Category Archives: Important Announcements

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From the Service Commission: 2013 Lenten Gift Update and Thank You

Final1_CroppedThank you so much for your support of this year’s Parish Lenten Gift: Rebuilding in Faith – Supporting St. Margaret Mary Parish, Staten Island, NY.  The final collection totaled $26,672 and resulted from big and small donations from so many parishioners as well as various Religious Education classes. The check was personally delivered by a Service Commission member who met the parish staff of St. Margaret Mary, visited the church and toured the Midlands Beach area of Staten Island. The St. Margaret Mary Disaster Relief Fund has chosen to help the family of four featured in one of our Lenten bulletin messages (please see thank you note below). Thank you for being a true witness to Christ’s love by giving of yourself to people you don’t even know, because you have chosen to “love one another as I have loved you” John 13:34.

Christ has no body but yours, no hands, no feet on Earth but yours,
Yours are the eyes with which he looks with compassion on this world.
St. Theresa of Avila

***A letter from Bob Dennis, St. Margaret Mary Parish Manager***

My Dear Brothers and Sisters in Faith,

It is difficult to put into words the feelings we have that would adequately express our overwhelming sense of gratitude for the people of St John the Evangelist. Through the generosity of your parish you will make a substantial difference in the life of Carl (a NYC Policeman), his wife Marilyn, a daughter Alivia (who has Crohn’s Disease) and his son Carl Jr., parishioners of St. Margaret Mary. The 2 bedroom bungalow they shared was so damaged that everything, except a new bathroom they put in a year ago, has to be replaced – all interior walls, floors, ceilings furniture and personal belongings have been either lost or damaged. The piles of rubble outside his home remain as testament to the damage caused by Sandy.

Carl helped his neighbors and strangers to escape the quickly rising water, at the cost of his own personal property. Jim Miller from your parish was gracious enough to come to Staten Island and see Carl’s house and hear his story, again thank you for taking the time to do that. It was my great pleasure to show you around.

You will always be in our prayers,

Bob Dennis, Parish Manager

Appreciation Weekend May 18-19

All Masses will be in Thanksgiving for you who make our parish all that it is and continues to become!
Thank You All!

Please join us Sunday morning for refreshments after the 7:30am, 9:00am, and 11:00am Masses.

Meg Meeker, M.D., Leading Author on Parenting Issues to speak at St. Paul Parish – Tuesday, May 7 at 7pm

Meeker_MegSaint Paul Parish in Wellesley will recognize Mother’s Day a week early this year, with a special presentation by Meg Meeker, M.D., a nationally-known authority on parenting and children’s health issues.  Dr. Meeker will visit St. Paul Parish at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, May 7 to discuss her latest book,  “The Ten Habits of Happy Mothers: Reclaiming Our Passion, Purpose and Sanity”which was inspired by her work with numerous families over the course of her career.  The event is free of charge and open to the general public.  No reservations are required.

The author of six books and many magazine articles, Dr. Meeker has spent the past 25 years practicing pediatric and adolescent medicine while also helping parents and teens communicate more deeply about difficult topics.   She is a frequent speaker on parenting and teen health issues, and has made numerous appearances on nationally syndicated radio and television programs, including The Today Show, Teresa Tomeo’s Catholic Connection, CNN American Morning, and Dateline.  Dr. Meeker is board certified by the American Board of Pediatrics and a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics.  Detailed biographical information is found at her website.

May 5: News from the AFFC

AFFC LogoSunday, May 19 7:30 pm: 38th Social Justice Forum at Sacred Heart Understanding Islam and the Role of Women with Zilka Spahic Siljak. Professor Siljak is currently a visiting lecturer at the Harvard Divinity School, where she teaches a course entitled “Women, Spirituality and Peace”.  Free admission, open to the public.  Sponsored by the Sacred Heart Parish Justice and Peace Committee – click for more information. Sacred Heart Parish (Lower Church) 1321 Centre St., Newton Centre

Faith Maps: As we know, during this Year of Faith, there is a great emphasis on evangelization, the act of spreading the Good News, sharing the message and life of Jesus Christ.  At a recent meeting of our Parish Adult Faith Formation Commission, the group explored the idea of inviting parishioners to witness and share their experience and journey in faith. These stories, personal and different, identified or anonymous, will appear in the Sunday Bulletin, with the heading,  My Faith Map. Please send your Faith Map story to Frank McConville by e-mail or snail mail: 59 Thackeray Road, Wellesley, 02481.
To begin and as an example, please read  My Faith Map by Linda Colozzi.

May 5: This Week in Religious Education

Religious-Education-Contemporary_SMALLThis Week: Sunday, May 5
Grades 1 – 6 Class 10:00 – 10:45 AM
Monday, May 6 – Thursday, May 9
First Communion Practice 3:30 – 4:45 PM*
(as assigned)
Saturday, May 11
First Holy Communion 9:00 & 11:30 AM

* Each student was assigned to attend specific practice dates. It is important your child attend at the correct time. Please contact Linda Messore if you are unsure which practices to attend.

Religious Education registration packets for the 2013/2014 school year were mailed to all families recently. If you have not received a packet in the mail, it is available for download on the Religious Education page of the Parish website. The deadline for registering before the late fee is MAY 31. We are always looking for teachers who are willing to teach any of the grades 1 – 10. If you are interested, please contact the Religious Education office at 781.235.5337 (grades 1–6) or 781.237.0141 (grades 7–10).

21st Annual Blessed John XXIII National Seminary Golf Tournament
Monday, May 20 at The Weston Golf Club

Blessed John Seminary Golf TournamentThe 21st Annual Blessed John XXIII National Seminary Golf Tournament is scheduled for Monday, May 20th, at The Weston Golf Club. This premier charity event is held to benefit the educational program for the seminarians. Tuition covers only half the cost of educating a seminarian and the proceeds from this tournament will help bridge the gap and keep the cost of educating them affordable. The $250 player entry includes lunch at the Club, 18 holes of golf with cart, and door prizes; followed by a social hour, silent auction and dinner for each golfer and a guest at the seminary. To register, call Kate Folan at 781-899-5500 or visit their website.

The Ascension of the Lord – Thursday, May 9

Ascension ThursdayHoly Day of Obligation
Masses celebrated at:
7:00 am
12:00 noon
5:30 pm

“Faith Maps” Series with Fr. James Keenan, S.J. on Wednesday, May 1 at 7pm

Keenan_JamesJoin us as the Faith Maps series – in celebration of the 50th anniversary of Vatican II – continues with James Keenan, S.J., Founders Professor in Theology at Boston College, who will speak on Vatican II and Moral Theology. This year we have been celebrating Vatican II. What has happened in Moral Theology these 50 years? Well, there was Humanae Vitae (the birth control encyclical). But what else? Come join us Wednesday, May 1 for this special presentation and discussion with Fr. James Keenan, S.J. at 7:00pm in the Social Hall.

April 28: Important Dates from Religious Education

Religious-Education-Contemporary_SMALLThis Week: Sunday, April 28
Grades 1 – 6 Class 10:00 – 10:45 AM
Grade 7 & 8 Class 6:00 – 8:00 PM
Grade 10 Friends for Good 6:00 – 7:00 PM
Grade 9 & 10 Class 7:00 – 8:00 PM
Monday, April 29
Grade 10 Confirmation Practice 7:00 PM Philbin Hall
Tuesday, April 30
Grade 10 Confirmation 7:00 PM Church
Wednesday, May 1
Grades 1 – 6 Class 3:30 – 4:45 PM
Next Week: Sunday, May 5
Grades 1 – 6 Class 10:00 – 10:45 AM
Monday, May 6 – Thursday, May 9 (as assigned)*
First Communion Practice 3:30 – 4:45 PM*
Saturday, May 11
First Holy Communion 9:00 & 11:30 AM

*Each student was assigned to attend specific practice dates. It is important your child attend at the correct time. Please contact Linda Messore if you are unsure which practices to attend.

Religious Education registration packets for the 2013/2014 school year were mailed to all families recently. If you have not received a packet in the mail, it
is available for download on the Religious Education page of the Parish website. The deadline for registering before the late fee is MAY 31.

We are always looking for teachers who are willing to teach any of the grades 1 –  10. If you are interested, please contact the religious education office at
781.235.5337 (grades 1–6) or 781.237.0141 (grades 7–10).

Cardinal Sean’s Homily on April 21 at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross

Cardinal Sean_Mass April 21“Jesus said ‘they will strike the shepherd and the sheep will scatter’;  that is what happened to His disciples after the Crucifixion, as they scattered in fear, doubt and panic.

On Easter the Good Shepherd returns to gather the scattered; Mary Magdalene in grief, Thomas in doubt, Peter in betrayal. We too are scattered and need the assurance of the Good Shepherd, who lays down his life for us, who comes to gather us in our scattered in our brokenness and pain, scattered by failed marriages, lost employment, estranged children, illness, the death of a loved one, soured relationships, disappointments and frustrations.
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