Father Baldovin wanted to share with both parishes the homily he gave on May 16th at the 5:00pm Liturgy at St. Brigid Church

These last few weeks of Easter we’ve been hearing passages from Jesus’ last will and testament.  The Gospel of John, chapters 14, 15, 16 and 17 contain Jesus’ discourse at the end of the Last Supper.  The passion and resurrection follow. 

This “last will and testament” is for the disciples – then and now.  We’ve just heard the last portion of Chapter 17, after which Jesus goes off to Gethsemane.  It is called the High Priestly Prayer for the disciples.  It is Jesus’ legacy to us.  It’s in the form of a prayer to his Father: “That they may be one, as we are one, I in them and you in me.”

I want to talk about unity today.  It is something that we crave, certainly something that the Church has strived for.  Last week, we addressed the differences between Jew and Greek as they would practice their faith.

So, what does unity mean?  To be one.  What does that mean to us?  As citizens of America, we are not all of the same opinion.  I think, I’m pretty sure, really, that there is a wide diversity of political opinion here in this church.  Maybe not at the extreme left or right, but a great diversity nonetheless. It’s legitimate, actually, it’s the beauty of our country to be able to hold different views.  At the same time, we can be (or at least in my opinion, should be) confident in our loyalty and pride in our nation.  We are not “less a citizen” if we have different political opinions than another.

In the Church, as well, there are different opinions.  It is healthy. There’s a legitmate diversity of views of being Catholic in this church here and now even as there is a legitmate diversity of political positions, loyalties and opinions. But we are confident that what keeps us loyal, what unites us, is the love of the Lord and our pride in the Lord’s Church.  And so we don’t read one another out of the Church.

I want to deal with differences and disunity in the Catholic community in Lexington.  I know fools rush in…but here goes.  I’ve asked for this to be recorded so that it could be shared with Sacred Heart, too – and with folks at other Masses at St. Brigid’s.

There is a problem of disunity in Lexington.  Not because we’re not striving to be God’s Church.  Most people would say that the two parishes have different styles, which I think results in a diversity which is rich and legitimate.  It is important that we deal with one another with charity.  It’s especially difficult when one pastor has the care of the two different parishes. 

I am scandalized
(and, a scandal is – a stumbling block,  something that stands in our way, something that makes us trip and fall…)

I am scandalized, as an outsider coming up here from Cambridge, when I hear that people from one parish or the other shun one another when they meet in the grocery store.  I am scandalized when a parishioner says “I wouldn’t go to… [that other parish] !”  It is a scandal if we can’t transcend hurts that existed long before Fr. Colletti became the pastor here.  It is a sign of adult faith that we are willing to transcend our hurts. We need to be mature and get over our hurts. That’s part of what maturity is.

Frankly, I’d rather have you mad at me than at Fr. Colletti, who’s been the brunt of far too much, undeservedly, I believe. 

Now, I know what it is like to struggle to arrive at unity.  Some of you know that two faculties came together to form one new school at BC.  It is taking a lot of effort to be able to find unity, charity and the ability to give the benefit of the doubt to others.  I know in my “day job” what it is like to deal with resentments and turf issues.  Life in the real world is tough.  But we know that we are not going to get anywhere unless we know each other and unless we give each other the benefit of the doubt.

We crave unity.  It comes at a price—having to give up what we think we “deserve” for the greater good of unity.  I wonder what your Protestant and Jewish neighbors in Lexington and those from other religions  think of your squabbles? Aren’t they scandalized? I would be. After all, the unity God wants us to have is not just for our own sake – but for the sake of mission – “may they be one, so that the world will know that you sent me.”

There is another word at the end of the passage that I liked, too:  glory.  In Hebrew, the word has the sense of “heavy.”  In Greek it means “shiny”. It’s very hard to translate well, but I think a good way to talk about glory is the breath-taking beauty of God.  When we are one, we shine forth the breath-taking beauty of God. We become mirrors of God’s beauty shining on the face of Christ. That’s our vocation. I believe that when God gives us a challenge as he does today he also gives us the ability. Today he challenges us and gives us the ability  to be one; may he also give us the will.

A Postscript, at the end of Mass:

The pity of the disunity here is that there are so many good people in both parishes—I didn’t want to NOT be clear about that—there are many people of goodwill in both parishes.

Congratulations

Congratulations to Father Clifton Thuma on the occasion of his 14th anniversary of his
Ordination May 25th!

 

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.

Helping hands

Helping Hands for May is Jeanne Hobbs,
781-862-2892

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, Ed Burri, Bob Kozlowski, Francis Cote, Deacon Bill Wildes, William McCarthy, Marie Dempsey, Pat White, Mary Whelan, Prudy Bulger, Eleanor Mann, Phyllis Lange, Amy Galehouse Goolkosian, Jane Beauchemin, Mary Ellen Connor, Marybeth Morgan, Billy Wedgwood, Gerald McCue, Kathleen Brown, Brendan Murphy, Kevin Johnson, Theresa Flynn, Ann LaMantia, Christine Griffin, Josephine Siders, Douglas DiVito, Frank Hassett, Mary McGuinnes, Joseph Fremont-Smith, Marjorie Kearns, Shannon Capriulo, Mildred Page, Cathy Larson, Joanna Walsh, Victoria Killgore, Virginia Tavilla, Christine Screeton, Olivia Moran and Brianna Cimino.  Please also remember in your prayers all of our deceased family members and parishioners, especially Yolanda H. Fahey.

Thank you

The Respect For Life Group would like to thank all of the generous parishoners for their support for the Mothers Day Flower Drive.  Over $900 was collected for the Heart Beat Organization in Burlington. 

Heart Beat helps save babies’ lives and assists needy families choosing life for their children.

Olive Branch Olive Oil

 

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, 7:30 - 9:00 pm at Sacred Heart Parish Center.  The next two meetings are June 2nd and June 16th.   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).

HAVE YOU FORGOTTEN SOMETHING?

Join the 27 Sacred Heart and St. Brigid households who have already registered for on-line giving! Visit our web site, www.lexingtoncatholic.org, and click “Sacred Heart Parish” or “St. Brigid Parish” to learn about this new way to contribute to your parish. Giving on line via a charge to your bank account or credit card is now an easy and safe alternative to check and cash donations. Don’t forget to check it out!

Faith & Environment

 

Bulletin Bloopers

Our youth basketball team is back in action Wednesday at 8:00pm in the recreation hall.  Come out and watch us kill Christ the King!

“AGING across Judaism, Christianity and Buddhism”
presented by Youville Place Assisted Living

We invite you to join us for a unique series in May, which explores aging across three important religious experiences. Deepen your spiritual understanding, and consider the traditions associated with aging from the perspective of these three different religious and spiritual practices.  The programs will be held on the following Monday, May 24th at 7:00pm, Youville Place Assisted Living, 10 Pelham Rd., Lexington.  Please RSVP to Lisa Yarin info@youvilleplace.org or call 781-861-3535. 
Each session will begin with an overview of aging as presented in the religious tradition or spiritual practice highlighted. There will be time for discussion. Come to learn how aging is viewed in a spiritual context across these religious traditions, and grow as you open yourself to concepts and beliefs that have been revered through the ages. 
Monday, May 24 – “Buddhism” presented by Christine Aquilino, M.S.W.

Vacation Bible School

June 28nd – July 1st   9:00AM – 1:00 PM

We will be traveling to Egypt with Joseph. 
Visiting the Market Place and Pharaoh’s Palace.

We will be feeding the students a snack, they will not be fed lunch.
Please register early so we can make the appropriate arrangements.
Children Ages 4 – 12

Children 12 – 16 may register as Tour Guides (assistants)
Tour Guides will need to attend a training session TBA
Applications are in the Religious Education Office
Cost: $75.00 per child.  Registrations are due May 25.

Sunday, May 23rd

11:00 – HONDURAS TALK – SH - PC
1:00 – BAPTISMS – SB
6:00 – YOUTH SENIOR/SCHOLARSHIP – SH
7:00 – RECEPTION AFTER MASS – SH - PC

Monday, May 24th

FATHER COLLETTI ON LAHEY DUTY

Tuesday, May 25th

7:00 –LICA MTG.-SUPPORTING TROOPS – SB - PC
7:00 – CATHOLIC HEART WORKCAMP MTG. – SB –  RM 10

Wednesday, May 26th

7:15 – YOUTH COMM – SB – L
7:00 – FATHER THUMA TALK – SH - PC

Thursday, May 27th   

7:00-9:30  BOY SCOUTS –SB – PC
7:00 – YOUNG ADULTS – SB - L
7:30 – BOY SCOUT COMM. MTG. – SB - L

Friday, May 28th

NO MEETINGS

Saturday, May 29th  

8:00AM – 3:00PM – ANTIQUE AUTO SHOW – SB  PARKING LOT

Sodality Banquet

St. Brigid Sodality Annual Banquet Luncheon will be held on Wednesday, June 2nd, at Danversport Yacht Club in Danversport, MA.  The meal is a choice of Boneless Breast of Chicken or Baked Boston Scrod. Entertainment will be provided by Gail Gallagher, well known Boston area song stylist, singing songs by Berlin & Gershwin. A bus will leave the Saint Brigid parking lot at 11:00am for all attendees, and return around 3 pm. Tickets are $25 which includes transportation. For tickets please call Marie Hill at 781-862-6456.  Deadline to purchase tickets is May 28th.

FAMILY ROSARY CONFERENCE: AS WE FORGIVE

Block your calendar, plan to gather your family on Saturday, July 17, to learn how to communicate within the family, how to forgive each other and how to receive God’s graces.  With workshops for adults, teens and youth, a Mission Rosary, Vigil Mass, Reconciliation, and a dynamic keynote speaker, your family will enjoy an inspiring and uplifting day; and all for $10 per person, up to a $50 max for families … and it includes Lunch.  So register and simply join us on the grounds of Stonehill College on July 17.  Go to www.HCFM.org or call 508-238-4095 or 800-299-7729 for more information. 

What Famous Mothers Might Have Said

Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary's Mother: "I don't mind you having a garden, Mary, but does it have to be growing under your bed?"

Mona Lisa's Mother: "After all that money your father and I spent on braces, Mona, that's the biggest smile you can give us?"

Humpty Dumpty's Mother: "Humpty, If I've told you once, I've told you a hundred times not to sit on that wall.  But would you listen to me? Noooo!"

Columbus' Mother: "I don't care what you've discovered, Christopher. You still could have written!"

Babe Ruth's Mother: "Babe, how many times have I told you -- quit playing ball in the house! That's the third broken window this week!"

Michelangelo's Mother: "Mike, can't you paint on walls like other children? Do you have any idea how hard it is to get that stuff off the ceiling?"

Sacred Heart Parish

Offertory for May 15/16                                 $ 5669.00
Envelope Offerings                                        $ 4226.00
Loose Cash                                                     $ 1543.00
St. Katharine Drexel                                      $  100.00
This week’s On-Line Giving Offertory          $  290.00

Of the 265 envelopes we sent to Sacred Heart parishioners, 110 parishioners have used their envelopes this week.  Thank you to all who so generously contribute to our parishes each week! 
Fr. Colletti

2010 CATHOLIC APPEAL - CALLED TO LOVE AND SHARE

Thank you to all supporters of the 2010 Catholic Appeal.  Our parish has raised $27,564 from 79 households, reaching 64.9% percent of our parish goal of $42,500.  If you have not yet pledged, please consider a gift today and help us meet our goal.  Remember, our parish will receive 25 percent of all funds we raise above our goal.  Please remember to make your pledge now even if you plan on fulfilling that pledge later in the year.  You can pick up information packets with pledge forms in the back of the Church to be mailed in, or for more information please visit www.BostonCatholicAppeal.com or call 617-779-3700.  Every gift matters.  Thank you!

St. Brigid Church
9:00am	Tuesday May 25th	Bill Graham
9:00am	Thursday May 27th	Eugene Buckley
9:00am	Saturday May 29th	Elizabeth Ambrose
Sacred Heart Church
9:00am	Monday May 24th	Berta & Gaetano Franceschelli
9:00am	Wednesday May 26th	Joseph Vaccaro
9:00am	Friday May 28th	Helen Jenson

 

J.R.R. TOLKIEN’S TAKE ON THE BLESSED SACRAMENT

He writes: I put before you the one great thing to love on earth, the Blessed Sacrament. There you will find romance, glory, honor, fidelity and the true way of all your loves on earth and more than that. All are invited to experience the Blessed Sacrament this Friday and every Friday from 12:00 -- 2:45pm at St. Brigid Church

Lexington Interfaith Garden

There will be a BLESSING OF THE LEXINGTON INTERFAITH GARDEN on THIS SUNDAY, MAY 23rd, from 2:30 to 3:30 at 5 Harrington Rd.   Parking will be at First Parish Church.  Rain or Shine! The Lexington Interfaith Garden builds meaningful relationships as volunteers from different faith traditions work together to grow organic produce for our hungry neighbors. Want to help in the garden?  Catholic Community in Lexington contact:  Diane Rondeau, dmrondeau(5).

Father Clifton Talk About Priesthood

Fr. Clifton Thuma has been in residence and helping out at the parishes for five months now.  He will be taking a new assignment in July.  He would like to offer some observations about priesthood and his experience since his ordination in 1996. 

He has titled his reflection, Towards the Third Collar.  He will be speaking at St. Brigid’s on Wednesday, June 2nd, 7:00 PM and after the hospitality coffee at Sacred Heart on Sunday, June 6th.  He will welcome questions after his thirty minute talk.  All are welcome.

St. Brigid Parish

Offertory for May 15/16                              $    9135.00
Envelope Offerings                                        $ 6371.00
Loose Cash                                                     $ 2764.00
This week’s On-Line Giving Offertory              275.00
Out of the 548 envelopes we sent to St. Brigid parishioners, 205 have used their envelopes.  Thank you to all who so generously contribute to our parishes each week! 
Fr. Colletti

2010 Catholic Appeal

Thank you to all supporters of the 2010 Catholic Appeal.  Our parish has raised $77,507 from 219 households, reaching 60.3% percent of our parish goal of $128,500.  If you have not yet pledged, please consider a gift today and help us meet our goal.  Remember, our parish will receive 25 percent of all funds we raise above our goal.  (As we did last year)  Please remember to make your pledge now even if you plan on fulfilling that pledge later in the year.  You can pick up information packets with pledge forms in the back of the Church to be mailed in, or for more information call 617-779-3700 or please visit www.BostonCatholicAppeal.com.  Every gift matters, Thank you!

ST. BRIGID RENOVATION PROJECT UPDATE

The project to add an elevator to the church building and accessible restrooms in the hall; to expand and improve handicapped seating in the church and handicapped parking; and to remodel the kitchen and Keilty Hall is underway. 

The removal of the floor tiles and pipe insulation in Keilty Hall and the kitchen and the abatement of the asbestos in the tile adhesive and insulation have been completed. Preparatory work for the installation of the elevator and restrooms is beginning this week. As a result, Keilty Hall and the kitchen will remain inaccessible, with the stairway on the east side of the building being the only access to the existing restrooms and the Music Room.

Starting this week, the west side entrance of the church will be closed. Also, the Reconciliation Room will be relocated to the small room to the left of the church’s front entrance.

Updates on this project, including building accessibility and safety issues during construction, will be provided weekly in this section of the bulletin.  

Registrations for the 2010-2011 Religious Education Program will be mailed out in June.  For advanced planning, please be aware that classes for grades 1 thru 8 will be available on Sunday mornings at St. Brigid from 10:-11:15 (after the 9:00am Mass) and at Sacred Heart from 11:15 – 12:15 (after the 10:00 Mass).  Classes will also be held for grades 1 – 6 on Tuesday afternoon’s at St. Brigid from 3:45 – 4:45.  Classes will be available for grades 7 and 8 on Monday’s from 5:30 – 6:30pm.
George Begin

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

Youth Mass

Please join us for our next Youth Mass on
Sunday, May23, 2010
Sacred Heart Church , 6pm
Bring your friends and families!!
This is our last one for this academic year!! Please join us to honor our scholarship recipients and other graduating high school seniors.  A dessert reception will follow the Mass in the Parish Center. 

Confirmation Retreat

Are you looking for a day to get away to pray, have fun and help your community?  Then consider joining the Confirmation Retreat TEAM!   You will help bring young people closer to Christ and aide them in their journey towards Confirmation.  Please contact Megan Chenaille, megan.chenaille@lexingtoncatholic.org or (781) 862-8724 ASAP if you are interested in participating. Our Confirmation Retreat dates are Saturday, June 12, 2010 or Saturday, September 25, 2010.   Volunteer for one or both.  Each retreat is a full day: 9am-6pm at the Marist House in Framingham.  Please note that you will be asked to attend a few meetings prior to the Retreat for preparation purposes.  Thank you.

Catholic HEART Workcamp

We still have a few spots left!!
Place: Prince Frederick, MD
Dates: July 11-17, 2010
Come serve those in need, make new friends, meet other Catholics YOUR
age, get away from the ordinary for a week, make a difference, have fun!!!
Limited space available; a $75 deposit is necessary to hold your spot.

 

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

“PREACHING TO CROSS CULTURAL COMMUNITIES”

Thursday, June 17, 2010, Heights Room, Corcoran Commons, Boston College, 12 noon until 4:30pm, lunch included.A FREE workshop for priests, deacons, women religious, catechists, laity, and all those interested in preaching for cross cultural communities.
This half day workshop features Deborah Organ, pastoral associate of Holy Rosary Parish in South Minneapolis and adjunct professor of homiletics at Saint Paul Seminary.  A Catholic lay woman, she holds a Master of Divinity and a Doctor of Ministry in Preaching from Aquinas Institute. Ms. Organ is fluent in Spanish and has ministered cross-culturally for 25 years in Latino contexts in four US dioceses, including Boston, and two dioceses abroad. To register email church21@bc.edu or call 617-552-0470.

Enter into the NEW EVANGELIZATION at Theology on Tap with Séan Cardinal O’Malley.  This event is hosted by the Lexington Catholic Young Adult Group on Thursday, June 24th at 7:00pm at Palio’s Restaurant, 94 Hartwell Avenue, Lexington.  Bring yourself, a friend and your bible!  Come hear the Shepherd of our Archdiocese and successor of the Apostles!

Hospitality

Please join us for hospitality and fellowship at our parishes.

Hospitality at St. Brigid Parish will resume in the fall in the newly renovated Keilty Hall.

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