Today the Gospel of Saint Luke (Lk 24:35-48) presents us with three movements in the spiritual life.  First, the Christian must overcome fear. In the case of this scripture passage “in their panic and fright they thought they were seeing a ghost”.  Our first fear is a fear of commitment.  Do we believe in Jesus to the point we must give our lives to him?  What are we afraid of?  Do we fear that this whole story –the gospels—might not be true?  Are we afraid of the cost of discipleship?  Next to the word ‘love’ Jesus used the phrase ‘do not be afraid’ more often than all his other words.  So, today the risen Jesus asks, “Why are you troubled?  Touch me and see me.  It is really me, I am right here with you. Receive my Easter peace”.

The second movement in the spiritual journey is to move from fear to joy.  Once the disciples realize that it is Jesus before them they move from doubt to faith, from despair to hope.  Now they are incredulous with joy and totally amazed.  Jesus reassures them that it is he not only by touching him but by feeding him.  “They were still incredulous for sheer joy and wonder, so he said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?”

This brings us to the third movement on the spiritual journey.  After fear moves to joy, Jesus sends them forth in the world as his witnesses.  We are now to be witnesses to the risen Christ to announce the resurrection, forgiveness and peace to all the nations.

Reflect on how you are moving from fear to joy, how Jesus is sending you into the world as a witness of the resurrection. How are you witnessing to the resurrection of the Lord?  We can be imitators of Christ in his mercy and compassion.  We can get to know and share the scriptures as he did with the disciples on the road to Emmaus.  We can serve the community and the church as he showed his servant role washing the disciples’ feet at the Last Supper.  We can proclaim that we are not a people of death, but people of resurrection; not people of war, but people of peace; not people of violence but people of nonviolence; not slaves to sin but forgiven called to forgive one another, love one another and love our enemies.  The point is not to change people—that is God’s job.  Our job is to be his witnesses, for he who was dead is alive and in our midst.

 

St. Brigid Church
9:00am	Tuesday April 28th	Walter & Marie Lojek
9:00am	Thursday April 30th	Lucy & Pasquale Catalano
8:00am	Saturday May 2nd	Cora Arciprete
Sacred Heart Church
9:00am	Monday April 27th	Daniel Ryan
9:00am	Wednesday April 29th	Sium Ogba Michael
9:00am	Friday May 1st	Arthur Taverna
9:00am	Saturday May 2nd	Marisol O’Brien

 

St. Brigid
Offertory for April 18th & 19th	$    7,988.00
Envelope Offerings	$    6,759.00
Loose Cash	$    1,229.00
Grand Annual Collection to date	$123,614.00

Out of the 548 envelopes we sent to St. Brigid parishioners, 228 have used their envelopes.

Sacred Heart
Offertory for April 18th & 19th	$  3,248.00
Envelope Offerings	$  2,715.00
Loose Cash	$     533.00
St. Katharine Drexel	$     128.00
Grand Annual Collection to date	$74,502.00

Of the 265 envelopes we sent to Sacred Heart parishioners, 73 parishioners have used their envelopes this week.

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

—Fr. Colletti

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, 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, Catherine Morley, Elaine Murphy, Deacon Bill Wildes, Nancy Grossimon, Joseph O’Brien, John Harper, Tina Durks, Pat White, Kathleen Brown, Rev. James O’Donohoe, Betty Garrity, Marylou Merry, Josephine Siders, Kathleen Brown, Olivia Moran, Matthew Langone, and Brianna Cimino.  Please also remember all of our deceased relatives and friends especially Margaret Mara and Linnie Holland, mother of Peter Holland.

Helping Hands

Helping Hands for the month of April will be
Carol Basile, 781-861-9086.
For May will be Marybeth Duffy, 781-862-7557.

 

Welcome!

We want to welcome Rev. Raymond Kiley who will be filling in for Father Colletti as he takes a much needed vacation. Father Kiley is a priest of our Archdiocese who is currently on emergency response, the ministry that assists pastors when they are taking some time away from their parishes.

Faith & Environment

 

Embracing the Mystery

Be sure to mark your calendar! On Sunday May 3rd, from 7:30-9 in Keilty Hall, we will present Embracing the Mystery. Pat Bade, master teacher and animal rehabilitator, will share how her work with animals has connected her with God, and provided unexpected opportunities for service. Pat, of Penobscot and Scots-Irish heritage, has been strongly influenced by her Native American world view. One of her birds of prey will accompany her.

Youth Ministry & John P. Keilty Scholarship

Application forms are now available in the Religious Education Office

Applications are due by Monday,
May 11, 2009

• Applicant must be a senior in high school
• Applicant must be an active St. Brigid/Sacred Heart Youth Ministry participant
• The award is contingent on acceptance and enrollment at an institution of higher learning

Parish Census

Census form distribution at each parish began the weekend of April 4th & 5th, with a follow-up this weekend, April 11th & 12th.  Each family/parishioner is encouraged to take a few minutes to complete the census and either drop-off at the entryways to the churches or drop-off/mail to the offices at 2001 Massachusetts Avenue, Lexington, MA 02421.

Your completion and return of the census will provide information that will help us to better communicate, serve and interact with members of each parish and to provide information on parishioners’ special skills, talents and interests. 

Please contact St. Brigid at 781-862-0335 or Sacred Heart at 781-862-4646 with any questions.  Representatives from each parish are also available to answer questions or concerns – Stephen McKenna for St. Brigid, 781-862-6690 and Frank Bellini for Sacred Heart 781-861-7039.  Boxes for the completed forms are at the front doors of both churches.

The forms are also on the internet, the address is on the census form.

Quote of the Day

If you live long enough, the venerability factor creeps in; first, you get accused of
things you never did, and later, credited for virtues you never had.

Archdiocese Young Adult Mass: The next Archdiocese Young Adult Mass is May 8th. It is in the North End at St Leonard ’s Parish. The address is 14 North Bennett Street , Boston , MA 02113 . These are always great. Adoration is at 7:30pm, Mass is at 9pm, and social time at 10pm (free food, etc). Young adults across the Archdiocese come and it is always a great time. We can car pool if people would like. Hope to see you there!
Service Event: We will be doing a service event sometime in May, details coming soon…

Soccer: Soccer will be moving outside. Stay tuned for more details…

·  Thursday night at 7pm at St Brigid for the study of the Sunday readings, and then out for food and drinks afterwards in Lexington Center .

·  Theology on Tap every 3rd Thursday of the month at Bickford’s Bar and Grill in Woburn . The next one is on May 21st.

·  Pickup soccer every week. It will be moving outdoors soon. Stay tuned for more details…

·  Check out the cool group website http://lexcatholicyoungadultgroup.googlepages.com and
·  The social networking site of the Catholic Church http://www.xt3.com and the group Facebook http://ithaca.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2477480215

Billy, Thomas, Cindy, Sue, and Sean

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.  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)

LexMedia Opportunity

St. Brigid and Sacred Heart Parish Pastoral Council Communications Committee is seeking volunteers who would like to help produce a televised Mass from either church for LexMedia.  Those interested should contact Jack Cunha, jackcin1(2) or Jim Baker, jbaker1868(4) or contact Florence Delsanto, Director at LexMedia, 781-862-5388 which would host a free class for TV production volunteers.  The LexMedia is located in the complex, Avalon at Lexington Hills on 1000 Main Campus Drive. 
This would also be a great opportunity for high school students interested in TV to get a chance to work behind the scenes!

Post Office Annual Food Drive

Can you help?  On Saturday, May 9th the Post Office will have its annual food drive to benefit local food pantries. The Lexington Food Pantry, located at Church of Our Redeemer on Meriam St.  is in need of people from 1p.m. to 5p.m. to check, sort, and pack the can goods they receive. If you can help out for an hour or two, it would be most appreciated. This is a wonderful opportunity for families as well as individuals to give additional support to the pantry. If you have any questions, please contact Lee Crivello at 781-648-2403.

Sunday, April 26, 2009

2:00 – Father James Bertelli’s 50th Anniversary – St.Brigid

Monday, april 27, 2009

4:00-6:30 – Grade 2 Retreat – Sacred Heart - LH
7:00 – Eucharistic Minister Meeting at Sacred Heart   Church

Tuesday, april 28, 2009

7:30 – Scout Committee Meeting - L

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

7:00 – WorkCamp Meeting – St. Brigid – L
7:30 – Choir – Sacred Heart Church

Thursday April 30, 2009

9:00 – 11:30 How To Pray Workshop – St. Brigid – PC
7:30 – Choir – St. Brigid Church
7:00 – Young Adult Meeting – St. Brigid - L

Friday May 1, 2009

Enjoy the peace-filled day!

Saturday, May 2, 2009

10:0 – 5:00 Marriage Prep Meeting – St. Brigid – PC
5:00 – Crowning of Mary – St. Brigid
5:00 – Grade 1 Mass – St. Brigid

FAITH AND ENVIRONMENT GREEN AT ALL OF THE MASSES THIS WEEKEND

Welcome

This weekend we will welcome Rev. Leo McGarry, C.S.Sp. who will be preaching at all of the Masses at each parish. He will be speaking on behalf of St. Peter the Apostle Society. Please welcome Father McGarry as he does his missionary work in our parishes.

Father Jim Bertelli, a long time parishioner of St. Brigid, invites all to the celebration of the Fiftieth Anniversary of his ordination to priesthood. The Mass will take place today, April 26th at 2:00pm at St. Brigid Church. No gifts, please.

Update on NStar Audit

We received the long awaited NSTAR energy audit last week for all buildings at both parishes. NSTAR proposed to either replace all incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescents or to replace the entire light fixture with an up to date efficient fixture, this would not include any architecturally significant fixtures. The proposal was that NSTAR would contribute 70% of the total installed cost and the parishes would pay the balance. This proposal was presented to the joint meeting of the Parish Finance Councils last week and both councils had positive recommendations and Father Colletti approved moving forward with the NSTAR proposal. The implementation will take approximately two months to complete. It is our estimate that the implementation of this program will reduce our energy usage by approximately 59,000 KWH per year.

Congratulations to Nicholas Cannalonga!  The White Hat was awarded
him on Patriots Day.  Nick is a parishioner of Sacred Heart Parish.

Refurbishment

There have been five newsletters and several presentations to the parishioners of Sacred Heart Parish by the Refurbishment Committee since January, 2008.  After a March Parish Survey and two recent consultations with the Sacred Heart Parish Pastoral Council, I have approved the final plan for the interior of Sacred Heart Church .  I want to thank all who were instrumental in bringing us to this point.  Please read this week’s bulletin insert from the Refurbishment Committee.  Please also be prepared to enthusiastically support our efforts.
          Rev. Arnold F. Colletti

2009 Catholic Appeal

Our appreciation goes out to all parishioners in the Catholic Community in Lexington who have made a gift to the 2009 Appeal.  The Appeal is to our Archdiocese what the weekly offertory is to our parish.  If you have not yet made your gift, please consider making a pledge this weekend.  To date, we have received $15,583 from 57 Sacred Heart households reaching 34.2% of the parish goal of $45,500.  To date from St. Brigid we have received $49,536 from 158 households reaching 38.3% of the parish goal of $129,500.  Remember, our parishes will receive 25 percent of all funds we raise above our goal.  So each gift has the potential to increase parish revenue while still supporting the shared ministries of our Church at the Archdiocesan level.  We ask every Catholic family to participate – every gift matters.  You can pick up information packets with pledge forms at the doors of the Churches.  Please return your completed pledge/gift through the mail in the envelope provided in the information packet.  For more information, please visit www.BostonCatholicAppeal.com or call 617-779-3700.  Every gift matters. 

Dear Parishioners,
We cannot thank you enough for the continued support we received from the parishioners of the Lexington Parishes.  Thank you for your most recent tithe of $1377 and for your kind contribution to the Family AIDS Ministry.
God bless you in this Easter Season and always.                          

Father Oscar Pratt

How to Pray Workshops

During their Winter Speaker Series, the women of WINGS (Women IN God’s Spirit) learned about various kinds of prayer. They found themselves wanting to learn more about some of the prayer forms by actually praying them. These two How-to-Pray workshops were designed to provide opportunities to do exactly that!
In this second workshop on Thursday, April 30, we will pray the Liturgy of the Hours – Morning Prayer and Centering Prayer. The workshop begins at 9:30 – 11:00am in the hall at St. Brigid Parish Center. ALL are welcome. Registration is not required. For further information, please contact Beverly Good at 781-863-0319 or by email.

Get ‘Up-Close And Personal’ With The Lord

Spend some quiet time with the Lord every Friday during the Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament from 12:00 – 2:45pm at St. Brigid Church.

Hospitality at St. Brigid

We will not have “Hospitality-after-the-9” today as Keilty Hall will be set up for Father Jim Bertelli’s Fiftieth Ordination Anniversary reception. 

Food Pantry

Next weekend May 2nd & 3rdis the collection of non-perishable food products.  There is always a need for canned vegetables, cereals, canned fruit, meals in a can, peanut butter, macaroni & cheese, spaghetti sauce, canned soups, dry pasta, tuna fish, baked beans and all kinds of rice.  Please deposit your contribution in the bins at the entrances of St. Brigid Church or on the altar at Sacred Heart Church .  Your continued support of the the Food Pantry is greatly appreciated. 

This year the Lexington Minuteman Cane Award was given to Jacqueline (Jackie) Ward, a parishioner of St. Brigid Parish. 

Congratulations Jackie!

Thank you to all of the parishioners who donated the funds for 138 hams delivered to St. Katharine Drexel and St. Patrick Parishes.  We also collected over $700 in gift cards for those parishes along with the hams.  This again shows the generosity of the Catholic Community in Lexington !!

Prayer For Vocations

Gracious God, you have blessed me with many gifts and talents.  Grant me the wisdom to know how best to use them for the glory of your name.  Jesus calls, “Come follow me.”  I want to follow Him and to be faithful to my call.  Help me to see in myself what you see, and give me the courage    to follow wherever you may lead.  Bless the Church with generous hearts, eager to serve your people and to spread your Word.  Amen.

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

Youth Mass

Sunday, May 3, 2009
6pm at Sacred Heart Church
All are welcome!!

Catholic Heart WorkCamp

June 28-July 3
Providence, RI
For High School students entering 9th thru 12th grades
Meet other Catholics your age from around the country, help others, and grow in your faith. 
A $75 deposit is required to hold your spot.  Please sign up soon!  Spaces are limited.

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

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.

Boston Catholic Television

Daily Mass can be seen LIVE on Catholic TV and Boston’s WBPX, Channel 68, weekdays at 9:30 am, at 7:30 p.m. or midnight (all times Eastern).  You can also celebrate it LIVE or “on demand” here at Catholic TV’s web site, www.CatholicTV.com.

So, What’s Up With God?

It would be easy to believe if Christians walked on water!  But perhaps after spending a jillion Sundays in church, you haven't seen anything that would convince you that God is alive or cares about you.  Is anybody giving you clear, solid help in dealing with the really important questions of life - like, does God exist?  What does God want from me?  Does it matter if I'm Catholic or not?  If you have questions about God, questions about what to believe, etc., come to this small group discussion and see if you can get some answers!  Who: Anyone currently in grades 9-12; no CCD registration necessary.  What: Together we'll read and discuss Amy Welborn's book "Prove it!  God".  When: On Sundays, from 5:00-6:00pm - pizza will be served.  May 3, 10, 17, 31, June 7, 14.  Where: At Sacred Heart, Parish Center lower hall.  Cost: A small fee will be collected to defray the cost of the book and pizza.  E-mail Anne Doyle at amcdoyle(8) to sign up. 

Space is limited to a maximum of 8 youth. 
Sign up quickly!

First Communion Dates for 2009

Saturday, May 9th
11:00am – Sacred Heart Church
Mr. Levangie’s Class
Sunday, May 10th
10:00am – Sacred Heart Church
Mrs. Bruno’s Class
Sunday, May 17th
9:00am – St. Brigid Church
Mrs. Russo, Mrs. Lynch
Mrs. Hughes and Mrs. Wardwell’s Classes
Sunday, May 17th
11:00 – St. Brigid Church
Mrs. Sarian and Mrs. Porter’s Classes.