Children's Groups
The parish offers many opportunities for involving children in our community - socially, educationally and spiritually.
Play Group
A play group for children in the 1yo - 5yo age group meets at various local park locations each week during school term dates. Details of coming meetings are included in the parish newsletter each week.
All are welcome to bring their children along and meet with other parishioners. For further information contact the Ministry Coordinator, Kate Bennetto.
Sunday Children's Liturgy
Each Sunday during school term the parish provides for a separate children's liturgy of the Word during the 9:00 am Mass at St Philip Neri, Northbridge and the 9:30am Mass at St Thomas', Willoughby. A group of volunteer parents lead the liturgy with other parents providing support and supervision. The children return to the church for the presentation of the gifts, after the prayer of the faithful.
All children aged 4 - 9 are welcome. For more information, contact the Ministry Coordinators, Geraldine Smith (Northbridge) and Jill Jenkins (Willoughby).
Class Focus Masses (St Philip Neri, Northbridge)
Once a year each class from St Philip Neri takes a special role in one of the weekend community Masses at St Philip Neri, Northbridge. Children attending the Scripture classes at Northbridge Public School also take a special role in one of the 9am community Masses in November each year. Details are in the parish calendar of main events on this website.
Parish Schools
The parish schoosl are co-located with St Philip Neri church (Northbridge) and St Thomas' Church (Willoughby), providing a comprehensive Catholic primary school education. Click on the Tab in the yellow navigation ribbon toward the top of this page to view the parish schools' websites for further information.
Scripture Classes at Public Schools
The parish has a highly dedicated group of volunteer catechists who teach religious education every week at Northbridge Public School, Willoughby Public School and Willoughby Girls High School. Classes are streamed to accomodate all Catholic students. The Broken Bay Diocese Confraternity of Christian Doctrine (CCD) provide training and support for the catechists in a purpose-developed Special Religious Education curriculum synchronised with the parish-based sacramental preparation programs for children in years 2 and 3. For more information, contact the Ministry Coordinators, Helen Walsh (Northbridge), and Lyn Coroneos and Cathy Martorana (Willoughby).