Saint CeciliaP A R I S H

Sixth Sunday

in Ordinary Time 11 February 2018The Healing of the Leper

Sadao Watanabe

Welcome to Saint Cecilia Parish, a Roman Catholic community that gathers day by day, week by week, to know and make known the grace of God. By means of this abundant grace, we enjoy a diverse and close-knit parish family—young, old, rich, poor, of various ethnic origins and differing backgrounds. From our`vextraordinary music program to a growing children’s faith formation program; from the various liturgical ministries to the many opportunities for social outreach that the parish provides, Saint Cecilia is a vibrant community of faith, centered on prayer and worship that tries to keep the Gospel close to heart and to live by Jesus’ teachings.

Saint Cecilia Parish was established in 1888. At that time the Back Bay section of Boston along Commonwealth Avenue and Beacon Street was the residential section of the Yankee aristocracy. The maids (“Irish working out girls”) and coachmen who served these residents had long requested a church of their own. When Archbishop Williams granted their request and carved the parish from the territory of the Cathedral, they built a magnificent church out of their meager earnings.

The church was dedicated on April 22, 1894. Its architecture is Romanesque, XII Century Norman. The main altar, notable for its massive simplicity, was carved from a single block of white Carrara marble. The painting in the center reredos is a reproduction of da Vinci’s The Last Supper, and the dome above is an array of 24K gold rosettes.

For the sixtieth anniversary celebration in 1954, a massive renovation project was undertaken. During this renovation, a statue of Pope Saint Pius X (canonized that same year) was imported from Italy and placed on the right side of the sanctuary. Above the statue are paintings from Pius’ life. On the left side is a statue of Saint Patrick, principal patron of the Archdiocese of Boston, and above it are three scenes from his life.

Fourteen circular and sixteen square panels adorn the nave and arches of the church. The square panels are decorated with the symbols of Our Lady taken from the Litany of Loreto and the circular ones with symbols taken from the lives of the apostles. The great window of the Assumption—framed by the two oak cases of the organ—was installed in 1954 (the Marian Year) in spaces originally designed for windows but not until then used.

The original organ of 24 stops was built in 1902 by the Hutchings-Votey Organ Company, Opus 1465, and was rebuilt in 1954 with 32 stops. In 1998, Timothy Smith and Theodore Gilbert began a massive reconstruction of the organ. The current Smith & Gilbert Organ of 4 manuals, 50 ranks, and 2,926 pipes was dedicated on the Feast of Saint Cecilia, November 22, 1999.

Today we are experiencing something of an awakening within these old walls. We recently completed a major renovation, our numbers are increasing, and we continue to grow in our commitment to issues of peace, justice, and service to our neighbors, both near and far.

We’ve been right here on Belvidere Street, in the same building for 125 years, but that does not mean that life here is stale, stagnant, or even predictable. We are proud to be entrusted with the legacy of Saint Cecilia Parish, where everything is the same, yet always changing; where we honor tradition while embracing the future; where God’s love makes all things new.

welcome!

Community Servings 18 Marbury Terrace Jamaica Plain, MA 02130 617.522.7777 servings.org

Dear Father John,

On behalf of the clients and staff of Community Servings, I want to thank the members of the St. Cecilia Parish community for your extraordinary support of our 25th annual Pie in the Sky fundraiser. Your parishioners volunteered for virtually every aspect of Pie in the Sky!

They –

Bought and sold a remarkable 556 Thanksgiving pies Became the #6 pie selling team! Raised an incredible $91,689 for Community Servings over the

past 5 years Volunteered to inspect, wrap, and store pies at Pie Central Delivered pies (Thanks, Spry Moving & Storage!) Staffed pie pick up sites the day before Thanksgiving

The $16,680 raised through the purchase of pies and additional donations to Community Servings by St. Cecilia parishioners in 2017 will allow us to feed 11 clients for a full year! The St. Cecilia Pie Team took orders at the church, and we were so pleased to hear that many of the pies were gifted to guests of Pine Street, Morville House, and Women’s Lunch Place. St. Cecilia’s efforts were critical to our ability to raise more than $820,000 this year.

Father John, the partnership that you’ve helped us build with St. Cecilia Parish is deeply meaningful to me personally and to the entire staff at Community Servings. Not only is the Parish among the most steadfast supporters of our two major fundraisers – Pie in the Sky and LifeSavor – but your parishioners are well-known to our staff as among the hardest-working volunteers in our kitchen. I can’t begin to express our thanks for bringing volunteers to Community Servings over the Christmas and New Year’s weekends – days that are typically hard for us to staff.

As we continue to provide, free, home-delivered meals to more than 2,000 individuals and families suffering from critical illnesses, the support of your community continues to inspire us.

Very best wishes for the New Year,

David B. Waters CEO, Community Servings

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today’s readings

Leviticus 13: 1, 44-46

1 Corinthians 10:31-11:1

Mark 1:40-45

next sunday’s readings

Genesis 9: 8-15

1 Peter 3:18-22

Mark 1:12-15

our community news

Ministers of the Liturgy

Saturday, February 10 | 5:00 p.m.Rev. Peter Grover, OMV, celebrantCynthia Wanner, lector

Sunday, February 11 | 8:00 a.m.Rev. John Unni, SJ celebrantJordan Barnes, lector

Sunday, February 11 | 9:30 a.m.Rev. John Unni, celebrantLouisa Essmann, Mary Kane, and Karen Vachon, lectors

Sunday, February 11 | 11:15 a.m.Rev. Michael Simone, SJ, celebrantGlen Simmons, Joe Castellano, and Chika Offurum, lectors

Sunday, February 11 | 6:00 p.m.Rev. John Unni, celebrantMichael Lake, Nikko Mendoza, lectors

Special intentions

Sunday, February 11 | 8:00 a.m.George Chinetti, Third Anniversary

Sunday, February 11 | 9:30 a.m.Liz Pino, Eighth Anniversary

Sunday, February 11 | 9:30 a.m.Stephanie & Michael J. Remo, Memorial

Sunday, February 11 | 11:15 a.m.Annie Flaherty, Memorial

Sunday, February 11 | 6:00 p.m.Manuel & Belen Bautista, Memorial

Dear Friends,A simple, heartfelt thanks to all of you for the wonderful prayer that accompanied me through my recent surgery and hospitaliza-tion. And, thank you for the warm welcome back home to Saint Cecilia.With love,

Rosaria Salerno

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Prayers & Occasions

Our DeceasedFebruary 10 marked the third anniversary of the death of George Charles Chinetti. We remember George in prayer and also his husband Tom De Young. May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

Our SickPlease pray for all our sick and for those who are in need of our prayer, especially Annette Kulas, Rosea Aubrey, Pilar Estrada, Mildred McLaughlin, Brenna Smith, Mark Anderson, Bill Downing, Skyler Stevenson, Silvana Franco, Brian Donnelly, Theresa Wier, Bill Ahern, Lena Bryant, Kenny Borum, George Driscoll, Mary Curley, Bill Pennington, Bryan Thomas, Rachel Fitzgerald, Bob Carroll, John Morris, Mark Edward McHugh, Laura Bellias, Angelo Valente, Eugenia Valente, Betty Sellers, Jack Kacewicz, Daniel Grapski, Nancy Wolterman, Callie Boyce, Mary Chisholm, Brian Burdette, John Pelletier, Stephanie Brown, Bob Butler, Mary Dupont, Francesca Stanizzi, Hilary Dillon, Paul Lakschewitz, Pam Phillips, Tom O’Keefe, Pamela Massey, Mary Sullivan, Mimi Hart, Mei Day, Edris Kelley, Grady Richards, Bill Doran, Claire Smith, Karen Boutin, Cindy O’Meara, Sal Mateus, Kathryn Schuler, Tony Perretta, Irene Faldetta, Peter Webster, John Sullivan, Linda Burke, Cy Kilgore, Nelson Chambers, Kerri D'Arrigo, Gerard Franchi, Timothy Kelliher, Sophia Giorgianni, Vicki Basinger, Mitchell Cheverie, John Edward Doyle, Nancy Donovan, Kerri McDonald, Cecilia Hill, Barbara Simmons, Sally Boutin and Justine Carr.

Welcome to Saint Cecilia ParishWe are pleased to welcome the following new members of our parish who have recently registered: Alyson Gamble of Boston, the Stefater Family of Boston, Sinead Christensen of Jamaica Plain, Chandler Hicks of Boston, Adam Brutocao of Boston, and Tara Adyanthaya of Boston. If you have not previously registered with the parish, there are forms in the narthex for this purpose or you can register online at www.stceciliaboston.org.

Sacrament of the Sick and Blessing of Healthcare Workers and CaregiversToday we observe the World Day of the Sick at the 9:30 and 11:15 liturgies with a communal Anointing of the Sick and a blessing of healthcare workers and caregivers. Remember in your prayer all those who struggle with any form of illness.

First ReconciliationYesterday, thirty-five of our youngsters who are preparing for first Holy Communion celebrated first reconciliation. Please keep these children in your prayer as they continue to prepare and look forward to being wel-comed to the table of the Lord’s Body and Blood this May.

Ash WednesdayThe season of Lent begins this Wednesday and Mass will be celebrated at 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Please note that these are the only times ashes will be distributed at Saint Cecilia.

This Ash Wednesday, a special collection will be taken up for Catholic Charities of Boston. Catholic Charities works to serve nearly 200,000 families and individuals annually throughout the Archdiocese and help put them on a path to self-sustainability. They welcome refugees and provide immigrants with high quality, low cost legal services, and offer temporary and transitional housing for individuals and families. We invite you to begin your Lenten almsgiv-ing journey on Ash Wednesday by taking part in this spe-cial collection. On behalf of Catholic Charities, thank you in advance for your generosity. For more information, please visit www.ccab.org.

World Marriage DayToday the Church celebrates World Marriage Day. Pray that all married couples will be blessed with the wisdom to see, affirm, and appreciate the gift they are to one another. Pray also for couples struggling with their marriage, that they might find the strength to work through their difficulties and recommit themselves to one another.

Happy Mardi Gras!The Lenten Fast begins this week. Now it is Mardi Gras sea-son, the last few days for making spiritual resolutions and adopting the practices that have the potential of yielding a joyous Easter. Do something fun these next few days. Car-nival feasting allows for good Lenten fasting. Happy Mardi Gras!

Black History MonthFebruary in the United States is celebrated as Black History Month. May we celebrate the promotion of positive values of our black leadership, through advocacy, through professional life, and through the arts.

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lent approaches!

As winter Ordinary Time draws to a close, we look to-wards Lent, the Church’s annual retreat. Lent is a time of renewal and preparation for the feast of Easter and is marked by the disciplines of prayer, fasting, and almsgiv-ing.

Taking some time to get ready for Lent will ensure that we aren’t going to miss the first week or two, because we are just getting started. Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, but we want to be ready to really take off on that day, rather than just beginning to think about it. Part of what makes a vacation or a significant anniversary so special is the build–up to it.

Before we get to Ash Wednesday, we might ask ourselves some questions. “What does God want to give me this year?” This question may require that I slow down a bit and listen to my inner spirit. For example, sometimes if I’m very busy, I may realize I’m hungry only when I hear my stomach start “growling.” “What am I going to be do-ing on Ash Wednesday?” Too often, Ash Wednesday is like every other day, except that I manage to get to church and receive ashes on my forehead. Is there anything else I can do on Ash Wednesday? How will fasting and abstain-ing happen for me, for my family on that special day?

It doesn’t take a lot of time to prepare for the begin-ning of Lent. It just takes desire and focus; God can do so much with that. By beginning to establish some simple patterns, we create a bit of space where God is able to touch our hearts. I might decide that upon waking each morning this week, I will spend just a minute, standing by the edge of my bed, in order to ask the Lord for the grace to let this day be one in which I long for the beginning of Lent. Perhaps I need to ask for specific helps or graces in order to get ready to begin Lent. Whatever we try to say, the Lord will understand the Spirit speaking through our simple words. And all it takes is the time to find and put on our slippers. Similarly, each night in the days ahead, we can practice giving thanks to God before going to bed. This simple pattern, in the morning and evening, can stir our spirits to look forward to and prepare for Lent, as a season of grace.

what does it mean to fast?

To fast is to do without food. The purpose of fasting is to experience the effects of not eating. It also serves as a penance or sacrifice—with the goal of strengthening us. When we don’t eat, for even a little while, we be-come hungry. When we are aware of our hunger, we have a heightened sense of awareness. If, when we eat too much, we have a sluggish feeling, when we fast, we have a feeling of alertness. Fasting is a wonderful exercise when-ever we want to sincerely ask for an important grace from God. It is not that our fasting “earns” God’s attention, but by fasting, we clarify our thinking and our feeling. It is pu-rifying and prepares us to pray more deeply.

WHEN DO I FAST?

Catholics, as a group, are required to fast on only two days of the year—Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. On these days, fasting means something very specific and limited. It means that one eats only one full meal in aday, with no food in-between meals. It is understood that two other meals, if one eats three meals a day, should not total one full meal. One might fast in a more complete way, i.e., eating only a portion of a single meal.

Of course, anyone is free to fast at any time that it is help-ful for their prayer and reflection. It is not recommended that anyone with impaired health should fast in any way.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO ABSTAIN?

To abstain is to not eat meat. Abstinence is meant to be an act of penance—an act of sacrifice that helps us grow in freedom to make much bigger sacrifices. Of course, it would be nonsensical to make the sacrifice of not eating meat only to then indulge in a wonderful meal of sea-food that I might enjoy even more. Many people keep a vegetarian diet and, for them, eating meat is not even an issue. In the spirit of Lent, one possibility is to abstain from a non-meat meal that I really like, on all the Fridays of Lent.

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Ash Wednesday

Ash Wednesday begins our forty days of joyful renewal in preparation for the celebration of Easter! Those who are mindful of the call to hear the Gospel more fully, receive ashes as a sign of repentance. The ashes we use are the burnt palms from last year’s celebration of Passion (Palm) Sunday. We will distribute ashes at the 8:00 a.m. Mass on Wednesday, as well as at the 6:00 p.m. Mass.

Ash Wednesday is a day of universal fast and abstinence. In addition to whatever personal penitential practices you might take up during Lent, Catholics are also asked to ob-serve the practices of fast and abstinence during the forty day period. The Lenten Fast and Abstinence Regulations are as follows:

1. Everyone 14 years of age and older is bound to abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday and on all the Fridays of Lent.

2. Everyone 18 years of age and under 59 years of age is bound to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday (the obligation of fasting ceases with the celebration of one’s 59th birthday).

3. On Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, only one full meatless meal is allowed. Two other smaller meatless meals,sufficient to maintain strength, may be taken according to each one’s needs, but together they should not equal another full meal. Eating between meals is not permitted on these two days, but liquids, including milk and fruit juices, are allowed. When health or ability to work would be seriously affected, the law does not oblige.

4. Catholics should not lightly excuse themselves from these prescribed penitential practices.

By the threefold discipline of prayer, fasting, and alms-giving, the Church keeps Lent from Ash Wednesday until the evening of Holy Thursday. All of the faithful and the catechumens are encouraged to undertake the practice of these three Lenten practices. Fasting and abstinence, along with prayer and almsgiving, are the foundations of a good and holy Lent.

Lenten prayer on the net

There is a great resource for prayer, no further than your desk. The ‘Sacred Prayer’ prayer site of the Irish Jesuits in-vites you to to spend ten minutes each day, praying as you sit at your computer, with the help of on–screen guidance

and scripture passages chosen especially for the day. Give it a try! www.sacredspace.ie.

take home a little black book

for lent and Triduum

Prior to his death in 2004, Bishop Kenneth Untener of the Catholic Diocese of Saginaw, Michigan launched the “Little Books” series: booklets of six-minute reflections for various liturgical seasons. The Little Black Book includes daily reflections beginning today and lasting until Easter Sunday. The right-hand page will walk through Mark's passion narrative, a few verses at a time, with explana-tions and reflections along the way. It's an ancient way of praying the Scriptures—called lectio divine. God speaks to us "live" through the sacred word and we're often sur-prised at the thoughts that come. The left-hand page has a variety of quotations, information, and timely thoughts. These books are in baskets in the narthex. Take one home and spend just six minutes a day in reflection. This is a great way to “keep Lent” and prepare for our celebration of Easter.

operation rice bowl

This weekend we will be distributing Rice Bowls from Catholic Relief Services (CRS). Operation Rice Bowl is a Lenten discipline for the entire par-ish. Sometimes it is mistaken as a children’s project.

In solidarity with the poor, participants are encour-aged to eat more sparingly during Lent and to donate the money saved to CRS. Each of us can make sacrifices: ordering lower on the menu at Starbucks, skipping a snack, having a meatless meal, forgoing wine with dinner, or fasting on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. The money saved goes into the Rice Bowl and will then go to help the poor. On a designated Sunday during the Easter season, you will be invited to bring your filled bank back to church and we will send all of the money we collect to CRS. Let’s all connect our Lenten fasting to almsgiving through the superb work of Catholic Relief Services. For more informa-tion, please visit http://orb.crs.org/

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Richard Clark in Paris

Our Music Director and Organist Richard Clark is away this weekend performing at Saint-Eustache in Paris. Richard will be performing his Requiem pour une américaine à Paris based on the chants of the Gregorian Requiem Mass. Built in the sixteenth century, Saint-Eustache is considered a masterpiece of gothic architecture. The organ, boasting 8,000 pipes, is the largest in France, surpassing even Notre-Dame de Paris and Saint-Sulpice. Bonne chance, Richard!

In Richard's absence we are grateful to Joseph Houley who will play both organ and piano at the 9:30 and 11:15 liturgies, and to Jaime Korkos for conducting. Pen Macdonald, organist at the 8:00 liturgy, is kindly providing music at both Saturday morning's celebration of First Reconciliation and at the 5:00 Saturday liturgy. Finally, many thanks to Rachel Burckardt who frequently directs and plays at the Sunday 6:00 liturgy. We are greatly blessed with many talented and dedicated musicians who help us pray and praise God through music.

Social and Racial Justice

Ministry Monthly Meeting

Today | Following the 11:15 Mass Classroom 4 Downstairs

Join the Social and Racial Justice Ministry for our monthly meeting where we will be discussing a racial justice training opportunity, a retreat, a plan for developing increased opportunities to interact with the community, and more. We'd love to have you join us! If you are unable to make the meeting but are interested in the Social and Racial Justice Ministry or would like to be informed of our events/news e-mail st-cecilia-racial-justice@googlegroups.com to be added to the list.

On all the Wednesdays of Lent, from six–thirty to eight o'clock in the evening, Saint Cecilia and all the parishes and chapels of the Archdiocese of Boston will be open for individual confessions. Inviting Catho-lics to experience Christ’s healing love through the Sacrament of Reconciliation continues to be one of the major initiatives of Cardinal Seán and the Arch-diocese. The Archdiocese has set up a website, www.TheLightIsOnForYou.org, to help you prepare. This website has videos on the Sacrament of Reconcili-ation, information on how to make a good confes-sion, answers to frequently asked questions, and more. Please consider coming on Lenten Wednesdays (February 21, 28; March 7, 14, 21, 28) and help us spread the word about this special outreach of mercy. If you've been away from the sacrament for a long time, rest assured, the clergy will guide you through the sacrament and there's no need to be nervous about the structure of the rite. Come celebrate the sacrament of God's mercy and healing love this Lent.

"The annual observance of Lent is the spe-cial season for the ascent to the holy moun-tain of Easter. Though its twofold theme of repentance and baptism, the season of Lent disposes both the catechumens and the faithful to celebrate the paschal mystery. Catechumens are led to the sacraments of initia-tion by means of the rite of election, the scruti-nies, and catechesis. The faithful, listening more intently to the the word of God and devoting themselves to prayer, are prepared through a spirit of repentance to renew their baptismal promises."

Ceremonial of Bishops, 249

The Gallery Organ of the Church of Saint-Eustache, Paris

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VALENTINE'S DAY BOOK DRIVE

Robert F. Kennedy Children’s Action Corps (www.rfkchildren.org) is a leader in child welfare and juvenile justice in Mas-sachusetts and nation-wide. Headquartered on Beacon Hill, they work to create an individualized therapeutic and learn-ing environment for children who face behavioral, social, and educational challenges due to trauma, abuse, neglect, autism spectrum disorders, and learning disabilities. Each year they work with hundreds of children and their families in 16 programs across the Commonwealth.

In honor of Valentine’s Day, and in our tenth year of do-ing so, our parish will be holding a book drive for the children at RFK Children’s Action Corps in grades 1 through 12. Brand new books are preferred, but they will also take used books in excellent condition and they will be collected at all liturgies on the weekend of February 10/11. If you are away that weekend, books can also be dropped off earlier or you can place your order online (see below). A list of re-quested books is available at the back of church and you’re sure to find some of your favorite titles on it! Magazine sub-scriptions are also on the list. If you would like to purchase books through AmazonSmile (https://smile.amazon.com/) or another on–line bookseller, you may wish to have the books delivered to:

Letitia Howland Robert F. Kennedy Children’s Action Corps 11 Beacon Street, Suite 820 Boston, MA 02108

Please be sure to let RFK Children’s Action Corps know that you ordered the books so that a proper acknowl-edgement can be sent! If you have any questions, please contact Letitia Howland at lhowland@rfkchildren.org. You can also speak with Letitia or Mark Lippolt at the back of church.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROSITY!

KITCHENWARE FOR PEOPLE IN NEED

The Social and Racial Justice Ministry has learned of an organization in urgent need of glass plates, cups, and flatware (sets of 4 or 6 please) to help low-income households furnish their homes. Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless Under One Roof Initiative (http://mahomeless.org/) aims to assist homeless clients in finding homes and providing resources to make sure they are successful. If you have gently used glassware to donate or questions please e-mail Anthony Ishak (anthonymishak@gmail.com) to arrange collection

RACIAL JUSTICE TRAINING

Sundays: March 4, 11, 18 | 1 p.m.-3:30p.m. Saint Cecilia Classroom Downstairs

The Racial and Social Justice Ministry is happy to provide training for the whole parish on race and racism. It is particularly recommended for those who have not had much training on this subject but who are curious to explore their own thoughts, feelings, and beliefs. Through a series of interactive exercises and small and large-group discussions, you will be challenged to identify racism's effect on you, your work, your community, and your personal relationships. It is expected that you attend all three progressive sessions:

Session I: What is Race?• Social construction of race • Group membership• How people experience race/racism

Session II: History of Racism • Slavery to now • Reconstruction/Jim Crow• Civil rights to now • Policies/structures/societal institutions that

contribute to racism

Session III: Why Does it Matter Now? • Racial equity• Impact of racism today • How to be an ally Mo Barbosa from Health Resources in Action will be facilitating the training. We are asking for a $30 total donation to cover lunch, but if that is cost prohibitive, please let us know. To sign up, register at https://goo.gl/bhkNgi. Questions? Email stcracialjustice@gmail.com.

HEARING ASSISTANCE IN CHURCH

The church is equipped with an FM listening device. Small receivers are available for anyone who may have trouble hearing the sound system. Simply request a receiver from one of our greeters before Mass.

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Sacraments and Social Mission

Anointing of the SickJoined to Christ, Witnesses of Hope and Healing

A Communal Celebration

The Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick is both “a liturgical and a communal celebration.” In the family home, hospital, or church, members of the Body of Christ gather for the sacramental rite led by a priest. The Penitential Rite followed by the Liturgy of the Word and sacramental anointing of the sick can inspire and comfort both those who are ill and their family and friends who are gathered (CCC, nos. 1517-18). Many parishes have communal celebrations at which many persons receive the sacrament. These sacramental celebrations are a “source of strength amid pain and weakness, hope amid despair” and a “joyful encounter” for the entire community (Christifideles Laici, no. 54).

Connection to the Communion of Saints

Anointing with sacred oil is a sign of blessing by the Holy Spirit of the one who is sick. Oil of the Sick, which receives a different blessing from the Chrism oil used during Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Orders, recalls the community’s sharing of the Holy Spirit and the sick person’s connection to the entire Body of Christ and Communion of Saints.

Imitation of Christ’s Compassion

In the Gospels, Christ’s great compassion toward the sick is expressed in the miraculous healings he performs, which heal the entire person, both body and soul. Parables such as the Good Samaritan (Lk 10:29-37) and

the Judgment of the Nations (Mt 25:31-46) urge Christ’s followers to share his ministry of compassion and healing and to imitate his “preferential love for the sick” and all who suffer (CCC, nos. 1503, 1506; Pope Benedict XVI, Sacramentum Caritatis [Sacrament of Charity], no. 22).

Solidarity with All Who Suffer

We care for the sick because we see them as children of God and part of our human family. When one part of the Body of Christ suffers, we all suffer (1 Cor 12:26). The suffering of one impacts everyone. Thus, we are called to solidarity, which is responsibility on the part of everyone with regard to everyone (Pope John Paul II, Sollicitudo Rei Socialis [On Social Concern], no. 38; Pope Benedict XVI, Caritas in Veritate [Charity in Truth], no. 38).

By our compassion, we remind those who are sick that “[the Church] shares your suffering. She takes it to the Lord, who in turn associates you with his redeeming Passion” (Synod of Bishops, Per Concilii Semitas ad Populum Dei Nuntius, no. 12). We are called to comfort, pray for and with, and be in solidarity with all who are sick or suffering.

Caring for those who suffer is not a burden, but a gift. Those who care for the sick do holy and important work; they walk with Christ’s suffering people and in doing so, serve Christ himself (Mt 25:31-46). Those who minister to the sick and who work to secure decent health care for all become “the living sign of Jesus Christ and his Church in showing love towards the sick and suffering” (Christifideles Laici, no. 53).

Anointing of the Sick is the sacrament that is received by those who are ill or suffering. By the sacred anointing and the prayer of the priest, the whole Church commends those who are sick to Christ. The sick person receives the Holy Spirit’s gifts of strength, faith, peace, and courage, and his or her suffering is united with the suffering of Christ for the building up of the Church (Catechism of the Catholic Church [CCC], nos. 1520-23).

Through the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick, the Church carries out Jesus’ mission of compassion and healing for the sick. The one who is ill can also be a minister to others. By uniting their suffering to Christ, those who are sick can be signs of faith and witnesses of Christ’s Resurrection to the entire community (Pope John Paul II, Christifideles Laici [The Vocation and the Mission of the Lay Faithful in the Church and in the World], no. 54).

Attention Parents of

Sixth Grade Students

Young people in sixth grade and their parents will be serving dinner with their Faith Formation classmates at the Pine Street Women's Inn on Monday, February 12 from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m. If you have not already let Scott MacDonald know if you can participate, please do so. If there are any children in grades 3, 4, or 5 who missed serving with their class, you are welcome to join us.

Waffles and Griddles

Prison and After's Monday Night Program has a crew that makes pancakes for the participants. They would love to add some variety and make waffles and French toast. If you have a waffle maker or a griddle/electric frying pan that you don't use, please consider donating it to the group. If you have one of these items to donate, please e-mail Peg at sc.prisonandafter@gmail.com. Thank you!

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For those who are ill: Pope Paul VI, at the closing of the Second Vatican Council said:

All of you who feel heavily the weight of the cross . . . you the unknown victims of suffering, take courage. You are the preferred children of the kingdom of God, the kingdom of hope, happiness and life. You are the brothers of the suffering Christ, and with Him, if you wish, you are saving the world. (Address to the poor, the sick, and the suffering)

What role do you play in ministering to the People of God?

For those who are healthy: Pope Benedict XVI noted:

Following [Christ’s] example, every Christian is called to relive, in different and ever new contexts, the Parable of the Good Samaritan who, passing by a man whom robbers had left half-dead by the roadside, “saw him and had compassion.” (2010 Message for the World Day of the Sick)

How are you called to follow Christ’s example?

Learn about the other sacraments! Visit “Resources and Tools” at www.usccb.org/jphd.

Q U E S T I O N S F O R R E F L E C T I O N

Union with Christ’s Passion

While it is possible that the sacrament could bring physical healing, Anointing of the Sick is primarily about the healing of hope and of the spirit. Above all, the sacrament allows the person who is ill to unite more closely to Christ’s Passion. This gives suffering a new meaning: a participation in the saving work of Jesus. This is a powerful witness that is for the good of the whole Church (CCC, nos. 1521-22).

Beacons of Hope

Pope John Paul II wrote, “Even the sick are sent forth as laborers into the Lord’s vineyard” (Christifideles Laici, no. 53). As the sick unite their sufferings to those of Christ, they become bearers of the joy of the Holy Spirit in the midst of affliction and witnesses of Christ’s Resurrection. Anointing of the Sick testifies to the fact that all are called to participate in the redemption of the world (Sacramentum Caritatis, no. 22). We all have a role in sanctifying and building up the Church, whatever our physical condition. As the Synod of Bishops told an audience of sick and suffering persons, “We need you to teach the whole world what love is” (Per Concilii Semitas ad Populum Dei Nuntius, no. 12).

A Witness to Dignity

The sacrament reminds us that each person is made in the image of God and has dignity that remains unchanged, whatever the body suffers. The ministry of those who are sick is a powerful witness to the fact that human dignity is intrinsic and does not increase or decrease based on a person’s physical state or abilities. This is why the Church works to protect the life and dignity of the person at every stage of life—the embryo, the person suffering from AIDS, the family in poverty, and the person nearing death—and why she works to secure access to decent health care for all.

Copyright © 2013, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Washington, DC. All rights reserved. Permission is hereby granted to duplicate this work without adaptation for non-commercial use.

WELCOMING THE STRANGER

While visiting a refugee camp on the Greek island of Lesbos last year, Pope Francis decided to bring twelve Syrian Muslims back to the Vatican with him on the papal plane. The Pope addressed the refugees and said, "As people of faith, we wish to join our voices to speak out on your behalf. We hope that the world will heed these scenes of tragic and indeed desperate need, and respond in a way worthy of our common humanity."

Inspired by the Pope's words and actions, Saint Cecilia Parish is working with Catholic Charities to assist refugee families who have relocated to the Greater Boston area. With no friends or relatives in the United States, they have a great many needs. The parish has offered to provide them with supermarket gift cards so that they will have food while their applications for political asylum are processed. If you would like to purchase gift cards to Market Basket specifically—and no more than $25 per card—please feel free to drop them in the offertory basket. If you do not live near a Market Basket and cannot purchase a gift card, you can also help by making a check for $25 or $50 payable to “Saint Cecilia Parish” and putting it in the offertory. Please write “Refugee Families” in the memo line.

OUR HOMELESS NEIGHBORS

Our friends at Boston Health Care for the Homeless report that they are experiencing an urgent need for boots and coats for the patients they see every day. There will be a bin in the narthex next weekend if you would like to donate new or gently used boots. There is a need for men’s and women’s boots – all sizes – but especially men’s sizes 9 to 13. Men's and women's coats (if used, freshly dry-cleaned) can also be donated in the narthex. If it is your preference to send a check (no more than $50, please) to enable us to purchase boots, please make a check payable to Saint Cecilia Parish, write “Boston Health Care” in the memo line and mail to:

Mark Lippolt Saint Cecilia Parish 18 Belvidere StreetBoston, MA 02115

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SUPPORT OUR FRIENDS AT

NATIVITY PREP

The annual Nativity Spirit Service Award Dinner will be held on Saturday, March 3. This year's event will honor our friend Father John Wronski, SJ, who served as President of the school from 2007 to 2017. As you will recall, Father John and Saint Cecilia Parish were the honorees in 2013. Our engagement with the students at Nativity Prep continues with tutoring, providing meals, and supporting their Christmas shop. To RSVP and purchase tickets, please visit www.nativityboston.org/spiritdinner.html. For more information, please contact Susan Donnelly at susan_donnelly@harvard.edu or Mark Lippolt at mark.lippolt@gmail.com.

Triduum Music Invitation

New singers and instrumentalists are invited to join us for the Easter Triduum during Holy Week: March 25 – April 1. Rehearsals are on Thursday evenings at 7:00, beginning Thursday, February 15. For more information, please e-mail Richard Clark at RClark@stceciliamusic.org. We look forward to hearing from you!

Is god calling you?

Have you ever wondered if God is calling you to be a re-ligious sister? If so, Fiat is for you. Fiat is a discernment group for single women considering a vocation to religious life in the Catholic Church. The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, February 28, 2018 from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. at St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine, 1105 Boylston Street, Boston. The topic for the evening is “Life as a Missionary.” If you are interested in attending, please respond to Sister Mar-ian Batho, CSJ, Delegate for Religious, Sr_Marian_Batho@rcab.org or call 617-746-5637.

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Saint Cecilia Parish

Wisdom and Mature Spirituality GroupFebruary 18 | 10:00 a.m. |Parish Hall

Saint Cecilia's Wisdom and Mature Spirituality Group will be discussing Richard Rohr's meditation, "When Things Fall Apart" next Sunday. We welcome all individuals who have an interest in discussing this topic to join us. Please take a few minutes to read the short meditation prior to our discussion: http://www.cac.org/when-things-fall-apart-2017-12-29/

Bible Study: Women in the BibleEvery Wednesday | 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.Saint Cecilia Classroom 4Join us Wednesday evenings for lively and prayerful discussions on the many women featured in the Bible. We will read passages about classic favorites such as Eve and Mary the Mother of God, but also lesser known, significant women of the Bible, such as Hagar, mother of Ishmael; Deborah and Judith, female judges of the Old Testament; and Miriam, Moses’s faithful sister. We will touch on various themes and their connection to these Biblical women as well as to our own lives. Feel free to bring your Bibles and journals. No pre-registration required. Simply come as you are. The study is open to all men and women of the parish.

Boston College School of

Theology and Ministry

For further details or to register for an online course, please check their website: www.bc.edu/schools/ stm/crossroads/courses/schedule.html

Encountering JesusVarious scholars contributed articles, under the editorship of the late Rev. Daniel J. Harrington, S.J., and Dr. Christopher R. Matthews.February 14 – March 6, 2018 | 3-Week Online Course Registration Required| $25.00

Spiritual PracticesThe articles were written by various scholars, under the editorship of Dr. Colleen M. Griffith, associate professor of the practice of theology and faculty director of spirituality studies, Boston College School of Theology and Ministry.February 14 – March 6, 2018 | 3-Week Online Course Registration Required| $25.00

ADULT FAITH FORMATION EVENTS CALENDAR

Christian Faith and Moral CharacterFather Kenneth Himes, OFMFebruary 14 – March 20, 2018 | 5-Week Online Course Registration Required| $50.00

Theological Virtures and Psychological Wellness: Cultivating Practices of Well-BeingDominic F. Doyle and William D. RoozeboomFebruary 22, 2018 | Registration Required | Free of charge | Corcoran Commons, Heights Room, Chestnut Hill Campus5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

A Call to ConscienceKristin E. Heyer (guest editor for the Fall 2016 issue of C21 Resources).February 28 – March 20, 2018 | 3-Week Online CourseRegistration Required | $25.00

John in Holy Week and EasterThe late Rev. Daniel J. Harrington, S.J., was professor of New Testament and editor of New Testament Abstracts, and Rev. Thomas D. Stegman, S.J., is associate professor of New Testament, both at the Boston College School of Theology and Ministry.February 28 – March 20, 2018 | 3-Week Online Course Registration Required | $25.00

Wise and Holy Women of Lent: Art and Stories with Br. Mickey McGrathPresenter: Michael O'Neill McGrath, O.S.F.S.March 3, 2018 | 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. | Day of ReflectionCorcoran Commons, Heights Room, Chestnut Hill Campus Registration Required | Free of charge

The Spirituals: An African American Music Idiom and Its Relevance to Our Lives TodayPresenters: Meyer Chambers and Rev. Oscar PrattMarch 8, 2018 | 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. An Evening of Word and Song Simboli Hall (STM) Chapel, 9 Lake St., Brighton Campus Registration Required | Free of charge

The Dead Sea Scrolls after 70 Years: What Have We Learned?Presenter: Angela Kim HarkinsMarch 13, 2018 | 5:30 - 7:00 p.m. Corcoran Commons, Heights Room, Chestnut Hill Campus Registration Required | Free of charge

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PAULIST CENTER – BOSTON

For further details on this lecture, please check their website: www.paulistcenter.org/upcoming-events/

Lenten Twilight Retreat: A Journey of Song and SymbolFebruary 20, 2018 | 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. Paulist Center Chapel

Lenten Taizé PrayerTuesday evenings, weekly throughout Lent 7:00 - 8:00 p.m. | Paulist Center Chapel

Prayer of Heart & Body Series: Yoga & Meditation in Christian ContextTuesdays (February 27 - April 10, 2018), one Monday (March 5, 2018) | 5:30-7:15 p.m. | AuditoriumRegistration forms are available in the rack at the back of the Chapel, or at the reception office (617-742-4460). $12 per session - $6 for students

SAINT SUSANNA PARISH —

DEDHAM

For further details on these presentations, please check their website: www.saintsusanna.org/Attachments/aff_upcoming_programs_standard.pdf

Justice DeniedMargaret Yamamoto. The story of the incarceration of our Japanese residents here in the United States during World War II as seen through the eyes of a Japanese-American family. This is a joint presentation of the Saint Susanna Pax Christi Committee and Adult Faith FormationFebruary 12, 2018 Saint Susanna Parish Hall, 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.

How Do We Talk About the CrossTim SullivanMarch 5, 2018| 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. Saint Susanna Parish Hall

RefugeesProfessor Westy EgmontMarch 12, 2018| 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. Saint Susanna Parish Hall

How Can 300 Days Change Your

Life? Become an AMA!

Who Are The AMA's? Assumption Mission Associates (AMAs) are young adults from all over the country who find the beliefs of Saint Marie Eugenie, foundress of the Religious of the Assumption appealing. She believed that "this Earth is a place of glory for God" and that each of us has a responsibility to reflect that glory. AMA's come from Florida and Rhode Island; from San Diego and Philadel-phia; from St. Louis and Sweet Home, Oregon. They are graduates of Gonzaga University and Stanford; Assumption College and Tulane University. What unites them is a com-mon zeal for service, for building the Kingdom of God here on Earth. They choose to make a commitment to spend a year or two in service to others, living in communities marked by sharing, direct service to the neediest in society, and prayer. And growing a bit themselves along the way. AMA offers both domestic sites and abroad to England and the Philippines. AMA is now accepting applications for 2018-2019. The deadline is May 1, 2018. Visit our webpage http://www.assumptionvolunteers.org/ to see if AMA may be a good fit for you!

"Each of us has a mission on earth. It is simply a question of seeking how God can use us to make His Gospel known and lived." -St. Marie Eugenie

Winter Walk Boston

Ending homelessness is within our reach! For the second year, a consortium of agencies focused on homelessness, including Pine Street Inn, Boston Health Care for the Homeless, Bridge Over Troubled Waters, Brookview House, and Y2Y are sponsoring a 2-mile fundraising walk through the streets of Boston. The event takes place Today, February 11 at 8:30 a.m. and begins at Copley Square Plaza, Back Bay. It is hoped that each adult walker will raise $100 —either by paying it as a registration fee or raising it from friends and family. There is a Saint Cecilia team again this year and if you would like to join or support it, please visit: www.classy.org/team/153094 or contact mark.lippolt@gmail.com.

A Successful Scout Sunday!

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What have you given up for Lent?

That’s what many Christians—from almost every denomina-tion, and especially Roman Catholics—are asking one another this time of year. The most common thing to forego, I would wager, is some kind of food: soda and chocolate seem to be the most favored sacrifices, with cigarettes and liquor run-ning a close third. Each year, in fact, a Jewish friend from my college days calls me on Ash Wednesday to tell me what to give up, since he thinks my deciding on my own is too easy. Last year it was chicken wings, which was harder than you might think. (I’ll save the story of how he came to assign my abstinence for another time.)

Fasting originated as a way of saving money on food, so that Christians could give it to the poor. It had a practical end: no meat for you meant more money for those who couldn’t afford meat. Giving things up also reminds you that you don’t always have to give into your appetites. It reminds you of your ability to exert self-control. And it reminds you of the poor, who go without every day, Lent or not. The Dutch spiritual writer and Catholic priest Henri Nouwen summed it up nicely: “For now, it seems that some fasting is the best way to remind myself of the millions who are hungry and to purify my heart and mind for a decision that does not exclude them.”

Some people see Lenten sacrifices as another example of religious masochism. But look at it this way: People diet for physical reasons, so why not for spiritual ones? If you spend hours in the gym for a great body why not do something healthy to free your spirit from what St. Ignatius Loyola, the 16th-century founder of the Jesuit Order, called “disordered affections.” Often Christians abstain from unhealthy things they’ve been unsuccessfully trying to avoid all year—like junk food or too much TV.

But this Lent I’d like to suggest not giving something up, but doing something.

Specifically, bothering.

In the Gospels, when Jesus of Nazareth condemns people, or points out sin, it’s usually not people who are trying hard to avoid sinning, it’s people who aren’t bothering to love. In the famous parable of the Good Samaritan, in the Gospel of

Luke, two men pass by a guy lying by the side of the road, who could certainly use some help. They could help the fellow, but they don’t. He rightly points out their sin. Jesus doesn’t condemn those who are weak and trying hard; but those who are strong and aren’t trying at all.

For Jesus, sin is often a failure to bother to love, what theolo-gians used to call a “sin of omission.”

But during the weeks before Easter, most Christians dur-ing the weeks seem stuck on what they’ve been trying to avoid for years. A familiar hymn is: “I try to stop smoking every time Ash Wednesday comes around!” But if Jesus were around today (I know that’s a dicey few words) he might say, “Don’t worry about where you’re already trying and keep fail-ing. Look at where you’re not even bothering.”

So this Lent, instead of fasting, why not bother? Instead of a negative Lent, how about a positive one? Instead of giving up chocolate for the umpteenth year in a row, or trying to kick your smoking habit, why not bother to call a friend who’s lonely? Instead of turning off your TV, or going to the gym, bother to donate money to the poor in Haiti. Instead of pass-ing up potato chips, bother to visit a sick relative.

In the Gospels Jesus says, “It is mercy I desire, not sacrifice.” Here’s a novel idea for Lent: why not take Jesus at his word?

The Rev. James Martin SJ is a Jesuit priest, author and editor at large at America.

Bothering to Love: One Priest's Modest Proposal for LentBy JAMES MARTIN, SJ

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D id you ever notice that Jesus does not tend to give what we would call “inspiring” or “motivational” talks? He is not a football coach, nor does he try to engage your will power as such. Your common Christian sense would deny this until you actually study his recorded Gospel mes-sages, and see that it is factually true! Jesus is much more concerned about shaking your foundations, giving you an utterly alternative self image, world image, and God image, and thus reframing your entire reality. Mere inspiration can never do this.

If you depend on being emotionally inspired or newly mo-tivated, you will need a new fix almost every day. If it is a true Gospel message, it will be more about regrounding, reshaping and redirecting you from your core. Thus the quintessential Lenten reading is Jesus’ first public proclama-tion that we know of. In some ways, it summarizes everything he says: “Now is the time, God’s reign is present, change your life, and believe some very good news” (Mark 1:15, my transla-tion).

Yes, we do need an emotional charge to make most decisions, adopt specific behaviors, “give up candy for Lent,” or make some changes in our life. But Jesus is not talking about changes. He is talking about change! Many changes might well be good and even needed, and surely some changes will result from any shaking of the founda-tions, but they are not what we mean by Biblical conver-sion or transformation (“changing the form itself ”). These things do not change the seer as such, but only his or her acceptable self image — and usually for a short while. It is the old and perennial problem of putting the cart before the horse, or thinking that lots of carts (“changes”) will eventually create the horsepower. It never finally works.

Any appeal to will power, or even the presentation of some good new ideas, merely engages YOU, but at your present level of maturity and consciousness. Now YOU (in your old form!) try harder, think more or better, and do some-thing different, but your YOU has not been changed in any substantial way. It is still “You” who try harder, think more or better, or do something different. Maybe this will get you into the right ball park for eventual and actual conversion, but in my experience, most people stay right where they are, and wait for the next motivational spiritual message. This is why so much organized religion is so ineffectual in actually changing people.

As the AA people say, religion usually depends far too much on “promotion instead of attraction.” The old self needs constant promotional material to keep it going. The new self “hidden with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:3) is both attracted and attractive just by being itself. A transformed self engen-ders life from within, pulls life from without, and channels life in outer directions — without “trying.” The essential religious question is always this: “You must get your WHO right!” Who is the subject here? Who is doing the acting, the loving, the motivating, the repenting? Is “little ol’ me” doing this or not doing this? All mature religion is somehow talking about

finding your God self, your Christ self, your Buddha self, your Sufi dance. And when it happens,

you know it was not a “change” after all, but a wondrous discovery and

constant rediscovery of what was always true anyway.

After transformation one realizes that one is a participant! And always has been! It is being done

unto me, through me, with me, and for me? Until

we realize and act from this larger I AM, there has been no

essential transformation, but only an accessorizing of the old outfit. For many

of us, this change of form is summed up rather perfectly in Paul’s oft quoted line “I live no longer my own life, but the life of Christ who lives in me” (Galatians 2:20). Choosing this or that religious form is often nothing more than a delay tactic avoiding our participation in a Ride that is already hap-pening beneath, before, and beyond all of the forms, and this Ride is much larger than ME. Paul again says shortly there-after, “It does not matter whether one is circumcised or not, what matters is that you become an altogether new creation” (Galatians 6:15).

The big rub is that to surrender my “singularity” (John 12:24) and fall into this “altogether new creation” will always feel like dying. How could it not? It is a dying of the self that we thought we were, but it is the only self that we knew until then. It will indeed be a “revolution of the mind” (Ephesians 4:23). Heart and body will soon follow.

This is the real “try harder” that applies to Lent, and its ultimate irony is that it is not a trying at all, but an ultimate surrendering, dying, and foundational letting go. You will not do it yourself, but it will be done unto you (Luke 1:38) by the events of your life. Such deep allowing is the most humiliat-ing, sacrificial, and daily kind of trying! Pep talks seldom get you there, but the suffering of life and love itself will always get you there. Lent is just magnified and intensified life.

Lent Is About

TransformationBy RICHARD ROHR OFM

If you have items to donate, please contact:Robyn Frost (781) 595-7570 Ext. 12 | robyn@mahomeless.org

The Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless Under One Roof Initiative and the Social and

Racial Justice Ministry at St. Cecilia are teaming up to help household living in poverty to

furnish their future. The simple act of donating a piece of furniture that you are no longer using

and that is still in good condition can make a big difference in someone’s home and their life.

Furniture Drive

Help FURnISH THe FUTURe FOR lOw InCOMe HOUSeHOldS!

THURSDAY MARCH 15, 2018 To FRiDAY MARCH 16, 2018

DRESSER/bUREAUS

NigHT TAblE

END TAblE

KiTCHEN TAblE wiTH

CHAiRS

CoFFEE TAblE

items we neeD/Accept:

note: All ITeMS MUST be In gOOd COndITIOn, nO bROken ITeMS.

pick up DAtes From the Donors' homes:

lOCATIOn: boSToN

LENT 2018 LITURGY OF THE HOURS EVENING PRAYER & MORNING PRAYER

Thursday, February 15, 6:30 p.m. Thursday after Ash Wednesday

Thursday, February 22, 6:30 p.m. Feast of the Chair of Saint Peter

Thursday, March 8, 6:30 p.m. Commemoration of Saint John of God

Saturday, March 17, 9:00 a.m. Feast of Saint Patrick, Patron of the Archdiocese of Boston

Monday, March 19, 6:30 p.m. Solemnity of Saint Joseph, Patron of the Universal Church

Thursday, March 29, 8:00 a.m. Holy Thursday, Conclusion of the Lenten Season

LITURGY LASTS APPROXIMATELY HALF AN HOUR. ALL ARE WELCOME.

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WASHINGTON | Feb 5, 2018— The chair of the bishops' new Ad Hoc Committee Against Racism charged that American Catholics have shown a "lack of moral consciousness on the issue of race" and urged bold action by the church to "break the silent complicity with the social evil of racism that has marred the past and continues to mar the present."

In a strongly worded address to Catholics involved in social ministry, Bishop George Murry of Youngstown, Ohio, traced the history of Catholic attitudes toward slavery, race and African-Americans.

While some progress has been made, "recent events in our country have questioned exactly how far we have come," Murray said in a Feb. 4 plenary address to the Catholic So-cial Ministry Gathering.

"As the global church has championed global dignity and equality, why does it appear that the church in America has been incapable of taking decisive action and incapable of enunciating clear-cut principles regarding racism?" he asked.

As chair of the new committee, Murry said he is "commit-ted to the goal of helping the church become a consistent and productive voice in eradicating this plague." Among the committee's plans are an ecumenical gathering of reli-gious leaders later this month, listening sessions around the country, and a "national conversation on race" in parishes, schools and other Catholic institutions.

These events will be in conjunction with the U.S. bishops' new pastoral letter on racism, "which is being finalized, even as we speak," he said.

But the bishops' own analysis of their previous pastoral let-ter, "Brothers and Sisters to Us," was that little had been accomplished since its release in 1979. On the letter's 10th anniversary, they found a "pathetic and anemic response from dioceses and archdioceses around the country" and "little or no impact on the majority of Catholics in the Unit-ed States," Murry said.

A study on the 25th anniversary of the letter, in 2004, showed that only 18 percent of American bishops had is-sued statements condemning racism since 1979, and that

Catholics' support for policies aimed at curbing racial in-equality had diminished, Murry said.

"While racism is America's most persistent sin, it appears the American Catholic Church continues to be virtually si-lent about its significance in its seminaries, its parishes and in every other segment of the of the larger Catholic society," he said.

A panel that followed Murry's address included information about the "racial wealth gap," in which African Americans have only 10 cents of wealth for every $1 held by white Americans, according to research from the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis.

The wealth gap matters even more than the racial income gap, said Ray Boshara of the Archdiocese of St. Louis' Peace and Justice Commission. "It's huge and consequential," he said. "Lack of income means you don't get by, while lack of wealth means you don't get ahead."

Racial disparities also are evident in health and life expec-tancy, with blacks living 18 years fewer than whites in neigh-boring communities in St. Louis, according to a workshop presentation on "Responding to Racial Unrest: Lessons from Ferguson."

"Access to health care is not a privilege, it's a right," said Ta-mara Kenny, director of Advocacy and Community Engage-ment for Catholic Charities in St. Louis, which is trying to address the racial health gap in the archdiocese.

Wearing an "I love Ferguson" sweatshirt, Lynn Squires of the archdiocesan St. Charles Lwanga Center noted that while Pope Francis has called Catholics to go the periphery, "I live, I work, I worship in the periphery. We've had this periphery thing down a long time ago."

She added that African-Americans "are not a problem to be solved. We are the solution."

Representatives from the archdiocese reported that St. Louis Archbishop Robert Carlson has asked priests to preach about racism on the first Sunday of Lent this year.

Bishop Murry, in his plenary address, said Catholics cannot

NEWSWORTHY:Bishop lays out plans for

'eradicating this plague' of racism

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"sit on the sidelines and watch from afar," as many did dur-ing the Civil Rights Era.

"Today the Catholic Church in America must recognize that Christ wishes to break down the walls created by the evils of racism, whether that racism is displayed publicly for all to see, or buried deep in the recesses of our hearts," he said.

"If not, we are destined for history to continue to repeat itself, and once again, the church will be perceived as silent in the face of racism."

Heidi Schlumpf is NCR national correspondent. Her email address is hschlumpf@ncronline.org. Follow her on Twitter @HeidiSchlumpf.

Enough is Enough

A priest was talking to a friend. He told her that he found himself working really hard to always get it right, to have the correct answer for everyone, to always know what to do, to speak the right words, to be strong and in control, to accomplish what he set out to do with perfection. On and on he went describing the expectations he had for himself. And finally he said with a bit of exasperation, “It’s not work-ing; I can’t hold it all together; Things aren’t turning out as I planned.”

When his friend stopped laughing, she said, “Well, welcome to the human race. Who do you think you are?” She could just as well have said, “Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return.” He finally realized that somewhere along the way he had forgotten his dustiness. He had forgot-ten his mortality; that he is human and a creation of God. To hear these words and remember our dustiness and mortali-ty is the first step in healing the many ways our lives become distorted and disrupted. It is the beginning of the reorder-ing of our lives and re-establishing ourselves in Christ. Whether it is fear, arrogance, pride or the illusions of suc-

cess and accomplishment; we often forget that we are dust and to dust we shall return. When we forget, we may begin practicing our piety before others, hoping to be recognized and praised. Sometimes the other is ourselves and our own self-preoccupation, self-monitoring. Merton once referred to the doppelganger, the self who is always looking over own shoulder at what we are doing and how we are do-ing. Once we have forgotten our own mortality, we have no need for the immortality of God, the immortality offered us through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The immortality offered us through the acknowledgment of our own weakness, frailty and sinfulness. Perhaps such forget-fulness is really the birthplace of sin; the distortion of who we really are as beloved sons and daughters of God. Ash Wednesday interrupts the cycle of forgetfulness. It de-clares clearly and unambiguously that enough is enough and that each one of us is enough in God’s eyes. And that there is another way. “Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return.”

Excerpts from Abbot Damian Carr's homily for Ash Wednesday, 2016Saint Joseph's Abbey, Spencer, Massachusetts

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Parish Office & Mailing Address18 Belvidere Street, Boston, MA 02115Hours | Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.Phone | 617 536 4548Fax | 617 536 1781E-mail | info@stceciliaparish.orgWebsite | www.stceciliaboston.org

Parish StaffRev. John J. Unni, PastorMary Kaye, Pastoral Director of Operations,mkaye@stceciliaboston.orgMark Donohoe, Pastoral Associate for Administration,mdonohoe@stceciliaboston.orgScott J. MacDonald, Director of Faith Formation and Parish Visibility, smacdonald@stceciliaboston.orgJeanne Bruno, Chaplain, Pastoral Associate, Coordinator of Pastoral Outreach,jbruno@stceciliaboston.orgRichard J. Clark, Director of Music and Organist, rclark@stceciliaboston.orgLisa Pickering, Events and Facilities Manager, lpickering@stceciliaboston.org

Assisting ClergyRev. Erick Berrelleza, SJRev. Peter Grover, OMVRev. Peter Gyves, SJRev. James Shaughnessy, SJ

Schedule for LiturgyWednesday, Thursday, & Friday | 8:00 a.m.Lord’s Day | Sat 5:00 p.m.; Sun 8:00, 9:30, 11:15 a.m., and 6:00 p.m.Holy Days | 8:00 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.

ReconciliationThe sacrament of reconciliation is available by appointment. Please call the Parish Office.

Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA)The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults is the communal process through which non-baptized men and women become members of the Catholic Church. It is also suitable for those baptized in different faith traditions who are interested in becoming Catholic, or, for those who were baptized Catholic, but have yet to receive the sacraments of Eucharist and confirmation.

Baptism for InfantsInfant baptism is celebrated on the first Sunday of the month. For more information, please contact Mark Donohoe in the Parish Office.

Faith Formation for ChildrenTo register your child for our Faith Formation Program, please contact Scott MacDonald in the Parish Office.

MarriageCouples who wish to prepare for marriage should contact Mark Donohoe in the Parish Office at least six months in advance.

Care of the SickTo arrange for the Sacrament of the Sick, for Holy Communion to be brought to those unable to attend the Sunday celebration, or for Viaticum for the Dying (Holy Communion for those in danger of death), please contact the Parish Office. It is always possible to anoint the sick during regularly scheduled liturgies.

Order of Christian FuneralsThe parish is prepared to celebrate the Vigil (wake) in the church. Please contact the Parish Office for more information.

Child Abuse Prevention (CAP) TeamThe CAP Team is responsible for training all parish staff and volunteers in mandated reporting laws and the Protecting God’s Children program (VIRTUS). They also provide consultation and support to anyone in the parish who has concerns about reporting child abuse and neglect. Please contact Lois Flaherty (loisflaherty@gmail.com), Maria Roche (maria.roche15@gmail.com), Letitia Howland (l_howland@hotmail.com), or Erin Young (erin.t.young@gmail.com) if you have any ques-tions or concerns.

The Archdiocese of Boston has in place a vigorous program to protect children from harm and to educate its ministers and faithful about the nature of abuse, with a goal of increasing knowledge, creating a safe environment for children, and recognizing and reporting potentially dangerous situations. The full text of the policy is also available in the narthex and Parish Office, as well as on our website.

For Those with Celiac DiseaseIf you have celiac disease, please let us know. We have a supply of low-gluten altar bread available for those who cannot tolerate gluten.

Hearing Assistance in ChurchThe church is equipped with an FM listening device. Small receivers are available for anyone who may have trouble hearing the sound system. Simply request a receiver from any one of our greeters before Mass.

Access for the DisabledBoth the church and Parish Pastoral Center are accessible by elevator.

ParkingThere is reduced rate parking for $11.00 at the Hynes Auditorium Garage located on Dalton Street on Sundays until 3:00 p.m. and every evening after 4:00 p.m. Please be sure to ask one of our greeters for a parking validation ticket before leaving the church. There is also reduced rate parking on Sundays only at the Prudential Center South Garage (enter at Huntington Avenue or Dalton Street); up to 4 hours: $14.00, up to 5 hours: $20.00.

Joining Our CommunityWe’re happy that you’re with us! Our community offers a warm, spiritual home for a diverse group of Catholics. We come from many neighborhoods in and around Boston but also have parishioners from as far afield as Marlborough, Newburyport, and Stow. Please introduce yourself to a staff member, drop in for coffee on Sunday, or fill out a new parishioner form in the narthex.. No matter what your background, please know that you are always welcome at Saint Cecilia.

Parish RESOURCES