Three people were chatting after church one Sunday when the pastor asked them, “When you are in your casket and friends and family are mourning over you, what would you like them to say?”

The first one said, “I would like them to say I was a wonderful husband, a great spiritual leader and a great family man.”

The next person said, “I would like them to say I was a wonderful teacher who made a huge difference in people’s lives.”

The third person said, “I would like them to say, ‘Look, he’s moving’! ”

In today’s Gospel (Luke 10:1-11) Jesus tells his followers to “get moving” as he sends them forth two by two.  It is time for them to put their faith into action.  No doubt Jesus wants all of us to “get moving” and, each in our own way, each in our own time and place, to proclaim that the reign of God is truly at hand.

Closing of our parish threatens us.  We are losing a very big part of our “shared” faith.  We may say that the people are the Church, not the building, but the truth is that our shared faith in God is expressed in this building.  Even when our reason tells us we cannot continue in this building we are at a loss to lose this home of our faith.

We are tempted to strike out in anger or to withdraw in depression.  Neither response is equal to all that God has given to us; still, anger is our first response.  Some of our people are resigned to the fact of closing and are looking to register their children for religious education classes at Saint Brigid parish while others still hold out hope for a successful appeal.

The real test for us is to figure out what God is doing with us.  We are having a home for our faith taken from us.  We have to face the future without the familiar, the comfortable, the usual, and our home in faith.  What does God want of us?

In the meantime—all the while asking God what does he want of us—we invite people to write to the Archbishop and to me expressing your feelings and thoughts over the closing of Sacred Heart Parish. We do need to meet to talk this matter over.  We need to continue to ask: “Why must this parish close?”  Perhaps in doing this we may get to move in the direction God wants us to move.  Jesus wants all of us to “get moving.”

9:00 – Monday, July 5^th                                Patrick Nagle

9:00 – Tuesday, July 6^th   George Rowe & Donald Macbeth

9:00 – Friday, July 9^th                               Thomas Dawson

9:00 – Saturday, July 10^th                           George Conrad

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, 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, Rita Mahan, Connie Perrotta, Jackie Sullivan, Jean Babbin, Gerard Sarno, Dorothy Grant, Gretin Cervantes, Marisol O’Brien, Matthew Gablor, Paul Pantano, Fran Ressetar, Elizabeth Landman, Cecelia Hines, Renee Chapman, Peter Bellini, Christine Gainer, Chris Ann Colletti, Jeff Kalil, Helen McLaughlin, Paul Doherty, Jorge Loayza, Joseph Brault, Lauren Forgette, Chuck Kiernan, Bill Attaya, Margaret Coughlin, Lea Vetter, Gerry Abegg, John McCarthy, Don Sabatand, and Pauline Briggs.  Please also remember in your prayers Myles Reis, Sr., brother of Margaret McCormick who died this past week.

Our youth have committed to attend programs over the summer to continue to build a Youth Program.  They could use any financial assistance you can provide.  Each participant will have to pay between $200 and $300 dollars to attend.  If you feel you can assist our youth and their families, we would be most appreciative.  Please read Maureen McKeown’s column, YOUTH NEWS, in the last section of the bulletin.

Food Pantry

We will have our food pantry collection on July 10/11 weekend due to the 4^th of July holiday.  This month the food will be donated to the Warwick House.

Registration letters and Class Placement Forms were mailed to Religious Education Families from St. Brigid and Sacred Heart on June 14^th.  Enrollment is on a first-come first serve basis - the earlier you register, the more likely you are to receive your first preference.  If you have a child entering First Grade or you are new to the Religious Education Program please call Linda at 781-862-8724.

Schedule of Classes

Grades 1-6:

Sunday 8:50-9:50AM

Tuesday 3:45-4:45PM

Tuesday 5:15-6:15PM

Wednesday 3:45-4:45PM

Grades 7 –8

Wednesday 5:30-6:30PM

Grade 9: Sunday 7:00-8:30PM (twice a month)

Grade 10: Monday 7:00-8:30PM (twice a month)

Please Note

ALL volunteers must participate in the Virtus Program, “Protecting God’s Children,” and sign a CORI form.

Offertory for June 26^th & 27^th            $3048.50

Envelope Offerings         $2605.50

Loose Cash                       $  443.00

St. John/St. Hugh                                               $43.00

Important Meeting

Kathleen Heck, Special Assistant for Parish Reconfiguration, will be here on Sunday, July 18^th.  Kathleen will attend the 10:00am Liturgy followed by a meeting in the Parish Center.  All are welcome to the meeting.

On July 4, 1776, we claimed our independence from England and Democracy was born.  Every day thousands leave their homeland to come to the "land of the free and the home of the brave" so they can begin their American Dream.  The United States is truly a diverse nation made up of dynamic people. Each year on July 4^th, Americans celebrate that freedom and independence with barbecues, picnics, and family gatherings.  Through the Internet we are learning about and communicating with people of different nations, with different languages and different races throughout the world.  Bringing the world closer with understanding and knowledge can only benefit all nations.  We invite all nations to celebrate with Americans online this Fourth of July.  Happy Birthday, America!

We received a lovely note from Father Gerry Flater, the mission priest from the Oblates of Mary, thanking the parishioners of Sacred Heart for their very generous contribution.

The office will be closed on Monday July 5^th in celebration of America’s birthday

Coordinator of YM: Maureen McKeown

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

PLEASE READ THIS EVEN IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A TEEN!

This summer we have an unprecedented number of teens attending programs sponsored by the Office of Youth Ministry.  Each program presents a wonderful opportunity in some area for continued growth. 

CATHOLIC LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE:  Three teens will be attending C.L.I. at Merrimack College.  Our T.L.C. is testimony to the benefits of participation in this week

two of our teens who have attended previously have signed up for C.L.I.M.B.  This is the next step in leadership and spiritual development. 

5 teens are planning to participate in GOSPEL ROAD.  They will spend a week at Oakhurst retreat house in Worcester.  Each day they will travel with teens from other parishes to do service at various sites, returning in the evening for processing and team building.

As I stated before, our numbers are unprecedented – and many parishes that are not in our difficult situation would envy the commitment our teens are willing to make. 

Our Youth Program could use any financial assistance you can provide.  Each participant will have to pay between $200 and $300 dollars to attend.  It was our goal to cover the entire cost but that is not possible with new budget constraints.  If you feel you can assist our youth and their families, we would be most appreciative.

Please keep all our teens in your prayers as we journey together to a new place.

Blessings and gratitude,

Maureen

Bulletins	Sacred Heart Parish Bulletin - July 4, 2004	Home