Sacred Heart Parish Bulletin - February 22, 2004

In A. J. Cronin’s book entitled “Keys of the Kingdom,” there is a priest serving in a remote village in China. In one scene, he is leading the villagers to safety when a Chinese army officer blocks their path. The priest steps forward and the officer hits him in the face. He slowly wipes the blood from his mouth then turns the other cheek and is struck again. The priest does not retreat and the officer hits him again and again. Finally the nun and the villagers with him scream out their anguish. Then the long-suffering priest proceeds to beat the living daylights out of the army officer.

Today’s gospel (Luke 6:27-38) calls us to turn the other cheek and to learn to love our enemies. Even as Jesus was dying on the cross, he prayed, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they are doing.” We are presented with a hard question: How are we to understand and live like this?

In the book Zorba the Greek, Zorba offers this advice: One day when I was a child, an old man took me on his knee and placed his hand on my head as though he were giving me a blessing. “Alexis,” he said, “I’m going to tell you a secret. You’re too small to understand now, but you’ll understand when you are bigger. Listen, little one, neither the seven stories of heaven nor the seven stories of earth are enough to contain God, but a person’s heart can contain God. So be very careful, Alexis, and my blessing be with you, never to wound another person’s heart.”

How can we hurt another if God dwells in the other? When will we treat each other as sacred?

Many thanks to all who use the parish envelopes each week. You are the mainstay of our parish support. This week we received 146 envelopes from the 650 families that are sent envelopes each month.

Virtus Program

All who volunteer in the parish are required to attend the Virtus program, “Protecting God’s Children”. We will have another session of this program on Sunday, February 29^th from 1-4:30. If you have not signed up for this program and you volunteer in the parish in any capacity, please call the office to have your name included on the list of those to attend.

The East Lexington Community Association invites you to “Meet Your Town Meeting Members & Other Candidates” Tuesday, February 24^th at 7:30pm. The meeting will be held in the Parish Center please plan to attend the meeting and the reception that follows.

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, Frank Cote, James Bresnahan, Ann Mulray, Bea Lingane, Rita Mahan, Connie Perrotta, Gerard Sarno, Dorothy Grant, Gretin Cervantes, Midge Moran, Marisol O’Brien, Matthew Gablor, Paul Pantano, Fran Ressetar, Lori Robbins, Cecelia Hines, Renee Chapman, Al Busa, Peter Bellini, Christine Gainer, Chris Ann Colletti Feener, Katherine Bingham, Elizabeth Marrisk, Joseph Brault, Lauren Forgette, Don Sabatand, Karen Plasse and Pauline Briggs.

Our Youth Group will be participating in another Sunday Bingo at Youville Place on March 14^th. Once again we ask your help in gathering small gifts for prizes. This is a very enjoyable day for the residents and our teens. One note: we cannot give candles; the residents are not allowed to have them in the rooms.

The parishioners of St. Brigid and Sacred Heart donated over $11,00 in our recent drive to educate the children in Fonde des Blancs. Thanks to your generosity we will be sending $14,000 for the 2004/2005 school year to pay teacher’s salaries and this amount will give them a well-l deserved raise. We pray God will bless your generosity and ask your prayers to settle the unrest in the country and bring peace to its people.

This past Tuesday Father Colletti and Father Curtin, along with a member of each staff and representatives from each Parish Council & Finance Council met regarding the Reconfiguration as directed by the Archdiocese. The goal of the meeting was a healthy discussion of the future of both parishes. The consensus arrived at was that both parishes are viable and should both remain open. We are in the process of making a report to the Archdiocese which is due March 8^th Please pray that the hard decisions that must be made right now be the right ones for the future of our Archdiocese.

Lent begins on, Ash Wednesday, February 25^th. Ashes will be distributed at the 9:00am and 7:30 pm Masses.

The World Day of Prayer will be held on March 5^th at the Community Church of Christ on Massachusetts Avenue, Lexington. Coffee will be served from 9:45 to 10:45. The service will begin at 11:00am and end at 12:00 noon. Refreshments will follow the service

Pauline Briggs, a parishioner, will be homebound for a period of time and would like a visit or a call from her many friends in the parish. You can reach Pauline at 781-863-0624. Please give a call and set a time to visit!

Lenten Brochure

Please be sure to take home the Lenten Brochure in the bulletin this weekend and refer to it throughout the Lenten Season. It will help to find schedules for events that will help us “Renew” our spirit.

St. Brigid’s Spritual Development Committee has arranged for a three-part series entitled “Living the Easter Message”. The series will take place on three Tuesdays, March 2, 9 & 16^th. On March 2^nd “THE EUCHARIST”, the presenter is Rev. James Field. March 9^th “SUFFERING”, the presenter is Eileen Snow and on March 16^th “NEW LIFE” the presenter is Marguerite Heenahan.

The Lord calls us to do God’s Will. Pray that you may know God’s Will in your life, especially if you have the inclination that you are being called to the ordained or consecrated life. If God is calling you, call the Vocation Office, 617-746-5436.

A Lenten Day of Reflection will be held on March 6^th from 9:30 – 7:00pm (including supper) in Marshfield, MA (by the sea). Sponsored by the Grey Nuns. If interested, contact Sr. Gladys Marhefka at 781-862-4700 x35 evenings for directions.

Operation Rice Bowl is a Catholic Relief Service Project and is an opportunity for families to assist the poor in the country and the world. Please consider picking up a rice bowl as you leave the church today. They are to be returned on the last Sunday of Lent.

Coordinator of YM: Maureen McKeown

HOCKEY GAME: Providence-Bruins: Friday, March 5^th at 7:00 PM in Providence. Concert to follow (Christian music by Jill Parr). Tickets are $10 each. Must have permission slip and money in by February 29^th. See Maureen if you are interested.

ANOTHER CHANCE TO PLAY BINGO AT YOUVILLE PLACE!!: If you missed out last time, set aside SUNDAY, MARCH 14 from 1:30 to 3:30 if you would like to participate. (See pictures on board outside YM Office in the Parish Center).

COME AND SEE ROB SURETTE BRING CHRIST TO LIFE: SUNDAY, MARCH 21 @ 7:00 PM @ Regis College. This will be a regular component of the 9/10^th grade program (replacing class for the week). Tickets have been purchased for this group plus 20 Adult (teachers/chaperones). Anyone 7 or older is welcome to attend. To purchase, go on line at www.AmazingHeroArt.com. Bus transportation will be available for all. (Over half the tickets to the performance have been sold). "Flyer and permission slips are available in parish center outside YM Office.”

FRIDAY MORNINGS IN LENT: Beginning on Friday, February 27^th a group of teens and a few adults will be meeting for prayer, reflection and a light breakfast. The time will be 6:30 to 7:15an which will allow time to get to the High School (or other schools) on time. This is a special sacrifice to make during Lent and everyone is welcome to participate. More information regarding location in next week’s bulletin or contact Maureen at the e-mail address or number above.


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