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Bereavement Ministry This
group provides an opportunity for people grieving the death of a loved one. There are opportunities for you to be together
with other grieving people, to share information, experience, and reflection. Experience has taught us that the companionship
of others who are grieving can be comforting and healing. All are welcome. If you are interested, please call
the rectory.
Christmas Giving Tree During the Season of Advent a tree containing ornaments is displayed in
the Church. These ornaments contain information for a gift to be purchased and returned to the parish. These items are then
distributed to shelters and needy families for the holidays.
Grove St. Inn For five years, teams of two
or three from Catholic parishes have been cooking once a month for the 25 residents of the Grove Street Inn on either a Tuesday
or Wednesday evening. Our ministry as meal providers is augmented by the contact with the residents themselves over
the meal or by casual chatting as the residents come into the kitchen. After the meal the residents do the clean up.
These homeless individuals are often on the road to independent living. Most have jobs, so the atmosphere is optimistic,
watching people "graduate" to living in the community. Their gratitude for our service is moving. Volunteer
cooking teams are always needed and welcome. To volunteer, contact the parish secretary at IC.
Habitat for Humanity
Volunteers
from our parish are organizing workdays several times a year to assist in homebuilding for our Pioneer Valley Habitat. It’s
a half or full day of work with no skills needed. Contact the office if you want to be involved.
Heifer International Project Each year since 2006 our parish Lenten sacrificial offerings have gone to the Heifer Project. Our
children and parishioners learn about and support this wonderful charity. In the past two years, we have been able to
send over $11,000 to provide animals and training to the project worldwide. We even have our own wooden cow and milk
pails in church to spur us along and remind us to reach out to others less fortunate. Mary Home Visitors Four times each year volunteers bring gifts to parishioners who are homebound
and nursing home residents. These gifts are provided by the Women’s Club. To become a Mary’s Home Visitor please
call the rectory office.
Overflow Shelter
Annex During the winter months Immaculate
Conception hosts four to six men for whom the Northampton shelter has no beds. Volunteers bring these men to us from the United
Veterans Association in Leeds, who also spend the night in an overseeing capacity. Parishioners of IC, Notre Dame and St.
Phillip’s parishes feed our guests from the homeless shelter and from the United Veterans Association a home cooked
meal each night of the week. Before leaving in the morning, breakfast is available, thanks to the generosity of Big E’s
Supermarket. To volunteer please contact the parish secretary at IC.
Pantry Sunday
This committee extends our Heifer
International Lenten Project throughout the year, addressing hunger and nutrition on a local level. Each month items that
are in most need at the Easthampton Community Center are listed in the bulletin. Parishioners bring the items they are donating
to the church and place them in boxes located at all the church entrances. If you are interested in becoming a part of this
group or helping in any way, contact the parish office.
Prayer Line
This
ministry prays for those requesting prayers. If you, a family member, a friend, or a neighbor are in a desperate,
traumatic, critical or life threatening situation, call the rectory (413-527-9778) to be put on the Prayer Line. Your prayer
request will be prayed for one month. If that event continues, you can call to let us know that, and extend for another month.
We will keep people on as long as that call for prayer is renewed monthly. If the urgency has passed, please call the rectory
and let us know that as well.
Prayer Shawl Ministry
This
ministry consists of a group who
knit shawls for others who may be in need of comfort, support and/or an expression of love. The knitter begins each shawl with prayers for the recipient.
Intentions and prayers are continued throughout the creation of the shawl. When the shawl is completed, it is offered
a ritual blessing before being sent to someone in need.
Social Justice Ministry As Catholics, we gather at the
table to share a meal with our neighbors. We do this each Sabbath. How well do we eat during the rest of the week? What about
our neighbors around the world? Are you concerned about how we as Catholics, are called to respond to conditions of injustice
and poverty locally and around the world? Join us as we plan activities for our parish and the wider community.
Other Opportunities
Interfaith/ecumenical
events, youth ministries, baptismal robe sewing, and welcoming newcomers.
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