MINISTRIES |
Altar Guild
Altar linens are used at every Mass, at baptisms and occasionally at other liturgies.Weekly responsibilities: (on Friday or Saturday) wash, iron and fold the small altar linens;
wash the sacred vessels including the Cups and Chalices; spruce up the sanctuary area as needed; dust the sanctuary and sacristy. Monthly responsibilities: wash the priests' albs
and the altar servers' albs. |
Altar Server for Funerals–Adult What
does an Adult Funeral Server do? A Server participates in the entrance procession–carrying the candles or the cross–and assists the priest during the Funeral Mass.How often does an Adult
Funeral Server serve? That depends on the volunteer's available time, the number of funerals at a given time and the number of Adult Funeral Servers who are available. Why should we
participate in this ministry? "If one member suffers in the body of Christ which is the Church, all the members suffer with that member." (1Corinthians 12:26) For this reason we who
are baptized into Christ and nourished at the same table of the Lord are responsible for one another. When a member of Christ's Body dies, we, the faithful, are called to this ministry to offer consolation
to those who have suffered the loss of one whom they love. |
Altar Server–Youth Girls and boys in
Grade 4 and above are invited to participate in the liturgy of the Mass as Altar Servers. This is a great opportunity for young people to share their gifts and talents. |
Baptism Preparation Team
A group of young parents, along with the pastoral staff, provide support and education to parents and godparents who are seeking baptism for their children. The team reviews the baptism Rite and offers an explanation of the meaning of the symbols involved in the baptismal ceremony. The Baptism Preparation Program takes place the second Saturday of every month from 9:30am to 11:00am in the rectory.
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Baptismal Robes
At Baptism, each baby is presented with a baptismal robe that the family keeps as a remembrance of this great event. These robes are made by members of the parish, usually at home, in the following steps: cut out the robe (pattern and fabric are supplied by the church); hem the robe (a sewing machine is needed); embroider the symbol of Christ on the front of each robe. Volunteers may do any or all steps.
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Choir–Adult
The Adult Choir rehearses Thursday evenings and sings at the 11:00am Sunday Mass from September through May. |
Choir–Youth
The Youth Choir is for girls and boys in grades 4–8. Rehearsals are Thursday afternoons during the school year. The Choir signs at the 9:00am Family Mass twice monthly. |
Confirmation–Adult
program is designed for baptized Catholics who have received First Communion but not the sacrament of Confirmation. It is a five-week program held Thursday evenings usually during February and March. |
Decorations Committee
This group offers parishioners the opportunity to assist in the preparation and decoration of the church worship space seasonally and as needed. An artistic eye is of great value on this committee. |
A Eucharistic Minister
is a person who: enjoys people; is a confirmed and practicing Catholic; lives a moral and Christian life; has a personal spirituality; has the qualities of reverence, humility, hospitality, gratitude, responsibility, reliability and flexibility and has an ability to share faith and prayer.
The Eucharistic Minister assists the priest by distributing the Eucharist at Sunday Mass, on Holy Days of Obligation and at daily Mass. Eucharistic Ministers also may be called upon to help on
Ash Wednesday with the distribution of Ashes and on the Feast of St. Blaise to assist in the Blessing of Throats. |
Eucharistic Minister to the Homebound
expresses Christian life by bringing communion to homebound parishioners on a monthly basis. Some ministers assist at the monthly Masses offered at Stonehedge Convalescent Center and Springhouse, while others preside at Communion services or bring Communion to the residents at the Boston Center, the Hebrew Rehabilitation Center and Bournewood.
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Hospitality Committee
This is a group of parishioners who assist in the organization, setup and serving of refreshments at a variety of parish events. The Hospitality Committee also provides coffee, etc. following designated Sunday Masses.
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The Lector
participates in liturgical celebrations by proclaiming the Word of God and reading the Prayers of the Faithful during Sunday and weekday Mass. Youth lectors read at the 9:00am Family Mass. |
Maria Fo Mission Circle
The Maria Fo's purpose is to prepare bandages, dressings, gowns, medical supplies, towels and the necessities for care of people in Third World countries. The group meets Wednesday mornings in Finn Hall following the 8:00am Mass.
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Respect Life Committee
The committee is a communication link between the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) Secretariat for Pro-Life activities and the parish. The broad purpose is to coordinate parish Respect Life activities.
How is this done? The committee chairperson receives publications and materials from the USCCB and the Archdiocesan Pro-Life Office. Information regarding Pro-Life agencies, workshops and
current issues are published in the parish bulletin. What else does the group do? Each October, Respect Life month, they participate in the USCCB's nationwide Respect Life program that focuses
on a specific pro-life issue. Posters are displayed, and flyers are distributed at the weekend Masses. Each January the committee sponsors a baby shower for Archdiocesan Pregnancy Help Office. A
telephone tree is maintained to facilitate calls to our legislators regarding life issue laws and policies. Committee members participate in a 9-month Novena of Masses held in St. Mary's Chapel at Boston
College on the 25th of each month from March (the Annunciation) to December (Christmas) at 7:30pm. They assist the Mass Citizens for Life with their annual Rose Drive. Some Committee members participate in
the annual Walk for Life. |
RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation)
is a process used by the Roman Catholic Church to initiate new members into the Catholic faith. The RCIA program is designed primarily for those who have never been baptized, Catholics who never received their First Holy Communion or those who belong to another Christian church and wish to become Catholic. Meetings are Sunday mornings usually from December to April.
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The Society of St. Vincent de Paul
is a group of women and men who endeavor to follow the spirit of St. Vincent de Paul. The Society, founded by Frederick Ozanan, has three aims:(1) To bear witness to Christ and to His
church by showing that the faith of Christians, inspires them to work for the good of their fellow human beings. (2) To bring together men and women of good will and to assist them, by mutual example
and true friendship, to draw nearer to Jesus Christ. (3) To establish a personal contact between the members of each conference with those in need in the community. The format of the
meetings: meet weekly, beginning with prayer, scripture reading and reflection; review and discuss cases and situations calling for response and assistance; offer short-term support, for example
provide food vouchers, pay for utilities and/or housing, etc. for individuals and families caught in an emergency situation such as the loss of a job, illness, death of a family member, etc.
Home visits are made as needed. Each meeting concludes with prayer. The members of the Society grow spiritually through this format of prayer and outreach to the greater community.
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Usher and Greeter
provides a valuable and vital aspect of liturgy: hospitality. Often the first impression a parishioner/visitor has of a parish comes as a result of their initial encounter with the Usher/Greeter.The Usher and Greeter welcomes each person as he/she enters the church, distributes a music sheet and offers direction when necessary. The Usher and Greeter take up the collection and invite
different people/families to bring up the Gifts. At the end of Mass, the Usher/Greeter passes out bulletins to the congregation as they leave the church. Following Mass, the Usher and Greeter clear out the
benches, thus making a hospitable environment for the next Mass. The Usher and Greeter serve at all Saturday, Sunday and Holy Day Masses. They are present at First Communion, Confirmation and
special events as needed. |
