Baptism Preparation
St Patrick’s is blessed to have a small but dedicated team of volunteers who meet with new parents to remind them of the importance and meaning of the baptism they have asked for their children.
Baptism preparation sessions are held on the 4th Saturday of each month commencing at 10.45am and take less than an hour, and Father is often there to support both the leaders and the parents. Parents who are required to attend the course will be advised when the baptism booking is taken by the Parish Secretary.
If you would like to join the Baptism Preparation team please contact the Parish Office.
Bus Driving: Bringing the Elderly to Mass
We have a dedicated team of four Light Rigid licensed drivers who are rostered monthly to bring their elderly passengers to the 9 am Mass.
This is a very valuable ministry of outreach and care and we are always looking for more people to join the team so please just give us a call to discuss the small commitment that is required.
Cancer Prayers
This ministry was formed to offer spiritual support to those whose lives have been impacted upon by Cancer and it meets on the last Thursday of each month, 2 pm at the Jordan Room. Additional to these meetings, special Masses are held four to five times a year in various locations for the specific intentions of the patients, their carers and loved ones. If you would like to know more, please contact the Parish Office.
Grief & Loss Prayer & Support
The death of a loved one is a lonely experience, even when you are surrounded by many who love you. This group would like to offer spiritual support to anyone who is grieving the loss of a loved one and for this purpose, meets on the first Thursday of each month at 2pm at the Jordan Room.
In addition to these meetings, two Masses in remembrance of those who have passed in the previous 12 to 18 months are offered in August and November of each year, as well as a special Lenten Stations of the Cross for those mourning. Invitations to all of these are sent to anyone who is known to have suffered a recent loss. If you would like to know more, please contact the Parish Office.
Hospital Visitation: Fridays and/or Sunday
‘For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ Matthew: 25: 35-36
We have two separate groups - though some visitors do commit to both - who visit Catholic patients at Gosford District Hospital to both touch base, and determine whether they may like to have communion brought to them.
Our Friday group gathers the list of Catholic patients and visits each one on that list to say hello and leave a little prayer card. On an average of 60 patients are visited each Friday. If the patient would like communion brought to them on Sunday their name is placed on a list, given to the group leader and left at the church for collection by the rostered Sunday visitors who ensure that the patient receives the Eucharist that day.
Visitors are required to undertake a relatively short clinical Pastoral Education course before clearance may be obtained to visit at the hospital.
Please let us know if you would like to become part of this rewarding Hospital Visitation team.
Social Justice
In an effort to keep us focused on social justice issues we have some very active parishioners who represent this parish and who ensure that we are kept up to date and committed to the big issues which face Australia and the world.
We endeavour to keep parishioners aware of any opportunities they may have to participate in or make their voices heard about matters which need to be defended on behalf of the poverty-stricken, maltreated or oppressed. The Diocese of Broken Bay’s ‘SJ Around the Bay’ is a network of people engaged in social justice ministry who gather four times a year to exchange ideas on activities and interests of the various parish social justice groups. Keep up to date with what’s happening either by our Bulletin or the website.
Perhaps you may like to become the parish’s Social Justice representative? Please contact the Parish Office on 4325 1042.