07 856 7035 StAnthonysHuntly@hotmail.com 340 Great South Road, Huntly 3700
Diocese of Hamilton

Our Parish Mission

"The Parish is a community of the christian faithful, called to unite, to reach out in love, to act and transform in Christ."

This mission statement captures the essence of who we are as St Anthony's Parish. We are not simply a building or an organization—we are a living community of believers, united by our Baptism and empowered by the Holy Spirit to be Christ's presence in Huntly and beyond. Through worship, service, and fellowship, we seek to make visible God's love in a world that desperately needs hope, healing, and transformation.

Three Pillars of Parish Life

Parish Unity and Community

Called to Unite

Unity is at the heart of Catholic identity. St Paul reminds us that we are "one body in Christ" (Romans 12:5), each member essential and valued. At St Anthony's, we strive to build authentic community where people of all ages, backgrounds, and walks of life find belonging. Through shared worship, fellowship events, small group gatherings, and mutual support during times of joy and sorrow, we grow in our bonds with one another and with Christ.

Our parish family includes young families raising children in the faith, teenagers discovering their identity in Christ, adults deepening their spiritual lives, and seniors sharing wisdom gained through decades of faithful living. This diversity is our strength, reflecting the universal Church that embraces all people.

Parish Outreach and Service

Reach Out in Love

Jesus commanded us to "love one another as I have loved you" (John 15:12). This love is not passive—it compels us to action. Catholic Social Teaching calls us to see Christ in the face of every person, especially the poor, the vulnerable, and the marginalized. We respond to this call through concrete acts of charity and justice.

Our outreach ministries include providing food assistance to struggling families, visiting the sick and homebound, supporting local charities that serve the vulnerable, and advocating for human dignity and social justice. We believe that faith without works is incomplete (James 2:17), and we are committed to being the hands and feet of Christ in our community.

Faith Formation and Transformation

Transform in Christ

Transformation is God's work in us. Through the grace of the Sacraments, the power of prayer, and the guidance of Scripture and Tradition, we are continually being made new. St Paul writes, "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind" (Romans 12:2). This transformation touches every aspect of our lives—our relationships, our work, our values, and our priorities.

We support this transformation through faith formation programs for all ages, retreats and spiritual direction, catechesis for Sacraments, adult education, youth ministry, and opportunities for deeper prayer. As we grow in holiness, we become more effective witnesses to the Gospel and agents of God's kingdom.

Our Parish Ministries

Every baptized Catholic is called to participate in the mission of the Church. Discover how you can share your gifts and talents in service to God and neighbor.

Liturgical Ministries

The celebration of the liturgy is the heart of parish life. Liturgical ministers serve the assembly by enhancing our worship and helping all present encounter the sacred.

  • Lectors: Proclaim God's Word during Mass
  • Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion: Assist in distributing the Eucharist
  • Altar Servers: Assist the priest at the altar
  • Music Ministry: Lead the assembly in sung prayer
  • Sacristans: Prepare the sanctuary for worship
  • Hospitality Ministers: Welcome parishioners and visitors

Faith Formation & Education

Growing in knowledge and love of Christ is a lifelong journey. Our formation programs nurture faith at every stage of life.

  • Children's Catechesis: Preparation for First Communion and Confirmation
  • RCIA (Adult Initiation): Journey into the Catholic faith
  • Bible Study Groups: Dive deeper into Sacred Scripture
  • Youth Ministry: Teen faith formation and service
  • Adult Education: Explore theology, spirituality, and Church teaching
  • Sacramental Preparation: Marriage, Baptism, and Reconciliation

Community Outreach & Charity

Living Catholic Social Teaching means serving Christ in our neighbors, especially those who are poor, vulnerable, or marginalized.

  • Food Bank Ministry: Providing groceries to families in need
  • Visiting the Sick & Homebound: Bringing Communion and companionship
  • St Vincent de Paul Society: Direct assistance to those in crisis
  • Prison Ministry: Visiting and supporting the incarcerated
  • Community Partnerships: Collaborating with local organizations
  • Pro-Life Witness: Defending human dignity from conception to natural death

Prayer & Spiritual Growth

Prayer is the foundation of Christian life. Through various forms of personal and communal prayer, we encounter God and grow in intimacy with Him.

  • Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament: Silent prayer before Jesus
  • Rosary Groups: Praying with Mary for peace and conversion
  • Prayer Chain: Interceding for urgent intentions
  • Spiritual Direction: One-on-one guidance for spiritual growth
  • Retreats & Days of Reflection: Stepping away for deeper encounter
  • Lectio Divina: Meditative reading of Scripture

Catholic Social Teaching in Action

Catholic Social Teaching is the Church's wisdom on building a just society and living lives of holiness in the modern world. It calls us to promote human dignity, care for creation, and work for the common good.

At St Anthony's Parish, we take seriously the Church's call to action on behalf of justice and peace. We recognize that faith and justice are inseparable—that authentic worship must lead to service, and that loving God means loving our neighbor in concrete, tangible ways.

1
Life and Dignity of the Human Person: Every person is created in God's image and possesses inherent dignity from conception to natural death.
2
Preferential Option for the Poor: We are called to prioritize the needs of those who are poor, vulnerable, and marginalized.
3
Solidarity: We are one human family, responsible for one another across all divisions of geography, race, and nationality.
4
Care for God's Creation: We are stewards of the earth, called to protect the environment for future generations.

Our Parish Impact

As a registered charity (CC32658) within the Roman Catholic Bishop of the Diocese of Hamilton Group, St Anthony's Parish is committed to transparent stewardship and measurable community impact.

Food Bank

Supporting local families with groceries and essential supplies

Homebound Ministry

Regular visits bringing Holy Communion and companionship

Community Programs

Youth activities, senior outreach, and family support services

Global Solidarity

Supporting missions and international relief efforts

Use Your Gifts to Build God's Kingdom

Every member of our parish has unique gifts and talents that can be used in service to others. Whether you have an hour a week or a few minutes a month, there's a place for you in our ministries. Come discover how God is calling you to make a difference.