Pastoral Activities

JOURNEY INTO THE CATHOLIC FAITH

Also known as RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults), Journey into the Catholic Faith, is for adults who are interested in becoming Catholics or seeking to deepen their faith.

The program usually runs from October to June.

The group meets on Wednesday evenings at 5.30pm at the Youth Hub and covers a different topic each week.

ALPHA

Participants in the Alpha course have an opportunity to explore life and faith, to ask questions and to share their point of view in an open, friendly environment.

Each session begins with a meal and is followed by a video and small group discussion.

MACKILLOP OUTREACH

St Agnes’ Parish serves the poor, the needy and the homeless in a number of ways, working side by side with such organisations as St Vincent de Paul Society, Soup Kitchens, Youth Services (via the Youth Hub) and other Church organisations.

Mackillop Outreach is part of the Parish’s ongoing welfare program, which has established the following to support those in need:

  • A supply of towels, bedding, and hygiene products.
  • A system in place for providing food vouchers for those seeking assistance.
  • A supply of tinned food products, and other non-perishable items that can be easily accessed when the need arises.
  • A process of referral to other agencies, such as St Vincent de Paul Society, when the need arises.

Proceeds from the Poor Boxes in the Church and any money raised from the sale of second hand books and DVDs at the MacKillop Centre go towards MacKillop Outreach.

Donations of non-perishable foodstuffs, blankets, hygiene products, and other items are always welcome.

Pastoral Activities

SACRAMENTAL PROGRAM

The Parish sacramental program is offered for children as follows:

  • Sacrament of Confirmation (Year 2)
  • First Holy Communion (Year 3)
  • Sacrament of Penance (Year 4)

For further information contact [email protected] or the Presbytery Office.

BAPTISM PREPARATION TEAM

Lay teams run our Baptism Preparation evenings once a month (usually on the 4th Thursday of each month at 6pm) in St Agnes’ Church.

EXTRAORDINARY MINISTERS OF THE EUCHARIST

Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist assist with the distribution of Communion at our Masses and taking Communion to parishioners unable to attend Mass.  Training is provided for this important ministry.

If you would like to become an Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist, contact the Presbytery Office.

PRE-MARRIAGE EDUCATION COURSE

For couples seeking marriage in the Catholic Church it is compulsory to undertake a pre-marriage course.

At St Agnes’ Parish, we offer couples a free weekend pre-marriage course, coordinated by a team of married couples. The course is held twice a year usually in March and October.

MUSICIANS AND CHOIR

Singing is a way of developing a living personal relationship with God by lifting our minds and hearts to Him through this form of prayer.

Weekend Masses and other special liturgies are enhanced through music and singing.

We welcome anyone who would like to join the beautiful musicians and singers who currently make up our music ministry team.

Rehearsals are on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month (6pm to 7pm).

For more information please contact Jenni (0438 522 854) or the Presbytery Office.

Pastoral Activities

HOSPITALITY TEAMS

Small groups of volunteers operate on a rostered basis to provide hospitality at each of our Weekend Masses.  The Hospitality teams:

  • welcome parishioners and visitors
  • assist by opening the glass doors for people with prams or walking aids
  • help with finding seats and giving directions to those who need it
  • hand out bulletins and other information

SUNDAY MASS BUS – PICKUP

This bus picks up people who cannot otherwise get to 9.00am Sunday Mass.  People must live within Port Macquarie area and board the bus without assistance.

CARE & CONCERN GROUP

The early weeks and months can be an especially difficult time for families experiencing bereavement. The role of this group is to offer the continuing care and concern of the Parish community through visits and support to grieving individuals and families.

The Care & Concern group meets first Tuesday of every month at 2.00pm in the Parish Hall.

New volunteers are welcome – with training provided each year – contact the Presbytery Office.

HOSPITALS’ PASTORAL CARE TEAM

Members of the team visit both the private and public hospital to listen, speak and pray and provide the Sacrament of Communion to those who request it.

This group meets on the last Thursday of every month at 8.30am in the Parish Hall.

CATHOLIC MEN’S CLUB

This is a group for Catholic men and their friends to meet and socialise. The group gathers each Tuesday from 4pm to 8pm to share a light supper meal and camaraderie at the Catholic Men’s Club licenced premises, located in Horton Street (behind the Beantree Café).

CATHOLIC WOMENS’ LEAGUE

Catholic Women’s League aims to unite women of all ages at Parish, Diocesan, State and National levels to meet the challenges affecting Christian families.   It also works to promote Christianity through the spiritual, cultural, intellectual and social development of women.

Locally, our Catholic Women’s League hosts regular morning teas to welcome new parishioners. Advertised in the Parish Bulletin, these events are usually and held at the ‘John Worner Centre’ at Lourdes Village in Boronia Street.

Pastoral Activities

FAMILY GROUPS

The Parish’s Family Groups operate under the guidelines of the Passionist Family Group Movement (http://www.pfgm.org).

Members comprise single people and couples, with or without children.  The groups are for people of all ages and are an easy way for non-Catholics and newcomers to feel part of our Parish community.

Established in the Parish in 1988, our Family groups celebrated 30 years of operation in 2018.

CHRISTMAS HAMPER GROUP

This ministry is one that brings givers and receivers together in the true meaning of Christmas.  This team, which operates between September and November each year, coordinates the gathering of donations and the distribution of hampers to needy families within the Parish.

Volunteers are always welcome to help – contact the Presbytery office.

PARISH HALL

The Parish Hall is available for Parish use and for hire to other groups.

PASTORAL ASSISTANT

The Pastoral Assistant helps to fulfil the pastoral needs of the Parish including coordinating hospital and parishioner visitations, church services, weekend Mass and Rugrats youth group.

PASTORAL COUNCIL

The Pastoral Council informs, advises and works with the Parish Priest to research the needs, ideas and hopes of parishioners; It recommends policies, procedures and programs associated with the mission of the Church; and co-ordinates, develops and implements pastoral programs and evaluates pastoral effectiveness.

PRESBYTERY

The Presbytery Office is the coordinating centre for all pastoral activities within the Parish and can be contacted on 6583 1024.

ROSARY CRUSADE

Parishioners are invited to place their name on a roster to have the statue of Our Lady of Fatima in their home for a week.

ROSARY MAKERS GUILD

A group of volunteers who co-ordinate the making of rosary beads for distribution to schools, the needy and overseas missions. They also teach school children how to pray the rosary.