St. William's Parish Organization

Middlesex Shelter Program

Our parish provides ongoing support for this shelter in Lowell through volunteers who provide, prepare, and serve meals to the homeless on the first Monday of each month. Volunteer participation requires the commitment on only one Monday evening per year.

Parish Pastoral Council

Advisory group to the Pastor meets the second Monday of each month, September through June. Council includes the priests of the parish, the Religious Education Director and 12 lay members, four of whom are elected each Spring.

Prayer Line

A network of parishioners and friends whose collective prayer offerings support the special intentions of those who ask for help.

Right to Life

Promotes the sanctity of human life through the Pro-Life Committee, which works with Massachusetts Citizens for Life to end abortion.

The Christian Family

Creighton Model Natural Family Planning (CrMNFP)

NFP is over 99% effective to avoid pregnancy, including for those who are breastfeeding or have irregular cycles. It is scientifically based, healthy, and approved by the Catholic Church. Please call Eileen Wood at 978-640-4916 for more information.

Divorced and Separated

Provides support, networking, and referrals through a group at St. Michael's in Lowell.

Marriage Encounter

Contact the rectory for more information.

Mothers of Preschoolers

Group meets every other Wednesday morning from October through June for prayer, sharing, music, finger play, and refreshments.

My Father's House

A home for pregnant and parenting teenage girls in Chelmsford. The home is still under construction and could use your volunteer help. Please call Eileen Wood at (978) 640-4916 for more information.

Evangelization

Home Visitation and Follow-up

Teams of trained evangelizers visit the home of parishioners to discuss parish life, ascertain needs and share the Good News of the Gospel. Visits are followed up with appropriate responses or referrals.

Teens Encounter Christ (TEC)

A special Saturday through Monday program held twice a year in which young adults are invited to spend a full weekend growing closer to Christ, to one another, and to their families through prayer and sharing.

Spiritual Celebration

Altar Servers

This opportunity to assist at Mass is open to boys and girls who have received First Communion and have completed the third grade. Altar Servers serve twice each month and must attend regular monthly meetings. Training sessions are held quarterly. New servers are recruited as needed.

Children's Choir

All children ages 8 to 14 are invited to sing with this group every Sunday morning at the 10:30 Mass. The Children's Choir practices each Friday afternoon.

Daily Rosary

Recited before the 9:00 a.m. Mass, Monday through Friday.

Eucharistic Ministers

Eucharistic ministers distribute Communion at weekend Masses. They also bring the Eucharist throughout the week to patients at the Tewksbury Hospital and local nursing homes and to the homes of shut-ins.

Family Mass

A special liturgy geared to children up to 12 years of age that makes Jesus real to them and encourages their participation through readings, music, and conversational homilies. The Family Mass is celebrated in the lower church each Sunday at 9:00 a.m.

Lectors

Adults 18 years and older who proclaim the Word at Mass approximately twice each month. Preparation and attendance at quarterly meetings is required.

Liturgy Committee

The Liturgy Committee is responsible for the preparation of all liturgical celebrations, including Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and the Annual Parish Mission of Renewal.

Saturday Choir

This adult singing group assists congregational singing each week at the 4:00 p.m. Mass.

Sodality of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Open to all women 18 years of age and older. Monthly meetings consist of Mass and Novena followed by a social. Service activities include making Baptismal robes, serving at funeral collations, baking for parish functions, conducting bingo for senior citizens, and preparing altar linens.

Sunday Choir

This adult singing group assists congregational singing each week at the 9:00 a.m. Mass in the upper church and also at Holy Week, Christmas, Confirmation, and other special liturgies and occasionally at weddings. Practice is held every Tuesday evening.

Ushers

Men 18 years and older who assist at Mass by greeting and seating parishioners, taking the Offertory collections, and arranging for Offertory gift bearers.

Young Lectors

Children 10 to 14 years old who are trained to do the scripture readings at the 9:00 a.m. Family Mass each Sunday.

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Religious Education

Bible Study

Group study and discussion to increase knowledge of and nourish deeper love for Sacred Scripture. The Bible Study Group meets every Monday at 9:30 a.m. from September through June.

Parish Religious Education Program (PREP)

Complete religious education curriculum begins with the first grade and continues through the eleventh grade when the Sacrament of Confirmation is conferred. PREP is a supplement to, and not a replacement for, spiritual formation and religious education in the home.

Engaged Couples Workshop

A 4-week preparation course required for couples contemplating marriage is designed to heighten understanding of such realities of married life as relationships, finance, the importance of communication, etc. The program is offered each Spring and Fall; classes are held on Sunday evenings.

R.C.I.A. (Rite of Catholic Initiation of Adults)

A program to prepare individuals to receive the Sacraments of Initiation - Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist - by instructing them in building a relationship with Christ. It is the recommended way for non-Catholic adults to enter the Catholic church. Meetings are held Sundays from September through June, staring with Mass at 9:00 a.m.

Youth Sacramental Preparation

Special instruction programs for young parishioners to prepare them to be sacramentalized through First Penance, First Communion, and Confirmation.

Youth Programs

Boy Scouts

Boys ages 10-18. Troop #49 meets on Tuesdays from 7:00-8:30 p.m. in the Parish Center.

V.I.C.T.O.R.Y. (Vicariate Introduces Christ to Our Regional Youth)

St. William's is one of 19 Catholic parishes from Dracut, Lowell, Tewksbury, and Tyngsboro participating in this program for area high-school students. The group sponsors an event on the fourth Sunday of every month at one of the participating parishes as well as an annual retreat and other religious and social programs.

Recycling Program Please drop off your returnable bottles and cans in the wooden bin in the back parking lot. Monies received support three important parish programs - Scouting, Youth, and the Good Samaritan Fund.   Go to Top of Page.

General Activities

Young Adults

The Young Adult Group of St. William's is a community of adults in their 20s and 30s providing an atmosphere of support for Christian values and nurturing the community through spiritual discussions, social activities, service projects, parish integration, and plain old fun. Our goal is to continue to build Christian values along with strengthening relationships within our Parish community. For further information, please contact the rectory or Lou Abruzzese at (978) 452-1738.

Friday Night Bingo

The Men's Club sponsors a Bingo Night each Friday evening to earn money to help support the many needs of the parish. The club is directed by a 10-member board.

Sunday Coffee & Donuts

Coffee, donuts, and good company are shared after the 9:00 and 10:30 Masses each Sunday morning from September through June.