During the month of November we are coming closer to the end of the church year and the church wants us to think of the last things and of our mortality. We begin the month with the feast of All Saints when we remember the faithful departed and the feast of All Souls, the not-so-faithful departed.
In today’s reading from Matthew (25:1-13), Jesus delivers a parable of ten virgins who took their lamps and went forth to meet the bridegroom. This parable is intended to teach us about the suddenness and unexpectedness of the Lord’s coming. It calls for us to be prepared for that unknown moment.
The wedding celebration started when the bridegroom came to the bride’s house. The bride and all the bridesmaids would be there waiting for him. Then they would all go through the village at night with torches in a celebration of singing, talking, and joy. In the parable everything was ready for the wedding to start. The bridegroom had prepared a home and now he was coming to take his bride to their new home. He would come at night so the procession through the village could be enjoyed by everyone. But he was delayed in coming. Can you imagine a wedding starting at midnight?
The ten virgins or young girls were divided by their preparedness. Five were wise, thoughtful, sensible and prudent and five were foolish or stupid. On the surface the ten are undistinguishable. It is that way within the Christian community—all go to church and profess to be Christians but God knows who is His and who isn’t. Wisdom and foolishness manifests itself in how prepared you are for Christ’s return. Christ continually told us that the church would contain the good and the bad, the wheat and the weeds, the fruitful and the unfruitful.
Notice that both the wise and the foolish virgins were asleep. So there was nothing wrong with being asleep. It is just that the wise virgins were already prepared before they fell asleep. They were ready for whatever might come when they woke up, but the foolish were caught unprepared. They should have gotten oil for their lamps while they had the opportunity. Their false security let them sleep through the day of opportunity. As we wait for the Lord we can’t be standing idle, we have to carry out our daily responsibilities. He spoke to his disciples and the religious leaders of his time and told them what sort of religion and practice he wanted. He wanted people committed to God with their whole heart. There had to be a passion for God found only in those who were possessed by the Spirit Jesus would send. Saint Paul wrote (2 Cor. 13:5): “Examine yourselves, whether you are in the faith.”
Readings for the Week Of Sunday, November 16, 2008
| St. Brigid Church |
| |
| 9:00am | Tuesday November 18th | Dorothy Appolonio |
| 9:00am | Thursday November 20th | Arthur Morrisey, Christina Morrisey and Mary & Domenic Donato |
| 8:00am | Saturday November 22nd | Robert Campana |
| |
| Sacred Heart Church |
| |
| 9:00am | Monday November 17th | Michael Aquaro, Sr. |
| 9:00am | Wednesday November 19th | James Flynn |
| 9:00am | Friday November 21st | Sandra Caldrella |
| 9:00am | Saturday November 22nd | Thomas & Mary Dawson |
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, Kevin Murray, Vincent Hayes, Geraldine Worthington, William Moretti, Claire McDonough, Josephine Siders, Willie Smith, Philip Johnson, Brianna Cimino and Marisol O’Brien. Please also remember all of our deceased relatives and friends.
In Service For Their Country
Lt. John Schiavi, Sgt. Christopher Considine, Timothy Dunbar, Richard Rigley, Timothy Busa, Chris Cullen, Caitlin R. Battell, Robert McLaughlin, Sean Maddigan, Elizabeth Leyne, Rev. Paul Passamonti, Airman Jason Cunha, Mark Zarnecki, Patrick J. Nordahl, Scott and Michael Donahue, Lt. Brian Casey, and 1st Lt. 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.
Lector Books
LECTOR BOOKS ARE IN THE SACRISTY OF BOTH CHURCHES. LECTORS, PLEASE PICK UP YOUR BOOKS THIS WEEKEND.
A Song for Sacred Heart
On Saturday, November 22nd, the Sacred Heart Choir will present a concert, “A Song for Sacred Heart”, at 7:00pm. A dessert and champagne reception will follow in the SH Parish Center with entertainment provided by Todd Theriault. Tickets to the concert will be given after each Mass for the next two weekends beginning November 8th and 9th.
Joanne Messier McCandless is forming a children’s choir this Fall at Sacred Heart. The choir is open to all children in grades 3 through 7. Rehearsals are held every Wednesday from 5PM to 5:45PM in the church. We would like to have the children’s choir sing once a month at the 10am Mass during the Preparation. Chaperones will be needed during these rehearsals. Please contact joannemessier at aol or come and see Joanne after the 10am Mass on Sunday.
| St. Brigid |
| Offertory for November 8th & 9th |
$ 8,970.00 |
| Envelope Offerings |
$ 7,674.00 |
| Loose Cash |
$ 1,296.00 |
Out of the 548 envelopes we sent to St. Brigid parishioners, 269 have used their envelopes.
| Sacred Heart |
| Offertory for November 8th & 9th |
$ 5,116.00 |
| Envelope Offerings |
$ 4,560.00 |
| Loose Cash |
$ 556.00 |
| St. Katharine Drexel |
$ 200.00 |
Of the 265 envelopes we sent to Sacred Heart parishioners, 124 parishioners have used their envelopes this week.
Thank you to all who so generously contribute to our parishes each week!
—Fr. Colletti
Mark Your Calendar for the Magic Show!
Franc Karpo will be at Sacred Heart Friday, November 28th at 2:00pm in the parish center. This is a program for children of both parishes and is free of charge. Franc is a famous magician who delights both young in age and young at heart. Plan to come to this program!
It’s Time to Talk Turkey Again!
Each year at Thanksgiving Sacred Heart parishioners have donated frozen turkeys to the families of our sister parish, Saint Katherine Drexel (formerly Saint John/Saint Hugh). Sacred Heart has had a relationship with this parish for many years, collecting food for its food bank, sharing Masses and choirs and picnics, staffing its kitchen in the years when Saint John/Saint Hugh served a hot lunch to the needy in the Roxbury community. And so, once again, we ask our families to help the Saint Katherine Drexel families. Please leave your donation of a frozen turkey, or, if you prefer,a Stop and Shop gift certificate, at the side door of Sacred Heart Church, or in the hall, after the Masses on the weekend of November 23/24 or after the 9AM Mass on Monday morning, November 24. Thank you.
Update From Beverly Good –
Spiritual Development Commission
A fairly good chunk of the ministry I’ve been entrusted with has to do with helping adults grow in their faith. I work with the following groups of folks: adult faith formation, RCIA (people coming into the Church) marriage preparation, WINGS, Young Adults, ARISE small faith communities. I am very impressed with the folks who organize and participate in these ministries…I’m sure you know this already, but we have some amazingly faith-filled and dedicated individuals who give sizable amounts of time sharing their significant gifts and talents at the service of these ministries. All of these groups (plus others!) fit under the umbrella of the Spiritual Development Commission. The mission of this Commission is: “to foster ongoing education of the adult faith community in the beliefs and practices of the Church, to increase opportunities for spiritual growth among the members of the Catholic Community of Lexington, and to heighten the awareness of the implications of faith and morality in regard to current issues.” That’s a pretty tall order! Recently, the parishes have experienced some turnover in membership on some of the above committees, and on the Commission as well. As I come on board, it seems like a good time to invite you to join us in this meaningful endeavor! If you have a yearning to “go deeper,” if you have been the beneficiary of fellow parishioners’ efforts in this area, if you have a special place in your heart for prayer, for Scripture, for the teachings of Jesus Christ, you are most sincerely invited to a meeting on Thursday, December 4th, at 7:30 p.m. at Sacred Heart Parish Hall. It is not a Spiritual Development Commission meeting per se, but rather, a brain-storming session at which we’ll take a little time to look at some of the directives of the Church around adult spiritual development, pray a little, and then open a conversation about how we can keep on inviting people to grow in their faith. What would you like to see happen in Lexington that isn’t yet here? Come and let us know.
Helping Hands
Helping Hands for November is
Edie Martinez – 617-489-3305.
Thanksgiving Dinners for St. Patrick's in Roxbury
The tradition at St. Brigid continues-we will again collect Thanksgiving meals for parishioners of our sister parish, St. Patrick where Fr. Waldron has been pastor for many years. The food (preferably in a large box) can be dropped off in the basement of the parish center. The door is on the lower level in the back of the school building. Please bring frozen turkeys and the trimmings, including fresh and canned vegetables and fruits (no frozen vegetables or frozen pies, please) Sunday, November 23rd, from noon until 6pm and Monday, November 24th 4-8pm. If shopping is not convenient for you, you are welcome to bring a check payable to “St. Patrick Parish”, or Stop and Shop gift certificates or send them to our parish office with a note for St Patrick's. For more than 35 years, families in our parish have helped the less fortunate among us celebrate the bounty of our country. We hope and trust that your family will join in this tradition and in doing so find greater joy in your own Thanksgiving feast.
Thank You and Happy Thanksgiving!
St. Brigid Adult Choir
It is not too early to start thinking about the Advent and Christmas Seasons. If you cannot commit as “full time” choir member, perhaps, you might share your talents for the upcoming Christmas Season. We also encourage college age students who will be home at Christmas to join us especially at Midnight Mass in singing Handel’s “Halleluiah Chorus.” Rehearsals are held Thursday Evenings at 7:30pm in the choir room in the lower level of the Church. If you have any questions, please speak with Bill Grzybowski: williamgrzybowski at yahoo.
He’s Looking Forward To Your Visit!
You can spend some quiet, one-on-one time with the Lord every Friday from 12:00 – 2:45pm during the exposition of the Blessed Sacrament at St. Brigid Church.
St. Brigid Youth Choir
If you are in grades 3 - 7 and like to sing, we invite you to join in with us. St. Brigid Youth Choir will rehearse on Thursday afternoons 4:00pm-5:00pm in the choir room in the lower level of the Church. On October 30th, we had a pizza party and welcomed three new members. We need more voices, so come one and all, bring a friend or two and let us make a joyful noise unto the Lord! Please email williamgrzybowski at yahoo for more details.
Let Your Spirit Come Upon These Gifts
This is the title of Beverly Good’s presentation at this week’s WINGS (Women IN God’s Spirit) session. Ms. Good, one of our new Pastoral Associates and the Spiritual Advisor to WINGS, will share with us her excitement and perspective about the Eucharist. By using Scripture, other spiritual writings, song and prayer, she will help us explore the richness of the celebration which has been referred to as “…the source and summit of the Christian life.” Join us this Thursday, November 20, at 9:30 – 11:15am, in the hall in St. Brigid Parish Center. For transportation, contact Carol Flynn at 781-862-1637. For child care during the session, contact Janet Fraser at 781-862- 6853 or jfraser at alum dot mit dot edu. Membership in WINGS is not required to attend this or any WINGS program.
An Invitation From Our Fourth Graders!
Our parishes’ Fourth Graders cordially invite you to join them at their grade-level Mass today, November 16, at St. Brigid Church at 9:00am and at the Hospitality in Keilty Hall following the Mass.
Lexington Catholic Women’s Club
The Lexington Catholic Women’s Club will hold their Christmas Buffet on Monday, December 1st, 6:30pm at Verona’s Restaurant in Watertown Square. A check for $18.00 can be sent to Joan Wall, 8 Taft Avenue, Lexington, 02421 before November 26th. ALL ARE WELCOME!
Lexington Food Pantry At St. Brigid And Sacred Heart
The weekend of November 15th and 16th is the collection of non-perishable food items for the Lexington Food Pantry. Items may be placed in the bins at the entrances to the church. Please check for expiration dates. Cash, supermarket gift cards and checks made out to the Lexington Food Pantry are also welcome and may be placed in the offertory basket in an envelope marked Lexington Food Pantry. We thank you for your continued support. If you or anyone you know is in need of food assistance, the Lexington Food Pantry located at the Church of our Redeemer at 6 Meriam St. in Lexington Center is open on Saturday mornings from 9:30 am to 11:00 am. You will receive food on your first visit and be instructed on the procedure for further visits or you may call the answering machine at 781-861-5060 and leave a message to receive additional information.
Classes are held as follows:
Sunday at Sacred Heart: 11:15 – 12:15 – Gr. 1 – 7
Tuesday at St. Brigid: 3:45 - 4:45pm – Gr. 1 - 6
Tuesday at St. Brigid: 5:30 – 6:30pm – Gr. 7
(Grade 7 begins October 21st)
Wednesday at St. Brigid: 3:45 - 4:45pm – Gr. 1 - 6
Wednesday at St. Brigid: 5:30 – 6:30pm – Gr. 8
(Grade 8 begins October 22nd)
Megan Chenaille, Director of Youth Ministry
E-mail: Megan Chenaille
781-862-8724
Our NEXT Youth Mass is
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Sacred Heart Church , 6pm
Hope you can join us!!
This Youth Mass will be followed by a mandatory program for the Confirmation students. The topic will be about the meaning of Advent.
Roxbury Christmas Party
Sunday, December 14, 2008
12pm-2pm
(set-up will be a little earlier than noon, clean-up will be until about 2:30pm)
Youth and Adult Volunteers Needed to help bring JOY to young children from St. Brigid’s sister parish, St. Patrick’s in Roxbury. The Party is a wonderful time to share the meaning of Christmas with children who are in need. Please contact Megan Chenaille if you are interested in helping out!!
Youth Group Christmas Party and Yankee Swap
For all High School YOUTH
Date: Sunday, December 14, 2008
Time: 6:30-8:30pm
Place: St. Brigid Parish Hall
Youth, come enjoy a Spaghetti Supper, Christmas Music and Yankee Swap. If you wish to participate in the Yankee Swap, please bring a wrapped gift costing no more than $10. If you are able, we are suggesting a $5 donation at the door to off-set our cost for the dinner that evening.
Please do not hesitate to call or e-mail with any questions or concerns. 
