Service Opportunities Overview

"Christ has no body now on earth but yours; no hands but yours; no feet but yours.  Yours are the eyes through which the compassion of Christ must look out on the world.  Yours are the feet with which He is to go about doing good.  Yours are the hands with which He is to bless His people."
-- St. Teresa of Avila

Our Catholic faith calls us to serve, to be the hands and feet of Christ in the world, offering works of mercy to our brothers and sisters within our homes, our parish, our community and our world.

Our Lady of Sorrows offers various opportunities to learn and grow through service.  From volunteering on a summer mission trip, to getting involved with the Christian Services Commission, to taking part in a one-day service opportunity, there are many places for YOU to use your gifts to bring Christ to others and to encounter Christ in the world.    

Check out our service opportunities below, and consider signing up for one or more.  This list will be updated throughout the year as dates and times are determined, and as more service opportunities are available.

Links to electronic permission slips can be found on the Sign Up Genius page (linked below with each service opportunity).  Please sign up on the Sign Up Genius first, and then have a parent/guardian of the participant complete a permission slip.  (Permission slips are only required for opportunities that take place off OLOS's campus).  

If you are interested in taking a leadership role and facilitating one of the opportunities, or if you have any questions, please contact our Director of Faith Formation, Teresa Coda, at 781-784-2265 or at tcoda@olossharon.org.

If you are a Confirmation student, you should complete a Service Reflection Form in order to reflect upon your experience and receive credit for having taken part in it.

Advent Workshop in O’Connell Hall
What: Volunteers will offer a variety of Advent activities at our annual Workshop.  Activities include selling Advent Wreaths, helping to create the Wreaths, face painting, and various craft projects.  
Who: Adult volunteers and student volunteers in grades 6, 7 and 8
Where: O’Connell Hall
When: Sunday, November 18th, 2018 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.  
Click here to sign up.  

Bagged Lunches Brigade
What: Mainspring House, a homeless shelter in Boston, depends on bagged lunches to serve to hungry men, women and children who are unable to make it to specific meal times at The Table, the soup kitchen within the shelter.  Volunteers will pack bagged lunches and deliver them to Mainspring House.  All volunteers are asked to sign up to bring items needed to make the lunches. More food items will be needed to make the lunches than volunteers will be able to donate.  If you would like to donate groceries but not make lunches, you also can sign up using the link below.

Use the sign up links below (will be added once we have selected dates) to sign up to donate items or volunteer.  All donations are due by the time of the service opportunity, and should be placed in the kitchen in the Bullock Center, clearly marked "Bagged Lunch Brigade."

Who: This service opportunity is open to children as well as teens and adults.
Where: The Bullock Center
When:  Dates TBD

Christmas in the City
What: Christmas in the City is a non-profit, 100% volunteer organization. Their mission is to support and mentor homeless families in the Greater Boston area. Their Christmas party is the largest Christmas party in MA serving approximately 3,000 homeless children.  When we volunteer at Christmas in the City, we will serve as “Santa’s Helpers.”  We will serve food, distribute Christmas gifts to the children, and care for the children at “Winter Wonderland,” an event filled with fun activities.  Each volunteer is asked to bring an unwrapped Christmas gift to donate to CITC.
Who: This service opportunity is open to any person age sixteen and older.
Where: CITC takes place in the Boston Convention Center.  Volunteers will meet in the Bullock Center to carpool.
When: December 16, 2018 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.  (This date has not been confirmed and is subject to change)
Click here to sign up.  


Church Spring Cleaning
What: Spring clean the church and the church's buildings to prepare for Easter. Bring your gloves, broom, dusters, rags and your elbow grease and let's brighten things up!!  Lunch will be provided!
Who: All are welcome
Where: The Church and O'Connell Hall
When: TBD
Click here to sign up.  

Conway House
What: Conway House is a homeless shelter in Middleboro, MA serving women and children. The shelter houses approximately 10 families depending upon the size of each family. When we visit Conway House we will prepare and serve a meal for the families; play with the children and possibly help them with homework; and lead an activity for the moms. We will all eat the meal we have prepared together with the families.  Our group will then clean up the kitchen and dining room.
Who: This service opportunity is open to adults and students grades 6 and up.
Where: Conway House is in Middleboro, MA.  Volunteers will meet in the OLOS Parking Lot to carpool.
When: Sunday, November 11, 2018 and Sunday, January 20.  (3 p.m.-6:30 p.m. for both)
Click here to sign up.  

Cradles to Crayons
What: Cradles to Crayons is an organization that provides, free of charge, the basic essentials needed to be safe, warm, ready to learn, and valued to low-income and homeless children from birth to pre-teen. When we visit Cradles to Crayons we will sort through new and used items for children in need and decide if those items are good enough to be given away. We may also clean and package items as well.  
Who: This service opportunity is open to children as well as teens and adults.  All students who are not yet in Middle School must be accompanied by a parent.
Where: The Cradles to Crayons Giving Factory: 155 N Beacon St, Brighton, MA 02135.  Please note that volunteers will meet at Cradles to Crayons.  
When: Dates TBD

Decorating the Church for Christmas
What: Prepare the church and O'Connell Hall for our Christmas services by cleaning and deocrating.
Who: All are welcome
Where: The Church and O'Connell Hall
When: TBD

Donuts and Bagels with Saint Nicholas
What: Volunteers will assist with hosting St. Nicholas' annual visit with our pre-K through Grade 5 students and their families.  Help is needed with setup, breakdown and hosting.  Volunteers will donate food and facilitate face painting and minor crafts.  
Who: This service opportunity is open to adults and students grades 6 and up.
Where: O’Connell Hall
When: Sunday, December 9, 2018, 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Click here to sign up.  
 
My Brother’s Keeper
What: My Brother’s Keeper delivers furniture, household items, and food free of charge to those who seek assistance. Since 1991, MBK has supported families in need during Christmas time, by providing them with gifts and food.  Volunteers will wrap Christmas gifts for families in need.  
Who: This service opportunity is open to adults and students grades 6 and up.
Where: MBK is located in Easton, MA.  Volunteers will meet in the OLOS Parking Lot to carpool.
When: Thursday, December 13th, 3:30-6:30 p.m.
Click here to sign up.  

The Special Olympics
What: Volunteers will assist with the Track & Field competition of the Special Olympics at Milton Academy in Milton, MA.  Our tasks for the day will include: assisting competitors with lining up for their events, distributing medals, timing events, and/or assisting the event coordinators with distributing water and food to the competitors.  
Who: This service opportunity is open to adults and students grades 9 and up.
Where: The Special Olympics of MA take place at Milton Academy.  Volunteers will meet in the OLOS Parking Lot to carpool.
When: Sunday, May 19, 2019, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.  (This date has not been confirmed and is subject to change)
Click here to sign up.  

The Table
What: The Table at Father Bill’s and Mainspring House in Brockton, MA is a “soup kitchen” that prepares and serves meals to approximately 150 homeless men and women daily. We will prepare, cook and serve the luncheon meal for that day.  
Who: This service opportunity is open to adults and students grades 9 and up.
Where: The Table is in Brockton, MA.  Volunteers will meet in the OLOS Parking Lot to carpool.
When: Saturday, December 1, 2018 and Saturday, April 6, 2019 (9:15-2:45)
Click here to sign up.