The Drew Family is a refreshing example of living their faith through love and compassion for Christ. Ross & Mary have four daughters: Mara, Sara, Lara, and Clara, who over the years have shared a love for their St. John’s community through service.
Ross has served in many capacities over the years; altar server trainer, Children Liturgy of the Word leader, and Thursday night bingo volunteer. Along with Mary, they have participated in working with adults as they make their journey of entering our Catholic faith through the RCIA program, and Ross has worked with teens as they prepare to receive the sacrament of Confirmation. Together, they also help to catechize families as they prepare to baptize their children, and both have served on the Parish Council
Mary plays a key role in our annual VBF week, heading up the group that brings an array of craft activities that help lead the children to learn a lesson of Jesus’ love. And she does this with her daughters by her side! She has also chaperoned the annual summer mission trip, Catholic Heart Work Camp, of which her daughters attended. And on a more personal level, she brings communion to our homebound community, with a smile on her face and a prayer on her lips.
Ross, Mary, Mara and Lara have all served as Catechists over the years at different grade levels, bringing Christ to their students in word and example.
And let us not be surprised that the girls have followed suit in their commitment to Christ and community. All girls served as Altar Servers from the time they received first communion until graduating high school; then all transitioned to EMHCs. Ross, Mary, Mara, Lara and Clara still serve as EMHCs.
Coffee and Donuts anyone? For many years, the family coordinated this Sunday morning post-Mass community gathering, that many have become so very fond of!
This is a family that is always willing to help!
The Sidari Family; Paul, Margie and Jessica are living examples of Faith in Action. Paul has been deeply involved in parish life and a great example of a Knight. He has dedicated himself to working with families in planning funerals for their loved ones in the Ministry of Hope. He has organized and carried out many Rosary events including the annual Million Hail Mary Challenge. Paul volunteers as a Catechist to the Confirmation I & II classes, has served on the Collaborative Parish Council and was chosen to be a member of the Cardinal's collaborative writing team which assisted in drawing up the blueprint for plans and activities for St Mary/St John’s Parishes. He has faithfully committed serving Christ with the meaning of Charity, Unity, and Fraternity as he starts his 39th year in the Knights, and this past year has held the position of Grand Knight and has led the Fourth Degree Knights as the Faithful Navigator.
Margie is an accompanist for the Chelmsford Catholic Collaborative Music Ministry. Since 2012, she has been Leader of the Adult Contemporary Choir at St. Mary Parish. She volunteers in the Music Ministry Community Outreach Program, providing music at the Chelmsford Senior Center for the Table of Plenty suppers, and assists in Rosary events by providing music leadership. In 2017 she joined the Prayer Shawl ministry, knitting shawls for families who need a warm hug, and serves the St. John’s Lasagna Ministry by making lasagnas for the homeless of the Lowell Transitional Center. She loves working activities with Knights of Columbus, Soup and Stations and the many Special Olympics events.
Jessica is a young person who is an excellent example to all youth. She has been involved in the music ministry as both a youth and young adult. She joined in 2016 and has also played her clarinet for special masses. She now loves singing with the 11 am Adult Contemporary Choir on Sundays. She is always working behind the scenes; helping at events Paul and Margie are involved in and always works with a smile on her face.