In the 1935 movie The Crusades the character played by Loretta Young says to Richard the Lionhearted, “You just gotta save Christianity, Richard, and you gotta!”  In every age since the death of Jesus, people have heard that same urgent call.  It’s ironic that if Christianity’s “gotta be” saved from anything it’s from Christians!

Look at what priests have done to the Church of Boston through the abuse scandal and their unfaithfulness toward God’s people.  Look at the lack of purposeful leadership among the bishops.  Look at the inactivity of Catholics regarding church worship and participation in church ministry.  Look at the children who are merely baptized and are not helped to understand what that means for them. Look at couples that do not share their faith with each other and with their families.  Yes, Christianity must be saved—in many instances—from Christians.

This weekend, the Church throughout the world, is celebrating Vocation Sunday.  We don’t need a crusade to save Christianity.  Remember that Peter launched the first crusade when he drew his sword in the Garden of Gethsemani to save Jesus. Jesus told him, “Peter, put away your sword.  You don’t understand; God has other plans.  Don’t get in the way of them.”

In these distressing times we should not be fearful of the fate of the Church.  We need to live in the spirit of Easter’s promise.  Jesus promised his fearful disciples that he would be with them always. It was God and not the sword that saved Jesus; so too it will be God that saves Christianity.  We need to believe in the abiding presence of Jesus who continues his ministry through the call he gives each of us to minister as priests, parents, men and women religious, deacons, single people and children.  As we continue the work of Jesus, what call is he giving you?  Are you listening or are you going to get in the way?

We need to pray that we hear God’s call and receive His Spirit so that we would have the courage to respond to that call.

Offertory for April 24/25            $5271.50

Envelope Offerings       $4651.50

Loose Cash                          $720.00

St. John/St. Hugh                                             $194.00

Many thanks to all who use the parish envelopes each week.  You are the mainstay of our parish support.  This week we received 163 envelopes from the 649 families that are sent envelopes each month. 

Food Pantry

This weekend, May 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.

Flowers this weekend are donated by Louise M. Nolan in memory of Louise S. and Frank L. Davis.

9:00am – Monday, May 3^rd                 Betty Phelps. 1^st Ann.

9:00am – Tuesday, May 4^th                Tom Keegan, 2^nd Ann.

9:00am – Wednesday, May 5^th                             Rose Ryan

9:00am – Friday, May 7^th                          M. Civita DiSilva

9:00am – Saturday, May 8^th                           Lucy Gosselin

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, 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, Chrysostom Blanchard, Frank Cote, James Bresnahan, Ann Mulray, Rita Mahan, Connie Perrotta, Gerard Sarno, Dorothy Grant, Gretin Cervantes, Marisol O’Brien, Matthew Gablor, Paul Pantano, Fran Ressetar, Lori Robbins, Cecelia Hines, Renee Chapman, Peter Bellini, Christine Gainer, Chris Ann Colletti Feener, Katherine Bingham, Helen McLaughlin, Paul Doherty, Jorge Loayza, Joseph Brault, Lauren Forgette, Jim Galehouse, Bill Attaya, John McCarthy, Don Sabatand, and Pauline Briggs.  Please also pray for John Cotter, brother of Monica and Eileen Cotter, who died this past week.

Winchester Voice of the Faithful

St. Eulalia’s Voice of the Faithful will present Margaret Guider, OSF, Associate Professor of Religion and Theology at the Weston School, on Monday, May 3^rd, at 7:30pm.

The new date for our “Celebrating Our Parish”. festivity is June 12^th & 13^th.following each Mass.  Please plan to join us after Mass in the Parish Center.  To share a meal and friendship! 

2004 Annual Catholic Appeal

This is the Annual Catholic Appeal Weekend.  We would like to thank those of you who have sent in pledges.  If you have brought the pledge with you today, please put it in an envelope and place it in the collection basket.  Your contribution does make a difference.  Through the Annual Catholic Appeal, you help children and young people live a life of faith through religious education, youth programs and campus ministry.  You support seniors with opportunities for recreation and companionship through Emmanual House.  You help people of all ages—from infants to elders—to receive basic services through Catholic Charities’ Shaughnessy Family Center at Labouré.  As you think about your gift, we ask you to take to heart the prayer to our Mother of Perpetual Help:

Mary,model of Christian love, we know we cannot heal every ill or solve every problem.  But with God’s grace, we intend to do what we can.  May we be true witnesses to the world that love for one another really matters.  May our daily actions proclaim how fully our lives are modeled after yours, Mother of Perpetual Help.

Indoor Yard Sale

There will be an indoor yard sale to benefit the Marybeth Blouin Memorial Fund at Children’s Hospital on Saturday, May 15^th from 8:00am to 1:00pm.  Donations of saleable items will be most appreciated and may be dropped off at the parish center on Friday, May 14^th between 9:00am and 8:00pm.  Helping hands would also be appreciated.  Please call Bob or Peggy Blouin at 781-862-0864 for further information.

The following children will receive First Communion at the 11:30 Mass Sunday, May 2^nd:

Caterina Bonmassar                   Christine Leach

Matthew Burke                               Aurimas Lofland

Jade Canha                                          Jack McCullough

Brianna Cimino                                Cameron McCullough

Dorothy Diaz-Sullivan                     John McNamara

Sean Fitzgerald                              Genevieve Medina

Mia Foley                                       Julia Morrison

Donald Fox                                     Elizabeth Nardone

Consuelo Hylton                              Shea Necheles

Norma Hylton                                 Alexandria Nole

Daniel Johnson                               Jack Rushe

Sarah Kiernan                                 Julia Sullivan

Stephani Kim                                   Christian Woods

Emma Kuper                                    Katie Zagarella

Melissa Zagarella

Vocations

On this Good Shepherd Sunday we celebrate the World Day of Prayer for Vocations.  Pray for an increase in vocations to the priesthood, deaconate and religious life, especially in our Archdiocese, that God will raise up good shepherds in our midst.  If God is calling you, call the Vocation Office at 617-746-5436.

The Great Jelly Been Jar Contest

Congratulations to our winner, Mrs. Deborah Hankins (Tuesday evening catechist--Grade7) whose guess of 1,420 beans was closest to the actual count of 1,633 jelly beans in the jar!  There were 48 separate entries with guesses ranging from a low of 50 to a high of 1 sextillion (that’s a one followed by 21 zeros!).  We thank everyone who participated in this 8^th Grade’s Mardi Gras frivolity.  Happy Easter to all!

Coordinator of YM: Maureen McKeown

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

GOSPEL ROAD:  Week of August 9 – 13. The date has been established for this great event.  It is a week of team building and service at several sites.  Evenings have time for processing the experience, a spiritual component and lots of fun and games. The cost is $165 and any teen in the 8^th grade or older is eligible.  Great news – Fr. Chris O’Connor is one of the leaders – you might remember him from Youth Mass this year.  This will definitely be a sell-out.  Go on the website for the Office of Youth Ministry for more details.  www.OYMBoston.,org   You don’t want to miss this opportunity!  Call with any questions.

12^th ANNUAL HARBOR CRUISE – MIDDLE SCHOOL.  The dates are Monday, June 21 or Monday June 28.  Time:  Lv. Lexington @ 6:30, Arrive home by 11 PM.  Cost $15 per person (Bus fee will be additional).  Forms available at Parish Center or on line. 

C.L.I.    Letters will be mailed soon to teens who will be incoming Freshman, Sophomores, Juniors outlining the opportunity to participate in Catholic Leadership Institute at Merrimack College this July.  Several of our teens have participated in this program (as well as the next step:  CLIMB).  Their commitment, enthusiasm and leadership are very evident in the Sacred Heart faith community during this past year.  We need others who will be trained and willing to serve during the years ahead.  This is your parish – if you want an active community for young adults, the ball is in your court.  Date for C.L.I.(at Merrimack College) are July 19-23.  Call Maureen or speak to any member of our T.L.C. for more info.

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