St Ignatius Parish

MINISTRIES

Readers, Commentators, and Communion Ministers:

Carol Byrne explained that 113 participate at present, and because some volunteer for two or three ministries, we have 23 commentators, 59 Readers and 97 communion ministers on the present roster. There is always room for more, especially commentators, and participation is rewarding and encouraged by Vatican II. Communion ministers require approval from the Archbishop, but approval is freely given. A brief training session is required for all these ministries, and an experienced commentator or reader will sit with new commentators or readers until they feel confident. Written instructions are available for communion ministers.

Enquiries: Parish Office 8332 0600 .

Visual Art Group:

Anne Nocka and Yvonne Ashby explained that they respond to requests for art works such as altar cloths, banners, displays and etc. They work closely in support of the Liturgy Committee. They would welcome others with an artistic flair to join the Group to research ideas and to help with painting , sculpture etc. They need special paints and materials, but there is usually no problem getting the funds from the Parish. Yvonne is also interested in spiritual art – the expression of religious issues in art forms, and would be interested in speaking to those who might be interested in this field.

Enquiries to Yvonne Ashby 8431 6456

Phone and Door Ministry:

Liz Mazzei explained that she works in this ministry in the Office at Manresa one weekday each week between 7pm and 9pm. The other time slot each day is from 4pm to 6pm. There are never many phone calls – the maximum she has had is 6 - and even less door knocks – maximum 2 in one evening.

It is a quiet time and gives her a chance to catch up with her thoughts and plans for the next day. It would be an ideal ministry for a student, without having TV or family distractions to contend with. The number of volunteers for this ministry is quite small, and new volunteers would be very welcome.

Enquiries: Parish Office 8332 0600

Welcomers:

The welcoming ministry originated to help new members to the Parish feel welcome and provides the opportunity to meet and introduce yourself to existing parishioners. We are short of welcomers at most masses. All it involves is saying hello and handing out the Mass sheets at the four doors. There used to be a roster, but that does not exist now and it tends to fall to regulars at each of the masses to organise it between themselves. However this is not working well as there are rarely enough to man the doors. The approach needs to be reconsidered, and it was suggested that the presiding Priest, at the beginning of the Mass, might ask people to introduce themselves by name to those next to them if they don’t already know each other, and this would eventually lead to people greeting each other by name. Enquiries to Parish Office Tel: 8332 0600