Parish Committees, Groups and Activities
Parish Committees, Groups and Activities
Index of Parish Committees, Groups & Activities
Parishioners are encouraged to participate in PPCC meetings. Meetings are attended by the Parish Priest and representatives from St Joseph’s School, St Kevin’s College and main Parish committees.
Parishioners are welcome to submit comments and suggestions in writing to the Parish Office for discussion at PPCC meetings.
The monthly meetings are held in the Dean O’Reilly Lounge at 7pm on the second Thursday of the month.
The Masses at Kurow are organised by the parishioners in this community.
Contact: Elspeth Wallace (03 436 0463)
The committees, groups and activities mentioned in the following section refer to Liturgies and Masses in Oamaru.
a) The Liturgy Committee
Co-ordinates the organisation and planning of the Basilica Masses and Liturgies which includes the rosters for parishioner involvement in the Liturgical Ministries. Rosters are prepared 6 monthly in advance. The committee meets monthly on the 1st Tuesday of the month at 4.15pm in the Parish Centre. (Please check) Enquiries to Catherine Gardner, Chair (021 1355313)
b) Music: Leaders/Organists/Choir/Music Groups
Easter and Christmas liturgies are organised by the Liturgy Committee.
A few liturgy committee members, along with members of the music team, prepare a monthly roster for the weekend Masses at the Basilica. New leaders, singers, musicians and new ideas welcomed.
Contact: Catherine Gardner, Chair (021 1355313)
c) Greeters/Welcomers
Are on a roster and arrive at least 30 minutes before Mass to welcome all including new parishioners and visitors to the Parish.
Contact: Espie Orlowski (437 1932) for 9.30am Mass
d) Altar Servers
The Co-ordinator arranges the roster and trains new Servers.
Contact: Tua Misiloi (027 360 5577), Jen Herbst (021 108 8124)
e) Children’s Liturgy Sheets
These are based on the Sunday Gospel and are available in the porch for children to take home after Mass.
f) Readers
Are rostered for the Saturday Vigil and Sunday Basilica Masses. Training is arranged for new readers as required.
Contact: Rosemary Burke (437 2211) for 5pm Mass
Peter Boeckhout (021 023 62535 ) for 9.30am Mass
g) Intercessory Prayer Writers
Are rostered to prepare the weekly Intercessory Prayers.
More volunteers needed.
Contact: Elaine Hurley (022 632 6600)
h) Collectors
Collect the monetary offerings at weekend Masses.
Collectors are rostered for the Sunday Mass.
Contact: TBC
i) Presentation of Gifts
Are rostered for 9.30am Masses.
Contact: TBC
j) Eucharistic Ministers
Training is offered to new ministers.
Contact: Tony Kearns (437 1694)
k) Distributors of Bulletins
Are rostered and distribute Weekly bulletins and Parishioners at the end of the Basilica Masses. Volunteers required.
Contact: Sue Henderson (434 5584) for 9.30am Mass
l) Technology Operators - Training and Operation
Operators are trained to assist with setting up, operating and clearing up sound equipment when needed. Volunteers required.
m) Counters
Are responsible for counting the parish weekly collections after the weekend Masses. This usually takes up to thirty minutes. Offers of assistance would be appreciated.
Contact: Anthea & Pat Finlay (431 7826)
n) Sacristans
Are rostered for a month at a time. Their role is to set up before and clear up after the weekend Masses and keep the Vestments in a condition worthy of their use.
Contact: Tony Kearns (437 1694, 027 339 7780)
o) Altar Society
Cleans the altar, keeps linen, etc in a condition worthy of their use. The volunteers serve two consecutive weeks every three months.
Volunteers welcome to help with flowers (no roster at present).
Contact: Carmen Sutherland (027 342 0668) for Altar Cleaning
Anthea Finlay (431 7826) for Altar Linen
Marion Morris (434 7551) for Altar Brass Cleaning
Glenys Kearns (437 1694) for Flowers (no roster)
p) Church Cleaning
There is a six monthly roster for regular Basilica/Lounge cleaning. Generally you will only be required once or twice a year.
Christmas Basilica Cleaning is usually carried out on Fridays. In the last week of November/beginning December, dates will be published in the Bulletin. It takes one to two hours per year. Tasks are worked around volunteers’ capabilities. Volunteers needed.
For Basilica Cleaning, Contact: Elaine Hurley (022 632 6600), Catherine Gardner (0211355313).
For Lounge & Parish Centre Cleaning
Contact: Anthea Finlay (431 7826)
a) Community Rosary (see pg 5)
Meets for Rosary, Scripture and a cup of tea on Saturdays.
Contact: Fely Parker (434 9918, 021 211 1181)
b) Prayer Chain
Prays for others by passing on a prayer need by telephone from one person to the next. This is a confidential service and names can be given or you can remain anonymous.
Contact: Roseanne Sheridan (434 5717) with prayer needs.
d) Prayer Group (temporarily in recess)
Contact Fr Fredy for a-f
a) Baptism Preparation
b) First Reconciliation
c) First Holy Communion Preparation
d) Confirmation Preparation
e) Marriage Preparation
f) Information about becoming a Catholic
Rite of Catholic Initiation for Adults (RCIA)
g) Home Study Groups
Work through discussion programmes. Different venues are arranged and details are advertised in the weekly bulletin.
All welcome.
HOSPITALITY (a-i)
Groups of individuals who make themselves available to:
a) Host Visitors, speakers etc *
b) Transport people to/from Mass*
c) Serve monthly Sunday morning teas (last Sun of month)
d) Welcome new parishioners*
e) Contribute food for parish/school freezer*
f) Help with Priest’s meals for Saturday*
g) Help occasionally with meals on wheels*
h) Help with social events**
i) Help with refreshments after funerals **
* Volunteers needed. Contact Elaine Hurley (434 8543)
** Volunteers needed. Contact: Lynne Cullimore (434 1087
WELFARE (k-o)
k) Bereavement Support
If you, or someone you know, needs support or help at this time please inform Fr. Fredy or Elaine at the Parish Office
l) Parish Family Groups
At present there is one Parish Family Group active in the parish- Phoenix. This group meets on the second Sunday of the month at 12 noon in the Dean O’Reilly Lounge for a Pot Luck Sunday Lunch, activities and fellowship. All welcome.
m) St Vincent de Paul
Vincentians address the needs of people in the wider community through personal contact providing help to alleviate suffering and promote human dignity and personal integrity.
Contacts: Des Burke (437 2211)
n) Visiting the Sick and Elderly and taking them Holy Communion New volunteers welcomed.
Contact: Fr Fredy
o) Provide Community Support
Contact: Elaine Hurley (434 8543)
a) Social Justice/Caritas
b) Operation Christmas Child
Collects boxes of Christmas gifts which are sent via the charity Samaritan’s purse to children in developing countries.
Contact: Roseanne Sheridan (434 5717)
c) Voice for Life
Is a non-denominational, national association speaking up for a person’s right to life (eg. re abortion, euthanasia). Meets 2nd Monday each month.
Contact: Gloria Mansfield (434 7645).
a) Ecumenical Events and Bible Society
Please see bulletin for details.
Contact: Neroli Cottam (434 1598, 021 151 1647)
b) World Day of Prayer
This is an annual event usually on first Friday of March.
c) Ecumenical Spring Afternoon
Women’s groups from local churches meet annually.
d) Food Bank
There is a collection basket in the Basilica foyer for any donations of non-perishable food. Basilica open 8am – 4pm daily
e) Oamaru Combined Churches Christmas Parcels Trust
Contact: Adrienne Wylie (03 434 8436)
a) Young Vinnies
Students from St Joseph’s School involved in Fundraising activities and service in the wider community.
Contact: Adrienne Spillane (434 8856)
b) Music at Mass
Young people are invited to join the youth music groups.
Contact: Fr Fredy
Parish Office - In the Patrick Greaney Centre (on the right of the Basilica as you face the building)
Contact: Elaine Hurley
Tuesday - Friday 9am-2pm
Phone: (03) 434 8543
Text: 022 632 6600
Email: oamaruparish@cdd.nz
a) Finance Council
Meet the third Thursday of the month at 5pm in the Parish Centre Meeting Room.
Oversees the finances of the parish, including the Planned Giving.
To join the Planned Giving Scheme, please contact the Parish Office or put a note in the collection plate at mass.
Contact: Ria Keogh (Acting Chair) (021 02269773)
b) Works and Maintenance Committee
Meets the first Tuesday of each month in the Parish Centre Meeting Room at 7:30pm.
Contact: Ken Tierney (03 434 5516)
c) Building Strategy Group
Fr Wayne formed this group in 2019 to look at the parishioners’ ideas for refurbishment and renovation of the Basilica.
Contact: Elaine Hurley (022632 6600)
d) Parishioner
Is our monthly parish magazine which includes the rosters.
Notices, reports, advertising, articles etc. to be given to Judy Moffat by the 3rd Sunday of the Month.
New advertisers/sponsors are always welcome.
Contact: Peter Boeckhout (021 023 62535). Email: petercyril@mac.com
Parish Social morning tea. 10am on the last Thursday of the month at the Peter Pan Bakery and Café.
All Welcome. Bring a friend.