The theme taken from the scripture readings this weekend is all about repentance and forgiveness. In the first reading (Joshua 5:9-12) it is written: “The Lord said to Joshua, ‘Today, I have removed the reproach of Egypt from you.’” God had forgiven his people and asked them to start anew with him in the relationship he offered to them. We feel that same forgiveness and so we respond with psalm 34: “Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.”

Saint Paul tells us what that should feel like receiving God’s forgiveness and living under his grace. “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation” (2 Cor 5:17). How many people have told me, after just confessing their sins being some time away from the sacrament, “I feel a great weight taken off my shoulders!” In today’s gospel (Luke 15:1-32) we hear the parable of the Prodigal Son. This story comes after the self-righteous leaders murmured, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”

We know that our vocation in life is to love. We are to love God and others with the love God has given to us. “Dear friends, let us love one another for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God, because God is love” (1 John 4:7).We need to know we are loved in order to love. We must examine our lives to know how we are doing in loving. Lent is a good time to do that examination.

Sin is the enemy of love for all sin is self-righteousness, self-centeredness and selfishness. It is an unwillingness to go out of ourselves to give love. We must go out of ourselves in order to exist—there is that word “exit”. The Dead Sea is dead because it has no exit. It takes in the River Jordan and the waters just sit there with no fish and vegetation. A person who does not love is dead. But that is not the end for there is always an exit. Even the last moment holds hope. In the second reading from last week-end Saint Paul wrote to the Corinthians: “If you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! No temptation has seized you except what is common to all peoples. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it” (1 Cor 10:11-13). 

Our creator is not finished with us. Even at my age, I am not a finished product. I now need to become my own parent and co-creator with God. By my good and prayerful decisions I allow the creative hand of God to work in me. By my bad and selfish choices I refuse the creative hand of God and I may turn out to be the kind of person even I don’t much like.

The sacrament of reconciliation is available Wednesday evenings from 6:30 to 8:00 and on Saturday from 3:30 to 4:30 at Saint Brigid Church.

 

St. Brigid Church
9:00am	Tuesday March 16th	George Diamond
9:00am	Thursday March 18th	Eugene Buckley
9:00am	Saturday March 20th	James Hayes & Boudreau Family Thomas J. Sullivan James Sheehy Mary &Frederick Boyle
Sacred Heart Church
9:00am	Monday March 15th	Helen Jenson
9:00am	Wednesday March 17th	Bella Borges

 

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, Jen Bombaca, Marianne Slack, Elaine Murphy, Henry Murphy, Bob Kozlowski, Francis Cote, Harry Laye, Deacon Bill Wildes, William McCarthy, Marie Dempsey, Pat White, Mary Whelan, Prudy Bulger, Eleanor Mann, Amy Galehouse Goolkosian, Jane Beauchemin, Luella Theriault, Billy Wedgwood, Gerald McCue, Kathleen Brown, Carol Brady, Brendan Murphy, Kevin Johnson, Ann LaMantia, Christine Griffin, Josephine Siders, Douglas DiVito, Frank Hassett, Mary McGuinnes, Herbert Grossman, Joseph Fremont-Smith, Jewel Douglass, Marjorie Kearns, Claire McKenna, Kathryn Ortolano, Shannon Capriulo, Cathy Larson, Olivia Moran and Brianna Cimino.  Please also remember in your prayers all of our deceased family members and parishioners, especially James McMorrow and Rosemary Adamson.

Children's Living Stations of the Cross

We're still looking for a few more 3rd or 4th graders to participate in the Children's Living Stations of the Cross on Good Friday. Rehearsals will take place at Sacred Heart church after the 10am mass on Sundays March 14, 21, and 28. For more information, contact Mary Ellen De Natale at 781 641-4871 or at maryellen at 28coolidge.co m.

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, 1st Lt. Todd Donaldson, Airman Jason Cunha, Pfc. Erik Muskavitch, 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.

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 March 17th and April 7th . 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)

Lectio Divina Group

A Lectio Divina group will meet this Thursday and for the next three Thursdays (skipping Holy Thursday) 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!

Helping Hands Coordinator

Helping Hands coordinator for March is:
is Jeanne Hobbs, 781-248-9722

Easter Ham Donations For Inner City Sister Parishes Requested

As part of our Easter celebration we are again asking parishioners to help provide Easter hams for families at our sister parishes, St. Katharine Drexel (home of the former Roxbury Food Pantry) and St. Patrick’s in Roxbury.  Hams will also be needed for shut-ins from the former St. John/St. Hugh parish community and for the Family Aids Ministry.  Last year we delivered 140 hams to our sister parish neighbors in Dorchester & Roxbury for Easter.  A generous parishioner has offered to provide fresh hams for below wholesale cost of $10 per ham.  Please support this special collection by providing a check to Sacred Heart or St. Brigid, in the memo section “Easter Hams" in the regular collection baskets or send to the parish office.  All donations will be used to purchase these hams for delivery during Holy Week.  Stop & Shop gift cards are also much appreciated.  We hope you will help support this special celebration through our food pantry ministry.  Thank you for your generosity.

Easter Blessings, The Christian Service Commission.

The Light Is On For You!

On the Wednesdays of Lent from 6:30-7:30pm beginning February 24th, we will celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation at St. Brigid Church.  Inviting Catholics to experience Christ’s healing love through the Sacrament of Reconciliation is one of the major initiatives of Cardinal Seán and the Archdiocese this year.  The Archdiocese has set up a website, www.TheLightIsOnForYou.org, to help you prepare.  It has videos on the Sacrament of Reconciliation, sheets on how to make a good confession, answers to frequently-asked questions and more.  Please make plans to come on Lenten Wednesdays and spread the word of this special outreach of mercy to those you know.

In an effort to increase awareness for A Light is on For You.   There is a podcast created by RENEW International to invite people to take advantage of this opportunity.  You may access the podcast by clicking on this link: http://www.renewintl.org/rcab.

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. 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.

Hospitality

Please join us for hospitality and fellowship at our parishes. 

Hospitality at St. Brigid Parish is after the 9:00am Mass in Keilty Hall.

At Sacred Heart Parish the hospitality is after the 10:00am Mass in the parish center.

WINGS

The Transfiguration: Goal of the Spiritual Life

WINGS (Women IN God’s Spirit) is pleased to welcome back Father James Savage, Parochial Vicar at St. Paul’s Church, Cambridge, as guest speaker this Thursday.  By examining an iconic representation of the transfiguration of Jesus, Father will lead us in finding a picture of the type of life promised to us as followers of His way.

Please join us this Thursday, March 18, at 9:30 – 11:15am, in the hall at St. Brigid Parish Center. 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. 

Is the CAP Team for You?

Most parishioners know the St. Brigid/Sacred Heart CAP (Child Abuse Prevention) Team through the VIRTUS program, Protecting God’s Children.  Members of the team deliver this training program several times each year to all new staff and volunteers.

If you are interested in creating a community of support within the parishes for the prevention of possible child abuse and neglect through delivery of the Protecting God’s Children program, we welcome you to join the CAP Team.  To become a trainer, you are required to attend a two-day training session provided by the Archdiocese.  The next such session is March 20-21, 8:00am-4:00pm, at St. Patrick Parish in Stoneham.  Please contact Jane Goubeaux at 781-862-4146 or jbeaux44(4), to register for this train-the-trainer session or for additional information.

Middle School Fridays - March 19th at Jump On In

The 6th, 7th and 8th graders of the Catholic Community of Lexington and their friends are invited to join us on Friday, March 19th, at 6pm for a pizza dinner at St Brigid's, followed by a trip to Jump-On-In, Woburn. 

Jump-On-In is a HUGE private indoor party place with inflatable jumpers, 22 foot slides, climbers and a 70 foot obstacle course as well as “Jumpshot,” the ultimate extreme trampoline basketball game. On the web: http://www.jumponinfun.com.

Please sign up by March 16th - attendance is limited to 25!  Click here for permission slips and waiver forms.  The cost is $17.  Scholarships are available.  For more information please contact Mary Ellen  Goodwin at Goodwin99(10).

2010 Catholic Appeal

“The Gifts We Have, We Are Given To Share.” Success in the eyes of God is not about the quantity or quality of our material goods. Instead, it’s about how we use those goods: do they move us closer to God, or are they an obstacle? God calls us to share what we have to help others. By providing support for many ministries of the Church, the Catholic Appeal offers everyone a chance to practice Christian stewardship. Please consider how you will participate in the Catholic Appeal this year. Thank you to everyone that has pledged thus far!

Sunday, March 14th   

9:00 – CHILDREN’S LITURGY OF THE WORD
            SCRUTINY
11:15-12:15 – REL. ED. – SH PARISH CENTER
5:00 – SUNG EVENING PRAYER – SB – CHURCH
6:30 – SCOUT TRAINING – SB-PC
PLANS FOR PARISH RENOVATIONS AVAILABLE AFTER ALL MASSES AT ST.BRIGID THIS WEEKEND.

Monday, March 15th

7:15 – CONFIRMATION CLASS – SB –

Tuesday, March 16th

10:00 – ARISE GROUP MTG. RM.10 – SB – PC
2:00 – MASS AT PINEKNOLL
7:00 – PARISH FINANCE COMMITTEE
7:15 – CONFIRMATION CLASSES – SH – PC

Wednesday, March 17th 

6:30 – 8:00 RECONCILIATION – SB – CHURCH
7:00 – HOMEBOUND MINISTRY WKSP. – SB – L
7:15 – YOUTH COMMISSION MTG. – SB – PC-
7:30 – RCIA –SH -UH

Thursday, March 18th  

9:00 – WINGS – SB - PC
11:00 –WINGS CORE TEAM MTG.-SB-L
7:00 – 9:30 BOY SCOUTS – SB – PC

Friday, March 19th 

STAFF LENTEN DAY OF PRAYER
6:30 – ROAD TO RESURRECTION – SB – L
12:10 – FRIDAY LENTEN MASS – SB
EXPOSITION BLESSED SACRAMENT FOLLOWS
7:00 – STATIONS OF THE CROSS – SB

Saturday, March 20th

3:30 – CONFESSIONS – SB- CHURCH
YOUTH FUNDRAISER AFTER ALL MASSES
6:00 – SOUP AND CINEMA – SH-PC

The WOMEN’S BOOK CLUB meets on Thursday, March 18, 2010 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. in Room 8, Sacred Heart Parish Center, lower hall.  The group’s selection for this month is The Help by Kathryn Stockett.  Be prepared to meet three unforgettable women:  Twenty-two-year-old Skeeter has just returned home after graduating from Ole Miss.  She may have a degree, but it is 1962, Mississippi, and her mother will not be happy till Skeeter has a ring on her finger.  Aibileen is a black maid, a wise, regal woman raising her seventeenth white child.  Something has shifted inside her after the loss of her own son, who died while his bosses looked the other way.  Minny, Aibileen's best friend, is short, fat, and perhaps the sassiest woman in Mississippi.  She can cook like nobody's business, but she can't mind her tongue, so she's lost yet another job.  The Help is a charming, thoughtful novel about women finding their voices, and the truths we see when we have the courage to look unflinchingly into the mirror.  For more information, contact or Beverly Good, 781-863-0319, ext 20, or Beverly.Good(1) or Maria Griffin, avempg(4).

Lexington Food Pantry
Sacred Heart and St. Brigid

The weekend of March 20th and 21st is the collection of non-perishable food for the Lexington Food Pantry. Items may be left at the food bins at St. Brigid and on the altar at Sacred Heart.  Please check the expiration dates. Special requests for this month: Oatmeal, low sugar cereal, low sodium vegetables, canned fruit in juice or light syrup
peanut butter meals in a can chunk white tuna and angel hair pasta.The food pantry also accepts personal care items and paper products.  Cash, supermarket gift cards and checks made out to the Lexington Food Pantry and placed in an envelope marked Lexington Food Pantry may be placed in the offertory basket or left at the office.  We thank you for your past generosity and support of this endeavor.

St. Brigid
Offertory for March 6th & 7th	$  10,054.00
Envelope Offerings	$   8,815.00
Loose Cash	$   1,239.00

Out of the 548 envelopes we sent to St. Brigid parishioners, 286 have used their envelopes.  Thank you to all who so generously contribute to our parishes each week!  To operate the parish our offertory should be $11,730 per week.
To date we have received $156,125.76 in our Grand Annual Collection from 309 parishioners.    Our goal this year was $140,000.

 

Sacred Heart
Offertory for March 6th & 7th	$   5,080.00
Envelope Offerings	$   4,492.00
Loose Cash	$      588.00
St. Katharine Drexel	$      212.00

Of the 265 envelopes we sent to Sacred Heart parishioners, 121 parishioners have used their envelopes this week.  Thank you to all who so generously contribute to our parishes each week!  To operate the parish our offertory should be $7,500 per week.
To date we have received a total of $98,356 from 143 parishioners in our Grand Annual Collection.  Our goal this year is $313,000.

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

—Fr. Colletti

Soup and Cinema

Soup and Cinema - the movie for Saturday, March 20th, will be The Visitor.

Christian Service Commission Report

Last Sunday 126 bags of food were delivered to St. Katharine Drexel Food pantry along with $260 in Stop & Shop gift cards, cash and checks.  The inner city pantry guests at 175 Ruggles St. are grateful to all who contributed so generously.  The food collections scheduled for March include: 3/13-Youth Food Fast Collection, 3/21-Lexington Food Pantry, 3/28-St. Katharine Drexel (Palm Sunday delivery instead of on Easter as originally scheduled), 3/31-Easter ham delivery to St. Katharine Drexel and St. Patricks, Family Aids Ministry, Inner-city shut ins and Rosie's Place.  The needs of this ministry continue to increase and we are so thankful for your continued generous support. 
Easter Blessings!  The Christian Service Commission.

The Lexington Catholic Young Adult Group invites you to our regular 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 (See date on website).  For more information contact Billy Robinson at colecrops(4) or call 781-572-8081.  You can also check out our website listed below.  It's a great group and we have a lot of fun, we hope you can come!

Resurrection Cantata

HERE IN LEXINGTON!  On Friday, March 26th, at 8 p.m. at St. Brigid Church, 2001 Mass Ave., come and see St. Patrick’s Family Players of Watertown perform this musical drama.  “Resurrection” is the inspirational story of Simon Peter and the forgiveness of Jesus Christ.  The performance leads us on an unforgettable spiritual journey with St. Peter as he faces his martyrdom.  Peter recalls his experiences with Christ as well as those he shared with Mary Magdalene and the disciples as they followed Jesus.  In moving song, Peter shows the anguish for his denial of Christ and the joy that comes with the Resurrection and His forgiveness.  The St. Patrick’s Family Players is a multi-denominational musical group from Watertown, MA, featuring over 100 performers from ages 4 to 75.  The group was founded in 1997 to celebrate the parish’s 150th anniversary, but have been performing the musical ever since.  The Players have taken their musical ministry to Ireland and Italy.  A freewill donation will be requested.  All are invited to Keilty Hall for refreshments after the performance.

Mass + Adoration = A Perfect Lenten Combination

This Friday and every Friday during Lent, attend Mass at 12:10pm at St. Brigid Church and then stay for some quiet time with the Lord during the Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. Adoration closes at 2:45pm following Benediction.

Life Snipits

Prayer:  Don’t give God instructions—
Just report for duty!

An Invitation From Our Eigth Graders!

Our parishes’ Eighth Graders cordially invite you to join them at their grade-level Mass next Sunday, March 21, at the 6:00pm Youthful Mass at Sacred Heart Church.

Youth Fundraiser

   

It is our privilege to offer you an opportunity to purchase beautiful imported hand-made Italian, Czech, and Mexican rosaries, and also Catholic medals, crucifixes and other Christian jewelry. 

There are beautiful, time-tested and traditional articles, as well as contemporary pieces that are very popular all across the country.  A complete assortment of First Communion, Confirmation and RCIA gift items are included.

We are presenting you with a wide variety of these religious items at reasonable prices.  Even as you are blessed by the beauty of these sacramentals, our teens will be blessed by your generosity.

Please come by our display after Masses the weekends of March 20/21 and March 27/28 and see what we have. Whether you need a new rosary for yourself or as a gift, or want a sterling silver or stainless steel crucifix, saint medal, ring, bracelet, or other shiny reminder of your faith, our wider-than-ever variety should meet your needs. 

Your purchase of these high-quality items supports our parish youth activities and programs. We need to raise a large amount of money and need your help! 

Please look for our sales after the Masses the weekend of March 20/21 and March 27/28 .
Thank you for your support!

Palm Braiding

A Palm Braiding Workshop will be held on Monday, March 22 at 6:00 p.m.  This long standing tradition requires many palms to be braided then formed into centerpieces that are used to decorate the Church for Palm Sunday.  A light supper (sandwiches, chips, and drinks) will be served.  Please RSVP before Saturday, March 20 to the Parish office or to Marie Hill 781-862-6456 or mimi.716(2).  Come and learn to braid these lovely decorations.

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

Road to Resurrection

Hey kids!! Are you looking for something to help with your prayer life this Lent?  Are you seeking a deeper relationship with Christ and others?
Then consider joining us on Friday mornings before school (6:30-7:30am) in the St. Brigid Library for Road to Resurrection, a Scripture Study and Reflection for Middle-School and High School Youth. Breakfast is provided!!  We hope you will join us on our journey on the Road to the Resurrection.
Our first Friday session continues this Friday morning, March 19.  Just bring yourself and a friend!! Other dates (Fridays at 6:30am):  March 26

Youth Mass

Please join us for our next Youth Mass on
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Sacred Heart Church , 6pm
Bring your friends and families!!
This Youth Mass will be followed by a Green Party in celebration of St. Patrick’s Day for all our High School Youth in the Parish Center.  Pizza, green treats and a FREE Silent Auction will be available. 

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

Sedar Supper

Wednesday March 24th @ 7:00 PM Keilty Hall St. Brigid Parish we will be having a Seder Supper. Rabbi Jaffe will lead us and educate us in the custom and traditions of the traditional Seder Supper. Please come and join us. We need to have a proper count to have sufficient food for those coming, please sign up via the follow email address: sederstbrigidsacreheart at gmail. Enter your name and how many people are coming. If you do not have email please call 781-863-0319 and leave your name and the number of people coming to the Seder Supper.

Religious Education Classes at Sacred Heart for
grades 1 – 8 are at 11:15 until 12:15
in the Parish Center.
Religious Education Classes at St. Brigid Parish Center on Tuesdays, for Grades 1, 2 and 3
at 3:45 until 4:45pm. 
Grades 4, 5, and 6 are on Wednesdays,
in the Parish Center at 3:45-4:45pm.
Grades 7 and 8 are on Mondays at 5:30 until 6:30pm in the Parish Center

Come See St. Brigid’s Renovation Plans!

For many years, we have been talking about the need to make St. Brigid Church and Keilty Hall accessible, provide accessible restrooms in the building, and remodel the kitchen and hall.  The large bequest from the Joseph Leary Estate has allowed us to combine these three projects and put together an integrated plan.  As a result, we will realize some cost efficiencies and minimize disruption.  (St. Brigid’s weekday and weekend Mass schedules and other activities in the church will not be affected during construction.)     

We have plans to show you!  Please come down to Keilty Hall after any one of the Masses this weekend, March 13 and 14, to review the plans.  Bernie Lannquist, our Facilities Manager, will take us through the exterior and interior drawings, provide an overview of the project’s timeline, and answer your questions.  Please join us to see this next exciting step in St. Brigid’s future!

Holy Humor

A priest waited in line to have his car filled with gas just before a long holiday weekend. The attendant worked quickly, but there were many cars ahead of him.  Finally, the attendant motioned him toward a vacant pump. ‘Reverend, said the young man, ‘I’m sorry about the delay.  It seems as if everyone waits until the last minute to get ready for a long trip.’  The priest chuckled, ‘I know what you mean.  It’s the same in my business.