News
of Interest to Both Parishes
Click on the links below for news from
New and Updated Notices (partnership)
- Parish Ministry Course
- Interested in becoming a Catholic -Rite of Christian Initiation As Adults (RCIA)
- Lay Ministry News - Eucharistic Ministers, Lectors and Servers needed !
- Help! Catechists needed
- New Parishioners - Welcome!
- Clergy News
- Bonaventure Lectures
- Pastoral Councils
- Art Classes
- Finding out about the Saints
- About Your Parish Bulletin
- Can You Sing? - Choir vacancies
- Vocations to Priesthood & Religious Life
News Items - General
We need more Lectors, Eucharistic Ministers and Servers at St Francis of Assisi Paddington. Please contact Anne Wilson on 9339 3126(w) or 9314 0421(h).
SPECIAL CALL FOR NEW CATECHISTS
Both parishes need catechists to assist for a half-hour each week at one or other of our public schools. If you can help on a Monday or a Thursday morning please call the Parish Office. To all of our faithful catechists - a great big thank-you from both parishes!
Rite of Christian Initiation as Adults (RCIA)
Our RCIA programme is a joint parish group, which prepares those who wish to become Catholics. This year we hope to welcome five candidates into the ch. Members of the Parish Pastoral Council and parishioners have joined in witnessing to their faith, as we cover various aspects of our shared Catholic faith.
"RCIA" stands for Rite of Christian Initiation as Adults. Obviously a different approach is need in preparing adults for Baptism and Confirmation, compared to the preparation of children,with which we are more familiar.
Are you a person who is considering the important step of becoming a Catholic? Do you know someone who is thinking of becoming a Catholic? Please e-mail us - you will be most welcome.
Parishioners - if you'd like to join the team assisting us in preparing the candidates please e-mail us . Further details on resumption of the programme soon.
- Their responsibility is
- to work collaboratively with the Parish Priest
- to share in the spiritual and pastoral leadership
- to listen to parishioners - explore needs, hopes and gifts of the community and to be socially and community minded
- to develop a vision and plan for its effective implementation
- to take responsibility for decision making, coordinating the implementing of a pastoral plan
- to facilitate, empower, enable involvement of parishioners to use their gifts for ministry and mission in the parish
- to
review and evaluate the well being of the ministries and parish groups
General Information about our Parish Pastoral Councils
Parish Pastoral Council members are initially appointed for a two year term. They may be reappointed for an additional term. The council meets every month. The council is more than an advisory body but collaborates with the pastor at setting and implementing parish goals with the input and support of the whole parish. (paraphrased from St Francis of Assisi’s Model of Operating for Pastoral Council)
Internet users, have you checked the website: saints.catholic.org? Throughout the coming year you will find this a useful website to learn about the saints as their feast days come round. Many of us grew up on 6 O’Clock Saints and the like. Let me know what you think of the site - it looks good to me. - Fr Peter
Every week, we throw out a pile of bulletins. While they are used during the Masses not everyone takes one with them. Please take your copy home. Also, if you have a special story you would like to share, or a reflection that you have come across which you would like included in here, please let us know. Please also note that items for inclusion in the bulletin should be forwarded to the Friary at Paddington by 3pm Wednesdays. The Parish Bulletin will also be available online shortly.
The Choir of St. Francis Parish has a vacancy for an extra bass or two! The choir has a wide repertoire from gregorian chant, 16th C.polyphony to contemporary works, with a rapid turnover of music to match the church’s liturgical year. Rehearsals are on Wednesday evening 7.00 - 8.45pm and 1hr before the 9.30am Mass on 1st, 3rd and 4th Sundays of the month, and major feasts. We are seeking a keen person, able to commit, with a good ear and ability to read music. If you are interested, or might know someone who may be, please contact choir secretary Sharon 9660-1407(bh) or email Sharon.
Interested in a Vocation to the Priesthood?
If you would like to enquire about the Franciscans, you would be welcome to contact the Vocations Director, on 9357-2900, or Sr Annette Brown on 4625-1591. Other vocation enquiries may be directed to Polding House on 9390-5100 or to Fr Peter or Fr Hugh or Fr Barry.
Interested in a Vocation to a Religious Life?
If you would like to enquire about the Sisters of Charity or about the Franciscan friars, nuns or sisters, speak to one of the Charity sisters and Fr Peter or Fr Hugh or Fr Barry after Mass or contact the Poor Clares "Bethlehem" Monastery at Campbelltown ph 4625 1591.
Welcome to our partnered parishes of St Joseph’s and St Francis. Please introduce yourself to our pastoral councillors or the friars, Fr Peter or Fr Hugh or Fr Barry, if we don't introduce ourselves to you first! We have a welcome pack for new parishioners, with everything you need to know about our parishes (and more!).
