Ministry and Volunteer Opportunities
All of the positions listed may require a completed CORI form in order to comply with our parish goal of creating a safe environment for children.
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.
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 offers children 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!
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.
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.
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.
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 rranged.
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 Stations of the Cross during
Lent, organize the praying of the Rosary before morning Mass, the annual
May Procession, 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.
Voice of the Faithful
Voice of the Faithful (VOTF) is a lay organization formed in 2002 in response
to the sexual abuse crisis in the Catholic Church. It started in the basement
of a church in Wellesley, Massachusetts, and has since expanded worldwide with
more than 150 Parish Voice affiliates and 30,000 members. The entire organization
is committed to helping the Catholic Church. The Concord MA Area VOTF affiliate
meets on the 2nd Wednesday of the month from September through June at 7:30 PM
at the Parish Center. All are welcome
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.
Directory:
Altar Servers Tom Valle (978) 369-5970
Altar Society/Altar Guild Judy Dolan (978) 369-5959
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
Committee for the Protection of Children Joanne Mente (978) 369-4479
Confirmation Program Tony Carbrello (978) 369-0071
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 Bill Sharkey (978) 369-7442
First Communion/ First Reconciliation Retreats David Thorp 978-369-0071
Flower Committee Erin Logan (978) 369-2142
Faith Formation David Thorp and Anthony Carbrello (978) 369-0071
Lectors Tom Valle (978) 369-5970
Moms and Tots Eileen Robichaud (978) 369-0415
Music Ministry Jim Barkovic (978) 486-4377
Parish Pastoral Council Tom Valle (978-369-5970)
Prayer List in the Parish Bulletin (978) 369-7442
RCIA (Rites of Christian Initiation for Adults) Sr. Rose Marie Lipke (978)
369-7442
Service and Justice Ministry Maureen Swanson (978) 369-8601
St. Boniface Haiti Foundation Lois Sweet (978) 369-6747
St. Vincent de Paul Society Call the Parish Office (978) 369-7442
Voice of the Faithful Rosemary Shaw (978) 369-1219
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