We meet every
1st Wednesday of the month at 7.15 pm for Prayer
7.30pm – 8.30pm Group Meetings followed by Supper
Do you appreciate the quality of our weekly and monthly bulletins? Often it takes a visit to another parish to realize how fortunate we are at Resurrection to have Bulletins of such a high standard. Behind the production of our bulletins is a team of parishioners who type, search for articles, format, print, and fold; obviously there is much more work involved with our monthly Big Bulletin. If you would like to help in any one of these areas join this group.
The Finance group advises the parish priest on all parish financial matters. This group provides general oversight of all parish financial transactions. Therefore a basic understanding of financial management would be an advantage, as parish finances need to be managed in a professional manner.
Good liturgy just doesn’t happen it has to be planned well in advance. The role of the Liturgy Group is vital in this planning. Harmony and teamwork between priest, ministers, choirs, and environment are essential. The Liturgy Group’s role in this can’t be underestimated. While there are peak moments during the year (Easter and Christmas for instance) every week is important and can be enhanced by careful planning. Our very busy Baptism programme including parent meeting, welcome mass, and the actual Baptism day are all rewarding experiences for anybody prepared to commit to this group. Nobody is expected to do it all, but with a dedicated group committed to facilitating good liturgy the load can be shared and wonderful things can happen.
MAINTENANCE
One comment consistently made by visitors to our parish is how good the place looks. It might be our gardens or it might be our facilities or something else that indicates a much-loved and well-maintained property. How does this happen? There are a couple of small groups that come during the week for cleaning, gardening and maintenance. There are our four annual working-bees. Finally there are some jobs when a professional tradesperson is needed. Members of the Maintenance group are asked to take responsibility for a specific area such as fences, or drains, or the Parish Centre, or the hall, or a section of garden. Nobody is expected to do all the work but there is the expectation that a monthly inspection would be undertaken and at the Parish Meeting Night the list of jobs would be allocated and prioritized.
Some of our parishioners have a family member (often a child) with special needs. This might be acquired brain injury, autism, cerebral palsy, or any number of challenging conditions. Members of the Outreach group organize a few social activities during the year for these families; it might be a BBQ, a games afternoon, or anything that helps ease the load. The group attempts to raise the profile of issues associated with special needs families by arranging speakers on relevant topics.
For many, many years there has been a playgroup at Resurrection on Thursday mornings. This year because of many mothers moving on we have not had a playgroup functioning. Should we have one? All the play equipment is there. Any Interest?
The Plus 22s group provides an opportunity for young adults to meet, chat and pursue common interests. It is a fun way to participate in the Parish and get together with like-minded people. There are many ways to get involved - social occasions, listening to guest speakers, or just sharing a meal. The Plus 22s also run a tutoring program for newly-arrived adults and children.
Often it is only at our Easter Vigil that members of this group are appreciated. Members of this group are the faith partners for the un-baptized, the people of other denominations, and perhaps the un-churched baptized catholic who are on a journey of discovery and welcome. Additional meetings are required from June to Easter. But for those prepared to make the commitment this is a wonderful journey to undertake as you will have the opportunity to share your faith and in the process you will learn and your faith will deepen.
Good teaching and learning for children of the twenty-first century requires a close relationship with families and the wider community. The Resurrection School Advisory Group provides a valuable opportunity for school and community to work together, keeping people informed and giving opportunities to clarify and share possibilities.
This is a group that will arrange spiritual and social activities for our senior parishioners. Such things as special anointing masses, outings, Christmas lunch, video mornings and any similar type activity would be appropriate; anything really that will gather together our senior parishioners and recognize their special contribution to Resurrection parish.
We are a large and diverse parish embracing people from many nations. How do we celebrate this cultural diversity? What can we offer our young parishioners? How can we bring together parishioners of all ages? These are just some of the challenges that this group might direct its attention. Nothing has to be on a grand scale. It might be doughnuts occasionally after mass, a video for the kids during school holidays, a multi-cultural concert, a morning tea for baptism families, wine and cheese night for new parishioners or a BBQ for new school families. It does not have to be everything; just something will be fine.
There is a long tradition of Social Justice within the Catholic Church; unfortunately many Catholics (Resurrection parishioners included) have no knowledge of this long tradition beginning with Pope Leo XIII encyclical “Rerum Novarum”. Perhaps by reproducing articles and arranging speakers we might lift the profile of social justice within our parish. Think globally act locally.
Our St Vincent de Paul group is part of a world wide organization founded in 1833 by Frederic Ozanam to help the poor. Members of St Vinnies respond to calls for help from people living in our parish and beyond. They visit homes in pairs and give food or food vouchers to those in need. A high degree of confidentially is involved, plus tact, sensitivity and discretion.
Many of the latest arrivals in our parish come from Sudan. They come as refugees from a strife-torn country some with harrowing tales to tell. How can we help? We have already had this year three BBQs to help us to get to know one another. The Plus 22s Group has undertaken a schoolwork help programme after the 10.30am mass each Sunday, at the same time helping Sudanese women learn to speak English. This is repeated on Monday nights with another group of helpers. Our Sudanese parishioners want very much to help and become involved in our parish and have indicated they will form a Sudanese choir. However they need our help in all sorts of ways. For instance how do we tap into all the workplaces represented by our parishioners and help our Sudanese parishioners find a job? Or how do we gather up all our no longer wanted furniture, household items, gardening tools, and clothing and lovingly pass these on to a Sudanese family. There is much to be done. There is much goodwill. But it needs to be coordinated. Can you help?
How do we keep the momentum going after our Campaign 2008? As almost 90% of our parish income comes from our Thanksgiving Programme, it is a question of some significance. Parishioners need to be regularly informed of how our Thanksgiving Programme is progressing and where the money is being spent. The role of the Thanksgiving Group is vital in strategic planning which in turn lays the groundwork for our next campaign; albeit in three years time.
YOUTH
For over nine years our parish has been fortunate to have a very active youth group. This group known as RYDERS (Resurrection Youth Disciples Engaging Real Situations) has met every Wednesday night during this time. There will be a Youth Camp in January 2009 as there has been for the last six years. Any young parishioner between the ages of 14 – 20 is welcome to join this group. It is always good to see members of RYDERS coming early on the first Wednesday of the month and joining us in prayer at 7.15pm; and later for supper at 8.30pm!
ANYTHING ELSE
Are there any gaps?
Is there another group that you feel would benefit the parish?
If so what is it?
Would you be prepared to be part of such a group? If so click here to sign up