Chelmsford Catholic Collaborative

Transcription

1 Chelmsford Catholic Collaborative Home to St. Mary and St. John the Evangelist Parish Families Parish Offices located at 115 Middlesex Street, North Chelmsford, Massachusetts, (978) (978) fax (978) Just as our Blessed Mother Mary and the Evangelist, called John, came together at the foot of the cross to serve Christ crucified, so also do the parish families bearing their names come together to serve God by serving each other and all who make up the body of The Risen Lord. d K,E d, se'>/^d />^y dzd KZd,,>D^&KZ <E ^^,h> ^ d ddwd ^ e ddd dd ddd d ddwd d Zz KZd, K,>D^&KZ <E ^^,h> ^ d ddwd ^ e ddd e ddd dd ddd e ddwd Z/^, &&/ KhZ^ KEz h^z,hz^z e ddd d ddwd E^z e ddd d ddwd Z/z ddd d ddwd Sunday, February 11th, 2018 Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time <z ^^,h> D ^ e ddd d Z <z ^^,h> D & e ddd ƒ ƒ D KE/>/d/KE KE/>/d/KE ^ d dd d ddwd ^ dd ddd dd ddwd h,z/^d/ KZd/KE & & D & e ddd ^ e ddd KW h,z/^d/ KZd/KE d d dd e ddwd & e ddd e ddwd ^ e ddd d ddwd W d Zz ^^^ Z s/>> s/ /s dzd ZzZ /E If you wish Be made clean -Mark 1:40-41

2 I turn to You, Lord, in time of trouble, and You fill me with the joy of salvation -Responsorial Psalm 32 at St. Mary s 81'$< (%58$5< 7+ Faith Formation Classes/Events see Faith Formation Page Grace Notes Rehearsal 8:15-8:45 am Church Children s Liturgy of the Word 11:00 am Mass Fr. Ren Farewell Hospitality following 11 am Mass Parish Hall 6 pm Mass Music Ministry Team Rehearsal 5:00 pm Church YM: High School Youth Group 7:00-9:00 pm Parish Hall 21'$< (%58$5< 7+ Bible Study: Timeline 10:00 am PC Conf Room 1. The scheduled Catholic Charities collection for Ash Wednesday (Feb 14th) for which you have an envelope, is postponed to the following weekend, February 17th/18th. Thank you. Due to an off-site conference, the Parish Offices will be closed Thursday February 15th. 8(6'$< (%58$5< 7+ Bible Study: Wisdom 7:00 pm Parish Hall ('1(6'$< (%58$5< 7+ 4 pm Mass Music Ministry Team Rehearsal 6:30 pm Church Boy Scout Troop 77 7:00-9:00 pm Parish Hall 11am Mass Music Ministry Team Rehearsal 7:30 pm Church +856'$< (%58$5< 7+ Rosary Makers 10:30 am - 12:00 noon PC Conf Room 2 Rosary 12:00 noon PC Chapel Adoration 3:00-9:00 pm PC Chapel RCIA 7:00 pm PC MR 1 5,'$< (%58$5< 7+ Adoration 7:30 am - 9:00 pm PC Chapel Knitting & Crocheting 3:00-5:00 pm PC MR 2 Soup (6:00 pm) & Stations (7:00 pm) Parish Hall/ Church $785'$< (%58$5< 7+ Adoration 9:30 am - 3:00 pm PC Chapel Reconciliation 11:00 am - 12:00 noon Church Adult Bell Choir Rehearsal 2:30-3:30 pm Choir Loft Anointing of the Sick following 4 pm Mass Church 81'$< (%58$5< 7+ Faith Formation Classes/Events see Faith Formation Page Children s Liturgy of the Word 11:00 am Mass 6 pm Mass Music Ministry Team Rehearsal 5:00 pm Church Be Refreshed... by the Holy Spirit Come to our Charismatic Prayer Meeting! We meet every Thursday in the Old Parish Center of St. John s at BOTH 10:00 am and 7:00 pm, so you can fit this time of worship into your schedule. Give Praise to God! Be built up in community! Saint Patrick s Day Dinner and Shamrock Raffle St. John s Church Hall Saturday, March 17th following the 4:00 pm Mass (buffet dinner beginning at 5:30 pm) Join us for the traditional Corned Beef and Cabbage, Irish soda bread, hot/cold beverages and dessert for a ticket price of $18 per person. Bring Your Own Beverage/ Beer (wine) With the loss of Fr. Ren, we will remain uncertain in regards to priest assignments until June of this year. Because of this, we are unable to take any Mass Intentions for 2019 at this time.

3 page 3 St. John Church Wedding BANNS III Jacqueline Hislop & Michael Jarvis St. John Tuesday Morning Coffee Group Meets the 2nd & 4th Tuesday of the Month in the St. John Church Hall following the 9:00 am daily Mass. -RLQXV7+,67XHVGD\)HEUXDU\WK meets the 3rd Saturday of every month for scripture reading and open discussion. For further information, contact Ray at lovethemystery@comcast.net. Join us Saturday, February 17th 9:30-11:00 am St. John s New Parish Center Linehan Room St. John s Beautification Offering Last week, we published the February intentions. Beginning with Ash Wednesday, flowers are not permitted on the altar until Easter. Due to this, all those honored for the February Beautification Offering will be honored again for the May offering. (there will be no April offering due to Easter Flowers) St. John St. Vincent de Paul Please bring in one or two non-perishable items to church with you NEXT weekend, February 17th/18th. You can drop them off to the pantry located in the entrance way to the right of the stage in the church hall. Please remember to pay attention to expiration dates. Thank you for helping us to help others! February 11th, 2018: Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time at St. John s 81'$< (%58$5< 7+ Faith Formation Classes/Events see Faith Formation Page Coffee & Donuts following 8:30 am Mass Hall Grade 5 Reconciliation 9:45-10:30 am Norkunas African Liturgy Committee Mtg 11:30 am - 1:00 pm OPC Group Baptism 2:00 pm Church 21'$< (%58$5< 7+ Families w/addiction Support Group 7:00 pm Mary Gill Faith Formation Advisory Board Mtg 7:00 pm Linehan 8(6'$< (%58$5< 7+ Coffee Group following 9:00 am Mass Hall +856'$< (%58$5< 7+ Charismatic Prayer Group 10:00 am OPC BINGO 6:45 pm (doors open at 3:00 pm) Hall Charismatic Prayer Group 7:00 pm OPC 5,'$< (%58$5< 7+ African Rosary 6:30 pm OPC Soup (6:00 pm) & Stations (7:00 pm) Hall/ Church $785'$< (%58$5< 7+ Contemplative Spirituality 9:30-11:00 am Linehan Hospitality Committee Meeting 9:30 am Hall Reconciliation 3:00-3:45 pm Church 81'$< (%58$5< 7+ Faith Formation Classes/Events see Faith Formation Page Coffee & Donuts following 8:30 am Mass Hall Prayer Shawl Meeting following 8:30 am Mass Hall African Liturgy 12:30 pm Church Vacation Bible Fun 2018 Sign-ups coming in March Turn page for more

4 that there is no biblical reference to Ash Wednesday or Lent? However, Christians date the tradition back to 325 AD. that the ashes come from the blessed palms that were distributed the previous year s Palm Sunday? that the ashes symbolize the dust from which God created human beings? Well, now you do! St. Mary SVdP %XOOHWLQ5HOHDVH)HEUXDU\ 5D\*DWWL3UHVLGHQW The St. Mary s St. Vincent de P a u l S o c i e t y a s k e d parishioners to consider making charitable donations to underwrite our work during the 2017 holiday season. The response to our appeal was very gratifying. During the month of December, our benefactors donations (excluding contributions to the poor boxes ) totaled $5,225. We will use those funds to respond to the growing assistance requests within the parish community in Our members extend a heartfelt thank you to our benefactors. Through your generosity, our work assisting our neighbors in need will continue. We ask that you keep our struggling neighbors in your prayers. Do you know of anyone who would be interested in, or is in need of, supplementing their income with a part-time job? Can you help us in our continued search for a part-time custodian? This 18-hour per week position, requiring evening and weekend hours, is responsible for the regular cleaning and maintenance of both St. Mary s and St. John s buildings and grounds, and the ability and willingness to travel on short notice between the two churches. If interested in applying, please submit your resume via US Mail, or in person, to the parish offices located at 115 Middlesex Street, No. Chelmsford, MA, 01863, ATTN: DAN HEIDER. If easier, please feel free to submit via to churches@chelmsfordcatholic.org. Please note ATTN: DAN HEIDER in the subject line. Faith GRHVQRWHOLPLQDWHTXHVWLRQV But faith knows where to take them. And the Answer is... welcome to more 4:KRZURWH*HQHVLV"+RZDUHZH VXSSRVHGWRXQGHUVWDQGWKHFUHDWLRQRI WKHZRUOGLQVL[GD\V":HNQRZWKDW ZLWKWKH/RUGDWKRXVDQG\HDUVDUHOLNH DGD\EXWHYHQWKHQWKHPDWKGRHVQW ZRUNZLWKZKDWZHQRZNQRZDERXWKRZ ORQJLWWRRNIRUWKHHDUWKWREHIRUPHG A: The Church has always read Scripture with an eye toward what the human author's original intention was. Unlike Fundamentalism, which insists on a unilateral approach to interpreting the Bible as always being an exposition of factual, the Church believes that in order to truly understand the Word of God, one must have an appreciation for the literary form that the particular author is writing in. It's not always history, even when it looks like historical text; it can be poetry, moral explanation, a prophetic work, or some other genre. This is what the Church means by "literal meaning of the Bible:" what the author originally was trying to say. The story of creation recorded in Genesis isn't meant to be read as a scientific record of exactly how the universe was made, but rather as a poetic expression of a far more complex reality that could not be fully grasped by the human mind. So when the author of Genesis describes creation as taking place over the course of six days, we don't read it as a mathematical equation not even trying to de-code it with the assistance of 2 Peter 3:8 (the passage about a thousand years being as a day). What we do take away from the Genesis account is the understanding that the creation of the universe was a process occurring over a period of time. In fact, St. Augustine explains this in his book On the Literal Meaning of Genesis that's right, the bishop of Hippo posited evolution fifteen hundred years before Charles Darwin was even born! (And incidentally, the Big Bang theory was first thought of by a Catholic priest, Msgr. George Lemaitre!) The historical significance of the Genesis account of creation is its departure from the common mythologies about how the world first started that were circulating in the cultures surrounding ancient Israel. According to these versions, the creation came about as a by-product of a violent conflict between two or more gods--essentially, collateral damage in a war. With Genesis, we get a vision of the creation as being a deliberate act, willed for its own sake, and the artwork of a single all-powerful God. The author asserts repeatedly that what was created was good, and not just random. Ultimately, we must remember that the Bible communicates those truths that are necessary for our salvation, as Vatican II instructs us. In short, it teaches us how to go to Heaven, not how the heavens go. In today s first reading (LEVITICUS 13: 1-2, 44-46), the ancient Israelites quarantined those suffering from leprosy, out of fear the disease would spread to others. In what ways does our society make rules out of fear of the other?

5 of what s happening in our Collaborative! Speaker Presentations Lent: Learning to Live a Life of Sacrifice Wednesday, February pm at St. John Let us help you get your heart and mind prepared as we enter the holy season of Lent. Fr. Brian will provide us with solid teaching as we Learn to Live a Life of Sacrifice. Christ taught us two important realities through the Cross: (1) we cannot truly live if our lives are not centered in sacrifice, and (2) we cannot truly love if our love is not sacrificial. What does it mean to live and love sacrificially? We discover this by understanding the real meaning of the Cross. Come and see what it means to 'take up our cross' and truly follow Christ. Do Your Job: Be a Saint A Three-Night Lenten Retreat with Mark Daley Monday, February 26 - Wednesday, February 28 7:00-8:30 pm at St. Mary PLEASE NOTE: What was previously advertised has changed. Please stay tuned for details! Catholic Morality Mondays: March 12, 19, pm at St. John Catholic Morality is not about right and wrong action; rather, it is about a particular relationship and the world view of that relationship. The relationship we are speaking of is one with Jesus Christ, He in whom we are called to center our very lives. This relationship creates a world view which should inform and form every word we speak, every action we take, and every decision we make. Join Fr. Brian as he explains that Catholic Morality can only be lived out when we understand that relationship, what it means to us, and the world view it creates Lenten Collection The Collaborative Social Justice Committee has decided to support our sister parish in Sierra Leone, West Africa as part of their International Initiative. The parish, Our Lady Star of the Sea, has a preschool and elementary school that serve a large number of children, a vocational school for adults, a health clinic, as well as a vibrant Catholic Church. Our connection to this parish will be told in upcoming bulletin articles during Lent. Please take home an Almsgiving bag (not the usual boxes) on Ash Wednesday or the First Sunday of Lent to collect your monetary contributions. You will find the bags at the entrances of both St. Mary s and St. John s Churches. All money collected will directly benefit Our Lady, which is so dedicated to the corporal and spiritual works of mercy. The bags can be returned on Palm Sunday. Ash Wednesday Mass Schedule In addition to our regular Saturday schedule, please consider the following opportunities to receive God s unfathomable mercy Monday Evenings: 6:30-8:00 pm February 26; March 12, 26 at St. Mary February 14, :00 am, 4:00 pm, 7:00 pm at St. Mary 9:00 am and 5:00 pm at St. John Liturgy of the Word, with Distribution of Ashes 12:00 noon at St. John The Little Black Book A wonderful tool to help bring about a Lenten transformation! This is a 6-minute-per-day reflection on the Passion, based on St. Mark s Gospel. Pick yours up at the church entrance. Every Friday evening of Lent at BOTH Parishes Soup at 6:00 pm in Hall Stations at 7:00 pm in Church. Monday Evenings: 6:30-8:00 pm February 19; March 5, 19 at St. John Wednesday Evenings: 6:30-8:00 pm February 21, 28; March 7, 14, 21, 28 at both parishes Adoration at St. Mary PC Chapel Thursdays: 3:00-9:00 pm Fridays: 7:30 am - 9:00 pm Saturdays after 9:00 am Mass - 3:00 pm Adoration at St. John OPC Chapel First Friday Nocturnal Adoration Friday, March 2nd following 9:00 am Mass through 9:00 am Mass on Saturday, March 3rd All wh par

6 Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand, touched him and said, I do will it. Be made clean Mark 1: St. Mary Faith Formation Program Heather Hannaway, Director of Faith Formation ext 226 Elaine Kindler, Faith Formation Office Manager ext 216 Courtney Callanan, Confirmation Coordinator ext 227 class schedule THIS SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 11TH Grade K 9:30-10:30 am Parish Center Grade 2 9:15-10:45 am Parish Hall Grade 4 9:15-10:45 am Parish Center Grade 6 11:00 am - 12:30 pm Parish Center Grade 8 2:15-3:45 pm Parish Hall Confirmation II 4:00-5:45 pm Parish Hall NEXT SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 18TH There will be no Faith Formation classes due to the Presidents Day holiday. Please consider being a Tuition Angel for the 2017/18 school year. We have a number of families seeking financial aid with Faith Formation Fees (registration for one child is $135). A donation of any amount to Saint M a r y s F a i t h F o r m a t i o n Scholarship Fund goes directly to aid a family in need. Donations may be dropped off or mailed to the Parish Offices. Please make checks payable to Saint Mary Parish ( FF Scholarship in memo line). You may also give through Online Giving on the Parish website: Clergy/Staff Listing Reverend Brian Mahoney W^dKZ ext 215 fr.brian@chelmsfordcatholic.org Reverend Tom Corcoran WZK,/>s/Z ext 218 frcorcoran@chelmsfordcatholic.org Courtney Callanan zkhd,d/e/^dz KE&/ZDd/KEKKZ ext 227 ccallanan@chelmsfordcatholic.org Donna Gambon D/E^dZd/s^^/^dEd ext 248 dgambon@chelmsfordcatholic.org Dan Heider K>>KZd/s&/>/d/^DE'Z ext 121 dheider@chelmsfordcatholic.org Lynn Anne LaDuke ^:&/d,&kzdd/ked/e ^^d ext 240 lynnanne@chelmsfordcatholic.org Rae Russo D/E/^dZd/s^^/^dEd ext 236 rae@chelmsfordcatholic.org Christine Trznadel KDDhE/d/KE^KKZ/EdKZ ext 214 christine@chelmsfordcatholic.org Stephen Webber K>>KZd/sh^dK/E ext 231 steve@chelmsfordcatholic.org Reverend Arnold Colletti ^Z WZ/^d/EZ^/E ext 221 frcolletti@chelmsfordcatholic.org Francis X. Burke WZDEEdKE ext 224 deaconfran@chelmsfordcatholic.org Fran Anderson /ZK&^d :K,E&/d,&KZDd/KE ext 212 fran@chelmsfordcatholic.org Paul Firicano ^d DZzWZ/^,&/EEDE'Z ext 220 pfiricano@chelmsfordcatholic.org Heather Hannaway /ZK&^d DZz&/d,&KZDd/KE ext 226 hhannaway@chelmsfordcatholic.org Elaine Kindler ^D&/d,&KZDd/KEK&&/DE'Z ext 216 ekindler@chelmsfordcatholic.org Liliana Lucas ^d :K,Eh^/E^^DE'Z ext 213 liliana@chelmsfordcatholic.org Tina Sousa &/EE &/>/dz^hwwkzd ext 219 tsousa@chelmsfordcatholic.org John Volpe /ZdKZK&^d DZzDh^/D/E/^dZz ext 222 jvolpe@chelmsfordcatholic.org

7 page 7 February 11th, 2018: Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time St. John Faith Formation Program Fran Anderson, Director of Faith Formation ext 212 Courtney Callanan, Confirmation Coordinator ext 227 Lynn Anne LaDuke, Administrative Assistant ext 240 Faith Formation Class Schedule THIS SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 11TH Grades K-6 9:45-11:00 am Grades 7-8 9:30-11:00 am Grade 10 Confirmation 11:30 am - 1:15 pm THIS WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14TH Grades K-8 In lieu of Class, students are expected to attend Ash Wednesday Liturgy at 5:00 pm. Please report to class at 4:30 for attendance. NEXT SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 18TH No Classes today due to Presidents Day Holiday MARK YOUR CALENDARS! FIRST COMMUNION BREAKFAST Sunday, March 18th following 8:30 am Mass This Mass will be celebrated by Fr. Brian as a Teaching Mass, and along with the breakfast that follows, is a MANDATORY event for ALL First Communion students and their parent(s). )RUWKRVHRI\RXZKRKDYHQRW\HWWXUQHGLQ\RXUFKLOG V EDSWLVPDOLQIRUPDWLRQSOHDVHSODQRQGRLQJVRDWWKLV EUHDNIDVW7KRVHFKLOGUHQZKRDUHVWLOOPLVVLQJWKLVLQIRUPDWLRQ E\WKLVGDWHZLOOEHXQDEOHWRUHFHLYHWKHLU)LUVW&RPPXQLRQ Today we Celebrate! Sixth Sunday in Ordinary St. Paul speaks to us clearly and succinctly in the second reading today: whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God. Can you make your prayer this week be that in all things large and small, that your words and your actions give glory to God? If you do that, not only will you notice a difference in your attitude and in your life, but certainly others will notice the difference in you as well. We never marginalize or turn our backs on those who suffer violence, oppression from unjust systems, poverty, illness, or disease. Jesus never turned anyone away, but always extended a hand of healing and compassion. He would insist on extending God's merciful and unconditional love to all, even if it meant breaking the Sabbath or civil law. Does the way we treat others, especially those who are different than us, reflect the freedom, joy, love, and good news of the Gospel? The Table of Plenty in Chelmsford is an organization comprised of many volunteers throughout the community. We serve a free meal every Tuesday evening from 5-6 pm at the First Parish Church in Chelmsford Center. Our guests enjoy a nutritious meal and the company of others in a relaxed, community setting. To learn more, visit us as tableofplentyinchelmsford.org, or call EAT (8328). ATTENTION TRAINED and CORI d Eucharistic Ministers We have many sick and homebound parishioners in our collaborative who are in need and want the Eucharist the source and summit of our faith. Due to recent retirements, our St. Mary Homebound Ministry is currently running low on volunteers to provide this awesome act of mercy to our parishioners who are currently homebound or reside in nursing homes. Would you be able and willing to take on such an integral part of what we, as Catholics, are asked to do to bring Christ to our brothers and sisters? I was sick and you visited me. (Matt 25:26) For more information, and/or to volunteer for this ministry, contact Rae at ext 236 or Rae@chelmsfordcatholic.org.

8 Collaborative Youth Ministry Program Courtney Callanan, Youth Minister & Confirmation Coordinator ext 227 FEBRUARY CALENDAR YOUTH MASS AND HS (GRADES 9-12)YOUTH GROUP 6:00-9:00 PM SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 11TH AT ST. MARY Teens serve as liturgical and music ministers, and the preaching is geared with you in mind! Following Mass, join us downstairs for fellowship centered around a meal where we can get to know God and each other a little better. HOUSE OF HOPE: LOWELL, MA 6:00-8:00 PM FEBRUARY 22ND We are looking for volunteer youth/parent teams to spend 2 hours on Thursday evenings playing with young children whose parent(s) are receiving Life Skills training. Orientation is required, and will be conducted at St. John s. Please contact Laura Zatta at lkzatta@gmail.com. COR UNUM MEAL CENTER: LAWRENCE, MA 3:15-7:30 PM FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 23RD (RSVP BY FEB 16TH) Cor Unum is committed to the truth that no man, woman or child should ever go hungry and should be treated with dignity. If you are able to represent our collaborative, sign up by contacting Barbara at dwsmiths@comcast.net or (978) We will depart from and return to St. John s parking lot. Join us for a 2-hour evening that will lead believers and disciples more deeply into the heart of God through a greater yielding to the power of the Holy Spirit. This evening features: Acoustic Praise & Worship Music Eucharistic Adoration and speaker: Fr. Matt Williams This evening is OPEN TO ALL. but most suited to those with a faith foundation who are looking to delve a little deeper. NEXT TUESDAY, FEBRUARY PM ST. JOHN S LOOKING FOR A FEW VOLUNTEERS TO HELP SELL MERCHANDISE BEFORE AND AFTER THE EVENT. IF INTERESTED, CONTACT COURTNEY TODAY!!!! Don t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity. [-1Tim 4:12] Each year, our Youth Ministry group hosts the soup portion of our Lenten Soup and Stations devotion at St. Mary s. Volunteers will be needed from 5-7 pm to help with soup. Your attendance at 7 pm Stations is expected. All volunteers will be asked to bring either a soup (meatless, in a crockpot), bread, salad or drinks. To sign up, visit... July UMass Lowell DON T miss out on the opportunities that await you opportunities to praise, worship, serve, stretch and grow! $275 ($50 non-refundable deposit due at registration) REGISTER TODAY BEFORE THE DEADLINE OF NEXT TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 20th Remember, that you are dust and to dust you shall return

9 TheFinancial Page Fiscal Year 2018 runs from July 1, June 30, 2018 St. Mary: Paul Firicano, Parish Finance Manager St. John: Liliana Lucas, Business Manager t & d d K E Z s dd edd dd edd d ded d dee as of February 4th, 2018 t & d d K E Z s dd dee dd ded d eed d dde as of February 4th,, 2018 K E s K E s dde edd ddd ede d ded Please remember that the offertory is our main source of funds for paying our daily operating expenses. Online Giving is a web-based program in which parishioners can control their donations on their own using a secure link from St. Mary Parish website. Please consider using this option when making your donation. To date, there are over 500 families participating in Online Giving and their automatic donations guarantees over $14,000 per month in offertory to the parish budget. ddd ede dde eed d dde 4th Grand Annual Campaign ³(DFKPDQVKRXOGJLYHZKDWKHKDVGHFLGHGLQKLVKHDUWWRJLYHQRW UHOXFWDQWO\RUXQGHUFRPSXOVLRQIRU*RGORYHVDFKHHUIXOJLYHU &RULQWKLDQV Week after week we get closer and closer to our goal, thanks to your ongoing and faithful support! Please know that NO gift is ever too small or unnoticed. If you have misplaced the official campaign letter and pledge card, you can find them at the church entrances. Additionally, you may make your donation online be visiting saintjohnchelmsford.weshareonline.org. We are so very grateful for the faithful support of our parish family! God Bless! & d ddde ' W W l ' ee ddd de dde dd ddd de el St. Mary Construction is currently underway in the transformation of our candle room into a new handicap bathroom. not barring any complications, this project should be completed in approximately two weeks. The winter temperatures have been testing our heating system, but nevertheless we have heat! We are also entertaining the replacement of the current hall entrance door, as we have experienced many issues over the past many months. As a result of the failed heating system in the new parish center, we have installed independently operated electric heaters in each room. A pleasant upgrade, as the temperature of one room will no longer interfere with the temperature of another. St. John

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11 page 11 February 11th, 2018: Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time FROM OUR ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT RAE RUSSO I wanted to take a turn submitting an article for the Collaborative weekly bulletin and, when it came to the deadline, I had no clear thoughts as to what I wanted to share. But, when going through any random day, if I see an uplifting story or poem on the internet, I save it. The following is one I find very profound. "The Wolves Within as told by an unknown Native American A child went to his Grandfather angry at a friend who had done him an injustice. His Grandfather said, "Let me tell you a story. I too, at times, have felt a great hate for those that have taken so much, with no sorrow for what they do. But hate wears you down, and does not hurt your enemy. It is like taking poison and wishing your enemy would die. I have struggled with these feelings many times." He continued, "It is as if there are two wolves inside me. One is good and does no harm. He lives in harmony with all around him, and does not take offense when no offense was intended. He will only fight when it is right to do so, and in the right way. But the other wolf, ah! He is full of anger. The littlest thing will set him into a fit of temper. He fights everyone, all the time, for no reason. He cannot think because his anger and hate are so great. It is helpless anger, for his anger will change nothing. Sometimes, it is hard to live with these two wolves inside me, for both of them try to dominate my spirit." The boy looked intently into his Grandfather's eyes and asked, "Which one wins, Grandfather?" The Grandfather smiled and quietly said, "The one I feed." Ash Wednesday is the beginning of the forty days known as Lent. The recommended practices of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving become the focus of Lenten activity and ritual. Each of these spiritual practices is aimed at personal discipline as well as continued concern for the other, especially the poor or alienated. Relying on God's providence and care, no matter how difficult life becomes, is crucial to Lenten spirituality. Fasting was initially stricter, permitting only one simple meal a day without meat, fish, or other delicacies. Such things were not even allowed in the house. So in order to prepare for this in an age of no refrigeration, people gathered to consume whatever was not allowed during Lent. This led to parties or celebrations originally referred to as Carnivale, literally meaning "goodbye to meat," or Mardi Gras, literally meaning "Fat Tuesday." The eating and celebrating ended on the Tuesday just before Ash Wednesday. $ SULHVW V OLIH LV VRPHWKLQJ RI D J\SV\ OLIH, RIWHQ PHQWLRQ LQ P\ KRPLOLHV WKDW RXU IDLWK MRXUQH\ LV DQ DGYHQWXUH D FRQVWDQW IRUZDUG PRWLRQ LQWR WHUUD LQFRJQLWD²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³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³FUHDWLYH DEVHQFH ² DQ DEVHQFH WKDW UHPLQGV RQH RI WKH IRUPHU SUHVHQFHDQGVRFDUULHVVRPHWKLQJRIWKDWSUHVHQFHZLWKLQLW ZKLOH DOVR UHPLQGLQJ XV WKDW ZH DUH D SLOJULP SHRSOH VWLOO VRMRXUQLQJWRWKHIXOOQHVVRIRXUHQFRXQWHUZLWK&KULVW,GRKRSHP\SUHVHQFHWKHVHSDVWIHZ\HDUVKDVEHHQWKLVVRUW RI SUHVHQFH VRPHWKLQJ RID EHDUHURI&KULVWWR\RX DOO DQG WKDWP\DEVHQFHZLOOEHDELWRID³FUHDWLYHDEVHQFH,NQRZ \RXKDYHEHHQWKDWIRUPH 0D\*RGEOHVV\RXDOO<RX OODOOUHPDLQLQP\SUD\HUV,DJDLQDVNWKDW\RXNHHSPHLQ\RXUV,QWKHJUDFHDQGSHDFHRI2XU/RUG-HVXV&KULVW )U5HQ From the Desk of our Parochial Vicar, Fr. Ren

12 Chelmsford Catholic Collaborative has purchased a gift for you! Introducing formed.org. The Best Catholic Content. All in One Place. With FORMED, you can * Prepare for Sunday Mass by watching an insightful 5-minute video by renowned Catholic teachers * Enjoy a movie with your family that is both nourishing and entertaining * Enrich your marriage with the award-winning video series Beloved: Finding Happiness in Marriage * Help your children grow in character and embrace the beauty and wonder of the Faith * AND MORE!!! 7KLV:HGQHVGD\)HEUXDU\WKLV$VK:HGQHVGD\«WKHRIILFLDOEHJLQQLQJRIWKH/HQWHQ6HDVRQ /HQWLVDWLPHWRWDNHDVWHSEDFNDQGUHIOHFWRQRXUUHODWLRQVKLSZLWK-HVXV&KULVWRWKHUVDQGVHOI Beginning this week, we will publish PICKS of the SEASON/WEEK (see below and next page) in the hopes of assisting you in your Lenten Journey and beyond. enjoy a free subscription to an incredible 24/7 online gateway So, just how do you get your hands on this resource? There are 2 options use one or both!!! Visit Click on register now Create your account Download from the AppStore or Google Play. Visit app.formed.org to learn more! K ^ KE>z : d > ^ FORGIVEN (AT ST. MARY) WEDNESDAY EVENINGS (DETAILS TO FOLLOW) This 6-session study explores the grace and healing offered in Confession and shows how this sacrament of mercy reveals the depth and bounty of God s love. GROUP, FACILITATOR-LED LENTEN STUDIES OPENING THE WORD (AT ST. JOHN) SUNDAYS, FOLLOWING 8:30 AM MASS This offers prayer and insights of the Sunday readings, designed to facilitate thought and discussion for personal faith formation in the context of a group meeting. AUDIO BOOK SUGGESTION FOR THE SEASON IF YOUR MIND WANDERS AT MASS BY THOMAS HOWARD Distractions, fatigue, boredom at Sunday worship maybe we experience these because we don t fully appreciate what s going on at Mass. Howard s profound and practical look at liturgy focuses our wandering minds. It reminds us that at Mass, the veil separating earth and heaven lifts so that we stand with angels and saints in the presence of God Most High. AUDIO DRAMA SUGGESTION FOR THE SEASON THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO JOHN: DRAMATIZED AUDIO BIBLE St. John s Gospel highlights many events of Christ s life that are not found in the other three Gospels, like the Wedding at Cana, the Bread of Life Discourse, the Raising of Lazarus, and the appearance of the Risen Christ to St. Mary Magdalene. St. John s Gospel draws readers into the depth of the love and mystery of the Word who became flesh and dwelt among us.

13 ADULT READING SUGGESTIONS FOR THE SEASON ARISE FROM DARKNESS BY FR. BENEDICT GROESCHEL :+$772'2:+(1/,)('2(61 70$.(6(16( If you are struggling with fear, anxiety, grief, loss of loved ones, hurt, anger, or anything that makes life difficult or the road through it dark, then this book was written for you. Fr. Benedict draws on his own years of personal experience and offers practical suggestion on how to keep going and even grow with the help of God s grace, even when this help seems remote. IF YOUR MIND WANDERS AT MASS BY THOMAS HOWARD Distractions, fatigue, boredom at Sunday worship maybe we experience these because we don t fully appreciate what s going on at Mass. Howard s profound and practical look at liturgy focuses our wandering minds. It reminds us that at Mass, the veil separating earth and heaven lifts so that we stand with angels and saints in the presence of God Most High. SOMETHING OTHER THAN GOD BY JENNIFER FULWILER ³+2:,3$66,21$7(/<628*+7+$33,1(66$1'$&&,'(17$//<)281',7 Jennifer told herself she was happy. She made good money, had just married a guy with a stack of Ivy League degrees, and lived in a 21st floor condo where she could sip wine while watching the sun set behind the hills of Austin. Yet a creeping darkness followed her all her life. One winter night, everything she knew and believed shattered, and her questions led her to a religion she had reviled since she was a child growing up in the Bible Belt. She hid her quest from everyone except her husband, and just when Jennifer had a profound epiphany that gave her courage to convert, she was diagnosed with a life-threatening medical condition and the only treatment was directly at odds with the doctrines of her newfound faith. This story is a poignant, profound and often funny tale of one woman who set out to find the meaning of life and discovered that true happiness sometimes requires losing it all. READ WITH YOUR CHILDREN SUGGESTIONS FOR THE SEASON READ ALOUD BIBLE STORIES (AGES 4+) YOUNG PEOPLE S BOOK OF SAINTS (AGES 8+) CHRISTIANS COURAGEOUS (AGES 12+) MOVIE SUGGESTION OF THE WEEK GARDENER OF GOD [107 MINUTES] Watch the inspiring story of Gregor Mendel, who is considered the father of modern genetics, a science that changed the world. He was a 19th century Catholic priest and Augustinian monk who lived in the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Learn how he combined his vocation as a priest with his training as a scientist to impact the world by courageously following his passion for the truth. He realized that his great scientific discovery could be used in a wrong way, and he sought the help of a benefactor and friend who supported him in his work and vocation, and helped spread the knowledge of his discovery around the world. Mendel was a man of contemplation and of action, a dedicated priest and visionary scientist who is an important witness for contemporary society on how faith and science are not in conflict with each other. Mendel also struggled to change the fiscal policy applied to the monasteries in his country and even asked for the Pope's help on this issue. He was invited by Pope Pius IX to the Vatican where they shared their views about science and faith and how they are related. The Pope recognizes the important scientific contribution of Fr. Mendel and speaks the prophetic words to him, "Father Mendel, your discovery will survive you and it will survive all of us." BROTHER FRANCIS STORIES (PRE-SCHOOL-3RD GRADE) 20-minute animated episodes on various catholic teachings. JESUS STORIES (PRE-SCHOOL-3RD GRADE) Each 10-minute episode includes a story situation that children today can relate to, a parable, and a thought-provoking way to apply the lesson being taught. SPEAKER PRESENTATION SUGGESTION OF THE WEEK RELIGIONLESS SPIRITUALITY BY DR. TIM GRAY [50 MINUTES] Renowned Scripture scholar and author, Dr. Tim Gray, provides a fascinating explanation of the importance of the visible Church and the centrality of God on Earth. He offers incredible insights that make clear the role of the Church as an essential part of God s plan for salvation, which are sure to help those who have left her, or who mistakenly claim to be spiritual, but not religious....for Lent and Beyond

14 If you would like to request that a Mass be celebrated for a specific intention or person, please call the parish office and speak with Rae at ext 236. A donation of $10 per Mass Intention is requested to be made at the time that you request your intention. SAT, FEB 10 SUN, FEB 11 MON, FEB 12 TUE, FEB 13 THUR, FEB 15 FRI, FEB 16 SAT, FEB 17 SUN, FEB 18 SAT, FEB 10 SUN, FEB 11 MON, FEB 12 TUES, FEB 13 THUR, FEB 15 FRI, FEB 16 SAT, FEB 17 SUN, FEB 18 St. John 4:00 pm: Francis & Catherine Dolan: Memorial 8:30 am: For the People of the Parish 10:30 am: Arthur Alfano: Memorial 5:00 pm: Edward Comeau: 12th Anniversary 9:00 am: Spiritual Society 9:00 am: Robert Cole: 12th Anniversary 9:00 am: John Francis McElaney: 34th Anniversary 9:00 am: Jeanne Sevigny and Matilda Champagne: Memorial 4:00 pm: Paul Myers: 25th Anniversary 8:30 am: Joseph J. & Dorothy A. Koyutis: Memorial 10:30 am: For the People of the Parish 5:00 pm: Pauline Pelletier: 1st Anniversary St. Mary 4:00 pm: For the People of the Parish 7:00 am: Marguerite Farley: Memorial 9:00 am: David Dillon: Memorial 11:00 am: Rose Stella Meile: Memorial 6:00 pm: Peter & Jeannette Manzelli: Memorial 7:00 am: Spiritual Society 7:00 am: Pam & Tim Guiden: LIVING INTENTION 7:00 am: Rose Cullen: 20th Anniversary 7:00 am: Darrell D. Morris: 19th Anniversary 4:00 pm: Betty Dudley: 1st Anniversary 7:00 am: For the People of the Parish 9:00 am: Joseph Edmund Lessard: Month s Mind 11:00 am: Patrick Slattery & Michael Slattery: Memorial 6:00 pm: Ella Ava Fahey-Hamilton: Memorial St John Rose for Life Someone special you d like to honor? Perhaps for a birthday, an anniversary, a graduation, a new baby or any other special occasion? Or maybe you d like to just simply give thanks for a favor received? You can do that by having a rose placed before Our Lady of Fatima s statue for one week. We will publish your intention in the bulletin. To book a Rose for Life, contact Rae at ext 236. The suggested offering for a rose is $5.00. St. Mary Memorial Altar Flowers Parishioners are invited to donate a floral arrangement, to be displayed on the altar in memory of, or in honor of, a loved one. If you would like to donate altar flowers, please call Tina at ext 219. The requested donation for an arrangement is $40, and includes an acknowledgement in the bulletin. The Altar Flowers for this weekend are In Memory Of Peter & Jeannette Manzelli <RXDUHRXUDQJHOVWKDWJXLGHXVWKURXJK NHHSLQJXVVWURQJKHUHRQHDUWK DQGEHOLHYLQJWKDWZHZLOOPHHWDJDLQLQKHDYHQ This Week s Readings 8(6'$< (% ƒ ƒž ƒ 21'$< (% ƒ ƒž ƒ ('1(6'$< (% Ž Š ƒž ƒ FUNERALS recently celebrated 0D\WKHVRXOVRIWKHIDLWKIXOGHSDUWHG WKURXJKWKHPHUF\RI*RGUHVWLQSHDFH Martin Conley: February 7 at St. Mary John DaSilva: February 8 at St. John +856'$< (% ƒž $785'$< (% ƒ ƒš ƒž 5,'$< (% ƒ ƒš ƒž ƒ 81'$< (% ƒž ƒ

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