Sacred Heart Parish
MASS INTENTIONS FOR THE WEEK
Saturday, September 26
4:00 PM Barry Joseph O’Leary
Sunday, September 27
9:00 AM Parishioners of Sacred Heart
11:45 AM Karel and Olga Holbik
CELEBRANTS FOR NEXT WEEKEND’S MASSES
Saturday, September 26
4:00 PM Fr. St. Martin
Sunday, September 27
9:00 AM Fr. Connelly
10:30 AM Fr. Carey
11:45 AM Fr. Collins
CONFESSIONS
Saturday, September 26 – 2:00 to 3:30 PM – Fr. St. Martin
READINGS FOR THE TWENTY-SIXTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
First Reading: Numbers 11:25-29
Second Reading: James 5:1-6
Gospel Reading: Mark 9:38-43, 45, 47-48
GUILD OF SAINT FRANCIS NEWS
Annual Tea: All the women of the parish are invited to The Guild of Saint Francis’ Annual Tea which will take place this Sunday afternoon from 3:00 to 4:30 p.m. in the rectory.
Bowling League: The Guild of Saint Francis Bowling League needs new bowlers! If you like to bowl and want to meet some great ladies, please join us on Thursday mornings at 9:30 at Fairway Bowling Alleys – Route 9 – Natick. For more information, please call Barbara Hatem at 617-969-2567.
Holly Harvest Workshops: In preparation for the Holly Harvest Fair in November, workshops will be held on Tuesday evenings from 7 to 9 p.m., from September 29 to November 17, in the Guild Room in the school building. Please call Barbara Hatem at 617-969-2567 if you have any questions.
Day of Recollection and Mass: On Sunday, October 4, the Guild will hold their Day of Recollection and Mass for Deceased Members. Mass will be at 11:45 a.m. in the upstairs church, followed by a luncheon from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Parish Center (MacKenzie Center). The fee is $15 per person. Checks, payable to the Guild of St. Francis, should be mailed to Sally Daly, 138 Lincoln Street, Newton, MA 02461 on or before October 1. Please call Sally Daly at 617-527-4466 or Gloria Thompson at 617-964-2054 for questions.
CHILDREN’S LITURGY OF THE WORD
Now that our parish’s families are settling into new school schedules, Children’s Liturgy of the Word (CLW) will resume at the 9:00 Mass on Sunday, September 27th.
Appeal: This ministry should really be a shared responsibility and we are actively seeking parishioners called and willing to join this special ministry. From experience, both the children and the liturgists benefit when this ministry is supported by multiple volunteers. The children benefit from experiencing differing approaches, perspectives, and styles, while the adults involved learn and grow by sharing their faith and sharing the work involved.
If you are a parent, this is a lovely way to nurture your child’s growth in Christ. But regardless of your parental status, participation in this ministry will undoubtedly nurture your own growth in Christ. Do not be daunted by inexperience or worries over time commitment; you will receive resources and support, and like all service, whatever you can give will be gratefully received. Many hands make light work. If we get enough volunteers, we can expand this ministry to best suit the needs of our children.
The format: Prior to the beginning of the Liturgy of the Word, children (ages 5-12) will be called forward and ushered to the lower chapel where they will celebrate a Liturgy of the Word that is appropriate for their level of understanding. They will then return to the assembly at the time of the Eucharistic Liturgy. Questions? Please contact Danielle Betancourt 617-916-1002, or send an e-mail to: dbetancourt@boston.k12.ma.us
HOME SCHOOLING FAMILIES
In an effort to support families in the RCAB that home school their children, Cardinal Seán has appointed a Spiritual Director/Liaison for Home School Families in the Pastoral Center. If you would like to contact the office for more information or be connected to other Catholic home school families, please call 617-746-5875.
“MANY THANKS”
Many thanks to the following parishioners who helped water our beautiful flowers during this challenging summer season. The flowers would not have survived without their dedication and reliability. I thank you most sincerely:
Mary and Josephine Nicolazzo
David Kiah, Cathy Schneider and Kathie Long
And our weekend volunteer (please call me)
Barbara Hatem
OFFERTORY INCOME
Weekend of September 12/13 $4,529
H1N1 VIRUS AND LITURGICAL CELEBRATIONS
Health officials, while anxious not to cause any panic about the matter, are suggesting prudent practices for all of us in the face of an impending flu epidemic. Schools and colleges have made plans. Doctors are recommending the ordinary flu shot and the special swine flu vaccine, although the latter will not be available until mid-October.
Our diocese has also made some plans and good suggestions. Please read the following which is a statement made by diocesan officials late last week.
“As flu season approaches parishes may receive requests from parishioners to make changes to the liturgical celebration in order to prevent the spread of the flu and other viruses. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, in consultation with the Center for Disease Control, recommends that the following measures be taken in the celebration of the Liturgy:
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Priests, Deacons, and extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion should be especially reminded of the need to practice good hygiene. Ministers of Holy Communion should be encouraged to wash their hands before Mass begins, or even to use an alcohol based anti-bacterial solution before and after distributing Holy Communion.
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Pastors should instruct people who feel ill not to receive from the cup.
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The Diocesan Bishop should always be consulted regarding any changes or restriction of options in the celebration of Roman Catholic Liturgy. However, the need for the introduction of widespread liturgical adaptations for the prevention of the transmission of influenza in the dioceses of the United States of America is not evident at this time.
The following recommendations from the Center for Disease Control may be helpful to share as they are everyday actions that people can take to stay healthy:
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Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
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Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
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Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
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Try to avoid close contact with sick people. Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected individuals.
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If you are sick, or suspect yourself to be sick with a contagious illness, the CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
PLEASE NOTE: These recommendations are based on current information and are subject to change based on ongoing surveillance and risk assessment.”
WHAT DO WE PLAN HERE AT
SACRED HEART PARISH
It is important for all of us to keep in mind the above suggestions. If anyone is not feeling well or has come down with a cold, that person should forego receiving the Precious Blood from the cup and from shaking hands at the Sign of Peace. The priest-celebrant will wash his hands thoroughly before Mass. After the Sign of Peace, the celebrant will clean his hands with an alcohol-based cleaner. As the Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion enter the sanctuary, each minister will also wash their hands with an alcohol-based cleaner. After giving Communion, the celebrant and ministers will once again go to the credence table and wash their hands. For good health, we must pray for such and be reasonable about interpersonal contacts if we are feeling sick.
Father Connelly
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION NEWS
Religious Education classes are set to begin today and on Tuesday, September 29. Unfortunately, some classes will be without teachers. Our children have come to see, hear and know Christ. But some will have no one to tell them who their Savior is. What else could be more important for our children to know, in order to be happy? Please call the Religious Ed. Office (617-969-4031) or email: religious.education@sacredheart.ws.
The Confirmation II class will begin the new year learning about John Paul II’s Theology of the Body for Teens, Discovering God’s Plan for Life and Love. Confirmation parents are asked to attend a Parent Information Session on this curriculum on Sunday, Oct. 4, from 7:30- 8:30 pm in the Convent. (no teens!)
All students are required to have a copy of their baptismal certificate in order to attend CCD class.
Michelle Solomon, Director of Rel. Ed.
SOUNDER SLEEP
Learn a natural, drug-free way to overcome insomnia. Free for members of Sacred Heart Parish, the Sounder Sleep class will run on Sundays, September 20 and 27, from 1 to 5 PM in the MacKenzie Center. To register call 617.835.3163 or email frank@strengthspath.org. Limit of 10 participants.
SIGNINGS
We all want God's love and protection. We want to be safe and happy. Jesus is the way to the Father and His love and peace. We move toward Jesus by moving ever closer to his words and sacraments given to us through his Church.
At the same time we move away. We are afraid. We know that moving toward God also means accepting responsibility and the peace and love, the safety we are looking for, will cost us.
As we listen to Jesus in today's Gospel, our fears are confirmed. We can see that our fear of the cost is real. Jesus tells us that He himself will show us God's will by being handed over to his foes. The first reading tells us that God will save the just one and the Son of God from his foes and this is the opposite. The first way we naturally like. The second we do not like. The apostles didn't want Jesus to tell them any more about that second message.
How can we have two different messages? They are not different. Jesus is saved from his foes but first he must be overcome by his foes. We too will be saved and arrive at God's all encompassing love, but it will come through being overcome with work and suffering and even death. Those will be the times that we are called to love. The Holy Spirit will help us.
Stay with the Church. It will be Christ's voice reminding us about His way of victory through being overcome. Stay with Christ's Church and his Word in the Scriptures. Do not be afraid. It does and will work.
In Christ, Fr. St. Martin
P.S.: Congratulations: We raised $449 for World Youth Day!
8 NEW SEMINARIANS ENTER SEMINARY THIS SEPTEMBER FOR THE ARCHDIOCESE OF BOSTON
Eight new men entered the seminary for the Archdiocese of Boston the first week of September to think and pray about whether or not God is inviting them to be Priests. They will discern and prepare for the Priesthood. A Priest is "a man who offers his whole humanity to God so that Christ might use him as an instrument of salvation in the world" (Pope John Paul II). During this Year for Priests, consider praying each day for these men that they will hear God's call clearly – whatever it may be – and respond with generosity to His call. You just may be praying for your future pastor!!! For more information on Vocations to the Priesthood, go to www.vocationsboston.org or call 617-746-5949.
PROTECTING YOUR NEST EGG SEMINAR
Michael Broderick will be presenting a free seminar on Wednesday, September 23, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Parish Center. The Seminar will focus on educating people on pre-retirement and retirement planning.
SIGN UP FOR ARISE - SEASON THREE
REGISTER BY SEPTEMBER 20
Season Three, IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF CHRIST, of the Arise program will focus on theological explanations of the Catholic understanding of discipleship, the social teachings of the Church, active commitment to charity and justice, and the communal dimension of life in Christ. Letters describing the details of the program were mailed to parishioners.
Season Three begins the week of October 4th. We will offer ninety-minute sessions on:
Sundays 10:15 AM and 7 PM
Mondays 7:30 PM in Spanish
Tuesdays 12:30 PM and 7 PM
Wednesdays 7:30 PM
Thursdays 10:00 AM and 1:00 PM
Previous participation not necessary. Ask other parishioners about their experience in small faith-sharing groups. Let us all pray for the Church of Boston and our parish, as we prepare to begin the new season of the “Arise Together in Christ Program”, focused on the theme of discipleship in the footsteps of Christ, that this may continue to be a time of building community, increasing our love for God, and reaching out in service to others.
THE 2009 CATHOLICTV TELETHON
Help Support CatholicTV in Boston. The telethon will take place on Friday, September 25th and Saturday, September 26th, 2009 from 9 AM to 9 PM. Please tune in (Comcast Ch 268; Verizon Ch 296). Call and support this very important work of the Church.
CALENDAR NOTES
“ARISE” SEASON THREE SIGN UP:
Saturday and Sunday, September 19/20 – Following Masses
EXTENDED COFFEE HOUR:
Sunday, September 20 – 10 AM to 1 PM – Parish Center
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION – GRADES 1-5:
Sunday, September 20 – 10:30 to 11:45 AM – Lower Ch.
GUILD OF ST. FRANCIS “ANNUAL TEA”:
Sunday, September 20 – 3 to 4:30 PM – Rectory
BOY SCOUTS:
Monday, September 21 – 7:30 PM – Parish Center
PRAYER GROUP:
Wednesday, September 23 – 7:30PM – Convent (Chapel)
COFFEE HOUR:
Friday, September 25 – Following 9 AM Mass – Parish Ctr.
LITURGY, ADORATION AND THE ROSARY:
Saturday, September 26 – 9 AM to 12:30 PM – Lower Ch.
EXTENDED COFFEE HOUR:
Sunday, September 27 – 10 AM to 1 PM – Parish Center
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION – GRADES 1-5:
Sunday, September 27 – 10:30 to 11:45 AM – Lower Ch.