The Light is ON for you!

Wednesday s during Lent The Light is ON for you! Celebrating the Sacrament of Reconciliation Sacred Heart Church 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm Soup and Stations Friday, February 20th - March 27th St. John the Baptist Church 6:00 pm Soup will be served in the Hall 7:00 pm Stations of the Cross in the Church

Sacred Heart, Manchester St. John the Baptist, Essex Sacred Heart Church 62 School St. Manchester-by-the-Sea, MA 01944-1342 Established 1905 St. John the Baptist Church 52 Main St. Essex, MA 01929-1343 Established 1931 We are here to welcome and serve you. No matter what your present status in the Catholic Church. No matter what your current family or marital situation, No matter your personal history, age, background, race, etc., No matter what your self image You are invited, welcomed, accepted, loved and respected in Sacred Heart and St. John the Baptist Parishes. Parish Staff Rev. Paul Flammia, Administrator FrPaulF@comcast.net Jay Caress, Director of Religious Education 978 526-1781 jaycaress1@gmail.com Chris Moore, Adult Faith Formation Director shsjadultfaith@comcast.net Joseph Sebastian Stella, Music Director & Organist js12is@yahoo.com Darice McIntire, Secretary & Bulletin Editor shsjbulletin@comcast.net Nancy Smith, Business Manager shsjparishes@comcast.net Rectory Hours: Monday Friday 9:00 am to 3:00 pm Website: www.shsjparishes.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/sacredheartstjohnparishes 2 Parish Information Sacred Heart Rectory-978-526-1263 St. John the Baptist Rectory-978-768-6284 Parishes Fax 978-526-4335 Liturgy Schedule Saturday Vigil: St. John the Baptist 4:00 pm Sacred Heart 5:30 pm Sunday Masses: Sacred Heart 8:30 am St. John the Baptist 10:00 am Weekday Masses: At Sacred Heart Manchester Monday - Wednesday 8:00 am Eucharistic Service 8:00 am Thursday & Friday First Friday Mass - 8:00 am First Friday of the Month Rosary: Daily 7:30 am before Mass Saturday 8:00am - Rosary for the Unborn Adoration Monday 8:30 am to 9:30 am Sacrament of Reconciliation Sacred Heart Church First Saturday of the month 12 noon to 12:45 pm St. John the Baptist Church Second Saturday of the month 12 noon to 12:45 pm Sacrament of Baptism Sacred Heart First Sunday of the month St. John the Baptist Second Sunday of the month Sacraments of Marriage and Anointing of the Sick Please call the Rectory for more information.

Mass Intentions Saturday February 21, 2015 4:00 pm St. John Jean Fecteau 5:30 pm Sacred Heart Jean Fecteau Sunday February 22, 2015 8:30 am Sacred Heart Rite of Sending Forth 10:00 am St. John The People of the Parish Saturday February 28, 2015 4:00 pm St. John The People of the Parish 5:30 pm Sacred Heart Peter Feuerbach Sunday March 1, 2015 8:30 am Sacred Heart Fr. Jack Gentleman 10:00 am St. John Fr. Jack Gentleman Celiac Disease Both parishes have low gluten hosts available for those living with Celiac Disease. These hosts have less than 0.01% gluten. Please see Father Paul before Mass if you need to receive the Body Christ in this form. The wine and hosts that will be consecrated into the Body and Blood of Christ this month at St. John the Baptist were donated in memory of The McCarthy and Baxter Families. Regulations for Fasting and Abstinence FRIDAYS OF LENT are days of abstinence. GOOD FRIDAY, MARCH 3, 2015, are days of fast and abstinence. FASTING is to be observed by all 18 years of age and older, who have not yet celebrated their 59th birthday. On a fast day, one full meal is allowed. Two other meals, sufficient to maintain strength, may be taken according to each one s needs, but together they should not equal another full meal. Eating between meals is not permitted, but liquids, including milk and juices, are allowed. ABSTINENCE is observed by all 14 years of age and older. On days of abstinence, no meat is allowed. Note that when health or ability to work would be seriously affected, the law does not oblige. When in doubt concerning fast and abstinence, the parish priest should be consulted. Fasting, almsgiving, and prayer are the three catechumens should undertake these practices seriously in a spirit of penance and of preparation for baptism or of renewal of baptism at Easter. Wednesday s Sacred Heart Church 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm Lent is the season where we prepare ourselves to renew and restore our relationship with Jesus and the Church as we prepare to celebrate Easter. Mass Attendance for the Weekend of February 15, 2015 4:00 pm St. John 73 5:30 pm Sacred Heart 45 8:30 am Sacred Heart No Mass 10:00 am St. John No Mass Please remember in your prayers: All those who have died, and those who mourn the loss of a loved one; the sick and the suffering of our community, and for their families and caregivers; those in the military and in service to their community, those who have asked to be remembered in prayer, those who have no one to pray for them, and those who are searching for a faith community. Please pray for those who are unemployed and underemployed. If you would like to have a name or intention added to our prayer circle, please contact the rectory or email the requests to SHSJPrayerCircle@comcast.net. SACRED HEART PARISH OFFERTORY Weekend of February 15, 2015 OCP and MAIL Not available NON-OCP and CASH due to TOTAL OFFERTORY Early publication ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST PARISH OFFERTORY Weekend of February 15, 2015 OCP and MAIL Not available NON-OCP and CASH due to TOTAL OFFERTORY early publication 3

Questions and Answers about Lent and Lenten Practices Q. Why do we say that there are forty days of Lent? When you count all the days from Ash Wednesday through Holy Saturday, there are 46. A. It might be more accurate to say that there is the "forty day fast within Lent." Historically, Lent has varied from a week to three weeks to the present configuration of 46 days. The forty day fast, however, has been more stable. The Sundays of Lent are certainly part of the Time of Lent, but they are not prescribed days of fast and abstinence. Q. So does that mean that when we give something up for Lent, such as candy, we can have it on Sundays? A. Apart from the prescribed days of fast and abstinence on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, and the days of abstinence every Friday of Lent, Catholics have traditionally chosen additional penitential practices for the whole Time of Lent. These practices are disciplinary in nature and often more effective if they are continuous, i.e., kept on Sundays as well. That being said, such practices are not regulated by the Church, but by individual conscience. Q. I understand that all the Fridays of Lent are days of abstinence from meat, but I'm not sure what is classified as meat. Does meat include chicken and dairy products? A. Abstinence laws consider that meat comes only from animals such as chickens, cows, sheep or pigs --- all of which live on land. Birds are also considered meat. Abstinence does not include meat juices and liquid foods made from meat. Thus, such foods as chicken broth, consomme, soups cooked or flavored with meat, meat gravies or sauces, as well as seasonings or condiments made from animal fat are technically not forbidden. However, moral theologians have traditionally taught that we should abstain from all animal-derived products (except foods such as gelatin, butter, cheese and eggs, which do not have any meat taste). Fish are a different category of animal. Salt and freshwater species of fish, amphibians, reptiles, (cold-blooded animals) and shellfish are permitted. Q. I've noticed that restaurants and grocery stores advertise specials on expensive types of fish and seafood on Fridays during Lent. Some of my Catholic friends take advantage of these deals, but somehow I don't feel right treating myself to the lobster special on Fridays during Lent. A. While fish, lobster and other shellfish are not considered meat and can be consumed on days of abstinence, indulging in the lavish buffet at your favorite seafood place sort of misses the point. Abstaining from meat and other indulgences during Lent is a penitential practice. On the Fridays of Lent, we remember the sacrifice of Christ on Good Friday and unite ourselves with that sacrifice through abstinence and prayer. Q. I understand that Catholics ages 18 to 59 should fast on Ash Wednesday and on Good Friday, but what exactly are the rules for these fasts? A. Fasting on these days means we can have only one full, meatless meal. Some food can be taken at the other regular meal times if necessary, but combined they should be less than a full meal. Liquids are allowed at any time, but no solid food should be consumed between meals. Q. Are there exemptions other than for age from the requirement to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday? A. Those that are excused from fast and abstinence outside the age limits include the physically or mentally ill including individuals suffering from chronic illnesses such as diabetes. Also excluded are pregnant or nursing women. In all cases, common sense should prevail, and ill persons should not further jeopardize their health by fasting. United States Conference of Catholic Bishops 4

Faith Book Reflections for Today s Readings 1 st SUNDAY OF LENT (B) February 22, 2015 Genesis 9: 8-15; Psalm 25; I Peter 3: 18-22; Mark 1: 12-15 From today s Letter of Saint Peter: Christ suffered for sins once, The righteous for the sake of the unrighteous, That he might lead you to God. Put to death in the flesh, He was brought to life in the Spirit. Reflection: Peter emphasizes that Baptism opens our minds and hearts to God and begins in us a whole new consciousness of the God life offered to us in Christ. Through our baptism we participate in the life, death and resurrection of the Lord. Or, as Peter would put it, we are "brought to life in the Spirit." So we ask ourselves: What is there of darkness and sin in our life that needs to be "brought to life in the Spirit?" What pain and suffering in our lives needs to be seen in the light of Jesus suffering and resurrection? R.C.I.A. Rite of Sending Forth to the Rite of Election On February 22 st, the first Sunday of Lent, Sacred Heart and St. John the Baptist RCIA group will be attending the Rite of Election at Holy Cross Cathedral in Boston. There will be hundreds of candidates from all over the diocese participating in this Rite, which celebrates the church s choice, or election, of those to be admitted to the full communion of the Catholic faith at Easter Vigil. Our catechumens preparing for Full reception into the Catholic Church are Joshua Boatner, Joshua Gould, Caitlin Malloy, and Aiden Brown. The Rite also celebrates the Call to Continuing Conversion of already baptized candidates preparing for reception into full communion with the Catholic Church. Our candidate preparing for the Sacrament of Confirmation is Ken Leonard. The Rite of Sending Forth precedes the Rite of Election as the candidates are sent forth from our parish community with our prayers and support. As a community of faith, let us all continue to support them in our prayers. Please congratulate them on their Rite of Election celebrated at the Cathedral on Sunday, February 22 and continue to keep them in your prayers. Flu Prevention If you are seriously ill, it is not a sin to miss Mass. If you are sick you can infect others and spread disease by contact with them. If you are well enough to attend Mass you may forgo shaking hands during the Sign of Peace. A gesture, a nod, or other acknowledgement of those around you is a way of conveying the Sign of Peace to others. If you are sick, you should refrain from receiving from the cup. When receiving the Body of Christ in the form of bread, it may be less likely to spread germs if you receive in your hand. Due to the danger of the Precious Blood dripping to the floor, or fingers going into the cup, the Host should never be dipped (Intinction) by the communicant. Hand sanitizers lotion is available on the credence tables for the ministers to clean their hands before and after the distribution of communion. As we exercise caution, without over reaction, we will be able to control the sharing of our colds and flu. Little Black Books At the entrance of the churches are Little Black Books. These books offer brief reflections for the Lent and Easter Seasons. We invite you to take one home and use it to prepare daily for the coming of the Savior. Thank you to the Knights of Columbus for donating these booklets to our parishes. 5

The new Cafe and Social Hour Every Sunday after the 8:30AM Mass, we will continue to have our social. Please stop by the Cafe after Mass to enjoy some refreshments and socialize with friends, old and new. All parishioners are encouraged to attend. We will also be having regular conversations that will include religious upbringing tips for parents (of all ages) and other relevant suggestions during the social. This is a great opportunity for parents, grandparents, and those wanting to become parents to share and bond. Sacred Heart Parish Outreach Mission The Sacred Heart Parish community has begun the parish-wide outreach mission. Our mission is to reach new people, those that are no longer attending Mass here, and those that attend Mass but have not participated in any type of ministry and help them feel an integral part of this community. If you know someone who may be a potential guest, please extend a personal invitation to join us; for Mass, coffee, or come to one of our functions. If you have any questions, please contact Joey Gustafson at 978-526-1106, Karen Cunningham at 978-526-1064, or Chris at the Parish office. The coffee hour has been a great source of meeting and welcoming all. RCIA If you have any questions regarding your faith, are looking to receive your Sacraments, or know someone who might be interested in learning more about what is involved in becoming a Catholic, please contact Chris at the parish office. Some thought provoking questions that may come to mind are why be a Catholic today? Or, what can I do to receive all of my Sacraments? If you or someone you know is interested, please join us after the 8:30AM Mass on Sunday, November 16 in the rectory. RCIA will be participating in the Rite of Welcoming on Sunday, November 23, at the 8:30 AM Mass. This is the first time our candidates will be formally welcomed into our faith community. Your prayers for these people are welcomed as well as your words of encouragement. Mary s Circle Mary s Circle has begun. We have an interesting lineup with discussions focused on the Mass, the Gospel readings and its relevance to our daily lives, the Saints, and other varied discussion topics. This year we will have a couple of morning retreats, open to all women. Details will follow. Please extend an invitation to someone you know who might be interested in a women centered, faith-sharing group. We have read books, had guest speakers, and enjoyed a couple of social gatherings. Please consider this a personal invitation to consider joining this group of faith-filled women as we explore the different aspects of our faith and how it connects to us in relevant and familiar ways. Coffee, Confections, and Conversation are the orders of the day. Call Chris at the parish office. Prayer Shawl Ministry Another group of prayer shawls will be blessed at the 8:30AM Mass on Sunday, November 16, 2014. We have a huge basket of prayer shawls we would love to give away. Whether it is a physical illness, a psychological situation, or you know someone who is suffering from a loss of any kind, why not bring him or her Prayer Shawl? Prayers and blessings for their needs will surround and comfort them. We are continuing to knit and crochet prayer shawls to give to those in need. Many people have given prayer shawls to family, friends, and loved ones; and have shared with us the peace they feel when they put the prayer shawls around them. If you know anyone who would like a prayers shawl and having a lot of prayers wrapped around them, please let us know. You may contact Chris at the parish office or Gloria Landy, Jane Shaw, Eleanor Hatcher, Sally O Malley, Ann Nadeau, Eileen Hardy, Kathy Anderson, Paige Donohoe, Dorothy Jodice, Ann Henrickson, or Barbara Stasium. The Prayer Shawl ministry meets on the 2nd Tuesday of the month at 4PM in the Sacred Heart Rectory. If you cannot join our ministry, please consider donating money, yarn (preferably soft yarn), or gift bags (to distribute them in). All donations are graciously accepted. We are always looking for more knitters and crochet ers! Experience is not required. Please consider being a part of this ministry. Consider joining us, or making one in the privacy of your home. We have easy to follow patterns. Ministry to the Homebound and Sick Ministry to the Homebound and Sick is growing and it is thanks to your personal connections with those who may be ill and unable to attend Mass. We have an awesome, faith-filled team dedicated to bringing Eucharist to the sick and homebound. Please continue to let us know if you are aware of someone ill, homebound, or alone that would like to receive Eucharist, or a short visit from a fellow parishioner, please contact Chris at the Parish Office and we will make arrangements. Baptism Prep Classes Baptism preparation classes are being held in the Chapel at Sacred Heart Church and is currently offered the fourth Thursday of the month at 7:00PM. The baptism prep class for November will be on November 6 th, at 7PM in the Chapel at Sacred Heart. Please contact the office for your reservation. These classes are designed for parents and godparents of children about to be baptized. The goal of the class is to help parents become aware of the theological and historical reasons for baptizing your child and the significance of Baptism as a beginning, not an end, to a lifelong commitment. The one hour class explores the purpose of Baptism from both a spiritual and practical standpoint. Ministry of Consolation: after a loss. Please contact Chris at the parish office to schedule a time to meet. We have met with several people in the past year and their response has been very positive. Please consider calling Chris at the rectory to schedule a meeting. 6