Bereavement support is available to individuals and families in an effort to provide grief education and assistance. St. Michael’s hosts a program called, “Beginning the Grief Journey”, presented by Merrimack Valley Hospice, for those who are experiencing the loss of a loved one.

Opportunity to participate: A six-week program in the Spring and Fall.
Contact: Patricia Boutilier 978-686-4050

The Via Dolorosa Mom’s Bereavement Group meets once a month for mothers who are at different stages of grief and in need of support. Periodic speaker programs are also offered. Individual support and referral information is available as well.

Opportunity to participate: Monthly meetings
Contact: Patricia Boutilier 978-686-4050

Boys, grades 1-12, are taught life skills, citizenship and leadership in a fun and supportive atmosphere.

Opportunity for adults to participate: as your time allows
All boys are welcome to join scouting:
Cub Scouts for boys grades 1 to 5: www.stmichaelpack82.org
Boy Scouts for boys ages 11 to 18: www.stmichaeltroop82.org

Over 70 parishioners provide food for over 200 guests, served at Bread & Roses. The beautiful work being done at Bread & Roses is reflected in their Mission Statement: "As we become providers and receivers of bread as well as roses, our dream is to be a community where the hungry are fed, the homeless are sheltered, the naked clothed, the stranger welcomed, the prisoner visited, and all are accepted without judgment."

Opportunity to participate: Supply a small part of the meal, each second Saturday of the month.
Contact:Karin Molino 978-682-6308

This is a monthly support group for those who care for a loved one going through illness, memory loss or disability. The group offers the opportunity to take time out for yourself, to meet others going through similar experiences, as well as learning about community resources.

Opportunity to participate: First Thursday, October – June, 10-11am
Contact:Patricia Boutilier 978-686-4050

This ministry is an outreach ministry that reaches out to a variety of groups to provide opportunities for friendship and assistance. The "Circles" and the services they offer are as follows:

• Friendly Driving Circle – We will bring folks to Mass, the hair dresser, shopping, to the Senior Center, special events and more. Will also pick up medicine and run other errands.
• Greeting Card Circle – We write and send out friendly cards and notes throughout the year to shut-in parishioners.
• Friendly Visits – Make home or nursing home visits to elders in our parish community who are lonely and in need of some friendly companionship.

Opportunity to participate: Flexible
Contact:

Friendly Driving Circle - Angela Mandalinci 978-686-4050
Greeting Card Circle - Nancy Kumar 978-686-4050
Friendly Visits - Patricia Boutilier 978-686-4050

As a parish, St. Michael’s various ministry groups make regular visits to help at this meal center which is located in Lawrence, MA to serve breakfast and/or dinner daily to anyone in need of a meal. The center is located across the street from and run by St. Patrick Parish. Adults and youth are welcome and encouraged to participate.

Opportunity to participate: Flexibile. Join us once or often to serve breakfast or supper.
Contact:

Adults - Joan Thompson 978-688-0183
Youth - Kim Silk 978-686-4050

The mission of this ministry is to bring Christ, in the Eucharist and in the love shared, to those at area nursing homes and hospitals and to parishioners who are homebound due to illness, infirmity or advanced age.

Opportunity to participate: Monthly or weekly visits.Contact:

Homebound - Patricia Boutilier 978-686-4050
Hospitals - Nancy Melvin 978-683-4205
Nursing Homes - Kathleen Gorman 978-681-5044

Good Neighbors provides support to parishioners through good will and outreach. Good Neighbors’ responsibilities include providing meals and friendship to those in need.

Opportunity to participate: Flexible.
Contact: Elaine Burke or Terese Pandolfo 978-686-4050

A publication for the parishioners of St. Michael Parish. Parishioners interested in reporting, editing, photography or proofreading are invited to join the team.

Opportunity to participate: Monthly 4-page bulletin insert and web site publication.
Contact: Receptionist 978-686-4050

A summer program that serves children, age 5 -12 years old, living in the Hancock Projects in Lawrence. Share an afternoon with the children painting, doing arts and crafts, making ice cream sundaes, telling stories, playing music, etc.

Opportunity to participate: One afternoon or more from 12:30 to 4:30 PM.
Contact: Receptionist 978-686-4050

Blood pressure clinic offered in the Parish Hall after each Mass on Welcome Saturday and Sunday. Also, visits to homebound.

Opportunity to participate: Once a month.
Contact: Pat Roberts 978-689-4085

A fraternity of men, dedicated to honoring the Holy Name of Jesus by building community and faith, by acts of service and charity. They meet monthly and have an annual dinner.

THOUSAND CLUB: The Holy Name Society’s ongoing fundraiser. Participants pay an annual mem bership fee to be eligible for 12 monthly drawings held on the second Sunday of each month

Opportunity to participate: Once a month.
Contact: Bob Kilcoyne 978-686-9383

Job Seekers is a group of people who come together each week to share their concerns and frustrations, their skills and resources, sharing their prayers, during unemployment or career discernment. It’s an informal gathering of people serving people, walking with each other during these times of uncertainty.

Opportunity to participate: Bi-weekly Wednesday evenings.
Contact: Receptionist 978-686-4050

Fraternal organization that assists those in need by raising money to provide for those needs, such as a special wheelchair for a paraplegic. The group is made up of Catholic men in good standing with the Church.

Opportunity to participate: Monthly meetings on the 2nd Thursday of the month at the K of C, 505 Sutton Street, North Andover.
Contact: John Thompson 978-688-0183

Natural Family Planning (NFP) is an umbrella term for natural methods used to achieve and avoid pregnancies. NFP is 99% successful in spacing or limiting births when couples are taught by competent teachers, when they understand the methods, when they are motivated to follow them and especially when they are open to God’s plan for their family. Classes include instruction and individual consultation.

Opportunity to participate: Four sessions over a six month period meeting once a month for the first three months and the last class at month six.
Contact: Receptionist 978-686-4050

Women gather to share their talents of sewing, quilting, knitting and crocheting. They have crafted such wonderful things as stoles and chasubles for the priests, lectionary covers to coordinate with the liturgical seasons and quilts and afghans to raffle for fundraising or to give to those who need comfort.

Opportunity to participate: Flexible. Meets every Wednesday, 9 AM – noon at the youth center.
Contact: Sandy Costanzo 978-686-4050

Annual parish picnic held on the second Sunday of September, starting with a noon Mass, followed by a cookout and activities such as dancing, games and more.

Opportunity to participate: One hour or more in September, and minimal planning in earlier months.
Contact: Receptionist 978-686-4050

Prayer shawls or baby blankets are crocheted or knitted for new babies, the homebound, sick, those who recently lost a loved one or someone who is in need of a hug from God. Creating and giving a Prayer Shawl lets all who receive one know that they are not alone. We will teach those interested how to knit or crochet.

Opportunity to participate: We meet the first and third Wednesday of each month.
Contact: Maureen Voisine 978-686-3135

St. Elizabeth Hospitality Ministry provides a table of light refreshment and a chance to chat with fellow parishioners at our many parish events such as Welcome Sunday, the Mass of Blessing, Senior Luncheons, Mercy Meals, etc. The members of this ministry bake, buy food items, set the hospitality table, make coffee, serve food and maintain our supplies.
Contact: Deb Gesing 978-683-3230

We honor our senior citizens by welcoming them to a luncheon, 6 times per year. We provide food, friendship, and entertainment.
Contact: Receptionist 978-686-4050

This group is responsible for purchasing and setting up the donuts, coffee, and juice for Welcome Sunday, and cleaning up afterwards. It’s usually the first Sunday of the month, October - June.

Opportunity to participate: Choose one task, once a week, once a year or somewhere in between!
Contact: Receptionist 978-686-4050

We plan seasonal day trips, such as excursions to see plays, lobster bakes, foliage trips and more! Annually, we try to organize an overseas journey. Everyone is welcomed whether married or single, young or old. Come along and join the fun.

Opportunity to participate: Keep an eye on the bulletin for planned trips.
Contact: Betty Fountain 978-686-4050

The mission of the Society is to "seek and find the forgotten and the deprived, and to bring them the love of Jesus Christ." Members of the Society visit the person(s) requesting assistance to determine the needs and to follow through with aid.

Opportunity to participate: Weekly Monday evening meetings, plus client visits.
Contact: Jim McAloon 978-686-4050

The members of the Video Ministry take turns taping the Sunday 10:30am Mass for broadcast on the North Andover cable channel. They also try to be available to tape other parish events on request. Members are encouraged to join the NACAM membership base in order to have access to their studio and equipment. Training is available to anyone high school age and up.

Opportunity to participate: About one Mass every six weeks. Call to get yourself on the schedule!
Contact: Tom Ippolito 978-686-4050