“Increasing laypeople’s participation at all levels of church life greatly enriches their experience of church and creates enormous satisfaction for them as they use their gifts for the mission of the church,” from Maintenance to Mission by Robert Rivers, CSP. Sacred Heart missions recognize that the foundations for a vibrant Christian community are 1) Eucharistic and other forms of worship; 2) study, education and evangelization; 3) Christian service. The Beatitudes give direction to this mission, urging all to reach out to those in need and share with them the blessings we have been given as individuals and as a community.

Sacred Heart Liturgy

Liturgical Planning Committee, Mary Finlay, (781) 860-9682, maryfinlay(8);
Elinor Thomas, (781) 932-6264, elinorkevin(2)
The Liturgical Seasonal Planning Ministry works closely with the ministries of Lectors, Eucharistic Ministers, Bread Bakers, Art and Environment, Greeters, Music, Altar Linens, Bereavement, Sacramental Ministries, and Seasonal Liturgies.

Art & Environment, Anita Shine, (781) 862-2908, aparillo(5), (Advent & Christmas); Mary Trometer, (781) 861-1220, marytrometer(2), (Triduum & Easter)
This ministry plans the environment of worship throughout the year but especially during the major holidays such as Christmas and Easter. Through their artistic work worship has a beautiful surrounding.

Cup Ministers, Anita Shine (781) 862-2908, aparillo(5); Mary Ann Bourque, (781) 275-0909, hillsidesandollar(5)
Cup Ministers distribute the Eucharist as the Blood of Christ

Eucharistic Ministers, Anita Shine, (781) 862-2908, aparillo(5); Mary Ann Bourque, (781) 275-0909, hillsidesandollar(5)
This ministry is responsible for the distribution of Holy Communion, the Body and the Blood of Christ at the weekend Masses and Holy Days of Obligation.

Eucharistic Bread Bakers Ministry, Marilyn DiNapoli, (781) 275-3166, louandmal3166(2)
Each week a group of men and women and teens, working from their home, bake bread used for the Eucharistic celebration.

Greeters, Eugene & Jeanne Luongo, (781) 861-6519; gjene(8)
The greeters’ task is of paramount importance because true celebration requires a sense of love that others in our parish feel for each one of us. The greeter is to show some of the love of others, of Jesus, for each person at our liturgy, by simply saying “hello” or “good morning.” Our greeters foster a welcoming atmosphere at the weekend Masses and other special liturgies by greeting parishioners and visitors, gathering the offertory, passing out bulletins and assisting the assembly with various needs—seating, medical emergencies, pencils, envelopes, answering questions. Individuals, families, and our young perform this function.

Lectors, Jon Suber, (781) 862-4725, jsuber_2000(5)
Parish lectors proclaim the Good News of the Scripture to the parish Community. Men and women from high school through adult serve in the proclamation of the Word.

Linen Ministry, Elinor Thomas, (781) 932-6264, elinorkevin(2)
The responsibility of the Linen Ministry is to launder altar cloths, corporals, and purificators used in the Liturgy. Each linen minister is assigned a month, 2 or 3 times a year. At the end of the week the minister launders the linens at home and returns them to the Church within a few days. There are no meetings to attend and the monthly assignments are made at a convenient time for each person.

Sacristan Ministry, Ann Mahoney, (781) 862-1594, ann_mah(5)
The Sacristan Ministry at Sacred Heart is responsible for seeing that we always have adequate supplies of:  large and small hosts, wine, torch candles, incense and charcoal. Ws also keep holy water fonts cleaned and refilled as well as candle bases cleaned, etc.

Marriage Prep Ministry, Tom & Laurie Lucke, (781) 863-0354, llucke at earthlink.net
“If a married couple can form a habit of looking at each other in a sacramental way seeing the beauty of God in each other’s souls, seeking to enhance that beauty by building up each other, mutually growing in the image of Jesus then that Sacrament of Matrimony bears the stamp of the living God.” The Living Sacrament—Matrimony by Mother Angelica quoted in the “Transformed in Love” program. Arrangements should be made at least six months in advance of the desired wedding date.

Bereavement Ministry, John Shanley, (781) 862-8150
The Bereavement Ministry works to give aid, support and consolation to the family of the deceased. Members may choose to participate in any of the following roles: Assist the family in planning the funeral liturgy. Act as greeters and distribute worship aids at the funeral. Write cards of condolence during the first year. Make follow-up phone calls of support. Plan and host a prayer service on All Souls Day, November 2nd. Develop support groups with other parishes.

Sacred Heart Music Ministry, Joanne Messier McCandless joannemessier(4)
The Sacred Heart Choir sings every Sunday at the 10AM Mass. Rehearsals take place on Wednesday evening from 7:30PM-9PM and at 9:30AM on Sunday from September through May. The Choir participates in a concert on Christmas Eve, Triduum week, and special Masses throughout the Liturgical Year. New members are needed and welcome. Sight reading is not required. Music is a substantial element of worship here at Sacred Heart, and the Music Ministry's Mission is to provide a rewarding program of diverse music: praising God via traditional, contemporary, jazz, gospel, and more. For further information, please contact Joanne Messier at 508.485.3894 or joannemessier(4).

Sacred Heart Faith Formation

Adult Faith Formation, Joyce Gillis, (781) 862-6253, JDGillis(4)
Religious education is an ongoing, lifelong process. “The education mission of the Church is an integrated ministry embracing three interlocking dimensions: the message revealed by God which the Church proclaims; the fellowship in the life of the Holy Spirit; service to the Christian community and the entire human community.”

Advent Speaker Series, Maria Hylton, mhylton at bu.edu

Advent Reflection Books, Nancy Keebler, tcoak(8)

Communications Committee, Debbie Cunha, (781) 863-0345, DBCunha(2); Frank DiPietro, (978) 362-3607, fdipietro at vhb.com; Nancy Keebler, (781) 674-3078, tcoak(8)
The Sacred Heart Communications Committee publishes “Sacred Heart Parish Life” periodically from September through June. Ministry leaders are contacted about upcoming events and asked to submit articles around three central themes: liturgy, faith formation, and Christian service.

Children’s Ministries
Christmas Pageant, Leo Casey, (781) 862-9280, Leo.Casey at satcon.com;
Children’s Stations of the Cross, Mary Ellen DeNatale, Maryellen at 28coolidge.com
Bell Ringing Ministry, Camille Venti. (781) 863-1181, cventi(2)

Community Event Ministry, Frank Bellini,  (781) 861-7039, fxbellini(7)
This ministry does at least 2 dinners and 1 or 2 pancake breakfasts per year and occasional potlucks. This is the 17th year of holding these events, and our typical attendance is 150 to 180. These events work best when done in conjunction with specific objectives, and we are open to any appropriate partnerships for a given event.

Garden Stewards, Garden Angels
Parishioners, with an interest in gardening, refresh outdoor planters in keeping with the liturgical year and upkeep existing gardens. Additional volunteers are welcome.
Laurie Fiola, fiola03(8); Kathryn Rapperport, k.rapperport(8)

Homebound Ministry
Homebound Eucharistic Ministers to the Sick & Homebound bring Holy Communion to our homebound and provide a link with the larger community as well as provide an opportunity for prayer and friendship.
Richard Rycroft, (781) 862-1752, rjrsr(8)

Lenten Speaker Series, Joan O’Connor, ouconnor at ourigami.com

Lenten Reflection Books, Joan O’Connor, ouconnor at ourigami.com

Lexington Job Search Support Group
Bob Ludwig, rludwig887(4); Donna Heuchling, Dheuchling(3)

Parish Life and Outreach Ministry, Debbie Cunha, (781) 863-0345, DBCunha(2)
The mission of Parish Life and Outreach is to energize, innovate, and coordinate all the various ways our parish passes on the Catholic faith. The chairperson will support and coordinate ministries and various outreach initiatives to help build new and engaging approaches to the ways in which we pass on the Catholic Faith in our community through vibrant liturgies, meaningful faith formation, and active Christian service.

Sacred Heart Parish Adoption Community, Pat Kush, kquart1(8);
Donna Heuchling, Dheuchling(3)
The mission of The Sacred Heart Adoption Community is to focus on families formed through adoption, kinship care and foster care in a parish community setting.   We also help raise awareness and promotion of adoption as a way to form a forever family. Since 2002 our members gather in November for our Saturday evening adoption party, and Sunday 10am Adoption Mass.  Our members are always available to discuss adoption with anyone expressing an interest in adoption or desire for more information about adoption. For two consecutive years we have donated Teddy Bears to The Massachusetts Department of Children and Family Services for use on National Adoption Day in Massachusetts.  These Teddy Bears are handed out on National Adoption Day at local Courthouses where children/teens finalize their adoption with their parents after being in foster care.

Sunday Hospitality, John Yasitis, (781) 862-4651, johnyasaitis(7)
Sunday hospitality after the 10AM mass has been operating year round for over 15 years with the help of about 25 volunteer families. Hospitality has provided an excellent venue for parishioners to meet socially, and for newcomers to become introduced and integrated into the parish community and to be invited to participate in the various lay ministries. Topical speakers or other parish activities (e.g. Amnesty international letter signing, Christmas wreath making, parish commissions Sunday signup, etc.) sometimes also take place at this time.

75th Speaker Series
The Sacred Heart 75th Anniversary Speaker series started with part of the proceeds from the Sacred Heart 75th Anniversary dinner. This serious will sponsor speakers in areas of adult faith formation.
Neil Hegarty, (781) 484-6880, hegarty73(2)
Joyce Gillis, (781) 862-6253, JDGillis(4)

Sacred Heart Policy and Pastoral Planning Forum
The purpose of this forum is to serve as a resource to promote informed dialogue about current trends in pastoral planning with an interest in local applications.
Youth Mentor Ministry, Anne Doyle, amcdoyle(8)
The Youth Mentor Ministry strives to reach out to young people and engage them in growing in faith through a personal approach. This takes various forms, from family cluster religious education to youth book discussions and service projects. We are always open to new ideas and new volunteers.  Contact Anne Doyle, amcdoyle(8) and 781-643-8177.

Web Master, Chris Felknor, webmaster(1)

Welcoming Ministry
Cathleen Russell, 781) 648-6290, cathleen.russell3(5)
Frank Bellini,  (781) 861-7039, fxbellini(7)

Sacred Heart Christian Service

Christian Service, Lee Crivello, Ldcrivello(4); Bob Ludwig, rludwig887(4)
The Christian Service Ministries exist to encourage, support and coordinate the service activities of parishioners.

Advent Candles, Ted Heuchling, (781) 729-4962, theuchling(3)
During the Advent season, we invite members of the parish to help others through Advent Candles. Each candle represents a specific gift of clothing, food or other items that are distributed to people in need at Christmas. Serves: Prison Ministry (MCI Framingham), Family Aids Ministry (St. Katharine Drexel), Somerville Family Center and Santa’s Discretionary Fund.

Amnesty International
Margaret Johnson, (781) 641-0831, mjohnson8(3)

Bread for the World
Bread for the World helps by acting as advocates for the hungry at home and abroad. Members are kept current about upcoming votes in Congress on hunger issues through a monthly newsletter. Several times a year volunteers write their senator(s) or representative about the effect of proposed legislation on the hungry and malnourished.

Center for Reflection Education & Action (C.R.E.A.)
Sr. Ruth Rosenbaum directs the Center for Reflection, Education and Action (CREA), an organization that advocates for worker’s rights, fair wages and working conditions. Monthly meetings led by Sr. Ruth help parishioners to find out how to use their power as voters, consumers and investors to act in solidarity with those who are living in poverty throughout the world.

Christmas Angels
Donna Heuchling, Dheuchling(3)

Fair Trade Craft Fair: Third World product offerings
Lee Crivello, Ldcrivello(4); Fran Ludwig, fludwig12(5)

Faith and Environment Group, Fran Ludwig, (781) 861-7231 fludwig12(5); Peg Kennedy, (781) 861-7850
See the Faith and Environment Page for this groups weekly articles.

Food Pantry Roxbury-St. Katharine Dexel, Bob Ludwig, rludwig887(4)
Roxbury (New Warwick House): On the first weekend of the month food is collected after all masses. Food is delivered to the New Warwick Food Pantry, which serves St. Katharine Drexel on Sunday following the last Mass of the day.

Habitat for Humanity, Bob Ludwig, rludwig887(4)
Habitat for Humanity id dedicated to building modest, affordable homes for low income families. Participants are needed to support the funding, planning and work on future home construction.

Hailey House, Lee Crevello, Ldcrivello(4); Neil Hegarty, hegarty73(2)

Honduras Mission, Frank Bellini, fxbellini(7)
Volunteers participate in fundraising, collecting needed materials or working at Sta. Rosa de Lima Parish in Guaimaca, Honduras during the February vacation. Various presentations to the parish community are designed to connect our parish with our brothers and sisters in the third world.

Lakota Blankets, Bernadette Zagarella, Bernadette.Zagarella at hp.com
The Lakota people of the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota are among the poorest in the nation. Each year during the fall we collect new blankets to help make the frigid winter more bearable.

Olive Branch Olive Oil, Margaret Johnson, (781) 641-0831, mjohnson8(3)
One to two times a year we facilitate the sale of organic olive oil produced by Palestinian farmers and shipped by Olive Branch Olive Oil Company. Olive oil is the backbone of the Palestinian economy. 80% of Palestinian land is planted with olive trees providing 25-50% of a farming family’s annual income. The oil is processed collectively, carefully bottled and marketed by Fair Trade Standards.
 
Prison Ministry, Ted Heuchling, theuchling(3)
This ministry calls us to be present as members of the outside community to which prisoners no longer have access. Simply being there to share Mass and prayer with prisoners, you make a difference in their lives.

Rosie’s Place, Fran Ludwig, fludwig12(5)
Rosie’s Place on Harrison Avenue, Boston, is a privately funded organization that supports homeless and indigent women by providing food and shelter. Parishioners provide a lasagna meal for 100 people in February, April, June, August, October, and December.

Sacred Heart and St. Brigid Haiti Mission, Lee Crivello, Ldcrivello(4)
This is one of our clustering activities with St. Brigid Parish in Lexington. The Haiti Mission provides primary education to the children of Fond-de-Blancs, Haiti, a rural parish spread over a main village center and eleven outlying centers, with chapels used as chapel schools during the week. We assist by raising money to recruit and maintain a qualified teaching staff. Several members of our community have visited Haiti in order to strength our ties with them.

Thanksgiving Turkeys and Easter Hams for Inner City, Bob Ludwig, rludwig887(4)
Our parishioners have a tradition of providing turkeys and hams to the food pantries and other inner city shelters for Thanksgiving and Easter. Turkeys and hams are delivered to St. Katherine Drexel food pantry guests & shut ins, Family Aids ministry clients, and Rosie’s place.  Additional donations of Stop & shop gift cards and cash provided further assistance to our inner city parishes’ celebrations.