One of the major works of Lent is the examination of our prayer life.  I ask you: how is your prayer life?  Martin Luther used to call prayer a Christian’s vital breath.  That means that without prayer a Christian is basically dead.  So, how is your prayer life personally?

I know that you pray but today we need to focus on it for perhaps it is not what it should be.  I hear people say, “I pray all the time.”  I also hear people tell me they pray when they need something and know they should try other forms of prayer such as thanksgiving and adoration.  Some tell me they have no time for prayer or they do not know how to pray well, while still others are not really convinced that prayer does a lot of good.  I even had one woman tell me that God is too busy to hear her prayers.

God’s word to us today comes from Saint Paul and he gives us two good reasons to pray.
First of all, pray because God gave his Son for you, “If God is for us, who can be against us?  He, who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things besides?”(Romans 8:31-34)  God loves you and wants you to be open to his good gifts.  Jesus was perfectly innocent, perfectly obedient, perfectly pleasing to his Father and yet he was delivered up for you. All we have to do is look at the cross and know that there is nothing God won’t do for you.  All you have to do is go to him in prayer.

The second reason to pray is because Jesus intercedes for you. We continue with Paul’s letter to the Romans: “Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen?  It is God who justifies.  Who is he that condemns?  Christ Jesus, who died,—more that that, who was raised to life,—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.” See how God pardons us and listens to our petitions.  You and I trust Christ.  You and I love God…yet we still sin preferring our own will instead of asking God to guide us toward his will.

Consider this story by Jim Auer:  “Let us say you break into a neighbor’s house, steal a ton of cash, and then viciously assault that neighbor and the person’s children on your way out.  You’re now in prison.  This same neighbor pays the bail money to get you released and drops all personal charges!  Even so, you’re looking at several years of community service—but this neighbor has one of the children perform it for you!  How do you feel toward this person?  How is this similar to God’s handling of our sins?  How should we then feel toward God?”

So, how’s your prayer life?  Lent is a time to improve it.  You can pray with confidence that great things will happen.  God gave his Son for you!  He loves you enough to benefit you in prayer.  Jesus intercedes for you!  Finally, Christ promises you: “Whatever you ask for in prayer—believing, you shall receive.”

 

St. Brigid Church
9:00am	Tuesday March 10th	William Konopka
9:00am	Thursday March 12th	Guy Galardi
12:10pm	Friday March 13th	Lloyd D. Taylor
8:00am	Saturday March 14th	Nora Mandus and James Haroules
Sacred Heart Church
9:00am	Monday March 9th	Mary Boyle
9:00am	Wednesday March 11th	Miles J. Schlickte

 

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, 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, Olivia Moran, Matthew Langone, and Brianna Cimino.  Please also remember all of our deceased relatives and friends.

Prayer For Vocations

Gracious God, you have blessed me with many gifts and talents.  Grant me the wisdom to know how best to use them for the glory of your name.  Jesus calls, “Come follow me.”  I want to follow Him and to be faithful to my call.  Help me to see in myself what you see, and give me the courage   to follow wherever you may lead.  Bless the Church with generous hearts, eager to serve your people and to spread your Word.  Amen.

Helping Hands

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

 

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.

Save the Date

Tickets are now on sale after the weekend Masses in Keilty Hall or at the Parish Office during business hours for our annual Irish Night on Saturday, March 14th, at 6:00 PM in Keilty Hall at St. Brigid Church.  We will have Corned Beef and Cabbage from Marty’s Caterers, Irish Music and Step Dancers. Alternate menu for kids of Chicken Nuggets & Mac & Cheese.

Tickets: Adults $20; Kids under 12 $5. Tables of 8 available.  Tickets will go on sale the weekend of February 14/15 after Mass in Keilty Hall or at Parish Office. For more information contact Marie Hill at 781-862-6456 or to rcn.com, address "mimi716".

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.

2009 Catholic Appeal

This weekend, March 7-8, will be Catholic Appeal Weekend here in the Catholic Community in Lexington.  As a Catholic community, we are called during this season of Lent to respond to God’s grace in our lives.  We do so by continuing to participate as fully as we are able in the building up of His Kingdom.  This month, Cardinal Séan is asking every Catholic household to participate in the 2009 Catholic Appeal, which funds the many central ministries and services of the Archdiocese of Boston.  The Appeal is to our Archdiocese what the weekly offertory is to our parish, so your participation and support are critical.  Because of the economic downturn, support of the Catholic Appeal is more urgent this year. 

Cardinal Séan thanks all the families from the Catholic Community in Lexington who contributed to last year’s Appeal.  If we exceed our financial goal, we will receive 25% of all funds raised above goal for use in the parish.  Please know that your participation is important and that all gifts matter.

“Catholic Culture In America”
Saturday, March 14th, 7:00Pm

“Catholic Culture in America” - Lecture by Joseph Bottum, Editor, First Things, at St. John the Evangelist Parish in Wellesley, lower level, social hall of the church, 7:00pm.  There will be ample time for questions and discussion.  The lecture is sponsored by St. John the Evangelist Book Group.  More information is available by contacting John Stewart, (617) 969-0950 or Peter Mongeau at pmongeau(2).

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.

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

 

Thank You

Thank you, Joan O’Connor, for compiling this year’s Lenten reflections and thanks to all contributors.  You enrich our Lenten journey. 

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 8, 2009

8:45 – 11:00 – RCIA – St. Brigid Library
11:15 – Religious Education – Sacred Heart-PC
5:00 – Sung Evening Prayer – St. Brigid
6:00 – Youth Mass - Grade 8 Mass – Sacred Heart Church

Monday, March 9, 2009

7:15 – Confirmation Classes – St. Brigid - PC
7:30 – Sacred Heart Parish Pastoral Council Meeting

Tuesday, March 10, 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

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

5:15-6:00 – Children’s Choir - Sacred Heart Church

Thursday, March 12, 2009

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

Friday, March 13, 2009

6:30am – Road to Resurrection – St. Brigid – Library
9:00 – Staff Day of Retreat
7:30pm – Stations of the Cross – St. Brigid-Church

Saturday, March 14, 2009

YOUTH FUNDRAISER AT ALL MASSES
10:30am-12:30pm – Marriage Prep. Mtg.-St. Brigid-KH
6:00pm – Irish Nite – St. Brigid - KH
6:00 Movie & Soup nite - Sacred Heart PC
7:30pm – Stations of the Cross – St. Brigid - Church

Happy Birthday Father Smith!

On Wednesday, March 4th Father Smith celebrated his ??? birthday! 
We wish him a Happy Birthday and many more!

WINGS: God Behind Bars

Father Thomas Stanton, Chaplain at MCI-Cedar Junction at Walpole, will give us examples of how we can find God in the seemingly most unlikely of places.  Join us for Father Stanton’s presentation, God Beyond Bars, at this week’s session of WINGS (Women IN God’s Spirit) on Thursday, March 12th, 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.

Gracious God and Father, we enter into your presence realizing you know us better than we know ourselves.  You know the cares and sufferings we carry in our hearts.

You call us to holiness and we trust you to lead us together on our journey to be a renewed Church, for with you all things are possible.

Create us anew in Jesus Christ your Son.  Liberate us from all that keeps us from you.  Heal us from every form of sin and violence.

Transform us to live your Word more profoundly.  Awaken us to the sacred; rebuild trust among us.  Enliven our parishes; reunite our families.

May your Holy Spirit empower us to love as a community of love, freed to share in your work of recreating our world and restoring justice.

We believe you are doing something new, calling us to arise together in Christ to celebrate the fullness of life.

Amen.

St. Brigid
Offertory for Feb 28th & Mar 1st	$  10,299.00
Envelope Offerings	$    9,268.00
Loose Cash	$    1,031.00
Grand Annual Collection to date	$122,965.00

Out of the 548 envelopes we sent to St. Brigid parishioners, 285 have used their envelopes.

Sacred Heart
Offertory for Feb 28th & Mar 1st	$  4,656.00
Envelope Offerings	$  3,447.00
Loose Cash	$     655.00
St. Katharine Drexel	$     389.00
Grand Annual Collection to date	$72,452.00

Of the 265 envelopes we sent to Sacred Heart parishioners, 102 parishioners have used their envelopes this week.

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

—Fr. Colletti

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.

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.

Life Snipits

The easiest way to bring up a child in the way he should go
is for you to be traveling that same route.

Children's Living Stations

For many years, children in the third grade have dramatized the Stations of the Cross in a prayer service at Sacred Heart on the afternoon of Good Friday.  If you have a third grader who is interested in taking part in the dramatization this year, please contact Mary Ellen DeNatale at 781-641-4871 or by email to 28coolidge.com, address "Maryellen", or contact the Religious Education office, 781-862-8724.  Participation is open to children from both Sacred Heart and St. Brigid parishes.  Rehearsals will take place at Sacred Heart after the 10am mass on four consecutive Sundays beginning March 15th. This year, Good Friday falls on April 10th.

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.

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

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.

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.

Holy Humor

A little girl, dressed in her Sunday best, was running as fast as she could, trying not to be late for Bible class.  As she ran, she prayed, ‘Dear Lord, please don’t let me be late!  Dear Lord, please don’t let me be late!’

While she was running and praying, she tripped on a curb and fell, getting her clothes dirty and tearing her dress.  She got up, brushed herself off, and started running again!  As she ran she once again began to pray, ‘Dear Lord, please don’t let me be late…But please don’t shove me either!’

Lexington Food Pantry Collection
St. Brigid And Sacred Heart

The weekend of March 14th and 15th is the collection of non-perishable food.  Items may be left in the food bins at the entrances at St. Brigid or on the altar at Sacred Heart. Please check the expiration dates.  These items are always needed: hot and cold low sugar cereals, canned low salt vegetables, canned fruit in light syrup or fruit juice, low sodium chicken broth, rice, and peanut butter.  The food pantry also accepts non-perishable food items such as hygiene items( toothpaste, toothbrushes, bar soap, deodorant, shampoo, 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. We thank you for your  past generosity and support of this endeavor.

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.

An Invitation From Our Eighth Graders!

Our parishes’ Eigth Graders cordially invite you to join them at their grade-level Mass next Sunday, March 8, at the 6:00pm Youthful Mass at Sacred Heart Church.

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

OUR Next YOUTH MASS is
Sunday, March 8, 2009
6pm at Sacred Heart Church
Please join us!!
All High School Students (9th, 10th, 11th and 12th grades) are invited to enjoy a meal with us in the Parish Hall after the Mass from Anna’s Taqueria!!

Food Fast
Mark your calendars:
March 27-28
More information coming soon

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. 

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.  Pickup Indoor Soccer every Monday and Wednesday Night.  Check out the cool group website http://lexcatholicyoungadultgroup.googlepages.com AND The social networking site of the Catholic Church http://www.xt3.com AND the group Facebook group http://ithaca.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2477480215