During the month of November the church throughout the world pays attention to our beloved dead starting with the feasts of All Saints and All Souls.  We are to think seriously during these dark days about our own mortality.  It is a time to place all our loved ones, along with ourselves, into the hand of Jesus Christ.  He has conquered death and is the pathway to life beyond death. “I am the way, the truth and the life.  No one comes to the Father unless he/ she pass through me.”

This conquest of sin (alienation from the Father) and death (permanent separation from life) is so monumental we see Christ as ruler of all creation.

Pilate’s question, “Are you the king of the Jews?”  Jesus’ response states he is that and more.  “My kingdom is not of this world.  But yes, I am a king. I was born for this, I came into the world for this; to bear witness to the truth.”

Jesus began his public ministry with a reference to the kingdom: “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent, and believe in the gospel.”  The word kingdom appears more than any other word throughout the four gospels.

John L. McKenzie, S.J. in his book Dictionary of the Bible writes: “This kingdom is a present reality and a future reality.  The kingdom is the preaching of the word; it contains both good and bad; it grows to greatness from imperceptible beginnings; it is a treasure for which a person should trade all ones possessions.  It imposes obligations of love and forgiveness.  It admits all comers.  It demands an alert readiness.  The emerging conception is of a single reality which is present and operative but which inevitably must reach a fulfillment of cosmic scope.  It presents a challenge to each person which cannot be evaded: the challenge whether he/she accepts the sovereignty of God or not.”

We remember that Jesus said that anyone who does the will of my Father is brother and sister to me. He is talking about members of this kingdom. Saint Augustine, in the 4^th century, was to write that there were people in the kingdom that the church did not have and people in the church the kingdom did not have.  The kingdom is bigger than the church but the church and its members are to live in such a way that the kingdom is proclaimed and made present.  On this feast of Christ the King we pledge our allegiance to the king.

Parish Trip

Many of you have been to Europe. Come with me to the Europe you perhaps have not seen. We depart June 15, 2004 for Berlin, Prague, Vienna, Budapest, Krakow and Warsaw. Join us for a slide presentation on Sunday, November 23^rd at 1:30 PM in the Parish Center. Call me for a brochure filled with details.

Offertory for November 15 ^th & 16 ^th       $5,326.50

Envelope Offerings       $4,162.00

Loose Cash                          $1,164.50

St. John/St. Hugh               $50.00

To date we have received $69,950 in our Grand Annual Collection.  Many thanks for your continued support.

9:00 – Tuesday, Nov. 18^th            Memorial Fund Members

9:00 – Wednesday, Nov. 18^th     Odile Kebreay ,Clemence Alphonse, Glady Messac, Clara Michele

9:00 – Friday Nov. 20 ^th                         Anthony Arena

9:00 – Saturday Nov. 21st          Francis, Helen & Eddie Sullivan

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, Paul Pantano, Fran Ressetar, Lori Robbins, Cecelia Hines, Renee Chapman, Peter Bellini, and Don Sabat; David DeThomasis. 

Please plan to join your parish community here at Sacred Heart on Wednesday, November 26^th at 7:30pm to celebrate a special mass of Thanksgiving.

The Lexington Interfaith Service of the Lexington Clergy Association will be celebrated on Tuesday, November 25^th at Temple Emunah at 8:00pm.

Talking Turkey

If you wish to donate a Thanksgiving turkey to a family at St. John/St. Hugh parish, please deliver a family size frozen turkey at the side door of Sacred Heart Church before 9 am on Monday November 24.  If you require a different delivery time, please call the parish office to arrange a drop-off time. 781-862-4646.  If you prefer, you could donate a gift certificate from Stop & Shop.

Oxfam America’s Fast for a World Harvest

The members of Sacred Heart Parish are asked to join with thousands of others to reflect and take action against hunger and poverty in the world.  By fasting all day, skipping a meal, snack or dessert and donating the cost of the food to Oxfam, you can aid the elimination of hunger.  Baskets for donations will be at the doors of the church in Saturday, November 22 and Sunday, November 23, 2003.  If you prefer, donations may be sent directly to Oxfam America, 26 West St., Boston, MA 02111.

Winter Clothing Drive

This year the Sacred Heart and St. Brigid Parishes will join together in a winter clothing drive.  We are seeking both men’s and women’s clothing.  The men’s clothing will go to St. Francis House in Boston and the women’s clothing will go to several women’s shelters.  As in the past, we are looking for warm winter clothing and boots as well as new underwear (long johns would be great) and socks.

The donated clothing will be sorted, folded and prepared for the shelter by students in the LABBB program.  For those of you who are not familiar with LABBB, it is a vocational/academic program for students with special needs in the towns of Lexington, Arlington, Belmont, Burlington and Bedford.  The program is housed at the Lexington High School.  They are receiving vocational training in multiple areas including: office work, data entry, electronic assembly, mailings, etc.  Students are employed in various businesses as well as within a workshop environment.

 Please deliver your used winter clothing and new underwear and socks to the lower hall at the back of the St. Brigid’ Parish Center on the weekends of November 29^th and 30th, and December 6^th and 7^th.  On the Saturdays, the buildings will be open from 8am – 2pm.  If you have any questions or problems with delivery times, please call Mary Abegg @ (781)862-0388.

The office will be closed Thursday November 27 and Friday November 28 in celebration of Thanksgiving.

Any Bulletin Notices should be in the office Monday Morning

Advent Wreath Making

Join us this Sunday November 23 in the Parish Hall after the 9:00am mass.  The cost is $10.00 per wreath.  You are welcome to join in this Advent activity, come over and make a wreath or take the “makings” home with you.  The 1^st Sunday of Advent is November 30^th.  Help keep “Christ in Christmas” by celebrating Advent in your home.

Book of Rememberence

There is a book in the church for you to write the names of your beloved dead.  These names will be remembered especially during the month of November.  Throughout the year you may also add your own special needs at any time.

Lectors

The LECTOR BOOKS for the new liturgical year are available.  (Advent begins Sunday November 30^th) There will be some books in the sacristy for you to pickup after Mass or you may arrange with Sister Mary Nagle to pick one up at the Parish Center

YOUTH MASS

Our next Mass will be on Sunday December 14^TH @ 5:OOPM.  There will be a special program to follow.

SACRED HEART YOUTH TO PARTICIPATE IN PARISH’S PRISON MINISTRY

Once again, during this Christmas season, our teens have an opportunity to bring happiness to the lives of others.  All Sacred Heart youth, grades 6-12 are encouraged to participate in this service project providing gifts for the children of women currently housed at the Framingham Correctional Facility.  Our teens are asked to help by coming for one (or both) of two service days.  The first, scheduled for Saturday, November 29 from 1 – 2PM in the parish center will be to help make posters and decorate the Christmas tree with the ornaments with each need child’s name, etc.  The second, on Friday, December 12 from 6 – 8PM will be to sort and wrap the gifts to be delivered to the facility for their Christmas Party on the next day.  Look for this special Christmas tree in the Parish Center, beginning the 1^st Sunday of Advent, November 30.

ALL GIFTS MUST BE RETURNED TO THE TREE ON/BEFORE TUESDAY, DECEMBER 9^TH TO ASSURE DELIVERY.

Any questions, or if you would like to help, please call Maureen at 781/861-8383

THANK YOU to all the teens who participated in the RAKE & MOVIE event last weekend.  Those who organized the day from the T.L.C. team and all who participated had a great afternoon.  Thanks as well to the parishioners who signed up to have their lawns raked and to the adults who were available to drive the workers!   LOOK AT THE BULLETIN FOR FUTURE EVENTS!

ATTENTION 9^TH AND 10^TH GRADERS AND PARENTS!

The retreat for Grades 9 and 10, originally scheduled for Saturday, December 6, has been postponed until Saturday, February 7.  Please save the date and make the change on your calendars!

UPCOMING RELIGIOUS EDUCATION SCHEDULE

NO Classes on Sunday, November 30 – Thanksgiving Weekend.

Tuesday classes WILL meet on November 25 and December 2.

Bulletins	Sacred Heart Parish Bulletin - Nov. 23, 2003	Home