Holy Name Parish

RCIA Meetings, Sundays at 10:00am, until April 3, 2010

MINISTRIES, ORGANIZATIONS, COMMITTEES, OUTREACH

PARISH COUNCILS

Parish Pastoral Council assists the pastor in his leadership role of planning, organizing, initiating, promoting, coordinating and reviewing the evangelization, worship, religious education and service activities within the parish. The Council assesses the needs of the whole parish and its members, developing and implementing a pastoral plan to promote the common good of the parish.

Parish Finance Council advises the pastor concerning the administration of the parish finances and gives a detailed annual report to the parish.

Parish School Board The job of the School Board is to advise the principal on all matters pertaining to the school. The principal informs the pastor of all issues that arise from the School Board. The pastor is the one who decides and sets policy.

Parish Space Needs Committee For a number of years, a group of parishioners met with the pastor looking at the use of all parish facilities. Each person represented one of the parish facility entities. One purpose was to help the pastor plan for future use of the facilities. As a form of good stewardship, it meant not making major changes that would be reversed in the near future. The group created a master list of repairs, improvements and projects that was prioritized. Work continues on the prioritized list.

Parish Staff The professional staff helps the parish function in as competent a manner as possible. It usually is this group that will implement the decisions of some of the above councils and committees. The administrative and support staff of the parish handle the day-to-day needs of the parish.

LITURGY

Altar Servers Altar boys have been in existence since the beginning of the parish; altar girls were added in 1994. Boys and girls in Grades 4 and above are invited to be Altar Servers.

ARISE Together in Christ is a parish-centered process of spiritual renewal and evangelization that encourages parishioners to reflect on Scripture, share experiences and gain new insights into Faith. This is part of an Archdiocesan-wide spiritual renewal that will continue through 2010.

Baptisms generally take place the third Sunday of the month. Parents are asked to contact the rectory immediately following the birth of their child to plan the baptism.

Adult Choir has been in existence since the parish beginning. The Adult Choir sings at the 11:00am Mass and at various other liturgical celebrations. (They are off during the summer months.) Additional voices are welcome.

Youth Choir has been in existence since September 1993. The Youth Choir sings at the 9:00am Family Mass twice monthly during the school year. This Choir was established to develop an understanding and appreciation of the liturgy and music skills for boys and girls in grades 3 and above.

Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion are confirmed members of the parish who participate at weekday and weekend Masses by distributing the Body and Blood of Christ.

Filipino Community of the Archdiocese of Boston celebrates Mass at Holy Name the first Sunday of each month at 1:00pm. This liturgy is followed by a social gathering in Finn Hall. A variety of speakers and activities also are offered.

Funerals take place at all times of the year. Generally arrangements are made through the local funeral directors. The pastoral staff presides at the wake service, funeral Mass and cemetery service of all the deceased.

Lectors are members of the parish who participate in liturgical celebrations by proclaiming the Word of God and reading the Prayers of the Faithful during weekend and weekday Masses.

Our Lady of the Holy Name Sodality was started in 1945, when St. Theresa Parish gave the Charter to Holy Name Parish. The Sodality, which is open to women of all ages, generally meets one Monday per month at 7:00pm. Most meetings include recitation of the Rosary, celebration of the Eucharist and a guest speaker.

Sacrament of Reconciliation is offered each Saturday from 3:15-3:45pm, at specified times during Advent and Lent, at regular cluster Penance Services and by appointment.

Ushers/Greeters welcome and assist parishioners at weekend Masses. They may distribute liturgy aids, direct people to seats, take up collections, distribute the parish bulletin after Mass and handle any emergencies that might arise. Men and women are invited to serve the parish in this capacity.

Weddings take place throughout the Church year. Couples are asked to contact the rectory at least six months before their anticipated marriage. The priests of the parish oversee the preparation of all wedding couples.

Youth Lectors proclaim the Word of God and read Prayers of the Faithful at the 9:00am Family Mass. Youth lectors are in Grades 5 and above.

PASTORAL CARE

Adult Funeral Servers are members of the parish who serve at the Funeral Masses of fellow parishioners. Time commitment: mornings according to schedule. You may volunteer for a particular day of the week or be available as needed.

Baptism Preparation Program is coordinated by pastoral staff and run by a group of young parents to provide education for parents and godparents seeking Baptism for their children. The Baptism Preparation Program takes place in the rectory the second Saturday of each month from 9:30-11:00am.

Bereavement Outreach helps families with the planning of the funeral liturgy and offers a Bereavement Support Group for persons grieving the loss of a loved one. The group meets for four months beginning in the fall.

Ministers to the Homebound visit approximately 60 persons. The priests visit homebound parishioners on a regular basis, bringing the Eucharist, offering the Sacrament of the Sick and the Sacrament of Reconciliation. The Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion also bring the Eucharist to homebound parishioners on a regular basis.

Mass is celebrated monthly at Stonehedge Convalescent Center, Sophia Snow House and Springhouse. In addition, Eucharistic Ministers bring the Eucharist to the Boston Center, Bournewood, Stonehedge Convalescent Center and Sophia Snow House.

Families are asked to contact the rectory when a loved is no longer able to attend Mass.

SPIRITUALITY

9:00am Family Mass Special attention is paid to the families and children of the parish at the 9:00am Family Mass. The readings are taken from the Children’s Lectionary, and the homily is geared to the children. Each week students from different grades assist at this Mass as greeters, collectors, homily assistants, etc.

Adult Confirmation is designed for baptized Catholics who have received First Communion but not the sacrament of Confirmation.

Anointing of the Sick The priests of the parish are available for home, hospital and nursing home visits to offer the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick.  The priests also offer Eucharist when they visit the homebound. In addition the priests cover the Faulkner Hospital on a rotating schedule.

Masses with Communal Anointing of the Sick take place three times a year–the third Sunday in October, World Day of the Sick and the third Sunday in May. The elderly, chronically ill, those preparing for surgery or receiving any kind of treatment for health issue are encouraged to come and receive the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick if they are able. The priests are available to any person requesting or requiring the Sacrament of the Sick.

RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation) is a process used by the Roman Catholic Church to initiate new members into the Catholic faith. The program is designed primarily for those who have not been baptized, Catholics who never received Communion or Confirmation or those who belong to another church and wish to become Catholic. Meetings are Sunday mornings from December to April.

EDUCATION

Bible Study sessions are offered weekly at various times during the year.

Holy Name Parish School provides education and formation to students from Nursery through Grade 6. The School has a student government, numerous activities, after school opportunities and service outreach projects. There is a state of the art science room, a fully wired technology room as well as up-to-date textbooks and workbooks. Every teacher is fully certified.

Religious Education Program provides for the religious formation of students in grades Kindergarten through Confirmation. The program is responsible for all sacramental preparation, i.e., Penance, Eucharist and Confirmation.

VIRTUS and Talking about Touch The US Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) issued its Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People. The Charter mandates that all dioceses in the US establish safe environment programs both for adults and children. The Archdiocese of Boston selected the VIRTUS (adults) and Talking about Touch (children) programs to address this requirement.

The VIRTUS program is offered to adult volunteers over the age of 18. Its focus is to raise the consciousness of adults in how to identify and prevent child abuse. All volunteers (and staff) who work with children or the elderly are required to attend a VIRTUS session and must complete a Criminal Offender Record Inquiry (CORI).

SERVICE AND OUTREACH

AA This long-standing group meets Sunday evenings in Parish Hall.

Blood Drive Holy Name Parish, in cooperation with Brigham and Women’s Hospital, hosts a blood drive approximately every ten weeks.

Greater Boston Interfaith Organization (GBIO) is a community organization with members from many area religious and civic institutions. Holy Name Parish is a member of GBIO. There are multiple opportunities to participate according to your interests and time availability.

Giving Tree During the Christmas season, gifts are donated by parishioners and delivered to worthy causes such as shelters, women’s residences, local families, etc.

Maria Fo Mission Society was started to support the missions. Their purpose is to prepare bandages, dressings, gowns, medical supplies, towels and other such necessities for people in third world countries. The group meets in Finn Hall Wednesday mornings following the 8:00am Mass.

Respect Life Committee works in collaboration with the Archdiocesan Pro-Life Office to raise the awareness of pro-life issues. The Committee sponsors a Baby Shower for Life in January.

St. Vincent de Paul Society began in 1928. It provides loving interest to individuals via food, clothing, furniture, guidance and other assistance on a short term basis. There are regular food drives to assist food pantries in other parishes. The group also serves dinner monthly at Rosie’s Place. Membership is by invitation.

The Green Committee is in the process of exploring practical and green ways to function within the parish.

ADULT, CHILDREN AND FAMILY LIFE

Altar Linens A few parishioners serve as caretakers of the items used in the daily and weekend celebrations of the Eucharist. Responsibilities include assisting in basic upkeep of the altar linens and sacred vessels.

Baptism Robes Committee This group, comprised primarily of women from the Maria Fo Society, makes baptismal robes for the babies baptized in our parish. As they sew the robes, they pray for the babies who will wear them. The materials may be taken home to work at one’s leisure, or work may be done in a group.

Bernardines were organized in 1951 to raise funds for the parish and is open to all women of the parish. Their activities include community and adult events as well as activities for the youth - sponsoring the ‘Teen to Teen’ project, junior high dances, senior high dance, and other seasonal activities.

Boy Scouts/Cub Scouts serve boys from age 6 through the Eagle Scout award.

First Friday Friends Coffee and sweets, donated by parishioners, are offered each First Friday following the 8:00am Mass.

Gardening Club assists with the maintenance and beautification of outside grounds. If you love the outdoors and know the difference between a weed and a wisteria, this is the club for you.

Home & School Association is made up of parents of our school program. The primary purpose of the group is fundraising however H&S sponsors many activities for school and families throughout the year.

Hospitality Committee These parishioners assist in the organization, set up and serving of refreshments at various parish events as well as each first Sunday following the 9 am Mass.

Liturgical Decoration Committee offers parishioners the opportunity to assist in the preparation and decoration of our church worship space weekly, seasonally or as needed. An artistic eye is of great value on this committee.

Mailing Volunteers From the ranks of the 8:00am Mass community, comes the volunteers who help with periodic parish mailings. They are an invaluable asset to the office staff.

Parkway Voice Of The Faithful is a regional group of laypersons established to gather, and pray and whose goals are to support survivors of clergy sexual abuse, to support priests of integrity and to shape structural change within the Catholic Church.

Pageant Helpers come forward each year to help with organizing, making costumes for, and overseeing the annual Christmas Eve Pageant event.

Retirees were organized in the fall of 2002. The group is open to all retirees. They meet the second Tuesday of the month in Finn Hall from 3:00-4:30pm. The group organizes various activities and trips, and provides interesting lectures to its members.

Saturday Social Supper The parish, in conjunction with various parish organizations, offers supper three to four yearly immediately following the 4:00pm Mass. Good meals at reasonable prices attract parishioners of all ages.

Wedding Coordinators assist at all rehearsals and weddings in the parish.

Youth Ministry A group of interested parents and teens looking into ways to bring Youth Ministry to the next level.