Charlestown Catholic Community News
CHRISTMAS FLOWERS!
For Both Parishes
Mass Intentions—We are currently booking Mass Intentions for 2025. To book a Mass, please call the parish office at 617.242.4664.
Sanctuary Candles— To have a Sanctuary Candle lit in memory of a loved one, please contact the parish office. You may request one for St Francis des Sales, St Mary Church or the St Catherine of Siena Chapel.
Sacrament of Baptism—Baptisms are generally held on the 2nd Sunday of each month at St Mary Church. Baptisms at St Francis de Sales Church are scheduled with Fr. Sheridan. For all requests for Baptisms, please call the Parish Office to start the process. Classes are generally held on the 2nd Saturday at the Parish Office at noon. Parents and godparents should attend.
Confessions— For St. Francis de Sales Parish and St. Mary-St Catherine of Siena Parish. Confessions are held at 3:30 pm on Saturday’s before the 4 pm Mass.
Weddings— All couples; Please access the request for wedding form here. Fr. Sheridan will contact couples after the form is submitted. Always feel free to call the Parish office with any questions.
Daily Rosary— St. Catherine of Siena Chapel before the daily Mass. Weekdays, 7:35 am (Mass is at 8 am)
Saturday Rosary—If you would like to pray the rosary with us on Saturday mornings via Zoom -Please email Donna LeCam
If you are interested in becoming Catholic or have not yet received Confirmation, if you are homebound and would like to receive the Sacraments, interested in the choir, Religious Education, or becoming a volunteer in a ministry…
Contact us at the Parish office at 617.242.4664 or email us.
2025 Annual Catholic Appeal
“Forward in Faith”
Today we wish to recognize those who not only support our parish, but also those who have made a gift or pledge to the 2025 Catholic Appeal. Both of our parishes have met their goal.
Because of you, lives are being transformed for the better. Our ministries are reaching out to comfort the lonely, the hungry, and the faithful. Catholic schools are shaping more young minds and hearts. Hospital Chaplains are bringing spiritual and emotional support to patients, families, and hospital staff. These are just a few ways that your support is making an impact. On behalf of those who will be served by your contributions, thank you!
Those who made a pledge to the Catholic Appeal are reminded to pay their balance in full before the end of the year. If you wish to make a payment towards your pledge online, visit www.bostoncatholicappeal.org. If you have any questions about your pledge or payments, please call the Catholic Appeal Office at 617-779-3700. Thank you!
If you have not had an opportunity to make a pledge or a gift this year but wish to support the ministries and services funded by the Catholic Appeal, or to learn more about the impact your donation will have, go to bostoncatholicappeal.org bostoncatholicappeal.org
Thank you for moving us “Forward in Faith”!
St. Francis de Sales Mass Intentions
Saturday, December 20 – 4th Sunday of Advent
4:00 pm + Joe, Kay, JP Murphy; Baby AJ Lavigne, Meehaen & Lavigne & Duffy Families
Sunday, December 21 – 4th Sunday of Advent
9:30am + Mary Farrell, William Farrell & Mary Connolly
Monday, December 22
Mass at 8am in St. Catherine of Siena Chapel
Tuesday, December 23
Mass at 8am in St. Catherine of Siena Chapel
Wednesday, December 24 – Office Closed
Christmas Eve Vigil – Mass at 4pm
Thursday, December 25 – Christmas Day
Mass at 9:30am
Friday, December 26
Mass at 8am in St. Catherine of Siena Chapel
Saturday, December 27
Mass at 4pm + Thomas Donovan
Sunday, December 28
Mass at 9:30 am + Mary Helen Woods
St. Mary St. Catherine of Siena Mass Intentions
Saturday, December 20 – 4th Sunday of Advent
Mass at 9am in St. Catherine of Siena Chapel
Saturday, December 20 at 4:00 pm – 4th Sunday of Advent
+ Dorothy Collins
Sunday, December 21 at 8:00 am – 4th Sunday of Advent
+ Beverly Gibbons
Sunday, December 21 at 11:00 am + Sheehan Family
Sunday, December 21 Mass at 6:00 pm + Lesly Hauser
Monday, December 22
Mass at 8am in St. Catherine of Siena Chapel
Tuesday, December 23
Mass at 8am in St. Catherine of Siena Chapel
Wednesday, December 24 – Office closed
Christmas Eve vigil Mass at 4pm
Thursday, December 25 – Christmas Day
Mass at 8am and 11am
Friday, December 26 – Office closed
Mass at 8am in St. Catherine of Siena Chapel
Saturday, December 27 – Office Closed
Mass at 9am in St. Catherine of Siena Chapel
Mass at 4:00 pm + Dorothy Collins
Sunday, December 28
Mass at 8:00 am + de la Riva & Quiroga families
Sunday, December 28 – 11:00am + Gerald A. Wall
Sunday, December 28 – 6:00pm + Levangie & Dohon families
Recent Sacramental ceremonies at St. Francis de Sales
Recent Sacramental ceremonies at St. Mary. St. Catherine of Siena
Congratulations and welcome to the family
John, Georgia, Kerry and McKensie!
Congratulations, Abby and Justin
Drop-off locations in Charlestown:
The Kennedy Center, 23 Moulton St.
St. Francis de Sales Church, 313 Bunker Hill St.
St. Mary’s Church, 55 Warren St.
Good Shepherd School, 20 Winthrop St.
Collaborative Center, 46 Winthrop St.
Make a spectacle of yourself!
In collaboration with the Lions’ Club, we’re collecting reusable glasses for those in need. The green boxes are in our offices and churches!
WINTER ALERT
Dear Friends, in the event of inclement weather that necessitates the closing of the church, we will post the closing on Channel 5, WCVB-TV and Channel 7 WHDH and 56 WLVI. For daily Masses: If Boston Schools are closed, the Church will be closed and there will be no Masses on those days. Stay warm and safe!
Make this winter cozier for someone in need
In collaboration with Good Shepherd School, the Kennedy Center and the Lions’ Club, we’re collecting useable coats and jackets for the winter. We’ll have boxes in the churches and offices and at Harvest on Vine!
An Invitation to Women of All Ages
We want to extend an invitation to women of all ages to join us for prayer, scripture reading, and conversation. Welcome the opportunity with other women to take an hour out of your busy day from the comfort of your home to breathe, reflect, and give gratitude to our God who sustains us. Come to our next gathering and see if it is a good fit for you. We will meet via ZOOM:
Wednesdays from 6:30 to 7:30pm.
Contact Sr. Nancy Citro, SNDdeN via email:
and she will send you a link to the meeting.
Click image to recommended family movies through the ages.
II…. John Cronin & Kathleen Callahan
II……… Jake Salvatore & Molly Isberg
If you are planning a Wedding, Planning a Baptism, If you are interested in becoming Catholic or have not yet received Confirmation, if you are homebound and would like to receive the Sacraments, interested in the choir Religious Education, or becoming a volunteer in a ministry please see the relevant bullet below or Contact us at the Parish office at 617.242.4664 or email us
ONLINE GIVING
Many have asked us how to contribute through online banking so that when they are not in the Parish, they can continue to make their offertory collection and second collection donations. This can be done easily by logging into your online banking account and entering St. Francis de Sales or St. Mary—St. Catherine as vendor/payee.
For St. Francis, please use 303 Bunker Hill Street for the address.
For St. Mary – St. Catherine, please use 46 Winthrop Street.
If you have any questions, please contact James Santosuosso
at the Parish Office.
Thank you for your continued generosity.
Baptism Schedule
The Baptisms are held in the Churches typically on the 2nd Sunday
St. Mary’s at 12:30 pm and
St. Francis de Sales at 1:30 pm.
We ask Baptism families and their guests to arrive at the Church about 15 minutes before the official start time.
The Baptism Preparation Classes for parents and godparents are on the Saturday before the monthly baptisms. The Preparation Class time is 12:30 pm at the Parish Center, 46 Winthrop Street.
Please send your request to info@charlestowncatholic.org
Clergy Trust
Clergy Trust Collection -Christmas Day
Each Christmas, the parish collection benefits Clergy Trust which cares for the health and well-being of all active and senior diocesan priests in good standing.
By supporting the Christmas collection, you can show your appreciation for the priests who continue to
build stronger communities for all through their ministry. This will be the only collection at the Christmas
Masses.
Cursillo:
An Invitation!
Are you looking for an opportunity to grow spiritually and deepen your relationship with Jesus Christ? We invite you to join us for a Cursillo weekend to experience the love of Jesus Christ on a personal level and bring his love and joy into your daily life. Give yourself an extraordinary gift this year. Where: St. Basil’s Salvatorian Center, Methuen.
For more information, contact Nancy Higgins:higginsneh@aol.com
NEW PARISHIONERS
It is always encouraging to see new faces at Mass. We warmly welcome all of you who are newcomers to Charlestown. We receive many requests for recommendations for individuals who are asked to be sponsors for Baptism and Confirmation. It is necessary, for us to know you in order for us to comply with these requests for letters of recommendations. It is important, too, that you are on the Parish Mailing List for Sacramental Records as an active practicing Catholic. We invite you to fill out the Registration Form.
Register as a parishioner.
Please indicate with which of our two parishes you wish to register.
The Light is on For You! 
SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION
If you would like to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation, please come any Saturday between 3:15pm and 3:45pm to the church in either parish i.e. before the 4 pm Mass on Saturdays.
SAINT VINCENT DE PAUL
Be mindful of the poor among us by assisting the Saint Vincent de Paul Society by way of their collection boxes at the doors of the Church. The weekly offerings given to the Parish Conference of the Society are their main source of income in assisting the needy of the Parish. Click the logo to learn more.