Respect for Life Sunday
Today life is being attacked from every angle: abortion robs children of their fundamental right to life; embryonic stem cell research involves destroying living human beings for speculative medical research; legalized assisted suicide and euthanasia arise out of the false view that some lives are not worth living and that some people are not worth protecting.
Let us intercede for life:
That our President, members of Congress, and all political leaders throughout the world may recognize the sacredness of life, and defend the fundamental right of every human being to live, from the moment of conception until natural death. We pray to the Lord.
That all children with disabilities will be loved and cared for in healthy and nurturing environments. We pray to the Lord.
That all sick may find strength and courage in the cross of Christ and discover the redemptive value of their suffering. We pray to the Lord.
That all who have been involved in abortion may come to true repentance and seek God’s merciful and healing love. We pray to the Lord.
That all bishops and priests may teach the lay faithful to love the Gospel of Life encouraging them to embrace all life. We pray to the Lord.
That our country stop resorting to use the death penalty in response to violence, and that the merciful love of God convert the violent and heal the victim. We pray to the Lord.
That the elderly may cherish each moment of their lives, and in their sunset years experience the love and attention they need. We pray to the Lord.
O Immaculate Virgin, mother of the true God and mother of the Church! You, who revealed your clemency and your pity to all those who ask for your protection, hear the prayers that we address to you with filial trust, and present these to your Son, Jesus, our sole Redeemer.
Readings for the Week Of Sunday, October 04, 2009
| St. Brigid Church |
| |
| 9:00am | Tuesday October 6th | Francis P. Carney |
| 9:00am | Thursday October 8th | Leonard & Anthony Euart |
| 9:00am | Saturday October 10th | Robert, Helen & David Luca; Gerald & Eleanor Amadeo |
| |
| Sacred Heart Church |
| |
| 9:00am | Monday October 5th | Rev. Ultan McCabe |
| 9:00am | Wednesday October 7th | Deceased Members of the Ross Family |
| 9:00am | Friday October 9th | Frank and Nora Zelck |
I want to thank all who contributed to the celebration of my birthday last Sunday at Saint Brigid Parish. I thank those who produced the food, the drink and the decorations. I thank all who came to congratulate me for being so old and looking so young. I thank you for your gifts at this time and for all the gifts you have been to me over the years. I felt your embrace. I thank my mother and father who, without their help, all this would not have been possible. I am indeed greatly blessed.
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, Father Thomas Nestor, Jen Bombaca, Marianne Slack, Elaine Murphy, Deacon Bill Wildes, Edward O’Brien, John Harper, William McCarthy, Verner and Marie Dempsey, Pat White, Anita and William Gorham, Mary Whelan, Eleanor Mann, Gerald McCue, Kathleen Brown, Brendan Murphy, Rev. James O’Donohoe, Kevin Johnson, Marylou Merry, Monica Cotter, Jackie Martinetti, Ann LaMantia, Josephine Siders, Douglas DiVito, Mary McGuinnes, Catherine Tatro, Jewel Douglass, Marjorie Kearns, Shannon Capriulo, Olivia Moran and Brianna Cimino. Please also remember in your prayers all of our deceased family members and parishioners especially Francis Marasa.
Sacred Heart Parish Presents
What Is Liturgy?
As Catholics, we are obligated to attend weekend Liturgies. However, do we understand the meaning of the Liturgy and its parts, the importance of the physical space and the contribution of hymns to the Liturgy? Vatican II allowed the Liturgy to be celebrated in the vernacular and turned the altar around. Vatican II also asked us to experience the Liturgy in new and different ways. How?
During the next few months, we will present a series of four lectures on “What is Liturgy?” Please join us for our first lecture on Thursday, October 8at 7:30 pm in Sacred Heart Parish Center to hear Fr. Walter Cuenin discuss “Vatican II and the role of Laity and Lay Ministries in Liturgy”. All are welcome.
Look for future announcements on “Parts of the Liturgy”, “Art & Environment and Its Role in Liturgy” and “Music and Its Role in Liturgy”.
In Service For Their Country
Lt. John Schiavi, Sgt. Christopher Considine, Timothy Dunbar, Richard Rigley, Chris Cullen, Caitlin R. Battell, Robert McLaughlin, Sean Maddigan, Rev. Paul Passamonti, Airman Jason Cunha, Mark Zarnecki, 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.
- Thursday Night as Usual: Weekly Thursday Nights are a time of Bible Study/Discussion (7pm at St Brigid Parish Center) and then food and drinks at a local restaurant (8:15pm in Lexington Center, walking distance from the church). If you need to show up late that is perfectly fine, simply show up when you can.
- Theology on Tap: We have Theology on Tap every 3rd Thursday of the month at 7:30pm at the Bickford’s Bar and Grill in Woburn. The address is 325 Montvale Ave, Woburn MA 01801. It is a great time to socialize, have a drink, and hear about a cool faith topic. Upcoming Schedule:
- October 15th - Jamie Stuart Wolfe will present on “The Universal Call to Holiness”.
- November 19th - Susan Kaye will present on “Diversity - How do you deal with it in Religion, Music, Art, Poetry, and its relationship to understanding God".
Hike: Come join us today, Sunday Oct 4th for a hike at Harold Parker State Forest. You can meet at St. Brigid's at 1:30pm for a car pool or arrive at Harold Parker State Forest at 2pm. There are many great trails for hiking and the fall colors will be out. Harold Parker State Forest comprises just over 3,000 acres of Central Hardwood-Hemlock-White Pine type of forest. Recreational opportunities include hiking, mountain biking, fishing, hunting, horseback riding, camping and picnicking. The forest has over 35 miles of logging roads and trails and offers quiet seclusion to off-road hikers and bikers. For more info email Sue Ferguson at sueferg_8(2) or contact St Brigid/Sacred Heart Parish. This will be a great time and we hope you can come!
Helping Hands
Helping Hands for the month of October is:
Melanie Colorusso – 781-861-1981.
It has been my pleasure working with this group for almost ten years as the overall manager. I am leaving this year. If you are interested in taking over this position, please call me soon and I will be happy to help you in any way I can. Edie Martinez, 617-489-3305.
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 October 7th and October 21st. 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)
New Sound System With Hearing Aids
We have purchased 4 hearing aid devices. They are body packs about the size of your hand, which are programmed to so our sound system feeds through them. Many individuals have difficulty hearing with or without a hearing aid. With these hearing devices, we have either an ear plug or if you have a hearing aid a neck loop to use, to assist you in hearing the Mass.
We will have these for parishioners to use. For sanitary reasons they will be wiped with Alcohol wipes after each Mass. If you would prefer, you can purchase your own hearing device or the ear plugs, these can only be used with the sound system in the churches, they do not work at the local cinema. Let either the ushers or one of the Pastoral Associates know, they will provide you with one to use during Mass or call the office, to find out about the price to purchase your own.
Lakota Blanket Collection
This week, we begin our collection of blankets for Pine Ridge, SD. Our brothers and sisters there experience unemployment of 80-90%. About 65% of them live in sub-standard conditions, such as no electricity, running water and often limited heat. Bitter winters force many families to spend up to 70% of their total income to heat their homes. For those who want to help but don't have time to buy a blanket, this year we are adding a contribution fund for utility support. Make your check payable to the parish, with the notation, Lakota Heat Fund.
Season Three of ARISE Together in Christ will begin this October 2009; the third season is called In the Footsteps of Christ. There will be six faith-sharing sessions meeting once a week inviting us to explore the Catholic understanding of discipleship, and in particular how this implies active commitment to charity and justice.
We invite all parishioners to participate in the ARISE process and be part of the spiritual renewal and evangelization that is happening in approximately 180 parishes in the Archdiocese of Boston! For more information, contact Beverly Good at 781-863-0319, ext. 20; Beverly.Good(1)
Faith & Environment
Celebrate St. Francis' feast day this weekend by finding out how to reduce your impact on the environment. Come to the Energy Fair on October 4th from 11AM to 4 PM at the Depot. More than 30 vendors and organizations will provide information that will help attendees make immediate cash savings and reduce their impact on the environment. From insulation to lighting, from solar heat and electricity to tax rebates, there will be something for everyone. This event is free and open to all. For more information go to: http://www.lexgwac.org/
Our faithful writer for these Faith and Environment articles is “on sabbatical” and we are in need of additional writers. Could you write an article once a month that focuses on creation care? Contact: Fran Ludwig at 781-861-7231.
Sunday, October 4th
8:00 – CONFIRMATION RETREAT
10:00 – MASS AND BAPTISM PREP TO FOLLOW
11:15 – RELIGIOUS ED CLASSES AT SH – 11:15
Monday, October 5TH
5:30 – 6:30 – RE CLASSES – GR.7 & 8 – SB-PC
7:30 – CHRISTIAN SERVICE MEETING-SB-L
Tuesday, October 6th
10:00–12:00-HOMEBOUND MINISTRY WKSHP-SH-PC
3:34-4:45 – RE CLASSES-GR 1, 2 & 3- SB-PC
7:30 – CHRISTIAN WORKSHIP MEETING
Wednesday, October 7th
10:00 – SODALITY BOARD PLANNING MTG-SB-L
3:34-4:45 – RE CLASSES-GR 1, 2 & 3- SB-PC
7:00 – YOUTH LEADERSHIP MEETING-SH
7:30 – SH CHOIR – CHURCH
7:30 – RCIA – SH-UH
Thursday, October 8TH
4:30 – YOUTH CHOIR PIZZA PARTY – SB
6:00 – WEDDING REHEARSAL-SB-CHURCH
7:00 – YOUNG ADULTS – SB – L
7:00 – BOY SCOUTS – SB
7:30 – SB CHOIR – CHURCH
7:30 – TALK BY WALTER CUENIN SH - PC
Friday, October 9TH
HAPPY BIRTHDAY FATHER COLLETTI!
7:30 – BAPTISM CLASS – SB-L
Saturday, October 10th
2:30 – WEDDING – Michelle Lahiff & William Ferretti
WINGS@Night Kicks Off Fall Season!
WINGS (Women IN God’s Spirit) is ready to soar! We are pleased to start the fall season with an evening session, WINGS@NIGHT. This session, formatted like the morning version, is designed to introduce more people – women and men – to WINGS. Our speaker, Sister Nancy Kehoe, PhD., is Director of Expanding Connections at the Center for Religious Development, an international spiritual direction center located in Cambridge, and an Instructor in Psychology in the Department of Psychiatry at the Cambridge Health Alliance, an affiliate of Harvard Medical School. Sister will speak to us about her work with the mentally ill and the role faith plays in their treatment and recovery. Please join us at 7:00-9:00pm on Thursday, October 15, to hear Sister’s presentation based on her recent book, Wrestling with Our Inner Angels: Faith, Mental Illness and the Journey to Wholeness.
WINGS’ regular Fall Speaker Series gets underway the following Thursday morning (October 22) with Sister Kathleen Short. Her unique presentation on the Bent Over Woman (Luke 13:10-17) is entitled, What is Keeping You Whole and Holy? WINGS’ complete fall schedule is available this weekend at the church entrances and in the parish centers.
J.R.R. Tolkien’S Take On The Blessed Sacrament
He writes: I put before you the one great thing to love on earth, the Blessed Sacrament. There you will find romance, glory, honor, fidelity and the true way of all your loves on earth and more than that. All are invited to experience the Blessed Sacrament every Friday from 12:00 – 2:45pm at St. Brigid Church.
‘Hospitality-after-the-9’ starts today!
Join us for a cup of coffee and some goodies after St. Brigid’s 9:00am Mass today. There’s a Munchkin in Keilty Hall waiting for you!
| St. Brigid |
| Offertory for Sept. 26th & 27th |
$ 9,128.00 |
| Envelope Offerings |
$ 8,028.00 |
| Loose Cash |
$ 1,100.00 |
Out of the 548 envelopes we sent to St. Brigid parishioners, 242 have used their envelopes.
| Sacred Heart |
| Offertory for Sept. 26th & 27th |
$ 5,731.00 |
| Envelope Offerings |
$ 4,897.00 |
| Loose Cash |
$ 834.00 |
| St. Katharine Drexel |
$ 170.00 |
Of the 265 envelopes we sent to Sacred Heart parishioners, 115 parishioners have used their envelopes this week.
Thank you to all who so generously contribute to our parishes each week!
—Fr. Colletti
Holy Humor
The busy sales manager was told by his secretary that four little Girl Scouts wanted to see him. “I think they are selling cookies,” she said.
“Send them in,” the sales manager said. “It will be interesting to see what sort of a sales talk they use.”
When the Girl Scouts had been ushered into his office, he said to them, “Good morning, young ladies. And just why did you want to see me this morning?”
“Because,” said one of them, “everybody in town says you are so handsome.”
After he had bought twelve boxes of cookies and the girls had left, the sales manager said to his secretary, “It’s exactly what I’ve been preaching to my salesmen in our meetings—there is no better way than to be honest and stick to the truth.”
Life Snipits
Beauty comes from a life well lived.
If you’ve lived well, your smile lines are in the right places, and your frown lines aren’t too bad!
It’s Time!
It's time to bring your donations for the Roxbury Food Pantry. Please bring non-perishable food items to the church by 11 am, Sunday, October 4th. Items such as canned vegetables and meats, tomato sauce, pasta, and cereal are always appreciated. Place bags on the altar at Sacred Heart, or in the bins at St. Brigid. Forgot your food? No worries! There are envelopes available on the bins at St. Brigid for donations of Stop and Shop gift cards or checks made out to St. Katherine Drexel Food Pantry. At Sacred Heart, please drop these donations in the offertory baskets.
Want to do more? The driving team from St. Brigid and Sacred Heart would love to have you and your family help us with the monthly delivery. The Catholic Community of Lexington graciously drives nearly 100 bags of groceries into Roxbury for delivery the first Sunday of the month. If you are interested in fostering an attitude of giving and service in your family, this is an easy and excellent way! Please contact Rebekah Hand for more details at rebekahclaire(7) or 512-293-3728 for St.Brigid and Bob Ludwig for Sacred Heart at rludwig887(4) or 781-861-7231.
Celebrating Adoption
A Gathering of Catholic
Adoptive Families Young & Older
from the Lexington Area
SATURDAY NOVEMBER 7th
PIZZA Supper and Kids’ Activities
Approx. $20 per family for Pizza & Supplies
($20/family of 3+, $15/family of 2, $10/individual)
Sacred Heart Parish Hall
5:30 PM – 9:00 PM
Bring salad or dessert and age appropriate activities for your children/teens or grandchildren to share!
Please RSVP
with the number of attendees and salad or dessert.
Call Donna 617-721-0418 or Pat 781-223-5909
SUNDAY NOV. 8
10:00am Adoption Mass
Sacred Heart Church
St. Brigid Youth Choir
St. Brigid’s Youth Choir will begin with a pizza party on Thursday, October 8, at 4:30pm in Keilty Hall. Anyone in grades 3 and up is most welcome! Our Youth Choir will sing at the 9:00am Mass on the first Sunday of each month for now and perhaps more often as the year progresses. If you are interested, please speak with Bill Grzybowski after any Mass on the weekend. I will need a headcount for the pizza party…parents and siblings invited too!
Please email williamgrzybowski(5) by 12 noon October 8.
Collection and Offertory
The weekly collection occurs at the beginning of the Liturgy of the Eucharist. Its placement is significant. It is part of the heart of the Mass. Every Mass celebrates the sacrifice of Christ on the cross. That sacrifice unfolds before our eyes as the gifts we bring the bread and wine, are transformed into the Body and Blood of Christ and offered to God.
This sacrificial action begins when we carry bread and wine to the altar during the preparation of the gifts. With them we bring our gifts for the poor (the weekly collection). This procession moves through the community because these gifts come from us and represent us. They represent our offering to God and our communion with God. Just as the Body and Blood of Christ bring heavenly nourishment to our community, so the collection brings material aid.
The charity which underlies the collection results from faith. We believe that what we have comes from God and we know it was given for the enjoyment of all. A habit of giving comes from a heart that has learned the satisfactions of generosity. A habit of giving offers us peace that we are doing our part to make the world a better, more generous place.
The weekly collection humbly expresses the community's faith. The silent routine accompanies the spirit of selflessness that unites believers. Whether your gift is large or small, the collection expresses what we have in common, a desire to share.
St. Brigid’s Parish will start carrying the weekly collection up to the altar with our gifts of Bread and Wine. Starting the weekend of October 4th families who are asked to carry the Bread and Wine will wait until the collection is finished so they can carry up a basket with the monies collected. One of our parishioners has most generously made a container that will be placed on the alter to receive the gift of our weekly collection.
Children’s Liturgy of the Word begins TODAY! All children are invited to join in this 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.
Religious Education Classes will begin at St. Brigid Parish Center on Tuesday, October 6th for Grades 1, 2 and 3 at 3:45 until 4:45pm.
Grades 4, 5, and 6 begin on Wednesday, October 7th also at St. Brigid Parish Center at 3:45-4:45pm.
Grades 7 and 8 will begin on Monday, October 19th at 5:30 until 6:30pm also in the St. Brigid Parish Center
Megan Chenaille, Director of Youth Ministry
E-mail: Megan Chenaille
781-862-8724
Youthful Mass
All are welcome to join us on Sunday, October 18, 2009 at Sacred Heart Church, 6pm!!
There will be a Halloween Party for all High School Youth after the Mass in the Parish Center.
Confirmation Classes
Registrations for 9th and 10th grade Confirmation Classes were sent out a couple of months ago. If you did not receive a registration form, please contact the Religious Education Office at 781-862-8724. The Confirmation Class and Important Events calendar for the year were sent out recently as well. Please look through and mark your calendars. Please contact Megan if you have not received this information. Confirmation Classes begin the week of October 19/20.
Teachers Needed!
We are still in need of Teachers to guide our Confirmation students through their faith journey. If you are feeling called to teach our Confirmation Candidates, please contact Megan Chenaille at (781) 862-8724 OR Megan.Chenaille(1) . We are still looking for teachers for Tuesday evenings at Sacred Heart from 7:15pm-8:30pm. Thank you.
Please do not hesitate to call or e-mail with any questions or concerns. 
Are We Ready For This Prayer?
Yes, I will lift up my heart. And I will give God thanks and praise. I’ll stay awake. I’ll listen to every word. I’ll sing every acclamation and Amen. Thus I will put energy into praying the Eucharistic Prayer at Mass on Sunday. I’ll bring to it every bit of life. I’ll remember everything, especially the hard stuff (after all, at the center of this prayer is a body to be broken for us, a covenant made in the blood of Christ).
I will be so attentive that when we’ve finished the Eucharistic Prayer with a room‑shaking Amen, I’ll know just how right and good it is to pray the Our Father together, greet one another with Christ’s peace, then enter a procession (not a line up, a procession) that is singing its way to the table of the Lord.
And I’ll come hungry. By some kind of fasting—from food, from entertainment, from distractions, from anger—I’ll come on Sunday knowing in body and soul how hungry I am to hear God’s word and hungry to give God thanks and praise and hungry to feast on the body of Christ given for us, the blood of Christ poured out for us.
And I’ll never again think that I can do any of this alone. How could I? It is not I who give God thanks and praise, it is the body of Christ that makes this Eucharistic praying. All the baptized people in this room put their lives into this prayer that the ordained priest proclaims. And it goes beyond the room. That’s why we remember the church all over the world in our prayers for the bishop and the pope, the living and dead.
Am I ready for this prayer? Are we?
Copyright © 2001 Archdiocese of Chicago: Liturgy Training Publications, 1800 North Hermitage Avenue, Chicago IL 60622‑1101; 1‑800‑933‑1800; www.ltp.org. Text by Gabe Huck. Art by Luba Lukova. All rights reserved. Used with permission.
Rededication Of Sacred Heart Church
Now that the refurbishment of Sacred Heart Church is completed, we will have a rededication of the church at a 6:00 Liturgy on Friday, October 16th followed by the Spaghetti Supper already scheduled for that date. Parishioners from both St. Brigid and Sacred Heart are invited to join us at our Liturgy and enjoy the fabulous spaghetti dinner prepared by Chefs’ Bellini.