Pentecost Sunday

On Tuesday morning the people who came to the 9:00 Mass met in the parish hall for coffee and cake. We were waiting for the Fed Ex delivery of a letter from Archbishop Sean. When it came at 9:45 I opened it and read aloud the first paragraph:

“After careful consideration, and an extensive process and review, I am writing to inform you that I have decided that Sacred Heart Parish must close. In order to serve the needs of the people of the Archdiocese, and after having heard the counsel of laity and priests, it is clear that the mission of the Church in Boston can be best achieved by the reconfiguration of present parochial resources. Having considered the needs of the Catholic population of Lexington, it is my belief that one parish is sufficient to serve the needs of the faithful of Lexington.” (You may see this reading of the letter on our web page—Sacredheartlex.org and click on church closing).

The letter went on but I could not read any more than the first sentence. The people gasped and cried. It was a preview of what would happen when the whole parish heard the news. There was to be unbelief, anger and sadness. All of these emotions are the same kind that comes with a death in the family.

It was like a death in the family. People came to the rectory and the parish center to say how sorry they felt. A large number of people phoned and still others sent email messages of hurt and regret. Some people came to church to pray for ourselves and those other parishioners whose church was to be closed. One little boy of four came to hug me and give me his favorite toy because “I know you must be sad.”

We do have a lot of work to perform in this reconfiguration. It will be a demanding work to register our religious education children at Saint Brigid Parish; to find a place for our brides and grooms to get married; to seek new positions for our staff and to do all the things necessary for closure. Together we will succeed with style and grace, as is our custom.

A Parish Council member from Saint Brigid wrote: “Many of us in both parishes have a long history of extending our commitments beyond our respective parishes, now we have the opportunity to work together to do the same. Sacred Heart may be closing but it needs to be clear to everyone that by that action Saint Brigid’s will be changed dramatically. The new Saint Brigid’s will be distinctly different if we all truly recognize the impact of the Sacred Heart Community.”

On this feast of Pentecost I use Saint Paul’s prayer: “May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity (Romans 15:5).” and: “May the peace of God, which goes beyond all understanding, guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:6-7).”

Offertory for May 22^nd & 23^rd                 $4204.50

Envelope Offerings       $3603.50

Loose Cash                          $  601.00

St. John/St. Hugh                                             $30.00

9:00am – Tuesday, June 1^st                     Mark David Nolan

9:00am – Saturday, June 5^th                             John Dolan

Pilgrimage

There will be a pilgrimage to Cap-De-Le Madeline and Ste. Anne’s Shrine July 19^th – 23^rd.  The cost is $425 per person and this includes bus fare, 4 nights accommodations, 10 meals and a side trip to the Old City of Quebec.  A deposit of $100 by June 12^th and a final payment by July 2^nd is necessary.  For more information, please call Kay at 978-433-3371.  The bus will leave from St. Brigid’s parking lot.

The “Celebrating Our Parish”. festivity is June 12^th & 13^th.following each Mass.  Please plan to join us after Mass in the Parish Center.  To share a meal and friendship!  If you have not done so already, please RSVP to Claire, 781-862-4646

Class of 2004 and Families

A special Graduation Mass, followed by a reception hosted by our teens from T.L.C., is planned for Saturday, June 5^th at 4:00 PM for all our graduates and their families and extended families.  A special invitation has been sent to the graduates.  Please mark your calendar NOW.  We are looking forward to this opportunity to wish you well on your journey next year.

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, 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, Chrysostom Blanchard, Frank Cote, James Bresnahan, Ann Mulray, Rita Mahan, Connie Perrotta,Jackie Sullivan, Jean Babbin, Gerard Sarno, Dorothy Grant, Gretin Cervantes, Marisol O’Brien, Matthew Gablor, Paul Pantano, Fran Ressetar, Lori Robbins, Cecelia Hines, Renee Chapman, Peter Bellini, Christine Gainer, Chris Ann Colletti, Jeff Kalil,  Feener, Helen McLaughlin, Paul Doherty, Jorge Loayza, Joseph Brault, Lauren Forgette, Jim Galehouse, Bill Attaya, , Lea Vetter, John McCarthy, Don Sabatand, and Pauline Briggs.

Project Rachel

A Post-Abortion Healing Retreat for women will be held the weekend of June 4-6, 2004 by the Project Rachel ministry of the Archdiocese of Boston.  Previous participants have found the retreat a life-changing experience of forgiveness, healing and reconciliation.  For more information, call Project Rachel at 617-783-8300.. All calls are confidential.

Winchester VOTF

The Winchester Voice of the Faithful will present a Coffeehouse to benefit abuse survivors on June 4^th at 7:30 in Manion Hall.  The members of St. Eulalia’s Choir, local musicians, and raffle items (including Red Sox/Yankee tickets!) will be featured.  Tickets are $8 in advance, or suggested donation at the door.  For tickets please contact Marge at 781-648-4646.

Pentecost as fitting conclusion to the fifty-day celebration of Easter:  Throughout this festive time we have reflected on the extraordinary gift that God has given us: eternal life through the life, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus.  Like an advertisement on TV that is too good to be true: “Wait!  There’s more!”

The gospel from John’s account of Jesus’ Last Supper Discourse highlights the gifts already given and those yet to come.  Jesus urges the disciples to pray for “another Advocate to be with you always” (14:16).  This means that God has already sent one Advocate—Jesus (1 John 2:1).  Like a true advocate (this term refers to a legal defender) who helps, defends, and pleads a cause, Jesus has interceded for his disciples.  Reading this solemnity’s gospel from an Easter perspective, we know that this first Advocate held nothing back, not even his life.  But now that he has ascended, God will send yet another Advocate and this time the Advocate will remain forever.  “The Father who sent me” (14:24) will also “send the [Holy Spirit] in my name” (14:26.

Jesus assures his disciples that, far from leaving them, the Father and he will come to loving disciples and make their dwelling with them John began the gospel with this assertion: “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us” (1:14).  Though the time of that historical dwelling among us has come to an end, in a more wondrous way Jesus and the Father—through the gift of the Spirit—will dwell with disciples “always.”

The spirit is a truly lavish gift.  Already John has told us that the Spirit will be our Advocate; the Spirit will also bring the presence of the Father and the Son to abide with disciples always.  The spirit does more.  In the absence of the great Teacher/Rabbi (a frequent title for Jesus in John’s gospel), the Spirit will continue to teach disciples by reminding them of the words and teachings of Jesus.  The Spirit continues the presence and the work of Jesus.

Coordinator of YM: Maureen McKeown

781-861-8385 X21 - email: nychick1@att.net

GOSPEL ROAD:  Week of August 9 – 13. The date has been established for this great event.  It is a week of team building and service at several sites.  Evenings have time for processing the experience, a spiritual component and lots of fun and games. The cost is $165 and any teen in the 8^th grade or older is eligible.  Great news – Fr. Chris O’Connor is one of the leaders – you might remember him from Youth Mass this year.  This will definitely be a sell-out.  Go on the website for the Office of Youth Ministry for more details.  www.OYMBoston.,org   You don’t want to miss this opportunity!  Call with any questions.

12^th ANNUAL HARBOR CRUISE – MIDDLE SCHOOL.  The dates are Monday, June 21 or Monday June 28.  Time:  Leave Lexington @ 6:30, arrive home by 11 PM.  Cost $15 per person (Bus fee will be additional).  Forms available at Parish Center or on line. 

C.L.I.    Letters have been mailed to teens who will be incoming Freshman, Sophomores, Juniors outlining the opportunity to participate in Catholic Leadership Institute at Merrimack College this July.  Several of our teens have participated in this program (as well as the next step:  CLIMB).  Their commitment, enthusiasm and leadership are very evident in the Sacred Heart faith community during this past year.  We need others who will be trained and willing to serve during the years ahead.  This is your parish – if you want an active community for young adults, the ball is in your court.  Date for C.L.I.(at Merrimack College) are July 19-23.  Call Maureen or speak to any member of our T.L.C. for more info.

PLEASE NOTE:  Any adult willing to chaperone Gospel Road or the Middle school Harbor Cruise, please call or e-mail Maureen.  Thank you.

Bulletins	Sacred Heart Parish Bulletin - May 30, 2004	Home