Administration
Altar Servers
We are indeed fortunate to have young girls and boys from our Parish volunteering to be Altar Servers. To date, we have in our register about 20 servers. These very dedicated servers are rostered to serve during our 4 weekend masses.
Boys and girls who have had their First Holy Communion will qualify to join our Altar Servers. Training will be provided. We welcome boys and girls who are 9 years up to volunteer. Parents' consent is necessary. Application forms can be obtained from our Parish Office. Alternatively, interested parents can email hfpmtwav@bigpond.net.au.
Altar Society
The Altar Society has 25 ladies roistered to do the flowers. Some have done it for over 40 years! Our most recent recruit has 2 young children under 6 and loves the opportunity it offers to use her creativity and flair.
You too can be part of this important and rewarding ministry. If necessary, you will be paired with one of our experienced ladies.
The roster (once in 4 months) is flexible as a swap is easily arranged. For funerals and particularly weddings special requirements in flowers can be organized.
We welcome your enquiries to the Coordinator, Greta de Souza on 9802 5000.
Hall Bookings
Please direct all enquiries to Parish Office - phone 9807 9494.
Library
Our parish has a free lending library - consisting of books of all ages, from pre-school to adult, on topics including: Saints, Pastoral Care, Spirituality, Prayer and Grieving.
Each book has its own card, so you do not need a library card or become a member.
Just come along to front foyer on 1st weekend of each month, choose a book or two and take it to volunteer to have your details recorded on card.
If you would like to volunteer to help and can spend extra 10 minutes before and after one mass each second month, we would love to hear from you.
New books are added from time to time. For more details contact Lorraine via Parish Office.
Meals on Wheels
Meals on Wheels, supplied to the elderly in our area through the Monash Council, is staffed by volunteers from Holy Family Parish, on the fourth Thursday of every month.
Drivers and assistants, covering eight rounds, deliver meals from approximately 10.15 am until 11.30 am. Contact with the clients is desirable, but often people are not at home and the meal is left in a specified container. Petrol costs are reimbursed by the Council to the value of $5 per round.
Volunteers are always welcomed - phone Nell on 9807 3009 if you are interested.
Parish News
The Parish, at the instigation of the Parish Pastoral Council, publishes a newsletter three times a year, which is seen as a way of communicating with all the parishioners and a means of further developing community within the parish.
The basic rules of the newsletter are that:
- it must be delivered to the home of each parishioner and
- editorial matter must be either about parish organizations/ parish activities or human interest stories about parishioners.
The magazine is published at Easter, in August and at Christmas.
Queries about the magazine can be directed to Tara McGrath (Editor) on 9888 2597.
Property & Hall Management
Please direct all enquiries to Parish Office - phone 9807 9494.
School Education Board
Direct all enquires to the school - phone 9807 3300.
Thanksgiving Offering
All enquires should be directed to Parish Office, phone: 9807 9494.
Waverley Deanery
All enquires should be directed to Parish Office, phone: 9807 9494.
Service/Liturgy
Catechetics
Instructions held for children in age groups:
- grade 1 and 2,
- grade 3 and 4,
- grade 5 and 6
are held during school term on Sundays between 9:30 am and 10:15 am .
For further details contact Malcolm Lock on 9807 9494.
Choir
New Members warmly welcome.
For 8:45 Mass contact M. Bowman, via Parish Office - (03) 9807 9494,
For 10:30 Mass contact M. Ebinger, via Parish Office - (03) 9807 9494.
Liturgy
The Coordinator is Malcolm Lock. Phone 9803 0313.
Community Care
'Community Care' at Holy Family is a group of parishioners who, literally, try to care for those in our own parish community who need some extra support in emergency. the group is as old as Holy Family church itself, being one of the first groups to emerge as the parish grew.
However, with takeaway and prepared foods, before/after school care and home cleaning services so available these days we're not called on as often now. Mostly we help serve refreshments at funerals (food is catered for), drive the sick or elderly to appointments and do occasional cooking.
There are approximately 60 - 70 people who have registered their names with Community Care to help when available, and as always, many hands make light work! If you're interested in joining the team, please contact the parish office.
Loss and Grief Group
Please contact Kevin Delaney at the Parish Office on 9807 9494
El Salvador Sister Parish Action Group
All enquires should be directed to Parish Office, phone: 9807 9494.
Friends in Grief
Friends In Grief is a small group of women and men, whose ministry is to support any parishioner who has suffered the loss of a loved one. Each year members attend seminars to assist them in giving this support.
The Parish Staff pass on information to the Coordinator, Denise McDonald, who arranges for one of the members to make at least one visit on behalf of the parish some time after the bereavement. Cards are sent, too.
In November F. i.G. members assist with a special Memorial Mass, advertised in the Bulletin, to allow parishioners a time for reflection, prayer and remembrance.
For support or further information, please contact the Parish Office on 9807 9494.
God Start
God Start is essentially a pastoral plan. It is part of the parish's effort at evangelisation. It is a 'good news' program focused on its youngest members and their families.
There are three stages to the program focused on the children's birthdays Children's birthdays have been chosen, in contrast to baptismal dates, because they are naturally occurring family celebrations, providing the parish with an opportunity to acknowledge this important event. The materials take into account the developmental stages of the child.
Stage One
A card is provided for each of the child's first and second birthdays. These are delivered or posted by parishioners on behalf of the parish.
Accompanying the first birthday card is an insert inviting parents and other family members to begin the custom of blessing the child. This provides the beginning of simple family prayer rituals.
The insert accompanying the second birthday card encourages the lighting of the baptismal candle as a way of symbolising God's presence in the home.
Stage Two
Some time around the child's third birthday, parents are invited to join a small group of other parents of three year olds, preferably in another parishioner's home.
One aim of this gathering is to strengthen the parish community simply by bringing together people with similar interests in a relaxed and friendly environment
In the course of the meeting, discussion will take place around talking with children about God and parents will be provided with a set of four activity cards to do with their children. An adult reflection leaflet will be included with each card.
Stage Three
To assist in the development of regular prayer in the family, a small prayer book is distributed to each child on their fourth birthday. This book has some pages for the child's own prayers to be written.
A God Start kit contains a first and a second birthday card, a set of activity cards for three year olds and a prayer book for four year olds.
Lectors
Contact Malcolm Lock on 9807 0313 for further information.
Ministers of Eucharist to the Sick
We are a group of about 10 people who are available at different times to take Holy Communion to those unable to come to Mass due to long or short term illness, or infirmity of old age.
We have some people whom we visit regularly and others as required.
It is a very rewarding ministry as we meet lovely people who are very pleased and grateful to see us. We visit following the Masses on Sundays.
We always need more volunteers as our visitors have illnesses and holidays or have family commitments at times.
The Coordinator is Pat Gill. Phone: 9803 7319
Memorial Garden
The architecture and layout of the garden, including the planting of trees and shrubs was completed in October 1995. The garden is located at the rear of the church near the David Court Entrance.
The first plaques and crosses were installed in December 1995. We currently have nearly 300 positioned. The crosses are used to reserve places and assist parishioners to see what spaces are still available at the time of purchase.
We have tried to keep the garden as peaceful as possible. The pergola which was added later blends in with the surrounds and the white and blue colour scheme is very restful.
Parishioners are reminded that plaques in memory of loved ones can be placed in the Memorial Garden. Bookings for "future" plaques may also be made now.
Any enquires please contact parish office - phone 9807 9494.
Prayer Group – Weekly
We meet on Monday afternoon (except during School Holidays) at 1:30 pm. in the Parish House. We pray the Rosary and special prayers for the intentions of families and friends. We have short Reading, followed by discussion during morning tea. Phone 9802 8736 for further information.
RCIA
Adults thinking of exploring the catholic faith? For all information contact Malcolm Lock on 9807 0313.
St Vincent de Paul
Please phone 9807 9494 for further information.
Waverley Council of Churches
The Mt Waverley – Chadstone Inter Church Council exists to promote awareness that we are all called to mission, that we should work together to bring about the will of God, and that we should seek to make our common beliefs more apparent than our divisions. Inter Church Council aims to initiate and/or give every possible encouragement to local ecumenical projects, providing a means for Christian churches to develop methods of decision-making in common.
Some of the activities organized and/or sponsored by our Inter Church Council include:
- Ecumenical Lenten Studies,
- The biennial Easter Event for local primary schools,
- Ecumenical Stations of the Cross,
- Pentecost Ecumenical Visiting,
- The Hymn Singing Service, and
- Food for Friends Pre Advent Collection.
Current membership of the Council:
- Christ Our Holy Redeemer Catholic Church East Oakleigh,
- Holy Family Catholic Church Mt Waverley,
- St Mary Magdalen´s Catholic Church Chadstone,
- The Anglican Church of St Stephen & St Mary Mt Waverley,
- The Anglican Church of St Philip Mt Waverley,
- The Church of the Nazarene Mt Waverley,
- Chadstone Church of Christ,
- Chadstone Baptist Church,
- Highbury Road Church of Christ,
- St Markacute;s Uniting Church Jordanville,
- St Lukeacute;s Uniting Church Essex Heights,
- St Johnacute;s Uniting Church Mt Waverley, and
- High Street Road Uniting Church Mt Waverley.
Social and Sporting Organisations
Family Groups
New to the Parish? Joining Family Groups is one way of getting to know at least 40 other people. These, drawn from a maximum of 15 households, meet together as an extended family would. Members include a cross section of ages from grandparents to babies (where there are young children we try to match age and gender); a cross section of family types from married couples with children or no children, single people, widowed, separated and divorced; a range of denominations and faiths, and a cross section of people types. Lots of us often feel shy. No matter! EVERYONE IS VERY WELCOME!!
The Groups gather together once a month (e.g. a picnic, BBQ, casserole night, ten pin bowling). It is a time to enjoy being with one another, and to gradually develop supportive relationships.
Activities are low cost or no cost, so that everyone can be comfortable about joining in. This is a very important principle of the national Passionist Family Movement, of which our Parish organization is a part. Exactly what you do is entirely up to your Group and the choices that you make together at a planning meeting, which takes place, perhaps with another fun activity, every six to twelve months.
Sharing experiences such as weekends away, celebrating Baptisms and Anniversaries, can be highlights of the Family Group year.
Luncheon ( Retired Parishioners)
This Luncheon is for men and women able to attend. It usually happens on the first Friday of March, May, July, September and November. Its aim is to offer a pleasant occasion for getting to know each other ("I know your face but...") Parishioners can bring friends or relatives from beyond our parish.
There are five `teams', one for each month, to organize, prepare food and set up for the meal, except for the sandwiches, which are made by others. A gold coin door donation covers costs.
Venue - the small hall. Time - midday, following 11.30 Mass. Entertainment- local or imported! Information and booking - ring 9807 9494
School Parents and Friends
Direct all enquires to the school - phone 9807 3300.
Teams ( Married Couples)
The proof of the pudding is in the eating. A number of Holy Family couples who joined a Team many years ago when they had young children, still choose to belong. Why? Because it nourishes both their marriage and their spirituality and they treasure the support they receive from the other members of their Team.
Each Team consists of (usually) 4-6 married couples and a Spiritual Counselor (usually a priest or a nun) if one is available. They meet once a month in each otheracute;s homes and share a simple meal, air what is going on in their lives, and share thoughts based on their life experience about a pre-arranged discussion topic (usually some aspect of marriage and/or spirituality).
In between meetings, they endeavour to spend some regular time in personal prayer and reading, and to sit down at least once a month with their spouse to talk about what is important to them.
Far from being another burdensome commitment, most Teams members find their monthly gathering an oasis in their busy lives – a space where the unconditional support of their fellow Team members refreshes their spirits and re-charges their batteries.
If you are interested in exploring whether a Team might suit you and your spouse, please call Peter and Catherine Bearsley : Tel. 9807 6216
Holy Family Netball Club
Please phone 9807 9494 for further information.
Youth |
Youth
Please phone 9807 9494 for further information.
