Mark Twain said, “Kindness is a language which the deaf can hear and the blind can read.”  Jesus spoke the language of kindness very eloquently in today’s gospel (Mark 7:31-37).  He spoke the word Ephphetha, which means, “open up.”  At baptism the celebrant said the same word to you.  He touched your ears and lips and said: “The Lord Jesus made the deaf hear and the dumb speak.  May he soon touch your ears to receive his word, and your mouth to proclaim his faith, to the praise and glory of God the Father.”

In the next few weeks we will have leaders from the various ministries speak to you about the help we need to build the kingdom of God in this parish and beyond our parish boundaries.  We are not simply looking for volunteers.  We are looking for disciples.  We will by asking you to “open up.”  We will have you ask yourself, “What is Christ asking me to do?  How will I use my talents for the good of my fellow parishioners and others?  Please do not be deaf to that call or blind to see the needs all around us.

We will also present the financial statement for the past year and look at the budget for the coming year.  We know that the scandal has hurt many people causing them to hold back their contributions.  We also realize that the economy has not yet rebounded and many live more cautiously in their spending habits.  We will need $6,400 each week in the offertory collection.  During the summer months we have been receiving $4,400 and during the year $5,500 on average.  Once again, we will ask you to “open up.”

In prayer, I ask you to consider how you will give of yourself to the task of building up the parish of Sacred Heart. The healing story in today’s gospel calls us to “open up” and not only hear the word, but to proclaim it with our own actions.

Offertory for August 30^th & 31^st                   $4735.00

Envelope Offerings       $4281.00

Loose Cash                          $454.00

St. John/St. Hugh               $115.00

Many thanks to all who use the parish envelopes each week.  You are the mainstay of our parish support.  This week we received 116 envelopes from the 650 families that are sent envelopes each month.

The good steward must not show favoritism.  The rich may have many material gifts to share, but St. James reminds us in the second reading that God has chosen the world’s poor to be rich in faith and inheritors of God’s kingdom.

The Women’s Club will open the year with Mass at 6:30 on Monday, September 8^th followed by a Wine & Cheese gathering in the parish center.  We welcome new members as always and hope that you will consider joining us as we begin this year’s program.  We have exciting trips planned for the year, so come and bring a friend!!!

Cub Scout Pack 197 will hold registration for new families on Tuesday September 9^th at 7:00pm at the Sacred Heart Parish Center, 21 Follen Road.  Boys in grades 1 through 5 are invited to register.  Pack 197 typically draws from the Bowman/Harrington school districts, and local private schools (Waldorf and Lexington Montessori) but is open to all comers. If you cannot attend the formal registration night, please contact John Woodhouse 781-863-0271, Leo Villari 781-674-1124 or Susan Navia 781-861-7557 to obtain registration materials or answer questions.

Haiti Committee Meeting

Come join the Haiti Committee on Thurs., Sept. 11, 2003 at 7:30 in the Rectory Conference Room.  Learn what the committee does and how you can help.  Everyone is welcome. Any questions call Lee Crivello at 781-648-2403.

The Sacred Heart Parish choir had rehearsal last Wednesday and the hope is that we will have more parishioners involved with the choir.  Todd Theriault, our Music Director, has a challenge to have ALL of the choir chairs filled for the coming year.  Rehearsals are on Wednesday evenings beginning at 7:30.  All you men who want to get out of doing the dinner dishes and all you women that need adult conversation and something that is your very own, consider joining this group.  You will learn much, have fun and most of all when you sing your praise you are praying twice.

Liturgical Publicatons

Liturgical Publications, Inc., our bulletin publisher, will have a representative come to our parish within the next few weeks.  We would like to thank our present advertisers for renewing their ad, and for those interested in placing a new ad, this is your opportunity.  To reserve a space for the new publication year, please contact the rectory.  Keep in mind; our advertising sponsors make your bulletin possible.

9:00 – Monday, Sept. 8^th                           Arnold O’Connor

Virtus Program: “Protecting God’s Children”

All who work or are ministers in any capacity in a parish are required to attend one of the programs regarding “Protecting God’s Children”.  We have scheduled two more of these programs.  The dates are September 14^th from 1:30-4:30 and October 19^th from 1:30-4:30.  Please call the office to register for either one of these times.

Archdiocesan Institute for Ministry

Don’t let the long title scare you away!  The AIM program is a resource to assist us in developing lay leadership and ministry disciples in our parish.  Please consider attending one of the many courses that are offered at parishes in our area.  As the AIM catalog states:  “One of the important recognitions in the last eighteen months is that the role of the laity is crucial to the life and mission of the Church.  The theological groundwork for this recognition was laid at Vatican Council II forty years ago.  This last year has brought that reality home to Boston.   We belong to a Church with a wonderful and often colorful history.  Now it is our turn to participate, to shape, to struggle and to call others to join this journey to the Reign of God.  It may not be easy, but it is blessed in all its everyday reality”. 

One of the many courses available at AIM is the “Overview of Core Catholic Beliefs”.  This course will update your knowledge and renew an appreciation of the basic beliefs of our Catholic faith and how to apply them to everyday life.  It is held one night a week for 8-weeks.  Another course is “Catechetical Methods”, designed for those considering teaching Religious Education in the parish.  Making the decision to become a Catechist is a response to God’s call to Baptism.  The word Catechist comes from the Greek work “echo”.  So Catechists are people who Echo the Word of God.  A catechist is a faith companion, a storyteller, and a leader of prayer.  They are people who demonstrate a deep commitment to living the faith, show interest and care with each learner and always model love and compassion. For more information please call the office at 781-862-4646.

An Invitation . . .We need about 11 more teachers this Fall:  Grades 4K, 5, 6, 7, and 9 on Sunday, and Grades 1, 4, 5, 7, and 8 on Tuesday.  (In some cases there is one teacher who would like to team with another).  As you know, the strength of our Religious Education program is the quality of our teachers who share their faith with our young people.  Please consider this special ministry, either by yourself or with a teammate.  We will provide resources, training, and lots of support.  The most important qualities are a love of young people and a desire to help them grow in their relationship with God and understanding of their faith.  Call Sr. Mary Lyman (781-861-8385, ext. 19) if you are interested or if you have someone to suggest.

. . . and a Reminder!   Classes are filling fast!  If you haven’t registered yet (and many haven’t!) you will need to hurry!  Forms were mailed out last June; if you have misplaced yours, please come in for a replacement.  New families should contact Sr. Mary Lyman for forms and a get-acquainted visit.  Classes will begin on Sunday, Sept. 28 and Tuesday, Sept. 30. 

Letters Confirming Registration will be sent out right after Labor Day.  If you don’t get one, we haven’t received your registration.  Come in ASAP and take care of it!

. . . and an Opportunity to Help!  On Sunday, September 14, we will have our annual “Clean-a-Thon” after the 9:00 Mass to get our classrooms ready for the year.  We will need help washing tables and chairs, putting up bulletin boards, sharpening pencils, sorting out markers and crayons, distributing supplies, etc.  Parents, grandparents and teens and children are all welcome—there are jobs for all.  We will supply coffee, juice, donuts, and cleaning supplies.  All help warmly WELCOME!

WATCH FUTURE PARISH BULLETINS FOR UPCOMING YOUTH NEWS AND EVENTS.

Youth Music Director

Hello,

My name is Denise Glennon and I am the new youth music director.  My ministry at Sacred Heart will be to coordinate the music at the 5:30 youth Mass on the first Sunday of each month October thru May.  The youth mass was implemented last year with much success and will continue to do so this year.  I am very excited about this coming year to be part of the team at Sacred Heart.

If you are interested to be part of the music ministry for the youth mass please come to an informational gathering on Sunday, September 14th at 5:30 in the Church.  This introductory meeting will last about 1 hour. Rehearsals will take place Sundays at 5:30 PM in the Church following a schedule.

There will no auditions to join the youth ensemble only the desire to sing/play for the Lord.  The youth ensemble is open to all middle/high school youth however adult leadership is encouraged and welcomed.

If you need further information or can't possibly make the gathering please call me at 978-692-9566 or email DSGSing@aol.com.   

Whoever sings in the Church prays twice!

God Bless,

Denise Glennon

Bulletins	Sacred Heart Parish Bulletin - Sep 7, 2003	Home