Outreach Ministries

Christian Service Committee
Coordinator: Angela M. Siciliano (617-332-7036)
This is an active committee that sponsors a monthly dinner at the women’s unit, Pine Street Inn, and a monthly food collection for Bristol Lodge, Waltham. Special events include a victory dinner for all affected by HIV/AIDS, a Christmas giving tree, Newton hunger walk, and much more. Every year for the past ten years the committee has coordinated efforts with six other Newton churches to provide and serve dinner to approximately 350 guests at the Pine Street Inn. Members of various churches meet at Our Lady’s to cut, chop, and mix salad ingredients and then proceed to the Inn.

Helping Hands
Coordinators:Deirdre D'Silva & Robin Krawczyk
The Helping Hands ministry provides and delivers home cooked meals to those members of our parish community who are homebound and/or unable to provide meals for themselves due to physical illness or impaired mobility  and are with limited access to resources from family or friends.  Helping Hands can provide short–term assistance with meal preparation and delivery during times of crisis when other community resources are not readily accessible, or longer-term assistance if needs dictate.  Helping Hands recognizes the importance of alleviating social isolation for our homebound recipients by providing a compassionate and friendly visit along with our food deliveries.

Honduras Committee
Coordinator:Jen Suehs-Vassel
Our parish has a sister parish in San Marcos, Honduras. This group develops ways for our community to serve the needs of the people of San Marcos. They also focus on developing a relationship between the two parishes so that we can learn from the people in our sister parish.

JustFaith

Justice & Peace Committee
Coordinators:Jen Suehs-Vassel, Larry Kessler and Ann Capoccia
Our Mission: The J & P Committee of Our Lady Help of Christians Parish strives to put the social teachings of the Catholic faith into practice.

We seek to end injustice and violence by
• raising awareness through information and education;
• bringing prophetic voice and advocacy;
• building partnerships with others with similar goals.

Our faith compels us to spread God’s love and give witness to the Gospel. Our goal is to be in solidarity with all people who suffer the loss of human dignity, as together we build peace and justice in our world. Download our brochure on the Death Penalty.

Ministers of Care
Coordinator: Arlene Larsen 781-899-0213
This is a dedicated group of men and women who, through prayer, visitation, and bringing Holy Communion, extend the healing power of Christ to the infirm and elderly members of the parish who are unable to come to the celebration of Sunday Eucharist. Ministers spend quality time with the sick and homebound, making them feel a part of the parish community. The pastoral nature of this ministry requires a special training program. At the conclusion of the program a special rite of commissioning is celebrated at a Sunday Mass.

Moms, Pops, and Tots
Coordinator: Carla Uzzell
This play group meets Wednesdays from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. in the McPherson Room. Moms, Pops, and Tots offers an opportunity for parents to enjoy adult company and conversation while their children play together.

Prison Ministry
Coordinator: Dorothy Koffel (508 877-6839)
This group seeks to bring the face of hope and compassion to the men and women who are in our prisons. We work with Chaplains from our area prisons to understand the needs that exist. Parishoners visit prisoners while they are in prison and provide guidance and support to those recently released as they make the difficult transition to a new life in their communities. Others participate in religious services at the prisons or help to run programs for parents and children, book groups, support groups, etc. We remember and pray always for healing and forgiveness for those who have been victims of crime.

Society of St. Vincent de Paul
Coordinator: Charles A. Gilday
This ministry was founded in Paris in 1833 by Frederick Ozanam and originally known as the Conference of Charity. The Society was organized at Our Lady’s on December 3, 1924. For more than eighty years the society has ministered to the immediate needs of the parish community providing food, clothing and heat.

Sunday Morning Hospitality
Coordinator: Bob and Ginny Gill (617-584-8452)
On Sunday mornings after the 10:00am Mass, all are invited to the church hall for coffee, donuts and juice. Volunteers are needed to host the Sunday Hospitality. For a small amount of time and a little effort, one can enjoy the satisfaction of contributing to an important ministry.

Welcome Committee
Coordinator: Please call the parish office at 617-527-7560
The mission of this ministry is to welcome new members into our parish community and encourage them to become active members of the parish. Our committee periodically hosts new member receptions in order to provide newcomers with information about our parish and its ministries. In addition, we hope to provide opportunities for new people to meet our pastoral staff and other members of the parish. New committee members are always welcome to join us.

Young Adult Ministry
Coordinator: Jen Suehs-Vassel
This ministry is by, with and for those in their 20's and 30's. Part of this ministry involves sponsorship of activities in the areas of social, spiritual, study and service. Through this ministry young adults are encouraged to connect with Christ, the Church and one another.

If you ever have an idea for a program and want to help organize it, or if you wish to join one of these committees, please feel welcome to contact the appropriate chairperson. Thank you!