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Parish Communities St. Mary & St. Philip Benizi Pastor: Rev. Leo LeBlanc (508) 839-3993 x24 • [email protected]
Parish Communities St. Mary & St. Philip Benizi
Pastor: Rev. Leo LeBlanc (508) 839-3993 x24 • [email protected]
St Philip
September 6 – Memorial Nelson Carlson by the Parish September 13 – Edith Whiteley by Dorothy Nacimiento
To request a Mass Intention, please call Jill Sullivan (ext. 10) or Lisa Stewart (ext. 11) at St. Mary’s Parish
Office at 508-839-3993.
If you know of any elderly or home- bound parishioners who would like to have the bulletin sent to them by mail, please contact St. Mary Parish office and one will be sent out weekly.
Welcome to St. Mary & St. Philip Parishes!
Please visit our website for all the upcoming events. If you would like a bulletin sent home, please call St. Mary’s parish office. Please visit our website to sign up for attendance at Mass and latest details on our parishes: stmarysgrafton.org or stphilipsgrafton.org
Please sign up for Flocknote on our website for continuous updates on your phone or email. You can find us on Facebook at: stmary.stphilip.of.grafton.ma
You will find our recorded weekly Mass on your local cable channels at 6:30 AM and 6:30 PM daily on Channel 191 for Charter or Channel 34 for Verizon.
Our mailing address and phone numbers: St. Mary Office - 508-839-3993 17 Waterville St., N. Grafton, MA 01536
St. Philip Office – 508-839-3325 12 West St., Grafton, MA 01519
Traditionally, summer is when our offertory drops.
Any support that you can give us at this time would be greatly appreciated.
Sunday Offertory
St. Mary August 28 – 31, 2020
$3,605.00 WeShare August
$5,361.00
St. Philip August 28 – 31, 2020
$628.00 Includes WeShare
St. Mary
Please Note: Weekday Mass times have been modified.
September 5, Saturday: 4:00pm – Wedding Remembrance Irving and Florence Shanley requested by the Family, 3rd Anniversary Jasen Morin by the Family, Birthday Remembrance Marge Spence by the Family, Memorial John McCartney by Catherine Ryan, 6th Anniversary Edward Thomas by the Family September 6, Sunday: 7:30am – For the Holy Souls in Purgatory 10:30am – For Deceased Members of St. Mary and St. Philip Monday – 8:00am Mass Tuesday – 12:00pm Mass – 12th Anniversary Jessica Jackman by her Family Wednesday – 3:00pm Mass Thursday – 8:00am Mass September 12, Saturday: 4:00pm – Birthday Remembrance Lucille LaMarche by the Family, Memorial John McCartney by Catherine Ryan September 13, Sunday: 7:30am – 1st Anniversary Muriel Carlson-Bacon by her Family 10:30am – Memorial George Stratton by Stanley and Gail Dogil
Please continue to pray for all those affected by the pandemic.
September 6, 2020 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time
JESUS, RELENTLESS RECONCILER
Jesus in today’s Gospel exemplifies for us a relentless drive for
reconciliation. What the process delineated for reconciling comes from
a passion that God puts into people. This spiritually informed passion
continually constructs a next step, a next possibility for the hardened
heart to open. We and the disciples are reminded that we are the
mediators of the flow between heaven and earth. We, as disciples, are not to collapse into the easy, earthly
ways of alienation and exclusion. What we let go of on earth and what we bind ourselves to on earth
is dictated by our allegiance to God in heaven. Our new humanity in Christ gives us the freedom
and capacity to establish new ways of being together. This new spiritual identity we have in Christ
must inform our step-by-step protocols for reconciliation.
Our Father’s passion, totally incarnate in Jesus, is for his children, who have been previously alienated, to
come together in agreement. This is how heaven comes to earth. If the two involved pray for that, the
heavenly power of the Father’s love will energize them to bring it about. Prayer opens the heart to the
Father. And the will of the Father is that His children live in peace. But the disagreeing people involved
need to be informed by their spiritual citizenship in the kingdom of heaven.
This love of the Father is present when two or three are gathered not only around their injuries, but
especially when they gather in the Name of Jesus, that is, putting on the mind and heart of Jesus as
the central piece of why they are coming together. When this gathering is an authentic and intensified
search for “togetherness,” then Jesus is not with one or the other. He is “there among them.” He is doing
what he always does. He is breaking down the barriers between people and encouraging the
restoration of relationships. This requires from each of them faith and trust in Christ who is in their midst.
On the human level, some have never learned to work through conflicts. And walking away is what they
know best. And so reconciliation becomes possible when people possess the skills and willingness to
accomplish it. The offended person has to have a self-reflexive grasp of what the problem is. One must be
able to say what the cause of the hurt is, and be able to state it in clear terms, and not be wedded to a
particular way of seeing things.
The offended party must also have the courage to confront another person’s behavior, which is never
easy. Often we seek punishment first, because reconciliation demands mental and emotional abilities we
do not have. The ones accused must also have certain skills. Foremost they must be able to listen. When
we listen to personal criticism, it is hard to stay focused and attentive. We are too busy formulating a
devastating response. (Our defenses are often in full fury.) We are more skilled in justification than in self-
examination. We may swing between rigid defense and flippant apology. It is very helpful if all parties have
a history of repentance. Then the egos bend more easily.
In this whole process of reconciliation, Christians have the ability to take it to a higher level, putting the
whole conflict in the context of the Blessed Trinity, recognizing Christ, the relentless Reconciler, who
reveals the Father’s love for all His children, and who empowers us with the Holy Spirit to live in harmony,
even in diversity.
Partners in Charity – Thank You!
As of Tuesday, September 1, 2020: St. Philip has raised $35,660 which is 108% of our goal. St. Mary has raised $43,572 which is 67% of our goal. Thank you to all who have made pledges to the 2020 Partners in Charity Appeal. If you still haven’t given, but would like to do so, you can still give online. Go to https://partners-charity.net/donate and fill out the donation information at the bottom of the page. The deadline for online gifts is Monday, September 7th.
St. Mary’s and St. Philip’s Parish offices will be closed on Monday, September 7th in observance of Labor Day. Stay safe and enjoy the holiday
weekend.
IHN is in desperate need of a "new" electric dryer, preferably one with a metal door. The one they have now is broken. Any
parishioners that may be upgrading their appliances and would like to donate their old one in good working condition can email Ed Romeo at [email protected] or call 339-221-3378. IHN would also take a washer as well as a backup. With multiple families living at IHN, these appliances are used frequently.
SUMMER 2020 BIBLE STUDIES
A 4-part series giving an overview of the Bible.
Live Zoom sessions will take place on the following Thursday’s beginning at 7:00pm: September 3rd and September 10th.
Check our website for more details and to sign up if you’re interested. The Zoom link will be emailed to you.
Hope you can join us!
WE’D LOVE TO SEE YOU AGAIN!
We have been maintaining strict social distancing and cleaning practices. Won’t you consider coming back? Get all the details on our website at: https://stmarysgrafton.org/mass-resumes
DON’T MISS THE OPPORTUNITY TO RECEIVE THE SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION!
The Sacrament Of Reconciliation Is Offered At The Following Times/Place:
• Tuesday afternoons after Mass at 12:45 – 1:30pm in the Rectory* (with
proper social distancing and masks)
• Saturday afternoons at 2:45 – 3:30pm in the Upper parking lot (as
explained in the link below)
• By appointment – Call or text Fr. Leo at (508) 450-0281 to schedule.
Please go to our website at https://stmarysgrafton.org/news/confession for full details.
*For the Rectory, ring the bell and if Fr. Leo is available, he will answer. If he is hearing confession, he will not answer the door. Please wait patiently on the bench, in the gathering space, or in your car until you see the person leaving. You may also text Fr. Leo where you are waiting so he can contact you when he is free.
PLEASE REMEMBER TO SIGN UP FOR MASS!
In order to not exceed our 60 or so capacity for socially distanced attendance at Masses, Fr. Leo asks that you sign up using our Sign-Up Genius page.
The link for Mass sign-up can be found on our website at: https://stmarysgrafton.org/mass-resumes. This is very important for purposes of contact tracing. This way, we may notify everyone who attended a particular Mass, in the event that someone who came to that Mass should test positive for the COVID virus. (Please note that lists would be destroyed a month after that Mass. Only Fr. Leo, business manager, and secretary would have access to these lists before they are destroyed.)
For those who are unable to go online, there will be a simple form available which you can fill out and drop in the collection with your name/ phone number or email, and to check-box whether you wish to have your name as regularly attending this Mass. (If there is a weekend you are not coming to that Mass, please notify the Parish office.)
HELP NEEDED FOR FALL RELIGIOUS ED CLASSES
Your help is needed! Please consider sharing your faith with the young people of our parishes. Please contact Darleen at [email protected] for more info or if you can help.
Sunday 9:15-10:15am Monday 4:30-5:30pm Catechists for Grades K, 2, 3, 4, 5 Catechists for Grades K, 1, 2 Aides for Grades K, 2, 4, 5 Aides for Grades K, 1, 2 Sunday 6:30-7:30pm Virtual Classes via Zoom—all grades Catechists for Grades 7, 8, 9, 10 Substitute Catechists—all grades Aides for Grades 7, 8, 9, 10 Substitute Aides—all grades
10 GOOD REASONS TO BECOME A CATECHIST: 1. You will grow in your own faith, learn the teachings of the Church, and deepen your relationship
with Jesus. 2. Your Baptism calls you to share in Jesus’ ministry. 3. Children, teens and adults in today’s world, more than ever, need to hear the Good News of
Jesus. 4. Children, teens and adults in today’s world, more than ever, need to encounter good role models
of faith. 5. You have much to share with those you’ll teach, and you’ll have opportunities to share faith with
other catechists. 6. Today’s catechetical textbooks/resources offer outstanding support. 7. You’ll be challenged, you’ll have fun, and you’ll make new friends. 8. You’ll be helping people deepen their relationship with Jesus. (You’ll be evangelizing!) 9. You’ll be handing on a 2000-year-old Tradition that changes lives. 10. It’s our job: Jesus sent us to “go and teach all nations.”
Won’t you answer the call?
OPTIONS FOR FALL RELIGIOUS ED CLASSES
St. Mary & St. Philip Religious Education classes for our upcoming academic year will be offered both remotely (via Zoom) as well as home schooled and gathered (as has been the case in previous years). We hope these options might serve the needs of both those who wish to have in person classes and those who prefer to learn remotely from the convenience of their own homes.
Would you please let me Darleen Farland know if you haven’t already done so, which of the 3 options you would prefer for your students. This will help greatly in putting together class rosters for September.
Also if you have not yet registered you can do so online at: https://stmarysgrafton.org/re-registration
GRAFTON CATHOLIC YOUTH GROUP KICK-OFF EVENT
The Community Harvest Project provides hundreds of thousands of pounds of vegetables and fruit to local food banks.
Come help the Grafton Catholic Youth Group kick off the new school year with service to our community.
Because of COVID-19, CHP really needs our help to bring the harvest in!
What: Harvest vegetables that will feed our neighbors in need Where: Community Harvest Project, 37 Wheeler Rd., N. Grafton When: 9am to 12 noon on Monday, 9/14 (plan on arriving at 8:50am) What to wear: Clothes to get dirty, closed-toe shoes, hat, mask, sunscreen (if sunny), layers (if chilly), rain gear (if rainy) Bring: Water (GCYG will provide doughnuts and juice) Requirements: Must be at least 12 years old (CHP's rule) Sign Up: We are limited to 18 youth/adults. Sign up at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0d4aaaad2ea3fd0-harvesting Any questions, contact Mrs. Jennifer Rodrique at 508-826-4122
ARE YOU UP FOR SOME ZIPLINING AND A TREE TOP ADVENTURE? Our diocesan Youth Ministry Office will be sponsoring a High Ropes and Zip lining trip for middle school and high school youth to Boundless Adventures Aerial Adventure Park in Berlin MA on September 26
Details of the Day
Arrival will be at 1pm and we will start at 1:30. The day will include a 30-minute orientation and 3 hours of high ropes and zip lining! Because of the Covid-19 pandemic, masks, gloves, and social distancing will be required. If you cannot provide your own masks or gloves, the park sells them for a small fee. Because of the pandemic, the park’s capacity has been greatly reduced so space is limited and tickets will be given on a first come first serve basis.
Cost $25 and must provide your own transportation. Please contact Darleen Farland at [email protected] if interested in attending. Deadline to register is September 9th.
CONFIRMATION PREPARATION Confirmation Request Letters—Candidates for Confirmation should be writing and submitting a Confirmation request letter to Fr. Leo. In this letter, answer the following questions: What does Confirmation mean to you? Why do you feel you are ready to celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation? How have you been actively involved in your parish? Put some thought into the answers to each question. Letters need to be submitted before the Confirmation Interview.
Confirmation Interviews—Confirmation Interviews began on July 13th and will close on September 13th. Students should complete the Pre-Confirmation Interview Questions and then sign up for an interview on our website at: https://stmarysgrafton.org/confirmation.
Confirmation Registration—If you have not already completed the Confirmation registration form, you can access it at: https://stmarysgrafton.org/confirmation
Please don’t hesitate to contact Mrs. Farland at [email protected] with any questions.
HIGH SCHOOL MAKE UP PACKETS--
Students who were not able to complete either High School “Church” or “Morality” classes are reminded to please return your completed make-up packets to Mrs. Farland ASAP.
Our next Market Sunday is September 6. We could never thank you
enough for all of the support we have received during this summer!
As we head into the Fall, we are particularly in need of:
mayonnaise & salad dressing, crackers & cookies, soup, canned tomatoes, paper products, cleaning supplies and soap/shampoo.
Donations can be left in the gathering space at St Mary’s or St Philip’s at any time.
If you are aware of anyone needing help to support themselves or their families, please refer them to our St Vincent de Paul Society ministry at 508 839-3993 x 35. All information is kept strictly confidential.
Website for both parishes: www.stmarysgrafton.org www.stphilipsgrafton.org
Parish Staff
Deacon Tim Cross: ext. 29 [email protected]
Business Manager: Lisa Stewart X11 [email protected]
Director of Religious Ed. St. Mary/St. Philip: Darleen Farland x12
Director of Music/St. Mary: Pamela Cross X37 [email protected]
Music Coordinator/St. Philip: Brittany Dyer [email protected]
Parish Secretary/Safe Environment Coordinator St. Mary: Jill Sullivan x10
Parish Secretary/Safe Environment Coordinator St. Philip: TBD; contact Jill or Lisa
Custodian: Ron Dennis [email protected]
St. Vincent de Paul Society of St. Philip/St. Mary at 508-839-3993 x35. All information is
kept strictly confidential.
St. Mary Prayer Line 508-839-3993 X18
Youth Group Ministry- [email protected]
St. Mary Office – 508-839-3993 St. Philip Office – 508-839-3325
Al’s Oil Service American Red Cross
Boucher Energy Systems Buggy Whip
Cancun’s Restaurant CatholicMatch
Collette Motors, Inc. CSR Financial Services, LLC
HearJOY Audiology Heffernan Painting
Mallory’s Army Foundation McClure’s Barber Shop
MD MedAlert Post Office Pub
Rand Automotive Center RE/MAX Executive Realty
Roney Funeral Home Rosaries From Flowers
Trusted Like Family Homecare, Inc.
