From The Pastor's Desk
I’m very grateful to the members of the parish finance and pastoral councils who spoke at the end of our Masses last weekend. The Grand Annual Appeal letter and financial report should have arrived in your mailbox sometime this past week. If for some reason you did not receive these documents in the mail, copies are available at the back of the church for you to pick up. Church finances and giving are not the easiest things to talk about from the altar, but they are necessary to our mission as a parish. The task of talking about such things is made a lot easier when there is good news to share. As the financial report for our last fiscal year makes clear, your generosity has put Holy Name solidly in the black. In a time when the cost of living seems to be rising by the day, I can’t thank you enough for the sacrifices you have made to ensure that the Faith in our neighborhood will continue to grow. There’s still a whole lot more work for us to do. Every week new people are finding their way back to the Church and even finding Christ for the first time. Let’s make sure Holy Name is here for them for another century to come.
Yours in Christ,
Fr. Tom
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Vicar's View
Dear All,
Last time we looked at the various things which are needed for the offertory in preparation for the Liturgy of the Eucharist – Missal, vessels, linens, etc. Today, we’ll walk through how the setting up of the altar occurs and how we might all prayerfully participate in this moment.
After the Prayer of the Faithful, The Roman Missal instructs: “When all this has been done, the Offertory Chant begins. Meanwhile, the ministers place the corporal, the purificator, the chalice, the pall, and the Missal on the altar.” In other words, the priest, assisted by the servers, gets to work setting up the altar – unfolding the corporal, opening the Missal to the right page, arranging the vessels, etc. As this occurs, some designated chant begins, or some other piece of music, quite often a hymn. At first glance, it may appear that this is a moment where the congregation can take a sort of rest until their next moment of engagement arises, or as if this is a time when the priest works to prepare things until the congregation has another role to play. However, the offertory is a moment where both priest and congregation are called to be highly engaged and participatory in what is occurring.
How we do this depends upon what it is that is happening. Much more than just “getting things ready,” we are preparing the sacrifice. Thus, it’s a powerful moment to bring our intentions to the altar. If you recall, we spoke a while back about the different ends, or purposes, of offering sacrifice. We offer sacrifice to adore, to express contrition, to render thanksgiving, and to supplicate or entreat (the useful acronym ACTS helps us remember this). During the offertory, then, we can prayerfully consider our intentions. Why might I be praising God today? What do I need to ask forgiveness from? What do I have to thank Him for in the past week? What might I ask Him for? Who do I want to pray for? These are all the reasons we are offering the sacrifice. But we don’t simply offer Christ’s sacrifice from afar, offering it up for our own ends. Rather, we join ourselves to it, and all of our own sacrifices. “Men, far from being dispensed by the sacrifice of Christ from offering themselves in sacrifice, are rather made capable by it of doing so.”
The priest prays that “my sacrifice and yours may be acceptable to God.” It is our sacrifice not just because we are real participants in offering Christ’s sacrifice, but also because we offer our very selves along with it. In his encyclical on the liturgy, Pope Pius XII taught, “in order that the oblation by which the faithful offer the divine Victim in this sacrifice to the heavenly Father may have its full effect, it is necessary that the people add something else, namely, the offering of themselves as a victim.” As the altar is being prepared during the offertory, we must be busy preparing ourselves. In the Mass, we offer our very selves to God as a sacrifice as we lift up to Him our petitions – our adoration, our contrition, our thanksgiving, our supplication. And that sacrifice of ourselves (along with all the little sacrifices we make each day, all the things we “offer up”) take on true meaning and value when united to Christ’s sacrifice.
In addition to participating by singing when there is a hymn, there are two things which manifest externally this call to bring forward ourselves and our intentions: the collection and the bringing up of the gifts. Next week, we will speak a bit more about these two moments. They aid us in placing our intentions on the paten with the host, or in the chalice with the wine. They help us to place our whole selves on the altar – our pains, our sufferings, our weaknesses, our sacrifices, our joys, our hopes, our intentions. And just as that host and that wine will be accepted by God and transformed into the Body and Blood of Christ, so too we can be hopeful that all that we place on the altar will likewise be accepted and transformed. Prayerful engagement with the offertory helps to make this possible.
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
September 2, 16, 30
October 14, 28
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 begins, 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, October 15th, we will meet from 6:30-7:30PM in the lower church. We will have dinner together and continue our Bible study with the Gospel of John."
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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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 24
Father Ferme
Sunday, October 25
Father Macdonald
Monday, October 26
Father Macdonald
Saturday, October 31
Father Macdonald
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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. | | | | |
