The following pages contain, in alphabetical order, the ministries and groups in our parish, with a paragraph explaining their purpose. Where appropriate, a link to the group's web page is provided.
Altar Service |
Boys and girls age 9 and upward are encouraged to participate. Practice
sessions are held so that the child feels comfortable before serving at
Masses. There is no obligation, but if the role is taken on, it should
be with dignity and respect and attendance is considered a duty.
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Bereavement Group |
This group of people follows up on bereavement to ensure those widowed
are not left without care.
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Catholic Women's League |
The object of the League is to unite Catholic Women in Christian
fellowship in order to enhance the growth of their spiritual,
intellectual, family and social life and to foster mission and
charitable works and social action. The League is open to all Catholic
and non-Catholic women, and under the guidance of the Holy Spirit they
strive to fulfil their motto, which is "Faith and Service". The League
is the only national women's forum within the Church for addressing
social issues from a women's perspective. Meetings are held monthly and
advertised in the Parish Newsletter.
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Children's Liturgy Of The Word |
This is part of the 9.30 am Sunday Mass and its purpose is to give the
children a better understanding of the Gospel of the day. After
the greeting in the Mass, the children and leaders are invited up to
recieve their own lectionary, candle and cross. They have their own
time of sharing in the hall and return to their families at the
offertory.
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Choir |
The choir sings at Sunday Masses and special celebrations in the
Church's liturgical year. Practice is on Wednesday evenings and new
members are always welcome.
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Church Care & Cleaning |
The general cleaning of the church, the dusting and vacuuming is done
every week.
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Collectors and Bookstall |
Staffing the bookstall before and after Mass and supervision of all
collections.
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P.R.E.P ( formerlyknown as C.C.D.) |
The Parish Religious Education Programme (PREP) is for school age children
up to Year 8 and its purpose is to guide children who attend
non-catholic schools in their Catholic faith. Classes are held at
10.15am – 11.15am every other Sunday, in Ss Peter and Paul Education
Centre.
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Counters and Bankers |
Counters are responsible for overseeing the counting and recording of
collections and the preparation for banking.
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Eucharistic Adoration |
Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament in St Elizabeth’s Chapel, 24 hours
from after 7am Mass Thursday to 7am Friday, every week except in
January. You are invited to register for a specific time (1 hour) to
ensure that someone is present for each of the 24 hours, or to just call
in at your convenience. Prayer before the Blessed Sacrament brings
blessings to you, your family, the parish and our world.
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Finance Committee |
Advises and assists the Parish Priest and the Parish Pastoral Council in
the management of parish finances, and attends to Parish
maintenance/improvements.
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Friends of Ss Peter & Paul |
A group of parishioners who provide a presence in the church foyer to
welcome visitors, answer enquiries and contribute to a safe and secure
church environment. The aim is to have a member present on weekdays
between 9 am and 5 pm, on a 2-hour rostered basis. A service to the
community particularly suited to retired or semi-retired parishioners.
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Funeral Teas |
This Group assists bereaved families on the day of the funeral to
provide refreshments to those attending the funeral. If required by the
Bereaved family, tea and coffee is served in the parish hall immediately
after the Requiem Mass/Service.
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Indoor Bowling Club |
The Club formed on 14 February 1956 to promote sport and foster parish
goodwill, and over the past years members have enjoyed success in a
number of National and Provincial Championships. Currently we meet on
Wednesday evenings at Sacred Heart College Assembly Hall, Laings Road at
7.30pm.
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Library |
A wide variety of books and videos are available for borrowing.
Parishioners are asked to fill out the card in the back of the book and
place it in the box provided. Many of the books have been provided from
parishioners' home libraries and are books they have enjoyed and now
wish to share with others.
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Liturgy Committee |
The committee meets every second Tuesday of each month to plan liturgies
and oversee their implementation. The committee works closely with all
parishioners involved with the different aspects of parish liturgy.
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Marian Mothers |
Marian Mothers is network of groups of women who meet for prayer and discussion. Marian Mothers Groups began in 1981 when Fr John Allardyce sm went to the assistance of a group of mothers in Wellington, New Zealand, who were looking for support and encouragement in their role as Christian mothers. Since that time a number of different Marist priests have taken on the role of spiritual guide for the groups, which have spread the length and breadth of New Zealand and have become a focus group for mothers of all ages. The current spiritual director is Fr John Craddock sm, assisted by Jane Langham. Our parish currently has 2 groups. A Senior group (of mostly grandmothers) meet the second Monday of every moth at 10:00am. A second group meets the second Tuesday of every month at 7:30pm. More information here.
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Marist Third Order |
A lay group, which supports the Marist religious and parish priests and
imitates the Marist way of life in prayer. They meet on the 3rd
Wednesday of every month from 11 am-12 noon, in the Church Library, for
rosary, a tape and short discussion.
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Neighbourhood Parishes |
“Neighbourhood Parishes” were established in 1993 as a means of linking
the parish through personal visitation. The parish now comprises about
1,300 homes divided into 150 “neighbourhoods”. This gives an average of
eight homes for every visitor. Visits are made twice yearly and all
parishioners are given information about the parish and encouraged to
participate. Keeping a supply of visitors is the biggest need. The
idea is extremely worthwhile.
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Our Lady's Missionary League |
This group meets every Tuesday afternoon in the parish hall, where they
pack parcels of necessary goods for the Mission stations in Oceania.
New members are very welcome.
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Our Lady of Perpetual Help Sodality |
A sodality devoted to St Alphonsus and Our Lady of Perpetual Help. This
group began over 40 years ago in our parish. They attend the first
Saturday of the month Mass for the First Saturday devotions and
afterwards pray the rosary for world peace. The co-ordination of the
flowers and the brass for the altar also comes under the auspices of the
Sodality.
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Passionist Family Group Movement |
Begun in Australia in 1972 by the Passionist Fathers the movement has
quickly taken hold in New Zealand, and is strong in Lower Hutt with 13
groups, each consisting of between 10-16 families. Families are of
every size and age – married couples, solo parents, widows and widowers,
non-Catholic partners and divorced and remarried couples. Family groups
meet socially, once a month, for family outings and through belonging to
this smaller community, soon feel more of a part of the larger community
of Ss Peter & Paul.
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Play Group for Preschoolers |
This Group meets every Thursday, 9 am – 11am in the Church Hall. Mums
and Dads have an opportunity for to meet other parents in our community
in a relaxed and social atmosphere.
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Preparing for the Sacraments of Initiation |
Members of this group are responsible for the programmes, which prepare
the children and their parents for the Sacraments of Baptism,
Reconciliation, Confirmation and Eucharist.
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Quilting Group – Work of Human Hands |
This group meets regularly in the Parish Hall with experienced tutors
giving classes in Patchwork and Quilting and related needlework. The
group caters for beginners to advanced stitchers, and there is a fee for
classes.
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Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults [R.C.I.A.] |
The R.C.I.A. is a process for adults wishing to enquire into the
Catholic Faith. It is a spiritual journey of faith in progressive steps
beginning with enquiry evenings, followed by a period of instruction.
During this period, known as the catechumenate, the enquirers decide
whether they wish to proceed with steps towards becoming a Catholic.
The process culminates in the candidate being received into the Catholic
Church at Easter.
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Sacristy Care |
Members of this Group see to the washing of towels, serving gowns and
altar linen.
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Seasons for Growth |
”Rainbows” is a programme
for children who have lost a parent through either death or separation.
Children work through their grief and into a positive appreciation of
their new life by meeting children of similar ages. A trained
facilitator guides the meetings [once a week
for 8 weeks] so that the children develop four gifts: good self-esteem;
forgiveness; love and a sense of God who is love. An enriching
experience for all involved.
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St Vincent de Paul Society |
This is a Catholic, international, fraternal organisation of lay people
who practise Christianity by helping those in need, on a
person-to-person basis. It is open to all who wish to live their faith
by loving their neighbours in the persons of the needy. More information
here.
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Welcomers |
Provide a welcome with a smile to all of us as we
arrive for Mass on Sundays and help people feel part of the Parish.
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Young Catholics |
Young people are welcome at Ss Peter and Paul’s and are invited and encouraged to get involved in all parish ministries. College youth have opportunities to socialise and to develop their own spirituality through group activities and participation in special liturgies. Young adults are welcome in youth ministry leadership; training programmes are available through the Archdiocese. |