Saint Agnes Parish, Reading, MA

Saint Agnes Parish, Reading, MA


 Pillars & Foundations is a project I started over the 2016-2017 holiday season to explore my surrounding communities through its diverse churches and centers of faith. I think we can all benefit knowing of the positive impact that these organizations have. I have been visiting area places of worship in Wakefield where I reside, as well as an assortment of other communities such as Malden, Melrose, Stoneham and Lynnfield. This is my first visit to one of neighboring Reading's beautiful cornerstones, and Palm Sunday was an excellent day to experience Saint Agnes.



Building & History


 Beyond the interesting history of the Parish itself, I found myself wondering, who is Saint Agnes? The story of Saint Agnes is sad and troubling, and this short video at Catholic.org quickly summarizes. In brief she is the patron saint of young girls, chastity, rape survivors and the Children of Mary. She was a martyr being killed allegedly by men who turned her in for being Christian, after she refused their advances. With some of the shortcomings of our present day culture currently being reconciled with the Me Too movement, she is a timely figure to learn about.

 Saint Agnes has a wonderful video on their Parish history which details how Irish and French Canadian immigrants started meeting initially in Lyceum Hall (no longer standing), until eventually building an initial church in 1904. The Parish quickly out grew its first building and moved to the current sanctuary on Woburn St. in 1909.

It is quite a beautiful structure with a design that provides the impression that the building is larger than it is. Gorgeous stained glass windows adorn every wall, and those on the side of the sanctuary have the stations of the cross placed uniquely on the sill, such that the exterior light illuminates each sculpture. The choice to have larger central portions of the windows with lighter pastel glass lets in substantial light, while still allowing for the intricate pictures to be incorporated in the design and borders.

The interior boasts a column structure that invoke gothic stylings of much larger sanctuaries. Most unique of all are probably the angels placed in-between the archways the form the top of the side aisles of the sanctuary. The angels appear to represent the diversity of humanity with different skin tones, and they appear to almost hold up the roof from their perch atop the columns.

The contrast of warm tones with dark woodwork and gilded accents creates a warmth in the space, only amplified by the parishioners.


Who are the Parish?


 My wife and I were touched noticing the loving families that made up Saint Agnes. Often hugging their children and swaying to the hymns there was a certain community warmth in the sanctuary at this Palm Sunday mass which was very inviting. This mass was very well attended, the pews were quite filled. It appears to be an active faith community, and one that is probably rich in history in the wonderful New England town of Reading. The website has a lot of new resources for people attending the first time, including a welcoming video.


The Mass


 The mass began with Father Robert Rivers (see a nice write-up for Fr. Rivers in the embedded link), a guest from the Newman Center in Boston, blessing the palm leaves and sprinkling holy water towards the sanctuary. He then proceeded to give a short talk about the current ongoing marches in response to the school violence, and made note of an upcoming Reading vigil against the death penalty. 

 The first hymn was lively driven with percussion and tambourines. The focal point of the Palm Sunday was a reading of The Passion of Christ Narrative, according to Mark. Several members of the parish in addition to Fr. Rivers read different parts giving it the feel of a short play. Music throughout the mass was fueled with percussion, occasionally the piano, and the parish as a whole definitely had heavy participation. 

 One other item of note was a request for the parish to write down things in their life that are burdensome, that they can't control and to put them in a basket. The items would be burned. The significance being that ones faith should help parishioners not to worry themselves with such troubles.

What Does the Parish Do?


 Saint Agnes Parish is a very vibrant and active community, and their outreach, ministries, and social organizations are a reflection of that. Saint Agnes has a descriptive page on their ministries, many of which are faith and community building, while several such as Golden Threads & His Helping Hands are charitable activities for those in need. The church holds various discussion groups such as Bible Study. In the bulletin other examples of activities include a fund raiser with Swissbakers, to raise money for a St. Agnes Haiti Support group. There are also benefits to for the Clergy Health and Retirement Trust, a fund to assist senior priests. The bulletin also provides details to receive assistance from charity if needed, organizations such as the Society of St. Vincent de Paul which provides volunteer services for various causes and needs.

Conclusion


 St. Agnes is a vibrant church that contributes positively to Reading and the surrounding communities. More than a lovely fixture on the landscape, it provides a spiritual home to many parishioners will enriching the lives of others in Massachusetts and beyond. We are better off because of the thoughtfulness and love shared by organizations like Saint Agnes.
Text and photographs by George Parks
Sources are embedded in links

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