nowraparish.org.au

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 Meeting Room.
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 arealso available, along with other in-services throughout the year.
Contact: Lyn West :: Ph 4423 1009, or contact Lyn at the Parish Centre.

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: Parentsmust attend two parent information nights and one prayer evening foreach 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: Peggy Luxford, Coordinator :: Ph 4421 3417.

Compass

Description: A community of young adults exploring and sharing their faith.
Patrons: Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati and St Gianna Molla.
Meetings: 7.30-9.00pm, first and third Monday of month. Also meets at other times for prayer, adoration and social events. See Youth page for more information.
Member Details: for all ages (mainly 20s through 40s)
Additional Details: Guest speakers; prayer & music nights; social events; retreats.
Contact: Jodie Le :: Ph 4422 3318 or Shannon Chittick :: Ph 4447 0990. This e-mail 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. After Mass on the 1st Sunday we go out for a social dinner at a local pub or cheap eats.
Member Details: Currently the group has young musicians.
Additional Details: More musicians, singers, readers and greeters etc invited.
Contact: Thanh Le :: Ph 4422 3318.

St Michael's/Our Lady Help of Christians Youth Group

Description: The group meets to socialise, enjoy games, and have formation talks on aspects of faith. Guest speakers attend.
Meetings: Second Friday of the month, 7.30 – 9.30pm.
Location: At St Michael's Parish Centre/St Michael's Hall.
Member Details: High School aged youth are invited to attend.
Additional Details: Occasional outings organised. Bring a plate or nibbles to share.
Contact: Matthew Hill – Youth organiser; Peter and Sue Hill – Adult Supervisors :: Ph 4447 3197.

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.

Teams of Our Lady

Description: A movement of married spirituality.
Meetings: Monthly in member’s homes.
Member Details: 5-7 married couples functioning as a “team”.
Additional Details:The couples in a team meet monthly to share prayers, a meal and their journey as married couples. At present there is the opportunity to create new teams of interested couples.
Contact: via the Parish Centre :: Ph 4423 1712.

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 5decades of the Rosary, and to meditate for 15 minutes on the other mysteries of the Rosary.
Additional Details:Following the devotions all are welcome for a ‘tea and talk’ in StMichael’s Hall, North St, Nowra. See monthly reminder notices displayedat St Michael’s Church and in weekly Mass bulletins.
Meetings:First Saturday of month (except January). Confession commences a t8.30am. The ‘tea and talk’ follows 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 thebook “To the Priests, Our Lady’s Beloved Sons”. There is also an act ofconsecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
Meetings: Each Friday at 2pm. Meetings are held in member’s homes.
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.

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: Thursday, 1pm, monthly.
Member Details: Open to women of all ages.
Contact: Sue Hill :: Ph 4447 3497 & Shannon Chittick :: Ph 4447 0990 :: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

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.
Member Details:Taizé experience comes from volunteering to read, sing, play, or takean active part in liturgical celebration. Generally twenty musiciansand 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 theMissionaries of Charity. Reading of statutes and Mother Theresa’s writings.
Meetings: Fourth Friday of month, 10.15am.
Location: Demountable meeting room, next to St Michael’s Presbytery, Nowra.
Member Details: 2 members at present. More invited.
Additional Details: Father Ronan Kilgannon is the Spiritual guide. Yearly retreat. Apostolic works related to group.
Contact: Shannon Chittick :: Ph 4447 0990 or Sue Hill :: Ph 4447 3197.

Lectio Divina (Holy Reading)

Description:A prayerful study of the scripture text for the following Sunday’s mass, with information and explanation relevant to the era of the text.Study guidelines are prepared by Sr Hildegard, Benedictine Abbey, Jamberoo. Participants share thoughts and grow in the love of God.
Meetings: Every Wednesday at 1.30pm in the Holy Spirit Hall. (Time and place can be varied to fit with participants).
Additional Details: Group members also meet to pray for their needs and to express thankfulness to God.
Member Details: Everyone is invited.
Contact: Susan O’Brien :: Ph 4443 7339.