In today’s Gospel (John 6:1-15) Jesus saw the great crowds of people who came out to hear him and, in his compassion, had pity on them.  He wanted to feed them.  The apostles could only find five barley loaves and a couple of dried fish. Jesus gave his Father thanks for what they had and multiplied it to feed the five thousand and had twelve baskets of bread pieces left over.  This is called stewardship. Who is a Christian steward?  One, who receives God’s gifts gratefully, cherishes and tends them in a responsible and accountable manner, shares them in justice and love with others and returns them with increase to the Lord.

We want to establish a Stewardship Commission in the parish. Our mission statement reads: “Stewardship is the giving of time, talent and treasure.  The Stewardship style of parish life is an evangelical and spiritual way of living out the Catholic faith.  It is the recognition that we are co-responsible with the clergy for carrying out the mission of Christ.”

Stewardship is a spiritual response to God’s call to be grateful and generous with the gifts he gives to us.  The parish has been entrusted to us—not to keep—but to care for, to minister from, to strengthen and to preserve for future generations.

Hundreds of parishioners respond as stewards by giving hours of their time on the altar, in the classroom, in the community and beyond parish boundaries.  These disciple-stewards have brought remarkable skills to meet the needs of our two parishes to form the Catholic Community in Lexington.  This Stewardship Commission will be responsible for the parish census and the sorting out of the skills people have offered to the parish.  We will need to enlist new people in the work of the parish by sharing time and talent.

In addition to sharing time and talent, stewardship means sharing income with the church.  The obvious way to contribute financially to the church is through the offertory at weekend Masses.  We make a serious commitment to give generously to make possible God’s ministries.  We are not called to give casually but to consider ones pledge in the context of God’s presence in our lives and in proportion to our annual income.

The Stewardship Commission seeks ways to invite people to think about how much we have been given and how to respond by giving increasingly out of gratitude and generosity.  A church that is serious about the ministry of stewardship must recognize that it is, in fact, the heart of Christ’s ministry and teaching.

Will you consider joining us in this Commission?  Call the parish office, 781-862-0335/4646 or contact us on line at shepherd at lexingtoncatholic dot org.

 

St. Brigid Church
9:00am	Monday July 27th	Bishop Joseph Ruocco
9:00am	Tuesday July 28th	Mildred (Millie) Collentro
9:00am	Wednesday July 29th	Adriana & Edoardo Battente & Family
9:00am	Thursday July 30th	John “Ed”McDonald & Margaret Dillon
9:00am	Friday July 31st	Ida Pizzi
9:00am	Saturday August 1st	Clara Chung
Sacred Heart Church

ALL SCHEDULED MASSES AND FUNERALS DURING THE WEEK WILL BE HELD AT ST. BRIGID CHURCH
WEEKEND MASSES WILL BE HELD AS USUAL.

 

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, Father Thomas Nestor, Jen Bombaca,  Marianne Slack, Catherine Morley, Elaine Murphy, Deacon Bill Wildes, Edward O’Brien, Rozlyn Torci, John Harper, Patsy Heuchling, Bob Finn, William McCarthy, Verner and Marie Dempsey, Pat White, Anita and William Gorham, Mary Whelan, Patricia McLaughlin, Eleanor Mann, Gerald McCue, Kathleen Brown, Theresa A. Myles, Rev. James O’Donohoe, Kevin Johnson, Betty Garrity, Marylou Merry, Josephine Siders, Douglas DiVito, Mary McGuinnes, Jewel Douglass, Marjorie Kearns, Shannon Capriulo, Joan Wall, Olivia Moran, Suzy Keating, Matthew Langone, and Brianna Cimino.  Please also remember in your prayers all of our deceased parishioners, especially David Lamachia, Father of Joan Lamachia and Margaret A. Spaeth, wife of John McCandless.

In Service For Their Country

Lt. John Schiavi, Sgt. Christopher Considine, Timothy Dunbar, Richard Rigley, 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, 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.

Helping Hands

Helping Hands for the month of July is:
Alice Mellican – 781-861-7226.

 

Roxbury Food Pantry at St. Brigid & Sacred Heart

The weekend of August 1st & 2nd is the collection of non-perishable food at both parishes.  Items may be placed in the food bins at St. Brigid and at Sacred Heart at the altar or at the entrances to the church.  Cash, supermarket gift cards, and checks made payable to St. Katharine Drexel are also accepted and may be placed in an envelope and put into the offertory basket or dropped off at the Parish office.  Please remember that during these economic times there is a great demand put upon food pantries and your contributions are needed more than ever. We want to thank you for your past generosity and support.

 

Parish Trip

We are going to Oberammergau in 2010 to see the PASSION PLAY!

It is a 12-day trip, flying out of Logan Airport to Bavaria, Germany.  We will leave on July 14, 2010, arriving in Bavaria Germany where our tour will begin.  On Friday, July 16th we will witness a performance of the Passion Play.  The original performance dates back to 1634. During the Thirty Year War, the village of Oberammergau was spared the Black Plague and for this reason, the villagers vowed that every ten years they would give a play to honor the life of Christ.  The performers are native Oberammergauers, who begin a year in advance to grow their beards and hair for this performance.  We will experience the wonder of 16 cascading lakes at Croatia’s Plitvice Lakes National Park.  Walk in the footsteps of Marco Polo as we explore the medieval city of Korcula.  Discover the magnificence of the ancient Roman Palace of Diocletian.  Follow the path up Apparition Hill in Medjugorje where the six young visionaries first encountered the Virgin Mary in 1981.  On this trip we will visit 4 of the area’s most beautiful countries: Germany, Croatia, Slovenia and Bosnia-Herzegovina.  Sign up for the trip before September 1, 2009 and receive a $200 Seat Reduction.  We have a limited number of seats available for the trip, so sign up as soon as possible.

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 meeting is August 5th. 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)

2009 Catholic Appeal

Responding to God's Grace, Renewing Our Church

Thank you to all supporters of the 2009 Catholic Appeal.  St. Brigid Parish has raised $100,286 from 224 households, reaching 77.4% of the parish goal of $129,500.  Sacred Heart Parish has raised $23,986 from 85 households, reaching 52.7% of the parish goal of $45,500.  If you have not yet pledged, please consider a gift today and help us meet our goal.  Remember, our parishes will receive 25 percent of all funds we raise above our goal.  Last year St. Brigid Parish received 25% back because they reached their goal.  Please remember to make your pledge now even if you plan on fulfilling that pledge towards the end of the year.  You can pick up information packets with pledge forms in the back of the Church to be mailed in, or for more information please call 617-779-3700 or visit www.BostonCatholicAppeal.com.  Every gift matters.  Thank you!

Life Snipits

God’s purpose is greater than your problems.

Stay Cool With the Lord

Spend some cool time with the Lord every Friday during the Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament from 12:00 – 2:45pm in air-conditioned St. Brigid Church.

Faith & Environment

 

The Liturgy

The liturgy is the summit toward which the activity of the Church is directed; at the same time it is the fount from which all the Church’s power flows…. The liturgy in its turn moves the faithful, filled with “the paschal sacraments,” to be “one in holiness”; it prays that “they may hold fast in their lives to what they have grasped by the faith”; the renewal in the Eucharist of the covenant between the Lord and his people draws the faithful into the compelling love of Christ and sets them on fire. From the liturgy, therefore, particularly the Eucharist, grace is poured forth upon us as from a fountain; the liturgy is the source for achieving in the most effective way possible human sanctification and God’s glorification, the end to which all the Church’s other activities are directed.

Sunday, July 26, 2009

2:00 – Wedding Christine Lahiff & Daniel Flanagan

Monday, July 27, 2009

Lahey Duty – Father Colletti

Feast day of Sts. Natlie & Aurelius who were husband and wife martyred for there faith.

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Feast day of Innocent I born at Albano, Italy.  He became Pope, succeeding Pope St. Anastasius I, on December 22, 401.  Died in Rome on March 12th.

Wednesday, July 29, 2009
 
Feast day of Martha, the patron saint of cooks.  John’s gospel tells us of the special relationship Jesus had with Martha, her sister, and her brother. 

Thursday, July 30, 2009

Feast day of St. Peter Chrysologus, Bishop and Doctor of the Church, born at Imola, Italy in 406.  He died at Imola, Italy in 450.

Friday, August 1, 2009

Feast of St. Alphonsus Marie Liguor, was a Bishop and Doctor of the church, and the founder of the Redemptorist Congregation.  Hew was bory September 27, 1696 inMarianella, Italy.  He died August 1, 1787 at Nocera di Pagani, Italy.

Saturday, August 2, 2009

3:00 – Danielle Polito & David Gomes Wedding

Congratulations to our new couples!

Is the Wedding Always A Mass?

The church’s Rite of Marriage, published in 1969 as part of the liturgical reforms following the Second Vatican Council (1962–1965), actually provides three forms for a Catholic wedding liturgy. “The Rite for Celebrating Marriage During Mass” is normally used when two Catholics marry. “The Rite for Celebrating Marriage Outside Mass” is used when a Catholic marries a baptized person from another Christian church.  “The Rite for Celebrating Marriage Between a Catholic and an Un-baptized Person” is used when a Catholic marries someone who is not a baptized Christian, including a catechumen.

In the first form, the wedding (the rite of marriage) is celebrated within Mass—between the liturgy of the word and the liturgy of the Eucharist.  In the second and third forms, the marriage rite is celebrated after the liturgy of the word, which ends with a concluding rite instead of being followed with the liturgy of the Eucharist.  Each of these forms is equally valid and holy.

A wedding is a holy celebration.  Whenever a Catholic marries a baptized person, whether that person is Catholic or from another Christian church, the marriage is considered a sacrament.  (When a Catholic marries someone who is not baptized, the marriage is recognized and blessed by the church, but it is not by definition a sacrament because sacramental marriage involves a covenant between two baptized people.) The different forms of celebration are an attempt to respect the consciences of all involved and to enable a celebration in which all can participate.

Why might it be a good idea to celebrate one of the two forms of the wedding liturgy that do not include Mass?  Even if only one partner is Catholic, shouldn’t she or he “receive communion” on the wedding day?  It would, of course, be good for the couple to be able to share in the Eucharist  after exchanging their vows.  But if both bride and groom cannot (and this also may mean that many friends and family members of either bride or groom cannot), it is often better not to celebrate the Eucharist.  The Eucharist is our ultimate sacrament of unity—of communion.  To celebrate the Eucharist in a situation where a large number of those present cannot share in it, especially where the bride or the groom is noticeably unable to share in it, runs the risk of turning this very sacrament of communion into a sign of something that divides instead of unites us. This is why the church gives us three forms with which to celebrate marriage.

St. Brigid
Offertory for July 18th & 19th	$    7,405.00
Envelope Offerings	$    6,352.00
Loose Cash	$    1,053.00

Out of the 548 envelopes we sent to St. Brigid parishioners, 225 have used their envelopes.

Sacred Heart
Offertory for 18th & 19th	$  4,388.00
Envelope Offerings	$  3,910.00
Loose Cash	$     478.00
St. Katharine Drexel	$     175.00

Of the 265 envelopes we sent to Sacred Heart parishioners, 98 parishioners have used their envelopes this week.

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

—Fr. Colletti

Holy Humor

Fred Oyster and Sam Clam

Fred Oyster and Sam Clam were the best of friends, right up until the day they died. Afterward, Fred went to heaven, but his unfortunate pal Sam went straight to the other place.
And although Fred so enjoyed heaven, he missed his old friend badly. So he begged Gabriel to let him visit Sam, if only for a single day.
"Well, okay," said Gabriel, "But on one condition. You must not leave your wings or your harp down there, and you must not stay overnight." Fred readily agreed.
Upon his arrival into "the other place," Fred began to search for his friend Sam. As it turned out, Sam had done pretty well for himself; he had opened his own disco joint. Fred found him inside and had a great time. They visited and laughed and enjoyed one another's company, until finally Fred looked at his watch.
"Whoops," said Fred, "It's nearly evening. I've got to go. Great to see you, Sam." With that he grabbed his wings and ran for the door.
When he arrived at the pearly gate to Heaven, Gabriel met him. "Where's your harp, Fred?" he asked.
Slapping his forehead, Fred said, "Oh, no! I left my harp in Sam Clam's Disco!"

Sacred Heart Refurbishment Update

The project is approximately half complete, the painting of the Nave is substantially complete, and the new carpet and chair upholstering are scheduled for installation at the end of August.  The sub-flooring adjacent to the altar is complete and the installation of the new oak flooring is set to begin.  The rough preparatory work is just about done and now the finish stage of the project can begin.  Completion is scheduled for Labor Day.

God Bless All!

At each flash of lightening, the child would stop and look up, and smile

More lightening followed quickly and with each, the little girl would look at the streak of light and smile.

When the mother drew up beside the child, she lowered the window and called, “What are you doing?”

The child answered, “I am trying to look pretty because God keeps taking my picture.”

May God bless you today and everyday as you face the storms that come your way!

Financial Planning

Q: Who was the wisest financial investor in the Bible?
A: Noah, who floated his stock while everyone else liquidated their assets.

Sacrament of reconciliation

 

Looking Up!

The repair and refurbishment of St. Brigid’s steeple will be completed this week!  Next on the list of improvement projects: repairs to the church and parish center roofs and new carpet in the church.

What is Theology On Tap?

Theology on Tap is an official program of the Archdiocese of Boston. Theology on Tap is about hearing a speaker discuss an interesting topic over drinks and food with other young adults at a good bar/restaurant. It is a time of hanging out, having fun, and learning more about the Faith. You can be sure that Theology on Tap will be a great time every time! It is going to be a great time, we hope you can come!

• Thursday Night as Usual – 7:00 meet at St. Brigid Library
• Every 3rd Thursday we have Theology on Tap at Bickford’s Bar and Grill, Woburn.
• BBQ: We will be having a BBQ on August 8th 2009, there will be food, drinks, and more. It will be a fun time.

There are some things we do that cost money, however all are invited and we do not want money to be an issue for anyone, especially with the economy being the way it is. There are special funds so if for whatever reason money is an issue for you let us know and we can privately take care of it. Just email Billy at colecrops(4) or another executive board member.

REGISTRATIONS FOR RELIGIOUS EDUCATION AND CONFIRMATION CLASSES ARE IN THE MAIL.  PLEASE COMPLETE AND RETURN THE FORMS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

Environment For Kids: Care For The Creatures

Just as St. Francis welcomed and loved all creatures, you can invite animals into your yard.  If you have a water source nearby, create a toad house in your garden.  You can do this by turning a clay pot on its side and burying it halfway in the ground.  Or combat all those pesky mosquitoes by building a bat house and hanging it on a tree.  Did you know that one bat can eat 200 mosquito eggs in one night?

And don’t forget the birds.  Equip your yard with plenty of bird feeders and water for them to drink.  If you don’t have a bird feeder, you can make one with an empty plastic bottle, such as a soda bottle.  Drill holes through the bottle and put wood dowels into the holes so the birds have something to stand on.  Then drill holes above each perch for the seed to escape.  Fill the bottle with birdseed and hang the feeder with wire wrapped around the top of the bottle.

NSTar Work

NSTAR has finished all of its work in both parishes installing all of the new energy efficient light bulbs and light fixtures!

Looking for Summer Reading?

Join parishioners from Sacred Heart and St. Brigid as they read My Life with the Saints by James Martin, SJ.

Our women’s book club officially begins on Thursday, September 17^th, but the group invites you to savor their first selection as the less-chaotic days of summer unfold. 

Here’s the scoop on the book: 

James Martin has led an entirely modern life: from a lukewarm Catholic childhood, to an education at the Wharton School of Business, to the executive fast track at General Electric, to ministry as a Jesuit priest, to a busy media career in Manhattan.  But every step of the way, he has been accompanied by some surprising friends—the saints of the Catholic Church.  Martin's best-selling memoir encompasses saints throughout Christian history—from St. Peter to Dorothy Day, St. Francis of Assisi to Mother Teresa—and chronicles the author's lifelong relationship with them.  His witty, vibrant, and stirring stories enable readers to discover how the saints guide us throughout our earthly journeys and how they help each of us find holiness in our own lives.  Our insiders tell us the book has short chapters, and is easy pick up for a short time.  My Life with the Saints is readily available at your favorite book vendor…for more information about the fledgling book club, contact Maria Griffin at avempg(4)  or Beverly Good at Beverly.Good (1); 781-863-0319, ext. 20.