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:
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) 369-0071
Sandra
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)369-7780
Marilyn 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
The Concord Crop Walk