Saint Cecilia. Second Sunday of Advent. 6 December 2015 P A R I S H. Icon of Saint John the Baptist

Transcription

1 Saint Cecilia P A R I S H Second Sunday of Advent 6 December 2015 Icon of Saint John the Baptist

2 Saint Cecilia Parish 18 Belvidere St., Boston, MA Thursday, December 10, :00 p.m. The Copley Singers Christmas Concert Brian Jones, Director Emeritus Director of Music Trinity Church, Copley Square Tickets at the door $20 Admission $10 for students and seniors Children are free

3 SAINT CECILIA PARISH our community news Ministers of the Liturgy Saturday 5:00 p.m. Rev. Ryan Duns, SJ, celebrant Fred Bachofner, lector Sunday 8:00 a.m. Rev. Thomas Gariepy, CSC, celebrant Dave Curry, lector Sunday 9:30 a.m. Rev. John Unni, celebrant Louisa Essman, Hannah Raudsepp, & Moira Macdonald, lectors Special intentions Sunday, December 6 8:00 a.m. Deceased members of the Gardiner & Finn Families, Memorial Sunday, December 6 9:30 a.m. M. Eleanor Donohoe, 1st Anniversary Sunday, December 6 9:30 a.m. Betty Benhayon, 1st Anniversary Sunday, December 6 11:15 a.m. John JJ Letendre Jr., Memorial Friday, December 11 8:00 a.m. Joseph F. Ford, 11th Anniversary Sunday 11:15 a.m. Rev. John Unni, celebrant Maggie Dolan, Lauren Miner, & Mark Richburg, lectors Sunday 6:00 p.m. Rev. Peter Grover, OMV, celebrant Jennifer Polley & Nikko Mendoza, lectors today s readings Baruch 5:1-9 Philippians 1:4-6, 8-11 Luke 3:1-6 next sunday s Readings Zephaniah 3:14-18a Philippians 4:4-7 Luke 3:10-18 FOOD DONATIONS FOR CATHOLIC CHARITIES This week's featured donation item is: TUNA! Next week's featured donation item is: MACARONI & CHEESE! Donations of pasta, sauce, cereal, tuna, & other canned food are always also accepted. Please leave food donations in the narthex baskets. 3

4 SAINT CECILIA PARISH Prayers & Occasions Our Deceased Jimmy McManus died on Monday, November 23. Pray for the repose of his soul as well as for the consolation of Natalie and their family. Daniel Kolander died on Tuesday, November 24. Pray for the eternal repose of his soul as well as for the consolation of Steve and Valerie and their entire family. Gary Bowen died on Thursday, November 26. Pray for the eternal repose of his soul as well as for the consolation of Barbara and their family. May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Our Sick Please pray for all our sick and for those who are in need of our prayer, especially Rudy Kikel, Annette Kulas, Lisa Caputo, Anthony Simboli, Anne Frenette Handly, Roséa Aubrey, Robert Lupis, Owen Kyes, Mildred McLaughlin, Brenna Smith, Pilar Estrada, Michalina Maniscalco, Michael Patrick Kelly, Mark Anderson, Bill Downing, Nimet Yousif, Judy Gallo, Skyler Stevenson, Rob Morrissey, Roberta McMann, Silvana Franco, Silvia Basagni, Brian Donnelly, Karen Thoresen, Theresa Wier, Bill Ahern, Lisa Anzalone, Lena Bryant, Mary Silva, Kenny Borum, Kevin, Joseph Pierre, George Driscoll, Quinn Amsler, Rose Rizzo, Bill Pennington, Jillian Scalfani, Lisa Cox, Mary Curley, Bryan Thomas, Linda Jenkins, Belle Marie Cosgrove, Annie McGovern, Rachel Fitzgerald, Joanne DeMare, Bob Carroll, Ilene Katz, Meghan, Thomas Pettier, John Morris, Roques Linares, Eric Wirtz, Joseph Montoya, Clive Cosham, and Mark Edward McHugh. Welcome to Saint Cecilia! We are pleased to welcome the following new members of our parish who have recently registered: the Lashley- Bradley family of East Boston, the Rocher family of Boston, James Curley of Boston, and Alan Heaslip 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 christmas liturgies Christmas Eve I 4:00 & 6:30 p.m. Christmas Day I 9:30 a.m. New Year's Day I 10:00 a.m. Baptisms Today we celebrate baptism at the nine-thirty liturgy for Rose Junia, daughter of Michael and Kaileen Bonner, and little sister of Lily, and Henry George, son of Zach and Megan Bourque, and little brother of Erin, Annette, and Ryan. The Christian community welcomes you with great joy, Rose and Henry! Morning Prayer We will pray Morning Prayer this Saturday, December 12 in honor of the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe at nine. All are welcome to attend! Gaudete Sunday Next Sunday is traditionally known as Gaudete Sunday, a day marked by a joyful anticipation of the Christmas celebration. Like Laetare Sunday in Lent, the optional liturgical color is rose. Help add to our celebration by wearing something rose colored to Mass next Sunday! Last 6:00 pm Evening Mass of 2015 Next Sunday, December 13 is the last six o'clock Sunday liturgy before Christmas. The six o'clock liturgy will resume on the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord (January 3). Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary Patronal Feast Day of the United States Tuesday, December 8 is the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception and a holy day of obligation. Many people confuse the Immaculate Conception with the doctrine of the Virgin Birth (Mary's virginal conception of Jesus). Tuesday's solemnity celebrates Mary's Immaculate Conception: that is, our solemn belief that Mary, though conceived in the normal way, was preserved from original sin from the first moment of her conception. This solemnity occurs nine months before the feast of the Nativity of Mary, which is celebrated on September 8. Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday morning at 8:00 a.m. and in the evening at 6:30 p.m. Congratulations to Last Week's Raffle Winner! Congratulations to our raffle winner from last Sunday. Ryan Lowrey won the two VIP Patriots tailgate party packages. A big thank you to everyone who purchased raffle tickets. 4

5 saint cecilia parish The advent wreath Advent wreaths were originally part of folk traditions of Northern Europe. Wreaths of evergreens were decorated with candles to symbolize life and light during the dark months of winter. The circle of the wreath, which has no beginning or end, symbolizes the eternity of God. Evergreens stay green all year and so signify continuous life. Each of the four candles represent one of the Sundays of Advent. We needn't worry about the colors of the candles; traditionally, three violet candles and one rose candle are used, but you may prefer to use all royal blue candles, four violet candles or four white candles. The symbol is the flame, not the color. Each Sunday, the light of the wreath glows brighter as a reminder that Christ comes into the darkness of our lives to bring newness, life, and hope. Tonight, light the second candle, sing a verse of O Come, O Come, Emmanuel, re read part of today's Gospel, and say a brief concluding prayer. If you prefer, here is a prayer that you can use. SECOND WEEK Light another violet candle. During the rest of the week, these candles are relit at the evening meal or whenever you choose to do so. Jesus, John the Baptist told the people, "If you have two coats, give one to someone else who doesn't have any. If you have food, share it with someone else." As we light this candle, we remember that you bring the light of service into our lives. May your Word be always in our minds, on our lips, and in our hearts. Amen. Little Blue Books for Advent The Little Blue Books for the seasons of Advent and Christmastide are now available. Consider spending six minutes daily with these reflections based on the Gospels for Cycle C. These books are in baskets in the rear of the church. Please take one home and spend just six minutes per day in reflection. This is a great way to keep Advent and prepare for the coming of the Lord at Christmas. ADVENT CANDLES for sale today Advent has arrived so, it's the perfect time for the Advent wreath! We have said goodbye to the old liturgical year and set aside the Gospel of Mark in order to welcome Cycle C and the Gospel of Luke. Advent began at sunset on Saturday, November 28, so it's time to begin thinking about an Advent wreath for home. All you need is a circle of fresh greens and four candles, one for each of the four Sundays of Advent. Traditionally, three violet candles and one rose candle are used, but some people prefer to use blue, which recalls the color of the night sky before daylight returns. You could also use all white candles. A nice custom is to set-up the wreath on your dinner each evening. In the next four bulletins, we'll include a prayer of blessing that can be said during the lighting of the candle(s). We will be selling sets of Advent candles for $10 in the narthex today. CHRISTMAS FLOWERS You are invited to remember your loved ones by donating towards the Christmas flowers that will grace our sanctuary. In the back of the church you'll find envelopes that you can use for this purpose. Please drop the envelope in the collection basket or hand it to any staff person. The names of those remembered will be published in the Christmas bulletin. Please be sure to PRINT clearly. 5

6 saint cecilia parish PINE STREET INN ITEMS FOR SALE This Sunday, and until Christmas, we will once again be selling Christmas cards to support the Pine Street Inn, where Father John and several parishioners serve on the Board of Directors. This is a wonderful way of supporting Pine Street Inn's mission of finding permanent solutions to homelessness while sharing some wonderful Boston themed Christmas cards with family and friends. The cards are priced at $18 for a pack of 10. We will also be selling cutting boards made by people participating in Pine Street's job training and social enterprise program, "Boston Handyworks." "AND THE BAND PLAYED ON" This Sunday at 1:15 p.m. the Saint Cecilia Rainbow Ministry will commemorate World AIDS Day with a screening of the 1993 film And the Band Played On. The film is a docudrama directed by Roger Spottiswoode and is based on the best-selling 1987 non-fiction book And the Band Played On: Politics, People, and the AIDS Epidemic by Randy Shilts. Shilts' book chronicles the discovery and spread of HIV and AIDS and focuses on the U.S. government's indifference and political infighting over what was then perceived as a disease limited to the gay community. The star-filled cast includes Matthew Modine, Alan Alda, Ian McKellen, and Lily Tomlin with cameos by Steve Martin, Richard Gere, Anjelica Huston, and B.D. Wong. The movie has a running time of 141 minutes. our aids memorial quilt Today we will observe World AIDS Day and will bless our AIDS Memorial Quilt hanging in the rear of the church. The Saint Cecilia AIDS Memorial Quilt, inspired by the NAMES Project, which is now based in Atlanta, was first dedicated at the Jesuit Urban Center in November of 1995 and was later brought to Saint Cecilia. It is a tapestry that binds us together and reminds us of those men and women our communities have lost to the AIDS virus. In the mid-nineteen nineties, members of the Jesuit Urban Center s Last Tuesday Dinner Program (a program founded to serve a nutritious dinner on the last Tuesday of each month to people living with HIV/AIDS), came together to determine how best to honor the many wonderful people they loved who had died. It was during this gathering that the idea of an AIDS Memorial Quilt was born. A Jesuit scholastic who was stationed at the church at this time, helped design this powerful visual reminder of so many lives cut short by the AIDS virus. The Saint Cecilia AIDS Memorial Quilt is modeled after a full size quilt. The bold primary colors used in the Quilt contrast with its solemn symbolism. The Quilt evokes both Christian imagery and the memory of those who have died. IHS is derived from the first three letters of the Greek name of Jesus (IHSOUS). In ancient times, this became a widely recognized monogram of the Christ. IHS is also featured in the Jesuit crest. The red AIDS ribbon is looped through the H. Each star circling around the central image represents someone from our community who died from AIDS. At the conclusion of the Prayer of the Faithful during the eleven-fifteen Mass, designated members of the assembly will come forward for the solemn reading of the 149 names inscribed on the Quilt. The Rainbow Ministry will be sponsoring a reception in the Parish Hall after the eleven-fifteen Mass. All are welcome. 6

7 saint cecilia parish Christmas Eve Choir Invitation We asking for a one-time commitment of parishioners to sing in the choir for the Christmas Eve Liturgies at 4:00 p.m. & 6:30 p.m. Rehearsals for Christmas Eve will be: Thursday, December 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, December 7:00 p.m. Christmas Eve, December 2:30 p.m. Please stop by and see Richard Clark after Mass, or him at RClark@stceciliaboston.org. We look forward to hearing from you! Christmas Cookies Needed As part of the parish s commitment to supporting Nativity Prep, we provide a monthly dinner for their evening study program. This year, with the addition of a fourth grade class and a bumper crop of tutors, many from BC, the dinners are a rollicking affair, with upwards of 70 hungry diners. Saint Cecilia s is preparing dinner on December 7 and it would be great to arrive arms filled with Christmas treats. If you can help out by bringing cookies or cupcakes to church on Sunday, December 6, we d be delighted! Contact Susan Donnelly at susan_donnelly@harvard.edu, or drop off your treats in the narthex following the Masses. Thank you! Thank you! The Saint Cecilia Pine Street Thanksgiving Dinner Committee wishes to thank everyone who helped to make the Fifth Annual Saint Cecilia Pine Street Inn Low Threshold Housing (LTH) Thanksgiving Dinner the best one to date. The LTH tenants had a wonderful day and could feel the positive energy and community spirit from so many. We are grateful to our parishioners who gave so generously of their time to help create such a wonderful celebration filled with delicious food, warm friendship, and smiling faces. And, a big thank you for the many donations we received oranges, apple cider, bottled water, and many gift cards all of which contributed to making this year's dinner extra special. We especially wish to thank Shane Manfred and his family for preparing and serving such a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner to our guests. TWEETS FROM THE POPE Where there is violence and hatred, Christians are called to witness to the God who is Love. The Jubilee Year of Mercy reminds us that God is waiting for us with open arms, just like the father of the prodigal son. (Article continued from page 14) CATHOLIC CHARITIES GALA Greater Boston Catholic Charities' annual Christmas dinner gala will be held on Friday, December 11 at 6:00 p.m. at the Seaport Hotel, Boston. Individual tickets for the gala are $500. All proceeds will benefit the programs and services of Greater Boston Catholic Charities' basic needs programs. For more information or to join the Saint Cecilia table at the event, please contact Mark Lippolt at mlippolt@hammondre.com. In the end, reducing faith to political checklists can neither lift Christianity above the superficiality of bourgeois religion nor reverse the rapidly advancing disaffiliation of the young. The only thing that can is recognizing Christian faith for what it is trust that God can really save us, trust that the preaching and teaching of Jesus must be reckoned with in everything we do, trust that we are really imago dei and destined for a much greater life than that of mere middle-class comfort. St. Augustine s words from the Confessions still hold: You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you. Brett C. Hoover teaches theology at Loyola Marymount University. This article is reprinted from the October 7 issue of Commonweal. 7

8 saint cecilia parish Christmas in Prison: Help needed Bridgewater State Hospital is a psychiatric prison hospital where 325 men with very serious mental illnesses live, some for a short period of evaluation and some for a lifetime. Though it is a hospital, it is also very much a prison complete with barbed wire, correction officers, and prison food. It can be one of the saddest and dreariest places on earth during the holiday season. You can help to change that. The Catholic chaplain, Peg Newman, a parishioner here at Saint Cecilia, is collecting the following items to give to the men at Christmas: * Pads of Lined Paper (8.5 x 11; NO WIRE) * Long Envelopes * Stick Deodorant * Shampoo Any of these items will be very much appreciated. A bag with these items will be the only gift these men will receive. They will put the items to good use, but more important, they will know that they are being thought of and cared about. Your gift will be an expression of God's love. There is a bin in the back of the church where these items can be dropped off. Please contact Peg with any questions or if you would like to make a cash donation ( ; peg3newman@gmail.com). "In truth I tell you in so far as you did this to one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did it to me." Matthew 25:40 CHRISTMAS CONCERT RECEPTION Thursday, December 10 7:00 p.m. Our annual parish Christmas Concert featuring the Copley Singers will be taking place this week! Following the concert there will be a gala reception in the Parish Hall. This is one of the highlights of the year at Saint Cecilia, but we need quite a bit of help to make it happen. If you are able to assist with cooking and baking, we'd love to hear from you. Please contact Caroline Gélinas at cgelinas@stceciliaboston.org if you would like to be part of this year's hospitality team. Commonweal Readers Discussion Group The movie, Spotlight, will be discussed at this month s Commonweal Readers Group. The second part of the meeting will be a brief sharing by participants of favorite topics covered in recent issues. The meeting will take place on Sunday, December 13, at 1:00 p.m. in Classroom 4. If you are interested in the Commonweal Readers Group, please contact Judy Castaldi at judycastaldi@hotmail.com. 8

9 Meet Fr. Vin The Gift of Family As the pastor of three parishes in Dorchester and Mattapan, Fr. Vin s responsibilities are extraordinary. While his daily work is a source of great joy, it s the love and devotion of a special sister named Connie that restores his spirit. When Fr. Vin s parents passed away, he and his sister Eileen became the sole guardians of their disabled sister. For Fr. Vin, being a brother and a priest for Connie is an immense blessing. The unconditional love that he receives from Connie especially at the end of a busy day continues to fill his heart with gratitude. Fr. Vin selflessly dedicates his life in service to others. This Christmas, show your gratitude with a gift that cares for Fr. Vin and the health and well-being of all the priests who faithfully serve our Archdiocese of Boston. Text the word PRIEST to or make a gift through your parish collection at Christmas Mass. Thank you for your generous support of the Clergy Health and Retirement Trust. A priest, whoever he may be, is always another Christ. -Saint Josemaría Escrivá To submit your special intentions to be remembered by our senior priests during the celebration of Holy Mass at Regina Cleri each week, please visit clergyfunds.org/intentions. To watch a short video on Fr. Vin and Connie, visit clergyfunds.org. Clergy Health and Retirement Trust Caring for the Well-Being of our Boston Priests

10 Prayer for Mercy for Refugees! Friday, December 11 7:00pm Basilica of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Mission Church,1545 Tremont St, Boston! To begin this Year of Mercy, all people of good will are invited to join with the Community of Sant Egidio to pray for the welcome of immigrants and refugees, for refugees safety, and for peace in the lands from where they flee. Community of Sant Egidio The Community of Sant Egidio is a movement of lay people dedicated to living out the Gospel through prayer, solidarity with the poor and service towards peace. For questions, contact Kerri Mármol: santegidio.bostonma@gmail.com

11 Saint Cecilia Parish Advent Giving Tree Our annual Advent Giving Tree has arrived! Your gift purchase will bring tidings of comfort and joy this Christmas to many childern, single parents and seniors in our neighborhood and agencies that support others throughout our city. This year we have added more gift requests for clients living in Pine Street housing, items for volunteer nurses for a clinic in Haiti and a tags to help a few students who attend Nativity Prep School in Jamaica Plain. There are also tags for people who have a special place in the life of our parish. For further information about each organization check the websites listed below and for Giving Tree information contact Ann Faldetta at anntenfour@yahoo.com. eldersathome.htm PageServer?pagename=programs_ waltham_house#.vl7v6hgo7iv BC Nurses in Haiti: son/aboutus/international/haiti.html

12 saint cecilia parish Prayer and Imagination: MUSIC A Presentation by Musician Paul Melley December 9 I 7:00-8:30 p.m. St. Ignatius Church, Chestnut Hill "Music can unveil a dimension of meaning and feeling, a communication of ideas and intuitions which words alone cannot yield (Music in Catholic Worship). What we do with our voices and in music creates a setting for prayer and worship. We express meaning more deeply in song. St. Ignatius invites us to encounter God with our imagination. Music, the song we create to praise God, amplifies our prayer and shapes the imaginative space where we share in God s love for us. You are invited to attend this and other programs in this series. There is no charge for admission. This program is part of an ongoing series, which continues from January through April. For more details, please visit Sponsored by the Center for Ignatian Spirituality and the Jesuit Collaborative. 46TH Annual MLK, jr. memorial breakfast Monday, January 18, 2016 I 8:00 a.m. Boston Convention & Exhibition Center The 46th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Breakfast to commemorate the noble legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. will be held on Monday, January 18, 2016 at eight o'clock. This event features delicious food, live music and a diverse gathering of over 1,000 people, including business, civic, and religious leaders from across Massachusetts. This year's event will feature a dynamic keynote address from the Dr. Ruth Simmons, 18th President of Brown University, who will be awarded the True Compass Award. We need to reserve tables for this breakfast prior to December 31. Tickets are $50 each. If you would like to join us and sit at one of the Saint Cecilia tables, please call the parish office or e mail Caroline Gélinas at cgelinas@stceciliaboston.org. If you've attended this breakfast before, you know what a moving and hope filled way this is to commemorate the life of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Advent Giving Tree Questions and Answers When are the gifts due? o Gifts are due by 7:00 pm on Sunday, December 13 o If gifts are received after Dec. 13 th there is no guarantee that they will be delivered in time for Christmas. Do I wrap the gift? All gifts should be wrapped with the tag securely attached EXCEPT gifts for Project Hope. How many tags may I take? As many as you wish but PLEASE do not take tags unless you intend to buy and return the gift. Every tag is for a person or an agency waiting for that gift! Can I buy more than what is listed on the tag to make the gift more special? Yes. What if the gift is too expensive? For higher priced items, you can purchase a gift card from the store most likely to have the gift. The recipient can use the gift card toward the purchase. If there is no amount on the Gift Card how much should it be? The recommended amount is $25. however any amount is appreciated. I lost the tag what should I do? Contact Ann at anntenfour@yahoo. The item I chose is out of stock. What should I do? You can purchase a gift card at the store most likely to have the item. You can enclose a note to the recipient if you wish. Can I bring the gifts to church on another day besides Sunday? Yes but please call first to make sure someone is available to receive the gift. 12

13 saint cecilia parish SAINT C's YOUNG ADULTS! Advent Soul Cleansing Tuesday, December 15 I 7:00-9:00 p.m. We had rave reviews from this event last month, so we re bringing it back quickly by demand. We will pray the Rosary, and the sacrament of confession will be available with Fr. Ryan Duns throughout. We ll sing a few songs and have time to reflect on readings and meditations. Community Servings Friday, December 18 I 5:00-7:00 p.m. 10 Marbury Terrace, Jamaica Plain Help pack up meals that are given to the homebound with an acute life-threatening illness in the Boston area. They serve over 9,600 meals each week and rely on volunteers to make that happen. Holy Hour Happy Hour Sunday, December 20 Taize Prayer - 6:00 p.m. I Happy Hour 7:15 p.m. We re pumped to be able to participate in Taize prayer this month as there s no 6:00 p.m. Mass that day. Then we ll head to test out a new spot for happy hour at the Back Bay Social Club (867 Boylston St.). Dressy Christmas attire encouraged. SCYA Ski Trip January 29-31, 2016 Killington, VT Included in the price are a two-day ski pass for Killington Mountain (which alone is $194), lodging (shared rooms), gas money, food, and drinks all for a total price of $310. You can also get free rentals and a free lesson if you want. First come, first served to the first 15 to PayPal $310 to ckc1025@gmail.com after 8:00 a.m. on December 6 and who fill out the registration form ( scyoungadults@gmail.com for access). Preference given to drivers. *** Are you between years old looking for some Catholic community at St. C's? Join the listserv by ing scyoungadults@gmail.com. *** pilgrimage ON THE CAMINO de santiago de COMPOSTELA pil grim age,verb: the journey to a distant sacred goal A pilgrimage is a journey both outwards to hallowed places and inwards to spiritual growth. Join Nancy Nee Hanifin for a series of presentations on the Camino de Santiago de Compostela. In 2010 she walked the 500 miles across Spain to the tomb of Saint James. On her return she founded the Boston Chapter of the American Pilgrims on the Camino, mentoring aspiring pilgrims from across New England. She also walked to Santiago in 2014 and The meeting will cover the history of the Camino, traditions and practical planning for a possible facilitated pilgrimage in spring or fall of The Camino can be seen as an extended moving retreat, offering tremendous opportunities for meditative walking, reflection and introspection. A pilgrimage journey is the most graphic reminder we can have that our life as a whole is a pilgrimage. Each of us is on a journey with God, and a journey to God. The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, December 16 at 7:00-8:00 p.m. in the Parish Hall. The topic of this meeting will be "Camino Primitivo" For those who have already walked the Camino Frances and are anxious to try another route. The Primitivo starts in Oviedo, the capital of ancient Asturias. It is known as "The Original Way" to Santiago, because it is from Oviedo that King Alfonso II left to verify the discovery of the remains of St James. Nancy walked this most ancient route this past September. For more details and to rsvp, please Nancy at nancyneehanifin@gmail.com. 13

14 SAINT CECILIA PARISH Last Word: Watered Down, or Dried Up? By BRETT C. HOOVER More than thirty years ago, in The Emergent Church, the progressive German theologian Johann Metz inquired into the decline of church attendance in Europe. Metz argued that the emptying of the churches was the direct result of a watering-down of religious tradition, reflecting the rise of what he called bourgeois religion a comfortable, middle-class Christianity that asked nothing of its adherents. Today Metz s critique has wandered across the political and theological spectrum to the religious right, with conservative religious commentators routinely blaming the watering-down of Christian faith for deepening declines in churchgoing. But unlike Metz, who defined watered-down as a dilution of the Gospel s social conscience and concern for the poor, these critics worry about the weakening of traditional sexual ethics and a casual attitude toward church teaching and law. There is even a school of sociologists of religion who argue with some justification that stricter and more traditional churches elicit higher attendance. Having sat in the pew at various middle-class parishes in recent years, I find it hard not to feel that Christian faith has in fact gotten a bit watered down. How else would one feel after hearing a priest give a sermon on the parable of the rich man and Lazarus without mentioning the responsibility of the rich for the poor, or listening to a scholar present data on how students at Catholic colleges see absolutely no connection whatsoever between spirituality and sexual behavior? Yet I do not believe that the problem as some argue is that priests, parents, and religious-education teachers are soft-pedaling dogmatic formulas and sexual ethics. In seminaries today it is often asserted that people do not obey Catholic teaching because they do not really know and appreciate it. I find it just as likely that people may simply not agree. My deeper fear is that middle-class people have grown accustomed to superficial religion. We go to Mass on Sunday (or not), greet one another over coffee and donuts, complain about how busy we are, and go home without ever concerning ourselves with the transformative power of the Gospel either for our own transformation, or that of our society and our world. There is little expectation that we ought to attend to the things that exemplary Christians from St. Paul to Mother Teresa have always attended to: personal conversion; an ever deeper spirituality; a more comprehensive and nuanced theology; a more complete imitation of Christ in our personal and social lives. The undergraduate students I teach have certainly noticed this, and many of them, perhaps a majority, have opted out of organized religion entirely. Social scientists from Robert Putnam to Michael Hout argue that they are doing so because they have learned to associate religious faith with opposition to same-sex marriage and a roster of other conservative political issues. In other words, they are turning away from a version of the faith that poses these issues as the litmus test for identifying as a Christian (never mind belief in the divinity of Christ or the Holy Trinity, a sacramental sensibility, or an eschatological hope for a just world). Asked to choose between religious faith and support for their gay friends or aunts, they choose the latter. In rejecting religion on these grounds, these young people have effectively accepted the truncated view of Christianity put forth by the religious right and in the process are missing the spiritual breadth, doctrinal depth, and multiple moral demands of a religious tradition. After all, political positions (such as opposing state-mandated contraception coverage, a recent favorite) actually impose relatively small demands on a follower of Christ. Such stands cannot compare to the life commitments summed up in the fiat of the Virgin Mary, the first disciples leaving everything to follow Jesus, St. Francis shedding his father s clothes in the piazza, or even Pope Francis s cry against spiritual isolation toward a culture of encounter. (Article continues on page 7) 14

15 saint cecilia parish Prison and After Needs Help Every Monday night for the past three and a half years, a dedicated group of parishioners has been providing a support group and dinner from 6:00 until 8:00 for the men who are returning to the community after serving time in prison. In order to sustain this wonderful ministry, the group needs two kinds of help: Financial - The dinner program is funded solely by contributions from parishioners. Each dinner costs approximately $300. Contributions of any amount are appreciated and can be given to Mark or Scott any Sunday or mailed to the parish office. Checks should be made out to Saint Cecilia Parish with Prison and After written in the memo line. Hands On - We have a team of wonderful parishioners who gather every Monday evening from 5:30-9:00. We are looking for an additional two or three parishioners to join our group. Also, we are always delighted when a group, a family or an individual volunteers to cook a meal for the group. If you are interested in joining our group or making a meal, please Peg Newman at peg3newman@gmail.com. Seeking a housesitter? Looking for a housesitter? A very actively involved fellow parishioner is willing to house sit for someone going away for the winter (dates flexible). She would be happy to pay utilities. If interested, please contact Caroline Gélinas at cgelinas@stceciliaboston.org. Housing for returned missioner A Catholic lay missioner, after serving over 3 years with a Bolivian women's cooperative, is looking for a long-term housesitting or other similarly independent and expense-reducing opportunity near MBTA while she transitions back to Boston (near MBTA). For info please contact Caroline Gélinas (cgelinas@stceciliaboston.org). DONE TIME? Men who have been incarcerated are invited to join the Prison & After group which is designed to provide participants with a sense of welcome and support. The meetings are held on Monday evenings from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. in the Parish Hall. We will begin with a group session followed by a simple meal. For info, contact Peg Newman at sc.prisonandafter@gmail.com. are you friendly & smiley? Are you a warm and friendly person who loves to meet fellow parishioners with a smile? If so, we would love to have you join the Greeters! We are always searching for more parishioners to help with this ministry. Greeters are needed for all of the liturgies, but especially for the Sunday 6:00 p.m. liturgy. One can specify Mass frequency or any other availability concerns, all of which can be accommodated. If interested in helping out, please contact Christina Searby at sc.greeters@gmail.com. PARA SWIM OPPORTUNITIES Laura Dennison, parishioner and swimmer extraordinaire, is excited to announce an awesome opportunity for athletes with disabilities - both kids and adults - involving identification and development of para swimmers. She has been working with the Paralympic Sport Club Boston SWIMMING to make sure that masters swimmers with disabilities are incorporated as part of her role as para athlete chair for New England Masters. PSC BOSTON SWIMMING is a weekly swim training, competition, and support group for swimmers of all ages and levels of skill development (and their coaches). They meet on Sundays (from September 27) through March 20 (2:00-4:00 p.m.) at Clark Athletic Center Pool-UMass/Boston. For more info please contact Laura at lmdennison@gmail.com or visit Let's get more athletes with disabilities in the water! 15

16 saint SAINT cecilia CECILIA parish PARISH The growing problem of food insecurity By DEBORAH KINCADE RAMBO Today, as so many of us gather with family and friends, let s take a moment to think about those who often don t know where their next meal will come from. A recent fall day at the Catholic Charities Yawkey Center Food Pantry in Dorchester found 375 people seeking food assistance usually a grocery bag with enough food to feed a family of four for a few days. That s more than double the typical number for this time of year. And the face of hunger in our community is changing. We are seeing more young people than ever before, people who, despite maintaining jobs and often pursuing higher education, are unable to afford their increasing rents, utility bills, and student debt and still have enough money left for food. Here s a glimpse of our reality: Recently, a collegeeducated couple in their early 30s let s call them Ben and Sarah came seeking food assistance for their five children. They had been able to meet their expenses until Ben lost his job. Although Sarah s pay is too high for the family to qualify for state or federal assistance, including food support, the couple is now struggling to meet their rent and expenses for basic necessities. For families like these, Catholic Charities, which computes eligibility for benefits based on family expenses, and not just on income, is often a last resort. And there are more and more like them. The rate of food insecurity in our state is higher than ever: Currently, one in eight people here don t know where their next meal will come from, according to Feeding America, which supplies food to local organizations including the Greater Boston Food Bank. Even with the economy recovering, that hasn t changed, according to state data on food insecurity. The situation is similar nationally, with more than 10 million working families in the United States not earning enough to cover basic expenses such as food, according to a recent brief by the Working Poor Families Project, a national initiative dedicated to workforce development policies. In Massachusetts, wages are not keeping up with high rental costs, forcing too many families to straddle a line between self-sufficiency and dependency. Young people ages 25 to 35, who make up an increasingly large portion of this population, put off going back to school because of fears of student debt and the need to provide for themselves or their families. Ben, for example, was forced to drop out of a master s program that would have increased his family s income. No one should come home after a long day of work and wonder how they will be able to feed their family dinner. We must extend the safety net of support to capture the growing segment of the population that is struggling economically but doesn t qualify for traditional state and federal support. Additional funding for food, rental, and utility assistance will help those in need in the short term. Longer term, we must increase the minimum wage, provide more affordable housing, and advocate for student-loan reforms. The young working poor are not just our neighbors. They are part of the future of our state. Let s make the Commonwealth a place where the next generation can live with dignity and come to thrive. Deborah Kincade Rambo, LICSW, is president of Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Boston and a Saint Cecilia parishioner. 16

17 SAINT CECILIA PARISH 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 Mark Donohoe, Pastoral Associate for Administration, Scott J. MacDonald, Director of Faith Formation and Leadership Development, Jeanne Bruno, Coordinator of Pastoral Outreach, Richard J. Clark, Director of Music and Organist, Caroline Gélinas, Executive Assistant, Maureen Sullivan, Special Projects Manager, Assisting Clergy Rev. Arthur M. Calter Rev. Ryan Duns, SJ Rev. Thomas Gariepy, CSC Rev. Peter Grover, OMV Rev. James Shaughnessy, SJ Rev. George Winchester, 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., 6:00 p.m. Holy Days 8:00 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. Liturgy of the Hours Evening Prayer and Morning Prayer, as announced. Please check the bulletin for dates and times. Reconciliation Available at St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine ( x221), St. Francis Chapel in the Prudential Center ( ), and St. Anthony Shrine ( ). Please call for scheduled times. 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. For more information, please contact Scott MacDonald. Baptism for Infants Infant baptism is celebrated on the first Sunday of the month. For more information, please contact Mark Donohoe. Faith Formation for Children To register your child for our Faith Formation Program, please contact Scott MacDonald. 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 The church is accessible by elevator. Sunday Parking Reduced-rate parking is available on Sundays at the Prudential Center south side garage (Huntington entrance only, $14 up to 4 hrs, $20 up to 5 hrs) and at the Hilton Boston Back Bay ($5). Be sure to have a greeter validate your parking ticket before returning to your car. Saint Cecilia Rainbow Ministry Saint Cecilia Rainbow Ministry is a GLBTQ community at Saint Cecilia. For more information, contact stceciliarainbowministry@gmail.com. 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 gathering space. 17