures and words are marked by reverence and presence to the members of the assembly. Qualities of Ministers of Communion: What qualities ought a Minister of Communion possess? The one at the source of any others, the one supporting the whole ministry, would be this: A Minister of Communion should be one who knows what it means to say, 'The Body of Christ', 'The Blood of Christ'. In this parish all ministers must attend the course for Communion Ministers conducted by the Diocese and undergo practical training in the parish as steps in decerning their call to this Ministry.

Facilitators for Sacramental Program

Facilitators of the sacramental program helps the Sacramental Coordinator in organising and running sessions for the families that are going through the sacraments.

Family Groups

Anyone and everyone was welcome to join, from grandparents to babies. There was room for non-Catholic spouses, one-parent families and single people (either elderly or young). The groups usually gathered once a month (eg. a picnic, barbecue, casserole night) to enjoy being with one another and gradually to develop supportive relationships. Some get-togethers were just for adults (to give them a bit of breathing space); whereas others were for the whole family. The groups worked together to foster the parish community and support the pastors. Sharing experiences like a weekend away, a home Mass, baptisms and anniversaries were highlights in a Family Group's calendar. This was the way in which Family Groups live the faith in the everyday circumstances of their lives

Fund Raising Planning Group

The Fund Raising Group will be in charge of fund raising for the Parish. This will be a relatively new ministry and we encourage anyone who has ideas to come forward to help out with this ministry.

Garden Angels

If you have a green thumb, come and join this group of Garden angels to help upkeep the surroundings of the Parish Clean and looking good and fresh.

Hospitality Committee

This committee will arrange receptions for parish lectures, concerts, and special Masses. Duties will include set up, decorating, cooking and serving food, and clean up. We're looking for a sufficient number of people so we can take turns on events.

Music Ministry

The 1963 Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy established that music performs a particular ministerial function in worship and forms a necessary or integral part of the liturgy (CSL, 112). Since 1963 various other documents and decrees on liturgical music have informed the pastoral planning of the parish celebration of the Eucharist. The Instruction Musicam Sacram 1967 says: "Liturgical action is given a more noble form when sacred rites are solemnized in song, with the assistance of sacred ministers and the active participation of the people (no. 113). Pastors of souls must be at pains to ensure that whenever the sacred action is to be celebrated with song, the whole body of the faithful may be able to contribute that active participation which is rightly theirs. (no.114)." In light of the above principles, congregational singing is an established practice at all Sunday and many weekday masses at Blessed John XXIII parish. Participation by all in the assembly is encouraged and fostered.

Ministry to Sick

Ministry to the Sick is a pastoral ministry of caring for those people hospitalized, in nursing homes, or confined to private homes. Ministers to the Sick (MTS) are trained and developed to conduct a pastoral visit with time to listen to and pray about the concerns of the sick or shut-in person and to share Eucharist with them

Over 55's Group

The Over 55's group gets together once every now and then and have social outings and gatherings. Come and join this ministry if you have some free time and would like to get to know others in the group.

RCIA

RCIA stands for the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. It is a formal process whereby those who are unbaptised, are assisted in joining the Catholic Church by receiving what is called the Sacraments of Initiation. The sacraments of initiation are made up of three sacraments: Baptism, Confirmation and the Holy Eucharist. As adults, all three Sacraments are received at the same time, and this usually occurs during Easter time. Once all three Sacraments have been received, a person is then a fully participating member of the Catholic Church. Come join us if you would like to be a volunteer and help out this very important ministry.

Readers/ Lectors

Like all ministries, the Ministry of Reading is a service to God and God's people. This ministry was established by Pope Paul VI in response to the Vatican Council which called this ministry "exalted". The reader's main responsibility is to let God speak through him/her. Nothing about him/her ought to divert the attention of the people from the message to the messenger. Persons chosen to serve as readers need:

To be willing to grow in their devotion to the scriptures and to the Eucharist. They need to learn to meditate on the Word of God and by study, prayer and reading seek to grow into a warm and living love for scripture. St Augustine says, "We should make a nest in our hearts for the Word of God."
Technical qualities, including the ability to understand what is being read, and to read this aloud so that others may understand. The use of one's voice, a deliberate rate of reading, volume, pauses, use of microphone, ability to move gracefully, and other similar qualities can be acquired with training.

Term of Ministry: Service to God and the Church in the ministry of reader should be seen as a firm and stable commitment; it is not for life, however. If a commissioned reader feels unable to fulfil the ministry adequately, he/she can retire with the prayers and public thanks of the parish. The important criteria will not be the length of service but its quality.

St Vincent de Paul S ociety

The Society of St Vincent de Paul, a worldwide Catholic Society, is composed of Christian lay persons seeking to develop in themselves a life of charity through friendship and participation in Society works bearing witness to the love of Christ. Most members of the Society are voluntary workers who freely undertake to devote some of their talents, and resources. We pray, discuss our concerns for those in hardship, evaluate what has been done in the past week and what can be done to help those in need, and we enjoy each other's company. At other times, we go out in pairs to visit those in need, sharing friendship and charity. We distribute food, clothing & furniture and we provide some limited financial assistance where we can to alleviate hardship.

Welcomers at Sunday Mass

"… liturgy flourishes in a climate of hospitality: a situation in which people are comfortable with one another, either knowing or being introduced to one another;"
(Environment and Art in Catholic Worship 11.) Parishioners are invited to be welcomers at Saturday and Sunday Mass. We know from our experience that a climate of hospitality does encourage us to participate more fully, perhaps even to sing with more enthusiasm and indeed to know that our presence is essential for the liturgy to be effective in our living and worshipping together.

Youth/ Young Adults Program

Blaze Youth Ministry serves the community of Blessed John 23rd in Stanhope Gardens. We also serve young people who are interested in growing with each other in Christ. The youth events and programs are made up of three groups, Blaze Youth for those 12-17 years, Blaze Young adults for those 18-35 years and Revive Music and Drama for those young at heart.