Young Families
Supporting parents and their children up to 12 years old across the parish.
The Young Family Minister works part-time with parents and their children up to 12 years old — First Sacraments, children’s liturgy, and a key link to our Catholic schools. Ideas and involvement are welcomed.
Growing in Christ, Shining Bright
Shine
Shine Junior Youth Group runs on Sunday afternoons from 4pm–5pm (before 5.30pm Mass) during the school term. It is for children in years 4–8 at school.
Shine is a lovely opportunity for children in our parish community to connect and form friendships over a shared faith. It gives those children who are just beginning to explore the Catholic faith a chance to have some fun alongside others who have been involved in parish life for a while. Children who regularly come to Shine are from many different schools and many different stages in their own personal faith journey. Shine is about fun, faith and chocolate.
Junior Youth Masses
Junior Youth Masses are held on the second Sunday of every month (excluding January and December) at St Joseph’s Church at the 5.30pm Mass. Children from years 4–8 are invited to take on different roles and lead the Mass.
These Masses give children an opportunity to learn about serving our Lord and our parish community as altar server, data projectionist, reader, leading the Prayer of the Faithful, or bringing the offertory. Seedlings, our junior choir, lead the singing. Those who come to Shine and those who regularly come to this 5.30pm Mass love this chance to be involved — especially children who do not go to a Catholic school.
Sacramental Preparation
In Term One we hold a parent information evening to explain how sacramental preparation works in our parish. Registrations for Older Children’s Baptism, Reconciliation and First Communion open after this.
Preparation is family based. We support parents to be their child’s first teachers of faith, and we provide Family Preparation Booklets that are bright, colourful and written at a child’s level.
We invite parents whose children are preparing for Baptism, Reconciliation and First Communion to Alpha — a chance to grow in your own faith and connect with other families on a similar journey.
Older Children’s Baptism is celebrated for children seven years and older in May and November. Registrations for Reconciliation and First Communion close at the beginning of Term Two. Reconciliation is celebrated in late July and First Communion in August.
Children’s Liturgy
At St Joseph’s Church Sunday 9am Mass and Our Lady Help of Christians 10.30am Mass, volunteers run Children’s Liturgy. Children go out at the start of Mass and learn a little more about their faith and the readings and Gospel in a child-friendly way, before returning to the main church at Offertory.
Coming to Mass as a Family
If you are new to our parish or new to the Catholic faith and would like to start coming to Mass — but would like some support — please get in touch with the office. We have people in our parish community who are willing to accompany families to Mass so they feel comfortable and connected.
Young families welcome
Contact Karen, our Young Family Minister, or the Parish Office.