The second reading from last Sunday’s liturgy was taken from Saint Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians (2 Cor 5:17-21).  There Paul said, “Anyone who belongs to Christ is a new person.  God has done it all!  He sent Christ to make peace between himself and us, and he has given us the work of making peace between himself and others.”

Nowhere else can we see Christ working peace than in the faith community.  Joseph Campbell, in his interviews with Bill Moyers on PBS, said religious traditions “call men and women to a deeper awareness of the very act of living itself as they guide us through trials and traumas from birth to death.”

There are three ways a religious community can help the stricken people in their community be guided through trials and traumas.  We have seen these three ways acted out by the community in behalf of Pauline Briggs and her family. Pauline has discovered she has three brain tumors.

One way is through directed prayer.  Another is by visits—being physically and emotionally there.  And the third is by providing practical support.

Many in the community have been to the Briggs house for prayer services and at the Church on Sunday afternoons to offer prayers for Pauline and her family.  Now, many have taken prayer cards from the doors of the Church with Pauline’s picture on it and a particular day the card holder is to pray for Pauline and send her a card or letter.  How many people feel connected to Pauline and her family even though they have never met them.  Pauline can feel the arms of the community wrapped around her, holding tightly yet lovingly, keeping her in this world.

The people who visit Pauline are more than drop-ins. They sit with her, hold her hand and tell her stories.  Each visit diminishes her feeling of isolation and allow her momentarily to re-enter the world.  Each visit lets her know how much people love her and how important her religious community is to her.  They give her hope and renew her faith.

In providing practical support over 50 people have signed up to drive her to doctors’ appointments for whatever time it takes.  Another 100 plus are on the calendar to provide meals for the family.

Although these three community acts are for Pauline they help family and friends a great deal by giving them a way to handle their own feelings of fear and helplessness.

The Catholic Community of Sacred Heart heard the words of Saint Paul and put them into practice. “What we mean is that God was in Christ, offering peace and forgiveness to the people of this world. And he has given us the work of sharing his message about peace.  We were sent to speak for Christ (2Cor 5:19-20).”

Offertory for March 20^th & 21^st          $6353.50

Envelope Offerings       $5591.50

Loose Cash                          $  762.00

St. John/St. Hugh                                             $126.00

Many thanks to all who use the parish envelopes each week.  You are the mainstay of our parish support.  This week we received 162 envelopes from the 655 families that are sent envelopes each month. 

9:00 – Monday, March 29^th          Good Health for Pauline Briggs

9:00 – Wednesday, March 31^st              Memorial Fund Members

9:00 – Saturday, April 3^rd                                    Marie Caprio

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, 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, Fran Ressetar, Lori Robbins, Cecelia Hines, Renee Chapman, Al Busa, Peter Bellini, Christine Gainer, Chris Ann Colletti Feener, Katherine Bingham, Helen McLaughlin, Paul Doherty, Jorge Loayza, Joseph Brault, Linda Riley, Lauren Forgette, Bill Attaya, John McCarthy, Don Sabatand, and Pauline Briggs. 

Communal Penance Service

Sacred Heart and St. Brigid’s Parishes will hold their combined penance service at Sacred Heart Church tonight, Sunday, March 28^th at 7:00pm. 

Bread for the World

Join us today in writing letters on behalf of the world’s hungry and sick.  Come to the Parish Center after the 9:00 Mass and give of your time and energy while enjoying our delicious cup of coffee.

Operation Rice Bowl

Even though we are fast approaching the end of Lent Operation Rice Bowl still needs your help and assistance. All your efforts will promote human dignity and foster global solidarity with the poor.  You can help alleviate human suffering through your prayer and sacrifice. Please remember those who do not have all that we have…Don’t forget to put something in your RICE BOWL each week.  Please plan on returning your RICE BOWL on Palm Sunday (April 3^rd & 4^th).

Saturday Reconciliation

Father Colletti will be hearing confessions from

2:30 – 3:30 on the Saturdays during Lent.

Prayer Vigil For Pauline

This Sunday, there will be a prayer vigil at Sacred Heart church from 4:00 to 4:45 for Pauline Briggs.  Everyone is welcome!  Spread the word!

Blessings

May your neighbors respect you, trouble neglect you, the angels protect you, and heaven accept you.

Food Pantry

Next weekend, April 3^rd & 4^th we will have our monthly food pantry collection.  This month the food collected will be donated to Warwick House, in Roxbury.  As a helpful reminder to bring in non-perishable goods for the food pantry collection, religious education students have decorated bags to be brought home, filled and returned to Mass next weekend.  Thank you to Marcia Gens students for decorating and distributing the bags!

Meals to Heal

A number of people have responded to the invitation to participate in the Meals to Heal Ministry, which we would like to establish in our community.  (Many are doing this already for the Briggs family).  However, we need more volunteers who are willing to cook a meal occasionally before we can begin.  Please call Claire @ 781-862-4646 or Carol Nealon @ 781-648-3053 or pick up a form at the Parish Center.  Thank you!

Reminder To All Middle School Students

On Tuesday, March 30 (that’s THIS Tuesday) there will be a special retreat for you, conducted by a National Evangelization Team—a group of young adults from across

the United States.  It will include humorous skits, fun games, great talks, music, small groups, prayer—and of course, supper!  It starts at 5:00 pm and ends at 9:00, and will be held here at Sacred Heart.

We expect all Middle School students to participate—you and your parents have received notices and permission slips, and can download others plus information about the retreat from the Youth Ministry link on the Sacred Heart website, www.sacredheartlex.org or call Sr. Mary Lyman, 781-861-8385 for more information.

Due to the NET Middle School Retreat (see above announcement), there will be NO RELIGIOUS EDUCATION CLASSES this TUESDAY AFTERNOON, MARCH 30.  (We’ll need to set up for the retreat which starts at 5:00pm—Middle-School Students note!)  Both Sunday and Tuesday Middle School classes are expected to attend the retreat.

Coordinator of YM: Maureen McKeown

781-861-8385 X21 - email: nychick1@att.net

PLEASE NOTE:  Prayer group will meet @ 6:30 AM on THURSDAY, APRIL 1.  We will revert to Friday for the last week (GOOD FRIDAY), April 9^th.  (Time for this day will be announced).  A light breakfast is served and you can get to school (or get a ride if needed) on time.  The group meets in the upper hall of the parish center.  All are welcome!

C.L.I.    Letters will be mailed soon to teens who will be incoming Freshman, Sophomores, Juniors outlining the opportunity to participate in Catholic Leadership Institute at Merrimack College this July.  Several of our teens have participated in this program (as well as the next step:  CLIMB).  Their commitment, enthusiasm and leadership are very evident in the Sacred Heart faith community during this past year.  We need others who will be trained and willing to serve during the years ahead.  This is your parish – if you want an active community for young adults, the ball is in your court.  Dates for C.L.I.(at Merrimack College) are July 19-23 or July 26-30.  Call Maureen or speak to any member of our T.L.C. for more info.

GOSPEL ROAD Finally we have some dates for Gospel Road.  It will be the Week of August 9 - 13 at Oakhurst Retreat House in Whitinsville, MA.  More info will be on www.OYMBoston.org shortly!  This is a wonderful week of service, fun and growing

PATRIOT’S DAY, MONDAY, APRIL 19^TH.  Once again, Sacred Heart Youth Group and families are sponsoring a Patriots’ Day Food stand in the church parking lot from 11:30 AM – 2:00 PM.  This is a fund raiser and a great  community builder.  If you would like to help (set-up, cook, clean up, bake) in any way, we would welcome an email or a call to the numbers above. There will also be a sign-up sheet in the parish center.  If everyone contributes a little time or effort, it will make the event a lot more festive and fun.  Thank you!

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