The National Conference of Catholic Bishops has defined Stewardship as “A life of total accountability and responsibility, acknowledging God as Creator and owner of all.”  God is the source of all our gifts, talents and resources.  As disciples of Jesus Christ, we have been called to be stewards—managers of the many gifts that God has bestowed on us all.  Becoming stewards is not an immediate conversion but an ongoing, lifelong process of growing in our faith and being transformed into the People of God.

To accept the challenge of Stewardship, we must accept God’s invitation to enter deeply into the mission and ministry of Jesus and the Church.  One aspect of Stewardship that is more difficult for people to comprehend is the importance of giving of one’s treasure.  We know that true Stewardship involves giving ourselves over to complete spiritual commitment, but it is harder to grasp the important connection between spiritual commitment and financial commitment which is giving with heartfelt generosity of our treasure.

I want to establish the Stewardship Commission in our parishes.  I have asked Tom O’Brien to chair this Commission and now we are looking for five people from each parish to be members.

It is the task of this Commission to conduct and co-ordinate educational programs and renewal activities to promote Stewardship of Time, Talent and Treasure. Giving freely of Time, Talent and Treasure defines who we are and is a necessary role for everyone in our faith community.  The Stewardship Commission hosts events to welcome new members to our community,

partners with the Finance Councils to encourage sharing of treasure and encourage all parishioners to become involved in the ministries, councils, commissions and programs that make our parishes vibrant.

Call the office, 781-862-0335/4646, if you can contribute your time and talent to aid this important ministry.

 

Thank You

Father Smith has sent in the following Thank You:

Dear Parishioners,

I want to extend a sincere thank you for all of the prayers that parishioners have offered on my behalf during my illness.

In a variety of ways—know that you have lifted my spirit and brought comfort and consolation into my life

With gratitude to Father Colletti for his kindness toward me and also praying God’s blessing upon all of you.

Sincerely,

Father Smith

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, Frank Stankowski, Theresa Flynn, Ann LaMantia, Christine Griffin, Josephine Siders, Douglas DiVito, Frank Hassett, Mary McGuinnes, Joseph Fremont-Smith, Marjorie Kearns, Shannon Capriulo, Fr. Waldron, Mildred Page, Cathy Larson, 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 Janet Naticchioni, daughter of Irene Ravais and sister to Diane Rondeau and Kevin Beal, Son-in-law of Rose Senniville.

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 July 7th and July 21st.  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@comcast.net.

Helping Hands

Helping Hands for June is Mary Lou Knight
781-862-3634

Can You Help Fellow Parishioners Seeking Eployment?

• DO YOU HAVE INFO ON JOB LEADS?

CAN YOU MAKE AN INTRO TO A HIRING MANAGER?

• CAN YOU PROVIDE INFO ON A SPECIFIC JOB OPPORTUNITY?
• ARE YOU ELIGIBLE FOR A COMPANY REFERRAL BONUS?

See Job Seeker biographies and contact information at www.lexingtoncatholic.org and flyers at the doors of the churches.  Please keep each job seeker and their families in your prayers.

Have you Forgotten Something?

Join the 35 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!

Miramar Retreat Center

The 7th annual Some Enchanted Evening will be held on July 31st, 2010; beginning at 5:00 p.m. at Miramar Retreat Center, 121 Parks St., Duxbury.  Enjoy a social hour, gourmet dinner, silent and live auctions, and live entertainment.  Bring your family and friends. Proceeds benefit the Miramar Capital Fund.  Tickets are $100.00 per person.  To make reservations, place an ad in the Program Book, make a donation, or donate an item for the auction, call Miramar 781-585-2460.  Publication deadline for ads and donations is July 25th.  Tickets are limited; reserve yours before July 25th.

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 at St. Brigid from 3:45 – 4:45.  Classes will be available for grades 7 and 8 on Monday from 5:30 – 6:30pm.

New Parishioners Registration – If you are new to the parish, and/or you have a child entering the first grade, please contact the Religious Education office to register your child for classes in the fall.  Please call 781-862-8724 and we will send you a registration form for your completion.  At this time we will also send out a parish registration form if you are not registered in either parish. 
You will also need a copy of your child’s Baptism record if he/she was baptized at a parish other than Sacred Heart or St. Brigid.

Confirmation Registration – Registration Placement forms for 9th and 10th grade Confirmation Classes were sent out this week.  Please fill out the form and send it back in with the registration fee and a copy of your child’s baptismal certificate by Wednesday, June 30th.  If you have any questions, please contact the Religious Education Office at 781-862-8724.  A detailed schedule for the year will be available in the coming months.

Boston Catholic Television

Daily Mass can be seen LIVE on Catholic TV and Boston’s WBPX, Channel 68, weekdays at 9:30 am, at 7:30 p.m. or midnight (all times Eastern).  You can also celebrate it LIVE or "on demand" here at Catholic TV's web site, www.CatholicTV.com

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.

Theology On Tap With His Eminence Sean Cardinal Omalley

The Lexington Catholic Young Adult Group (hosted by St. Brigid and Sacred Heart Parishes) invites you to join us for a Theology on Tap with His Eminence Seán Cardinal O’Malley!    

This will take place on Thursday, June 24th, 2010. A pre-social time will be held from 7-7:30pm. The Cardinal will begin his talk at 7:30pm, with some time for Q&A after his talk. After this there will be some more social time. People are welcome to stay as long as they want after the event.

The topic of the Cardinal's talk will be "The New Evangelization".  There will be free hors d’oeuvres throughout the night, plus a cash bar.  For more information about this event, plus some background on what Theology on Tap is, you can go to the young adult section of the St. Brigid Parish website at http://lexingtoncatholic.org/YoungAdults/default.html.  Also feel free to email us at youngadults@lexingtoncatholic.org if you have any questions.

This is for young adults in their 20s and 30s, single or married, (college students too), for the people of Lexington, the neighboring towns, and beyond.

See you there!

Community news

Sunday, June20th

9:00 – BAPTISM – SB
10:00 - BAPTISM - SH

Monday, June 21st   

10:00 – FUNERAL - SB
7:00 – CATHOLIC WORKCAMP MTG.-SB-L.

Tuesday, June 22ND

9:30 – NO MEETINGS
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   RM.10
Wednesday, June 23rd

4:00 – 8:00 – PRIESTS CONVOCATION

Thursday, June 24th   

7:00-YOUNG ADULTS MEETING WITH CARDINAL
7:00 – BOY SCOUTS MEETING

Friday, June 25th

NO MEETINGS

 

Saturday, June 26h

 

NO MEETINGS!

HAVE A WONDERFUL WEEKEND

Holy Humor

More Letters from Children to God

Summer Quotes

A single sunbeam is enough to drive away many shadows.

Sacred Heart Parish

Offertory for June 12/13                                 $ 3343.00
Envelope Offerings                                        $ 2800.00
Loose Cash                                                     $   543.00
St. Katharine Drexel                                      $     80.00
This week’s On-Line Giving Offertory          $  410.00

Of the 265 envelopes we sent to Sacred Heart parishioners, 67 parishioners have used their envelopes this week.  To date 14 parishioners have signed up for on-line giving.  Thank you to all who so generously contribute to our parishes each week! 
Fr. Colletti

St. Brigid Church
9:00am	Tuesday June 22nd	Delfina Appolloino and Julio Amicangelo
9:00am	Thursday June 24th	Paul Donahue
9:00am	Saturday June 26th	John Callahan, Ralph & Beatrice Cassie and Mary Margaret Morin
Sacred Heart Church

 

Lexington Food Pantry St. Brigid And Sacred Heart

The collection of non-perishable food is the weekend of June 19th and 20th.  Items may be left at the food bins at the entrances of the church.  Please check the expiration dates!
Special requests for this month include canned corn and peas, hot and cold cereals, meals in a can, spaghetti, canned fruit, and low sodium chicken broth.  The food pantry also accepts personal hygiene items (toothpaste, bar soap, deodorant, shampoo, etc. and paper products (toilet paper, tissues, paper towels, napkins, etc.). Cash, supermarket gift cards and checks made payable to the Lexington Food Pantry may be placed in an envelope marked Lexington Food Pantry and placed in the offertory basket or dropped off at the office.  We thank you for your past generosity and support of this endeavor.

Family Rosary Conference

As We Forgive: July 17, 8am to 5pm – for all members of the family.  Full day of activities, workshops and lunch is included.  Special keynote talk by Dr. Greg Popcak, a nationally known expert in Catholic pastoral counseling.  Event includes Eucharistic Adoration, Mission Rosary and Vigil Mass. Held at the Father Peyton Center and Stonehill College, North Easton, MA.  Cost: $10 Individual with a $50 maximum for a Family.  REGISTER EARLY for only $40 for your family, including lunch.  For more information or to register:  Call 508-283-4095 or 800-299-7729 or www.FamilyRosary.org/conference.  Event sponsored by Holy Cross Family Ministries.  The Family That Prays Together Stays Together.

Festival of Faith 2010

Friday-Sunday, August 6-8, 2010. There will be an outdoor festival of camping, music and presentations.  The festival begins with camping Friday afternoon and opening ceremonies Friday evening.  Saturday includes prayer time in the morning and 12 hours of music and talks.  Saturday evening will have a nighttime musical service and a bonfire. Concludes Sunday morning with Mass. Catholics and all Christian denominations are invited.
Music Groups include: Terry Dunham and Gods Own, The Sounds of Life Choir, Rock of Refuge Worship Team, Follow Me, The Mount Saint Alphonsus Choir, Pointe of Praise Worship Team, Glory Road and more!
Reservations are required. For pricing, please visit MountSaintAlphonsus.org, or call 845.384.8000.

Homebound parishioners

As always, if you know of anyone who is homebound and unable to get to church, please contact the office, 781-862-0335/4646, so that we can make sure they receive the Eucharist. 

Most of us see the same people week after week at “our” Mass.  If you find that you are not seeing a certain person or people who are always at “your” Mass, please call the office and we will be happy to call and check to see if they are in good health or if they need some help or a visit from our Ministers to the Homebound.

St. Brigid Parish

Offertory for June 12/13                                 $ 9069.00
Envelope Offerings                                        $ 7908.00
Loose Cash                                                     $1,161.00
This week’s On-Line Giving Offertory              860.00

Out of the 548 envelopes we sent to St. Brigid parishioners, 174 have used their envelopes.  To date 22 parishioners have signed up for on-line giving.  Thank you to all who so generously contribute to our parishes each week! 
Fr. Colletti

He's Looking Forward to Your Visit!

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

St. Bridig Parish Renovation 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. 

Keilty Hall will not be accessible as a pass-through during construction. As a result, the stairway on the east side of the church building will be the only access to the existing restrooms and the Music Room.

During the demolition, enlargement and relocation of the current west side entrance and stairwell, the installation of the elevator, and the site preparation for seven handicapped parking spaces off the west driveway, the west side entrance to the church and the driveway between the church and parish center will be closed. Also during the entire project, the Reconciliation Room will be relocated to the small room off the church vestibule. 
 
For your safety, please take note of all signs posted in the church and on the parish property.  

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

welcome to New Parishioners

No matter what your present status in the Catholic Church, no matter what your current family or marital situation, no matter what your current personal history, age, background, race, etc., no matter what your own self-image; you are invited, welcomed, accepted, loved and respected here with the Catholic Community in Lexington. . If you are new to Sacred Heart or St. Brigid Parishes, please introduce yourself to either Father Colletti or one of the Pastoral Associates, Beverly Good or Mary Peterson, after Mass or at your convenience.  Also, please contact the Office, 781-862-0335/4646 to register as a member of the parishes

Magdalen College Summer Programs

Attention Teens ages 15 – 18 Come for two weeks of fun, faith, and learning…
Magdalen College Summer Programs include classes taught by college professors focusing on Philosophy, Music, and Catechesis.  In addition participants will go on day trips to the historic sites of Boston, hike in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, participate in sports, and put on a theatrical production.  Teens will stay on the Magdalen College Campus in Warner, NH, meet other teens from all over the country, and learn about the Catholic faith in a fun setting.  For more information please visit www.Magdalen.edu or call (603) 456 – 2656. 

Cost Last Minute Special: Session I – Sunday, June 20th – Saturday, July 3rd
$500 (only $36 a day – includes room, board, day trips, etc.), Session II – Wednesday, July 7th – Tuesday, July 20th $700 ($50 a day - includes, room, board, day trips, etc.); Session III – Monday, July 26th – Sunday, August 8th
$700 ($50 a day – includes room, board, day trips, etc.)

Helping Hands Ministry

Helping Hands is a group of volunteers who provide assistance to members of the Catholic Community of Lexington who are in need, such as giving rides to doctor’s appointments, or making meals for the sick.  Volunteer drivers make no minimum time commitment.  They only need to be willing to join an email distribution list for ride requests, and accept only those that fit their schedule.  Volunteer meal makers can respond to requests as they are able.  For more information, please contact Jeanne Hobbs at 781-248-9722 or jeannehobbs@verizon.net.
Now that the summer has officially begun, many people are traveling to summer homes.  This may leave a serious lack of help within the volunteer list.  If there is any way you can help, it would be much appreciated.

Adoration

by Paul Turner

Adoration before the Blessed Sacrament draws the worshiper into spiritual communion with God. Whether done on one's own time or at a scheduled service, adoration of the Eucharistic presence of Christ fosters our devotion for participation in the Mass.

Jesus instituted the Eucharist for our eating and drinking. Sharing communion at Mass brings us nourishment, healing and sustenance. There is no substitute for participation in the Eucharist; adoration should enhance it, not replace it.

Catholics reserve leftover communion breads in a tabernacle. The primary purpose for this custom is to have the Body of Christ ready for the dying at any time. The tabernacle also provides communion for the sick or those unable to come to Mass. Because it houses the sacramental Body of Christ, it serves as a place for adoration.

Adoration may be private or public. When adoring the Blessed Sacrament in private, Catholics usually go to any church, where the communion hosts are kept inside the tabernacle. They say whatever prayers they wish. Public adoration may take place in the context of a brief service (traditionally called "Benediction" although that only refers to the blessing which concludes it) or over a more extended period of time. The Blessed Sacrament is usually presented for adoration outside the tabernacle on an altar or a stand.

Extended periods of adoration used to be common. They filled the void for people who were not receiving communion frequently. However, in the twentieth century, the church has urged people to more frequent communion and has forbidden exposition during Mass. Participation in the Eucharist at Mass accomplishes spiritual communion more perfectly and renders simultaneous adoration unnecessary. Prolonged periods of adoration may happen in church where a large number of the faithful are gathering and when the bishop has given his approval. If Mass is celebrated, the Blessed Sacrament should be returned to the tabernacle.

Whether the Blessed Sacrament is inside or outside the tabernacle, adoration may invite us into prayer and prepare us for the Eucharist.

Copyright (c) 1997 Resource Publications, Inc., 160 E. Virginia St. #290, San Jose, CA 95112, (408) 286-8505. Paul Turner, pastor of St. John Regis Parish in Kansas City, Mo., holds a doctorate in sacramental theology from Sant' Anselmo University in Rome. His e-mail is PaulTu@aol.com.