8:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m., 6:00 p.m.

February 22, 2012

Moral questions abound in the public square, in increasing areas of health care and, of course, in our own daily choices. With our children, we are all concerned that everything necessary is offered so that a child knows how to make the “right” choices. So the formation of our conscience from our earliest days into the present is an ongoing, dynamic priority.

And how does that formation take place? We can all recall as children being instructed and corrected as to that which is “bad or wrong” and pointed to what is “good and right”.  Because children are by nature egocentric, most of our teaching is pointing a child to look outside of self toward the wellbeing of another. The idea of sharing is a good example. When urged to share a valued toy or special treat, a small child will resist—often strongly! When encouraged to specifically “do” something for another, with no apparent reward—another challenge. These are hard lessons to learn as a child and often just as difficult for adults! For, if truth be told, we are all by nature selfish. It started out in the Garden of Eden when our first parents acted against God in selfish choices, and we have inherited that character. In our tradition we call this “Original [...]]]> Everyone knows what it’s like to feel guilty—about something. Sometimes “Catholic Guilt” is the stuff of comedians and jokes. While we all laugh, we also know that our conscience is that crucial guide that aids us in navigating the turbulent waters of life.

Moral questions abound in the public square, in increasing areas of health care and, of course, in our own daily choices. With our children, we are all concerned that everything necessary is offered so that a child knows how to make the “right” choices. So the formation of our conscience from our earliest days into the present is an ongoing, dynamic priority.

And how does that formation take place? We can all recall as children being instructed and corrected as to that which is “bad or wrong” and pointed to what is “good and right”.  Because children are by nature egocentric, most of our teaching is pointing a child to look outside of self toward the wellbeing of another. The idea of sharing is a good example. When urged to share a valued toy or special treat, a small child will resist—often strongly! When encouraged to specifically “do” something for another, with no apparent reward—another challenge. These are hard lessons to learn as a child and often just as difficult for adults! For, if truth be told, we are all by nature selfish. It started out in the Garden of Eden when our first parents acted against God in selfish choices, and we have inherited that character. In our tradition we call this “Original Sin.”

On Wednesday, we begin the holy season of Lent. Ash Wednesday brings Christians to their churches to pray and to receive the mark of a smudge of ash on their foreheads. To “get your ashes” is an imperative, and to wear that mark throughout the day is a sign to others of your faith and desire to practice it.

Most of us understand that the ashes have something to do with penance and repentance. Going back to Old Testament times, the use of ashes was common as an act of repenting for sin. At the same time, the prophets criticized the ritual use of ashes as an actual penance, explaining it ought to be a sign of a deeper repentance and conversion. And this conversion of heart points us in the same direction as a parent teaching a child:  it is good to share, to be generous and thoughtful, and to be respectful and kind. Conversely, it is “bad” when we are not. . . .

As I write this, the Playgroup in the hall above my office is in full swing! I can hear the laughter and footfalls of fifty children and I can also hear a child screaming full throttle, no doubt because a desired toy was not shared. You and I do not scream when we do not get what we want, yet our ego will not easily be denied. We will protest in one way or another! Our conscience tells us so and the guilt we know by our selfishness is real.

And yet there is one antidote, and it is full proof. Jesus came among us to teach us to love one another as He has loved us. That is a tall order! And yet this message, to both come to know the measure of God’s love for us and seek to imitate it in our life with one another, is the singular path to human wholeness and joy.

Ash Wednesday is a gift to me and you. It is a reminder of the ongoing call for each of us, which we will hear as the minister smudges those ashes on our foreheads, to “Turn away from sin and follow the Gospel of Christ”.

— Fr. Ronan

Our Lady Calls smaller sized pilgrimages offer the independence and security of being with an escorted group. Their primary goal and mission is to exceed your expectations beyond the typical pilgrimage from the start and throughout every phase of your Medjugorje experience. They provide a comprehensive look into the ongoing apparitions of Our Lady, spirituality, history, culture and blessed presence of Our Lady in Medjugorje. Your pilgrimage will focus on Our Lady’s profound influence on the village of Medjugorje and Her call to come closer to Her Son Jesus Christ. From listening to the visionaries share Our Lady’s messages, receiving the sacraments, praying and singing with pilgrims from all over the world, they hope to help guide you to a deeper relationship with Our Lord Jesus Christ and His Mother.

Included in this pilgrimage are round-trip airline tickets, all airport fees, taxes and fuel surcharges, airport transfers, Our Lady Calls tour escort, Catholic priest as chaplain, local guide in Medjugorje, 9 nights in Medjugorje, two meals daily, wine and beverages with meals, bedrooms with private adjoining bathrooms, tips to host family, local guide and bus drivers, Magnificat Prayer Book, and group photo!

These 9-night pilgrimages will take place from April 25-May 5, June 5-June 15, August 2-August 12, and September 25-October 5. For package pricing and information, please call (866) 624-1981, email info@ourladycalls.com, or visit ourladycalls.com.

Experience private and communal prayer such as contemplative prayer, meditation, and Lectio Divina. Read, reflect on Scripture and share faith. Make new friends and live the Good News!

Parishioners across the Archdiocese are signing up for this 6-week Lenten journey of faith. Weekly sessions begin the week of February 19 and end the week of March 11. Choose a day or evening that fits your schedule. Attend one, several or all sessions.

Please sign up today! Forms are available in the back of the Church or online. We look forward to welcoming you!

On Election Day in November, 2012, people in Massachusetts will likely be asked to accept or reject the so-called “Death with Dignity” Act. If passed, it will allow an adult resident of Massachusetts, deemed to have the capacity to make health care decisions, and determined by two physicians to have a disease that will likely result in death within six months, to request and receive a prescription for a lethal drug that he or she may self-administer.

Suicide is always a tragedy.  While the proposed act purports to have as its motivation the desire to enable persons to “die with dignity” it actually threatens the well-being and rights of the terminally ill in so many ways, and it is contrary to Church teaching about the dignity and value of human life.   The American Medical Association, the American College of Physicians, the Massachusetts Medical Society, disability rights advocates, members of other healing professions and many others all oppose doctor-prescribed suicide.

Please take some time to carefully study this initiative.  At the doors of our Church you will find educational materials that can assist you in becoming better informed about the slippery slope of passing any legislation that calls for a person to take one’s own life, the ramifications of such legislation, the Catholic Church’s position on this issue and what YOU can do.

Also, please visit the website www.suicideisalwaysatragedy.org for a more comprehensive explanation of the implications of physician assisted suicide.

On Election Day in November, 2012, people in Massachusetts will likely be asked to accept or reject the so-called “Death with Dignity” Act. If passed, it will allow an adult resident of Massachusetts, deemed to have the capacity to make health care decisions, and determined by two physicians to have a disease that will likely result in death within six months, to request and receive a prescription for a lethal drug that he or she may self-administer.

Suicide is always a tragedy.  While the proposed act purports to have as its motivation the desire to enable persons to “die with dignity” it actually threatens the well-being and rights of the terminally ill in so many ways, and it is contrary to Church teaching about the dignity and value of human life.   The American Medical Association, the American College of Physicians, the Massachusetts Medical Society, disability rights advocates, members of other healing professions and many others all oppose doctor-prescribed suicide.

Please take some time to carefully study this initiative.  At the doors of our Church you will find educational materials that can assist you in becoming better informed about the slippery slope of passing any legislation that calls for a person to take one’s own life, the ramifications of such legislation, the Catholic Church’s position on this issue and what YOU can do.

Also, please visit the website www.suicideisalwaysatragedy.org for a more comprehensive explanation of the implications of physician assisted suicide.

Let us work together to build a civilization of love – a love which cares for all humanity including the sick and the dying; a love which is stronger than death; and a love which honors the value of each human person, regardless of any characterization, until natural death.

SPECIAL EVENT!

Join Women Affirming Life at the Four Points by Sheraton, Norwood on Saturday, March 10th at 8:30am for Mass and an important and timely Breakfast Forum:  “Physician Assisted Suicide—How to Inform Ourselves for a Meaningful Response”. M.C. Sullivan, nurse, bio-ethicist and attorney will be the presenter. The celebrant and homilist for the Mass is  Monsignor Robert Deeley, Vicar General of the Archdiocese. Tickets are $25.00 if purchased by February 24th ($30 after this date).  Contact the Pro Life Office for more information: 508-651-1900 or ProLifeOffice@rcab.org.