Ministries and Rosters

We would love for you to join our groups and ministries. Find one that is right for you and contact us for more information. See below for rosters.
Ministers of the Word The Word of the Lord is proclaimed by these readers at our Masses. Eucharistic Ministry Eucharistic Ministers assist the priest in distributing the Holy Communion during mass. Altar Servers We have a group of young people and adults who assist the priests at the altar during mass. Projector Operators Volunteers assist with mass by operating a computer to project worship materials to a large screen. Children's Liturgy During Sunday Masses, a group of parishioners lead 15-20 minute sessions for children from toddler age to about 12 years old. Offertory CollectorsOffertory Collectors pass the collection baskets throughout the community to receive their monetary offerings. Offertory Procession Volunteers bring bread, wine and weekly collection to the altar at mass. Morning Tea We gather together for morning tea after mass. Our morning tea is hosted by volunteers who prepare tea, coffee, food, and clean up afterward. Flower ArrangementsParishioners decorate the altar and church with beautiful flower arrangements. Church Cleaning Our churches are kept clean by volunteers who take turns coming in every fortnight. Caring of Altar Linen We have a group of parishioners who help us wash and care for these sacred linens.
Choir GroupsOur parish is blessed with talented musicians and we have the following choir groups:
St Teresa's Church Choir - Led by Douglas MewsTongan ChoirFilipino ChoirFolk GroupSt Thomas More Music Group
If you would like to contribute your talent through singing or playing an instrument, please contact the Parish Office for more information.
Catholic Women's League Women of faith contributing to the social, intellectual and spiritual life of New Zealand and the life of the Church. History of Catholic Women's League This essay written by Christine Cheyne was first published in 'Women Together: A History of Women's Organisations in New Zealand' in 1993. It was updated by Anne Lumb in 2018. A good read even if it is just to see the fab 1970 photo of the Upper Hutt CWL singing group. Rosary Booklet This booklet has been designed as a teaching tool for the children attending St Teresa's. Rosaries have been donated by parishioners from 9.30am weekday Mass. Enquiries: Ethne Wyndham-Smith, President, ethnewyndhamsmith@hotmail.com, (04) 476 9439Diane Glynan, Treasurer, diane.glynan@blennz.school.nz (021) 118 1875
Ōtari Justice Peace and Development Group (JPD) As a group within Ōtari Parish, we promote working for Social Justice and peace issues. We are informed and inspired by the Gospels, Catholic Social Teaching, and the Pope’s encyclicals such as Rerum Novarum, Leo XIII’s Encyclical on Capital and Labour and Pope Francis’s Laudato Si’. What kind of activities are undertaken? Actions recently have included: ● protesting, submissions to Government, and fundraising for freedom and justice causes such as homelessness, the Living Wage. We write and lobby the Bishops of New Zealand eg. encouraging the Refugee quota to be increased.● expanding the confident use of Te Reo Māori within our liturgies and increasing understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi to further our Bicultural Relationships. ● supporting Catholic Social Services Refugee Settlement in Wellington, the Refugee Family Reunification Trust, local Food Bank, Christmas Appeals, Challenge 2000 food parcel appeals, etc. ● supporting the Lenten Caritas Programme and Social Justice Week in our parish and promoting the use of the resources provided by Caritas. ● Promoting ‘Care for our Common Home’, activities in the Season of Creation in September and a monthly ‘Living Laudato Si’ section in the Parish Newsletter.
How do we operate?We are thinking about the Synodal Question “B 1.1 How does the service of charity and commitment to justice and care for our common home nourish communion in a synodal Church?” We work to help the Parish community identify a need, and respond to it. Join usWe welcome new members. If you are interested in any Social Justice Issues please consider joining this group. (Meetings are usually held in February, May, July, September, November - on Tuesday in the evenings) Enquiries Contact: Estelle Henrys: ev.henrys@gmail.com Carolyn Tait: cftait6051@gmail.com
Rosters