Mercy Parish - Whanau Aroha
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Walking Together.

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 LITURGY

​Liturgy Groups
There are three Liturgy Groups. These groups co-ordinate and organise the planning of our Sunday Masses and liturgies. The liturgy groups seek to create an atmosphere and setting that supports our weekly celebrations.
Contact: Christine Crothers on [email protected]    
Music:
Musicians and Singers are invited to join the Music Group’s practice on Saturday afternoons at 4pm in the Basilica.
​A choir is convened for special occasions such as Christmas and Easter Vigils, but regular support is welcome each week.
Contact: Phil Cahill [email protected]  

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The Youth, School, Samoan and Guitar Masses are organised by the members of each group.

The Sunday Mass requires support from all our community to run smoothly and be a life-giving experience for us all.  If you are interested in helping there are many ways in which you can be involved.  Listed below are a few of these with people you can contact if you are interested.

Altar Servers:                           
Children’s Liturgy:                  Jan MacLeod[email protected]
Readers:                                     
Eucharistic Ministers:              
Intercessory Prayer Writers: Jan MacLeod[email protected]    

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Rosters:
​Contact Lee-Anne Henry     

​if you would like to be included on the roster for the above  ministries or our other support roles: 
Greeters, Collectors, Processors of Gifts, Data Projector Operators
Behind the scenes:
Mercy Parish is grateful for the support we have to organise things before and after Mass.  If this is more your style, John Patterson is the one you want to see.  
Flower Power:
​If you have a flair for flowers arranging and would like to help with this please contact Marian Simons [email protected]
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 PRAYER
​

​ Prayer Team
Pray for others by passing on a prayer need by telephone or email from one person to the next.  This is a confidential service and names can be given or you can remain anonymous. 
Contact Lee-Ann Henry: [email protected] with prayer need
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Nga Parirau Wings
Do you feel your spiritual life could do with a boost? Here’s a chance to ‘renew your strength and soar on wings’ (Isa 40:31). You will have the opportunity to reflect on your life, the life of Jesus and the journey of the Church.  You will consider God and God’s presence in the world.  It offers growth and renewal through individual reflection and activities, as well as the opportunity to share your questions and thoughts with others in a guided group.  The focus is on personal spiritual progress not academic learning. The programme is designed to flow over three years, but participants need only commit on a year-by-year basis.  The recommended time commitment would be about 1 hour a week with a group meeting of 2-3 hours every 6 weeks.

Prayer Group
Meets regularly and you can contact Mary Snelling or Kathy Mayo if you wish to be involved.
​ Lenten Study Groups
Work through a discussion programme set out by Caritas each year. Different venues are arranged and details are advertised in the weekly bulletin.  All welcome.
​Scripture Study Group
Scripture study house groups are running continuously. If you are interested in starting one or want to join one, you can contact 
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SACRAMENTS

​​Baptism:
Baptisms are celebrated throughout the year and can either be during a Sunday Mass or at another time convenient for your family.  Please contact one of the Parish Priests to discuss.
 
​​Confirmation, Reconciliation & First Holy Communion
Preparation for the Sacraments of Confirmation, Reconciliation and First Holy Communion is a shared role between the schools, families and the parish.  The parish offers retreat sessions for each of these. If you would like your child to participate in any of these Sacraments please contact one of the Parish Priests.  If you are not enrolled in a Catholic school you are welcome to join us and we will help you make these preparations.
​​Marriage Preparation:
We would love to spend some time helping you prepare for the Sacrament of Marriage. Please contact our Parish Priests if you would like support as you prepare for marriage.
 Becoming Catholic with Mercy Parish:
If you are interested in becoming a Catholic and are not too sure where to begin, Jan would love to help you discover more.
​Drop her a line via email: [email protected]

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HOSPITALITY/PASTORAL CARE
​

​Hospitality Team:
​
Claire Soal: [email protected]  Lee-Ann Henry: [email protected].
Mercy Parish has a hospitality team who want to make you feel welcome and part of our community. They can help with transport to and from Mass, and makes sure you can spend time catching up after Mass with a cuppa. Contact one of the team if you would like to be of service in this area.
 Passionist Family Groups                                             
We have 2 Family Groups in our Pastoral Area. These 'extended families' meet each month for a social gathering. Over time each of these groups have been vital in building up the community spirit in our parishes. In an understated way they provide care and support for members of the community. New members are always welcome. If you would like to belong to a Passionist Family Group please contact Jan and Colin MacLeod: [email protected]

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​ New to our Community                                      
If you know of any new families in the area, or have come here recently yourself, let Fr Michael Hishon 
 email: [email protected]
     ph 0274170127
know and we would love to put you in touch with someone who can help you settle in.
​ Community Connections                                      
Mercy Parish wants to make sure that our community is connected and supported and we would like to hear from you if you can offer support by dropping in to have a cuppa with someone who has recently experienced a bereavement, is elderly, unwell or house bound, let us know so that we can help support you in this vital service.
​We would like to welcome members of the community to a  ‘Mums’ and Dads’ group’ where people can drop in with pre-schoolers and share a coffee and a chat.  If this is something you would like to be involved with let us know.
​ Reconnecting                                    
If you know of someone who has drifted away from their faith community and would like a visit from one of our Mercy Parishioners, please let Fr Michael 
 email: [email protected]
 ph 0274170127  
know as we have a team that regularly visits people who may want to reconnect. 
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YOUTH​



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SOCIAL JUSTICE​

​Many people in our parish generously help those in the wider community by living out their faith.  This is what being church is all about.  If you want to be involved in a group as ‘the hands and feet of Jesus’ there are a few options below that may interest you or be of service to you. 
St Vincent de Paul
Vincentians address the needs of people in the wider community through personal contact providing help to alleviate suffering and promote human dignity and personal integrity.  If you are interested in joining an existing chapter, or helping out at one of the shops, please contact Lynlea email: [email protected]
 
​​Young Vinnies
Young Vinnies is for school-aged children and currently runs out of both St Brigid’s and St Bernadette’s Schools during school hours.  With the help of the teachers we organise ways to help meet the needs of people in our community. If you are interested in joining, contact Jo Bell, our Area Co-ordinator on 03 477 0555 [email protected]   
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Refugee Support
Churches Welcome Refugees is a non-denominational group that has been set up to help support the resettlement of refugees in our local community.  They can be contacted via FaceBook at Dunedin Churches Welcome Refugees or through Amy Krebsbach Armstrong  [email protected] . You can also contact Lynne Toomey at [email protected]

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Dunedin Justice  Peace Group
We are members of the Dunedin wide Justice and Peace group who meet monthly to reflect and act on various Social Justice topics.
Contact Lynne Toomey at [email protected]

​
 St Francis of Assisi Dunedin Trust
The St Francis of Assisi Dunedin Trust was formed in 2013 by a group of Dunedin Catholics. Our aim is to provide small interest-free loans through Nga Tangata Microfinancing, and other support to enable people to become more financially independent. We meet on the 4th Wednesday of the month, 7:30pm, in the Bart Winters Room. Freephone 0800 086 177 or email [email protected]

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​​Catholic Social Services – Working together to live life well.
How you can help:                                                                                                                                                        
Community Lunch Fridays: In the kitchen on the day or by providing baking prior. 
   
Community Garden: Help support the team to make this grow; with time in the garden or donations of plants.
​
Community Parenting Courses:  Toolbox Facilitators are trained in presenting the Parenting Place material and see families change.                                                                                                                     
Birth Support Group and ABC – volunteers required to help with setting up and packing down.
Contact Paul at CSS for more details 455-3838 [email protected]   
                                  
​ Community Vegetable garden
If you would like to help out in our newly established vegetable garden or if you know a bit about vegetable growing and are happy to share your knowledge then Lynne Toomey [email protected] would love to hear from you.
 
 

 

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  • Home
    • People
    • Parish Groups >
      • St Francis of Assisi Dunedin Trust
    • Calendar
    • Regular Events
    • Schools
    • Sacraments
    • Our History: Former Parishes
    • Links
    • Formation: Growing our understanding of Church >
      • Keeping Connected -Covid-19
    • Photo Gallery >
      • 125th Celebrations
      • 2019 Confirmation
      • 2017 Confirmation
      • 2017 First Communion
      • 2019 First Communion
      • 2020 First Communion
  • Mass Times
  • Rosters
  • Parish Bulletins
    • Weekly Reflection/Kids Corner