We have just celebrated the birth of Christ and immediately we move on to the beginning of his public ministry in the feast of the Baptism of the Lord. This Sunday, it seems, the church wants us to move forward with him with the same mission.
Saint Paul, in our second reading (1 Cor 12:4-11), tells us: “There are different gifts but the same Spirit; there are different ministries but the same Lord; there are different works but the same God who accomplishes all of them in everyone. To each person the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.” This is not a call for volunteers to work with Christ but a call to discipleship. We will center on the topic of discipleship in the course of this year in our two parishes.
God calls. We respond. This fundamental, essential pattern in the life of every believer appears through our Scriptures. God calls a chosen people, leaders and prophets; Jesus calls apostles and disciples. Second Vatican Council decree Lumen Gentium tells us: The basic call is the same for all the followers of Christ, namely “that all Christians in whatever state or walk of life are called to the fullness of Christian life and to the perfection of charity, and this holiness is conducive to a more human way of living even in society here on earth…all, however, according to their own gifts and duties must steadfastly advance along the way of a living faith, which arouses hope and works through love.”
In the Council’s Decree on the Apostolate of the Lay People we read: “Sharing in the function of Christ, priest, prophet and king, the laity has an active part of their own in the life and activity of the church. Their activity within the church communities is so necessary that without it the apostolate of the pastors will frequently be unable to obtain its full effect… (Laity) find their foundation in the Sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation, indeed, for a good many of them, in the Sacrament of Matrimony.”
Pope Paul VI on evangelization wrote: “The laity can also feel called, or in fact be called, to cooperate with their pastors in the service of the ecclesial community, for the sake of its growth and life. This can be done through the exercise of different kinds of ministries according to the grace and charisms which the Lord has been pleased to bestow on them.”
The American Bishops in their statement, “Co-Workers in the Vineyard of the Lord,” further emphasize the role of the Baptized and when they cooperate with their pastors in the service of the community, “this is a sign of the Holy Spirit’s movement in the lives of our sisters and brothers. We are very grateful for all who undertake various roles in Church ministry.”
Readings for the Week Of Sunday, January 17, 2010
| St. Brigid Church |
| |
| 9:00am | Tuesday January 19th | Eugene Buckley |
| 9:00am | Thursday January 21st | Mary Rita Collins & Elizabeth Collins |
| 9:00am | Saturday January 23rd | Grace Kenney
Catherine M. Doyle
Claire M. Renkas |
| |
| Sacred Heart Church |
| |
| 9:00am | Monday January 18th | Robert D’Ambrose |
| 9:00am | Wednesday January 20th | Helen Jenson |
| 9:00am | Friday January 22nd | Janet Mosher |
Please pray for all who are in need of our prayers that God’s healing and comforting presence may be with them, especially Father William Smith, Jen Bombaca, Marianne Slack, Elaine Murphy, Bob Kozlowski, Frances Cote, Rosemary Adamson, Deacon Bill Wildes, William McCarthy, Marie Dempsey, Pat White, Anita and William Gorham, Mary Whelan, Prudy Bulger, Eleanor Mann, Amy Galehouse Goolkosian, John Walsh, Jane Beauchemin, Henry Downes, Billy Wedgwood, Gerald McCue, Kathleen Brown, Brendan Murphy, Kevin Johnson, Monica Cotter, Ann LaMantia, Christine Griffin, Josephine Siders, Douglas DiVito, Mary McGuinnes, Jewel Douglass, Marjorie Kearns, Shannon Capriulo, Cathy Larson, Olivia Moran and Brianna Cimino. Please also remember in your prayers all of our deceased family members and parishioners especially Helen Ippolito, Marion Russo, mother of Anthony Russo and Maureen Kelly.
New Altar Servers Training
Children of the Catholic Community of Lexington, in grades 4 through 12, are invited to become Altar Servers at Saint Brigid's. This is an important ministry, and a wonderful way for children to become more involved in the liturgy. Training can be arranged at your convenience. For questions or to sign up, please contact Jeanne Hobbs at 781-248-9722, or email JeanneHobbs at Verizon dot Net
Looking For Support During Your Job Search?
Seasoned Human Resources and Marketing pros to lead the Lexington Job Support Group (LJSG) for the Catholic Community of Lexington and our friends. Learn and share job search strategies, resources and networking tips while getting support during your search for that next great opportunity. Meetings are the first and third Wednesday of the month, 7:30pm - 9:00pm at Sacred Heart Parish Center. The next two meetings are January 20th and February 3rd. Informal, no need to sign up, come on the evenings you are free with a cup of coffee or supper, and invite a friend. If you have any questions, contact Bob Ludwig at 781-861-7231 or Donna Heuchling at dheuchling (3)
Lexington Food Pantry Collection
for St. Brigid and Sacred Heart
This weekend, January 16th and 17th, is the collection of non-perishable food for the Lexington Food Pantry. Items may be left in the food bins at St. Brigid and on the altar at Sacred Heart. Please check the expiration dates. Special requests for this month: cold and hot low sugar cereals, especially oatmeal and meals in a can. Cash, supermarket gift cards and checks made out to the Lexington Food Pantry may be placed in an envelope marked Lexington Food Pantry and placed in the offertory basket or left at the Office. We thank you for your past generosity and support of this endeavor.
Life Snipits
Many folks want to serve God,
but only as advisors.
In Service For Their Country
Lt. John Schiavi, Sgt. Christopher Considine, Timothy Dunbar, Richard Rigley, Chris Cullen, Caitlin R. Battell, Robert McLaughlin, Sean Maddigan, Michelle Leverone, Marissa Leverone, Rev. Paul Passamonti, Airman Jason Cunha, Mark Zarnecki, Elizabeth Leyne, Patrick J. Nordahl, Scott and Michael Donahue, CDR Michael P. MacLellan and Captain Brian Geary.
Lord Jesus, watch over our sons and daughters in the service of their country. Give them the courage to serve their country with honor and dignity and grant that when their service is finished they may return to us, sound in mind, body and soul.
CREA
You are welcome to join Sister Ruth Rosenbaum, TC, PhD from the Center for Reflection, Education and Action as she leads a social justice study group. You may have heard Sister Ruth speak from the altar at the end of Mass at Sacred Heart and St. Brigid during the Fair Trade Fair in November. The discussions are in keeping with the CREA mission statement which is as follows…"Believing that the earth is home to all, CREA facilitates analysis of human, social and economic policies from the perspective of their effects on human lives beginning with the lives of those who are poor." The meeting takes place on Wednesday, January 20th at Sacred Heart at 7:15pm at the Parish Center.
Christmas Card Recycling
Gather all those Christmas cards, cut off the front (to save postage) and mail them to ST JUDES’S RANCH FOR CHILDREN, 100 ST JUDE’S ST., BOULDER CITY, NV 89005. The children will recycle the pictures into “born again” cards to be sold next season. Save the address to send Birthday and other cards too. Share the address with family, friends, and co-workers to increase the benefits for the children and our planet. Tip: Add your cards to others and use a flat rate mailing box
About Tithing
Tithing is a form of monetary giving that some Christian denominations participate in. The tithe is the giving of the first 10 percent of all income to God. The local church or ministry is the steward or caretaker of the tithe and utilizes the funds to maintain the church and its facilities. In the U.S., this type of giving is tax deductible as long as the proper paperwork, such as tithing envelopes, is used as official records. Tithing is not forced or mandated by church leadership. It's a voluntary offering given by members of the congregation.
Holy Hour for Life
On the eve of the anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision, St. Brigid Church will hold a Holy Hour for Life. Here is an opportunity to pray together that hearts may be moved to protect and reverence life. Please join us for Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, Scripture, Petitions and Benediction on Thursday, January 21st at 7:30 PM.
All children are invited to join in the Children’s Liturgy of the Word, a special weekly presentation and discussion of the day’s scripture readings. After a blessing and dismissal by the priest before the first reading during St. Brigid’s 9:00am Mass, the children proceed downstairs to Keilty Hall to participate in this program. They rejoin the Mass after the homily. All children are invited to join in the Children’s Liturgy of the Word, a special weekly presentation and discussion of the day’s scripture readings. After a blessing and dismissal by the priest before the first reading during St. Brigid’s 9:00am Mass, the children proceed downstairs to Keilty Hall to participate in this program. They rejoin the Mass after the homily.
Lexington Christian Academy
The Lexington Christian Academy will hold open houses on January 23rd from 10:00-12:00 and February 4th from 8:00 to 10:00 (please RSVP to 781-862-7850 x185 for this Open House) and from 5:00 to 7:00pm. Lexington Christian Academy has offered a strong college preparatory curriculum set in the context of a Christian worldview for over sixty years.
Helping Hands
Helping Hands for the month of January is:
is Jeanne Hobbs, 781-248-9722
Women’s Retreat
Spring Women’s Overnight Retreat
Rest, renew, refresh yourself at Craigville Beach on the Cape!
from 5 p.m. Friday, April 30th to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 1st, 2010.
Celebrate with other women of our community
on an overnight retreat designed by our parishioners
to help you “come to the waters” and be open
to the gifts God has for you!
Reserve your space now;
Total fee: $125.
A published spiritual writer
will be joining us!
For more information, contact Beverly Good (Beverly.Good(1) ) , 781-863-0319, X 20) or Mary Peterson (mary.peterson55(7); 781-863-0319, X 30).
An Evening in Tuscany
Reserve the Date: February 6th, 2009
Come and enjoy a Italian dinner, dance, and fellowship in support of
the Youth Scholarship Fund
An Evening in Tuscany!
February 6, 2010, 6:30 P.M.-10:30 P.M.
In Keilty Hall (lower level of St. Brigid Church)
Choose Your Sponsorship Level !
“Senior” $50
“Junior” $40
“Sophomore” $30
“Freshman” $25
Tickets will be on sale after all masses at Sacred Heart and St. Brigid on January 17/18, 23/24, and 30/31, and at the St Brigid Parish Center during the week. Tables may be reserved for you and your friends!
(Table seats 8.)
Rides can be arranged by calling Anne Doyle
at 781-643-8177.
For more information, see posters at the doors of the church or contact Anne at amcdoyle(8)
Sunday, January 17th
9:00 – CHILDREN’S LITURGY OF THE WORD-SB
10:00 – 3 BAPTISMS – SH
11:15-12:15 – REL. ED. – SH PARISH CENTER
Monday, January 18th
OFFICE IS CLOSED TODAY
7:15 – 8:30 CONFIRMATION CLASSES – SB
Tuesday, January 19th
3:45-4:45 REL ED CLASSES – SB
7:15 – 8:30 CONFIRMATION CLASSES – SB
7:00 – PARISH FINANCE COUNCIL - SB
Wednesday, January 20th
9:00 – LEXINGTON GARDEN CLUB-PC
3:45-4:45 REL ED CLASSES – SB
7:00 – 9:30 – SCOUT DISTRICT MTG.-SH-PC
7:15 – YOUTH COMMISSION MEETING – SB
7:15 – C.R.E.A. MEETING – SH
7:30 – 9:30 – RCIA – SH-PC
Thursday, January 21st
7:00 – 9:30 BOY SCOUTS – SB – PC
7:00 – CUB SCOUT PACK MEETING-PC
7:30 – HOLY HOUR FOR LIFE –SB CHURCH
Friday, January 15th
10:00 WEEKLY STAFF MEETING-SB
Saturday, January 16th
9”00-12”00 – MINUTE MEN REHEARSAL-SB-PC
3:30 – CONFESSIONS – SB
HAVE A SAFE AND
PEACE-FILLED
WEEKEND!
An Invitation from our Sixth Graders!
Our parishes’ Sixth Graders cordially invite you to join them next Sunday, January 24th, at their grade-level Mass at 6:00pm at Sacred Heart Church.
Season Four of ARISE, the small faith group discussion process, begins right after Ash Wednesday, February 14th. The official “Sign-Up Sunday” will take place on both Saturday, January 23rd, and Sunday, January 24th,at Sacred Heart and St. Brigid. Group dates and times are being firmed up now. Contact Beverly Good at 781-863-0319 x20 or email to Beverly.Good(1) for more information on how it works!
Holy Humor
Say A Prayer
Little Johnny and his family were having Sunday dinner at his Grandmother’s house. Everyone was seated around the table as the food was being served. When little Johnny received his plate, he started eating right away.
“Johnny! Please wait until we say our prayer.” said his mother.
“I don’t need to,” the boy replied.
“Of course, you do,” his mother insisted. “We always say a prayer before eating at our house.”
“That’s at our house,” Johnny explained. “But this is Grandma’s house and she knows how to cook!”
| St. Brigid |
| Offertory for January 9th & 10th |
$ 10,843.00 |
| Envelope Offerings |
$ 9,569.00 |
| Loose Cash |
$ 1,274.00 |
Out of the 548 envelopes we sent to St. Brigid parishioners, 297 have used their envelopes. Thank you to all who so generously contribute to our parishes each week! To operate the parish our offertory should be $11,730 per week.
To date we have received $113,975.76 in our Grand Annual Collection from 280 parishioners. We have determined the following breakdown: New Givers 45; those who increased their donation, 131; those who gave the same as last year, 76; those who gave less than last year, 28. Our goal this year is $140,000
| Sacred Heart |
| Offertory for January 9th & 10th |
$ 5,498.00 |
| Envelope Offerings |
$ 4,866.00 |
| Loose Cash |
$ 635.00 |
| St. Katharine Drexel |
$ 192.00 |
Of the 265 envelopes we sent to Sacred Heart parishioners, 108 parishioners have used their envelopes this week. Thank you to all who so generously contribute to our parishes each week! To operate the parish our offertory should be $7,500 per week.
To date we have received a total of $67,240 from 127parishioners in our Grand Annual Collection. We have determined the following breakdown: New Givers 16; those who increased their donation, 59; those who gave the same as last year, 40; those who gave less than last year, 15. Our goal this year is $313,000.
Thank you to all who so generously contribute to our parishes each week!
—Fr. Colletti
What Is The Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults?
The RCIA is a process by which adults are fully initiated into the Catholic faith community. It is a process that not only affects the individuals seeking the sacraments, but the entire community that journeys with those being initiated. It is a spiritual journey that is marked by: conversion, professing faith in Christ, incorporation into the church and participation in the mission of Christ. This process is for:
- People who have never been baptized
- People who were baptized into another Christian faith tradition, but now desire to enter into the Catholic Church and to receive the sacraments of Communion or Confirmation
- Catholics who have not received the sacraments of Communion and Confirmation
If you feel that God might be calling you in this direction or are interested in learning more about this process, please contact Beverly Good, one of our Pastoral Associates, by email or call 781-863-0319x20.
Wings Spirituality Of The Psalms Continues!
WINGS (Women IN God’s Spirit) Winter Season continues this Thursday with Celia Sirois presenting her third session on Spirituality of the Psalms. Join us for this session and the following two sessions on Thursday mornings, 9:30 – 11:15am, in the hall in St. Brigid Parish Center. For transportation, contact Carol Flynn at 781-862-1637. For child care during the session, contact Jane Goubeaux at 781-862-4146. Membership in WINGS is not required to attend this or any WINGS program.
Hospitality
Please join us for hospitality and fellowship at our parishes.
Hospitality at St. Brigid Parish is after the 9:00am Mass in Keilty Hall.
At Sacred Heart Parish the hospitality is after the 10:00am Mass in the parish center.
Congratulations to Stephen Tsaur on achieving the Eagle Scout Award on Saturday, January 9th, at St. Brigid Church.
