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Prayer Groups

There are two opportunities offered in the parish each week to pray with others:Tuesday at 7.30pm at St Francis Xavier's Marian Group and Wednesday 7.30pm at St Joseph's Prayer Group. All are welcome to attend.

Hospitals

Facilities regularly visited by members of the Community are:Royal Hobart Hospital, Hobart Private, St John's, St Helen's, Whittle Ward (Repat.), St Anne's and Vaucluse Gardens. If you or a member of your family or friends are going into hospital and would like a visit from a priest, please contact the parish to let us know.

Children

are always welcome at our parish celebrations. They are a sign of new life and hope in our midst. Every 1st and 3rd Sunday at the 9.30am Mass, there is a Children's Liturgy of the Word, providing a chance for children to hear the readings explained at a level they can readily understand. The younger children are also encouraged to participate in the music. The Side Chapel provides an opportunity for children to be close to the altar.

Music

Can you sing? Do you enjoy singing? The music groups at both our churches are always looking for new people to come and join them. There is no need for an audition, just a desire to enjoy the singing in order to assist at parish celebrations. Just see one of the musicians after Mass on Sundays, or sit with them. There are a few practices throughout the year preparing for special occasions, such as Christmas and Easter. These are published in the Sunday newsletter. If you can play an instrument, please offer to help out, even if you feel that you are "not very good'. Some of our best musicians started out thinking just that!

Older persons

On the 3rd Tuesday of every month, our parish hosts a Mass and afternoon tea for the older people from the nursing homes in the area. This is in the hall under St Francis Xavier's Church at 1.30pm. If you have some spare time to help this group in setting up, or providing a plate for the afternoon tea, please contact the Parish Office and you will be put in touch with the right people.

Anointing of the sick

On the 1st Friday of every third month (March, June, September and December), the sacrament of the sick is offered after each Mass. Watch the Sunday Parish Newsletter for reminders. If you require the sacrament for yourself or family at other times, please do not hesitate to contact the Parish Office to arrange for a priest to see you.

Sacramental programs

Each year we run after school sacramental programs for children. These include Reconciliation, Confirmation, First Eucharist. Please watch the Sunday Newsletter for dates and enrollment forms.

Baptisms

An appointment needs to be made with the Parish Secretary in order to book a Baptism. Baptism ceremonies are usually held on Sundays at St Francis Xavier's Church at 10.30am and at St Joseph's Church at 12 noon.

Weddings

If you, or someone you know wishes to be married at St Joseph's or St Francis Xavier's, there needs to be at least 6 months notice. This is in order to ensure that the church is available and to allow adequate time for marriage preparation. It is always a good idea to book the priest and the church before making other arrangements.

Annual fair

If you have a flair for handicrafts or making produce, then start looking out for and preparing for the Parish Fair, which is held every year in October. There is a variety of ways in which people contribute to this major fund raising event for the parish and new people are always welcome.

Flower roster

Do you have a green thumb? There is a flower roster organized for both St Joseph's and St Francis Xavier's. If you have many blooms in your garden, we always appreciate freshly cut flowers. We believe that people work better in a team, therefore nobody is left to do this by themselves. Interested? Please contact the Parish Secretary.

Church cleaning

Each week, volunteers are rostered on to clean the churches. This is a major contribution to the maintenance and upkeep of our worship space. People are place in teams and rostered every few weeks, so that the work is evenly spread around. If you think you could assist the parish in this way, please contact the Parish Secretary.

Readers

If you would like to be a reader at Mass, there is a reading roster established. Occasionally there are workshops to assist readers to prepare themselves to proclaim the Word. These workshops will be advertised in the Sunday Newsletter. Younger readers are especially welcome. Contact the Parish Office for more details.

Family groups

Often it is difficult to get to know people when you are new to a parish. The Passionist Family Groups have been established in this parish since late 2000. They are an easy, non threatening way to get to know others and a good way for people to get to know you. Family Groups are open to anyone, Married, Single, Divorced or Widowed. The groups meet once a month for a social event, such as a BBQ or dinner. They are an ideal way for non-Catholic spouses to share your community. If you would like to join a Family Group, please see the priest or contact the Parish Office. For more information, visit: http://www.pfgm.org

Social events

Each year the parish has a variety of social events. These events range from dinners, to movie nights, trivia quizzes and picnics. The events are all low cost to cater for everybody. It is a good way to get to know people who come to the parish. Details are put in the Sunday Newsletter as the events are planned.

Altar servers

Many of our younger people in the parish contribute to the liturgy by being altar servers at Mass. If you know of anyone who would be interested in serving, please see the Parish Priest.

Eucharistic ministers

There are people who have been Eucharistic Ministers in our parish now for many years. These people not only assist the priest to distribute Holy Communion on Sunday at Mass, but also take Holy Communion to those who are infirm or house bound. Contact the Parish Priest for details.

Parish team

• Fr Gerard Glynn CP (Parish Priest)
• Fr Paul Mercieca CP
• Br Edward Braden CP

Community members

• Fr. Graham Orwin CP (Community Leader )
• Fr Gerald Quinn CP (Hospital Chaplain)
• Fr David Wilkie CP
• Br. Edward Braden CP (Parish)