From our Pastor

As we turn the calendar page and begin 2026,
I wish to express my gratitude to our staff,
councils, Faith Formation teachers, volunteers
and so many people who have helped make
2025 such an extraordinary year.
May God bless you, your family and all you love as
we look up and ahead at the possibilities, opportuni
ties and dreams of the New Year.
We have taken on challenges with renewed hope,
and under the guidance of Pope Leo
and Archbishop Henning,
I am confident the Holy Spirit will lead us.
Mary, Mother of the Church, point us to your Son
and guide us. Happy New Year!
-Fr. John

Three gifts used today

Three special presents were carried by the Magi to Bethlehem, but what do we know about them?

Frankincense, also called olibanum and al-lubān, is an aromatic resin found in the Boswellia tree. The material is valued for its aromatic qualities and has been used in church for thousands of years. Frankincense is also found in medicine, oil, and perfume. While the Frankincense market has existed for millennia, its viability is now threatened by the overharvesting of Boswellia trees, deforestation, and the longhorn beetle.

Myrrh, also called the Balm of Gilead or Balsam of Mecca, is similar to Frankincense but obtained from Commiphora plants. Myrrh is mixed with Frankincense in church. The substance has also been used in salves and liniments, arthritic remedies, perfume, even the embalming of mummies. At one point in ancient economy, myrrh was worth more than gold.

Gold is the most malleable metal in the world. Its resistance to moisture and corrosion has made it the perfect material for currency, jewelry and sacred objects. Gold is found in dental crowns and bridges, high-end CDs, toners, spacecraft, airplane windows, USB cables, semiconductors, and even gourmet desserts.

2025 Grand Annual letter

Due to circumstances beyond our control, the printing and distribution of the Grand Annual letter and information was delayed, but now we hope you’ve finally received this important information- thank you for your patience.
This past year has brought about lots of change, but we are confident that the coming year will be one of new opportunities and possibilities and your kind generosity makes a critical difference. If you haven’t received your information, please give us a call. Please note that your donation is tax deductible. Thank you and God bless you for your generosity to this initiative and all we do as we look up and look ahead!
–Fr. John

CORI Time

To all our volunteers:
January is the month for our parish to complete CORI forms. A copy of the form will be emailed to volunteers. You may have it notarized and send it back or bring it filled out to Church for an approved staff member to verify your signature. Please bring your photo ID. You may also drop by the office. There are also blank CORI forms at the office and at the Church for your convenience. All forms must be submitted by Friday, January 30. All those who have recently filled out a CORI do not need to fill another one out.
Thank you for all that you do and for your help in getting the CORIs submitted in a timely manner.

Love Your Marriage Retreat (1/31)

This one-day retreat for married couples will be held on January 31st at the Pastoral Center, Braintree. It will be led by
Family Life and Our Outpost, a Catholic ministry designed to help couples intentionally develop vibrant marriages
through healthier communication, conflict resolution, and decision making. The cost is $40 per couple and includes meals, materials, Mass, and more. For more information and registration, visit bit.ly/loveyourmarriageretreat

A Christmas Blessing for All of Our Parishioners
Visitors, and Their Loved Ones

May there be harmony in all your relationships. May sharp words, envious thoughts and hostile feelings be dissolved. May you give and receive love generously. May this love echo in your heart like the joy of church bells on a clear December day. May each person who comes into your life be greeted as another Christ. May the honor given the Babe of Bethlehem be that which you extend to every guest who enters your presence. May the hope of this Sacred Season settle in your soul. May it be a foundation of courage for you when times of distress occupy your inner land. May the wonder and awe that fills the eyes of children be awakened with you. May it lead you to renewed awareness and appreciation of whatever you too easily take for granted. May the bonds of love for one another be strengthened as you gather with your family and friends around the table of festivity and nourishment. May you daily open the gift of your life and be grateful for the hidden treasures it contains. May the coming year be one of good health for you. May you have energy and vitality. May you care well for your body, mind and spirit. May you keep your eye on the Star within you and trust this Luminescent Presence to guide and direct you each day. May you go often to the Bethlehem of your heart and visit the One who offers you peace. May you bring this peace into our world.
-Joyce Rupp

We extend a warm welcome to all visitors and those who are new to our parishes of St. Francis de Sales and St. Mary-St. Catherine of Siena. Thank you for joining us!

In this Christmas Season, please know of our heartfelt gratitude to all of our parishioners who so faithfully support our Parishes by sharing their time, talent, and treasure. May our Blessed Savior abundantly bless you and all your loved ones this Christmas and in the coming new year.

2025 Grand Annual letter

Due to circumstances beyond our control, the printing and distribution of the Grand Annual letter and information was delayed, but now we hope you’ve finally received this important information- thank you for your patience.
This past year has brought about lots of change, but we are confident that the coming year will be one of new opportunities and possibilities and your kind generosity makes a critical difference. If you haven’t received your information, please give us a call. Please note that your donation is tax deductible.
Thank you and God bless you for your generosity to this initiative and all we do as we look up and look ahead!
–Fr. John

“This time of Advent is a time for hope. These great horizons of our Christian vocation, this unity of life built on the presence of God our Father, can and ought to be a daily reality. Ask our Lady, along with me, to make it come true. Try to imagine how she spent these months, waiting for her Son to be born. And our Lady, Holy Mary, will make of you alter Christus, ipse Christus: another Christ, Christ himself!”
– St. Josemaria Escriva

The liturgy of Advent…helps us to understand fully the value and meaning of the mystery of Christmas. It is not just about commemorating the historical event, which occurred some 2,000 years ago in a little village of Judea. Instead, it is necessary to understand that the whole of our life must be an ‘advent,’ a vigilant awaiting of the final coming of Christ. To predispose our mind to welcome the Lord who, as we say in the Creed, one day will come to judge the living and the dead, we must learn to recognize him as present in the events of daily life.
Therefore, Advent is, so to speak, an intense training that directs us decisively toward him who already came, who will come, and who comes continuously.”
– St. John Paul II

Lord Jesus, Master of both the light and the darkness, send your Holy Spirit upon our preparations for Christmas. We who have so much to do and seek quiet spaces to hear your voice each day, We who are anxious over many things look
forward to your coming among us. We who are blessed in so many ways long for the complete joy of your kingdom. We whose hearts are heavy seek the joy of your presence. We are your people, walking in darkness, yet seeking the light. To you we say, “Come, Lord Jesus!’ Amen.
-Henri Nouwen

The Legend Behind the 12 Days of Christmas

The full history is widely debated, but the song was first published in a book in England in 1780 and thought to be French in origin. The tune we sing now was composed by Englishman Frederic Austin in 1909. Catholics in England were not permitted to practice their faith openly from 1558 to 1829. For that reason, many believe that this song was a
hidden way to teach tenets of the faith, with meaning known only to those in the Church.

A Partridge in a Pear Tree
Represents Jesus Christ. A partridge risks its life to protect its babies by faking injury or illness to distract predators.

Two Turtle Doves
Represent the Scriptures, the Old and New Testaments.

Three French Hens
Represent faith, hope and love, referring to 1 Cor 13:13.

Four Calling Birds
Represent the four Gospels —Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.

Five Golden Rings
Represent the five books of the Bible —Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy.

Six Geese A-Laying
Represent the six days when God actively created as he rested on the seventh day.

Seven Swans A-Swimming
Represent the gifts of the Holy Spirit:Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel, Fortitude, Knowledge, Piety,
Fear of the Lord (awe). Isaiah 11:1-2.

Eight Maids A-Milking
Represent the beatitudes in Matthew 5:3-12

Nine Ladies Dancing
Represent the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23.

Ten Lords A-Leaping
Represent the Ten Commandments in Exodus 20.

Eleven Pipers Piping
Represent the 11 faithful disciples.

Twelve Drummers Drumming
Represent the 12 points of belief in the Apostles’ Creed.

Remembering Loved Ones Who Have Gone To God

At all of our Masses on the weekend of December 13 and 14, we will have a Ritual of Remembrance for all of our loved ones who have gone to God. At the conclusion of Mass, you are invited to place one sand dollar in memory of your loved ones on the Parish Christmas tree.
Go to God with all of your sorrows, that He may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you. Be alert and of sober mind. Do not let doubt or any kind of negative thinking overpower you. Resist it, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is under-going the same kind of sufferings. And though it will take time, God of all grace, who called you in Christ, will restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To Him be the power for ever and ever.
Amen. (1 Peter 5:6-11-Adapted)

GIVING TREES!

As is our tradition, your generosity provides Christmas aid to St. Mary Center for Women and Children,
Charlestown Recovery House, Veterans Shelter, our Parish’s Conference of the Saint Vincent de Paul Society,
and Sisters of Saint Joseph Prison Ministry.

� St. Mary Center for Woman & Children—tags on tree with requests from the Moms
� Charlestown Recovery House-please give a gift card, T-Pass, or Dunkin Donuts gift card.
� Veterans Shelter —please give a gift card, T-Pass, or Dunkin Donuts gift card.
� St. Vincent de Paul Society—a monetary donation is requested for clients in our Parish who have many different needs, ie. rental assistance, beds, furniture of all kinds and a myriad of other requests. Checks should be made payable to St. Vincent de Paul Society.
� Sisters of St. Joseph Prison Ministry-Due to Dept. of Corrections security regulations, monetary donations are requested. Checks should be made payable to Sisters of St. Joseph Prison Ministry”

Donations may be placed in the collection baskets at the door or brought to the office at 46 Winthrop St and are due on December 14.

Let your love keep another warm

In collaboration with Good Shepherd School, the Kennedy Center and the Lions’ Club, we’re collecting useable coats and jackets in the churches and offices and at Harvest on Vine!

Thanks to Ann, Oscar and Sandy for making our Advent wreaths so beautiful!

Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, located in the Navy yard in Charlestown,

is looking for qualified Eucharistic ministers to augment the volunteers who currently visit Catholic patients
and bring them communion.

The volunteers also spend time with the patients, listening to their thoughts and concern, which is a benefit not
only to the patient but to the volunteer as well. Recently, a volunteer shared, “I get more gratitude and blessings
from these visits than the patient does!”

If you are qualified Eucharistic minister and would like to discuss the potential to volunteer and learn about the
application process, please contact the chaplain (a St Mary’s St Catherine of Siena communicant)
Michael Kelleher at mwkelleher@mgb.org

Love Your Marriage Retreat (1/31)

This one-day retreat for married couples will be held on January 31st at the Pastoral Center, Braintree. It will be led by Family Life and Our Outpost, a Catholic ministry designed to help couples intentionally develop vibrant marriages through healthier communication, conflict resolution, and decision making.
The cost is $40 per couple and includes meals, materials, Mass, and more. For more information and registration, visit bit.ly/loveyourmarriageretreat.

The Watertown Ancient Order of Hibernians

(AOH), America’s largest and oldest Irish Catholic organizations, is hosting a blood / food drive on Saturday, December 27, at Hibernian Hall, 151 Watertown Street, Watertown, MA from 9 AM to 2 PM. Visit https://redcrossblood.org/ and enter AOH to schedule an appointment to donate blood. Each pint of blood we collect can help save up to three lives and will touch the lives of so many more. No appointment is needed to
donate food. Items collected at the Food Drive will be donated to the Watertown Catholic Collaborative food pantry.

Advent is my favorite time of year- the world is transform ing, and hopes are high- we’re all looking forward to things to come. Plans are being made, dreams are shared, and the Scriptures sing of prophets with messages of hope. It’s a time of beginnings- and we begin together here in this great town of rich history and cutting-edge hopes for the future. Both parishes have great histories and traditions (thank you, Frs.Mahoney, Ronan, and Frs. Vin & Ron) and I’m privileged to help write the next chapter of what’s ahead.

An introduction, I believe, is in order: My father, Denis, came from Louisburg, Co. Mayo, my mom, Elizabeth, was baptized right round the corner from here at St. Joseph’s in Somerville and grew up in Waltham and Newtonville (they met while she was working at Filene’s in town).

I grew up the eighth of nine siblings (who I am very close to) in Newton Upper Falls, went to Mary Immaculate of Lourdes parish and through the Newton Public Schools, and entered the seminary in 1982. I was ordained on June 16, 1990, and have served in a variety of places, in city, suburban and even rural parishes.

I am a part of the Vatican II/Pope John Paul II generation, inspired by his call on that rainy day in 1979 in the Boston Common, challenged and encouraged to minister to all peoples, especially the poor. I am a devoted Bruins fan (I can recite the entire ‘71-72 roster) and Red Sox fan, and enjoy movies, music, and technology.

I come here as pastor of two parishes with the goal of building a collaborative – something I’ve done twice before and look forward to being about again- working with staff, councils, and the people of the parishes of Charlestown. I’m already impressed with what I’ve already seen, and I can’t wait to get to it.

The first weekend of Advent marks the beginning of the liturgical year, and the perfect opportunity to start.
May our Blessed Mother bless us as we begin together. St. Mary, St. Catherine of Siena, and St. Francis de Sales, pray for us.

Fr. Sheridan

Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, located in the Navy yard in Charlestown

is looking for qualified Eucharistic ministers to augment the volunteers who currently visit Catholic patients and bring them communion.

The volunteers also spend time with the patients, listening to their thoughts and concerns, which is a benefit not only to the patient but to the volunteer as well. Recently, a volunteer shared, “I get more gratitude and blessings from these visits than the patient does!”

If you are qualified Eucharistic minister and would like to discuss the potential to volunteer and learn about the application process, please contact the chaplain (a St Mary’s St Catherine of Siena communicant)
Michael Kelleher at mwkelleher@mgb.org

DEC. 8 THE FEAST OF THE IMMACULATE
CONCEPTION OF MARY
A Holy day of obligation

Masses 9 AM at St. Mary Church
6 PM at St Francis de Sales Church

The liturgical season of Advent, begins
this year on November 30,

It marks the time of spiritual preparation for the coming of Jesus anew at Christmas. It is also the beginning of a
new liturgical year.
The liturgical vestments are usually purple, and an Advent wreath is displayed prominently in the sanctuary of the Church. The circle of the Advent wreath represents that God is so great that God never had a beginning and
will never have an end, and reminds us of the eternity of God’s love for us and for all humanity. The four candles of the Advent wreath, three purple and one pink (joy) represent the hope, peace, joy and love that God sends through His Son, Jesus.
Let us take time this Advent season to slow down and spend some additional time in prayer as we reflect on the presence of Jesus in our lives and the meaning of His coming.

Gratefully acknowledging that God gives us all, we each
willingly offer our unique gifts to one another and all
creation in the Spirit of Jesus Christ.

Please join us for Morning Mass on Thanksgiving Day.
At the conclusion of Mass, as is our tradition, we will distribute blessed bread and a Prayer of Thanksgiving
for you to share at your Thanksgiving meal.
We look forward to welcoming you!

CHRISTMAS FLOWERS!

There are Christmas Flower envelopes in the back of the Church for those who
would like to make a donation in memory of a loved one. The flowers are placed
on the Altar for Christmas. Be sure to include the name of your loved one on the
envelope. Names submitted by Monday, Dec. 15 will be included in the bulletin for Christmas.
All names received after that date will be added to a future bulletin. You may drop the envelope
in the collection basket or mail to the Parish Center at 46 Winthrop Street.Thank you!

USHERS & GREETERS

With Christmas coming we’ll need help with the additional worshipers that will be coming
into the Parishes for Christmas Eve Family Mass at 4 pm, (at both Churches)

AND the Christmas Day Masses at 8am, 9:30am and 11:00am. We need Ushers to help
with the collection and assisting greeters who are helping parishioners to find seats during
mass.

If you can help please email dludy@stmarystcatherine.org or call 617-242-4664
Please note which mass you will be able to help with and be willing to be available
15-30 mins prior to mass.

Giving trees coming soon!
Tags will be for:

Donations to

� Women’s prison ministry
� St Vincent de Paul

Or gift cards for

� Charlestown Recovery House
� Homeless Veterans

Or Gifts for

St Mary Homeless Shelter

Christmas Eve Masses

4 pm- St Mary___________________ 4 pm- St Francis

Christmas Day Masses

8 am & 11 am-St Mary____________________9:30 am-St Francis

Our Harvest on Vine

And the king will say to them in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me… For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, a stranger and you gave me no welcome, naked and you gave me no clothing, ill and in prison, and you did not care for me.’ Then they will answer and say, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or ill or in prison, and not minister to your needs?’ He will answer them, ‘Amen, I say to you, what you did not do for one of these least ones, you did not do for me.’ Mt 25:40, 42-45

By virtue of our Baptism, we have been given a special responsibility to reach out to others- it is at the heart of the teaching of the Catholic faith- nothing less. When we feed the hungry, comfort the afflicted and show respect to those in need, we live our calling as the Body of Christ in action. Harvest on Vine is instrumental to the mission of our parish, important to the Collaborative we’re building, of our vocation as Christians, and particularly, as Catholics.

St. Mary- St. Catherine of Siena’s Harvest on Vine food pantry is now entering its 23rd year of service. From its beginning, the parish identified food insecurity as an issue in the neighborhood and began what became Harvest on Vine food pantry to address it, beginning with seven families and a few volunteers. Today, we serve more than 775 families with the hard work of more than 100 volunteers. Food is distributed three times a month- twice a month behind St. Catherine’s rectory and monthly at Mishawum, giving each family a week’s worth of food. No one is turned away.

Through the years, the food pantry weathered storms, developed its mission and is now thriving. We recently purchased another 8’ x 10’ walk-in freezer that stores 4 tons of frozen meat and fish. Twice a month the freezers are filled, and twice a month they are emptied. We opened the Boyce Community Kitchen, hosting monthly cooking classes for the community and social gatherings. Hundreds of our neighbors have benefitted from this program. We’ve partnered more closely with the St. Mary- St. Catherine of Siena Society of St. Vincent de Paul, providing services that meet the needs of our clients (rental assistance, furniture, bedding).

During the pandemic, the need for food skyrocketed. In response, Harvest on Vine increased the amount of food distributed. We wore masks and gloves and moved the operation outside, adapting, bundling up to weather the cold, ignoring wind and snow. Charlestown residents and organizations ran food drives for us. Our Faith Formation students collected soap, shampoo, and other toiletries, and in partnership with St. Francis de Sales’s conference, initiated a successful towel drive. We continue to operate outside to maximize health safety for all. We’re looking at the feasibility of building an overhang along the back of the rectory for food distributions and more.

Generous donors continue to give us the means to provide fresh produce, meat, milk, cheese, and eggs at every distribution. Each month we give out foods like potatoes, onions, peppers, plantains, tomatoes, lettuce, Bok choy, bananas, and other fruits and vegetables. We survey our clients and order foods that respond to the needs of our clients, respecting cultural preferences.

The Greater Boston Food Bank refers to our Town as a “food desert”. Most of our families don’t have transportation to drive to supermarkets. The stores within walking distance offer little affordable, fresh food. At this time, Harvest on Vine is blessed to have food to distribute. We are doubly blessed to have committed volunteers to distribute the food and supporters who give us the means to purchase it. Today, with the cuts to safety net programs that help feed the poor, we need your support more than ever, even more than the pandemic years. Among the over 2,000 people we regularly serve, roughly 520 are children. The concerns are great, the challenges are many, but through your help, we’re taking it on. We aim to bridge the food-desert gap.

The needy in our midst, often invisible, need our support all year long. Through your generosity and the hard
work of so many, we know we can respond to the need. May we heed the call of the good King, the Lord Jesus, to respond to His challenge joyously. Join us (and bring someone you love) at a distribution, share a talent or skill, donate food, money, or give in other ways generously. How blest we are to have so much. How blest we are to have opportunities to give. We will not only give to those in need- we’re also giving to the King of Kings.

Thomas MacDonald________Director, Harvest on Vine
Fr. John Sheridan__________Pastor, Charlestown
___________________________Catholic Collaborative

Monthly Distributions:
Second Saturday and last Tuesday of the month,
behind St. Catherine Rectory @ 49 Vine St and
fourth Thursday of the month at Mishawum Park.

The great turkey distribution will take place on
Tuesday, Nov. 25 at 1 pm at Harvest on Vine!

Just a sampling of the more than 1,000 boxes of cereal
donated through Junebug, Place & Gather and RSM
and our Confirmation and Youth Group.
Thank you for your generosity!

The Nineteenth Annotation of the Spiritual Exercises (11/19-4/22)

The Nineteenth Annotation Retreat of the Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius of Loyola, An Invitation to Meet Christ in Prayer, arranged by Fr. John Sassani & Mary Ann McLaughlin is being offered in a group setting for Catholic adults. The number of participants will be limited.

These Spiritual Exercises extend over the course of twenty-three weeks and are loosely aligned with the liturgical year.

The group will use the ZOOM Format to meet weekly, on line, from 10am to 12 noon starting on
Wednesday November 19, 2025 through Wednesday April 22, 2026.
Mary Ann McLaughlin and Deacon Dan Burns will direct the Spiritual Exercises. For further information please call Mary Ann at 617-686-2287 or click address to email:maryannmclaughlin2@aol.com.

Healing Retreat for Adult Children of Divorce (3/28/26)

The Catholic ministry, Life Giving Wounds in collaboration with Family Life are offering a one-day healing retreat for adult children of divorce or separation at the Pastoral Center in Braintree from 9 AM – 5 PM on March 28th. The day will include talks, prayer, confession, Adoration, Mass, small group sharing, meals and resources. The retreat fee is $45 ($25 for college students). Visit bit.ly/lifegivingwoundsretreat for more information.

Veterans Day Prayer

By Joanna Fuchs

Dear Lord, today we honor our veterans, worthy men
and women who gave their best when they were called upon
to serve and protect their country. We pray that you will
bless them, Lord, for their unselfish service in the continual
struggle to preserve our freedoms, our safety,
and our country’s heritage, for all of us.
Bless them abundantly for the hardships they faced,
for the sacrifices they made for their many different
contributions to America’s victories over tyranny and oppression.
We respect them, we thank them, we honor them,
we are proud of them, and we pray that you will watch over
these special people and bless them with peace and happiness.
In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

In observance of Veterans Day, the offices
will be closed on Tuesday, Nov. 11th.
Mass on that day will be at 8 am
in Saint Catherine of Siena Chapel.

In gratitude to Chrissy Vraibel and the Boston Police,
who donated 250 turkeys to Harvest on Vine!

The Pope’s Monthly Intentions
for November 2025

For the prevention of suicide

Let us pray that those who are struggling with suicidal thoughts might find the support, care, and love they need in their community, and be open to the beauty of life.

All Souls Day

A student wrote an essay about the person he most admired and he chose his grandfather, although he had never met him. His grandfather had struggled to raise not only his family, but also the families of two of his army buddies who had died in World War I. The sacrifices and efforts of his grandfather made a big difference in the lives of 13 children, all of whom considered him to be their dad. It was an inspiring story that made the student want to help others and emulate his hero.
The Feast of All Souls recalls the stories of those who have gone before us in faith. Often it was their prayers, sacrifices and hard work that established our parishes, built our schools and moved our faith into the mainstream of American life. Many are unnamed and unknown, but nonetheless their contributions made a difference. Their witness feeds our faith, handing on the Gospel from one generation to the next.
When you pray for the Holy Souls today, offer a prayer of thanks for them. Ask the Lord to grant them eternal life and peace.
But also honor their work and their memory by taking your turn and doing your part for those who will follow you.

~James Gaffney © Pilot Bulletins

The Nineteenth Annotation of the Spiritual Exercises
(11/19/2025 – 4/22/2026)

The Nineteenth Annotation Retreat of the Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius of Loyola,
An Invitation to Meet Christ in Prayer, arranged by Fr. John Sassani & Mary Ann McLaughlin is being offered in a group setting for Catholic adults. The number of participants will be limited.
These Spiritual Exercises extend over the course of twenty-three weeks and are loosely aligned with the liturgical year.
The group will use the ZOOM Format to meet weekly, on line, from 10am to 12 noon starting on
Wednesday November 19, 2025 through Wednesday April 22, 2026.
Mary Ann McLaughlin and Deacon Dan Burns will direct the Spiritual Exercises.
For further information please call Mary Ann at 617-686-2287 or email:maryannmclaughlin2@aol.com

Healing Retreat for Adult Children of Divorce (3/28/2026)

The Catholic ministry, Life Giving Wounds in collaboration with Family Life are offering a one-day healing retreat for adult children of divorce or separation at the Pastoral Center in Braintree from 9 AM – 5 PM on March 28th. The day will include talks, prayer, confession, Adoration, Mass, small group sharing, meals and resources. The retreat fee is $45 ($25 for college students). Visit bit.ly/lifegivingwoundsretreat for more information.

Annual Bishop James Augustine Healy Award Dinner (11/15)

Join us for the 32nd Annual Bishop James Augustine Healy Award Dinner—a joyful, spirit-filled evening honoring the vibrant, faith-filled leadership of Black Catholics in the Archdiocese of Boston at Boston College High School on November 15th. This year’s awardees include Cardinal Seán O’Malley, Maître Jean-Louis Daniel, and Rev. Michael Fernando Davidson, S.J. Visit bit.ly/healydinner to register.

Masses of Remembrance

Join us Saturday, Nov. 1st at 4 pm at St. Francis
and Saturday, Nov. 8th at 4 pm at St. Mary’s
as we remember those who have died in the past year
in our parishes and all our beloved dead.

Symbolon

Symbolon will be held Monday, Oct. 27 at 7 pm
at St. Catherine’s Chapel. Join us for an hour of learning!