Easter gets its name from the pagan goddess of light Eastre. This works well because Christ is the light of the world. The Babylonians and Assyrians called their spring goddess Ishtar.  In Phoenecia, she was known as Astarte. Her spring renewal festival celebration was a moveable event, centered around the vernal equinox.

In 325 the Council of Nicea declared that this day observing the resurrection of the Lord would occur around the first day of spring.  Thus, Easter would always be on the first Sunday after the first full moon on or after the vernal equinox.  Today, Eastre’s pagan celebration still survives with rabbits, eggs and buns.  Easter bunnies? The rabbit was the symbol of the goddess Eastre. Eggs?  They have always been a symbol of new life, new spring, rebirth.  Hot Cross buns?  Eastre celebrations featured these tasty treats.  The word “bun” comes from the saxon boun, which means “sacred ox.”  At the ceremony, an ox was sacrificed and little cakes were passed to the celebrants.  The cakes had their tops scored in the shape of a v to symbolize the sign of the ox’s horns.  As this was such an integral part of the pagan feast, the Christians scored the buns with the Christian cross.

The early church took pagan practices and Christianized them.  One wonders if today we are reversing the movement.

This Sunday’s gospel is from John 20:19-31.  The section we read today speaks about “doubting” Thomas.  If we were there we might want proof of Christ’s rising.  Perhaps the testimony of others would make us more than curious.  “What are they dreaming up, those witnesses?”  We would probably want to touch Jesus as much as Thomas wanted to.  His problem was not such much the demand for proof but his leaving the community. Why was he not with the other disciples?  He missed the first experience of Jesus risen.

We are not able to touch Jesus as those early church members.  We must rely on the testimony of witnesses both past and present.  In order to receive this testimony we need to remain in the community of believers.

Let us continue to pray for one another and to exercise our baptismal promises so that people will know they too can encounter the risen lord.

We would like to welcome any newcomers to our Liturgies this weekend.   Please take a moment to introduce yourself to Father Colletti so that he may encourage you to join with us each week on your faith journey. 

This week we ask you to pray for those who are ill, including, Brianna Cimino, Marisol O’Brien, 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, Nancy Driscoll, Dante DiManna, Margie Levine, Doug Phillips, Andrew Day, Peggy Sue Grow, Mary Serpa, Deborah Miller, Dorothy Lee, William MacKinnon, Mary Jefferson, Elizabeth Conte, Shane McCarthy, Mildred Wood, Violet Caldaroni, Frank Cote, James Bresnahan, Ann Mulray, Rita Mahan, Jackie Sullivan, Jean Babbin, Gerard Sarno, Dorothy Grant, Gretin Cervantes, Paul Pantano, Fran Ressetar, Cecelia Hines, Margaret Wright, Renee Chapman, Peter Bellini, Edward Borden, Christine Gainer, Chris Ann Colletti, Helen McLaughlin, Paul Doherty, Jorge Loayza, Lauren Forgette, Chuck Kiernan, Margaret Coughlin, John McCarthy, Don Sabatand, Laura Mac Aulay, Alyssa Frazer, Bill Graham, Bob Remeika, Edward Semanko, Matthew Gablor, Mary Hosford, Morgan Brady, Willie Smith, Jane Eastham, Joseph Coppola, Betty White, Barbara DeVitte, Bernis Whelan, Michael Calderoni and Dorothy Barton. 

Parish Pastoral Council Nominations

This weekend we will have photos of those running for the Parish Council along with a short bio on each.  The ballot will be inserted in the bulletin on April 10^th at which time you will be able to vote for your choice.  If you are planning on being away next weekend, you may pick up a ballot at the Parish Office and fill it out and leave it with Claire.  We will have pencils available to vote at each Mass next Sunday. 

Food Pantry

This weekend, April 2^nd & 3^rd we will have our monthly Food Pantry.  This month the food will be distributed at the Warwick House.  We thank you for your ever generous giving to this ministry.

Thank you to Father Colletti, Father Baldovin and Father O’Donohoe for their excellent homilies during the Triduum .  Thank you to Clora Bucci who chaired the Triduum and to the many.  The music was wonderful as usual, many thanks to Lisa Screeton who directed the choir and cantored and of course our choir who were absolutely wonderful!!!!!  A special thank you to Marvin Etough who has been our accompanist for the past several weeks.  We wish him well as he begins a new ministry in the Arlington Baptist Church.  Thank you to Jim Keefe and his helpers who did such a wonderful job decorating the church during Holy Week it looked beautiful.

St. Brigid Parish 8^th Annual Golf Classic will be held on Monday, June 13, 2005 at the Windham Country Club in Windham, N. H. beginning at 1:30PM.  The purpose of the Tournament is to raise funds to help graduating High School Seniors.  Because of the merger this year of the Youth Ministries of Sacred Heart and St. Brigid Parishes, seniors of both parishes will be eligible to apply for scholarship consideration.  Golf Flyers are available at all the exits of the Church for those who would like to participate as a player or as a sponsor.  Come on all of you Sacred Heart Golfers…Sign up!

Welcome Cards

Please take one of our Welcome Cards if you are new to the Parish.  If you are a veteran parishioner and wish to be in a ministry, know of someone ill, have a new address, phone number or would like to share your e-mail address with us, please use this card to do that as well.  Many thanks to Jeff Millett for all of his hard work on creating this great card!

Youth Mass

Please join with us at St. Brigid on April 3^rd at 6:00 (NOT at 5:00) for the monthly Youth Mass.  Let’s support the youth on their spiritual journey.  This month’s presider is Rev. John Baldovin, SJ.

The Youth Group will meet April 4^th at 7pm in the youth room at St. Brigid’s.  They will make Rosary Beads, to be sold later as a fundraiser.

April 10^th St. Brigid’s invites all of the youth to participate in the Walk for Haiti!  See the Urban Walk for Haiti announcement in the next column.

On April 19^th, Patriot’s Day Parade, the youth group will have a barbeque stand to raise money for youth ministry. 

May 1^st there will be dinner and a movie (TBA) on the big screen in St. Brigid’s Keilty Hall, dinner will begin at 6:00 and the movie at 7:00.  Join with other youth in the parish for this great event!

May 16^th will be Caribbean Night at 7:00pm in the youth room.  Will have Pirates of the Caribbean on the big screen and a treasure hunt…Sounds Great!

The youth will be going White Water Rafting in June.  An information night is planned for June 6^th at 7:00pm in the youth room.  The trip is from June 10^th to the 12^th. 

June 20^th will be the last Youth Group meeting at St. Brigid.  The meeting begins at 7:00pm

Knights of Columbus

The Knights of Columbus is seeking a field agent for a career opportunity representing their Insurance Annuity and Long Term Care Program.  For more information, please contact Joseph P. DiCalogero, at 781-769-3277.

Parish mission

Theme – “love is the answer”

St. Brigid Parish Mission begins this evening April 3^rd at 7:30PM at St. Brigid’s Church and will continue on Monday, April 4; Tuesday, April 5; and Wednesday, April 6.  We hope that as many people as possible will take advantage of this opportunity to deepen their Easter Joy, Love and Peace.  The presenters for this mission are Rev. Edward Beck, CP and Rev. Robert Joerger, CP.

Lexington Catholic Women’s Club

The next meeting of the Catholic Women’s Club of Lexington will be held at Sacred Heart Parish Center and will be the always-popular Pot Luck Supper.  The date is Monday, April 11^th at 6:30pm.  All you talented cooks, bakers and salad makers, please call Jo Ciccarelli, 781-862-3505 and tell her which of your favorite dishes you plan to bring.  All contributions will be greatly appreciated and devoured.

Urban Walk for Haiti

On Sunday, April 10, 2005 join in the second annual Urban Walk for Haiti in Cambridge, MA. All proceeds from the walk will benefit medical initiatives in Haiti through the Boston-based organization Partners in Health.  Registration will begin at 1:30 p.m. in the courtyard of St. Paul's Church, 29 Mt. Auburn St. Cambridge.  Come join in a scenic 3 mile course around the Charles River to help the people of Haiti and enjoy our long awaited springtime.  For pledge sheets and more information about the walk go to www.wfh2005.org or contact Lee Crivello at 781-648-2403

Holy Humor

A little boy was attending his first wedding.  After the service, his cousin asked him, “How many women can a man marry?  “Sixteen,” the boy responded.  His cousin was amazed that he had an answer so quickly.  “How did you know that?”  “Easy,” the little boy said.  “All you have to do is add it up like the Bishop said:  4 better, 4 worse, 4 richer, 4 poorer!”

Bulletins	Sacred Heart Parish Bulletin - April 3, 2005	Home