Catechists

The Catechist ministers at St Joseph's and St Rose visit six Government primary schools in Narrabeen and Collaroy Plateau, reaching over 700 children. Our catechists share their love of God with these children by being very generous with their time and gifts. Our catechists and helpers visit these children on a weekly basis to:

• bring them the message of God's Kingdom
• teach them about our Catholic story, our beliefs and how our beliefs shape our actions every day
• help them to respond personally to God's unique love.

We welcome those who would like to be involved in this special ministry of evangelisation.
Please give the parish office a call on 9982 1058 or email us parishoffice@josephsrose.org.au for more information.

The Baptism Team

Our Baptism Team consists of a small group of women who visit families in their homes as they are preparing to have their babies/young children baptised.

The ladies visit the families and provide them with a book that explains the rituals and symbols of the ceremony as well as going over the service with them and helping with any possible areas of concern.

We seek to make the welcoming of the baby/child into our faith community personal and a means of further developing community spirit. Members of our Baptism team visit each family and chat about how special this sacrament of belonging is in the life of the Church; the baptismal ceremony and answer any questions or concerns they may have. We also have the post -baptismal program - GODSTART - in our parish community. Through this program we keep in touch with families over the pre-school years of their children. A birthday card expressing our best wishes, together with a little reflection or activity is included which the family can enjoy at home.

It is a wonderful way to meet our families and to offer support and guidance as they prepare for their child to be received into the Church.

Any parishioners who may like to know more about our baptism visitation team please give the parish office a call on 9982 1058.

The St. Vincent de Paul Society

Our Mission

The mission of the St. Vincent the Paul Society is to deepen the Catholic faith of its members-to go out into our nation to heighten awareness of Jesus Christ.

We do this by sharing ourselves - who we are and what we have - with the poor on a person to person basis.

We seek to cooperate in shaping a more just and compassionate Australian Community and to share our resources with our twinned countries.

Our preferred option in this mission of service is to work with the poor in development, by respecting their dignity, sharing our hope, and encouraging them to take control of their own destiny.

Who was St. Vincent de Paul?

Vincent de Paul was a Saintly priest, living and working in France (1581-1660). He devoted his time to the care and education of the sick, the orphaned, the poor, and the aged.

To help him in his work he established the sisters of charity, who through their self sacrifice made the plight of the under-privileged more bearable.

Because of his saintly life Vincent de Paul was canonized. Thus we know him now as Saint Vincent de Paul.

The Finance Committee

The Finance Committee is a consultative body made up of parishioners appointed by the Parish Priest to advise him on financial matters within or affecting the parish. The term of the Committee is at the will or for the tenure of the parish priest.

The Committee is called on to advise on management of parish assets and liabilities; set and oversee an annual budget; oversee capital and other acquisitions, dispositions or works which have a financial impact on the parish; employ strategies to monitor and improve the income flow of the parish; and monitor parish expenditure.

The Committee members are stewards of parish assets and monies and are charged to ensure that those assets and monies are used for the good of the parish community and the wider community as called to by our Lord Jesus Christ. The Committee is required to present to the parish community annually an audited financial statement.

Music Ministry

The Music Ministry serves our parish communities by deepening their experiences at Sunday Mass and other gatherings.

Music plays an important role in allowing parishioners to actively partake in the Mass either by singing or by making a deeper connection with the ceremony and readings through the music.

We are always looking for new singers and musicians to join us both at St Rose and St Joseph's Churches.
If you would like to be involved in this fun and rewarding ministry, please give the parish office a call on 9982 1058 or email us parishoffice@josephsrose.org.au

Care and Concern Group

Our Vision Statement

As members of the Catholic Church of Broken Bay, the 'Care & Concern' group is inspired by the love of the Father & the word and example of Jesus.

Under the guidance of the Holy Spirit we commit ourselves to extend the Kingdom of God.

Our "Care and Concern" group

..is parish based, co-operates with other Christian churches, organises groups who volunteer to serve their local community by responding to the needs of people in a Christian, friendly & practical way.

We Exist

..to serve our community in a practical, loving and compassionate way by welcoming, visiting, transporting, and providing companionship, assisting with shopping, meals and appointments.

We acknowledge

..the need to support and encourage each of our members.

The role of a Care and Concern volunteer

To fill this role you need to:

• Be a good listener
• Enjoy working with people
• Understand the importance of welcome and hospitality in parish life
• Have empathy for older people, sick people and those experiencing difficulties and distress
• (In some ministries) Have an understanding of issues relating to loss and grief
• Have some free time available to give to people

Would you like to know more about our Care and Concern group?
Then please give the parish office a call on 9982 1058 or email us.

Junior Servers

Serving at the altar in either of our churches is open to both boys and girls who have made their First Communion. Training is provided and they are rostered to serve at Mass about once a month. The children also go on outings together in the school holidays.

St Stephen (feast day 26th December) is the patron saint of altar servers. Children 12 years and over can belong to the Guild of St Stephen, which is a support group for altar servers, especially the junior servers.

The objects of the Guild of Saint Stephen are:

• To encourage the highest standards of serving at the Church's liturgy and so contribute to the whole community's participation in a more meaningful worship of God
• To provide altar servers with a greater understanding of what they are doing so that they may serve with increasing reverence and prayerfulness
• To unite servers of different parishes and dioceses for their mutual support and encouragement

Would you like to join our Junior Servers?
Then please give the parish office a call on 9982 1058 or email us.