Jesus could not accomplish his work alone—he called disciples to spread the message and do the work of the kingdom—giving them authority over unclean spirits (today’s gospel: Mark 6:7-13).  Someone has pointed out that there used to be five priests in Lexington and now there is one.  But that is not the reason we want more helpers to work the ministries in our parishes.  You were made disciples in baptism and given special gifts necessary for the growth and development of the parish.  “Praised be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has bestowed on us in Christ every spiritual blessing in the heavens!”  Saint Paul writes in our second reading (Eph 1:3-14).

In the American Bishops’ statement, called Co-Workers in the Vineyard of the Lord, we read: “God calls.  We respond. This fundamental, essential pattern in the life of every believer appears throughout salvation history.  The Father calls a chosen people, patriarchs, and prophets.  Jesus calls his apostles and disciples.  The Risen Lord calls everyone to labor in his vineyard that is in a world that must be transformed in view of the final coming of the Reign of God; and the Holy Spirit empowers all with the various gifts and ministries for the building up of the Body of Christ.”

All of us were baptized into Christ as priest, prophet and king and have an active part in the life and activity of the church.  The activity of parishioners is so necessary that without it the apostolate of the pastor will frequently be unable to obtain its full results.  The document of the bishops goes on: “In parishes especially, but also in other Church institutions and communities, lay women and men generously and extensively cooperate with their pastors in the service of the ecclesial community.  This is a sign of the Holy Spirit’s movement in the lives of our sisters and brothers.”

I am very grateful for all who undertake various roles in Church ministry.  We have volunteers (disciples) who give their time and talent as Communion ministers, readers, cantors, choir members, catechists, pastoral council members, visitors to the sick and nursing homes, those who serve in programs such as sacramental preparation, youth ministry, works of charity and justice.

It is said that a pastor always wants more—more active worshipers, more disciples, and more money.  The same people volunteer for the various tasks—thank God for them. That is a two edged sword: they stay because no one else will do the work and people who want to do the work feel that they are not wanted by the people doing the work.  I want more new faces, more young people, more… I want to encourage all the baptized and confirmed to be aware of their active responsibility in the Church’s life.

When I ask people how they came to work in the ministry of the parish half of them say that they were asked by the staff or some active parishioner and the other half said that they realized a call from God to use their gifts for the greater good of the community.  Don’t make me come after you! Hear God’s call to serve and call me or a staff member.  We will find a wonderful use for the gifts you possess.

 

St. Brigid Church
9:00am	Monday July 13th	Elisa Apollonio
9:00am	Tuesday July 14th	Deceased Members of Vaccaro/DeMarco Families
9:00am	Wednesday July 15th	Jeannette LeBrie & Family
9:00am	Thursday July 16th	Mary Connolly & Frank Allia
9:00am	Friday July 17th	James Moriarty
9:00am	Saturday July 18th	Joan Fitzgerald O’Hara, Frank Gallagher and Rose Taylor
Sacred Heart Church
10:30am	Saturday July 18th	Memorial Mass – 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,  Mary Ann Slack, Catherine Morley, Mary Ann Ambrose Elaine Murphy, Deacon Bill Wildes, Edward O’Brien, Rozlyn Torci, John Harper, Tina Durks, Patsy Heuchling, Bob Finn, William McCarthy, Verner and Marie Dempsey, Pat White, Anita and William Gorham, Mary Whelan, Patricia McLaughlin, Eleanor Mann, Gerald McCue, Kathleen Brown, Theresa A. Myles, Rev. James O’Donohoe, Betty Garrity, Marylou Merry, Josephine Siders, Kathleen Brown, Joan Wall, Olivia Moran, Suzy Keating, Matthew Langone, and Brianna Cimino.  Please also remember in your prayers all of our deceased parishioners.

Helping Hands

Helping Hands for the month of July is:
Alice Mellican – 781-861-7226.

 

2009 Catholic Appeal

Responding to God's Grace, Renewing Our Church

Thank you to all supporters of the 2009 Catholic Appeal.  St. Brigid Parish has raised $80,186 from 224 households, reaching 61.9% of the parish goal of $129,500.  Sacred Heart Parish has raised $23,986 from 85 households, reaching 52.7% of the parish goal of $45,500.  If you have not yet pledged, please consider a gift today and help us meet our goal.  Remember, our parishes will receive 25 percent of all funds we raise above our goal.  Last year St. Brigid Parish received 25% back because they reached their goal.  Please remember to make your pledge now even if you plan on fulfilling that pledge towards the end of 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 call 617-779-3700 or visit www.BostonCatholicAppeal.com.  Every gift matters.  Thank you!

Housing Needed

A Cambodian refugee widow has lived in Lexington for more than 20 years, raised 4 children and is being displaced from her 4 bedroom apartment in Lexington. She needs a modest one bedroom apartment in Lexington. A quiet, neat and honest woman, who can pay a modest rent and possibly do housekeeping chores in return. She has limited English language skills. Call Bob Ludwig, 781-861-7231, for more information.

Lexington Food Pantry

The weekend of July 18 and 19 is the collection of non-perishable food at both parishes. Items may be placed in the food bins at St. Brigid and at Sacred Heart at the altar or at the entrances to the church. Cash, supermarket gift cards, and checks made payable to the Lexington Food Pantry are also accepted and may be placed in an envelope and put into the offertory basket or dropped off at the Parish office. Please remember that during these economic times there is a great demand put upon food pantries and your contributions are needed more than ever. We want to thank you for your past generosity and support.

Faith & Environment

 

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, Lt. Brian Casey, CDR Michael P. MacLellan 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.

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 meeting is August 5th. 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)

Morning Prayer!!!

Dear Lord,

So far today Lord, I've done alright. I haven't gossiped, haven't lost my temper, haven't been greedy, grumpy, nasty, selfish, nor over-indulgent.  And I'm very thankful to you for that.

But..........In a few minutes, Lord, I'm probably going to need a lot more help because I'm going to get out of bed!!!!!

Parish Trip

We are going to Oberammergau in 2010 to see the PASSION PLAY!

It is a 12-day trip, flying out of Logan Airport to Bavaria, Germany.  We will leave on July 14, 2010, arriving in Bavaria Germany where our tour will begin.  On Friday, July 16th we will witness a performance of the Passion Play.  The original performance dates back to 1634. During the Thirty Year War, the village of Oberammergau was spared the Black Plague and for this reason, the villagers vowed that every ten years they would give a play to honor the life of Christ.  The performers are native Oberammergauers, who begin a year in advance to grow their beards and hair for this performance.  We will experience the wonder of 16 cascading lakes at Croatia’s Plitvice Lakes National Park.  Walk in the footsteps of Marco Polo as we explore the medieval city of Korcula.  Discover the magnificence of the ancient Roman Palace of Diocletian.  Follow the path up Apparition Hill in Medjugorje where the six young visionaries first encountered the Virgin Mary in 1981.  On this trip we will visit 4 of the area’s most beautiful countries: Germany, Croatia, Slovenia and Bosnia-Herzegovina.  Sign up for the trip before September 1, 2009 and receive a $200 Seat Reduction.  We have a limited number of seats available for the trip, so sign up as soon as possible.

Holy Humor

"The Work of the Parish Priest"

During a Eucharistic Congress, a number of priests from different orders are gathered in a church for Vespers. While they are praying, a fuse blows and all the lights go out.
The Benedictines continue praying from memory, without missing a beat.
The Jesuits begin to discuss whether the blown fuse means they are dispensed from the obligation to pray Vespers.
The Franciscans compose a song of praise for God's gift of darkness.
The Dominicans revisit their ongoing debate on light as a signification of the transmission of divine knowledge.
The Carmelites fall into silence and slow, steady breathing.
The parish priest, who is hosting the others, goes to the basement and replaces the fuse.

Sunday, July 12, 2009

6:00 – AA Meeting – St. Brigid - KH

Monday, July 13, 2009

NO EVENTS

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

NO EVENTS

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

NO EVENTS

Thursday, July 16, 2009

NO EVENTS

Friday, July 17, 2009

NO EVENTS
Saturday, July 18, 2009

10:30 – Memorial Mass for Helen Jensen – SH - C

 

Have a safe weekend!

Please welcome into the Catholic Community in Lexington the following children baptized May and June 2009

Madelaine Theresa Lampron
daughter of Thomas and Jamie Lampron;
Braydon Andrew Kingsbury
son of Scott and Susan Kingsbury
Cora Meng Slow
daughter of Carolyn Slowe;
Jack David Jones
son of David and Jill Jones
Gabriella Sophia Martin
daughter of Jason and Krystal Martin
Isabella Maria Fusco
daughter of Joseph and Maria Fusco
Thomas Kenneth Paone
son of Andrew and Antonette Paone
Katherine Niamh Hand
daughter of Rebekah and John Hand
Luke Ryan Burgess
son of Craig and Suzanne Burgess
Kaitlyn Ann Ready
daughter of Glenn and Kathryn Ready

Guidelines for Contributions

We would like to explain our procedure for acknowledging your contributions to the parish.  If you are not on the envelope system, for each individual contribution of $250 or more by check or cash you will receive an acknowledgement letter stating the date and amount of the contribution.  To clarify, the $250 is not a cumulative donation, it must be a single contribution. Please maintain the acknowledgment for your 2009 tax records.  If you are on the parish envelope system, you will receive, at the end of the year, a written statement of your 2009 contributions.  If you have any questions, please contact the office.

Meditation on What is Not Wrong

We often ask, “What’s wrong?”  Doing so, we invite painful seeds of sorrow to come up and manifest.  We feel suffering, anger, and depression, and produce more such seeds.  We would be much happier if we tried to stay in touch with the healthy, joyful seeds inside of us and around us.  We should learn to ask, “What’s not wrong?” and be in touch with that.  There are so many elements in the world and within our bodies, feelings, perceptions, and consciousness that are wholesome, refreshing, and healing.  If we block ourselves, if we stay in the prison of our sorrow, we will not be in touch with these healing elements. 

Life is filled with many wonders, like the blue sky, the sunshine, the eyes of a baby.  Our breathing, for example, can be very enjoyable.  I enjoy breathing every day.  But many people appreciate the joy of breathing only when they have asthma or a stuffed-up nose.  We don’t need to wait until we have asthma to enjoy our breathing. 

Awareness of the precious elements of happiness is itself the practice of right mindfulness.  Elements like these are within us and all around us.  In each second of our lives we can enjoy them.  If we do so, seeds of peace, joy, and happiness will be planted in us and they will become strong.  The secret to happiness is happiness itself.  Wherever we are, any time, we have the capacity to enjoy the sunshine, the presence of each other, the wonder of our breathing.  We don’t have to travel anywhere else to do so.  We can be in touch with these things right now. 

from Thich Nhat Hanh, Vietnamese peace activist, teacher and community leader; in Peace is Every Step:  The Path of Mindfulness in Everyday Life

It is no longer referred to as the “Last Rites.”  If you are preparing to go into the hospital for surgery or a loved one may be preparing to return home to the Lord, please let Mary Peterson, one of our Pastoral Associates know and arrangements can be made to celebrate the Sacrament of the Sick or just for a visit.  Her number is 781-863-0319.

Thoughts for a Summer Day

I walked far down the beach, soothed by the rhythm of the waves, the sun on my bare back and legs, the wind and mist from the spray on my hair.  Into the waves and out like a sandpiper.  And then home, drenched, drugged, reeling, full to the brim with my day alone; full like the moon before the night has taken a single nibble of it; full as a cup poured up to the lip.  There is a quality to fullness that the Psalmist expressed:  “My cup runneth over.”  Let no one come—I pray in sudden panic—I might spill myself away!

Is this then what happens to woman?  Traditionally we are taught, and instinctively we long, to give where it is needed—and immediately.  Why am I, coming back from my perfect day at the beach, so afraid of losing my treasure? … I believe that what woman resents is not so much giving herself in pieces as giving herself purposelessly.  What we fear is not so much that our energy may be leaking away through small outlets as that it may be going “down the drain.” 

from Anne Morrow Lindbergh, Gift from the Sea, © 1955, now celebrating the fifty-fourth anniversary of publication, and still able to address contemporary issues, don’t you think?  See pages 45-46 of the new volume from Pantheon Books by Random House, Inc., 1997. 

St. Brigid
Offertory for July 4th & 5th	$    7,161.00
Envelope Offerings	$    6,384.00
Loose Cash	$       777.00

Out of the 548 envelopes we sent to St. Brigid parishioners, 205 have used their envelopes.

Sacred Heart
Offertory for July 4th & 5th	$  3,444.00
Envelope Offerings	$  3,087.00
Loose Cash	$     357.00

Of the 265 envelopes we sent to Sacred Heart parishioners, 88 parishioners have used their envelopes this week.

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

—Fr. Colletti

3 Projects Underway at St. Brigid’s

Work is underway on three projects at St. Brigid’s:

1. Repair and refurbishment of the church’s steeple
2. Replacement of the church’s two rear side doors and the center’s rear side door and repair of the parish center’s front door
3. Replacement of the former rectory’s front porch.  The architectural style and color of the steeple, doors and porch will not be changed. 

You know the line about opera: “It ain’t over till the fat lady sings.”  The same is true about Sunday Mass.  And no, the “fat lady” is not the cantor.  She’s us—all of us—the church!  Sated (miraculously with just a morsel and a sip), stuffed on grace, a bit tired from sincere thanksgiving and sustained praise, the assembly has to finish this liturgy before it’s over.  Would the cast leave before the final curtain?  The orchestra before the finale?  The team before the final buzzer or last out?  At Mass, we are all the cast, all the orchestra, all the team.

The end of Mass comes quickly: After the silent revery that follows communion, there is a prayer and maybe a hymn.  Some announcements follow, then a blessing and dismissal, perhaps a final song.  So is it really asking too much of each other to see it through to the very end?  Sure, you might be blocking in someone’s car in the parking lot.  But if we all stay till the end, what difference does it make?  Of course the little ones are antsy; we all are at this point.  A few minutes more won’t hurt.  (Nor will cries and squirming now.)  And yes, not slipping out early means rubbing elbows with everyone, people jamming up at the doors and a procession of cars crawling out of the parking lot, but isn’t this a consequence of the communion that we just shared?  Isn’t this how we know that we are becoming what we have shared: the body of Christ, risen from the dead, going out into the world to give to others what has been given to us?

It’s a simple act of kindness—finishing the liturgy before leaving.  And if we slow down just enough to finish our liturgy, maybe we’ll slowly learn to finish well other things in life, too.  And when we learn to relish and not rush the end of things—the last minutes of a movie, the final words of a conversation, the last hand of cards and the final set of pins to knock down—what we are truly learning is to relish and not rush the end of our days—a final act of gratitude that gives God praise.

Copyright © 2001 Archdiocese of Chicago: Liturgy Training Publications, 1800 North Hermitage Avenue, Chicago IL 60622‑1101; 1‑800‑933‑1800; www.ltp.org. Text by David Philippart. Art by Luba Lukova. All rights reserved. Used with permission

REGISTRATIONS FOR RELIGIOUS EDUCATION AND CONFIRMATION CLASSES ARE IN THE MAIL.  PLEASE COMPLETE AND RETURN THE FORMS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

Taking a Vacation this Summer?

Here is a suggestion to ponder while you are soaking up sun and sand:  Teaching a class in religious education in the Fall.  We will welcome all volunteers; returning teachers; teachers who have been on “sabbatical” from teaching; volunteers looking for a new ministry.  If interested, please call the Religious Education Office 781-862-8724.  You can also email us.  For grades 1-8, George Begin at george.begin(1).  For grades 9 & 10 Megan Chenaille at megan.chenaille(1)

Be Cool With The Lord!

Visit the Lord this Friday and every Friday during the Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament from 12:00 – 2:45pm in air-conditioned St. Brigid Church.

Looking for Summer Reading?

Join parishioners from Sacred Heart and St. Brigid as they read My Life with the Saints by James Martin, SJ.

Our women’s book club officially begins on Thursday, September 17^th, but the group invites you to savor their first selection as the less-chaotic days of summer unfold. 

Here’s the scoop on the book: 

James Martin has led an entirely modern life: from a lukewarm Catholic childhood, to an education at the Wharton School of Business, to the executive fast track at General Electric, to ministry as a Jesuit priest, to a busy media career in Manhattan.  But every step of the way, he has been accompanied by some surprising friends—the saints of the Catholic Church.  Martin's best-selling memoir encompasses saints throughout Christian history—from St. Peter to Dorothy Day, St. Francis of Assisi to Mother Teresa—and chronicles the author's lifelong relationship with them.  His witty, vibrant, and stirring stories enable readers to discover how the saints guide us throughout our earthly journeys and how they help each of us find holiness in our own lives.  Our insiders tell us the book has short chapters, and is easy pick up for a short time.  My Life with the Saints is readily available at your favorite book vendor…for more information about the fledgling book club, contact Maria Griffin at avempg(4)  or Beverly Good at Beverly.Good (1); 781-863-0319, ext. 20.