Sin entered into the world through the sin of Adam and Eve.  It was the sin of disobedience.  Then the Book of Genesis tells us that sin multiplied to such an extent that God had regretted he even made humans and threatened to destroy them all as some kind of experiment that had gone bad.  He found a righteous family and Noah was saved from the destruction caused by the flood.  That did not stop sin from gaining a foothold once again.  The Judges and the Prophets railed against the sin of the nation and its peoples.

Father James Smith had written: “It is important to note that the evil of sin was not breaking a law but being unfaithful to God.  More specifically, sin was infidelity to God’s love.  People avoided sin not to be happy or human but to be godly.  They rejected sin not to avoid punishment but to enjoy God’s favor.  They kept the law not to be legal but to be loyal.  Sin was not the point.  The point was that God loved them personally, and sin was spurning that gracious gift.  Sin had no value in itself; it was just a lack of love.

God’s own revelation of how God sees sin is that it is a personal rejection of his personal love.  Every other aspect of sin is secondary.  Most Christians seem more concerned with not offending God than with loving God.  They feel safer in obeying than loving God.  We do not feel God’s love because we have never been loved that way before.  And we can’t quite believe it.

We have to believe it; we have to feel God’s love.  Or we remain fearful servants instead of faithful friends, slaves instead of lovers.”

Jesus teaches his disciples how to pray.  In that prayer I am asking for forgiveness of sin and a request to always bring me back to my heavenly Father’s love.  In the letter to the Colossians (2:12-14) Paul uses the Greek word exaleiphein or ‘canceled’.  Exaleiphein refers to the process whereby writers in the ancient world reused papyrus or parchment.  Since their ink was non-acidic, it did not eat into the papyrus and therefore could be canceled or wiped out or exaleiphein.  So also have our sins been wiped out; because of God’s mercy, the record of our sins is so completely canceled that it is as if it had never been. How marvelous is the love of God for each of us—constant, personal, forgiving, ready to hand.

9:00–Wednesday, July 28^th-Memorial Fund Members

Meetings With St. Brigid’s Parish

If you have questions or comments during this transition period you may contact any of the Transition Team members.  In addition to the Sacred Heart Staff, the Team includes: Paul Laffey and Kerry Cronin, Robert McNamara, Peter Middleton, Lia McCarthy, John Garrity, Mary Lynn Hedley, Bernard Lannquist and Mary McIver.

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, 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, Rita Mahan, Connie Perrotta, Jackie Sullivan, Jean Babbin, Gerard Sarno, Dorothy Grant, Gretin Cervantes, Marisol O’Brien, Matthew Gablor, Paul Pantano, Fran Ressetar, Cecelia Hines, Renee Chapman, Peter Bellini, Christine Gainer, Chris Ann Colletti, Jeff Kalil, Helen McLaughlin, Paul Doherty, Jorge Loayza, Joseph Brault, Lauren Forgette, Chuck Kiernan, Bill Attaya, Margaret Coughlin, Lea Vetter, Gerry Abegg, John McCarthy, Don Sabatand, and Pauline Briggs.  

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer

A musical adaptation of Mark Twain’s classic novel with come to glorious life with the actors of Arlington Children’s Theater.  Performances July 30^th to August 7^th, evenings, afternoons and two mornings, at the Regent Theater in Arlington.  This is appropriate for kids age 4 and up.  Tickets are $8, $6 for groups of 20+.  For information call 781-860-0742.

St. John’s and North Cambridge Catholic High School Alumni

We are looking for lost alumni of St. John’s and North Cambridge Catholic High Schools.  Please contact the school at 617-876-3939 or e-mail alumni@northcambridgecatholic.org.  We hope to hear from you.

Winchester Voice of the Faithful

The Winchester Voice of the Faithful will welcome Dick Ryan, Contributor to Newsday and the National Catholic Reporter and Author of “Holy Human: Stories of Extraordinary Catholics” on Monday, July 19^th at 7:30 at St. Eulalia’s Church. 

On Monday July 26^th at 7:30 they will present Jetta Bernier a recognized child advocate and child abuse prevention expert.  Ms. Bernier is Executive Director of the Massachusetts Citizens for Children.

Attention Sports Fans:

Red Sox vs Devil Rays Tickets

The Academy of Notre Dame, Tyngsboro is celebrating

150 years.  Join the NDA families and alumnae at the Boston Red Sox vs. Tampa Bay Devil Rays game at Fenway Park in Boston on Monday, August 9^th!  Tickets are still available.  Tickets are $65pp and includes bus transportation.  Seats are in section 92 (right field box seats).  The bus will depart NDA at 5:00pm for the 7:00pm game.  For more information call Eileen at 978-251-2868.

The Preachers Wife

Gladys was the preacher’s wife and accompanied her husband each Sunday to church.  One Sunday when the sermon seemed to go on forever, many in the congregation fell asleep.  After the service, to be sociable, she walked up to a sleepy-looking gentleman.  In an attempt to revive him from his stupor, she extended her hand in greeting, and said, “Hello, I’m Gladys Dunn.”  To which he replied, “You’re not the only one!”

Registration letters and Class Placement Forms were mailed to Religious Education Families from St. Brigid and Sacred Heart on June 14^th.  Enrollment is on a first-come first serve basis - the earlier you register, the more likely you are to receive your first preference.  If you have a child entering First Grade or you are new to the Religious Education Program please call Linda at 781-862-8724

Schedule of Classes

Grades 1-6:

Sunday 8:50-9:50AM

Tuesday 3:45-4:45PM

Tuesday 5:15-6:15PM

Wednesday 3:45-4:45PM

Grades 7 –8

Wednesday 5:30-6:30PM

Grade 9: Sunday 7:00-8:30PM (twice a month)

Grade 10: Monday 7:00-8:30PM (twice a month

Please Note

ALL volunteers must participate in the Virtus Program, “Protecting God’s Children,” and sign a CORI form.

Religious Education Position At St. Brigid’s Parish

Because of the increased number of children coming to Religious Education Classes and the addition of Sunday Classes we will need a Secretary to assist at those programs for about 10 hours a week(5 hours on Sunday and 5 hours during the week). This will be a paid position. Those interested should call the Parish Office at 781-862-0335.

Coordinator of YM: Maureen McKeown

781-861-8385 X21 - email nychick1@comcast.net

HARBOR CRUISE (Senior High):  Forms are available for the Senior High Harbor cruise on MONDAY, AUGUST 2.  Details are on the flyers in the parish center or you can print one out on line: oymboston.org.  Deadline is Tuesday, July 27.

Our teens are truly an example for all of us during this difficult time.  They are enthusiastic and positive about what gifts they can bring to the table and the new opportunities for leadership that await them.

Catholic Leadership Institute Moving Beyond (C.L.I.M.B.) Update:  Two of our teens (Sarah Andryauskas and Michael Leelman) spent a week at Merrimack College renewing friendships, building on the skills they developed at C.L.I. and took advantage of the opportunity for spiritual growth.

Three of our teens (Lia McCarthy, Kurt Kugel and Emilie Coakley) attended Catholic Leadership Institute (C.L.I.) at Merrimack. 

In addition, we have 3 young people (Stephen Keefe, Alex Laffey and Tori Cimino) who will participate on GOSPEL ROAD in a week-long program of service to others.

All of these teens are to be applauded for their willingness to sacrifice a week of summer vacation so they can continue to live the Gospel message.

Bulletins	Sacred Heart Parish Bulletin - July 25, 2004	Home