Groups & Programmes in the Parish
Alpha
Is there a God? Why am I here? Who is Jesus? What about other religions? The Alpha course tackles these and other questions in a ten week opportunity to explore the validity and relevance of the Christian faith to your life today. It is a practical introduction to the basics of Christianity centered around a meal, a talk and a small group discussion.
Contact us here.
Caring Group
Our Group provides for Parishioners who need care help or support during difficult times. This includes: Providing transport for Hospital appointments Pointing someone in the right direction when in need of assistance from Social Services. For a Parishioner who was housebound and required help with completing forms for Government Agencies.
Contact us here.
Craft Group
A weekly get together with friends from the church community. We enjoy different
crafting pursuits, afternoon tea and much laughter as we craft.
It’s a positive space of creativity and friendship and all are welcome in this place.
Wednesdays, 1-3pm, Fr Quinn’s Chapel, St John’s Church
Contact us here.
Devotion to Our Lady of Medjugorje
The Medjugorje Group meets each Wednesday between 2p.m. and 3 p.m. at St John’s Church to say the Rosary, the Chaplet and Consecrations as well as Spiritual Readings.
Divine Mercy
Members meet each Sunday afternoon in front of the tabernacle at St John’s church to express their trust in Jesus‘ unfathomable mercy.
ECB Book Club
This is a new group that we are planning to start!
We need 7 people to register before we can access materials. At this stage there have been no decisions made about when or how we meet and which book we will read first.
Contact us here.
READING OPTIONS are available at: www.AucklandCatholicLibrary.Org.NZ
Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
St John the Baptist Church: First Friday of the month, 6-9pm
St Francis de Sales Church: Thursdays 10.30am-11.30am after 10am.
Our Lady of Fatima Legion of Mary
Contact: Sandra Fisher, 021 139 5156 and Balsam Thomas, 021 468 408
Missio ad Vitam
Promoting revived Community Spirit.
For all ages and anyone with an active Spirit.
Contact us here.
Passionist Family Group
East Coast Bays became the second parish in NZ to introduce Passionist Family Groups over 35 years ago. They are not groups for families but groups where, with monthly low key, low cost gatherings parishioners to get to know each other, form friendships & become as family. Our motto is “A Family for All” & we endeavour to recreate a typical family with members from babies to grandparent ages. It is an enjoyable way to become part of the parish community, have fun & share the ups & downs of life.
To find out more, please contact Shelley & Graham Ward, gandsward@xtra.co.nz or 0273886114
Rosary Groups
We have several groups who meet to pray the Rosary each week often at private homes. Details are listed in the Newsletter.
Secular Franciscans
The Secular Franciscan Order belongs to the Franciscan Family and is formed by the organic union of all the Catholic fraternities, whose members, moved by the Holy Spirit, commit themselves through profession to live the Gospel after the manner of St. Francis in their secular state following the Rule approved by the Church. The Secular Franciscans meet at St John’s Church every 2nd Sunday of the month at 4pm.
For more information see here.
Contact us here.
St Vincent de Paul
The Society of St Vincent de Paul is an international organisation of lay people dedicated to helping people in need. It is Catholic in character, with membership open to all who wish to live their faith by loving their neighbour in the person of the needy. The Parish group meets once a month.
Contact us here.
The Living Water Prayer Group
We believe in the authority and teachings of the Catholic Church; we believe in the works of the Holy Spirit in our lives & we believe that God speaks to us through His Word – the Bible. We meet every Monday at 7:15pm to deepen our relationship with Jesus and each other through praise & worship, learning, prayer, and fellowship. We have different ministries like Intercessory, Healing, Caring, Hospitality; that help us grow spiritually & share the Good News. We also support the Alpha group and run Life in the Spirit Seminars to help people discover and renew their faith.
For further information, please contact Nola 027 66 66 857 or Maurice 021 025 25371
Youth Group
For anyone of the age of 12-18.
Contact us here.
Youth Ministry
A team for anyone over the age of 16 and above who is inspired to share their faith with the Youth.
Contact us here.
Parish Youth
ECB Youth Ministry Leaders Team
Click on the poster to register:
ECB Young Adults Bible Study
Click on the poster to register:
Contact: youth@ecbcatholic.org.nz
Parish Pastoral Council
What is a Parish Pastoral Council ?
Parish Pastoral Councils (PPC) decide on the priorities for the parish. The primary concerns of Pastoral Councils are the pastoral and spiritual needs of the people.
Members of the Parish Pastoral Council work collaboratively with the parish priest to set the vision, plan the missionary endeavors and enable their community of faith to proclaim the message of Jesus.
The Parish Pastoral Council is not a body of representatives but a representative body whose primary function is to set the vision and plan to make “the life and activity of the parish ever more closely conform to the gospel.”
The Parish Pastoral Council is made up of elected parishioners and the parish priest.
Elections to the PPC are usually done at the Annual General Meeting.
Why not consider joining the PPC?
Are you willing to give some of your time and energy to help guide the parish?
This is a commitment for a maximum of 3 years. The PPC meets once a month and the members take responsibility of a particular area of work. There will be a formation and members will be supported in their tasks.
For more information, please contact the office.
Vision: Inspiring a loving, caring, Christ-like community
PPC Minutes
PPC Meetings are open to all parishioners. They can listen but need to ask for permission if they would like to speak at the meeting.
The ECB Pastoral Plan 2026-2028
Volunteers
Do you want to join our wonderful team of Volunteers?
We are all encouraged to use our God given talents by serving our fellow parishioners in one or more of the following activities. For more information or to register your interest please contact us here.
Group Details:
Parish Pastoral Council
Leisure Group (60+) Cup of tea after Mass & other parish social activities
Caring/Grief Support
Hospitality/Catering/Baking
Home Help
Youth Groups
Sacramental Education
Group Details:
Baptism Preparation for Parents
Reconciliation Preparation
First Holy Communion Preparation
Confirmation Preparation
Religious Education Adult/Converts Classes
Education in Faith/Children/Teacher
Children Liturgy/Teacher
Liturgical
Group Details:
Altar Server
Reader
Usher/Collector/Welcomers
Collection Counters
Projectionist
Children’s Mass
Eucharistic Minister to Sick/Elderly
Organist/Musician
Singer/Cantor/Choir
Children’s Choir
General
Group Details:
Flower Arranging
Gardening
Church Cleaning
Laundering Altar Linen
Maintenance/Working Bees
Transport to Mass
Safeguarding
The aim of the New Zealand Diocese’s is to provide a consistent vision to create and foster a secure physical, emotional and spiritual culture in our faith communities, enabling everyone to enjoy the fullness of life in Jesus Christ.
FORMS to download:
