A person approached Maya Angelou (Sp) and told her she was a Christian. Maya replied, “Already?” Few of us are Christians; most of us are becoming Christians.  Today we celebrate the Baptism of the Lord.  It was not the sacrament of Baptism for Jesus did not need that and there were no sacraments until after the resurrection.  Baptism, for Jesus, was a ritual purification dedicating himself in a visible way to God and the mission God had given him.  Theologians tell us that Jesus, in his human nature, had to grow into an awareness of just what that mission was.  The scriptures told us last week that ‘he grew in age and grace and wisdom.”

Our baptism began our mission to the Father and the desire, ability and Spirit to carry out that mission.  In the old days we used to call it a vocation.  Vocation means a calling.  What is God calling us to be and to do?

In the sacrament of baptism we have the sign Christ uses to convey the meaning of the rite, namely water.  Water means life.  Without water there is no life.  We are now re-exploring Mars to find the presence of water and possible life.  Jesus tells us in baptismal water that he is sharing his life with us.  To share his life is to share his Spirit and to continue his mission—to speak what the Father wants us to hear and to free us from obstacles (sin) to life with God now and forever.  Water not only means life but it can also mean death—we can drown in water.  There is a death that must take place in us as we live out our baptism.  We must die to whatever is not of God.  The scriptures tell us that we must die to self-centeredness—you are not the center of your life, the Father is to be the center. You must die to worldliness as opposed to Godliness.

The Christ life is already there and the death is already there going on in your life.  Again, the scriptures have God speaking to us: “I set before you life and death, blessings and curses—choose life.”

If someone says “I am a Christian.”  We have found someone who has halted on the journey.  We are becoming Christian and it will take a lifetime of choices, supporting companions and the Spirit of God to get to our goal.

Why Prepare For Mass

You are already a faithful person committing an hour to worship God through attending Sunday Mass.  Likely you get something out of Mass that helps you feel closer to God.  And, perhaps you hear something in the homily that brightens your day or helps you during the week.

You can make that hour in Mass more valuable.  You can get more from the scriptures and homily—an understanding that will help you better tune-in to the voice of God by better understanding His word.

Some people gain this by investing time in scripture reading.  The scriptures for the week are printed in the bulletin.  If you are too busy for that, consider investing as little as ten minutes at a weekly Internet web site: www.MassPrep.org will give you the tools to better understand the weekly scriptures and their significance.

Offertory for January 3^rd & 4^th       $8486.50

Envelope Offerings       $7705.50

Loose Cash                          $  781.00

St. John/St. Hugh               $1004.00

Next Youth Mass

The next Youth Mass will be on February 1^st at 11:30.  Please attend this Mass if possible and support the youth of Sacred Heart Parish.

9:00 – Saturday, Jan. 17^th                      Michael Ciccarelli

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, Fran Ressetar, Lori Robbins, Cecelia Hines, Renee Chapman, Peter Bellini, Katherine Bingham, Elizabeth Marrisk, Don Sabatand and David De Thomasis.  Please also remember in your prayers Marjorie Clougherty, who died this past week.

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

In The Christmas Rush…

It appears that a parishioner may have mixed his/her personal Christmas shopping with shopping done for the Advent Candles.  If you purchased gifts for Rose, Timmy and Paterson and couldn’t find the items for Christmas, please call the parish office at 781-862-4646.

Moment By Moment

The Moment By Moment program which began in the fall will continue into the New Year (and beyond)!  A small group of parishioners will gather on Wednesdays at 3:30 PM in the Rectory Conference Room for reflection and prayer around our response to God moment by moment.  All are welcome!

St. Eulalia Christian/Muslim Dialog

St. Eulalia’s will present “Islamic and Catholic Concepts of Justice” on Sunday, January 11^th in Manion Hall beginning at 7:00.  The speakers will be Dr. Muhammad Lazzouni, a visiting scholar of Islamic Studies at Boston College and Father James O’Donohoe, a teacher at the Seminary for 25 years and for another two decades at Boston College.  A question period will follow with refreshments and conversation for as long as needed.

Virtus Program Training Dates

Please set aside one of two dates on the flyer in the bulletin this week for attending the training session for this important program.  Saturday, January 24^th or Sunday, February 29^th from 1-4:30.

Recycle Your Paper Bags

We're looking to replenish our stock of paper supermarket  bags for the classes to decorate and distribute for the monthly food pantry collection.  Please leave them in the labeled box in the basement near the religious education classes.  Thank you!

Romance Without Regret

St. Barbara’s Parish, Woburn, along with the Knights of Columbus Council 77, and Life Focus, a group of local Catholic men and women committed to promoting chastity and life values, are sponsoring a chastity talk for teens by Jason Evert from Catholic Answers on Sunday, March 7^th, at Burlington High School at 7:15pm.  Jason is a young accomplished Catholic author and international speaker whose presentation, called “Romance Without Regret” has led many young people to commit to living chastely.  Jason has received many e-mails and letters from teens across the country attesting to the effectiveness of his message.  For more information, call Muriel at 781-272-8137 or 781-910-5540 or Catina at 781-938-9113.

Computer Server Needed

Are you someone whose business is about to retire a server-class computer?  If so, please consider donating the machine to Sacred Heart.  We are looking for a small HP, Compaq, or Dell server to run our parish LAN.  A tower is preferred, but we would not turn down a rack-mounted machine.  Please let us know the value of the server so that we can include it in the amount of your contributions for tax purposes.  Contact Chris Felknor at webmaster@sacredheartlex.org. 

Recently Widowed Or Single?

Join our first-annual cruise to Bermuda on August 22^nd.  We shall have daily mass and group discussions. $775.pp./d.o.  For more information, please call Mrs. Dolan, 781-933-8062 between 3 and 6 p.m.

Youville Bingo

Thank you to all who sent in the gifts for our Bingo at Youville Place.  Those youth going today should meet at 1:30 at Youville.

Coordinator of YM: Maureen McKeown

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

Mark Your Calendars Now!

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 your calendar now!  More information on this event right after the holidays. 

NOTE:  All 9^th/10^th graders:  This will be your Retreat Day (rescheduled from December).  A letter is in the mail explaining all the details.  We will meet for breakfast in the Parish Center and travel as a group (by bus) to Merrimack College on SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 7.

YOUTH MASS:  FEBRUARY 1^ST AT 11:30AM.  NOTE CHANGE OF TIME

SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT:  Would you like to gain some great leadership skills and have a week of fun-filled activity this summer?? If you entering grades 9-12, think about signing up for a week at C.L.I. (Catholic Leadership Institute) this summer at Merrimack College.  DATES:  Week of July 19 – 23 or July 26-30.

LOCK MONSTERS GAME:  Sunday, January 18 at 4:00 PM in Lowell.  PERMISSION SLIPS WITH MONEY ARE DUE TODAY  (Sunday).  Leave in box outside YM office in Parish Center.  Extra permission slips are available there.  Bring a friend for a great day!!  Questions??  Call or email Maureen at numbers above.

COME SEE ROB SURETTE BRING CHRIST TO LIFE:   We have a block of tickets for the performance on SUNDAY, MARCH 21 – 7:00 PM @ Regis College.  More will be announced on this.  This will be a regular component of the 9/10^th grade program (replacing class for that week) but anyone age 7 and older is welcome to attend.  See poster in Parish Center or go on line at www.AmazingHeroArt.com.

Bulletins	Sacred Heart Parish Bulletin - Jan. 11, 2004	Home