Today’s Gospel is again from Luke, and Jesus continues his journey to Jerusalem to die and rise (Luke 10:38-42).  This portion of the gospel is the story of Jesus being welcomed into the house of Martha and Mary.  In John’s gospel we learn that the house is in Bethany, just two miles from Jerusalem and the sisters have a brother named Lazarus.  Martha is busy preparing for the meal while Mary sits at the feet of Jesus listening to him talk.

Martha, obviously annoyed that Mary is not helping with the tasks at hand, does not speak to Mary (had she called to her over and over as some mothers do when the children are not getting ready or helping with the dinner?) but she speaks to Jesus.  “Sir, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work?  Tell her to come and help me.”

Jesus responds by saying, “Martha, dear friend, you are so upset over all these details!  There is really only one thing worth being concerned about.  Mary has discovered it—and I won’t take it away from her!”  To say that it is more important to be with God than serve him or loving God is more important than serving him, and to listen to God is more important than serving him misses the point of the conversation.

The Lord wants each of us to imitate Mary in our worship and Martha in our work.  It is not an either/or situation; it is a matter of balance.  Martha invited Jesus to her home and prepared him a meal, but she neglected him.  What we do with Jesus is more important than what we do for him.  Martha felt neglected after Mary left the kitchen and began to complain that neither Mary nor Jesus seemed to care about her.  It was not that she had too much work to do, but she allowed her work to pull her apart.  If serving Christ makes us difficult to live with, then something is terribly wrong

 

with our service.  “We can be so absorbed with the work of the Lord that we neglect the Lord of the work.”

This week’s lesson is threefold: 1) Recognize the unique God-given personalities in our parish.  2) Respect these personalities and their preferences.  We need everyone’s gifts and perspectives.  3) Jesus said “Only one thing is needed”.  We need to work without complaint using our time, talent and resources, but we need to learn to sit at the feet of Jesus.

 

In Service For Their Country

Capt. 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 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.

Helping Hands

Helping Hands for July is Kalley Moore,

781-538-5178

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 meeting is July 21st.  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  NOTE:  THERE WILL BE NO MEETINGS IN AUGUST.

R.C.I.A.

Are you searching for meaning or trying to make sense out of life?  Have you ever thought about becoming a Catholic?  Are you married to a Catholic and wonder what Catholics believe?  Have you considered sharing the same faith as your spouse or your kids?  Were you baptized Catholic but never learned about God?  MAYBE GOD IS CALLING YOU… The R.C.I.A. (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) is the process by which we “make new Catholics”:  a process of learning, and asking questions, and growing together in a nurturing welcoming community of faith.  Find out more:  contact Beverly Good at 781-863-0319, ext 20 or Beverly.good@lexingtoncatholic.org.

Can you Help Fellow Parishioners Seeking Employment?

• DO YOU HAVE INFO ON JOB LEADS?
• CAN YOU MAKE AN INTRO TO A HIRING MANAGER?
• CAN YOU PROVIDE INFO ON A SPECIFIC JOB OPPORTUNITY?
• ARE YOU ELIGIBLE FOR A COMPANY REFERRAL BONUS?

See Job Seeker biographies and contact information at www.lexingtoncatholic.org and flyers at the doors of the churches.  Please keep each job seeker and their families in your prayers.

Attention Online Contributors!

Now that you are an on-line contributor and no longer receive envelopes (delivery usually stops within three months after commencement of on-line giving), do you miss having something to put in the basket?  On-Line Giving cards – about the size of an envelope – are now available at the churches’ entrances.  Just pick one up as you enter the church and drop it in the basket as it passes by.  

Lexington Food Pantry St. Brigid And Sacred Heart

The collection of non-perishable food is the weekend of July 17th and 18th.  Items may be left at the food bins at the entrances of the church or on the altar at Sacred Heart.  Please check the expiration dates!
Special requests for this month include canned corn and peas, hot and cold cereals, meals in a can, spaghetti, canned fruit and low sodium chicken broth.  The food pantry also accepts personal hygiene items and paper products. Cash, supermarket gift cards and checks made payable 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 office.
We thank you for your past generosity and continued support of this endeavor.

Please pray for all who are in need of our prayers that God’s healing and comforting presence may be with them, especially Jen Bombaca, Marianne Slack, Elaine Murphy, Ed Burri, 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, Helen Milne, Alan Blanchard, Marybeth Morgan, Billy Wedgwood, Gerald McCue, Kathleen Brown, Brendan Murphy, Frank Stankowski, Theresa Flynn, Ann LaMantia, Christine Griffin, Josephine Siders, Paula McKenna, Douglas DiVito, Frank Hassett, Mary McGuinnes, Joseph Fremont-Smith, Marjorie Kearns, Shannon Capriulo, Fr. Waldron, Mildred Page, Victoria Killgore, Virginia Tavilla, Christine Screeton, Olivia Moran and Brianna Cimino.  Please also remember Fr. William Smith whose funeral was this past week and all of our deceased family members and parishioners especially Donald Macbeth and John Walsh

SUMMER READING:  THE WOMEN’S BOOK CLUB’S SEPTEMBER SELECTION is The Nine: Inside the Secret World of the Supreme Court, by Jeffry Toobin.

Bestselling author Jeffrey Toobin takes you into the chambers of the most important—and secret—legal body in our country, the Supreme Court, and reveals the complex dynamic among the nine people who decide the law of the land.  Toobin reveals an institution at a moment of transition, when decades of conservative disgust with the Court had finally produced a conservative majority, with major changes in store on such issues as abortion, civil rights, presidential power, and church-state relations.  Based on exclusive interviews with justices themselves, The Nine tells the story of the Court through personalities—from Anthony Kennedy’s overwhelming sense of self-importance to Clarence Thomas’s well-tended grievances against his critics to David Souter’s odd nineteenth-century lifestyle.  As we witness the confirmation hearings for Elena Kagan, we’re getting a glimpse into the Court’s inner workings.

The Book Club meets on Thursday, September 9th, from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. in room #8, lower level of Sacred Heart Parish Center.  For more information, contact Maria Griffin at avempg@aol.com or Beverly Good at Beverly.good@lexingtoncatholic.org, 781-863-0319, ext. 20. 

Housing For Foreign Exchange Student Wanted

Catholic 11th grade high school girl from China would like to live with Catholic family. She needs a host family to live with for this school year. A stipend of $700 per month will be paid by Educatius International for hosting and for meals. Educatius International is an international education company that places foreign exchange high school students in the U.S. with host families, in order for them to get a glimpse into American life, and for the cultural exchange opportunities.
This student is an excellent student. She qualified and was accepted into Lexington Christian Academy. Her English is very good as she has spent last year at St. Bernard Catholic School in Eureka, CA. She describes herself as active, outgoing and independent with a lot of hobbies including a love of art and music. She is in the U.S. to help get into a good university and for cultural exchange.
Besides this young girl, there are other international male and female students who will be going to other area schools such as Arlington High School, Belmont High School, Matignon High School in North Cambridge, Brookline High School and Hopkinton High School. They are all looking to be placed with families.
If you are interested, or know someone who is, please contact Louise Goodman at 339-234-3171 or email me at EducatiusNE@gmail.com.  To learn more about this organization, go to: www.educatius.org

Do Your Vacation Plans include Online Giving?

Giving on-line is an easy and safe way to support your parish, even when you’re on vacation. Visit our web site, www.lexingtoncatholic.org, and click “Sacred Heart Parish” or “St. Brigid Parish” to learn about this new way to contribute via a charge to your bank account or credit card. Check it out!

boston Catholic Television

Daily Mass can be seen LIVE on Catholic TV and Boston’s WBPX, Channel 68, weekdays at 9:30 am, at 7:30 p.m. or midnight (all times Eastern).  You can also celebrate it LIVE or "on demand" here at Catholic TV's web site, www.CatholicTV.com

Community News

Sunday, July 19th

10:00 – Baptisms – SH

Monday, July 20th

 

Tuesday, July 20th

Feast of St. Apolilinaris, Bishop and Martyr

Wednesday, July 21st

Feast of St. Lawrence of Brindisi, priest and doctor

Thursday, July  22nd

Feast of Mary Magdalene
5:30 – Wedding Rehearsal
7:00-Young Adults Meeting - SB
7:00 – Boy Scouts Meeting - SB

Friday, July  23rd

Feast of St. Bridget of Sweden

Saturday, July 24th

 

Feast of St. Sharbel Makhluf, priest
 

HAVE A WONDERFUL WEEKEND

St. Brigid's 'old house' Will Be Moving On

Before a family will be moving into this house, the house itself will do some moving! This relocation is part of the plan for the old house in front of the St. Brigid Parish Center. 

Several months ago, a developer proposed to buy the house with the intention of moving it to a lot on Hancock Street across from the Hancock Clarke House. After St. Brigid and the Archdiocese agreed to a sale price of $1.00, the developer began the process of obtaining approvals from Lexington’s Board of Appeals, Historic Districts Commission, and Building Department, and completing the purchase of the Hancock Street land. 

With approvals in hand and purchase negotiations complete, the developer will begin to ready the Hancock Street lot and prepare the house for the move, including removal of the additions and selection of an appropriate route. Following the move, he will fully restore and loam and seed the vacated space on St. Brigid’s property. 

The purchase of the house, its relocation, and the restoration of the vacated space are expected to be completed by early fall. We will keep you posted on this project including any access or safety considerations. We will also be asking for your help with additional landscaping design and plantings for this vacated space as well as the lawn surrounding the new handicapped parking spaces between the church and parish center.

The sale and relocation of the old house helps the Lexington community preserve a house of architectural significance, helps the St. Brigid parish community accomplish its goal of removal of the house from its property, and helps the Hancock Street property owners add a home appropriate to the lot and their neighborhood. Needless to say, Father Colletti, Facilities Manager Bernie Lannquist, the St. Brigid Parish Pastoral Council and the Finance Council are pleased with this long sought-after solution that meets the needs and wishes of so many.

Sacred Heart Parish

Offertory for July 10/11                                  $ 4658.00
Envelope Offerings                                        $ 3970.00
Loose Cash                                                     $   688.00
St. Katharine Drexel                                      $    168.00

Of the 265 envelopes we sent to Sacred Heart parishioners, 65 parishioners have used their envelopes this week.  To date 16 parishioners have signed up for on-line giving.  Thank you to all who so generously contribute to our parishes each week! 
Fr. Colletti

St. Brigid Church
9:00am	Tuesday July 20th	Rev. George Casey
9:00am	Thursday July 22nd	Charles & Pearl Sparacio & Family
9:00am	Saturday July 24th	Rose Taylor
Sacred Heart Church
9:00am	Monday July 19th	Frank Gallagher
9:00am	Wednesday July 21st	Faye J. Kenney
9:00am	Friday July 23rd	No Intention

 

An Office Request

In the past few weeks, we have received many checks back from our bank because they were made payable to our “collections” rather than either parish. 

If the checks are not made payable to either parish, the bank will not accept them.  The best way to make out the checks would be either to Sacred Heart Parish or to St. Brigid Parish with a notation in the memo section as to what the donation should be assigned to.  For instance in the memo section put St. Vincent de Paul, St. Brigid/Sacred Heart Haiti Fund, or Clergy Benefit Trust, etc.  In this way, the bank will process the check and the parish will send a check payable to the particular ministry.

Thank you for your cooperation and help with this pesky situation!  Claire

Rosie's Place

ROSIE'S PLACE NEEDS CATERERS:  Needed-- a few good cooks to provide 12 portions of lasagna, salad, OR bread every other month on the third Sunday.  Food is dropped at St. Brigid's. Our next "Rosie's Sunday" is August 15.  If you would like to help on a regular basis, call Fran at 781-861-7231 or e-mail: fludwig12@yahoo.com.

Thanks

Thank you to all parishioners who continually support the food pantries of St. Katherine Drexel Parish.  On July 11th parishioners delivered 92 bags of food and toiletries, $30 in Stop & Shop gift cards and $200 in checks for the food pantry at 175 Ruggles St.  The needs continue during the summer and food donations can be placed in the bins at the doors of the churches.  Stop & Shop gift cards and checks can be placed in the offertory collection or sent to the Parish office.  Thanks you for your generous support.  
The Christian Service Commission.

What Famous Mother's Might Have Said

Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary's Mother: "I don't mind you having a garden, Mary, but does it have to be growing under your bed?"

Mona Lisa's Mother: "After all that money your father and I spent on braces, Mona, that's the biggest smile you can give us?"

Humpty Dumpty's Mother: "Humpty, If I've told you once, I've told you a hundred times not to sit on that wall. But would you listen to me?  Noooo!"

Columbus' Mother: "I don't care what you've discovered, Christopher. You still could have written!"

Babe Ruth's Mother: "Babe, how many times have I told you -- quit playing ball in the house! That's the third broken window this week!"

St. Brigid Parish

Offertory for July 3/4                                      $ 7558.50
Envelope Offerings                                        $ 6231.00
Loose Cash                                                     $ 1327.50

Out of the 548 envelopes we sent to St. Brigid parishioners, 187 have used their envelopes.  To date 27 parishioners have signed up for on-line giving.  Thank you to all who so generously contribute to our parishes each week! 
Fr. Colletti

Get Up Close And Personal With The Lord

Spend some quiet 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.

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 is underway. 

Keilty Hall will not be accessible as a pass-through during construction. As a result, the stairway on the east side of the church building will be the only access to the existing restrooms and the Music Room.

During the demolition, enlargement and relocation of the current west side entrance and stairwell, the installation of the elevator, and the site preparation for seven handicapped parking spaces off the west driveway, the west side entrance to the church and the driveway between the church and parish center will be closed. Also during the entire project, the Reconciliation Room will be relocated to the small room off the church vestibule. 

For your safety, please take note of all signs posted in the church and on parish property and do not cross barriers or fences into the construction worksite.     

Updates on this project, including building accessibility and safety issues during construction, will be provided weekly in this section of the bulletin.

Helping Hands Ministry

Helping Hands is a group of volunteers who provide assistance to members of the Catholic Community of Lexington who are in need, such as giving rides to doctor’s appointments, or making meals for the sick.  Volunteer drivers make no minimum time commitment.  They only need to be willing to join an email distribution list for ride requests, and accept only those that fit their schedule.  Volunteer meal makers can respond to requests as they are able.  For more information, please contact Jeanne Hobbs at 781-248-9722 or jeannehobbs@verizon.net.

Registrations for the 2010-2011 Religious Education Program have been mailed out.  For advanced planning, please be aware that classes for Grades 1 thru 8 will be available on Sunday mornings at St. Brigid from 10:00-11:15 (after the 9:00am Mass) and at Sacred Heart from 11:15 – 12:15 (after the 10:00 Mass).  Classes will also be held for grades 1 – 6 on Tuesday afternoon at St. Brigid from 3:45 – 4:45.  Classes will be available for grades 7 and 8 on Monday from 5:30 – 6:30pm.

New Parishioners Registration – If you are new to the parish, and/or you have a child entering the first grade, please contact the Religious Education office to register your child for classes in the fall.  Please call 781-862-8724 and we will send you a registration form for your completion.  At this time we will also send out a parish registration form if you are not registered in either parish. 
You will also need a copy of your child’s Baptism record if he/she was baptized at a parish other than Sacred Heart or St. Brigid.

Confirmation Classes

Registration Placement forms for 9th and 10th grade Confirmation Classes have been mailed out.  Please complete the form and send it back with the registration fee and a copy of your child’s baptismal certificate if it is not already on file.  If you have any questions, please contact the Religious Education Office at 781-862-8724.  A detailed schedule for the year will be available in the coming months.

Confession Before Communion

by Paul Turner

"Lord, I am not worthy to receive you," we say.  Then we go to communion anyway.  However, some Catholics stay in the pew.  Others slink out of church when the communion procession forms.  Some feel genuinely unworthy to receive their Lord.

In the not-too-distant past, people went to confession before every communion, and many received communion only rarely.  People still abstain from the Eucharist if they judge their sins grave.

Is confession required before every communion?  No.  In fact, the only sins which should keep us from communion and which we are obliged to confess are those called "serious."  Which ones are those?  We don't exactly have a list.  It's a judgment call with the penitent and the confessor, so you'll hear many interpretations of serious sin from priests and people alike.  In previous centuries serious sin governed so many cases that few people received communion regularly, but that is not the case today.  How do we interpret the expression?

The church calls some actions "intrinsically evil" behaviors so bad that they are always wrong.  Vatican II includes among them offenses like homicide, genocide, abortion, euthanasia, suicide; mutilation, physical and mental torture, attempts to coerce the spirit; subhuman living conditions, arbitrary imprisonment, deportation, slavery, prostitution and trafficking in women and children; and degrading conditions of work which treat laborers as mere instruments of profit and not as free, responsible persons.  These offenses form a basis for figuring out which sins require confession before communion.  Although confession is not required before every communion, it often precedes in church practice.  Most parishes offer confessions on Saturday before communion on Sunday. Children preparing for first communion also prepare for first confession.  Although the church does not oblige us to confess lesser sins, those who use the sacrament will find their communion more fruitful.

Copyright (c) 1997 Resource Publications, Inc., 160 E. Virginia St. #290, San Jose, CA 95112, (408) 286-8505. Paul Turner, pastor of St. John Regis Parish in Kansas City, Mo., holds a doctorate in sacramental theology from Sant' Anselmo University in Rome. His e-mail is PaulTu@aol.com.