Charlestown Catholic Community News
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, November 29 – 4:00 pm + Paul McGoniagle & Mary K Mansfield
Sunday, November 30 – 9:30am
Monday, December 1Mass at 8am in St. Catherine of Siena Chapel
Tuesday, December 2
Mass at 8am in St. Catherine of Siena Chapel
Wednesday, December 3
Mass at 8am in St. Catherine of Siena Chapel
Thursday, December 4
Mass at 9:30am – St. Catherine of Siena Chapel
Friday, December 5
Mass at 8am in St. Catherine of Siena Chapel
Saturday, December 6 + Bishop Edward Lawton
Mass at 4pm
Sunday, December 7 + Dorothy Shea
Mass at 9:30 am
St. Mary St. Catherine of Siena Mass Intentions
Saturday, November 29
Mass at 9am in St. Catherine of Siena Chapel
Saturday, November 29 at 4:00 pm
Sunday, November 30 at 8:00 am + Michael Moore
Sunday, November 30 at 11:00 am + Thomas & Beatrice Muldoon and
+ Thomas & Marie Muldoon
+ Eleanor & Robert Emery
Sunday, November 30 Mass at 6:00 pm
Monday, December 1
Mass at 8am in St. Catherine of Siena Chapel
Tuesday, December 2
Mass at 8am in St. Catherine of Siena Chapel
Wednesday, December 3
Mass at 8am in St. Catherine of Siena Chapel
Thursday, December 4
Mass at 8am
Friday, December 5
Mass at 8am in St. Catherine of Siena Chapel
Saturday, December 6
Mass at 9am in St. Catherine of Siena Chapel
Mass at 4:00 pm + Joan Mattarazzo & Theresa Roche
Sunday, December 7 + Judy Castro & Ann McGonagle
Mass at 8:00 am
Sunday, December 7 – 11:00am + Thomas Regan
Sunday, December 7 – 6:00pm + Tiziana Quint
Recent Sacramental ceremonies at St. Francis de Sales
Welcome our newest member Finn!
Recent Sacramental ceremonies at St. Mary. St. Catherine of Siena
………………….Congratulations, Ed and Liz!……………… Congratulations, Nicole & Tom!………………
Welcome our newest members!
Welcome to the family Patrick Paul, Tucker Paul
and Maisey Marie (all cousins)!
In collaboration with Mass General, blood pressures will be taken after these Masses. Take advantage of this opportunity!
Nov. 16 – 11 am at St. Mary’s- Espanol, tambien
Nov. 22 – 4 pm at St. Francis
Nov. 23 – 9:30 am at St. Francis
Dec. 6 – 4 pm at St. Mary’s
Dec. 7 – 11 am at St. Mary’s- Espanol, tambien
Dec. 13 – 4 pm at St. Francis
Soon, we’ll be having vision testing with the Lions Club.
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.
BLESSING OF THE ADVENT WREATH
When the blessing of the Advent Wreath is celebrated in the home, it is appropriate that it be blessed by a parent or another member of the family.
All make the sign of the cross as the leader says:
Our help is in the name of the Lord.
(R/.) Who made heaven and earth.
Then the Scripture, Isaiah 9: (lines 1-2 and 5-6) or Isaiah 63 (lines 16-17 & 19) or Isaiah 64 (lines 2-7) is read:
Reader: The Word of the Lord.
R/. Thanks be to God.
With hands joined, the leader says: Lord our God, we praise you for your Son, Jesus Christ: He is Emmanuel,
the hope of the peoples, He is the wisdom that teaches and guides us, He is the Savior of every nation.
Lord God, let your blessing come upon us as we light the candles of this wreath. May the wreath and its light
be a sign of Christ’s promise to bring us salvation. May he come quickly and not delay. We ask this through
Christ our Lord.
R/. Amen.
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!
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.. Justin Lee & Abigail Murphy
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
Pictures from Halloween at 46 Winthrop!
Thank you Ari and Chislon!
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
December
Class – December 13
Baptisms – December 14
Clergy Trust
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.