Spirituality & Prayer
It is rare to meet someone who offers you a way of life so rich that you are prepared to give away everything to take up the offer! Yet time and time again in stories of Jesus, we see people turning away from their old ways and following Jesus. The fishermen by the lake leave their boats behind; the tax collectors Matthew and Nicodemus change their ways; even people not of Jesus' faith or nationality take remarkable actions after encountering Jesus.
Catechist Group
Description: To teach the word of God in local Government Primary Schools.
Meetings: Held at St Michael’s Parish Centre, and in Vincentia, at Holy Spirit Church Hall.
Member Details: 70+ Catechists. Additional Catechists invited.
Additional Details:Level 1 training Course (6 weeks) equips the Catechists with confidence and skills to enter classrooms. An annual retreat and Diocesan Mass are also available, along with other in-services throughout the year.
Contact: Lyn West :: Ph 4423 1009, or contact Lyn at the Parish Centre; or Sr Val (Bay & Basin) :: 4441 7035.
Sacramental Program
Description: Baptised children attend six one-hour sessions in preparation for each of the sacraments of Reconciliation, First Holy Communion and Confirmation.
Meetings: Lessons are held after school at Berry, Culburra, Nowra, and Vincentia.
Additional Details: Parents must attend two parent information nights and one prayer evening for each sacrament. Lessons are conducted by senior Catechists.
Contact: Lyn West :: Ph 4423 1009.
Lenten Groups
Description: Prayer and discussion of Lenten Gospels. Sharing of experiences.
Meetings:Six meetings during Lent. Groups are held in Nowra/Bomaderry, Berry/Shoalhaven Heads, Callala/Culburra, Currarong, Kangaroo Valley,and Vincentia/Bay & Basin. Groups also welcome in other areas.
Member Details: Groups consist of 5 – 10 people.
Additional Details:A Paschal meal is celebrated on the evening of Passion (Palm) Sunday. Information appears on the Sunday Bulletins prior to Ash Wednesday.
Contact: Francene Devoy :: Ph 4421 5962; or Tina Elsenburg :: Ph 4422 9250, Coordinators.
Compass
Description: A community of young adults exploring and sharing their faith.
Patrons: Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati and St Gianna Molla.
Meetings: Once per month in families' homes. Families take turns to organise an event. See Youth page for more information.
Member Details: Single or married; for people from mid 20s.
Additional Details: Guest speakers; prayer & music nights; social events; retreats.
Contact: Jody Le :: Ph 4422 3318 or Shannon Chittick :: Ph 4447 0990.
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Youth Mass – St Michael’s, Nowra.
Details: A youth focussed Mass is held at 6pm on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of month.
Member Details: The group has young musicians. More musicians, singers, readers and greeters etc invited.
Additional Details: On the third Sunday of the month young people are invited to be a part of various ministries of the Mass. Mass is followed by refreshments in the Parish Centre.
Contact: Catriona Nunan :: Ph 0422 201 054; Thanh Le :: Ph 4422 3318 (music for 1st Sunday).
Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Associates
Description: Rosary, inspirational readings and discussions from ‘Ametur’.
Meetings: First Wednesday of each month at Callala. Meetings are held in each other’s homes. Morning tea is shared. Everyone is welcome.
Additional information: This association was founded by Father Jules Chevalier in France 1854. It is worldwide.
Contact: Joyce Buttel :: Ph 4446 5569.
First Saturday Marian Devotions
Description:The promise connected with the first Saturday devotion was revealed by the Blessed Virgin Mary to three children at Fatima in 1917. The promise made was to help at the hour of death, with the graces needed for salvation, whoever undertakes to receive Communion, to recite 5 decades of the Rosary, and to meditate for 15 minutes on the other mysteries of the Rosary.
Meetings: Mass at 9am each First Saturday of the month (except January) at St Michael's Church, North St Nowra.
Additional Details: Reconciliation is also available. 'Tea and Talk' follows in the Parish Centre at the conclusion of devotions at 10.30am.
Member Details: Everyone is welcome.
Contact: via the Parish Centre :: Ph 4423 1712.
Holy Spirit Cenacle Prayer Group
Description:Associates gather in prayer and fraternity. The Rosary is recited.There is a reading, meditation and reflection on a passage from the book “To the Priests, Our Lady’s Beloved Sons”. There is also an act of consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
Meetings: Each Friday at 2pm in member's homes at Sanctuary Point.
Member Details: New members are invited to join the group.
Additional Details: Group activity is associated with the Marian movement of priests.
Contact: Molly Luck, Facilitator :: Ph 4443 8876 or Fay Peters 4443 2837.
Bay & Basin Marian Movement Cenacle Prayer Group
Description:Associates gather in prayer and fraternity. The Rosary is recited.
Meetings: Each Friday from 2-3pm in the Holy Spirit Hall, Vincentia.
Member Details: All are invited to join the group.
Additional Details: Prayer is followed by afternoon tea.
Contact: Ron D'Souza :: Ph 4441 5723.
Mater Dei - Bible Study Group for Women
Description: Scriptural discussion guided by workbook questions. This is an informal meeting, which is held in members’ homes.
Meetings: Wednesday, 11.30am, monthly.
Member Details: Open to women of all ages.
Contact: Sue Hill :: Ph 4447 3197 & Shannon Chittick :: Ph 4447 0990 ::
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
.u
Taizé Prayer
Description:This is an ecumenical form of Christian chant, reconciling Christians from all denominations through the “prayer of the heart”. Taizé prayer is the work of the Spirit; it can be used in different ways and is very prayerful when chants are sung while receiving Holy Communion or during the celebration of Reconciliation.
Meetings: Prayer nights are held during Advent/Pentecost at locations throughout the parish. All are welcome.
Member Details:Taizé experience comes from volunteering to read, sing, play, or take an active part in liturgical celebration. Generally twenty musicians and readers are used, coming from all denominations.
Contact: Les Ambrus :: Ph 4421 0988.
Christian Meditation Community
Description:Christian meditation is “prayer of the heart”. It requires (1)stillness of body; (2) concentration of mind; and (3) openness of heart. The function is unity with God and neighbour through the narrow gateway of silence.
Meetings: Each Monday at 7.30pm at St John’s High School oratory.
Member Details: Newcomers invited.
Additional Details: Two other groups run on Thursdays for those wanting to learn meditation:
- Holy Spirit Catholic Church, Vincentia, at 11am.
- 45 Ironbark Road West Cambewarra at 3.30pm.
South Coast Community Days are held at St John’s Oratory.
Contact Details: Les Ambrus, South Coast Coordinator :: Ph 4421 0988.
Lay Missionaries of Charity
Description:Faith formation and charism. This is a third order branch of the Missionaries of Charity. Reading of statutes and Mother Theresa’s writings.
Meetings: There is a monthly meeting. Phone below contacts for details.
Member Details: New members invited.
Additional Details: Father Leo Duck is the Spiritual guide. Yearly retreat. Apostolic works related to group.
Contact: Shannon Chittick :: Ph 4447 0990 or Sue Hill :: Ph 4447 3197.
Teams of Our Lady
Description:A movement of married spirituality.
Meetings: Monthly in the homes of members.
Member Details: 4-5 married couples function as a "team".
Additional Details:The couples in a team meet monthly to share prayers, a meal and their journey as married couples. There is also the opportunity to create new teams of interested couples.
Contact:via the Parish Centre :: Ph 4423 1712.
St Michael's Youth Group
Description:The group meets to socialise, enjoy games, and have formation talks on aspects of faith. Guest speakers attend.
Meetings: Regular meetings 6.30 - 8.00pm during school term. See Parish WEbsite of Sunday Bulletin for dates and more information.
Location: Parish Centre, 30 North St, Nowra.
Member Details: Year 5 & 6 and High School aged youth are invited to attend.
Additional Details: Occasional outings organised. Bring a plate of nibbles to share. A parent will be rostered on each group night for support purposes.
Contact Details: Catriona Nunan :: Ph 0422 201 054 or
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.