Parish Groups and Activities

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.

Alpha

  Alpha is a ten week course including a weekend away, for all those interested in discovering more about the Christian Faith.  

Altar Linen

Members of this Group see to the cleaning and preparation of towels, serving gowns, altar linen and vestments.  Helpers are rostered on every 11th week.

Altar Servers


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.  Servers are rostered on at least 5 times per year.

Bereavement Group

  This group of people follows up on bereavement to ensure those widowed are not left without care.  Quarterly meetings are held throughout the year.  Time commitment is up to 2 hours a month.
 

Cards

A group of parishioners meet each Thursday afternoon from 1-4pm, in the parish hall, to place '500'.  This group caters for those who are new to the game and those with past experience.

Catholics Returning Home

Catholics Returning Home is an informal programme to welcome people back to their faith.  The programme is offered by adults, many of whom themselves had been inactive for extended periods of time.  There are many reasons why people have stopped being active Catholics.  Over six evening sessions, people are helped to an awareness that God never stops loving them and eagerly awaits their return, to enjoy time with Him in the company of others.

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.  The League meets for 1 hour, once a month, on the fourth Tuesday of the month, varying between morning and evening meetings.
 

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 come forward to the altar; they then go to the Parish Hall for the liturgy and return to the Church at the offertory.
 

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.
 

Collectors and Bookstall

  Staffing the bookstall before and after Mass and supervision of all collections.

 

Communion to the Sick

  A group of special ministers who take Communion to the sick.
 

Counters and Bankers

  Counters are responsible for overseeing the counting and recording of collections and the preparation for banking.
 

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.
 

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.
 

Flowers

A small group of ladies from the Parish who arrange the flowers for Church feasts and celebrations and will arrange flowers by request, for weddings and other special occasions.

Food Bank

We encourage all parishioners to bring along non-perishable food items for those less fortunate than ourselves.  Food items can be left in the basket at the back of the Church at mass times or in the Parish office during the week.  All contributions from our Parish are collected by the local Food Bank each week.

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.
 

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.  Each group is rostered on 1 month each year, and the time commitment is dependent on how many funerals are in each month.
 

Gardening

A wonderful group of keen gardeners, who work regularly in the gardens surrounding the Presbytery and Church, throughout the year.  Time commitment is dependent on the individual.

General Maintenance of Property

We are always keen to hear from those who are skilled in areas of maintenance and are willing to help out occasionally.

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 Our Lady of the Rosary School Hall, Wainui road at 7.30pm.
Website: Ss Peter and Paul Bowls Club

 

Library

  The Parish has a small library.  It has just had a wonderful re-vamp.  Books are available for borrowing before and after masses and at other times by arrangement. Assistance may be required in the future to promote and maintain the library.
 

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.
 

Marian Mothers

  A small friendship group of mothers or expectant mothers, who meet on a fortnightly or monthly basis.  They listen to CD's prepared by the Marist Laity, followed by discussion and morning tea or supper.  The group is nourishment for mothers only with no other commitment.
 

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.
 

Marriage Preparation

  Ss Peter and Paul Parish is a venue for the Hutt Valley Marriage Preparation course. The present coordinating couple are parishioners from Ss Peter and Paul Parish.   

Musicians

  The Parish has several groups of musicians who are rostered on at different masses. Approximately every 4 weeks with the exception of the choir who sing most weeks at the 6pm Sat. or 9.30am Sunday masses. 

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.  

Passionist Family Group Movement

 

  Passionist family groups are groups within the Parish consisting of between 10-20 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 gatherings. A great way to get to know others in the Parish.
 

Planned Gifting

If you are not already contributing to planned gifting and would like to do so please contact the Parish Office to register your interest.

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.
 

Prayer Groups

Small prayer groups are set up for parishioners to come together on a weekly basis for prayer, support and fellowship.

Parish Sacramental Programme

The Parish Sacramental programme 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. This group comes together with the Parish school children to celebrate the sacraments. Confirmation is celebrated in November, Reconciliation at Easter Time and First Eucharist in June.  Parent and child sessions are held several weeks prior to the date each Sacrament will be celebrated.

Prayer of the Faithful

A roster of people who write the prayers for masses each week.

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.
 

Projector Data Entry

A team of helpers required to prepare the power-point files (hymns, prayers, etc) to be projected at the weekend masses.  This involves copying and pasting from an existing database of hymns and prayers, and on occasion adding new hymns to the database.

Projector Operators

A group of wonderful helpers (mostly children but there is no age limit), who operate the projector at masses and are rostered on according to their preferred mass times.

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.  A programme is available by contacting Lindsay Bell 589 8452.
 

Readers and Leaders

A group of readers and leaders are rostered on to read and lead at weekend masses according to their preferred times.  An opportunity for those with clear voices who enjoy proclaiming the Word of God!  Some training will be offered from time to time.

Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults [RCIA]

  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.
 

Rosary Group

A group of parishioners who meet each Monday at 1.30pm to say the rosary.  All visitors are welcome.

Sacristy Care

  Members of this Group see to the cleaning and preparation of towels, serving gowns  altar linen and vestments.
 

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.
 

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. The Society meets once a week, the mixed group meets in the evening and the ladies group on Wednesday mornings followed by mass and visiting.
 

Tai Chi

Tai Chi is held every Thursday evening from 6.30-7.30pm in the parish hall.  The group was originally offered as a gentle exercise class for our senior parishioners 55 yrs and over, however all parishioners are welcome.

The Shining Ladies Club

A dedicated group of women who spend about 1or 3 hours every 8th or 9th week to keep our brasses shining.

Visitation (to those living alone)

A group of parishioners who visit all those living alone in our Parish 2-3 times per year. This group is a link between the Parish and those who are not able to be as involved as they may have been in the past.

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.  Welcomers are rostered on about 5 times per year.
 

Youth

 

  Young people are welcome at Ss Peter and Paul’s and are invited and encouraged to get involved in all parish ministries.  'Holy Molies' for 11-14 years is held every 2nd Sunday in the parish hall from 4-5.30pm.  Young adults are welcome in youth ministry leadership, training programmes are available through the Archdiocese.  Leaders commitment is around 3 hours each fortnight.