About Us

Through Baptism, Christians are incorporated into Christ and into the Church which is His Body. In various places throughout the world, members of this one, holy catholic and apostolic Church have expressed their desire to support one another in following Christ and in responding to His call by forming covenant communities.  Disciples of Jesus Covenant Community is one such community. A covenant is a formal commitment to enter into relationship with members of a community and to participate in their lifestyle and mission. At the heart of such a commitment is the desire to grow in holiness and to be involved in apostolic work in service of the Church's mission. The Disciples of Jesus Covenant Community consists of families, single people, priests and religious who have been called by God to be disciples of Jesus and have committed themselves to each other as brothers and sisters, so that they may effectively serve Him and glorify His Name.

The Disciples of Jesus Covenant Community began, in Sydney, in October 1979, and, on 1 September 1994, amalgamated with Hephzibah Covenant Community which began in February 1982.

The Community is a member of the Catholic Fraternity of Charismatic Communities/Fellowships, whose statutes were recognised by the Pontifical Association for the Laity in Rome in 1990.  It is also recognised by the local Church as a Private Association of Christ’s Faithful in Canon law.

The genesis of the Blue Mountains Branch goes back to 14 August 1982 when Costandi and Barbara Bastoli felt called to live in the Blue Mountains.  Costandi and Barbara with their children, Colette and Paul (the family has since grown by another 3 children), were part of the Disciples of Jesus Covenant Community in Sydney.  Both Costandi and Barbara were founding members of the Community.

How the Mountains Branch Began
Three local families and a single sister joined the Bastoli's .  These remained part of the Sydney Community.

Community Gatherings began in 1992 in Springwood.  On a three Sundays per month basis we met in the Mountains and on the fourth Sundays we joined the Sydney Community in their Gathering.  It was not until 1994, at the time of the amalgamation of Hephzibah and the Disciples of Jesus Covenant Community, that the Branch commenced as an entity in its own right.

Membership
There are just over 40 members in our Branch (nice and cosy).  Our members come from the Blue Mountains, Colyton/Erskine Park and Campbelltown areas.  The Branch is cared for by an Elder, with the support of a Branch Council, which meets regularly and makes decisions on matters that affect the life and order of the Branch.

New members who joined Community on 5 December 2004.

Photo Gallery of the Commitment Ceremony.