On September 14, 335, the veneration of the Holy Cross is linked with the solemnities of the dedication of the basilica of the Resurrection, erected over the tomb of Christ in Jerusalem.  This feast is also placed within a biblical context that emphasizes its importance.  “The tenth of this seventh month is the Day of Atonement, says the Lord” (Leviticus 23:27), Yom Kippur.  “The fifteenth day of this seventh month is the Lord’s feast of Booths, which shall continue for seven days” (Leviticus 23:34).

Christ offered his sacrifice on the cross for the expiation of the sins of the multitude.  For Christians, the cross is the sign of the hope of the kingdom that the Jewish people celebrated at the feast of Booths.  Once an object of scorn, the cross has become our “glory”.  If the tree planted in the garden of Paradise produced the fruit of death for Adam, the tree of the cross has borne for us the fruit of life; “life has been restored” (Preface of the Mass).

In 1 Corinthians, Paul writes: “The message of the cross is complete absurdity to those who are headed for ruin, but to us who are experiencing salvation it is the power of God.”

The crucifix is a powerful symbol that leaves us wondering, how is it possible that we are capable of killing our God?  When we look beyond the cross as an instrument of death and see it as the instrument of our salvation, we find anew the message of God’s love for us expressed in today’s Gospel.  “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him” (John 3:13-17). Jesus told Nicodemus not only how he would die but also told him why. It was for love! The cross is the sign by which we are saved.  How much does God love us?  Look upon the cross.

A few weeks ago I suggested we might have a plaque on every parishioner’s door—“As for me and my household we will follow the Lord.”  Today I might suggest a small cross on every door or at least one on a wall in our home.  This would cause us to remember that we are covenanted to the Lord in the blood of Christ.  We share the same life.

Homebound Ministry

Have you ever considered visiting a sick or homebound friend, neighbor or parishioner, maybe some one in a nursing home?  Come and explore the possibilities of this rewarding ministry.  A six week workshop Pastoral Care to the Sick and Homebound will be offered at St. Luke’s in Belmont from 7:00 to 9:30 pm beginning September 30^th. For information, please call the Office of Health Care Ministry a 617-789-2457 or the parish office at 781-862-4646. The parish will assume the cost of this course and receive a discount if there are 5 or more parishioners willing to attend.

Blankets For Pine Ridge. 

Pine Ridge Reservation, the home of 18,000 Lakota Sioux, is one of the poorest areas of the U.S.  Fierce winters leave many cold when their propane runs out.  Each year we collect blankets for the people of Pine Ridge.  Please bring NEW blankets (preferably washable) to the parish center.  We will send them to the reservation after Columbus Day Weekend (considered by many native people to be a time of mourning).  On October 5, Bob and Fran Ludwig will share their recent experiences on Pine Ridge after the 9 o'clock Mass.  For more information, call 781-861-7231.

This week we ask you to pray for those who are ill, including, Brianna Cimino, Rosemary Harvey, Regina Jones, Andrea Hynes, Joyce Amos, James Reilly, Regina Wingard, Elaine Ring, Erin McMehon, Maria Aguis, George Beck, Dr. Kenneth Spengler, Josephine Murphy, Peter Bugda, Norma Berstein, Camille Michals, Rob Morway, Patricia Hassett, Paul McCann, William Francis, Lillian Davenport, James Fontaini, Henri Fradette, William Blair, Agatha Pals, Richard Gaudet, Kath Rodriegas, Estelle Szalajeski, Nancy Driscoll, Dante DiManna, Margie Levine, Ruth Pike, Doug Phillips, Ralph Tatro, Andrew Day,  Peggy Sue Grow, Mary Serpa, Deborah Miller, Dorothy Lee, William MacKinnon, Mary Jefferson, Elizabeth Conte, Dave Rissmiller, Violet Caldaroni, Ruth McAleer, John McAleer, Frank Cote, James Bresnahan, Ann Mulray, Bea Lingane, Rita Mahan, Paul Bentley, Connie Perrotta, Gerard Sarno, Dorothy Grant, Marisol O’Brien, Matthew Gablor, Ted Baird, Paul Pantano, Peter Bellini, and Don Sabat. 

Many in our parish family have experienced deaths in the past couple of weeks:  Todd Heuchling, nephew of Ted and Patsy Heuchling, Frank Rao, son of Rosemary Rao and Carol Sheehan, sister of Ruth Pratt.  Please remember them and their families in your prayers.

Tai Chi

Tai Chi classes will be offered for 10 weeks beginning September 18^th at 11:00am in the Parish Center.

Tai Chi is a gentle practice recommended to people of all ages, especially to seniors as it uses every muscle and joint at low intensity.  It promotes balance, circulation and coordination.  According to a Tufts study, the practice increases bone density and bone mass so osteoporosis and fractures are less likely to occur.  The ten-week course is $95.  There is a senior discount of $85.  To reserve a place, early registration is suggested.  Please make the check payable to Sacred Heart Parish and send to Sacred Heart Parish, 21 Follen Road, Lexington, MA 02421.

Beginners are welcome September 18^th & September 25^th after which the class will be closed.  Former students are welcome anytime.  For more information please call Trudy at 617-484-6833.

Gene Beauchemin has replaced all of the locks on the boxes for St. Vincent de Paul.  Thank you to those that have been contributing to this very special charity.  As stated in a previous bulletin, the St. Vincent de Paul society helps those in need.  Won’t you also help?

Offertory for September 6^th & 7^th                 $6,490.00

Envelope Offerings       $5,910.00

Loose Cash                          $386.00

St. John/St. Hugh               $580.00

Many thanks to all who use the parish envelopes each week.  You are the mainstay of our parish support.  This week we received 104 envelopes from the 647 families that are sent envelopes each month.

9:00 – Monday, Sept. 15^th                 John & Bridget Cotter

9:00 – Wednesday, Sept. 17^th                        Irene Shannon

9:00 – Friday, Sept. 19^th                               Frank Beatrice

Virtus Program: “Protecting God’s Children”

All who work or are ministers in any capacity in a parish are REQUIRED to attend one of the programs regarding “Protecting God’s Children”.  Upcoming dates for this training are as follows:

SACRED HEART PARISH

TODAY, SUNDAY from 1:30 to 4:30pm

October 19^th --From 1:30 – 4:30pm

St. Brigid Parish

October 9^th from 9:00am to 12:30pm

St. Eulalia Parish, Winchester

Monday, September 22^nd from 7-9:00pm

ST. JULIA PARISH, WESTON

Sunday, September 28^th from 6:00-9:30pm

OUR LADY OF FATIMA PARISH, SUDBURY

Wednesday, September 24^th from 7:00-10:00pm

Please Mark Your Calendars

We have had the “wind-up”

Get ready for the “pitch”.

Our parish welcomes John Bettinelli from the OYM to spark our parish life!  Please join us on Sunday, October 5^th following the 5:00 Youth Mass.  We need everyone, Mothers, Fathers, Aunts, Uncles and Grandparents, and especially our youth.  We all have a mission to keep our youth involved in our church.  There is always a need for YOU…PLEASE GET INVOLVED!  Only through involvement can we, as a church, continue to grow. 

An Invitation . . .We need about 11 more teachers this Fall:  Grades 4K, 5, 6, 7, and 9 on Sunday, and Grades 1, 4, 5, 7, and 8 on Tuesday.  (In some cases there is one teacher who would like to team with another).  As you know, the strength of our Religious Education program is the quality of our teachers who share their faith with our young people.  Please consider this special ministry, either by yourself or with a teammate.  We will provide resources, training, and lots of support.  The most important qualities are a love of young people and a desire to help them grow in their relationship with God and understanding of their faith.  Call Sr. Mary Lyman (781-861-8385, ext. 19) if you are interested or if you have someone to suggest.

. . . and a Reminder!   Classes are filling fast!  If you haven’t registered yet (and many haven’t!) you will need to hurry!  Forms were mailed out last June; if you have misplaced yours, please come in for a replacement.  New families should contact Sr. Mary Lyman for forms and a get-acquainted visit.  Classes will begin on Sunday, Sept. 28 and Tuesday, Sept. 30. 

Letters Confirming Registration will be sent out right after Labor Day.  If you don’t get one, we haven’t received your registration.  Come in ASAP and take care of it!

. . . and an Opportunity to Help!  On Sunday, September 14, we will have our annual “Clean-a-Thon” after the 9:00 Mass to get our classrooms ready for the year.  We will need help washing tables and chairs, putting up bulletin boards, sharpening pencils, sorting out markers and crayons, distributing supplies, etc.  Parents, grandparents and teens and children are all welcome—there are jobs for all.  We will supply coffee, juice, donuts, and cleaning supplies.  All help warmly WELCOME!

Bulletins	Sacred Heart Parish Bulletin - Sep 14, 2003	Home