COLLABORATIVE PARISHES OF SACRED HEART & SAINT THOMAS MORE

Transcription

1 COLLABORATIVE PARISHES OF SACRED HEART & SAINT THOMAS MORE December 2nd, 2018 Collaborative Office: 55 Commercial Street, Weymouth, MA (781) Sacred Heart Elementary School: 75 Commercial Street, Weymouth, MA Phone: (781)

2 Catechetical Corner Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. (2 Corinthians 9:7). The Advent Season has always been a Giving Season, a time when people seem more consciously aware of the need to give as much as they can to those in need. In our collaborative parishes, every season is a giving season. Throughout the year, examples of the Fruits of the Spirit ( love, generosity, faithfulness ~ Gal 5:23) are abound in our parishes and our school. Together, through our prayers and concrete practical service and donations, we provide support to ministries that serve the needy both locally and globally. Locally, our parish conferences of the Saint Vincent DePaul Society, provide immediate assistance to those in need of food, housing, and clothing. The Saint Vincent DePaul is a voluntary organization founded in 1833 for the sanctification of its members by personal service of the poor. Many families are also served by the donations to our food pantry each week. Our collaborative Advent Giving Tree has grown to be one of the largest donors to My Brother s Keeper, a Christian ministry in Easton and Dartmouth, achusetts which delivers furniture and food to local families in need. My Brother s Keeper s mission is the same as our own: "To bring the Love and Hope of Jesus Christ to those we serve." Many parishioners donate annually to the Cardinal s Stewardship Appeal, which supports numerous charitable offices, agencies, and programs that provide assistance to those most in need in our diocese. Through other diocesan contributions, our parishioners have provided support for The Missionary Society of St. James the Apostle. Founded in 1958 by Richard Cardinal Cushing, this society is an international organization, of diocesan missionary priests who volunteer a minimum of five years of their priestly lives to service in Peru. Annually, by their contributions to the diocesan Missionary Childhood Association, which provides hope to the poor living in Haiti, parishioners also support The Society for the Propagation of the Faith, an international association coordinating assistance for Catholic missionary priests, brothers, and nuns in mission areas. The society is the oldest of four Pontifical Mission Societies of the Roman Catholic Church. But, our collaborative mission to serve the needs of the poor does not end with local or diocesan contributions. There are many international organizations that we support through our prayers and financial contributions. Most recently, through pledges to Unbound, many parishioners directly sponsored children, youth, and the aging living in Latin America. Our parishes have also regularly supported Food for the Poor, Inc., a ministry that provides food, medicine, and shelter, to the needy in Latin America and the Caribbean. Through parish contributions to Helping Hands, a ministry of Catholic Relief Services, we have also provided support that we pray will lead to a world without hunger. Through these contributions, and those to Cross International, a ministry that focuses on alleviating poverty in the developing world, our parish contributions have flowed beyond the Western Hemisphere to include those living in poverty in Africa. One such ministry, Heifer International, is a ministry that provides families with the tools and training to lift themselves out of poverty. Through this organization, members of our parish and school have raised funds for poor families to purchase goats, cows, chickens and other means to feed their families and provide the means to become self-sufficient. Each year donations from members of our Vacation Bible School support Team Heart, a non-profit medical organization focused on providing sustainable cardiac care to Rwanda. And just last summer, our parishioners were also blessed to host Fr. Francis, a missionary priest from the Society of Missionaries to Africa. SMA, founded in 1868, is an international society of Catholic missionaries who come to our country from around the world. These missionaries are dedicated to the spread of the Gospel in Africa and they seek our support to continue this vital mission. During his time with us, Fr. Francis shared stories of his life among the poor in Africa, assuring us that our donations are indeed life-saving for his parishioners. It is important to stop and thank the Lord that we have the means to fulfill His Law of Love by providing for both the spiritual and corporal needs of His People. It has been said that charity begins at home, so it would be a great omission if this listing of our collaborative generosity of spirit did not include those who serve the Lord and His People each year-day in and day out- through their service here in our parish. Through their faithful service as liturgical ministers, visitors to the homebound, nursing homes and hospitals, catechists and Bible Study leaders, musicians, members of Knights of Columbus, the Saint Vincent depaul Conferences and Sodality, volunteers in our food pantry, prayer shawl ministry, and all those who through their prayers and service provide for the spiritual and corporal needs of our parishes, all of us are better able to worship our Lord and fulfill His Law of Love throughout the year. For those who give so cheerfully to serve the Lord and His People here in our collaborative, we pray that the Lord will reward you abundantly for all the good you do (See Eph 6:8.). C 2

3 CHEVERUS AWARDS CONFERRED LAST SUNDAY BY CARDINAL SEAN O MALLEY In the bicentennial year of the Archdiocese of Boston (2008), Cardinal Séan O Malley instituted the Cheverus Award medals. The silver medal bears the image of Bishop Jean-Louis de Cheverus. On the reverse side is Bishop Cheverus coat of arms and episcopal motto diligamus nos invicem (let us love one another). Bishop Cheverus was the founding Bishop of Boston and led the diocese from 1808 until his return to France in Each year, one third of the parishes of the archdiocese are asked to nominate a parishioner, therefore most parishes will have one honoree every three years. Recipients are nominated by their pastor, forwarded by their area vicar and approved by their regional bishop and Cardinal O Malley. The medal recipients are chosen for their service to the Church and God s people. The criteria given to pastors is that the nominee should be a lay person who has served the parish well over an extended period of time and has done so in a quiet, unassuming and, perhaps, unrecognized fashion. Matt Trees are at the doors of both churches this weekend (Dec. 1 & 2). Your gift returns will be collected on the weekend of December 8/9 & December 15/16. Please be sure to attach your bulb to the returned, unwrapped gift. Please note that there is no need to purchase all of the gifts on the label. Any donation is greatly appreciated. Your support of this annual charitable drive ensures that many of God s People have the peace and joy of this holy season. We are grateful to Eagle Scout candidate, Matt Cox, who is coordinating this year s Giving Tree drive. Please see below for a note from Matt: Hello parishioners, My name is Matthew Cox and I am a member of Troop 19 in Weymouth. I am doing a gift drive for my Eagle Project, along with the My Brother s Keeper program. These gifts will be given to those in need so that they will have gifts for the holidays. As you will notice in the coming weeks, there will be Christmas Trees posted in the church covered in ornaments with information about the recipient of the gifts. The information includes: gender, age, and a small list of gifts that the recipient would like this holiday season. If you would like to support this program and participate, I ask that you take an ornament off the tree, purchase one or more of the gifts on the list, and return the gift back to the church, unwrapped. Alongside those ornaments from My Brother s Keeper are yellow ornaments, which are for the local nursing homes. Those ornaments will have a small list of gifts for participants to purchase for the members of the nursing home. Any donations are incredibly helpful, and your generosity would mean the world to the child or elderly person who receives the gift. For any questions about the project, feel free to me at coxy341@gmail.com Thank you and God bless, Matt Bill Geller, Saint Thomas More recipient, is pictured here with wife, Betty, and previous STM recipient, Janet Swenson. We are most happy to announce that two parishioners from our collaborative received the Cheverus Award this year. Our sincere thanks to Mrs. Lauren Gray of Sacred Heart parish and to Mr. William Geller of Saint Thomas More parish for their steadfast, generous, loving service to all parishioners in our collaborative parishes. My Brothers Keeper is asking for your support in helping to purchase groceries for Christmas dinner for local families in need who would otherwise go without. My Brothers Keeper, based in Easton, will serve over 3,000 families in December. Forms and envelopes for Christmas dinner donations can be found at the entrances to the Church. Thank you for supporting our mission to bring the Love and Hope of Jesus Christ to those we serve. Please Note Sacred Heart parish recipient, Lauren Gray, pictured with last year s recipients, Joe & Eleanor Doyle and their daughters, Patty and Kathy. 1. Lector books can be picked up at the Sacristy today. 2. Sodality meeting will take place at Sacred Heart Saturday, December 8th at 3:30pm in the LCH. 3. Family & Faith Group will take place on Thursday, December 6th at 9:30-11::00am in Sacred Heart LCH. 3

4 Save The Date! "A Dickens of a Christmas" The children in the Sacred Heart St. Thomas More Drama Club will be performing the musical "A Dickens of a Christmas" on Friday, December 7 and Saturday, December 8 at 7:00 PM at Curtain Call Theater in Braintree. The show is a little less than 1 hour long and admission is free (though donations are most gratefully accepted!) Seating is very limited, so if you are interested in attending, please Mary Beth mbbrady@shstm.org to check availability. Happy Christmas! Save the Date: Senior Dinner & Movie: The Nativity Story Focuses on the time period in Mary and Joseph s life and the journey to Bethlehem. Date: Saturday, December 8th, immediately after the Vigil at Sacred Heart Meal: Roasted Turkey Dinner with all the fixings. Dessert: Potluck brought by our seniors. Christmas Schedule Sacred Heart December 24th, Christmas Eve: Vigil 4pm December 24th, at Night: 10pm December 25th, Christmas Day: 11am St. Thomas More December 24th, Christmas Eve: Vigil 4pm December 25th, Christmas Day: 9am January 1st, Solemnity of Mary Mother of God: Sacred Heart 9am Kindly RSVP to our office we can prepare for enough food for you and your guest. Please pray for: Esther Keeley, Francis Murphy, Regina Jerome, Kenneth Rice, Jr., Claire Rice, Mary Fleming, Carolyn Ryan, Peter Aitken, Margaret Micele, Jannina Planeta, Ginny Salvaggio, Sara Meola, Amber Rea Johnson, Linda Antoniou, Dan O Brien, Colman Feeney, Denise Cremins, Janet Shiels, Herbert McMeekin, Maura Marino, Meaghan Morneau, Laura O Neill, Roseanne Hood, Bill Romanoff, John Hastie, Theresa MacMillian, Martin Beatty, Sean & Noreen Naughton, John Keeley, Paul McGovern, Joseph O Reilly, Rosemary Haley, Donna O Reilly, Mary Eileen Cipullo, Pat Coleman, Marie Santo, John Dingee, Jean & Tony Athas, Antoinetta Sheehan, Gina Pappas, Jackie Fuller, Robert McDermott, Paul Donohoe, Paul Hughes, Paul Boback, Diane Rogers, Julie Williams, Joseph Gavin, William Walsh, James Perkins, Tracey Cronin, Joseph & Lee Doyle, Irene Griffin, Theresa McIsaac, Teresa Connolly, Pat Smith, Dorothy Rocks, James Larson, Anita Molisse, Ruth Campbell, Marjorie Murphy, Donie Kenneally, Patricia Lee, John Coyle, Richard Maurano, Irene B. Panaro, John Gifford, Maria Marini, Robert Harrington, Joseph Yuska, Nora Hutchings, Theresa Romanoff, Paul McNamara, Marion Feeney, Leone Walls, Mary Gallegos, Bob Clifford, Barbara Pugliese and our little ones: young Amelia Driscoll, Maeve Wilson, Olivia Marsh, Lucky Eschauzier, Mark & Ethan Mondello, Wil Rooney, Baby Lucas, Baby Marino & Baby Roland & Baby William, & baby Lincoln. 4

5 Collaborative offices: 55 Commercial Street, Weymouth, MA Sacred Heart Church: 72 Washington Street, Weymouth M. Connor, Pastor Ext 118 Mary Gallegos, Secretary: Ext 110 Janice Blodgett, Business Mgr.: Ext. 112 Vicki Dromey, FACTS/Tuition: Ext. 120 Mary Beth Brady, Pastoral Associate: Music & Liturgy: Ext 116 Phone: (781) or (781) Saint Thomas More Church: 7 Hawthorn Road, Braintree Maureen Simmons, Coordinator Lifelong Faith Formation: Ext 114 msimmons@shstm.org Carolyn DeLuca, Confirmation Coordinator-Youth Minister: cdeluca@shstm.org Virginia Aitken, Admin. Asst.: Ext 124 gaitken@shstm.org Joanne Bibeau, Executive Asst. to Pastor and Business Manager: Ext 115 jbibeau@shstm.org Daniel McCarthy, Facilities Mgr. Patrick McCarthy, Asst. Mgr. Joseph Donohoe, Facilities Sacred Heart Elementary School Phone: Dr. Gretchen Hawley, Principal ghawley@sacredheartschoolweymouth.org MaryJo Donofrio, Secretary shsoffice_weymouth@hotmail.com Sacred Heart Saint Thomas More Reconciliation: Saturday Afternoon from 2:45pm to 3:45pm. Baptism: Baptisms are held the 1st Sunday of the month at 9:30. Please call the office to schedule.th Catechesis class for the family is required and is held on the 4 Sunday of each month, at 1pm in the lower church. Marriage: Contact the parish office at least six months in advance and prior to scheduling your reception to schedule an appointment. Sacrament of the Sick please see a priest at or contact the office to make arrangements for the Sacrament prior to surgery. Devotions: Adoration, Rosary and Devotionals. The Rosary is prayed every Sunday after the 9:30am beginning at 10:40am; Mondays at 6:30pm in the Adoration Chapel; Wednesdays a Rosary for Life at 1:30pm in the Adoration Chapel, Friday s at 5:30pm. The Novena to Mother of Perpetual Help is prayed Tuesdays in the Adoration Chapel at 6:30pm, (except for the 2nd Tuesday of the month when it is prayed in the upper church.) Reconciliation: Saturday Afternoon from 3:00pm to 3:45pm Baptism: Baptisms are held the 3rd Sunday of the month at the 8:00am. Please call the office to schedule. Catechesis class for the family is required and is held on the 4 th Sunday of each month at 1pm in the lower Sacred Heart. Marriage: Congratulations! Contact the parish office at least six months in advance and prior to scheduling your reception. Sacrament of the Sick: please see a priest at or contact the office to make arrangements for the Sacrament prior to surgery. Devotions: Adoration & Rosary. The Rosary is prayed every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday at 9 am in the Chapel. Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament: Thursdays at 2:30pm. Bible Study Wednesdays, 10:00 11:30AM in the lower church hall. Charismatic Prayer Group meeting, every Tuesday, 7 pm. in the Chapel. First Sunday Of Advent ~ December 2nd, p Vigil (SH) Fr. Peter Margaret Greenwood (Birthday Remembrance) Sean Gannon, Marie Rita Sherin Maurano 9:30a Family (SH) w/baptisms 11:30a (SH) Daniel Brown (1st) Mon. 12/3 9a (SH) St. Francis Xavier: Tue. 12/4 9a (SH) St. John Demascene: Wed. 12/5 9a (STM) Advent Weekday: Thur. 12/6 9a (SH) St. Nicholas: Fri. 12/7 9a (STM) St.Ambrose : 4p Vigil (STM) Deceased of the Sullivan, Cushing & Kelley Families 8a Family (STM) Florentio Rodriguez (11th) Patricia Cerasouls (MC) Linda Scopa (MC) Drusilla Haran Ellen Ryan (MC) James & Gena Fay Sat. 12/8 9a (SH) The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary Fr. Peter Fr. Peter Second Sunday Of Advent ~ December 9th, p Vigil (SH) Fr. Joy 4p Vigil (STM) 9:30a Family (SH) Nicola Masciarelli, 8a Family (STM) Robert G. West & deceased of the Dunlop & West families John Hegarty (Month s Mind) & Patrick Rushe 11:30a (SH) Vincent Parente & John Gangemi 5

6 Sacred Heart Parish Stewardship: Time, Talent & Treasure Last weekend s Offertory totals and breakdown-11/24 & 11/25 St. Thomas More Parish Count Percent Capacity Total Offertory % Envelope Count Percent Capacity Total Offertory % Envelope 4:00pm % $2, % 9:30am % $1, % 11:30am % $1, % Coin $10.00 count 826 Online giving $3, % SH Mail $855 & Other Parish $210 Total Offertory:$9, :00pm % $1, % 8:00am % $1, % Coin 0 Count 302 Online giving $ % STM Mail $25 & Other Parish $657 Total Offertory:$4, The Society's nearly 100,000 trained volunteers in the United States provided 17.9 million hours of volunteer service in 2015, helping more than 23 million people: visiting homes, prisons and hospitals, at a value of nearly $1 billion dollars. If you need assistance, food pantry or other, please call St. Vincent de Sacred Heart (339) , or St. Vincent de St Thomas More (339) Our Collaborative Food Pantry: is located in the lower church hall at St. Thomas More Church. lf you are interested in volunteering or for more information, call Maureen at the office. This is a great Christian service opportunity for families, teens and adults of all ages. Our current needs are: juice and juice boxes, cooking oil, mayonnaise, gravies and sauces, ground coffee. Please bring your donation to the parish office on or before Tuesday at 4 pm. Thank you so much for your support. Thank you again for helping our parishes to provide for those in need. As always, we depend on your donations to ensure that we fulfill our Lord's command to feed the hungry among us. The gifts of bread and wine, candles and sanctuary lamp are offered Special Intention at Sacred Heart for Leo Horne & In Memorial at Saint Thomas More For Deceased of The Trayers Family SH Readings, pg. 993 STM Readings, pg. 860 E: The King shall Come When Morning Dawns G3 414 E: The King shall Come When Morning Dawns J3 282 P: There is a Longing G3 653 P: Your Light Will Come, Jerusalem J3 631 C: O Come, O Come Emmanuel C: O Come, O Come Emmanuel C: Gift of God G3 422 C: There is a Longing J3 649 R: Come, O Long Expected Jesus G3 403 R: Come Now, Almighty King J