Our meditation today comes from the second reading—the letter of Saint Paul to the Ephesians (Eph 4:17-24).  “I declare and solemnly attest in the Lord that you must no longer live as the pagans do—their minds empty…you must lay aside your former way of life and the old self…put on that new man, created in God’s image, whose justice and holiness are born of truth.”

Here Paul tells the Jews and Gentiles that through the death and resurrection of Jesus a new man is created in the likeness of God.  Are not all people created in the image of God?  In Genesis 1 the focus is exclusively on God’s creational activity and we are in the image of God in that we are able to create.  In Genesis 3 God says that man, in acquiring knowledge of good and evil, has become even more godlike.  Paul, in this letter to the Ephesians, links the likeness of God specifically to His righteousness and holiness.

Paul tells his readers that they are acting like the Gentiles: ignorant, hard-hearted, impure and greedy. This sort of behavior he associates with the “old man”. But, he states, you have become a “new man” by the Holy Spirit Jesus gives through his death and resurrection.  There is a continual dying of the old man and his concerns for fleshly distinctions, laws and desires; and there is also a continual resurrection of the new man and his freedom to act in faith, hope and love.  Slipping back and forth is not intended to be normal for the Christian.

Paul had the problem early on in his ministry of slipping back and forth.  There is a law in my members, he avers, that keeps him from doing the things he wants to do and avoid those things he does not want to do.  He wants to brag about being called an apostle and working harder than all the others but quickly corrects himself and says that if he must boast he will boast in the Lord who has given him everything. He moves from the old man to the new through weakness: “For Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecution, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Cor 12:10). The old man in Paul died as he centered his life on Christ: “I died to the law so that I might live for God. I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” (Gal 2:20).

In baptism we use the symbol of water which means life and death.  By this sacrament we enter into the transition from the old man to the new man as a life-long process under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. The individual self can be guided by either the one or the other. Paul urges us to set our life course by the new man that leads to peace, knowledge, sensitivity, purity and generosity.

ALL SCHEDULED MASSES AND FUNERALS DURING THE WEEK WILL BE HELD AT ST. BRIGID CHURCH
WEEKEND MASSES WILL BE HELD AS USUAL.

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,  Marianne Slack, Elaine Murphy, Deacon Bill Wildes, Edward O’Brien, Rozlyn Torci, John Harper, 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, Brendan Murphy, Rev. James O’Donohoe, Kevin Johnson, Betty Garrity, Marylou Merry, Josephine Siders, Douglas DiVito, Mary McGuinnes, Jewel Douglass, Marjorie Kearns, Shannon Capriulo, Joan Wall, Olivia Moran, Suzy Keating, Matthew Langone, and Brianna Cimino.  Please also remember in your prayers all of our deceased parishioners, especially Eileen Yaceshyn.

Helping Hands

Helping Hands for the month of August is:
Marie Hill – 781-862-6456.

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, 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.

Roxbury Food Pantry at St. Brigid & Sacred Heart

This weekend, August 1st & 2nd, 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 St. Katharine Drexel 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.

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.

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)

Homebound Parishioners

As always, if you know of anyone who is homebound and unable to get to church, please contact Mary Peterson, 781-863-0319 so that we can make sure they receive the Eucharist. 

Most of us see the same people week after week at “our” Mass.  If you find that you are not seeing a certain person or people who are always at “your” Mass, please call the office and we will be happy to call and check to see if they are in good health, or if they need some help or a visit from our Ministers to the Homebound.

Life Snipits

God wants full custody—
Not just weekend visits.

He’s Looking Forward to Your Visit!

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.

Sacred Heart 75th Speakers Series

Sacred Heart 75th Speakers Series presents a two night program on SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 13th & 20th at 7:30P.M.  The topic is the Church’s teaching and practice on the Social Ministry of the Church.  This is a very timely subject with the recent publication of Pope Benedict XVI's Encyclical, "Caritas in Veritate” (Charity in Truth).  Look ahead on your calendars and circle these two Sunday evenings which promise to be instructive, rewarding and challenging

Use Your Expertise To Help Children Read!

Start the new school year off right by helping children in Waltham who need extra help with reading! Mystic Valley Elder Services (MVES) is looking for volunteers for its Reading Partners Program. Designed to boost confidence and improve reading skills, the program pairs adults age 55 and over with children in grades K-3. Training starts in September so please call Lauren Reid at 781-324-7705 today! Combine the wisdom of age with the energy of youth and become a Reading Partner!

LIFT – Catholic Worship For A NEW Generation

Join us for LIFT – an exciting monthly worship event which includes vibrant praise and worship music, dynamic, challenging speakers and Eucharistic Adoration.  LIFT is for all ages – from young adults to adults to teens to entire families.  Be with us on Tuesday, August 11th, as we celebrate 3 years of ministry and welcome Chris Faddis as our guest speaker.  The evening runs from 7 – 9pm at Fontbonne Academy, 930 Brook Rd., Milton, MA.  Directions and a downloadable flyer, along with more information about LIFT, can be found on our website at www.liftedhigher.com.  Come join in worship with hundreds of Catholics from around the Boston area!

CatholicTV Mass

Daily Mass can be seen LIVE on CatholicTV and Boston’s WBPX, Channel 68 weekdays at 9:30 am, at 7:30 pm or midnight (all times Eastern). The Daily Mass is also rebroadcast on CatholicTV at 7:30 each evening and midnight. You can also celebrate it LIVE or "on demand" here at CatholicTV's web site, www.CatholicTV.com .  Pictured is Fr. Bob Reed, Director of the CatholicTV.

Sunday, August 2, 2009

Saint Eusebius of Vercelli (c. March 2, 283 - August 1, 371) was a Bishop and an Italian saint. Along with St Athanasius, he affirmed the divinity of Jesus against the Arian heresy.

Monday, August 3, 2009

St. Peter Julian Eymard, born in La Mure d'Isère in southeastern France, Peter Julian's faith journey drew him from being a priest in the Diocese of Grenoble (1834) to joining the Marists (1839) to founding the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament (1856).

Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Feast day of St. Jean-Baptiste-Marie Vianney, Curé of Ars, born at Dardilly, near Lyons, France, on 8 May, 1786; died at Ars, 4 August, 1859; son of Matthieu Vianney and Marie Beluze.

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Feast day of St. Addal a disciple of Christ sent by St. Thomas to the court of King Abgar the Black, the second century Osroene ruler. Addal cured Abgar and converted him and his people to the faith.

Thursday, August 6, 2009

Pope Saint Hormisdas was pope from July 20, 514 to 523.  He was born at Frosinone, Campagna di Roma, Italy. Saint Hormisdas was a widower and a Roman deacon at the time of his accession to the papal throne. His son became pope under the name of Silverius.

Friday, August 7, 2009

Feast of Saint Cajetan, born Gaetano dei Conti di Tiene, also Thiene (October 1, 1480 - August 7, 1547) is a Roman Catholic Church saint and founder of the order of the Clerics Regular, better known as the Theatines. He is not to be confused with his contemporary, Cardinal Thomas Cajetan.

Saturday, August 8, 2009

Saint Dominic (Spanish: Domingo), also known as Dominic of Osma, often called Dominic de Guzmán and Domingo de Guzmán Garcés (1170 – August 6, 1221) was the founder of the Friars Preachers, popularly called the Dominicans or Order of Preachers (OP), a Catholic religious order. Dominic is the patron saint of astronomers and the Dominican Republic.

Preparing Yourselves To Celebrate Marriage

The months before a wedding are usually a time of intense planning for the “big day.” Here are three things not to overlook in preparing for a Catholic wedding:

1.) In the Roman Catholic Church, the couple is the minister of the sacrament of marriage.  The bride and groom exchange vows with each other.  The priest or deacon serves as the church’s chief witness; he does not “pronounce them husband and wife.”  Other roles in a Catholic wedding include two additional witnesses (the “best man” and “maid of honor”), lectors to proclaim the scripture readings and intercessions, music ministers to lead the assembly’s singing, and, if the wedding takes place within Mass, additional ministers of communion (as needed).

2.) Some things are essential for a Catholic wedding; others are not. Essential things include the scripture readings, homily, statement of intentions (“Have you come here freely and without reservation...?”), consent or exchange of vows, and nuptial blessing.  Things that are not essential include seating guests of the bride and guests of the groom on separate sides of the aisle, keeping the bride and groom apart before the wedding, unrolling a white aisle runner before the entrance procession, lighting a unity or wedding candle, and placing flowers before a statue of Mary.

3.) There are no spectators at a Catholic wedding.  The bishops at the Second Vatican Council made “full, conscious, and active participation” by all worshippers “the aim to be considered before all else” in liturgy (Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, 14).  Just as at Sunday Mass, certain individuals fulfill various ministries within the wedding liturgy, but the entire assembly of worshippers celebrates the liturgy.  When you go to a wedding, listen attentively to the scriptures the couple has chosen, sing the music they have selected, respond to the prayers in a strong voice. The enthusiastic participation of the entire assembly of worshippers is the best gift anyone can give to the couple on their “big day.”

St. Brigid
Offertory for July 25th & 26th	$    7,321.00
Envelope Offerings	$    6,311.00
Loose Cash	$    1,010.00

Out of the 548 envelopes we sent to St. Brigid parishioners, 218 have used their envelopes.

Of the 265 envelopes we sent to Sacred Heart parishioners, 179 parishioners have used their envelopes this week.

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

—Fr. Colletti

Holy Humor

Father O’Malley, the Irish priest, rose from his bed one morning.  It was a fine spring day in his new parish in America.  He walked to the window of his bedroom to get a deep breath of the beautiful day outside.

He then noticed there was a jackass lying dead in the middle of his front lawn.  He promptly called the local lpolice station.  The conversation went like this:  “Good morning.  This is Sargeant Jones.  How might I help you?”

“And the best of the day te yerself.  This is Father O’Malley at St. Ann’s Catholic Church.  There’s a jackass lying dead in me front lawn, and would ye be so kind as to send a couple o’yer lads to take care of the matter?”

Sergeant Jones, considering himself to be quite a wit, replied with a smirk, “Well now, Father, it was always my impression that you people took care of the last rites!”

There was dead silence on the line for a long moment…and then Father O”Malley replied: “Aye, ‘tis certainly true; but we are also obliged to notify the next of kin.”

What Is The Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults?

The RCIA is a process by which adults are fully initiated into the Catholic faith community. It is a process that not only affects the individuals seeking the sacraments, but the entire community that journeys with those being initiated. It is a spiritual journey that is marked by: conversion, professing faith in Christ, incorporation into the church and participation in the mission of Christ. This process is for:

• People who have never been baptized
• People who were baptized into another Christian faith tradition, but now desire to enter into the Catholic Church and to receive the sacraments of Communion or Confirmation
• Catholics who have not received the sacraments of Communion and Confirmation

If you feel that God might be calling you in this direction or are interested in learning more about this process, please contact Beverly Good, one of our Pastoral Associates, at Beverly.Good, or781-863-0319, x20.

Sacrament of reconciliation

What is Theology On Tap?

Theology on Tap is an official program of the Archdiocese of Boston. Theology on Tap is about hearing a speaker discuss an interesting topic over drinks and food with other young adults at a good bar/restaurant. It is a time of hanging out, having fun, and learning more about the Faith. You can be sure that Theology on Tap will be a great time every time! It is going to be a great time, we hope you can come!

• Thursday Night as Usual – 7:00 meet at St. Brigid Library
• Every 3rd Thursday we have Theology on Tap at Bickford’s Bar and Grill, Woburn.
• BBQ: We will be having a BBQ on August 8th 2009, there will be food, drinks, and more. It will be a fun time.

There are some things we do that cost money, however all are invited and we do not want money to be an issue for anyone, especially with the economy being the way it is. There are special funds so if for whatever reason money is an issue for you let us know and we can privately take care of it. Just email Billy at colecrops(4) or another executive board member.

Welcome to New Parishioners

No matter what your present status in the Catholic Church, no matter what your current family or marital situation, no matter what your current personal history, age, background, race, etc., no matter what your own self-image; you are invited, welcomed, accepted, loved and respected here with the Catholic Community in Lexington. . If you are new to Sacred Heart or St. Brigid Parishes, please introduce yourself to either Father Colletti or one of the Pastoral Associates, Beverly Good or Mary Peterson, after Mass or at your convenience.  Also, please contact the Office to register as a member of the parishes.

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

Quote from “More Than Wanderers”

James C. Fenhagen, former Dean of General Theological Seminary in New York City, has opened new ways of imagining God in my heart.  In a deceptively simple little book called More than Wanderers, he states:  “There is within each one of us a reservoir of spiritual energy that comes out of the very depths of our lives.  It is like a deep well that we can draw from forever—a well that never runs dry.  Its source is the love of God.  Its vehicle, the Christ who dwells in us….When we are in touch with his presence within us, it has a way of pulling us deeper.  And as the rhythm of moving inward and outward is established, prayer is experienced as a beckoning from within.”  This witness helped me realize that I have been engaged with the One who has been drawing me deeper and deeper into the source of life and energy.  Fenhagen’s deep well, the reservoir of the love of God, just may be the way into the Ground of Being, the fathomless depth of the divine mystery.  And Fenhagen claims that this spiritual depth draws us into itself so that we may move outward, expressing the Holy in the ordinary experiences of life.

Ben Campbell Johnson, Living Before God:  Deepening Our Sense of the Divine Presence © 2000 Erdmans Publishing, Grand Rapids, Michigan and James C. Fenhagen, More than Wanderers:  Spiritual Disciplines for Christian Ministry © 1981, Seabury Press, New York.

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.