In today’s gospel (Luke 14:25-33) Jesus tells his audience that it will be most difficult to be his disciple.  I suppose it has always been thus, perhaps, more so today.  Pastors who were ordained in the 50’s and 60’s could say, “I was not ordained for this church.”  In this there is a hint of regret that he has not received the needed training for being a pastor in the 21^st century.  Fewer of his co-workers are priests but skilled lay men and women. These people also might know that something new is needed in our Church. There remains a strong conviction, however, that the Holy Spirit is leading us toward new horizons.

The recently published 2003 National Study of Parish Reorganization by the Conference for Pastoral Planning and Council Development reveals that, between 1995 and 2000, nearly 100 dioceses in the U.S. were involved with some form of reorganization.  Many of those parishes have already moved on to focus on “reorientation” of the parish.  In his pastoral letter As I Have Done for You: A Pastoral Letter on Ministry, Cardinal Roger Mahoney of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles wrote:

“Given these circumstances (low attendance at Mass, movement of peoples, small seating capacities of churches, declining number of priests) there is a clear recognition that mere adjustment and small shifts in practice will not suffice.  What is called for is a major reorientation in our thinking about ministry as well as in our ministerial practice.  This necessitates four things.

First, it must be recognized that lay ministry rooted in the priesthood of the baptized is not a stopgap measure.  Second, there is a pressing need for greater collaboration and inclusivity in ministry in the Church of the new millennium.  Third, there is a need for a clear understanding of the nature of lay ecclesial ministry on the part of the baptized and those who have received the sacrament of Holy Orders.  Finally, there is a need for a common foundational theology as the basis for the formation of seminarians, deacons, religious and lay persons for ministry, as well as for the development of more collaborative skills on the part of the ordained, so that one and all can exercise their ministry in a collaborative fashion.”

Yes, “a major reorientation in our thinking about ministry as well as our ministerial practice” is demanded of today’s disciples.  We can look upon this as a cross we must bear or an opportunity for each of us to grow in discipleship.  What is clear to me is that it is a most exciting time to be involved in the Church.

Offertory for August 28^th & 29^th          $3399.50

Envelope Offerings         $3019.50

Loose Cash                       $  380.00

St. John/St. Hugh                                   $67.00

This week we ask you to pray for those who are ill, including, Brianna Cimino, Rosemary Harvey, Regina Jones, Andrea Hynes, Joyce Amos, 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, 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, John McCarthy, Don Sabatand, Laura Mac Aulay, Mary Hosford, Dorothy Barton and Gerry Dingavin. 

9:00 – Saturday, Sept. 11^th                         James Rynn

Food Pantry

Next weekend, September 11^th & 12^th we will have our monthly food pantry collection.  This month the food collected will be donated to St. John/St. Hugh food pantry.

Matignon High School

Matignon High School is sponsoring bingo every Wednesday night in their air-conditioned school cafeteria.  The doors open at 4:30pm and the first game begins at 6:45pm.  For further information, please call the school at 617-876-1212. 

Habitat Home Dedication

Sacred Heart volunteers and supporters of Habitat for Humanity are cordially invited to the dedication of 2 new Habitat homes located at 30 Algonquin St., Dorchester, on Saturday, September 11^th at 2:30pm.  Volunteers from Sacred Heart worked on these homes this past February.  The brief program will include blessing of the homes, presentation of keys, remarks by the new homeowners and a tour of the completed homes.  For more information and transportation assistance, please call Bob Ludwig, 781-861-7231.

Friends of St. Susanna

St. Susanna, 262 Needham St., Dedham, is one of the parishes that is closing this fall.  The parish is having a “Day of Healing on Saturday, September 18^th from 9:30-3:30pm.  Featured speakers are Rev. Stephen Josoma, a native of Boston and a priest for 22 years, and Don Pachuta, MD, a physician in Internal Medicine & Infectious Disease.  For more information, please contact Don Pachuta at 781-433-0037. 

Also on their calendar is an interactive spoof of the HBO hit series, “The Sopranos”.  This is a night of laughter to be held at Moseley’s on the Charles on Sunday, September 12^th at 6:00pm.  Tickets are $40.  For more information, please call Paul Foley at 781-326-5802.

The Little Old Woman

(Some Marian Humor)

Jesus was walking along one day, when he came upon a group of people surrounding a lady of ill repute.  It was obvious that the crowd was preparing to stone her, so Jesus made his now-famous statement, "Let the person who has no sin cast the first stone."  The crowd was shamed and one by one began to turn away. All of a sudden, a little old woman made her way through the crowd.  Finally getting to the front, she tossed a pebble towards the woman.  Jesus looks over and says, "I really hate it when you do that, Mom."

St. Brigid New 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)

Reminder

Please return your Registration and Class Placement Forms to St. Brigid Parish as soon as possible as 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.

More than 100 families have signed up at St. Brigid for Religious Education classes.  They are in need of teachers for all grades, especially the 9^th and 10^th grade.  Please make the transition easier for our young children by volunteering to teach in the Religious Education program.  Contact Linda at 781-862-8724.

Youth Ministry Adult Commission

The Youth Ministry Program is looking to have new members for the YM Adult Commission.  Please check the Youth News column for information on the YM Adult Commission meeting and plan to join them that evening.  We need to have more men on the Commission, so think about this special ministry and come to the meeting!!!

Lord, may your Church become ever more truly what it is called to be, a band of chosen servants united above all else in seeking you with their whole heart,

in serving you and the Gospel with all their energy

and zeal, and in living lives of prayer and

gratitude for all your many gifts and blessings.

YOUTH MINISTRY NEWS

Dates to note:  Next Saturday, September 11, Jessie Manibusan will be in concert at St. Elizabeth of Hungary in Acton from 7:00-9:00 PM.  (Some of you might have heard him when he came before).  See the flyers on the board outside the YM room or check out www.oymboston.org.  If you are interested in attending, call or email Maureen.

As announced for the past few weeks, there will be a welcoming meeting for any teen in 9^th-12^th grade who would like to have a voice in planning for next year’s program.  Meeting will be Sunday, September 12 at St. Brigid from 5-7 PM.

A second meeting will be held on Sunday, September 19 from 5-7 PM at St. Brigid for teens who would like to help plan the Youth Mass and the program to follow. 

You can help make next year a great one for teens in our faith communities.

YM ADULT COMMISSION

There will be a meeting for our current YM adult commission at St. Brigid on Monday, September 27 @ 7:00 PM .  (PLEASE NOTE THE CHANGE OF DATE)

New members are needed to make our Youth Ministry work!  Kate Doherty (YM at St. Brigid) has sent a letter to all parents in both parishes inviting them to come to an information night.

Sacred Heart has had a dedicated (but small) group who made things possible (Youth Mass, bingo, Youth Convention, Road to Resurrection, etc.).  They need help – especially some male members.  No Youth Minister can accomplish these programs without help.  Please consider giving time at some level to support our T.L.C. (Teen Leadership Crew) and those to follow.  It can only prosper with the support of the community!

Coordinator of YM: Maureen McKeown

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

Bulletins	Sacred Heart Parish Bulletin - September 5, 2004	Home