"This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you." (John 15:12)

     Links to the ministry descriptions:

Adult Religious Education

The adult religious education committee plans, organizes and presents programs for parishioners interested in learning more about God and the Faith.

Arimathea Society

The Arimathea Society of Saint Michael Parish is a ministry of consolation to those suffering the loss of a loved one; consolation rooted in the hope which comes from the saving death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Members of the Society help grieving families prepare for the Funeral Masses of their loved ones, and are available to the bereaved throughout all parts of the funeral. The Society helps the family to plan the readings and music for the Funeral Mass. It also assists parishioners who wish to preplan their own funeral liturgy or who have family members die in another parish or at a distance. The Society invites any members of the parish to join its ministry.

Altar Servers

Acolytes, or altar servers, assist the priest as he celebrates the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. This service is open to boys and girls from 4th grade onward. Adults serve at the weekday 9 a.m. Mass and at Funeral Masses. Volunteers are always welcome. Classes of instruction are held as needed. There are more than thirty altar servers active.

Altar Society

The women of the Altar Society attend to the maintenance and cleanliness of the physical appurtenances of the Mass, including the altar, the small altar linens, the sanctuary itself, and the holy-water fonts. Cleaning of areas not covered by custodial care is done every week by two parishioners and a more thorough cleaning is conducted each spring and fall. More than twenty members are active; new members are welcome. Calls for volunteers are published in the church bulletin. Confirmation students are encouraged to learn more about care of the altar and so to fulfill their service-hours requirement.

Bedford Community Table/Pantry

St. Michael Parish is one of several churches and civic organizations in our town which have joined to aid provide a dinner meal each week at an open Community Table, for whoever wishes to partake. Older citizens of the town as well as families and persons in need enjoy the convenience and availability of a hot dinner in a sociable setting. (The Community Table is scheduled to reopen in the new Bedford Town Center in the Fall of 2005).

The Community Pantry stocks non-perishable food for distribution upon application, and is open Thursdays from 3:30 to 6:00 p.m. Currently, about a half dozen Saint Michael parishioners are involved. Additional volunteers are welcome and are solicited from time to time through notices in the church bulletin.

Christian Service Committee

This committee works to assist local families in need to get through financially hard times, especially at Thanksgiving and Christmas, often in cooperation with other churches and organizations. Food, clothing, toys and other items can be supplied following guidance from clergy, social workers, and school nurses. This work is done confidentially, respecting the privacy of those aided. Parishioners participate through their contributions of food and clothing and from time to time their contributions to special collections earmarked for this work. Due to the confidential nature of this work, committee membership is small. Committee membership is through appointment by our pastor.

Cursillo/Ultreya

Cursillo/Utreya, an international movement, serves those who wish to deepen their faith and commitment to Christ through apostolic action, prayer and study. A short course in Christianity (the Cursillo) introduces new participants to a way of Christian Life. Subsequent group meetings (the Ultreya) provide reinforcement and further formation in living as an active member of the Church. Watch the weekly church bulletin for news of the next Cursillo to be scheduled. Monthly Ultreya meetings are held in the parish hall.

Eucharistic Adoration

“Couldn’t you watch with me even one hour? Watch with me and pray lest the Tempter overpower you.”

Adoration of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament takes place on First Friday evenings from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m and on the first Saturday each month, from the closing of the 9 a.m. Mass until 2 p.m. We welcome anyone who would like to give an hour praying in the real presence of the Lord. Sign up on sheets posted at the side entrance to the Church is encouraged in order to ensure a constant watch and to be able to notify people if unforeseen circumstances arise.

Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist

Special ministers of the Eucharist assist the celebrant during Mass by serving the Bread of Life and the Cup of Salvation to the members of the congregation. Close to ninety special ministers are active. Typically, sixteen are scheduled for a weekend’s Masses. Membership is open to parishioners upon invitation by our pastor. There are two or three meetings from time to time during the year.

Finance Council

The Finance Council, mandated for each parish by Canon Law, provides counsel to our pastor concerning administration of parish finances, budget, and property. The Council assists the pastor in reporting the status of finances to the parish membership and assists with extraordinary financial appeals when necessary. Working with our pastor, the Council estimates parish income, develops the annual budget for parish operations, and measures monthly performance against that budget. Working with our pastor and the Property and Maintenance Committee, the Finance Council developed and administers the parish Capital Fund (this fund is the major support to the parish plan for the long-term maintenance and improvement to church property and plant). The six members of the Council are appointed by the pastor. The Council meets monthly.

Gardens and Grounds Committee

This committee works to maintain and improve the beauty of the church grounds. Its members plan, plant, and maintain the gardens around the church and rectory, including perennial plantings for long-term landscaping. Less than ten parishioners are active in this work; more would be welcome! If interested, please contact us - or just join in.

Knights of Columbus

The Knights of Columbus is a fraternal order of Catholic men committed to charity, unity, fraternity, and patriotism. It is marked by fidelity to the Catholic Church, to their community, to their country, and to their fellow man. Their many activities and fund-raisers aim at church, family, and youth. They work in support of the Pro-Life cause and raise funds for charitable works and youth scholarships. Their recent activities have included a communion breakfast for the Confirmation class, fund raising on Bedford Day with a food booth, a Tootsie Roll drive to aid handicapped children, a Pancake Breakfast on Mothers Day, and various special functions. Membership is open to practicing Catholic men 18 years or older. There are close to one hundred and eighty members. Annual dues are $30. Meetings are scheduled for the second Wednesday of each month (excluding July and August) at 7:30 p.m. in the Parish Hall.

Lectors

Lectors are the young people and adults who read God's Holy Word at Mass. Over forty readers are active. Typically, eight are scheduled for a weekend’s Masses. Volunteers for this ministry are always welcome. Meetings are called from time to time as needed.

Mailing Committee

Members of this committee provide support to the parish administrative office in the work of intraparish communications, particularly in handling the mechanics of parish-wide mailings. This congenial group enjoys good company and good conversation as they handle the mailings, strengthening parish community as they work. The group meets to do a mailing about six times per year, usually right after the 9 a.m. Mass on a Monday. Nearly thirty people are regularly active in this work. All others are most welcome.

Marian Prayer Group

The Marian Prayer Group meets to pray in front of the Blessed Sacrament on Tuesday mornings immediately following the 9:00 a.m. Mass. The group is registered as an official Cenacle of the world-wide call of Mary to her Beloved Priests, known as The Marian Movement of Priests, which she formed in the early '70's to combat the widespread dissent voiced against the teaching Magisterium of the Church. We meet in Cenacle to express our solidarity with the Pope and with the Bishops and Priests throughout the world who have joined Mary's Cohort. We begin by calling upon the Holy Spirit to bless our everyday activities and we place our special petitions before Jesus. After reciting a meditated Rosary, we read one of the interior locutions of Mary to Fr. Gobbi, (the priest whom she selected to lead her Movement), and then recite the Consecration to Her Immaculate Heart, closing with the brief Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel, to protect us against the "...wickedness and snares of the Devil…who prowls about the World seeking the ruin of souls."

MOM to MOM

MOM to MOM is a Biblically-based program to educate, encourage and equip women for parenting. The program also fosters the growth of wholeness in women, intellectually, relationally and spiritually. It features video lectures, guest speakers and small-group interaction. The program is conducted here by Bedford-area women from diverse backgrounds with children of all ages. It runs from September to April in the Parish Center with Wednesday morning sessions. A program fee covers materials and child care costs. First-come, first-served registration opens in April and child care spots are limited.

Music Ministry

With hymns, songs, and spiritual canticles, the music ministry lifts our hearts and voices as we worship God in liturgical celebration. Many parishioners participate in the following groups:

• The Senior Choir, comprised of post-high-school men and women, sings at the 10 a.m. or 5 p.m. Sunday Mass. Periodically, they join with other local choirs in ecumenical and philanthropic events. They practice on Thursday evenings from 7:30-9:30 p.m. from September through the Feast of the Holy Trinity.
• The Junior Choir, consisting of boys and girls from grades 3-5, sings once a month at the 10 a.m. Sunday Mass. They practice Thursday afternoons from 3:10-4:00 p.m. As an extension of their community service, they frequently perform at local nursing homes.
• The Youth Choir is comprised of middle school and high school students, meeting after Religious Education class on Sunday evenings.
• The Adult Bell Choir meets Mondays after morning Mass, from approximately 9:30-11 a.m. They periodically play for morning Mass, parish gatherings, and at nursing homes.
• Instrumental ensembles are actively encouraged! Beginners through advanced players are welcome to come - music is arranged to fit the player's expertise.
• Volunteer cantors are drawn from the various choirs. They sing at the Sunday 5 p.m. Mass.

There groups welcome new members on a regular or seasonal basis. Also, if you would like to help the music ministry, but not as a “performer,” office help volunteers are welcome...for typing, filing, phone calling, etc.

Parish Pastoral Council

The Parish Pastoral Council, mandated by Canon Law, exists to plan for the pastoral needs of our parish. St. Michael's Council is comprised of the parish clergy and twelve men and women of the parish elected by the church membership or appointed by the pastor. The members of the Council advise our pastor, articulating parish needs and exploring approaches to meet them. The Council maintains oversight of the Religious Education and Liturgy programs, plans a parish Mission every six years, supervises elections to the Pastoral Council, sponsors preparation of this parish directory, and organizes the annual parish "job fair" to recruit volunteers for parish ministries, committees, organizations, and apostolates. The Council meets six or more times a year on weekday evenings (7:30 p.m.), provides an annual day of recollection for members, and holds an annual dinner for members and spouses. Elections to the Council are held every two years; candidates are nominated, then elected by their fellow parishioners.

Parish Visitation Committee

This is a group of parishioners culled from other parish activities, whose goal is to prepare for the visit of the ordinary or regional bishop every six years.

Pine Street Inn Ministry

Pine Street Inn is a shelter in Boston which provides food, medical care, and safety in a atmosphere of dignity and respect to over 350 homeless guests. It also provides education, job training, permanent housing, and transitional support for those guests ready to move beyond the shelter.

St. Michael Parish is one of many parishes providing support to the Pine Street Inn. Our parishioners prepare and serve the evening meal on the first Thursday of each month for the guests of the Inn. Volunteers prepare and assemble the food in their homes and bring it to the Parish Center before 3:30 p.m. on the first Thursday of the month. Other necessities, such as white sox and toiletries, are donated also. Many Confirmation candidates are involved in this work as an element of their service projects; the numbers of people in need and their graciousness in adversity are impressive to these young people. Saint Michael Parish meets its commitment every month.

Everyone is invited to support this all-volunteer program as a food preparer, a driver, or an on-site food server; summer-time is especially critical. Many, many members of the parish are active in supporting this activity on a regular basis. If you can help, please volunteer.

Property and Maintenance Committee

This group of men and women with expertise in building trades/real estate/maintenance advises our pastor on the maintenance, upkeep, and renewal of the parish buildings and grounds. They track the status of all parish real property, recommend and prioritize needed repairs and improvements, and monitor work undertaken for its acceptability. Typical repair and maintenance have included repainting of the church interior, new church and rectory roofs, installation of granite curbing, re-pavement of driveways and parking lot, improvement of parking lot lighting, installation of a new lavatory in the rectory basement and replacement of the church HVAC system. Membership is through appointment by the pastor.

Religious Education

St. Michael's religious education program, with a student enrollment of over 600, supports the families of this Church as they bring their children to a commitment in faith to Jesus, our Lord and Redeemer. A full description of the program may be found on our Religious Education page.

The program is implemented by approximately 150 parishioners who serve as catechists, grade coordinators, and supporting personnel. Catechists meet four times a year for catechists meeting and training workshops. Volunteers are always welcome and are earnestly sought.

Respect Life Committee

This committee, responsive to the call of our Archbishop, acts to foster within our church community and beyond a sense of the enormous sanctity of human life, our awesome gift from God. By prayer, publicity, and works in support of life in all its human stages, it holds up the insights of science and the teaching of the Church that conception marks the beginning of human life which then lies in God's province until a natural death. They stand against the malice of abortion and euthanasia in concert with other Catholic parishes and other churches. Regular activities of this group include:

• monthly meetings (occasionally with a speaker on life issues)
• the annual Boston Respect-Life Walk
• Mothers Day flower sale fundraiser for an unwed mothers home
• weekly Respect Life inserts in the church bulletin
• Pennies-for-the-Unborn collections at the church doors, and
• a nine-month "spiritual adoption" program of personal prayer for an unborn child ending with a parish baby shower for clients of Heartbeat, a near-by pregnancy help center.

Special activities have included letter-writing campaigns on political issues, and formation of a legislative telephoning group of parishioners who call to influence legislation bearing on life issues.

A small number of people are active in this work. New members are most welcome; come to the next meeting at 10 a.m. on the second Monday of each month in the Parish Center.

Rite for Christian Initiation of Adults (R.C.I.A.)

This is a parishioner-directed program of catechesis/formation for:

• unbaptized persons wishing to become Catholic
• baptized Protestants/Orthodox Church members wishing to be received into full Communion with the Church
• baptized Catholics who have not received First Communion/Confirmation who wish to return to the Church.

The committee works with our priests in the presentation of our Catholic faith. By sharing faith conviction, spiritual insights, and enthusiasm for their life within the Church, they help others who are exploring to come to a sense of what a Catholic faith commitment could mean to them, and in many cases, to make that commitment for themselves. Close to ten people are involved in this work.

Saint Michael Catholic Men's Group

A group of men from the parish gathers to read from the Bible and the Catechism and discuss how to live out our Catholic faith in our daily lives. You are invited to join us. We meet every other Tuesday night in the Parish Center, from 8-9pm.

Saint Michael Women's Club

The Women's Club provides a devotional/social forum for building community among the women of St. Michael's Church. They present varied monthly programs of interest to the membership. Recent programs have included spiritual videos, collection of school and medical supplies for Iraq, Care Packages for military serving overseas, a floral arrangement class, a pot-luck supper, and an end-of-year banquet. With a membership of about forty, this club is open to all women of the parish. Annual dues are $5.00. Meetings are scheduled for the first Wednesday of the month from October to May.

Social Events Committee

This committee promotes parish community spirit by organizing social activities and fund raisers, including pizza dinners, parish yard sales, auctions, etc. Several such events are scheduled each year and they are usually held in the Parish Center. The committee, a part of the Parish Pastoral Council, plans the events and calls for volunteers to support each event as it comes along. Watch the parish bulletin for notices and announcements.

Stewardship Committee

This is a group of parishioners who meet with the pastor and the regional bishop to plan and execute the parish Stewardship Program which stresses the need for Time, Talent and Treasure to be expended in answer to the question "What can I return to the Lord in thanksgiving for all He has done for me?"

Strategic Planning Committee

All parishioners were invited to a meeting in June, 2004, to identify and discuss topics which could affect the future well-being and direction of our parish. As a result of this "brainstorming session," a strategic planning group was formed by our pastor. The group was later expanded to a total of 28 parishioners, representing all ministries, committees and vital demographic groups within the parish of St. Michael.

The goal of this committee is to develop a Strategic Plan for the Parish of St. Michael which will help us direct, communicate and invigorate the work of the parish. This plan will state where we believe our parish should be going in the next five years, how we are going to get there, and how we will know if we have arrived. With this plan as a tool, we can share with our parish how we see ourselves growing in our relationship with God and with each other.

Ushers/Greeters

The ushers and greeters of the Ministry of Hospitality support our celebration of Mass by greeting people as they arrive and assisting them, as needed, to find seating or other church facilities (e.g., crying room, lavatory, etc.) They collect the offering during Mass and distribute bulletins to departing churchgoers after Mass. They look after the needs of the congregation adjusting ventilation or heating and assisting in any emergency which may arise. More than twenty ushers/greeters are active. Men and women of the parish are always welcome to volunteer for this ministry.

Visitation Ministry

Visitation ministers are people already commissioned as Special Ministers of the Eucharist who bring the Holy Sacrament to elderly and shut-in parishioners in their homes and at the Carlton-Willard Village retirement community. After the celebration of the Eucharist (daily and weekends) , the visitation ministers are sent forth by the priest with his blessing to the ailing and confined as a link between them and the Church in celebration, to bring to them the support and consolation of our Lord in the Eucharist. This ministry also sponsors the annual Lazarus Day Mass offered on the Saturday after All Souls Day as a consolation for grieving families who have lost a loved one during the year. The visitation ministry sends get-well cards to ill and hospitalized parishioners, sympathy cards and Christmas cards to grieving families, birthday cards to those who it visits regularly, birthday cards to parishioners on their 80th birthday, and cards to children on the first anniversary of their baptism. There are about ten members of this ministry. Visitation ministers are appointed by our pastor. There are three or four meetings of this ministry during the year.

Web Site/ Computer Systems Support

This activity administers and maintains the parish website, the Parish Center’s Local Area Network, and the computer systems connected to it. The work is performed by the parish webmaster, who is appointed by our pastor.