March 2-3: Archdiocese of Boston Catholic Appeal for 2024 – Forward in Faith

March 2-3: Archdiocese of Boston Catholic Appeal for 2024 – Forward in Faith

Once a year, Catholics throughout the Archdiocese are asked to partner with one another to support their parish and the many outreach ministries by contributing to the Catholic Appeal. Many of you received a letter from Cardinal Seán requesting your early support of the 2024 Appeal, and I know that many of our parishioners have already responded – for that, I am deeply grateful.

On the weekend of March 2-3, the 2024 Catholic Appeal will officially launch across the Archdiocese. One of the most meaningful ways that we witness the presence of Christ and deepen the impact of our Church’s ministries is by supporting the Catholic Appeal. As your pastor, I strongly encourage you to join me in giving a gift to this year’s appeal…

“Love (III)” from “Lenten Poetry and Prayer” with Sr. Mary Sweeney

“Love (III)” from “Lenten Poetry and Prayer” with Sr. Mary Sweeney

On the first Friday in Lent, this poem by George Herbert – and its theme of God’s love and forgiveness – was a focus of discussion and prayer.

Love (III)

Love bade me welcome: yet my soul drew back,
Guilty of dust and sin.
But quick-eyed Love, observing me grow slack
From my first entrance in,
Drew nearer to me, sweetly questioning,
If I lacked anything.

A guest, I answered, worthy to be here:
Love said, You shall be he

A Lenten Message from Fr. Jim

A Lenten Message from Fr. Jim

My dear friends in Christ,

Leper. That is all we know of him. Deemed ritually impure, he was banished from society. He had lost everything: his family, his community… even his name. Leper. This classification became his identity. That is, until he encountered Jesus. Perhaps Jesus could help him. He was desperate. It was worth a shot. He knelt down before him and said, “If you wish, you can make me clean.”

Jesus’ response is astonishing, beginning with the compassion which motivated his actions. Our translation “moved with pity” doesn’t begin to capture the power of the Greek verb σπλαγχνίζομαι (splanchnizomai). Jesus was moved from the depths of his being…

Ash Wednesday, February 14 Collection for Catholic Charities

Ash Wednesday, February 14 Collection for Catholic Charities

The collection at all Masses in the Archdiocese of Boston on Ash Wednesday is taken up for Catholic Charities Boston. Catholic Charities helps thousands of families within our own communities who are facing critical challenges – homelessness, food insecurity, poverty, lack of affordable childcare, access to education and job training, legal advocacy and support for refugees and immigrants – to help achieve stability and reach self-sufficiency.

Donation may be made during the collection on Ash Wednesday or online by visiting ccab.org/donate
Any amount you can give directly helps our neighbors in need. Thank you so much.

Lenten Study: “Revisiting ‘The Joy of the Gospel'”

Lenten Study: “Revisiting ‘The Joy of the Gospel'”

Tuesdays in Lent beginning February 20
6:30pm – 8:00pm St. Paul Parish Hall

Ten years after Pope Francis’ first apostolic exhortation, “The Joy of the Gospel”, is an important reminder for every disciple to live in joyful, missionary witness…

Through this six  session study we will revisit this consistent theme and discuss what it means for our faith and Church today as we enhance our understanding of what it means to be a Synodal Church.

Registration is required…

Lenten Scripture Study: “The Book of Revelation”

Lenten Scripture Study: “The Book of Revelation”

Four Wednesdays in Lent: February 21 & 28 and March 13 & 20
Morning Group: 9:30am in St. Paul Parish Hall
Evening Group: 7:00pm on Zoom
 
Inarguably the most eccentric book of the Bible, “The Book of Revelation” stands in a unique place in the Canon. Its apocalyptic imagery and symbolism can both confound and intrigue the reader. It is also the only book of the Bible which promises a blessing over anyone who reads aloud and hears the words of the prophecy. Join a group this Lent to dive into John’s riveting eschatology! 

Registration is required…

Tuesday, February 6 at 6:30pm: “Evening for Women” Potluck Prayer and Supper at St. John

Tuesday, February 6 at 6:30pm: “Evening for Women” <i>Potluck Prayer and Supper</i> at St. John

All women of the collaborative are invited to an hour of “Potluck Prayer”.  “Potluck Prayer” is a Holy Hour of Eucharistic Adoration with an invitation for all gathered to share music, poems, readings, art, and anything else that may be preparing our hearts for our Lenten journey or inspiring our prayer life. 

After our Holy Hour in the Lower Chapel we will gather in Powers Hall for a potluck dinner and fellowship.

Bring a dish or beverage to share and invite a friend or neighbor to come along!

To help us plan for the evening, please RSVP…

From The Pilot: Father Hehir addresses ethics of war

From The Pilot: Father Hehir addresses ethics of war

Father Bryan Hehir, secretary of health and social services for the Archdiocese of Boston, has been teaching about religion, ethics, and foreign policy for 40 years. He is fond of giving his students a challenging moral dilemma. He asks them to imagine themselves as a military leader during a conflict. An enemy tank factory has been discovered — but it is located next to a kindergarten, a school, and a hospital.

“We’ll do our best,” a commanding officer explains, “but we can’t guarantee that none of them would be killed.”

Would you approve an attack? Must civilian casualties be kept to zero at all costs? Or should the enemy target be neutralized by any means necessary? How many deaths is an appropriate price to pay for victory? Father Hehir attempted to answer these difficult questions from a Catholic perspective during “Two Wars: One Moral Framework,” a talk about the morality of the current conflicts in Ukraine and the Holy Land. Father Hehir delivered the talk to a packed house at St. John the Evangelist Parish in Wellesley on Jan. 25. . .

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