Ways to Contribute
In order to become a member of the Holy Spirit Community, there is a plethora of ways the parish can be assisted by your time or talent. These include;
Parish Groups
There are a number of parish groups that provide specific guidance to assist the parish priest, that you could become a member of - being;
Pastoral Council
The Mission of the parish Pastoral Council is “To be a Christ-centred community, Living in the love of the Holy Spirit, and extending the love of Jesus to all people we meet.” It seeks to;
To promote the Church’s mission to live and communicate the love and values of Christ in the world.
Enrich the quality of parish life;
Provide opportunities for parishioners to grow in holiness and to discover and live out a personal and community call to mission;
search out and respond to the hopes and needs of the parishioners;
Set short-term and long-term pastoral goals for the parish.
Parish Liturgy Committee
The parish Liturgy Committee is responsible for the liturgical life of the parish; the preparation, coordination and evaluation of the weekend masses and other celebrations.
They discuss long term planning in terms of the RCIA and the Sacramental program. They evaluate the way feasts were celebrated and discuss how they can be improved. We collaborate with other groups to enhance the life of the parish, in particular, the Parish Council and Holy Spirit School. We also address any concerns parishioners have about our masses. We want everyone in our parish to participate fully, consciously and actively during our masses.
The committee that meets monthly doesn’t work alone and we would like to thank others who contribute the coordination of the masses. Denise Robinson, who coordinates the readers and Eucharistic ministers each week, Patricia Kelly who chooses the hymns and Jan Webster for coordinating the week day Masses.
Finance Council
The finance committee reviews all the business decisions made by the parish and offers guidance to assist the parish priest. The committee is generally made up with people with business, legal or financial experience. Office holders are the chairperson and the Secretary. This group meets monthly on the 3rd Thursday.
Building Sub-Committee - This is a sub-committee of the Finance Council and was formed in 2015 to assist the finance committee in providing advice to the parish priest on matters relating to general repairs and maintenance, significant restoration work, strategic planning regarding building improvements and insurance related issues. The skills generally sought for this committee include architecture, surveyor, builder, interior designers and valuer.
Other Ways to Assist
There are weekly commitments that you can be periodically rostered on for including;
Junior Altar Server (supported by adult with a blue card)
Altar Server
Reader
Offertory
Communion Minister
Mass set up
Counter
Wash Altar Linen
Create power point presentations for weekend Masses
Develop Newsletters
Manage remote control for Powerpoints during Mass
Assist with morning tea on Family Mass
Attached is a Time/Talent registration sheet that you are welcome to download, complete and return to the parish office at newfarm@bne.catholic.net.au
Planned Giving
While the parish cannot do without its much cherished volunteers, the only way the parish pays for its running costs is through the generous financial donations of its parishioners. From altar supplies, salaries and substantial repairs and maintenance costs associated with an aging building to insurance, telephone, power and water every cost associated with operating the parish is funded by parishioners with the Archdiocese taking a percentage of all funds received to fund new priests, retired priest and general administration and business support they provide the parish.
People can give either by Direct debit, Credit card (processed monthly) or a weekly envelope system.
Attached is planned giving registration sheet that you are welcome to download, complete and return to the parish office at newfarm@bne.catholic.net.au
Please note, at times our parish priest will be asked to offer a reference or sign a statement of involvement for children attempting to gain entry into secondary schools. It is impossible for him to provide any reference that outlines a person or families contribution to the parish unless this person/family is a member of the parish and is known to the person requesting the reference. Refer above for opportunities in becoming a parishioner.