Saint John’s Abbey in Collegeville, Minnesota has a huge cross that overlooks the Abbey and all its grounds.  It is a simple, massive wooden cross whose arms are being supported by two large granite pillars.  They are like Aaron and Hur who similarly supported Moses’ arms on either side while Moses prayed for Joshua who was battling the defense of God’s people (today’s first reading: Exodus 17:8-13). The granite pillars at Collegeville demonstrate how we are to support each other in the faith through prayer—constant prayer.   

All three readings today speak of the need for constancy in our prayer.  The Gospel (Luke 18:1-8) does not speak of God as a rash judge or that constant asking drives God crazy.  This parable speaks to our need to be persistent in prayer. Prayer is not something that forces God to act, but it is a loving attention that opens us to the ever-present love of God.  Prayer does move God.  We have seen that in many instances in the Bible.  Many times, prayer gets us to move in God’s direction. Jesus taught us in his prayer, “Thy will be done.”  To persevere in prayer is to see beyond our immediate needs and to view our self and our life as part of some larger plan.  The readings remind us that God knows our needs before we even ask but we are to trust that God knows what is best for us.

Today in this Eucharist we give thanks that we are here and praying as God’s family.  We are the pillars for each other, holding each other up in faith and in love during these difficult times of grief and anger and loss.  We are called to be those supporting pillars of faith and love upon which we can help each other carry the cross.

Saint John Vianney’s prayer was, “I love you, O my God, and my only desire is to love you until the last breath of life…If my tongue cannot say in every moment that I love you, I want my heart to repeat it to you as often as I draw breath.”  Now, that is perseverance in prayer.

Offertory for October 9^th & 10^th   $3145.50

Envelope Offerings         $2659.50

Loose Cash                       $ 486.00

St. John/St. Hugh                                   $172.00

Many thanks to Jo Ciccarelli, Sr. Mary Nagle and Jo Martinelli for the shopping and preparation of the wonderful hospitality last week in celebration of Father Colletti’s birthday.  Thank you also to the many parishioners that helped set up the food!  I good time was had by all.

This week we ask you to pray for those who are ill, including, Brianna Cimino, Rosemary Harvey, Regina Jones, Andrea Hynes, Joyce Amos, 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, Kath Rodriegas, Estelle Szalajeski, Nancy Driscoll, Dante DiManna, Margie Levine, Doug Phillips, h Miller, Dorothy Lee, William MacKinnon, Mary Jefferson, Elizabeth Conte, Shane McCarthy, Mildred Wood, 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, Paul Pantano, Fran Ressetar, Cecelia Hines, Margaret Wright, Renee Chapman, Peter Bellini, Christine Gainer, Chris Ann Colletti, Helen McLaughlin, Paul Doherty, Mary Dawson, Jorge Loayza, Joseph Brault, Lauren Forgette, Chuck Kiernan, Bill Attaya, Margaret Coughlin, John McCarthy, Don Sabatand, Laura Mac Aulay, Stella Guarino, Bill Graham, Bob Remeika, Mary Hosford, Dorothy Barton and Gerry Dingavin.  Please also pray for Ralph Tatro, husband of Catherine Tatro, and Anna Seena both of whom died this past week.

The 9^th Annual Genesis Battlegreen Run

On Sunday, November 7^th, 2004 you are invited to join us for one of The Finest Road Races in New England!

If you would like to help...We need volunteers!  Many volunteers are needed to direct runners, assist at Water Stations and serve food.  Lastly, if you would like to co-sponsor this event, please contact Bob Ludwig at 781-861-7231 or bring your donation to the parish office and we will see that it reaches the proper destination!  No donation is too small!  Proceeds from the event benefit Habitat for Humanity, The Genesis Community Fund and Lexington High School Hall of Fame. 

Heard at the Coffee Machine

“Having children is like having a bowling alley installed in your brain.”

9:00 – Monday, October 18^th      Thomas & Honora Sullivan

                                                                & Angus McIver

9:00 – Saturday, October 23^rd                Harvey Duffy

Retirement Fund For Women Religious

On the weekend of November 6^th & 7^th we will have our annual collection for Women Religious.  The women religious of our diocese did not participate in the Social Security program until the 1970’s.  Now that most of their communities are well past retirement age, they are finding if difficult to maintain an acceptable standard of living.  Because of the decline in vocations, each Sister, in community, who works is responsible for the monetary care of three retired sisters.  We ask that you be as generous as possible in this collection to show your appreciation for all that the religious sisters have done over the years for each of us.

Remember Me

Sacred Heart Parish Community will have a special Memorial Mass to commemorate ALL SOULS, REMEMBER ME!  Jesus calls us to make memory. Every Eucharistic liturgy says…“do this in memory of me”.  The liturgy celebrated on Saturday October 30^th at 4:00 PM will commemorate all those whose funeral liturgies were celebrated here at Sacred Heart, from October 31, 2003 through November 1, 2004.  Everyone is welcome to celebrate all the deceased members of Sacred Heart Parish, their families and friends.  Please save the date.

Mission Sunday

We will hold a collection for the Missions on the weekend of November 6^th & 7^th.  Please pick up an envelope on the way out of church.  Many thanks for your continues support of this important endeavor.

Pauline Briggs Memorial

T-shirts are being designed for the Pauline Briggs Memorial Run that will be held for the first time as part of the Genesis Battlegreen Run in Lexington on Sunday, Nov. 7. We plan to use the proceeds as a lasting memorial for Pauline. T-shirts will cost $20. To reserve one, please call Claire Martin, at 781-862-4646, by Wed., Oct. 20.

Better check it out!

The transition team (members of the two parish staffs, representatives from the Parish Councils and members of the laity from both communities) have been meeting regularly for several weeks.  One suggestion for our closing liturgy in November was to have parishioners from Sacred Heart write their hopes, prayers and memories on cards to be placed in a basket and brought forth in the entrance procession.  There will cards, pencils and a box at both church doors as well as in the Parish Center for this purpose.

The Appeal Committee

Sunday, October 17, after the 10 AM Mass in the Church Hall: A Talk about the legislation authored by State Senator Marian Walsh regarding the disclosure of finances of all charities, including those of the Catholic Church.  Our speaker will be Dr. Don Pachuta, member of St. Susanna's in Dedham, who has been very involved in the process of this legislation.  Dr. Pachuta will explain the history of the current laws governing charities, and what the new legislation will and will not do.  Please come with your questions and concerns for what will surely be an enlightening session.  If you can't make it but would like to learn more, contact Donna Bosco at dialing4sh@sacredheartappeal.org.

Books By Our Visiting Clergy

Fr. John Baldovin, SJ has a new book, Bread of Life Cup of Salvation: Understanding the Mass.  According to those who have read it, it is a wonderful book.  I’m sure you can get your copy autographed!

Fr. John O’Brien has a book coming out soon, George G. Higgins & The Quest for Worker Justice: The Evolution of Catholic Social Teaching in America.

Both books are available through Sheed & Ward and on Amazon.com.

Coordinator of YM: Maureen McKeown

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

PLEASE NOTE CORRECT DATES AND TIMES FOR YOUTH MASS PLANNING AND LEADERSHIP MEETINGS

NEXT YOUTH MASS:  PLANNING MEETING.  Come be a part of the planning for our Youth Mass on Sunday, November 7 @ 5 PM.  We will meet at. St. Brigid @ 6:00 PM on Monday, October 18 with Fr. Colletti.  All are welcome – when you participate you can be sure you won’t be “bored”!

NEXT YOUTH LEADERSHIP PLANNING MEETING:  Monday, October 18 @ St. Brigid @ 7:00 PM  - immediately following Youth Mass Planning.

YOUTH EUCHARISTIC MINISTER TRAINING:  Will be held at St. Brigid on Thursday, October 28 @ 7:00 PM.  Any confirmed (or about-to-be confirmed teen) is welcome to attend.  Your presence at worship is a public witness to your faith community.

HAYRIDE/OVERNIGHT:  Friday Nov. 5-6.  Call Kate Doherty immediately if you are interested.  She is trying to schedule another wagon.  You are welcome for the overnight retreat if you cannot make the hayride.

Y.O.W.   Friday, Dec. 10 thru Sunday 12.  Cost $115.  Go on line to www.OYMBoston.org for details.  Registration and checks will be due very soon.  Space is limited and we will only be allowed 20 participants.  THIS WILL BE A SELLOUT!  Call Maureen or Kate for further info.

Do you have any questions or suggestions re: our Youth program?  Email either me or Kate Doherty @  irishkad@hotmail.com

Bulletins	Sacred Heart Parish Bulletin - October 17, 2004	Home