A variety of opportunities for adult education in faith is provided each year. They include:
The Altar Society is a group of parishioners who help with the weekly preparation of the church on a rostered basis (usually on a Friday morning at Carlingford and on a Saturday morning at Epping) for a couple of hours. Duties include arranging the flowers for the week, cleaning the sanctuary and sacristy, polishing the brass etc.
If you’d like to know more, please contact Berneice Hensby at Carlingford and Jenni Scarfe at Epping via the Parish Offices.
Antioch is a group based in the Carlingford community (but serving both communities) for young people run by young people from Year 11 upwards. The group meets on Sunday evenings at 7pm in the Parish Meeting Room. The group aims to give young Catholics a support community and a chance to develop their faith with friends in a parish setting. Normal introduction is through one of the two weekend experiences held each year.
Please contact the Parent Couple, John & Marie Black, via the Carlingford Parish Office if you’d like more information.
Care and Support is a parish based voluntary network which aims to provide companionship, practical assistance and social support for members of the parish community, especially during times of need. Volunteers participate in the following ministries: home and hospital visitation, transport to Mass and the Healing Mass, and cooking meals (for emergencies).
If you wish to become involved in Care and Support as a volunteer or would like to discuss your need for assistance from the network please contact Sr Pauline Wicks via either Parish Office.
Catechists are entrusted with the religious education of Catholic students in the State schools in our two communities. Please contact Pam Tapp (for both Primary & Secondary Schools) via Carlingford Parish Office or Felicity Macdonald (Primary) via Epping Parish Office if you’re interested in becoming a catechist or helper, or if you’d like some more information.
The Children’s Liturgy of the Word is celebrated each Sunday during school terms in both our churches, except on the first Sunday of the month at Carlingford and on the third Sunday of the month at Epping when we have our Children’s Mass. It is held in the Parish Meeting Room during the 10am Mass. It is for children from Kindergarten to Year 6. It is not a Sunday School, but is rather a liturgical celebration of the Word parallel to that same celebration in the church with the adult community, but presented in a way that helps the children liturgically celebrate the Liturgy of the Word (Scripture readings). At the conclusion of the Liturgy of the Word the children return to the church to be with their families for the Liturgy of the Eucharist.
The Coordinators, Carmel Breen at Carlingford and Ann Lyndon at Epping, can provide further information and can be contacted via the respective Parish Office.
Every third Sunday of the month at Epping and every first Sunday of the month at Carlingford (excluding school holidays) at the 10.00am Mass the children of two communities are actively involved in the Mass. They look after the Procession of the Gifts, the choir and the Readings. They also have an opportunity to show their creativity and talents in their worship. It is an enjoyable and fun time for our children, without being hard or onerous. It also gives all children of the Parish community an opportunity to meet, regardless of which school they attend.
The children also take part in the Christmas Eve Vigil Mass which is our Christmas Children’s Mass.
These Masses are organised by a roster of adults, each group coordinating one Mass a year.
If you would like to know more please contact either Parish Office.
Both communities are involved in a wide range of ecumenical activities with other Christian Churches in the area. The Catholic community at Epping has a particularly close relationship with St Alban’s Anglican Church and Chester St Uniting Church with both of whom it shares a covenant relationship. The annual Lenten discussion groups are mixed ecumenical groups from the different congregations, affording an excellent opportunity to share our faith and learn from each other. The three churches, along with St Gerard’s Catholic Church in Carlingford, St Aidan’s Anglican Church in West Epping, West Epping Uniting Church and Carlingford Baptist Church share a series of five weekly Ecumenical Liturgies during the Season of Lent. There is also a liturgy at Pentecost and in Advent. The clergy from the three Churches preach to their neighbouring congregations on a Sunday once each year. There is also an annual joint sitting of the Parish Councils of Our Lady Help of Christians Catholic Church, St Alban’s Anglican Church and Chester St Uniting Church.
At Pentecost 2004, a formal covenant was entered into by the Catholic community at Epping, the Anglican Parish of Epping, and Chester Street Uniting Church, Epping. This covenant gave formal expression to many of the joint activities that are shared by our three communities and expressed a commitment to continue these activities.
Carlingford’s Catholic community has a committed ecumenical team which is working at building a series of interchurch gatherings with members of West Epping Uniting Church, St Aidan’s Anglican Church, Carlingford Uniting Church and Carlingford Baptist Church. At present these four Churches are working towards the formation of a local covenant between themselves in the Carlingford district.
Other ecumenical activities in our local area include:These parishioners assist in the celebration of the liturgy at Holy Communion. They may also take Communion to the sick and elderly who are unable to attend Mass.
Eucharistic Ministers take Communion to those who are sick or no longer mobile enough to come to Mass. If you or a member of your family would like to receive Communion at home please contact our Pastoral Worker, Pauline Wicks via either Parish Office.
Exposition of the Eucharist takes place on the Fourth Thursday of each month at St Gerard’s Church at Carlingford from after the 9:30am Mass until 11:00am.
A Family Group consists of 10-15 families, with a cross section of ages, including some children of the same age—like an extended family. The aims of the Family Group Movement are for members to get to know other people in the parish, support each other in times of joy and sorrow and to involve their children in Christian sharing, directly if possible; if not, then indirectly by their example. The Family Groups operate within both our communities and as such contribute to the life of the parish community.
For more information or to join a Family Group please contact either Parish Office.
The 50+ Social Group is for parishioners from both St Gerard’s Carlingford and Our Lady Help of Christians Epping and activities are combined. The aim of 50+ is to plan a variety of activities, outings and gatherings which provide opportunities for leisure and social interaction. The Group is open to all—single, widowed, married, separated and divorced—and no ‘proof of age’ is required! Participants have planning meetings twice a year to organise a six month program of events.
Carlingford contacts are Jan Lyons and Marie Saul, and can be contacted via the Carlingford Parish Office, while in Epping, Geoff and Heather Waite can provide further information and can be contacted via the Epping Parish Office.
The Parish Finance Committee is appointed by the Parish Priest in accordance with the Code of Canon Law, and assists and advises the Parish Priest on the financial administration of the parish.
A Healing Mass is celebrated in each community once each month – at Carlingford on the first Thursday of each month at 10am and at Epping on the third Wednesday of each month at 10am. During the celebration of the Mass, prayers are offered for those present, and for those who are being prayed for by those attending, and the celebrant lays his hands on each person’s head as a sign of our prayer for God’s healing strength. The morning concludes with a morning tea and good conversation. Every third month, the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is celebrated within the Healing Mass.
For further information, please contact Sr Pauline Wicks via either Parish Office.
Junior servers assist in the celebration of the Mass and are rostered in pairs. Any boy or girl in year 4 or above are welcome to assist with this important ministry.
Please contact either Parish Office. for more information.
*Based in the Epping community
The Legion of Mary meets weekly after the 9.15am Saturday morning Mass.
The Legion gathers to pray to Our Lady, to share a spiritual reading, such as the lives of the Saints and to organise Parish works, such as visits to the sick and elderly.
For further information, please contact Trish Harrison via the Epping Parish Office.
The Parish Library has a branch in both our parish churches (in the crying room at the rear of Carlingford Church and in the Parish Meeting Room underneath Epping Church) and books may be interchanged between the two campuses. They have a wide range of contemporary books available for borrowing by parishioners. The books within the Library are divided into the following categories:
To borrow a book, simply write your name & contact information, the name of the book and its reference number (which is a tag on the front cover) in the folder provided. A maximum of three books can be borrowed at any one time, and may be borrowed for up to a month. When returning a book, please place it in the box provided.
The World Community for Christian Meditation is an International Community that practices and teaches meditation in the Christian tradition. A group meets fortnightly for an hour on Monday evenings in a Parish home. Newcomers welcome.
For further information, please contact either Parish Office.
There are a variety of choir/music groups active in our two communities. These groups illuminate the Mass with their singing and musical accompaniment. New enthusiasts are always welcome.
For further information please contact either Parish Office.
Our two communities have each been divided into 6 Neighbourhoods for gatherings for particular purposes—for example an annual Neighbourhood Home Mass, our RCIA weekly gatherings, and an annual Advent Liturgy. Our aim in meeting in these smaller areas is to build the overall community of the parish by helping parishioners to get to know one another a little better. In the RCIA process by having our weekly catechetical meetings in the Neighbourhoods we provide an opportunity for our candidates who are seeking to join the Church to meet members of the parish at this local level and so help them to feel more welcomed into our community. Please support our Neighbourhood gatherings.
Please see the map of the Neighbourhoods by clicking the links below
Both before and after school care is available for children attending Epping Parish School. The Centre is on the school premises and is run by a Parent Management Committee elected at the Annual General Meeting. The Committee employs a Co-ordinator and several trained staff. The Centre provides a safe and friendly environment that includes activities such as craft, art, outdoor play, reading, games and quiet time. A light breakfast and afternoon tea are provided. Fees are reasonable.
Enquiries are welcome on 9869 3635.
The Parish Pastoral Council is the principal leadership body in the parish. Please click on the link ‘Parish Pastoral Council’ for a fuller presentation on the PPC.
Our Parish Pastoral Worker is Sr Pauline Wicks rsj. The overall role of our Pastoral Worker is to enable, support and resource individuals and groups within the context of Parish life. Pauline works with the Parish Priest, the Parish Pastoral Councils and group Coordinators in building our two communities.
Pauline’s ministry includes:
Pauline’s contact details are on our Parish Staff page.
Our Parish Schools provide an education grounded in Catholic faith for boys and girls from Kindergarten to Year 6.
The links to the websites of our two Parish Schools may be found on our homepage and the contact information for each school may be found by clicking on ‘Parish Staff/Contacts’
Prayer Ministry involves ministering to others in times of sickness or unhappiness by calling on the power of the Holy Spirit in prayer. Mindful that we come with our own wounds and pain when we respond to the needs of our brothers and sisters, we can participate in the work of God praying quietly at home for others: for strength and peace in illness, and healing where there are conflicts, worries and times of anguish. Prayer ministry does not involve contact by phone or home visitation.
If you would like to be part of our Prayer Ministry or would like to be supported in prayer please contact our Parish Pastoral Worker, Pauline Wicks.
Prison Fellowship is a ministry for providing Christian support to prisoners, ex-prisoners and their families. Volunteers visit prisoners and their families and help them with their needs and to cope with the rejection they may be experiencing from the community. They also help and support prisoners upon their release.
The Fellowship is ecumenical and training is given to volunteers.
Volunteers visit Long Bay Gaol every fourth Sunday for Mass. After Mass we have a cuppa and chat with the inmates. A special Christmas visit is also organised.
For further information, please contact Margaret Wiseman via the Epping Parish Office.
We have a Parish-based Sacramental program to prepare the children who are to receive the sacraments of Confirmation, Reconciliation and the Eucharist. Children from the State and Parish schools are placed in small groups. Each group meets in a candidate’s home on three or four occasions prior to the celebration. A parent facilitator leads the group with materials provided by the Diocese. The materials are very child-focused with simple messages and fun activities. The program is organised by our two Sacramental Programme Coordinators who are assisted by a team of volunteer parents.
Our Sacramental Programmes are done in a collaborative way between our two communities. Our two Sacramental Programme Coordinators are employed jointly by the two parishes and the Parent Meeting for each programme is a joint meeting. Parents are welcome to join preparation groups from either parish, the venue for the meeting alternating on each occasion between our two churches.
In the Diocese of Broken Bay the proper ancient order of celebrating the sacraments is observed – so that the final sacrament in which the children share is First Communion, Confirmation having been celebrated the year before.
For further information, please contact our Sacramental programme Coordinators, Lucia Smith and Julie Astalosh, via either Parish Office.
Further information may be found by clicking on the link for Sacraments
On the 1st and 4th Wednesdays of each month at Epping and on the 2nd and 3rd Thursdays of each month at Carlingford (except December and January) either Fr Colin Blayney or Sr Pauline Wicks lead a short Scripture study and discussion to reflect on the Scripture passages for the coming Sunday. This takes place immediately after the morning Mass and concludes by 10:40am.
The ecumenical group 'Together in Epping' (TIE) is a major focus of our social justice activity (see the section above on 'Ecumenism'). In addition we are currently exploring other ways that we can develop a social justice awareness and ministry within our two communities.
The St Vincent De Paul Society is open to all parishioners. An SVdP Conference exists in both our communities. Meetings are held weekly. Society members visit people at home who are needy, lonely, sick or bereaved.
For further information, please make contact via the respective Parish Office.
The Welcoming Group in each of our two communities provides hospitality in a variety of ways, including: greeting people as they arrive at church and handing them a copy of the parish bulletin, providing morning tea after the 10am Mass, morning tea at the monthly Healing Masses, suppers following ecumenical services and refreshments for new parishioner gatherings. Volunteers are always welcome.
Please contact Pauline Wicks via either Parish Office.
A group exists for Young Adults (aged 18 through to late 20s) and is run collaboratively between our two communities.
Our two communities currently operate a youth group in conjunction with one another, namely BaseJumpers (for Years 7 & 8). This group has activities on some Friday evenings as advertised in the Bulletin.
For further information please our Youth Ministry Coordinator Sarah Black.