The author of the Letter to the Hebrews (Hebrews 11:1-12) writes: “Faith is the realization of what is hoped for and evidence of things not seen.”  What is so unique about Christianity is not simply being good, just, charitable, moral, loving others, or having a social concern.  A person does not have to be a Christian to do these things.  The answer does not lie in principles or values, but rather in a person—Jesus Christ.  If Jesus Christ is what is unique about Christianity, then the purpose of a Christian community is to live for Christ.

Jesus states in today’s Gospel (Luke 12:32-48) “Where your treasure is, there also will your heart be.”  There is no opposition in the desire for the good of all peoples and Jesus Christ.  There is no opposition between being a Christian and a human being or an American, neither between social concerns and Christianity.  The point is, however, “What will a Christian put his/ her heart into, what will he/ she be dedicated to?”  As Stephen Clark states in his book Building Christian Communities: “If Christianity is to survive and grow in the world, if Christian communities are to be vital and increase, Christians must consider Christ the most important reality in all human life.”

An historian once wrote, “When the members of a religion no longer feel it important for others to believe in that religion, then they no longer feel it is that important enough to justify the special effort to bring it to others.  Soon it will no longer be considered important enough to justify a special effort in the person’s own life.”  If Christ is not unique among men, if he is not “the way, the truth and the life” through whom all must go if they are to come to the Father, Christianity is not that important.

How much importance do you place on forming a community in which life is formed around Christ, in which you will be helped to make Christ the first thing in your life?

Offertory for July 31^st & Aug. 1st      $4097.50

Envelope Offerings         $3645.50

Loose Cash                       $  452.00

St. John/St. Hugh                                            $407.00

9:00 – Tuesday, August 10^th–Vito & Catherine Pierro

9:00 – Wednesday, August 11^th         Catherine Welch

9:00 – Saturday, August 14^th       Carmen Cannistraro

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, 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, Margaret Wright, Renee Chapman, Peter Bellini, Christine Gainer, Chris Ann Colletti, Helen McLaughlin, Paul Doherty, Jorge Loayza, Joseph Brault, Lauren Forgette, Chuck Kiernan, Bill Attaya, Margaret Coughlin, Lea Vetter, John McCarthy, Don Sabatand Dorothy Barton and Gerry Dingavin.  Please also remember in your prayers Pauline Briggs who died this past week.

Transition Team Meetings

Sunday night the Sacred Heart Transition Team will meet to plan an agenda for our meeting next Sunday, August 15^th with the Transition Team from St. Brigid’s.  Please keep both teams in your prayers in the weeks ahead that they will make this a spiritual and welcoming transition for the communities of Sacred Heart and St. Brigid’s. 

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. 

Sunshine Notes

Just to let you know that Cecelia Hines is recovering satisfactorily at the Woburn Nursing Transitional Unit, 18 Francis Street, Woburn, MA.  Margaret Wright is also recovering from a fall in the Spring.  Margaret is at 425 Woburn St., #18, Lexington, MA 02420.  I’m sure both would appreciate a card or two from their friends at Sacred Heart.

Food Pantry

This weekend, August 7^th & 8^th, we will have our monthly food pantry collection.  This month the food collected will be donated to the Lexington Food Pantry.

Assumption of The Blessed Virgin Mary

The feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary is celebrated on Sunday, August 15^th.  Mary, the Mother of Jesus is blessed because her body gave life to the Word Incarnate, Jesus.  Mary had the singular privilege of nourishing with her body the Bread of Life.  Body and soul, she was assumed into heaven to enjoy eternal life with the divine Word, her Son, Jesus.

Like Mary, what has been “spoken to you by the Lord” that you need to believe and live?  In what ways have you been blessed by believing?

To pray only when in peril is to use safety belts only in heavy traffic. ~ Corrie ten Boom

Prayer may not change things for you, but it for sure changes you for things. ~ Samuel Shoemaker

If the only prayer you say in your life is “Thank you,” that would suffice. ~ Meister Eckhart

God answers all our prayers.  Sometimes the answer is yes.  Sometimes the answer is no.  Sometimes the answer is, “You’ve got to be kidding!” ~ Jimmy Carter

Registration letters and Class Placement Forms were mailed to Religious Education Families from St. Brigid’s 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.

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.

THE OYM HARBOR CRUISE  Six of our youths along with two chaperones went on the Harbor Cruise last Monday evening.  An outstanding time was had by all!  It is good to see that our youth participate in “fun times” with the youth from other parishes. 

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 4 young people (Stephen Keefe, Alex Laffey, Kurt Kugel 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 - August 8, 2004	Home