Fr. Fleming's Blog
Parish Office: 978-369-7442 Fax: 978-371-0853 E-Mail: holyfamily@holyfamilyconcord.org
Holy Family Parish Ministries & Volunteer Opportunities
Discover the possibilities!
We would like to take this opportunity to welcome you into our newly formed Parish. Whether you have worshipped in Concord at another parish before, or you are new to the Concord Catholic Christian community, we want to thank you for becoming a part of our parish family, and welcome your unique contributions to our community life.
One way to make a rewarding and spiritually enriching contribution is to become involved as a volunteer. No matter what your interests are, educational, social, service, or worship we have an opportunity for you! Volunteering affords us the occasion to meet people from all parts of our community, and touch the lives of so many. Also, working together towards a set of common goals will allow us to weave together a tapestry for Holy Family Parish that will be strong, binding, and lasting.
We hope that you find the enclosed descriptions of volunteer activities to be useful. When you find a group that interests you, you can use the enclosed directory to contact that group directly. And, if you have an idea for a group or ministry not listed here, all the better! Just contact the Parish Center and let’s talk!
Once again, we thank you for your interest in becoming involved in a Parish Ministry. It is with the cooperation and commitment of all parishioners that our new community will be more vibrant than ever! Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
The Volunteer Ministries Team
Ministries and Volunteer Opportunities
Altar Servers
Open to boys and girls of all ages after completing the 3rd grade. Altar servers are scheduled on a rotating basis in groups of two or three to serve the worshipping community at Saturday evening and Sunday morning Mass as well as for special feasts and seasons in the liturgical year. Training is provided, and new servers are mentored by experienced volunteers.
Altar Society/Altar Guild
The Altar Society is responsible for the maintenance and beautification of the altar, the sacristy, linens, and vestments. Volunteers work in teams of two or three who rotate preparation and clean-up duties from week to week including Sundays, daily Mass, and special liturgies during the week.
Baptism Team
This team is designed to welcome parents of newborn children, provide practical answers to frequently asked questions, and nurture the faith life of young parish families. Lay volunteers trained as catechists and mentors work in teams of six to prepare families for the sacrament of infant baptism. Sessions are scheduled periodically throughout the year.
Bereavement Group
This is a support group open to all those who have lost a loved one. This ministry provides a social, supportive forum for those who are grieving and need to be heard and listened to in a non-threatening atmosphere as each person walks on his/her journey of coping with ‘loss’ in a healthy way. The group currently meets on the first and third Wednesday evenings of the month.
Children’s Liturgy of the Word
This ministry’s goal is to provide an age-appropriate liturgical alternative at one Sunday morning Mass. The program needs volunteers to read the scriptures, prepare and provide a homily appropriate to children in grades 1 thru 6, and provide gentle structure to the liturgy. Guitar players are also needed to lead and accompany the children in simple songs. Individuals are scheduled on a rotating basis. Materials and support provided by parish staff.
Circle of Friends
Circle of Friends is a social group for women of all ages with meetings two mornings each month. Such get-togethers may include a coffee hour, sharing prayer and inspiration, and discussion groups and parish outreach. Laughter and friendship always a part of the fun! These women also volunteer their time for occasional clerical or office support in the parish office.
Committee for the Protection of Children
The Committee for the Protection of Children trains parish clergy, pastoral staff, volunteers and other parishioners to create a safe environment for all the children in our parish and in our community. This group’s goal is to ensure that all parish adults are made aware of what we can do to prevent child abuse and to create safe environments for our children and those who minister to them.
Confirmation Program
Volunteers will assist in educating the high-school level youth of our community as they prepare for the sacrament of Confirmation. A variety of teaching opportunities are available. Volunteers must be active Catholics.
Dial-A-Driver
This new effort seeks licensed drivers willing to provide transportation to parishioners who otherwise could not make it to Mass or other special church functions.
Eucharist to the Homebound/Extraordinary Ministers
All trained Eucharistic Ministers are invited to bring Communion and company to homebound parishioners.
Eucharistic Ministers
We need help in distributing the Eucharist at Masses. A training program conducted by the parish must be successfully completed. A rotating schedule is used based on availability and Mass preference.
Eucharistic Ministers at the Emerson Hospital
All trained Eucharist Ministers are invited to participate in this program of providing the Eucharist to those who are experiencing hospital stays.
Finance Council
Finance Council representatives are appointed by the Pastor. They offer counsel to the Pastor regarding financial planning and budgetary issues. Meetings are held on a monthly basis.
First Communion /First Reconciliation Retreats
These retreats are traditionally ‘run’ by the parents of children receiving First Communion and First Reconciliation, with parish staff coordination. These retreat opportunities offerschildren hands-on experiences to help in preparation for receiving these sacraments.
Flower Committee
This group of dedicated volunteers arranges flowers and greenery to enhance the worship space. The group also maintains the parish’s indoor potted plants. Volunteers decorate the church during Advent, Christmas, Lent, and Easter, and for special events on an as-needed basis. No previous experience needed—happy to provide on-the-job training for interested individuals!
Generations of Faith
Generations of Faith is an innovative approach to parish-wide religious education. It offers singles, couples, seniors, and families the opportunity to work on faith formation together. Parishioners will gather monthly in intergenerational groups for one 3-hour session. The goal of these sessions is to provide a context for participation in and reflection about the Event that highlights each month’s theme. Direct instruction, learning materials, reflection opportunities, and home kits will be designed to help everyone better understand events in the life of the Church. Volunteer opportunities include:
- Facilitators: work with a team to prepare and teach
- Assistants: help with age-level groupings
- Photography: take photos at preparations or events
- Hospitality: assist as a greeter, help serve a simple meal
- Child Care: baby-sit younger children
- Office Help: prepare materials for monthly sessions
- Set Up/ Clean Up: set up/ clean up hall for each preparation
Hospitality
This group would provide simple baked goods and light refreshments on an as-needed basis to various parish events.
Lectors
Lectors are men and women of our parish (beginning with high school students who have been Confirmed) who communicate God’s word by proclaiming the readings with clarity and enthusiasm. No previous experience necessary! Training is offered in small group settings. Assignments are made on a rotating basis based on individual availability.
Moms and Tots
This social/support/play group meets bimonthly. This group is open to mothers and their preschool-age children. Younger siblings welcome!
Music Ministry The Music Ministry of our Parish offers a wide variety of opportunities for all musically-inclined volunteers, both young and old, experienced and novice. The Parish currently has four choirs:
Parish Choir Rehearses weekly on Tuesday evenings and sings weekly at the Sunday 11:30 mass. Members range in age from 16 to 86! Choir sings a wide range of music—everything from plainchant to Renaissance to Classical to spirituals to contemporary music.
Youth Gospel Choir Rehearses and sings during worship on the first Saturday of each month and at Confirmation. As the name implies, focus is on gospel and contemporary music. For youth in grades 9- 12.
Junior Choir Our newest choir! Rehearses and sings during mass approximately once a month. For children in grade 6-8.
Children’s Choir Rehearses and sings at the 9:30 mass on the first Sunday of each month, as well as on some Feast Days. For children in grades 2-5.
Instrumentalists We welcome and encourage all instrumentalists to participate in our liturgies, from trumpet to tuba to flute to recorder to oboe to alto saxophone to violin to viola to… you get the picture!
Parish Pastoral Council
The Parish Pastoral Council is a consultative body whose sole purpose is to assist the pastor in his leadership role in planning, organizing, promoting, and reviewing the life of the parish. The objectives of the PPC are to assess the needs of the whole parish, foster unity and a sense of community at Holy Family, and to promote programs and activities of the Archdiocese. Most council representatives are elected to their posts in parish-wide elections, though a few members are pastor-appointed.
Prayer Line
Volunteers are responsible for maintaining and printing an updated list of persons with special prayer intentions. This list is available to parishioners each month.
RCIA (Rites of Christian Initiation for Adults)
RCIA is the process through which adults are initiated into the church through the sacraments of baptism, confirmation and eucharist, and baptized Christians from other denominations come into full communion with the Catholic community. The RCIA team needs active parishioners who are generous with their time to walk with newcomers as they grow in faith and celebrate the sacraments.
St. Boniface Haiti Foundation
This ministry raises money to support the St. Boniface Haiti Foundation hospital and for the care of Haitians in Fond der Blancs, Haiti. A 10-day retreat is run annually to work with the Haitians and deliver much-needed medical supplies.
St. Vincent de Paul Society
As called by its founder St. Vincent de Paul, this society is part of an international Catholic organization of lay persons founded in 1833. As a parish group, support is provided to the community financially, spiritually, and pastorally. Confidential help, be it food baskets, paying rent or utility bills, or auto repairs can be arranged. St. Vincent de Paul also sponsors and runs an annual clothing drive at the parish.
Service and Justice Ministry
Become involved in a myriad of ways in this active group. This organization’s mission is to respond to the suffering and needs of others. Volunteers work with other local, metropolitan, national, and international agencies to share Jesus’ Good News for love of the whole person: spiritually, psychologically, and materially. Specific activities include, for example, the popular Christmas and Easter Giving Trees, providing gifts for inmates at MCI/Concord, sending school supplies to an Indian mission, Food Pantry support, and Glove and Mitten Sunday.
Special Events
Calling all party planners! This new group needs a few well-organized, friendly volunteers to plan a variety of special events designed to deepen the social bond of our community. Previous events include the Christmas fair, pancake breakfast and a parish picnic.
Spiritual Life Commission
This multi-faceted group offers numerous areas for individual growth and development. Volunteers coordinate the communal penance services during Lent and Advent, organize the praying of the Rosary before morning Mass and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. Attention is also given to retreats and mission work, assisting with special event prayer services, and attending the annual Chrism Mass in Boston.
Ushers
Ushers help welcome and seat people as needed during Mass and take up the collection at the presentation of the gifts. Volunteers are assigned based on availability and Mass preference.
Vacation Bible School
This is offered half-days for one week each summer to children in grades kindergarten thru 5. This is an energy-filled, fun yet educational program that offers children a Catholic camp experience. Volunteers are needed to assist in all aspects of this program.
Women’s Scripture Study
This group is both educational and social in nature. Foremost, women read and discuss the bible and relate biblical passages to their individual lives and the world around them. A recitation of the rosary concludes each meeting.
Youth Ministry/Youth Commission Click here to view Youth Ministry Page
This group is charged with promoting spiritual, social, and educational growth among the youth of our parish at both the middle school and high school levels. A variety of activities and projects are planned including: summer service trips, movie nights, dances, seasonal events, and occasional fundraisers. This group also supports a mission project in Honduras.
All of the positions listed in this brochure may require a completed CORI form in order to comply with our parish goal of creating a safe environment for children.
Directory
Altar Servers Tom Valle (978) 369-5970
Altar Society/Altar Guild Diane Krause (978) 369-7844
Baptism Team Sr. Rose Marie Lipke (978) 369-7442
Bereavement Group Sr. Rose Marie Lipke (978) 369-7442
Children’s Liturgy of the Word Sr. Rose Marie Lipke (978) 369-7442
Circle of Friends Jean King 978-369-4073
Committee for the Protection of Children Joanne Mente (978) 369-4479
Confirmation Program Helen Cushman (978) 369-0071
Dial-A-Driver Paul Keane (978) 369-0733
Eucharist to the Homebound/Extraordinary Ministers Meg Moreau (978) 369-4891
Eucharistic Ministers Tom Valle (978) 369-5970
Eucharistic Ministers at Emerson Hospital Georgia Leiner (978) 287-3015
Finance Council Gary Lorenz (978) 263-0209
First Communion/ First Reconciliation Retreats
Susan Bierwagen (978)369-7442
Sandra Mueller (978)369-7442
Flower Committee Erin Logan (978) 369-2142
Generations of Faith
Helen Cushman (978) 369-0071Sandra Mueller (978) 369-7442
Hospitality Parish Secretary (978) 369-7442
Lectors Tom Valle (978) 369-5970
Moms and Tots Jackie Meehan (978) 369-2975
Music Ministry Jim Barkovic (978) 486-4377
Parish Pastoral Council Pat Tobin (978) 371-9837
Prayer Line
Barbara Fitzgerald (978)369-7780Marilyn Nardone (508) 358-4206
RCIA (Rites of Christian Initiation for Adults) Sr. Rose Marie Lipke (978) 369-7442
St. Boniface Haiti Foundation Lois Sweet (978) 369-6747
St. Vincent de Paul Society
John Costello (978) 371-0871
Paul and Betty Harrington (978) 635-9953
Service and Justice Ministry Paul Harrington (978) 635-9953
Special Events Joanne Cormier (978) 369-3085
Spiritual Life Commission Jean Hul (978) 369-4792
Ushers Carroll Griffith (978) 369-4762
Vacation Bible School Bonny Rollender (978) 287-5974
Women’s Scripture Study Diane Campanella (978) 369-0035
Youth Ministry/Youth Commission
Colleen Brennan (978) 371-1916
Helen Cushman (978) 369-0071
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