Catechesis of children for the Sacraments

Baptism Preparation Team 

There are a number of steps to be taken in the preparation for the Sacrament of Baptism.  Like all worthwhile and important events it needs preparation to ensure the Celebrations is meaningful.  It also needs follow up to ensure that there is continuity and growth in faith.

  1. Contact Michelle on the above Phone No.
  2. A Baptism kit will be sent to you.
  3. The Baptism Team will contact you and arrange to meet. (Attendance at this meeting is a pre-requisite for celebrating the sacrament.)
  4. Both the Rite of Reception and Baptism are celebrated on the 1st, 3rd and 5th Sundays of the month. 
  5. A candle and white stole are needed for the celebration.
  6. Parents are asked to make a $20 donation.

We are here to support you in any way possible.  Please ring Michelle and have a chat.

Contacts
Michelle Grimsted
email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.


First Reconciliation, First Communion and Confirmation 

Here at St Mary’s Parish we are committed to a Family centred, Parish based, School and Catechist supported Sacrament Program as outlined in the Sale Diocesan Policy. We believe that the Sacraments of Initiation are part of a process that takes place over many years. They begin with Baptism and include First Communion and Confirmation. The sacrament of Reconciliation is also celebrated during this time.

There are many people who play a role in this process, the children themselves, their parents, catechists, teachers and parishioners.

Our Catechists support candidates attending Government Schools, our teachers at St Mary’s prepare the children who attend St Mary’s School and the Parish participate in the celebration of these Sacraments. Regular workshops are held for families in preparation for each Sacrament.

Catechists are available for Sacramental preparation of children in the outlying communities.

Contact
Michelle Grimsted
email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

LITURGY

Sacristans  

The Sacristans have two main roles: Security of the sacristy and most importantly, the Eucharist and the preparations needed before and after Mass. They are responsible for ensuring proper respect for the consecrated bread and wine during and after the celebration. They are also responsible for keeping the Tabernacle secure.

Preparations vary slightly depending on the individual mass and presider. At every mass, they are responsible for preparing for both the Liturgy of the Word and Mass which means preparing all the books, vessels, bread and wine, and incense when appropriate.

Contact

Jenny Burton 
Telephone: 5152 4781


Liturgy Team                                                   

The Liturgy Team works to promote meaningful liturgies; which help our Parish community worship with faith and devotion.  The focus of the Team is to support our Priests in their role as presider in the community’s celebration of the Eucharist.  Special attention is given to planning liturgies that commemorate the special feasts and seasons of the church year.  From time to time, special informative events pertaining to our faith are introduced and offered to the parish. (ANZAC Day, NAIDOC Week)

Contact
Kath Cassidy
Telephone: 5152 3635


Music Ministry  

The primary music minister in the liturgy is the assembled people. At certain times the priest, the choir, the musicians and the cantor have specific roles of their own which enhance the community’s celebration of the Eucharist.

Of special importance are the roles of music director, choir director and music coordinator, who are responsible for preparing, rehearsing and conducting the musical aspects of liturgical celebrations. They have a vital role in choosing the music and helping the assembly take an active part in the singing (cf. CSL 28, 30, 114, 118, and 121).

Contact
Josie Boland - Coordinator
Telephone: 5152 2338 (H)


Children’s Liturgy of the Word

The term ‘Children’s Liturgy of the Word’ refers to the practice of inviting children during Mass to gather in the Chapel to celebrate a separate Liturgy of the Word that is more appropriate to their level of understanding.

Contact 
Michelle Grimsted & Amanda Vowell - Coordinators 
Telephone: 5152 2942


Altar Servers  

Altar servers play a very visible part in the parish liturgy. Girls and boys of any age intending to be altar servers in our parish begin their training in Grade 4.

Altar servers do not need to commit to any length of service or other ongoing duties and may cease service at any time and for whatever reason.

In our parish, new servers are mentored by Michelle for a number of weeks until they are competent in all the various duties carried out by the altar servers at mass. 

Once trained, servers nominate which weekend mass they normally attend and are then included on a roster to serve at a Sunday Mass.

Contact
Michelle Grimsted
Telephone: 5152 3106


FAMILY YOUTH MASS

Contact : Michelle Grimsted

Telephone: 51522942


Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament

The Eucharist is displayed for veneration in a monstrance and placed on the altar after the 9.10am Mass on the 1st Friday of the month.

Contact
To be advised


Communal Rosary

There are several ways of saying the Holy Rosary, but that which gives God the greatest glory, is that of saying the Rosary publicly. It is prayed communally in St Mary’s Church after 9.10am morning Mass/Liturgy of the Word and 9.30am each Tuesday at St Patrick’s Paynesville.

Contact
George and Jenny Burton                             
Telephone: 5152 4781


Morning Office:   

In western Catholicism, canonical hours may also be called Offices, since they refer to the official set of prayer of the Catholic Church that is known variously as the Divine Office.  The current official version of the hours in the Roman rite of the Catholic Church is called the Liturgy of the Hours.

A communal Morning Office is prayed Monday – Friday, 8.45am in St Mary’s Church Chapel. 

Contact
To be advised


Monthly Mass at Aged Care Facilities and Holy Communion to the Sick and Housebound

In Paynesville parishioners take Communion to residents at Opal Aged Care and those who are unable to attend Sunday Mass.

The Priests take Communion to parishioners at the Omeo Hospital and to those who are unable to attend Mass/Liturgy of the Word with Communion in Omeo and Benambra.  Ensay/Swifts Creek parishioners take Communion to those who are unable to attend.

Residents in the three Bairnsdale nursing homes are able to participate in Mass once each month.

  • Opal Aged Care, 10.30am, 2nd Wednesday of the month
  • Maddocks Gardens, 10.30am, 4th Wednesday of the month
  • Eastwood Aged Care, 10.30am, 1st Wednesday of the month                                               

Many parishioners support our priests in the ministry to the sick and housebound, their family and friends by helping with Mass at aged care facilities and taking Communion to those unable to leave their homes.  Communion is taken from Sunday or weekday Masses to these parishioners.

Contact
Parish Office
Telephone: 5152 2942


Weekend Liturgies Rosters       

6pm Saturday Bairnsdale    Christine Shanahan       Telephone: 5156 8704
9.30am Sunday Bairnsdale  Angela Chila     Telephone: 5156 9391
8am Sunday Paynesville Sue Butler   Telephone: 5156 1485
11am Sunday Lindenow    Maria Calvi Telephone: 5157 1331
Omeo Mass/Liturgy of the Word with Communion Leonie Pendergast Telephone: 0467 485 361
Swifts Creek Mass/Liturgy of the Word with Communion Steven & Anne O’Brien Telephone: 5159 4342
Benambra Mass/Liturgy of the Word with Communion Pauline Cook  Telephone: 5159 9276
Week day Liturgy and Liturgy of the Word with Communion Rosters Jo Deboer Telephone: 5153 0423

 

PASTORAL CARE

Parish Pastoral Council:   

The Parish Pastoral Council meets on the third (3rd) Wednesday of the month. 
Parishioners are welcome to submit items for consideration to the Parish Centre by 10am, Tuesday the week before the meeting.

Elected members: 

  • Angela McKail (Co-chair)
  • Michael Flynn (Co-chair)
  • Angelo D'Amore
  • Rita Bowers
  • Marilyn Elliot
  • Wilma Collier

Ex officio members:

  • Fr Michael
  • Fr Avinash
  • Michelle Garbutt (Principal St Mary’s Primary School)
  • Neville Powles (Principal Nagle Secondary College)
  • Pattie Pruscino 

Role of a Pastoral Council

A Pastoral Council consists of our Priests together with a group of parishioners nominated by the parish community.

The Pastoral Council’s role is to promote the Church’s mission to live and communicate the love and values of Christ in our world.

The Pastoral Council shares in the responsibility for the ongoing life and development of the faith community, working together with parishioners to provide support for their efforts to live as followers of Christ.


Functions of a Pastoral Council

A Pastoral Council seeks to:

  • Provide opportunities for parishioners
  • Enrich the quality of parish life
  • To grow closer to God
  • To discover and live out a personal and community call to mission to live as Catholics who effectively transform society.

In order to fulfil its role, the Pastoral Council will:

  • Search out and respond to the hopes, ideas, needs and concerns of parishioners to grow in knowledge and awareness of what is already happening in the parish.
  • Encourage and support the good work of existing groups within the parish.
  • Carefully evaluate information gathered in order to contribute towards the making of decisions that reflect the values of the gospel and the teachings of the Church.
  • Set long-term and short-term pastoral goals for the parish.
  • Provide opportunities for parishioners to grow in their relationship with God and with each other.
  • Develop, implement and improve parish initiatives to assist parishioners’ continuing efforts to live as effective Christians in society.

By way of explanatory note, pastoral issues, the core concern of the Parish Pastoral Council, are those that impact on the life of parishioners in the areas of:

  • Integration of their faith into everyday life – home, work, community.
  • Nourishment and support of their faith as they strive to live as faithful disciples of Jesus.
  • Outward focus for the development of an alive Christian community, actively engaged in Jesus’ mission of service and influence in the wider world.

Monthly Sunday Morning Tea:1st Sunday of the month at St. patrick's church Paynesville after the 8am mass and St. Mary's Bairnsdale after the 9.30am mass in the parish centre.

Parishioners at Bairnsdale, paynesville and Lindenow are 'welcoming communities' where we ensure that new and old parishioners, as well as visitors, always feel welcome and have oppertunities to strengthen their relationship with each other.

We see this as an important way to continue to build our parish communities. Please join us- everyone is welcome!


Contact Info:

Parish Pastoral Council:                

  • Angela McKail (Co-chair)   0417 326 107
  • Michael Flynn (Co-chair)   0408 884 351

Parish Census:
Michael Flynn
Telephone: 5152 2942

Parish Visitation:
Michael Flynn
Telephone: 5152 2942

COMMUNICATION

Parish Weekend Bulletin

Sunday Bulletin Notices must be submitted to the Parish Office via email to Michael Flynn (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) or dropped in person by 12 pm each Thursday. On approval of the Parish Priest (and depending on the availability of room) priority will be given to notices relating to parish groups/activities, then Diocesan notices followed by other local community notices.

Please contact Michael at the Parish Office on 5152 2942 for more information.

St Mary’s School Newsletters

The school newsletter can be viewed by going to www.stmbairns.catholic.edu.au. Notices for the school newsletter should please be emailed to St Mary's Primary. 

Nagle College Newsletters

Community members may access Nagle College news via the College website: www.nagle.vic.edu.au/news/all. News items or notices to be considered for inclusion should please be emailed to the Nagle College Registrar: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Please call Nagle College on 5152 6122 for more information.

Your Parish team

 

Fr Joseph Abutu-Parish Priest

Fr Mark Hughes-Assistant Priest

 

 

 
 
Paul Heaton-Harris / Helen Rose (Office Manager)

Paul comes to the position of Parish Business Manager with extensive experience in small business and corporate business management across a number of sectors. His responsibilities in the Parish are the overall financial and facilities management including, obligations for working with children and vulnerable adults, occupational health and safety and protection of Parish assets. He brings a focus on “people” to his position.

Paul can be contacted directly on: 0418 377 076

 
Michael.jpg

Michael Flynn works from the Parish Centre in Nicholson Street, Tuesday-Friday, and supports Fr Joseph, Fr Mark, Helen and Michelle in the everyday life of the Parish. The tasks are many and varied and include being the first point of contact; maintaining St Mary’s data base; helping to prepare the bulletin; writing a weekly email for all parishioners; welcoming people who come into the Parish Centre with general enquiries or suggestions; and maintaining contact with our outlying Churches.

I feel truly blessed to be working for St Mary’s Parish and to be able to contribute to our Church. I am a member of the Loss and Grief Group, the Social Justice Group, the Liturgy Team, and am an ex officio member of the Parish Pastoral Council. My background lies in Counselling and Social/Community Welfare and I extend a warm invitation to you all to drop in to the Parish Centre for a talk, or just a cup of tea or coffee.

Telephone: 5152 2942   Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

   
  Sacramental Co-Ordinator

Michelle Grimsted works from the Parish Centre in Nicholson Street to support the community who wish to undertake the Sacraments of Initiation -  Baptism, First Reconciliation, First Communion and Confirmation. I aim to provide contemporary teaching approaches, built on the foundation of sound theology and strong Scriptural bases.   The opportunity to work in partnership with families, parish/non-parish based schools, and adults is such a privilege. I endeavour to build trusting respectful relationships to make a difference in people’s faith journey with God.

A warm invitation is extended to meet and discuss how I can support you, in growing in the knowledge of the fullness of life through the Sacraments, in Christ Jesus.

Telephone: 5152 2942    Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.