In Baptism we are called to be disciples of Christ. At St. Thomas of Villanova Parish we respond to that calling through a variety of ministries that serve our parish family and the wider community in Wilmington and beyond.
When we attend Mass, participate in a prayer group or help those unable to join us at the church stay connected, we are nurturing the faith life of our entire community. The following ministries depend on the time and talents of our parishioners.
At Mass
During the celebration of the Eucharist we take part in the unbloody sacrifice of the cross, carrying out Christ’s mandate to do this in memory of him. The priest is assisted in the distribution of the Eucharist by Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (Eucharistic Ministers), lay members of the parish who have prepared for this ministry.
In the Community
Our parish community does not end at the church doors. Parishioners who cannot physically join us at Mass because of age, illness or disability need to receive the Eucharist and stay connected to parish life. Our Parish Pastoral Visitors bring the Eucharist to individuals at home as well as at the two nursing home facilities in Wilmington. These volunteers are a source of much joy as they discuss that week’s Gospel and provide updates on parish happenings.
Training for Eucharistic Ministers involves taking part in a brief program that focuses on the theology of the Eucharist.
For more information, contact Deacon Clifford King at 978-658-4665 x112.
The mission of the Catholic Church is to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ. Our Ministers of the Word (Lectors) take part in this mission directly and deliberately when they deliver the readings of the Mass. All that is required to serve as a lector is a willingness to speak God’s Word at Mass. A brief training session provides the basics. Lectors meet with the deacon during the week before to discuss the meaning of the weekend readings.
For more information, contact Mary Lou Ferraro at 978-658-0795.
Fourth-graders and above are invited to become altar servers. This is a privilege for young people, an opportunity to serve God and the parish and to more deeply participate in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. To prepare, the candidates participate in a three-week training program. Upon completion they are commissioned at a Sunday Mass.
For more information, contact Deacon Clifford King at 978-658-4665 x112.
Parishioners and visitors alike are welcomed to Mass each weekend by our ushers/greeters. In addition to greeting people as they enter the church, these volunteers organize the offertory collection and pass out the weekly bulletin. They play an important role in creating the welcoming environment of St. Thomas of Villanova Parish.
For more information, contact Sonny Enos at 978-657-7281.
Music is truly one of God’s greatest gifts, a gift we all can share in. Our two choirs, Youth and Adult, lead the congregation in song each weekend. The choirs also sing at the Christmas Concert and the Tenebrae at Easter.
Youth Choir
The Youth Choir sings every other Sunday during the school year at the 9:30 Mass. The program includes traditional hymns along with some contemporary music. Rehearsal is the Wednesday before. The choir is primarily made up of elementary and middle-school students (grades 2–8). Several high school students serve as volunteers, singing in the choir and helping the music director with a variety of tasks.
Adult Choir
The adult choir sings at the 11:15 Mass. Rehearsal is the prior Wednesday evening. All adults are welcome, including high school students. The choir leads the congregation in traditional hymns.
For more information about either choir, call Lora Tamagini, music director, at 781-245-1073, or speak to her after Mass. All are welcome!
Children’s Liturgy of the Word
Our first experience with the Mass stays with us throughout our lives. The Children’s Liturgy of the Word takes an approach to the Word of God designed to make this first experience meaningful to the youngest members of our parish. On the first and third Sundays of each month during the school year, the children leave Mass to hear a translation of the Liturgy that resonates with them. Volunteers provide this important service to the young people of our parish.
For more information, contact Ginger Dankese at 978-447-1599.
When it comes to creating a good Marriage, there is no magic potion. It takes work and recommitment every day. The Marriage Preparation Program, held every spring in the parish, helps engaged couples prepare for that commitment. Deacon Clifford and Mrs. King are joined by volunteer married couples in leading a full-day program that covers the topics of spirituality, communication, parenting, finances and sex and sexuality.
If you would like to volunteer, contact Deacon King at 978-658-4665 x112.
Technology has brought us the blessing of being able to bring the Mass to those who are ill or homebound. A group of volunteers works on a rotating schedule to videotape the Mass once a week. The Mass is replayed several times during the week on local cable television. This ministry is a wonderful example of how our parishioners can use their particular talents in service of our community.
For more information, contact Jim Buckley at 978-658-4151.
The work of the Charities Committee echoes the early life of the Church when members of the Church who had property and money were asked to share with the less fortunate. The Charities Committee collects food, clothing and funds to help those in need. Our primary focus is Wilmington, however, we also do some work with nearby communities. Major programs include:
Food Bank
One weekend a month we hold a food collection in the church. Parishioners are asked to bring non-perishable food items to Villanova Hall. The food is donated to the Wilmington Food Pantry, which works under the auspices of the Wilmington Community Fund.
Clothing Drive
Eight times a year, on the same weekend as a food collection, we collect clothing and household goods. These items are donated to a variety of organizations, including Mission of Deeds in Reading, Lazarus House in Lawrence, House of Hope in Lowell and St. Francis House in Boston.
Piece of Pie
Every year we staff booths at the town of Wilmington’s Fourth of July Celebration. We sell pie and beverages. The proceeds, along with those from our monthly collection, are used to help Wilmington families struggling to pay utility bills or buy groceries.
Twice Blessed Ministry
This is a ministry in Lowell that holds a clinic several times a year and invites people in for medical evaluation. Our volunteer nurses have participated, and we send clothing collected through our clothing drive.
If you would like to be a member of the Charities Committee, call Rosemary Greco at 978-658-5362. All meetings are publicized in the weekly bulletin, and new members are always welcome.
The Outreach Committee lives the mission, “Break ourselves as Christ did, in the service of others.” Our team provides a service of love, living and spreading the love of Christ in communities in Massachusetts. Some of the organizations we serve and activities we take part in include:
· St. Francis House, Boston: Cooking a meal, collecting food, socks and toiletries;
· New England Pediatric Care Hospital, Billerica: Providing toys, socks (important for protecting the children from casts) tee shirts;
· Home for Little Wanderers, Boston: Providing pajamas;
· My Brother’s Table, Lynn: Serving Christmas Eve dinner, providing small gifts like mittens and socks;
· Demming Way (Senior Housing): Singing Christmas Carols, visiting;
· Giving Tree;
· Advent Angels;
· House of Hope, Lowell;
· Cor Unum (One Heart), Lawrence.
For more information, contact Pat Archfield at 978-250-1710.
St. Thomas Apostolic Mission Project
The St. Thomas Apostolic Mission Project (S.T.A.M.P.) was started in 1999 to help rehab homes in Appalachia. It has evolved to serve other communities in need, particularly the cities and towns on the Gulf Coast devastated by hurricanes.
Once a year, members of S.T.A.M.P. travel to a community in need where they spend a week helping to rebuild homes. Parishioners volunteer their time and talent to perform a variety of tasks including painting, carpentry and electrical work. STAMP pays the travel expenses.
We hold several fundraisers during the year, including the S.T.A.M.P. Dance in the fall. Funds go to pay for the travel expenses of our volunteers. The only meetings are to plan the fundraisers.
For more information, contact Agnes Fiumara at 978-657-6062.
The St. Thomas Women’s Club runs charitable, educational and social activities for all women of the parish. The activities vary from year to year, but some of them have included:
· The Craft Fair: Funds support the purchase of items for the parish, such as new Bibles for the religious education program; the Anointing Mass luncheons; and an annual scholarship to a high school student;
· The Senior Anointing Mass: Held twice a year;
· Retreats: Such as the one run by the Oblate Fathers in Tewksbury;
· Game and Craft Nights;
· Yankee Swap at Christmas;
· Trips to the theater and other cultural events;
· Birth Right: Collecting items for newborns in the Lowell area. This takes place during the Advent and Christmas seasons.
For more information, contact Joan Corsaro at 978-657-3905 or Maureen Sheehan at 978-658-8206.
Once a month after all the Masses, we hold a Blood Pressure Clinic as part of our Health Care Ministry. Volunteer nurses take blood pressure and provide information on nutrition and other health issues. For more information, contact, contact Pat Archfield 978-250-1710.
Our Hospitality Committee provides light refreshments for various functions. The most frequent event is the Coffee and Donuts after the Children’s Liturgy. Parishioners take turns picking up donuts and juice. The coffee is provided by the parish. For more information, contact Donna Palmerino at 978-658-4550.
The role of the Parish Pastoral Council (PPC) is to assist the pastor in his leadership role of evangelization, worship, religious education and service. This is a critical ministry, providing laity the opportunity to offer advice and provide guidance regarding the important work of the parish. Members may be elected or they may be appointed by the pastor. Helpful qualities for PPC members are that they be prayerful, pastoral, representative, discerning, responsible and enabling.
The Universal Law of the Church (Canon Law) requires that every parish have a Parish Finance Council. The Finance Council assists the pastor in the administration of parish goods and finances. Its members are appointed by the pastor and bring to the parish expertise in financial matters, property management and/or civil law. This group keeps current with the financial status of the parish, helps the pastor prepare an annual report to parishioners and advises the pastor on the care and maintenance of the parish property.
Knights of Columbus are Catholic gentlemen committed to the exemplification of charity, unity, fraternity, patriotism and defense of the priesthood. They participate in a variety of charitable works. For more information, contact Michael Champoux at 978-658-0297.