I Thirst for Nigeria
The Water is Flowing!
The St. Vincent de Paul Society in conjunction with St. Mary’s Young Adult Group’s, I Thirst project would like to thank all of our parishioners who helped make the construction of our first well in Urualla, Nigeria a reality! The water is flowing and now the people of the village do not have to walk miles to fulfill such a basic need. This project was successful because of your love and support and the Grace of God. We hope to continue with this project for neighboring villages. With God all things are possible!
Thank you and God Bless you.
{The members of the I Thirst team consist of some members of the board of St. Vincent de Paul here at St. Mary’s, Sr Josephine and some young adult volunteers from our parish community. There is a lot of enthusiasm and excitement found in our newly formed group looking to serve God through our sisters and brothers in Uralla, Nigeria.}
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Catholic Social Justice Committee
St. Mary’s Social Justice Committee is a small group of thoughtful committed parishioners looking to make a difference in our local community and beyond. We need your assistance in doing this work; we seek members interested in making a difference in changing injustices and helping our fellow man. Do you know something that needs to be changed? Have you ever wanted to make a difference?
Discussions have centered on Pro-Life issues, racism, human/sex trafficking, immigration, a local safe house and fresh start bags for those in need. We are actively recruiting new members to join us in our quest to make a difference in someone’s life. For more information please contact Mary DiDonato.
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world: indeed it’s the only thing that ever has.” (Margaret Mead)
Life Teen & Edge Core Members
Do you have a love for working with middle schoolers or high school teens? Our Edge Core members work with grades 6-8 on Wednesday evenings and lead them in small group discussion and faith formation. Our Life Teen Core members work with grades 9-12 and are concerned with being relational ministers in the lives of our young people. The requirement is Sundays plus an additional time during the week. For more information, please contact stmaryslt97 .
Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist (to the sick, nursing homes and homebound)
Bring the Eucharist to those who are unable to come to Church. Provide a vital pastoral link between the parish community and those who are sick and homebound. Seeking compassionate people who are good listeners, have a great love for the Eucharist, and love for the elderly and sick. Training is provided. Time commitment of 1 to 1.5 hours twice per month.
Contact: Nancy McCormick (781) 326-0550 X139
The Society of St Vincent De Paul
An international Catholic organization of lay persons dedicated to help those who are suffering. No work of charity is foreign to the Society. It serves persons in need regardless of creed, opinion, color, caste and origin.
We have 2 separate ministries going on of which we need help.
#1 Youth conference – Looking for a few more members ages 22 – 30 to join the newly formed board of directors. The board members will coordinate activities and volunteer work for people in need. The volunteer work can include driving people to church, the food pantry, picking up prescriptions, driving people to doctors appointments, etc. Also, they will coordinate activities like raking leaves and shoveling snow for the elderly or possibly helping maintenance staff on the grounds.
#2 The volunteer pool consists of people of any age willing to do the tasks listed in # 1.
The goal and mission is to form a family of the youth, middle age and elderly all working together for the common good of our parish and community lead by The Holy Spirit. Everything we do is in God’s name and we can do nothing without his guidance and blessings. Our mission is to make life altering positive changes in peoples’ lives.
Meetings are held each Monday night for board members.
Contact: Lew Uttaro
The St. Vincent De Paul Society invites you to help them support children in need living in Dedham by donating diapers – especially larger sizes – including Easy Ups and baby wipes through February. These items can be left in designated boxes at the doors of the Church. Thank You for your help!
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Legion of Mary – (Including Prison Ministry)
Reach out to residents of the parish to promote the Rosary and participation in parish life. Assist in the religious formation of children. Reach out to families who have recently baptized a baby and families who are grieving loss of a loved one. Active ministry in the Norfolk County House of Corrections in Dedham. Visit prisoners teaching them to pray the rosary, to grow in the faith and to appreciate their value in the eyes of God.
Meetings are held on Wednesdays from 10am to 11:30am in the Parish Center for prayer and discussion of apostolic works. Visits to the prison are conducted most days. Visits are at various times of day depending on the day of the week. Training provided.
Contacts: Ruth Spangler (781) 326-5271
The Legion of Mary is always looking for new members. The Legion of Mary is a lay apostolic association of Catholics who, with the sanction of the Church and under the powerful leadership of Mary Immaculate, serve the Church and their neighbor on a voluntary basis. Currently the Dedham Legion visits local nursing homes, as well as one jail where we pray and provide support for those who are sometimes overlooked. We meet every Tuesday at 10:00 am in the Parish Center. For more information, call Ruth at 781-326-5271 or Barbara at 781-326-3449.
Pro-Life Activities
As Catholics – “We proclaim that human life is a precious gift from God; that each person who receives this gift has responsibilities toward God, self and others; and that society, through its laws and social institutions, must protect and nurture human life at every stage of its existence.” — U.S. Catholic Bishops, Pastoral Plan for Pro Life Activities.
“The Catholic Church offers a variety of outreaches to women who are grieving their abortion, as well as others affected by it. Project Rachel is one such example. The Church also offers Life-giving assistance to women trying to cope with a pregnancy for which they are not prepared. For more information, inquire at your local parish.” A Pastoral Letter on the Human Dignity of the Unborn, Holy Communion, and Catholics in Public Life. – By Archbishop Cordileone May 1, 2021
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A variety of opportunities for assisting mothers in need and advocacy for the right to life.
Contacts: Lorraine Loewen (781) 326-7163 or Ruth Loughran (781) 329-6245
Project Rachel: Project Rachel is a confidential ministry of the Catholic Church that offers hope and healing for women and men in pain from past abortions. For more information, please visit the Project Rachel website.
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