Liturgy

Liturgy is, by its very nature, public and communitarian. It pleased God to save us, not as individuals, but as a community. (Constitution of the Church, par.9)

Many people and ministries are involved in the preparation of liturgy: those who prepare the altar, altar servers, musicians and singers, eucharistic ministers, lectors, and also ministers to the sick who take communion to sick people who may be housebound, in hospital or in aged care facilities, whom we still consider vital members of our parish family.

Pope John XXIII regarded the Church at worship, with its manifold ministries, as an expression of the Church in its mission outreach. The Church is missionary of its nature (Decree on the Missions &hash;2), but the shape each mission takes, in view of the persons who respond, and the people and  needs responded to, is ministry.

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Adoration Vigil Team

On the First Friday of each month there is exposition of the Blessed Sacrament from 12 noon to 12 midnight. This is organised by Al Tyler who notifies various people who have chosen a specific time to worship. This devotion has been going since the beginning of the parish. It is a rich time of communal prayer.

After the 11.30 a.m. Mass, the Lord is present in the Blessed Sacrament and adorers spend one hour or as much time as they can. Intentions are suggested: the Pope's prayer intentions and other intentions of the parish or world. It is a quiet time. A time to stop and waste time before the Lord, a break from a busy time-oriented lifestyle. Reading matter is available for reflection.

If you wish to put your name down for a time of your choosing, please contact Al Tyler via the presbytery: (03) 9802 8538.

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Altar Care

This task involves the care of altar linen and seasonal frontals on the altar and lectern.

Annette Atkinson has maintained a high standard, caring superbly for the storage, ironing and setting up of the altar. Louise Pagliaro washes and irons the vestments of the priests. One area that needs volunteer help is the washing and maintenance of the altar servers' clothes. Following Br Kevin's departure in February 2003, the setting up of liturgical books and vessels, wine and bread is done by volunteer parishioners on a rostered basis under the leadership of Tim Heaton.

Nature and aims of this group:

1. Drawing up rosters.
2. Laundering of altar linens and replacement of same when necessary.
3. Preparation of church and flowers for Holy Week, Easter, Christmas and significant feast days.
4. Organising window cleaning twice yearly.
5. Dry cleaning of chasubles when necessary.
6. Attending Liturgy meetings.

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...and Flower Arrangement

Another task is the arrangement of flowers, which is shared by a group of generous ladies.

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Altar Servers

 

This picture is of our altar servers' outing to Puffing Billy. It was a great day, a visit to McDonald's, the trip to Emerald Lake, a footy game and other activities. This year the altar servers went to the zoo. McDonalds was visited on the way. After a beautiful day we returned by bus and car back to the parish by 5.00 pm.

You, as altar servers, provide a very special role in our Church and especially at Mass. You are serving Our Lord, Jesus Christ, and so you must show reverence at the altar. The rest of the congregation want to meet Jesus, and your serving can help or be an obstacle to their prayer. When we invited you to become an altar server we asked you for an important commitment: the availability, willingness and being on time to serve at the weekend and school masses. This is a very special honour and we wish you to know that. The Servers Guide is there to help you perform your ministry well. Study it and put it into practice.

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Children's Liturgy of the Word

 

Nature and aims of this group: Children's Liturgy of the Word is designed to make the Liturgy of the Word come alive for the children of:

In these sessions the children read the Gospel and explore the lessons and message through activities, prayers and songs.

Children have a special awareness of God that is unspoilt and open to the spiritual world. Their faith needs to be nurtured in a faith atmosphere. They love to learn with and from others. The adults who take on the faith formation of children should have faith themselves and the skill to impart a love for Jesus and God. This responsibility especially devolves on the parents who are 'the first and best teachers of their children in the ways of faith.'

The Children's Liturgy Team welcome any new members who may wish to be part of this parish group.

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Music Ministry

 

Nature and aims of this group: St Christopher's Music Ministry is made up of the following groups:

1. Brian Incigneri - Guitarist with singers
2. Singing Mums - Karen de Wilde (pianist) with singers
3. Les Quirk - Organist and singers
4. Mary Anne - organist and singers
5. Family of God singers: Carlos Tuazon and Sonny Tagle
6. Parish Choir - Judy Byrne (Director), Mary Anne (Organist) and 16 choir members
7. Val Espiritu and Couples for Christ
8. Contemporary Music Group

Judy Byrne makes out the roster two months ahead for the above groups to provide the music for Saturday night and Sunday Masses.

A list of hymns is provided, chosen to suit the readings of the day. Overhead transparencies are displayed for parishioners to join in the singing. Copyright requirements are kept up to date. We are very fortunate to have such a dedicated Music Ministry to enhance our liturgies.

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Special Ministers of the Eucharist

 

The summit and source of the Church's life is the Eucharist, which builds up the Christian community and makes it grow.

The ministry of a person who distributes the Lord’s Body and Blood at Communion is a very special ministry. It is a ministry on behalf of others. Every ministry can make Christ present or hinder that presence. We who believe in the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist must recognise what we handle. Like St John who said, "We have seen him, touched him and been in his presence, and this joy we bring to you, so that your joy may be complete," we need to prepare prayerfully before we minister to people.

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Liturgy Committee

 

The Nature and aims of this group: The Liturgy Committee is made up of Fr. Pat Jackson and 5 members who meet once a month to plan and review various aspects of the parish liturgy. As well as this committee, there are other people in the parish who prepare the rosters so that these liturgies can occur.

Thank you to those who prepare ―

• The Ministers of the Eucharist at Mass
• Ministers of the Eucharist to the sick;
• Altar Servers
• Ministers of the Word;
• Adoration Vigil;
• Church preparation and flowers;
• Music roster.

The Liturgy Committee also looks at general maintenance of the church and cleaning; other needs such as repairs or purchase of altar linen, vestments, robes, banners etc. as needed. The major liturgical events of the year ― Holy Week, Easter, Pentecost, Christ the King and Christmas are given special attention with detailed planning. Any parishioner with an interest in liturgy who would like to join this committee would be very welcome.

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Ministry of Communion to the Sick

 

Nature and aims of this group: There are fifteen lay members of this ministry at St Christopher’s. The ministry provides an opportunity to bring Holy Communion to those who are sick or frail and those who are unable to be present at the celebration of the Eucharist.

 

Visits are made, on Sunday mornings, but also on Wednesdays and Fridays. On weekdays we need more Ministers of the Sick. You do a wonderful job in bringing the Lord to our people who are confined to bed, away from family.

In undertaking these visits, the ministry is signifying the parish community's support and concern for those who are ill in a manner which, it is hoped, may assist them in maintaining their sense of a continuing membership of the parish.

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Ministers of the Word

 

This ministry involves the readers who proclaim the Word, the commentators, and also those who prepare the Prayers of the Faithful for the commentator at Eucharist.

Lectors

 

Nature and aims of this group: The Lectors Group members are required to prepare and deliver the Mass readings for each Sunday of the year. They also provide the commentators to read the Responsorial Psalm designated for each Sunday, together with the prayers of the faithful.

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Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA)

 

RCIA is a spiritual journey of baptismal candidates of all ages and their companions (sponsors) on their journey. It is a gradual process of rites, catechesis and ways of Christian living shared with others. "What does it mean to be a Christian?" is the question RCIA has us all ask. It leads to a transformation of heart and mind.

Ministries of the RCIA community of sponsors include: welcoming, hospitality, listening, serving, participating, witnessing, and the mission of building up the community, support of the journey and testimony to one's lived experience of the Gospel.

St Christopher's welcomes support in these RCIA ministries.

Contactb Fr Pat or Sr Joy on (03) 9802 8538.

 

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Sacramental Preparation

 

Children and parents are prepared for Baptism or First Communion either in the catechist classes or, if they are unable to attend, with Sr Joy at the presbytery. It is important that parents support the sacramental preparation of their children.

Mary Makarucha is the one to contact for catechist classes.

Sr Joy is responsible for individual or small group preparation together with parents.

Confirmation preparation is jointly run with the catechist classes and St Christopher's school and usually held late August.

Marriage preparation: the couple should see the parish priest, Fr Pat.

Baptism

A father and his daughter were standing beside an old-fashioned open well, drawing up water for a drink. "Dad, where does God live?" He picked up his daughter and held her over the open well.

"Look down into the well, tell me what you see."

"I see a reflection of myself."

"And that’s where God lives: He lives in you."

God lives in me - it’s real at Baptism. And your father / mother has to lift you up again and again to see God’s reflection in you.

But it’s more than just seeing your reflection. You are plunged into the well / the font. Jesus shows up what Baptism does to you.

- plunged under - it’s a Death to Sin, that Jesus won for us

- coming up for air - it’s a rising to New Life.

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Sacristan

 

This role involves assisting the priest by setting up the altar, preparing bread and wine, the chalice and cloths, checking the microphones and lighting, and overhead projector. He cleans, replaces and lights the candles, and makes sure that the ministers are in place for their various ministries of reading, commentating and processing with gifts to the altar.

Br Kevin Clark painstakingly and excellently carried out this role for many years, and since his move to Kew in February 2003 this role has been passed on to volunteers from the parish community.

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St Christopher's Catholic Parish
Last modified: Mar 17 2007

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