Parish Pastoral Council Committees

Liturgy & music

Contact Duncan Hyam through the church office.


Culture of Life Committee

Meetings: Every Wednesday at 18:30

Objectives of the Culture of Life Committee:

• To reaffirm the sanctity of human life
• Support and uphold traditional family values
• Proclaim the Gospel of Life with Love
• Proceed against and educate about abortion and abortifacient contraception - "The Pill"
• Oppose the Culture of Death, through

1. Prayer – Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament

2. Education and Awareness – Presentation and teaching of relevant Church documents, Theology of the Body and Natural Family Planning in supporting and loving ways.

3. Action - Prayerful presence outside abortion mills, letters to press and public figures in response to current degradation of life.

• The social communications subcommittee of the parish pastoral council is involved in improving communication and planning social events at the parish.

• We initiate events that build the community spirit at St Charles and create spaces where people who attend different Masses (and those who sit across from one another every week!) can meet and share their interests and lives. This means that whilst our functions may help educate, or raise funds, the important thing is that they fulfill our mission: to unite St Charles parishioners of all ages in fellowship and enjoyment.

• We also facilitate communications activities, e.g. updating the website and introducing new ways of communicating with parishioners.

• We meet once a month on a Sunday from 11:00-12:30

Joining SFC
To become part of SFC, the young adults attend a weekend seminar which is a basic Christian programme and allows the participants to make a renewed commitment to the Lord in a way which will allow them to receive a fuller experience of the work of the Holy Spirit in their lives.

Sodalities and Societies

Knights of da Gama

Meetings: Fourth Monday of the month (December excluded) at 19.30

Activities:

• The Knights of da Gama is a Brotherhood of Catholic men which aims to train its members to be better Christians. Its objects include the promotion of the Lay Apostolate of the Church, promoting and conducting charitable work in all spheres of Catholic and public life, and striving for the spiritual, moral and material betterment of all peoples in their country of establishment.
• Locally, the Council gives regular financial support to such organisations as Mercy House (refugees), Mayfair soup kitchen, The Love of Christ Ministries, Radio Veritas, The St Charbel Helping Hand Society and St Vincent de Paul Society at both Victory Park and Martindale.
• Activities include fund-raising events to enable that support (July Draw and annual Golf Day), practical help in collecting food donations for SvP and helping to prepare for and run the Tombola stall at the Firlands Fete each August.
• Spiritual and Brotherhood activities include the training programme for newer members which gives detailed coverage to major parts of the Catechism, a perpetual Novena for peace in South Africa, regular Rosary gatherings combined with social events, and occasional corporate attendance at Mass, as a group with families.

Contact: Mel Antonie or Mike Meijer through the church office.


Catholic Women's League

Meetings: Every second Tuesday after 08:00 Mass (Morning group). Second Thursday at 19:00 (Evening Group)

Activities:

• Monthly Mass for members, participation in annual Rosary crusade and annual Novena.
• A monthly Mass followed by tea, as well as a Christmas Luncheon, are arranged for senior parishioners.
• Funeral teas are served.
• Hospital visitation.
• Preparation of the Paschal Supper.
• Once a year we host the Senior Citizens Johannesburg Candlelight Club.
• Crockery hire.
• Knit items for the needy and for fundraising.

• Visit sick people at hospitals and pray for them
• Help old aged people

• Collect food from Woolworths in Parktown North - Monday and Wednesday at 16:00
• Clothes sorting of donations from parishioners - Tuesday mornings
• Soup kitchen - Friday mornings
• Home visits and food parcel deliveries - alternate Fridays and Saturdays
• Clothes are collected and distributed to St John Berchman's school
• Formula and baby food is collected for the Sisters of Mercy in Hillbrow
• Footloose - Annual collection of shoes
• Vincents shop in Blairgowrie - Mon-Fri Volunteers are welcome to assist