Several inquiries have come into the office concerning the “Sign of Peace” and the reception of “Holy Communion from the Cup” during this cold and flu season.  Recognizing the validity of these concerns, it is important to give a response.

The Archdiocesan Office of Worship gives the following advice.  “Concerning the exchange of some form of the sign of peace in the communion rite, it is worth noting that the General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GRIM) does not mandate a particular manner for how this is to be done.  If one does not wish to shake hands at this time, then a suitable gesture, such as a nod of the head or a verbal exchange of peace, would be gracious and fitting.  If a person knows that they have the cold or flu and attends the celebration, for the good of others it would be better not to shake hands, but rather choose another suitable gesture.”

It seems that the flu and cold “bug” is transmitted most of all through the hands.  Public announcements on television remind us constantly to wash our hands or use some anti-bacterial hand wash.  The biggest threat to spreading the cold or flu at liturgy is the sign of peace.  The second largest threat is to receive Eucharist on the tongue.  All Eucharistic Ministers wash their hands before Mass and again before giving out Communion.  They also wash their hands upon returning to their seat after distributing Communion.  To safeguard yourself and others it is best to receive Eucharist on the hand.  However, one should never dip the host into the cup.

What about the reception of the precious blood from the cup?  The Office of Worship continues by writing: “As for the reception of Holy Communion from the Cup, commonsense should reign supreme.  

Communicants should be thoughtful of others during the cold and flu season, if one is sick one should not receive from the Cup.  Also, if possible, any ordinary or extraordinary minister of communion who has a cold or the flu should refrain from distributing communion.  Also, if it is feasible for ministers to wash their hands before distribution of communion, that might be advisable. However, let us not suppress the use of the cup, for reception of both species is desirable.  Hence, even by means of the signs, Communion will stand out more clearly as a participation in the sacrifice actually being celebrated.

The Holy Water will be staying at the doors of the Church; again we ask that people wash their hands before coming and after going to Church.  If you have a compromised immune system you might want to refrain from putting your hands into the Holy Water.

In the future, it may be necessary to further review the policies on this topic.

In all of this we appeal to the first reading for today (Wisdom 7:7), “I prayed, and prudence was given me; I pleaded, and the spirit of Wisdom came to me.”

 

St. Brigid Church
9:00am	Tuesday October 13th	John Barry, Sr.
9:00am	Thursday October 15th	Fortunato & Marie Catalano
9:00am	Saturday October 17th	Arthur Blunt Salvatore & Dorothy Capriulo The Daley Family
Sacred Heart Church
9:00am	Monday October 12th	Martin Kestler
9:00am	Wednesday October 14th	Eugene Buckley
9:00am	Friday October 16th	Helen Jenson

 

Please pray for all who are in need of our prayers that God’s healing and comforting presence may be with them, especially Father William Smith, Father Thomas Nestor, Jen Bombaca, Marianne Slack, Elaine Murphy, Deacon Bill Wildes, Edward O’Brien, John Harper, William McCarthy, Verner and Marie Dempsey, Pat White, Anita and William Gorham, Mary Whelan, Eleanor Mann, Gerald McCue, Kathleen Brown, Brendan Murphy, Rev. James O’Donohoe, Kevin Johnson, Marylou Merry, Monica Cotter, Jackie Martinetti, Ann LaMantia, Josephine Siders, Douglas DiVito, Mary McGuinnes, Catherine Tatro, Jewel Douglass, Marjorie Kearns, Shannon Capriulo, Olivia Moran and Brianna Cimino.  Please also remember in your prayers all of our deceased family members and parishioners, especially Margaret Buckley.

In Service For Their Country

Lt. John Schiavi, Sgt. Christopher Considine, Timothy Dunbar, Richard Rigley, Chris Cullen, Caitlin R. Battell, Robert McLaughlin, Sean Maddigan, Rev. Paul Passamonti, Airman Jason Cunha, Mark Zarnecki, Patrick J. Nordahl, Scott and Michael Donahue, CDR Michael P. MacLellan and Captain Brian Geary.

Lord Jesus, watch over our sons and daughters in the service of their country.  Give them the courage to serve their country with honor and dignity and grant that when their service is finished they may return to us, sound in mind, body and soul.

Thursday Night as Usual: Weekly Thursday Nights are a time of Bible Study/Discussion (7pm at St Brigid Parish Center) and then food and drinks at a local restaurant (8:15pm in Lexington Center, walking distance from the church).  If you need to show up late that is perfectly fine, simply show up when you can.

Helping Hands

Helping Hands for the month of October is:
Melanie Colorusso – 781-861-1981.

It has been my pleasure working with this group for almost ten years as the overall manager.  I am leaving this year.  If you are interested in taking over this position, please call me soon and I will be happy to help you in any way I can.  Edie Martinez, 617-489-3305.

 

New Sound System With Hearing Aids

We have purchased 4 hearing aid devices.  They are body packs about the size of your hand, which are programmed to so our sound system feeds through them.  Many individuals have difficulty hearing with or without a hearing aid.  With these hearing devices, we have either an ear plug or if you have a hearing aid a neck loop to use, to assist you in hearing the Mass. 

We will have these for parishioners to use.  For sanitary reasons they will be wiped with Alcohol wipes after each Mass.  If you would prefer, you can purchase your own hearing device or the ear plugs, these can only be used with the sound system in the churches, they do not work at the local cinema.  Let either the ushers or one of the Pastoral Associates know, they will provide you with one to use during Mass or call the office, to find out about the price to purchase your own.

Prayer Couples Needed For St. Brigid Marriage Prep

Next weekend, St. Brigid Parish will host engaged couples for their Marriage Preparation weekend.  Would you like to assist in this significant ministry?  Pray for one of our engaged couples!  There are clipboards at the doors of the church with the names of our couples.  We need two people/two married couples to pray for each engaged couple from now until the day of their wedding.  For more information, contact Beverly Good at 781-863-0319, ext. 20 or at Beverly.Good (1).  Our couples will be attending the 9 a.m. Mass on Sunday, October 18th, where they will receive a special blessing from the assembly.  Come, and be part of the blessing!

Thanksgiving Celebration

Thanksgiving is a truly American Holiday and Holyday.  It is a time when we gather with community and family to worship and to thank God for our many blessings.  This tradition started with the Native Americans and Early Settlers of our Great Nation.  These two very different cultures came together and celebrated their successful harvest, and the birth of a nation that is diverse and welcoming to all.

One of the great successes of Vatican II was “Nostra Aetate” guiding us as tohow we would move forward in our relationships both interfaith and ecumenical.  It is through these teachings that we, as Catholics, were asked to enter into Ecumenical and Interfaith Dialogue. 

When speaking about Hinduism, Buddhism, and other religious organizations in the document of Nostra Aetate; “The Catholic Church rejects nothing of what is true and holy in these religions.  She has a high regard for the manner of life and conduct, the precepts and doctrines which, all though differing in many ways from her own teaching, nevertheless often reflect a truth which enlightens all men. The Church therefore, urges her people to enter into discussion and collaboration with the members of other religions.

This Thanksgiving is an opportunity to celebrate Thanksgiving with members of all the religious communities of Lexington.  Vatican II has encouraged Catholics to foster and take part in ecumenical activities that bring all believers together to worship and thank God and to strengthen our common beliefs.

For many years, the Lexington Interfaith Clergy Association has sponsored a common Thanksgiving celebration in which all the churches of our town have gathered together in the spirit of ecumenism.  The celebration has been held on the Tuesday of Thanksgiving week because the Catholic community has traditionally had its own celebration on Wednesday.

This year, we will not have a service on Wednesday, at St. Brigid Church.  The Thanksgiving Mass will be held at St. Brigid at 9:00am on Thanksgiving morning. 

The Lexington Catholic Community will join the Lexington Interfaith celebration of our only American “Holyday” on Tuesday, November 24 at Temple Emunah at 7:30 pm. Please join us.

Lexington Food Pantry Collection
at St. Brigid and Sacred Heart

The weekend of October 17th and 18th is the collection of non-perishable food.  Items may be left in the food bins at St. Brigid and on the altar at Sacred Heart.  Please check the expiration dates.  There has been a special request this month for canned low sodium vegetables such as peas, corn, carrots, spinach, beets, and mixed vegetables.  The food pantry does not need green beans at this time.  These items are also needed: low sugar cereals, canned fruit in light syrup or fruit juice, chicken broth, meals in a can, rice, and tomato sauce. The food pantry also accepts hygiene items (tooth brushes, toothpaste, soap, deodorant, etc.) and paper products (toilet paper, tissues, paper towels, napkins, etc.).  Cash, supermarket gift cards and checks made out to the Lexington Food Pantry may be placed in an envelope marked Lexington Food Pantry and placed in the offertory basket or dropped off at the parish office.  As always, we thank you for your past generosity and support of this endeavor. 

Lakota Blanket Collection

This week, we begin our collection of blankets for Pine Ridge, SD. Our brothers and sisters there experience unemployment of 80-90%. About 65% of them live in sub-standard conditions, such as no electricity, running water and often limited heat. Bitter winters force many families to spend up to 70% of their total income to heat their homes. For those who want to help but don't have time to buy a blanket, this year we are adding a contribution fund for utility support. Make your check payable to the parish, with the notation, Lakota Heat Fund.

Mission Collection

Our collection of October 17th and 18th supports Catholic World Missions.  By Baptism, all Catholics are called to participate in the mission of the Church and share their faith as missionaries.  World Mission Sunday gathers support for the pastoral and evangelizing programs and needs of more than 1,150 mission dioceses in Africa, Asia, the Pacific Islands, and remote regions of Latin America.  The funds gathered on World Mission Sunday are distributed in the pope’s name by the Society for the Propagation of the Faith—a Pontifical Mission Society.  For more information, please visit www.worldmissions-catholicchurch.org.

Sunday, October 11th

12:00 – BAPTISM INSTRUCTION-SB
NO RELIGIOUS ED CLASSES AT SH

Monday, October 12th

OFFICE CLOSED-COLUMBUS DAY HOLIDAY
LAHEY DUTY – FR. COLLETTI
2:00 – MASS AT LEXINGTON HEALTH CARE
NO RELIGIOUS ED CLASSES

Tuesday, October 13th

10:00 - HOMEBOUND MINISTRY WKSHP-SH-PC
2:00 – MASS AT GOLDEN LIVING CENTER
NO RE CLASSES-GR 1, 2 & 3- SB-PC

Wednesday,  October 14th 

NO SCHOOL-NO RELIGIOUS ED CLASSES
7:30 – RCIA- RM.20-SB-PC
7:30 – RELIGIOUS ED COMM. SB-L
7:30 – SH CHOIR – SH - CHURCH

Thursday, October 15th  

7:00 – YOUNG ADULTS – SB – L
7:00 – BOY SCOUTS – SB
7:30 – SB CHOIR – SB - CHURCH
7:30 – WINGS SPEAKER SR. NANCY KEHOE-SB-PC

Friday, October 16th

6:00 – MIDDLE SCHOOL EVENT - SB – PC
6:30 – RE-DEDICATION MASS – SH - CHURCH
7:30 – SPAGHETTI SUPPER-SH-PC

Saturday, October 17th

2:30 – WEDDING – AQUADRO & HUANG-SB-CHURCH
9:00 – MARRIAGE PREP-SB-L, AND ROOMS
6:00 – BAPTISM- FR. COLLINS-SB-CHURCH

Genesis Battlegreen Run – 14 Years And Counting

On Sunday, November 1, Lexington will host the 14th running of the Genesis Battlegreen Run 10K, the Ralph Lord Memorial 5K and the Boston Volvo Family Fun Run.  Inaugurated on an extremely frosty first Sunday in November, 1996, the Genesis Battlegreen Run has grown to become one of the premier road races in New England.  As always, volunteers – adults and older children alike - are needed to help with the race and yes, community service credits are awarded for high school students.  Those who would like to help should call 781.314.1120 or send an email to rburbidge at genesis-cos.com.  Race applications can be obtained at The Greater Boston Running Company, 1844 Massachusetts Avenue, Lexington, or online at www.genesisconsolidated.com or http://www.coolrunning.com/major/09/genesisbattlegreen/

Rosie's Needs Help

Rosie's Place, a haven for homeless women in Boston, needs cooks to provide 12 portions of lasagna or salad 6 times a year. Food is dropped of at St. Brigid.  Next "Rosie's Sunday" is Oct. 18.  Please call Fran at 781-861-7231 if you would like to help.

Attention Vietnamese Families

Are you interested in having bilingual English/Vietnamese Masses and/or Vietnamese Masses in the Boston west suburbs?  Are you interested in making the Vietnamese Catholic community more integrated with the Catholic parishes in the Boston west suburbs?  If so, please call or email the Office of Cultural Diversity by November 13th to give us your contact information (Name, phone number, and email):  Archdiocese of Boston, Office of Outreach and Cultural Diversity Attn: Ms. Linda Russo, phone: 617-746-5794, email: Lrusso (9)

.

St. Brigid
Offertory for Oct. 3rd & 4th	$  9,560.00
Envelope Offerings	$  8,443.00
Loose Cash	$  1,117.00

Out of the 548 envelopes we sent to St. Brigid parishioners, 262 have used their envelopes.

Sacred Heart
Offertory for Oct. 3rd & 4th	$   5,591.00
Envelope Offerings	$   4,851.00
Loose Cash	$      740.00
St. Katharine Drexel	$      322.00

Of the 265 envelopes we sent to Sacred Heart parishioners, 141 parishioners have used their envelopes this week.

Thank you to all who so generously contribute to our parishes each week!

—Fr. Colletti

The gatherings of small faith groups will take place for six weeks, starting this week, ending the week of November 15th.  There are groups meeting on Tuesday morning (10 to 11:30 a.m.), Tuesday afternoon (3:45 to 4:35 p.m.Religious Education time at St. Brigid) and Wednesday evening (7:30 to 9 p.m.).  A Young Adults group is meeting on Thursday evenings.  You will get to know other parishioners better, deepen your faith in Christ by group reflection and discussion on a Scripture passage and consider how to put your faith to work in daily life.  For more information, contact Beverly Good at 781-863-0319, ext. 20 or at Beverly.Good (1)

Faith & Environment

 

All children are invited to join in the Children’s Liturgy of the Word, a special weekly presentation and discussion of the day’s scripture readings. After a blessing and dismissal by the priest before the first reading during St. Brigid’s 9:00am Mass, the children proceed downstairs to Keilty Hall to participate in this program. They rejoin the Mass after the homily.

Life Snipits

“The kind of beauty you want to have is the hard-to-get kind that comes from within—strength, courage, dignity”

Lexington Catholic Community
Knitting And Crocheting Group

Starting up a new Ministry!  Would you like to join us to knit blankets and/or caps for preemies, cancer caps, or prayer shawls?  We are going to be making blankets, caps, and shawls for patients at Winchester Hospital, Mass General Hospital, and a couple of local hospices.  Please come to our information meeting
Sunday October 18th 12:00 PM @ St. Brigid Parish Center.
“Knitting to help others soothes one’s own pain.  Knowing that others are seeking peace thorough similar means – that you are not alone in your experience is priceless.” - Karen Bailey.  Please come to our informational meeting and hear the many ways you can participate in this ministry.  If you do not knit or crochet, we could also use donations of yarn and needles.

If you are interested in information about the knitters group, but can’t make this meeting please contact either Mary Peterson, mary.peterson (1) or call Mary at 781-863-0319 x30  or contact Donna Hooper, 781-861- 0096 or hoopmac (2)

Save The Date, Collect The Clothing

As usual we will have our annual St Francis House Clothing Collection, collecting gently used and new men's clothing.  New this year, for all those who have been asking, we will also be collecting Women's Clothing for the Women's Lunch Place.

As you do your seasonal cleaning and changing of clothes, think of others who may need what you are no longer using.  Clothing will be collected in the basement of St Brigid's Parish Hall on the weekend of November 7th and 8th.  Thank you in advance for your generosity.

Need Some Quiet Time With the Lord?

You can spend some quiet, one-on-one time with the Lord this and every Friday from 12:00 – 2:45pm during the exposition of the Blessed Sacrament at St. Brigid Church.

Looking For Support During Your Job Search?

Seasoned Human Resources and Marketing pros to lead the Lexington Job Support Group (LJSG) for the Catholic Community of Lexington and our friends.  Learn and share  job search strategies, resources and networking tips while getting support during your search for that next great opportunity.  Meetings are the first and third Wednesday of the month, 7:30pm - 9:00pm at Sacred Heart Parish Center. The next two meetings are October 21st and November 4th. Informal, no need to sign up, come on the evenings you are free with a cup of coffee or supper, and invite a friend.  If you have any questions, contact Bob Ludwig at 781-861-7231 or Donna Heuchling at dheuchling (3)

WINGS Takes Flight This Week!

WINGS, (Women IN God’s Spirit), takes flight this week with an evening session, WINGS@NIGHT.  This session, formatted like the morning version, is designed to introduce more people – women and men – to WINGS.  Our speaker, Sister Nancy Kehoe, PhD., will explain the role faith plays in the treatment of those struggling with mental illness and share her own journey. Please join us at 7:00 - 9:00pm this Thursday, October 15th, in St. Brigid parish center to hear Sister’s presentation based on her recent book, Wrestling with Our Inner Angels: Faith, Mental Illness and the Journey to Wholeness. Copies of Sister’s book will be available for purchase ($17.00) and signing.

WINGS’ regular Fall Speaker Series gets underway on the next Thursday morning (October 22) with Sister Kathleen Short. Her unique presentation on the Bent Over Woman (Luke 13:10-17) is entitled, What is Keeping You Whole and Holy?

For transportation to either session, contact Carol Flynn at 781-862-1637. Membership in WINGS is not required to attend these or any WINGS program. WINGS’ complete fall schedule is available at the church entrances and in the parish centers.

Holy Humor!

Holy Humor I
Rev. John Riley was driving his car when he noticed a young mother from his church walking with her four-year old daughter.  He slowed his car, rolled down the window, and spoke to them for a moment.  After he had driven away, the little girl looked up at her mother and asked, “Mommy, isn’t that the man who hypnotized me when I was a baby?”

Holy Humor II
After church one Sunday morning, a mother commented: “The choir was awful this morning.” 

The father commented: “The sermon was too long.”

Their seven-year old daughter added: “You’ve got to admit it was a pretty good show for a dime!”

Megan Chenaille, Director of Youth Ministry
E-mail: Megan Chenaille
781-862-8724

Youthful Mass

All are welcome to join us on Sunday, October 18, 2009 at Sacred Heart Church, 6pm!!
There will be a Halloween Party for all High School Youth after the Mass in the Parish Center.

Confirmation Classes

Registrations for 9th and 10th grade Confirmation Classes were sent out a couple of months ago.  If you did not receive a registration form, please contact the Religious Education Office at 781-862-8724.  The Confirmation Class and Important Events calendar for the year were sent out recently as well.  Please look through and mark your calendars.  Please contact Megan if you have not received this information.  Confirmation Classes begin the week of October 19/20.

Teachers Needed!

We are still in need of Teachers to guide our Confirmation students through their faith journey.  If you are feeling called to teach our Confirmation Candidates, please contact Megan Chenaille at (781) 862-8724 OR Megan.Chenaille(1) .  We are still looking for teachers for Tuesday evenings at Sacred Heart from 7:15pm-8:30pm.  Thank you.

Confirmation Mass

For 11th grade Confirmation Candidates and their families to be held on
Sunday, October 25, 2009
4:00pm in St. Brigid Church

Middle School Fridays are back!

6th, 7th and 8th graders of the Catholic Community of Lexington (and their friends) are invited to join us at the first Middle School Friday event of the year on October 16th.

We will meet in the St. Brigid's Parish hall for Pizza at 6 pm, and then go to the Woburn Bowladrome for Glow Bowling.   Flyers will be available at the rear of the church, in the parish office, CCD classes, and online at the parish web site.

Sign ups due at the parish office by October 13th.   Cost is $15 and scholarships are available.  For more information please contact Mary Ellen Goodwin at 781-863-1584

Future events all begin at 6pm with Pizza and include:

Nov 6 - Laser Tag – Danvers
Dec 11 - Nativity Movie - Sacred Heart
Jan 8 - Snow Tubing - Nashoba
Feb 5 - Movie - Sacred Heart
March 19 - Jump On In - Woburn
April 9 - Game night - Sacred Heart
May 14 - Mini Golf

 

Please do not hesitate to call or e-mail with any questions or concerns.