The paradox in today’s gospel (Mark 10:46-52) is the fact that the blind see and the sighted are blind.  Bartimaeus, a blind man, “On hearing that it was Jesus of Nazareth, began to cry out and say, ‘Jesus, son of David, have pity on me.”  He utters the prayer most of us pray, “Master, I want to see.” Jesus told him that his faith has saved him and because of his trust in Jesus he receives his sight.

It is a pastor’s prayer that the people of his parish would have the kind of sight that keeps us in God’s presence.  I want all of them and me to have sight.  I want to see as the child sees with innocent eyes; I want to see as Adam and Eve once did as they were surrounded by ‘every tree that is pleasant to the sight; I want to see into the heart of things, to see beyond, to take time, to gaze not to control but to stand back in wonder and gratitude.

Thomas Merton wrote a poem about seeing:

“Life is this simple

We are living in a world that is absolutely transparent

and God is shining through it all the time.

This is not just a fable or a nice story

it is true.

If we abandon ourselves to God

and forget ourselves,

we see it sometimes

and we see it maybe frequently.

God shows God-self everywhere,

in everything,

in people and in things and in nature and in events.

It becomes very obvious that God is everywhere and

in everything and we cannot be without God

it is impossible.

The only thing is that we don’t see it.”

It is seeing with total attentiveness, with delight, with wonder, with love, and with reverence.  “Master, that I may see.”

Offertory for October 18^th & 19^th           $6315.50

Envelope Offerings       $5524.50

Loose Cash                          $  791.00

St. John/St. Hugh               $472.00

Many thanks to all who use the parish envelopes each week.  You are the mainstay of our parish support.  This week we received 150 envelopes from the 649 families that are sent envelopes.

9:00 – Monday, Oct. 27^th             Memorial Fund Members

9:00 – Tuesday, Oct. 28^th                    Edward D. Campbell

& Craig P. Campbell

9:00 – Wednesday, Oct. 29^th                   Betty Pendergast

9:00 – Friday, Oct. 31^st                          Mary Foley Maher

9:00 – Saturday, Nov. 1^st                               John L. Wood

Church Signs

“If you can’t sleep, don’t count sheep.  Talk to the Shepherd”

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, Gordon C. Gladden, Ethel Thomas, Lori Robbins, Cecelia Hines, Peter Bellini, and Don Sabat.  Please also remember in your prayers Margaret Nichopor, sister of Robert W. McNamara, who died recently and John Quinn who died this past week.

Retirement Fund For Women Religious

Sister Mary Nagle or Sister Mary Lyman will speak on behalf of the Collection for Retired Religious this weekend. 

Prayers for Gretin

On October 28^th Gretin Cervantes, a 22 year old woman from Mission Honduras, will receive a kidney transplant in New Haven, CT.  She has been on kidney dialysis for 6 years and has suffered may set backs and disappointments getting to this point. She is most grateful to Sacred Heart parishioners who have been of great support to her on her difficult journey.  Please pray for Gretin, the kidney donor (Midge) and their care givers.  More on Gretin’s story, her need for continuing support is contained in a flyer at the doors of the church and you will be presented with an update in November.  Thank you.  For more information please call Bob Ludwig, 781-861-7231.

Runners, Walkers, Sponsors, Volunteers needed

On Sunday, November 2, 2003 you are invited to join us for one of The Finest Road Races in New England!

For more information, or if you would like to enter, you may do so on-line at www.genesis-cos.com or www.coolrunning.com.  If you would like to help...We need Volunteers!  Many are needed to Direct Runners, Assist at Water Stations and Serve Food.  Lastly, if you would like to co-sponsor this event, please contact Bob Ludwig at 781-861-7231 or bring your donation to the parish office and we will see that it reaches the proper destination!  No donation is too small!  Proceeds from the event benefit Habitat for Humanity,The Genesis Community Fund and Lexington High School Hall of Fame.

Memories

Memories are sacred and precious.  The church makes memory of our beloved dead in a special way during the month of November.  On Saturday, November 1^st at the 4:00 PM liturgy we will honor the memory of all those whose funeral liturgies were celebrated here at Sacred Heart Parish.  (November 1, 2002 through October 31, 2003).  Immediately following this liturgy a new Book of Remembrance will be available for all of you to write the names of your beloved dead, so they too will be commemorated and prayed for.

All Saints/All Souls Day

We recognize all the saints in a universal celebration, a festival of the triumphant church of the resurrection in the new and holy city of Jerusalem.  The saints, in a way, are God’s harvest, for it is God who will gather the fruits of the season.  All Saints Day is a holy day of obligation in the United States, but the obligation does not apply this year because it falls on a Saturday/Sunday.

Food Pantry

Next weekend, November 1^st & 2^nd we will have our monthly food pantry collection.  This month the food collected will be donated to the Lexington Food Pantry.  Susan Ingard's Religious Education class will be distributing supermarket bags this weekend for the Food Pantry collection.

Mount Alvernia H.S. Open House

Mount Alvernia High School, Grades 7-12, an accredited all girls college preparatory high school in the Franciscan tradition, is sponsoring an Open House on Sunday, November 2^nd from 1:30 to 4:00pm.  The school is located at 790 Centre St., Newton.  For further information, please call 617-969-2260.

The Women’s Club would like to thank all who helped at their fair last weekend.  They had the best attendance and response ever!  A special THANK YOU to those who baked, helped set up, worked the tables, cooked and served the food and especially all who supported the club’s efforts.  There are many businesses who donated to the fair and we ask you to remember them if you need merchandise they sell.  They are:  Lexington Gardens, Via Largo, Mass. Ave. Car Wash, Crafty Yankee, Wagon Wheels, Busa Liquors, Flowers at Countryside, Park Ave. Salon, Wilson Farms.  MANY THANKS TO YOU! 

Parish Mission

St. Eulalia Church announces a Parish Mission conducted by the Franciscan Friars, Monday, November 3^rd thru Thursday, November 6^th.  The theme is “I have come that they might have life in all fullness.”  Fr. Justin Bailey, OFM will preach the mission.  The Mission Service is 7:30pm.

Newton Country Day School

Newton Country Day School of the Sacred Heart will hold an Open House on Sunday, November 2^nd from 1-3pm.  Newton Country Day School is located at 785 Centre Street, Newton and offers grades 5-12.  Please call the office of Admission for more information at 617-244-4246.

Coordinator of YM: Maureen McKeown

781/861-8385 X21 - email: nychick1@att.net

To the Youth of Sacred Heart we need you – you are welcome.  Please give thought and prayer to how your gifts can enrich our entire community.

The Office for Youth Ministry has offered the YOW weekend since 1990.  Begun as part of the Youth Evangelization project, the YOW program aims at giving parish Youth Ministers and young people the opportunity of encountering God’s Word in the language, images and music of the young.  YOW will be held December 5,6, & 7^th at Lake Ossipee Conference Center in Freedom, NH.  Over the years, the YOW program has become one of OYM’s most popular activities.  For the past few years, the YOW registrations had to be closed due to over subscription three weeks before the event was to take place.  YOW registration forms are AVAILABLE NOW in the Parish Center.  The deadline Friday, November 21^st.

SIGN UP NOW…SPACE IS LIMITED.

Youth Mass

Our next Youth Mass is November 2^nd at 5:00pm.  There is a special program scheduled after the Mass.  We will have more details later.

“CUT THIS COLUMN OUT AND POST IN ON YOUR BULLETIN BOARD”

Bulletins	Sacred Heart Parish Bulletin - Oct. 26, 2003	Home