I Thirst {SMA FATHER’S WELL PROJECT}
The Water is Flowing!
Dear Fr. Wayne and all members of St. Vincent de Paul at St. Mary of the Assumption Parish Dedham,
I hope this message finds you well. All four boreholes are now completed and in use. The Ivory Coast project was delayed due to a land dispute and the rainy season, but these issues were resolved allowing the work to proceed steadily to a good end. Attached are reports from the beneficiaries, thank you letters, and photos.
On behalf of the Society of African Missions, thank you for your trust and partnership. Your support has made a significant impact in the lives of many. May God bless you and your families.
Thank you and God Bless you.
{The members of the I Thirst team consist of members of the board of the St. Vincent de Paul Society here at St. Mary’s and young adult volunteers from our parish community.}
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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
The St Vincent de Paul Society is an international organization founded in 1833 and named after St Vincent de Paul, a French priest known for service to the poor. He lived in the late 16th century. The Society developed as Conferences centered in local parishes with regional support centers, forming a worldwide network.
“The vocation of the Society’s members, who are called Vincentians, is to follow Christ through service to those in need and so bear witness to His compassionate and liberating love. Members show their commitment through person-to-person contact. Vincentians serve in hope.”
Our conference members meet every 2-3 weeks in the evening and have prayer and spiritual discussion as well as discussing the needs of the clients we have served since the last meeting. The donations entrusted to the Society by the members of St Mary’s parish are conscientiously used to assist those in our community in need after agreement by the members. Members take the phone messages and speak and meet with those who have called to determine how best we can meet their needs. We also endeavor to offer them some emotional support and walk with them through their time of difficulty. From time to time, some special projects arise and special fundraising efforts are undertaken.
We welcome new members who are interested in growing closer to Christ through serving those in need around us.
Contact: Pat Jay
Phone messages can be left at the Parish Office Phone, (781)326-0550 ext. 4
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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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