Holy Angels Church offers
a number of committees and organizations which allow all
parishioners to actively participate in the church. Click for a printable Time & Talent Intention Form to be filled out and sent in to the parish office or click to
volunteer.
ORGANIZATIONS
Finance Council
The Finance Council assists the Pastor in fulfilling his administrative
and financial duties which may include assuring adequate Parish
income, investing funds and preparing the Parish budget. (Read about our Plus 1 Campaign as we strive to increase our monthly income.) The Council also advises the Pastor regarding maintenance and improvements of our Parish facilities. The six Council members are selected by the Pastor.
Legion of Mary
This group of members perform spiritual and pastoral activities within the Parish such as visiting those hospitalized, the shut-ins and the families of the newly Baptized. They also organize the May Crowning of our Statue of Mary. Inspired by Our Blessed Mother, members meet weekly on Tuesday afternoons in the Center for devotion and recitation of the Rosary. The Legion of Mary is currently seeking new members to do God's work through our Lady.
Men's Retreat League
This group of Parish men meet occasionally to encourage other male parishioners to attend an annual weekend retreat held in October at the Holy Family Retreat House in Farmington. The retreat is designed to nourish and renew the spirit with workshops, reflections, talks and liturgy. There is also a counterpart retreat for women each year.
Meriden-Wallingford Council of Catholic Women
The National Council of Catholic Women (NCCW) is a federation of 7000 Catholic women's orgnizations representing millions of Catholic women across the country. NCCW programs respond with Gospel values to the needs of the Church and society in the modern world. It was founded in 1920 at the request of the United States Catholic Bishops who had seen the work accomplished by the many separate Catholic women's groups during World War I and urged them to unite their efforts by forming a federation. Today, NCCW is composed of affiliated parish or area women's groups, diocesan and national organizations, as well as supporting members. The organization acts through these affiliates to support, educate and empower all Catholic women in spirituality, leadership and service. NCCW holds membership in World Union of Catholic Women's Organizations and Women in Community Services. It is also an affiliate organization of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops / United States Catholic Conference.
MWCCW meetings are held in our Parish Center.
Parish Council
The Parish Council consists of nine members and two trustees.
Meetings are held every other month or monthly if needed from September through
May. The Council advises the Pastor in setting policy for the Parish and also
approves the plans and goals of the other Parish committees: Education, Liturgy/Worship,
Community Action and Social. Parish Council members serve a three year term.
If you are interested in becoming a member of the Parish Council, please complete a representative sign up form and drop it in the basket at Mass this week. Someone will contact you!
Do you have a question about your church? Express "What's on Your Mind" (printable format) and your Parish Council will respond. Click here for a recent response.
Young-at-Heart
The Young-at-Heart is a social group for parishioners 60 years and older. They
gather for a Mass, meeting and luncheon at 11:00 a.m. on the first Friday of
each month except January, February, July and August. Members also enjoy many trips and social events
throughout the year.
Youth Group
The Holy Angels Youth Group is open to all parishioners in grades 6 through 12.
The purpose of our Youth Group is to promote the spiritual as well as cultural
growth of the youth of our Parish family. The group meets in the Parish Center
on the 1st and 3rd Sunday of each month to discuss and initiate various youth activities
in our Parish, or with other youth groups in the area. We
invite all youth of the Parish to join.
Worship
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
Extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion distribute the Eucharist at Masses as well as to homebound
parishioners who cannot attend worship. On a rotating schedule, extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion
also visit the Curtis Home to distribute the Eucharist. Volunteers
attend an archdiocesan training program and are formally commissioned by the
Archbishop as extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion.
Lectors
Lectors fulfill a most important ministry of service by proclaiming the Word
of God at all weekend Masses. Prior to serving, Lectors receive instructional
training. In addition, annual half-day workshops are available to Lectors to
enhance and improve their delivery. Both men and women can volunteer to serve.
Greeters
Volunteers of this group serve the parish by welcoming parishioners as they arrive
for Mass as well as coordinating the offertory processions and collections. Greeters
also oversee the needs of the Celebrant and ensure the comfort of the parish
family.
Altar Servers
Boys and girls in the fourth grade or above, volunteer to assist in the celebration
of our Masses and at other liturgies. Altar servers also assist at weddings and
funerals. Classes for new servers are usually held in the Fall.
Altar Society
The Altar Society prepares the altar and sanctuary for Masses, funerals and weddings.
This group is responsible for cleaning the altar, vestments, and linens. They
also mark the daily readings. Currently, there are eight members of the society
who work in groups of two on a rotating basis.
COMMITTEES
Social Committee
Volunteer members plan and provide for the many social events which
are held throughout the year.
Members help to provide opportunities for parishioners of all ages
to enjoy a sense of parish family community, friendship and religious
holiday spirit.
Education Committee
The volunteer members of the Education Committee, recognizing that a Christian's
education
continues through life, seek ways to provide religious education for our parishioners
from preschool to adult. Members meet about once a month.
Community Action Committee
Volunteers of this committee coordinate projects to benefit parishioners and Meriden community residents in
need. Activities include bottle
drives, collecting items to make food baskets for those less fortunate, and collecting clothing and other gifts for
the needy at Christmas. To all of our parishioners who make this possible, we Thank You for your kind and consistent donations!
Calendar:
March - Easter Food Baskets
April - Battered Women Personal Hygiene
May - Roses for Birthright
June - Bottle Collection for A.R.C. of Meriden & Wallingford
July - Picnic Food Baskets
August - School Supplies
September - Household Items
October - Birthright Baby Shower
November - Thanksgiving Food Baskets
December - Giving Tree and Christmas Food
Baskets
Liturgy/Worship Committee
These volunteer members study our Liturgy celebrations and help
to make them more meaningful for our parishioners. They work together
to improve their liturgical
knowledge to share with others.
Pro-Life Outreach Ministry
We all understand how vitally important the issue of life is in our society today and how important it is for each one of us to defend life at all its stages. Pope John Paul II has said: "to be actively pro-life is to contribute to the renewal of society through the promotion of the common good. It is impossible to further the common good without acknowledging and defending the right to life upon which all other inalienable rights of individuals are founded." (Gospel of Life) With the Holy Father's words in mind, the Holy Angels Pro-Life Ministry held a meeting on Wednesday, June 14, 1999 at the Holy Angels Parish Center. The purpose of this meeting was to organize a citywide Pro-Life Committee with other Meriden parishes to host a Pro-Life Day in the Archdiocese of Hartford. Born out of love and dedication, the "Respect Life Day Conference" was conceived and implemented. Since then, the Holy Angels Pro-Life Outreach Ministry has held this conference in the month of October to coincide with respect life month. Please view the Events page on this website for more detailed information.
Parishioner Support
A new ministry has been created at Holy Angels. "Angel Buddies" involves volunteers that are called upon to contact "shut in" parishioners (elderly, new parents, etc.) in an effort to assist them in their daily living. No direct assistance will be required. Buddies may provide respite, purchase grocery items, or simply visit someone in need. Please review the opening letter and application to join this important ministry.
