In today’s second reading (1 Thes 1:5-10) Saint Paul wrote: “You know as well as we do what we proved to be like when, while still among you, we acted on your behalf. You, in turn, became imitators of us and of the Lord, receiving the word, despite great trials, with the joy that comes from the Holy Spirit. Thus you became a model for all the believers…”
Saint Paul speaks of the example he was to the community and how each, in turn, became examples of discipleship to others. Perhaps we do not realize that people are watching us to see what relationship we have with the Lord and how that relationship influences our behavior.
What needs to be part of the life of a person in order to grow as a disciple? There are probably as many ways to answer this question as there are disciples, for we are all unique persons who relate and learn and minister in unique ways. The first element of discipleship is to grow in relationship with God in Jesus Christ. It is that relationship that leads us to place all our hopes and cares upon the Lord. We need to know who this Jesus is as a real presence in our lives and not just as an imaginary friend. Do we receive the sacraments regularly and spend time in spiritual reading and prayer long enough to develop a personal relationship with God?
The second element is to grow in relationship with one’s self. The Greeks had a saying that the unexamined life is not worth living. The inward journey is important because it enables us to know ourselves well enough to understand how God is at work in us and what God seeks from us. The personal growth this inward journey brings is essential because it is in this growth that we set aside the old self and become more able to serve others in Christ’s name.
The third dimension is growth in relationship with others in community. The disciple depends upon the community of faith. It is the work of everyone in the faith community to share commitments of being a disciple and be able to develop relationships of depth, integrity, and truth. Without this kind of community, the disciple cannot live.
As we grow in disciple relationships we must acknowledge the call from God to serve others. This call is based in the gifts God has given us. These gifts are what shapes our personality and abilities and become the means by which we participate in God’s mission in the world. Saint Paul, once again, is our teacher in this when he wrote: “There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all people” (1 Cor 12:4-7).
How have you demonstrated this past week the fact that you are a disciple of the Lord?
Readings for the Week Of Sunday, October 26, 2008
| St. Brigid Church |
| |
| 9:00am | Tuesday October 28th | Florence Ruge |
| 9:00am | Thursday October 30th | John Servente |
| 8:00am | Saturday November 1st | ALL SAINTS DAY (This year All Saint’s is not a Holy Day) |
| |
| Sacred Heart Church |
| |
| 9:00am | Monday October 27th | Anna Aquino & Margaret Kestler |
| 9:00am | Wednesday October 29th | Betty Pendergast |
| 9:00am | Saturday November 1st | ALL SAINTS DAY (This year All Saint’s is not a Holy Day) |
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, Vincent Hayes, Geraldine Worthington, Brianna Cimino and Marisol O’Brien. Please also remember all of our deceased relatives and friends.
In Service For Their Country
Lt. John Schiavi, Sgt. Christopher Considine, Timothy Dunbar, Richard Rigley, Timothy Busa, Chris Cullen, Caitlin R. Battell, Robert McLaughlin, Sean Maddigan, Elizabeth Leyne, Rev. Paul Passamonti, Airman Jason Cunha, Mark Zarnecki, Patrick J. Nordahl, Scott and Michael Donahue, Lt. Brian Casey, and 1st Lt. 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.
Helping Hands
Helping Hands for October is
Kathleen Hintlian - 781-862-1314.
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. Because our Third Graders will participate in the 9:00am Mass today, October 26, we will not have Children’s Liturgy of the Word. CLW will resume next Sunday, November 2.
Two More Virtus Sessions Scheduled!
All new volunteers in Sacred Heart and St. Brigid ministries are required to attend the VIRTUS training session, Protecting God’s Children. This program, presented by the parishes’ Child Abuse Prevention or CAP Team, educates and trains adults – clergy, staff, lay ministers, teachers, volunteers and other interested adults in the faith community – about the dangers of child abuse, the warning signs of abuse, ways to prevent abuse, and the methods for properly reporting suspicions of abuse. Two training sessions are scheduled in the upcoming weeks:
October 29 (Wednesday), 7:00-9:30pm
November 5 (Wednesday), 7:00-9:30pm
All sessions will be held in the Library in St. Brigid Parish Center. Please call the Sacred Heart/St. Brigid Parish Office 781-862-4646/0335 or the Religious Education Office 781-862-8724 to register.
| St. Brigid |
| Offertory for October 18th & 19th |
$ 9,042.00 |
| Envelope Offerings |
$ 7,921.00 |
| Loose Cash |
$ 1,121.00 |
Out of the 548 envelopes we sent to St. Brigid parishioners, 252 have used their envelopes.
| Sacred Heart |
| Offertory for October 18th & 19th |
$ 3,890.00 |
| Envelope Offerings |
$ 3,156.00 |
| Loose Cash |
$ 734.00 |
| St. Katharine Drexel |
$ 85.00 |
Of the 265 envelopes we sent to Sacred Heart parishioners, 98 parishioners have used their envelopes this week.
Thank you to all who so generously contribute to our parishes each week!
—Fr. Colletti
St. Agnes Bazaar
The St. Agnes Parish Bazaar will be on Friday, Nov. 14, 2008 from 6 PM to 9 PM, Saturday, Nov. 15, 2008 from 10 AM to 6:00 PM and on Sunday, Nov. 16, 2008 from 8AM to 12 PM in the Arlington Catholic High School Gymnasium, 16 Medford St., Arlington.
Pay, Pray, Obey?
This is the intriguing title of Dr. Aurelie Hagstrom’s presentation at this week’s WINGS (Women IN God’s Spirit) session. Dr. Hagstrom will discuss the various and evolving roles of the laity since Vatican II. Join us this Thursday, October 30, at 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 Janet Fraser at jfraser at alum dot mit dot edu or 781-862- 6853. Membership in WINGS is not required to attend this or any WINGS program.
Get ‘Up-Close and Personal’ with the Lord
You can spend some quiet time with the Lord every Friday during the exposition of the Blessed Sacrament from 12:00 – 2:45pm at St. Brigid Church.
The Trains are Coming!!
The HUB Division will display and operate HO model trains in the Parish Center on the weekend of November 1st & 2nd-from 10AM to 5PM each day. All are welcome to this family event! Fun for the young and the young at heart!
Men's Clothing Needed For St. Francis House
We invite all parishioners to join in our 25th annual men’s clothing drive for St. Francis House in Boston. Warm men’s clothing is desperately needed for the upcoming winter. The following clothing items have been requested: jeans, casual pants, flannel shirts, dress shirts and dark 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 St. Brigid lower Parish Center Hall between Noon and 6pm on Saturday, November 1st and between 10 am and 4 pm on Sunday November 2nd. Collection boxes will also be at the doors of Sacred Heart Church on the weekend of November 1st and 2nd or you could bring the clothing to Keilty Hall the evening of Mary’s Party, November 1st. If you have any questions, contact Mary Harvell, 781-862-0794 or email mharvell "at" ix "dot" netcom "dot" com.
Don’t forget to turn your clocks back one hour on Saturday night, November 1st!
Last Call for Blankets
We have extended the collection period for blankets to be sent to Pine Ridge Reservation until November 3rd, due to low response. Please bring in new blankets or if you didn't have time to purchase one, and wish to donate, deposit a check in collection basket, with notation "for Pine Ridge Blankets." Snow has already fallen at Pine Ridge and nights are getting very cold. The elders, children and their families will appreciate your help.
Mark Your Calendar for the Magic Show!
Franc Karpo will be at Sacred Heart Friday, November 28th at 2:00pm in the parish center. This is a program for children of both parishes and is free of charge. Franc is a famous magician who delights both young in age and young at heart. Plan to come to this program!
Sacred Heart Fundraiser For The Music Ministry
On Friday, November 14th from 6:00-8:00pm the Sacred Heart Choir will sponsor and host a Turkey Dinner at the Parish Center to kick off a week long benefit for the new organ. Please contact Claire to make a reservation, 781-862-4646. The week will end with a concert on Saturday, November 22nd at 7:00pm to be held at Sacred Heart Church, followed by a dessert and champagne reception. Save the dates!
Boston College Gallery Lecture
Virginia Oliver, a parishioner of Sacred Heart will be hosting a lecture on Mystic Masque - George Rouault 1871-1965 at the McMullen Museum of Art on October 26th 12:30 and November 2nd at 12:30.
Fair Trade Fair
Gifts With a Difference
An array of handcrafted and fair trade items from various countries will be for sale at our annual Fair Trade Fair. Linens, greeting cards, knitted caps and mittens, colorful fabric bags, fair trade coffee, oil from the Holy Land, and more, including small items suitable as stocking stuffers will be available. The sale will take place after all the Masses.
The fair will be held at Sacred Heart Parish Center the weekend of October 25th & 26th and at St. Brigid Kielty Hall the weekend of November 8th & 9th.
The 13Th Annual Genesis Battlegreen Run
The 13th annual Genesis Battlegreen Run will be held on Sunday, November 2nd. You are invited to join us for one of the finest road races in New England. For more information, or if you would like to enter, you may do so on-line at www.genesis-cos.com or www.coolrunning.com. If you would like to help, we need volunteers! Many are needed to direct runners, assist at the water stations and serve food. Proceeds from the event benefit Habitat for Humanity, The Pauline Briggs Memorial Scholarship and the Genesis Community Fund, plus many others.
Holy Humor
At the Henry Street Hebrew School, Mr. Goldblatt, the new teacher, finished the day's lesson. It was now time for the usual question period.
"Mr. Goldblatt," announced little Joey, "there's somethin' I can't figger out."
"What's that Joey?" asked Goldblatt.
"Well accordin' to the Bible, the Children of Israel crossed the Red Sea, right?"
"Right."
"An' the Children of Israel beat up the Philistines, right?"
"Er--right."
"An' the Children of Israel built the Temple, right?"
"Again you're right."
"An' the Children of Israel fought the 'gyptians, an' the Children of Israel fought the Romans, an' the Children of Israel wuz always doin' somethin' important, right?"
"All that is right, too," agreed Goldblatt. "So what's your question?"
"What I wanna know is this," demanded Joey. . . . "What wuz all the grown-ups doin"?
Classes are held as follows:
Sunday at Sacred Heart: 11:15 – 12:15 – Gr. 1 – 7
Tuesday at St. Brigid: 3:45 - 4:45pm – Gr. 1 - 6
Tuesday at St. Brigid: 5:30 – 6:30pm – Gr. 7
(Grade 7 begins October 21st)
Wednesday at St. Brigid: 3:45 - 4:45pm – Gr. 1 - 6
Wednesday at St. Brigid: 5:30 – 6:30pm – Gr. 8
(Grade 8 begins October 22nd)
Megan Chenaille, Director of Youth Ministry
E-mail: Megan Chenaille
781-862-8724
Confirmation Classes
9th and 10th Grade Confirmation Classes will NOT be held October 27th and 28th due to Megan being away. Classes resume November 3rd and 4th. See you then!!
Congrats!
To our Newly Confirmed!! May the Holy Spirit reside in you always.
Our NEXT Youth Mass is
Sunday, November 2, 2008, Sacred Heart Church, 6pm
Hope you can join us!!
MOVIE NIGHT!!
(for High School Youth Only)
Will take place
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Directly after the Youth Mass
We will be watching a COMEDY and having fun and enjoying movie snacks.
Bring a friend and stop by!!
We will have a raffle drawing for all who are there
(must be present to win)
Please do not hesitate to call or e-mail with any questions or concerns. 