Ministries, Groups and Movements

Catholic Charismatic Renewal Prayer Groups (as at 16 July 2015)

Other Groups (Ministries, Groups and Movements)

ACT AMICUS Group

AMICUS is a group for widowed, separated and divorced Catholics in Canberra and Queanbeyan parishes. It was created by Mons. John Woods and Fr Mick MacAndrew in Calwell Parish in 1992.

Patricia Clark
Administrator
Email: patricia.clark51@hotmail.com
Ph: 0412 351 548

Amicus from the Latin, meaning friend. A real friend loves you as you are and as you dream to become.

Australian Christian Meditation Community

Christian Meditation groups meeting weekly (24 in Canberra, 12 elsewhere in the Archdiocese).

Mr Rod & Mrs Susan Page
Coordinators
Email: act@christianmeditationaustralia.org
Web: www.christianmeditationaustralia.org/

Canberra Catenian Circle 331

The Catenian Association is an international brotherhood of Catholic laymen who meet and dine monthly in groups known as Circles.  The Circle provides social activities and support for members and their wives in living out Catholic family ideals.

Mr John Malycha
Secretary
Ph: (02) 6251 2912
Email: canberracatenians@yahoo.com.au
Web: http://canberracatenians.com

Care groups

In several parishes, care groups provide care and transport to parishioners during times of ill health or emergencies.

Please check your local church bulletin or website, or contact your local parish office to learn more about these groups.

Catechesis of the Good Shepherd – Faith Formation for children 3-12 years

A prayerful, personal, hands-on approach to nurturing the faith development of our children in the Catholic Christian Tradition. Regular weekly sessions are conducted in a Montessori based environment, prepared especially for children to meet the specific spiritual needs of each age group. It provides an opportunity for our children to form an authentic faithful relationship with God, amidst gentle education/catechesis, alongside their own community of peers.

Mrs Camille Corson
Coordinator & Director of the atrium
Located at St John Vianney’s Primary School, Waramanga.
Ph: 0402 201 251
Email: ccorson001@gmail.com
Web: www.cgsaust.org.au

Catholic Charismatic Renewal  – Service Committee and Prayer Groups

Catholic Charismatic Renewal (CCR) is an ecclesial movement within the Catholic Church that emphasises the availability of the power and gifts of the Holy Spirit in the life of baptised Catholics. The CCR ACT/Goulburn Service Committee meets three times a year. Our Charismatic prayer groups meet weekly at the following churches: Holy Family Parish Centre, Gowrie; St Peter Chanel’s, Yarralumla; St Benedict’s, Narrabundah; Sts Peter and Paul’s Old Cathedral, Verner St, Goulburn and St Brigid’s, Dickson. Please contact the Chairperson for details.

Mrs Neda Kesina
Chairperson (CCR ACT Service Committee)
Ph: 0415 266 019
Email: neda.kesina@gmail.com

Catholic Women’s League

The Catholic Women’s League of Australia (CWLA) is the national peak body representing the League’s six member organisations located throughout Australia. Addressing social justice and ethical questions is one of our primary tasks. It seeks to influence legislative and administrative bodies at all levels in order to preserve the dignity of the human person.

Angela Devlin
Canberra Contact
02 62319104
amdevlin44@gmail.com

Sue Freestone
President
Catholic Women’s League
Diocese of Wollongong
PO Box 240 Camden 2570
Ph: 02 4657 1723 Mob: 0410 459 732
email: sefreestone@hotmail.com
web: www.cwla.org.au

Couples for Christ

Couples for Christ (CFC) is a movement intended for the renewal and strengthening of Christian family life. The members have committed themselves to the Lord and to one another so that they may grow in maturity as men and women of God and fulfil their primary vocation of raising up families under the lordship of Jesus Christ and for the service of the Kingdom of God.

Mr Ronnie Bautista
Chapter Head
Ph: 0414 885 478
Email: bautir@internode.on.net
Web: http://cgc-australia.org.au

Cursillo

A short course in adult faith renewal and the relevance of the Gospel in everyday life.

Ms Merran Martin
President
Ph: (02) 6258 3431
Email: acgcursillo@gmail.com
Web: www.cursillo.asn.au

Disciples of Jesus Covenant Community

A lay community consisting of families, singles and consecrated brothers and sisters in the Missionaries of God’s Love who have come together under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit to live a common life of prayer, sharing, evangelisation and service.

Tim Kirk
Leader
Ph: 0404 805 082
Email: doj.messages@gmail.com
Web: www.dojcommunity.com

Dominican Laity

Did you know that the Dominican Order has a lay branch? Dominican Laity come from all walks of life, single and married, but share in the rich spiritual life and heritage of the order through prayer (especially the Divine Office and the Rosary) and study suited to their personal situation. They take part in a broad range of apostolates, drawing on their Dominican formation to share with others the fruits of contemplation.

The core of Lay Dominican life is participation in the monthly meeting of the local chapter or fraternity. The Canberra fraternity meets in the Dominican Fathers’ house in Watson with Fr Bernie Maxwell as our promoter. If you would like to know more about it, please contact Peter (62477036) or Michael (62497026)

Evenings for the Engaged

Evenings for the Engaged is a Marriage Preparation Course for those intending to marry in the Catholic Church. The course is presented by married couples and topics include, Family of Origin, Communication, Intimacy in Marriage, The Sacrament of Marriage (presented by a Priest), God in Marriage, Building a Stronger Marriage. Learn more here.

Mark and Kathy Haseler
Co-ordinators
Email: mandk@velocitynet.com.au
Ph: (02) 6166 7634

Faith and Light

An international Christian organisation for people with
intellectual disability and their families and friends.

Mr Peter Frazer
Community Coordinator
Email: pfrazer@iinet.net.au
Ph: (02) 6288 4324 or 0410394954

Kairos Prison Ministry Australia, Canberra Regional Committee

We seek to bring Christ’s love to the imprisoned and family affected by imprisonment. Inside, we run Short Courses in Christianity followed by “Journey”. Outside we run weekend retreats followed by monthly reunions. Both are based on Cursillo weekends.

Barry Brown
Secretary
Ph: 0435173354
Email: bababah2092@gmail.com
Web: kairos.org.au

Knights of the Southern Cross

The Knights of the Southern Cross (KSC) do their part to (1) Promote the Advancement of Australia, (2) Foster the Christian Way of Life throughout the Nation, (3) Promote the Welfare of its Members and their Families, (4) Encourage Spiritual, Social and Intellectual Activities amongst its Members and (5) Conduct and Support Educational, Charitable, Religious and Social Welfare Work.

Mr Mike Cassidy
District Chairman
Ph: (02) 6235 5452
Email: neo@ksca.org.au

L’Arche Genesaret Inc.

L’Arche is an international federation of intentional faith communities where people with and without an intellectual disability share life together in a spirit of mutuality. In Canberra, L’Arche Genesaret has been based in the Woden Valley since 1980.

Ms Maggie White
Community Leader
Ph: (02) 6282 9066 or (02) 6281 0105
Email: canberra@larche.org.au
Web: larchecanberra.org.au

Legion of Mary

The Legion of Mary is a worldwide volunteer lay apostolate of the Catholic Church. Members seek to sanctify themselves and others through a program of prayer, study and spiritual works in union with Our Lady under the guidance of the parish priest. Examples of weekly work include door-to-door evangelization, religious education, visitation of the sick and housebound, Pilgrim Virgin Statue rotations, leading Rosary recitations and meeting the other spiritual needs of the parish community.

We are present at St Joseph’s (O’Connor), Sts Peter and Paul (Goulburn), St Matthew’s (Page), St Monica’s (Evatt), Holy Spirit (Amaroo) and St John the Evangelist Chapel (ANU).

Jasmin Boncales
President
Ph: 0431 060 556
Email: LegionofMaryCanberra@gmail.com
Web: www.legionofmary.org.au

Marian Movement of Priests

The Marian Movement of Priests started 8th May 1972 promoting consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary through a most powerful prayer meeting called the Cenacle, like the first Pentecost. Many miracles and conversions take place through the Cenacle.

Judy & Joe Mewburn
Ph: (02) 6254 6202
Email: jmewburn@bigpond.net.au
Web: https://mmp-oceania.net/

menALIVE

menALIVE is a National Catholic Ministry to Men. Its purpose is to bring men together, to renew their faith in God and to encourage them to become an active force of renewal in the Church.
Active groups: Corpus Christi Parish, Gowrie; St Monica’s Parish, Evatt; St Benedict’s Parish, Narrabundah; Holy Spirit Parish, Gungahlin; Mary Help of Christian’s Parish, South Woden (Pearce); and St Mary’s Parish, Young.

Mr Torrien Lau
Regional Leader
Ph: 0432679630
Email: torrien@internode.on.net
Web: www.menalive.org.au

Ministry to the Newly Married

Ministry to the Newly Married is a mentoring program for newly married Catholic couples in the first five years of marriage. Each year the Newly Married couple is matched to a different Adoptive Couple. Over five years, the Newly Marrieds tackle twenty different topics and gain insight into five different marriages.

Ralph & Angela Frank
Coordinators
0401 994 081
mnm@grapevine.com.au

Brian and Debbie Kensey
02 6231 3389

Mothers Prayers Australia

Mothers Prayers is a universal movement of mothers who come together weekly
in small groups to pray for their children and all children. The mothers experience love, peace and joy as they surrender their children to the Lord in union with other mothers.

Anne Hartwell
Co-ordinator
Ph: (02) 6282 0874
Email: australia@mothersprayers.org
Web: www.mothersprayers.org

Opus Dei

Opus Dei is a prelature of the Catholic Church. Opus Dei promotes the message that work, family life, and other ordinary activities are occasions for spiritual union with Jesus Christ.

Ph: 0407 400 890
Email: info.au@opusdei.org
Website: http://opusdei.org.au

Passionist Family Group Movement

Passionist Family Groups seek to help people know other members of their parish; to support each other, sharing their good times and supporting in the difficult times and to involve our children in our Christian sharing.

Dennis and Mary Morris
Email: dennisandmarymorris@gmail.com
Ph: (02) 6254 6538 or 0438631657
Web: www.pfgm.org

Secular Franciscans

We, the Secular Franciscans (formally known as the Third Order of St Francis), are Catholic men and women living and working in the secular world who have committed ourselves more fully to Christ by following the example and inspiration of St Francis of Assisi. We follow the Rule approved by Pope Paul VI in 1978 and retain the Gospel Way of Life in the spirit of St Francis as the basis of Secular Franciscan living.

Mr Tony Di Michiel
Formation Person
Ph: 0407 072 139
Email: dimichiel@iinet.net.au

Serra Club of Canberra

Serra Objectives and Purposes:
To foster and promote vocations to the ministerial priesthood;
To encourage and affirm vocations to consecrated religious life;
To assist its members to recognize and respond in their own lives to God’s call to holiness.

Mr Mike Doherty
President
Ph: (02) 6286 1985
Email: enquiries@serracanberra.org
Website: http://www.serracanberra.org

Social groups

There are a number of active social groups in our parishes. These include social groups for older people, mothers of young children and young adults. Several parishes also host craft groups.

Please check your local church bulletin or website, or contact your local parish office to learn more about these groups.

St Vincent de Paul Society Canberra/Goulburn

The St Vincent de Paul Society is a volunteer-based organisation that provides a
hand-up to people in need and works to combat social injustice.

Phone: (02) 6282 2722
Fax: (02) 6281 4743
Street Address: 15 Denison Street Deakin ACT 2600
Postal Address: PO Box 51 Deakin West, ACT, 2600
Email: info@svdp-cg.org.au
Volunteer email: volunteer@svdp-cg.org.au
Website: https://www.vinnies.org.au

Syro-Malabar Catholic Church

The Syro-Malabar Church is the second largest of the 22 Oriental (Eastern
Rite) Catholic Churches in full communion with the Church in Rome. In the Canberra Syro-Malabar Church branch called St. Alphonsa Community, there are 800 members including children and young people. The community is focussed on the faith formation of children, young people and family apostolate.

The Syro-Malabar Church in Canberra meets for mass every Sunday 3pm and 5.30pm at St. Peter Channel’s Church, Yarralumla.

Fr. Varghese Vavolil
Chaplain
Ph: 0431 748 521
Email: vavolil@gmail.com stalphonsacommunity@gmail.com
Website: stalphonsa.com.au

Teams – Equipe Notre Dame

Teams is small Christian communities of couples from all ages and
backgrounds, who believe in strengthening the marriage and family unit. Teams opens a whole new world for communication between husband and wife, and with other like-minded couples.

Tony and Anna Di Pietro
Regional Couple for ACT/NSW/Philippines
Email: regionalteam@incanberra.com.au
Web: www.teamsoceania.com.au

The Neocatechumenal Way

In the primitive church, when the world was pagan, those that wanted to
become Christian had to begin a “catechumenate,” an itinerary of formation in preparation for Baptism. Today the process of secularization h
ad brought many people to abandon the faith and the church: because of this there is a necessity for an itinerary of Christian formation.

The Neocatechumenal Way is not a movement or an association, but an instrument in the parishes at the service of the bishop to return to faith many of those who abandoned it.

Paul Hill
Contact Person
pchill1@gmail.com
Ph: (02) 6161 3473
www.camminoneocatecumenale.it/new/default.asp?lang=en

Women Ministering to Women

The Women Ministering to Women group invites women to come together for both social and spiritual gatherings. We meet 4 times a year and in the past we have enjoyed movie evenings, coffee mornings, soup suppers, travel talks and other activities. Each Advent, we come together for a Liturgy in preparation for Christmas. We also hold a popular Christmas supper and concert. Each year, we give a donation to a needy charity from within or outside Australia. Our group is open to women from the St Jude and St John Vianney Parish, Weston Creek, their friends and anyone outside the Parish as well.

Janet Simpson
Coordinator
Ph: (02) 6287 1867

Worldwide Marriage Encounter

The emphasis of Worldwide Marriage Encounter, a marriage enrichment
program, is on communication between husband and wife, who spend a weekend together away from the distractions and the tensions of everyday life, to concentrate on each other. It’s a unique approach aimed at revitalizing Christian Marriage.

Mr Bill and Mrs Ardell Sharpe
Ph: (02) 4283 3435
Email: wsharpe@bigpond.net.au
Web: http://www.wwme.org.au/about2-c4ck

Christian Life Community – Canberra

Ignatian spirituality. A spirituality for everyday life which focuses on God’s presence in our lives and our world.

Ph: Steve 0407 147 540
Email: clcincanberra@gmail.com
St Vincent’s Church, Aranda, fortnightly Monday 7.30pm.