MINISTRIES & VOLUNTARY ROLES

Acolytes & Lectors (Readers)

The acolyte is instituted for service at the altar and to assist the Priest and Deacon. It is his place principally to prepare the altar and the sacred vessels and, if necessary, to distribute the Eucharist to the faithful as an extraordinary minister. Acolytes are especially needed. If you would like to volunteer to be an acolyte, please offer your expression of interest to the parish priest.

In the ministry of the altar, the acolyte has his own proper functions (cf. nos. 187- 193 of the General Instruction of the Roman Missal), which he must carry out in person.

The lector/reader is instituted to proclaim the readings from Sacred Scripture, with the exception of the Gospel. He may also announce the intentions for the Universal Prayer and, in the absence of a psalmist, recite the Psalm between the readings. Rostered usually once in 4 weeks.

In the celebration of the Eucharist, the lector has his own proper function (cf. nos. 194-198 of the General Instruction of the Roman Missal), which he himself must carry out.

Other Functions

In the absence of an instituted acolyte, there may be deputed lay ministers to serve at the altar and assist the Priest and the Deacon; these carry the cross, the candles, the thurible, the bread, the wine, and the water, or who are even deputed to distribute Holy Communion as extraordinary ministers.

In the absence of an instituted lector, other lay people may be deputed to proclaim the readings from Sacred Scripture, people who are truly suited to carrying out this function and carefully prepared, so that by their hearing the readings from the sacred texts the faithful may conceive in their hearts a sweet and living affection for Sacred Scripture.

(Taken from the General Instruction of the Roman Missal)

Other Ministries & Voluntary Roles

Altar servers: OLA Parish is fortunate to count on the generosity of the school students to assist with  altar serving at the weekend masses. The requirement for this service is to have made the First Holy communion and reached year four in the school, Training will be provided by the church. If you want one of your children to help with this amazing service you are welcome, please contact one of our priests.

Counters: Using a counting machine, the counters tally up the various collections for the weekend. They help prepare the weekly collections for banking.    Rostered once in about 5 to 6 weeks. If you would like to help with counting, please put forward an expression of interest to the parish priest or parish office.

Church cleaners: Vacuuming is rostered once a month. Thanks to the devoted service of generous parishioners our church is kept a clean and beautiful space where everyone can enjoy the presence of God serenely. If you want to be part of this essential service in the house of God, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Parish choir: “he who sings prays twice” said Saint Augustine. You are the most welcome to join to the choir of OLA Parish. Normally the choir sings in the mass at 10:00am on Sundays, you do not need to be a professional singer, what you need is the desire to praise the Lord out of gratitude for the wonderful things He has done for us;  just pop up some minutes before the mass. But if you are interested to provide music for the other masses please contact us. We need musicians, singers, guitarists etc.

Parish Morning Tea Volunteers: From time to time we have the wonderful opportunity for a cuppa, some sweets, finger foods or snack foods while we enjoy a chat among us. The most beautiful thing is to have your presence over there, so please do not be shy, come and enjoy the community life. If you would like to be part of the team please let us know.

‘Tidying the Pews’ Volunteers:   Those rostered for this ministry duty, tidy the church pews and pick up the rubbish around them. They also clean out the holy water vessels at the church door entrances. The stale holy water at the entrance vessels should be poured with respect to drain into the lawn or garden.

Ushers  greet the people coming in to church for mass on the weekend before mass begins. They help new-comers especially feel comfortable and  at ease with friendly faces. If you have any issues during the liturgies please feel free to contact one of the ushers in the church. And if you would like to be one of the ushers, please submit an expression of interest to the parish office.

Wardens  help with the offertory and collections.  They also assist anyone who needs help during the Mass. If you have any issues during the liturgies please feel free to contact one of the wardens in the church. And if you want to be one of the wardens, please submit an expression of interest to the parish office.

===========================================================

“Policy on the care, well-being and protection of children and young persons“.

The Archdiocese of Sydney now requires that all parish volunteers over the age of 18 to obtain a Working with Children Check and submit their WWCC number to the parish office. The parish office can assist in the process.

If you are interested in any of the voluntary ministries or parish roles, please contact the Parish Office or send us your details via New To Parish page or download the  Letter of Expression of Interest Voluntary role  fill them and submit them to the parish office.

=============================================================

A message from the Archdiocese of Sydney:
Child sexual abuse is a crime. The appropriate people to deal with crimes are the police. If you, or
anyone you know, have been abused, please contact the police. Alternatively, you can contact the
Safeguarding and Ministerial Integrity Office at (02) 9390 5810 or
[email protected].
You may also want to speak to your Parish Priest who will be able to provide support and guidance.
The Archdiocese has a legal obligation to report crimes to the police.

===============================================================