Saint Cecilia - The Pilot · 2019-12-06 · their new son, Lucas Henry Young, into the world! May...

Saint CeciliaP A R I S H

Second Sunday of Advent

8 December 2019The Stump of Jesse

CHRISTMAS LITURGICAL SCHEDULE

Please note that there will be no 6:00 Mass on the Fourth Sunday of Advent, December 22 or on December 29.

Christmas Eve | Tuesday, December 24Family Mass | 4:00 p.m.

Mass | 6:30 p.m.

Christmas Day | Wednesday, December 25Mass | 9:30 a.m.

Please note that this is the only Mass on Christmas Day

Thursday, December 26There will be no 8:00 Mass

Parish Offices Closed

Friday, December 27Mass | 8:00 a.m.

Parish Offices Closed

Saturday, December 28Sunday Mass | 5:00 p.m.

Sunday, December 29Mass | 8:00, 9:30, & 11:15

Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God | Wednesday, January 1Mass | 10:00

4

SAINT CECILIA PARISH

MINISTERS OF THE LITURGY

Saturday, December 7 | 5:00 p.m.Rev. Peter Grover, OMV, celebrantLaura Noël, lector

Sunday, December 8 | 8:00 a.m.Rev. Peter Gyves, SJ, celebrantNicholas Hayes-Mota, lector

Sunday, December 8 | 9:30 a.m.Rev. John Unni, celebrantGabriella Turco, Tom O’Brien, and Tom Nicolini, lectors

Sunday, December 8 | 11:15 a.m.Rev. John Unni, celebrantKaren McMenamy, Lena Denis, and Brian Himes, lectors

Sunday, December 8 | 6:00 p.m.Rev. John Unni, celebrantLaura Melle and Hannah Ostwald, lectors

OUR COMMUNITY NEWS

SPECIAL INTENTIONS

Saturday, December 7 | 5:00 p.m.Eugenia Valente, Memorial

Sunday, December 8 | 8:00 a.m.John & Angelina Machado, Memorial

Sunday, December 8 | 9:30 a.m.Joseph F. Ford, Anniversary

Sunday, December 8 | 9:30 a.m.Betty Benhayon, 5th Anniversary

Sunday, December 8 | 11:15 a.m.John Launie, 6th Anniversary

Wednesday, December 11 | 8:00 a.m.John Francis Villa, Memorial

TODAY'S READINGS

Isaiah 11:1-10Romans 15:4-9Matthew 3:1-12

NEXT SUNDAY'S READINGS

Isaiah 35: 1-6James 5:7-10Matthew 11:2-11

This week at Saint Cecilia

• Sunday, December 8 | Welcoming Ministry Planning Meeting, after 11:15 Mass in CL5 (p.7)

• Monday, December 9 | Evening Prayer 6:30 in the Church (p.9)

• Friday, December 13 | Italian Consulate Christmas Concert 6:30 in the Church (p.7)

Welcome, Lucas Young! Early in the morning of November 26, Cole and Erin Young welcomed their new son, Lucas Henry Young, into the world! May God bless Cole, Erin, and Lucas with love, health, and happiness in their shared life ahead.

5


Prayers & Occasions

Our SickPlease pray for all our sick and for those who are in need of our prayer, especially Mary Pickering, Stephanie Brown, Kim Villanueva, Mary Sue Cappoza, Marc Pelletier, Ashlyn Couture, Matt Dwyer, Samuel Lockwald, Leah Fickef, Jane Bouman, Tricia O'Brien, Gerald Young, Bill Baril, Concetta Longhitano, and Eva Cheung.

Welcome to Saint Cecilia ParishWe are pleased to welcome the following new members of our parish who have recently registered: Thomas Pearson and Anne Lorenzano of Boston, the Pratson Family of Bos-ton, David Villatoro of Boston, Elisha and Doug Daniels of Boston, and Ryan Bonomi of Brighton. If you have not pre-viously registered with the parish, there are forms in the narthex for this purpose or you can register online at www.stceciliaboston.org.

Weddings at Saint CeciliaCongratulations to Kim Desto and Michael Good who were married here on November 30. May God bless the happy couple as they start this next phase of their lives together.

Happy Anniversary!This week we celebrate the baptismal anniversary of Mimi Love who was baptized on December 12. May the Lord continue to bless Mimi with the grace to live out her baptismal call. Happy Feast Day, Mimi!

Christmas FlowersYou are invited to remember your loved ones by donating towards the Christmas flowers that will grace our sanctuary. In the narthex you'll find envelopes that you can use for this purpose. Please drop the envelope in the col-

lection basket or hand it to any staff person. The names of those remembered will be published in the Christmas and Epiphany bulletins. Please be sure to PRINT clearly.

Catholic Appeal – This WeekThe 2019 Annual Catholic Appeal is coming to a close. If you have not made a gift yet and you wish to be part of the 2019 Catholic Appeal, it’s not too late. The Parish receives a 50% rebate on all donations above our financial goal, but this is contingent on hitting our completed envelope goal. We rely on receiving this rebate each year. We are currently short on our envelope goal and ask you to please consider filling out one at the end of Mass. Thank you!

Gaudete SundayNext Sunday is traditionally known as Gaudete Sunday, a day marked by a joyful anticipation of the Christmas cele-bration. Like Laetare Sunday in Lent, the optional liturgical color is rose. Help add to our celebration by wearing some-thing rose–colored to Mass next Sunday!

It Takes a Village!"All Are Welcome" is a phrase we often use and a value that we embrace at Saint Cecilia. Being welcoming means many things, not least of which is extending a warm greeting to parishioners and visitors who pass through our doors. We are blessed that many people join us for our Christmas lit-urgies, but we need more greeters to help welcome them and provide a first impression of our parish. If you are will-ing to help us by being a warm presence on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, please contact [email protected].

For Our StudentsPray that all of our students may successfully completethe semester and have safe travels as they head home tocelebrate Christmas with family and friends.

Last 6:00 p.m. Mass of 2019Next Sunday, December 15 is the last six o'clock Sunday lit-urgy before Christmas. The six o'clock liturgy will resume on the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord (January 5).

Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary—Patronal Feast Day of the United StatesIn the ranking of liturgical days, a Sunday in Advent takes precedence over a solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary—so today marks the Second Sunday of Advent and the So-lemnity of the Immaculate Conception (ordinarily celebrat-ed on December 8) is transferred to tomorrow, December 9. We will celebrate Mass on Monday morning at 8:00 and will have sung Vespers at 6:30 p.m., but please note that since this solemnity has been transferred to a Monday, it is not a holy day of obligation this year. Many people confuse the Immaculate Conception with the doctrine of the Vir-gin Birth (Mary's virginal conception of Jesus). Tomorrow's feast celebrates our solemn belief that Mary was conceived immaculately. In other words, Mary, though conceived in the normal way, was preserved from Original Sin from the first moment of her conception. This solemnity occurs nine months before the feast of the Nativity of Mary, which is celebrated on September 8.

6


ADVENT WREATH PRAYER—WEEK 2Tonight, light the frst candle, sing a verse of O Come, O Come, Emmanuel, re–read part of today's Gospel, and saya brief concluding prayer. If you prefer, here is a prayer thatyou can use.

SECOND WEEKLight another violet candle. During the rest of the week,these candles are relit at the evening meal or whenever you choose to do so.

Jesus, John the Baptist told the people, "If you have two coats, give one to someone else who doesn't have any. If you have food, share it with someone else." As we light this candle, we remember that you bring the light of service into our lives. May your Word be alwaysin our minds, on our lips, and in our hearts.

Amen.

THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

THANK YOU!

This year's Pine Street Inn Low Threshold Housing Thanksgiving Dinner was the best one yet because of YOU—our generous, giving Saint C's parishioners. How blessed we are to have so many wonderful people willing to give of themselves to help make Thanksgiving a special day for our guests.

It felt so appropriate that the inaugural event in our new and beautiful Fellowship Hall was a celebration to benefit the lives of our sisters and brothers who have so little. Restaurateur Shane Manfred, whose Wakefield restaurant Bellino's Trattoria provided the food, has already committed to next year with the hopes of cooking in our wonderful new kitchen.

And how do I adequately express my gratitude for the many donations we received: Community Serv-ings pies, gift cards, juices, water, Halloween candy, fruit, and socks. The tenants walked away with big smiles on their faces.

Wishing you a blessed and happy holiday.Thank you, Karen

The Advent Wreath

Welcome to the Second Sunday of Advent! The name of the season comes from the Latin word adventus, meaning "a coming, approach, or arrival," and it is the season whenwe prepare for our celebration of the birth of Jesus. With the beginning a new liturgical year, we have set aside the Gospel of Luke that we have been hearing for much of thepast year and we will now be listening to the Gospel of Matthew.

Advent wreaths were originally part of the folk traditions of Northern Europe. Wreaths of evergreens were deco-rated with candles to symbolize light and life during the dark months of winter. The circle of the wreath, which has no beginning or end, symbolizes the eternity of God. Ev-ergreens stay green all year and so signify continuous life. Each of the four candles represent one of the Sundays of Advent. We needn't worry about the colors of the candles;traditionally, three violet candles and one rose candle are used, but some people prefer to use royal blue candles, which recall the color of the early morning pre-dawn sky just before the first rays of the sun's light appear. You mayalso want to use all white candles as we do at Saint Ce-cilia. The symbol is the flame, not the color. Each Sunday during Advent, the light of the wreath glows brighter as a reminder that Christ comes into the darkness of our livesto bring newness, life, and hope.

In the bulletins during Advent, we will include a prayer of blessing that can be said during the lighting of the candles. A nice custom is to set-up the wreath on your dinner table and light a candle (or candles) at your evening meal. We will be selling boxed sets of Advent candles in the narthex this morning for $15.

7


POTENTIAL New WELCOMING

MINISTRY PLANNING MEETINGS

Sunday, December 8 | after the 11:15 Mass | Classroom 4Sunday, December 15 | after the 11:15 Mass | Classroom 4

The Parish Pastoral Council has been in discussion about how to improve the feeling of welcome at Saint Cecilia for parishioners new, old, and visitors alike. We are calling all those interested in starting a ministry that focuses on just that. This ministry could include social activities, like minglers for new parishioners, family parties, or Pastries with the Pastor; spiritual activities like workshops and retreats; and service activities like greeting, ushering, or decorating for Christmas.

We are looking for lay leadership from the parish to help determine needs and to help launch some new ideas. To start, we will host an initial interest and brainstorming meeting. Please consider coming if this is an area that draws you. Please RSVP to Carly Caminiti at [email protected].

The Wisdom and Mature

Spirituality Group

Sunday, December 15 | 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. Conference Room

“Prayer is not about changing God, but being willing to let God change us.”

This quote by Fr. Richard Rohr will be the topic of our De-cember meeting. Our discussion will be about how to let go and let God. We will use “The Welcoming Prayer” by Fr. Thomas Keating as a guide to how we can let go. Copies of this prayer will be available at the meeting. We are a group of women and men in the second half of life who are interested in growing spiritually as we reflect on our interior life. If you think you might like to become involved with the Wisdom Group, come to our meeting as we welcome new members.

Lend a Hand (or a Sweet) for our

Christmas Concert Reception!

We hope to see you on Tuesday, December 17 for our annual Christmas concert featuring the Copley Singers! Following the concert there will be a gala reception in the Parish Hall. This is one of the highlights of the year at Saint Cecilia, but we need quite a bit of help to make it happen. If you are able to bring something sweet to share on a disposable platter (we don't yet have the ability to wash dishes), please contact Lisa Pickering at [email protected] so that our hospitality team knows what to expect. Thank you!

Rainbow Ministry

Upcoming Events

LGBTQ Catholics Unite Christmas Celebration Sunday, December 22| 1:00 p.m. | Parish HallLGBTQ Catholics Unite provides an opportunity for LGBTQ Catholics and friends to gather and celebrate. This month we will celebrate Christmas. LGBTQ Catholics need a forum in which to socialize and create a supportive community. Our hope is that people will feel supported, heard, and spir-itually nourished. Please email [email protected] with any food and beverages you can contribute. All are welcome!

Support the LGBT Asylum Task ForceThis year's Advent Tree will include Christmas gift tags for the LGBT Asylum Task Force, which is being sponsored by the Saint Cecilia Rainbow Ministry. The LGBT Asylum Task Force assists LGBTQ people from one of the 74 countries in which it is a crime to be LGBTQ to obtain asylum in the United States. In these countries, asylum seekers face im-prisonment, torture, “corrective” rape, forced marriages, death sentences, unemployment, and being disowned by their families. The Task Force proceeds legally to apply for asylum on the same day the asylum seekers' flights land at Logan Airport. The Task Force provides housing, food, pro bono legal services, mental health counseling, medical health services, and other services. The asylum seekers are in the U.S. legally at all times. After 10 months in America, each asylum seeker is granted a work permit and may legally pursue employment. Over the past 11 years, the Task Force has been successful in assisting over 200 LGBTQ people be-ing granted asylum in the U. S. Many of the asylum seekers have a college education and were working in a specialized profession before arriving in Massachusetts. For most of the asylum seekers, your generosity will enable them to receive their first gift in America.

Are pleased to invite you to

Consolato Generale d’ItaliaBoston

Società San Domenico Protettore di Augusta

Inter Clubof Boston

Il Circolo Dell’Amicizia

Federazione Siciliana of Massachusetts

� � � � ��

Associazione Gizio

Societa Santa Maria diAnzano

With the Participation of

�e Consulate General of Italy in collaboration with Com.It.Es. and the Patrons of the Italian Language

THE 8th ANNUAL CHRISTMAS CONCERT

2018

By

Santa Cecilia Church - 18 Belvidere Street - Boston, MaFriday, December 13 2019 - 6:30 PM




Inter Clubof Boston



� � � � ��

Associazione Gizio





2018

By





Inter Clubof Boston



� � � � ��

Associazione Gizio





2018

By





Inter Clubof Boston



� � � � ��

Associazione Gizio





2018

By


Save the Date — Advent Giving Tree Volunteers

7 people needed on SATURDAY, November 23 from 12:00 – 5:00 pm. We will be cutting and labeling gift tags, cutting ribbons, setting up and

decorating our Advent Giving Trees.

Please Note: Volunteer sign-up is REQUIRED (even for returning volunteers).

After the November 23 other volunteers will be needed to help collect, sort and

deliver gifts beginning Sunday, December 1.

Please email Ann at [email protected] to join the team!

Save the Date — Advent Giving Tree Volunteers

7 people needed on SATURDAY, November 23 from 12:00 – 5:00 pm. We will be cutting and labeling gift tags, cutting ribbons, setting up and

decorating our Advent Giving Trees.

Please Note: Volunteer sign-up is REQUIRED (even for returning volunteers).

After the November 23 other volunteers will be needed to help collect, sort and

deliver gifts beginning Sunday, December 1.

Please email Ann at [email protected] to join the team!

Saint Cecilia Advent

Giving Tree – 2019

Dear Friends,

Every year when we finish decorating our Advent Giving Tree, I think to myself, “There are so many tags—there’s no way they will all be taken!” And yet, every year ALL the tags disappear and then reappear attached to hundreds of presents, thanks to the amazing generosity of our parishioners.

From its beginnings at St. Ann Parish many years ago, where a single agency was supported, the Advent Giving Tree program has expanded tenfold. Last year, nearly 1,000 gifts were donated to nine agencies and individual families in need.

Yesterday, our parish volunteers worked all afternoon to make gift tags for the tree that you see in the narthex. You can take a tag for items as simple as a box of crayons or for a more expensive toy or financial donation. The recipients are grateful for any gift received.

This year we are donating to many of our regular agencies and we’ve also added others. Here is a list of the agencies and individuals included this year:

• Catholic Charities Nazareth Child Care Center (www.ccab.org)• YMCA Families in Transition (22 families) (www.ymcaboston.org/ymca-housing)• Boston Health Care for the Homeless (www.bhchp.org)• Women’s Lunch Place (www.womenslunchplace.org)• Elders Living at Home Program at Boston Medical Center (www.bmc.org/programs/elders-living-home)• Pine Street Inn (5 houses; 134 units) (www.pinestreetinn.org/programs/permanent-housing)• Waltham House LGBTQ residential group home for LGBTQ youth (The Home for Little Wanderers) (www.thehome.org)• Haley House (www.haleyhouse.org)• Saint Cecilia Parish CARES Program• A few special parish families in need

NEW THIS YEAR:• LGBT Asylum Task Force (see bulletin item on page 7)• Options for financial donations ($25 / $50 / $100) to support:

• A parish teenager attending the 2020 Young Neighbors in Action service–learning trip to Yakima, WA• Our parish Prison and After Monday Night Dinner Program• Medical supplies for St. Boniface Hospital in Fond–des–Blancs, Haiti

All gifts are due back to Saint Cecilia by 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 15. Please make sure the tag is securely fastened to the gift. If you would like more information or have any questions, please e-mail [email protected].

Thank you again for all your support—it’s what makes this program so successful!

Sincerely,Giving Tree CoordinatorsAnn FaldettaChris, Jenn, Julie, and Christine DesAutels

Children at the YMCA recieving Giving Tree gifts

last year

9


Social and Racial Justice

Ministry Upcoming Events

Film Screening hosted by XR Mass: The Reluctant RadicalFriday, December 13 |7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. | Beacon Hill Friends House, 8 Chestnut Street

The Reluctant Radical follows activist Ken Ward as he confronts his fears and puts himself in the direct path of the fossil fuel industry to combat climate change. Ken breaks the law as a last resort, to fulfill what he sees as his personal obligation to future generations. After twenty years leading environmental organizations, Ken became increasingly alarmed by both the scientific evidence of climate change and the repercussions for civilization as we know it. Ken pushed for a crisis level response from inside environmental organizations. Those efforts failed, and he now embraces direct action civil disobedience as the most effective political tool to deal with catastrophic circumstances.

Reflecting on Social Justice in the Season of AdventIt is all too easy in the "Holiday" season to be overwhelmed by the pressures of commercialization, excessive consumption, and stress, but for us, this season is Advent, a time to reflect and wait, so slow down and examine your life and your role in the Church's mission to bring about social justice for all.

As Pope Francis in Laudato Si quotes from the Earth Charter:“As never before in history, common destiny beckons us to seek a new beginning… Let ours be a time remembered for the awakening of a new reverence for life, the firm resolve to achieve sustainability, the quickening of the struggle for justice and peace, and the joyful celebration of life”.

What is it that you can do or not do that will put you in right relationship with God, and caring for our common home and people? Can you consider ways to limit material waste, pollution, and unseen exploitation by having a more sustainable Christmas?

Examples of some things you can do can be found here:http://catholicearthcare.org.au/have-yourself-a-sustainable-merry-christmas/

You can sign up to receive updates from the SRJM ministry at http://eepurl.com/dKw-gw. Follow us on Facebook (search for St. Cecilia’s Social and Racial Justice Ministry) to get news about up-coming events.

CATHOLIC CHARITIES

CHRISTMAS GALA

Catholic Charities’ Annual Christmas Gala will be held on Friday, December 13 at Boston’s Seaport Hotel. Tickets for the event, which includes a cocktail party, dinner, and dancing are $400 each. If you are interested in joining the Saint Cecilia table at the event, please email Mark Lippolt at [email protected].

Join our christmas

choir!

If you’d like to be part of the music ministry for either Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, please contact

Robert Duff, Director of Music, at [email protected]. There will be two rehearsals (Dec. 12 and Dec. 19) to learn the music for these important liturgies.

MY SOUL IN STILLNESS WAITS:

ADVENT PRAYER VESPERS The church gathers in the evening to give thanks for the day that has passed and to lift up to God the needs of the world. Liturgy lasts about half an hour.

Thursday, December 5 at 6:30 p.m. In memory of the Church Women Martyrs of El Salvador

Monday, December 9 at 6:30 p.m. Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception

Thursday, December 12 at 6:30 p.m. Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe Wednesday, December 18 at 6:30 p.m. “O Adonai”

TAIZÉ PRAYER A meditative hour of song, scripture & silence in candlelit beauty. Friday, December 6 at 6:30 p.m.

10


Adult Faith

Formation Events

FAITH FORMATION EVENTS AT SAINT CECILIA OFTEN APPEAR ON PAGES 5—9

PAULIST CENTER – BOSTON

Prayer of Heart & Body Series: Yoga & Meditation in Christian ContextInstructor: Fr. Tom Ryan, CSPLast evening of a Six Session Series: Tuesday, December 10 | 5:45 – 7:25 p.m. | Auditorium| Registration forms available in the rack at the back of Chapel, or at recep-tion office (617-742-4460). | Cost for 6-week series: $72 Students: $36 (If there are one or more sessions you know you cannot make, subtract $12 for each ($6 for students) and indicate your absence dates on the registration form.)

SAINT SUSANNA PARISH — DEDHAM

For further details on these presentations, please check their website: http://www.saintsusanna.org/Attach-ments/aff_yearly_program_standard.pdf

A Night at the Movies: “The Work”Monday, December 16 | 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. | Saint Susanna Parish Hall | Free Will Offering

COMMUNITY SERVINGS

For those of you who like to plan far ahead, we have two future dates for volunteers at Community Servings. We will be helping out in the kitchens on Saturday, December 21 and Saturday, December 28. No culinary skills required: you can help feed those who are homebound with critical illnesses by joining us at Community Servings in Jamaica Plain. Volunteers must be over 13 years of age. Please email [email protected] if you would like to help.

CHILDREN'S BOOKS

Generous parishioners have donated a supply of children's books that can be found in the narthex. Given our desire to respect the dignity of the folks we serve through our hun-ger and homelessness ministries, we would ask that you have your children borrow these books rather than play with the donations of food and toiletries.

Saint Cecilia Young Adults

Ministry Upcoming Events

Happy HourMonday, December 9 | 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Earls Kitchen & Bar

Join us for this month's no-presh happy hour where you can meet some great new peeps. We will be at Earls Kitchen + Bar in the Prudential, celebrating the advent season enjoy-ing festive beverages and conversation! Please RSVP so we can get a headcount. RSVP to [email protected].

Night of WorshipTuesday, December 10 | 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Saint Cecilia Parish

Come take an evening to give thanks for the wonderful things God has done in our lives. We will pray the Rosary in front of the Blessed Sacrament and have opportunities for quiet adoration, prayer, and song. If you have a song you’d like to hear at Adoration or if you’d like to join the music team email [email protected].

Volunteer with My Brother’s KeeperSaturday December 14 | 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Come join us as we wrap (or deliver!) Christmas gifts for families in need. It will be a refreshing experience and a great chance to give back for Jesus’ birthday. We will travel from St C.’s to My Brother’s Keeper in Easton, MA. Space will be limited by drivers, please email [email protected] for more information.

SCYA Book Club- Advent EditionWednesday December 18 | 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. RSVP for location

As the weather gets colder and Advent is upon us, come join SCYA for some Advent reflection over Catholic litera-ture! We’ll be reading another of Wendall Barry’s short sto-ries over dinner and warm drinks, and will be reflecting on the presence of God in our lives and in art. All are welcome! Please RSVP to [email protected].

To RSVP for any of the above events please email [email protected], or to join their weekly email update please follow this link: http://eepurl.com/bBbbLr

11


This article originally appeared in the online edition of the New York Times on Nov. 30, 2019.

As darkness lengthens in late fall, we begin to see the signs of the season — advertisements with giant red bows atop new cars, Christmas music blasting every-

where, the heightened pace of holiday hustle and bustle, lights and garlands speckling every corner of the city.

But inside many church buildings, this time of year looks dif-ferent. There, we find a countercultural sparseness. The altar is covered in purple, the color of both royalty and repentance. There’s a slowing down, a silent stillness. The music turns to minor keys and becomes contemplative, even mournful. The Scripture readings are apocalyptic and trippy, strikingly short on sweet tales of babies, little lambs and Christmas stars. In this small space, Christmas season has not yet begun. The church waits in Advent.

In the church calendar, every period of celebration is preceded by a time of preparation. Historically, Advent, the liturgical season that begins four Sundays before Christmas Day, is a way to prepare our hearts (and minds and souls) for Christmas. For Christians, Christmas is a celebration of Jesus’ birth — that light has come into darkness and, as the Gospel of John says, “the darkness could not overcome it.” But Advent bids us first to pause and to look, with complete honesty, at that darkness.

To practice Advent is to lean into an almost cosmic ache: our deep, wordless desire for things to be made right and the in-completeness we find in the meantime. We dwell in a world still racked with conflict, violence, suffering, darkness. Advent holds space for our grief, and it reminds us that all of us, in one way or another, are not only wounded by the evil in the world but are also wielders of it, contributing our own moments of unkindness or impatience or selfishness.

I’m well aware that for most Americans, Christmas has less to do with contemplating the incarnation of Jesus than cel-ebrating friends, family, reindeer and Black Friday sales. Even among observant Christians, the holiday season has often been flattened into a sentimental call to warm religious feelings (if not a charged yet pointless argument over “Happy Holidays” versus “Merry Christmas”). Still, I think Advent offers wisdom to the wider world. It reminds us that joy is trivialized if we do not first intentionally acknowledge the pain and wreckage of the world.

G.K. Chesterton wrote that original sin is the “only part of Christian theology which can really be proved.” The believer and atheist alike can agree that there is an undeniable broken-ness to the world, a sickness that needs remedy. Whether we assign blame to human sinfulness, a political party, corporate greed, ignorance, tribalism or nationalism (or some of each), we can admit that things are not as they should be — or at least, not as we wish they were.

I did not grow up observing Advent or, for that matter, know-ing what it was. Like many Americans, my family began cel-ebrating Christmas the day after Thanksgiving. When I started attending an Anglican church in my late 20s, Advent drew me in. With its quiet beauty and doleful hymns, this season made intuitive emotional sense to me.

American culture insists that we run at breathless pace from sugar-laced celebration to celebration — three months of Christmas to the Super Bowl, Mardi Gras, Valentine’s Day, Cinco de Mayo, Fourth of July, and on and on. We suffer from a collective consumerist mania that demands we remain opti-mistic, shiny, happy and having fun, fun, fun.

But life isn’t a Disney Cruise. The tyranny of relentless man-datory celebration leaves us exhausted and often, ironically, feeling emptier. Many of us suffer from “holiday blues,” and I wonder whether this phenomenon is made worse by the in-cessant demand for cheer — the collective lie that through enough work and positivity, we can perfect our lives and our world.

I do not want to be the Grinch tsk-tsking anyone for decorat-ing the tree early or firing up “Jingle Bell Rock” before the 25th. I’m all for happiness, joy, eggnog, corny sweaters and parties, but to rush into Christmas without first taking time to collectively acknowledge the sorrow in the world and in our own lives seems like an inebriated and overstuffed practice of denial.

The church, after all, reserves 12 whole days for feasting and festivity during Christmas. Both darkness and light are real, and our calendar gives time to recall both. But in the end, Christians believe the light is more real and more enduring. There is still good news to celebrate, even when — perhaps especially when — it’s been a hard year.

WANT TO GET INTO THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT? FACE THE DARKNESS

HOW I FELL IN LOVE WITH THE SEASON OF ADVENT

By TISH HARRISON WARREN

12


The arrival of Christmas Day is not the culmination of the holiday season, but merely the starting pistol for almost two weeks of good food and drink, parties and community gather-ings, lights and gifts, service and time together. Times of wor-ship become jubilant and joyful: White replaces purple, babies are finally placed in mangers, and Christmas carols fill the air.

My church community tries to keep the party going for 12 whole days, which can be a little hard when everyone else’s tree is on the curb and school is starting up again, but we try nonetheless. Christians are called to take up celebration as in-tentionally as they take up waiting.

We need communal rhythms that make deliberate space for both grief and joy. For me, the old saying rings true: Hunger is the best condiment. Abstaining, for a moment, from the clamor of compulsive jollification, and instead leaning into the reality of human tragedy and of my own need and broken-ness, allows my experience of glory at Christmastime to feel not only more emotionally sustainable but also more vivid, vital and cherished.

Our response to the wrongness of the world (and of our-selves) can often be an unhealthy escapism, and we can turn to the holidays as anesthesia from pain as much as anything else. We need collective space, as a society, to grieve — to look long and hard at what is cracked and fractured in our world and in our lives. Only then can celebration become deep, rich and resonant, not as a saccharine act of delusion but as a defi-ant act of hope.

~Tish Harrison Warren is a priest in the Anglican Church in North America, writer in residence at the Church of the Ascension in Pitts-burgh and author of “Liturgy of the Ordinary: Sacred Practices in Everyday Life.”

Leonie Bos

Biblical Prayer with

Fr. Peter Grover, OMV

7:00 p.m. Tuesdays During Advent | St. Clement Parlor

Biblical prayer is unique because the words we speak are not ours but God’s own inspired words which we borrow from Scripture. This is our opportunity to pray in God’s language. We use the words of the Bible, not just for us to talk to God, but also for us to listen to God while he speaks to us. Biblical prayer always means dialogue with the divine. I invite you to learn and experience this form of prayer by offering you this Advent series. Please join us in our newly refurbished parlor as we explore the meaning of the words in the prayers that have been handed down to us by Christ and his followers. The schedule is as follows: December 10 "Prayer in the Gospel of Luke," December 17 "Prayer in Paul’s Letters."

OUR BULLETIN: IT'S BLACK AND WHITE

(AND COLOR) AND READ ALL OVER

We appreciate the financial support of the individuals and companies who advertise weekly in our bulletin. Their ads have enabled us to expand and enhance the bulletin in the past year with no additional cost to the parish and we hope that you will continue to patronize our advertisers. If you know of a local business, attorney, accountant or store that would like information about becoming an advertiser in the St. Cecilia bulletin, please contact Scott MacDonald at 617-536-4548 or [email protected].

Register now for Pre–Cana at

Saint Cecilia

Registration is now open for our January session, which will be held on two consecutive Saturdays on January 11 and January 18, 2020. For more information or to register email [email protected].

Volunteers Needed for Pre–Cana

The Marriage Ministry is looking for volunteers to join our Pre-Cana/Marriage Preparation Team. We are in need of married couples who are willing to share their marriage experiences and advice with our engaged couples, and vol-unteers to serve breakfast and coordinate the Social. If in-terested in volunteering, email [email protected].

13


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

Parish StaffRev. John J. Unni, PastorLeah Bennett, Communications and Operations Coordinator,[email protected] Rev. Mr. Billy Biegler, SJ, Deacon [email protected] Donohoe, Pastoral Associate,[email protected] Duff, Director of Music, [email protected] Glynn, Director of College and Youth Ministry, [email protected],Xuan He, [email protected] Jacobson, [email protected] Kaye, Pastoral Director of Operations,[email protected] J. MacDonald, Director of Faith Formation and Parish Visibility, [email protected] Melaugh, Director of Finance,[email protected] Pickering, Director of Facilities and Events, [email protected]

Assisting ClergyRev. Mr. Billy Biegler, SJ Rev. 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.

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 ([email protected]), Maria Roche ([email protected]), Letitia Howland ([email protected]), or Erin Young ([email protected]) if you have any questions 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 dan-gerous situations. The full text of the policy is also available in the nar-thex 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 receiv-ers 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 discounted parking at The Hynes Auditorium Garage (located at 50 Dalton Street next to Bukowski's Tavern), for $11, available on Sun-days until 3:00 p.m., and $13 after 4:00 every day of the week. To take advantage of this discount, ask one of our greeters for a chaser ticket at Mass or ask a staff person during the week. Chaser tickets must be used at the machine at the exit gate. To obtain the discount, first place the ticket you received upon entering the garage into the machine, then fol-low it with the chaser ticket.

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 neighbor-hoods 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

For Advertising call 617-779-3771 Pilot Bulletins Saint Cecilia, Boston, MA 4338

FAST CASH FOR YOUR HOMEAny Size Big Or Small | Any Condition We Buy Them All

✔ House Needs Repairs✔ No Home Inspection✔ Close In as Few as 5 Days

781-819-5100 | www.GarmourGroup.com

✔ Downsizing✔ Life Transition✔ Inherited Property

As Seen OnCall NOW for a FREE Evaluation

of Your Home

“God is Love” 1 John 4:8

Respect Life Month Uphold the Value of

Human Life!

Will you help protect the unborn?

GIVE TODAYpartnersofyom.org

[email protected] | 617-779-3777 | www.pilotprinting.net The Madonna of the Veil - After Carlo Dolci (1616-1687) Montrose Chapel

Order Your Christmas Cards TodayOrder Online Today at www.PilotPrinting.net

View Inside Verses in our Online Store

10 Different Options Available

Select All of One Design or Mix and Match

For More Information Call 617-779-3777

PRICE

25 Cards for $28.99

50 Cards for $44.99

100 Cards for $68.99

Price Includes Blank Envelopesand Shipping

Clergy Health and Retirement TrustCaring for the Well-being of our Priests

S P E C I A L C H R I S T M A S C O L L E C T I O N

Healthier Priests. Stronger Communities. The strength of our communities depends on the

well-being of our priests who tirelessly serve others. Please support our priests at clergytrust.org

Midtown Home Health ServicesWe are looking for caring, dependable individuals for in-home elder care.• Homemaker• Home Health Aide/CNA Languages: English with Chinese or Spanish a plus. Car perferable for Boston and Surrounding Neighborhoods. For application, please call: 617-426-1628, or visit www.midtownhomehealth.com

Learn the books and teachings of the Bible with our two games!The WORD: Based on the King James Standard Bible The LIV†NWORD: Based on the Douay Catholic Bible

www.otunumenproductions.comPhone: 857-222-3220 or 857-222-4225 | E-mail: [email protected]

GREAT FOR Family, Friends, Sunday School, & Bible Study!


BUILDING MINDS & CHANGING LIVESONE STUDENT AT A TIME

4,000 need-based scholarships for students at 84 Catholic schools in the

Archdiocese of Boston

Make an Impact in a Child's Life

Today, Visit CSFBoston.org

THE CATHOLIC SCHOOLS FOUNDATION

85

TBROSTRETHEWEY BROTHERS INC.

For all your cooling needs.4280 Washington St. Roslindale MA

617-325-3283 tbros.com lic# 11207

THE NEWMAN SCHOOLA coed, private college preparatory high school in the Back Bay. Small class sizes, quality college acceptances, vibrant sports program, International Baccalaureate diploma option.www.newmanboston.org

NOW Grades 7-12

“He has risen.” Matt 28:6

W. C. Canniff & Sons, Inc.531 Cummins Hwy • Roslindale617-323-3690

Since 1896www.CanniffMonuments.com

Monuments &Lettering FOOD IS LOVE!

Located right around the corner!

OFFER EXCLUDES LOBSTERS. CANNOT BE COMBINED WITH ANY OTHER OFFER.

1020 Dorchester Avenue, Dorchester, MA617-265-9840 • [email protected] • www.jmurphyfh.com

All of our services are available to this wonderful parish community here in

this beautiful worship space.

Honoring. Remembering.

Celebrating.

Family owned and operated for four generations

Serving the Boston Real Estate market for over 25 years!

Katherine Rielly, ABR

The Realty Concierge 230 Congress Street, 10th Floor

Boston, MA 02110 Phone: 781.363.3759

Fax: 617.344.5889 [email protected]

Jerry Pallotta Captivating Children’s Literature inspired by 16 Years of Catholic Education at BC High and Georgetown University Follow @jerrypallotta on Facebook, Twitter, Youtube and Instagram or at www.jerrypallotta.com

Waterman-Langoneat Boston Harborside

Funeral and Cremation services

580 Commercial Street, Boston, MA 02109617-536-4110

Pre-Planning Service AvailableNow Offering Onsite Refreshments and Hospitality

A Service Family Affiliate of AFFS/Service Corp. Int’l206 Winter St, Fall River, MA 02720 508-676-2454

Private Care Duty - 24 Hr Service Housekeeping - Alzheimer’s

Dementia Care & More

bostonbesthomecareserviceinc.com617-323-0072

A Full Service Law Firm Since 1934

T: 617 227 6272 | [email protected]

Estate Planning - Free Initial ConsultationLet us discuss your Assets, Intentions & Concerns

The hallmark of the firm is individualized attention to the client and quality legal service and advice at a reasonable cost.

ALOISI ALOISI & CERONE LLCALOISI ALOISI & CERONE LLC

GENERAL CONTRACTOR BUILDING RESTORATION

REMODELINGFree Estimate 617-378-1929

protouchconstruction.com

Rosaries from Flowers “Handmade from the Flowers

of your Loved One”

841 Main Street Tewksbury, MA 01876

(978) 851-9103

www.rosariesfromflowers.com


330 Newbury StreetBoston, MA 02115

617-262-0363Hours:

Mon - Sat 10AM – 11PMSun 12PM – 8PM

www.bauerwines.com

7 8 1 • 9 3 3 • 1 1 0 0 • A L B R E CH T A U T O . c o m

INFINITI OF NASHUA • INFINITI OF NORWOODMILFORD NISSAN • MARLBORO NISSAN • WOBURN TOYOTA

e Albrecht Family is a proud supporter of

St. Cecilia’sank you for all you do.

Edward F. Cahill, J.D., CFP®Financial Adviser*, Eagle Strategies LLC,

A Registered Investment Advisor

(978) 927-9352 | [email protected] 306 Cabot Street, Beverly, MA 01915

*Registered Representative offering securities through NYLIFE Securities LLC, Member FINRA/SIPC, A Licensed Insurance Agency

EA Spry & Co., Inc. 54 Holton St. Woburn, MA 01801

Richard J. SpryParishioner

Main: 781-933-8250 Cell: 617-538-9038www.sprymoving.com

SPRYMOVING BOSTON

COMMERCIAL & RESIDENTIAL MOVING EXPERTS

[email protected]

J.T. Electrical ServicesResidential & Commercial Wiring

Please call Jesus for a Free Estimate

Cell: 617-590-2479Office: 617-708-1217

[email protected] Insured - Lic. #14285-B

Specializing in Fine Luxury Residential Sales www.campionre.com

172 Newbury Street • Boston, MA • 617 236.0711

CAMPIONRE.COM

HerbChambers.com

A Wonderful Experience Needed For All People Of All Denominations.

Thought Provoking And Positive Motivation For Enhancing Our Lives.

St. Cecilia’s

KERRY McMENAMY Offering Free Tax and Financial Review

in July & August

p. [email protected] • www.erocktax.com

Michael L. Carucci

617 901 [email protected]

Executive Vice President

( Select Buyer and Seller Representation )

TeresaMadariaga

Bright Happy Designs for All AgesIllustration • Art Licensing • Character Design

www.tmadariaga.com914.536.7856 • [email protected]

When patronizing our Sponsors let them know you saw them in the

Church Bulletin.

Support Local Business

Date post:	17-Jul-2020
Category:	Documents
Upload:	others
View:	1 times
Download:	0 times

Saint Cecilia - The Pilot · 2019-12-06 · their new son, Lucas Henry Young, into the world! May...

Documents