August 26, Twenty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time

Rectory: 170 Mechanic Street Leominster, Massachusetts Telephone (978) 537-6541 / 537-6542 / 537-6543 Parish Website: stceciliachurch.net / Like St Cecilia s Church on Facebook Parish Office Hours are Monday thru Thursday 9 am - 5 pm and Friday 9 am - 4 pm Religious Education (C.C.D) Office Telephone (978)537-5596 Bingo Telephone: (978)537-5596 August 26, 2018 - Twenty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time Celebration of the Eucharist Saturday Vigil Masses: 4:00 & 6:30 P.M. Sunday Masses: 7:00, 9:45, and 11:15 A.M. Weekday Masses (Monday - Saturday): 6:30 A.M. Holy Day Masses: As Announced In Bulletin Confessions: Fridays, 6:00-7:00 P.M. Saturdays, 3:00-4:00 P.M. Baptisms: Please call the rectory in advance to schedule baptismal instruction. Marriages: Rev. Robert D. Bruso Pastor Rev. Miguel A. Pagán Associate Pastor Deacon Ronald J. Aubuchon Deacon Robert S. Connor, Jr. Couple should contact the rectory at least one year in advance. A marriage preparation program is required. Mr. David M. Lasky Music Director, Organist Mrs. Paula Doucet Director of Religious Education

Twenty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time St. Cecilia Church, Leominster MA August 26, 2018 Saturday August 25 Vigil Masses Mass on pg. 58 4:00 p.m. Beverly Hildreth by her family 6:30 p.m. Daniel (23rd anniv.) & Dorothy (4th anniv.) Hanley by their daughter, Jeanne & family Sunday August 26 Twenty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time Mass on pg. 58 7:00 a.m. Lorenzo Fraticelli (anniv.) by Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Fraticelli 9:45 a.m. Lillian D. Fredette (5th anniv.) by Jack & Linda Kinsey 11:15 a.m. Lionel & Noella Charpentier by the family Monday August 27 St. Monica Mass on pg. 64 6:30 a.m. Michael Ryan by Deacon Bob Connor & family Tuesday August 28 St. Augustine, Bishop & Doctor of the Church Mass on pg. 65 6:30 a.m. Jordan LaRoche (30th day) by Patrick, Christian & Maureen Wednesday August 29 The Passion of St. John the Baptist Mass on pg. 67 6:30 a.m. Michael Leclerc by his mother, Lorraine & brother, Richard Thursday August 30 Weekday Mass on pg. 69 6:30 a.m. Yvonne Belanger by her children Friday August 31 Weekday Mass on pg. 70 6:30 a.m. Parishioners of St. Cecilia Parish 6:00-7:00 p.m. Confession Saturday September 1 Weekday Mass on pg. 71 6:30 a.m. Emilie Racine (30th day) by Kevin & Michele Mack, Simard s 3:00-4:00 p.m. Confession Vigil Masses Mass on pg. 72 4:00 p.m. Edmond LeBlanc by his son & family 6:30 p.m. Lien (Theresa) Le (3rd anniv.) by her family Sunday September 2 Twenty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time Mass on pg. 72 7:00 a.m. Rick Baron (23rd anniv.) by Mom, Dad & Michael 9:45 a.m. Shirley Peters (1st anniv.) by Jack & Linda Kinsey 11:15 a.m. Roger Richard (8th anniv.) by his sister & family RCIA Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults Our parish RCIA group resumes this Fall. If you have been baptized but have not received First Communion and/or Confirmation, RCIA is for you. If you are a baptized Christian who is not Catholic but wants to know more about Catholic Christianity, RCIA is for you. If you have never been baptized but want to explore if you are being called to be a Christian, RCIA is for you. RCIA is a commitment only to know more, to share, and to be open to others in our shared journey of faith. What you choose to do on that journey is up to you. Please share this with friends and family members who don t go to church but might be interested in the step. 2

Twenty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time St. Cecilia Church, Leominster MA August 26, 2018 Dear Friends, A Message From Our Pastor. This is a message I wish I didn t have to write. This is a topic that when I was ordained 25 years ago would have been the furthest from my mind, yet now it is unavoidable. The recent report by the State of Pennsylvania on the sexual abuse of minors by Catholic priests has been unavoidable in the news. We in Massachusetts know the shameful process in our own dioceses when the cover ups were revealed here. Jesus tells us there is nothing spoken in whispers that will not be shouted from housetops. The Church in Pennsylvania is experiencing what we have undergone. Of course, as the Pennsylvania study reports, the vast majority of Catholic priests are totally innocent of any wrongdoing, but the same cannot be said for the bishops. Every bishop, whether he is responsible for one cover up or a hundred, is equally complicit in the vast mechanism of sexual abuse of children. Why would so many bishops have done this? They aren t bad people. In most cases they are very sincere servants of the Church, and in that lies the problem. When I was in seminary, Father John Flesey told us, Make up your mind now boys: do you want to be a priest or a bishop. Every decision you make for the next ten years will lead you down one path or the other. Although you can never split things perfectly down the middle, you can say it is a choice to serve God through the institutional Church to serve God through God s people. Neither is exclusive. By doing either one, you are doing both. It s a matter of emphasis. Unfortunately, too many bishops saw that their duty was to protect the reputation of the Church and of the priesthood, even if it meant ignoring the means of children, paying out hush money like a politician, and endangering more children by shifting pedophile priests from one part to another. I know that our own parish was victimized by a pedophile priest some years ago, a man who everyone thought was a wonderful priest I am told. Any profession which allows men unregulated access to children and minors is going to attract men with pedophile tendencies. (Pedophilia is almost non-existent among women.) Teachers, coaches, camp counselors, pediatricians, social workers all have their share of pedophiles. The difference is this: in other professions, when someone is accused, no one attempts to cover up for them. The Church is learning, slowly. The last case reported in Pennsylvania was 2002. In Massachusetts it is earlier than that because the bishops started to put in safe guards against cover ups including lay led offices to protect children. I think that there are no priests in active ministry with a credible accusation of abuse against them. At least that is what I am told. I m not in the circles of power so I can only go by what they say. What is less clear is, are there bishops who were part of the cover ups that are still functioning as bishops or have retired but still have all the status and prestige of bishop emeritus? That is a question that has to be investigated by the Church and that is an investigation that cannot be done by bishops, because, whether deserved or not, too many Catholics don t trust their bishops to be honest about their brother bishops. When the Church worries about the institution, its status, reputation and finances, it is the Church of the Pharisees, which Jesus condemned. When the Church exists to make Christ known and to serve all of God s people, most especially the vulnerable, it is truly the Body of Christ on earth. Pray for the Church and pray for our leaders. May the cleansing to come purify the Church and renew its spirit. May God bless you all, Father Bob Bruso 3

Twenty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time St. Cecilia Church, Leominster MA August 26, 2018 2018-2019 Religious Education registration forms have been mailed to all parish families who have a child/ children of school age. Classes begin on September 9 th (Grades1-6) and September 10th (Grades 7-10). I am hoping to receive all registrations by August 27th. I am learning the computer system but believe that I reached out to all families, but if I missed your family please call the rectory so that I can mail a registration out to you. I am looking for extra hands 1-2 teachers, 1-2 substitute teachers and office monitors (during classes.) If you are reading this and your thoughts are: I don t know if or maybe, that might be God tapping you on the shoulder. Please reach out to me by calling the rectory 978-537-6541 or e-mail pd@stceciliachurch.net and we can talk about what saying yes to that tap means. Enjoy the summer heat the cold will be here soon enough. Paula PARTNERS IN CHARITY We are close to reaching our parish goal for the annual Partners in Charity campaign. This weekend, the last weekend in August, we will have a second collection to see if we can go over the top. Even small gifts help. Please consider supporting the charitable and educational work of our diocese. PARISH COUNCIL meets Tuesday Sept. 11 at 6:30 in the rectory. All parishioners are invited. BIBLE STUDY RESUMES SEPTEMBER 20 We meet on Thursday evenings at 6:30 at the Parish Center. This year s theme is The Acts of the Apostles From a Gathering of Believers to the Community of the Church. All adults are welcome. Protect & Heal - Believe in the possibility of help and healing. If you have been abused or victimized by someone representing the Catholic Church, call Judith Audette at the Worcester Diocesan Office for Healing and Prevention at 508-929-4363. The Rosary Is Prayed FLOCKNOTE is coming to St. Cecilia s! What is it? Flocknote is a program that allows for messaging of information between the parish and you, our parishioners. It is a way to communicate important information about the parish, and special events, and can be a way for you to stay in touch with what is happening. On the home page of our website you ll find a link to sign up, or you can text JoinStCecilia (all one word) to 84576 and register that way, Monday thru Friday at 3:00 p.m. in the church. Please Join Us! Collections Report Last Week s Stewardship $8,050.54 July Church Maintenance $3,708.00 July On-Line Donations $1,404.61 Mission Co-operative $2,053.00 Peter s Pence $695.00 too! 4 Sign up, today!

Twenty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time St. Cecilia Church, Leominster MA August 26, 2018 St. Joseph Parish Bereavement Support Group Begin your path toward hope and healing. The next six week faith based grief support group for those grieving the loss of a loved one will begin on: Monday, September 10, 2018 through Monday, October 15, 2018 from 10-11:30 am. Meetings will be at Madonna of the Holy Rosary Church, 118 Theresa St., Fitchburg. Pre-registration is required (space is limited) call Jerolyn (Jerri) Blouin, Coordinator/facilitator at 978-345-5416. This is offered as a free service to the community by St. Joseph Parish, Fitchburg Consider setting items aside for our Christmas in Acadia Fair Flea Market. We will be happy to receive canning jars, musical instruments, gloves, belts, dishes, tablecloths, doilies, toys, medals and jewelry, jewelry, jewelry, etc. Please note, we are unable to accept books, computers, monitors, televisions, electrical appliances, padded furniture, clothing or shoes. Upcoming drop off time: Monday, Aug. 27 from 5:00-7:00pm All donations are to be dropped off at the parish center (use lower Third St. and Mechanic St. side door across from the church). Tune In To WQPH 89.3 FM Your Catholic Radio Station 5

Twenty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time St. Cecilia Church, Leominster MA August 26, 2018 Saint Edward the Confessor Parish, 10 Church St, Westminster will hold its annual Fall Festival on Saturday, Sept. 15, 10 am to 6 pm on the church grounds. It features abundant food, games for children and adults, a large Attic Treasures flea market, cash raffle, silent auction, specialty booths, entertainment and many locally produced craft items. International Veterans Chorus performs at 2 PM. New this year, 10-15 craft/boutique vendors will be set up. Early Bird to Attic Treasures 9:30-10 AM for $5 per person. Free Parking. Join us as we celebrate the 66th anniversary of our Fall Festival. International Food Festival Saturday, September 15 From 11 am - 8 pm Holy Family of Nazareth Church 750 Union St., Leominster Mark Your Calendar Saturday, Sept. 8th St. John s Fall Bazaar A Day of Fun for All! The Festival Offers: Delicious International Food, Gift Baskets & Raffles, Yard Sale & Country Boutique, Inflatables & Games, Live Music and Dancing. Silent Auction begins at 9am.. Shop our crafters/artists booths.. Farm Markets-fresh produce and plants.. Legendary Bake Goods.. Amazing Gift Basket Raffles.. Live entertainment.. Great Food. Awesome Games. $10,000.00 MEGA RAFFLE! Only 200 tickets will be sold! Tickets available at the Bazaar on sale now at St. John s. For more details, call 978-597-2291. You do not have to be present to win. Fabulous fun for the whole family. It s happening Saturday, September 8th, 2018, 9am-4pm on the Townsend Common. Raindate Sunday, September 9th at noon. Save the Dates November 9 & 10, 2018 St. Cecilia Christmas in Acadia Fair St. Cecilia s Bingo Friday Evenings at 6:30 PM Doors Open at 4 PM Come Try Your Luck! 6

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