MINISTRY OF CONSOLATION
Ministry of Consolation volunteers are trained to provide support to people who have recently suffered the loss of a loved one. The volunteers’ role is to accompany them during the first year or so following bereavement, when they are in the most acute stages of grief.
Presently we have eight trained volunteers. However, if you are aware of anyone who might benefit from this Ministry please let us know.
MINISTRY OF COMMUNION TO THE SICK
Communion is taken from the Mass to the sick or incapacitated by approved ministers.
Many people receive Communion in hospital, nursing homes, retirement villages or in their own homes. Additionally, many people are being cared for in their own homes. Consequently, the need for this Ministry is expanding.
ST VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY
The St Vincent de Paul Society is a Catholic organisation for the welfare of the poor, the homeless and needy in our community. We are motivated by the words of Jesus “whatever you do to the least of your brethren you do to me.” Each local society is called a “conference”. We meet each Monday afternoon for the Rosary and follow with a Meeting. Our Vinnies Shop is operated by volunteers who sort out donated clothes and articles for sale within the shop. Other volunteers work with furniture etc. delivering for welfare recipients, or repairing and presenting for sale. They are not necessarily members of the Conference.
Conference members are rostered on between 9.00am and 12.00pm to interview people seeking help and to authorise welfare assistance. Should you have spare time on your hands, feel free to help as a volunteer or as a conference member of the local St Vincent de Paul Society. We are often short handed and would welcome your help!
Contact persons: SVDP on 4194 0861
CENTACARE FRASER COAST
At Centacare Fraser Coast a range of programs are delivered to Hervey Bay and Maryborough communities, which address the needs of some of the most disadvantaged people in our community.
- Neighbourhood Care – (funded by Home and Community Care, which is a joint State and Commonwealth initiative) is aimed at keeping people in their own homes for as long as possible.
- Relationship Education – (funded by Department of Families and Communities) is a program which encourages healthy, stable relationships through Pre-Marriage Education, Marriage Enrichment Courses, Divorce and Separation Recovery Programs, Hey Dad (a male parenting program) and Remarriage Education.
- Community Counselling – providing general personal and family counselling (currently funded for only six hours per week and only in Maryborough).
- Personal Support Program – (another Department of Families and Communities Program). This program provides counselling, support, referral and advocacy to people with multiple or severe non-vocational barriers to employment.
- Bay Connect – This program provides inexpensive access to computers and the internet.
- Drought Counselling – Short term funding made available from the Department of Families and Communities to explore the delivery of counselling to regional communities.
- Supported Accommodation Assistance Program – this program addresses the needs of the most disadvantaged in our community, the homeless. We manage nine dwellings in the Hervey Bay Community.
Whilst Centacare employs professional workers, there is also a great need for volunteers. Training and support are provided.
Contact persons: Centacare on 4194 0172