From our Pastor

Sacramental Season

Thank you to Brittany & Susan, all our teachers, Tim & John, Dianne & James and everyone who made our First Communions and this Faith Formation year so very special. It’s been quite a challenge this year, but we held strong and taught well! Confirmation is Saturday, May 10 at 11 am!

What is a Collaborative Pastoral Council?

A Pastoral Council fosters full participation of the entire parish – clergy, religious, laity – in the pastoral life and mission of the parishes, the collaborative and the Church. It is a consultative body which advises and assists the Pastor in areas of pastoral concern. The council meets monthly from October to June.

It develops and recommends pastoral plans and directions through a consensus process and prayerful reflection. Every Council in its membership should be representative of the collaborative, recognizing and reflecting its rich diversity.
It cooperates with committees which address such areas as worship, spirituality, community, evangelization, education, and service.

Function of the Pastoral Council

The general function of the Pastoral Council is to advise the Pastor in those pastoral matters presented to it by the Pastor. It carries out its function by:
Informing the Pastor of the needs and concerns, gifts and resources of the collaborative and its members.
Developing a pastoral plan.
Participating in ongoing pastoral planning.
Reviewing and evaluating the effectiveness of existing programs.
Reflecting on Archdiocesan pastoral priorities and recommending how they can be implemented in the collaborative.

Council Membership and the Nominating Process

The council to start will be comprised of twelve members– six from each of the parishes. Four of the six from each parish will be so-called hold-overs, i.e. currently serving members. New members will serve a term of three years. Holdovers will serve a term of one or two years. Father Sheridan may add other members to the Council and designate their term of service.
May 18, May 25, & June 1: Nomination process takes place. Ballots will be available at the church. Ballot boxes
will be located at the back of the church. Please drop your ballot there. You can also submit a nomination via our online form here.
Dianne Ludy is available to provide & receive ballots at 46 Winthrop during the week.
Parish members are eligible to nominate those who are likewise parish members.
June 9, Pentecost: Fr. Sheridan announces the results.

Please spend some time thinking and praying about members from our parishes who would represent their own parish and work to build our unity and strength as one family.

Conclave date set

The conclave to elect the 267th Pope will begin on Wednesday, May 7th, following the conclusion of the Novemdiales Masses (9 days of mourning) to pray for the eternal repose of the late Pope Francis. Tens of thousands of teenagers full of joy participated on Sunday (the 27th of April) in the second “Novemdiales” Mass in honor of Pope Francis. They were at the Vatican for the Jubilee of Teenagers and for the canonization of Blessed Carlo Acutis, which was one of their scheduled events that has been postponed, The canonization will be rescheduled by the new Pope. Of note, the movie for Blessed Carlo Acutis is now in selected theatres.

Project Rachel Post-Abortion Healing Retreats (5/10)

Are you – or someone you know – seeking peace after an abortion? The Project Rachel ministry of the Archdiocese of Boston extends a special invitation to women experiencing regret from a past abortion to attend a Come to the Waters of Healing one-day retreat. Spring dates are Saturday, March 15 and Saturday, May 10. Locations are confidential. For more information on the retreats or other services, contact Project Rachel at 508.651.3100 or help@projectrachelboston.com.

Salve, Regina!

May is the month of our Lady!
Join us after weekend Masses throughout this month
as we ask our Blessed Mother to help
our families, our parishes, our collaborative, our Town,
our Archdiocese and our world in this time of change.

Family Day in Charlestown

On Sunday, June 1st, we’ll have a CCC Family Day!
Following the 9:30 am Mass at St. Francis and the 6 pm Mass at St. Mary’s, we’ll have goodies and surprises bring all the kids- we’ll officially start it up monthly in September, but let’s get it going now!

Jubilee Year 2025: Pilgrims of Hope

What do Christians hope for?
Jesus has promised that those who follow him will have eternal life (cf. Jn 10:27-28). His death and resurrection defeated evil and sin forever. But we have to accept his salvation. We accept it by believing in him and following his ways. As Christians, that is followers of Jesus Christ, we believe his promise of eternal life even after our physical death. We know God is with us and supporting us through the trials of life and that the happiness of communion with God in heaven awaits us!

Thank you to the many people who decorated the Churchs for Easter this year, for the people who cleaned the
churches, for the musicians, singers and for the lay ministers who assisted at each of the liturgies. Your time and
effort was greatly appreciated and needed as well. Because of you, the liturgies were made special and both
Churches looked beautiful

Adult Confirmation Classes

On every other Saturday at 1 pm beginning April 26th we will have Adult Confirmation prep classes at 46 Winthrop St. If you’re interested in learning more about the Catholic faith, if you haven’t been baptized or were baptized in another Christian Church, if you’re looking to join a group to share your faith, please see Fr. John and join us!

Family Day in Charlestown

On Sunday, June 1st, we’ll have a CCC Family Day! Following the 9:30 am Mass at St. Francis and the 6 pm Mass at St. Mary’s, we’ll have goodies and surprises – bring all the kids – we’ll officially start it up monthly in September, but let’s get it going now!

Jubilee Year 2025: Pilgrims of Hope

Why do we as Christians hope?

“God sent his Son as Redeemer and Savior. In his Son and through him, he invites men to become, in the Holy Spirit, his adopted children and thus heirs of his blessed life” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1). We rejoice that God has made us his adopted children. Our hope lies in his infinite love and mercy and promise of eternal life.
“This hope, which transcends life’s fleeting pleasures and the achievement of our immediate goals, makes us rise above our trials and difficulties, and inspires us to keep pressing forward, never losing sight of the grandeur of the heavenly goal to which we have been called” (Spes Non Confundit, 25).

THE TRIDUUM

HOLY THURSDAY

The evening Mass on Holy Thursday is referred to as The Mass of the Lord’s Supper. This is where the Church re-lives the institution of the Eucharist and the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass as well as the institution of the priesthood, which took place the evening before Jesus was crucified. After the homily there is the “washing of the feet” ceremony, where the priest washes the feet of others to signify his role as servant—just as Jesus did with his disciples. The Mass of the Lord’s
Supper ends with a procession of the Blessed Sacrament to the “altar of repose,” where the consecrated Host is kept.

GOOD FRIDAY

On Good Friday, there is no consecrated Host in the tabernacle at the main altar of the church; it was carried away on Holy Thursday night to the “altar of repose.” The candle by the tabernacle is blown out, and the tabernacle doors are left open to show that it is empty. Jesus is gone. This is a solemn day of mourning and prayer. There is no Mass on Good Friday but a communion service using consecrated hosts from Holy Thursday. Good Friday is the only day of the
year on which Masses are not celebrated. Good Friday is a day of Fasting.

HOLY SATURDAY

There is no daytime Mass on Holy Saturday. It is still a day of fasting and sorrow before the Easter Vigil begins that evening. In the Apostles Creed we pray “He descended into hell” which describes what Jesus did in the time between his burial and Resurrection.

The Easter Vigil

A vigil Mass is held after nightfall on Holy Saturday, or before dawn on Easter Sunday, in celebration of the resurrection of Jesus. This is called the Easter Vigil: the most glorious, beautiful, and dramatic liturgy for the Church.
The vigil is divided into four parts.
1) the Service of Light,
2) the Liturgy of the Word,
3) the Liturgy of Baptism, and
4) the Liturgy of the Eucharist.

Jubilee of People with Disabilities
(April 28-29, 2025)

Mass with Persons with Disabilities and the Deaf (4/27)

In celebration of Jubilee Year 2025: Pilgrims of Hope, the Archdiocese of Boston invites you to a special Mass honoring persons with disabilities and the deaf community. Mass will be celebrated by Archbishop Richard Henning on Sunday, April 27th at 1:30 PM at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross, Boston. This Mass will include sensory-friendly space, ASL
interpreters, Braille and large print worship aides, and a designated drop and pick up location. Participants and their families have an opportunity to serve at the liturgy.
For more information or to register, contact Family Life Consultant Emily Elliott at 617-746-5756 or
visit https://bit.ly/JubileeMWPWD-DC

Project Rachel PostAbortion Healing Retreat
(May 10)

Are you – or someone you know – seeking peace after an abortion? The Project Rachel ministry of the Archdiocese of Boston will offer a Come to the Waters of Healing retreat on Saturday, May 10 from 9 AM – 5 PM where women experiencing regret from a past abortion can encounter the transforming hope of God’s love and mercy. Location is confidential. For more information on the retreat or other services, contact Project Rachel at 508.651.3100 or help@projectrachelboston.com.

We will continue Symbolon for Lent!

Join us Monday, April 7 at 7 pm
at St. Catherine’s Chapel.
For info, see Fr. John.

Jubilee Year 2025: Pilgrims of Hope

What can I do to participate in the Jubilee Year?
· Visit and pray at pilgrimage sites
· Join in the events around the archdiocese
· Revisit the fundamentals of our faith (Who is Jesus?, What did he do?, and Why does it matter?)
to bolster your hope in Jesus
· Practice works of mercy and be signs of hope to those you encounter
· Receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation more frequently throughout the year
· Share signs of hope on social media. Tag @BostonCatholic and use the hashtag #JubileeYear
· Talk to an acquaintance and get to know him/her better. If a friendship develops, share the reason for your hope in Jesus
with that him/her

Gallagher Scholarships

Reverend Henry M. Gallagher was born in Charlestown in 1910 and ordained in 1941. He served as spiritual director of Saint Mary’s conference of the Saint Vincent de Paul Society and arranged scholarships for Boston College High School students and seminarians. Upon his death, Fr. Gallagher left a bequest to St. Vincent de Paul Society, which has helped college students with tuition in a scholarship program for more than a decade.

Gallagher Scholarship applications are now available for those entering their first year of college. The scholarship of $1,000 will be awarded in two payments directly to the student. Students must be a member of St. Mary-St. Catherine of Siena Parish or St. Francis de Sales Parish and must provide the name of the school they will attend along with an acceptance letter.

To obtain a scholarship application, please visit stmarystcatherine.org/forms or stop by the Parish Center!

This Week Only March 24-26
Our Collaborative Lenten Mission:
The Three R’s of Lent
Monday, March 24 at 6:30 pm @ St. Francis
Renewal with Fr. Paul Coughlin
Sacrament of Anointing
Tuesday, March 25 at 6:30 pm @ St. Mary’s
Reconciliation with Fr. Mark Riley
Sacrament of Reconciliation
Wednesday, March 26 at 6:30 pm @ St. Francis
Resurrection with Deacon Joe Nickley
Celebration of Mass

Join us for an hour of prayer

Join us for Lenten Holy Hours on Mondays at 5
pm. On March 31st. it will be at St. Mary’s.

Stations of the Cross will be prayed
on Fridays at 5:30 pm during Lent.
On March 21st., it will be at St. Francis.
On March 28th , it will be at St. Mary’s.

“People are often unreasonable and self-centered. Forgive them anyway. If you are kind, people may accuse you of ulterior motives. Be kind anyway. If you are honest, people may cheat you. Be honest anyway. If you find happiness, people may be jealous. Be happy anyway. The good you do today may be forgotten tomorrow. Do good anyway. Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough. Give your best anyway. For you see, in the end, it is between you and God. It never was between you and them anyway.” Mother Teresa

24 Hours for the Lord (3/28 – 3/29)
March 28-29, 2025

The Jubilee Pilgrimage Sites in the Archdiocese of Boston will be hosting 24 Hours for the Lord
(24 hours of Adoration) on March 28th to 29th. Each site will have opportunities for silent prayer before our Lord in the Eucharist, as well as other ways of praying. Strengthen your hope in
Jesus by sitting with him in prayer. He awaits you!
View the schedule for each pilgrimage site

https://bostoncatholic.org/24-hours-for-the-lord

Jubilee Year 2025: Pilgrims of Hope

What can I do to gain a Jubilee Indulgence?
Visit a pilgrimage site and participate in the liturgy or spend time in adoration; participate in a mission, some spiritual exercises, or a study
in the documents of Vatican II or the Catechism of the Catholic Church; perform spiritual or corporeal works of mercy; or penitential
practices in keeping with the spirit of the Jubilee. The normal conditions apply. (In addition to one of the above actions, we must also confess our sins and be detached from all sin, receive the Eucharist in Mass, and pray for the pope’s intentions within twenty days of performing the above action.) .

You can learn more at bit.ly/JubileeOfHope

Coming March 25-27
for our Collaborative Lenten Mission:
The Three R’s of Lent
Monday, March 25 at 6:30 pm @ St. Francis
Renewal with Fr. Paul Coughlin
Sacrament of Anointing
Tuesday, March 26 at 6:30 pm @ St. Mary’s
Reconciliation with Fr. Mark Riley
Sacrament of Reconciliation
Wednesday, March 27 at 6:30 pm @ St. Francis
Resurrection with Deacon Joe Nickley
Celebration of Mass

We will continue Symbolon for Lent!

Join us Monday evening, March 31 at 7 pm
at St. Catherine’s Chapel. For info, see Fr. John.

Stations of the Cross will be prayed
on Fridays at 5:30 pm during Lent.
On March 14th, it will be bilingual at St. Mary’s.
On March 21st, it will be at St. Francis.

Join us for an hour of prayer

Join us for a Holy Hour on Mondays
on March 17 at 5 pm at St. Francis
and March 31st at St. Mary’s.

Scouting is coming back to Charlestown!

On Monday evening, parents, girls and boys flocked to 46 Winthrop to watch a great presentation on Scouting by Pack and Troop
617 in Quincy. They took part in activities and asked questions as Scouting prepares to roar back to Charlestown. There will be a parents’ meeting on Tuesday, March 18 at 5 pm at 46 Winthrop. Look up. Look ahead. Be prepared. Take the lead.

We will continue Symbolon for Lent!

Join us Monday evening, March 10 at 7 pm
at St. Catherine’s Chapel. For info, see Fr. John.

Coming March 25-27
for our Collaborative Lenten Mission:
The Three R’s of Lent
Monday, March 25 at 6:30 pm @ St. Francis
Renewal with Fr. Paul Coughlin
Sacrament of Anointing
Tuesday, March 26 at 6:30 pm @ St. Mary’s
Reconciliation with Fr. Mark Riley
Sacrament of Reconciliation
Wednesday, March 27 at 6:30 pm @ St. Francis
Resurrection with Deacon Joe Nickley
Celebration of Mass

The Three Pillars of Lent

PRAYER
Guide: Praying with Scripture
Enter His Gaze
Ask for Grace to be open
Read the Scripture a few times
Meditate on what bubbles up
Pray (or talk to the Lord) about your meditation
Contemplation – Be still and rest in
His presence
Conclude with the Lord’s prayer

FASTING
“Fasting gives birth to prophets and
strengthens the powerful; fasting makes
lawgivers wise. Fasting is a good
safeguard for the soul, a steadfast
companion for the body, a weapon for the
valiant, and a gymnasium for athletes.
Fasting repels temptations, anoints unto
piety; it is the comrade of watchfulness
and the artificer of chastity. In war it
fights bravely, in peace it teaches stillness.”
St. Basil the Great

ALMSGIVING
”Let us also love our neighbors as
ourselves. Let us have charity and
humility. Let us give alms because these
cleanse our souls from the stains of sin.
Men lose all the material things they
leave behind them in this world, but they
carry with them the reward of their
charity and the alms they give. For these
they will receive from the Lord the
reward and recompense they deserve.”
St. Francis of Assisi

ALMSGIVING

for Lent Please consider these Parish Ministries:
Harvest on Vine Food Pantry
St. Vincent de Paul
And/or
the CRS Rice bowls

Project Rachel Post-Abortion Healing Retreats

Are you –or someone you know –seeking peace after an abortion?
The Project Rachel ministry of the Archdiocese of Boston
extends a special invitation to women experiencing regret
from a past abortion to attend a Come to the Waters of Healing
one-day retreat.

Spring dates are Saturdays, Mar. 15 & May 10.

Locations are confidential.
For more info on the retreats or other services, call 508.651.3100
or help@projectrachelboston.com.
Fr. John is a Project Rachel priest.

Shrove Tuesday – Fat Tuesday: March 4

Shrove Tuesday, is the day immediately preceding Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent in
Western Christian churches. It is also known as Fat Tuesday.
Traditionally, Catholics have embraced Fat Tuesday as a way
to get rid of all the fats and desserts in the house in preparation for Lent.
The deeper meaning for Fat Tuesday actually comes from its traditional name, Shrove Tuesday.
The word “shrove” means to give absolution—to be forgiven!
Shrove Tuesday is an invitation to reflect on your life, seek forgiveness and peace,
and get ready for 40 days of spiritual renewal during Lent.
Pancakes are the traditional choice in a number of European countries;
the day is known as Pancake Day or Pancake Tuesday in Ireland.
In Poland , Paczki (deep fried doughnuts) are traditional.
Mardi Gras–which means “Fat Tuesday” in French – is a well known celebration
that takes place in New Orleans, where parades, parties, and feasting
lasts anywhere from one day to several weeks. King Cake is the special food for the day.

We will continue Symbolon for Lent!
Join us Monday evening, March 10 at 7 pm at St. Catherine’s Chapel. For info, see Fr. John.

Look up. Look ahead.

Coming March 25-27
for our Collaborative Lenten Mission:
The Three R’s of Lent

Monday, March 25 at 6:30 pm @ St. Francis
Renewal with Fr. Paul Coughlin
Sacrament of Anointing
Tuesday, March 26 at 6:30 pm @ St. Mary’s
Reconciliation with Fr. Mark Riley
Sacrament of Reconciliation
Wednesday, March 27 at 6:30 pm @ St. Francis
Resurrection with Deacon Joe Nickley
Celebration of Mass

Oh Sacred Head, surrounded…

Stations of the Cross
with Exposition and Benediction
will be prayed on Fridays during Lent
beginning March 7 at 5:30 pm at St. Francis.
On March 14, it will be at St. Mary’s Church.

Coming Soon!

We’re looking to start Scouts in our Collaborative!
We’ll begin with a Cub Scout Pack, for grades K-4.
An informational meeting for parents
will be held on Monday, March 3 at 5 pm
at 46 Winthrop. Any questions? See Fr. John!

We will continue Symbolon for Lent!
Join us Monday evening, March 10 at 7 pm
at St. Catherine’s Chapel. For info, see Fr. John.

Look up. Look ahead.

Coming March 25-27
for our Collaborative Lenten Mission:

The Three R’s of Lent

Monday, March 25 at 6:30 pm @ St. Francis
Renewal
with Fr. Paul Coughlin
Sacrament of Anointing

Tuesday, March 26 at 6:30 pm @ St. Mary’s
Reconciliation
with Fr. Mark Riley
Sacrament of Reconciliation

Wednesday, March 27 at 6:30 pm @ St. Francis
Resurrection
with Deacon Joe Nickley
Celebration of Mass

The 2025 Catholic Appeal
Moving Forward in Faith… Together

One of the most meaningful ways that we deepen the impact of our Archdiocese’s schools, parishes, and ministries is by supporting the Catholic Appeal. Your partnership and participation carry Christ’s love into our communities and spread hope. Many of you may have received a letter from Archbishop Richard Henning requesting your support of the 2025 Catholic Appeal.

We hope that you will respond to his invitation with a generous gift, knowing that each contribution makes a difference.
Your early support will help launch our parishes’ campaigns in a positive way.

The Appeal is a primary means by which we enfold our brothers and sisters into Christ’s circle of care. On behalf of
Archbishop Henning and all who benefit from your generosity,
Thank you.

To make an on-line donation or to learn more about the impact your donation will have, go to bostoncatholicappeal.org.

What is Prayer?

Prayer doesn’t only happen when we kneel or put our hands
together, focus and expect things from God.
Thinking positively and wishing good for others is a prayer.
When you hug a friend- that’s prayer.
When you cook something to nourish family and friends,
that’s a prayer. When we send off our near and dear ones
and say, ‘drive safely’ or ‘be safe’- that’s a prayer.
When you are helping someone in need
by giving your time and energy- you are praying.
When you forgive someone, that is a prayer.
Prayer is a vibration. A feeling. A thought.
Prayer is the voice of love, friendship, genuine relationships.
Prayer is an expression of your silent being.
Keep praying always…

Oh Sacred Head, surrounded…

Stations of the Cross
with Exposition and Benediction
will be prayed on Fridays during Lent
beginning March 7 at 5:30 pm at St. Francis.
On March 14, it will be at St. Mary’s Church.

Week of February 16:

Jubilee Year 2025: Pilgrims of Hope
What is this Jubilee about?

This jubilee is called Pilgrims of Hope. We are called to rediscover the hope of
Christianity and then be signs of hope to others in our daily life. It goes from December 29, 2024 to December 28, 2025. Pope Francis prays that this “Jubilee be a moment of genuine, personal encounter with the Lord Jesus, the ‘door’ (cf. Jn10:7.9) of our salvation, whom the Church is charged to proclaim always, everywhere and to all as ‘our hope’ (1 Tim 1:1)” (Spes Non Confundit, 1). You can learn
more at bit.ly/JubileeOfHope.

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.