From The Pastor's Desk
In pagan Ireland and in other parts of pre-Christian Europe, October 31st marked the moment of the year when the barrier between the visible and invisible worlds was thinnest and most subject to interpenetration. This was a cause of great fear. Many of the traditions associated with Halloween harken back to these dark days. Bonfires and costumes served to ward off or confuse the dangerous spirits that prowled the world on that night.
The light of the Gospel dispelled these shadows. Formerly pagan peoples came to recognize that Christ had decisively overcome the power of evil through His Cross and Resurrection. “The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it.” (Jn 1:5) There was no longer cause for fear. The Church, always keen to build on and correct the spiritual intuitions of her converts, came to celebrate our nearness to all the souls who have died in Christ on these days traditionally held to be most open to the invisible world. The wonderful truth is that we are never closer to Heaven, never closer to the saints and angels who enjoy the vision of God than when we participate in the Mass. Through divine worship, the barrier between the visible and invisible worlds is torn down. Heaven comes down to earth and earth is taken up to Heaven. Our voices blend with those of the blessed gathered around Christ’s throne in their eternal hymn of praise. In worship, the living and the dead come together as members of the Body of Christ, the Church.
The saints, known and unknown to us, bless and guide us heavenward through their prayers of intercession. Our prayers, in turn, give solace to the souls still being purified in preparation for Heaven. The first gift is what we celebrate on November 1st, the Solemnity of All Saints. The second reality is the responsibility we take up on November 2nd, the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed. We have a wonderful parish here at Holy Name. In this month of November, we remember that our parish does not only consist of the living, but also those who have gone before us. They need the help of our prayers as they are made ready to see the eternal light of God’s face. I’m also confident that there are more than a few hidden saints among them. May they pray for us, this parish that guided them to their true home and ours.
Yours in Christ,
Fr. Tom
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Vicar's View
Dear All,
The offertory is a moment where priest and people are meant to be profoundly engaged. As the priest goes about setting up the altar, all of us are meant to bring forward our intentions and our very selves to be placed on the altar, to be offered up and transformed. Two moments manifest this and help us to accomplish it: the bringing up of the gifts and the collection. The Missal reads: “It is desirable that the faithful express their participation by making an offering, bringing forward bread and wine for the celebration of the Eucharist and perhaps other gifts to relieve the needs of the Church and of the poor.”
Our real participation is expressed by these two moments. They help us truly engage with the offertory interiorly and they make that engagement visual. In the words of Josef Jungmann: “The well structured offertory, with at least an intimation of the sacrifice about to take place, is a valuable occasion for all participants to realize what the Mass as the Church’s sacrifice should be: an expression of the God-ward orientation of our whole life, with all its joys and sorrows, its hopes and longings; an acknowledgement that all this is mingled and united with the sacrifice that Christ, our High Priest, has offered and continues to offer with us.” The bringing up of the gifts is a clear symbol of the congregation’s part in the sacrifice. In fact, without these gifts, the sacrifice could not take place – no wine or no bread, no Mass.
Although not every single person can actually participate in the bringing up of the gifts, it should make us all mindful that we are all called to bring something to the altar. We bring our intentions, our own sacrifices, and our very selves. As John Paul II once wrote: “Although all those who participate in the Eucharist do not confect the sacrifice as [the priest] does, they offer with him, by virtue of the common priesthood, their own spiritual sacrifices represented by the bread and wine from the moment of their presentation at the altar. For this liturgical action, which take a solemn form in almost all liturgies, has a ‘spiritual value and meaning.’ The bread and wine become in a sense a symbol of all that the eucharistic assembly brings, on its own part, as an offering to God and offers spiritually.”
The other action is the collection, in which all are able to participate in a tangible way. It is fitting for the collection to be taken up at this moment in the Mass, because it is a way to make a real sacrifice. The people make some sacrifice of their goods in order to assist the Church in her mission. Christ’s sacrifice on the Cross expressed His love for God and man. In a similar way, our sacrificial offering in this moment is to assist the Church in her mission of the worship of God and the salvation of souls. The collection, then, is a poignant moment to unite ourselves to the sacrifice about to occur on the altar.
In summary, we desire to adore God, to thank Him, to express our contrition to Him, and to entreat Him for ourselves, those we love, and for the whole world. To do this, we offer sacrifice. In the Mass, Christ has given us the means to offer the perfect sacrifice, the one true sacrifice to which we unite all of our own sacrifices and our very selves. All of the sacrifices of our lives, all of our hopes, regrets, joys, sorrows, pains, sufferings – big and small – take on full meaning in being united to Christ’s sacrifice. It is in the Mass where we gather it all together and unite it to the sacrifice on the altar so that it can be offered to God and transformed. The offertory is our moment to prepare for this. The bread and the wine brought forward from the congregation represent our offering, our prayers and sacrifices, and the offering of our very selves; and the collection represents our share in the Church’s mission. Next week, we’ll turn to some of the prayers of the offertory.
In Christ,
Fr. Joseph
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Adult Faith Formation Program
Two years ago, I began a faith formation program which consists of four sections over the course of two years. The first section studies the “content” of our faith, essentially what we profess in the Creed. The second studies the life of prayer and the sacraments, with a special focus on the Mass. The third section is a walk-through of the Scriptures and Church history. The course concludes with a study on the virtues and moral theology. This upcoming fall, I will be leading the third section, and will continue with the fourth in the new year. Even if you have not participated in the first two parts of this program, you are most welcome to attend for these upcoming sessions, the dates and times for which are below. In addition, if enough people are interested, I would be happy to begin this program again from the very beginning. If you are interested in any way, please let me know; frjoseph@holynameparish.com, or feel free to come to whatever classes you would like.
In Christ,
Fr. Joseph
Class Schedule:
Wednesdays, 12:30-1:30 in the Lower Church
November 18
December 2, 16
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Sodality 2026-27 Season
The next meeting of Sodality will take place on Monday, November 2, 2026 with Mass being celebrated at 1:00 p.m. In the lower church followed by the rosary and light refreshments. All parishioners are welcome to attend.
Future Meeting Dates: December 14, 2026, March 1, 2027, April 5, 2027and May 3, 2027.
All are welcome! Please bring a friend!
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New Additional Wednesday Daily Mass Time
Effective September 16th, there will be an extra daily Mass on Wednesdays at 1:45pm in the lower church.
This Mass will take place every Wednesday that Holy Name Parish School is in session.
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Sisters of Charity Holy Hour
The Sisters of Charity will be hosting a Holy Hour of prayer and adoration starting on Monday, September 14th, at 7:00PM and recurring every first Monday of the month at their chapel at 58 Wren St. in West Roxbury. All are welcome to join!
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Calling all students in 8th – 12th grade!!
As a new school year continues, we are re-convening our group for young students. This group will gather for times of fun, fellowship, and prayer. Our next meeting is will be Thursday, November 5th at 6:30PM in the lower church.
If you plan to join or want to be kept up to date on the group, please reach out to Fr. Joseph at frjoseph@holynameparish.com.
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Children's Choir
Rehearsals are Thursdays from 4:30-5:30 pm in the Upper Church. Children in grades 3 and up are welcome to join. The Children's Choir will sing at the 9 am Mass on October 18. Come make a joyful sound for the Lord! Contact robert.thorp@holynameparish.com for more information or to sign your kids up!
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Mass of Rememberance
Sunday, November 8, at 11:00 AM, we will celebrate the Mass of Remembrance, honoring the lives of our beloved deceased.
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All Souls' Day
Monday, November 2 is the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed, also known as All Souls’ Day. All throughout the month of November, and on this day in particular, we pray for our beloved dead. As such, in addition to our regular 8AM Mass, we will celebrate an extra Mass on November 2nd at 7PM in the upper church. The Mass will be accompanied by a schola and will include traditional music for Masses for the dead.
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Pauline Books & Media
Are you looking for ways to deepen your prayer and live a more spiritual Advent this
year?
The Daughters of St. Paul invite you to join them at their Dedham Pauline Book & Media
Center, 885 Providence Hwy., on Thursday, November 19, at 7:00 P.M. for Prayer and
You: Making Advent REALLY Count This Year, a talk by Sr. Mary Lea Hill, FSP (aka
the Crabby Mystic).
Light refreshments will be served. Sr. Lea’s books, including Prayer and You, will also
be available for purchase, and she will be happy to sign them.
Parking is available in the front lot facing Providence Hwy. (Rte. 1), the side lot on
Wilson Ave, and on Wilson Ave.
Please RSVP by November 17, either by calling the Sisters at (781)-326-5385 or
emailing dedham@paulinemedia.com. They look forward to having you join them.
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Volunteers Needed
Volunteer Catechists and Helpers are needed for the K-7 Religious Education program on Sunday Mornings. Please contact Maryellen McNally at maryellen.mcnally@holynameparish.com for more information.
All volunteers over age 18 must be CORI checked and complete a VIRTUS Safe Environment Training Class prior to starting any parish ministry.
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Cursillo means a short course of lectures in Christian living, but it is not intended to simply refer to a course of instruction (lectures). Rather, it means a short running course (such as St. Paul’s admonition to run the good race). It is something to experience, not just to understand intellectually, which is implied in thinking of a course of instruction.
Do yourself a big favor. Please make time to live a Cursillo. Next Cursillo: Women (11/19-22); Men (2/18-2/21). Both are at the Notre Dame Spirituality Center in Ipswich.
Click this link: www.bostoncursillo.org. Still unsure? Please contact Father Tom or Father Joseph.
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Do you know someone who could use a helping hand? The SVdP is here to offer support to our parish community–sometimes that means financial help, but it can take many other forms also. If you or someone you know could benefit from our assistance, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Call the Rectory and leave your name and phone number–all communication is kept confidential and handled with care and compassion by members of SVdP. We’re here to listen, to help, and to walk with you in times of need.
If you would like to donate, please follow the link below.
https://securelink-prod.rocpos.com/?redirect=1&uid=44f642f2-55cf-11f1-a8e1-12a0879a85b1
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Confessors
Saturday, October 31
Father Macdonald
Sunday, November 1
Father Macdonald
Monday, November 2
Father Macdonald
Saturday, November 7
Father Ferme
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Recitation of the Rosary
First Sunday of the Month
8:40am
Blessed Mother Altar
Upper Church
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Special Collections
You may submit your Grand Annual and Catholic Appeal at anytime.
November 22nd | Retired Religious Sisters
Banking regulations require check must be
Pay to the Order of: Holy Name Parish or Holy Name Parish School ONLY
regardless of the Collection name.
On the memo line indicate: Offertory, Religious Ed., Grand Annual, etc.
Consider online donations with Weshare
https://holynameparish.churchgiving.com/
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We encourage you to subscribe to Holy Name's Facebook page.
On an irregular basis, the priests have been celebrating Mass in the evening; and these Mass times get announced on the Facebook page.
If you would like to be kept up to date on these Masses and other happenings at Holy Name Parish, join our Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61557077608332
| | Hearing Assistance Devices for the Upper Church There are 4 personal listening devices available to those hard of hearing. They are stored in the sacristy and will be available to parishioners prior to Mass on a first come first serve basis. | | |
Men’s Group
The Holy Name men’s group is for men of the parish 21+. We typically meet twice a month on Saturday mornings, offering a time for fraternity and discussion. We also meet on various other occasions for more social gatherings. To be kept in the loop, contact Fr. Joseph at frjoseph@holynameparish.com.
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Women’s Group
Who are we? We are HNWG; a low-stakes/high fun, drop-in-but-leave-the-kids-at-home group of fabulous women who get together (and do productive stuff sometimes) lightly sprinkled with faith, and splashed with mimosas!
We meet on the 1st and 3rd Saturday of each month.
1st Sat @9:30-11am (after optional 9am mass in UC)
3rd Sat@5-6:30pm (after the 4pm vigil mass in LC)
Come alone or bring friends and share with ladies who are 21+ who may be interested in what we are doing and making genuine connections and lasting memories!
Contact Trudy.roddy@gmail.com for more info!
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Mass Schedule
Monday-Friday, 8:00am Lower Church
Saturday: 4:00pm Lower Church
Sunday: 7:00am, 9:00am, 11:00am and 6:00pm Upper Church
Holy Day
Eve 4:00pm, Holy Day 8:00am and 7:00pm
Filipino Mass
Fourth Sunday of the month 1:00pm
Novena
Mother of Perpetual Help Wednesday 8:30am
Adoration
Monday, Wednesday, Friday 8:30-9:30am
Sacrament of Reconciliation
Sunday 10:15-10:45am Ramp Entrance
Monday 4:00-5:00pm Ramp Entrance
Saturday 3:00-3:45pm Ramp Entrance
Private Prayer
Lower Church open Monday through Friday following the 8:00am Mass until 2:30pm
Upper Church open, starting Tuesday, September 2, 2:30-8:00pm (ramp entrance)
Baptism
Visit website https://www.holynameparish.com/baptism
Marriage
Visit website https://www.holynameparish.com/weddings
Archdiocese of Boston Transformed in Love Marriage Preparation If you are engaged visit: at https://www.evangelizeboston.com/for-couples/transformed-in-love/
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Thursdays (follows HNPSchool calendar year) 10:00-11:30am. Enter & sign in at main entrance.
The Playgroup is a chance for caregivers and children to gather for play and conversation. There is no age restriction; all ages of children are invited. There is no membership fee, church/school affiliation or registration required. Families can drop in for tasty snacks, good vibes, fun toys, art and crafts and friendly faces. At 11:00am, we have circle time, which includes songs, story and prayer. Consider joining us, donating to our snack/craft fund or spreading the word!
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Holy Name Parish School
535 West Roxbury Parkway
West Roxbury, MA 02132
Phone 617 325 9338
Fax 617 325 7885
Admissions 617 325 9338
| | | Visit Us - Click HERE or contact Debra Buckley, Director of Admissions and Enrollment at admissions@holynameparish.com or call 617 325 9338. | | |
Pope St. John XXIII National Seminary encourages prospective candidates between 30 and 60 years to discern a possible vocation to Priesthood. We host First Friday Visits where men discerning the priesthood are invited to join the Seminary community for prayer, fellowship, and dinner. These brief and informal evenings begin at 5:00pm and conclude at 7:30pm. During their visit here, the men will join the community for Holy Hour and Evening Prayer, followed by dinner with the seminarians and an opportunity to tour the Seminary. If a candidate wishes to speak with a priest faculty member during his visit, we will arrange for that as well. There is the option to attend virtually via the Chapel live-stream link of evening prayer followed by a Zoom meeting. The Zoom meeting link is available once registered.
Contact: Rev. Msgr. William P. Fay, 781 899 5500 x127 FirstFriday@psjs.edu
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What is Pregnancy Help? It is a crisis pregnancy center founded in 1973 with a mission is to provide compassionate, practical, life-affirming alternatives to abortion. Pregnancy Help is an integral part of the commitment of the Archdiocese to build a culture of life. It serves all women regardless of age, race, religion, ethnic background or economic status. Women are assisted from pregnancy testing through delivery and into the post-partum period and some into the parenting period.
Contact: 888-771-3914 https://www.pregnancyhelpboston.org/
| | Project Rachel Ministry extends an invitation to women suffering from the pain of a past abortion to attend a “Come to the Waters of Healing” one-day retreats. Limited to ten participants per retreat. Visit https://www.projectrachelboston.com/ | | Retrouvaille helps Christian couples through difficult times in their marriages. Catholic in origin, the program is designed to provide the tools to help couples get their marriages back on track, giving them the opportunity to rediscover one another and examine their lives together in a new and positive way. Call 508-271-7155. | | | | |
