Altar Servers:
Children who have received their First Communion and attained
the level of the third grade are welcome to participate in our Altar Server
ministry. While children are scheduled to serve at weekend masses and weddings,
adults serve at Daily Mass and funerals. Child servers are scheduled in
pairs, teenagers and adults often serve solo. Recruitment and training
are on an ongoing basis. Anyone interested in serving can contact Fr. Dan
McCoy at the parish office or at: frdanmccoy@yahoo.com
Communion and Visits to the sick and homebound:
Clergy and trained laypersons bring the Eucharist, the Word of
God and the friendship of Christ to parishioners who are ill or in recovery,
whether at home or in a local healthcare facility. In addition, parish
priests are assigned on a rotating basis to provide emergency pastoral
care at the Melrose-Wakefield Hospital. Because there are fewer priests
available for parish ministry, the parish priests usually will not travel
outside the local area for hospital visits. Requests for communion for
the sick and homebound may be made by calling the parish office or contacting
Janice Joyce, the lay coordinator at: Joyjan724@verizon.net
Liturgy Committee:
A committee of interested and talented laypersons assists the
parish clergy in decorating the church and preparing for particular festive
occasions throughout the church liturgical year including the seasons of
Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter, and Ordinary Time. The committee meets
regularly and includes representatives of other parish ministries. They
are in charge of floral displays, placing of flags, changing of altar linens,
candles, etc. Pat McGibbon is the chairperson of this committee, she can
be reached at: patmac750@hotmail.com
Parish Finance Council:
This organization is mandated by Church Law. The parish priest’s
select up to seven members who have experience in financial and business
matters in order to advise them on all financial matters relative to the
operation of the parish. Areas of responsibility include: planning the
yearly budget, reconciling bank statements, meeting with contractors and
vendors, approving methods of fundraising and increased revenue. Lauraine
Supino is the contact person, she can be reached at: lauraine2s1@verizon.net
Saint Vincent de Paul Society:
The namesake of this worldwide Catholic organization has been
called the “Apostle of Charity” and “Father of the Poor.” The
parish-based group is referred to as a conference and its members are called "Vincentians." They
are men and women who strive to grow spiritually by offering person-to-person
service to individuals in need. The aid they provide to the needy
may take the form of intervention, consultation, or often through direct
dollar or in-kind service. An essential precept of the Society's work is
to provide help while conscientiously maintaining the confidentiality and
dignity of those who are served. The main source of their funds for the
Blessed Sacrament Conference is money deposited into the poor boxes located
at each entrance to the church. In addition, the entire proceeds from the
Ash Wednesday collection go to the local society. All funds raised here,
stay here within the parish boundaries to help Saugus residents in need.
Inquiries for assistance or more information may be directed to the parish
office.
St. Stephen Ministry:
The St. Stephen Ministry is composed of a group of parishioners
that work in the parish performing good deeds, from providing meals and
gifts to needy families during the holidays, to immediate special assistance
in an emergency, to showing care and concern for the sick, and assisting
developmentally disabled persons in order to become fully active members
of the parish. Any person can become a St. Stephen Minister. All
that is required is a willingness to step forward in a time of need and
a dedication to allowing the love of Christ to speak through each person’s
actions.
Eucharistic Ministers:
Having been fully initiated in the Catholic Church through the
sacraments of Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation, and being public witnesses
to the Catholic faith through their worship and observance of what the
Church holds as sacred and true, laypersons are invited by the priests
to serve as Extra-ordinary Ministers of the Eucharist. Persons in this
ministry go through an instructional process and are formally installed
before they can distribute the precious Body and Blood of the Lord Jesus
Christ at Mass or outside of Mass to the sick and homebound.
The Catholic Women's Guild
Dedicated to Our Blessed Mother, we are
a vital part of our parish life and see ourselves as women growing in faith
together. We gather prayerfully in Mary’s
name, enjoy a variety of activities, and collaborate, when possible, with other
parish committees in the carrying out of their various projects. All women are
welcome. For further information contact Kathie Lanney, Women’s Guild Prefect
at kathlanney@aol.com.