Get Involved

There are many ministries and groups within our parish that help our Masses run smoothly, build up our communities, celebrate our faith, cultures, and identity in Christ, and reach out in service and care to others. These ministries are always grateful for simple, generous, and dedicated people who are willing to share a little of their time and gifts in the midst of busy daily lives.

If you feel called to become involved in any of the groups or ministries below, please contact the Parish Office to express your interest. We would be happy to connect you with the appropriate ministry coordinator.

Email: secretary@teawakairangi.nz
Phone: 04 566 3088
Parish Office Hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm.

Altar Servers

Boys and girls age 9 and upward are encouraged to participate. Practice sessions are held so that the child feels comfortable before serving at Masses.

Altar Servers play a special and important role in the life of the Church by assisting the priest during Mass and other liturgical celebrations. Through their service at the altar, they help the community to pray with reverence, dignity, and joy.

This ministry is open to children and young people who are willing to learn, serve faithfully, and grow in their relationship with God. Altar serving is also a wonderful opportunity to build confidence, responsibility, teamwork, and a deeper understanding of the Mass and Catholic faith.

We warmly welcome children and families who feel called to serve in this ministry and become part of the worshipping life of our parish community.

Altar Servers Training – 14 June 2026

 

Catholic Women’s League

The object of the League is to unite Catholic Women in Christian fellowship in order to enhance the growth of their spiritual, intellectual, family and social life and to foster mission and charitable works and social action. The League is open to all Catholic and non-Catholic women, and under the guidance of the Holy Spirit they strive to fulfil their motto, which is “Faith and Service”. The League is the only national women’s forum within the Church for addressing social issues from a women’s perspective. Meetings are held monthly and advertised in the Parish Newsletter.

Children’s Liturgy Of The Word

This is part of the 9am Sunday Mass at Ss Peter & Paul and the 10am Sunday Mass at St Bernadette’s. Its purpose is to give the children a better understanding of the Gospel of the day. After the greeting in the Mass, the children and leaders are invited to come forward to the altar; they then go to the Parish hall and the church meeting room for the liturgy and return to the Church at the offertory.

Choir Ministry

The Choir Ministry plays an important role in leading and supporting the prayer and worship of the parish community through music and song. Choir members help create a prayerful and welcoming atmosphere during Masses, sacramental celebrations, funerals, and special liturgical celebrations throughout the year.

Through their gifts of music, singing, and service, the choir encourages the active participation of the congregation and helps lift hearts and minds to God in worship. This ministry welcomes people of all ages and backgrounds who are willing to share their talents in service to the parish community.

If you are interested, you are most welcome to join…. The current choir at Ss Peter and Paul Church sings at Sunday Masses and special celebrations throughout the Church’s liturgical year. Choir practice is held on Wednesday evenings from 7:30 pm to 9:00 pm, and new members are always warmly welcome.

Collectors

Collectors serve the parish community during Mass by assisting with the offertory collection and helping ensure a welcoming, respectful, and organised environment during the liturgy. Their ministry supports the practical needs of the parish and the ongoing mission of the Church through faithful stewardship and service.

Bookstall Ministry

The Bookstall Ministry helps make Catholic books, prayer resources, sacramental gifts, and devotional items available to parishioners and visitors. This ministry supports the faith formation and spiritual growth of the parish community by encouraging access to Catholic resources for prayer, learning, and reflection. Volunteers in this ministry offer a welcoming presence and assist people with care and hospitality.

Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion

Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion are called to serve Christ with reverence, compassion, and humility, both during Mass and when taking Holy Communion to the sick and housebound. Through this ministry, they become a sign of Christ’s presence, bringing prayer, comfort, and the love of the Church to those unable to gather with the community. Ministers are asked to approach this sacred ministry with respect for the Eucharist, sensitivity to those they visit, and a spirit of prayerful service.

Extraordinary Ministers Training – 27 June 2026

Sacristans

Sacristans quietly and faithfully prepare the church and sacred vessels for the celebration of Mass and other liturgies. Their ministry helps create a prayerful and welcoming environment for worship. Sacristans are entrusted with caring for the sacred space with reverence, responsibility, and attention to detail, supporting the smooth and dignified celebration of the liturgy.

Sacristans Training & Renewal – 04 July 2026

Readers / Proclaimers

Readers and proclaimers are entrusted with proclaiming the Word of God clearly and prayerfully to the gathered community. Through their ministry, the Scriptures come alive and nourish the faith of God’s people. This ministry calls for preparation, confidence, reverence for the sacred Scriptures, and a willingness to serve the community with faith and dedication.

Readers / Proclaimers Training – 20 June 2026

 

Counters and Bankers

The Counters and Bankers Ministry assists the parish by carefully counting, recording, and preparing the weekend collections for banking. This ministry supports the good stewardship and responsible administration of parish finances with honesty, confidentiality, and accountability.

Those involved in this ministry help ensure that parish contributions are handled respectfully and accurately in accordance with parish and Archdiocesan procedures. Their quiet and faithful service plays an important role in supporting the mission and daily life of the parish community.

Eucharistic Adoration

Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament in St Elizabeth’s Chapel, from after 1:30pm Mass – 10pm on Thursday, every week except in January. You are invited to register for a specific time (1 hour) to ensure that someone is always present, or to just call in at your convenience. Prayer before the Blessed Sacrament brings blessings to you, your family, the parish and our world. Also held at St Bernadette’s on Thursdays between 9:30am -10:15am

Parish Finance Committee

The Parish Finance Committee particularly assists and advises the Parish Priest and works alongside the Parish Senior Leadership Team in matters relating to the financial stewardship, administration, and pastoral mission of the parish. In accordance with Canon Law of the Catholic Church and the guidelines of the Archdiocese of Wellington, every parish is required to have a Parish Finance Committee to assist the Parish Priest in the responsible care and administration of parish goods and resources.

The committee helps ensure that parish finances and resources are managed responsibly, transparently, and sustainably in support of the pastoral, spiritual, and missionary life of the parish community. It also supports the care, maintenance, and improvement of parish properties and facilities, helping to provide safe, welcoming, and well maintained places for worship, ministry, pastoral outreach, and community life.

The Parish Pastoral Council (PPC) is currently on hold at this stage.

General Maintenance of Property

The parish is grateful for volunteers within each church community who are willing to assist with the day to day maintenance and care of parish properties and facilities of worship. This support helps the Parish Finance Committee and parish leadership maintain safe, welcoming, and well cared for places for worship, ministry, and community gatherings.

We are always keen to hear from parishioners who have skills or experience in areas such as general maintenance, repairs, gardening, painting, building, electrical, plumbing, or other practical services, and who may be willing to help occasionally as needs arise. Your time and talents are greatly appreciated and are an important contribution to the life and mission of the parish community.

Indoor Bowling Club

The Club formed on 14 February 1956 to promote sport and foster parish goodwill, and over the past years members have enjoyed success in a number of National and Provincial Championships. Currently we meet on Wednesday evenings at Hutt Bowling Club, Myrtle Street, Lower Hutt 5010 at 7.30pm.

Ss Peter & Paul’s Church Library

The Ss Peter & Paul’s Church Library is located in the room adjacent to St Martin de Porres Hall, Knights Road, Lower Hutt. Our parish library contains more than 500 adult books, around 70 children’s picture books, as well as a variety of videos available for borrowing. The adult collection includes a wide range of topics such as biographies, history, family life, spirituality, prayer, and Scripture studies.

Everyone is warmly welcome to make use of this wonderful parish resource for personal faith formation, prayer, and spiritual growth for both adults and children. To borrow a book or video, simply fill out the card provided in the back of the book and place it in the box provided, or write the book title along with your email address or phone number in the exercise book on the shelf. Returned items can be placed in the box marked “Returns.”

Many of the books in the library have been generously donated from parishioners’ home libraries. These are books they have enjoyed and now wish to share with others in our parish community. Donations of Christian themed books in good, clean condition are always appreciated and may be placed in the box marked “Donations.” Please note that the library team reserves the right to make the final selection of books for the collection.

Liturgy Groups

The Liturgy Groups in each church community of the Parish of Te Awakairangi work together to support the prayer and worship life of the parish in accordance with the teachings and liturgical guidelines of the Catholic Church and the Archdiocese of Wellington.

Their role is to help prepare and coordinate the celebration of the Eucharist and other liturgies so that they are prayerful, welcoming, respectful, and spiritually enriching for the whole community. This includes assisting with liturgical planning, rosters, special feast days, seasonal celebrations, music coordination, environment, and supporting the various liturgical ministries within the parish.

Liturgy Groups in each church community work closely with the Parish Priest and parish leadership to ensure that the liturgy reflects the dignity, unity, and diversity of our parish communities, while always keeping Christ at the centre of our worship.

Marist Third Order

A lay group, which supports the Marist religious and parish priests and imitates the Marist way of life in prayer. They meet on the 3rd Wednesday of every month from 11am-12noon, in the Church Library, for rosary, a tape and short discussion.

Marian Mothers

A small friendship group of mothers or expectant mothers, who meet on a fortnightly or monthly basis. They listen to CD’s prepared by the Marist Laity, followed by discussion and morning tea or supper. The group is nourishment for mothers only with no other commitment.

Catholic Marriage Preparation

Couples preparing for the Sacrament of Marriage are warmly encouraged to begin their preparation with the parish well in advance of their wedding date. Marriage preparation is an important opportunity for couples to deepen their relationship, reflect on the meaning of Christian marriage, and prepare spiritually and practically for married life together.

Marriage Preparation courses and formation programmes are coordinated through the Archdiocese of Wellington. These courses help couples explore communication, commitment, faith, family life, and the sacramental nature of marriage within the Catholic Church.

Couples planning to marry are encouraged to contact the Parish Office as early as possible to begin the preparation process and discuss wedding arrangements with one of the priests.

For further information, please contact the Parish Office:
Email: secretary@teawakairangi.nz

Our Lady of Perpetual Help Sodality

A sodality devoted to St Alphonsus and Our Lady of Perpetual Help. This group began over 40 years ago in our parish. They attend the first Saturday of the month Mass for the First Saturday devotions and afterwards pray the rosary for world peace. The co-ordination of the flowers and the brass for the altar also comes under the auspices of the Sodality.

Passionist Family Group Movement

Begun in Australia in 1972 by the Passionist Fathers the movement has quickly taken hold in New Zealand, and is strong in Lower Hutt with 13 groups, each consisting of between 10-16 families. Families are of every size and age – married couples, solo parents, widows and widowers, non-Catholic partners and divorced and remarried couples. Family groups meet socially, once a month, for family outings and through belonging to this smaller community, soon feel more of a part of the larger community of Ss Peter & Paul.

Parish Sacramental Programme

The Parish Sacramental Programme is open to children up to Year 8 who attend both Catholic and non-Catholic schools. The programme supports children and families in growing in their Catholic faith and preparing to celebrate the Sacraments within the parish community.

Children from across the parish communities journey together in faith through preparation for the Sacraments of Confirmation, First Reconciliation, and First Holy Communion. Parent and child preparation sessions are held several weeks prior to each Sacrament and take place within the different church communities of the parish. Families are encouraged to participate fully in parish life and worship during this important time of faith formation.

Confirmation is usually celebrated in November at Ss Peter and Paul Church, Lower Hutt, for children from across the parish communities. First Reconciliation is also celebrated during the Lenten season at Ss Peter and Paul Church, Lower Hutt, for children from across the parish communities. First Holy Communion is celebrated on the Sunday of the Feast of the Body and Blood of Christ in June within each church community of the parish.

For further information, please contact the Parish Office at:
Email: secretary@teawakairangi.nz

Preparing for the Sacraments of Initiation

Members of this group are responsible for the programmes, which prepare the children and their parents for the Sacraments of Baptism, Reconciliation, Confirmation and Eucharist.

Projector Data Entry

A Team of helpers required to prepare the power-point files (hymns, prayers, etc) to be projected at the weekend masses. This involves copying and pasting from an existing database of hymns and prayers, and on occasion adding new hymns to the database.

Order of Christian Initiation of Adults [O.C.I.A.]

The O.C.I.A. is a process for adults wishing to enquire into the Catholic Faith. It is a spiritual journey of faith in progressive steps beginning with enquiry evenings, followed by a period of instruction. During this period, known as the catechumenate, the enquirers decide whether they wish to proceed with steps towards becoming a Catholic. The process culminates in the candidate being received into the Catholic Church at Easter.

Seasons for Growth

”Rainbows” is a programme for children who have lost a parent through either death or separation. Children work through their grief and into a positive appreciation of their new life by meeting children of similar ages. A trained facilitator guides the meetings [once a week for 8 weeks] so that the children develop four gifts: good self-esteem; forgiveness; love and a sense of God who is love. An enriching experience for all involved.

St Vincent de Paul Society

This is a Catholic, international, fraternal organisation of lay people who practise Christianity by helping those in need, on a person-to-person basis. It is open to all who wish to live their faith by loving their neighbours in the persons of the needy.

The Shinning Ladies Club

A dedicated group of women who spend about 1 or 2 hours every 8th or 9th week to keep our brasses shining.

Welcomers

Provide a welcome with a smile to all of us as we arrive for Mass on Sundays and help people feel part of the Parish.