Saint Cecilia. The Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ. Corpus Christi. 3 June 2018

Transcription

1 Saint Cecilia P A R I S H The Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ Corpus Christi 3 June 2018 Confirmation, 2018

2 Welcome! Welcome to Saint Cecilia Parish, a Roman Catholic community that gathers day by day, week by week, to know and make known the grace of God. By means of this abundant grace, we enjoy a diverse and close-knit parish family young, old, rich, poor, of various ethnic origins and differing backgrounds. From our extraordinary music program to a growing children s faith formation program; from the various liturgical ministries to the many opportunities for social outreach that the parish provides, Saint Cecilia is a vibrant community of faith, centered on prayer and worship that tries to keep the Gospel close to heart and to live by Jesus teachings. Saint Cecilia Parish was established in At that time the Back Bay section of Boston along Commonwealth Avenue and Beacon Street was the residential section of the Yankee aristocracy. The maids ( Irish working out girls ) and coachmen who served these residents had long requested a church of their own. When Archbishop Williams granted their request and carved the parish from the territory of the Cathedral, they built a magnificent church out of their meager earnings. The church was dedicated on April 22, Its architecture is Romanesque, XII Century Norman. The main altar, notable for its massive simplicity, was carved from a single block of white Carrara marble. The painting in the center reredos is a reproduction of da Vinci s The Last Supper, and the dome above is an array of 24K gold rosettes. For the sixtieth anniversary celebration in 1954, a massive renovation project was undertaken. During this renovation, a statue of Pope Saint Pius X (canonized that same year) was imported from Italy and placed on the right side of the sanctuary. Above the statue are paintings from Pius life. On the left side is a statue of Saint Patrick, principal patron of the Archdiocese of Boston, and above it are three scenes from his life. Fourteen circular and sixteen square panels adorn the nave and arches of the church. The square panels are decorated with the symbols of Our Lady taken from the Litany of Loreto and the circular ones with symbols taken from the lives of the apostles. The great window of the Assumption framed by the two oak cases of the organ was installed in 1954 (the Marian Year) in spaces originally designed for windows but not until then used. The original organ of 24 stops was built in 1902 by the Hutchings-Votey Organ Company, Opus 1465, and was rebuilt in 1954 with 32 stops. In 1998, Timothy Smith and Theodore Gilbert began a massive reconstruction of the organ. The current Smith & Gilbert Organ of 4 manuals, 50 ranks, and 2,926 pipes was dedicated on the Feast of Saint Cecilia, November 22, Today we are experiencing something of an awakening within these old walls. We recently completed a major renovation, our numbers are increasing, and we continue to grow in our commitment to issues of peace, justice, and service to our neighbors, both near and far. We ve been right here on Belvidere Street, in the same building for 125 years, but that does not mean that life here is stale, stagnant, or even predictable. We are proud to be entrusted with the legacy of Saint Cecilia Parish, where everything is the same, yet always changing; where we honor tradition while embracing the future; where God s love makes all things new.

3 Join us Next Sunday for Saint Cecilia Summerfest June 10, 2018 Join us as we celebrate the season with delicious BBQ, jazz music, face painting and much more! Festivities start after the 9:30 Mass with coffee and pastries in the garden Lunch will begin at 12:30 on Saint Cecilia Street We still need your help to kick off the summer! Sign up to lend a hand at go/4090a45acaa2da7f94-summer or contact Lisa at

4 our community news Ministers of the Liturgy Saturday, June 3 5:00 p.m. Rev. Peter Grover, OMV, celebrant Laura Orrell, lector Sunday, June 3 8:00 a.m. Rev. Peter Gyves, SJ, celebrant Julie Bogandanski, lector Sunday, June 3 9:30 a.m. Rev. John Unni, celebrant Chris Egan, Letitia Howland, and Elyse Portillo, lectors Special intentions Saturday, June 2 5:00 p.m. Catherine Aylward, Memorial Saturday, June 2 5:00 p.m. Susan Szum, 9 th Anniversary Sunday, June 3 9:30 a.m. Eileen K. Gilroy, Memorial Sunday, June 3 11:15 a.m. Norman & Catherine Goodrow, Memorial Mary Goodrow & David Glasson, Memorial Sunday, June 3 11:15 a.m. Rev. John Unni, celebrant Lauren Miner, John Thompson, and Chicka Offurum, lectors today s readings Exodus 24:3-8 Hebrews 9:11-15 Mark 14:12-16 next sunday s readings Genesis 3: Corinthians 4:13-5:1 Mark 3:20-35 Campaign Update! We are 82% of the way to our goal of 6.1 million! The beauty of the Eucharist is precisely that it is the place where a vulnerable God invites vulnerable people to come together in a peaceful meal. When we break bread and give it to each other, fear vanishes and God becomes very close. Henri Nouwen Bread for the Journey 4

5 Prayers & Occasions Our Sick Please pray for all our sick and for those who are in need of our prayer, especially Annette Kulas, Rosea Aubrey, Pilar Estrada, Mildred McLaughlin, Brenna Smith, Mark Anderson, Bill Downing, Skyler Stevenson, Silvana Franco, Brian Donnelly, Theresa Wier, Bill Ahern, Lena Bryant, Kenny Borum, George Driscoll, Mary Curley, Bill Pennington, Bryan Thomas, Rachel Fitzgerald, Bob Carroll, John Morris, Mark Edward McHugh, Laura Bellias, Angelo Valente, Eugenia Valente, Betty Sellers, Jack Kacewicz, Nancy Wolterman, Callie Boyce, Mary Chisholm, Brian Burdette, John Pelletier, Stephanie Brown, Bob Butler, Hilary Dillon, Paul Lakschewitz, Pam Phillips, Tom O Keefe, Pamela Massey, Mary Sullivan, Mimi Hart, Mei Day, Edris Kelley, Grady Richards, Bill Doran, Claire Smith, Karen Boutin, Sal Mateus, Kathryn Schuler, Tony Perretta, Irene Faldetta, Peter Webster, Linda Burke, Kerri D'Arrigo, Gerard Franchi, Timothy Kelliher, Sophia Giorgianni, Vicki Basinger, Mitchell Cheverie, John Edward Doyle, Nancy Donovan, Kerri McDonald, Cecilia Hill, Barbara Simmons, Sally Boutin, Justine Carr, James Smith, Theresa Sykes, Beth Shelburne, Myrtha Charles, Bob Marino, Brian Himes, Maureen Corcoran, Chen Cheung, Charlie Holmes, Millie Acampora, Russel Hauver, Vin McCarthy, Anna Paulin, and Kirby Grochal. Welcome to Saint Cecilia Parish We are pleased to welcome the following new members of our parish who have recently registered: David Curry of Westford, Thomas Neal of Dedham, Deirdre McCarthy of Boston, and the Champlin Family of Boston. If you have not previously registered with the parish, there are forms in the narthex for this purpose or you can register online at Baptisms Today we celebrate baptism at the 9:30 liturgy for James Daniel, son of Michael and Lauren Hagan, and Zoe Miriam, daughter of Kevin and Jennifer Sullivan. At the 11:15 liturgy we celebrate baptism for John Michael Capizzi, son of Max Hanna and Katrina Capizzi, and Walter Alan, son of Matthew and Erin Hartney. The Christian community welcomes you with great joy, James, Zoe, John, and Walter! Congratulations, Graduates! Kathleen McClure Westover will graduate, June 7, from Newton Country Day School of the Sacred Heart. Megan Kaye is also graduating on June 7, from The Winsor School. Terris Reddick will graduate from John D. O'Bryant School of Mathematics and Science on June 9. Well done, Kathleen, Megan, and Terris! 5 Pray for All the Members of Our Parish As we celebrate the feast of the Lord's Body and Blood, pray for the community of Saint Cecilia, that through our sharing in the Eucharist we may be transformed more and more into the Body of Christ and will always reverence one another as members of his body. Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament & Vespers This Week In commemoration of today's Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, we will have adoration of the Blessed Sacrament this evening at 6:00 followed by Vespers at 6:30. On Friday evening, in commemoration of the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, we will celebrate Vespers at 6:30. All are welcome. Anniversary of Pope Saint John XXIII Today marks the fifty-fifth anniversary of the death of Pope Saint John XXIII. On October 28, 1958, a month shy of his seventy seventh birthday, Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli was elected pope, taking the name John. He called the Second Vatican Council ( ) to achieve the aggiornamento ( updating ) of the Church, but did not live to see it to completion. On his deathbed, he said, It is not that the Gospel has changed; it is that we have begun to understand it better...and know that the moment has come to discern the signs of the times, to seize the opportunity and to look far ahead. Pope John XXIII died on June 3, Known for his personal warmth, good humor, and kindness, in Italy he is remembered with the affectionate appellative of Il Papa Buono ( The Good Pope ). Along with Pope John Paul II, Pope John XXIII was canonized by Pope Francis on April 27, 2014 and his feastday is October 11, the day on which the first session of Vatican II opened in Welcome, Baby Gabriel! There's a new addition to the Studdard family! Caitlin and Adam Studdard are happy to announce the arrival of Gabriel Otis Studdard, who was born at 7:46 p.m. on Saturday, May 12. Baby Gabriel is 8 pounds, 4 ounces, 21 1/2 inches, and is living up to his angelic namesake. Mommy and Daddy couldn't be more thrilled! Congratulations, Caitlin and Adam we can't wait to welcome Gabriel to the Saint Cecilia family.

6 VIRTUS Training Today All catechists, lectors, extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, greeters, Open Doors ministers, and CARES ministers who have not yet attended a VIRTUS "Protecting God's Children" training session are urged to attend the next session scheduled for Sunday, June 3 following the 11:15 a.m. Mass. Refreshments will be served but please feel free to bring a brown bag lunch. Please RSVP to Letitia Howland at l_howland@hotmail.com if you plan on attending. All are welcome! Palliative Care and Advance Care Planning Initiative Wednesday June 13, :30-8:00 pm Parish Hall Please join us to for a facilitated, interactive discussion about the key questions you should consider when thinking about how you would like to be cared for if you should become seriously ill. This can be a challenging process and this evening will be an attempt to make it a bit easier. We will also discuss how you begin to talk about these wishes with your loved ones, so that they understand what you want. Of equal importance is how you start a conversation with your loved ones about their wishes. In order to plan the number of facilitators needed and small refreshments, we would ask you to RSVP to Amy Russo, aerusso2015@gmail ( ) or Jeanne Bruno, jbruno@stceciliaboston.org ( ) to let us know if you are coming. Summer Sacred Music Series on Catholic TV Featuring Saint Cecilia! Spend the summer learning more about Catholic liturgical music, right in your living room! Stephanie Scogna, a former member of the Saint Cecilia Choir, hosts On a Sacred Note with Catholic TV. This 13-part series provides a tour of Catholic liturgical music history through presentations of various genres and composers, in-person interviews with local church music directors, and exclusive performance demonstrations. The show combs through thousands of years of Catholic music, from Gregorian chant to the present day, and addresses key questions that arise regarding modern music at the parish level. Saint Cecilia Music Director, Richard Clark was interviewed for two of the episodes (airing on July 2 & August 13). Episodes 9-13 feature music recorded at Saint Cecilia Church including the Saint Cecilia Choir and Orchestra s performance of Gabriel Fauré s Sanctus. (August 27) AIRS: Monday 8:30 a.m., Tuesday 8:30 p.m., Friday 12 a.m., and Saturday 5 p.m. BEGINS JUNE 4, 2018 with a NEW EPISODE EACH WEEK! Catholic TV broadcasts in HD, and is available on several platforms, from Cable TV to streaming. Find more information at Parish Council Requests Reviews of Parish In our recent review of the parish's social media presence, the Parish Council realized that we could use more reviews on websites that are often used to find a parish when moving to, or visiting, Boston. We would appreciate it if you would consider writing a review of your experience of the parish on our Facebook page, on Google Maps, and Yelp (account required). Child Care Helpers Needed! The children of those who participate in the Young Families Ministy, are cared for during each monthly meeting by the Child Care Ministry at Saint Cecilia Parish. After the 9:30 Mass, they engage in about an hour of play, movement, reading books or singing along to music in a fun and safe atmosphere. If you enjoy spending time with babies and toddlers, this would be a great way to lend your gifts! Their next date is set for June 10. Those interested may contact Valerie at valerie.diment@gmail.com. 6

7 DONATIONS FOR CATHOLIC CHARITIES' FOOD PANTRY Now that our Faith Formation classes have ended for the academic year and summer is approaching, many of the families that have been faithful donors to our collection of food items for Catholic Charities will be away until September. We hope that all parishioners will participate in this important ministry during the summer months so that the volume of our donated food remains strong. The local economy might have improved for some of us, but the working poor and unemployed continue to face enormous challenges. Saint Cecilia has committed to providing these items to the Catholic Charities' food pantry: Cheerios or corn flakes, peanut butter, white flour pasta and spaghetti, macaroni and cheese, canned tuna fish, canned chicken breast, cooking oil, and tomato sauce. While any canned or shelf-stable items are appreciated, it is particularly helpful when parishioners can help with the staples listed above. Because food is delivered only twice a month to the Catholic Charities' food pantry, we cannot accept donations of baked items or produce in the narthex. Baby Shower This is the LAST weekend to bring in supplies for struggling mothers who are expecting their babies this spring and summer. Please consider donating any of the following items. There will be containers in the narthex where you can leave your donations over the next two Sundays. Especially needed are: Newborn outfits, onsies, sleep n' plays Towels and washcloths Baby bottles Hygiene products (Desitin, baby lotion, and baby shampoo) Nail clippers, baby thermometers, baby brushes Pacifiers Please NO baby powder, or used baby clothing or equipment. If you wish to make a monetary donation, please make the check payable to "FUND FOR THE UNBORN." Dear Parishioners, Thanks so much to those who were able to make the Lighting the Way reception on Thursday the 24th. We are so grateful for our supportive parish community and look forward to planning our bright future together. For those who couldn t make it, we are having another two receptions on June 8th and June 12th and I hope you can all join me to get involved and learn more about our special Lighting the Way campaign. More details are below. For everyone who attended, thanks again for your energy and presence. When you have made your decision to support the campaign, please turn in your pledge forms to the parish office or feel free to place them in the offertory basket at Mass. We are off to a wonderful start. For our goal of $6.1, we have already raised over $5 million! This is 82 % of our goal. We need everyone's help to get us to that goal!! If you re interested in volunteering, we d love your help please magnew@stceciliaboston.org to get involved. Without God, we cannot; without us, God will not. Peace, Lighting the Way Campaign Upcoming Lighting the Way Campaign Receptions June 8 at 6:30 p.m. in the parish hall June 12 at 6:30 p.m. in the parish hall If you plan to attend on of the above recptions, please RSVP to RSVP@stceciliaboston.org or using the links in this week's bulletin digest. 7

8 Boston s Irish maidservants looking back By JOHN P. RATTIGAN It would have been impossible to run a 19th-century urban home without domestic servants, and in Boston that usually included Irish women who found work as cooks and maids in houses belonging to wealthy families on Beacon Hill. There are many factors to explain how this all came about and, of course, it was the Famine that initiated the mass migration of Irish people. The outward flow continued after the Famine and throughout the second half of the 19th century as the decline of the Irish domestic industry and farming as well as changes in inheritance laws contributed to draining the country of its best and brightest. Between 1850 and 1913, more than 4.5 million Irish people left their island homeland. By the mid 1800 s, inheritance laws decreed that farmland would be passed on to the eldest son rather than being divided among all sons. For women, the dowry system is one of the reasons for the drop in population after the Great Hunger. A woman could only marry if she had a dowry in an arranged marriage and this was usually reserved only for the eldest daughter. The younger female siblings had fewer options remain at home as unpaid labor, enter the convent, or emigrate. Even nursing and teaching religious orders required a dowry so, the choice was clear: The main attraction of America was, therefore - work. By 1900, the number of female Irish immigrants exceeded male immigrants. Domestic service was the largest single category of Irish female employment in the United States approximately 70 percent. not need to worry about buying food or fuel for heat, and most employers provided some form of medical care. The hours were long and the wages were meager, but these thrifty women almost always managed to set some savings aside. Often, once settled and employed, a young woman s first big expenditure was to have a formal photograph taken in a newly purchased frock. This picture would be sent home to take a place of honor above the family hearth for all of the neighbors to admire. Moreover, they always managed to save a little money out of their salary for those back in Ireland. From 1850 to 1900 an estimated $260 million was sent back to Ireland from America, money that in turn brought more family members over and helped those who remaining behind. Irish Catholic staff in the service of fashionable Back Bay families appealed to Archbishop John J. Williams for a church nearer to their live-in employment. In 1888, he granted their request and many small contributions helped to pay for the building in 1894 of the so-called Maids Church, Saint Cecilia s. Most of the women left domestic service when they married and started to raise families. Their stories are the stuff of courage, hard work, and perseverance. They were the bedrock of the Irish community back then and an awesome inspiration to the many generations of their Irish- American descendants who followed. Most Irish maids were between the ages of 16 and 25 and unmarried. Many lived inside the homes in the servants quarters and enjoyed a standard of living far better by comparison to the life they had known in Ireland or in the tenement districts. There were advantages a servant did 8

9 ADULT FAITH FORMATION EVENTS CALENDAR BOSTON COLLEGE EVENTS events/2018/ html Annual Hispanic Ministry Renewal Day (in Spanish) Día De Reflexión Para Líderes Hispanos: Hacia una espiritualidad profética para el siglo XXI Sábado 9 de junio, 9:30 a.m. 2:30 p.m. Heights Room, Corcoran Commons, Chestnut Hill Campus Fecha límite para inscribirse: 1 de junio del Free of Charge Un día de reflexión y estudio para los líderes pastorales de habla hispana en Nueva Inglaterra. Los desafíos que experimentamos en un mundo globalizado nos invitan a cultivar una espiritualidad profética que haga vida al Evangelio, especialmente por medio del compromiso con los más necesitados. Guiados de la mano por uno de los teólogos más reconocidos en el mundo de habla hispana, éste será un día de profunda renovación. (almuerzo incluído). Presentador: Dr. Juan José Tamayo, Professor de Teología y Ciencias de las Religiones Ignacio Ellacuría, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, España. SUMMER AT BOSTON COLLEGE SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY AND MINISTRY For further details or to register for these events, please check the School of Theology and Ministry website: TH ANNIVERSARY EVENTS Faith Formation: Past, Present, and Future Thursday, June 28 4:30 5:45 p.m. Simboli Hall, Room 100, 9 Lake St., Brighton Campus Registration Required Free of charge; includes supper Presenters: Thomas H. Groome and Jane E. Regan 18TH ANNUAL EVELYN UNDERHILL LECTURE IN CHRISTIAN SPIRITUALITY Beyond Its Use-By Date? Pondering the Future of Faith Saturday, July 14 10:00 11:45 a.m. Robsham Theater, Chestnut Hill Campus Registration Required Free of charge Presenter: Rev. Richard Lennan 10TH ANNUAL MARY OF MAGDALA CELEBRATION Images of the Magdalene: A Natural History Friday, July 20 12:00-3:00 p.m. St. Ignatius Church and Corcoran Commons, Heights Room, Chestnut Hill Campus Registration Required Free of charge, includes lunch Presenter: Francine Cardman SPECIAL ONE-WEEK COURSES The following courses are also being offered by Boston College s School of Theology and Ministry as part of their Summer Session and further details regarding costs and registration may be found online at schools/stm/acadprog/summer/summercourses.html The Craft of Teaching Theology: A Pedagogical Toolkit for the High School Teacher June 25 June 28 6:00 pm 9:00 pm Instructor: Cynthia Cameron Ministering with the LGBTQ Community July 16 July 19 6:00 pm 9:00 pm Instructor: Arthur D. Canales Wise and Holy Women and a Few Good Men July 23 July 26, :00 pm 9:00 pm Instructor: Mickey McGrath, OSFS 9

10 WISDOM AND MATURE SPIRITUALITY GROUP Sunday, June 17 10:00 11:00 a.m. Meet outside the conference room in the parish hall To those of you in the second half of life, we invite you to connect with others on a spiritual journey as we share our wisdom and insights. We meet once a month on the third Sunday of the month for one hour. We are currently reading the book, Falling Upward: A Spirituality for the Two Halves of Life by Richard Rohr. We will discuss Chapter Three-The First Half of Life at our June 17th meeting. In the first half of life, we learn the basic elements of the faith journey. We experience necessary falls such as job loss, a relationship or moral failure. Our group will discuss what these experiences have taught us about ourselves and about God. Please think about a comment or question about this chapter for our discussion. At future meetings, we will continue to discuss one chapter of this book each month. The book is available at libraries or you may purchase the book at Amazon, store.cac.org, or Barnes and Noble. We welcome new members even those who can t make a commitment to come on a regular basis to our meetings. Confidentiality within the group is based on mutual trust and respect. CHILDREN'S BOOKS Generous parishioners have donated a supply of children's books that can be found in the narthex. Given our desire to respect the dignity of the folks we serve through our hunger and homelessness ministries, we would ask that you have your children borrow these books rather than play with the donations of food and toiletries. Parish Gardeners Needed Do you have a green thumb? We are looking for parish gardeners to maintain the outside gardens. The outside plantings are in need of watering and weeding during the spring, summer, and fall months. If you are interested in being a part of this ministry, or if you would like more information, please contact Lisa Pickering at lpickering@stceciliaboston. org. Spiritual Direction Training Are you increasingly interested in spiritual development? Do you find people talking with you about their lives? Could you be called to the ministry of spiritual companioning? St Anthony Shrine is offering a training program in spiritual direction. Classes meet Saturdays eight times a year for two years. For more information see a brochure at stanthonyshrine.org/ministries/spiritual-direction-certification-program or contact Carol Mitchell at or calmitch@stanthonyshrine.org. Camp Coasa July 16 - July 20 Laboure Center 275 West Broadway, South Boston, MA Open to children ages 8-16 COASA (Children of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse) at Robert F. Kennedy Children s Action Corps and the Laboure Center in South Boston are co-hosting a week-long summer program for children living with the stress of alcohol and/or other substance use disorders at home or within the family. Morning session includes meditation and reflection and educational support groups teaching children about addiction, how to express and deal with their feelings, and how to develop coping skills. Afternoons will be spent on fun surprise adventures. Breakfast and lunch will be provided. For more information or to sign up for the program, please contact Maureen McGlame at or mmcglame@rfkchildren.org. There is no cost to attend this program. 10

11 Social and Racial Justice Ministry Detention Center Prayer Vigil Sunday, June 3 2:00-3:00 p.m. Suffolk County House of Correction, 20 Bradston Street Boston Please come to this event, organized by The JP/West Roxbury Sanctuary Cluster,and let those who are locked in detention know they are not forgotten. For more information contact lindajenkins177@yahoo.com Mass IWJ Faith & Labor Breakfast Thursday, June 7 8:30 a.m. 26 West St in the SEIU 32bj Meeting Hall Massachusetts Interfaith Worker Justice (MIWJ) is an coalition of diverse faith groups in eastern MA that work together to advocate for workers rights. Its annual breakfast brings faith communities and labor groups together to share stories, raise up workers rights issues & motivate participants to join the fight for worker justice all while breaking bread. Please come & help us honor our history with faith & labor leaders, witness rousing testimonials from workers & celebrate another year s worth of interfaith collaboration in support of working people. For more info, contact Lead Organizer Sarah Kelley at MassIWJ@gmail.com or District Attorney Candidate Forum Thursday, June 7 6:00 p.m. Hibernian Hall, 184 Dudley Street Massachusetts' district attorneys play a key role in determining the effectiveness and fairness of the criminal legal system, and these local elections are coming up. Join the ACLU, the Greater Boston Interfaith Organization (GBIO), the NAACP and several other organizations for a forum with the Suffolk County DA candidates. More information is available at Please RSVP to sc.socialracialjustice@gmail.com if you'd like to attend as a group! Signatures Requested for Raising Minimum Wage and for Paid Family Medical Leave Sunday, June 10 I After all Masses Downstairs in Parish Hall Representatives from the Social and Racial Justice Ministry will be downstairs after all Masses to collect petition signatures in order to get two important initiatives on the ballot for MA voters. The first would raise minimum wage over the course of 4 years to $15. The second would create a system so that people in low wage jobs could still take paid family sick leave. If you did not sign these a few months ago when we did a signature drive, now is your chance, so please consider it. Books for the Edison School in Brighton Ongoing As you start your end of school year chores, please set aside any non-religious children's books that are gently used to be donated to the students of the Edison K-8 School in Brighton. The Edison is a Boston Public School that serves students from over 60 different countries. Of these students, 83% qualify for subsidized lunch, 43% are English language learners, and 22% have special needs. In most low-income urban neighborhoods, it can be very difficult for a child to find something to read during the summer. Let's end the book desert in Boston one school at a time! Please drop off your donations at Saint Cecilia or at the Edison K-8 located on 60 Glenmont Road, Brighton. If you wish to receive a handwritten note from a student, attach a post-it note with your full name to the books you donate. If you have any questions, please reach out to Camila from the Social and Racial Justice Ministry at csilva3@bostonpublicschools.org. Thank you! 11

12 By COLLEEN DUGGAN SAINT CECILIA PARISH How you can help parents struggling with young children at Mass One recent Sunday, my 4-year-old discovered an alreadybeen-chewed piece of gum underneath the pew just as our pastor stood to deliver his homily. Before Edward popped the wad into his mouth, I leaned over and hissed, Do not eat that. He glared at me, and I asked Mary, my 11-year-old, to throw the gum in the trash. Then, I turned my scattered attention back to father s homily. After a minute or two, my 13-year-old daughter tapped me on the shoulder to let me know Edward had escaped from the pew, hot on the trail of Mary and the A.B.C. gum. I slipped from my seat to find him. One man sitting a few rows behind me, having witnessed the entire scene, whispered, Go get him, mom! Another parishioner pointed over his shoulder and said, He went that way. I endured the long walk of shame as several more onlookers informed me of my little escapee s whereabouts. When I finally spotted him, Edward was standing in front of his sister pleading his case about the gum and his unreasonable mother. I overheard him say, I m not sitting in the pew with her. If someone had warned me before marriage about the difficulties I would face in bringing my small children to Mass, I am not sure I would have believed them. There is no way to anticipate the rabble-rousing behavior kids produce during a 60-minute Sunday Mass. For a long time, most of my church experience included silencing squabbles between warring siblings and discouraging at least one child from scaling the kneelers while I half listened to the readings. My husband and I struggled for years to manage our posse of small people until one random Sunday something happened that revolutionized the years of theatrical religious drama we had endured. One morning at the 10 a.m. Mass at our new parish, some longtime friends, Janet and Danny Hoover, professional parents of a large brood of children, sought us out and sat down in the pew with us and our five children, ages 8 and under. I wanted to lean over and tell Janet and Danny to get up and run. I wanted to inform them that sitting with our kids was like sharing a pew with a traveling circus, but before I had a chance to plead my case, Janet grabbed a toddler, Danny grabbed another toddler and a few of Janet s older kids sat between my other little ones. For the entire 60 minutes, our children were quiet and entertained by the person with whom they sat. The next weekend, Janet met us in the parking lot and invited us to do the same thing. It was hard to accept help, but it was impossible to deny how efficacious it was to sit with the Hoover family. The stress of managing our children was gone, as was the worry we were annoying and distracting other parishioners. Janet and Danny weren t shocked by anything the kids did (they d seen it all by then), and they helped teach my children the appropriate responses to the prayers. When we moved out of state several months later, we were sad to leave the Hoovers, and Mass was never again as manageable as it was during those months when we had backup in the pew. I was reminded of the help from our friends those many years ago last weekend when my husband and I filed into a pew with our six children, right behind a young mom and friend of mine, who just had her third baby under 3. When her 2-year-old began to get antsy, we invited her into the pew with us. It was our turn now to help the other younger parents in the church who needed help surviving Mass. Catholic families want to feel wanted in church. Unfortunately, instead of receiving a warm welcome, many of us are met with criticism, judgment and a general intolerance of the behavior of our little people. There is a general attitude that these families should come back to Mass when their children know how to sit quietly and behave. As someone active in parish ministry, I work with a devoted team of people dedicated to spreading the Gospel. We are constantly brainstorming ways to communicate God s love to those sitting in the pews and beyond. We strive to create programs and events that nourish the hearts and minds of our parishioners. But perhaps we should redirect our energies. 12

13 What if we quit trying to develop the perfect pastoral program and instead tried to make those people we see every Sunday in the pews feel welcomed and loved? SAINT CECILIA PARISH What if we embraced those families who show up at the back of the church, self-conscious and starving for the body of Christ? What if we asked ourselves, How can I serve the people struggling in my pew? instead of sitting silently and judging them. We do not need perfectly designed programs to smile at newcomers or to invite someone to sit with us. We just need an open heart and a willingness to serve. So, if you are a young mom or dad, struggling with your kids at church and feeling embarrassed or discouraged: Take heart. You are not alone. And if you need help managing your brood, look for me at St. John s Catholic Church. We sit on the right side, fourth pew back. We have extra hands, open hearts and room for you to join us. I can hold the baby while you receive Communion. ~ Colleen Duggan is the author of Good Enough Is Good Enough: Confessions of An Imperfect Catholic Mom. She is a Catholic writer, catechist and speaker whose work has appeared in many Catholic media outlets including Catholic Digest, Creative Catechist, CatholicMom.com, Aleteia and Integrated Catholic Life. Social Justice, Solidarity and Women in the Workplace A Faith That Does Justice invites you to its fourth Community Meeting. The featured topic, Social Justice, Solidarity and Women in the Workplace, will consider important social justice issues affecting women in the workplace. Tiziana Dearing, professor at the Boston College School of Social Work will moderate the symposium. Panelists are Helen Drinan, president of Simmons College, Carol Fulp, president and CEO of The Partnership, Inc., a New England organization dedicated to developing multicultural professionals, and Roxana Rivera, vice president of union 32BJ SEIU, District Director of its Local 615 and organizer of low-wage workers. The Cathedral Church of St. Paul 138 Tremont Street, Boston MA (across from Park Street T station) Tuesday, June 5, :15 pm-8:15 pm Space is limited. Please register at 13

14 Parish RESOURCES Parish Office & Mailing Address 18 Belvidere Street, Boston, MA Hours Monday Friday, 9:00 a.m. 6:00 p.m. Phone Fax Website Parish Staff Rev. John J. Unni, Pastor Mary Kaye, Pastoral Director of Operations, Mark Donohoe, Pastoral Associate for Administration, Scott J. MacDonald, Director of Faith Formation and Parish Visibility, Jeanne Bruno, Chaplain, Pastoral Associate, Coordinator of Pastoral Outreach, Richard J. Clark, Director of Music and Organist, Lisa Pickering, Events and Facilities Manager, Leah Bennett, Administrative Coordinator, Assisting Clergy Rev. Erick Berrelleza, SJ Rev. Peter Grover, OMV Rev. Peter Gyves, SJ Rev. James Shaughnessy, SJ Schedule for Liturgy Wednesday, Thursday, & Friday 8:00 a.m. Lord s Day Sat 5:00 p.m.; Sun 8:00, 9:30, 11:15 a.m., and 6:00 p.m. Holy Days 8:00 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. Reconciliation The sacrament of reconciliation is available by appointment. Please call the Parish Office. Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults is the communal process through which non-baptized men and women become members of the Catholic Church. It is also suitable for those baptized in different faith traditions who are interested in becoming Catholic, or, for those who were baptized Catholic, but have yet to receive the sacraments of Eucharist and confirmation. Baptism for Infants Infant baptism is celebrated on the first Sunday of the month. For more information, please contact Mark Donohoe in the Parish Office. Faith Formation for Children To register your child for our Faith Formation Program, please contact Scott MacDonald in the Parish Office. Marriage Couples who wish to prepare for marriage should contact Mark Donohoe in the Parish Office at least six months in advance. Care of the Sick To arrange for the Sacrament of the Sick, for Holy Communion to be brought to those unable to attend the Sunday celebration, or for Viaticum for the Dying (Holy Communion for those in danger of death), please contact the Parish Office. It is always possible to anoint the sick during regularly scheduled liturgies. Order of Christian Funerals The parish is prepared to celebrate the Vigil (wake) in the church. Please contact the Parish Office for more information. Child Abuse Prevention (CAP) Team The CAP Team is responsible for training all parish staff and volunteers in mandated reporting laws and the Protecting God s Children program (VIRTUS). They also provide consultation and support to anyone in the parish who has concerns about reporting child abuse and neglect. Please contact Lois Flaherty (loisflaherty@gmail.com), Maria Roche (maria.roche15@gmail.com), Letitia Howland (l_howland@hotmail. com), or Erin Young (erin.t.young@gmail.com) if you have any questions or concerns. The Archdiocese of Boston has in place a vigorous program to protect children from harm and to educate its ministers and faithful about the nature of abuse, with a goal of increasing knowledge, creating a safe environment for children, and recognizing and reporting potentially dangerous situations. The full text of the policy is also available in the narthex and Parish Office, as well as on our website. For Those with Celiac Disease If you have celiac disease, please let us know. We have a supply of low-gluten altar bread available for those who cannot tolerate gluten. Hearing Assistance in Church The church is equipped with an FM listening device. Small receivers are available for anyone who may have trouble hearing the sound system. Simply request a receiver from any one of our greeters before Mass. Access for the Disabled Both the church and Parish Pastoral Center are accessible by elevator. Parking There is reduced rate parking for $11.00 at the Hynes Auditorium Garage located on Dalton Street on Sundays until 3:00 p.m. and every evening after 4:00 p.m. Please be sure to ask one of our greeters for a parking validation ticket before leaving the church. There is also reduced rate parking on Sundays only at the Prudential Center South Garage (enter at Huntington Avenue or Dalton Street); up to 4 hours: $14.00, up to 5 hours: $ Joining Our Community We re happy that you re with us! Our community offers a warm, spiritual home for a diverse group of Catholics. We come from many neighborhoods in and around Boston but also have parishioners from as far afield as Marlborough, Newburyport, and Stow. Please introduce yourself to a staff member, drop in for coffee on Sunday, or fill out a new parishioner form in the narthex.. No matter what your background, please know that you are always welcome at Saint Cecilia. 14