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From The Pastor's Desk
I know I am speaking for the entire parish when I convey a very big thank you to everyone who made our St. Patrick’s Day celebration last Sunday such a success. Our Irish singers and step-dancers were fantastic. We are blessed to have so many talented and generous people here at Holy Name. Again, special thanks are owed to Nancy McCarthy who worked so hard in planning the day and securing the sponsorship of so many of our local businesses. I’m also grateful to Maryellen McNally, Peggy Bernazzani, Monica Gribaudo, Ann Connolly, Helen Tarantino, Mary Tarantino, Kathy Bedard, John Manuel, Manny Paradela, Janice Bingham, Anne Reed, Maureen Connell, Todd Gurney, Julia Fannon, Jeff Smith, Audrey Fannon, and everyone who worked so hard setting-up, organizing the raffles, and cleaning up afterwards.
This week at the 11am Mass, we will be honoring the incredible work of our St. Vincent de Paul Society, which is celebrating its 95th anniversary. Please join us after that Mass for a reception in the lower church.
Please keep an eye on the bulletin for the remainder of our very full program of Lenten events at Holy Name. Next Wednesday night (3/18) at 7pm we will be holding a special choral prayer service with a reflection from Fr. Oscar Pratt. The following evening of the 19th there will be a special Mass celebrating the Solemnity of St. Joseph at 5:30pm. Then, the week after that, on Wednesday the 25th at 6pm, we will welcome Bishop Cristiano Barbosa for the celebration of the Solemnity of the Annunciation. His homily will draw out the social justice implications of Our Lady’s “yes” to the Archangel Gabriel’s invitation to become the Mother of God. There will be a reception afterwards and an opportunity for questions and answers with the bishop on the subject of Catholic social teaching. Finally, please join us for the Easter Vigil at 7:30pm on Saturday, April 4th, celebrated by our very own Archbishop Richard Henning.
Yours in Christ,
Fr. Tom
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A Study on the Sacred:
A Walk-Through of the Mass
The introductory rites of the Mass we began last week are continued with the Penitential Act. The priest begins by enjoining the people: “Brother and sisters, let us acknowledge our sins, and so prepare ourselves to celebrate the sacred mysteries.”
It’s striking that in the very first moments of the Mass we call to mind our sins. The Mass is the worship of God by real human persons – men and women striving for sanctity, but also laboring under the effects of sin. And this admission of our sinfulness is a precondition for celebrating the sacred mysteries. Priest and people admit their sinfulness before each other and before God so as to be prepared to enter into the Mass. We cannot enter into the mystery of the Mass, we cannot celebrate it well, if we do not approach humbly, mindful of our sinfulness.
This public confession has another dimension, too. Not only do we humble ourselves by acknowledging our sins; we also recognize that those around us are sinners. This should encourage us to pray for one another, and remind us that we are not alone in our weakness and poverty.
There are a few options for how all of this occurs during Mass. The first is the so-called Confiteor (“I confess” in Latin). “I confess to almighty God, and to you, my brothers and sisters…” We should be mindful of what we’re saying here. Before God and the community, we confess that we have greatly sinned. And we beseech Mary, all the angels and saints, and one another to pray for us to God. The Church puts on our lips the fact that we all stand in need of mercy – words which we hope are not just on our lips, but also in our hearts.
Another option for this confession is a set of invocations which conclude with “Lord, have mercy” (Kyrie, eleison) / “Christ, have mercy” (Christe, eleison) / “Lord, have mercy” (Kyrie, eleison). These are many versions of these invocations (e.g., “You were sent to heal the contrite of heart.” / “You came to call sinners.” / “You are seated at the right hand of the Father to intercede for us.”). With this option, too, we acknowledge our need and implore God for mercy.
One final option (used quite rarely) includes two biblical invocations: “V. Have mercy on us, O Lord R. For we have sinned against you. / V. Show us, O Lord, your mercy R. And grant us your salvation.”
In any case, the priest concludes: “May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life.” The priest is imploring God for mercy. The Penitential Act teaches us how to approach God: with confidence, but also with humility, recognizing our sinfulness, and beseeching His mercy. The well-known adage “lex orandi, lex credendi” teaches us that how we pray informs us about what we believe. With the Penitential Act we learn that the Christian’s posture before God is not one of presumption or self-reliance, but one of humility, one which begs His mercy which we know we stand in need of.
The Penitential Act concludes with the “Lord, have mercy” (Kyrie, eleison) / “Christ, have mercy” (Christe, eleison) if they have not been said already. There are many musical versions of this, and there are even traditional melodies for different seasons of the Church’s year or particular feast days (e.g., we use a Kyrie specifically for Masses in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary for our annual Rorate Mass).
In short, as we approach the sacred mysteries, the Church teaches us by the Penitential Act to do so humbly; as we approach the great mystery of mercy, we are reminded that we stand in need of it.
In Christ,
Fr. Joseph
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Celebrating the Solemnity of St. Joseph
This upcoming Thursday, March 19th, is the Solemnity of Saint Joseph. Again this year we will have the St. Joseph Altar (Table) to celebrate this great day.
In the Middle Ages, when the people of Sicily were suffering from severe draught, they turned to St. Joseph. The rain came, and they thanked their patron by preparing food. What began as a small table of food has grown to a venerable Catholic tradition, resulting in elaborate, often three-tiered, tables filled with breads, cookies, and pastries.
Please consider bringing/baking something for the table!!
5:30PM | Mass in the Upper Church
6:15PM | St. Joseph Table in the Lower Church
San Giuseppe, prega per noi!
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From the Choir Loft
Taizé: You may know the familiar antiphons "Eat This Bread" or "Jesus, Remember Me" written by Jacques Berthier, a monk from the Taizé community in France. Next week's Wednesday evening Taizé prayer service (3/18 at 7 PM in the Upper Church) will feature musical interludes from Taizé and a reflection from Fr. Oscar Pratt. Taizé music is meant to be meditative, repetitive, and is flexible with multiple languages and instruments. As defined by the Taizé community, "Singing is one of the most essential elements of worship. Short songs, repeated again and again, give it a meditative character. Using just a few words they express a basic reality of faith, quickly grasped by the mind. As the words are sung over many times, this reality gradually penetrates the whole being. Meditative singing thus becomes a way of listening to God. It allows everyone to take part in a time of prayer together and to remain together in attentive waiting on God." I hope your Lenten journey will find its way to the Upper Church on Wednesday, March 18 at 7 PM for this unique prayer opportunity.
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We want to hear from you!
The Family Engagement Committee would like your feedback! We are revamping the "Kid Corner" in the back of the church and would like the input of everyone, from those who use the zone to those who don't have kids. Please let us know your thoughts in this short survey.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSehetQ-hcbrY7RUIYluaI17I52UHilEjvgetYZ8AUgl2kjoqg/viewform
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Special Collections
You may submit your Grand Annual at anytime.
March 15th- Utility & Energy
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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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.
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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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Confessors
Saturday, March 14
Father Macdonald
Sunday, March 15
Father Macdonald
Monday, March 16
Father Macdonald
Saturday, March 21
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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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. | | |
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. Make time to live a Cursillo. Click this link: www.bostoncursillo.org. Still unsure, contact Father Tom or Father Joseph.
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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. | | | | |
