Every day we read the papers or see the news on television that someone has died.  We witness, as it were, the horror of senseless killings of innocents and we are all stung by the inhumanity.  There are some funerals we cannot forget: the funerals of President John F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King.  There are, of course, funerals closer to home with the death of parents, spouses, brothers and sisters and children.  These deaths leave great scars and a deep sense of loss simply by bringing them to mind.

Patricia Sanchez writes: “Today, we remember another death. The one we remember died violently, shockingly, suddenly—but not senselessly.  To a casual onlooker, the death of Jesus may not seem to merit much respect, given that his was a criminal’s execution. But the remembrance of his dying lies at the heart of who we are as believers.  We remember one who died because he chose to give himself up to death as a sacrifice that would bring about the forgiveness and salvation of sinners.”

Come with us this week as we remember.  We remember his words to his disciples at their last meal together.  We remember Jesus struggling with God’s will for him.  We remember his betrayal by his closest friends.  We remember one who was so cruelly treated and led to an ignominious death on the cross.  We remember his words that his disciples had forgotten “this generation asks for a sign and the only sign I will give is the sign of Jonah, for just as Jonah was in the belly of the whale for three days so will the Son of Man be in the belly of the earth and then rise again.” (Matt,12:40)

“We remember so as to celebrate: so as to grow in faith. We remember, and in our remembrance we become more and more like the one in whom we find our reason for living, our hope in dying and our faith in a future where all our memories will be forever realized.”

Come join the community in worship and remembrance this most Holy Week.

Holy Week Schedule

Holy Thursday, Mass at 7:30pm
St. Brigid and Sacred Heart
Good Friday and Holy Saturday Morning Prayer at 9:00am at St. Brigid
Good Friday at 1:30pm Children’s Stations of the Cross at Sacred Heart
Good Friday Service at 3:00pm at St. Brigid
Good Friday Service at 7:30pm at Sacred Heart
Holy Saturday Vigil 7:30 at St. Brigid
Holy Saturday Vigil 8:00 at Sacred Heart

 

Helping Hands Coordinator

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

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, Mary Ellen Connor, Marybeth Morgan, 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 Regina (Dolly) Newell and Lisa Ann Cataldo.

Easter Egg Hunt

The Annual Easter Egg hunt will be held at Sacred Heart Church immediately following 10:00 Mass on Easter Sunday.  The hunt is for toddlers through 12 year olds and will be held around the Church and the Hall.  Bags will be provided.

The Veiling of the Sacred Images

Last Sunday when you walked into St. Brigid Church, you noticed the mood of the Church’s environment to be one of true austerity.  The sacred images (the cross on the high altar and the paintings of Our Lady and St. Joseph) were veiled in somber violet.  Why? This practice began in the middle ages when crosses were made of gold and precious jewels.  Lent was all about fasting not only from food, but fasting from the beautiful images adorning our churches.  It helped the faithful to not only “MISS” the sacred images, but “FOCUS” more on the actual events in that first Holy Week.  With the reforms of Vatican II, this practice was suppressed.  The revised 3rd edition of the Missale Romanum (Roman Missal) provides rubrics on the veiling of the crosses and sacred images in the church beginning on the Fifth Sunday of Lent, and continuing until after the liturgy of Good Friday (when the crosses must be unveiled) and just before the Easter Vigil (when other images are unveiled). 

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, 7:30 - 9:00 pm at Sacred Heart Parish Center.  The next two meetings are April 7th and April 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 Donna Heuchling at dheuchling (3)
NOTE:  April 5th Linked In presentation at Carey Memorial Library has been postponed. 

Easter Collection

The upcoming Easter collection supports the retirement, medical care, and financial needs of priests of the Archdiocese of Boston.  We ask that you give generously on behalf of the priests that have devoted their lives to faithfully serve God and the good work of the Archdiocese of Boston.  On behalf of all of our priests, thank you in advance for your generosity.

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

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.

Good Friday Living Stations

On Good Friday, April 2, at 1:30, children from Sacred Heart and St. Brigid Parishes will dramatize the Stations of the Cross in a prayer service suitable for all ages. The service lasts about an hour and will take place at Sacred Heart Church.  The service is a wonderful way to help children celebrate this most holy day in an age-appropriate way; it is also a moving experience for adults.  Please join us.

Holy Land Pilgrimage-December 2010

Join Father Augustine Anda, Parochial Vicar of St. Columbkille Parish in Boston, as he leads an inspiring pilgrimage to the Holy Land.  The trip runs from November 30 - December 9, 2010 and costs $2,299 plus tax.  We will visit Bethlehem, Cana, the Sea of Galilee, Jerusalem and many other inspiring sites.  To request a flyer, please email Carolyn Kenney at cmk44@comcast.net or call 978-852-7852.  Space is limited and a deposit is required.

Saint Agnes School

Saint Agnes School of Arlington is offering a Shadow Program for students interested in grades 1-7 on Wednesday, March 31 and April 28, 8:30 -10:30AM. This program offers potential new students an opportunity to meet the students who will be in their class, as well as the teachers and attend a few classes.  Private tours of the school are also available daily from 8:30 A.M. to 1:30 PM. Call the school today to sign up for the shadow program or a private tour at 781-643-9031.

Summer Programs and Adventures

The Thomas More College of Liberal Arts, located one hour north of Boston, has an array of summer programs for students and adults alike.  The Collegiate Program for High School Students offers a challenging introduction to the liberal arts, the history of New England and the Catholic tradition.  Offering three college credits, The Catholic Leadership Institute examines inspirational leaders while also providing a means to develop your own leadership skills in the great outdoors and through a service project.  Lastly, The Way of Beauty Atelier offers art programs for those of all ages in Iconography and Naturalistic Drawing.  For more information, visit www.thomasmorecollege.edu/summer

or contact Mark Schwerdt in the Admissions office at (800) 880-8308.

Community News

Palm Sunday, March 28th

9:00 – CHILDREN’S LITURGY OF THE WORD
11:30 – 3:30 - RCIA RETREAT – SB - L
5:00 – SUNG EVENING PRAYER – SB – CHURCH

Monday, March 29th  

6:00 – PALM BRAIDING – SB - KH

Tuesday, March 30th

4:00 – GRADE 2 RETREAT – SB - PC
7:00 – CHOIR REHEARSAL –SB
7:30 – BOY SCOUT COMM. MTG. – SB - L

Wednesday, March 31ST

6:30 – 8:00 RECONCILIATION – SB – CHURCH
7:00 – HOMEBOUND MINISTRY WKSP. – SB – L

Thursday, April 1st    

9:00 – MORNING PRAYER
9:30 – 11:00 F.I.S.H. MTG. – SB - L
7:30 – HOLY THURSDAY MASS –SH AND SB

Friday, April 2nd   

12:00 – ROAD TO RESURRECTION – SB – L
1:00 – CHILDREN’S STATIONS OF THE CROSS - SH
3:00 – GOOD FRIDAY SERVICE – SB
7:30 – GOOD FRIDAY SERVICE - SH

Saturday, April 3rd

9:00 - MORNING PRAYER – SB
7:30 – VIGIL MASS – SB
8:00 – VIGIL MASS - SH

and join us for the Triduum

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!

Holy Thursday Collection

At the Holy Thursday liturgy a collection will be taken up to benefit our sister parish in Fond des Blancs, Haiti which continues to deal with the devastating effects of the January 12th earthquake.  Mite boxes will be collected as part of the offertory. Your generosity is most appreciated.

Holy Humor

A friend was in front of me coming out of church one day, and the preacher was standing at the door as he always is to shake hands.  

He grabbed my friend by the hand and pulled him aside.

The Pastor said to him, "You need to join the Army of the Lord!"

My friend replied, "I'm already in the Army of the Lord, Pastor."

The Pastor questioned, "How come I don't see you except at Christmas and Easter?"

He whispered back, "I'm in the secret service "

Sacred Heart Parish

Offertory for March 20/21                              $ 4403.00
Envelope Offerings                                        $ 3764.00
Loose Cash                                                     $   639.00
St. Katharine Drexel                                      $  360.00

Of the 265 envelopes we sent to Sacred Heart parishioners, 81 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.

Fr. Colletti

2010 Catholic Appeal

We want to thank everyone from Sacred Heart Parish who has participated in the 2010 Catholic Appeal.  The parish has raised $18,578 from 50 households.  These contributions support the many ministries of our Archdiocese and will improve the lives of so many in our faith community.  The Appeal is to our Archdiocese what the weekly offertory is to our parish. Cardinal Seán invites every Catholic household to participate.  If you have not yet made your gift, please consider making a pledge this weekend.  You can pick up information packets with pledge forms in the back of the Church.  Please mail your completed pledge/gift in the envelope provided in the information packet.  For more information, please visit www.BostonCatholicAppeal.com or call 617-779-3700.  Every gift matters. Thank you!

Sacred Heart Parish Masses

Monday, March 29th
9:00                                                             No Intention
Wednesday, March 31st
9:00                                                     Lillian Servente
HOLY THURSDAY
7:30 MASS
GOOD FRIDAY
7:30 – GOOD FRIDAY SERVICE
EASTER VIGIL
8:00 MASS

Sacred Heart Holy Week Triduum

The Triduum Planning Committee needs your help in making the three days of Holy Week a moving experience for all.  Come and give a hand to those who work behind the scenes.
We would appreciate your help for an hour on Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and/or Easter Vigil, April 1, 2 & 3.  We meet at church at 9:30am.

The Easter Triduum

Since Ash Wednesday, when Lent began, we have been preparing for Easter. But Lent, as many believe, doesn't end on Easter Sunday. It ends when the Easter Triduum begins - on Holy Thursday. The Triduum encompasses the three days - Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Vigil/Easter Sunday - when we celebration the death and resurrection of our Lord, Jesus Christ.

On Holy Thursday we remember the Last Supper. Jesus gives us the Sacrament of the Eucharist…

Then he took the bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body, which will be given for you; do this in memory of me." And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which will be shed for you. (Luke 22:19-20)

Jesus then washes the feet of his disciples as an example of the service to which we are all called. At the Holy Thursday Mass the presider, and oftentimes other members of the parish, wash the feet of all those present who wish to participate.

The only Masses celebrated on Holy Thursday are in the evening. No daytime Masses are scheduled anywhere within our universal church except the evening Mass, which marks the beginning of the Easter Triduum.

On Good Friday we remember the passion and death of Jesus Christ.  It is a day of fasting and abstinence.  There are a variety of services held on Good Friday, from the solemn Liturgy of Good Friday - where the Passion of Christ is proclaimed and the opportunity to venerate the cross given - to the Living Stations of the Cross.  My parish has a Tenebrae service that is one of the most powerful Good Friday services I've ever experienced.  Tenebrae is Latin for "darkness" or "shadows" and its purpose is to recreate the emotional aspects of the passion story through narration, meditation, prayer and song. With the telling of the story and the seven words Jesus spoke from the cross, candles are extinguished; one at a time after each time Jesus speaks from the cross until all candles are out and the church is in darkness.  Then a loud noise is made to symbolize the earthquake at the time of his death.  All leave in quiet and darkness.  The light of Christ doesn't burn again until the Easter Vigil.

Easter Vigil is when we proclaim with fire and song that Jesus Christ, our Lord, has risen.  The Vigil Mass is long, but is one of the most amazing Masses of the year - at least in my experience.  Easter Vigil is when we welcome many who have been preparing to enter the Catholic Church into full communion with us.

Easter Sunday is just part of the story.  To experience the fullness of the Easter story - the Easter Triduum - the passion, death and resurrection of our Lord, give yourself the awesome gift of attending the Mass of the Lord's Supper on Holy Thursday, a service on Good Friday and either the Easter Vigil or Easter Sunday Mass.

St. Brigid Parish

Offertory for March 20/21                              $9910.00
Envelope Offerings                                          $8549.00
Loose Cash                                                      $1361.00

Out of the 548 envelopes we sent to St. Brigid parishioners, 284 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.  Fr. Colletti

2010 Catholic Appeal

We want to thank everyone from St. Brigid Parish who has participated in the 2010 Catholic Appeal.  The parish has raised $27,698 from 118 households.  These contributions support the many ministries of our Archdiocese and will improve the lives of so many in our faith community.  The Appeal is to our Archdiocese what the weekly offertory is to our parish. Cardinal Seán invites every Catholic household to participate. If you have not yet made your gift, please consider making a pledge this weekend. You can pick up information packets with pledge forms in the back of the Church. Please mail your completed pledge/gift in the envelope provided in the information packet. For more information, please visit www.BostonCatholicAppeal.com or call 617-779-3700. Every gift matters. Thank you!

St. Brigid Parish Masses

Tuesday, March 30TH
9:00                                                              Paul Garten

11:00 – CHRISM MASS AT THE CATHEDRAL

HOLY THURSDAY
7:30 MASS
GOOD FRIDAY
9:00 MORING PRAYER
3:00 SERVICE
SATURDAY
9:00 MORNING PRAYER
EASTER VIGIL
7:30 MASS

Hospitality at St. Brigid

We will not have “Hospitality-after-the-9” on Easter. We’ll be back the following Sunday…stop by! 

Did You Miss Brigid’s Renovation Presentations?

If you missed last weekend’s after-Mass presentations of St. Brigid’s plans to make the church and Keilty Hall accessible, provide accessible restrooms in the building, and remodel the kitchen and the hall, stop by the Parish Center to see the exterior and interior architectural drawings of this project. The drawings will be on display in the Library all week.

PROJECT BREAD’S 42ND ANNUAL WALK FOR HUNGER, SUNDAY, MAY 2

Starts on the Boston Common, 7:00 – 9:00 A.M.
For all details, go to www.projectbread.org/walk

With poverty and unemployment rising at unprecedented rates and 554,000 people across the state struggling to put food on the table, this year’s Walk for Hunger is more important than ever. Since 1969, The Walk for Hunger has relied on support from religious organizations such as yours. Over the years, that support has grown from one to more than 1,000 religious and community organizations that come out to protest the social injustice of hunger in our midst. Now is the time to step up and join us for Project Bread’s 42nd Annual Walk for Hunger on Sunday, May 2. With the economy struggling, every dollar, every mile, and every volunteer hour counts for our neighbors in need. The 20-mile Walk weaving through Boston, Brookline, Newton, Watertown, and Cambridge will include entertainment and free snacks and will help raise $4 million to fight hunger. Your pledges fund emergency food programs throughout the state and provide food for families in natural settings such as schools, after school programs, summer programs, community health centers, hospitals, and home care organizations, all of which integrate help into the fabric of everyday life. Celebrate the spirit of giving along with over 40,000 other concerned citizens by participating in this Massachusetts family tradition. For more information, visit www.projectbread.org/walk or call 617-723-5000.

 

Life Snipets

As long as there are tests,
there will be prayer in public schools

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

Youth Mass

Please join us for our next Youth Mass on
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Sacred Heart Church , 6pm
Bring your friends and families!!

Scholarship Applications

For Graduating High School Seniors
Will be available in the Religious Education Office located at 2001 Mass Ave
Beginning Monday, March 29, 2010

The Confirmation Mini-Retreat with Sean Forrest is this Sunday!!
This is a mandatory retreat for all Confirmation students (Grades 9 & 10)
WHEN:  Today, Palm Sunday (March 28th) TIME:  4:00 - 8:00 PM (light dinner included)
PLACE:  Sacred Heart Parish Hall

Due to the Retreat on Sunday, we do not have regular classes next week, March 29 and 30.  Classes resume April 5 and 6.

 

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

THERE WILL BE NO RELIGIOUS
EDUCATION PROGRAMS DURING
HOLY WEEK.  CLASSES WILL
RESUME ON MONDAY APRIL 5TH AND
TUESDAY, APRIL 6TH.

Grade 2 Retreat

On Wednesday, March 31st there will be a Retreat for Grade two students in St. Brigid Parish Center.

Middle School Fridays

April 9th - Game Night at Sacred Heart

The 6th, 7th and 8th graders of the Catholic Community of Lexington and their friends are invited to join us on Friday, April 9th, from 6:30 to 8:30 pm, for pizza and games at the Sacred Heart Parish Center.  Come play your favorite board, interactive and participation games such as Apples to Apples and BINGO!  Please sign up by Wednesday April 7th!  For a copy of the flyer and permission slip, go to http://www.lexingtoncatholic.org/religiousEd.aspx and click on Middle School Fridays.  Cost is $8 and scholarships are available.  For more information contact Mary Ellen Goodwin at tgoodwin99@msn.com.