The Gospel of Luke presents two aspects of Jesus’ personality. On the one hand he is accepting of Jew and Gentile; forgiving and merciful to the sinner who asks for mercy. He is patient with people, including his disciples, who are slow to believe. He embraces the poor, the lame, and the blind. On the other hand he is unforgiving to the religious leaders who are self-righteous. He is intensely angry with money changers in the temple. He asks people to follow and if they offer some excuse for a delay in response, he withdraws the “call”. He warns that only a few will enter the Kingdom of God for the road there is narrow and few will find it.
In today’s scripture (Luke 10:1-20) he calls seventy-two disciples to prepare his way to whatever town he intends to visit on his way to Jerusalem. Jesus asks them to bless the house in which they are to stay by saying, “Peace to this house!” “If there is a peaceable man there, your peace will rest on him; if not it will come back to you.”
Beside the message of peace, they are to announce, “The reign of God is at hand.” Jesus is sending them with his authority to say what they were told to say. This means that their presence is really Christ’s presence and their word is really His word. Which also means as they go as Jesus’ servant, the one who listens to you listens to me; the one who rejects you rejects me. If they do not listen to your message “shake the dust of the town from your feet.”
Jesus and his message will bring division: “The one who is not with me is against me.” This kind of division was spoken about when Simeon prophesies to Mary, “This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and he is to be a sign that will be opposed.”
Jesus is asking people to make a choice for him with total commitment. “Whoever comes after me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes and even life itself, cannot be my disciple.” These words spoken to us as disciples stress the urgency of the task (now is the time for harvest) and the vulnerability we will undergo (I am sending you out like lambs in the midst of wolves) and the joy of being his disciples (the 72 returned with joy and Jesus urges them by saying that their names are written in heaven).
How will you, as Jesus’ disciple, invest your time, talent and resources to build the reign of God in this time and place? If not now, when? If not you, who?
Readings for the Week Of Sunday, July 04, 2010
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, Paula McKenna, 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 Rita Kiley.
Helping Hands
Helping Hands for July is Mary Peterson,
781-863-0319
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.
R.C.I.A.
Are you searching for meaning or trying to make sense out of life? Have you ever thought about becoming a Catholic? Are you married to a Catholic and wonder what Catholics believe? Have you considered sharing the same faith as your spouse or your kids? Were you baptized Catholic but never learned about God? MAYBE GOD IS CALLING YOU… The R.C.I.A. (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) is the process by which we “make new Catholics”: a process of learning, and asking questions, and growing together in a nurturing welcoming community of faith. Find out more: contact Beverly Good at 781-863-0319, ext 20 or Beverly.good@lexingtoncatholic.org.
Fourth Of July Humor
What happened as a result of the Stamp Act?
The Americans licked the British!
Why did Paul Revere ride his horse from Boston to Lexington?
Because the horse was too heavy to carry!
Why did the British cross the Atlantic?
To get to the other tide!
What do you call a parade of German mercenaries?
A Hessian procession!
What would you get if you crossed a patriot with a small curly-haired dog?
Yankee Poodle!
Did you hear the one about the Liberty Bell?
Yeah, it cracked me up!
What would you get if you crossed George Washington with cattle feed?
The Fodder of Our Country!
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 NOTE: There will be no meetings in August.
ST. KATHARINE DREXEL FOOD PANTRY
ST. BRIGID AND SACRED HEART
The food collection for St. Katharine Drexel is this weekend, July 3rd and 4th. Please remember to bring bags of non-perishable food for the pantry by 11:00am on Sunday. Because it is the holiday weekend, we will also collect the weekend of July 12/13.
You can leave food donations at the entrances to both St. Brigid and Sacred Heart or at the altar at Sacred Heart. Please check the expiration dates. The food pantry also accepts Stop and Shop gift cards and checks made payable to St. Katharine Drexel. These may be placed in the offertory basket or left at the office. Food collections tend to drop off in the summer but your continued support will enable the food pantry to stay open. Thank you for past generosity to this ministry in Roxbury.
Witness To Hope
Witness to Hope, held August 12th-15th at St. Thecla's. Retreat House, Billerica, is an exciting overnight leadership institute specially designed for Roman Catholic Middle School students who have just completed grades 6, 7, or 8. For more information go to www.oymboston.org.
Do Your Vacation Plans Include ONline giving
Giving on-line is an easy and safe way to support your parish, even when you’re on vacation. Visit our web site,
www.lexingtoncatholic.org, and click “Sacred Heart Parish” or “St. Brigid Parish” to learn about this new way to contribute via a charge to your bank account or credit card. Check it out!
bible Study Humor
Did Noah Fish?
A Sunday school teacher asked, ‘Johnny, do you think Noah did a lot of fishing when he was on the Ark?’ ‘No replied Johnny. ‘How could he, with just two worms.’
Sunday, July 4th
10:00 – Baptism Instruction – SH
Monday, July 5th
Feast Day of St. Anthony Mary Zaccaria
Tuesday, July 6th
Feast of St. Maria Goretti
7:00 – Catholic WorkCamp Meeting
RM.10
Wednesday, July 7th
Thursday, July 8th
7:00-Young Adults Meeting - SB
7:00 – Boy Scouts Meeting - SB
Friday, July 9th
Feast of St. Augustine Zhao Rong, and companions who were martyred
Saturday, July 10th
3:00 – Wedding – Melissa Napoli and Dennis Kohut
5:00 – Send off Mass for WorkCamp Group - SB
HAVE A WONDERFUL WEEKEND
Fr. Thuma's New Assignment
I am happy to share with you that I have been appointed the Priest-chaplain at Boston University by Cardinal O’Malley. This new assignment at Boston University’s Catholic Center began on July first. I have been a Priest-in-residence here in Lexington since December helping with the Masses. It has been a joy to celebrate Mass with you, the people of the parishes.
As Chaplain, I will be saying Masses at BU’s Marsh Chapel on a “student friendly” schedule. (During the academic year I’ll have a Mass Sundays at 10 PM!) I will be working with a religious sister and brother at the Catholic Center on Bay State Road. Some of you may know Sister Olga from her speaking at one of the parish groups. While roughly six hundred students attend the liturgies on Sundays, about thirty percent of Boston University’s enrollment is Catholic. The Boston Archdiocese takes care of the upkeep of the Center’s facility leaving the Catholic Center to fundraise most of its budget.
Beaune (my dog) and I will be living at St. Mary - St. Catherine Parish rectory in Charlestown. There are three other priests living there, including the pastor, who also has a black Lab. We’ll be starting to move this weekend. If you would like to be in contact, you can e-mail the parish here or send a postal card to: BU Catholic Center, 211 Bay State Rd., Boston, MA 02116.
My thanks to the many people who participate here at the liturgies and office. My thanks to Claire Martin and the staff for their kind welcome, patience and help. I am very grateful to my brother priest, Fr. Colletti, for his generosity and hospitality during the past half year. I pray that Fr. Le finds his time here in Lexington to be as graced as mine has been.
With thanks for all of your kindnesses, I pray that you all experience His Blessings.
Yours in Christ, Fr. Clifton Thuma
Happy Fourth Of July To All
The parish’s office will be closed on Monday, July 5th. We will reopen on Tuesday, July 6th at 9:30. Have a wonderful weekend!
The Parish Staff
Sacred Heart Parish
Offertory for June 26/27 $ 3495.00
Envelope Offerings $ 2910.00
Loose Cash $ 580.00
St. Katharine Drexel $ 150.00
Of the 265 envelopes we sent to Sacred Heart parishioners, 87 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 July 6th | Catherine & John Cronin, Jr.Rev. John Keilty |
| 9:00am | Saturday July 10th | Evelyn IngemeeRita Volpicelli |
| |
| Sacred Heart Church |
| |
| 9:00am | Monday July 5th | Paul Kijowski |
| 9:00am | Wednesday July 7th | No Intention |
| 9:00am | Friday July 9th | Thomas Dawson |
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.
religious Educatation
Registrations for the 2010-2011 Religious Education Program have been mailed out. For advanced planning, please be aware that classes for Grades 1 thru 8 will be available on Sunday mornings at St. Brigid from 10:00-11:15 (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 Classes
Registration Placement forms for 9th and 10th grade Confirmation Classes were sent out this week. Please complete the form and send it back with the registration fee and a copy of your child’s baptismal certificate if it is not already on file. 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.
Witness To Truth
Witness to Truth held July 12th-16th at St. Thecla's Retreat House, Billerica is a dynamic overnight leadership institute designed for Roman Catholic High School students who have completed grades 9, 10, 11, 12. For more information go to www.oymboston.org.
St. Brigid Parish
Offertory for June 26/27 $ 6757.00
Envelope Offerings $ 5986.00
Loose Cash $ 771.00
Out of the 548 envelopes we sent to St. Brigid parishioners, 206 have used their envelopes. To date 27 parishioners have signed up for on-line giving. Thank you to all who so generously contribute to our parishes each week!
Fr. Colletti
Get Up Close And Personal With The Lord
Spend some quiet 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. 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.
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 parish property and do not cross barriers or fences into the construction worksite.
Updates on this project, including building accessibility and safety issues during construction, will be provided weekly in this section of the bulletin.
communion distribution At St. Bridgids
Communion will be distributed at the front of the church. This is in keeping with the fact that all those participating at the Eucharist should approach the altar at communion time. We ask that those who are handicapped please use the reserved benches, located on the left side of the church, or take seats closer to the front of the church so that they may more easily come to receive communion. If you are handicapped and need Communion brought to you, please let the Usher or Pastoral Associate know; we will make arrangements to have Communion brought to you
Understanding The Liturgy
by, John J. O'Brien, C.P.
Coming to the Lord's Table - The Communion Rite
Sharing in communion with another is one of the central moments in human experience. Sharing in the Eucharist with the Lord and with one another is a central moment in Catholic experience. The act of ministering and the act of receiving the Eucharist is one of the most precious actions we do. Being in communion with one another through our reception of the Eucharist is a great blessing.
Sharing in communion and ministering this precious moment requires ongoing reflection and formation.
I want to devote a number of columns to the important ritual moment of sharing communion. In this first column I want to outline what you already know, i.e., the ritual structure of the communion rite. Then future columns will fill out the ritual structure and the ritual action that the communion ministers do. Then I shall talk about the kinds of quality things that are evident when this ministry is done well. Finally, I shall devote some time to items that promote a good understanding of this ritual moment in our liturgy. I shall connect my comments with a document issued recently by the Office of Worship. It is called Service at the Table of God, A study Guide for Ministers of the Eucharist.
The outline of the communion rite is something everyone could easily name. It begins with the Lord's Prayer. The sign of peace follows. Then the bread of communion is broken and prepared and the cups of consecrated wine are poured and prepared. The assembly is then invited to the table of the Lord by processing to receive the sacrament. Then all return to their place. After all have received there is a period of silence. The rite concludes with the prayer after communion. The outline appears simple and straightforward. However, the doing of this portion of the liturgy is more involved than meets the eye. First of all, the ritual that is performed conveys profound spiritual meaning. The meaning was well put many years ago by the saintly bishop, John Chrysostom.
He stated that this Eucharistic table groans under the weight of such abundant blessing. I have always found that a beautiful image: a table groaning because blessing is so great.
The image indicates that God does not wish to remain aloof from us. Not only does God communicate the gracious gift of the Spirit. God also shares at a table with us. God uses table partnership to express how heaven unites with earth. God uses what we are deeply familiar with. Just as we are fed with food, drink, and companionship at human tables each day, so also God communes with us as a people gathered at the Lord's table.
Coming to the Lord's table for communion calls for a spirit of reverence. To share at the table is to share in the holy meal of the Lord. Participation at this table frees us from isolation and sin, delivers us from loneliness and evil. This eating and this drinking are the culmination of our worship on Sunday and anticipate our sharing in the banquet of the Lord's reign in heaven.
Understanding The Liturgy
by, John J. O'Brien, C.P.
Coming to the Lord's Table - The Communion Rite
Sharing in communion with another is one of the central moments in human experience. Sharing in the Eucharist with the Lord and with one another is a central moment in Catholic experience. The act of ministering and the act of receiving the Eucharist is one of the most precious actions we do. Being in communion with one another through our reception of the Eucharist is a great blessing.
Sharing in communion and ministering this precious moment requires ongoing reflection and formation.
I want to devote a number of columns to the important ritual moment of sharing communion. In this first column I want to outline what you already know, i.e., the ritual structure of the communion rite. Then future columns will fill out the ritual structure and the ritual action that the communion ministers do. Then I shall talk about the kinds of quality things that are evident when this ministry is done well. Finally, I shall devote some time to items that promote a good understanding of this ritual moment in our liturgy. I shall connect my comments with a document issued recently by the Office of Worship. It is called Service at the Table of God, A study Guide for Ministers of the Eucharist.
The outline of the communion rite is something everyone could easily name. It begins with the Lord's Prayer. The sign of peace follows. Then the bread of communion is broken and prepared and the cups of consecrated wine are poured and prepared. The assembly is then invited to the table of the Lord by processing to receive the sacrament. Then all return to their place. After all have received there is a period of silence. The rite concludes with the prayer after communion. The outline appears simple and straightforward. However, the doing of this portion of the liturgy is more involved than meets the eye. First of all, the ritual that is performed conveys profound spiritual meaning. The meaning was well put many years ago by the saintly bishop, John Chrysostom.
He stated that this Eucharistic table groans under the weight of such abundant blessing. I have always found that a beautiful image: a table groaning because blessing is so great.
The image indicates that God does not wish to remain aloof from us. Not only does God communicate the gracious gift of the Spirit. God also shares at a table with us. God uses table partnership to express how heaven unites with earth. God uses what we are deeply familiar with. Just as we are fed with food, drink, and companionship at human tables each day, so also God communes with us as a people gathered at the Lord's table.
Coming to the Lord's table for communion calls for a spirit of reverence. To share at the table is to share in the holy meal of the Lord. Participation at this table frees us from isolation and sin, delivers us from loneliness and evil. This eating and this drinking are the culmination of our worship on Sunday and anticipate our sharing in the banquet of the Lord's reign in heaven.
Welcome To New Parishioners And New Summer visitors
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.
If you are visiting Lexington, we welcome you to either Sacred Heart or St. Brigid Parishes. Please let us know where you are from, and please enjoy our community while you are here in Lexington.