Current Council Members
Mary Jordan, Chairperson
Clare Karibika, Secretary
Selma Boehm Bernard Cumming Cynthia Nolasco Alain Corne
The Parish Pastoral Council is a consultative body, consisting of the clergy of the parish and a group of parishioners, whom the pastor consults by reason of their knowledge, competence, or pre-eminence, in order to know his people more profoundly.
The aim of the Pastoral Council is to make the life and activity of the parish ever more closely conform to the gospel; and seeks to enrich the quality of parish life by providing parishioners with opportunities to grow in holiness, and to discover and live out their personal and community call to discipleship, to live as Catholics, who effectively transform society. It assists the parish’s apostolic work and may coordinate various independent lay associations and initiatives. The members of the Pastoral Council offer wise counsel, and assist the pastor of the parish, in planning a pastoral programme, which he is able to implement, knowing it reflects the wisdom of the local community.
Meetings are held on the first Wednesday evening of each month, after Mass at 7:00pm and there are ten meetings each year.
Current Committee Members
K. Andrews, Chairperson
V. Guzman G. McGinty G. Marland M. Andrews
Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (R.C.I.A.) Leader
Alain Corne
Special Religious Education (S.R.E. , or Scripture in public schools) leader
Norah Marland
Children Ministry Leader
Cecilia Cornejo
What is Catechesis?
Catechesis is an education in the faith of children, young people and adults. It is intimately bound up with the whole of the Church’s life. We are sent out by the Church to make disciples. (Mt. 28) How can we achieve and fulfil this vision through Catechesis Ministries?
Special Religious Education (S.R.E.) / Scripture
Public Primary School SRE is available to our six schools in our Parish. Parents/Carers are offered the opportunity at school Enrolment to choose to send their child/children to Catholic Scripture. Also parents are welcome to join in the classes at any time during the year.-
What are the benefits for the children? They have the opportunity to share with us the basics of our Catholic Christian faith.
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Classes are once a fortnight, thirty minutes of face to face teaching.
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Our curriculum is authorised by the Diocese, our Parish Priest and the NSW Education Department.
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Each child is given a book “Walking with Jesus” each year ranging from Kinders up to Year 6.
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A Teachers Manual is also provided and training for the teachers is available from CCD (Confraternity of Christian Doctrine).
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All teachers complete a Working with Children Check.
High School Scripture
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In our Parish family we are responsible for three schools. Gosford High School, Lisarow High School and Narara Valley High School.
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We are currently attending Gosford High School. In approximately 2006, due to a shortage of catechists our Parish ceased to attend Lisarow High School and Narara Valley High School. Father Andrew has commenced discussions with the Principals of the two schools to arrange for us to return to attending these schools.
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We attend the High School one day in each of four terms. We commence at 8.30am and finish at 3.10pm and we have periods of 70 minutes for each class in Years 7, 8, 9 and 10. Prior to attending the High School CCD will ask us to attend a preparation session (approximately 30 minutes) on the material to be used.
Children's Liturgy
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Children’s Liturgy is a special time during the 9:30am Sunday Mass (held during school terms) when school-aged children gather to hear and reflect on God’s Word in a way they can easily understand.
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Led by our volunteer teachers, the children listen to the Gospel using visual aids, storytelling, and age-appropriate activities that help them connect with the message of Jesus.
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After their session, the children return to the church to join their families for the rest of the Mass.
Sacramental Programme
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We support children and parents in preparation for the Sacraments of Confirmation, First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion.
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The programme commences with Enrolment and Parent Information sessions (for parents only). Two sessions lasting one hour each are available and parents attend one.
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After enrolment we then commence four sessions for the preparation to receive the Sacrament.
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Resources are available through the Parish to assist in the preparations for each Sacrament. Leaders from the Parish will guide these sessions.
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A brochure “Family-Based Sacramental Programme” showing the details of the nominated days and times of the Sacraments is available from the Church foyer or the Parish office.
Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (R.C.I.A.)
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The Rite grew from a need for guidelines to help prepare people for Church membership. Christian initiation is a process of coming to faith and becoming part of a faith community. In the Catholic Church we initiate with conversion as our agenda, community as our context and discipleship as our goal.
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Christian initiation is concerned with a process of progressive development and a climax or high point. For adults and children of catechetical age this is participating in the celebration of Baptism (if it is required), Confirmation and Eucharist in the one liturgy, usually at the Easter Vigil.
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In our Parish the RCIA journey involves six months of teaching sessions, using a resource called “Evangelium”, 8 formal rituals, various Catholic experiences, personal prayer and reflection on the Word, usually the weekly readings.
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We have an RCIA team and sponsors to journey with our candidates.
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Team Leaders
Keith and Maureen Andrews
What is Hospitality?
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We meet parishioners as they arrive for Mass
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We ensure everyone feels welcome
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We encourage the creation of a warm and friendly community
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We look after Morning Tea for parishioners each first Sunday after 9:30am Mass
Meet and Greet
At 6:00pm Vigil Mass on Saturday and also at the 8:00am, 9:30am and 5:00pm Masses on Sunday members of the team welcome parishioners as they arrive at the church and hand them a bulletin.
Welcome New Parishioners
First Sunday of the Month Morning TeaOn the First Sunday of each month, the Parish hosts a Morning Tea after 9:30am Mass which is catered by the Hospitality Ministry. All parishioners and visitors are welcome to attend.
In addition, the Hospitality Ministry is called on to look after catering at many special functions and events that take place in our Parish. For example – our Parish Family Day and Celebrating the Ministries.
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What is Liturgy?
The Liturgy is the Church’s official public and communal worship. While the celebration of the Eucharist is the Church’s principal act of worship, the Liturgy also includes the celebration of the other six sacraments, the official daily prayer of the Church (Liturgy of the Hours), and liturgical Rites for special celebrations.
In our Parish it is overseen by the following teams:
Liturgy Team
Alain Corne, Leader
The Liturgy team aims to oversee the liturgical life of the Parish by planning and organising seasonal and festal liturgical celebrations and by providing liturgical training and formation.
Altar Servers
The Parish has both Senior and Junior servers. These servers assist and serve the Priest and community during Mass and other church liturgies. Children having made their First Communion may become a junior server. Adults who are comfortable with a public, non-speaking, co-ordinating role at Mass and have received Confirmation may become a Senior servers. Senior servers are rostered on a rotating schedule.
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
The Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion (EMHC) assists the Priest in distributing the Body & Blood of Christ to the People of God during the celebration of the Eucharist. Adults who are comfortable with a public, non-speaking role at Mass and have received Confirmation may become an EMHC.Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion to the Sick
Norah Marland, Leader
In addition to assisting the Priest during the Mass these ministers distribute Holy Communion to the People of God who are homebound, in hospital or in nursing homes. This aspect of ministry calls for a blend of reverence, responsibility and hospitality. EMHC to the sick are rostered on a rotating schedule.
Lectors/ReadersCecilia Cornejo, Leader
The Lector proclaims the Word of God during Mass and reads the Prayers of the Faithful. This is a vital part of our faith community’s worship. Members of the faith community who have received Confirmation and who are comfortable with a public, proclaiming role at Mass may become a Lector.
Lectors should prepare well and be willing to grow in their personal prayer life, especially through reflection upon the scriptures. The Parish provides both printed and web-based liturgy resources to help lectors in their preparation for their proclamation. Lectors are rostered on a rotating schedule and should arrive 15 minutes before the Liturgy.Altar Society
Merlyn Staite, Leader
The Altar Society lovingly cares for our church sanctuary, ensuring it is always prepared for the celebration of Mass. Members arrange fresh flowers, maintain the sacred spaces around the altar, and see that everything is kept clean and beautiful throughout the week.
They also take special care of the altar linens — changing, laundering, ironing, and returning them for each Mass. Through their quiet and dedicated service, the Altar Society helps create a prayerful and welcoming space for our parish community to worship.
Church Cleaning - Vacuuming, Dusting, Cleaning Windows and Arranging Flowers
Helen Black, Team Leader
Every house needs to be looked after. In our Parish Cleaning Ministry a team of parishioners on a monthly roster work in pairs to vacuum the church. One will work on the Sacred Heart side, half of the Sanctuary and that half of the church including the Confessional and Chapel. The other person will work on Our Lady’s side, half of the Sanctuary, half of the church and the priest’s Sacristy.
Window cleaning and general duties e.g. cleaning and mopping the foyer and front steps.
Flowers are arranged for the Sanctuary and the Chapel.
This is a great spiritual opportunity for spending some quiet time with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament while attending to this sacred place.
Maintenance
Geoff Marland, Team Leader
A team of parishioners, each with their own gifts, are called upon to attend various jobs for the church and presbytery whenever it is necessary. They also give suggestions about other issues that may require attention.
Work Health & Safety (W.H.S) is continuously looked at on a Parish level as well as Diocesan.
If you see any hazards on the parish premises that may be considered a risk to parishioners or to members of the public please report it to the Parish office on 4324 3962.
Lawn Mowing
Chris Parkhouse, Team Leader
A team of parishioners on a rotating roster (twice in 6 months) work in pairs to mow the lawns in the church and presbytery grounds.
This allows parishioners to spend time together and also to reflect and enjoy fresh air and to be filled with awe and thanksgiving for the wonders of God’s creation.
Gardens
Margaret O'Neill, Team Leader
The church gardens are maintained by a team of parishioners.
Regular weeding and watering are normally done.
This is a wonderful opportunity to work outdoors and to be filled with awe and thanksgiving for God’s creation and the privilege that is ours to be part of this Ministry."When we sing in Liturgy, we are praying twice"
The parish has four choirs and music groups which sing at various Masses.
The Acquaintance Choir
Elsie Alipalo, Team Leader
The choir was established in 2007. Most of the members had been singing in the parish before the choir was formally named. The group was initially composed of Filipino singers and musicians. Over time, however, the group has grown to be a multicultural choir. The choir sings at the 9:30am Mass on the 1st, 4th and 5th Sundays of each month.
The Miracles Youth Band
Rosemary and Glenn Ewing, Team leaders
The Miracles was founded and played at their first Mass in May 2013 after 2-3 months of preparation and practice.
The music has always been chosen to appeal to the age range of the youth, teens through to young adults. Song choices are designed for Youth Masses.
The Young Adults Choir
Mei Mangoba, Team Leader
Our Young Adults Choir was formed as part of the Young Adults in the Youth Ministry. The choir commenced with four young ladies and others have joined them, singing and playing guitar.
The group would like to encourage others to join them. The group sings at the 5:00pm Sunday Mass.
The Saturday Vigil Mass Group
This music group sings at the 6:00pm Saturday Vigil Mass.Friends of the Sick
Maree Laming, Team Leader
Each Friday morning a member of the team visits Gosford Private Hospital and obtains a list of all patients who are Catholic.
The patients are visited and asked if they would like to receive Holy Communion on the following Sunday morning. The list is passed on to the Parish office.
CoastShelter
Norah Marland, Team Leader
On the fourth Saturday of each month a team goes into CoastShelter in Mann Street, Gosford to prepare a lunchtime hot and nourishing meal for the people who come.
The number varies but is usually between 60 and 100 meals.
Wyoming Conference, St Vincent de Paul
Jim Power, Team Leader
We meet people needing assistance and when necessary we have vouchers available for energy accounts, medical scripts, food and help by various other means.
Most of all we give people some encouragement, self-esteem and a hand up over a tough period in their lives.Our Parish Family Youth Ministry targets ages 12 – 40. We strive to develop four groups of these ages. At the moment we are grouped into two sections of 12 – 17 years and 18 – 40 years.
You are welcome to be part of building a vibrant Parish Youth Ministry, as a member or as a mentor.
Together let us create space for our young people.The Youth Ministry create a conducive environment in our parish family for the integral development of our young people. This includes support in Faith Formation, Social Justice (Outreach), Liturgy and Social Development (Recreational).
The Youth Ministry enables our young people to participate as a team in an activity within the Parish and the wider community using their gifts.
Youth (Ages 12 to 17 years)Michele, Glenn and Rosemary, Ministry Contacts
The Miracles Youth Band are involved in leading us in Music during Mass. Also they read, serve and take up collections during the celebration of the Eucharist.
As “Youth in Action” we sing Christmas carols for those in Nursing Homes and at Coast Shelter for the homeless.
Also we fundraise – like selling cakes for Coast Shelter
We have fun playing soccer and table tennis. More social activities are to be added.
Young Adults (Ages 18 to 40 years)
Mei and Helene, Ministry Contacts
The Young Adults Choir are involved in leading us in Music during Mass.
Also the Young Adults are involved in Bible Study, reading, serving and taking up collections during the celebration of the Eucharist. They also serve the homeless at Coast Shelter.
Parish Ministries & Resources
Explore opportunities to serve or grow through our parish ministries, prayer groups, and social outreach.