MINISTRY SPOTLIGHTS
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.
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul began in Paris, France, in 1833 when a young law student at the Sorbonne, Frédéric Ozanam, was challenged during a debate to demonstrate what he and his fellow Catholic students were personally doing to help the poor in Paris. Ozanam's reaction was immediate. Within weeks, Ozanam, at 20 years of age, and six of his peers formed the first "Conference of Charity." Under the conference, this group of seven men financed their works of charity out of their own pockets and from contributions of friends. They visited the poor in their homes, providing them with needed aid and assistance. At the prompting of Monsieur Emmanuel Bailly and Sister Rosalie Rendu, superior of a convent of the Daughters of Charity, Ozanam soon placed the conference under the patronage of St. Vincent de Paul who had spent his life in 16th century France serving the poor. Within a few years, the original group of seven grew to 600, spreading to 15 other cities and towns in France, numbering more than 2,000 members.
Twelve years later, in 1845, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul crossed the ocean to St. Louis, Missouri, where the first American conference was formed. Today, the Saint Vincent de Paul Society here at Saint Patrick Parish responds to the needs of our community in such areas as household issues, educational issues and even a small food pantry to help those in need sustain themselves in times of family struggles.
St. Patrick Parish Food Group
On the third Tuesday of the month, St. Patrick Parish Food Group sponsors the weekly Stoneham Community Dinner at the First Congregational Church on Church Street. The guests of the community dinner come together to enjoy a delicious and nutritious meal and to share some companionship.
The Food Group volunteers purchase and transport the food, and at the church, the volunteers prepare the hall, serve the guests, and clean up. The dinner begins at 5:45pm and is finished by 7:00pm. The menu for our dinner is salad and rolls, chicken, ziti and broccoli, calzone, green beans, and dessert.
If you are interested in being part of a dynamic group that does amazing work, contact St. Patrick Parish for information.
‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’ Matthew 25:40
St. Patrick Music Ministry
Singing is the highest form of human expression. It is a ministry that belongs to all the people of God. It is an activity in which everyone can participate no matter the skill level. You have probably been caught humming a tune now and then. Music is contagious. Whether you are a member of the Choir or a Cantor, the goal of St. Patrick’s Music Ministry is to enhance the spirit of worship and to assist the congregation in furthering their prayer. What better way to serve the Lord than by encouraging the power of congregational singing helping the church express and experience the unity of the body of Christ.
By joining the Music Ministry, you will be singing hymns filled with lyrics that are sure to uplift your Spirit to God. Music is our gift and a statement of gratitude to God.
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 ceremonial 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.
Saint Patrick Church has a long standing tradition of not only opening the doors for opportunities such as this but also depending on the parishioner’s helping hands to continue the good work of the church for all people.
New Advent Catholic Encyclopedia defines a sacristan as an officer who cares for the sacristy, where vestments and sacred vessels are stored, the sanctuary and all contents. While a sacristan can be a priest and deacon, we invite the laity to participate in the liturgy in a deeper, more intimate manner.
If you are interested in this ministry, please call Deacon Frank Dello Russo @ 781-438-2498. He will sit with you and help you walk this path to a most beautiful personal relationship with our Lord and our Mass celebrations.
Saint Patrick Altar Society
The Main Altar areas are maintained by a rotation process of our Altar Society Members. We are in need of new volunteers to become members of the Altar Society.
Members take their turn to volunteer to launder Altar Linens (purificators, corporals, finger towels) on a monthly basis. Cloths for the altars are also laundered, pressed, and changed throughout the liturgical year.
Altar ware as well as altar furniture is polished. There is also the upkeep of plants which help to beautify the altar area. Other tasks include removing spilled wax from carpet and dry mopping. The Sacristy area is also maintained and we are thankful to all who enter and help us by returning things to their place.
If you are able to help in any way, please contact the Parish Office at 781-438-0960.
Religious Education Program
The Religious Education Program relies on our Volunteers to serve our over 600 students each year. We have several different volunteer positions. These include, Catechists, who are supplied with resources and teach groups of 8-12 students in grades 1-10, Catechist Aids, who assist the catechists in the classrooms with activities and special needs students, and Office Helpers, who makes copies, cut and prep for the classes.
Religious Education needs volunteers in the afternoons and evenings as well as during the day. We have classes Monday-Thursday, Saturday mornings and Sunday nights. We also rely on volunteers to assist us with Grade level Masses and receptions on Sundays. Those who interact with children are required to have taken Protecting God’s Children and must complete a CORI each year.
Please contact Brenna Langeneau @ 781-438-1093.
Many thanks to our repeat and new volunteers! Without you we could not do it!
Parish Pastoral Visitors
Pastoral Visitors share their faith and bring the care of the parish community to our sick and homebound neighbors. They are prayer companions who offer Eucharist on a regular basis to the sick and homebound who live either in their own homes or at one of the nursing centers in Stoneham. They are parishioners who volunteer to serve as a vital link between the Church and the homebound, who are unable to attend Mass with our community due to illness, injury, or advanced age.
Training to become a Pastoral Visitor will prepare you to bring Holy Eucharist to the homebound and to be an active listener and attentive prayer companion. Many homebound parishioners are delighted to visit with you while they share their life stories or their concerns with someone willing to listen. You may also consider leading a group Rosary at one of the nursing centers. If you cannot commit to a regular schedule, you might also provide back-up to a regular visitor in case of illness or vacation. If you would like to join this ministry, please call or stop by to see Diane McCarthy (781-438-0200) to discuss how you might share your gifts with other parishioners who miss being an active part of our parish community.
All pastoral visitors must complete a CORI, training in distributing Holy Eucharist and the Pastoral Visitors Training Workshop offered by the Archdiocese of Boston.