Pastoral Activities
Philippines Partnership:
At St Michael's Parish, in conjunction with the Schools, we are involved in a partnership with the Columban Priests and the Sisters of Our Ladys working in Manila, Philippines.
The partnership has a two-fold purpose. Firstly, an opportunity of mutual enrichment and friendship between members of the St Michael's Parish and communities in the Philippines.
The other purpose is to raise funds to support the Kuya Centre (a home for street boys), a micro-credit scheme which provides Filipino families with an effective way of moving out of poverty by providing loans to establish small businesses, as well as the Malate Parish social outreach to the poor.
The funds are raised through a variety of functions.
For more information about the Philippines Partnership contact the parish office on 5278 1343.
Relay for Life:
An important objective of the St Michael's Parish is to be involved with the wider community, especially in addressing some of the concerns of our day. One of the ways we are doing this is by involvement in the Relay for Life.
This community event is under the auspices of the Cancer Council of Victoria, with the purpose of the community coming together to celebrate cancer survivors, remember loved ones lost to cancer and to raise funds to find cures for cancer.
At St Michael's our Relay for Life team is known as "Fr Mick's Mates" because Fr Mick, a much loved and well respected Assistant Priest, was a survivor of cancer. For just over 10 years, our team have held a number of fund raising events and friend raising events under the banner of Relay for Life, such as sausage sizzles, Melbourne Cup luncheons, bay cruises, etc.
Since the inception of the team in 2007, Fr Mick's Mates received an award for Best Fundraiser in Geelong six times. For further details about Relay For Life visit www.relayforlife.org.au.
St Vincent de Paul Society:
The good and practical work of St Vincent de Paul is best captured in their Mission and Vision Statements.
Mission Statement:
The Society is a lay Catholic organisation that aspires to live the gospel message and serving Christ in the marginalised with love, respect, justice, hope and joy, and working to shape a more just and compassionate society.
The Vision:
Members of the Society seek to achieve their mission of service by sharing themselves, who they are and what they have, with those in need on person-to-person basis. Guided by its Catholic beliefs and ethos, it works with the marginalised in development, by respecting their dignity, sharing hope and empowering them to decide their own life destiny.
The Holy Family Conference meet 1st and 3rd, Tuesdays 7.30pm at the Community Centre
The Holy Spirit Conference meets 1st and 3rd Tuesdays 7.00pm in Holy Spirit Hall
Young Vinnies:
Young Vinnies share the same vision and mission as the Senior Conferences, with the difference being that they are composed of youth and young adults ranging from 17-35 years of age. Activities include Kids Day Out, home visitation, soup van, social networking and companionship to the poor.
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For more information about St Vincent de Paul Society and its work, visit www.vinnies.org.au
Hospitality:
In his life Jesus often offered as well as received the gift of hospitality. Throughout its long history the Church has, in a variety o ways, sought to offer hospitality. In the Pastoral Cluster we continue this tradition by offering hospitality in the following ways:
| Holy Family | Morning Tea at the Community Centre after the 9.30a.m. Mass BBQ lunch third Sunday of each month at the Community Centre from 12Noon Women’s Group first Monday of the month at the Community Centre at 7.30p.m. |
| Holy Spirit | Luncheon first Sunday of each month in the small hall at 12.00 Noon |
At St Michael's Parish catering after funerals is available at the Holy SPirit Chuch under the auspices of the Catholic Women's League. If you wish to use their services they will be organised by your Funeral Director.
Catholic Women’s League:
Catholic Women’s League of Victoria & Wagga Wagga Inc; established in 1916 by Fr. W.J. Lockington a priest who had a burning belief in the power of Christian Women. Dr. Mary Glowrey was the first President. Horizon Magazine with 10 editions yearly, is our official form of publication to members. Special Works are Mary Glowrey House, headquarters and accommodation centre, Social Questions, Missions/Welfare. We have branches in Parishes, associate members and are National, having a non-Government Organisation status and International being a member of World Unions of Catholic Women’s Organisations (WUCWO)
Our Motto ”She Has Put Out Her Hand To Strong Things”
Website: cwl-vic-ww.org
St Michael's Bereavement Group:
Statement:
Christ is the focal point in our support to the Bereaved.
The members of the Bereavement Visiting Group will endeavour to reach out to fellow parishioners who have experienced a loss through death, providing a link to our Parish Communities and resources necessary for the rebuilding pf personal and spiritual life.
Goals:
The Bereavement Visiting Group aims to support bereaved parishioners by: visiting the bereaved
- within six weeks of the death during the following year as needed
- showing a caring presence and offering spiritual comfort.
- listening responsively to encourage and facilitate healing
- provide a ministry of care and support in the difficult and often painful task of rebuilding one’s life
- providing a ministry which enables us to reach out to others,
- introducing (if necessary) the bereaved to other groups.