During the months of September and October we are re-introducing you to the idea of stewardship. The effectiveness of this community of faith depends upon the support of the entire parish family.  As stewards, we are challenged to show gratitude to God for bestowing us with His gifts of time, talent and income.  When we provide financial generosity and gifts of service to our parish, we are making an investment that can pay dividends both now and in the future.  The community profits because through our parish support, we are helping to bring the kingdom of God into the hearts of His people.  And we profit because God has promised to reward such generosity: “Give, and it shall be given to you.” (Luke 6:38)

Financial support is critical to a parish’s very existence.  As good stewards, we are called to give in proportion to our blessings.  Through careful budgeting, the head of a household provides for that family’s material needs.  But it is also important to provide financial support for the welfare of our parish family.  Giving to church or charity must be deliberately planned, because it is providing a vital service to both the giver and receiver.

A sign in a Chinese pet store read: “Buy one dog, get one flea.”  The word “flea” could have been a phonetic error.  The storeowner may have meant to say, “Buy one dog, get one free.”  But it also could have been a warning label.  Some dogs do come with fleas included.

The story can remind us of the teaching in today’s gospel  (Mark 10:17-30).  If we want to enter the kingdom, we have to be willing to pay the full price—and some unwanted “fleas” are included in that price.  Jesus asked the rich man to sell everything and give the money to the poor.  He couldn’t really pledge his treasure, much less his time and talent. He only wanted to pay the easy part, buying just the “dog.”  The part we don’t like—the “fleas”—is to ask ourselves, “Is my faith strong enough to abandon everything and place myself into the hands of Jesus?”

We know that just as God has blessed us in the past, so He will bless us in the future for the gifts we share in our parish and community.  This is God’s great promise—and our great opportunity.

Offertory for October 4^th & 5^th         $5547.50

Envelope Offerings       $4912.50

Loose Cash                          $ 635.00

St. John/St. Hugh               $547.00

Many thanks to all who use the parish envelopes each week.  You are the mainstay of our parish support.  This week we received 135 envelopes from the 649 families that are sent envelopes.

9:00 – Tuesday, Oct. 14^th                            Casimire, Mary

& Anthony Stasium

9:00 – Saturday, Oct. 18^th                    Gerald & Eleanor Amadeo

The Harvest is Ready, Labors are few

What is God Calling us to do

A while ago we formed the Family Chalice for Vocations Program.  Each family or household was asked to bring into their homes the beautiful chalice used in our Eucharist celebration.  As a centerpiece for daily prayer, it serves as a reminder to pray for more people to respond to religious vocations.  If you have not been contacted as yet by those participating in this powerful ministry, please call John Collins at 781-862-5805 for more information or to sign up to become involved in this ministry.

This week we ask you to pray for those who are ill, including, Brianna Cimino, Rosemary Harvey, Regina Jones, Andrea Hynes, Joyce Amos, James Reilly, Regina Wingard, Elaine Ring, Erin McMehon, Maria Aguis, George Beck, Dr. Kenneth Spengler, Josephine Murphy, Peter Bugda, Norma Berstein, Camille Michals, Rob Morway, Patricia Hassett, Paul McCann, William Francis, Lillian Davenport, James Fontaini, Henri Fradette, William Blair, Agatha Pals, Richard Gaudet, Kath Rodriegas, Estelle Szalajeski, Nancy Driscoll, Dante DiManna, Margie Levine, Ruth Pike, Doug Phillips, Ralph Tatro, Andrew Day,  Peggy Sue Grow, Mary Serpa, Deborah Miller, Dorothy Lee, William MacKinnon, Mary Jefferson, Elizabeth Conte, Dave Rissmiller, Violet Caldaroni, Ruth McAleer, John McAleer, Frank Cote, James Bresnahan, Ann Mulray, Bea Lingane, Rita Mahan, Paul Bentley, Connie Perrotta, Gerard Sarno, Dorothy Grant,Gretin Cervantes and Midge Moran, Marisol O’Brien, Matthew Gablor, Ted Baird, Paul Pantano, Fran Ressetar, Lori Robbins, Cecelia Hines, Peter Bellini, and Don Sabat. 

Parenting in Faith

A four week adult education course will begin Wednesday, October 22, 2003 at St. Brigid Parish and continue on October 29^th, November 5^th and 12^th.  The course is being offered by the Archdiocesan Institute for Ministry.  For more information please call Jaye Russo at 781-862-8724.

Lifting Up the Poor

A Lecture presenting Mary Jo Bane, Thornton Bradshaw Professor of Public Policy and Management at the Kennedy School, Harvard and Lawrence M. Mead, Professor of Politics at New York University titled Lifting Up the Poor: A Dialogue on Religion, Poverty, and Welfare Reform will be held on Thursday 23 October 2003 at Sherrill Hall 3A (99 Brattle St, Cambridge, at 8 p.m.  Their panel discussion grows out of their recent book Lifting Up the Poor (Brookings Institute Press).

RCIA - Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults…Sacred Heart Parish and St. Brigid Parish will begin this program on Sunday, October 19^th.  If you or someone you know would like to explore becoming a Catholic or re-connect with the Catholic church this program may be for you!  Please call Sister Mary Nagle for details, 781-862-4646.

Sacred Heart Women’s Club Fair

The Sacred Heart Women’s Club will hold it’s annual fair on October 18^th in the Bishop Ruocco Hall of the parish center.  They are in need of items for the White Elephant table and new items for their chance table.  These items can be brought to the Parish Center any day up to and including October 17^th.  On October 17^th the women will be in the hall from 7:00pm to 9:00pm to take any last minute contributions you would like to donate.  There will be a baked goods table that could use any and all of your specialties!  You can drop those off on Saturday morning anytime.

The Parish Office will be closed on Monday, October 13^th in celebration of Columbus Day.

Sister Mary Nagle has begun a new program called Moment by Moment on Tuesday afternoons in the Rectory basement during the Religious Education classes.  Any of the parents who may not want to spend time driving back and forth while their children are at class are welcome to join this group.  Come and form a “faith community” of your own.

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”.  Upcoming dates for this training are as follows:

SACRED HEART PARISH

October 19^th from 1:30 – 4:00pm

Please call the office at 781-862-4646 to let us know you will attend.

We wish to thank all of the parishioners who responded to our plea for “disciples” for our ministries.  We would like to remind anyone who is interested in baking bread for Sunday liturgies that even though it did not appear on the list that was handed out, if this ministry would fit into your schedule you may call Marilyn DiNapoli at 978-275-3166 to sign up.  This is an important ministry and it is a ministry that is time friendly.  We give you a very simple recipe to follow (no yeast).  You can bake the bread at your leisure and bring it to church on Saturday afternoon before the 4:00 Mass.  Think about it!

Thank you to all who helped make last Sunday’s opening Youth Mass and all that followed such a wonderful success.  The music, the wonderful meal, the program for Middle School teens, the teachers great response to our new format, the parents who responded to the request to hear John Bettinelli deliver his “Pitch” – everything made the evening a spirit-lifting event.  (See more detailed information in the bulletin insert).

Two events that need an immediate response:

1. Trip to Spooky World on Friday, October 17^th.  Permission slips and details on flyer that was sent home from Rel. Ed. classes.  Also available at the Parish Center.  These are due back IMMEDIATELY if this is going to happen!

2.   Program at Regis College in the Spring featuring Rob Surrette.  Some of you might have experienced his performances previously.  Details are on the poster in the Parish Center.

Look for information regarding the program to follow our next Youth Mass on Nov. 2^nd.  The program is open to anyone who is interested and will be required of 9^th and 10^th grade classes.

Our new Youth Music Director, Denise Glennon, is looking forward to more of our young people joining the Youth Music Group.  You can contact her at DSGsing@aol.com.  We are looking forward to having the best youth music in the area!  The next rehearsal will be on Sunday, October 19 @ 5:00PM in the Parish Center.

I will be away for a week but Claire (781-862-4646) will be happy to answer any questions.  Thank you for all the gifts you continue to reveal to our faith community at Sacred Heart. 

Maureen

Bulletins	Sacred Heart Parish Bulletin - Oct. 12, 2003	Home