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71 Central St. Stoneham, MA 02180

Additional Ministries

Ushers

The Usher/Greeter - Minister of Hospitality is a person chosen to reflect the warmth and welcome of Christ himself. Always conscious of Christ’s words: "I was a stranger and you welcomed me". The Ministry of Hospitality is open to all - women and men. Couples and families are encouraged to join this ministry.

The faith of the Ushers enables them to see Christ's presence in individuals and in the gathered community of believers. Ushers can handle emergency situations with courage and aplomb. They carry a dignity about themselves even when performing necessary menial tasks.

If you feel this may be a way in which you can give service to God and your church reach out to one of our ushers when you come to worship at Mass. You can also give Deacon Frank Dello Russo a call @ 781-438-2498. Thank you so much for your continued prayers and support for our church.

pdf.png Usher Handbook (Updated for 2021)
Adobe Acrobat document [94 KB]

Adult Acolytes

One of the most important ministries here at Saint Patrick Church is the ministry of Funeral Servers or ‘Acolytes’ as we sometimes call them. When we read from St. Paul’s letter to the Corinthians 12:26 .......

          "If one member suffers in the body of Christ which is the Church,
               all the members suffer with that member."
                    .... we may find ourselves being called into God’s service.

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 offer consolation to those who have suffered the loss of one whom they love. This ministry is part of the pastoral care by the community to those who have lost a loved one.

Adult parishioners act as altar servers at the Funeral Mass of a fellow-parishioner. They accompany the celebrant as he greets the family and receives the body in the entrance procession and assists the priest during the Mass.

If you feel this call, give Deacon Frank Dello Russo a call @ 781-438-2498. Thank you so much for your continued prayers and support for our church.


Sacristans - Sextons

The sacristan carefully arranges the liturgical books, the vestments, and other things necessary in the celebration of Mass. Under the general direction of the clergy, they undertake the overall preparation of liturgical celebrations, including all that is needed for special days such as Ash Wednesday and Palm Sunday. The sacristan in harmony with the clergy makes sure that the vestments, church furnishings, liturgical vessels and cermonial objects are kept in good condition.

Other practical indications are that the sacristan ensures that the things necessary for worship are always available. There should be a ready supply of fresh hosts and of duly authorized wine, sufficient clean purificators, corporals, hand towels, incense and coals. He or she also makes sure that the sanctuary lamp is always lit. In order to carry out these duties, the sacristan needs to have a fairly good idea of the content and norms of the principal liturgical books and an understanding of the intricacies of the liturgical calendar. A good sacristan is a boon to any parish.

Contact Deacon Frank Dello Russo at 781-438-2498.


RCIA (Rite Of Christian Initiation of Adults)

The Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults is a process for welcoming newcomers into the Catholic Church. The Team helps the newcomer’s journey through the RCIA process. Adults who have never been baptized, adults baptized in other Christian faiths and who desire to explore Catholicism, and adults baptized into the Catholic faith but not reared in Catholic faith understanding or practice, are invited to explore this process. Please call Diane McCarthy @ 781-438-0200.


Music Ministry

Music is integral to every liturgical celebration. Participation in the Junior Choir, Children’s Choir, Contemporary Choir and Festival Choirs are opportunities for any parishioner who can sing, is comfortable with leading the Assembly in song or who can play an instrument. Contact the music director to discuss where your talents might be put to use. Please call Susan Columbus @ 781-438-0040.


Religious Education

Annually, the registration period runs from May 1 through June 30. The deadline for all registrations is June 30. Please note that there will be no fall registration. No student will be placed in a classroom after the deadline, with the exception of families who are new to Stoneham or new to Saint Patrick Parish. Please call Brenna Langaneau @ 781-438-1093.


St Patrick Food Group

We serve at the Community Dinner on the 3rd Tuesday of the month at the Congregational Church. Currently we are in need of servers, dishwasher help, and a person to make reminder calls one week before. Are you recently retired or have a couple of hours a month to volunteer? If so, please consider volunteering with St. Patrick Food Group.

A write-up on the Stoneham community dinners was published in the Stoneham  Sun on May 17, 2012. You can read it here, or download a copy of the article.

If you have any questions, please leave your name at the rectory at 781-438-0960.


Videographer Ministry

Each week a volunteer videographer picks up a camera from Stoneham TV and videotapes our four o'clock vigil mass. Our videographers receive training from a member at Stoneham TV on how to use the camera. The videotaped mass is played on Stoneham TV's station several times each week. This important ministry allows our home bound parishioners the ability to experience our Sunday mass by viewing it on Stoneham TV's station. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer videographer, please contact Susanne Bromander in the Parish Office @ 781-438-0960.


Saint Vincent de Paul Society

The society responds to the needs of the community which includes a food pantry. Please call 781-438-0960 for more information.


Prayer Shawl Group

The mission of the Prayer Shawl Ministry is to make shawls and lap robes, weaving special prayers into each and every stitch. Completed shawls are blessed and distributed to those in need to provide warmth and comfort to those who receive them. Please call the Parish Office at 781-438-0960.


Prayer Tree Ministry

St. Paul tells us to “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). The mission of the Prayer Chain Ministry is to offer our daily prayers for individuals whose names have been called into the Prayer Tree. Please call the Parish Office @ 781-438-0960.


Our Lady's Sodality

The Marian Guild seeks to bring women together under the banner of our Blessed Mother and, through dedication to her ideals, enhance both the spiritual and social life of its members and St. Patrick Parish. Please call the Parish Office at 781-438-0960.


Church Cleaners

Each week. teams of men and women clean the church for weekend worship. The men and women offer their services voluntarily in thanksgiving to God and to the parish. Please call the Parish Office at 781-438-0960.


Altar Linens

Several adult volunteers launder and iron the small altar linens used at worship. Please call the Parish Office at 781-438-0960.

(Updated Jul 02, 2022)