“For Jews demand signs and Greeks desire wisdom, but we proclaim Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.  For God’s foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God’s weakness is stronger than human strength” 1 Cor. 1:22-25.

Education is vital for it teaches us how to think, how to behave and how to solve problems.  Things are changing so rapidly we teach principles for solving problems and the logic of making wise and informed decisions.  The problem we run into is that faith and the Gospel are not logical, and are not understood in the standard way.  It is not logical that God should send his son to die for sinners.  It is not logical for God to love those who rebel against him.  It is not logical that God should give freely the gift of forgiveness and salvation.  The value of Christian education is not just knowing the way to solve problems, it is knowing the love of God in Jesus Christ as we have heard it from the Word of God, and seen it in the examples of those who openly and daily live by faith and trust in the Lord.

Even after so many years we still have people demanding signs and searching the signs that they may know.  We still have people seeking wisdom for they detect something missing in their lives.  And the gospel is still foolishness and a stumbling block to all those who are trusting in themselves.

You might have seen the American Religious Identification Survey reported in the Globe on Monday.  The headline read “Number of N.E. Catholics tumbles.”  The Catholics numbered 54 % of the population in Massachusetts in 1990 and declined to 39% in 2008. “The Catholic population of the United States has shifted away from the Northeast and towards the Southwest (because of the Latino population).”  “The number of Christians in America, which declined in the 1990’s from 86.2% to 76.6%, has now edged down to 76%.  Ninety percent of the decline comes from the non-Catholic segment of the Christian population, largely from the mainline denominations.”

“The percentage of Americans claiming no religion, which jumped from 8.2% in 1990 to 14.2% in 2001, has now increased to 15%”.  “Vermont is the least religious state with 34% of the people claiming no religion.”  “Some twenty-seven percent of Americans do not expect a religious funeral at their death.”

The number of Catholics who leave the Church simply stop going to any church.  One in ten people in the country are ex-Catholics.  I am sure that every family in our parishes knows someone who has stopped going to church.  They may find religion illogical or of no relationship to real life or have a problem with church people.  Most, I think, simply drift away because they have no “connect” with the parish or fellow parishioners.

Thank you for worshiping with us and sharing faith with us.  Now your Lenten task may be to invite one of those ex-Catholics back to worship with us.

 

St. Brigid Church
9:00am	Tuesday March 17th	Joan L. Carney
9:00am	Thursday March 19th	Thomas J. Sullivan
12:10pm	Friday March 20th	Beatrice Cassie
8:00am	Saturday March 21st	Joseph Rapone & Frances Rapone
Sacred Heart Church
9:00am	Monday March 16th	Marie Goodridge
9:00am	Wednesday March 18th	Bella Borges
9:00am	Friday March 20th	Grace Soulard

 

St. Brigid
Offertory for March 7th & 8th	$    7,994.00
Envelope Offerings	$    6,919.00
Loose Cash	$    1,075.00
Grand Annual Collection to date	$122,990.00

Out of the 548 envelopes we sent to St. Brigid parishioners, 250 have used their envelopes.

Sacred Heart
Offertory for March 7th & 8th	$  4,223.00
Envelope Offerings	$  4,549.00
Loose Cash	$     422.00
St. Katharine Drexel	$     170.00
Grand Annual Collection to date	$72,602.00

Of the 265 envelopes we sent to Sacred Heart parishioners, 110 parishioners have used their envelopes this week.

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

—Fr. Colletti

Please pray for all who are in need of our prayers that God’s healing and comforting presence may be with them, especially Father Smith, Catherine Morley, Elaine Murphy, Deacon Bill Wildes, Nancy Grossimon, Bill Kenney, Margaret Wright, Joseph O’Brien, John Harper, Donald Marhefka, Tina Durks, Pat White, Betty Garrity, Marylou Merry, Josephine Siders, Kathleen Brown, Olivia Moran, Matthew Langone, and Brianna Cimino.  Please also remember all of our deceased relatives and friends.

Mary’s Way of the Cross

Please join us on Friday, March 20, 2009 at 7:30 p.m., as Saint Brigid Sodality presents Mary’s Way of the Cross.  In these Stations of the Cross, we see through Mary’s eyes what Jesus was going through on the way to Calvary.  It is a wonderful and spiritually moving experience not to be missed.

The Seven Last Words of Christ

On Palm Sunday, April 5, at 2:00pm the choirs of St. Brigid Parish and Sacred Heart Parish will along with other parishes in the area present  at St. Brigid Church The Seven Last Words of Christ by Theodore Dubois.  This is a large musical work in need of a large choir.  Please consider sharing your voice, rehearsals have already begun on this work.
If you are interested and/or would like more information, please contact Bill Grzybowski(St. Brigid Music Director) 781-862-0335 or Joanne Messier McCandless (Sacred Heart Music Director)781-862-4646.  By presenting this work, we are hoping to start somewhat of a musical tradition in our Catholic Community.

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, 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.

Mass + Adoration = A Perfect Lenten Combination

This Friday and every Friday during Lent, attend Mass at 12:10pm at St. Brigid Church and then stay for some quiet time with the Lord during the Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. Adoration closes at 2:45pm following Benediction.

Helping Hands

Helping Hands the month of March will be
Jeanne Hobbs, 781-862-2892.

 

Joint Parish Pastoral Council Meeting

THE JOINT PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL MEETING WILL BE HELD AT 7:00pm ON SUNDAY MARCH 15TH.

2009 Catholic Appeal

Cardinal Seán sends his thanks to everyone from the Catholic Community in Lexington who responded to his request for participation in the 2009 Catholic Appeal during Catholic Appeal Weekend.  If you have not yet made your gift, please consider making a pledge this weekend.  You can pick up information packets with pledge forms in the back of the church.  For more information, please visit www.BostonCatholicAppeal.com or call 617-779-3700.  Thank you!

Resurrection Cantata

SAVE THE DATE!  RESURRECTON CANTATA, HERE IN LEXINGTON!  On Friday, March 27th, at 8 pm at St. Brigid Church

Come and see St. Patrick’s Family Players of Watertown perform this musical drama.  “Resurrection” is the inspirational story of Simon Peter and the forgiveness of Jesus Christ.  The performance leads us on an unforgettable spiritual journey with St. Peter as he faces his martyrdom.  Peter recalls his experiences with Christ as well as those he shared with Mary Magdalene and the disciples as they followed Jesus.  In moving song, Peter shows the anguish for his denial of Christ and the joy that comes with the Resurrection and His forgiveness.

“Come to the Waters” Retreat

Do you know someone who is carrying grief and sorrow over past abortions?  Project Rachel is the post-abortion ministry of the Catholic Church to help those dealing with the pain of abortion.  Project Rachel will offer a "Come to the Waters" post abortion healing retreat on Saturday, March 21.  For more information and registration, contact Project Rachel at 508.651.3100 or help at projectrachelboston. com All calls are confidential.

Liturgy Schedule for Lent 2009

Holy Week

Thursday April 9th 7:30pm - St. Brigid and Sacred Heart
Friday, April 10th - 3:00pm - St Brigid
Friday, April 10th - 7:30pm - Sacred Heart
Saturday April, 11th 8:00 pm - St. Brigid and Sacred Heart

Easter Sunday, April 12th

Mass 7:00am - Sacred Heart
Mass 9:00am - St. Brigid
Mass 10:00am - Sacred Heart
Mass 11:00am - St. Brigid

Lenten Reconciliation Service

Sunday, March 22nd 7:00pm - Sacred Heart

Youth Fundraiser

   

It is our privilege to offer you an opportunity to purchase beautiful imported hand-made Italian, Czech, and Mexican rosaries, and also Catholic medals, crucifixes and other Christian jewelry. 

There are beautiful, time-tested and traditional articles, as well as contemporary pieces that are very popular all across the country.  A complete assortment of First Communion, Confirmation and RCIA gift items are included.

We are presenting you with a wide variety of these religious items at reasonable prices.  Even as you are blessed by the beauty of these sacramentals, our teens will be blessed by your generosity.

Please come by our display after Masses the weekends of March 14/15 and March 21/22 and see what we have. Whether you need a new rosary for yourself or as a gift, or want a sterling silver or stainless steel crucifix, saint medal, ring, bracelet, or other shiny reminder of your faith, our wider-than-ever variety should meet your needs. 

Your purchase of these high-quality items supports our parish youth activities and programs. We need to raise a large amount of money and need your help! 

Please look for our sales after the Masses the weekends of March 14/15 and March 21/22.
Thank you for your support!

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.

Sunday, March 15, 2009

8:45 – 11:00 – RCIA – St. Brigid Library
11:15 – Religious Education – Sacred Heart-PC
11:00 – Adult Faith Formation – Celia Sirois – SH-PC
5:00 – Sung Evening Prayer – St. Brigid
6:00 – Boy Scout Training – St. Brigid Classrooms
7:00 – JOINT PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL - SHPC

Monday, March 16, 2009

7:15 – Confirmation Classes – St. Brigid - PC
7:30 – Rehearsal for Seven Last Words – St. Brigid Church

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

3:45 - Religious Education – Grades 1-6 - St. Brigid PC
5:30 - Religious Education Grade 7 - St. Brigid PC
7:15 – Confirmation Class – SH Church and PC
7:30 – Joint Parish Finance Commission Mtg. – St. Brigid

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

9:00 – Lexington Field & Garden Club – PC – St. Brigid
3:45 - Religious Education – Grades 1-6 - St. Brigid PC
5:30 - Religious Education Grade 7 - St. Brigid PC
5:15-6:00 – Children’s Choir - Sacred Heart Church
7:00 – Youth Mass Planning Mtg.- Sacred Heart PC
7:00 – Choir – Sacred Heart Church

Thursday, March 19, 2009

9:00 – WINGS – St. Brigid - PC
7:00 - Young Adult Meeting – St. Brigid – Library
7:30 – Choir St. Brigid Church

Friday, March 20, 2009

6:30am – Road to Resurrection – St. Brigid – Library
9:00 – Staff Day Formation – Campion Center
6:30 – Father/Daughter Dance – St. Brigid PC
7:30pm – Mary’s Way of the Cross – St. Brigid-Church

Saturday, March 21, 2009

YOUTH FUNDRAISER AT ALL MASSES
6:00 Movie & Soup nite - Sacred Heart PC

WINGS: Is God in Your Daily Life?

Father Michael Medas, Director of Pastoral Formation at Saint John’s Seminary, will help us recognize and appreciate God as truly active and involved in the events of our daily lives.  Join us for Father Medas’ presentation, Finding God in the Ordinary, at this week’s session of WINGS (Women IN God’s Spirit) on Thursday, March 19th, at 9:30 – 11:15am, in the hall at St. Brigid Parish Center.  For transportation, contact Mary Harvell at 781-862-0794. 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.

Refurbishment of Sacred Heart Church

The Refurbishment Committee of Sacred Heart Parish has set a couple of dates that they will be asking parishioners to come for a “show & tell” regarding the refurbishment of the church.  The committee has worked long and hard to anticipate all the needed changes for the church and have, along with the architect, produced a plan for the interior work to be done within the coming months. 

The committee is looking for support and feedback from Sacred Heart Parishioners on the proposed refurbishment.  To that end we have set times for parishioners to come to hear a short presentation of the refurbishment and an explanation of the detailed cost of this project.  Please come and support this group that has put together these presentations.

The Refurbishment Committee will make their presentation after the 4:00pm Mass on March 28th and after the 7:00am Mass on March 29th.  They will make their presentation again after the 10:00am Mass on April 5th.

Movie and Soup

Beginning Saturday, February 28th, and each of the next Saturdays through April 4, the Lenten Soup and Movies Series will be held at the Sacred Heart Parish Hall. Soup will be served at 6 PM, the movie will start at about 6:30, following which their will be a discussion of religious and moral themes found in the movie. The discussion will be led by the evening's soup host and/or hostess. The titles for each evening are listed on bulletin boards at Sacred Heart and St. Brigid. They are also listed in the Lenten Events section of the bulletin.

Sunday Lenten Series

Adult Education Series
Following the 10 AM Liturgy in the Parish Hall at Sacred Heart
March 15 and 22, 2009
we will present
Celia Sirois

Paul and Mark

To commemorate the 2000th anniversary of Paul’s birth, Pope Benedict XVI has declared June 2008-June 2009 as a Jubilee Year to recognize the significant contribution of Paul to the early spread of Christianity.  In light of this “Year of Paul”, we welcome back Celia Sirois, who will discuss the writings of Paul and Mark who share a theology of the cross; as the author Michael Gorman calls it a “cruciformity”.  This is a two part series.

March 29, 2009
we will present
Robert Phelps

God and the Editor

Bob is the widower of long time Sacred Heart member, Betty Phelps.  Bob has just published his newest book, which interweaves his personal and professional experiences with some of the most powerful stories of the era as editor of the New York Times Washington Bureau from 1965-1974. In our current time of moral decay in the workplace, Bob will share insights into the world of the New York Times in the days of Watergate and other major world events and the need to balance moral ideals with personal ambition.

Easter Ham Donations For Inner City Parishes Requested

As part of our Easter celebration we are again asking parishioners to help provide Easter hams for families at our sister parishes, St. Katharine Drexel (home of the former Roxbury Food Pantry) and St. Patrick’s in Roxbury.  Hams will also be needed for shut-ins from the former St. John/St. Hugh parish community and for the Family Aids Ministry.  Last year we delivered 142 hams to our sister parish neighbors in Dorchester & Roxbury for Easter.  A generous parishioner has offered to provide fresh hams for below wholesale cost of $10 per ham.  Please support this special collection by providing a check to Sacred Heart or St. Brigid, memo “Easter Hams" in the regular collection baskets or send to the parish office.  All donations will be used to purchase these hams for delivery during Holy Week.  Stop & Shop gift cards are also much appreciated.  We hope you will help support this special celebration through our food pantry ministry.  Thank you for your generosity.  The Christian Service Commission.

Climate Justice: Can It Limit Global Warming?

Join us on Wednesday, March 25th, at 7:30pm, Sacred Heart Parish Center, 758 Mass. Ave.  What are the latest scientific findings on climate change?  Why is the time to take action now?  Why is justice not only an important motivation but actually the key to addressing the climate crisis?  What other global issue is on the path for headlong collision with climate action?  Find out not only what you can do to help, but also what others are already doing to deal with climate change.  Learn how their solutions are synergistically addressing other important societal issues.  Presenter: Jonathan Kenny, Professor of chemistry at Tufts and Sacred Heart parishioner.  This event is sponsored by the Faith and Environment Group.

LexMedia Opportunity

St. Brigid and Sacred Heart Parish Pastoral Council Communications Committee is seeking volunteers who would like to help produce a televised Mass from either church for LexMedia.  Those interested should contact Jack Cunha, jackcin1(2) or Jim Baker, jbaker1868(4) or contact Florence Delsanto, Director at LexMedia, 781-862-5388 which would host a free class for TV production volunteers.  The LexMedia is located in the complex, Avalon at Lexington Hills on 1000 Main Campus Drive. 
This would also be a great opportunity for high school students interested in TV to get a chance to work behind the scenes!

Life Snipits

If God had a refrigerator,
Your picture would be on it!

What’s Happening During Lent

Fridays at St. Brigid:

6:30AM Road to Resurrection
(Reflection time for Youth and Young Adults — an opportunity to meet before
School and Work; Continental Breakfast Supplied)
12:10PM Mass and Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament until 2:45PM
7:30 PM Stations of the Cross every Friday
Except March 27th “The Resurrection Cantata” will be presented
5:00PM Sundays Sung Evening Prayer St. Brigid

Saturdays at Sacred Heart
Movie and Soup @ 6:00PM
 February 28th--Shawshank Redemption 
March 7th--Bonhoeffer  
March 14th-- The Kite Runner
March 21st -- Whale Rider
 March 28th--March of the Penguins
April 4th--Walk the Line

After the 10:0 AM Mass on Sundays there will also be a
Series of Speakers throughout Lent @ Sacred Heart

Youth Food Fast March 27th—28th at St. Brigid
(students will be going door to door Saturday collecting food)
“The Resurrection Cantata” Friday, March 27th at 8:00PM St. Brigid
Palm Braiding Monday, March 30th at 6:00PM St. Brigid
“Passio” Tuesday, March 31st at 8:00PM Sacred Heart
“Seven Last Words” Sunday, April 5th at 2:00PM St. Brigid
Children’s Stations of the Cross Good Friday, 2:00 PM at Sacred Heart

Holy Humor

Attending a wedding for the first time, a little girl whispered to her mother, “Why is the bride dressed in white?”

The mother replied, “Because white is the color of happiness, and today is the happiest day of her life.”

The child thought about this for a moment then said, “So why is the groom wearing black?”

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

Road to Resurrection
Lent continues…
Are you looking for something to help with your prayer life during Lent?  Are you seeking a deeper relationship with Christ and others?

Then consider joining us on Friday mornings before school (6:30-7:30am) in the St. Brigid Library for breakfast, scripture reading, and sharing.  Breakfast and books are provided!!  We hope you will join us on our journey on the Road to the Resurrection.

Our Friday sessions continue this Friday, March 13, 2009.  Just bring yourself and a friend!!

Food Fast
Mark your calendars:
March 27-28
Please look for information coming to you via e-mail or contact Megan Chenaille by e-mail or phone. 

Catholic Heart Workcamp
June 28-July 3
Providence, RI
For High School students entering 9th thru 12th grades
Meet other Catholics your age from around the country, help others, and grow in your faith. 
A $75 deposit is required to hold your spot.  Please sign up soon!  Spaces are limited.

 

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

Children's Living Stations

Rehearsals begin this Sunday, March 15, at 11am at Sacred Heart, for the Children’s Living Stations of the Cross. Participation is open to third graders (fourth graders also welcome) of both Sacred Heart and St Brigid. Rehearsals will continue each Sunday through April 5.

The dramatization is presented at a prayer service suitable for all ages at Sacred Heart on Good Friday (April 10th) at 2pm. For more information, please contact Mary Ellen De Natale at 781 641-4871 or at maryellen at 28coolidge. com, or contact the Religious Education office.

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
Wednesday at St. Brigid 3:45 - 4:45pm – Gr. 1 – 6
Wednesday at St. Brigid 5:30 – 6:30 – Gr. 8

Save the Date!

Mark your calendars for the St. Brigid and Sacred Heart Father/Daughter Dance to be held on Friday, March 20th from 6:30 – 8:30pm in the Parish Center Hall at St. Brigid.

The dance is open to all girls K – 4th grade and their father or other adult escort!  For further information, please call the Religious Education Office at 781-862-8724.

Hey Everyone! We Have A Lot Of Cool Stuff Going On! Come Join Us!

We meet every Thursday night at 7pm at St Brigid for the study of the Sunday readings, and then out for food and drinks afterwards in Lexington Center.  Theology on Tap every 3rd Thursday of the month is at Bickford’s Bar and Grill in Woburn. The next one is on March 19th.  Come and join us!!

Soccer: Pickup Soccer games every week. They are fun. It is done on Monday and Wednesday nights through the Lexington Recreation Dept. Come a little or a lot. More info here.  Feel free to bring friends too!  Let us know if you have any questions or need more info. Come play!

Quote/Fact/Thought/Etc of the Week:
“A good name is more desirable than great riches, and high esteem, than gold and silver.”- Proverbs 22:1