From our Pastor

“Nicodemus could not understand how You could truly free us.
He struggled with the image of a grown man born again.
We might have been good friends,
because sometimes I still question too how easily we come to You.”

From Face to Face, written by Nichole Nordeman

A Word to the Wise…

Those 14 years and older are called to abstain from meat on Fridays during Lent.
Catholics are also encouraged to engage in acts of kindness, justice, and mercy
as well as abstain or refrain from something
one would normally indulge in to mark the nature of the season.
For young children, parents should communicate the meaning and importance of Lent.

Looking up. Looking ahead.

Last Saturday, members of our Collaborative Councils, staff, and Stewardship council met with Sr. Pat Boyle from the Archdiocesan Planning Office to plan for our future together!

A Date to Remember: Saturday, March 16th

We’re having a clean-up day at St. Francis de Sales church for Holy Week and Easter,
so grab your cleaning supplies and join us as we spruce up our pretty church starting at 9:30 am!

Ready for My Close-Up

I make my return to Catholic TV Mass on Thursday, March 21st at 9:30 am!

Peace before Holy Week

Join us on Wednesday, March 20th at 7 pm at St. Francis Church for a Lenten Penance Service!

Lenten Mission!

Two very special evenings with a dynamic TV and film star Frank Runyeon
who will light up St. Mary’s Church at 55 Warren St. with three presentations:
Thursday, March 21 at 7 pm: Signs! The Gospel of John
Friday, March 22 at 7 pm: The Sermon on the Mount and 7:45 pm: Hollywood vs. Faith!
Take everyone to this special evening and be inspired, encouraged, and spellbound!
Admission is a free will offering. Mark these dates on your calendar and join us!

Cabrini – An incredible film

We’re looking to host a special evening with discount tickets to see the incredible movie
based on the life of Mother Cabrini, the first American saint and patron saint of immigrants
at the AMC Theatre in Assembly Square early during Holy Week. Stay tuned!

Confirmation!

The Sacrament will be administered by Most. Rev. Cristiano Barbaro
on Saturday, April 27 at St. Mary’s at the 4 pm Mass
and, with special permission, by Fr. John on Sunday, April 28 at St. Francis at 9:30 am.

First Communion!

We will celebrate First Communion at St Mary’s on Saturday, May 4 at 10 am
and at St. Francis on Sunday, May 5 at 9:30 am!

As we conclude the Faith Formation year, we express our thanks
and fond farewell to Allison Buff, who ran our K-4 program so very well this year.

A Special Sending Forth

On Pentecost Sunday, May 19 at the 11 am Mass (Wear red that day for the Holy Spirit),
we’ll have a sending forth for Sr. Nancy Citro, as she heads off to her next adventure.
Join us for a special Mass and celebration as we express our gratitude
to our beloved sister in Jesus Christ and her exceptional ministry here.

How long will I be with you? As long as the sea is bound to wash upon the sand.
How long will I want you? As long as you want me to, and longer by far.
How long will I hold you? As long as your father told you… as long as you can.

From How long will I love you written by Mike Scott

Zoom to Italy!

There’s still time to sign up for our adventure to Italy in October! A Zoom meeting
for folks interested in our trip will take place this Monday, March 4th at 6:30 pm.
To join us, send a message to jsheridan8699@gmail.com, and learn about this exciting adventure!

First Confessions!

Congrats to the kids who received First Reconciliation at St. Francis last week!
Please keep in your prayers the kids who will receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation for the first time on Thursday, March 7 at 5:30 pm at St. Mary’s Church!

Stations of the Cross

The Stations will be prayed in English & Spanish at St. Francis Church
on Fridays throughout Lent at 6:30 pm. Gather with us and let’s walk the steps of Christ.

Ready for My Close-Up

I make my return to Catholic TV Mass on Thursday, March 21st at 9:30 am!

A Date to Remember: Saturday, March 16th

We’re having a clean-up day at St. Francis de Sales church for Holy Week and Easter,
so grab your cleaning supplies and join us as we spruce up our pretty church starting at 9:30 am!

Peace before Holy Week

Join us on Wednesday, March 20th at 7 pm at St. Francis Church for a Lenten Penance Service!

A Word to the Wise…

Those 14 years and older are called to abstain from meat on Fridays during Lent.
Catholics are also encouraged to engage in acts of kindness, justice, and mercy
as well as abstain or refrain from something one would normally indulge in to mark the season.
For young children, parents should communicate the meaning and importance of Lent.

Coming soon!

Two very special evenings with a dynamic TV and film star Frank Runyeon
who will light up St. Mary’s Church at 55 Warren St. with three presentations:
Thursday, March 21 at 7 pm: Signs! The Gospel of John
Friday, March 22 at 7 pm: The Sermon on the Mount and 7:45 pm: Hollywood vs. Faith!
Take everyone to this special evening and be inspired, encouraged, and spellbound!
Admission is a free will offering. Mark these dates on your calendar and join us!

So I’ll walk through this night… stumbling blindly toward the light… and do the next right thing.
And with the dawn, what comes then… when it’s clear that everything will never be the same again?
Then I’ll make the choice…to hear that voice… and do the next right thing.

From The Next Right Thing, written by Robert Lopez & Kristen Anderson-Lopez

I’m a big fan of the Indiana Jones movies, and my favorite was about Indy’s search for the Holy Grail, the chalice that Christ was said to have used at the Last Supper. There is a great scene in the film’s exciting climax when he is confronted with a choice between his goal and the life of someone he loved very much.

I’m happy to say we don’t have to make those kinds of ultimate decisions very often in our lives, but the challenge to be faithful to Christ can be very difficult at times for all of us. In the quiet moments of life, temptations can rise all around us to give into the easy decisions rather than take a different road, to choose to do the next right thing those challenges can wear us down and make us weak at times, but it’s important to keep in mind that we are never alone- that Jesus understands us and loves us in the midst of the fight, is always willing to help and forgive when we need it, to help us always to start over again. Let’s look up and ahead, confident that we’re not alone in the battles, that there is always a hand reaching out for us to grasp.

A Word to the Wise…

Those 14 years and older are called to abstain from meat on Fridays during Lent.
Catholics are also encouraged to engage in acts
of kindness, justice, and mercy as well as abstain or refrain from something
one would normally indulge in to mark the nature of the season.
For young children, parents should communicate the meaning and importance of Lent.

Stations of the Cross

The Stations will be prayed in English and Spanish at St. Francis Church
on Fridays throughout Lent at 6:30 pm. Gather with us and walk the steps of Christ.

Ready for My Close-Up

I make my return to Catholic TV with the Mass on Thursday, March 14 at 9:30 am.

A Date to Remember: Saturday, March 16

We’re having a clean-up day at St. Francis de Sales church for Holy Week and Easter,
so grab your cleaning supplies and join us as we spruce up our pretty church starting at 9:30 am!

Coming soon!

Two very special evenings with a dynamic TV and film star Frank Runyeon
who will light up St. Mary’s Church at 55 Warren St. with three presentations:
Thursday, March 21 at 7 pm: Signs! The Gospel of John
Friday, March 22 at 7 pm: The Sermon on the Mount and Hollywood vs. Faith!
Take everyone to this special evening and be inspired, encouraged, and spellbound!
Admission is a free will offering. Mark these dates on your calendar and join us!

First Confessions!

Please keep our children in your prayers as they receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation
for the first time this coming Thursday, Feb. 29 at 5:30 pm at St. Mary Church
and the following Thursday, March 7 at 5:30 pm at St. Francis Church!

I’ll be your candle on the water, this flame inside of me will grow.
Keep holding on, you’ll make it. Here’s my hand, so take it.
Look for me reaching out to show, as sure as rivers flow… I’ll never let you go.

From Candle on the Water, written by Kasha & Hirschhorn

Our journey to Jerusalem has begun, and it starts in the quiet of the desert. Some years ago, I took a trip out to Nevada and Arizona, and like many people, I fell in love with its hard beauty- I can’t explain why- I just felt a sense of depth and purpose. It’s a misunderstanding that the desert is dead- it’s hot and dry but it’s teeming with life that we can’t see. Lent can be an empty and bleak time of waiting desperately for Easter and spring, or it can be a place of activity, focus, and renewed hope. Jesus went to the desert to refocus and though it can be difficult at times (what truly great pursuit is easy?), our faith reminds us that we’re never alone. It’s time to look up and look ahead at what can be, and follow through, with our words, actions, and life.
Let’s get out there and get to it.

A Word to the Wise…

Those 14 years and older are called to abstain from meat on Fridays during Lent.
Catholics are also encouraged to engage in acts of kindness, justice, and mercy
as well as abstain or refrain from something
one would normally indulge in to mark the nature of the season.
For young children, parents should communicate the meaning and importance of Lent.

Stations of the Cross

The Stations will be prayed in English and Spanish at St. Francis Church
on Fridays throughout Lent at 6:30 pm. Gather with us and walk the steps of Christ.

Rites of Election &Welcoming

This Sunday, Feb. 18, after the 11 am Mass, folks from our Collaborative
will join with hundreds of candidates and catechumens for the Rite of Welcoming at the Cathedral.
Through the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults, they will be brought into the
fullness of the Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil on March 31st. Please pray for them.

Couples!

Also on Sunday, in honor of World Marriage Day, at the 9:30 am Mass at St. Francis
and the 11 am Mass at St. Mary’s Church, we’ll invite couples to restate their vows!

Coming soon!

Two very special evenings with a dynamic TV and film star Frank Runyeon
who will light up St. Mary’s Church with three presentations March 21-22:
Thursday, March 21 at 7 pm: Signs! The Gospel of John
Friday, March 22 at 7 pm: The Sermon on the Mount and Hollywood vs. Faith!
Take everyone to this special evening and be inspired, encouraged, and spellbound!
Admission is a free will offering. Mark these dates on your calendar and join us!

Raised in a Methodist home in Mississippi, Sister Thea Bowman came into the Catholic Church at the age of 9 with her parents’ permission in large part due to the influence of her Catholic education. Sr. Thea was also attracted to the Church by the example of how Catholics seemed to love and care for one another, particularly the poor and needy. She was impressed with how Catholics put their faith into action, especially in a time of segregation.

Sister Thea became a highly acclaimed evangelizer, teacher, writer, and singer sharing the joy of the Gospel and her rich cultural heritage throughout the nation, most notably addressing the US Bishops Council in 1989 about what it meant to be Black and Catholic in society. She reminded the bishops about the importance of Catholic education in the Black community, as well as our call to be united as one family in Christ:

“Today we’re called to walk together in a new way toward that Land of Promise and to celebrate who we are and whose we aren’t… The Church teaches us that the Church is a family of families and the family got to stay together and we know, that if we do stay together – if we walk and talk and work and play and stand together in Jesus’ name – we’ll be who we say we are – truly Catholic — and we shall overcome – overcome the poverty, overcome the loneliness, overcome the alienation and build together a Holy city, a new Jerusalem, a city set apart where they’ll know that we are here because we love one another.”

Servant of God, Sr. Thea Bowman, pray for us!

Yours in Christ,

Fr. John

They say it’s a river, that circles the earth.
A beam of light shining to the edge of the universe.
It conquers all, it changes everything.
They say it’s a blessing, they say it’s a gift.
They say it’s a miracle, and I believe that it is.
It conquers all, but it’s a mystery.

From Love Is written by Brian McKnight

This year Ash Wednesday happens to fall on Valentine’s Day. Every 15 years or so this happens, and it reminds me of what I talk about at weddings- what we want and what we need. It strikes me as I work with couples and help plan their celebration that a beautiful transformation takes place- their concern is not their own desires or pleasures, but the happiness of the one they love, and as I get to baptize their children, seeing the joy of their love grow to their children, I see the source of all that love from God Himself.

Real love involves sacrifice and finding true meaning and peace in that giving, which is heart of the Lenten season. I find it powerful that these days intersect- the love God calls us to share puts the other person first- actively, joyously, sacrificially. Let us be about this holy season with hearts open to God’s will- in this we will find our joy!

Hope has a way of turning its face to you just when you least expect it.
You walk in a room, you look out a window,
and something there leaves you breathless.
You say to yourself, ‘It’s been a while since I felt this…
but it feels like it might be… hope.’

From It Might be Hope by Sara Groves

Sometimes, in these cold and often bleak winter days and nights and Lent about 10 days away, we all can feel a little (or a lot) like Job- frustrated and tired, feeling like there’s nothing to look forward to, just as what seems the longest month of the year- only 28 (yes, this year, 29) days is beginning. We all feel that way… I’m sure Jesus did, too, and then, something happens. With a word, an action, God reveals Himself to us, gives us courage again, and we’re off again!

In today’s Gospel, It would have been easier for Jesus to stay where he was doing such good work to stay where He was, but He understood that there were others who need Him, as people need each of, who have received this great hope, to give it to them, by our words, our actions, our lives. Jesus rises and challenges us to see that there is work to be done, hands to grasp, lives to change, mercy to give, and He challenges His disciples, and us, to get up and get going! Yes, we don’t deny that it’s cold and dark these days, but Easter is not far away! Hope is all around us, within us, and we need to find it, live it, and share it! Let’s go and be about our Father’s business.

Coming next month: Something… some one… extraordinary!

Please invite one and all to join us on Thursday and Friday, March 21-22 at 7 pm at St. Mary’s Church,
for a Drama Mission led by TV and film star Frank Runyeon! He will be presenting powerful and moving presentations: SIGNS! The Gospel of John on Monday, the Sermon on the Mount and Hollywood vs. Faith on Tuesday. Frank has toured the country sharing these and other presentations with warmth, wit and skill, a hit with people of all ages!

I have seen him twice and was left awestruck at not only his brilliance, but also his deep faith. Admission is a free-will offering. Check out his work on You Tube and mark these days in your calendar, just as we arrive at Jerusalem and Holy Week. I promise you will be profoundly challenged, engaged and affirmed by these presentations of faith, hope and love!
If you have questions, please ask me!

~ Fr. John Sheridan

Dear Parish Family,

I’m writing to let you know that I will be stepping away from my ministry as Pastoral Associate of this amazing, life-giving Parish community.

As I approach my 73rd birthday and 17th year in the Parish, through prayer and discernment with my spiritual director, congregational contact person, family, and close Notre Dame friends, it has become clear to me that it is time to welcome new life into our beloved Parish.

My last day in the Parish will be May 19th – coincidentally or perhaps God-incidentally, the Feast of Pentecost. I say God-incidentally because I do believe it is the Holy Spirit who gifted me with all of you; and that it is the Holy Spirit who is nudging me to relinquish this ministry that I so love, and take a break for some time with family, sisters, friends, and physical and spiritual renewal. Then I will discern where and with whom God is calling me next to share God’s goodness and love as best I can.

There are no words to describe how being a member of this remarkable Parish Family means to me. I am grateful to you for welcoming me into this community of faith and for allowing me to share in your joys and in your sorrows. You have enriched my life beyond measure.

This year, my congregation, The Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, is celebrating 175 Years of An Enduring Legacy of Goodness in New England. You may have read about it in The Pilot. Since I have been a part of the St. Mary-St. Catherine of Siena community for the past 17 years, it gives me great joy to know that you are a part of my Congregation’s history.

Now…there is still more to do before May 19th! Your Parish needs you and you will greatly benefit by sharing your talents in one of our ministries. Stay tuned as we plan to have a Ministry weekend or two featuring all of our ministries and inviting you to help our Parish community to continue to deepen our faith, embrace God’s vision for our world, and then share it with one another and beyond.

You will always be in my heart and in my prayers,
Sr. Nancy

Next Saturday, February 3 at 10:00am, our new Auxiliary Bishop, Most Reverend Christiano Barbosa, will be ordained at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross. Everyone is welcome, and in my role as Vicar Forane for our area, it will be an honor for me to represent us. He has already impressed me and so many with his humility, warmth, sense of humor and pastoral care. I look forward to what he will share with us as our Regional Bishop.

Next weekend at all the weekend Masses, we will bless throats in honor of St. Blaise.

On the weekend of February 10-11, in honor of the World Day of the Sick, at the Saturday 4pm Mass at St. Francis, and at the Sunday 11am Mass at St. Mary’s Church, we will offer the Sacrament of Anointing.

Ash Wednesday come early this year – it’s Valentine’s Day, February 14th. Here’s the schedule:
8 am Mass at St. Francis
12:10pm Service at St. Mary’s
3pm Service at St. Francis
6 pm Mass at St. Mary’s
Ashes are also available at the office at 46 Winthrop St.

On Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, Catholics ages 1-8-59 – in reasonable health – are called to eat only one full meal and two smaller meals which, combined, would not equal a single normal meal. Those 14 years and older are called to abstain from eating meat on Fridays during Lent.
Catholics are also encouraged to engage in acts of kindness, justice, and mercy as well as abstain or refrain from from something one would normally indulge in to mark the nature of the season. For young children, parents should communicate the meaning and importance of Lent.

Stations of the Cross
The stations will be prayed at St. Francis Church on Fridays throughout Lent at 6:30pm.
Gather with us and walk the steps of Christ.

On Sunday, February 18, after the 11am Mass, folks from our Collaborative will join with Cardinal Sean and hundreds of candidates and catechumens for the Rite of Welcoming at the Cathedral that afternoon. Through the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults, they will be brought into the fullness of the Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil on March 31st. Please pray for them.

Couples!
Also on Sunday, February 18, in honor of World Marriage Day, at the 9:30 am Mass at St. Francis and at the 11 am Mass at St. Mary’s Church, we’ll invite couples to restate their vows!

Coming Soon!
Two very special evenings with a dynamic TV and film star and dedicated Catholic who will light up St. Mary’s Church with three presentations March 21-22:
Monday: Signs! – The Gospel of John
Tuesday: The Sermon on the Mount and Hollywood vs. Faith!

To heal this place inside my heart
One of the greatest blessings I have received in my priesthood is the honor of being a Project Rachel priest, a team of medical and mental health professionals who work together with priests confidentially to heal the bodies, minds, and souls of those in pain. Retreats and workshops are offered to continue the healing process. Do you know someone or are you in need of healing and new hope? I urge you, please see me, or call Project Rachel at 508-651-3100. We can help. Let the healing begin.

This Sunday, Jan. 21 at 2 pm at St. Francis Church, we will have a Holy Hour to offer our prayers and intentions for the defense and protection of Human Life from the moment of conception to natural death. The Church’s crystal-clear stance is that every life is sacred and must be fought for and protected, and we will not back down from that fight. We live in a society that cheapens and dismisses that truth in so many ways, and we must pray and act to change this mindset, to challenge our society to see the value God has been given to each human life. Join us for an hour of prayer before the Blessed Sacrament and let us ask our Blessed Mother to intercede and remind our world what her Son taught the world.

On Saturday, Feb. 3 at 10 am, our new Auxiliary Bishop, Most Rev. Cristiano Barbosa, will be ordained at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross. Everyone’s welcome, and in my role as Vicar Forane for our area, it will be an honor for me to represent us.
He has already impressed me and so many with his humility, warmth, sense of humor and pastoral care. I look forward to what he will share with us as our Regional Bishop.

At all the weekend Masses of Feb. 3- 4, we will bless throats in honor of St. Blaise.

On the weekend of Feb. 10-11, in honor of the World Day of the Sick, at the Saturday 4 pm Mass at St. Francis and the Sunday 11 am Mass at St. Mary’s Church, we will offer the Sacrament of Anointing.

Ash Wednesday comes early this year- it’s Valentine’s Day! Here’s the schedule:
8 am Mass @ St. Francis
12:10 pm Service @ St. Mary’s
3 pm Service @ St. Francis
6 pm Mass @ St. Mary’s
Ashes will also be available at the offices at 46 Winthrop
It is a day of fasting and abstinence from meat

On Sunday, Feb. 18, at the 11 am Mass, folks from our Collaborative will receive the Rite of Sending.
Through the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults, they will be brought into the fullness of the Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil on March 31st. Please pray for them.

Also on Sunday, Feb. 18, in honor of World Marriage Day at all the weekend Masses we’ll invite couples to restate their vows!

Coming soon!
Two very special evenings with a dynamic TV and film star and dedicated Catholic who will light up St. Mary’s Church with three presentations:
Monday, March 21: Signs! The Gospel of John and
Tuesday, March 22: The Sermon on the Mount and Hollywood vs. Faith!
Take everyone to this special evening with Frank Runyeon, and be inspired, encouraged, and spellbound! Admission is a free will offering. Mark these dates on your calendar and join 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 January 12, 2024, 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: msgr.fay@psjs.edu or 781.899.5500 ext. 134. www.psjs.edu

Let them hear You through me. Let Your words be mine.
Let them see that Your love is the reason I’m inspired,
and when given the choice, may they recognize Your voice.
Let them hear You through me, O Lord.

From Let them Hear, written by Ginny Owens

I’ve always believed that God is constantly calling us, in all times and seasons, calling us to a deeper relationship with Him through His people. In this weekend’s first reading, He calls Samuel in Samuel’s dreams, and of course, he couldn’t understand what is going on until, with Eli’s understanding and help, he finally begins to put the pieces together.

God is calling you, calling me, to listen and respond to his invitation to serve, love, and give. May we not choose to ignore His call in our hearts and lives.

Thanks to Sam from Collette Tours and everyone who came out on a wind-swept and rainy Tuesday night for a presentation on our adventure to Italy in October! We’ll do it again in a few weeks- check out the trip online at: gateway.gocollette.com/link/1217946 or just ask Fr. John!

Please note that Monday, Jan. 15, our nation marks the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Mass will be offered at 9 am at St. Catherine’s Chapel. Our Collaborative offices will be closed. It also marks the beginning of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity- may we, Catholics, Protestants and Orthodox, work to build bridges of faith, hope, and love together!

Next Sunday, Jan. 21 at 2 pm at St. Francis Church, we will have a Holy Hour to offer our prayers and intentions for the defense and protection of Human Life from the moment of conception to natural death. The Church’s crystal-clear stance is that every life is sacred and must be fought for and protected, and we will take up that fight.

We live in a society that cheapens and dismisses that truth in so many ways, and we must pray and act to change this mindset, to challenge our society to see the value God has been given to each human life. Join us for an hour of prayer before the Blessed Sacrament and let us ask our Blessed Mother to intercede and remind our world what her Son taught the world.

On Saturday, Feb. 3 at 10 am, our new Auxiliary Bishop, Most Rev. Cristiano Barbosa, will be ordained at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross. Everyone’s welcome, and as I am Vicar Forane for our area, it will be an honor for me to represent. He has already impressed me and so many with his humility, warmth, sense of humor and pastoral care. I look forward to what he will share with us as our Regional Bishop.

Coming soon!
Two very special evenings with a dynamic TV, film and stage actor and dedicated Catholic who will light up St. Mary’s Church with three presentations:
Monday evening, March 21: Signs! The Gospel of John and
Tuesday evening, March 22: The Sermon on the Mount and Hollywood vs. Faith!

Take everyone to this special evening with TV and film star Frank Runyeon, and be inspired, encouraged, and spellbound!

Admission is a free will offering. Mark these dates on your shiny new calendar and join us!

Looking up. Looking ahead.
Wednesday, February 14– Ash Wednesday
Thursday, February 29 at 5:30 pm- First Reconciliation at St. Mary’s
Thursday, March 7 at 5:30 pm- First Reconciliation at St. Francis de Sales
Thurs & Fri, March 21-22- Lenten Mission at St. Mary’s
Monday, March 25– The Annunciation of the Lord