Whether you have been in the Parish for 40 years or you are joining us for the first time, it is great to have you. Thank you for building your spiritual home with us.
Our Parish exists to provide opportunities and encouragement for every person to reach a closer and lasting relationship with Jesus Christ. We provide opportunities for worship, learning, fellowship and service. I invite every single parishioner to think about how you can contribute to this mission of the Church using your gifts and talents, and to be proactive in seeking out opportunities to meet your needs through the many prayer, fellowship and study groups we have.
We have outlined ways in which you can become involved and play an active role in our Parish. Please take up the challenge to participate, and together we will build up God’s Kingdom in this part of the world and be an example of an evangelising Community for the Parishes of our Diocese of Broken Bay.
Why should I participate?
For three simple reasons:
1. We need you – we need additional volunteers across all Ministries.
2. Participating in a Ministry is a good way of getting to know other members of the parish, nurturing your own spirituality and also a way of building the parish community.
3. Whatever you choose to do, we can guarantee that you will get more out of it than you put in. It will be a rewarding and enjoyable experience.
Are there vacancies?
Yes, there are vacancies across most Ministries. They are waiting for you.
I’m nervous. I haven’t done it before. Will training and support be provided?
Yes. Where necessary training sessions are held, a mentor can be arranged and other support resources provided if required. We know that it is very important that you feel supported and confident to take on a role that you have not done before.
How do I know when I will be required?
If we get a sufficient number of volunteers, we prepare a roster. Rosters are usually in place for a period of up to 6 months. This way you know in advance when you will be required. If you are rostered on for a particular date and need to change the date, you do so by contacting another person on the roster. The more people that nominate for a ministry, the more the work can be shared around.
I want to become involved. What should I do?
1. Read the description of the various Ministries.
2. Decide which ministry best suits your skills, talents, interests and availability.
3. Fill in the Ministry Form clearly indicating which Ministry you wish to pursue.
4. Return the form to the Parish Office. Someone will contact you shortly and follow up with you.
5. Some volunteers are required to apply for a Working with Children Check and have it verified by Parish Staff before they can commence. This is a Government requirement.
What should I do if I don’t feel especially called to any of the identified Ministries?
While we need volunteers for most Ministries, there are still other ways you can contribute, e.g. roster coordinators, working bees etc.
Have a look at section 31 in this booklet “Other” for some more ideas. Then simply fill in the form and someone will contact you to follow up.
Working With Children Check (WWCC)
The Diocese and our Parish is committed to keeping children safe and complying with all legislation. As a result, our generous volunteers in child-related ministries are required by law to obtain a Working With Children Check. The WWCC is free for volunteers. All volunteers in child-related ministries need to obtain a WWCC before they begin their Ministry. A WWCC is required for the following Ministries:
- Adult Servers
- Children Choir Leaders
- Children Liturgy Leaders
- Catechists
- Youth Ministry Leader
- Vinnies Van
If you already have a WWCC, you can use that number in our parish. To apply for a WWCC please follow instructions below.
Applying for WWCC as a Volunteer
- Start Online: www.kidsguardian.nsw.gov.au
- On the left side of "Kids Guardian" website, select "Find out more" button, then select "Apply for your check" button.
- On the application form, Purpose of check: choose "Volunteer" | Child-related sector: choose "Religious services"
- After completing the online application, visit an RMS Service Centre with a print out of you application and identification (Drivers Licence, RTA ID card, passport etc.)
- After your visit, you will receive an email from the Office of the Children’s Guardian containing your Clearance Number. Please forward a copy of this letter and your date of birth to the Parish Office.
Renewing your WWCC as a Volunteer
The Working With Children Check lasts for five years. After 5 years, you will need to renew your WWCC.
If your contact details are up to date with the NSW Office of the Children's Guardian, you will receive a notification when it is time to renew your WWC number. Do not re-apply for a new Working With Children Check, but simply renew and your WWC number will remain valid for another 5 years. Renewal applications cannot be submitted until 3 months before your expiry date.
Once you have received your new WWC certificate, please notify the Parish Office so it can be verified again.
- Within 3 months of your WWC expiry date, visit the Kid's Guardian website www.kidsguardian.nsw.gov.au/check
- Select "Renew your WWC number" button.
- On the "Application to Renew", you will need to know your Working With Children Check number (current or expired).
- Purpose of check: "Volunteer" | Child-related sector: "Religious services".
- Let the Parish Office know that you have renewed your WWC number.