SAINT MARGARET MARY PARISH

Transcription

1 SAINT MARGARET MARY PARISH 845 HIGH STREET, P.O. BOX 386 WESTWOOD, MA OFFICE FAX SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT Pastor: Rev. Stephen J. Linehan - Ext. 103 Deacon Emeritus: Rev. Mr. Joseph E. Holderried Director of Faith Formation For Children & Youth: Karlene Duffy - Ext. 101 Religious Education Administrative Assistant: Denise Raftery - Ext. 102 Director of music/liturgy: Mark Nemeskal - Ext. 111 Pastoral Assistant Brian Cullen - Ext. 107 Parish Administrative Assistant: Jacqueline Kerr - Ext. 100 Office Hours: Monday - Friday 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Mass Schedule: Saturday: Sunday: 4:30 PM 10:00 AM & 6:00 PM Weekdays: 9:00 AM Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday Confessions: Saturday 3:45-4:15 PM Baptisms: Second Sunday of the month at 12:00 PM. Contact the office. Pastoral Care of the Sick: Contact the office for a visit to the homebound/sick. Marriage: Please contact us at least six months in advance. FEBRUARY 25, 2018

2 JANUARY OFFERTORY JANUARY OFFERTORY - Thank you! Offertory for Month of January $ 26,951 Budgeted Offertory for January$ 35,000 Surplus/(Shortfall): $ (8,049) RECENT SECOND COLLECTIONS Support of the Church around the World $ 1,433 Thank you for your generosity! 2017 YEAR END FINANCIAL TAX STATEMENTS Year end financial acknowledgment statements for tax purposes for those who use envelopes are available now by contacting the parish office staff at or via . For those who make their contributions to the offertory using WeShare (formerly ParishPay), these reports were mailed out this past week and includes offertory totals from both ParishPay and WeShare for Next weekend, the Catholic Appeal will be announced in all parishes throughout the Archdiocese. Each of us is responsible not only for the wellbeing of our parish, but also for the wellbeing of the Church throughout our Archdiocese and throughout the world. In preparation, we invite you to prayerfully consider making a generous gift. To make an online pledge, please visit Thank you for your prayerful consideration of this year s Appeal. Thank you from the Social Justice Committee The Food Pantry Drive this month was a wonderful success!! We were able to restock the food pantry shelves with supplies that required 3 SUV s to deliver!! You donated pancake mix and syrup, cleaning products, lots of coffee, peanut butter, grape jelly, snacks, cereal boxes, boxed baking mixes, and gluten free items. These items will assist many families this winter in bringing a little joy and comfort to their homes! "Whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me. Matthew 25: 35-40" Thank you for your kindness and generosity!

3 THE PASTOR S PAGE Dear Parishioners and Friends, One of the hardest things to do for many writers is to get started... writing. The blank page can be a daunting foe... It stares at you... until you just start... just start writing and the muses begin to stir and the ideas begin to flow... There... I m on the way... A few things standout for me this day. It s my mother s birthday... I cant say her age for obvious reasons but it is a little short of a century s worth of living... I add today a particular request for your prayers... as she has come to that stage where it seems she is getting ready to go home to the Lord. As many of you know and can readily understand, I am filled with a mixture of love and sadness and gratitude, of resignation and hope, of denial and acceptance. Agh! I could write a book! The Church calls us to reflect on the Transfiguration of the Lord. Each year on the Second Sunday of Lent, we hear how Jesus, joined by Peter, James and John, became radiant... while the presence of Moses and Elijah appeared and then... a Voice was heard... God said this is my Son... Listen... to him! There is a whole lot going on here! The constant question for the believer, the student and hearer of the Scriptures is how does this speak to me/ us this day. Jesus, according to the Gospel of Mark in the account of the Transfiguration has brought a reassurance to the Apostles. Mark has given succeeding generations the same reassurance... We receive that reassurance today. Reassurance that Jesus is the Lord and he can be trusted! As you know I have a keen interest in words and their origins and as you may have guessed, I have had to trace down the roots of reassurance. If we drop off the re which means again, we start with assure which means to make safe, protect and to make a pledge or promise to do something... Let me assure you, I will... etc. Think about in/assurance companies... At the heart of assure we find the word secure... Yes, we bring protection and confidence with our securing of things... Lock the door please. The Latin root of secure is cura which means care/cure. I find it very interesting that the ministry of priests has historically been called in Latin cura animarum: the care/ cure of souls. The priest is entrusted with the care of souls... That is job number 1! The care of souls... to bring security to souls... assurance... reassurance... Cura may well have had its roots in to cure as in bring healing... it seemed to have evolved more into to care... That said, so much of the parish priest s work is in bringing healing to those who suffer... For all who read or might read this, I would submit, as you probably already know, that you can do this as well... reassure others. This is not just a religious concept. A parent, a grandparent, a friend, can bring enormous reassurance to a young person... when a child grows ill, experiences failure, disappointment, disillusionment. A school teacher and/or a guidance councilor can help with perspective, knowledge and wisdom. We look to others in leadership positions. What enormous responsibilities many have! Aye! But who do you trust! That s another question for another time... It s a goal for all of us to be trust worthy. Our responsibility to build faith not sow doubt... It s a positive thing: reassurance, security and strength... not a negative. We do the best we can. Many people have a lot of fear... Faith helps so much with fear. St. Paul shared: Lord I believe... help my unbelief... Amen. In the days a head, I plan to maximize my time with my mom. I m sure we can manage the essentials of parish life. Thank you for your prayers, understanding and support. Mind the snowmen that lean on the communion rail... Check with the VBS graduates and helpers, they will be glad to tell you the story! Welcome back to all who had school vacation! God bless you and stay strong, Fr. Linehan

4 FORMING LEADERS FOR MISSION A WORKSHOP IN PARISH-BASED LEADERSHIP St. Timothy s 650 Nichols Street, Norwood March 7th & 8th 5:30 PM - 9:00 PM Two-evening session Designed to support all in the parish community in discerning and developing their particular charisms Calls to lead within their personal, family, community, parish and collaborative lives All are welcome Workshop is for everyone with a desire to discern and strengthen their leadership skills To register, please visit For questions, please contact Rosemary Maffei at Rmaffei@rcab.org or Worldwide Marriage Encounter And hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. Let the Holy Spirit acknowledge and increase our love for our spouses by attending a Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend. The next Weekends are TBD. For more information, call Stephen & Michelle O'Leary at or visit them at Saint Margaret Mary Parish thanks parishioner Mary Curley, who has been handling the cleaning and pressing of the various linens used in the Church (purificators, altar cloths, corporals etc.) but has resigned her position effective in May due to time constraints. We are looking for 3-4 people to take over this valuable contribution to our Eucharistic celebrations. If you would be willing to help, please contact Brian Cullen at the Parish Office by phone at or via at b.cullen@saintmmparish.org. St. Margaret Mary Lent Schedule: Stations of the Cross Every Friday Night 7:00 PM in the Church (except for Friday March 2nd) The Light Is On For You (Confessions) Sunday 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM & Immediately following the 6:00 PM Mass if needed PASTORAL CARE TO THE SICK & HOMEBOUND Blue Hill Collaborative, Hyde Park - Central Saturdays April 21st & April 28th 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM (NEED TO ATTEND BOTH SATURDAYS) Workshop on visiting the sick A review of communication skills, the basics of pastoral visitation, key illness issues, spiritual needs and concerns Grief, loss and dying and caregiving issues Instructor, Timothy Duff, Certified Chaplain Eucharistic ministers, pastoral visitors, parish nurses and others are encouraged to attend Fee $40 Please register by February 20th Pre-registration is required 20 registrants required to sponsor class For information/registration, please contact: Karen Farrell kfarrell@rcab.org

5 Monday Night Rosary Monday evenings at 8:10 PM You need not know how to pray the Rosary. Rosary beads and prayer guides provided. ALL ARE WELCOME! The Matthew 13 Collaborative of Blessed Sacrament, Walpole & St. Mary s of E. Walpole Welcome Mother Olga, founder of the Daughters of Mary of Nazareth in Boston. Mother will lead us in prayer, as we prepare for Our Lord s passion, death and resurrection. Blessed Sacrament 10 Diamond Street, Walpole Sunday, February 25th - 7:00 PM Tuesday, February 27th - 7:00 PM St. Mary s 176 Washington Street, E. Walpole Monday, February 26th - 7:00 PM Join us for Coffee and Fellowship! Anyone craving a little coffee and fellowship? How about catching up with old friends or perhaps extending a St. Margaret Mary warm welcome to new ones? Well look no further! The Development Committee is pleased to announce that there will be a coffee hour in the annex following the 10 am Mass on Sunday, March 4. If you are interested in helping out, either by providing something to nibble on, such as fruit or baked goods, or assisting with the set up before or clean up after, please contact Brian Cullen, at b.cullen@saintmmparish.org We hope to see you there! AN OPPORTUNITY TO DEEPEN YOUR FAITH The Archdiocese of Boston Cursillo Cursillo is a short course in Christianity Offers participants a vibrant experience of the Christian Life A method for living as an active member of the Church Weekend runs from Thursday evening through Sunday afternoon The Campion Renewal Center 319 Concord Road, Weston, MA Women s weekend March 1st - 4th October 18th - 21st Men s weekend April 26th - 29th November 29th - December 2nd For information and registration, please check the Boston Cursillo website or contact Chris Graff at cmg829@comcast.net or

6 Dear Friends in Christ, In case we needed a further reminder that we re in the Lenten season, today s readings are vivid reminders of the approaching Paschal mystery the Passion, Death and Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. Abraham s willingness to follow God s command to sacrifice his own son, without hesitation or question, is in part a reminder of Abraham s great faith, but is a pre-figurement of God the Father s unchanging love for us by not sparing His own Son, but (who) handed Him over for us all. In the Gospel we read of Jesus Transfiguration before Peter, James and John. The Evangelist Mark places this event a few days after Jesus initial announcement to His disciples that He must suffer and die, though in other Gospels, this is the event when our Lord is told the details of His coming Passion and Death by Moses and Elijah, who represent the Law and the Prophets of the Old Covenant, made new and eternal in Christ. In my last two bulletin columns, I ve written about two of the three pillars of Lent, namely, prayer and fasting. The third pillar, alms-giving, is about good works done for the love of God, whether it s giving money or giving your time and/or talent to help others in need. We often call this charity and rightfully so! The English word charity comes from the Latin caritas, which is the word often used in the New Testament to talk about the love Jesus displays for us and that He calls each of His followers to love one another with. This is a love that gives without counting the cost. There is no greater love than to lay down one s life for another. Love one another as I have loved you. Seeing as how we most likely won t be forced to take up an actual cross, what does this love practically look like in our day to day lives? Flip through the bulletin and you ll see a number of ways you can give alms in the coming weeks right here at the local level. Your contributions to the weekly offertory and special collections and the upcoming Catholic Appeal help to fund so many worthwhile Catholic charities and ministries here in Westwood and in the greater Boston area. The Social Justice Committee has a few events coming up and are always looking for help! Additionally, the parish can always use more altar servers, lectors, Eucharistic Ministers and a number of other volunteer opportunities! Please contact me if you d like to do so! Lastly, it might seem obvious, but devoting some time of your prayer life to pray for others who need prayers whether they be family/friends or a total stranger(s), living or deceased - someone always needs your prayers! FIRST FRIDAY MARCH 2ND Friday, March 2nd is the first Friday of the month. On the first Friday of each month, the Blessed Sacrament is solemnly exposed on our altar following the 9:00 AM Mass. This is a wonderful opportunity to meditate and pray quietly in the presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. ATTENTION PARISHIONERS.. If you know of someone who is in need of a Pastoral Visit... someone who is homebound, struggling, or may appreciate some company please contact the Parish Office. Social Justice Event LENTEN SUPPER Friday, March 2 nd :30 PM The event will start with Stations of the Cross; followed by a meat free Soup Supper in the lower hall. After dinner we will have Susan Silva from the E.B. Hope Center joining us to discuss the Christian based organization that she works with in assisting people afflicted by the opiate crisis. Please plan to join us for an evening of fellowship and learning. If you are willing and able to donate a pot of soup or help with set up or clean up please csenerchia@verizon.net the soup needs to be vegetarian. Thank you for your kindness and generosity! Yours in the Lord s Service, Brian Cullen Interested in participating in the Social Justice Committee?? Please contact Cindy Senerchia after the 10:00 AM Mass (She sings in the choir) or csenerchia@verizon.net

7 Liturgies for the Week Feb. 24 Saturday 4:30 PM Jason & Denis Brogna Feb. 25 Sunday 10:00 AM Claire Bogrette 6:00 PM Mass Feb. 26 Monday 9:00 AM Joseph Clancy Feb. 27 Tuesday 9:00 AM Suzanne Manley Mar. 1 Thursday 9:00 AM Brenda Long Mar. 2 Friday 9:00 AM Christine O Brien 27th Anniversary Mar.. 3 Saturday 4:30 PM Dion Cashman Mar. 4 Sunday 10:00 AM Antoinette Lobosco 60th Anniversary Porzia Lobosco 5th Anniversary 6:00 PM Mass Saturday, March 3rd Priest Lector Eucharistic Ministers Principals Special Altar Servers Sunday, March 4th Priest Lector Eucharistic Ministers Principals Ministers Schedule March 3rd & 4th 4:30 PM Fr. Linehan Kathleen McGill Bill McDonough, Peter Meade & Bill Reissfelder Trish MacDonald & Nancy Meager Ann Joyce Ann Joyce & Devin Hund ** 1 Altar Server Needed ** 10:00 AM Fr. Linehan Marney Barrett Mary Kiley, Pat Payne & Gail Ronan JB Dowd & Karen Mason Altar Servers ** 3 Altar Servers Needed ** Sunday, March 4th Priest Lector Eucharistic Ministers Principals Altar Servers 6:00 PM SMA Fathers Bob Reissfelder Ann Delaney-Lendrum & Craig Foscaldo ** EM Needed ** Rory Laughna Grace & Matthew Foscaldo ** 1 Altar Server Needed ** PARISH STAFF ADDRESSES Father Linehan s.linehan@saintmmparish.org Brian Cullen b.cullen@saintmmparish.org Max Collins m.collins@saintmmparish.org Karlene Duffy k.duffy@saintmmparish.org Jacqueline Kerr j.kerr@saintmmparish.org Mark Nemeskal nemeskal@verizon.net Denise Raftery d.raftery@saintmmparish.org