Ministries and Programs
OUTREACH & SERVICE
Volunteer Help at Harvard Sq. Churches Meals Program
Group of approximately 50 parishioners who have/wish to volunteer
5-7 parishioners are now regular volunteers because of helping with parish
Food Collection for Helping Hands Food Pantry/St Paul’s Food Pantry
Bi monthly donations brought by 4 parishioners, baskets are left at doors of church year round
Soup Donation and Volunteer Opportunities at Friday Café
Doug Pollander, school chef, prepares vegetarian soup once a month. 2 parishioners deliver soup.
Parishioners can sign up on line through Congregational church to volunteer and/or augment meal with donations.
Participation in Yearly Clothing Collection for St. Francis House
Giving Tree Collection to benefit:
North Cambridge Children’s Center
Bridge Over Troubled Waters
Meal assistance for Students at St. Peter School
Harvard Square Churches Meals Program.
Annual Pass the Pasta Event
One Sunday in October we ask families attending the 9 am Mass to bring pasta donations. We form a human chain and pass the pasta to load into a car to bring to food pantry.
St. Vincent de Paul Society
Provide assistance to individuals and families in need.
Visitation Ministry
13 shut-ins currently being visited at home
Neville Center (skilled nursing) monthly: 1 Mass, 1 communion service, groups of EMs visiting 2X/ month and going room to room
Neville Place (assisted living/ memory care): monthly: 1 Mass, 2 communion services
Cambridge Homes (assisted living/ memory care): EM visiting apartments weekly, 1 communion service monthly
Cadbury Commons (assisted living/ memory care) EMs go weekly to assisted living and 3 memory units
Auburn Hospital: 2 of our EMs visit weekly
Chilton St. Hospice House: EM has been visiting single patient for 6 months, ongoing
25 parishioners (plus 2 deacons and wives) involved in visits and communion services.
Lenny (besides celebrating the Eucharist at two facilities) also visits shut-ins, hospital, hospice, and facilities, particularly for confession or anointing. Bob and Anna have filled in in various ways.
Students in religious education make Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter cards for volunteers to bring to those they visit.
Participation in the Mayor’s Clergy committee (Deacon Tim)
Involvement in Ministry at Framingham Prison (Fr. Lenny, Bob and two parishioners)
Lenny & Bob join with the women at weekend mass – and other select programs within the prison
Two parishioners are involved in the Aftercare Ministry of helping the women acclimate to life once they are released from prison
CURRENT MINISTRIES
Liturgical Ministries
Lectors: Lectors proclaim the Word of God at each of our weekend liturgies. At the family Mass, we also have teams of older children and parents. Training is provided.
Eucharistic Ministers: Eucharistic Ministers lovingly bring the body and blood of Christ to all parishioners at each weekend Mass. Eucharistic Ministers should be fully initiated Catholics. Training is provided.
Usher: Ushers provide assistance with the weekly collection and assist in the coordination of the bringing forward of the gifts.
Altar Servers: Adults and children, grade 4 and above, can serve at any Mass of the weekend. Training is provided.
Greeter: Greeters are utilized during Christmas, Easter, Holy Week and other special Masses. They simply warmly welcome parishioners and guests and distribute worship aids. Ideal for individuals and families.
If you are interested in any of the above liturgical ministries, please contact Doreen Gulledg at [email protected] or 617-547-4235 x118.
Music Ministry
Music ministry at St. Peter’s helps to enhance the liturgy through song. The 4pm Saturday Mass enjoys the music of a traditional choir. Rehearsals are each week on Saturday at 4 PM. We have a Children’s choir during the school year at the 9 AM Mass, rehearsal is at 8:30 AM. The Sunday 5 PM Mass enjoys music from a contemporary choir. Rehearsal is 4 PM on Sundays.
For more information about Music Ministry at St. Peter’s please contact Doreen Gulledge, Music Director at [email protected] or 617-547-4235 x118.
Religious Education and Faith Formation Ministries
There are several ways to share your gifts and talents in the area of religious education at St. Peter’s such as teachers, classroom helpers, safety assistants, middle & high school/Confirmation team members and Protection of Children program helpers. For more information, please contact Bob Flaherty at [email protected] or at 617-547-4235 x116.
Ministry to the Homebound and Elder Care Facilities
A group of parishioners from St. Peter’s Parish bring communion to people who are in nursing homes and assisted living facilities in our area, and also to people who are homebound due to illness or disability. This is a wonderful way to share our Eucharistic banquet with those who are nearby but unable to be with us.
If you are interested in exploring this ministry, call or email Deacon John Czajkowski at 617-547-4235 x135 or [email protected]
Pastoral Council & Finance Council
St. Peter’s has active Parish and Finance councils that meet periodically throughout the year assisting the Pastor in areas of parish life.
RCIA
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. Please call Anna Molettieri at 617-547-4235 x17 or email at [email protected]
Scripture Study
Would you like to spend more time understanding the Word of God? Would you like to gain a deeper understanding of the Scriptures? Scripture study combines personal Bible reading and study (using materials from the Little Rock Scripture Study, a Catholic Scripture study program from the Diocese of Little Rock), small group discussion and lectures. No experience or prior study is necessary. Everyone is welcome!
If you have any questions or would like to register contact Bob Flaherty at 617-547-4235 x116 or by email [email protected]
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul
Inspired by Gospel values, The Society of St. Vincent de Paul leads women and men to join together to grow spiritually by offering person-to-person services to the needy and the suffering, in the tradition of its founder, Blessed Frederic Ozanam, and patron, St. Vincent de Paul. Monthly meetings are held at St. Peter’s. Please contact the parish office at 617-547-4235 x113.
Outreach to the Harvard Square Meals Program
The Harvard Square Churches Meals Program began in 1982 as an ecumenical ministry of 10 churches in Harvard Square. It serves a nutritious sit-down dinner every Thursday at Christ Church at 0 Garden Street to over 120 guests. The program attracts many college students as volunteers. St Peter’s is proud to gather volunteers during school breaks and the summer months to help support this important program. If you are interested in helping, please contact Doreen Gulledge at 617-547-4235 x118 or by email [email protected]
Small Faith Groups
Small groups of 8-12 parishioners gather monthly to pray, read and reflect on scripture and share their life stories in light of the Word. If you are interested please contact Bob Flaherty at 617-547-4235 x116 or by email [email protected]