Vital organisations, including parishes, do not stay the same but adjust practices to respond and adapt to current and future needs. Subsequently, the initiatives identified in this research may no longer be practised in the example parishes listed below. Visiting their websites can be a source of ideas for other parishes who are looking to respond to new situations. Contact details are also on the websites to allow interested parishes to obtain further information about the mentioned practices, including why they are no longer used.
Community
THE ‘STEP-UP’ GROUP
The Step Up group is a team in the parish of Kings Park that helps parishioners of all ages apply for work.
They help individuals (especially migrants and refugees) in understanding resume requirements, practising interview questions and improving their confidence. They also conduct workshops on various aspects of the job application process from time to time.
The group is a great help to the parish in ministering to migrants and refugees and helping them settle in their new country. It makes them feel wanted and valued in the parish community.
To know more about this activity and how it could help your parish please contact Kings Park parish in Melbourne – https://www.resurrectionkingspark.org/
GRIEF HOSPITALITY
A Grief Hospitality Ministry team (also sometimes called a Bereavement group) helps families during their time of grief in the parish.
The passing away of a loved one can be a very hard time for families. The team offers their help by providing support and assistance during the Vigil on the night before the funeral, at the viewing and before and after the funeral Mass.
They help organise meals for the family and assist with serving tea and coffee and finger food after the funeral Mass. They also provide comfort and support to the family in the weeks following the funeral and help organise the yearly Masses of remembrance.
To know more about this activity and how it could help your parish please contact Kings Park parish in Melbourne – https://www.resurrectionkingspark.org/
A similar Bereavement Group also operates in Montmorency parish in Melbourne –https://www.melbcatholic.org/s/risenchristparish
The church is very hospitable to newcomers … As well the parish encourages and supports activities like the playgroup. This is part of its hospitality. And the various areas of parish life—church, school, playgroup etc really work together. So that what we have here is a community where everyone is celebrated as a marvellous and wonderful person.
There is a real sense of connection and ownership. There is a sense of collective responsibility. There is a lot of bonding between people in the parish community.
