Parish Ministries

The annual Advent Giving Tree invites parishioners to celebrate the season of Advent by providing Christmas gifts to our neighbors in need. The Advent Giving Tree, adorned with gift tags describing the individual gifts hoped for, is placed in the narthex on the First Sunday of Advent. Each year, we need help with preparing the tags, assembling and decorating the tree, sorting the gifts as they arrive, and delivering the gifts. Help us with this year’s Advent Giving Tree here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0844ADA72AA75-stcecilias

Our parish altar servers are children (third grade and older) and adults who assist the celebrant in the Sunday celebration of the liturgy, as well as on holy days. Altar servers carry the processional cross and candles, hold the Missal for the celebrant, prepare the altar for the Liturgy of the Eucharist, and help receive the gifts of bread and wine. Altar servers must be able to take direction, anticipate what needs to happen during the liturgy, and act in a dignified manner.

Following the 9:30 and 11:30 a.m. Sunday liturgies, our Parish Hall is a lively gathering place where members of the community meet to spend time socializing over a cup of Equal Exchange coffee and freshly baked pastry. In addition to performing the set-up and clean-up for the Coffee Hour, members of our hospitality crew are also the hosts—welcoming people, serving people, and creating a warm and inviting atmosphere.

Does getting to Saint Cecilia Parish require a plane, train, and automobile for you? Fret not! Anyone who attends Saint Cecilia, near or far, in person or virtually, is invited to engage with and support other parishioners in our Online Coffee Hour Ministry. This virtual community space offers monthly Zoom meetings, where attendees can hear from guest speakers, be introduced to key parish figures, socialize, or discuss the Sunday readings and homily. You can join this ministry’s mailing list here: (https://forms.gle/ ncQ6qgfuPBzRp26MA).

Extraordinary Ministers
of Holy Communion

Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion assist with the distribution of the Lord’s Body and Blood at Mass.

Our parish greeters are the first face of the parish, extending a warm welcome to parishioners and visitors. Greeters distribute music programs and bulletins, answer questions, invite people to bring forward our gifts of bread and wine during the Eucharistic Liturgy, and invite parishioners to help with the offertory collection.

Over the past decade, Saint Cecilia Parish has developed a significant relationship with several Boston-based nonprofit agencies that focus on housing and homelessness as well as hunger relief and food insecurity. Parishioners assist these agencies by volunteering at their facilities and, in some cases, interacting with their clients. Our food rescue programs with Catholic Charities and Pine Street Inn require volunteer drivers with access to cars. Our five or six volunteer opportunities each month are designed to meet the busy lifestyles of parishioners and are usually scheduled for weekends and generally involve a commitment of only two to four hours. Saint Cecilia parishioners also participate in a variety of fundraisers and drives that support our nonprofit partners. Being a part of our homelessness and hunger ministries is a great way for parishioners to get to know one another better and to build community.

The Saint Cecilia Community Knitting and Crocheting Group welcomes new members! We meet once a month from 3:30-4:30 p.m. to spend time in fellowship while knitting. Knitting group members are currently knitting prayer shawls and children’s hats.

Last year we knitted 130 items that included prayer shawls, baby blankets, buntings, booties, hats, mittens, and scarfs, and distributed them to Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston Medical Center NIC Unit & The Knitting Connection. Whatever’s on your needles, you are welcome to join! To learn more or get the Zoom link to join please email Ann Marie Turo.

Lectors are entrusted with the ministry of proclaiming the Sacred Scriptures to those assembled at the Sunday Eucharist. Lectors also raise the community’s prayer to God by leading the Prayer of the Faithful. Individuals interested in this ministry must possess the ability to proclaim the sacred texts intelligibly and comfortably. They must also have the desire to share the Word with others and to grow in their understanding of the Scriptures.

​Saint Cecilia Marriage Ministry provides opportunities for spiritual growth, relationship support, and fellowship for parishioners who are married, in a committed partnership, or engaged. The Marriage Ministry serves all couples and is not restricted to those who are preparing for, or who are married in the Catholic Church. Our Marriage Preparation Program relies upon married couples within the parish to share their experiences and wisdom with couples who are preparing for marriage. Our Book Club explores the meaning of a relationship in the context of committed love between two people. Throughout the year, the Marriage Ministry will also host several spiritual, social, and service events to help strengthen our faith and deepen relationships.

At Saint Cecilia, the LGBTQ+ community is not just welcomed but celebrated. We revere and rely upon the unique gifts of our lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender siblings. Saint Cecilia Parish welcomes LGBTQ+ Catholics to worship God, to fully participate in shaping the life of this community, and to speak openly in an environment that is safe, loving, and supportive. Our Rainbow Ministry strives to help LGBTQ+ Catholics reconcile with the Church and develop a deeper relationship with God. In the past, this group has organized a Lenten speaker series, volunteer opportunities, and social events. 

​Previously known as our Prison and After Ministry, this group of parishioners gathers every Monday and welcomes anywhere from fifteen to thirty men, many of whom reside in local halfway houses. These Monday nights are designed to provide a safe space where men reentering the community from prison or jail feel welcomed and loved. From 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. there are two or three support groups that allow the men a chance to share with others what is going on in their lives. Parishioners facilitate these groups and participate in them. At 7:00 p.m. everyone shares a meal together. Our guests depart at 8:00 p.m. and the volunteer parishioners stay to clean up and have a brief meeting. This is a wonderful way to make a difference in the lives of men who often need to hear about their inherent goodness and dignity.

This parish ministry is a non-partisan but politically and socially engaged Catholic advocacy group for social and racial justice. The work of this ministry is grounded in the Gospel message that we are all one in Christ Jesus, and emphasis is placed on Catholic Social Teaching, particularly the call to protect the dignity of the most vulnerable. Members seek to connect with and amplify existing groups across the Boston ecumenical community, while also infusing social and racial justice into the whole of our parish.

​Like hosting parties and enjoy working with people? We’ve got the ministry for you! At Saint Cecilia, we have a number of annual events that require many helping hands. Under the direction of our Director of Facilities and Events, those who volunteer to assist with special events help plan and host the gala reception following our annual Christmas concert, the reception to welcome our newly initiated following the Great Vigil of Easter, and our annual outdoor Summerfest party. Along with these annual events, there are sometimes other events that require help.

The Wisdom and Mature Spirituality Group is a community of energized adults journeying in the second half of life and looking to build a deeper relationship with the Christian faith through fellowship, trust, sharing, and prayer. This group meets weekly to focus on the rediscovery of the foundations of Christian belief and practice while attempting to cultivate a spirit of contemplation to be instruments of compassionate action in the world. New members are always welcome.

Saint Cecilia’s Young Adult Ministry is for parishioners between the ages of 20 and 40 who are looking to explore their faith while meeting new people and building community. Group events fall into three areas: service, spirituality, and fellowship. This lively ministry is always planning fun and exciting activities for the young adults of the parish and is happy to welcome new members. Check out their Linktree here for what they’re up to: https://linktr.ee/scyoungadultsboston.

​Our Young Families Ministry connects parish families with young children for gatherings that support and strengthen community and spiritual growth. In addition to off-site activities, the ministry meets on the last Sunday of the month after the 9:30 Family Mass to nurture and cultivate a strong foundation on which our families’ faith and love for God can grow and thrive. All families with young children, as well as expecting parents, are welcome! Check out their Linktree here to see what they’re up to: https://linktr.ee/scyfboston