Our collaborative is blessed with a great many ministries and volunteers. Have you heard God's voice prodding you to volunteer or offer your gifts and talents to the Lord? As you scroll through the various ministries listed below pray on how you can serve the Lord.

Some of these ministries are collaborative wide while others are church specific. Please call the Collaborative Pastoral Center (781-648-0220) to inquire about a particular ministry you wish to join.

All volunteers must submit to a criminal background check (CORI), read the Code of Conduct, and attend the Protecting God's Children (VIRTUS training).

PROTECTING GOD’S CHILDREN TRAINING DURING THE PANDEMIC
Due to the current restrictions and health concerns presented by the pandemic, volunteers can currently meet this requirement through participation in two online trainings: VIRTUS online PGC training and Massachusetts online Mandated Reporter training. To complete the online PGC training, volunteers should go to www.virtusonline.org.

1. Click on “First time registrant
2. On the next page click on “Begin the registration process”
3. Select “Boston” from the drop down list of dioceses
4. Complete the registration process Once registration is complete you will be directed to an online PGC training through VIRTUS.

Upon completion of that training, individuals will be directed to a link to an additional online training on mandated reporting in Massachusetts. Both online trainings must be completed to be in compliance with child protection requirements. The mandated reporter training can be found at http://51a.middlesexcac.org/. Copies of the mandated reported certificates should be sent to Michelle Gee at MGee@rcab.org. It is not necessary to submit a copy of the PGC certificate. Anyone with questions can contact Vivian Soper at VSoper@rcab.org or at 617-746- 5995. While the staff is working from home, email and phone messages are checked at least hourly during normal work hours.
 

Altar Servers
This ministry of service during Mass is inclusively "staffed" by both boys and girls. Altar servers are scheduled for each of the weekend Masses and for special celebrations such as Holy Days or the special Evening Prayer Services and Masses during Advent and Lent. In addition, altar servers are often available by request for weddings and funerals. 
Contact: Fr. Micheal Sheehan

Arlington Eats
In 2017 Arlington EATS and the Arlington Food Pantry merged to accomplish one incredible mission, to eliminate food insecurity by providing nutritious and culturally appropriate food in a respectful and compassionate manner to any Arlington resident in need. We make sure that our students have healthy, nutritious food over the long summer vacation, February and April vacation and over the weekends.

The Arlington Food Pantry started in 1991 when a group of individuals from the Town, churches, and community leaders got together as a response to the first Iraq war, realizing things like fuel and food may be rationed. After an initial food drive everyone realized that hunger was an issue in Arlington and the food pantry became an ongoing monthly service offered out of the basement of Church of Our Saviour in East Arlington for 26 years.

In 2014, a group of churches, nonprofits, and the town met to discuss how to make the Food Pantry more sustainable to meet the needs of the community. As a result, the Pantry hired its first paid staff and opened a second site at 117 Broadway thanks to the generosity of several local churches and businesses.

Arlington EATS began in 2014 when a teacher at the Thompson Elementary School in Arlington, MA realized some of her students were experiencing behavior issues because they were hungry and began by offering snacks in the schools. In addition to our snack program, Arlington EATS has evolved to offer vacation and summer lunches as well as a monthly community dinner. We have donation baskets at the entrances of both churches.
Contact: Arlingtoneats.org.

Boy Scouts of America
St. Camillus sponsors B.S.A. Troop 313
Contact: Charlene Camara

Fatima Apostolate
These prayer groups, organized as cells, each with 8 to 10 members, strive to fulfill
the requests made by our Blessed Mother at Fatima, Portugal in 1917. The members
do this by offering up a Cell Hour of Holiness once a week before the Blessed
Sacrament in a spirit of penance and reparation for their sins and for those of the
whole world.
Contact: There are no in-person meetings during the COVID-19 closure.

Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion are active, confirmed Catholics who wish to serve their fellow parishioners, and have a love of the Eucharist. Extraordinary Ministers are ordinary Christians who model Christian living in faith and conduct in their ministry and in their daily lives. EMHCs are not serving during COVID-19.
Contact: Fr. Marc Bishop

Faith Formation - Online for the 2020-2021 Season
Preschool
The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is an approach to the religious formation of
children. It is rooted in the Bible, the Liturgy of the Church, and the educational
principles of Maria Montessori. Children gather in an “atrium,” a room prepared for them, which contains simple yet beautiful materials they use to help them absorb the most essential proclamations of the Christian faith. The Saint Agnes Atrium accepts children ages 3, 4, and 5. There are no in-person gatherings during the COVID-19 closure.
Contact: Jean Keiselbach

K through Grade 8
The Faith Formation Process for children in Kindergarten through eight is designed to support families in the religious development of their children. Our goal is to lead parents/caregivers/guardians to reflect on the life of Christ as they lead their children to a closer relationship with God. Mass attendance, in-person, or online is encouraged as a companion to building faith formation in our children.

Each year the children have the opportunity to celebrate the Sacrament of
Reconciliation. In addition, prayer services, guest speakers, service projects, parent
meetings, and other special activities are important to this program. First Eucharist is celebrated in May. Parents and others interested in serving our Faith Formation Process are strongly encouraged to volunteer. This service signifies the presence of Christ to the students and others in our lives.
Contact: Meredith Smith

Grades 9-12 and Youth Confirmation Preparation
We have a team of adults who serve as small group leaders in our youth confirmation preparation process. This was formerly called CCD or Religious Education and the adults were referred to as Teachers/Catechists. Youth Ministry can't happen without the great support of adult volunteers! The role of the small group leader is to lead discussion groups using provided materials and create a welcoming and encouraging environment for teens. We are expanding the sacramental preparation of our young people beyond classroom-style learning… Join us for this exciting new online process for the 2020-2021 season.
Contact: Meredith Smith/Scott Morin

Family Liturgy Committee
Throughout the school year, a committee meets monthly to prepare the Children’s
9:00 AM Sunday liturgies at St. Agnes as well as the 6:00 PM Family Christmas Eve Mass, the Passion, and Easter Sunday. There are no in-person meetings during the COVID-19 closure, but this group will begin meeting in October 2020 to plan for the new Liturgical Year. Join our team, we would love to have young families get involved.
Contact: Tara Fanning/Dawn Terry/JoAnne Curran

Giving Tree (Advent/Christmas) - Online for the 2020 season
This annual project is designed to encourage parishioners to give from their
hearts at Advent/Christmastime so that others who are needy may continue to know they are loved as the Christ Child was loved.
Contact: Scott Morin/Fabiola Aguilera

Homebound Visiting
Each week a number of parishioners bring the Eucharist to the home-bound, who cannot by reason of illness, infirmity, or age, get to Mass. Prayers are said, Scriptures are read, the Eucharist is given, bringing healing, strength, and a source of unity with Jesus and one's fellow parishioners. Those engaging in this ministry are trained, approved, and commissioned by the parish.

Members of the clergy go out to area nursing homes and celebrate Mass, bring Eucharist and offer Anointing of the Sick. Homebound visits are suspended during the COVID-19 closure.
Contact: Fr. Robert Sahayaraj

Knights of Columbus
The Knights of Columbus are a group of men dedicated to the parish and collaborative in many ways. Many Knights serve as ushers. Membership in the Knights is open to Catholic men who are interested in committing themselves to works of charity, unity, and fraternity.
Contact: Paul Buckley

Lectors
Lectors proclaim the Word of God at liturgical celebrations and Prayers of the Faithful. With deep faith and confident voice, they announce the good news of salvation to their sisters and brothers in the parish. Lectors read at all weekend masses and holy days. Lector workbooks are provided that contain all the readings for the church year and may be studied at home if desired. Lectors are participating in liturgies during the COVID-19 closure.
Contact: Jean Edgerly

Life Ministry Team
The Life Ministry Team works towards the sanctity of all life from conception until natural death. This collaborative committee promotes the Respect for Life through public awareness and events geared toward bringing attention to issues that endanger the concept of a dignified life for all: "from womb to tomb". There are no in-person meetings during the COVID-19 closure.
Contact: Fr. Micheal Sheehan

Music Ministry
“As sacred song united to the words, music forms an integral part of solemn liturgy. Yet the function of music is ministerial; it must serve and never dominate.” This is the premise upon which our liturgical music programs are based. The collaborative is very fortunate to have an active music ministry of all ages who strive to be ministers of faith and prayer. Our goal is to enhance sung prayer during the liturgy and encourage the community of faithful to worship in song. Virtual gatherings are planned during the COVID-19 closure. Contact Roger for more information.
Contact: Roger Mansen

Offertory Counters
Volunteers in both parishes give of their time to tally up the weekly and special collections throughout the year. 
Contact: Fr. Marc Bishop

Sodality of Our Lady
The Sodality seeks to foster authentic devotion to Mary in the life of the parish as well as to encourage and enrich the social lives of the members. The Sodality meets
monthly and includes Mass with a social gathering afterward. In addition, the
Sodality offers a number of other activities to its members such as the annual banquet, the annual day of recollection, and a variety of both day and overnight trips.
Contact: There are no meetings during the COVID-19 closure.

Ushers and Greeters
Ushers welcome, sign-in, and attend to the needs of the congregation, as well as being responsible for seating and dismissing. Ushers are a group of dedicated men and women of all ages who faithfully greet our parishioners as they arrive for Sunday Mass. We are accepting new ushers - Training is provided.
Contact: Chris Doyle/Dave Moran/Bob Tosi

Vocations Committee
The Catholic Parishes of Arlington Vocations Committee promotes and prays for life Vocations: Priesthood, Diaconate, Religious Life (female and male), Marriage, and Single life. There are no in-person gatherings during the COVID-19 closure.
Contact: Fr. Marc Bishop