Ministries
Knights of Columbus
The Knights of Columbus is a group of practicing Catholic men, aged 18 and up, from our parish. The Knights support both our churches financially and spiritually and they offer assistance to the pastor when called upon. Furthermore, they provide assistance to local fuel support programs and St. Vincent De Paul Soup Kitchen, Middletown.
The Council hosts two annual community suppers, St. Patrick Corned Beef Dinner in March and a Pasta Dinner in the Fall. To fund these programs the Council hosts a number of fundraisers. The 4th Degree Council, called the Christopher Columbus Assembly, has a presence at Confirmation, First Communion, special events and visits from the Bishop.
Contact George Gorton
Tel: (860) 930-7931
Altar Servers
Altar servers aid the clergy during the celebration of Mass. They attend to supporting tasks at the altar such as processing with the cross and candles, ringing the altar bells, assisting to receive the offertory gifts, among other things and is integral part of the Mass. Open to all adults and children who have received their First Communion.
Contact Parish Office
Tel: (860) 349-3058
Care and Share
This committee assists the deceased’s family with a post-funeral reception in the church hall. The committee members set-up, serve and clean-up. Coffee/tea, punch and paper goods are provided by the parish. There is no charge to the families for this service. This ministry is maintained successfully by donations. The families appreciate having this choice available to them in their time of need. Looking for a heartwarming ministry where you can really make a difference, join this one!
Contact Lucy Petrella
Tel: (860) 682-3367
Contact Cynthia Oblon
Tel: (860) 349-8942
Choir
Our choirs lead and enliven the congregation in song to praise our Lord every Sunday lending their God-given talents to spread the Word.
Contact Ron Soja
Tel: (860) 305-4301
Eucharistic Ministers
Eucharistic ministers help priests to prepare and to serve the Holy Communion at Mass. A Eucharistic minister's simple duties belie a sacred spiritual mystery.
Contact Parish Office
Tel: (860) 349-3058
Finance Committee
Members of the Finance Committee are appointed to serve by the pastor. The responsibility of the Finance Committee is to oversee the financial operations of the parish which include setting a budget, managing investments and tracking revenue and expenses. The majority of the members of the committee bring a business, legal or accounting background to the deliberations of the committee.
Contact Parish Office
Tel: (860) 349-3058
Lectors
A lector is the person who proclaims the first or second reading at Mass. This person also may lead the Prayers of the Faithful at Mass. The lector must believe that Sacred Scripture is the Word of God and have deep respect for God´s presence in that Word.
Contact Parish Office
Tel: (860) 349-3058
Becoming Catholic
Every year adults are welcomed into the Catholic Community through RCIA. It is a learning and loving process in which conversion of the heart brings you to Jesus Christ who is our Lord and Savior. "Come to me, all you who are weary and find life burdensome, and I will refresh you. Take my yoke upon your shoulders and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble of heart. Your souls will find rest, for my yoke is easy and my burden light." Matthew 11:28-30. The doors are open! We invite you to join us!
Contact Parish Office
Tel: (860) 349-3058
Offertory Counters
2 Corinthians 9:6-8 "Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."
Contact Parish Office
Tel: (860) 349-3058
Bible Study
We believe that the Bible contains insight about life and relationships that is priceless. We learn more when we participate in a community who studies together. Our Bible Study program is usually held once a week for a few weeks in the Fall and then another in the Spring. All are welcome to join.
Contact Peter Thomas
Tel: (203) 500-2998
Building & Maintenance Committee
The Building & Maintenance Committee is a sub-committee of the parish council. The purpose of this committee is to oversee the physical plant of both churches and ensure proper maintenance to include overseeing repairs and improvements to tour buildings and grounds. It helps to have a background in technical skills which include construction, electrical and plumbing.
Contact Ray Arrigoni
Tel: (860) 682-4477
Children’s Liturgy Coordinator
Children’s Liturgy Coordinator helps our children ages 3 to 7 experience the liturgy through stories, activities and songs. Children go downstairs in the church hall as a group during Mass after the opening prayers and then rejoin their families during the Offertory. This experience gives children an opportunity to hear the Bible stories and complete activities in order to learn about their faith in a way appropriate to their age level through song, crafts and games.
Contact Diana Cathcart
Tel: (959) 239-8513
Durham Fair Committee
Durham Fair food booth volunteers raise money for the parish by selling food, cooking and cleaning up during the fair; while the basket booth volunteers prepare fundraising themed baskets in the weeks prior to the fair. At the fair, volunteers sell raffle tickets for the final drawing on the last day of the fair. Sign up for shifts are announced at all masses in the weeks prior to the fair. We welcome all to join the fun and festivities.
For Food Booth:
Contact Cheryl Pizzo
Tel: (860) 716-6663
Debbie Spitzmacher
Tel: (860) 424-7929
For Basket Tent:
Contact Gail Mullaney
Tel: (860) 638-3694
Karen Whalen
Tel: (860) 316-5306
Faith Formation
Our program provides for an organized, structured environment in which we help each child understand the teachings and traditions of the Roman Catholic Church. From 1st grade through 9th grade, we prepare our students for First Reconciliation, First Holy Communion, and the Sacrament of Confirmation. Our parish program offers many opportunities for our youth to practice their spirituality while growing in their knowledge and understanding of our Christian faith. We welcome all volunteers to serve in our program as classroom teachers, assistants, or substitute teachers.
Contact Courtney Kilroy (grades 1-4)
Tel:
Contact Diana Cathcart (grades 5-9)
Tel: (959) 239-8513
Flower Angels
The Flower Angels praise the Lord by adorning our churches interiors and grounds with our Lord’s blessing of beautiful flowers. Most importantly flowers on the altars for Holy times in the church such as Easter and Christmas are the responsibility of this committee. Come and experience the joy flower displays and gardens bring to all and especially our parishioners. All are most welcome to become a Flower Angle and become a part of this fulfilling committee.
For St Colman Church:
Contact Cheryl Pizzo
Tel: (860) 716-6663
For Notre Dame Church:
Contact Carol Banack
Tel: (860) 349-3058
Chaplet to Divine Mercy Prayer Group
This Prayer Group is dedicated to praying the Chaplet to Divine Mercy for the Sick & Dying. We have a little booklet to guide you through the prayers. These prayers can be prayed at the bedside of a loved one along with them or you can do it at home when you have some quiet time available. There will be times you will be asked to pray for someone specific or you may be asked to just pray in general for those who are sick or dying. This is the best gift we can give to someone who is suffering. All are welcome!
Contact Parish Office
Tel: (860) 349-3058
Craft Group
This ministry promotes fellowship and sharing among members who work together for the good of Our Lady of Mercy Parish. The group meets weekly from September through November, culminating with their Christmas Bazaar. The group meets again in February through the weeks leading up to Palm Sunday when they host an Easter/Spring Craft and Bake Sale on the Saturday before Palm Sunday. Additionally, the group gets together semi-annually for their luncheons at various restaurants in the area. Open to all parishioners. We’d love to have you join!
Contact Bobbie Sicignano
Tel: (860) 250-3716
Eucharistic Ministry
Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist help to bring the Body of Christ to the people both inside and outside of Mass. Open to adults only.
Contact Parish Office
Tel: (860) 349-3058
Youth Group
Calling all youth ages 12 – 18! Our Youth Group meets monthly for fun, games, food and volunteering opportunities. This group is a fun way for our teenagers to connect with each other and build a strong bond within our church community. Come join others and let your voice be heard if you have any ideas to pursue within the group.
Contact Marie Greco
Tel: (203) 895-1709
Contact Carrie Reny
Tel: (860) 463-8180
Ladies Guild
The Our Lady of Mercy Ladies Guild is a group of women from our parish who assist the parish by holding fundraisers and contributing money to the help with parish needs. They contribute to the Christmas Bazaar, bake cookies for sale at Christmas, raffle Easter baskets at Easter and hold receptions for the children after First Holy Communion and Confirmation. The ladies would love to have new members.
Contact Diana Cathcart
Tel: (203) 206-4949
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Lectors
Lectors spread the Word of God through the readings of Sunday scripture selections. A lector proclaims the first and second reading at Mass and often times leads the Prayers of the Faithful. The lector must believe that Sacred Scripture is the Word of God and have deep respect for God’s presence in the Word.
Contact Parish Office
Tel: (860) 349-3058
Music Ministry & Choir
Sunday morning Masses include music with choir; as well as a children’s choir for the Christmas Vigil Mass. The choir leads the congregation in music throughout the Mass. Rehearsal takes place 30 minutes before Mass. All are welcome to join. The children’s choir welcomes all children in grades K-12. The Vigil Mass on Saturday evenings is a solo organist providing music to lead the congregation. The goal of our music ministry and choir is to lead and enliven the
congregation in song to praise our Lord during each Mass lending their God-given talents to spread the Word.
Contact Parish Office
Tel: (860) 349-3058
Offertory Counters
This is a committee of volunteers who work together to count the offertory collection each week for all of the Masses. The group meets on Monday mornings.
Contact Parish Office
Tel: (860) 349-3058
Pancake Breakfasts
The Pancake Breakfast Committee hosts monthly pancake breakfasts on the first Sunday of the month after both Masses from October through May. These breakfasts are free to all our parishioners and all are welcome to join.
Contact Silvana Pandolfe
Tel: (860) 685-0196
Parish Council
The Our Lady of Mercy Parish Council consists of members of our faith community who have a desire to serve all of our parishioners in a representative manner. The Parish Council serves to advise our pastor in the administrative functions of the parish. The Council meets monthly except during July, August and September to help plan, coordinate and put together social, spiritual and fundraising events parish wide. The goal of this Council is to ensure that we remain an active, united and vibrant parish. Come share new ideas or hear about the upcoming events our parish has to offer.
Contact Sal Merenda
Tel: (703) 975-5389
Contact Bobbie Sicignano
Tel: (860) 250-3716
Parish Picnic Committee
The parish picnic committee is a group of parishioners who organize our annual parish picnic held in early June each year at Peckham Park in Middlefield. The committee sells tickets, sets up the pavilion, cooks hot dogs and hamburgers, coordinate games and raffles and cleans-up. All are welcome and encouraged to join the fun.
Contact Parish Office
Tel: (860) 349-3058
Prayer Shawl Ministry
Are you interested in combining prayer and your crafting skills to make prayer shawls? Made with intentional prayer and blessed by our Pastor, the shawls will be given to those who are ill, in mourning, or other distress. Prayer shawls are a tangible sign of God’s presence and His love in the life of those who are suffering. The ministry is open to everyone, even those who prefer to work at home. For those who might prefer a more social experience, we will hope to have twice-monthly meetings.
Contact Michele Burford
Tel: (860) 638-9663
St. Vincent DePaul and Amazing Grace
Like to cook and wish to join an outreach ministry in our parish? Consider this one! Our parish volunteers provide a designated meal twice a year for St. Vincent DePaul Soup Kitchen in Middletown. Volunteers donate and cook a portion of the assigned meal and drop it off in the Notre Dame church hall. Volunteers are also needed to transport food to the Soup Kitchen and to serve the meal.
Our parish also provides food for the Amazing Grace Food Pantry in Middletown. We have a collection at both churches the second full weekend of each month. In addition to donating food, volunteers are needed to help with transporting the food, or spending time stocking shelves or helping clients shop on Mondays, Wednesdays or Fridays from noon to 4:00 PM.
For St. Vincent DePaul:
Contact Debbie Bellebare
Tel: (860) 395-7125
For Amazing Grace:
Contact Nadine Ernest
Tel: (860) 349-0611
Tag Sale
This is one of our largest fundraisers for our parish. Our monthly tag sales are held the first Saturday of the month from May through October. Volunteers set up during the week prior to the tag sale, staff the sale, and clean up afterwards. There is a committee that helps to clean and sort items throughout the month as well. Many opportunities to volunteer here. Help one time, or every month. All are welcome and your help is greatly appreciated.
Contact Parish Office
Tel: (860) 349-2058
