In today’s Gospel (John 17:20-26) we come to Jesus’ departure priestly prayer.  “And now Father I am coming to you.  I have told them many things while I was with them so that they would be filled with my joy…As you sent me into the world, I am sending them into the world, and I consecrate myself to meet their need for growth in truth and holiness.  I am not praying for these alone but also for the future believers who will come to me because of the testimony of these.  My prayer for all of them is that they will be of one heart and mind, just as you and I are, Father.”

Out of his boundless love for his faithful followers, Jesus prepares them for his departure.  In this prayer for them—and all who believe in him as the Christ—is that they may be united as one, even as he and the Father are one.  Just as the Father and Son share one life so also must all of his followers be one in the new life offered by the Father through his risen Son.  Just as Jesus gave himself because of the Father’s love, so must we give ourselves in love for one another.  He prays that we too may feed those who are hungry, heal the sick, comfort the broken hearted, and especially forgive one another.  It is only when we give of ourselves that the church can remain united as one.

Jesus knows that when he leaves we can stray like sheep without a shepherd.  There are many tempters in the world and they come to us as wolves dressed in sheep’s clothing to disperse and devour careless sheep.  “I have given them your commands.  And the world hates them because they don’t fit in with it, just as I don’t.  I am not asking that you take them out of the world but to keep them safe from Satan’s power.”

Many people have left the church physically or emotionally. They have been tempted away from God and joined the way of the world.  As people move away from God, disunity increases in the wider community.  Today, people are passionately doing so many different things following their own pursuits.  Many people are so passionate about self that they have developed their own thoughts about life and death, truth and justice as if they have control of destiny.  They live as if they are a god.  Each one lives out what they believe in, keeping their own truth, their own way and their own life. There is no unity of spirit among Christians.

Jesus prays for the church that we may all be one, not only for our own well being, but also to witness to the world.  If we are sharing in the very life of God, through Christ, all people should be able to see a clear difference between how Christians and others live in the world. .

 

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, Jen Bombaca, Marianne Slack, Elaine Murphy, Ed Buri, Bob Kozlowski, Francis Cote, Deacon Bill Wildes, William McCarthy, Marie Dempsey, Pat White, Mary Whelan, Prudy Bulger, Eleanor Mann, Phyllis Lange, Amy Galehouse Goolkosian, Jane Beauchemin, Mary Ellen Connor, Marybeth Morgan, Billy Wedgwood, Gerald McCue, Kathleen Brown, Brendan Murphy, Kevin Johnson, Theresa Flynn, Ann LaMantia, Christine Griffin, Josephine Siders, Douglas DiVito, Frank Hassett, Mary McGuinnes, Joseph Fremont-Smith, Marjorie Kearns, Shannon Capriulo, Cathy Larson, Joanna Walsh, Victoria Killgore, Virginia Tavilla, Christine Screeton, Olivia Moran and Brianna Cimino.  Please also remember in your prayers all of our deceased family members and parishioners, especially Luella Theriault, Mother of Todd Theriault.

Helping Hands

Helping Hands for May is Jeanne Hobbs,

781-862-2892

Bulletin Bloopers

The sermon this morning: “Jesus Walks on the Water.”
The sermon tonight: “Searching for Jesus.”

In Service For Their Country

Lt. John Schiavi, Sgt. Christopher Considine, Timothy Dunbar, Richard Rigley, Chris Cullen, Caitlin R. Battell, Robert McLaughlin, Sean Maddigan, Michelle Leverone, Marissa Leverone, Rev. Paul Passamonti, 1st Lt. Todd Donaldson, Airman Jason Cunha, Pfc. Erik Muskavitch, 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.

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, 7:30 - 9:00 pm at Sacred Heart Parish Center.  The next two meetings are May 19th and June 2nd.   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@comcast.net

 

Have You Checked Out Online giving?

Join the 25 Sacred Heart and St. Brigid households who have already registered for on-line giving!  Visit our web site, www.lexingtoncatholic.org, and click “Sacred Heart Parish” or “St. Brigid Parish” to learn about this new way to contribute to your parish.  Giving on line via a charge to your bank account or credit card is now an easy and safe alternative to check and cash donations. Check it out!

“AGING across Judaism, Christianity and Buddhism”

presented by Youville Place Assisted Living
We invite you to join us for a unique series in May, which explores aging across three important religious experiences. Deepen your spiritual understanding, and consider the traditions associated with aging from the perspective of these three different religious and spiritual practices.  The programs will be held on the following Mondays, May 10th, 17th & 24th at 7:00pm, Youville Place Assisted Living, 10 Pelham Rd., Lexington.  Please RSVP to Lisa Yarin info@youvilleplace.org or call 781-861-3535. 
Each session will begin with an overview of aging as presented in the religious tradition or spiritual practice highlighted. There will be time for discussion. Come to learn how aging is viewed in a spiritual context across these religious traditions, and grow as you open yourself to concepts and beliefs that have been revered through the ages. 

Monday, May 17 – “Christianity” presented by Bob Weber, Ph.D.

Monday, May 24 – “Buddhism” presented by Christine Aquilino, M.S.W

Faith & Environment

 

Vacation Bible School

June 28nd – July 1st   9:00AM – 1:00 PM

We will be traveling to Egypt with Joseph. 
Visiting the Market Place and Pharaoh’s Palace.

We will be feeding the students a snack, they will not be fed lunch.
Please register early so we can make the appropriate arrangements.
Children Ages 4 – 12

Children 12 – 16 may register as Tour Guides (assistants)
Tour Guides will need to attend a training session TBA
Applications are in the Religious Education Office
$75.00 per child.  Registrations are due May 25.

He's Looking Forward To Your Visit

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

ARCHDIOCESE OF BOSTON 25TH AND 50TH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY MASS

Seán Cardinal O’Malley, O.F.M. Cap. invites all couples of the Archdiocese of Boston celebrating their 25th or 50th wedding anniversary in 2010 to the Wedding Anniversary Mass at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross, Sunday, June 13th at 11:30am.  Mass will include a renewal of vows.  Family members and friends as well as the general public are welcome to attend.  Please register with the parish office as soon as possible before May 28, 2010.  A formal invitation and more information will be sent from the Archdiocese to anniversary couples.  Congratulations on your anniversary!

LEXINGTON BIKE DONATION DAY DISCOVERY DAY --- SATURDAY, MAY 29

Have you been wondering about what to do with those old bikes that no one in your family uses anymore?  Instead of giving them away or putting them in the trash, donate them on Discovery Day, Saturday, May 29, between 10am and 3pm.

Your old bicycles will be accepted at the parking lot behind 14 Muzzey Street.  The Friends of Lexington Bikeways will be collecting bikes on behalf of Bikes Not Bombs, an organization that sends bikes and bike parts all over the world  (http://bikesnotbombs.org).  Bikes in any condition are welcome, except those that are badly rusted.

A donation of $10 per bike would help get bikes into use again.  (It costs BNB an average of $35 a bike to do this.)  We will, of course, accept bikes without this donation.  A receipt for tax purposes will be provided.

Please e-mail Peggy Enders at  peggyenders@gmail.com if you have any questions.

Educational Humor

Horace Taft, head of the Taft School in Watertown, Connecticut, some time back in the 20’s expelled a boy from the school for repeatedly breaking the rules and engaging in bad behavior.  The boy’s father was outraged and wrote to Taft: “You seem to think you can run this school any way you darn please.”

Taft replied: “Your manners are vulgar and your language is coarse, but you seem to have grasped the main idea.”

Lexington Interfaith Garden

There will be a BLESSING OF THE LEXINGTON INTERFAITH GARDEN on May 23rd, from 2:30 to 3:30 at 5 Harrington Rd.   Parking will be at First Parish Church.  Rain or Shine! The Lexington Interfaith Garden builds meaningful relationships as volunteers from different faith traditions work together to grow organic produce for our hungry neighbors. Want to help in the garden?  Catholic Community in Lexington contact:  Diane Rondeau, dmrondeau@yahoo.com

Community News

Sunday, May 16th 

9:00 – SB – FIRST COMMUNION MASS
10:00 – SH – BAPTISMS
11:00 – SB – FIRST COMMUNION MASS
6:00 – SACRED HEART PPC MEETING – SH – PC
7:00 – JOINT PARISH COUNCIL MEETING –SH

Monday, May 17TH

5:30 – SB – MINUTE MEN MTG.  – RM. 21PC
7:00 – PARISH FINANCE COUNCIL – SB – L

Tuesday, May 18th

7:00 –10:00PM  - DRUMMER BOY CONDO MTG.-SB-PC
7:00 – 9:00PM – ORIENTATION - SH

Wednesday, May 19th

6:30 – 9:00 – M.A.C.I. MTG. –ROOM 16
8:00 - 9:00 - SB – COMMUNICATION COMM.-RM 10
7l00-9:00 – LEX FUN – SB - L
7:30 – R.C.I.A. MTG. – SB – PC                                                                                                                                       

Thursday, May 20th   

6:00 – MINUTE MEN – SH PC
7:00-9:30  BOY SCOUTS –SB – PC
6:00 – WEDDING REHEARSAL – SH-CHURCH

Friday, May 21ST

12:00 – STAFF MEETING – SB - L
6:00 – SB – WEDDING REHEARSAL

Saturday, MAY 22ND

2:30     SMITH/WALLACE  WEDDING – SH - CHURCH
5:30 – GIFFEN/MAC PHEE WEDDING – SH CHURCH

Sunday, MAY 23RD

11:00 – HONDURAS TALK – SH – PC
1:00 – BAPTISMS –SB - CHURCH
6:00 – YOUTH MASS – SCHOLARSHIP – SH

Sodality Banquet

St. Brigid Sodality Annual Banquet Luncheon will be held on Wednesday, June 2nd, at Danversport Yacht Club in Danversport, MA.  The meal is a choice of Boneless Breast of Chicken or Baked Boston Scrod. Entertainment will be provided by Gail Gallagher, well known Boston area song stylist, singing songs by Berlin & Gershwin. A bus will leave the Saint Brigid parking lot at 11:00am for all attendees, and return around 3 pm. Tickets are $25 which includes transportation. For tickets please call Marie Hill at 781-862-6456.  Deadline to purchase tickets is May 28th.

Sodality Meeting

St. Brigid Sodality will meet on Wednesday, May 19th, beginning with the Rosary in the Parish Center Hall at St. Brigid at 10:00am followed by Mass celebrated by Father Colletti.  Following Mass we will have refreshments and a Marian sing along with Mark Callahan. All are invited to attend.

Father Clifton Talk About Priesthood

Fr. Clifton Thuma has been in residence and helping out at the parishes for five months now.  He will be taking a new assignment in July.  He would like to offer some observations about priesthood and his experience since his ordination in 1996. 

He has titled his reflection, Towards the Third Collar.  He will be speaking at St. Brigid’s on Wednesday, June 2nd, 7:00 PM and after the hospitality coffee at Sacred Heart on Sunday, June 6th.  He will welcome questions after his thirty minute talk.  All are welcome.

WOMEN’S BOOK CLUB meets this Thursday, May 20th, from 7 to 9 p.m. in classroom 8, downstairs in the Parish Center at Sacred Heart.  This week, the group is discussing Mitch Albom’s book Have a Little Faith.  The book describes Albom’s relationships with an 82-year old rabbi and a Detroit pastor.  For more info, contact Maria
 Griffin at avempg@aol.com or Beverly.Good@lexingtoncatholic.org. 

Sacred Heart Parish

Offertory for May 8/9                                     $ 5948.00
Envelope Offerings                                        $ 4734.00
Loose Cash                                                     $ 1214.00
St. Katharine Drexel                                      $  192.00
On-Line Giving Offertory to date                  $  200.00

Of the 265 envelopes we sent to Sacred Heart parishioners, 89 parishioners have used their envelopes this week.  Thank you to all who so generously contribute to our parishes each week! 
Fr. Colletti

2010 Catholic Appeal- Called To Love and Share

Thank you to all supporters of the 2010 Catholic Appeal.  Our parish has raised $27,379 from 77 households, reaching 64.4% percent of our parish goal of $42,500.  If you have not yet pledged, please consider a gift today and help us meet our goal.  Remember, our parish will receive 25 percent of all funds we raise above our goal.  Please remember to make your pledge now even if you plan on fulfilling that pledge later in the year.  You can pick up information packets with pledge forms in the back of the Church to be mailed in, or for more information please visit www.BostonCatholicAppeal.com or call 617-779-3700.  Every gift matters.  Thank you!

St. Brigid Church
9:00am	Tuesday May 18th	Claire Marie and John McKenna
9:00am	Thursday May 20th	Gertrud Flynn
9:00am	Saturday May 22nd	Yolanda Fahey, Kathleen Hintlian
Sacred Heart Church
9:00am	Wednesday May 19th	Wayne Vaccaro
9:00am	Friday May 21st	Mary Dawson and David DeThomasis

 

St. Brigid Renovation Project update

The project to add an elevator to the church building and accessible restrooms in the hall; to expand and improve handicapped seating in the church and handicapped parking; and to remodel the kitchen and Keilty Hall began last week.

The first step in this multi-month project is the removal of the floor tiles and pipe insulation in Keilty Hall and the kitchen and the abatement of all asbestos in the tile adhesive and insulation.  (New tiles and insulation will be installed towards the end of the project.)  This work is now underway.  With Keilty Hall and the kitchen sealed off and inaccessible, the only access to the restrooms and the Music Room is via the stairway on the east side of the building.  The church is still accessible through the front doors and both side doors.

Throughout this entire project, the Reconciliation Room will be relocated to the small room to the left of the front entrance of the church.
 
Updates on this project, including building accessibility and safety issues during construction, will be provided weekly in this section of the bulletin. 

Sacred Heart Pentacost Sunday Celebration

To celebrate the Feast of Pentecost, a special hospitality will be offered after the 10 o'clock Mass next Sunday, May 23.  Parishioners are encouraged to add to the feast by bringing ethnic treats to share with other parishioners and our guests. 

Lexington Food Pantry Sacred Heart and St. Brigid

This weekend, May 15th and 16th, is the collection of non-perishable food for the Lexington Food Pantry.  Items may be left in the food bins at St. Brigid and at the altar at Sacred Heart.  Please check the expiration dates.  Think low-sugar and low sodium for cereals, and cans of fruit and vegetables.  Peanut butter, meals in a can, chunk white tuna, spaghetti and angel hair pasta are items that can be used.  The food pantry also accepts personal care items and paper products. Cash, supermarket gift cards and checks payable to the Lexington Food Pantry may be placed in an envelope and put into the offertory basket or left at the office.  We thank you for your past generosity and support of this endeavor.

Hospitality

Please join us for hospitality and fellowship at our parishes.
Hospitality at St. Brigid Parish will resume in the fall in the newly renovated Keilty Hall.
At Sacred Heart Parish the hospitality is after the 10:00am Mass in the parish center.

 

St. Brigid Parish

Offertory for May 8/9                                              $ 10,083.00
Envelope Offerings                                        $ 8875.00
Loose Cash                                                     $ 1208.00
On Line Giving Offertory to date:                   830.00
Out of the 548 envelopes we sent to St. Brigid parishioners, 267 have used their envelopes.  Thank you to all who so generously contribute to our parishes each week! 
Fr. Colletti

2010 Catholic Appeal

Thank you to all supporters of the 2010 Catholic Appeal.  Our parish has raised $77,257 from 217 households, reaching 60.1% percent of our parish goal of $128,500.  If you have not yet pledged, please consider a gift today and help us meet our goal.  Remember, our parish will receive 25 percent of all funds we raise above our goal.  (As we did last year)  Please remember to make your pledge now even if you plan on fulfilling that pledge later in the year.  You can pick up information packets with pledge forms in the back of the Church to be mailed in, or for more information call 617-779-3700 or please visit www.BostonCatholicAppeal.com.  Every gift matters, Thank you!

Pentacost Celebration

At the 5:00pm Mass on Saturday, May 22nd, we will celebrate the Pentecost with a multi-lingual service.  The first reading from the Acts of the Apostles which describes the Pentecost will be spoken in nine languages.

Italian, Hindi, Spanish, Mandarin, Polish, Latin, Indonesian, Filipino and Gaelic, when spoken together, these languages express the universality of the Christian message and become a very moving experience.”

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

Youth Mass

Please join us for our next Youth Mass on
Sunday, May23, 2010
Sacred Heart Church , 6pm
Bring your friends and families!!
This is our last one for this academic year!! Please join us to honor our scholarship recipients and other graduating high school seniors.  A dessert reception will follow the Mass in the Parish Center. 

Confirmation Retreat

Are you looking for a day to get away to pray, have fun and help your community?  Then consider joining the Confirmation Retreat TEAM!   You will help bring young people closer to Christ and aide them in their journey towards Confirmation.  Please contact Megan Chenaille, megan.chenaille@lexingtoncatholic.org or (781) 862-8724 ASAP if you are interested in participating. Our Confirmation Retreat dates are Saturday, June 12, 2010 or Saturday, September 25, 2010.   Volunteer for one or both.  Each retreat is a full day: 9am-6pm at the Marist House in Framingham.  Please note that you will be asked to attend a few meetings prior to the Retreat for preparation purposes.  Thank you.

Catholic HEART Workcamp

We still have a few spots left!!
Place: Prince Frederick, MD
Dates: July 11-17, 2010
Come serve those in need, make new friends, meet other Catholics YOUR
age, get away from the ordinary for a week, make a difference, have fun!!!
Limited space available; a $75 deposit is necessary to hold your spot.

 

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

WHAT HAS THE CATHOLIC CHURCH DONE TO EFFECTIVELY RESPOND TO SEXUAL ABUSE BY CHURCH PERSONNEL?

The Catholic Church has done more to protect children than almost any other organization in the United States. Consider:
Safe Environment training is taking place in 193 dioceses/eparchies of the country.  Over 2 million adults have been trained to recognize the behavior of offenders and what to do about it.
Over 5 million children have been equipped with the skills to help them protect themselves from abuse.
Background checks are conducted on Church personnel who have contact with children.  Over 2 million volunteers and employees; 52,000 clerics; 6,205 candidates for ordination have had their backgrounds evaluated.
All dioceses/eparchies have Codes of Conduct spelling out what is acceptable behavior.  This serves to let people know what can and cannot be done as well as letting others know what behavior can be expected. It encourages the reporting of suspicious behavior.
All dioceses/eparchies have Victim Assistance Coordinators, assuring victims that they will be heard. In 2009, $6,536,109 was spent on therapy for the victims of clergy sexual abuse.
All dioceses/eparchies have Safe Environment Coordinators who assure the ongoing compliance to the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People.
Bishops are meeting with victims.
Dioceses/eparchies have Healing Masses, retreats for victim/survivors and other reconciliation events.
There is a Zero Tolerance policy on abusers since 2002.  When even a single act of sexual abuse by a priest or deacon is admitted or is established after an appropriate process in accord with canon law, the offending priest or deacon will be removed permanently from ecclesiastical ministry, not excluding dismissal from the clerical state, if the case so warrants (CIC, c. 1395 §2; CCEO, c. 1453 §1).4
Dioceses/eparchies require intensive background screening as well as psychological testing for those wishing to enter the seminary.
The Catholic Church has worked hard to protect children.  Much has been done but more needs to be done.  Until child sexual abuse is no longer a part of society, the Church will continue its efforts to stop it.