In today’s reading from 2 Samuel we read: “David said to Nathan the prophet, ‘Here I am living in a house of cedar, while the ark of God dwells in a tent!’…”But that night the Lord spoke to Nathan and said: Go tell my servant David, ‘Thus says the Lord: Should you build me a house to dwell in?”

It seems God was always giving hints of how it would be,
  in long distance love letters spelled out in the sand
    of desert wanderings,
in promises that kept creeping down through the ages
  of prophets and kings,
all pointing to this God’s having a house in our land
so that all would know Him
  not as an itinerant preacher riding the revival circuit of our
    history
      but as a permanent resident of our days
a neighborhood, God always just next door.
Solomon and David labored mightily that it should be so,
  and the Advent-ure took on a new drama.
But the reality of God’s dwelling came only later
  with the Hebrew tents and temples
  being the early warning system
  telling how close our God would come.
Like blades of grass waiting to receive the morning dew,
  we wondered about all of this…
an un-named something stirred our suspicions
  about what was up
   down
   at the heart of things.
And then it happened:
  this God dismissed our suspicions
    with the velvet thunder of His Spirit
    rolling over the holy ground of a certain Mary
    who was wholly His,
and He spoke to our wonderings
  a gently, wonderful word: Jesus.
As at high noon, a warmth enveloped us and we knew this
    exquisite
    truth:

  while we had wanted to build our God a house,
  He had wanted only a home,
  and the only home He wanted was us.
And so it was,
  and
  is… 

 

 

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.

Please pray for all who are in need of our prayers that God’s healing and comforting presence may be with them, especially Father Smith, Kevin Murray, Bill Kenney, Marylou Merry William Moretti, Josephine Siders, Richard Wells, Mary Collins, Philip Johnson, Brianna Cimino and Marisol O’Brien.  Please also remember all of our deceased relatives and friends especially Theresa Shields and the deceased members of the Moloy family.

Facilities Manager

We have hired Bernard Lannquist as our Facilities Manager for the Catholic Community in Lexington.  Bernie will oversee all of the supervisory work of our maintenance crew; the building maintenance, grounds maintenance, along with security and safety issues for the church properties.  He will implement and enforce facilities policies and procedures according to the Archdiocese directives.

We welcome Bernie to our staff!

New Bulletin

We hope that everyone is enjoying the new format for our bulletin.  We are up to seven pages for our information!  In light of all that we are trying to do for our environment, it seems like a good idea to stop using all of the paper we have been using for inserts.  Therefore, we are asking that there would be no more inserts for the parish bulletin.  If you have information about an event or a special project, please let the office know by Monday and we will make sure that all of the pertinent information gets into the “new” bulletin.  You can contact us at 781-862-0335/862-4646.  Thank you for being attentive to this request.

The Parish Staff

The Legend of the Christmas Candy Cane

To celebrate Christmas, a candy maker decided to make a candy that would include several symbols of the life of Jesus Christ, so he made the Christmas Candy Cane.  He began with a stick of pure white, solid candy: white to symbolize the Virgin birth and solid to symbolize the firm love Jesus has for all of us.  The candy maker made the candy in the shape of a “J” to represent the precious name of Jesus.  Thinking that the candy was somewhat plain, the candy maker added red stripes.  He used three small stripes to represent the nails that held Jesus on the cross and a large stripe to show the blood shed by Jesus, giving us the promise of eternal life. Then he added the wonderful flavor of peppermint which is a royal gift of spice.  So perhaps the next time you look at this familiar Christmas decoration, you will remember the candy maker and the real meaning
behind the Christmas Candy Cane: 

The Wondrous Birth of Jesus and His Great Love for all of us.

“The Twelve Days of Christmas”

The Twelve Days of Christmas was written in England as one of the "catechism songs" to help young Catholics learn the tenets of their faith - a memory aid, when to be caught with anything in writing indicating adherence to the Catholic faith could not only get you imprisoned, it could get you hanged.  The song’s gifts are hidden meanings to the teachings of the faith. The "true love" mentioned in the song doesn't refer to an earthly suitor, it refers to God Himself. The "me" who receives the presents refers to every baptized person. 

The partridge in a pear tree is Jesus Christ, the Son of God. In the song, Christ is symbolically presented as a mother partridge which feigns injury to decoy predators from her helpless nestlings, much in memory of the expression of Christ's sadness over the fate of Jerusalem: Jerusalem!  Jerusalem!  How often would I have sheltered thee under my wings, as a hen does her chicks, but thou wouldst not have it so.

The other symbols mean the following:
2 Turtle Doves = The Old and New Testaments.
3 French Hens = Faith, Hope and Charity, the Theological Virtues.
4 Calling Birds = the Four Gospels and/or the Four Evangelists.
5 Golden Rings = The first Five Books of the Old Testament, the "Pentateuch", which gives the history of man's fall from grace.  
6 Geese A-laying = the six days of creation.
7 Swans A-swimming = the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, the seven Sacraments.
 8 Maids A-milking = the eight beatitudes.
 9 Ladies Dancing = the nine Fruits of the Holy Spirit
10 Lords A-leaping = the ten commandments
11 Pipers Piping = the eleven faithful apostles
12 Drummers Drumming = the twelve points of doctrine in the Apostle's Creed

This song has been recorded by Christians and non-believers as well over the years.  But for true believers, it has such a deep and profound meaning as the explanation above.

Don't Forget Your College Applications During This Busy Time Of Year!

Thomas More College of Liberal Arts wishes seniors a Merry Christmas and good luck with upcoming college applications. Thomas More is accepting applications for Fall 2009. Apply before Feb 1 to waive the $25 application fee at www.thomasmorecollege.edu. Remember to take time and enjoy this blessed season.

Faith & Environment

 

Holy Humor

Avoiding a Big Object

Driving to work, a gentleman had to swerve to avoid a box that fell out of a truck in front of him. Seconds later, a policeman pulled him over for reckless driving. Fortunately, another officer had seen the carton in the road.  The policeman stopped traffic and recovered the box. It was found to contain large upholstery tacks.

"I'm sorry sir," the first trooper told the driver, "but I am still going to have to write you a ticket."

Amazed, the driver asked for what?

The trooper replied, "Tacks evasion."

Sunday, December 21st

8:45 – 11:00 – RCIA – St. Brigid Library
10:00 – Caroling – St. Brigid Keilty Hall
11:15 – Religious Education Classes – Sacred Heart
7:00 – 8:30 Youth Group - Sacred Heart Lower Hall

Monday, December 22nd

NO RELIGIOUS EDUCATION CLASSES

Tuesday, December 23rd

NO RELIGIOUS EDUCATION CLASSES

Wednesday, December 24th

OFFICE WILL CLOSE AT 12:00 NOON
AND REOPEN ON MONDAY, DECEMBER 29TH

Thursday, December 25th

WE WISH YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS

The Parish Staff
of the Catholic Community
in Lexington

Friday, December 26th

OFFICE CLOSED

Saturday, December 27th

NO EVENTS---JUST REST!

MARK YOUR CALENDARS

There will be a pancake breakfast on Feb 1st at Sacred Heart.  Breakfast will be served.  It will take place after both Masses.  There will also be a breakfast speaker, Professor Emeritus, John Mahoney from Boston College, who will speak on the topic of the importance of religious education for children. 

Food Assistance

If you or anyone you know is in need of food assistance especially this year when sometimes the choice is between food, rent, fuel, etc., the Lexington Food Pantry located at the Church of our Redeemer on Meriam St. in Lexington Center is the place to go. All that is needed is a letter from a member of the clergy, social worker, doctor or human services worker stating your need, the number of persons in your family and an ID. Present these on a Saturday morning at 9:30 am at the food pantry. Lexington residents may shop each Saturday. Residents from neighboring towns may shop once a month. For more information call the food pantry answering machine at 781-861-5060.

The Gift of Giving

Do you have our parish on your “gift list”?  All gifts made on or before December 31st are tax deductible for this tax year. 

Gifts of securities (stocks, bonds, mutual funds) are some of the best gifts to make whether they have appreciated or depreciated in value. Check with a broker about avoiding a last minute rush for year end gifts of securities.  Please contact the office, 781-862-0335/4646 for more information.

We are all given just a few short years to “Build up the Kingdom of God”.  Sharing your blessings through a generous gift at year’s end will make these parishes and their ministry just a bit better because you chose to make a difference while you were here.

Remember God is never outdone in His generosity.  Thank you and God bless you for your generosity!

New Year’s Day Masses

The Masses on New Year’s day will be as follows:

St. Brigid Church – 9:00am

Sacred Heart Church – 11:00am

St. Brigid Church
9:00am	Tuesday December 23rd	Helen Barry
8:00am	Saturday December 27th	Kay & Vic Campana
Sacred Heart Church
9:00am	Monday December 22nd	Bronislawa & Antony Gatarz
9:00am	Wednesday December 24th	Charles Connolly
9:00am	Friday December 26th	Deborah O’Meara
9:00am	Saturday December 27th	Flora Amoroso

 

St. Brigid
Offertory for December 13th & 14th	$  9,740.00
Envelope Offerings	$  8,655.00
Loose Cash	$  1,085.00
Grand Annual Collection to date	$70,924.00

Out of the 548 envelopes we sent to St. Brigid parishioners, 271 have used their envelopes.

Sacred Heart
Offertory for December 13th & 14th	$  5,564.00
Envelope Offerings	$  4,940.00
Loose Cash	$     624.00
St. Katharine Drexel	$     189.00
Grand Annual Collection to date	$52,622.00

Of the 265 envelopes we sent to Sacred Heart parishioners, 120 parishioners have used their envelopes this week.

Thank you to all who so generously contribute to our parishes each week!

—Fr. Colletti

Joanne Messier McCandless has formed a children’s choir at Sacred Heart.  The choir is open to all children in grades 3 through 7.  Rehearsals are held every Wednesday from 5PM to 5:45PM in the church.  We would like to have the children’s choir sing once a month at the 10am Mass during the Preparation.  Chaperones will be needed during these rehearsals.  Please contact joannemessier at aol or come and see Joanne after the 10am Mass on Sunday.

Children's Bell Mass

The children's Bell Mass will be held on Christmas Eve, Wednesday December 24th, at Sacred Heart, at 4pm.  The Annual Christmas Pageant will be performed during the Mass.  Rehearsals will be at 11:30 am in the Church at Sacred Heart on Sundays, during Religious Education on December 7th and 14th and dress rehearsal on Saturday December 20th at 1pm.  Needed: Shepherds, Animals, Angels, Holy Family, Youth Choir.  Please come, bells will be provided.  All 1st graders in Sunday Religious Classes are urged to participate.  If you have questions, or want to volunteer, please call Leo Casey at 781 862 9280 or Mary Ellen De Natale at 781 641-4871.

Sacred Heart Christmas Decorating

Please join us in decorating Sacred Heart in preparation for Christmas after the 10AM Mass on December 21st. Come one, come all. Refreshments will be served.

New Parish Finance Council Co-Chair

New Parish Finance Council Co-Chair

According to the Archdiocesan Parish Financial Council Guidelines each parish must have a Finance Council.  The Finance Council is a consultative body that advises the pastor regarding stewardship of the temporal resources of the parish. The Finance Council is to be composed of individuals who have had experience in such areas as: business, finance, management, civil law and accounting. The pastor appoints members of the Finance Council and they are appointed for a term of one year, which may be renewed annually up to five years.

With this in mind I have appointed Peter Holland as the new co-chair of the Sacred Heart Finance Council.  Peter will fill the seat vacated by Bernie Lannquist.  Bernie has recently taken the position of Facilities Manager of The Catholic Community in Lexington of Sacred Heart and Saint Brigid Parishes.

—Fr. Colletti

New Year’s Day Mass

There will be an 11:00am Mass at Sacred Heart on New Years’ day.

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.

Sung Evening Prayer

Sung Evening Prayer is celebrated every Sunday night at 5:00PM at St. Brigid Parish.  Please consider coming during this season of Advent.

St. Brigid Christmas Decorating

St. Brigid Art and Environment invites you to help us decorate the church for Christmas on Wednesday, December 24th at 9:30. [In the event there is a funeral we will start at 11:00am.]

Life Snipits!

God’s gifts are never loans,
they are deposits.

Lector Books

 

Kids and Carols

Children and all who are young-at-heart are invited to join in Christmas activities – caroling, cookie decorating and more – while enjoying refreshments next Sunday, December 21 in Keilty Hall following the 9:00am Mass at St. Brigid Church. Someone from the North Pole plans to be there – hope you’ll be there, too!

O Come Let Us Adore Him

Come to St. Brigid Church on Friday to adore Him, Christ the Lord! Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament is 12:00 – 2:45pm this Friday and every Friday.

The Lexington Catholic Young Adult Group invites you to our normal Thursday night meetings consisting of Bible study and then food and drinks at a local restaurant.  We also invite you to our next Theology on Tap which occurs on the third Thursday of each month.  For more information contact Billy Robinson 781-572-8081/colecrops at aol or talk with Father Colletti.  You can also check out our website http://lexcatholicyoungadultgroup.googlepages.com.  It's a great group and we have a lot of fun.  We hope you can join us!

Helping Hands

Helping Hands for December is
Libby Borden, 781-862-5832.

 

Food Collection at St. Brigid and Sacred Heart

The weekend of December 20th and 21st is the collection of non-perishable food items . Please check the expiration dates on the items. Low sodium canned soups and vegetables as well as low sugar hot and cold cereals and canned fruit, peanut butter, meals in a can, tuna, pasta, tomato sauce, and rice. These items may be left at the food bins at the entrances of St. Brigid or on the altar at Sacred Heart. Cash, supermarket gift cards and checks made out to the Lexington Food Pantry are also accepted. These may be left in an envelope marked Lexington Food Pantry and placed in the offertory basket or left at the parish office. Thank you for your past generosity and support of this endeavor.

Being Seized By Wonder

One of the Riches of our Advent mini-retreat was the following quote.  We offer it here for the larger community: 
 “On Being Seized by Wonder”
by Stephen V. Doughty,

The truly wonder-seized allow themselves to be transformed.  They do not celebrate wonder as something nice or uplifting and then set it off to one side.  They let the One who has seized them through wonder begin to shape them.  They permit the Source of their wonder to become formative for their lives. 

In opening themselves to transformation, the entire community of the wonder-seized follows a path far different from that currently lined out by our world…. 
The wonder-seized do not remain stuck in their wonder.  Rather, they open to the One who has given the wonder.  They accept a new center for their lives.  They willingly receive a widened sense of life’s horizons and its possibilities….  What they met through wonder now starts to shape them.

Taken from “The Community of the Wonder-Seized,” published in Weavings: A Journal of the Christian Spiritual Life, vol. xx, #1, Jan./Feb. 2005pp 21-22.

Megan Chenaille, Director of Youth Ministry
E-mail: Megan Chenaille
781-862-8724

Our NEXT Youth Mass is
Sunday, January 11, 2008
Sacred Heart Church , 6pm
Hope you and your family can join us!!
This Youth Mass will be followed by an Ice Cream Social in the Parish Center for all High School Students who would like to attend.

Confirmation Classes

9th and 10th grade classes resume January 5th and 6th, 2009.
Merry Christmas!  See you all in the New Year!!

Catholic HEART Workcamp

Place: Providence, RI
Dates: June 28 to July 3, 2009
Come serve those in need, make new friends, meet other Catholics YOUR age,
get away from the ordinary for a week,
 make a difference, have fun!!!
Limited space available; a $75 deposit is necessary to hold your spot.

 

Please do not hesitate to call or e-mail with any questions or concerns. 

Sunday at Sacred Heart: 11:15 – 12:15 – Gr. 1 – 7
Classes on this Sunday, December 21st will be held as usual.  Tuesday and Wednesday classes will not be held, but will resume on January 7, 2009!

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all of our families in the Catholic Community in Lexington.

The Religious Education Department