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Pastoral Care
The 22nd of Each Month is Cenacle Night
Anointing Mass Team
Pastoral Care Support (Bereavement Team)
Charismatic Prayer Group
Couples For Christ
Family of God
Pallottine Animation Team
Pallottine Spirituality
Prayer Guides
Prayer Line
Renew Group
Rosary Group
The Pilgrim Statue
Pastoral care characterises St Christopher's parish. Parishioners have many opportunities to share their faith and love of God and neighbour.
When two or three gather in Jesus' name, the powerful Holy Spirit is present to befriend, heal and console us in our need, and also in our celebrations.
Parishioners and people from outside the parish can participate in one or more of these groups. If anyone would like to participate, please give us a call on (03) 9802 8538.
Parish Training
Pastoral Care & Helping Skills
For all those in the Parish involved in face-to-face ministry, e.g. Ministers to the Sick, St Vincent de Paul, Syndal Community Helpers. To help us serve the vulnerable in a non-harmful way that reflects Jesus’ teachings and builds community.
Last year, there were 3 topics over 5 sessions:
- Introduction to Pastoral Care : Saturday 5th April 9.30am – 3.00pm
- Helping Skills: Friday 2nd May 7.30 – 9.30pm & Saturday 3rd May 9.30AM – 3.00PM
- Grief & Its Process: Friday 6th June 7.30 – 9.30pm amp; Saturday 7th June 9.30am – 3.00pm.
Cenacle Night of Prayer and Healing
Nature and aims of this group: The Cenacle Night of Prayer and Healing is a gathering of people involved in apostolate and gathering round Mary in the Upper Room (the Cenacle) and awaiting the Holy Spirit. It is held every 22nd of the month (St. Vincent Pallotti died on the 22nd of January).
It is held from 8:00pm - 9:00pm, with guided Meditation for one hour before the Blessed Sacrament, together with song, prayer for healing and anointing, and ending with a blessing with the Blessed Sacrament.
Supper follows.
The picture of the Cenacle was very dear to Vincent Pallotti. It expressed the Church come alive. Vincent asked his artist friend, Seraphino Cesaretti to paint two women on either side of Mary to highlight the role of laity as apostles.
Anointing Mass Team
Nature and aims of this group: These Masses are at 11:30am on Wednesday 4-7 weeks apart. About 40-50 Senior Citizens attend.
After the Mass, there is a light luncheon where those coming are asked to bring a plate (if they can). Additional food is provided by the committee. Transport is provided for those parishioners who would normally be unable to attend. The Blessings and Anointing by the priests are always gratefully received.
Pastoral Care Support
Nature and aims of this group:
The Pastoral Care Support Team consists of trained parish volunteers and professional counsellors offering a variety of practical, emotional and spiritual support to grieving persons and families. This group links with other pastoral care groups in the parish.
Its activities include visitation, liturgy support (eg. funeral service preparation), self-help groups, prayer, memorial services and referral to professional counselling where appropriate. Support Team members receive ongoing training in basic helping skills, grief and loss, to equip them and support them in their ministry.
If you are interested in finding out more for 2004, or would like to be part of the team, please contact Avril Regan or Father Pat at the presbytery office. Definite commitment is not required at this stage.
Men are especially welcome as we have only one so far, but need more to properly serve the needs of the bereaved.
Charismatic Prayer Group
Nature and aims of this group:St Christopher's Charismatic Prayer group is affiliated with Catholic Charismatic Renewal, and aims to help people grow in their experience of, and trust in, God.
It does this by promoting an awareness of the power of the Holy Spirit, the unconditional love of God and the need for a personal relationship with Jesus.
The Group holds a prayer meeting, every Wednesday evening at 8:00PM in the meeting room. The prayer meeting consists of song, praise and worship, prayer, talks, stories of faith and prayer ministry. The group also conducts seminars and an annual weekend at Pallotti College.
It runs a telephone prayer chain for urgent prayer needs in the parish and a prayer team, after the 10:30am Sunday Mass, involving other parishioners in that prayer ministry. Every meeting is open to all. There are no formal membership requirements and everyone is welcome to be part of this group, regularly or casually.
Couples for Christ
Couples for Christ is a supportive Filippino Community whichaims at keeping the community and families together. They have a strong community sense, and join it with an educational and sharing programme over fourteen Sundays. Bible study, discussion, and the sharing of their own struggles form the basis of their meetings.
CFC is a Catholic community, but its membership is open to Christians of other denominations.
Handmaids is a group of single women who are either divorced or single mothers who also meet, share and support each other.
Couples for Christ see Syndal as their base and feel most welcome at St Christopher's which offers all that they need. Victor de Guzman is the president and convenor for this year. Val Espiritu is the parish contact.
Family of God
Family of God is a community for whom the echoing tones of "All are called" resonates in Gospel music, outreach and Church fundraising. It is a Christian community of people who are generous in the service of Christ and others.
With music in liturgy, Family of God endeavours to create an environment for encounters with God. In Gippsland, Family of God offers monthly musical support in their outreach to another Pallottine Gospel Community.
They are committed to gather regularly, to support the Saturday night Eucharist at St Christopher's. Pallottine spirituality empowers Family of God in its response to its call to ministry.
Carlos and Leila Tuazon are the leaders.
Pallottine Animation Team
Nature and aims of this group: The Pallottine Animation Team meets in the presbytery at 8.00PM on the third Thursday of each month (excluding December and January).
Led by Fr Pat and Sr Joy, this is a small community, open to all people, that endeavours to follow St Vincent Pallotti's dream of:
- a family of apostles, close and caring
- communities of people, young and old, awakening to their Christ-calling to serve and to be Good News for others.
The meeting consists of:
- Prayer
- Listening to readings from the writings of St Vincent Pallotti and the Word of the Gospel and, opening ourselves to the Spirit, discussion thereon;
- Sharing our experiences of the past month and setting objectives for the forthcoming month whereby, animated, we can continue Jesus’ mission.
Mary, Queen of Apostles
As followers of your son Jesus, we have committed ourselves to reawaken faith and enkindle charity both in our own lives and in the lives of others.
Trusting in you, Holy Virgin, we have every confidence with the aid of your intercession; and we direct our powers of body and spirit to the greater glory of God.
Following the example of St Vincent Pallotti, we ask your help to deepen our prayer for the growth of the kingdom; and finally we hope, together with you, to enjoy the fulfilment of paradise forever. Amen.
Pallottine Spirituality
Pallottine Spirituality:
- is apostolic. It emphasises community for mission, that is, everyone has a place the Church, a share in the mission of Jesus, with an equality in dignity and a unique apostolate that flows not only from Baptism but from the nature of each one’s unique creation. It is open to every spirituality and is collaborative for good.
- begins with awareness of an infinitely loving God in whose image each is created. If God pours himself out in the work of creation-redemption, then each person, irrespective of class or privilege, is obliged to love and work for the spiritual benefit of his or her neighbour.
- responds to the actual situation in which each person lives, works, and socialises; and to the needs and challenges met there.
- is cosmic spirituality: every thing has to be used, every person employed, to make Jesus’ Good News known and the kingdom of God’s compassionate love, peace and justice a reality.
Pallotti sought holiness in apostolate for all. The first requirement is a living relationship with God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit, expressed as faith come alive in active charity. The means: to become a communion of apostles, with a family-like community, a Cenacle-dynamism, and a striving to be formed in the image of Jesus, through the Spirit’s influence and Mary’s intercession.
The goal is a missionary Church in the service of humankind and the world.
Pallottine Spirituality Communities are open for anyone who wants to grow in apostolic spirituality, giftedness and apostolic effectiveness through prayer, scripture and life reflection based on Pallotti’s vision. Courses cover such areas as:
- Moments of Pallottine Spirituality
- Encounters with Infinite Love
- Attuned to the Times
- Creating a New Way by Walking
- Communion: Mainspring for Mission
- Called to Mission
For further information, contact: Sr Joy and Fr Pat (+61 3) 9802 8538
Prayer Guides
The Prayer Guides Group has been running for eight years. It is ecumenical and also apostolic. It trains the guides to be able to lead others to articulate their prayer experience.
Prayer Guides are trained to offer the ministry of a listening ear. They act as sounding boards to people and endeavour to understand articulate what goes on within and during prayer. Being attuned to how we pray helps us understand better the way we pray.
An outreach of this group is a single day "Journey into Scripture" in parishes. A number of these days have been held. Another projected venture is to conduct a parish "Retreat at Home" week with the participants meeting each night to share the fruit of their scripture reflection.
Sr Joy Shelley is the facilitator. Email: joyshelley@telstra.com
Prayer Line
The prayer line is a confidential prayer helpline for those requesting prayer and healing.
The number to ring for prayer requests can be obtained through the presbytery on 9802 8538. Confidentiality is assured.
Renew Group
This group is the sole remainder of many groups from the Renew Programme which lasted three years. This Renew Group has been together for thirteen years. They share faith, fellowship and offer support for one another. It is made up of different age groups and has helped its members in their faith and life journey.
The group experiences itself as a Small Christian Community, that is open to serve the community and parish in many different ways. The leaders are Louise and Piero Pagliaro.
Rosary Group
Nature and aims of this group:
On Wednesday mornings at 11:05am, we say the Rosary and prayers, together, before 11:30am Mass. Anyone is welcome to join in with us. If there is no 11:30am Mass, we say the Rosary after the 9:15am Mass on the same day.
Other mornings the Rosary is said after Mass ― Our Mother Mary has urged us to say this prayer and this is our small effort.
Pilgrim Statue
Nature and aims of this group:
Over the centuries, Our Lady has repeatedly asked that we pray the Rosary to bring peace to our world.
This request has been made at Lourdes, Fatima and currently at Medjugorge.
The pilgrim statue began as a devotion to Mary on each First Saturday. It went from house to house on a weekly basis.
When you have this statue in your house you have a focus to encourage your family to pray the Rosary together, and if you wish, you can invite friends and neighbours to join you in prayer.
The presence of Mary among us places our parish under her intercession. She is Mother of the Church and a model of faith. St Christopher's, as a Pallottine parish, has a special devotion to Mary, Queen of Apostles. She encourages each one of us to carry out our apostolic vocation.
Parishioners have the opportunity to have the statue of Our Lady visit their house for one week. To have the statue in your home, please contact Fr Pat 9802 8538.
Copyright © 2002-2007
St Christopher's Catholic Parish
Last modified: Mar 17 2007
Website Design: John Cooney
Maintained by: David Whalan