Sacred Heart Parish Bulletin - October 31, 2004

Luke, in this week’s Gospel (19:1-10) writes of his three favorite themes: the problem of riches and how best to deal with them, the predilection of Jesus for the poor and outcast of society, and transforming faith that recognizes Jesus as Lord. In a previous chapter Luke writes about the rich young man who is encouraged by Jesus to sell everything and follow him. The man refuses and goes away sad. In contrast, Zacchaeus quickly admits his sins and uses his wealth for the good of others. Jesus invites himself to Zacchaeus’ house and the host hears: “Today salvation has come to this house.”

The presence of Jesus opens Zacchaeus to a change of heart and to make amends. His life is altered. Last week we heard the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector who went to pray. The Pharisee, filled with himself and his accomplishments, went away from the temple without God and without grace. The tax collector, admitting his sinfulness and the greatness of God, leaves the temple justified. The Pharisee met himself in the temple while the tax collector met God.

The gospels of these past two weeks remind us of the importance of our personal relationship with God. It is a life-altering encounter. The meeting of Zacchaeus changes the direction of his life because of the encounter. Zacchaeus, perhaps for the first time in his life, was offered the gift of friendship, love and acceptance.

True religion is only possible in relationship. That is why Jesus tells us we have only two rules to follow as his disciples: Love God and love neighbor. To be a disciple is to live in relationship. Our prayer life and our good works are satisfying only if they are on the way to a deeper relationship with God and others. The story of Zacchaeus tells us what God can do for everyone who is willing to welcome Jesus and the grace he offers and allow that grace to change hearts, wills and lives.

Readings for the Week of October 31, 2004

Sunday:    Wis 11:22-12:2; 2 Thes 1:11-2:2; Lk 19:1-10
Monday:    Rv 7:2-4, 9-14; 1 Jn 3:1-3; Mt 5:1-12a
Tuesday:   Wis 3:1-9; Rom 5:5-11; Jn 6:37-40
Wednesday:    Phil 2:12-18; Lk 14:25-33
Thursday: Phil 3:3-8a; Lk 15:1-10
Friday:           Phil 3:17—4:1; Lk 16:1-8
Saturday: Phil 4:10-19; Lk 16:9-15

Next Sunday: 2 Mc 7:1-2, 9-14; 2 Thes 2:16-3:5; Lk 20:27-38

This week we ask you to pray for those who are ill, including, Brianna Cimino, Rosemary Harvey, Regina Jones, Andrea Hynes, Joyce Amos, 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, Kath Rodriegas, Estelle Szalajeski, Nancy Driscoll, Dante DiManna, Margie Levine, Doug Phillips, Andrew Day, Peggy Sue Grow, Mary Serpa, Deborah Miller, Dorothy Lee, William MacKinnon, Mary Jefferson, Elizabeth Conte, Shane McCarthy, Mildred Wood, Violet Caldaroni, Frank Cote, James Bresnahan, Ann Mulray, Rita Mahan, Connie Perrotta, Jackie Sullivan, Jean Babbin, Gerard Sarno, Dorothy Grant, Gretin Cervantes, Marisol O’Brien, Paul Pantano, Fran Ressetar, Cecelia Hines, Margaret Wright, Renee Chapman, Peter Bellini, Christine Gainer, Chris Ann Colletti, Helen McLaughlin, Paul Doherty, Mary Dawson, Jorge Loayza, Joseph Brault, Lauren Forgette, Chuck Kiernan, Bill Attaya, Margaret Coughlin, John McCarthy, Don Sabatand, Laura Mac Aulay, Stella Guarino, Bill Graham, Bob Remeika, Mary Hosford and Dorothy Barton . Please also pray for George Cowen, husband of Barbara Cowen and Gerry Dingavan both of whom died this past week.

The feast of All Saint’s is not a day of obligation this year. We will have our regular 9:00am Mass.

Come participate in the annual Amnesty International Letter signing immediately following the 10:00am Mass TODAY, Sunday, October 31^st in the Parish Center. Last year, Sacred Heart Parishioners signed 300 letters on behalf of prisoners of conscience around the world. Come join us and let these people know that they are not forgotten. In addition to your signature, a $2.00 donation to cover postage is needed. Thank you.

Council of Parishes to Meet at Sacred Heart

The newly formed Council of Parishes will meet in the Parish Hall this Wednesday, November 3^rd, 7:00–9:00pm. The Council has two representatives from each of the nine currently participating parishes. Its purpose is threefold: (1) to support parishes already maintaining vigils, (2) to share the stories and information of parishes which have closed or are slated for closure, and (3) to invite all parishes throughout the Archdiocese to join the COP in working with the Archdiocese and its Council of Reconfiguration Review to find ways other than closing vibrant parishes to solve the very real problems facing the Catholic Church in Boston. Observers are welcome. Please come and get a first-hand sense of the effects of the reconfiguration process beyond our own Sacred Heart Parish. Questions can be forwarded to either:

We invite you to join parishioners at St. Brigid’s in their twentieth annual men’s clothing drive for St. Francis House in Boston. Warm men’s clothing is desperately needed for the upcoming winter. The following items of clothing have been requested: jeans and casual pants, flannel shirts, dress shirts and black dress pants for job interviews, dress shoes, sweaters, sweatshirts (really need size XXL or larger), winter hats, gloves, scarves, belts, winter work boots, NEW white tube socks, and NEW underwear, Thermal long underwear would also be greatly appreciated. The clothing will be collected in the lower Parish Center Hall between 4 and 6pm on November 13^th and between 7:30am and 1:30pm on November 14^th. St. Brigid Parish has a history of providing clothing to St. Francis House every year since it opened 20 years ago. If you have any questions, contact Mary Abegg, 781-862-0388 or abeggmc@aol.com.

There will be a Haitian Arts & Crafts sale on November 6^th & 7^th in the Parish Center. Christmas Cards, hand-knitted sweater sets, embroidered sleepwear and table linen from Haiti will be on sale after all the masses the first weekend in November. Come over to the parish center and get a head start on your holiday shopping. All proceeds from the sale will go to help the people of the most impoverished country in our hemisphere, Haiti.

Join us in the parish center on Sunday after the 10:00am Mass to wish Sr. Mary Nagle good wishes as she begins her new position at Bethany in Framingham!

St. Brigid’s will offer an adult faith group, “IN MEMORY OF JESUS: Reflections for Parents Whose Children Are Preparing For First Eucharist/Reconciliation.” On Tuesdays for six weeks beginning November 9^th from either 10:00-11:30am or 7:00-8:30pm Please call Jaye Russo, 781-862-8724, to register if you’re interested in attending.

Next week the 7^th grade students will celebrate Mass together with their families at 10:00. After Mass they will be selling beautiful carved mahogany boxes that are made by the young people being served in Guatemala by “Only A Child.” All money raised will be donated to “Only A Child.” These handcrafted boxes are only $18 each. Please come by to support our students and this great mission.

St. Brigid Religious Education needs a 7^th grade teacher immediately. Please call Jaye or Linda, 781-862-8724, if you are able to help!

CONGRATULATIONS! Tori Cimino has been awarded the Eagle of the Cross Award by the Archdiocese OYM Office. This is a nationally recognized award. The National Youth Ministry Award is the highest recognition of the National Federation of Youth Ministry for a youth to be conferred by a diocese. It is awarded to youth who display outstanding Christian witness in their daily lives. Recipients exhibit exemplary contributions of leadership and service at the parish level and beyond.

Tori will be honored at a dinner on Friday, November 19 @ 7:30 PM at Lombardo’s in Randolph. Tickets are $40.00 each. Anyone wishing to attend should contact the parish office either at 781/861-8385 or 781/862-4646.

All our T.L.C TEAM and our YM Adult Commission should take pride in this accomplishment. The support Tori has received (particularly in the past year) has made this well-deserved honor possible.

NEXT YOUTH MASS: SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 7, @ 5:PM. All are welcome. Program requirement for 9^th & 10^th grade.

Y.O.W. Friday, Dec. 10 thru Sunday 12. Cost $115. Go on line to www.OYMBoston.org for details. Registration and checks will be due very soon. Space is limited and we will only be allowed 20 participants. THIS WILL BE A SELLOUT! Call Maureen or Kate for further info.


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