Service and Mission
WORKING WITH FAMILY PROMISE NORTH SHORE
Do you know about the work of Our Lady of Hope’s Service and Mission Committee?
Three years ago this vision group was formed to look into various ways of helping those in need around us. Our Committee started meeting in (978) 356-3944.
After many meetings listening to excellent options available to us locally, the group voted to join Family Promise. It is a national organization that used to be called National Interfaith Hospitality Network and started in 1986. The closest chapter and only one in Massachusetts was in Worcester and Boston’s great needs were evident as the homeless family population increased greatly.
We chose to get on board with helping a chapter of Family Promise to be opened on the North Shore. We met and discussed the progress and struggles the organization went through to get thirteen host churches to pass city and state regulations for temporary Overnight Occupancy permits and building code regulations for housing 2-4 families or up to 14 guests for one week four times spread out over one year (4x13=52 weeks a year) and several service churches to help the host churches with meals.
Finally, Family Promise North Shore Boston opened here in April, 2013.
Our Lady of Hope has been part of this effort from the beginning. We invite you to join us. Please visit the website www.familypromisensb.org
On the Home page, you will get to know us by clicking “About Us” and will also find there the Volunteer Form to see options of ways to help out, whether actually at the Church site where Our Lady of Hope is a service team, First Congregational Church, Wenham four weeks out of the year. Each volunteer is only asked to do one two hour shift during the week we serve. You may also do your volunteer shift at the Day Center in Beverly helping with office duties.
Donate Goods or Services
A great way to support Family Promise North Shore Boston in helping homeless families on the North Shore is to donate goods or services that we need. If you would like to help in this way, please browse our “wish list” of one-time and ongoing needs below. Then, if you can supply any of these items, please
e-mail russ@FamilyPromiseNSB.org so that we can organize the donations so as to avoid duplicates.
List of Services
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Pre-CatechumenateList Item 1
This is the earliest phase in the process; it is also known as the Period of Inquiry. Catechumens and Candidates acknowledge that Christ is calling them into the Church through the movement of the Holy Spirit. This is a time for seeking and reflection.
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Order of InitiationList Item 2
The first Rite in the OCIA process, the Rite of Initiation accepts new members into the worshipping community.
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CatechumenateList Item 3
The longest part of the process, the Catechumenate is a time of learning and formation in the traditions and doctrine of the Catholic Church. This is a time for sharing stories, reading scripture, and studying the Church customs, traditions and doctrine. Participants also participate in worship services and various Church rituals.
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Mystagogy
This is a time of reflection and celebration after the formal reception into the Catholic Church. Mystagogia means “leading into the mystery” and it is a time to explore the deep mystery of our faith and go forth to help build the reign of God on Earth as new members of the faithful.
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Rite of ElectionList Item 4
Catechumens and Candidates are chosen to be received by the bishop and the community and to receive the Sacraments of Initiation at Easter.