Saint Margaret Mary Parish 845 High Street, P.O. Box 386 Westwood, MA 02090-0386 Office 781-326-1071 Fax 781-329-1879
PARISH STAFF Mass Schedule: Saturday : 4:30 PM Sunday : 8:30 AM & 11:00 AM Weekdays: 9:00 AM - Mon., Thurs., Fri. MORNING PRAYER WITH HOLY COMMUNION: Tue. & Sat. 9:00 AM Holy Day Schedule: As announced Confessions: 3:45-4:15 PM - Saturday Parish Website: www.saintmmparish.org Email: Info@saintmmparish.org Baptisms: Second Sunday of the month at 1:00 P.M. Baptism instruction required. Contact the office. Sacrament of the sick and, or, a pastoral visit to a homebound/sick person: Contact the office. Prayer Line: stmmprayers@yahoo.com Marriage: advance. Please contact us at least six months in Pastor: Rev. Stephen J. Linehan - Ext. 103 S.Linehan@saintmmparish.org Deacon: Rev. Mr. Joseph E. Holderried Director of Religious Education & Youth Ministry: Karlene Duffy, Director - Ext. 101 K.Duffy@saintmmparish.org Religious Education Administrative Assistant: Denise Raftery - Ext. 102 D.Raftery@saintmmparish.org Pastoral Associate: Director of music and liturgy: Mark Nemeskal - Ext. 111 nemeskal@verizon.net Parish Administrative Assistant: Jacqueline Kerr Ext. 100 J.Kerr@saintmmparish.org Parish Business Manager: Christine Harkins - Ext. 100 C.Harkins@saintmmparish.org We strive to be a faith filled community living the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the Roman Catholic tradition. We are committed to loving God through participation in the sacramental life of the Church. We pray and grow together supporting and caring for all.
THE PASTORS PAGE Dear Parishioners, The Catholic Church in America dedicates the month of October to respect for human life... The theme this year is Every life is worth living. Cardinal Sean, as chairman of the bishops committee on respecting life, has written and spoken on the topic numerous times. I d like to share a few of his thoughts with you. In a recent statement on respecting human life, Cardinal Sean wrote people discover their worth when they discover their true identity... as created in God s image and called to an eternal destiny with him... Whether it lasts for a brief moment or for a hundred years, each of our lives is a good and perfect gift... At every stage and in every circumstance, we are held in existence by God s love. In October, we begin a yearly initiative to bring attention to, celebrate, and work and pray for the protection of the gift of human life. We remember to call to mind and act out in our lives a deep respect for human life, from its inception to natural death. Cardinal Sean wrote, Nothing can diminish a person s God-given dignity or the worth of his or her life, only that others may fail to respect human dignity. He also noted that encountering another s suffering, while difficult, is an opportunity to embrace them with love, attention and prayer. In may ways the recent visit of our Holy Father, Francis, to America reflected this profound respect for human life... its dignity and our mission to do all we can to protect it! In my own ministry of reaching out to all ages... I seek to live this as well. Indeed the Lord calls all of us to this same mission of respecting life based on our belief that Every life is worth living. Please join us this evening at 7 pm for Eucharistic Adoration and Prayers for the Dignity of Human Life. Today, Sunday, the Lord s Day, also happens to be the day we remember Saint Francis of Assisi! Some may remember the charming story of how St. Francis converted a wolf that had been terrorizing a small town, Gubbio... Francis who so respected life... all life not just human life... transformed the wolf who had destroyed people, crops and livestock for years, into a peaceful and gentle animal... The story of the transformation of the wolf serves as a powerful example St. Francis belief in the wonderfulness of God s creation and the power of his Son Jesus Christ to change all of us, great and small! Join us today at 4 pm if you can for the Blessing of Animals... at the Front Door of the Church. So there, you have it... Our Holy Father, our Bishop and your Pastor are all on the same page with the same mission... We are all on the same page... Interesting also this Sunday, in Rome, the Synod of Bishops will convene to discuss, counsel and advise the Holy Father on the dignity of the human person, marriage and family life. The Synod comes upon the closing of the World Meeting on the Families in Philadelphia last week. Lets keep the Holy Father and all those who will gather in synod to better respond to the needs of those who are married, seek marriage, struggle with marriage, and consider all we can do to help family life flourish and grow. God bless you,
twenty seventh Sunday in ordinary time Xaverian Brothers High School 800 Clapboardtree Street, Westwood Open House on Sunday, October 25 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Register online at xbhs.com/openhouse or contact the Admissions Office at 781-326-6392. Entrance Exam for Grade 7 Independent School Entrance Exam (ISEE) Saturday, December 12, 8:30 a.m. 11:30 a.m. Saturday, January 9, 8:30 a.m. 11:30 a.m. Register at xbhs.com/exam Entrance Exam for Grade 9 High School Placement Test (HSPT) Saturday, November 7, 8:30 a.m. 11:30 a.m. Saturday, December 5, 8:30 a.m. 11:30 a.m. URSULINE ACADEMY 85 Lowder Street Dedham, MA (781) 326-6161 ***OPEN HOUSE *** OCTOBER 25TH - 11:00 AM 2:00 PM Ursuline Academy, a Catholic, independent, college preparatory school has been transforming the lives of young women since 1946. Located on 28 acres in Dedham, Ursuline has a rich tradition of inspiring students in grades 7 12. Its nurturing and supportive culture helps girls find their voices so they can approach life with confidence and a higher purpose a purpose that serves God, family, community and the world at large. For more information, please call (781) 493-7727 or visit www.ursulineacademy.net to pre-register for the SAINT JOSEPH PREPARATORY HIGH SCHOOL 617 CAMBRIDGE STREET BOSTON, 02134 (617) 254-8383..EXT. 1308 ***** OPEN HOUSE ***** Sunday, October 25th 1:00 PM 4:00 PM St. Joseph s Prep in Boston, a co-ed Catholic, independent school for 250 young people in grades 9-12. Sponsored by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Boston and collaborating with Boston College and Regis College, this school provides young men and women with a holistic, student-centered and outcome-oriented educational experience that is both exceptional and affordable. MONTROSE SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE 29 North Street Medfield (508) 359-2423 www.montroseschool.org Sunday, October 4th 2:00 PM Montrose School is an independent college preparatory day school with a Catholic tradition for girls in grades 6 12. Please contact: Sarah McGowan with any questions at smcgowan@montroseschool.org CATHOLIC MEMORIAL SCHOOL 235 Baker Street West Roxbury, MA 02132 (617) 469-8019 BOYS, GRADES 7 12 ADMISSIONS OPEN HOUSE SUNDAY, October 18, 2015 11:00 AM 1:00 PM Middle School 2:00 PM 4:00 PM High School Please join us for student-led campus tours. Meet Saint John s Seminary 149 Washington Street Brighton, MA (617) 779-4104 The Theological Institute For the New Evangelization OPEN HOUSE & INFORMATION SESSION Thursday, October 15, 2015 7:00 PM Laity, deacons and religious immerse themselves in the Catholic faith, prepare for service in parishes, learn to evangelize work, culture, and family life, and become better communicators of the truth of Christ. ST. SEBASTIAN S SCHOOL ACADEMIC RIGOR/SPIRITUAL DEPTHS 1191 Greendale Avenue Needham, MA (781) 449-5200 OPEN HOUSE STUDENTS AND PARENTS WELCOME Thursday, October 22, 2015 5:30 8:30 PM Catholic Independent School 375 boys in grades 7 12 Rigorous academic program Average class size of 11 Inclusive environment Student/Faculty ratio 7:1 Competes in the 16 member 20 Advanced Placement Independent School League courses www.stsebs.org/openhouse
twenty seventh Sunday in ordinary time Prayer for Families Several months ago we began a Monday night Rosary group for Maddie Walter, a Westwood High student who was severely injured in a fall. Maddie is home. Praise God! While we will continue our 8 p.m. Monday night prayer group, our focus will expand to include prayers for all families; including Maddie and hers. We will pray for all families using various forms of prayer including the Rosary, scripture, poetry, music and more. You need not know the Rosary to join us. Prayer sheets and rosary beads are provided. All are welcome. 'Through prayer God reveals Himself above all as Mercy that is, Love that goes out to those who are suffering, Love that sustains, uplifts, and invites us to trust. The victory of good in the world is united organically with this truth. A person who prays professes such a truth and in a certain sense makes God, who is Merciful Love, present in the world. CYO Basketball The St. Margaret Mary CYO Basketball Program is accepting registrations for the upcoming basketball season. Players must live within the boundaries of St. Margaret Mary parish or must be registered parishioners of St. Margaret Mary parish. Anyone interested in playing this season can obtain a registration form on line at the Saint Margaret Mary Parish web site http:// www.saintmmparish.org/ click on Ministries and then on CYO Basketball. Registrations should be mailed to the address on the form. CYO basketball has six divisions: Boys 5 th & 6 th grades, 7 th & 8 th grades, 9 th & 10 th grades and 11 th & 12 th grades. Girls 5 th & 6 th grades, 7 th & 8 th grades and 9 thru 12 th grades. Any questions please email Ken Foscaldo: kenfoss@aol.com. Practices will begin the first week of November and the games will be played on weekends from December thru February. Coaches needed for the Boys & Girls 5th & 6th Grade teams and the Girls Grade 9 thru 12 team. If interested contact Ken Foscaldo kenfoss@aol.com. IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER The calendar for 2015-2016 Religious Education can be found online at www.saintmmparish.org CYO Basketball practices begin the week of 11/2 CYO Basketball games begin the week of 12/5 First Penance retreat December 6 @ 12:30 First Penance December 12 @ 11 a.m. First Communion retreat May 1 @ 12:30 First Communion May 7 (10 a.m. & 1 p.m.) Confirmation retreats (candidates must attend one) April 8 & April 15 (5-10 p.m.) Confirmation rehearsal May 13 @ 6 p.m. Confirmation May 15 @ 2 p.m. May Procession/Second Communion/reception May 8 @ 11 a.m. All 2015-2016 schedules can be found on our parish website. Everyday Stewardship Several years ago there was a popular contemporary Christian song by Steven Curtis Chapman that contained the lyric, "God is God, and I am not." These words did not originate with Chapman, but it surely was a resounding message for a culture that too often upholds an ideal of success and accumulation of riches on one's own terms. Too often we buy into the lie that we are the gods of our own universe. We have the control and we decide what happens next in our lives. However, the belief that we can depend on ourselves for everything in life is simply folly. In fact, Jesus asks us to come to him like children, not only dependent on God, but also cognizant of the fact that we never exist in the world alone. To be like a child is not to be immature, but rather it is our maturity of faith that allows us to see our dependence on a loving Father. Good stewards need to always remember that God is God and we are not. Stewardship is an acceptance that all we have and all we are is because of God. When we accept that, we no longer hold on to possessions and status too tightly. We learn to rest in him when we are troubled and call on him when we are in need. As a community of children who know who we really are, we cannot only renew our church, we can make the world a better place. We just need to sing Chapman's lyric and God will answer with a Bill With-
twenty seventh Sunday in ordinary time Liturgies for the Week Oct. 3 Saturday 9:00 AM Morning Prayer 4:30 PM Bernhardt Kohler Oct. 4 Sunday 8:30 AM Michael Dolan 11:00 AM Katherine & Joseph DiIanni Oct. 5 Monday 9:00 AM Mass Oct. 6 Tuesday 9:00 AM Morning Prayer Oct. 8 Thursday 9:00 AM Mass Oct. 9 Friday 9:00 AM Mass Oct. 10 Saturday 9:00 AM Morning Prayer 4:40 PM Edward L. Hoban Oct. 11 Sunday 8:30 AM Mass 11:00 AM Carlo Musto Our Lady of the Rosary The Battle of Lepanto was a five-hour naval battle between the main fleet of the Ottoman Empire and the fleet of the Holy League, a group of maritime states of southern European Catholic countries. It was fought on October 7, 1571, in the northern waters off the coast of Greece. The Ottoman Empire fleet was defeated by the Holy League. Pope Pius V knew that the forces of the Holy League were much smaller than the fleet of the Ottoman Empire. Consequently, the pope called on all of Christian Europe to pray the rosary for success against the Ottomans. He led a rosary procession in Rome for this success. After the defeat of the Ottomans at Lepanto on October 7, he called for a feast day in honor of the defeat and called the day Our Lady of Victory. In 1573, Pope Gregory XIII changed the title of the feast to Our Lady of the Holy Rosary. Then two centuries later Pope Clement XI extended the feast to all the Latin Rite, laid it in the Roman Catholic Calendar of Saints in 1716, and placed it on the first Sunday in October. When we celebrate Our Lady of the Holy Rosary this fall, remember all the fallen soldiers of all the wars. Pray for peace and for the reign of Christ to bring all people into right relationships. Ministers Schedule for October 10 11 Saturday, October 10 Priest Lector Eucharistic Minister Principal Special Altar Servers Sunday, October 11 Priest Lector Eucharistic Minister Principal Altar Servers Sunday, October 11 Priest Lector Eucharistic Minister Principal Altar Servers 4:30 PM Kathleen McGill Pat Payne, Dick Toland & Lisa Yebba Ann Joyce & Mil Reissfelder Bob Hanley & Paula McCoy Ann Joyce ** 2 Altar Servers Needed ** 8:30 AM Christine Grudsinkas Deacon Holderried, Joe Kremer & Gail Ronan Mike Curtin & Mary Hayes Rowan & Conor Curtin ** Altar Server Needed ** 11:00 AM Janet Ross Ann Delaney Lendrum ** 2 EM s Needed ** Lisa De Camp & Mark Donovan Kathryn & Sean Lendrum ** Altar Server Needed ** III Philip G. Holden & Arielle C. Klein Please join us in praying for the soul of Claire R. McCarthy whose funeral we celebrated this week.
twenty seventh Sunday in ordinary time Dear God, HOLY HOUR FOR LIFE Sunday, October 4th 7:30 PM All are welcome to join us in the church to pray for the Respect of Life of the unborn, families in distress, the ill and elderly, those in poverty, and government officials and medical personnel who do not defend life. Please join us for the Rosary and Benediction. For more information contact: Betty Holderried at (781) 329-2587. Respect Life Prayer We see life cheapened every day through abortion and other forms of abuse, through terrorism, and other acts of violence, and through neglect of children, the poor, and the elderly. In a world of plenty, we can forget that there is nothing more precious than human life. Give us the grace to see how we can make a difference, and encourage change in our culture. When we are discouraged, remind us of the Catholic monk Telemachus who stopped the gladiator games with an act of charity. Inspire us with the stories of Mary and other mothers of unexpected pregnancies, who knew that every child is a gift of God's grace and is wanted by you in this world. Encourage conviction in the hearts of those who do not yet know or understand that a desire for choice is no reason to end any life and that you desire that all life come only to a natural end in you. Sharing the Gospel In the beginning, when God created Adam and Eve, he created marriage to be good and holy. God wanted husbands and wives to love God and to help one another. Because of sin, some marriages started to fall apart. Divorce is difficult for everyone. God always wants marriage to be good and holy. Prayer Dear God, help people who are married to love you and care for each other. Something to Draw Draw a picture of Adam and Eve helping each other in the Garden of Eden. Mission for the Week Pray for kids you know who have been hurt because their parents are not living with each other. Ask God to heal their broken hearts. 2008 - PO Box 510817, New Berlin, WI 53151-0817 - 1-800-950-9952 x2469 - LPiResourceCenter.com BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS Sunday, October 4th is the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi! We will have a blessing of the animals/pets on the steps of the Church at 4:00 PM. All pet lovers young & old are welcomed to bring their pets for the blessing. We have been informed cats don t like being sprinkled with water...even holy water. You are encouraged to keep the cats in the back row.