~ Programs, Services & Ministries ~


Altar Servers

Beginning in grade five and through graduation from High School the young boys and girls of St. Christine's Parish have the opportunity of serving at the Altar of God. As an Alter Servers these young people will not only be helping our priests during services they will also be leading us in prayer by their attitude and assistance on the altar. Once they have become Altar Servers they are invited to embrace this commitment and remain as servers until they graduate. Our goal is to have social activities whereby we all can connect with one another.

For more information about becoming and Altar Server call - 781-834-6003


Baptism

Baptism is a very important sacrament in the Catholic Church or any Christian community. It is the basis of our faith. Jesus showed us the way first when he asked John the Baptist to baptize him. Ours is unique because of the fundamental value and importance we put in the preparation of parents and godparents who want to have their child baptized at St. Christine. Mrs. Grant, our Baptismal Coordinator, sees to it that new parents are informed and prepared for this special event. Young parents who have had children baptized in our church, eventually became witnesses. They share their experiences with other young parents who are about to have their children raised as Christians and Catholics and hence recognize what the grace of baptism brings.

For more information about Baptism contact:
Lauretta Grant at 781-834-6003 x28


Eucharist Ministers

For the last 25 years the Eucharistic Ministry has paralleled the growth of St. Christine's Parish. The ministry began with four parishioners appointed by Fr. Charles Sheehy in 1970. We now have 65 Eucharistic Ministers, including 39 who bring Holy Communion to the sick and the homebound. Our youngest Eucharistic Minister is 17 our oldest is 84. Our ministry to the sick began on Easter Sunday, 1978. today, following Sunday's 9:00 a.m. Mass, five visitors to the sick bring Holy Communion, pray and visit with 20-25 parishioners who are unable to join the parish community at the Lord's table due to illness or advanced age. We also have twelve Eucharistic Ministers who are trained to lead the Rite of Holy Communion Outside of Mass, providing an opportunity for prayer and reception of Holy Communion for early risers each day of Lent at 6:30 a.m.. In the future, the Archdiocese' three-year term limit for Eucharistic Ministers will give many more parishioners the opportunity to serve in this sacred ministry while growing in love for and devotion to the Eucharist, which is the central and most important act of our faith.

For more information about the Eucharistic Ministry contact:
Mary Doolan at 781-834-6003 x21


Lectors  

The Liturgy of the Word is and essential component of the Eucharistic Liturgy. The Ministry of Lector is to break open the Word of God to nourish and sustain the faithful. A formal training program for Lectors is provided.

For more information about the Lector Program contact:
AnnMarie Roth at 781-834-6003 x15


Ministry to Bereaved Families

This Ministry is conducted by our bereavement facilitator Susanne McCarthy. Her role is to support our parishioners who have lost their loved ones and look for support, comfort, and coping in their moments of grief.

For more information about the Ministry to Bereved Families call:
(781) 837-0088 ext 19


Music Program

St. Augustine said, "one who sings prays twice". Well if that's the case, at St. Christine's we pray three times.

The Adult Choir: Under the dedicated direction of Meri-Lee Mafera the Saint Christine's Adult Choir has come a long way from what it used to be. The combination of talented voices supported by brilliantly played piano brings the Celebration of Mass to a whole new level of spirituality.

For more information about the Adult Choir contact:
Meri-Lee Mefera at 781-834-6003

The Choristers: The voices of our children at Mass and other events are like angels. The motivation for singing has enabled some of our young ones to develop an interest in music and has also helped some develop an interest in playing the piano. Some of our Children's Choir members continue singing right through their graduating years from high school at our Youth Masses which are held during the school year for our Confirmation students.

For more information about the Children's Choir contact:
Meri-Lee Mefera at 781-834-6003


Parish Council

The purpose of the Parish Council is to assist the pastor in his leadership role of planning, organizing, initiating, promoting, coordinating and reviewing the evangelization, worship, religious education and service activities within the parish.
Objectives of the Parish Council.

  1. To assess adequately the needs of the whole parish and its members, and to develop and implement a pastoral plan which will promote the common good of the parish.
  2. To foster unity and a sense of community in the parish and to coordinate all parish activities in a manner that will best serve the interests of the parish.
  3. To promote programs and activities recommended by the Archbishop, Archdiocesan offices and agencies as well as the pastoral council itself.

Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA)

The Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults, commonly know as R.C.I.A., is the normal, church-approved way in which adult candidates become fully active, participation member of the Catholic Church. Candidates, called catechumens, may come from those who were never baptized in non-Catholic religions, or those baptized as infants in the Church but never catechized. From September to Pentecost, these candidates undertake a program of instruction, discussion, prayer, counseling and ritual. Various members of the parish, under the leadership of the Pastor, are involved in the candidates' instruction and guidance. All will agree that it is a most rewarding and fulfilling apostolate.

For more information about RCIA call:
718-837-6003


Rite of Christian Initiation of Children (RCIC)

The Rite of Christian Initiation of Children, or R.C.I.C., is patterned after the R.C.I.A., but in practice is adapted to children. During Holy Week services, the children are received into the church either through Baptism and Eucharist,or the Eucharist, if already baptized. Confirmation is delayed until the usual parish celebration during sophomore year.

For more information about RCIC call:
718-837-6003


Religious Education Program

St. Christine's parish is committed to the religious education of its children and this is reflected in the generosity of approximately 140 volunteer CCD teachers and grade level coordinators who share their faith with youngsters every year. This collaborative ministry, under the supervision of its Director and Assistant Directors, serve over one thousand students in a hundred or more classes each week.

For more information about the Religious Education Program contact:
781-837-0088


Sowing Seeds

Sowing Seeds is a parish run organization which collaborates with other churches in Marshfield to address the needs of the less fortunate members of our community.

For more information about Sowing Seeds contact:
Mary Doolan at 781-834-6003 x21


St. Vincent DePaul Society

The St. Vincent DePaul Society, which is a worldwide organization, was founded specifically to aid families or individuals in financial difficulty by providing them with food vouchers, aid with utility bills, partial rent payment, or other such needs that may arise. It is an anonymous, temporary means of assistance, and there are no race, color or creed barriers. St. Christine's extends this aid throughout the town of Marshfield. Funding for this outreach program are obtained through the generosity of St. Christine's caring and charitable parishioners.

For more information about the St. Vincent DePaul Society call:
718-837-6003


Youth Ministry Program

The Youth Ministry Program is a three-tier program:

  1. Social: for students grades 9-12. This program consists of ski trips, dances and cookouts. Also, the Youth Group has presented the musical "Gospel" and the play "Arsenic and Old Lace."
  2. Educational: for grades 11 and 12. This group meets monthly with guest speakers who address topics relevant to teen-agers.
  3. Spiritual: for students grades 11 and 12. To qualify for participation in this component, a student must have taken part in an intensive four-day Senior Leadership Retreat which is held in August at the Christian Conference Center in Craigville. The primary task of these trained leaders is to conduct Retreats for students in grades 9 and 10. In addition, students are chosen from this group to serve as Eucharistic Ministers, Lectors and CCD Teachers.

For more information about the Youth Ministry Program contact:
Kathy Scanlan at 781-837-0088, ext. 26
MaryAnn Bursaw at 781-837-0088, ext. 23


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