Sacred Heart Parish Bulletin

We are really getting close to Christmas and our celebration of the birth of Christ. The families of the parish will gather together and celebrate. Many in the parish will come to Mass to celebrate and the church will be overflowing. Every pastor wishes it were that way all year long. He wishes his people to know how important they are to the life of the parish and how the parish community is so vitally important to the faith life of each parishioner.

As soon as the angel tells Mary she is to be the mother of Jesus she has to join another. She goes to Elizabeth who was visited by the same angel months before. In their embrace is the saving grace of community. Henry Nouwen, writing about this encounter said, “How can I ever let God’s grace fully work in my life unless I live in a community of people who can affirm it, deepen it and strengthen it?”

God calls individuals to serve him and believe in him, but he does not let them work and believe alone. Grace moves people to form friendships and community so that faith may mature.

I sometimes wonder why I baptize babies I suspect will not be raised Catholic because their parents are not active in the church community. I sometimes wonder why I perform the wedding of couples I suspect will not maintain a Christian household. Of course, I don’t want to throw anyone away. I want all these people to be open to conversion. They are not bad people but people who do not go far enough in faith to mature. There needs to be a further following of God’s call to join in the faith community. It is in the church community we strengthen each other in faith, grow in knowledge of our faith and exercise our faith in works of justice and charity.

We welcome all our friends to worship with us this season. We pray for each other that we may strengthen the community by our presence and be nourished by the faith of the community. We need each other. God calls us to be a people, his people together in community.

Readings for the Week of December 21, 2003

Sunday:          Mic 5:1-4a; Heb 10:5-10; Lk 1:39-45
Monday:          1 Sm 1:24-28; Lk 1:46-56
Tuesday:         Mal 3:1-4, 23-24; Lk 1:57-66
Wednesday:    2 Sam 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16; Lk 1:67-79
Thursday:       Is 52:7-10; Heb 1:1-6; Jn 1:1-18
Friday:           Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-59; Mt 10:17-22
Saturday:       1 Jn 1:1-4; Jn 20:1a, 2-8

Next Sunday: Sir 3:2-7, 12-14; Col 3:12-21; Lk 2:41-52

Join the Sacred Heart Parish Choir for caroling at 7:00 and 10:30 on Christmas Eve.

This week we ask you to pray for those who are ill, including, Brianna Cimino, Rosemary Harvey, Regina Jones, Andrea Hynes, Joyce Amos, James Reilly, Regina Wingard, Elaine Ring, Erin McMehon, Maria Aguis, George Beck, Dr. Kenneth Spengler, Josephine Murphy, Peter Bugda, Norma Berstein, Camille Michals, Rob Morway, Patricia Hassett, Paul McCann, William Francis, Lillian Davenport, James Fontaini, Henri Fradette, William Blair, Agatha Pals, Richard Gaudet, Kath Rodriegas, Estelle Szalajeski, Nancy Driscoll, Dante DiManna, Margie Levine, Ruth Pike, Doug Phillips, Ralph Tatro, Andrew Day, Peggy Sue Grow, Mary Serpa, Deborah Miller, Dorothy Lee, William MacKinnon, Mary Jefferson, Elizabeth Conte, Dave Rissmiller, Violet Caldaroni, Frank Cote, James Bresnahan, Ann Mulray, Bea Lingane, Rita Mahan, Connie Perrotta, Gerard Sarno, Dorothy Grant,Gretin Cervantes, Midge Moran, Marisol O’Brien, Matthew Gablor, Paul Pantano, Marjorie Clougherty, Fran Ressetar, Lori Robbins, Cecelia Hines, Renee Chapman, Peter Bellini, Don Sabat, Nick Manfredi and David De Thomasis Please also pray for Fr. William Barry who died this past week.

The fourth Sunday in Advent has Mary visiting Elizabeth… “But who am I that the Mother of my Lord should come to me?” The banner depicts both the divine conception and human pregnancy which culminated in the Incarnation of Jesus. The twelve stars that surround Mary’s head are described in Revelation 12:1. Although Mary is not mentioned specifically in Revelation, this symbolism has been used to represent her in works of art throughout the centuries. In the gospel, Elizabeth, enlightened by the Holy Spirit, proclaims Mary’s greatness calling her blessed among woman. Among the Jewish people, a mother of many children was considered blessed by God, but here one child is enough to make Mary the most blessed of all.

“many hands make light work”…everyone is welcome to join in the festivities of decorating our worship space…even a few minutes of your precious time will be greatly appreciated.

The Young At Heart Singers will perform on Tuesday, December 23^rd at 2:00pm at the Lexington Senior Center. Refreshments will be served, please come and bring a friend!

ANY NOTICES FOR THE BULLETIN SHOULD BE IN THE OFFICE MONDAY, DECEMBER 22^ND BY NOON.

Foods used for medicinal purposes have no calories. This includes any chocolate used for energy, Sara Lee Cheesecake (eaten whole), and Haagen Daz Ice Cream.

Movie-related foods are much lower in calories simply because they are a part of the entertainment experience and not part of one’s personal fuel. This includes Milk Duds, popcorn with butter, Junior Mints, Snickers, and Gummi Bears.

Cookie pieces contain no calories because the process of breakage causes calorie leakage.

The Parish Office will close at noon on Wednesday, December 24^th and will reopen on Monday, December 29^th.

Please save any small Christmas gifts for our next Bingo at Youville Place in January. Our youth will be going there on January 11^th. If you have an item, please leave it at the parish office or outside the YM office downstairs. Thank you. We appreciate your help.

Coordinator of YM: Maureen McKeown

January seems a long way off, but with the holidays and a long vacation break, it will be here before we know it!

1:30 – 3:30 meet at Youville Place. Our T.L.C. will be organizing this popular event. If you would like to attend (or if you can bake a dessert) please contact Maureen at 781-861-8385 or e-mail nychick1@worldnet.att.net.

CATHOLIC YOUTH RALLY: This is really exciting news for any teen between 13 and 19. You are invited to meet your new Archbishop Sean (O’Malley) at Merrimack College on Saturday February 7, 2004 from 1-6PM. There will be a program with skits, music and lots of fun. Liturgy will be celebrated. There will be a Catholic Youth Rally at Merrimack College on Saturday February 7, 2004 from 1-6PM. Over 1,000 youth are expected to attend. Mark you calendar now! More information on this event right after the holidays.

Y.O.W. Congratulations to our ten teens who spent a wonderful weekend at Lake Ossipee Conference Center for a weekend with close to 300 other young Catholics. They are: Sarah Andryauskas, Ryan Bell, Tori Cimino, Emily Coakley, Patrick Healey, Stephen Keefe, Chrissy Kugel, Kurt Kugel, Anna Orduna and Bridgette Trometer. A special thanks to Nancy Keebler who accompanied our group as an adult chaperone. We hope to hear more of their experience in the future!

YOUTH MASS: Sunday, January 4 @ 5:00 PM. Fr. Chris O’Connor will be our celebrant. There will be a wonderful program to follow. This is part of the 9/10^th grade program. Any Middle School teen who would like to attend is welcome. A light supper will be served. We will be finished at 8:00pm.

Sacred Heart Parish Bulletin - Dec 21, 2003

Coordinator of YM: Maureen McKeown

Sacred Heart Parish Bulletin - Dec. 21, 2003