PARISH GROUPS

Parish Council
The Parish Pastoral Council assists the Parish Priest in the operations and planning of the parish. Current Parish Councillors are:

Parish Accountant
Oversees the parish finances and prepares the annual Budget for the parish and the diocesan Financial Manager: Frank Sandy Ph:9857 7515

School Accountant
Prepares school budget and monitors the monthly financial situation of the school

St Bridget’s School Principal
Is appointed by the Parish Priest to conduct the School according to the directions of the Catholic Education Office: Paul Dwyer Ph: 9857 6394

Hall Management
Is in charge of all bookings of the hall for every occasion: Geoff Belleville Ph: 9809 0302

Ecumenical Affairs
Represents St Bridget’s Parish in the North Balwyn Inter-Church Council. Meetings are held quarterly: Frank Rosenfeldt Ph: 9857 6036

Altar Society
Directs a group of ladies who care for the flower decorations of the church and the cleaning of various other parts of the building: Maureen Considine Ph:9857 8541

Choir
Practice is on certain Mondays of the month at 7.45pm. It sings at one Mass each month and welcomes new members at its practices: Sr Kathleen (Director) Ph: 9481 7578 or Roma Matheson Ph:9857 8735

Thanksgiving Offerings
Administered by the Finance Committee which meets each Tuesday at 8pm. New subscribers and queries from others are attended to. The financial viability of the Parish depends on all parishioners being subscribers:

Spiritual And Litugical
This group prepares the weekly liturgies and the special occasions such as Holy Week, Christmas, Pentecost etc: Shirley Pethick 9899 6706

Visual (Slides)
Each Sunday and on other occasions hymns and pictures to accompany them. A very wide selection of pictures helps to understanding the devotion:

Lector’s Roster
All new Lectors are required to attend a Diocesan Training Day. Lectors are rostered and trained for worthy and clear proclamation of the Holy Scriptures at Mass. Parish office Ph: 9857 6395

Eucharistic Ministers
Rosters also included Ministers to the sick to which Communion is taken on Sunday mornings. All Ministers are appointed by a personal delegation from the Archbishop. Training days are conducted by the Diocesan Office of Worship: Mario Landini Ph:9857 4248

Children's Liturgy
Classes are taken at the 10.00am Mass for children from 5-12 years old. These classes are based upon the Sunday Scripture and presented in a way suitable for children: John Duiker Ph:9857 6395

Greeters
A warm welcome as parishioners enter the Church is a very pleasant experience and encourages all to feel a part of the celebrating community. The Parish Notices are also given to each person. Parish Office Ph:9857 6395

Organists
The pipe Organ is a very special instrument and special organists are the only ones authorised to play it at St. Bridget’s:Anne Credlin 9848 5389 or Jenni Hillman 9857 6296.

Finance Committee
Monitors the Weekly Thanksgiving Offerings and records them. Organises Renewal Campaigns and works closely with the parish accountant:

Religious Resources Centre
This small shop in the narthex provides a wealth of religious objects for purchase and a considerable number of books: Susan Koay Ph:9857 6499

St. Vincent De Paul Society
The Society meets monthly after the 10am Mass in the Conference Room. In addition to caring for those in need locally the members work in other areas of need in Melbourne: Anne Magee Ph:9890 2739

Women’s Discussion Group
Meets on the fourth Thursday of the month. Details are notified in the Parish Notices. The group’s objective is to learn and share through discussions on topics related to family life:

Church Cleaning
Parishioners are proud of our fine church and are very ready to keep it clean and tidy. All cleaning materials are provided, including vacuum cleaner: Carmen Attard Ph:9857 9521

Parents & Parishioners
This Group meets monthly and helps in caring for the grounds of the school and in holding functions that involve all the parishioners as well as the parents of school pupils:Catherine Worsnop Ph:9857 4454

Electronics
St Bridget’s Church is remarkable for its use of electronic aids in sound and light. These are monitored and cared for on a weekly basis.

Parish Library
The library is situated in the “Conference Room” off the Narthex: George Lawson Ph:9898 4962

Antioch Youth Group
Meets each Sunday after 5.30pm Mass. Ages 16-21: Lauren Sanders Email: lmsanders81@yahoo.com

Altar Servers
Prepares boys and girls for their service at the altar for mass.

Prayer Group
Meets each second Thursday morning at 10.30am at homes for Prayer, Spiritual reading and sharing. Maree Stewart Ph:9857 9525

After Mass Coffee
After Mass on the first Sunday of each month parishioners are invited to linger for a while and meet fellow parishioners over a cup of tea or coffee. It is an ideal way of making new friends in the parish community:Susan Glen Ph: 9857 4322

Religious Education
Held each Tuesday (4.00pm-4.45pm) Religious Education is available for pupils attending Non-catholic Schools for Year 1 to Year 6. The Programme of instruction is continuous from year to year and pupils are required to attend each year in order to be accepted as candidates for the sacraments of Reconciliation, Eucharist and Confirmation: Wendy Davis Ph:9848 8338

Youth Mass
Celebrated each Sunday at 5.30pm. The Celebrant is generally a visiting priest. Music in the youth idiom usually accompanies the Mass:Robert Stewart Ph:

Craft Group
Meets each Friday 10.00am-11.30am during school terms. Groups learn and practice various craft skills: Juliana Worsnop Ph:0409 899 881

Italian Prayer Group
Meets monthly for Prayer and Rosary and for special masses.

Playgroup
Meet on Monday morning 10:30 - 12:30 in the Church Hall for story time and activity and morning tea. St Bridget’s Parish Playgroup for children not yet of school age. A friendly and fun environment: Siobhan Baxter Ph:9816 4756

Building And Maintenance Committee
Advises on works of maintaining the Parish buildings: Don Matheson Ph: 9857 8735

Parish Website
Parish Secretary maintains and updates the parish website: Ph:9857 6395