From our Pastor

Welcome, Monsignor!

We welcome Msgr. Felix Ojimbo to the rectory!
A native of Nigeria, he is the chaplain of Faulkner Hospital
and will be helping us out as his schedule permits.
We welcome him and look forward
to all he will share with us!

Thanks!
Thanks to everyone who came to see Cabrini!
Our next grownup movie will be Nov. 15:
Entertaining Angels, the Dorothy Day story!

When my heart finds Christmas…
On Friday, Nov. 22, we’re going to New York
City to see the incredible Radio City Music
Hall Christmas Spectacular, starring the
Rockettes! We’ll leave by motorcoach
at 7 am, attend the 2 pm show and have
a few hours to take in the Big Apple
We’ll be back by midnight!
Tickets are $225 per person.
Call Dianne at 617-242-4664-
Questions? See Fr. John!

And so, we begin…
We now begin Faith Formation classes! This
Sunday, Oct. 6, the 6 pm Mass at St. Mary’s
moves back upstairs as Confirmation prep and
Youth Group meet afterward, and on Tuesday,
Oct. 8, we start K-4 classes in the Collaborative
Center at 46 Winthrop.
Registration is at charlestowncatholic.org and
the fees remain the same as last year.
We’re looking for teachers- if you care for kids and want to
share your faith, this is a perfect time and place to help!
Please see Fr. John and help us bring
about something special!

Welcome, your Excellency!
As we welcome Bishop Richard Henning as our new
Archbishop, let’s pray that God will give him every good
gift of the Holy Spirit he will need. His installation will
take place on Thursday, Oct. 31 at the Cathedral

Thanks!
Thanks to everyone who came to see Cabrini! Our next
grownup movie will be Nov. 15: Entertaining Angels, the
Dorothy Day story! Thanks also to those who came on
Saturday to our Blessing of the Animals!

Look up. Look ahead.

Monday, Oct. 7– Men’s Discussion Group
7 pm @ St. Catherine’s Chapel

Please note!
Fr. John will be in Italy Oct. 14-24.
The Franciscans at St. Anthony’s Shrine
will help with funerals.
Mass will be suspended Tuesday, Oct. 15 & 17
& Thursday, Oct. 17 & 24.

Next Sunday October 13 we celebrate World Mental Health Day
World Mental Health Day is October 10. Join the novena on the USSCB web site from Oct. 10 and ending
Oct. 18 (feast of St. Luke). The daily texts for the novena can be found online at
https://www.usccb.org/mentalhealth.
The three primary goals of the National Campaign: (1) to raise awareness of the mental health crisis, (2) to
combat stigma surrounding the topic of mental health, and (3) to advocate for all those impacted by the crisis.
The mental health crisis is a profound challenge to the Church and to society. Catholics can respond with generosity, hope, and compassion to everyone who needs help. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
(USCCB) invites all people of good will to pray for mental health and wellness with a special nationwide novena beginning on World Mental Health Day (Oct. 10).

RESPECT FOR LIFE SUNDAY-
First Sunday in October
October is Respect for Life Month
Bishop Burbidge Calls on Catholics to Renew Commitment to Life
Chairman of the Committee on Pro-Life Activities calls on Catholics to renew their commitment
to the legal protection of human life, to support policies and service ministries that assist mothers,
and to extend compassion to those suffering from participation in abortion.

Navigating “the Change”: A Workshop by Women for Women
Join retired OB/GYN, Dr. Patricia Jay and certified NFP instructor, Amy Dyke, to discuss how to
navigate the changes of the female body throughout perimenopause and menopause. Throughout
this virtual workshop, she will walk us through the biology and theology of our femininity and the
beauty of new beginnings that “the Change” brings us. Register at bit.ly/NavigateTheChange

Symbolon meets Monday, Sept. 23
at 7 pm at St. Catherine’s Chapel!
Bring your hearts, bring your minds, bring your souls,
bring yourselves, bring someone you love.

Please note!
Daily Mass schedule: Monday- Friday at 8 am and Saturdays & holidays at 9 am
in St. Catherine’s Chapel returns The 6 pm Sunday Mass will remain at
St. Catherine’s Chapel for the time being.

Welcome, your Excellency!

As we welcome Bishop Richard Henning as our new Archbishop, let’s pray that God will give him every good
gift of the Holy Spirit he will need. His installation will take place on Thursday, Oct. 31 at the Cathedral.

Such an easy and generous way to give!

Please consider online giving to help us pay our bills and plan for the future. Give us a call or drop us a note and we’ll walk you through the process. Thank you!

When my heart finds Christmas…

On Friday, Nov. 22, we’re going to New York City to see the incredible Radio City Music Hall Christmas Spectacular, starring the Rockettes!
We’ll leave by motorcoach at 7 am, attend the 2 pm show, and have a few hours to take in the Big Apple- we’ll be back by midnight!
Tickets are $225 per person. 16 are available for each parish- maximum of 4 tickets per family. Call Dianne at 617-242-4664- Any questions? See Fr. John!

A New Committee

Recently, our newest committee- liturgy- met for the first time, and it was a very helpful and lively conversation. We talked about Masses here at St. Mary’s and St. Francis and what’s done in other parishes
near and far, calling upon the Holy Spirit to stoke the fires of creativity for our parishes and our Collaborative ways to express our faith, hope and love for Christ!
An initiative from the group will involve the joy that October brings as we celebrate the month dedicated to the Rosary! Soon, we will announce a beautiful way for us to join our prayers for us, our Town, our city, our Church, and the world!

Catholic Appeal update

St. Francis and St. Mary- St. Catherine have both hit
over 100% of our Catholic Appeal assessments!
The Appeal helps our parishes, Collaborative and our Archdiocese! Please give and help us build the
ministries so many around us need. Go to catholicappeal.com and answer the call!

September 14/15
Today’s second collection will benefit Clergy Trust which provides programs and support to care for the health and well-being of all active and senior diocesan priests in good standing. This collection is an important source of funding for our priests, so a gift of any amount is greatly appreciated. On behalf of myself and all my brother priests who benefit from the support of Clergy Trust, thank you for your generosity.

Look up. Look ahead.

Monday, Oct. 7 Men’s Group @ 7 pm @ St. Catherine’s Chapel

Friday, Sept. 20 Family Movie Night 6:30 pm @ St. Francis Hall.

Look up. Look ahead.

Sunday, Sept. 29- Harvest on Vine
Fundraiser @ 12-2 pm @ Brewer’s Fork

Saturday, Oct. 5- Blessing of the Animals
10 am @ Blessed Mother statue across from St. Francis

Monday, Oct. 7- Men’s Discussion Group
7 pm @ St. Catherine’s Chapel

Stewardship

Let’s look ahead to how we all can get involved in our Collaborative, at St. Francis de Sales and St. Mary- St.
Catherine. Take a look at some of the ministries that will benefit from your involvement in committees:
Baptism Prep, Wedding, St. Francis Hall, Stewardship, Social, Spiritual, Family, Social Justice, and
Adult Confirmation/RCIA. Please share your talents with us!

Consider a Priestly Call…Take a risk for God! Enter the mission field where bold action meets lasting outcomes. Over 750+ priest alumni discerned a sacred call later in life. Maturity with God’s grace can move
mountains. Can you leave it all to follow Christ? Pope St. John XXIII National Seminary, Weston, MA is offering the latest in its “First Friday Visits” program on October 4th at 5:00 pm. Holy Hour and Evening Prayer. Option to attend in person or virtually. In person includes dinner with the seminarians and a tour. Virtual includes a Zoom visit following Holy Hour. Make a resolution to be courageous. Consider a priestly call. Contact: firstfriday@psjs.edu or 781.899.5500 ext.

Something special is coming MONDAY
at 7 pm at St. Catherine Chapel!
Bring your hearts, bring your minds,
bring your souls, bring yourselves,
bring someone you love.

Look up. Look ahead.
Monday, Sept. 16 Men’s Group
@ 7 pm @ St. Catherine’s Chapel

Friday, Sept. 20 Family Movie Night
6:30 pm @ St. Francis Hall.

Friday, Oct. 4 Movie Night
Cabrini @ 7 pm @ 46 Winthrop St.

Welcome, your Excellency!

As we welcome Bishop Richard Henning as our new
Archbishop, let’s pray that God will give him every good
gift of the Holy Spirit he will need. His installation will
take place on Thursday, Oct. 31 at the Cathedral.

Something special is coming on Sept. 9
at 7 pm at St. Catherine Chapel!

Bring your hearts, bring your minds,
bring your souls, bring yourselves,
bring someone you love.

Please note!

Our Daily Mass schedule: Monday- Friday at 8 am
and Saturdays & holidays at 9 am
in St. Catherine’s Chapel

will return the week of Sept. 9th.
The 6 pm Sunday Mass will remain at
St. Catherine’s Chapel for the time being.

Thank you! Merci!
Soon, we will bid a fond farewell to Fr. Patrick Mpete,
SMA, as he concludes his summer with us and returns to
his home in the Republic of Congo. We’ll have a special
collection for the great work of the SMA order next
weekend at all the Masses. Thank you, Fr. Patrick!

Welcome, your Excellency!

As we welcome Bishop Richard Henning as our new Archbishop,
let’s pray that God will give him every good gift of
the Holy Spirit he will need. His installation will take place
on Thursday, Oct. 31 at the Cathedral.

Catholic Appeal update

St. Francis and St. Mary- St. Catherine have both hit
over 100% of our Catholic Appeal assessments!
The Appeal helps our parishes, Collaborative and our Archdiocese!
Please give and help us build the ministries so many around us need.
Go to catholicappeal.com and answer the call!

Stewardship

Let’s look ahead to how we all can get involved in our Collaborative,
at St. Francis de Sales and St. Mary- St. Catherine.
Take a look at some of the ministries that will benefit
from your involvement in committees:
Worship, Baptism Prep, Wedding, St. Francis Hall,
Stewardship, Social, Spiritual, Family,
Social Justice, and Adult Confirmation/RCIA.
Please share your talents with us!

Such an easy and generous way to give!
Please consider online giving to help us pay our bills
and plan for the future. Give us a call or drop us a note
and we’ll walk you through the process. Thank you!

When my heart finds Christmas…

On Friday, Nov. 22, we’re going to New York City
to see incredible Radio City Music Hall Christmas
Spectacular, starring the Rockettes!
We’ll leave by motorcoach at 7 am,
attend the 2 pm show, and have
a few hours to take in the Big Apple-
we’ll be back by midnight!
Tickets are $225 per person, reservations
with a $100 deposit.
16 available for each parish-
maximum of 4 tickets per family.
Call Dianne at 617-242-4664-
any questions? See Fr. John!

Look up. Look ahead.
Thursday, Aug. 28- Catholic TV Mass @ 9:30 am
Monday, Sept. 9 @ St. Catherine’s Chapel
@ 7 pm Symbolon begins
Sunday, Sept. 29- Harvest on Vine Fundraiser
@ Brewer’s Fork @ 1 pm

Something special is coming on Sept. 9
at 7 pm at St. Catherine Chapel!

Bring your hearts, bring your minds,
bring your souls, bring yourselves,
bring someone you love.

Please note!

Our Daily Mass schedule: Monday- Friday at 8 am
and Saturdays & holidays at 9 am in St. Catherine’s
Chapel will return the week of Sept. 9th

Thank you! Merci!
Soon, we will bid a fond farewell to Fr. Patrick Mpete, SMA, as he concludes his summer with us and returns to home in the Republic of Congo. We’ll have a special collection for the great work of the SMA order.
Thank you, Fr. Patrick!

A New Member of the Family
Last Sunday during the 11 am Mass at St. Mary’s,
Hannah Hagan
was brought into the fullness of the Catholic faith.
Congrats and God bless you!

Welcome, your Excellency!
As we welcome Bishop Richard Henning as our new Archbishop, let’s pray that God will give him every good gift of the Holy Spirit he will need.
His installation will take place on Thursday, Oct. 31 at the Cathedral.

Catholic Appeal update
St. Francis and St. Mary- St. Catherine have both hit
over 100% of our Catholic Appeal assessments!
The Appeal helps our parishes, Collaborative and our Archdiocese!
Please give and help us build the ministries so many around us need.
Go to catholicappeal.com and answer the call!

Stewardship
Let’s look ahead to how we all can get involved in our Collaborative, at St. Francis de Sales and St. Mary- St. Catherine.
Take a look at some of the ministries that will benefit from your involvement in committees: Worship, Baptism Prep,
Wedding, St. Francis Hall, Stewardship, Social, Spiritual, Family, Social Justice, and Adult Confirmation/RCIA.
Please share your talents with us!

Such an easy and generous way to give!
Please consider online giving to help us pay our bills and plan for the future.
Give us a call or drop us a note and we’ll walk you through the process.
Thank you!
Look up. Look ahead.

When my heart finds Christmas…
On Friday, Nov. 22, we’re going to New York City
to see incredible Radio City Music Hall Christmas
Spectacular, starring the Rockettes! We’ll leave by
motorcoach at 7 am, attend the 2 pm show, and
have a few hours to take in the Big Apple- we’ll be
back by midnight!
Tickets are $225 per person 16 are available for
each parish- maximum of 4 tickets per family. Call
Dianne at 617-242-4664- any questions? See Fr. John!

Thursday, Aug. 28– Catholic TV Mass @ 9:30 am
Monday, Sept. 9 @ St. Catherine’s Chapel @ 7 pm Symbolon begins
Sunday, Sept. 29– Harvest on Vine Fundraiser @ Brewer’s Fork @ 1 pm

A New Member of the Family

This Sunday during the 11 am Mass at St. Mary’s, Hannah Hagan will be brought into the fullness of the Catholic faith. Sr. Nancy, who has been so instrumental in Hannah’s journey, will be with us to celebrate this very happy moment! Please keep her in your prayers as she celebrates this powerful moment!

Thursday, August 15- Assumption of Mary, Holy Day of Obligation!
Mass at 9 am at St. Mary’s, and at 6 pm at St. Francis
Thursday, August 25- Catholic TV Mass @ 9:30 am

Catholic Appeal update

St. Francis and St. Mary- St. Catherine have both hit over 100% of our Catholic Appeal assessments!

Stewardship

Let’s look ahead to how we all can get involved in our Collaborative, at St. Francis de Sales and St. Mary- St. Catherine.
Take a look at some of the ministries that will benefit from your involvement in committees: Worship, Baptism Prep,
Wedding, St. Francis Hall, Stewardship, Social, Spiritual, Family, Social Justice, and Adult Confirmation/RCIA. Please
share your talents with us!

Do you hear your heart call?
Maybe you weren’t baptized, or you missed Confirmation- perhaps you just want to learn more about the Catholic Church, what we believe and more importantly, why we believe it.
Starting this fall, we will have relaxed discussions about our faith- it’s a great opportunity to ask questions, maybe to become a member of the family!
Please see Fr. John and join us!

Catholic Appeal update
St. Francis and St. Mary- St. Catherine have both hit
over 100% of our Catholic Appeal assessments!
The Appeal helps our parishes, Collaborative
and our Archdiocese! Please give and help us build
the ministries so many around us need.
Go to catholicappeal.com and answer the call!

Summertime
Summer is here but the needs remain- please consider online giving to help us pay our bills and plan
for the future. Give us a call or drop us a note and
we’ll walk you through the process. Thank you!

When my heart finds Christmas…
On Friday, Nov. 22, we’re going to New York City to see
incredible Radio City Music Hall Christmas Spectacular,
starring the Rockettes! We’ll leave by motorcoach at 7 am,
attend the 2 pm show, and have a few hours to take in the
Big Apple- we’ll be back by midnight!
Tickets are $225 per person, reservations with a $100 deposit.
16 available for each parish- maximum of 4 tickets per
family. Call Dianne at 617-242-4664
– any questions? See Fr. John!

Stewardship
Let’s look ahead to how we all can get involved in our Collaborative, at St. Francis de Sales and St. Mary- St. Catherine. Take a look at some of the ministries that will benefit from your involvement in these committees: Worship, Baptism Prep, Wedding, St. Francis Hall, Stewardship, Social, Spiritual, Family, Social Justice, and Adult Confirmation/RCIA. Please share your talents with us!

Annual Wedding Anniversary Mass

All couples celebrating their 10th, 25th, or 50th wedding anniversaries or another special milestone are invited to a celebratory Mass on Sunday, Nov. 3 @ 3 pm at the Cathedral. Couples will renew their marriage commitment and receive a special blessing. Family and friends are invited to attend.

To register, visit bit.ly/CelebrateAnniversary.
For info, email Emily Elliott at marriageprep@rcab.org or
call 617-746-5756.

Our Lady, Mother of Divine Grace (July 23)
Mary, Mother of God, we salute you. Precious vessel,
worthy of the whole world’s reverence, you are an ever shining light, the crown of virginity, the symbol of orthodoxy, an indestructible temple, the place that held him whom no place can contain, mother and virgin. Because of you the holy Gospels could say: Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
We salute you, for in your holy womb was confined him who is beyond all limitation.

From the Homily preached at the Council of Ephesus (431 A.D.) by St.
Cyril of Alexandria

Thank you, Fr. Victor!

We thank Fr. Victor Ibhawa, who spoke at the Masses at
St. Mary- St. Catherine this weekend for Cross Catholic Outreach.

Cross Catholic Outreach which was founded to create a meaningful link between parishes in America and the priests and religious working in the Church overseas in the Caribbean, Africa, Asia,
Central and South America. Brochures are available if you wish to support this worthy Catholic ministry.

Thank you!

Please note that this weekend, Fr. Henry Ogbji will celebrate the 4 pm Mass at St. Francis, and Fr. Alexander Okele will celebrate the 8 am Mass at St. Mary’s.

Do you hear your heart call?
Maybe you weren’t baptized, or you missed Confirmation- perhaps you just want to learn more about the Catholic Church, what we believe and more importantly, why we believe it.
Starting this fall, we will have relaxed discussions about our faith- it’s a great opportunity to ask questions, maybe to become a member of the family!
Please see Fr. John and join us!

Catholic Appeal update
St. Francis and St. Mary- St. Catherine have both hit
over 100% of our Catholic Appeal assessments!
The Appeal helps our parishes, Collaborative
and our Archdiocese! Please give and help us build
the ministries so many around us need.
Go to catholicappeal.com and answer the call!

Summertime
Summer is here but the needs remain- please consider online giving to help us pay our bills and plan
for the future. Give us a call or drop us a note and
we’ll walk you through the process. Thank you!

When my heart finds Christmas…
On Friday, Nov. 22, we’re going to New York City to see
incredible Radio City Music Hall Christmas Spectacular,
starring the Rockettes! We’ll leave by motorcoach at 7 am,
attend the 2 pm show, and have a few hours to take in the
Big Apple- we’ll be back by midnight!
Tickets are $225 per person, reservations with a $100 deposit.
16 available for each parish- maximum of 4 tickets per
family. Call Dianne at 617-242-4664
– any questions? See Fr. John!

Stewardship
Let’s look ahead to how we all can get involved in our Collaborative, at St. Francis de Sales and St. Mary- St. Catherine. Take a look at some of the ministries that will benefit from your involvement in these committees: Worship, Baptism Prep, Wedding, St. Francis Hall, Stewardship, Social, Spiritual, Family, Social Justice, and Adult Confirmation/RCIA. Please share your talents with us!

Social Committee
It’s important to have social gatherings at both parishes that build up the body of Christ, that bring us together, have fun and deepen the bonds of our parishes, the Collaborative and our Town- a committee that supports and hosts these events is crucial.

Cereal Drive
Please consider dropping off a box or two of cereal at the back of the church at the weekend Masses all summer long. Thank you for all you do.

Fr. Dan Spexarth, pastor, from St Catherine of Siena Parish
in Wichita KS came by our office and shared some pics of the high altar
from our very own St. Catherine of Siena Church.
They had purchased the altar in 2017.
The Parish started with 111 people and is now home to 2,000
with some 500 students in their school. Parishioners of Charlestown’s
St. Catherine of Siena are so joyful that the altar they loved is now being loved by the parishioners in Wichita.
Fun Fact: St. Catherine of Siena’s family nicknamed her
“Euphrosyne” which is Greek for “joy.” Nice to think, she is still spreading that joy around!

Fr. Sheridan with Fr. Victor Ibhawa who was here last week for Cross Catholic Outreach.

Have you ever heard of NFP? It stands for Natural Family Planning and is one of the best kept secrets in the Catholic Church. If you are a newly engaged couple, newlywed couple or a married couple who have not learned about NFP, we are excited to share with you a new video-based program that introduces couples to Natural Family Planning. It is called “Natural Plan.” It’s a little over an hour and it will change how you think about faith and fertility. Natural Plan is a video series featuring doctors, scientists, clergy, fertility coaches, NFP teachers, couples who practice NFP and newlyweds, who came together to share their experiences and insights about fertility awareness, from a Catholic perspective. The videos are lively and interesting. You can sign up for an in-person session or watch it together as a couple in your own home. To find out more visit www.naturalplan.org

A Special Guest from Cross Catholic Outreach!

Please welcome Fr. Victor Ibhawa who will speak at the Masses at St. Mary St. Catherine this weekend for Cross Catholic Outreach.

Father Ibhawa received his Bachelor of Theology from the Pontifical Urban University in Rome and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from the University of Uyo, Nigeria. His career includes an appointment of seminary vicerector, hospital administrator, pastor of a parish in Auchi and as the Administrator of Blessed Trinity Parish in Buffalo, NY.

Until 2021, he was a Covid-19 specialized counselor for Catholic Health Buffalo. In 2021, he completed his master’s degree in public administration, and is currently pursuing his Ph. D in Public Administration at D’Youville College in Buffalo, NY. As an Outreach Priest for Cross Catholic Outreach, he feels blessed to serve the poor and most vulnerable throughout the world.

Cross Catholic Outreach which was founded
to create a meaningful link between parishes
in America and the priests and religious working
in the Church overseas in the
Caribbean, Africa, Asia, Central and South America.
Please be generous in your response to Father’s appeal.
Brochures will be provided if you wish
to support this worthy Catholic ministry.

Please note that next weekend,
Fr. Henry Ogbji will preside at the 4 pm Mass
at St. Francis, and Fr. Alexander Okele
will celebrate the 8 am Mass at St. Mary’s.

Do you hear your heart call?
Maybe you weren’t baptized, or you missed Confirmation-
perhaps you just want to learn more about the Catholic Church,
what we believe and more importantly, why we believe it.
Starting this fall, we will have relaxed discussions
about our faith- it’s a great opportunity to ask questions,
maybe to become a member of the family!
Please see Fr. John and join us!

We need you!
We are all called by our baptismal promises to share the
precious gift our Catholic faith with the children in our
families, parishes, Collaborative and world. Our Lord
expects nothing less- we can do this well.
We need your faith, hope, patience and love
for our Faith Formation program!
We need a coordinator for grades K-4 and teachers.
Can you help us, starting in October?
If you can, please see Fr. John!

Confirmation Update
Change is coming in the Archdiocese
Confirmation will soon take place in the 8th grade
The program here for the time being will stay with
the 9th and 10th grade-
we have a few years to work it out.

While the pastor’s away…
Please note that I’ll be out of town ‘til July 21.

Catholic Appeal update
St. Francis and St. Mary- St. Catherine have both hit
over 100% of our Catholic Appeal assessments!
The Appeal helps our parishes, Collaborative and
our Archdiocese! Please give and help us build the
ministries so many around us need.
Go to catholicappeal.com and answer the call!

Summertime
Summer is here but the needs remain-
please consider online giving to help us pay our bills
and plan for the future. Give us a call or drop us a note and
we’ll walk you through the process. Thank you!

Hall Committee
We are blessed with a gift at St. Francis- Bishop
Lawton Hall. We need a team to insure that it is
responsibly run for the parish and collaborative.
Could you share some time and help make this a
great asset for us?

When my heart finds Christmas…
On Friday, Nov. 22, we’re going to New York City to
see incredible Radio City Music Hall Christmas Spectacular,
starring the Rockettes!
We’ll leave by motor-coach at 7 am,
attend the 2 pm show, and have a few
hours to take in the Big Apple-
we’ll be back by midnight!
Tickets are $225 per person, reservations with a
$100 deposit. 16 available for each parish- maximum of
4 tickets per family.
Call Dianne at 617-242-4664- any
questions? See Fr. John!

Stewardship
Let’s look ahead to how we all can get involved in our
Collaborative, at St. Francis de Sales and St. Mary- St.
Catherine. Take a look at some of the ministries that
will benefit from your involvement in these committees:
Worship, Baptism Prep, Wedding, St. Francis Hall,
Stewardship, Social, Spiritual, Family, Social Justice,
and Adult Confirmation/RCIA.
Please share your talents with us!