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Greetings in Christ
Jesus! The Parish of St. Agnes in Reading, MA is a gathering of the Family of God's People who center their lives in Jesus Christ, try to hear His saving message of love, and feel called to reach out in service to one another and all in love. Our worship is joyful and prayerful. Our attention to God's Word in Scripture is docile and informed. Our ministries are of a wide variety, but personal and loving. Our community life is warm and dedicated to caring. Personal gifts and talents are enthusiastically encouraged and generously shared. We are striving to be the Lord's disciples in the world of today, a people who have great confidence in the goodness of the Lord. Come, join us in the exciting adventure of being a Catholic Christian of today! We welcome you! Fr. Stephen B. Rock, Pastor Fr. Edward T. Malone, Parochial Vicar Eileen A. McGrath, Religious Education Coordinator Andrea Cutone, Confirmation Coordinator Nancy Pothier, First Eucharist Coordinator David Palmerino, Youth Coordinator – High School Paula Williams, Youth Coordinator – Middle School The Pastoral Staff is responsible for the leadership of Saint Agnes Parish. We meet twice a month on Fridays for about two hours. Our Staff has a collaborative blend of male/female, laity/clergy shared leadership. All the members of the Staff are parishioners and frequently reflect the ideas and needs of fellow-parishioners. Alternate staff meetings begin with a shared meal and all meetings have the following structure: The responsibility of headship rotates from member to member. A good amount of time is spent in prayer and then the agenda is collected from each person. Time is taken to share faith or to share any personal events that help keep us in touch with each other’s lives. We move through the agenda items which are the issues that affect parish life: parish feedback; problems encountered; new ideas for programs; policies new and old; changes to be introduced – all of these are considered, discerned, approved or not, or sent on to the Pastoral Parish Council as appropriate. The Chair of the day ends the meeting with prayer. At least once annually, we spend a staff day-away in order to be refreshed and renewed by our friendship in the Lord. Submitted by Arthur C. Flynn St. Agnes Pastoral Parish Council assists and supports the pastor in planning and coordinating resources and activities in the parish and also assists the pastor in developing and implementing a Gospel-centered pastoral plan for the growth and direction of our parish. Headed by the pastor as chairperson, the council is made up of ex-officio members (associate priest, pastoral associate, and religious education and youth coordinators), eight elected members of the parish, and delegated representatives from the Christian Service, Finance, Liturgical, and Parish Activities commissions. Every two years, four to six parishioners are elected, serving a two-year term, with the option of serving an additional two years. Any confirmed parishioner eighteen years of age or older is eligible to be elected. The Pastoral Parish Council prays and relies on the guidance of Holy
Spirit and our Shepherd, Jesus, to help us discern our path and direct
our efforts as a Christ-centered community. Meetings are held on the
third Tuesday of the month September through June. Christian Service Commission was started in 1974 as part of St. Agnes first Parish Council. It is dedicated to provide care and service to our parishioners. At the present time, there are ten members. Many other people help in various ways. The Transportation Coordinator arranges transportation for those who need a ride to Mass, doctors or dentists appointments or to the hospital for treatment. We provide outreach to those in need. One lady, who is the principal caregiver for her disabled husband, needed a few hours away and several people volunteered to fill this request. We also provided sitters for a young mother who was recently widowed and wanted to attend some support group meetings. Christian Service sponsors our annual Bloodmobile. We provide volunteers for clerical help and assistance in the donor room and canteen. We also provide and serve supper to the workers. Our annual Anointing Mass is held each spring and Christian Service will drive anyone needing a ride, and also prepares and serves refreshments. About ten years ago, we sponsored an Unemployment Support Group. Situations improved and the group was disbanded. We are ready to start up again if a need is indicated. Christian Service is cooperating with our new Parish Based Health Ministry, and will serve when and if needed for transportation, meal preparation, escorts to doctors offices, etc. Members of this Commission are ready, willing and able to help in any
situation. Lee Bianchetto Since 1974, St. Agnes Parish has been blessed with an active Liturgical Commission. The Commission focuses on worship planning and Para liturgies appropriate to each liturgical season, with special emphasis at Thanksgiving, Advent, Christmas, Lent, Holy Week and Easter. It meets ten months a year, on the third Friday of the month, in addition to numerous other times to coordinate events as planned. Commission members; include the pastor, parochial vicar, and several parishioners from varied backgrounds who share a common interest in worship planning. Planning involves readings and their presentation, art and environments, and community participation. We pride ourselves on actively recruiting new members in an effort
to continue growing and frequently reassess our goals and actions.
As a result of the numerous details and physical effort involved
in our planning, it takes several years for new members to feel
comfortable with all of the Liturgical Celebrations we plan. Donna Silva, Chair This Commission plans social activities for the parish community and assists other commissions with the refreshment portions of their parish programs. Annual events include serving cider and donuts after the Thanksgiving Eve Mass, providing refreshments for fall clean up participants, and any assistance requested for special parish celebrations. A future goal of the Parish Activities Commission would be to plan social gatherings for parishioners, and also an "outreach" to draw individuals and families who may not be active or regular churchgoers. Ideas include ham and bean suppers, summer picnic, etc. Submitted by The Adult Education Committee strives to serve the Adult Faith Formation needs of the parish. We strive to work with the parish council and other parish ministries in determining and meeting those needs. We seek, when possible, to share our programs and ideas with other parishes in our cluster. The committee is ably served by 7 lay members and a clergy advisor. The committee arranges and organizes approximately 10 evenings of programs and one retreat per year. These programs are usually presented by an outside speaker. There is normally an opportunity for discussion in these programs. The Adult Education programs focus on Knowledge of the Faith, (doctrine, teachings, Scripture), Liturgical Life, (worship, Sacraments); Moral Formation (morality, justice, lifestyles) ; Prayer; and Communal Life. For example, we have had programs on Vatican II, Sacraments, Holocaust, Just War, Centering Prayer, and End of Life Issues. We recently hosted a years worth of programs in honor of the Jubilee. We have an annual Mother’s retreat. We are currently offering a years worth of programs on prayer and discussion of contemporary issues. Our committee was instrumental in setting up a Book Discussion
group and is currently exploring the creation of a Centering Prayer
group. This ministry, along with the Christian community, participates in the celebration of the Mass at Funerals. The specific function of the acolyte(s) is to assist the celebrant of the Mass. St. Agnes Parish has nine (9) acolytes who have undergone specific instruction on both the role of cross bearer and acolyte. This instruction encompassed all the details of preparation of the altar, the gift table, the credence table, the censor and aspergillum and the lighting of the altar candle and the Paschal candle. If the family has not chosen readers of sacred scripture, the acolyte would ask a member of the community (one who is a present or past lector) to proclaim the word. The acolyte would also ask members of the community (who are current or past) Eucharistic ministers, to be ministers of the cup of the Precious Blood. With the priest/celebrant, the cross bearer and the acolyte proceed to the front of the church to welcome and greet the family and friends of the deceased and to bless the body of the deceased and offer the very beautiful prayer that reminds all that "...in Baptism we died with Christ; now we rise with Christ to new life..." The acolyte and cross bearer assist the priest throughout the Eucharistic celebration in much the same way as altar servers do at all Eucharistic celebrations. The exception is the incensing of the altar and the gifts and at the end of Mass, the final incensing and prayer over the body. After Mass, the acolyte and cross bearer are responsible for the clearing, washing, and storing of sacred vessels; the return of the lectionary to its proper place; and the folding and the storing of the pall. We encourage others to become
part of this ministry. It is the hope of those of us in
this ministry, that in some small way we bring the love and comfort
of the wider St. Agnes community to those who are grieving.
We, at all times, try to do this with dignity and love. Our parish encourages the youth of St. Agnes to serve at the altar. In January 2002 we had nine boys and six girls who serve at weekend masses and other occasional services. A new group of youth began this ministry in the Spring of 2002. Recruitment took place through bulletin announcements and the process of recruitment canvassed youth starting in the fourth grade and older. We regularly schedule two servers at all weekend masses following their period of training. Occasionally, servers are recruited for other services, particularly the Holy Week Liturgies and other evenings of prayer. New altar servers are installed during a weekend liturgy in which
they are called forward, invited to commit themselves to faithful
ministry and are recognized by the worshiping community. This
service concludes with a prayer of blessing. The parish expresses
its gratitude to each of our servers in the Christmas season.
Team: Father Arthur Flynn Father Edward Malone Michael and Marie Lucey William and Linda McKenzie Kenneth and Lori Foley Susan Shields and Marc Dumas On the first Friday of each month, the Baptism Catechesis team meets with new parents in the Lower Church to discuss the Sacrament of Baptism. One of the goals of the meeting is to communicate a sense of welcome, which is characteristic of St. Agnes Parish. Coffee and refreshments are served and we are often pleasantly surprised to meet new neighbors and greet our tiny new parishioners, as well. Babies are always welcome at the meeting and it is a rare meeting that does not include a new baby snuggled up in his portable car seat. As the meeting begins, we are gathered in a circle and one of the team members offers a prayer of thanksgiving and a prayer for the success of our meeting. Our team of married couples and priests are introduced and then the new parents are asked to introduce themselves. We also ask that each person share something about themselves and their families. This helps to relax the group, as we all become a part of the dialogue. As team members, we share how we came to St. Agnes and why we continue to worship here. This is a great opportunity to share with the group the importance of our participation in our Christian Community, as each one of the team members has great enthusiasm for our Parish. Interestingly, all four couples are active in our Family Liturgy Mass and are able to share that experience with the new parents who may be seeking a "child-friendly" Sunday Mass. It is a wonderful joy to be able to share faith with the couples that we meet each month and listen and learn as we all struggle to understand how the Lord leads us in our commitment to our families, to our Church and our Lord. The teaching portion of the meeting is lead by the team using the book, Together at Baptism, Robert M. Hamma, Ave Maria Press, 1994. Each member of the team draws on their own personal experience to make connections that will make it more meaningful to the parents. Our priests have an excellent understanding of the historical development of the sacrament, which aids us all in a deeper understanding of Baptism and our Christian commitment. As the teaching progresses, the dialogues often continues, as people often have questions and have become comfortable enough to ask them. The meeting lasts about an hour and a half and we close with the group joining hands and praying the Our Father. It is always an enjoyable and enriching evening. Submitted by Bereavement Support Group The Bereavement Support Group meets the 1st and 3rd Mondays of each month from 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. in the lower church of Saint Agnes. Supportive leadership comes from four committed parishioners from both Saint Agnes and Saint Athanasius , whose credentials are their personal experiences of the grief process as they have lived it. A typical number of 8to10 people make up this circle and the time is spent listening to each other, encouraging each other and praying together for collective needs. The support group is " drop in " in concept for anyone who is grieving and has the need to be there. Respectfully submitted, Carol Gaudette Pastoral Associate Every Tuesday, from late September until mid June, we conduct a Scripture Study from approximately 9:50am until 11:00am. Ordinarily we discuss the Scripture Readings for the following Sunday. Carol Gaudette, our Pastoral Associate and Father Ed Malone, provide insight into each reading and discussion takes place concerning the challenge and invitation to Christian discipleship that the readings place before us. Occasionally a few sessions are set aside to discuss other themes and aspects of the scripture. For example, in 2001 we set aside three sessions to discuss the theme of Israel's temple and worship and the implications for us as Christians from the Letter to the Hebrews. This event led to discussion which raised the question of broadening our study topics beyond the scripture to our faith heritage. Some thought is also being given to expanding this program to include an evening in order to open this program up to more adults. Submitted by Troop 728 is chartered by the Boston Minuteman Council, Inc. headquartered in Jamaica Plain, MA and is part of the Powderhorn District which is one of the three districts served by the Council and covers the towns of Reading, Wakefield, Stoneham, North Reading, Melrose, and Malden. Our charter is reviewed and renewed annually and has been in effect since our founding in 1956. The Boy Scouts of America celebrated its 80th Anniversary in 1990, having been formed in 1910 and modeled after the English Scouts founded by Lord Baden-Powell two years prior in 1908. The purpose of our Troop, and of the Boy Scouts of America is to develop the life and leadership skills of boys aged 11 to 18 so as to better prepare them to be good citizens and fathers. This is done through a program of teaching and learning various skills and sharing experiences that are both stimulating and rewarding. The Parish provides a place for the Troop to hold their weekly meetings and store their equipment. The Troop cares for the space allotted to it and does service work for the Parish as the occasion arises. We in the Troop feel that the goals of Scouting meld well with the goals of the Parish around physical, intellectual, and spiritual growth we seek to promote in the boys who participate. While the Troop is open to youths of all faiths, most of our Scouts are members of the Parish. This is reflected in the other Troops in Reading where all four of them have church sponsors. Although none of those other sponsors are Catholic. Anyone wishing to join the Troop may drop by a meeting any Wednesday night during the school year. The meetings are held in the first floor of the Parish Center from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. each week. RCIA -- Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults -- "The Catechumenate" It's about Christ... It's about Church... It's for people who ask, "Why Christian?" "Why Catholic?" It's faith experiences and teachings shared by our team of lay people and priests. It's witnessing Jesus alive in His body -- the Church. RCIA is primarily for adults seeking the initiation of sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist -- but also Christians of other denominations who may wish to learn about and perhaps join the Catholic Church, for adult Catholics who have not been confirmed, also for any Catholic who would like to hear more about what's happening in our Church today. Weekly topics are mentioned in our bulletin. All are welcome. Meetings are held most Tuesdays from late September to mid-May at 7:30 pm in the Lower Church. "Day after day, both in the
temple and at home, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming
the good news of Jesus the Messiah." In our religious education program, the emphasis is on praying and sharing together and helping our students to come to know Jesus. The "Good News Bible" is used in all grade levels. Other texts used include those published by Silver Burdett and Benziger. The CCD Board meets monthly to help direct and implement the program. Grade 1: "Family Oriented Program" Children and their families come together on several Saturday mornings spaced through the year. We pray, sing, watch a video, hear a story, and make things as we learn about God and how He loves us and gives us many gifts. Children receive a book to read at home with their parents. Registration for this program takes place in the spring by calling the CCD Office. Grade 2: "Family Oriented Program" Children come with their parents on several Sunday mornings in the fall to prepare for the Sacrament of Reconciliation, which they then celebrate in the late fall. The format is that children meet with catechists and parents meet with staff members, followed by Mass at 10:30. The same format is used for Eucharist preparation in winter and early spring. Registration for this program takes place in the spring by calling the CCD Office. Grades 3-8: "Structured Weekly Class Program" Weekly classes meet in the Parish Center or I n catechists’ homes, from October to April. A Sign-Up Day for classes is on a Saturday morning in October at the Parish Center. Master Teachers meet four times during the year with each group of grade level catechists and provide them with lesson plans. Cub Scout Pack 728 sponsored by St. Agnes Parish in a non-denominational way. They generously provide us a meeting place for our monthly Pack meetings and Committee meetings as well as weekly Webelo meetings. We, in gratitude, do the annual Fall Clean-up at the Parish (a designated Saturday morning in November) and also help in other community programs. Once a year the Cub Scout Pack and the Boy Scout Troop participate in a "Scout Sabbath Day" and many of the scouts and their parents and siblings attend a mass where the charters are presented to the parish in front of the congregation and a Scout Leader gives a brief explanation of the program to all the parishioners. The goal of Scouting is simple: bring families together and help boys grow into young men instilled with the Scout Law as follows: A Scout is Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Friendly, Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty, Brave, Clean and Reverent. The Ranks in Cub Scouting are as follows: Tigers - 1st Grade Wolf - 2nd Grade Bear - 3rd Grade Jr. Webelo - 4th Grade Sr. Webelo - 5th Grade Bobcat Badge - all boys entering the pack for the first time, regardless of grade. In March of the fifth grade the boys cross over into Boy Scouting. Tiger Rank Tigers are our introduction to Cub scouting. They generally meet once a month with a mom or dad attending the meeting with them. It is important, especially at this level, for youth and adult to progress together. Bobcat Badge Bobcat is typically earned at the beginning of 2nd grade. Although it is not necessary to complete all the ranks from Tiger on up, it is a requirement that all scouts must earn their Bobcat Badge regardless of when they enter Scouting. To earn the Bobcat Badge, your scout must learn the Cub Scout Promise, the Law of the Pack, the meaning of Webelo, the Cub Scout sign, handshake, motto and salute. All of this information is found in the beginning of the Wolf and Bear Cub Scout Books. When the boys have done this, they will earn their Bobcat Badge as recognition at a monthly pack meeting. Wolf Rank: Twelve (12) achievements are necessary to receive recognition as Wolf. All are listed in the Wolf Cub Scout Book. Some can be earned as a group and others are required to be done with family. In addition to the achievements, the boys can work on electives. These are done also as a group or as an individual. When an elective is earned your scout will be following the Arrow Point Trail. It is not required to earn Arrow Points to reach the rank of Wolf. Arrow Points are earned for further recognition beyond the rank of Wolf. Arrow Points: If your scout has done 10 activities listed under the various electives, he will earn one Gold Arrow. For each additional 10 activities completed he will earn a Silver Arrow. He may work on as many arrows as he would like to. Both the Wolf Badge and Arrow Points will be recognized at a pack meeting. Bear Rank: As a scout progresses towards the rank of Bear, he once again has twelve (12) achievements to do to receive his Bear Badge at the Blue and Gold banquet. He will receive one red ball to be hung on his Progress Towards Rank Holder for every three achievements done until he has earned four in total. He may continue on the Arrow Trail to receive Arrow Points (see Wolf Rank). These arrows will be awarded at the pack meetings. Jr. Webelo Rank: As Jr. Webelos, the scouts work with their leader at evening meetings, usually meeting every other week, alternating with the Sr. Webelos. They work for the next two years in their Webelo handbooks. Parents are welcome to attend these meetings. Scouts can continue to work independently in their books and work on 20 hobby and career subjects to earn activity badges. To pass requirements, the den leader must approve the work done. This is the year the scouts begin overnight camp-outs which helps to prepare them for Boy Scout activities in the future. The first badge the scouts earn is the Webelo Badge that may be earned only if the scout has been in the den for a minimum three (3) months. Three (3) activity badges are required to earn the Webelo Badge, one of them being fitness and the other two coming one each from the remaining two activity groups. After the Webelo Badge has been earned, the scout can begin to work on his Compass Point Emblem that is awarded after the scout has earned four more activity badges in addition to the three earned for the Webelo Badge. Sr. Webelo Rank: As a Sr. Webelo, the next requirement done is the Arrow of Light Award, Cub Scouting’s highest award and the only Cub Scout badge that can be worn on the Boy Scout uniform. To receive this award, eight (8) activity badges must be earned, of which three (3) must be Citizen, Fitness, and Readyman. For the remaining five (5), at least one must be from the Mental Skills group, one from the Outdoor group and one from the Technology group. As Jr. Webelos, the scouts have been working towards this goal as the three activity badges earned for the Webelo Badge count toward the Arrow of Light Award. As you can see, fourth and fifth grade scouts have much to do to prepare them to be Boy Scouts. Pack Meetings: Pack Meetings are held at St. Agnes Parish Center on one Friday night of the month chosen by your scout committee. All scouts are expected to attend and sit with their respective den or group. Uniforms are to be worn at all meetings. Parents and siblings are encouraged to attend. A typical pack meeting consists of an opening ceremony followed by announcements and presentation of awards earned between meetings by the boys. Following this is a planned activity followed by the closing ceremony. The meeting usually runs from 7:00PM - 8:30PM. Committee Meetings: These meetings are held monthly on the Tuesday evening ten days
prior to the Pack Meeting at the Parish Center. All parents are
invited to attend, however, it is important that each meeting
is attended by at least one representative of each den.
We value your opinion/input and it is of major importance to keep
the communication open between all dens and your committee. Richard Matthews Cursillo is one of the many ways for renewal and continued spiritual growth. It offers a particular method, which enables us to be more effective Christian leaders in our families, workplaces and parishes. The Reading Cursillo Community is affiliated with St. Basil's Salvatorian Center in Methuen where each month (October through June) a three-day "short course in Christianity" is offered. Other Cursillo Centers include St. William's (Boston) and Stonehill (North Easton). Led by spiritual directors (priests, deacons, brothers and sisters) and lay people, the talks, sharing, prayer services, and liturgies lead us to better know ourselves, Christ, and to live the message of the Gospel in our everyday lives. We are a strong, active community whose membership includes St. Agnes parishioners, as well as Cursillistas from neighboring parishes and towns. Many meet in small reunion groups, either weekly or bi-monthly, or at the larger reunion--the monthly Ultreya. We gather to share with others our continued journey with the Lord. In an atmosphere of prayer and hospitality we encourage each other in our piety, study and action. Ultreyas are held on the second Friday of each month in the Lower Church or Parish Center for all Cursillistas and anyone interested in learning about Cursillo. A potluck supper, cookout and Chocolate Festival are annual events. Cursillo has encouraged many to take an active leadership role
in our parish life, realizing that Cursillo does not end after
the weekend. We must return to our parish and get involved.
Some of this involvement includes working on various teams and
committees for teaching and sharing faith in our Confirmation,
Catechumenate, and CCD programs, Social Justice, Liturgical, Finance
and Parish Activities Commissions, and as Parish Pastoral Council
members. Still others serve as Lectors, Liturgical Ministers,
Ushers/Greeters and Leaders of Song as we gather to celebrate
the Liturgy. The Engaged Couples Program at St. Agnes is co-chaired by Paul & Karen Millet and Anthony & Anita Lalicata. We have five couples from the parish that assist us in this program. Our program is a weekend one. We will commence on a Friday evening; the team couples give a brief outline of what will be covered over the next two days and a few talks are given on this evening. Saturday morning is a series of talks relating to marriage, i.e. Spirituality in Marriage, Finances, Communication, and Sacrament of Marriage. All of these subjects are in a workbook, which we use for each couple. Our program concludes with the couples attending the afternoon Mass with a candlelight ceremony and the distribution of a Bible to each couple along with a letter of encouragement and prayer from their team couple. We hope to bring into realization some of the aspects of Marriage
in the world today, allowing each couple to see his/her future
spouse in a Christian light.
We have had a long- term ecumenical connect in Town through membership in the Reading Clergy Association. We meet on the first Thursday of each month from September to June. We meet on a rotation basis in each church for a bag-lunch, prayer and discussion. As members over the years we have been able to foster friendships as we pray together, share ideas, discuss town issues and our reaction to them. Over the years we have mounted many and varied programs and religious services and have promoted and adopted several causes that benefit the Town and its citizens. We have recently inaugurated a Celebration on Dr. Martin Luther King, JR’s holiday, have honored an annual Pulpit Exchange in January for many years, and celebrated a Baccalaureate Prayer Service for High School Seniors for several years. We have also supported the Reading Food Pantry. The heart of the Reading Clergy Association is the long-term friendships that have been enjoyed among the members. Presently several new members have joined and it will be our task to included them warmly in our Association. Submitted by Arthur C. Flynn The Family Liturgy Pastoral Team is responsible for coordinating and directing all aspects of St. Agnes Family Liturgy. Family Mass takes place on Sundays at 9:00 a.m. in the lower church during the school year. The family Liturgy mission is: To create an environment and encourage a community, in which families, together, can comfortably experience the word of God and live out the Eucharist. The Family Liturgy Pastoral Team consists of nine members including Father Arthur. Meetings take place on Sunday evenings about four or five times per year. The ministries involved in the Mass are lectors, ushers, musicians, Eucharistic ministers, and Gospel Illustrators – an individual, family or group which acts out a skit or activity to illustrate the Gospel reading for that week. Coffee socials are scheduled about once a month to allow families to get to know each other in an informal setting. A newsletter is published about three times per year, with information of interest to the family liturgy community. There are several other ministries aside from those directly
involved with the Mass. His Helping Hands is an outreach program
to provide meals, childcare, prayers, or anything needed for families
undergoing births, deaths, illnesses, or any other stressful situations.
A weekly playgroup meets to provide caregivers and their children
an opportunity to socialize. Family and adult socials are planned
periodically. For example, Family Liturgy has sponsored a Christmas
caroling and pizza party, apple picking, an adult evening of reflection,
and an adults evening social. Members Ernest Arsenault, Chair The St. Agnes Finance Commission has existed since 1976. It meets ten months a year on the second Wednesday of each month in the Parish Rectory. The Commission consists of Fr. Flynn and eight laypersons as shown above. The Chairperson is elected by the other members and turnover in the Chairperson position and the Commission overall is relatively infrequent. The members enjoy serving the Parish in their Finance Commission capacity and this largely accounts for the long tenure of each member. It takes a few years to feel comfortable with all the issues that come before the Commission and their service is a tangible way to express their loyalty to the Pastor and the Parish. The Chairperson recaps monthly (3rd Tuesday of the month) to the Parish Council the key agenda items covered at the Finance Commission meeting. The Finance Commission has general responsibility for the financial affairs of the Parish and pays particular attention to the levels and trends in the key revenue and expenditure categories, including capital expenditures. Within the past five years a Maintenance Sub-Committee was established to assure the Finance Commission that all the physical aspects of Parish physical assets were being looked after and reviewed for upgrade, repair, replacement. Following on the heels of the Parish’s successful 1993 Capital Fund Campaign which has enabled many capital projects right up to the present time, the Maintenance Sub-Committee has sharpened the Parish’s close vigilance of the integrity of the physical plant that constitutes Parish facilities. A Parish financial report is rendered annually in the fall after the Commission has had an opportunity to collate, summarize and review the figures at its September/October meetings. The communication effort is accompanied by an explanatory message from the Chairperson at all the Masses so that a uniform message is imparted to all Parishioners. There has been an annual reporting to the Parish since 1981. Members of the Finance Commission also assist with counting and depositing the weekly collections, which would include the Archdiocesan collections and the Grand Annual. The Finance Commission reviews the financial budgets submitted by all the ministries that require financial support from the Parish. This typically occurs in May/June. The approved support is then communicated back to the individual ministries. A significant source of Parish revenue remains the rental income generated by the tenant in the lower school facility. For the last five years this tenant has been on a year-to-year lease that provides for annual adjustment based on the cost of living. Submitted by St. Agnes Prayer Garden is a place where you are invited to pray, meditate, share or just plain relax. The garden was planned and prepared by parishioners, and is tended to by approximately six volunteers. Most of the perennials are from parishioners’ gardens, and each year bulbs and annuals are planted. Some of the flowering plants used on the altar for special occasions are later transplanted into the Prayer Garden. Welcome and enjoy! Submitted by Twice a month, from October through June, members of the Lazarus House Ministry visit Lazarus House, a shelter in Lawrence, Massachusetts. Our ministry prepares and serves the Sunday evening meal to guests of Lazarus House. Currently, the ministry consists of several three to four person teams. Additional volunteers are always welcome. For more information please contact Jerry O’Connell at 781-944-8310. Submitted by Jerry O’Connell "…and I saw water coming out from under the threshold of the temple toward the east…Swarms of life will live wherever the river flows." Ezekiel 47:1,9 LifeStream is the choir of Saint Agnes Parish in Reading, Massachusetts. The name is derived from Ezekiel 47, which explains a vision of a mighty river coming from the temple of God. This river brings life to wherever the water flows. The conception of LifeStream back in 1997 was a natural evolutionary progression of a strong music ministry coupled with the idea of blessings streaming from the altar of Christ. The group is comprised of approximately twenty-five volunteer parishioners; the only requirement to join is the desire to do so. In addition to the Director, accompanist and Music Coordinator, members have taken on proactive rolls, such as organizing music libraries, setting up microphones and chairs for LifeStream services, forming a "phone chain" to keep members informed of schedule changes, maintaining a small fund for expenses, and hosting various social activities. Rehearsals are held Sunday evenings, and the group sings weekly on a rotating Mass schedule so that the entire community shares the ministry. LifeStream also performs at a Christmas concert, all of Holy Week including five Palm Sunday Masses, Confirmation, most Vigil services, various prayer services, and a Spring concert before the group takes the summer time off. We keep several goals in mind: ~to bless and enrich our weekly Masses ~to keep our congregation singing and learning new music ~to encourage and pray for each other and our church ~to foster potential cantors ~to offer our musical gifts to God and become instruments of
praise
The Liturgical Ministries consist of: Eucharistic Ministers – who serve the Body and Blood of Christ at Mass; Lectors – who proclaim the Word; Ushers – who greet worshippers as they arrive, find seats when needed, collect the monetary offerings, and respond in whatever needful ways arise; Cantors, Musicians and Members of LifeStream – who lead us in song at Liturgy. Our Liturgical Ministries are open to all parishioners who are confirmed, active and practicing Catholics. In late Winter each year our ministries are renewed. Parishioners may remain or retire, rejoin if they had retired, or join for the first time. They may change to another ministry if they wish. At renewal time workshops are held to familiarize people with the needs and requirements of each ministry. An annual Installation Ceremony is held at each Mass on the designated weekend. The same style of ministries and requirements are observed at Family Liturgy as well. However, the Ministry of Mass Planners is added since they have the role of breaking open the Word for the children after the Gospel and before the Homily. All of these ministries are carried out joyfully and prayerfully. "Be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and inspired songs. Sing praise to the Lord with all your hearts." Eph.5:18b-20 The music ministry has five components: 1) Life Stream Choir, 2) Family Liturgy Music Ministry (with an independent sub-structure), 3) Youth Music Ministry, 4) a number of cantors, 5) two organists plus several instrumentalists. About fifty people serve in this ministry, exercising their gifts in order to lead sung worship at every liturgical and paraliturgical celebration in our parish life. The music coordinator has responsibility to:
Respectfully submitted, Our Lady of Comfort was formed in 1984 as a support for our Lay Ministers who take the Eucharist to shut-ins. We serve thirty-two shut-ins on a regular basis, and the past several years, visit Winchester Hospital three times a week, distributing Eucharist and praying with patients. There are twelve hospital Ministers. All these people are brought together two or three times a year for prayer, sharing and education. Several of them have attended the diocesan programs for Pastoral Visitation. One of our Ministers has visited Daniels Nursing Home weekly for many years, brings Communion, and lately has a group of about twelve residents who recite the Rosary weekly. This is a real blessing as they look forward so eagerly to Rosary Day. Many of our Ministers take Communion weekly and are friendly visitors to their shut-ins, helping them in any way possible. Some will be the weekly contact person for the new Parish Based Health Ministry and the shut-in. This Ministry is a delight and the joy and appreciation expressed by those who cannot get to Mass, but are able to have Jesus brought to them is so rewarding. We get far more than we give!!! Submitted by Saint Agnes Prayer Community Team
The Prayer Tree Ministry is a group of over two hundred men and women called Prayer Partners who pray for the intentions on the Prayer Tree list distributed each week. This list contains requests for the Lord’s physical, emotional, and spiritual healing. The Prayer Tree Ministry began in 1976 as twenty-one members of St. Agnes Prayer Community volunteered to pray daily for the intentions of others. As our Lord so powerfully answered these prayers, more people began to join this special ministry. Thursday evenings at the Prayer Meeting, special intentions are placed in the "Prayer Tree Basket". These and other requests communicated by phone are typed, printed and mailed out weekly to all Prayer Partners. Eighty-nine members are from Reading, one hundred one members from other towns in Massachusetts, and fourteen members are from out of state. The cost of envelopes and postage is covered by donations from the Love Offering basket at the St. Agnes Prayer Meeting. As part of the Prayer Tree Ministry, Prayer Partners are encouraged to pray for all the programs and activities in their Church bulletins. Before each liturgy they pray that the celebrant, lector, leader of song, and all those present at the Eucharist be anointed with the power of the Holy Spirit so that the Word will come alive and take root in their hearts, and that those who receive the Body and Blood of Jesus will be aware of His healing and loving presence. As the Prayer Partners pray for all who are seriously ill, need employment, have marital problems, addictions, etc., they are so aware and so grateful for all God’s blessings in their lives. As a result, their personal relationship with Jesus is strengthened and their faith increased as they witness the power of prayer. Submitted by The Peace and Justice Committee has been in existence for over twenty years and endeavors to implement at the local parish level Jesus’ teaching in the Sermon on the Mount and the social justice and peace teachings of the Church. To that end throughout the year it mainly carries out food and clothing drives for groups which address these issues such as the Reading Food Pantry, St. Francis House in Boston, Lazarus House in Lawrence and an annual Christmas gift drive to collect toys and donations for the clients of Catholic Charities, North in the hope that these drives will not only serve our needy brothers and sisters but raise consciousness on relevant social issues. It has also conducted drives to support the Interfaith Aids Ministry and local area servicemen serving in the Mideast and has over twenty years supported the Boston Walk for Hunger by encouraging walkers and volunteering on the walk. It has also conducted Baby Showers to support Heartbeat Crisis Pregnancy Center and now has a running collection for baby blankets and infant clothing for crack impaired and at risk infants (Contact Cathy Palmerino for details and arrangements to pick up or deliver contributions).
HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH MINISTRY PROGRAM Youth Minister David Palmerino Youth Board Paul Cain, Rod Chandler, Sue Chandler, Fr. Arthur
Flynn, Dan Knowles The Saint Agnes High School Youth Program is a Catholic, Christian group that welcomes youths of all faiths and encourages the equality of persons and religions and a diversity of beliefs and philosophies. Youth group members are expected to be open-minded, helpful and compassionate towards others while allowing love of God, of our Church, and of one another to be present in the lives of all. Throughout the year, the High School Youth Group meets every Sunday and Tuesday nights from 7pm-10pm. Sunday night meetings are designed around Spirituality, which is aimed at enlightening and introducing prayer in different ways of understanding and by "getting in touch" with the youth’s Catholicism and faith. Basically, it is guided towards developing personal spiritual growth. Bible themes and messages are introduced and combined with everyday occurrences that happen in the lives of our youths in order for the messages to make sense. Some Spirituality meetings may be simple and fun experiments in order for the youth to explore themselves and each other, while other meetings may involve general topic discussions, games or interactive events. Sunday night Spirituality is a main ingredient in our program and I encourage the youth to attend. Tuesday night meetings are less structured as the youth are encouraged to "hang out" with friends and listen to music, play pool, play ping-pong, talk with each other or watch television. There is no formal or general meeting held on Tuesday, however, Leadership, a group which consists of five youth group members voted in by their peers within the group, meets on Tuesdays to develop and plan future curriculum and events for the entire group. The goal of the Youth Group is to develop personal relationships and confidence in the Youth Minister by the youth, so that the Youth Minister, in turn, builds their confidence in the Church by finding out what is important to them -- from a church stand point and from a personal stand point. Once it is understood what is important to the youth, the Youth Minister can refine and channel that information back into them so they can use it in their lives. The strategic importance of our Youth Group or a second "home" is so our youth can come and feel free to express themselves during a very difficult growing period in their lives. In past years, there were few places for teens to meet in order to "hang out" or be with friends without being under the auspices of parents, guardians or adults. With this in mind, we have strived to create an atmosphere where the youths feel free to be themselves and to talk with the Youth Minister about religion and life as well as confide in the Youth Minister about their ordinary day-to-day activities. The relationships between the Youth Minister and the youth have risen to higher levels because of this approach. Though a few of our youth need little guidance, most need some form of direction and corrective suggestions from an objective observer -- someone who is not a parent, relative, teacher or guidance counselor. A person they trust and believes what is said about the Word of God The activities and events run for the group are focused on building relationships of trust between the youth and the Youth Minister. While God and religion are our reasons for gathering, it is just as important to build up the character, confidence, morals and ethics of our youth during our meetings. We find ways to reach the youth and build the relationship first before we can delve into our religion, otherwise the Youth Minister becomes a representative of authority and discipline instead of an outlet for the youth. Authority and discipline are important, however because the youth receive it from other outlets, the Youth Minister is someone who listens, counsels, suggests and trusts in the youth. Our activities include a monthly Youth mass. Every third Sunday of the month, the 10:30am mass is reserved for our Youth Mass. For a couple of years, the Monthly Youth Mass was eliminated in order to accommodate a monthly Confirmation Mass, however, we have reinstated the youth mass in which our confirmed youth sing, read the Word and minister the Holy Eucharist to the congregation. While we currently have 7 youth singers, we are expanding and increasing the group to include youth musicians as well. It has been an important way to encourage teenagers to attend mass, as well as to make the parish aware of the gifts teenagers have to offer the parish community. We also schedule the very popular annual ski trip to Vermont. This trip has expanded the youth group more than any other event offered by the Youth Group. In fact, the ski trip has been so successful at bringing in additional youth; we have also added annual camping and whitewater rafting trips during the summer Our youth also attend CLI. The High School Youth program sends, on average, five (5) youth to the Archdiocesan’s CLI or "Catholic Leadership Institute", which is a weeklong leadership-training program. The training helps the teens develop their leadership skills for service within the Youth Community, the Confirmation program and the parish. We have started an annual summer musical, which was started during the summer of 2001. The youth group began what will become an annual tradition with our "Mid-Summer Night’s" musical performances Last year’s performance was the very successful Godspell. 100% of the money raised during the performances goes directly to the Reading Food Pantry which helps feed our community’s hungry. In what has become the most anticipated "event" the youth group performs is the staffing of the Confirmation retreats. Our confirmed, older youth help create, staff and run the retreats. The staffing of the retreat usually attracts former Confirmation candidates who normally would not join the youth group. Our youth also look forward to spending a weekend away with other youth groups throughout the Archdiocese of Boston as they escape for a weekend of prayer, fun, dialogue, talks, mass and Jesus. The Youth Group performs monthly service projects aimed at helping the needy. We have cooked and served breakfast for Lazarus House, sung songs and handed out gifts to the infirmed and collected books for Massachusetts’ prisons. Along with hundreds of thousands of other youth throughout the world, five (5) of our youth traveled to Rome in 2000 and shared the experience of mass with the Holy Father, Pope John Paul II. This year, ten (10) of our youth will travel to Toronto and take part in the confraternity of our youth’s faith. And finally, in another newly created event, the underclassmen celebrate and thank our graduating seniors with a night of prayer, fun, roasting, gifts and homemade movies during our Senior’s night. The youth minister’s primary goal of reaching more youth throughout
the parish in order to spread Jesus’ message has been accomplished.
However, many more youth need to hear His word.
MIDDLE SCHOOL YOUTH MINISTRY PROGRAM Middle School Youth Ministry Program (MSYMP) provides middle school students (grades 6-8) with spiritual, social, and educational activities in a supportive Christian atmosphere. These activities are integrated with the cathechetical and sacramental foundation of the Catholic faith. MSYMP provides the above activities in a structured and supervised environment with the Middle School Youth Coordinator and or Middle School Youth Board Members present. Age appropriate activities for middles students take place on a regular basis 2 times per week (in the Youth Center) and off site (with parental/guardian permission). "Fun and Faith Fundamentals," is the motto of the MSYMP. Middle School Students (MSS) are to demonstrate Christian behavior and values amongst peers. Engage in positive social relationships and events. Enhance spiritual growth via organizing, implementing, facilitating, and participating in group/educational discussions and community service projects. Respect peers and youth leaders. Communicate youth center concerns or issues to Youth Coordinator or Youth Board Volunteers. Express, channel feelings and communicate ideas in a positive manner (Asking oneself the question of WWJD- what would Jesus do?) Assist in maintaining youth center. MSYMP is a program that welcomes middle school students to foster
and nurture his or her faith in a social structured atmosphere.
Middle school students who have participated in the MSYMP would
have sowed the seed of Christianity as pre-teens and hopefully
continue to fertilize his or her faith foundation when moving
onwards to the high school youth program. Karen Millett The confirmation Program is a two-year participation and study course, which culminates in the reception of the Sacrament of Confirmation. Willing members from the freshman and sophomore classes engage in the program to better experience their faith and begin to prepare for adult Catholicism. The candidates participate in a curriculum, which is supported through various Youth Update and Catholic Update articles and offers the opportunity to try out faithful responses in activities such as interpretive skits of Bible stories, role-playing, and guided meditation. Classes are held approximately every other week on Sunday evenings for duration of one and one-half hours. There is both a large group-teaching format, which includes Scripture readings and speakers, as well as a smaller classroom-teaching format, which is both didactic and interactive. The teaching staff is comprised of approximately twenty volunteers who range from recently confirmed to retired. The blending of ages and experiences offer fuller opportunities for our candidates. We interface with the Parish Community in several ways. One is that the coordinators are members of the CCD Board from which vast supports are gleaned. Another way in which Confirmation is linked to other ministries is through Youth Group, which sponsors the retreat and serves as role models for the candidates. The Social Justice Committee has spoken and prompted the students to write letters to the Senate for Food for the World. An expectation of service is placed upon the students for their second year and will involve the students in service to various Parish ministries. Submitted by Liz & Mario Maniscalco The Sacramental Life of St. Agnes Parish is considered one of our most sacred treasures. Baptism is celebrated each first and third Sunday of each month. Parents will have attended our Baptism Catechesis prior. Each family is urged to invite as many relatives and friends as they wish. Each Celebration is surrounded with much congregational participation. Music is always a vital part led by a Cantor and Organist. A great sense of celebration is always a key ingredient and the congregation responds wholeheartedly. Reconciliation is available each Saturday afternoon and at special hours during Advent and Lent. We have two Reconciliation Rooms. Celebrations are also offered for CCD students and Confirmation Candidates. The priests are always available by appointment for those who wish. The Eucharist is celebrated each Saturday and Sunday with great joy and care. The congregation sings at all Masses and is supported by Cantors, Organists and other Musicians and LifeStream on a rotational basis. The same pattern is used at Family Liturgy. The Precious Blood is served at every Mass so a large number of Eucharistic Ministers is used. Our parishioners are quite accustomed to a dignified, full and joyous Liturgy each week. Daily Eucharist is celebrated at 7:00 AM and 9:00 AM each weekday and at 9:00 AM only on Saturdays. About 40 plus attend each Liturgy. The members of our Daily Eucharist communities have grown into caring and friendly communities. Funerals are generally celebrated at 9:00 AM and the Daily Mass congregants take part in whatever ways needed: Lectors, Eucharistic Ministers and are definitely a praying and supportive source. Families are invited to choose the Readings and Music for the Funeral Mass always with guidance from the priest. Funerals are celebrated with great care and great attentions is given to the mourners and their friends. Marriages are preceded by several visits with the priest and attendance at a Marriage Workshop. All relevant issues are discussed and the preparation of the Liturgy and Music are all done in accordance with our liturgical guidelines. Marriages are joyous occasions, of course, and the involvement of the couple in the planning is a key component. The Anointing of the Sick is celebrated as needed: at home on
Communion Calls, at the hospital as the need occurs, at the request
of a parishioner about to undergo surgery, at the Annual Anointing
Mass, or in emergency as a call comes in. People have an ease
in asking for the Sacrament of the Sick and always experience
the healing love of Jesus as He chooses to give it. Arthur C. Flynn
Sacristan Nancy A. Pothier Our Sacristan here at St. Agnes works very closely with our priests and with the lay parishioners. The Sacristan sets up each weekend Mass to the celebrant’s needs at the particular Mass he is celebrating. Duties include assigning Eucharistic Ministers to their posts, having Lectionary ready for lector, assisting altar servers with their assignments, and speaking to members of the family whose Memorial Mass is being celebrated, asking if they would like to bring up the Gifts during Mass. The Sacristan also helps train our Eucharistic Ministers, either as needed, or during our once a year sign-up. The Sacristan makes sure supplies such as altar breads; candles, sacramental wine, etc. are always available, for both the upstairs and downstairs church. Family Liturgy and daily Masses are held in the downstairs church. This ministry is very important when there is only one priest available. Should the priest be hearing confessions immediately before Mass, he can come in, vest, and celebrate Mass without being concerned about the set-up. Should a priest be on retreat, on an emergency call, teaching in our Sacramental Program, be ill, or on vacation, this set-up is essential. In addition to preparing for both daily Masses (7:00 and 9:00 a.m.), Sacramental and Holy Day celebrations, this ministry is especially important during Advent, Christmas, Lent, Holy Week, and Easter celebrations. Submitted by The Website Committee has been meeting periodically since 2000 to develop, create and maintain a presence on the Internet for the parish. Our goal has been to create a dynamic tool for the dissemination and sharing of information among our many ministries and parishioners. We have accomplished our initial goals of (1) creating an attractive web design with substantial content and (2) regularly posting updates regarding current events and schedules. We plan to take the Website to the next step by expanding participation in content development and using technology now available to the parish and beyond. We hope that people will begin to refer to the Website for information as regularly as they refer to the weekly bulletin. Website Committee: Ken Foley (Chair and Webmaster);
Mike Ciaccio; Bill McKenzie; Arthur Flynn; Jason Gaudette; Tim
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