Last Sunday we were taught the importance of being steadfast in prayer (Luke 18:1-8).  Today Luke records the parable Jesus spoke to teach us the right attitude within prayer.  The stark contrast between the Pharisee and the publican at prayer give us true focus.  Our prayer ought to be centered on God and not on self.  If you look up the various pejorative terms with self as a prefix we find: self-absorption, self-appointed, self-centered, self-complacent, self-conceited, self-ordained, self-pitying, self-righteous, self-satisfied, self-seeking, self-sufficiency and self-willed.  Does this not sound like the disease of the modern era?  We have not finished the “Me Generation”!

Jesus wanted just the opposite.  He, certainly, was not self-absorbed.  “I didn’t come from heaven to do what I want!  I came to do what the Father wants me to do.  He sent me, and he wants to make certain that none of the ones he has given me will be lost (John 6:38-39).  He told us we must not be self-centered.  “If you try to save your life, you will lose it.  But if you give it up for me, you will surely find it (Matthew 10:39).

Humbly, in prayer, we acknowledge the truth about ourselves as sinners and the truth about God’s loving mercy.  So much of Luke’s Gospel is a plea for humility and lowliness—to be the ‘anawim,’ the poor in spirit.  In Sirach we read: “God hears the cry of the poor.”  Humility is not refusing a compliment, or being meek before injustice nor having a low opinion concerning ones self-worth.  Humility is the truth about ourselves—wounded, imperfect, yet temples of the Holy Spirit, children of God, disciples of Jesus Christ.  The Pharisee in today’s parable relies on his own virtue and reputation and so his prayer is self-serving.  He makes no contact with God.  The tax collector, on the other hand, does not go into self, which, in his humility, recognizes is needy.  He goes out of himself to God. 

Henri Nouwen, in The Inner Voice of Love: A Journey Through Anguish To Freedom, he reflects: “When these waves, waves of feeling rejected, feeling forgotten, feeling misunderstood sweep you off your feet…Sometimes they consist of anger, resentment, or even the desire for revenge, and sometimes of self-pity and self-rejection.  These waves make you feel like a powerless child abandoned by your parents.  What are you to do? Make the conscious choice to move the attention of your anxious heart away from these waves and direct it to the One who walks on them as says, ‘It’s me.  Don’t be afraid.’  Keep turning your eyes to him and go on trusting that he will bring peace to your heart. Look at him and say, ‘Lord, have mercy.’ Say it over and over again, not anxiously, but with confidence that he is very close to you and will put your soul to rest.”   

Offertory for October 16^th & 17^th $3272.50

Envelope Offerings         $2696.50

Loose Cash                       $ 576.00

St. John/St. Hugh                                   $32.00

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, Andrew Day, Peggy Sue Grow, Mary Serpa, Deborah Miller, Dorothy Lee, William MacKinnon, Mary Jefferson, Elizabeth Conte, Shane McCarthy, Mildred Wood, 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, Mary Dawson, Jorge Loayza, Joseph Brault, Lauren Forgette, Chuck Kiernan, Bill Attaya, Margaret Coughlin, John McCarthy, Don Sabatand, Laura Mac Aulay, Stella Guarino, Bill Graham, Bob Remeika, Mary Hosford, Dorothy Barton and Gerry Dingavin.  Please also pray for Mariano P. Zaffiro who died this past week.

9:00 – Monday, Oct. 25^th                                 Ralph Tatro

9:00 – Tuesday, Oct. 26^th            Memorial Fund Members

9:00 – Wednesday, Oct. 27^th                     Francis J. Braun

9:00 – Friday, October 29^th                    Betty Pendergast

9:00 – Saturday, October 30^th                   Joan Walsh

Mission Sunday

We will hold a collection for the Missions on the weekend of October 24^th.  Not the same date as the collection for the Religious as stated in the bulletin last week.  Many thanks for your continues support of this important endeavor.

Honduras Mission Trip

Honduras is one of the poorest nations in the Western Hemisphere.  Find out how Lexington parishioners have used their talents to benefit Honduran missions.  A trip is being organized for February vacation, 2005.  Come and get details.  Monday, November 8^th at 7:30 PM, Sacred Heart Parish Center.  All are welcome.  For more information, contact Fran Ludwig, Sacred Heart, 781-861-7231 or Peggy Barons, St. Brigid's.

The 9^th Annual Genesis Battlegreen Run

On Sunday, November 7^th, 2004 you are invited to join us for one of The Finest Road Races in New England!  If you would like to help...We need volunteers!  Many volunteers are needed to direct runners, assist at Water Stations and serve food.  Lastly, if you would like to co-sponsor this event, please contact Bob Ludwig at 781-861-7231 or bring your donation to the parish office and we will see that it reaches the proper destination!  No donation is too small!  Proceeds from the event benefit Habitat for Humanity, The Genesis Community Fund and Lexington High School Hall of Fame. 

Congratulations to Sister Mary Nagle, CSJ on her new position as Mission Effectiveness Facilitator at Bethany Health Care Facility in Framingham.  Please join us on Sunday, October 31^st after the 10:00 Liturgy in the parish center to wish Sr. Mary well and thank her for the wonderful presence she has been at Sacred Heart as she begins this new journey!

Don’t forget to set your clocks back next Saturday, October 30^th!

Retirement Fund For Women Religious

On the weekend of November 6^th & 7^th we will have the annual collection for Women Religious.  The women religious of our diocese did not participate in the Social Security program until the 1970’s.  Now that most of their communities are well past retirement age, they are finding if difficult to maintain an acceptable standard of living.  Because of the decline in vocations, each Sister, in community, who works is responsible for the monetary care of three retired sisters.  We ask that you be as generous as possible in this collection to show your appreciation for all that the religious sisters have done over the years for each of us.

It’s Time To Talk Turkey Again!

Again this year we are soliciting turkeys for St. John/Saint Hugh families for Thanksgiving.  If you would like to contribute a family-size frozen turkey, please deliver it to the side door of the church at the Masses on Saturday, November 20^th or Sunday November 21^st, or if you would like to make other delivery arrangements, please call Ted Heuchling at 781-729-4962 or Bob Ludwig at 781-861-7231.

Parishioners who are new to Sacred Heart might like to understand better the relationship of St. John/St. Hugh parish in Roxbury and Sacred Heart.  St. John/St. Hugh have been sister parishes for decades.  Once a month the families that belong to the envelope system send an offering to St. John/St. Hugh.  On Mondays, for many years, Sacred Heart parishioners helped to serve a hot lunch in the basement of St. John/St. Hugh Church to the parish’s needy friends and families.  That meal has been discontinued in recent years.  Every third month Sacred Heart sends its monthly food collection to St. John St. Hugh food pantry.

Mass of Remembrance

Memorial Mass…MASS of REMEMBRANCE will be celebrated on Saturday October 30^th at 4:00 PM at Sacred Heart church.  This liturgy will commemorate all those whose funerals were celebrated here at Sacred Heart this past year, from November 2003 through October 2004.  Please pray for these souls and all the souls of the faithful departed…

CONGRATULATIONS!  Tori Cimino has been awarded the Eagle of the Cross Award by the Archdiocese OYM Office.  This is a nationally recognized award.  The National Youth Ministry Award is the highest recognition of the National Federation of Youth Ministry for a youth to be conferred by a diocese.  It is awarded to youth who display outstanding Christian witness in their daily lives.   Recipients exhibit exemplary contributions of leadership and service at the parish level and beyond. 

Tori will be honored at a dinner on Friday, November 19 @ 7:30 PM at Lombardo’s in Randolph.  Tickets are $40.00 each.  Anyone wishing to attend should contact the parish office either at 781/861-8385 or 781/862-4646. 

All our T.L.C TEAM and our YM Adult Commission should take pride in this accomplishment.  The support Tori has received (particularly in the past year) has made this well-deserved honor possible.

DATES TO KNOW ABOUT:

YOUTH CHOIR REHEARSAL: SUNDAY, OCTOBER 24 @ 7pm @ ST. BRIGID.

NEXT LEADERSHIP MEETING:  MONDAY, OCTOBER 25 @7-8:30 pm @ ST. BRIGID

YOUTH EUCHARISTIC MINISTER TRAINING:  THURSDAY, OCTOBER 28 @ 7PM @ ST. BRIGID.

NEXT YOUTH MASS:  SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 7, @ 5:PM.  All are welcome.  Program requirement for 9^th & 10^th grade.

Y.O.W.   Friday, Dec. 10 thru Sunday 12.  Cost $115.  Go on line to www.OYMBoston.org for details.  Registration and checks will be due very soon.  Space is limited and we will only be allowed 20 participants.  THIS WILL BE A SELLOUT!  Call Maureen or Kate for further info.

Do you have any questions or suggestions re: our Youth program?  Email either me nychick1@comcast.net  or Kate Doherty @ irishkad@hotmail.com

Bulletins	Sacred Heart Parish Bulletin - October 24, 2004	Home