According to an ancient tradition preserved and passed on through the centuries by believers, the wise men that we celebrate today were of three different generations.  Caspar was thought to be a very young man, Balthazar was middle aged and Melchior was a senior citizen.

When they reached their long journey’s end in Bethlehem, the three made their way to the home of Mary, Joseph and Jesus and went in one at a time.  When Melchior entered, there was no one there except an elderly man like himself with whom he quickly felt at ease.  They spoke together of memories and gratitude.

After that it was the turn of Balthazar, who upon entering the home encountered a middle age teacher.  They talked passionately of leadership and responsibility.

When the young Caspar went into the home, he met a young prophet with whom he spoke at length about reform and promise.

After each had had their turn, the three gathered up their gifts and went back into the home together.  There they encountered a young child and his proud parents.  Only later did they understand what had transpired.  Jesus, God’s Son and our Savior, speaks to each of us at every stage and at every moment of our lives.  The old hear the call to integrity and wisdom.  The middle age hear the call to service and responsibility.  The young hear the call to identity and intimacy.

We learn how important it is for all of us -at any age- to listen to the Lord and to gather in homes and church to share each other’s experience.  What call do you hear today and how will you respond to it?

Offertory for December 26^th        $2885.00

Collection for Retired Priests         $3068.00

Envelope Offerings                           $2576.00

Loose Cash                                         $ 309.00

St. John/St. Hugh                             $ 20.00

Matignon High School

Matignon High School in Cambridge is accepting applications for the Class of 2009 and potential transfer students.  Any questions please call Tim Stratford, Director of Admissions, at 617-876-1212 x11.  Acceptances for the Class of 2009 will be mailed on January 31, 2005.

There is a Youth Group meeting on Monday, January 10 at 7:00PM in the Youth Room at St. Brigid’s for all High School students, Newcomers Welcome!

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, Don Costello, 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, Edward Semanko, Mary Hosford, Jose Rubiero, Jane Eastham, Maureen Manfredi and Dorothy Barton.  Please also remember in your prayers Katherine Quinn and Ruth Garcelon both of who died this past week.

9:00 – Saturday, January 1^st       Evangeline Barbera

Holy Humor

The old pastor made it a practice to visit the parish school one day a week.  He walked into the fourth grade class, where the children were studying the states, and asked them how many states they could name.  They came up with about 40 names.  He jokingly told them that in his day students knew the names of all the states.

One lad raised his hand and said, “Yes, but in those days there were only 13.”

A great big thank you to Jim Keefe and the many people who volunteered to decorate the church for Christmas!  It is beautiful!!!

Thank you also to Mary Lynn Hedley and her “young people” who presented the Gospel in mime at the 4:00 Liturgy Christmas Eve. 

Thanks to all of the choir, organists and cantors that helped to make Christmas such a wonderful day.

Prison Ministry

Patsy and I went to MCI Framingham for Christmas Eve Mass.  Sister Maureen wanted us to thank everyone at Sacred Heart for the $375 donated a couple of weeks ago to help her purchase a package of notions, which she and Father Jack Butler from BC walked through the prison and gave to each woman on Christmas morning.  AND, she was rhapsodic about the gifts that we gave, through Jeannie DiPietro's inspiration, to each of the 125 or so children of the women in Middlesex House, the facility for model inmates and women about to be released.  She said that two days later, when Archbishop O'Malley came to spend the day, the women were still talking about the party enthusiastically.  He wondered what had happened.  Sister Maureen told him that the gifts had come from Sacred Heart, Lexington.  He said, "Sacred Heart?"  She said, "Yes! Sacred Heart, Lexington.  Those people have made this party for these children for the past three years, each year better than that before.  And besides, they have been just wonderful to us for years!"  Archbishop Sean, "Hmmm."  (No good deed shall go unpunished!)  

And a last message for Peter Meade et al from Patsy and me:  A parish community is NOT fungible.  It cannot be moved around without irretrievable loss!

See you next year! 

Patsy and Ted Heuchling

Bulletins	Sacred Heart Parish Bulletin - January 2, 2005	Home