Today marks the anniversary of the dedication of the cathedral church of Rome, on land owned by the Laterani family, 9 November 324. It was the church of the Pope from that time to the fourteenth century and named after John the Baptist.
The scripture readings today (Ez 47:1-12; 1 Cor 3:9-17; John 2:13-22) speak about a temple as the dwelling place of God. Actually there are two temples mentioned, one being the physical building from which the grace of God flows to all peoples and the other is the body of Jesus. For us, both temples are necessary, for in one we gather as the community called by God to worship and to hear his word and with the other we put into practice what we have heard.
Mother Teresa of Calcutta once noted that the aim of her often messy and challenging work with dying and forgotten persons was simply to do “something beautiful for God”. We are in a time when we need to do “something beautiful for God” and tend to the church buildings. Sacred Heart wants to refurbish the interior of the church and Saint Brigid wants to repair the steeple. Both of these projects require money, lots of money. We have just mailed out the financial statement for each parish for the past year along with the encouragement of major giving to the Grand Annual Collection. The amount of the returns on the Grand Annual will determine to what extent and just how much work we will be able to do to maintain our church buildings.
The Grand Annual Collection is also added to the offertory collection in order to meet our budget needs. I do not want to spend all of our assets on the physical plant because there is that other “temple” we need to take care of. Through our various ministries we must provide education and activities for our youth and we need to invest in the continuing education and spiritual development of our adults. I feel strongly that we need to educate future leaders within our parish so that we can become a stronger, more fully committed community.
I am confident that each of you will prayerfully determine what sacrifice you will be able to make in time, talent and treasure to build up the Kingdom of God here in Lexington and beyond our borders. May all who worship in our two parishes and who work here be blessed by Him who calls us to this great work.
Readings for the Week Of Sunday, November 09, 2008
| St. Brigid Church |
| |
| 9:00am | Tuesday November 11th | Nellie Colletti |
| 9:00am | Thursday November 13th | Fortunato & Marie Catalano |
| 8:00am | Saturday November 15th | Arthur Blunt |
| |
| Sacred Heart Church |
| |
| 9:00am | Monday November 10th | Joseph Sheehan |
| 9:00am | Wednesday November 12th | Lois Ryan & John Sievers |
| 9:00am | Friday November 14th | Memorial Fund Members |
| 9:00am | Saturday November 15th | Carmine Massamilla |
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, Kevin Murray, Vincent Hayes, Geraldine Worthington, Brianna Cimino and Marisol O’Brien. Please also remember all of our deceased relatives and friends especially Clare Pinto and Violet Caldaroni.
A Song for Sacred Heart
On Saturday, November 22nd, the Sacred Heart Choir will present a concert, “A Song for Sacred Heart”, at 7:00pm. A dessert and champagne reception will follow in the SH Parish Center with entertainment provided by Todd Theriault. Tickets to the concert will be given after each Mass for the next two weekends beginning November 8th and 9th.
Helping Hands
Helping Hands for November is
Edie Martinez – 617-489-3305.
The office will be closed on Tuesday, November 11th to commemorate Veterans Day.
| St. Brigid |
| Offertory for November 1st & 2nd |
$ 10,639.00 |
| Envelope Offerings |
$ 8,851.00 |
| Loose Cash |
$ 1,788.00 |
Out of the 548 envelopes we sent to St. Brigid parishioners, 280 have used their envelopes.
| Sacred Heart |
| Offertory for November 1st & 2nd |
$ 6,851.00 |
| Envelope Offerings |
$ 6,050.00 |
| Loose Cash |
$ 801.00 |
| St. Katharine Drexel |
$ 567.00 |
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
Art & Environment at St. Brigid
What a beautiful Church we have here at Saint Brigid Parish. We have liturgies which enrich our faith and feed us as we go out into the world. Our worship space is beautiful and easy to decorate. The ministry of decorating a church is inspiring; you watch the space come together speaking to the community of who we are as Catholics and how we worship. The Art & Environment committee needs many hands to do our work. Though the time commitment is short, during our Advent/Christmas and Lent/Easter we need your help. One person alone can not do the work needed to keep our church looking beautiful all year long. It takes a “community”! If you would like to help occasionally please contact Marie Hill at 781-862-6456, or Susan Morey at 781-932-8225. We’ll add you to a call list and when we need help, we’ll contact you, with lots of advance notice. For the major seasons, Christmas, Easter, etc. we’ll make a specific request for additional help.
Lexington Food Pantry At St. Brigid And Sacred Heart
The weekend of November 15th and 16th is the collection of non-perishable food items for the Lexington Food Pantry. Items may be placed in the bins at the entrances to the church. Please check for expiration dates. Cash, supermarket gift cards and checks made out to the Lexington Food Pantry are also welcome and may be placed in the offertory basket in an envelope marked Lexington Food Pantry. We thank you for your continued support. If you or anyone you know is in need of food assistance, the Lexington Food Pantry located at the Church of our Redeemer at 6 Meriam St. in Lexington Center is open on Saturday mornings from 9:30 am to 11:00 am. You will receive food on your first visit and be instructed on the procedure for further visits or you may call the answering machine at 781-861-5060 and leave a message to receive additional information.
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.
Spiritual Direction Unwrapped!
Sister Joan McCarthy, Program Director at St. Joseph’s Retreat Center in Cohasset, will be the guest speaker at WINGS (Women IN God’s Spirit) this week. Sister Joan will use the Emmaus story to illustrate and define spiritual direction and, using real and role-play, will help us experience what a first session of spiritual direction is like. Join us Thursday, November 13, at 9:30 – 11:15am, in the hall in St. Brigid Parish Center for Sister’s presentation, Spiritual Direction: What is it and how will it help me on my faith journey? For transportation, contact Carol Flynn at 781-862-1637. For child care during the session, contact Janet Fraser at 781-862- 6853 or jfraser at alum dot mit dot edu. Membership in WINGS is not required to attend this or any WINGS program.
Old Fashioned Country Store
On Wednesday, November 12th, at 7:30 pm. St. Brigid Sodality will again have an Old Fashioned Country Store (aka Penny Sale, Chinese Auction). Some of the items include: Various frames, grocery items, and a host of other gifts, there will also be a door prize. Come one come all, for a fun evening.
Anointing Masses for the Sick
We will have our anointing Masses for the sick at:
Saint Brigid Church, 11:00am Mass on November 16th
Sacred Heart Parish, 4:00pm Mass on November 15th
ALL ARE WELCOME TO THESE SERVICES, NO MATTER HOW MAJOR OR MINOR THE AFFLICTION.
Please RSVP to Mary Peterson at 781-863-0319 or email her. If you are from Brookhaven please RSVP: Kathryn McCarthy 781-274-0571 Please indicate the number in your party; which Mass; and if you will be staying for refreshment. Please let us know if you need transportation to/from the Mass.
Dictionary for the Church
MANGER:
The Bible’s way of showing us that holiday travel has always been rough!
Turkey Picatta Bellini
A “Turkey Picatta Bellini” dinner will be held at the Sacred Heart Parish Center beginning 6:00pm on Friday, November 14th. Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for children under 12. Please support this fundraiser by reserving your tickets with Claire at 781-862-4646 or purchasing tickets after Masses this weekend.
It’s Time to Talk Turkey Again!
Each year at Thanksgiving Sacred Heart parishioners have donated frozen turkeys to the families of our sister parish, Saint Katherine Drexel (formerly Saint John/Saint Hugh). Sacred Heart has had a relationship with this parish for many years, collecting food for its food bank, 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. And so, once again, we ask our families to help the Saint Katherine Drexel families. Please leave your donation of a frozen turkey, or, if you prefer,a Stop and Shop gift certificate, at the side door of Sacred Heart Church, or in the hall, after the Masses on the weekend of November 23/24 or after the 9AM Mass on Monday morning, November 24. Thank you.
Holy Humor
Little Johnny watched, fascinated, as his mother smoothed cold cream on her face. “Why do you do that, Mommy?” he asked. “To make myself beautiful,” said his mother, who then began removing the cream with a tissue. “What’s the matter?” asked little Johnny. “Giving up?”
Lexington Interfaith Thanksgiving Service
Tuesday, November 25, 7:30 Pm
Pilgrim United Church Of Christ
55 Coolidge Ave. Lexington
The Lexington Interfaith Clergy Association invites you to a joyful service of Thanksgiving. Open to all, this event demonstrates unity and cooperation among religious traditions and offers an opportunity for the citizens of Lexington to count our blessings and celebrate together. Sponsored by the Lexington Interfaith Clergy Association, the service will include music, prayers, and words from different faiths, an interfaith choir, and the voices of the Lexington Pops Chorus. It will be suitable for school age children. Arrive at 6:30 to rehearse with the interfaith choir. An offering will be taken in support of the Lexington Food Pantry. You are also invited to bring canned goods or other non-perishable foods to supplement the cash offering. Even in a town like Lexington, there are people who need a helping hand. Our food pantry's supplies and bank account are perilously low. Please help us remedy this situation! Give generously and come to give thanks. Donations most appreciated by the pantry are: Baked beans, canned fruit, peanut butter, macaroni and cheese, small cans of tuna, canned veggies, and soups. Lower salt and lower sugar are also requested. They cannot use expired products. For more information, call Pilgrim Church at 781-862-0357 or visit www.pilgrimcongregational.org.
Middle East Discussion
Boston College Professor Father Raymond Helmick, SJ will speak on the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict, Sunday, November 9th, from 2:00pm to 4:00pm at the Youville Place Chapel located at 10 Pelham Road, Lexington.
The Basilica Of St. John Lateran
One of the first recorded public dedications of a Christian church building happened in the fourth century when on November 9, 324, Pope St. Sylvester consecrated a basilica built on the grounds of the Lateran palace, which had belonged to Emperor Constantine’s wife, Fausta. After Constantine’s conversion the palace was donated to the Pope for his private residence and a church was built there. It became the mother church for Rome and was named the Basilca of St. John Lateran. Because it was the cathedral church of Rome many church councils have been held there. When the dedication date of the church is known, this day is always celebrated locally as a solemnity. The dedication of St. John Lateran is on the General Roman Calendar because of its status as being the cathedral church of the pope.
Fontbonne Academy
Fontbonne Academy, a Catholic secondary school for young women conveniently located in Milton, Massachusetts, invites 7th and 8th grade students to the upcoming Open House on Sunday, November 9 at noon. Come and learn more about the mission of the school, hear the faculty present in their discipline areas, find out more about Fontbonne clubs and athletics, and take time to seek out the information you need to make the decision for high school enrollment. For information about Scholars’ Night and visiting days, please call the admissions office at 617.615.3014. Scholarships and financial aid are available. Fontbonne is located at 930 Brook Road, Milton.
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 will participate in the 9:00am Mass next Sunday, November 16, we will not have Children’s Liturgy of the Word during that Mass. CLW will resume on the following Sunday, November 23.
An Invitation From Our Fourth Graders!
Our parishes’ Fourth Graders cordially invite you to join them at their grade-level Mass next Sunday, November 16, at St. Brigid Church at 9:00am and at the Hospitality in Keilty Hall following the Mass.
Middle School Fridays
The October bowling night was great. Now, come have a blast with laser tag.
Do you like having fun with your friends? Are you in grade 6-8? Then, come join us for some Friday night frivolity. Middle School Fridays are a chance to hang out with old friends and make new friends while doing some fun activities. All are welcome. Bring your friends. Upcoming events are: Laser Tag - November 21st at 6:00 pm; December 5th – Regal Players Christmas Show;January 23rd – Snow Tubing. Spring dates are: February 27th; March 20th; May 15th; June 5th.
We generally meet at St. Brigid's for pizza before going to the activity. Watch the bulletin for more information or contact Megan Chenaille, Youth Minister, at 781- 862-8724 or by email.
Thanksgiving Dinners for St. Patrick's in Roxbury
The tradition at St. Brigid continues-we will again collect Thanksgiving meals for parishioners of our sister parish, St. Patrick where Fr. Waldron has been pastor for many years. The food (preferably in a large box) can be dropped off in the basement of the parish center. The door is on the lower level in the back of the school building. Please bring frozen turkeys and the trimmings, including fresh and canned vegetables and fruits (no frozen vegetables or frozen pies, please) Sunday, November 23rd, from noon until 6pm and Monday, November 24th 4-8pm. If shopping is not convenient for you, you are welcome to bring a check payable to “St. Patrick Parish”, or Stop and Shop gift certificates or send them to our parish office with a note for St Patrick's. For more than 35 years, families in our parish have helped the less fortunate among us celebrate the bounty of our country. We hope and trust that your family will join in this tradition and in doing so find greater joy in your own Thanksgiving feast.
Thank You and Happy Thanksgiving!
Megan Chenaille, Director of Youth Ministry
E-mail: Megan Chenaille
781-862-8724
Confirmation Classes
9th and 10th Grade Confirmation Classes WILL be held on November 10th and 11th. See you then!!
Our NEXT Youth Mass is
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Sacred Heart Church , 6pm
Hope you can join us!!
Please do not hesitate to call or e-mail with any questions or concerns. 
