“In those days after that tribulation the sun will be darkened and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will be falling from the sky, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. And then they will see ‘the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory” (Mark 13:24-32).
On this Sunday, as we draw close to the end of the church year, we begin to hear parts of the scripture that tell of the end times. As the days grow shorter and as our lives grow perhaps more hectic preparing for the coming holidays, do we need to hear about the end of the world? What is so good about this Good News?
The Book of Daniel and the Gospel of Mark were both written during times when the community of believers experienced persecution—when to be a Jew or a Christian meant putting your faith in God. When confessing that same faith publicly, might put you to death. These stories are given to us to make clear that good does triumph over evil. The great battle between good and evil has already been won; it is for us to trust in the promise: “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.” We must live our lives as though we really believe it.
We remain faithful, trusting in the promise that despite all the confusion and anxiety, that seem at times so over whelming, the mercy of God will overcome the darkness. I think of the darkness that comes when our world of normalcy and routine are shaken. Those who have lost someone dear to them, those who are diagnosed with a life-threatening illness and those who suddenly find themselves without a job—all have their worlds shaken.
The faithful and the unfaithful live in a world they find they cannot control. The world of fragmentation leads to fear. Henri Nouwen emphasized the relationship between powerlessness and prayer: “Prayer is the power of the powerless. In fact, powerlessness is a condition for true prayer. The heart that is repentant, that sees its own evil and brokenness, is the heart that can pray. To pray truly, is to pray from where you don’t have control, and yet can trust, because you are a beloved child of God’s household.” Despite all the confusion and anxiety ‘round about us that seem, at times, so overwhelming, the mercy of God will overcome the darkness.
As our worlds fall apart, and sooner or later, to a greater or lesser degree, they probably will, we have a God who always calls us forward to a new world where our peace is guaranteed, not by our own efforts, but by the Prince of Peace. Now that is really Good News.
Readings for the Week Of Sunday, November 15, 2009
| St. Brigid Church |
| |
| 9:00am | Tuesday November 17th | Stanley Balunis |
| 9:00am | Thursday November 19th | Bob Campana |
| 9:00am | Saturday November 21st | Tom McDonough
Anthony Parise |
| |
| Sacred Heart Church |
| |
| 9:00am | Monday November 16th | Dorothy Apollonio |
| 9:00am | Wednesday November 18th | Helen Jenson |
| 9:00am | Friday November 20th | Eugene Buckley |
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.
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, Dorothea Russo, Edward Ronayne, William McCarthy, Marie Dempsey, Pat White, Anita and William Gorham, Mary Whelan, Eleanor Mann, Amy Galehouse Goolkosian, Henry Downes, Gerald McCue, Kathleen Brown, Brendan Murphy, Kevin Johnson, Monica Cotter, Jackie Martinetti, Ann LaMantia, Christine Griffin, Josephine Siders, Douglas DiVito, Mary McGuinnes, 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 Verner Dempsey and Kevin Gaughan.
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
Thanksgiving Celebration
This Thanksgiving we will have an opportunity to celebrate Thanksgiving with members of all the religious communities of Lexington. Vatican II has encouraged Catholics to foster and take part in ecumenical activity that brings all believers together to worship and thank God and to strengthen our common beliefs.
St. Brigid will have a Mass at 9:00 AM on Thanksgiving morning.
The Lexington Catholic Community will join the Lexington Interfaith celebration of our only American “Holyday” on Tuesday, November 24, at Temple Emunah at 7:30pm. Please join us.
Attention All New Volunteers!
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. Four training sessions are scheduled in the upcoming weeks:
Saturday, November 14, 9:00-11:30am
Wednesday, November 18, 7:00-9:30pm
Saturday, November 21, 9:00-11:30am
Monday, November 23, 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 or 0335 or the Religious Education Office 781-862-8724 to register.
Helping Hands
Helping Hands for the month of November is:
Sandy Podgorski
781-862-0386
This group of volunteers needs a new leader as of the end of November. Please call Edie Martinez at 617-489-3305 if you would like to lead this wonderful group.
Do you have ‘Jesus’ conversations?
Father William Murphy, our guest speaker at WINGS (Women IN God’s Spirit) this week, is the Chaplain at Harvard University. Father will help us understand how we, as Catholics of any age, can bring Jesus and our faith into contemporary society. Join us Thursday, November 19, at 9:30-11:15am, in the hall in St. Brigid Parish Center for Father’s presentation, Talking About Jesus in Real Life.
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.
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 November 18th and December 2nd. 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)
Pressing Need
The Linens Group at Saint Brigid has openings for a couple of “hot irons” to fill in the gaps in our ironing schedule. We currently iron once every 16 weeks. Two of our members are no longer able to fulfill this role, so there is an opportunity for someone to step up and contribute to the life of the parish in a quiet “behind the scenes” role. We press 20 – 30 dinner napkin size items a week. If you are interested please call Marie Hill 781-862-6456 or e-mail mimi716(8)
Archdiocese Of Boston Flu Season Directives
“Given the extraordinary precautions being taken across the nation to prevent the spread of the H1N1 influenza, the Archdiocese has instituted a series of steps to be followed for the time being during the celebration of the Mass.” In addition to practicing good hygiene, the Cardinal directs the following for the celebration of the Sacred Liturgy and for flu prevention:
- The Holy Water fonts are to be drained and cleaned with a disinfecting soap, and re-filled each week
- The distribution of the Precious Blood for the faithful is suspended, with the exception of those who must receive from the cup due to medical reasons.
- The exchange of the Sign of Peace is to be offered without any physical contact.
- All ministers of Holy Communion are advised to distribute the consecrated hosts with care, being cautious not to touch the tongue or the hand of the communicant.
- Parishioners should be reminded that if they are ill they are not bound by the Sunday Mass obligation.
- At Sacred Heart Parish – if you can not receive the Host, please take a place on the step of the sanctuary with the Eucharistic Ministers after the Our Father and the presider will give you Eucharist from the Cup.
- At St. Brigid – there will be two cups at the front of the church ¼ full for those who can not receive the Host.
These directives are effective Saturday, October 31, 2009 and remain in effect until the cold and flu season has come to an end.
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, olive 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. Dates of the sales are: Sacred Heart Parish Center, November 14 and 15; St. Brigid Keilty Hall, November 21 and 22.
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 Fourth Graders are participating in the 9:00am Mass today, we will not have Children’s Liturgy of the Word. CLW will resume next Sunday, November 22.
Women’s Book Club
WOMEN’S BOOK CLUB meets on THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2009, from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. in Sacred Heart Parish Center. This month’s selection is The Shack: Where Tragedy Confronts Eternity by William Paul Young. A short summary of the book: Mackenzie Allen Philips’ youngest daughter, Missy, had been abducted during a family vacation, and evidence that she may have been brutally murdered is found in an abandoned shack deep in the Oregon wilderness. Four years later in the midst of his Great Sadness, Mack receives a suspicious note, apparently from God, inviting him back to that shack for a weekend. Against his better judgment he arrives at the shack on a wintry afternoon and walks back into his darkest nightmare. What he finds there will change Mack’s world forever.
For more information, contact Maria Griffin at avempg(4) or Beverly Good 781-863-0319, x 20, Beverly.Good(1).
Sunday, November 15th
PANCAKE BREAKFAST & HAITI FAIR - SH
9:00 – GRADE LEVEL MASS – GRADE 4 - SB
11:00 – ANNOINTING OF THE SICK -SB
11:15 – RELIGIOUS ED CLASSES – SH – PC
6:00 – AA MEETING – SB – KH
7:00 – JOINT PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL - PC
Monday, November 16th
5:30 – 6:30 REL. ED. GRADES 7 & 8
7:15 – 8:30 CONFIRMATION CLASSES-SB
Tuesday, November 17th
3:45 – 4:45 – REL. ED. – GRADES 1, 2, 3
7:15 – 8:30 CONFIRMATION CLASSES – SH PC
7:30 – PARISH FINANCE COUNCIL MEETING – SB-L
Wednesday, November 18th
3:45 – 4:45 RE GRADES 4, 5, 6
6:30 – 9:30 VIRTUS TRAINING – SB – LIBRARY
7:30 – 9:30 – RCIA – SH - UH
7:30 – SH CHOIR – SH - CHURCH
Thursday, November 19th
9:30 – 12:00 – WINGS – SB – PC-FR. BILL MURPHY
11:15 - LECTIO DIVINA – SB CLASSROOM 19
7:00 – YOUNG ADULTS – THEOLOGY ON TAP
7:00 – BOY SCOUTS – SB
7:30 – SB CHOIR – SB - CHURCH
Friday, November 20th
9:30 – 11:30 DROP IN CENTER – SB – PC
Saturday, November 21ST
8:30 – 11:30 – VIRTUS TRAINING – SB - L
Sunday, November 22ND
HAITI FAIR AFTER ALL THE MASSES 11/21 & 11/22 AT SAINT BRIGID
11:15 - ADVENT WREATH MAKING – SH - PC
Lexington Food Pantry
This weekend, November 14th and 15th is the collection of non-perishable food. 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: baked beans (16oz), angel hair pasta, canned corn(15oz), low sodium chicken broth, and oatmeal. These items are also needed: low sugar cereals, canned fruit in light syrup or fruit juice, low sodium vegetables, meals in a can, rice, tomato sauce and peanut butter. The food pantry also accepts hygiene items and paper products since food stamps cannot be used for non food items. 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.
Faith & Environment
Some people think climate change is still just an annoying political issue, but there are already victims of climate change injustice, such as Pacific Islanders forced to move as their homeland disappears with rising sea level. As the world prepares for the next attempt to forge an international agreement about greenhouse gas emissions in Copenhagen next month, where will leadership come from? In this week’s first reading, Daniel says, “But the wise shall shine brightly like the splendor of the firmament, and those who lead the many to justice shall be like the stars forever.”
Recently four panelists spoke at Cary Hall about Lexington’s future. Professor Bill Moomaw of Tufts University outlined a plan to address climate change in US households, which produce 38% of carbon dioxide emissions in the U.S.Our households alone are responsible for more carbon emissions than any other country except China! Moomaw identified seventeen actions that individuals can take that would reduce CO2 emissions 20% within 10 years. Buying a fuel efficient car and weatherizing homes top the list. Some of his suggestions will actually save money, and some involve taking the leadership step of contacting our political representatives to offset the pressure put on them by energy industry lobbyists. The slides from Professor Moomaw’s presentation are online here.
| St. Brigid |
| Offertory for November 8th |
$ 9,306.00 |
| Envelope Offerings |
$ 8,329.00 |
| Loose Cash |
$ 977.50 |
Out of the 548 envelopes we sent to St. Brigid parishioners, 233 have used their envelopes.
| Sacred Heart |
| Offertory for November 8th |
$ 4,983.00 |
| Envelope Offerings |
$ 4,300.00 |
| Loose Cash |
$ 683.00 |
| St. Katharine Drexel |
$ 138.00 |
Of the 265 envelopes we sent to Sacred Heart parishioners, 67 parishioners have used their envelopes this week.
Thank you to all who so generously contribute to our parishes each week!
—Fr. Colletti
It’s Time to Talk Turkey Again!
For many years at Thanksgiving, Sacred Heart parishioners have donated frozen turkeys to the families of our sister parish, Saint Katharine Drexel in Roxbury (formerly Saint John/Saint Hugh). Sacred Heart has had a relationship with this parish for decades, collecting food for its food pantry, sharing Masses and choirs and picnics, staffing its kitchen in the years when Saint John/Saint Hugh served a hot lunch to the needy in the Roxbury community.
Now, more than ever before, we need to be generous. The Boston Food Bank has had to cut its contribution to Saint Katharine Drexel by a third, while, at the same time, the number of needy families has multiplied.
Please leave your donation of a frozen turkey, or, if you prefer, a Stop and Shop gift certificate, or a check made payable to Saint Katharine Drexel, at the side entrance of Sacred Heart Church or in the hall, after the Masses on the weekend of November 21/22 or at the 9:00 Mass on Monday morning, November 23. Distributions will be made to the Roxbury families on Monday afternoon. Thank you!
Thanksgiving Eve Liturgy
Sacred Heart Parish welcomes everyone to their Thanksgiving Eve Liturgy, November 25, 2009 at 7:30. Come and join others in giving thanks to God for His love. Small loaves of bread will be blessed. Each family is invited to take a loaf to share at their Thanksgiving table. The offering Thanksgiving Eve will benefit the Roxbury Food Pantry.
National Adoption Awareness Month
In celebration of National Adoption Awareness Month we offer the following prayers:
For the children who are searching for the warmth of heart and hearth in a family, we pray.
For those who are answering the call to the vocation of a lifetime commitment as parents, we pray.
For the children and parents who are deprived of the basic necessities to nurture their spiritual and physical health, we pray.
For an increase in the number of caring and nurturing adults who can echo the words of Christ (“Taking a child, Jesus set him before them, and taking him in his arms, Jesus said to them. ‘Whoever receives one child like this in my name receives me.’ ”) through adoption, we pray.
For all parents who are helping their children grow in age and wisdom before God, we pray.
For all children who are the hope and future of our Church and world, we pray.
He’s Looking Forward to Your Visit!
Stop in and spend some time with the Lord this Friday and every Friday from 12:00 – 2:45pm during the exposition of the Blessed Sacrament at St. Brigid Church.
An Invitation From Our Fourth Graders and Seventh Graders!
Our parishes’ Fourth Graders cordially invite you to join them at their grade-level Mass today at St. Brigid Church at 9:00am and at the Hospitality in Keilty Hall following the Mass.
Our parishes’ Seventh Graders cordially invite you to join them next Sunday, November 22, at their grade-level Mass at 6:00pm at Sacred Heart Church.
Lectio Divina Group
A Lectio Divina group will meet this Thursday, November 19th, at 11:15am for about a half-hour in Room #9 in St. Brigid Parish Center. The group will use this classic form of contemplative prayer to reflect on next Sunday’s gospel reading. Please join us!
Thanksgiving Food Drive
For many years St. Brigid families have given thanks by sharing their bounty with their sister parish, St. Patrick’s of Roxbury. This annual Thanksgiving Food Drive will be held this year on Sunday, November 22, 10:00am-4:00pm, and on Monday, November 23, 4:00-6:00pm, in the lower level of the parish center. Items gratefully accepted: frozen turkeys and all the trimmings, including fresh and canned vegetables and fruits (no frozen vegetables or frozen pies, please); checks payable to St. Patrick’s Parish; and Stop & Shop gift cards. Please contact Mary Harvell at 781-862-0794 or mharvell at ix dot netcom dot com if you have any questions.
Advent Wreath Making Event
Sunday, November 22nd, 11:15am-12:15pm, Sacred Heart Parish Hall
Join the family fun and prepare for the coming season by making an advent wreath for your home. All materials & instructions will be provided. The cost is $15. (Kits to assemble your wreath at home will also be available.)
Clothing Drive = HUGE Success!
Last weekend’s clothing drive for St. Francis House and The Women’s Lunch Place and the coat collection for Haley House were a HUGE success! A most sincere thank you goes out to all parishioners who brought in new and gently used clothes for the guests of these Boston shelters.
Did You Know?
Child vehicle restraint devices, aka "car seats" have an expiration date! According to industry experts and Massachusetts public safety officials, car seats should be discarded after five years, and a new one installed. The five year recommendation is somewhat stricter than the six years some manufacturer's allow for, but tests and studies have shown that the integrity of the materials deteriorates after five years. So if a kind relative or friend should pass on their old seat, be sure to check on the seat to determine expiration date. Aside from safety concerns, some insurance companies may decline to reimburse for a car seat involved in an accident that has expired. For more information, contact the police department or http://www.mass.gov, navigate to Executive Office Of Public Safety and type in "Child Passenger Safety" and follow the links.
Life Snipits
Prayer is more effective when we spend as much time listening as we do talking.
Holy Humor
Children's Prayers:
Dear God: This is my prayer. Could you please give my brother some brains. So far he doesn't have any. Angela, 8
Dear Lord: Thank you for the nice day today. You even fooled the TV weather man. Hank, 7
Dear God: Please help me in school. I need help in spelling, adding, history, geography and writing. I don't need help in anything else. Lois, 9
Dear God: I need a raise in my allowance. Could you have one of your angels tell my father. Thank you. David, 7
Dear God: I am saying my prayers for me and my brother, Billy, because Billy is six months old and he can't do anything but sleep and wet his diapers. Diane, 8
Middle School Fridays are Back!
The 6th, 7th and 8th graders of the Catholic Community of Lexington and their friends are invited to join us on December 11th for a dinner of spaghetti, salad, bread, and pizza. After the dinner the movie "The Nativity Story" will be shown while snacking on popcorn and movie theater size candy!!! The movie will be shown on a big-screen TV at the Sacred Heart Parish Center. The event begins at 6:00 on December 11th. Please sign up by December 9th. Cost is $8 and scholarships are available. For more information contact Mary Ellen Goodwin at tgoodwin99(10).
Future events all begin at 6pm with Pizza and include:
Dec 11 - Nativity Movie - Sacred Heart
Jan 8 - Snow Tubing - Nashoba
Feb 5 - Movie - Sacred Heart
March 19 - Jump On In - Woburn
April 9 - Game night - Sacred Heart
May 14 - Mini Golf
St. Patrick’s Players of Watertown present their Annual Fundraiser to benefit the Lenten performances of “Resurrection” Cantata. Performances are: Friday, November 20th,, Saturday, November 21st, at 7:30 pm and Sunday, November 22nd, at 2:00 pm at St. Patrick Church, 212 Main St., Watertown. All tickets are only $12. Tables of 5 or 10 can be reserved in advance (on a first come first served basis). Seating is cabaret style--bring snacks or a meal, and/or purchase some delicious snacks available at the church. Contact Peg for tickets, 617-926-4039 (please let her know what church you are from). Your attendance supports “Resurrection” Cantata, as the group comes a second year to present in Lexington for Lent, 2010.
Good Old Days … Some History
In the 1500’s…Baths consisted of a big tub filled with hot water. The man of the house had the privilege of the nice clean water, then all the other sons and men, then the women and finally the children…Last of all the babies. By then the water was so dirty you could actually lose someone in it—hence the saying. “Don’t throw the baby out with the bath water.”