OLHC has an active, multi-cultural community whose attendance is not limited to Mass and Parish events. They are constantly meeting, planning, reviewing, learning, teaching and volunteering their precious time and talent, helping build the kingdom of God through community outreach. To join any of these groups, please email olhc@olhc.org.au.

Altar Servers

We have approximately 60 young parishioners in this team. They serve at the five weekend Masses. To enrol as an altar server children must have received their First Holy Communion.

Baptism Preparation

This group conducts preparation classes for baptism. They help parents and godparents understand the importance of the sacrament and their roles. They help facilitate a connection between our parish and families seeking this sacrament.

Bereavement Support Team

This group reaches out to bereaved parishioners suffering the loss of a loved one. They help support families through the grieving process and are helpful friends to have around in time of need.

Charismatic Prayer Group

This group meets every Friday in the Church at 7 pm for the Rosary, which is followed by a praise and worship session and an activity like a talk or Bible study. There is a Healing Mass every First Friday of the month.

Charismatic Prayer Group (Sri Lankan)

This group meets every Sunday at 6 pm at Mary Mackillop Primary school, 2 Ernst Wanke Road, Narre Warren. The meeting is conducted in Sinhala and in English. Mass in Sinhala is celebrated every 4th Sunday of the month at 3.30 pm.

Church Décor and Floral Arrangement

This is a group of very talented volunteers who decorate the church for our weekend masses and other liturgical services all around the year. They help decorate the church with special floral arrangements and banners for special occasions too.

Church Maintenance & Cleaning

This group works silently behind the scenes to keep the interior of the church clean, especially the altar and the sanctuary. They help vacuum, mop, and dust the sanctuary once a week. New members are always welcome.

Communion to the Sick

Members of this group are extraordinary ministers who visit the sick and take Holy Communion to them. Through this ministry, they help our priests when they are unable to meet all the needs of a large community. Members have to qualify for this role, and more importantly, hold a valid Police check and Working with Children check.

Contemplative Prayer Group

This group meets every 1st and 3rd Saturday of the month from 11 am to 12 noon. They use prayer tools like silent prayer, readings, quiet reflection, writing, and even music as a means to contemplation.

Dramatics

This group is a very talented bunch of people of all ages who enact the Good Friday Passion Play each year. Their passion for drama, learning and teaching new techniques in a group environment are all very evident in their enactment.

Eucharistic Ministers

These are lay persons who assist the priest in administering the Holy Eucharist during Mass and at all special liturgical services. Members have to qualify for this role.

Friendship Group

This group has been active in our Parish for over 18 years! They meet twice monthly – on the first Thursday for lunch or an outing, and on the third Thursday in the Keogh Room for afternoon tea, games and a chat. They want you to know that you are welcome to join them.

Godstart

This group helps in pastoral outreach to young parents from the time of the Baptism of their baby through the child’s early years until schooling commences. The group helps parents conduct age appropriate activities with their children. A group of committed volunteers home deliver birthday cards to children between the age group of 1 to 5 and assure them of our support as they nurture the faith in the children.

Intercessory Prayer

This is a group of dedicated parishioners who pray about special prayer needs and for the needs of the entire church. They meet every Monday at 7 pm. They also take prayer requests from visitors and guests of the parish and from anyone who requests special prayer support.

Knitting

This group meets every 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month. Their love for knitting and their passion to serve the community has been an inspiration to them to knit jumpers, beanies, scarves and shawls for the less fortunate within Australia and overseas.

Lectors (Readers)

This is a group with members of all ages. They read the scriptures during Masses and liturgical functions. It is one of the ministries of spreading God’s word, so lectors are given a special period of training so that they can effectively plant the seeds of God’s message into the hearts of His people.

Legion of Mary

The object of the Legion of Mary is the glory of God through the holiness of its members developed through prayer and active co-operation in Mary’s and the Church’s work. The unit of the Legion of Mary is called a Presidium, which holds a weekly meeting where prayer is intermingled with reports and discussions. Every legionary is required to carry out weekly apostolic work in the spirit of faith and in union with Mary. The senior team meets every Tuesday at 10 am and the Junior team every 1st and 3rd Saturday at 4.30 pm. 

Liturgy

This team plays an important role in assisting our priests enhance the liturgical life and experiences of the parish. With representatives from the other liturgical ministries like extra-ordinary ministers, lectors, altar servers, music ministry and other teams, the liturgy team works toward developing a vibrant liturgical experience.

Men of St. Joseph

This group is an approved private Catholic men’s association of the lay faithful in accordance with the Code of Canon Law. They are dedicated to St. Joseph, the foster father of Jesus. They share learnings and experiences of the faith with other Catholic men. They meet every Tuesday at 6.30 am in the Keogh Room. 

Music

Our parish has a large number of music groups who are rostered to sing at the regular weekend Masses and also at special liturgical programs around the year. They are parishioners with great love for music and singing and are dedicated to their ministry. Their tireless efforts enhance our liturgical celebrations. We also have a Children’s’ Choir and a Youth Choir.

Piety Shop

This is run by volunteers before and after each weekend mass. The money raised goes to St. Vincent de Paul Narre Warren Conference. The shop has a great range of gifts for all occasions and has become a hub where parishioners meet to have a chat.

Sacristans

This group is responsible for the setting up of the altar for all liturgical services in the church

Welcome

This team is responsible for ushering and greeting parishioners as they gather to celebrate Mass. Their warmth and hospitality inculcates a sense of belonging, especially for new families who are walking through the doors of our church for the first time.