Our Parish Procedures and Customs

Access to churches: Richmond: parishioners are welcome to the confidential code of the combination lock that allows access to the church during daylight hours. Please ask Fr David or Mary Keddie. Wakefield/Waimea West: These churches are alarmed when not in use. Please see Fr David for details about access.

Votive candles (Richmond): Parishioners other than children are welcome to carefully light these candles as a symbol of a prayer petition. Donations can be placed in the container provided.

Funerals: The church has special prayers that are prayed when someone is very ill or who has died—Fr David is usually available anytime, so please contact. A Requiem Mass is the usual option for Catholics, although a funeral service can be held if more appropriate in the circumstances. Fr David as the pastor of our parish is the usual celebrant, and other priests are very welcome to assist him. Our diocesan and parish policy is to have just one eulogy at Requiem masses. A vigil the night before a funeral is an opportunity for more extensive tributes. Our parish centre is available for refreshments after a Requiem Mass or Funeral service and our parish St Vincent de Paul society may be able to assist with serving cups of tea etc. Usually the family provide any food they wish served. (Please also read this link)

Parish cemeteries: Parishioners are welcome to reserve a plot at Waimea West or Wakefield for themselves and/or loved ones. Cost is presently (January 2011) $250 payable to our parish after consultation with Fr David. Then you go to see Waimea– Richmond funeral directors who are our agents in recording plots.

Baptisms of infants and children: These are arranged with Fr David. A meeting with him is held to help prepare parents and then a date is decided upon. There is the option of the baptism being held outside mass, or during mass. Please note that we do not generally celebrate baptisms during Lent, preferring that they be held over until the very appropriate season of Easter.

Weddings: These are arranged with Fr David. The church requires some marriage preparation, the nature of which depends on where the couple are living. Fr David as pastor is the usual celebrant of weddings in our parish and other priests are most welcome to assist him.

Communion to the sick and infirm:
If you or your loved ones would like Holy Communion brought to you after mass on Sunday, please mention it to Fr David. This can be longer-term, or just during recuperation. Our parish Ministers of the Eucharist willingly give their time and attention to this important ministry and Mary Keddie kindly organises the practical details for the Richmond area.

Mass Requests: Masses are able to be offered for particular intentions, or for those who have died. The later are mentioned by name at Sunday masses and in the newsletter. Please let Fr David know or drop a note into the presbytery letter box.

Bequests: Our parish has benefited over the years from a number of bequests which have assisted the maintenance and mission of our family of faith. Notably from Emma-Ann (Amy) O’Connor, whose bequest meets most of the maintenance costs for our 3 churches, the Parish Centre and the presbytery. If you wanted to mention our parish in your will, we have parishioners who are qualified and willing to (confidentially) assist in drafting it.

Fr David writes: I am usually able and happy to be contacted by phone, cell phone or email. I normally have Mondays as a day off, though this can change if there is a funeral or a public holiday on a Monday (such as this week!). I try to visit regularly all those who are housebound or sick as well as those who are new parishioners. Please contact me if you know of someone who would appreciate a visit. I am always happy to be invited to share a meal—at least I know I will find the family at home—which can be a bit of a mission these days! I eat nearly everything!

This page last updated: 28 January 2011