From the Rector Very Rev. Joseph Tizio, C.Ss.R. Staffed by The Redemptorists One day, just about forty years ago, when I was a young priest serving in my first parish, St. Cecilia’s in East Harlem, New York, I was in the church preparing a group of third and fourth grad- ers for the Sacrament of Reconciliation. As I was talking to the children, the leader of our local interfaith group walked into the church with a Benedictine monk who was going to be leading us in an evening of reflection. The moment I met that monk I could feel a sense of peace and presence in him, I could almost feel Christ’s presence in him. He look at the chil- dren and with a wonderful smile asked me: “Are these the penitents?” What amazes me is that after forty years I still remember that very brief encounter, the presence of Christ in that monk was so powerful that I have never forgotten it. We have begun the celebration of the great feast of Christmas, what we celebrate is God in human flesh born into our world. The birth of Jesus Christ is the celebration of Emmanuel, God with us, the all-powerful God who bore our human weakness and frailty. Christmas celebrates the God who loved us so much that he became one of us, human like us in all things but sin. However, Christmas is also the celebration of a living reality, Jesus Christ continues to be born among us, continues to become flesh among us. He is especially embodied in all the beautiful men and women who through the strength of their faith become living experiences of his presence for us. I am sure that you can call to mind some amazing people who instantly filled you with a sense of Christ’s presence. Christmas reminds us that just as Christ was born into this world through the Virgin Mary, he needs to be born again into this world through us. Fourth Sunday of Advent December 24, 2017 Weekday Masses 7:00am and 12:10pm Saturday Masses 8:00am and 12:10pm Vigil: 4:00pm, 7:00pm (Haitian) Sunday Masses 9:00am,12:30pm, 5:00pm 11:00am (Spanish) Sacrament of Penance Monday-Saturday at 11:50am Saturday 3:30pm Wednesday Novena Service 12:10pm, 5:30pm, 6:30pm (Spanish), 7:00pm (Haitian) Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament Wednesday 8:00am to 5:00pm
Transcript
From the RectorVery Rev. Joseph Tizio, C.Ss.R.
Staffed byThe Redemptorists
One day, just about forty years ago, when I was a young priest serving in my first parish, St. Cecilia’s in East Harlem, New York, I was in the church preparing a group of third and fourth grad-ers for the Sacrament of Reconciliation. As I was talking to the children, the leader of our local interfaith group walked into the church with a Benedictine monk who was going to be leading us
in an evening of reflection. The moment I met that monk I could feel a sense of peace and presence in him, I could almost feel Christ’s presence in him. He look at the chil-dren and with a wonderful smile asked me: “Are these the penitents?” What amazes me is that after forty years I still remember that very brief encounter, the presence of Christ in that monk was so powerful that I have never forgotten it.
We have begun the celebration of the great feast of Christmas, what we celebrate is God in human flesh born into our world. The birth of Jesus Christ is the celebration of Emmanuel, God with us, the all-powerful God who bore our human weakness and frailty. Christmas celebrates the God who loved us so much that he became one of us, human like us in all things but sin. However, Christmas is also the celebration of a living reality, Jesus Christ continues to be born among us, continues to become flesh among us. He is especially embodied in all the beautiful men and women who through the strength of their faith become living experiences of his presence for us. I am sure that you can call to mind some amazing people who instantly filled you with a sense of Christ’s presence. Christmas reminds us that just as Christ was born into this world through the Virgin Mary, he needs to be born again into this world through us.
Fourth Sunday of Advent December 24, 2017
Weekday Masses7:00am and 12:10pm
Saturday Masses8:00am and 12:10pmVigil: 4:00pm, 7:00pm (Haitian)
Exposition of theBlessed SacramentWednesday 8:00am to 5:00pm
Dec 23 Saturday
8:00am Corey Wiggins and Luis L. Price 12:10pm Liz Grey and Diana Often +Michael Gray, Jeremiah, Norah Harrington 4:00pm Glory of God 7:00pm Marseille Dumornay
Dec 24 Sunday
9:00am Shrine Members Living and Deceased 11:00am +William Negron +Theresa Estrada +Jose Juarahe Stephanie Ochoa Jenny Perez and Family 12:30pm Purgatorian Society 4:00pm Mission Grammar Benefactors (Christmas Eve) Dec 25 Monday (Christmas Day)
12:00am Shrine Members Living and Deceased 9:00am Care of the Unborn 11:00am TV Novena Benefactors 12:30pm Christmas Novena Dec 26 Tuesday (Holiday Observed)
9:00am Christmas Novena
Dec 27 Wednesday
7:00am Theresa M. (Bottary) Poirier and Marie 12:10pm Christmas Novena 6:30pm Fr. Jim Farrell, C.Ss.R.
Dec 28 Thursday
7:00am +Phyllis Pirani 12:10pm Christmas Novena
Dec 29 Friday
7:00am Christmas Novena 12:10pm +Mary and Fred Barrows
MASS INTENTIONS FROM THE RECTOR
En Español
Un día, hace unos cuarenta años, cuando era un joven sacerdote que servía en mi primera parroquia, St. Cecilia en East Harlem, Nueva York, estaba en la iglesia preparando un grupo de alum-nos de tercero y cuarto grado para el Sacramento de la Rec-onciliación. Mientras hablaba con los niños, el líder de nuestro grupo interreligioso local entró a la iglesia con un monje ben-edictino que nos iba a guiar en una noche de reflexión. En el momento en que conocí a ese monje pude sentir una sensación de paz y presencia en él, casi podía sentir la presencia de Cris-to en él. Él miró a los niños y con una sonrisa maravillosa me preguntó: “¿Son estos los penitentes?” Lo que me sorprende es que después de cuarenta años aún recuerdo ese breve encuen-tro, la presencia de Cristo en ese monje fue tan poderosa que nunca lo olvidé
Hemos comenzado la celebración de la gran fiesta de la Navi-dad, lo que celebramos es a Dios en carne humana nacido en nuestro mundo. El nacimiento de Jesucristo es la celebración de Emmanuel, Dios con nosotros, el Dios todopoderoso que soportó nuestra debilidad y fragilidad humanas. La Navidad celebra al Dios que nos amó tanto que se convirtió en uno de nosotros, humanos como nosotros en todo excepto en el peca-do. Sin embargo, la Navidad es también la celebración de una realidad viviente, Jesucristo continúa naciendo entre nosotros, continúa convirtiéndose en carne entre nosotros. Está especial-mente encarnado en todos los hombres y mujeres hermosos que a través de la fuerza de su fe se convierten en experiencias vivientes de su presencia para nosotros. Estoy seguro de que puedes recordar algunas personas increíbles que instantánea-mente te llenaron con un sentido de la presencia de Cristo. La Navidad nos recuerda que así como Cristo nació en este mundo a través de la Virgen María, él necesita nacer de nuevo en este mundo a través de nosotros.
Feliz NavidadLa Comunidad Redempotriz, el personal y el Consejo Pastoral de la Basílica de Nuestra Señora del Perpetuo Socorro les desean a ustedes y a sus seres queridos la temporada más bendita de Navidad. ¡Que sepas la hermosa presencia de Dios nacida entre nosotros por medio de Jesucristo!
StewardshipStewardshipReflection
“Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you!”- LUKE 1:28
Faith is a gift from God. Take time in silence and thank Him for all the gifts He has given you. Try to set aside any anger or resent-ment you have and really open your heart to receive the gift of God’s mercy and forgiveness. We can’t give what we don’t have. We need to receive God’s mercy and forgiveness first before we can give it to others.
Reflection
StewardshipPlease remember that we depend on your weekly offering to continue the ministry of our parish. We ask that you consider giving the equivalent of one hour of your weekly salary. It’s a goal that would strengthen the offertory to be in line with current expenses. If you can not commit one hour at this time, we ask that you contribute at least $5 as a minimum offering for the upkeep and mission of the church. Every gift will be used wisely and carefully. Thank you for the sacrifices you make for this community!
Annual CORI FormsThe Archdiocese of Boston requires that all clergy, parish staff (full and part time), together will all volunteers (17 years of age and older) who minister to or have the potential for unmonitored access to children, youth, elderly or the disabled, undergo a CORI check. This process requires an individual to fill out a CORI request form annually in accordance with this policy. Please bring your Driver’s License or Massachusetts ID to the Rectory Office for verification. Thank you!
2018 Mass IntentionsRemember a deceased loved one or pray for an intention through a High Mass request to be said as part of our daily and Sunday Masses. Intentions may be booked on a first come, first serve basis. Intentions for 2018 can now be taken, please visit the Rectory Office. High Mass stipends are $15. Mass cards for deceased, sick, special intention and birthdays are also available: www.bostonsbasilica.com/shop
Christmas and New Year’s ScheduleMass will be offered on Christmas Eve at 4:00pm, 11:30pm with Carols by Candlelight followed by Midnight Mass. The Rectory Office will be open on Sunday, December 24th from 10:00am to 2:00pm.
On Christmas Day, Mass will be offered at 9:00am, 11:00am (Spanish) and 12:30pm. There will not be a 5:00pm Mass. The Rectory Office will be closed on Monday the 25th and Tuesday the 26th. Only one Mass will be offered on the 26th at 9:00am.
Next Weekend, there will not be a 5:00pm Mass on Sunday, December 31st. Monday, January 1st is the Solemnity of Mary the Moth-er of God. Since the feast falls on a Monday it is not a holy day of obligation. There will be one mass on January 1st at 9:00 am, after which the church will be closed for the day. The Rectory Office will also be closed for the day.
NEWS & EVENTS
Merry ChristmasThe Redempotorist Community, Staff, and Pastoral Council of the Basilica of Our Lady of Perpetual Help wish you and your loved ones a Most Blessed Christmas Season. May you know God’s beautiful presence born among us through Jesus Christ!
HISPANIC COMMUNITY
Cristo Joven: Un Grupo para Jóvenes Adultos
Un nuevo grupo parroquial para adultos jóvenes de 14-18 años ha comenzado a reunirse todos los sábados de 7:00 p.m. a 8:00 p.m. en la Sala de Música. Pase tiempo socializando con música, comida y meditación. Amigos y familiares son bienven-idos.
Los Enfermos en los Hospitales y en el Hogar
También cuando conozca de algún enfermo que este en el hospital o en su hogar y necesite la visita de un sacerdote por favor llamar o pasar por la oficina parroquial para hacer arre-glos para dicha visita.
Los Bautismos en Español
Les informamos que si necesitan Bautizar sus niños, ellos deben ser menores de 7 años para ser Bautizados aquí en la Basílica. Si son “mayors de 7 años” deben tomar clases de catecismo por 2 años consecutivos. Los bautismos en Español son el primer domingo de cada mes.
Novena Hispana a la Virgen del Perpetuo Socorro
Lo invitamos a unirse a nosotros cada miércoles por la noche a las 6:30pm en la capilla de la casa parroquial semanalmente a la novena en español a la Vírgen del Perpetuo Socorro.
HAITIAN COMMUNITY
Haitian Prayer Group meets first Saturday at 5:00pm“Zanmi Manman Pèpetyèl yo”, ap toujou rankontre chak premye samdi, a 5 h PM pou rive 6h45 PM, nan mizik room lan. Nou konte sou prezans tout manb yo, pou nou kontinye viv karis nou ki bati sou twa wòch dife. “ lapriye, fòmasyon, ak fratènite”
Bible Class in French/CreoleEvery Second Tuesday at 8:00pm
Mes frères et soeurs. On ne peut donner ce qu’on n’a pas. Tout chré-tien, doit connaitre la parole de Dieu. Donc, il est important de se mettre à l’écoute, et à l’étude de la parole de Dieu, pour pouvoir partager avec les autres, combien Dieu nous aime. Dans le souci de répondre mieux à notre vocation chrétienne, nous avons un cours biblique chaque deuxième Mardi du mois à 8:00 PM.
« Frèm ak sèm yo, nou pa ka bay sa nou pa genyen, donk antan ke kretyen, nou dwe, konnen Paròl Granmèt la. Se sak fè nou gen you kou labib, chak dezyèm Madi, a 8:00 PM. »
Haitian Mass Every Saturday at 7:00pmFrèm ak sèm yo, Bondye, avèk Manman Pèpetyèl toujou la pou li pran swen nou, pou li ban nou nouriti kap kenbe nou solid nan laf-wa. Se sak fè Granmèt la toujou mete, sevitè pou sèvi nou. Pou nou ka jwen nouriti spirityèl sa, chak Samdi a 7 pm, nap gen lamès an kreyòl, nan Legliz Pèpetyèl la. Nou tout, ayisyen yo, nou se pitit Manman Pèpetyèl, vini, pou nou selebre lafwa nou, nan lang man-man nou.
1545 Tremont Street • Boston, MA 02120www.bostonsbasilica.com
617-445-2600
Rector/PastorVery Rev. Joseph Tizio, C.Ss.R.
Parochial VicarsRev. Robert Lennon, C.Ss.R.Rev. Francis Sullivan, C.Ss.R.
Rev. John Furey, C.Ss.R. Rev. John Lavin, C.Ss.R.
Rev. Philip Dabney, C.Ss.R.Rev. Pierre Desruisseaux, C.Ss.R.
Director of Religious EducationMrs. Kathleen Biddle
English - Mondays, 6:30pm in Parish CenterSpanish - Mondays, 7:00pm in the Church
Our Lady of Perpetual HelpMission Grammar School
94 St. Alphonsus Street • 617-442-2660Principal: Mrs. Ali Dutson
NEWS & EVENTS
Christmas FlowersWe appreciate your help in collecting donations to cover the cost of flowers to decorate our Basilica for Christmas. Envelopes are available at the back of the church and Rectory Office. Donations can be made in the memory of your loved ones, living or deceased.
Christmas LuncheonThe Community of Sant’ Egidio will be holding a special Christmas luncheon for all those in need on Christmas Day in the Parish Center from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm. We are seeking financial donations to purchase food, decorations, and sup-plies to make the lunch delicious and beautiful! Checks can present at the 11 am and 12:30 pm Masses on Sundays to collect donations. Also, if you would like to be a guest or know someone who would, please sign-up at the rectory office.
Support Our Music MinistryOur custom here at the Basilica is to glorify the birth of our Lord with voices and instruments of praise. If you are able or willing, we ask that you sponsor a singer or a instrumentalist. $175 will allow us to hire a vocal artist, and $250 will pay for an instrumentalist. Please notate on the memo line of your check that your contribution is specifically for “Music for Christmas”. Thank you so very much for adding to the beauty of our liturgy!
Prayer for PeacePlease join the Community of Sant’ Egidio at the Basilica for a prayer for peace on Monday, January 1st from 4pm-5pm. On this occasion of the World Day of Peace, we want to respond to Pope Francis’ invitation to pray for migrants and refugees in search of peace.
St. Vincent DePaul SocietyThe Society of St. Vincent de Paul is a worldwide organization, which is deeply rooted in Christian love and teaching to serve the poor and needy. In March of 2012, a conference was established at the Basilica to serve the poor of Boston. Volunteer opportunities are available throughout the year and support is given on an as needed basis in areas of housing, heat, meals and tuition. Learn more by visiting www.svdpmissionchurch.org
Welcome / BienvenidoIt does not matter what your present status is in the Catholic Church, what your current family or marital situation, what your past or present religious affiliation; or your personal history, age, background, race, etc. You are invited, welcomed, accepted, loved and respected at Boston’s Basilica of Our Lady of Perpetual Help.
No importa cuál es su estado actual en la Iglesia Católica, cuál es su situ-ación familiar o civil actual, cuál es su afiliación religiosa pasada o actual; o su historia personal, edad, antecedentes, raza, etc. Está invitado, bien-venido, aceptado, amado y respetado en la Basílica de Nuestra Señora del Perpetuo Socorro de Boston.
