The Filipino Chaplaincy-Chatswood Parish (FCCP) is a church community of volunteers that work together to provide pastoral care to migrants, particularly the newly arrived migrants, within Chatswood and neighbouring suburbs.
The FCCP was established in February 2007 to provide pastoral care to migrants within Chatswood and neighbouring suburbs by:
· helping Filipino migrants and their families to stay connected with the Parish,
· connecting newly arrived Filipino migrants with the FCCP community and other Parish communities, and
· actively contributing to the life of the Parish
Membership
Members of the FCCP comprise Filipino migrants and their families that support the activities of the FCCP regardless of their place of residence.
A core group of volunteers coordinates the various activities of the FCCP through their specific ministries. A lead coordinator convenes meetings of the FCCP and acts as the FCCP’s official representative. The coordinators are bound by a set of Guidelines of Acceptable Behaviour.
Membership is encouraged through involvement and participation in the various Ministries of the FCCP namely:
· Liturgy – organises the Masses, represents the FCCP at Parish liturgical activities and coordinates other FCCP liturgical projects
· Music – provides music at Masses, choreographs performances and coordinates other FCCP activities
· Outreach – communicates and promotes FCCP activities, maintains the FCCP contact list and information and coordinates inter-communal projects
· Ways and Means – obtains resources and support for FCCP projects and oversights off-shore projects
· Youth – encourages participation of young people in FCCP and Parish activities and provides peer support through youth networking and social functions and events
An advisory group comprising immediate past coordinators is established and consulted on various matters to ensure smooth transition and continuity of operations.
Filipino migrants and their families are welcome to register to FCCP to receive information or invitations to events and activities by sending an email to
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Operations
As a voluntary church-based group, the FCCP operates from the Our Lady of Dolours Parish, Chatswood and works closely with the Filipino Chaplain of the Diocese of Broken Bay.
The FCCP develops an annual program of activities in conjunction with the Parish calendar of activities and in consultation with the Filipino Chaplain. The program is focused primarily on achieving the objectives of the FCCP although it may include projects that, in the view of the FCCP, are meritorious and deserve support.
The successful delivery of programs and activities of the FCCP is contingent on the amount of support it receives from volunteers, the Parish and the Diocese. With this in mind, coordinators continuously work towards increasing participation by Filipinos in its activities in any capacity.
Pastoral Care
There are numerous ways in which the FCCP provides pastoral care services. These are:
1. FCCP-sponsored Mass
The FCCP sponsors a Mass every first Sunday of the month at 12noon at Our Lady of Dolours Parish, 94 Archer Street, Chatswood. The Mass is in English and most songs are in Pilipino. Most families, particularly those who have children or family members that do not speak Pilipino, appreciate an inclusive “Taglish” Mass. The regular Mass connects the Filipinos to the Parish.
2. Fellowship
A fellowship is held after a FCCP-sponsored Mass within the vicinity of the church. The fellowship enables Filipinos and their families to “meet and greet” and gives the newly arrived migrants an opportunity to connect with the FCCP and the Parish.
3. Other activities
The FCCP’s annual program of activities is designed to nurture the spiritual life of its members. These activities are determined by canvassing the preferences of the community and the priorities of the Parish and the Diocese.
