February 14th through February 20th

Saturday, February 13

4:00 P.M.        Danuta Janik and Anna Lukasik, Memorial

Sunday, February 14

  7:00 A.M.         Jim Murphy, Memorial

  9:00 A.M.             For Our Living and Deceased Parishioners

11:00 A.M.         Jeovanni Lopez, Memorial

                        Angelina Merlos, Memorial

                        For the sick in the Hospitals

                        Esperanza Salazar, Memorial

Monday, February 15

  8:00 A.M.       Ann Flynn, Memorial

Tuesday, February 16

  8:00 A.M.         Charles Reiley, Memorial

Wednesday, February 17 - Ash Wednesday

  8:00 A.M.         Ash Wednesday

12:10 P.M.         Ash Wednesday

  7:00 P.M.         Miercoles de Ceniza

                        Maria Del Rosario Cruz de Franco, Memorial

Thursday, February 18

  8:00 A.M.                     Francis Orzech, Memorial

Friday, February 19

  8:00 A.M.         Tony Knowlton, Memorial

Saturday, February 20

   8:00 A.M.       Charles Reiley, Memorial

 

S A N C T U A R Y  L A M P S

For the week of February 14th through February 20th‑ The Lamp in our Main Church will burn this week for the special intention of Germano Angelini.

 

A ROSE FOR LIFE IN OUR SANCTUARY

The roses this week are sponsored in memory of Tom Callahan by Claire Callahan, in memory of the Unborn by Laurie Henry, in memory of Dennis and Helena Porter and David and Mary Porter by Dennis Porter, in memory of Marguerite Hanlon by Mary Lou and Dale Fish, and in memory of Ann Flynn by Mary Slamin.

 

English Adult Confirmation Classes ‑ If you are over he age of 18 and have never received the Sacrament of Confirmation (or the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist), we will be holding classes from March 3rd through April 21st to prepare for Confirmation on April 23rd. The classes will be held on Wednesday evenings from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. in the Meeting Room in the basement of the Rectory.

     You must register for these classes and fill out an information sheet about where and when you were baptized, your marital status, and other things. Please contact Mr. Drummey at (508) 875-4788 for more information. Remember that you cannot be a godparent or a sponsor for Confirmation unless you have received the sacrament.

 

 

FASTING: Catholics over 18 years of age and up to the beginning of their sixtieth year are bound to the obligation of fasting. Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are the days of fasting. On these days, only one full meal is allowed. Two other meatless meals, sufficient to maintain strength, may be taken according to each one’s needs, but together they should not equal one full meal. Eating between meals is not permitted, but liquids, including milk and fruit juices, are allowed.

     Following the instructions of the Holy See, the Bishops of the United States have declared that the obligation to fast and to abstain from meat still binds on Ash Wednesday: “No Catholic Christian will lightly excuse himself from so hallowed an obligation.”

     We can also use the 40 days of Lent to pray and attend Mass more often and to witness to our love of Christ crucified by special solicitude for the most needy among us, like the poor, the sick, the stranger and unprivileged.

 

 

 

"Blessed are you who are poor, for the kingdom of God is yours.  Blessed are you who are now hungry, for you will be satisfied." - Lk 6:20-21

 

 

Catholic Heritage: Why Ashes?

 

   Throughout the Bible, marking oneself with ashes is seen as a symbol of our humility and repentance. Ashes represent “whatever’s left” when something burns or decomposes. There is no more stark reminder of human mortality or of the rawest and most basic elements, stripped of adornment or illusion. That is why our tradition has us begin the Lenten journey with this meaningful symbol.

   We are born owning nothing and, when we die, we can take nothing with us. The ashes remind us of who we really are as creatures of God. In Genesis, we learn that God took clay from the earth and breathed life into it – His own breath of life, thus giving rise to His very special creation of human beings. Ashes keep us honest about our origin and destiny; we are absolutely dependent on the God who made and saves us.

   Ashes also represent a sign of our interior desire to repent for our sinfulness. So much of sin is the self-absorption or self-aggrandizement of “getting more stuff” for ourselves – whether material wealth, physical property, or even fame to feed our pride. Ashes show us what this “stuff” really is – nothing of true consequence or lasting value when seen from the perspective of our God. God looks at the heart, at the inner core ‑ the center or soul of the person – to determine what someone’s life has really meant. When measuring our true worth, it is not what we have but who we are that God takes most into account.

   On Ash Wednesday, our foreheads are smeared with this earthly reminder that this world is transitory and that only God is eternal. It is to His mercy that we must turn in Lent, trusting that His love will help us to re-prioritize the most important things in life. Ashes signify our desire to examine our lives, to root out sins and selfishness, to repent and confess, asking God and the Church for forgiveness during this holy Lenten season. There can be no better way for us to “turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel.”

 

Girl Scout Sunday on March 14th ‑ Any of our parishioners who are Girl Scouts are invited to attend Mass on March 14th in their uniform and perform a service, such as greeting people or doing a flag ceremony. Please contact either Fr. Bert or Fr. Paco if you would like to participate. They will be happy to recognize you that day, as well as any attendees who ever belonged to Girl Scouts.

 

 

Workshop on Visiting the Sick‑ If you are interested in receiving training for visiting those who are sick, there will be a six-week workshop on Pastoral Care to the Sick and the Homebound at St. Brigid Parish in Lexington, beginning on Wednesday, March 3rd, from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. The workshop, which will be conducted by Kelly Dunn, former director of the Health Care Ministry for the Archdiocese, will include a review of communication skills, the basics of pastoral visitation, key illness issues, spiritual needs and concerns, grief, loss, and dying, and care-giving issues. Extraordinary Ministers, pastoral visitors, parish nurses, and others are invited to attend. The fee is $40 and pre-registration is required by February 24th. Please call (617) 746-5843 for information and registration.

 

As part of our faith community's Lenten observance, we will participate in Catholic Relief Services' Lenten program, Operation Rice Bowl. Since 1975, Operation Rice Bowl has inspired Catholics in the United States to pray, fast learn and give as we increase our understanding of our global community. We will connect this understanding with the principles of Catholic social Teaching throughout our Lenten journey. We encourage you to participate in Operation Rice Bowl at home with your family and loved ones.

 

Overcoming Temptation: How did Jesus overcome temptations? If we listened to the Scripture passage from Luke we notice that Jesus overcame temptation, mainly, because:

·       He had knowledge of Scriptures

·       He fasted and He prayed

·       He loved God more than anything

You can also overcome temptations if you try to imitate Jesus in this regard. Have a Holy Lent.