St. Andrew’s Parish has had a long history of engaging volunteers and to this day they continue to play a vital role in the active life of our parish. We are greatly enriched by the generosity and dedication of these wonderful people.
If you would like to become involved in our parish by sharing your time and talents, we would love to hear from you. We invite you to submit an expression of interest in joining our amazing team of volunteers, in any of our many areas below. Full training and support will be provided.
Depending on the ministry, volunteers are required to submit some documentation and undertake online Safeguarding training. Some of these checks are legal requirements to ensure that the vulnerable members of our community continue to remain and feel safe. A list of volunteer requirements is provided below under Ministry Documents tab.
ALTAR LINEN
This group picks up the altar linen to be cleaned at the weekend mass, to be washed/ironed/folded and then keeps the washed altar linen in place during the week. A roster is prepared by the coordinator.
ALTAR SERVERS
This important ministry is open to all members of the Parish who have received the Sacrament of the Eucharist. There are servers rostered for each of the Weekend masses and they assist the Priest in the service of community by the celebration of the Liturgy. A training course is held once a year after the First Holy Eucharist and the servers are commissioned after successful completion of this course. This group meets 1st Monday of every month in the Parish House
CHILDRENS LITURGY OF THE WORD (CLOW)
This team brings children of primary school age to hear the Word of God at their own level of understanding and to see it relate to their own lives. Currently, it is available at the 6 pm Saturday and 9:30 am Sunday Mass. The children are taken by a leader and assistant to the Children’s Liturgy Room. They leave the church after the opening prayer and return to church after the Prayers of Intercession with the offertory. Volunteers are always needed.
CHOIR GROUPS
There are 4 choir groups for all the weekend Masses. Each choir meets during the week for practice. Anyone who can sing a little is most welcome to join any choir. They have a lot of fun, as well as enriching our great Feasts and weekend celebrations.
COLLECTORS
Their time is required during Mass as per a monthly roster prepared by the coordinator to do the first and second collection and also if there are any special collections during Mass.
COMMENTATORS
A commentator fulfils a genuine liturgical ministry, which consists of presenting to the assembly of the faithful, from a suitable place, relevant explanations and comments that are clear, of marked simplicity, meticulously prepared, as a rule, written out and approved beforehand by the celebrant for any weekend or Special Mass as per the roster.
COMMUNION TO THE SICK MINISTRY
After being trained, lay ministers are authorised to take Holy Communion to those who are not able to attend Mass: the ill, the elderly, the housebound and those in hospitals or nursing homes. We have a dedicated group of volunteers who take communion to Nursing Homes and private homes of those unable to come to Mass.
FRESH FLOWERS GROUP
This group organises flowers for the Altar in the Church for the weekend Masses and special occasions upon request.
LITURGY PREPARATION COMMITTEE
This Committee is responsible for the Liturgical Life of the Parish under the guidance of the Parish Priest. It fosters holiness and grace in the people by preserving the integrity of the Liturgy. This group plans the Liturgy for the Mass for special celebrations like Mother’s Day, ANZAC Day etc. The Liturgy Committee is the avenue of communication between the different liturgical ministry groups in the Parish.
LEGION OF MARY
The Legion of Mary is a worldwide society of practising Catholics, who seek to realize the riches of the Faith and to share them with others. This group meets every Monday in the church at 7 pm and visit people’s houses, say Rosary and prayers with the Statue of Our Lady. They also lead the rosary in the Adoration Chapel at St. Andrew’s every 3rd Wednesday at 7.30 pm. Everyone is welcome to join in the rosary.
READERS OF THE WORD OF GOD
Lectors are given the responsibility of proclaiming the Sacred scriptures at the Eucharist and other Liturgical functions. This group does the reading for the Mass they attend during the weekend as per the roster or upon request.
SACRISTANS
This role is that of a coordinator for daily and weekend Masses as per the roster or when required ensuring that linens are clean and changed, that the altar vessels are kept safe, consumables like altar wine and altar bread are inadequate supply and that the church as a whole is kept secure and tidy. The sacristan works with the Parish Priest to attend to the environment of worship.
SPECIAL MINISTERS OF HOLY COMMUNION
This is a group of selected and trained parishioners who assist with the distribution of Holy Communion at Mass when required and may also assist in home communion when required. Extra-Ordinary Ministers of the Eucharist (EMHC) are commissioned for a period of time. This group serves during the weekend and daily mass as per the roster.
WELCOMING/USHERING COMMITTEE
This is a group of selected and trained parishioners who make a tremendous contribution to the worship of the faithful. They are called “The Hospitality or Welcoming Team”. They introduce new parishioners, offer information, supply programs etc. and lead people to vacant seats. In short, they make people feel welcome and at home. They also arrange the offertory procession.
BAPTISM PREPARATION TEAM
This team helps families prepare and celebrate Baptism. Baptism preparation meetings are held in the Parish House on the First Wednesday of the month at 7.30 pm. Parents are asked to attend a meeting, followed by a welcoming ceremony at a weekend Mass of choice prior to the Baptism. Baptisms are held every Second and Fourth Sunday in the Church at 12.30 pm.
COLUMBARIUM
This Committee looks after the maintenance of the existing Memorial wall and the proposed Columbarium.
RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION FOR ADULTS(RCIA)
This formal RCIA program for people interested in becoming Catholic commences in October and concludes at the Easter vigil Mass. Meetings are held once a week in the Parish House and candidates learn all about the Catholic faith, the Church and its traditions. The Candidates experience some opportunities to meet the community with Rite of Acceptance, Rite of Election held at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, The Ceremony of the Scrutinies and the pinnacle—Reception into the Catholic Church—Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist at the Easter Vigil.
SACRAMENTAL PROGRAMME FOR GOVERNMENT SCHOOL CHILDREN
This programme aims to provide religious education and preparation for all primary age students(1-6 yrs) that do not attend Catholic schools and helps them in the preparation to receive the Sacraments of Reconciliation, Eucharist, and Confirmation. Classes are held from 4 pm to 5 pm on a Tuesday during the school term at the Parish house.
ST. ANDREW’S COMMUNITY FETE
Our major fund raiser for the year is our October Fun Fete. We always need helpers! It is held on the first Saturday of Term 4 from 10.00 am to 4.00 pm.
SOCIAL AND FUNDRAISING EVENTS
This committee looks after all social events including fund raising and community building activities. They meet when there is a need to plan an event & is most busy just before an event.
The events planned for the year 2020 are as follows alongwith the dates. Mark your calendars so that you don’t miss out.
- New Years Dance 31st Dec
- Christmas in July 19th July
- Carols by Candelight 6th Dec
CAKE STALL COMMITTEE
Cake stalls and bake sales are a traditional favourite of the parish community culture. Very simply, it involves members, parents and families baking cakes and yummy treats for your parish to sell to bring in fundraising dollars as required for special events.
SCHOOL PARENTS AND FRIENDS
A group of parents who assist the school in providing facilities, services and some social activities.
OUT OF SCHOOL HOURS CARE
Run by a private concern, it offers quality before and after school hours care and a comprehensive Holiday Care Program right here on the grounds of St. Andrew’s. All programs are conducted in a friendly and secure environment, under the supervision of trained and experienced staff.
ANDREWS CARE GROUP
This group cooks and provides a meal to a sick person once a month as rostered.
FINANCE COMMITTEE
This committee’s primary aim is to ensure Parish finances are maintained. The committee prepares the Parish budget, annual financial statements and maintains journals of monthly income and expenditure. They meet 4 times a year.
FRIENDSHIP GROUP
The senior citizens of the Parish meet every Tuesday for a meeting and refreshments. They offer support and friendship with guest speakers and regular social outings. A number of the Support Team are foundation members with 35 years service. We encourage all members to extend invitations to the Community.
GRIEF AND LOSS SUPPORT MINISTRY
This group provides visitations and conducts support activities including an Annual Remembrance Mass in November. They visit upon request from the grieving family and organise the All Souls Day Mass in November
MAINTENANCE TEAM
This team reviews and investigates Parish property maintenance issues, attends to minor repairs, changing of signs, mounting pictures, installation of plaques and other minor tasks etc.
PARISH WEBSITE TEAM
This team works towards building, maintaining and updating the Parish website while adhering to security procedures. It creates a platform where parishioners can view information about the parish, upcoming events and to provide good Catholic material.
YOUTH GROUP (SAYG)
S.A.Y.G more formally known as the St. Andrew’s Youth group, exists to ignite the faith of the Catholic youth and encourage them to live out their faith practically and authentically. Our purpose is to support the Catholic youth by providing the environment and opportunities that will inspire, encourage and empower them to have a voice within the Catholic Church as well as to find fellowship and the love of Christ within each other as the next generation of Catholics.
ST VINCENT de PAUL
The Clayton South Conference of the St. Vincent de Paul Society meets every 2nd and 4th Monday evening at 7.30 pm in the Parish House. They do all help and place emphasis on education, home visitations with bread, fruit and vegetable runs and any other task which arises. The annual Christmas hamper appeal sees hampers prepared by the parishioners and delivered by members and helpers with 3 toys allocated for each child and cash supplements to buy fresh food. A shop is also located in Clayton to assist those in need.
PARISH LEADERSHIP TEAM
This representative body including the Parish Priest accepts responsibility for pursuing the mission of our Parish. The active commitment and involvement of this group are vital for our future.
PARISH PASTORAL TEAM
This team is constituted by the Coordinators of various ministries. The PPT collaborates with the Parish Priest in promoting the spiritual and pastoral life and growth of the parish community. They meet on a Wednesday every 2nd month.
TRANSPORTATION TO CHURCH
We can assist sick or homebound people to provide transport to church for Mass or when required.