St. Mary-St. Catherine
Of Siena
Roman Catholic Parish
Charlestown, Massachusetts ▪ Archdiocese of Boston
December 6, 2020
s t m a r y s t c a t h e r i n e . o r g
To visitors to our Parish, to those who have recently moved into the area and to those comfortable and nourished here—Welcome To All. And, regardless of your status in the Church, your marital state, your ethnicity, your prior religious experience, your personal history, background or sexual orientation, please know that you are accepted and respected at Saint Mary–Saint Catherine of Siena Parish. Please introduce yourself to the priest and register as a member of our Parish.
Welcome!
Our Mission is to make active disciples of Jesus Christ by creating a welcoming community rich in
spirituality and by moving people to embrace their God-given talents in the service of others
and the care of creation.
Saint Mary - Saint Catherine of Siena is an intentionally inclusive Roman Catholic Parish that wel-comes all those who make up our diverse community in a way that reflects God’s love. Nourished by the Gospel and the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist, we build a vibrant Parish that strengthens our faith and elevates our worship. With gratitude for the gifts God has bestowed upon us, we respond to His call to stewardship and embrace our lives of service and compassion.
About Us
THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT
Living In Hope
Living in the Advent Time means
living with hope – looking to the
horizon with the expectation that
Immanuel, God with us, becomes
ever more present to each and all.
Yet, this is a deeply personal jour-
ney for each of us, for it is about a
relationship offered by Christ to
me and to you. Everyone knows
relationships need a'ention if they
are to grow and flourish. Maybe
we can call Advent, relationship-
nurturing-time.
Throughout each of our lives, there are times of joy and times of sadness,
times of success and times of failure, times of hope and times of despair. In all of
the chapters of our lives, the one thing that sustains us in the hard times and am-
plifies the happy times is a meaningful relationship. Often the relationship is in
the form of a friend, a partner, a family member or a lover.
The mystery of the Incarnation, the enfleshment of God as a human person
can best be understood as God befriending humankind. Yet friendship is not
even an adequate word to describe the birth of Jesus Christ in that stable in Beth-
lehem 2,000 years ago. Christmas celebrates God’s radical act of love for all peo-
ple.
However, relationships of any significance are always mutual. In this rela-
tionship, God makes the first move in the person of Jesus. The ministry of Jesus
continues as men and women through the ages are invited into this relationship
with the God/Man. Through the sacraments, beginning with Baptism, the rela-
tionship offered holds the promise of not only friendship, but more of intimacy.
In this Covid blanketed December, the struggles every one of us face can be
daunting. The friendship offered in Christ is more than enough to sustain us.
Not just to keep us afloat, but also to give us hope. For God is with us - Immanuel
is the fundamental truth of Christmas and always.
Fr. Ronan
Mass Schedule Saturday Saturday Saturday Saturday – St. Mary ChurchSt. Mary ChurchSt. Mary ChurchSt. Mary Church 900 a.m. 4:00 p.m.
Sunday Sunday Sunday Sunday – St. MarySt. MarySt. MarySt. Mary ChurchChurchChurchChurch 8:00 a.m. 10:30 a.m. Family Mass 6:00 p.m. (in Chapel during Summer months)
Daily Mass Daily Mass Daily Mass Daily Mass Mon.-Fri., 8:00 a.m. at St. Catherine St. Catherine St. Catherine St. Catherine of Siena Chapel of Siena Chapel of Siena Chapel of Siena Chapel (entrance on Soley St. side of Church)
Holidays Holidays Holidays Holidays 9:00 a.m. in Chapel
Reconciliation Reconciliation Reconciliation Reconciliation 3:15 p.m. Saturday in Church or by appointment
BaptismBaptismBaptismBaptism Visit stmarystcatherine.org/sacraments/ for our schedule or call Sr. Nancy at (617) 242-4664. Preparation classes are held for Parents and Godparents on the preceding Friday of the monthly baptism at 7PM in the Parish Center.
PastorPastorPastorPastor Fr. James J. Ronan
Pastoral AssociatePastoral AssociatePastoral AssociatePastoral Associate Sr. Nancy Citro, SNDdeN
Business ManagerBusiness ManagerBusiness ManagerBusiness Manager James Santosuosso
Social Ministry DirectorSocial Ministry DirectorSocial Ministry DirectorSocial Ministry Director Thomas J. MacDonald
Pastoral Assistant, Faith FormationPastoral Assistant, Faith FormationPastoral Assistant, Faith FormationPastoral Assistant, Faith Formation Katy Fleming Director of MusicDirector of MusicDirector of MusicDirector of Music Matthew Arnold
Administrative AssistantAdministrative AssistantAdministrative AssistantAdministrative Assistant Dianne Ludy
Staff emails are first initial with last name (example, “[email protected]”)
Clergy In ResidenceClergy In ResidenceClergy In ResidenceClergy In Residence Fr. Jerome Gillespie Fr. Ken Chemizie O.C.D. Fr. Anthony Nweke C.S.S.p. Fr. Britto Dhinakaran
Hispanic MinistryHispanic MinistryHispanic MinistryHispanic Ministry Blanca Paz
Vice Chairs Pastoral CouncilVice Chairs Pastoral CouncilVice Chairs Pastoral CouncilVice Chairs Pastoral Council Brendan Sullivan
Vice Chair Finance CouncilVice Chair Finance CouncilVice Chair Finance CouncilVice Chair Finance Council Nancy Higgins
Parish Center & Eucharistic Chapel
46 Winthrop Street 617-242-4664
Saint Mary Church 55 Warren Street
Saint Catherine of Siena Chapel
Warren and Soley Street
Social Ministry Office 49 Vine Street 617-580-8305
Good Shepherd School
20 Winthrop Street 617-242-8800
V i s i t u s a t
s t m a r y s t c a t h e r i n e . o r g a n d
f a c e b o o k . c o m /s t m a r y s t c a t h e r i n e
The Church is handicap-accessible on Soley Street.
The Chapel is handicap-accessible on Winthrop Street.
Our Stewardship Prayer
by the Welcoming Com-
mi�ee
Heavenly Father, instill in our
hearts a spirit of love and compas-
sion. May we foster
a welcoming parish community with
acceptance and respect for all. Inspire
us to make a difference by being gen-
erous with our time and talents.
Please send your Holy Spirit among
us to remind us to follow Jesus and
his teachings in all aspects of our
lives. As we end this Mass, may we go
forth and spread goodwill among our
neighbors, friends, and fellow parish-
ioners. Through Christ, our Lord.
Amen
To learn more contact us at 617-242-4664 or check out our
web site! stmarystcatherine.org
Dominic Edward Reardon
Samuel Matthew Pacheco
Alessia Margaret Cerny Lamarche
Baptisms December 6, 2020
Welcome to our newest members!
El tercer domingo de Adviento se llama domingo «de la alegría» y marca el paso de la primera parte, prevalecientemente austera y penitencial, del Adviento a la segunda parte dominada por la espera de la salvación cercana. El título le viene de las palabras «Estad siempre alegres» (gaudete) que se escuchan al inicio de la Misa: «Estad siempre alegres en el Señor; os lo repito, estad alegres. El Señor está cerca» (Filipenses, 4,4-5). Pero el tema de la alegría invade también el resto de la liturgia de la Palabra. En la primera lectura oímos el grito del profeta: «Desbordo de gozo con el Señor, y me alegro con mi Dios». El Salmo responso-rial es el Magnificat de María, intercalado del estribillo: «Me alegro con mi Di-os». La segunda lectura, finalmente, comienza con las palabras de Pablo: «Hermanos: Estad siempre alegres».
Ser felices es tal vez el deseo humano más universal. Todos quieren ser felices. El poeta alemán Schiller cantó este anhelo universal al gozo en una poesía que después Beethoven inmortalizó, haciendo el famoso Himno a la Alegría que concluye la Novena Sinfonía. También el Evangelio es, a su modo, un largo himno a la alegría. El nombre mismo «evangelio» significa, como sabemos, feliz noticia, anuncio de alegría. Pero el discurso de la Biblia sobre la alegría es un discurso realista, no ide-alista ni veleidoso. Con la comparación de la mujer que da a luz (Juan 16,20-22), Jesús nos ha dicho muchas cosas. El em-barazo no es en general un período fácil para la mujer. Es más bien un tiempo de molestias, de limitaciones de todo tipo: no se puede hacer, comer ni llevar puesto lo que se desea, ni ir adonde se quiera. Sin embargo, cuando se trata de un embarazo deseado, vivido en un clima sereno, no es un tiempo de tristeza, sino de alegría. El porqué es sencillo: se mira adelante, se pregusta el momento en que se podrá tener en brazos a la propia criatura. He oído a varias madres decir que ninguna otra experiencia humana se puede comparar a la felicidad que se experimenta al convertirse en madre.
Todo esto nos dice algo muy preciso: las alegrías verdaderas y duraderas maduran siempre desde el sacrificio. ¡No hay rosa sin espinas! En el mundo, placer y dolor (lo hemos observado ya en una ocasión) se siguen el uno al otro con la misma regu-laridad con la que al elevarse una ola que impulsa al nadador hacia la playa le sigue un hundimiento y un vacío que le suc-ciona hacia atrás. El hombre busca desesperadamente separar a estos dos «hermanos siameses», de aislar el placer del dolor. Pero no se consigue, porque es el propio placer desordenado el que se transforma en amargura. O de improviso y trági-camente, como nos dicen las crónicas diarias, o un poco a la vez, a causa de su incapacidad de durar y del tedio que genera. Basta pensar, por poner un ejemplo más evidente, qué queda de la excitación de la droga un minuto después de que haya cesado su efecto, o a dónde lleva, también desde el punto de vista de la salud, el abuso desenfrenado del sexo. El poeta pa-gano Lucrezio tiene dos poderosos versos al respecto: «Un no sé qué de amargo surge de lo íntimo de cada placer nuestro y nos angustia incluso en medio de nuestras delicias».
Al no poder, por lo tanto, separar placer y dolor, se trata de elegir: o un placer pasajero que lleva a un dolor duradero, o un dolor pasajero que lleva a un placer duradero. Esto no vale sólo para el placer espiritual, sino para toda alegría humana hon-esta: la de un nacimiento, una familia unida, una fiesta, el trabajo llevado felizmente a término, el gozo de un amor bende-cido, la amistad, una buena cosecha para el agricultor, la creación artística para el artista, una victoria para el atleta.
Alguno podría objetar: ¿pero entonces para el creyente la alegría, en esta vida, será siempre y sólo objeto de espera, sólo un gozo «de lo que está por venir»? No; existe una alegría secreta y profunda que consiste precisamente en la espera. Es más, es tal vez ésta, en el mundo, la forma más pura de la alegría; la alegría que se tiene en esperar. El poeta Leopardi lo dijo mara-villosamente en la poesía Il sabato del villaggio. La alegría más intensa no es la del domingo, sino la del sábado; no es la de la fiesta, sino la de su espera. La diferencia es que la fiesta que el creyente espera no durará sólo algunas horas, para después ceder de nuevo el puesto a «tristeza y tedio», sino que durará para siempre.
Third Sunday of Advent - Gaudete Sunday
December 12/13, 2020
In today’s second reading Paul concludes his le'er to the Christian com-
munity at Thessalonica by providing it with actions to take as they wait
for the return of the Lord. The first action is to rejoice always and give
thanks in all circumstances. This does not sound easy in a time of pan-
demic. The two words that make this task difficult are “always” and “all.”
This means giving thanks and rejoicing even when our circumstances are
not always moments of joy and thanksgiving, or when we are confronted
with a broken world. Prayerful stewards rejoice and give thanks in all cir-
cumstances, even during these uncertain and stressful times, because they
are people of hope. A good reflection this week would be how the season
of Advent can give you reason to hope.
GIVING TREES As is our tradition, your generosity provides Christmas aid to the organizations listed below. Due to
Covid restrictions, we will not have giving trees with tags on them this year. Instead, we ask those who are interested in donating to:
• St. Mary Center for Woman & Children—please give a gift card.
• Charlestown Recovery House - please give a gift card, T-Pass, or Dunkin Donuts gift card.
• Veterans Shelter — please give a gift card, T-Pass, or Dunkin Donuts gift card.
• St. Vincent de Paul Society— a monetary donation is requested for clients in our Parish who have many different needs,. Checks should be made payable to St. Vincent de Paul Society.
•••• Sisters of St. Joseph Prison Ministry - Due to Dept. of Corrections security regulations, monetary donations are requested. The Chaplain will buy needed items such as combs, shampoo, soap, deodorant, calendars, lotion, tooth paste, stationary, and pens which will then be inspected by DOC. Once the items are approved by security, the items will be assembled in gift bags within the prison by Chaplaincy Volunteers. Checks should be made payable to Sisters of St. Joseph Prison Ministry”
Donations may be placed in the collection baskets at the door. Please indicate who the donation is for on the out-side of the envelope. Please submit your donations by December 20th for distribution on Monday, the 21st. Thank you.
REMEMBERING OUR LOVED ONES WHO ARE WITH GOD
Weekend of December 19/20
At all of our Masses on the weekend of December 19 and 20, we will have a Ritual of Remem-
brance for all of our loved ones who have gone to God. Due to Covid, this year, the sand dol-
lars will be placed on the tree on your behalf.
Please send your prayer intentions to [email protected]. You may also call the Par-
ish Center with your intention.
Go to God with all of your sorrows, that He may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety
on Him because He cares for you. Be alert and of sober mind. Do not let doubt or any kind of negative thinking overpower
you. Resist it, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is under-going
the same kind of sufferings. And though it will take time, God of all grace, who called you in Christ, will restore you and
make you strong, firm and steadfast. To Him be the power for ever and ever. Amen. (1 Peter 5:6-11-Adapted)
CHRISTMAS MASSES
Christmas Eve Masses
Will be at 1:00pm, 3:00pm, 5:00pm and 7:00pm
Christmas Day Masses
Will be at 9:00 and 11:00
Because of limited seating during this time of pandemic,
we will put information in next week’s bulletin for you to
register for the Mass you hope to attend. This process
will enable us to reserve a seat for you.
Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God
All are invited to begin the New Year in prayer to celebrate the Solemnity of
Mary, Mother of God.
New Year’s Eve Vigil and Mass is on Thursday, December 31, 2020 at 6:00PM
New Year’s Day Mass will be on Friday, January 1, 2021 at 9:00 AM.
Dear Marian Friends,
On Saturdays, we gather for our Saturday
Rosary via Zoom. Sign on is at 8AM, and we will begin pray-ing at 8:15AM. If you are interested, please email Donna at:
[email protected] for the Zoom information.
All are most
welcome.
A STEWRDSHIP PRAYER
For December
You give us this blessed season
of Advent as a gift of time
to prepare for the
coming of the Christ Child.
But all too often we turn this gift
into a source of frenzy,
stress and anxiety;
a time when we’re apt to
prepare for a Christmas celebration
looking perfect on the outside,
but spiritually exhausting and
without true meaning.
Restore in us that inherent quest for
quiet expectation and hope.
Show us the way to a more
peaceful, prayerful disposition
that makes us more open to a
conversion of heart.
And give us the courage to let
go of things that are ultimately
unimportant to the true
meaning of Christmas.
Help us be good stewards of this
Advent season,
so that on the Feast of the Nativity,
we will be ready
with our own sacred space
for the arrival of your Son,
Jesus Christ, in whose name
we now pray.
Amen
ICSC bulletin
SENIOR
PRIESTS
In good standing
that have served our
parish:
Reverend Francis
Cloherty
Reverend Edward
Gallagher
Reverend Robert
Kennedy
Reverend Robert
Nee
The collection for
the retired priests
will take place on
December 24 &
25.
You may drop your
donation in the bas-
ket at the back of
the Church or you
can donate at :
clergytrust.org or
use the scan code in
this bulletin.
WINTER 20-21 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
Stay warm and safe!
COLLECTION ON DECEMBER 24 AND 25
Weekend of 12/06/2020
$ 6,229.55
To the Weekly Collection
And
$1,005 to
second collections
Thank you for your
continued support
MASS SCHEDULE
10:30 AM SCDEFG MFHH ID
ICJ WKLHMNK IJ
FFOKLIIP LMQK
SFNCJEFG 12/12
9:00 FR + SFJFT FFJRKJ
WMUUMFRH
4:00 VR + GKJFUE A. WFUU
SCDEFG 12/13
8:00 FR + JFDK GJKKD
10:30 FR + CTJMHNMDF RGFD
6:00 VR + JIFD & DFD BUFPK SJ.
RIHFJG HFME LKWIJK
DFMUG MFHH FN 7:30
MIDEFG 12/14 8:00 FR
TCKHEFG 12/15
8:00 FR
WKEDKHEFG - 12/16
8:00 FR - PFJMHT PJFGKJ GCMUE
TTCJHEFG 12/17
8:00 FR
FJMEFG 12/18
8:00 FR
SFNCJEFG 12/19
9:00 FR
4:00 VR SFDE EIUUFJ NJKK
SCDEFG 12/20
8:00 FR SFDE EIUUFJ NJKK
10:30 FR + EUUKD MIJNID
6:00 VR SFDE EIUUFJ TJKK
The Sanctuary
Lamp
is lit for:
Charles Farmer &
Sarah Farmer Williams
We extend a warm welcome to all visitors and those who are
new to our parish. If you are new to Saint Mary -
Saint Catherine of Siena Parish, please visit our website for
events and resources. You may also register on line at: stmarystcatherine.org
ATTENDENCE 12/06
4:00 pm 50
8:00 am 27
10:30 am 71
6:00 pm 21
Total 169
Celebrating the Sacrament
of Baptism
is
always a joyful event in our Parish. It’s such a privilege to facilitate this momentous event in the lives of families and in particular, the life of the child. To learn more, please contact Sr. Nancy at
617-242-4664 or email:
ncitro @stmarystcatherine.org.
SFNCJEFGH FN 3:15 VR
IJ KL MNNIOPQRSPQ
By calling the Parish Office at
617-242-4664
Upcoming Collection
Christmas Flowers
Clergy Benefit (December 25)
Christmas Flower Envelopes ...
are available in the back of the Church
for those who would like to make a
donation in memory of a loved one.
The flowers will decorate our Church
for Christmas. Be sure to include the
name of your loved one on the enve-
lope. Names submitted by Tuesday,
December 15 will be included in the
bulletin for Christmas. All names re-
ceived after that date will be added to a
future bulletin. You may drop the en-
velope in the collection basket or mail
to the Parish Center at 46 Winthrop
Street. Thank you.