Just a week ago the whole family gathered together to celebrate Easter.  Both churches were filled to capacity. But here we are, one week later, and most have fallen back into our predictable patterns of living even as we endeavor to live in the promise of the resurrection.

The disciples were in supreme fear, anguish and disbelief as they faced the first Easter Sunday.  Behind the locked doors of a house in Jerusalem they trembled. They had some astounding news from the women who went to the tomb and found it empty.  Some even went to the tomb and found it just as the women said.  They still did not understand.  Jesus came and stood in their midst.  He offered to them his peace and breathed the Holy Spirit upon them.

Then, the second Sunday of Easter, today, Jesus returns to converse with Thomas who was not there the Sunday before.  He did not believe the words of the disciples: “We have seen the Lord.” He said in reply: “I won’t believe it unless I see the nail wounds in his hands—and put my finger into them—and place my hand into his side” (John 20:25).  Out of love and concern for Thomas, Jesus returned so that he might believe.  Jesus fulfills his request and Thomas is convinced with the words: “My Lord and my God!”  (Thomas is the only one in Scripture to call Jesus “God”).  He emphatically believed in the resurrected Christ. Jesus generously offered himself and gave Thomas just what he needed to have faith.  “Stop being an unbeliever, and start believing.”  Jesus tells him.

Thomas gets the reputation as a doubter.  We have the phrase, “Doubting Thomas”.  There is an important difference between doubters and unbelievers.  Doubters are people who are not sure about something.  They have questions that they would like to have answered. Such people are seekers, and in Latin called Catechumens which means seekers.  Unbelievers, on the other hand, may pose as doubters but have clearly made up their mind and are not actively pursuing the issue.

Jesus does not call Thomas a doubter but an unbeliever. In John 16:8-9, Jesus says that the Holy Spirit is going to come and “convict the world with regard to sin and righteousness and judgment…in regard to sin, because people do not believe in me.”

We can say we are believers because we were baptized and raised as Christians, or because we occasionally attend a church, but in effect we live as if God does not exist.  Thomas could not come to belief by himself. He had to return to the community of disciples.  In the letter to the Hebrews we read: “Let us not neglect our church meetings, as some people do, but encourage one another” (Heb 10:25).  We need each other to lead an active life in the worship and work of the community. Things happen when we are together that do not happen when we are alone.  The strength of each other’s faith will keep our life of faith strong.

Fr. Colletti

 

Please pray for all who are in need of our prayers that God’s healing and comforting presence may be with them, especially Father William Smith, Jen Bombaca, Marianne Slack, Elaine Murphy, Henry Murphy, Bob Kozlowski, Francis Cote, Harry Laye, Deacon Bill Wildes, William McCarthy, Marie Dempsey, Pat White, Mary Whelan, Prudy Bulger, Eleanor Mann, Amy Galehouse Goolkosian, Jane Beauchemin, Luella Theriault, Joseph Vaccaro, Mary Ellen Connor, Marybeth Morgan, Billy Wedgwood, Gerald McCue, Kathleen Brown, Carol Brady, Brendan Murphy, Kevin Johnson, Ann LaMantia, Christine Griffin, Josephine Siders, Douglas DiVito, Frank Hassett, Mary McGuinnes, Herbert Grossman, Joseph Fremont-Smith, Jewel Douglass, Marjorie Kearns, Kathryn Ortolano, Shannon Capriulo, Cathy Larson, Olivia Moran and Brianna Cimino.  Please also remember in your prayers all of our deceased family members and parishioners, especially Dorothy Judge, Marian McGillvery, Barbara Hurley and James Doherty

Helping Hands Coordinator

Helping Hands coordinator for April is:
is Jeanne Hobbs, 781-248-9722

In Service for Their Country

Lt. John Schiavi, Sgt. Christopher Considine, Timothy Dunbar, Richard Rigley, Chris Cullen, Caitlin R. Battell, Robert McLaughlin, Sean Maddigan, Michelle Leverone, Marissa Leverone, Rev. Paul Passamonti, 1st Lt. Todd Donaldson, Airman Jason Cunha, Pfc. Erik Muskavitch, Mark Zarnecki, Patrick J. Nordahl, Scott and Michael Donahue, CDR Michael P. MacLellan and Captain Brian Geary. 
Lord Jesus, watch over our sons and daughters in the service of their country.  Give them the courage to serve their country with honor and dignity and grant that when their service is finished they may return to us, sound in mind, body and soul.

Looking For Support During Your Job Search?

Seasoned Human Resources and Marketing pros to lead the Lexington Job Support Group (LJSG) for the Catholic Community of Lexington and our friends.  Learn and share  job search strategies, resources and networking tips while getting support during your search for that next great opportunity.  Meetings are the first and third Wednesday of the month, 7:30pm - 9:00pm at Sacred Heart Parish Center. The next two meetings are April 21st and May 5th. Informal, no need to sign up, come on the evenings you are free with a cup of coffee or supper, and invite a friend.  If you have any questions, contact Bob Ludwig at 781-861-7231 or Donna Heuchling at dheuchling (3)

Lecto Divina Group

A Lectio Divina group will meet this Thursday at 11:15am for about a half-hour in Room #9 in St. Brigid Parish Center. The group will use this classic form of contemplative prayer to reflect on next Sunday’s gospel reading. This is the last meeting of this group until the fall.

Workshop-Better Health Care

Learn Essential Skills for Getting Better Health Care:  The Right Question Project Strategy.   Sunday afternoon, April 25, 2:30-5:00pm at Temple Emunah - This  workshop, while not addressing participants’ specific medical situations, will help patients and caregivers work more effectively with their health care providers.  Dan Rothstein, co-director of the Right Question Project, will lead this free program which is open to all faiths in all surrounding communities.  Workshop is sponsored by the Phyllis Klein Thrope Memorial Fund.  To register, email thropeprogram@emunahlex.org or 781/861-0300; include name, number of participants, phone and email by April 21.

Palm Braiding Thanks

Thanks to the following people who came on Monday, March 22 and helped braid the palms used in making the wonderful decorations used on the altar and the doors for Palm Sunday:  Barbara Bair, Dot Boggia, Karen Boudreau, Lina and Joe Bumbaca, Anne Conceison, and her firend Maria, Gloria Defelice, Norma and Dick Donato, Carol Flynn, Ann Marie (Agostino) Geldart and family, MaryEllen Goodwin, Marie Hill, Claire Klier, Mary Krance, Fran Ludwig and her friends, Julie Miller, Carla (Agostino)Nazzaro and family, Susan O’Keefe, Jan Phelan, Andrea Russo, Helen Tassone, Jackie Ward, and Laura Welby, and those that I have forgotten to mention.  It was a job well done, and the Church looked wonderful!

Seder Supper a Success

A Seder Supper was held at St. Brigid on Wednesday, March 24 with Rabbi Howard Jaffe from Temple Isaiah presiding.  We had over 100 people in attendance.  Everyone appreciated learning about the Passover traditions that our Jewish friends observe, and then participating in some of them ourselves.  Some of our children participated in the readings from the Haggadah, and all the children under the age of 13 enjoyed looking for the Afikoman. Thanks to the following people who helped make this event possible:  Diane Rondeau, Linda Boardman Liu, Linda Fiore, MaryEllen Goodwin, Diane Rondeau, Colleen Smith, Jackie Ward, Marie Hill, Pat Romeo-Gilbert, Tom O’Brien, and, of course, the Staff and custodians.  If you are interested in helping at other similar events, please don’t hesitate to contact Pat Romeo-Gilbert at 781-861-8510 or Marie Hill at 781-862-6456.

Women's Book Club

WOMEN’S BOOK CLUB meets next on Thursday, April 15, 2010 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. in Room 8, Sacred Heart Parish Center.  The group will be discussing Joyce Rupp’s book Walk in a Relaxed Manner:  Life Lessons from the Camino.   Here are a few details about the book:
As she approached her 60th birthday, spiritual writer and retreat leader Joyce Rupp embarked on a 37-day walking trek across Spain with her friend Tom Pfeffer.  The two prepared and trained for a year before making the historical pilgrimage from Roncesvalles on the Spanish side of the Pyrenees to the Cathedral of St. James in the city of Santiago, a journey commonly referred to as “the Camino.”
Walking in the “relaxed manner” in the title was one of the first lessons these two self-described productive-oriented people learned.  At first, Rupp explains, they believed their goal was to reach Santiago, but they eventually discovered that the walk itself imparted spiritual empowerment.  For the first few days, the two succumbed to their natural tendency to rush, rush, rush, and push, push, push.  In the end, they agreed to take the advice of a friend who had walked the Camino earlier: “drink more water and walk in a relaxed manner.”
Rupp laces the story with such insights, always connecting the events and experiences with “routine” life and sharing the positive effects the journey had on her.  Like Rupp's other books, Walk in a Relaxed Manner is filled with down-to-earth stories and deeply spiritual reflections.
Joyce Rupp is well known for her work as a writer, spiritual “midwife” and conference speaker.  A member of the Servite Community, she has led retreats throughout North America as well as in Europe, Asia and Africa.  She is the author of many bestselling books including May I Have this Dance? Fresh Bread and The Circle of Life.  For more information, contact Maria Griffin avempg@aol.com or Beverly Good 781-863-0319, x 20, Beverly.Good@lexingtoncatholic.org.

An invitation From Wings!

The women of WINGS (Women IN God’s Spirit) cordially invite all women to the final session of their Spring Speakers Series this Thursday, April 15th, and to a light luncheon afterward.  Our guest speaker will be Doris Hallee, one of the founders of the ‘I Thirst’ Movement, a lay group in the Missionaries of Charity family.  In her presentation, Ms. Hallee will share her insights into the spirituality of Blessed Mother Teresa. 

Please join us for this session at 9:30 - 11:15am in the hall at St. Brigid Parish Center.  The luncheon – in celebration of our fifth year of growing in our faith and building relationships with one another – will immediately follow, also in the Parish Center hall.  A reservation is not required for the session or the luncheon nor is membership in WINGS.  For transportation, contact Carol Flynn at 781-862-1637.  To arrange for child care during the session and luncheon, contact Jane Goubeaux at 781-862-4146.

Yankee Candle Fundraiser

Candles w/springtime scents, accessories, air fresheners, gardening supplies, jar toppers, ornaments, etc....all from "America's Most Popular" candlemaker!  Stop by either the Sacred Heart Parish Center or St. Brigid's Keilty Hall after all Masses (with cash/checkbook) this weekend (April 10/11) to place your order!  All orders will be received before Mother's Day. (makes for some great gifts!)  All proceeds support St. Brigid's own Venture Crew 160 (a leadership, service, adventure and personal growth division of the Boy Scouts of America for co-ed young adults aged 14-21).  For more information about Venturing or Crew 160, visit: www.Crew160.com.

Haiti Update

On Sunday April 11, Lee Crivello will give us the latest information on our sister parish in Haiti since the Jan 12 earthquake.  There will be an opportunity to ask questions.  The update will occur at hospitality following the 10 AM Liturgy at Sacred Heart. 

Easter Sunday, April 11th 

11:00 – SB – BAPTISM INSTRUCTION
12:15 – JOINT PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL-SB-KH
6:00 – YOUTH MASS – SH
7:00 – YOUTH EVENT - SH
 6:00 – SCOUT BANQUET – KH

Monday, April 12th  

7:15 – CONFIRMATION CLASS – SB –
7:30 – HAITI COMMITTEE MEETING-SH

Tuesday, April 13th 

7:00 – LEX FUN – SB – PC
7:00 – PARISH FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING

Wednesday, April 14th 

9:30 – W.I.N.G.S. – PC-CLASSROOMS
11:00 – W.I.N.G.S. – LUNCHEION- PC
7:00 – SCOUT DISTRICT MEETING- PC –CLASSROOM
7:15 – YOUTH COMMISSION MTG. – MEGAN’S OFFICE
7:00 – HOMEBOUND WORKSHHOP – SB - L

Thursday, April 15th  

9:30 – WINGS- SB-PC
6:00 – WEDDING REHEARSAL – SB.CHURCH
7:00 – BOYS SCOUTS – SB –PC AND ROOMS

Friday, April 16th 

9:00–3:30 - CO-WORKERS IN MISSION – BC-

Saturday, April 17th

FR. COLLETTI ON CALL AT LAHEY CLINIC

PREPARATION FOR SCOUT BREAKFAST ON PATRIOT’S DAY

HAVE A WONDERFUL WEEKEND!

THE OFFICE WILL BE CLOSED ON PATRIOT’S DAY

Easter Decorating Thanks

Thank you to all who helped to decorate the Churches
to make them so beautiful for the season of Easter.

Summer Programs and Adventures

The Thomas More College of Liberal Arts, located one hour north of Boston, has an array of summer programs for students and adults alike.  The Collegiate Program for High School Students offers a challenging introduction to the liberal arts, the history of New England and the Catholic tradition.  Offering three college credits, The Catholic Leadership Institute examines inspirational leaders while also providing a means to develop your own leadership skills in the great outdoors and through a service project.  Lastly, The Way of Beauty Atelier offers art programs for those of all ages in Iconography and Naturalistic Drawing.  For more information, please visit: www.thomasmorecollege.edu/summer or contact Mark Schwerdt in the Admissions office at (800) 880-8308.

6TH ANNUAL GATHERING FOR PASTORAL VISITORS

Join us for a breakfast meeting on April 24, 2010, 9:00am to 12:00Noon at the Pastoral Center, Braintree.  The theme of the workshop is “Bereavement: Com-panions on the Journey”.  It is the willingness of others to companion those on their journeys of loss that leads to the healing and transformation of all of us.  We will explore the ministry of companioning in the context of necessary losses.  The presenter will be Fran Hauck, Pastoral Associate, Holy Name Parish, West Roxbury.  Please call Mary Peterson at 781-863-0319 to register for this workshop.

RCAB Announcement

We hope that each of you had a wonderful Easter.  As a reminder to you all, the collection supports the retirement, medical care, and financial needs of the priests of the Archdiocese of Boston.  If you have not done so already and you wish to do so, you may include your completed collection envelope in today’s collection basket.  Thank you for your continued generosity to the Church.

Sacred Heart Parish

Easter Collection for Retired Priests           $ 8596.00
Envelope Offerings                                        $ 6639.00
Loose Cash                                                    $ 1957.00
St. Katharine Drexel                                     $   517.00

Of the 265 envelopes we sent to Sacred Heart parishioners, 136 parishioners have used their envelopes this week.  Thank you to all who so generously contribute to our parishes each week!  To operate the parish our offertory should be $7,500 per week.
Fr. Colletti

2010 Catholic Appeal

We want to thank everyone from Sacred Heart Parish who has participated in the 2010 Catholic Appeal.  The parish has raised $21,654 from 61 households.  These contributions support the many ministries of our Archdiocese and will improve the lives of so many in our faith community.  The Appeal is to our Archdiocese what the weekly offertory is to our parish. Cardinal Seán invites every Catholic household to participate.  If you have not yet made your gift, please consider making a pledge this weekend.  You can pick up information packets with pledge forms in the back of the Church.  Please mail your completed pledge/gift in the envelope provided in the information packet.  For more information, please visit www.BostonCatholicAppeal.com or call 617-779-3700.  Every gift matters. Thank you!

SACRED HEART PARISH MASSES

Monday , April 12th 
9:00                             Members of the Memorial Fund
Wednesday, April 14th
9:00     Members of the Burri, O’Neil and Shea Families
Friday, April 16th
9:00                                                              No Intention

Pentecost - Celebrating Diversity

Plans are underway for the next great feast of the Church, Pentecost.  Sacred Heart Parish will celebrate the birth of the universal Church with a focus on diversity and we are looking for parishioners to share their ethnic heritage.  If you are willing to cook, translate, speak or make a banner that will increase our appreciation of the diversity of our Church family, please, sign up at the exits after Mass or leave a message with Kathryn at 781-862-7487.  We hope that all of you will join us on May 22nd and May 23rd to enjoy this special celebration that marks the end of the Easter Season.

Hospitality

Please join us for hospitality and fellowship at our parishes. 

Hospitality at St. Brigid Parish is after the 9:00am Mass in Keilty Hall.

At Sacred Heart Parish the hospitality is after the 10:00am Mass in the parish center.

Journey Together

Weekly Thursday Nights: Weekly Thursday Nights are a time of Faith Study/Discussion (7pm at St Brigid Parish) and then food and drinks at a local restaurant (8:15pm in Lexington Center, walking distance from the church). If you need to show up late that is perfectly fine, simply show up when you can.
Theology on Tap - We have Theology on Tap every 2nd Thursday of the month at 7:30pm at the Bickford’s Bar and Grill in Woburn. The address is 325 Montvale Ave, Woburn MA 01801. It is a great time to socialize, have a drink, and hear about a cool faith topic. Upcoming Schedule:
May 13th: Details coming soon…
June 24th: With Cardinal O’Malley in Lexington!

St. Brigid Parish

Easter Collection for Retired Priests          $19754.00
Envelope Offerings                                       $15,122.00
Loose Cash                                                      $4632.00

Out of the 548 envelopes we sent to St. Brigid parishioners, 248 have used their envelopes.  Thank you to all who so generously contribute to our parishes each week!  To operate the parish our offertory should be $11,730 per week. 
Fr. Colletti

2010 Catholic Appeal

We want to thank everyone from St. Brigid Parish who has participated in the 2010 Catholic Appeal.  The parish has raised $48,057 from 174 households.  These contributions support the many ministries of our Archdiocese and will improve the lives of so many in our faith community.  The Appeal is to our Archdiocese what the weekly offertory is to our parish. Cardinal Seán invites every Catholic household to participate. If you have not yet made your gift, please consider making a pledge this weekend. You can pick up information packets with pledge forms in the back of the Church. Please mail your completed pledge/gift in the envelope provided in the information packet. For more information, please visit the website at www.BostonCatholicAppeal.com or call 617-779-3700. Every gift matters. Thank you

St. Brigid Parish Masses

Tuesday , April 13th 
9:00                                                              Arthur Ruge
Thursday, April 15th
9:00                 James, Mary, Joseph and Hilda Greene
Saturday, April 17th
9:00                                                            Marie Caprio
                                Helen Petrucci and Bridged Comer
                                      Claire Caputo & Blanche Serpa

Children's Worship

We invite all children to join in the Children’s Liturgy of the Word, a special weekly presentation and discussion of the day’s scripture readings. After a blessing and dismissal by the priest before the first reading during St. Brigid’s 9:00am Mass, the children proceed downstairs to Keilty Hall to participate in this program. They rejoin the Mass after the homily. We will not have Children’s Liturgy next Sunday (April 18) because Boy Scout Troop 160 will be preparing the hall for their annual Patriots’ Day pancake breakfast. CLW will resume the following Sunday, April 25.

Adoration

Spend some quiet time with the Risen Lord this Friday and every Friday during the Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament from 12:00 – 2:45pm at St. Brigid Church.

SPRING WOMEN’S OVERNIGHT RETREAT

Rest, renew and refresh yourself at Craigville Beach on the Cape from 5 p.m. Friday, April 30th to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 1st, 2010.

Celebrate with other women of our community on an overnight retreat designed by our parishioners to help you “come to the waters” and be open to the gifts God has for you!  Reserve your space now; Total fee:  $125. Please contact Beverly Good at 781-863-0319, ext. 20, Beverly.Good@lexingtoncatholic.org; or Mary Peterson at
  781-863-0319, ext 30, Mary.Peterson55@gmail.com.  
A published spiritual writer will be joining us!

Megan Chenaille, Director of Youth Ministry
E-mail: Megan Chenaille
781-862-8724

Youth Mass Please join us for our next Youth Mass on Today, Sunday, April 11, 2010 Sacred Heart Church , 6pm Bring your friends and families!! Scholarship Applications For Graduating High School Seniors Are now available in the Religious Education Office located at 2001 Mass Ave Patriots Day BBQ YOUTH Fundraiser We are in need of adults and youth to help out selling hamburgers and hot dogs at our Patriots Day YOUTH Fundraiser. Please contact Megan if you can help out! Adults are needed to man the grill and supervise the youth. If you can donate items such as sodas/chips/cookies to sell, that would be appreciated too! Youth will be in charge of selling food that day as well as helping with set-up and clean-up.

 

Please do not hesitate to call or e-mail with any questions or concerns. 

Save the Date

Sunday May 2nd. In St Brigid’s Parish Center Hall we will learn more about the new thinking needed for a practical vision of the future of our food and our planet. 6 p.m. A “SUSTAINABLE” POTLUCK SUPPER 6:45p.m. Showing of the remarkable movie FRESH (for 16yrs and up) Followed by DISCUSSION If attending the supper, please use the e-mail address refreshrsvp@gmail.com to let us know what item you plan to bring i.e. main dish, salad, dessert, or bread-using fresh, local and/or vegetarian items as possible. Bring the recipe if you can.

Religious Education Classes at Sacred Heart for
grades 1 – 8 are at 11:15 until 12:15
in the Parish Center.
Religious Education Classes at St. Brigid Parish Center on Tuesdays, for Grades 1, 2 and 3
at 3:45 until 4:45pm. 
Grades 4, 5, and 6 are on Wednesdays,
in the Parish Center at 3:45-4:45pm.
Grades 7 and 8 are on Mondays at 5:30 until 6:30pm in the Parish Center

LEXINGTON FOOD PANTRY SACRED HEART AND ST. BRIGID

The weekend of April 17th and 18th is the collection of non-perishable food for the Lexington Food Pantry.  Items may be left at the food bins at St. Brigid and on the altar at Sacred Heart.  Please check the expiration dates.  Special requests for this month include: oatmeal and low sugared cereal, low sodium vegetables, canned fruit in juice or light syrup, meals in a can, peanut butter, chunk white tuna and angel hair pasta. The food pantry also accepts personal care items and paper products.  Cash, supermarket gift cards and checks payable to the Lexington Food pantry should be placed in an envelope marked Lexington Food Pantry and put into the offertory basket or left at the office. We thank you for your past generosity and support of this endeavor.

HOSPITALITY AT ST. BRIGID

We will not have “Hospitality-after-the-9” next Sunday (April 18) because Boy Scout Troop 160 will be preparing the hall for their annual Patriots’ Day pancake breakfast. 

Life Snipets

All people smile in the same language