Sacred Heart Parish Bulletin

As one scripture professor, speaking about gospel stories said, “It is all true, and some of it really happened.”

The story of the wise men and the star may or may not have happened but it is true. Scientists have speculated on the origin of the star over the Bethlehem town. Some have said that it was a supernova or a new star, or a comet with a luminous tail, or—as been seen recently on the Discovery Channel—a planetary conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn which occurred about 7-6 B.C. when Herod was king.

According to folklore, stars were thought to herald the birth of great people. Matthew’s mention of the guiding star of Bethlehem came from the Book of Numbers (22-24). Balak, the king of Moab, called upon Balaam, a seer, to curse Israel. He refused and instead blessed Israel saying that a future leader would come. “I see him, though not now; I behold him, though he is not near. A star will come forth from Jacob and a scepter will rise from Israel.”

Bible scholars think this prophecy was referring to David and his kingship. Later Jewish scholars applied this prophecy to the long hoped for messiah of David’s line. Matthew and the early church thought the prophecy was fulfilled in Jesus. Matthew molds his story around Balaam. Just as the wicked king was tricked so was Herod. Just as “Balaam went off to his home”, Matthew tells us the Wise Men “went back to their own country” but not without faith in the one whose star led them to Bethlehem.

The Epiphany is a true story in that it declares God’s concern for all nations. Just as the angels proclaimed at Jesus’ birth: “Don’t be afraid! I have good news for you which will make everyone happy…Praise God in heaven! Peace on earth to everyone who pleases God.” God’s concern is now seen to include every nation. We are to emulate that same universal spirit in all our dealings with one another. Then others will see epiphanies—the presence of God—through our witnessing.

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, February 8^th at 2:00pm in the Parish Center, lower hall. Call me for a brochure filled with details.

Readings for the Week of January 4, 2004

Sunday:    Is 60:1-6; Eph 3:2-3a, 5-6; Mt 2:1-12
Monday:    1 Jn 3:22-4:6; Mt 4:12-17, 23-25
Tuesday:   1 Jn 4:7-10; Mk 6:34-44
Wednesday:    1 Jn 4:11-18; Mk 6:45-52
Thursday: 1 Jn 4:19-5:4; Lk 4:14-22a
Friday:           1 Jn 5:5-13; Lk 5:12-16
Saturday: 1 Jn 5:14-21; Jn 3:22-30

Next Sunday: Is 42:1-4, 6-7; Acts 10:34-38; Lk 3:15-16, 21-22

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, Frank Cote, James Bresnahan, Ann Mulray, Bea Lingane, Rita Mahan, Connie Perrotta, Gerard Sarno, Dorothy Grant, Gretin Cervantes, Midge Moran, Marisol O’Brien, Matthew Gablor, Paul Pantano, Marjorie Clougherty, Fran Ressetar, Lori Robbins, Cecelia Hines, Renee Chapman, Peter Bellini, Don Sabatand and David De Thomasis. Please also remember in your prayers Joseph Carroll, brother of Sally Marone and Nunzio Violanto, father of Jean Hart, who designs our Christmas cards each year.

N.B. Youth Mass at 5:00 January 4 with program following for Grades 9 and 10. (See Youth News page for details.)

The Winchester Voice of the Faithful with present a question and answer program with Steve Krueger, Executive Director of Voice of the Faithful on Monday, January 12^th at 7:30pm at St. Eulalia’s Church, 50 Ridge St., Winchester.

St, Agnes School in Arlington will hold registration for new students for 2004-05 school year as follows:

Kindergarten thru Gr. 7 – Tuesday, February 3^rd from 9 :00 to 11:00am. Please bring a copy of the following: birth certificate, baptismal record, and immunization record; Grades 1-7 also bring a copy of First Eucharist certificate and last report card. In case of a storm the rescheduled date will be Feb. 5^th at the same time. Kindergarten students must be five by September 30, 2004 and Grade One students must be six years old by September 30, 2004.

There will be an OPEN HOUSE on January 28^th from 7:00-8:00pm. This is for NEW PAENTS who might be interested in enrolling their child/children in St. Agnes School. Snow date – January 29^th.

Hospice Care, Inc. Bereavement Programs will sponsor Adult Support Groups which provide a save place to express feelings, share experiences, learn about grief, and move ahead in one’s grief process. Support Groups are free of charge and open to the community. All adult support groups are held at Hospice Care, Inc., 41 Montvale Avenue, Second Floor, Stoneham, MA. For registration or additional information, please call 781-729-4100.

The Catholic Charities’ Adoption Staff is actively recruiting families for over 3,000 waiting children in Massachusetts. Please consider opening your hearts and homes to these wonderful children. Please consider taking the first step and participate in MAPP Training, where you will begin your journey to consider adoption. Contact Pauline Richard at 617-464-8586 for more information.

Lord, Giver of Life, we are grateful for all those who have come before us in our families, those we have known and those ancestors whom we have never met or heard about. This lineage of parents, grandparents, great-grandparents and so many others has gifted us with life, faith and our family story. This story was chosen by You from all time. This tradition of holy parents is just another sign of your faithful love. May the threads of this story and the strands of tradition which encircle our families, be cherished for generations to come. May we express our gratitude to You and to our ancestors by passing on these rich traditions, this holiness and this story, to the next generations. We bless and praise You,

Heavenly Parent, who has been so generous with us, giving us a holy people to grow us in the faith. Amen.

St. Brigid’s Choir under the direction of Dr. Mackenzie Albert along with guests from other churches in the Lexington area will sing the beautiful ”Oratorio” by Camille Saint-Saens. There will also be an orchestra of strings, harps and organ featuring a harpist from the Boston Symphony Orchestra. A reception will follow in Keilty Hall, all are cordially invited on January 4^th at 4:00pm.

The Arlington Adult Religious Education Cluster will host their Workshop #24 “Intro to Christian Ethics in the Catholic Tradition”. The presenter is Rev. James A. O’Donohoe, a professor at St. John’s Seminary, on Thursday, January 15^th, 2004 at 7:30pm in Msgr. Linehan Library at Arlington Catholic High School, 16 Medford St., Arlington.

Please save any small Christmas gifts for our next Bingo at Youville Place in January. Our youth will be going there on January 11^th. If you have an item, please leave it at the parish office or outside the YM office downstairs. Thank you. We appreciate your help.

Coordinator of YM: Maureen McKeown

1:30 – 3:30 meet at Youville Place. Our T.L.C. will be organizing this popular event. If you would like to attend (or if you can bake a dessert) please contact Maureen at 781-861-8385 or e-mail nychick1@worldnet.att.net.

CATHOLIC YOUTH RALLY: This is really exciting news for any teen between 13 and 19. You are invited to meet your new Archbishop Sean (O’Malley) at Merrimack College on Saturday February 7, 2004 from 1-6PM. There will be a program with skits, music and lots of fun. Liturgy will be celebrated. There will be a Catholic Youth Rally at Merrimack College on Saturday February 7, 2004 from 1-6PM. Over 1,000 youth are expected to attend. Mark you calendar now! More information on this event right after the holidays.

YOUTH MASS: Tonight, January 4 @ 5:00 PM. Fr. Chris O’Connor will be our celebrant. There will be a wonderful program to follow. This is part of the 9/10^th grade program. Any Middle School teen who would like to attend is welcome. A light supper will be served. We will be finished at 8:00pm.

SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT: Would you like to gain some great leadership skills and have a week of fun-filled activity this summer?? Think about signing up for a week at C.L.I. (Catholic Leadership Institute) this summer at Merrimack College. Dates will be announced soon.

Sacred Heart Parish Bulletin - Jan 4, 2003

Coordinator of YM: Maureen McKeown

Sacred Heart Parish Bulletin - Jan. 4, 2004