To get in touch with any of these groups or organisations, use the contact details under the entry, or contact the Parish Office.

BAPTISM PREPARATION
Coordinator: Paul Sireh OCarm

This is a group consisting of parishioners and the parish pastoral team who meet with families wishing to have their children baptised at Our Lady of Mount Carmel. Meetings are held twice a month on Monday evenings.

The meeting consists of a short discussion and reflection about baptism and what will happen during the baptism liturgy.

No special qualifications are needed to become a member of the baptism preparation team.


CATHOLIC WOMEN'S LEAGUE
Branch President: Clare Gleeson

The Catholic Women's League Australia is an organisation of over 10 000 women who, from branch level through to the national executive, endeavour to promote and uphold the sanctity of family life and defend the dignity of women and Christian principles. The Wentworthville Branch engages in works of Christian love through Ministering the Eucharist and Word at Masses, supporting the St. Vincent de Paul Society, Ministering Eucharist to the housebound, serving refreshments after Mass on a monthly basis, supporting pregnancy counselling and supporting Chisholm Cottage. Chisholm Cottage Westmead is a project of CWL - Diocese of Parramatta that offers low-cost, short-term accommodation to those who require this assistance, such as the families of people requiring hospital care. CWL Wentworthville supports Chisholm Cottage by doing volunteer work at the cottage, and by raising funds to support the cottage's operation.

The children who attend the 9:00 a.m. Mass on Sunday mornings during school term time are able to take advantage of the Children's Liturgy of the Word - it is the Gospel and homily of the Mass celebrated at a level which younger children (up to about 10 years of age) can more easily understand. Children process out of the church after the welcome by the priest and return at the Preparation of the Gifts.

This is a rostered group with the leader on duty responsible for preparation of the liturgy. Leaders are assisted by at least one helper. Volunteers are always welcome.

Parents are encouraged to take part in the group and are asked especially to accompany children under 4 years of age.

The Choir always welcomes new singers. They practise on a regular basis before Easter (February-April) and Christmas (October-December) each Monday evening from 7:15 p.m. From May - September, the choir meets on Mondays after the 2nd and 4th Sunday of the Month at 7:15 p.m. Choir practice dates are publicised on the Parish Calendar.

If you enjoy singing, think about joining the choir. You can contact the choir in advance or just come along to practice on Monday evening.

Perhaps you play a musical instrument and would like to offer your services at one of the Masses or you would be willing to play at funerals, weddings, etc.

Cleaning is done fornightly on a Thursday morning. Cleaning tasks include: vacuuming and dusting in the body of the church (not the sanctuary), cleaning the glass in the church and sweeping the immediate church surrounds. A list of duties is posted in the cleaning equipment room and as the jobs are completed they are ticked off, so that other volunteers coming later can see what still has to be done.

COMMUNION OF THE SICK
Contact: Parish Office

We have a number of parishioners who are housebound and who regularly receive communion in their homes.

Parishioners also visit nursing homes and hospitals in the surrounding area, including Westmead Public, Westmead Children's and Westmead Private Hospitals.

You do not need any special qualifications to be a Minister of Communion of the sick. Some training is provided, and there are special leaflets available which guide you through the simple liturgy.

This is an occasional activity in the parish, especially suitable for older parishioners. It is an excellent way of having a day out in good company at minimal cost: it can be as little as the cost of a train fare if you BYO refreshments/lunch.

Venues are only limited by where public transport can take you comfortably there and back in one day - wonderful trips to historic Berrima, the Central Coast and the mountains are still talked about by the trippers.

Look for ads in Carmel - detailed information sheets are available in the parish centre prior to outings.

EAST TIMOR COMMITTEE
Contact: Greg Reid

EXTRAORDINARY MININSTERS OF HOLY COMMUNION
Contact: Robert Barden, Liturgy Coordinator

Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion are an important part of our liturgy. On weekdays three ministers plus the Priest serve Communion and typically at Sunday Masses there are seven ministers plus the Priest.

If you have recently moved to Wentworthville parish and are already an Extraordinary Minister you are welcome to join the team here - simply add your name to the whiteboard located in the parish centre, prior to entering the church for Mass and then move up to the sanctuary at Communion time (this procedure applies to Sunday Masses only).

There are no special qualifications needed in order to become an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion.

New ministers are invited each year on Pentecost Sunday. An annual formation workshop is also conducted for all ministers.

FINANCE COMMITTEE
Chairman: Clieve Lennon

The Finance Committee is a sub-committee of the Parish Pastoral Council. The committee meets about once every two months and is responsible for managing and reporting the financial position of the parish to the Parish Counil and the wider Church community. Financial statements are published in Carmel each quarter.

The Finance Committee makes recommendations to the Parish Counil concerning parish expenditure and general management of parish funds.

It also conducts an annual campaign to promote the planned giving programm, the main source of parish income as well as considering other ways to raise revenue.

The Carmel Gift Shop is open after all weekend Masses. If you wish to make a purchase at other times, contact the Parish Secretary during office hours. The gift shop provides a service to parishioners, selling quality religious items at a reasonable price. The income from the gift shop helps defray parish operating expenses.

Parishioners are asked to volunteer by either adding their names to the roster on the notice board near the parish centre kitchen, or make a regular commitment to help with the gift shop. Alternatively, help can be given on an occasional basis by staffing the shop when other volunteers are not present.

The Lay Carmelites are a group of lay men and women who form an integral part of the Caremelite family and try to live out the Carmelite way of life in the ordinary circumstances of their family and social life. The Wentworthville Community meet in the parish centre at 11:00 a.m. on the 3rd Sunday of each month for prayer and formation in Carmelite spirituality. The meetings are a time to grow together in friendship and a deeper commitment to the values of Carmelite life. They also arrange days or weekends of prayer throughout the year.

Find out more about the Lay Carmelites on the Australian Carmelite Province website.

The Legion of Mary meet Tuesday mornings after 9:00 a.m. Mass in the Parish Centre. Their meetings include the rosary and other prayer as well as planning and discussion. Works include door-to-door evangelisation, parishioner visitation, visitation of the sick or aged, Pilgrim Virgin Statue rotations, and meeting other spiritual needs of the parish community.

In Wentworthville the Legionaries offer hospitality after the Healing Mass held at 9:00 a.m. on the second Friday of each month. The Legionaries are under the guidance of a spiritual director, a member of the parish pastoral team. They welcome new members.

LITURGY COMMITTEE
Liturgy Coordinator: Robert Barden

MINISTERS OF THE WORD
Contact: Robert Barden, Liturgy Coordinator
Rosters: Lyn Bryant, Parish Secretary

A roster system is in place for Readers and Commentators at weekend Masses.

Readers proclaim the Word and process in and out of the Church with the celebrant while carrying the lectionary.

Commentators give the Mass introduction, proclaim the Responsorial Psalm (if not sung) and the Prayers of the Faithful.

Each year there is a formation workshop held for Ministers of the Word.

Rosters are renewed every three or four months with each volunteer being called upon about once per month depending on the number of volunteers for any one Mass. No special qualifications are required, but the annual refresher course serves as training for new ministers.

PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL
Chairperson: Daphne Palucci

The Parish Pastoral Council consists of the parish priest, pastoral associates and parishioners. The council's aim is to guide and lead the parish in its faith, as well as its expression through missionary service.

Members of the Council are nominated by parishioners with the intention that the Council's membership is representative of the entire community. Several people serve as ex-officio members. These people include the parish pastoral team, parish secretary and school principal.

Parishioners are encouraged to raise issues with the council. Such issues should be addressed, in writing, to the council, care of the Parish Office. Alternatively you can contact the parish office. Correspondence should reach the parish office by the week before the next meeting.

PARISH PLAYGROUP
Coordinator: Paola Yevenes

The parish playgroup was founded in 1990 to give young families in our parish who have children aged 0 to 5 years the opportunity to meet each other in a relaxed and informal environment.

For young children about to make the transition from home to Our Lady of Mount Carmel Primary School, the parish playgroup can be an important stepping stone. Through organised activities, the children are encouraged to share, communicate and form friendships which will be with them when they enter Kindergarten.

Parents who attend playgroup participate by helping in the organising, preparation and running of each session.

The playgroup gather in the parish hall each Friday between 9:15 and 11:15 a.m.

RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS
Coordinator: Judy Kendall

The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is the process by which adults become members of the Catholic Church. Each person is invited to walk the path of their faith journey with the support of the parish, reflecting on the scripture and considering the place of God in their lives.

The parish has an RCIA team to support those enquiring about the Catholic faith, as well as those formally preparing for baptism. It requires parishioners to attend the regular gatherings, listen to and affirm the stories and reflections of the enquirers and catechumens, and share with them aspects of our faith. Hospitality ministers are also required to prepare and participate in supper after the gatherings, thus increasing the amount of contact enquirers and catechumens have with members of the parish community.

SACRAMENTS OF INITIATION TEAM
Coordinator: Paul Sireh OCarm

The Parramatta Diocese has a policy of parish based, family centred preparation for First Reconciliation, and the Sacraments of Confirmation and First Holy Communion.

It means that families are directly involved in the instruction of their children who are preparing to receive the sacraments.

Children wishing to receive any of the sacraments during any one year need to enrol at one of the special enrolment weekend Masses held towards the beginning of the year. This weekend is precededb by a Parent Meeting which is widely advertised through Carmel, the parish school newsletter as well as letters sent home through OLMC school and state schools in the area.

Instruction for the sacraments involves children and parents being divided into groups with parents asked to volunteer to lead the groups.

SPECIAL RELIGIOUS EDUCATORS (CATECHISTS)
Coodinator: Diane Prettyman

The Special Religious Educators (SREs) or Catechists are volunteers who take the Good News to Catholic children in the State Primary Schools located in our parish.

The classes are held weekly and last for approximately half an hour.

This is a very rewarding ministry - just ask anyone who has been involved.

Support and backup are always available and excellent resources for children and teachers are given. Student learning is directed by the curriculum Christ, Our Light and Life, and training courses for Educators are conducted regularly by the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Parramatta, in collaboration with the Institute for Mission.

Meetings with the coordinator are held regularly for mutual support and discussion.

ST. VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY
Contact: Regional Centre, 140 Best Road, Seven Hills (9622 3839) or just come along to the next meeting.

The Wentworthville St Vincent de Paul Society Conference is involved in helping the community on a number of levels: some members visit people in their homes, offering advice and assistance; a number of people enjoy working in the Vinnies Shop in Dunmore Street; yet others are involved in the St Vincent de Paul Special Works which include Cardinal Freeman Centre (A crisis accomodation centre for homeless men), budget counselling, family care and support, aged care, drop-in centres, employment centres for people with disabilities, disaster recovery and crisis relief.

New members are always welcome - local conference meetings are held in the parish centre on alternate Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m.