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MISSION STATEMENT
Saint Mary of the Annunciation is a Roman Catholic Christian Community centered around the Eucharist, welcoming all, while growing through faith and stewardship.
ST. MARY OF THE ANNUNCIATION PARISH
EUCHARISTIC LITURGY Saturday (Vigil) 4:00 pm
Sunday 7:30, 9:30 and 11:30 am
SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM Baptisms are celebrated monthly at 1:00 pm. A Baptism class is held for all new parents and godparents on the second Wednesday of each month at 7:30 pm in the Parish Center. To schedule your Baptism or for more
information, please call Lisa Hudson at the Rectory.
SACRAMENT OF MATRIMONY Please call the Parish Office to schedule an appointment to begin the preparation process and to confirm a date and time for your wedding.
This process should begin at least six months in advance of the desired
SACRAMENT OF THE SICK If you would like to receive the Sacrament of the Sick prior to hospital
admission or any other reason, please contact the Rectory.
SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION Saturdays from 3:00-3:45 pm or call the Parish Office for an appointment.
EUCHARISTIC ADORATION Fridays after the 9:00 am Mass until Noon in the Lower Church Chapel.
ROSARY FOR THE FUTURE OF OUR YOUNG PEOPLE Wednesdays at 7:00 pm in the Parish Center Chapel.
ST. MARY OF THE ANNUNCIATION PARISH
ST. MARY SCHOOL
4 Myrtle Street, Melrose, MA 02176
School Website: www.stmaryschoolmelrose.org School Office: 781-665-5037
46 Myrtle Street, Melrose, MA 02176
Parish Website: www.stmarysmelrose.org
Parish Office: 781-665-0152 Fax: 781-665-2750
Hours: 9:00am—4:00pm, Monday—Friday
PASTORAL STAFF
Rev. Shawn Allen Pastor
Rev. Charles Hughes In Residence
Rev. John Janko, SDB Weekend Assistant
Ms. Marge Keohane Operations Manager
Mr. Christopher Beza Principal, St. Mary’s School
781-665-5037 [email protected]
Mrs. Janine Hanley Mrs. Linda Simko
Directors of Religious Education 781-590-4948
Mrs. Paula Lowell Music Director
Mrs. Lisa Hudson Parish & Religious Education Secretary
Mrs. Jaclyn Meehan Confirmation Coordinator
Mr. George Riley Maintenance Supervisor
617-834-6670
Saint Mary Parish, Melrose, MA
WELCOME TO ST. MARY’S! If you are visiting and looking for a spiritual home, we welcome you to our
Saint Mary of the Annunciation Parish Community. We hope that you find the worship and liturgy uplifting and an encouragement to your faith.
We invite you to participate in the life of our parish. Whatever your age or walk of life, we want this parish to be your spiritual home.
We are a community centered on excellent liturgy, helping people of all ages grow in relationship with Jesus, and welcoming all.
Please introduce yourself to Fr Shawn, our Pastor, after Mass. We want to know you and serve you.
Saturday, March 14 4:00 pm Thomas & Barbara O’Brien
Sunday, March 15 7:30 am John & Catherine Waldron 9:30 am Richard Barton 11:30 am Walter Cronin
Saturday, March 21 4:00 pm Salvatore Quinci &Francesca Quinci
Sunday, March 22 7:30 am Saint Mary Parishioners 9:30 am Albert Petrola 11:30 am Richard Comeau & the Small Family
Please pray for those who are ill and especially for
Maureen McIsaac Stephen McFarland
Ellie & Paul Pistorino William Doherty Robert Nobrega
Patricia DeGaravilla Katherine Connolly
Our Sanctuary Lamp is lit in memory of
Thomas & Barbara O’Brien
Please pray for our recently deceased loved ones and especially for
Wen-Jian Han Amanda St. Martin
Florence McLoughlin Mary Ritchie
We pray in a special way for whatever reason.
We pray for all those who are lonely,
for those who have no one to pray for them.
MEATLESS MEALS
Each Friday in Lent from 6:00pm-7:00pm, a Meatless Meal of Fellowship will be provided prior to the start of Sta-tions of the Cross. The meal of pasta,
salad, bread and beverages will be held in the lower church and is sponsored by
the Melrose Council of the Knights of Columbus. Par-ish volunteers and Confirmation candidates coordinate
this time of fellowship. All are welcome to join us for either or both!
Additional volunteers are needed to assist with the set-up and service—the more, the merrier!
To sign-up contact Fran Goodwin at [email protected]
STATIONS OF THE CROSS
Please join us at 3:00pm and 7:00pm in the low-
er Church each Friday during Lent
Reflection for the 3rd Sunday of Lent
Paul reminded the Corinthians, "We proclaim Christ cru-cified." Christ's weakness is stronger than any human strength. The power of the cross is greater than anything the world or evil has to combat it. The Lenten season is one of repentance, self-denial, almsgiving, and prayer. Many in our modern world do not see any wisdom in denying themselves anything. Those swept away in a consumer culture want more and they want it faster, bigger, and better. They also are looking for easy and quick satisfaction, unwilling to wait long. Paul speaks of the "foolishness of God" and how it is wis-er than any human wisdom. Lent is a time to put aside that which we feel and think as humans and put on the attitude of Christ. The cross of Christ is neither easy nor fleeting, and it will ask us to deny our very selves for him. To the hu-man mind it makes no sense. However, by putting on Christ and seeing with his eyes, we see reality with clarity. Our sacrifice can lead to riches that only a "foolish" man would covet. But it is exactly there that we are satisfied and ful-filled. LPi
Our Parish website changes weekly! New photos on our HOME page and in our
Calendar of Events. Check out the SAVE THE DATE for the Liv-ing Stations, DAILY Lenten Reflections and
the Tribute to Mrs Johnson on the HOME Page!
www.stmarysmelrose.org
Third Sunday of Lent
Readings for March 15, 2020
Third Sunday of Lent
First Reading Exodus 17:3-7 Responsorial Psalm Psalms 95:1-2, 6-7, 8-9 Second Reading Romans 5:1-2, 5-8 Gospel John 4:5-42
We meet the Samaritan woman in today’s Gospel. Her con-versation with Jesus put her on the ‘fast track’ to self-searching and repentance. Her conversation with Jesus transformed her into a great evangelizer: “Many of the Sa-maritans of that town began to believe in him because of the word of the woman who testified, ‘He told me everything I have done.’" This week consider how your prayer, fasting or almsgiving is transforming your life. Share what God has done for you with someone.
Readings for March 22, 2020
Fourth Sunday of Lent Laetare Sunday
First Reading First Samuel 16:1b, 6-7, 10-13a Responsorial Psalm Psalms 23:1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6 Second Reading Ephesians 5:8-14 Gospel John 9:1-41
We are nearing the end of our Lenten journey. Saint Paul’s letter to the Ephesians and the Gospel story of the man born blind talk about light and dark. We are back into Day-light Savings Time, with days being longer, but is the light of faith growing stronger in you? “You were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light, for light produces every kind of goodness and righteousness and truth. Try to learn what is pleasing to the Lord.” It’s not too late. (charity) are the pillars of Lent. How can you make your prayer, fasting, almsgiving pleasing to the Lord during these last weeks of Lent? It’s not too late.
PERMANENT DIACONATE There will be an informational meeting for men & their wives interested in the permanent diaconate to be held at 7:00pm on Tuesday, March 31 at Sacred Heart Church, 571 Boston St. Lynn. The Deacon’s ministry of word, liturgy and charity may in-clude: Word: proclaiming the Gospel, preaching at Mass, cat-echesis, evangelization, and sacramental preparation Liturgy: serving at the Eucharistic Table, solemnly bap-tizing, witnessing marriages, bringing viaticum to the dying, and presiding over funerals and burials Charity: serving the poor and marginalized, visiting the sick and imprisoned, ministering to the dying "Let them be merciful and zealous and let them walk according to the truth of the Lord who became servant
all." (St. Polycarp’s admonition to deacons, Lumen Gentium, #29)
Sgt Paul Consoli, US Army Major Martin Forrest, USMC
LtCol Steven Gerardi, US Army Cpl Matthew Gregorio, USMC
Pvt Michael Butler, USMC L/Cpl Daniel Morelli, USMC
Sgt Brian Crawford, US Army LtCol Bernard Banks, US Army
H.C. Evan Carroll, USN Sgt Patrick Briatico, USMC
E3 James E. Wilson, US Army AB Dan Munday, USAF
SR Patrick Casey, USCG Cpl Kevin J. Doherty, USMC Cpl Cam DeCroteau, USMC
SPC Bradford Saunders, US Army Major Eric DiNoto, US Army
Aft Devon Emery, USAF
Lt Patrick Forrest, USMC Cpl Mark Gregorio, USMC
L/Cpl Jare Wimberly, USMC LtCol McGregor, USMC
SPC James LaCroix, US Army WO James Pappa, US Army SS Jessica Rainwater, USAF
S/F Justin E. O'Brien, US Army Lt J/G Quincy King II, USAF Lt John R Moreschi Jr., USN Cpt Daniel J. Parker, USAF Sgt Mickhail Jean, US Army Sgt Jacob Pezzini, US Army
Cpl Michael Igo, USMC Sgt Sean D. Mooney, ARNG L/Cpl Michael Baker, USMC
Pfc Matthew Hanley, US Army
Please pray that God will watch over and safeguard our men and women
serving in the military. We thank you for your service.
SAINT MARY PARISH CONFIRMATION PROGRAM
Next class is today, Sunday, March 15th
Grade 9 4:00-5:00 Grade 10A 5:15-6:45 Grade 10B 7:00-8:15
Please contact our Coordinator, Jaclyn Meehan for any questions Email—[email protected]
Congratulations and God Bless our Second Graders who received the SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION
for the first time on Saturday, March 14th.
Please continue to pray for these young girls and boys as they continue preparation for their receipt of the Sacrament of Holy Eucharist on May 9. Please also pray for their Religious Education
Teachers and their parents as they help their chil-dren to prepare for this Sacrament of Initiation.
PLEASE HELP UP KEEP OUR MILITARY LIST UP-TO-DATE BY NOTIFYING THE RECTORY OF ANYONE NO LONGER SERV-ING. EMAIL MARGE AT [email protected] or call 781-665-0152, ext. 10
THE LIGHT IS ON FOR YOU (CONFESSION) and ADORATION of the
MOST BLESSED SACRAMENT
Beginning on Tuesday, March 17th and continu-ing for the next 4 Tuesdays, Confession and Adoration will take place in the Upper Church from 6:30-8:00pm. It is recommended at least 2 people be present at all times during the Exposition of the Most Blessed Sacrament. We ask that you commit to a 30 minute timeframe by signing the sheet at the middle door church entrance. Each slot is 30 minutes from 6:30-8:00pm For those who cannot commit to a specific time, please come whenever you can. During Adoration, what better time to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation by going to Confession? By participating in this Sacrament of Reconciliation, no matter how long it has been, we are experiencing God’s individual and unwa-vering love for us and one of the true graces made available to us by our Catholic faith. God loves us just the way we are, but He loves us too much to leave us that way. When we return to the Church for this Sacrament of Reconciliation, Jesus rejoices like the father in the parable of the Prodigal Son. It is never too late to return to Jesus and ask for for-giveness. Imagine how joyful you will feel upon confessing your sins, big or small!
March 15, 2020
2020 CATHOLIC APPEAL
Today in every parish across the Archdiocese, Cardinal Seán calls on us to support the annual Catholic Appeal. The success of the Appeal is vital in funding the 51 central min-istries that provide assistance to our parishes, schools, and communities in a variety of ways. Every gift, regardless of the size, is meaningful and can make an impact. Your par-ticipation in this weekend’s campaign is very much appreci-ated by our parish and the thousands that are served through the Archdiocesan Central Ministries. Thank you for your generosity and support of the 2020 Catholic Appeal this weekend.
Saint Mary has a goal of $59,035 this year. We are at 18% of our parish goal so far for a total of $10,755!
Thank you! Just a reminder that if we do not achieve the goal set for our parish we must make up the difference and if we exceed the target we maintain the overage. Please prayerfully consider a contribution to the Catholic Ap-peal. For those of you who have not yet contributed, please find a donation form available in the back of the Church or visit our website at bostoncatholicappeal.org
NEW ALTAR SERVERS NEEDED
Boys and girls who are in Grade 4 and up (public & parochial school) are invited to serve God and Saint Mary Parish by becoming Altar Servers.
Servers will be trained throughout the year to assist the priest during the celebration of the Eucharist and at special liturgical celebrations. Recruitment and training of servers takes place throughout year. Parents, please encourage your children to join the Altar Server ministry. Through this ministry, your children will learn to appreciate and partici-pate more fully in the Eucharist. Father Shawn will meet with the prospective new servers on Saturday, March 21st, at 11 am in the upper church. Please call the rectory (781-665-0152) or email ([email protected]) to register or just come by on the 21st.
Wednesday, March 25th is our parish feast day,
the Feast of Saint Mary of the Annunciation.
Following the 9:00 am Mass, there will be coffee and donuts in the lower church hall.
Please join us as we gather together to celebrate. All are welcome!
Weekly Offertory Collections for February
Weekend of February 2 In Pew Collection—$7,105 Online Collection—$3,076
Weekend of February 9 In Pew Collection—$4,718 Online Collection—$2,711
Weekend of February 16 In Pew Collection—$4,974 Online Collection—$2,246
Weekend of February 23 In Pew Collection—$5,113 Online Collection—$353
Thank you for your continuous generosity and commitment to our Parish.
LIVING STATIONS OF THE CROSS
The Upper School is once again preparing to perform the
“Living Stations of the Cross” for our school and par-
ish communities. New this year, the performance will include student vocals. It will be performed in the upper
church on Wednesday, April 8 at 1:15 pm for our
school community and then on Good Friday, April 10 at 7:00 pm as the parish celebration of the Lord’s Pas-sion. The Living Stations has become a very prayerful and meaningful tradition for our parish family. Please plan to join our 8th grade students along with other Up-per School students as we journey to-wards Easter together.
Saint Mary of the Annunciation School and PTO News
Visit the St Mary’s School Website www.stmaryschoolmelrose.org
www.facebook.com/stmaryschoolmelrose
MISSION STATEMENT
Saint Mary of the Annunciation School is a Catholic commu-nity of learners living the way of Christ. We instill disciple-ship, integrity and academic excellence in a safe, caring
environment. Our mission is to educate faith-filled leaders for the future.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
Tuesday, Mar 17—The Light is on for You and Adoration 6:30-8:00 Wednesday, Mar 18—Class Pictures, Report Cards, PTO Meeting Friday, Mar 20—No School—Area Wide Professional Development Day Tuesday, Mar 24—The Light is on for You and Adoration 6:30-8:00 Wednesday, Mar 25—Parish Feast Day, Feast of the Annunciation Friday, Mar 27—FACTS Financial Aid Applications Due Saturday, Mar 28—PTO Annual Auction Monday, Mar 30— Spring Clubs Begin Tuesday, Mar 31—The Light is on for You and Adoration 6:30-8:00 Wednesday, Apr 1—School Liturgy Sunday, Apr 5—Palm Sunday—Open House, 12-2 Tuesday, Apr 7—The Light is on for You and Adoration 6:30-8:00 Wednesday, Apr 8—Living Stations of the Cross at 1:15pm—Last Day to Place Online Yearbook Orders Thursday, Apr 9—Holy Thursday—Early Dismissal Friday, Apr 10— Good Friday—No School— Living Stations at 7:00pm Sunday, Apr 12—Easter Sunday Wednesday, Apr 15—Art Fair Monday, Apr 20—Spring Vacation Begins Monday, Apr 27—School Resumes Friday, May 1—Early Dismissal
Dear Friends, As we journey through Lent together, our school com-munity will focus on prayer, fasting, and almsgiving so we are fully prepared for Holy Week and Easter. Our daily morning prayer as a whole school, along with prayer in our classrooms, will provide our students with an opportunity to connect more deeply with their faith and communicate with God on a personal level. As Fr. Shawn reminded our stu-dents on Ash Wednesday, fasting is an important part of Lent, but it is equally important to turn outward by reaching out to those in need. In the words of Saint John Chrysos-tom, “No act of virtue can be great if it is not followed by an advantage for others. So, no matter how much time you spend fasting, no matter how much you sleep on a hard floor and eat ashes and sigh continually, if you do no good to others, you do nothing great.” To that end, each grade has selected a service project as a way to deepen their faith and help those in need.
As we continue through this season of Lent, let us be reminded of our need for reconciliation and a deeper rela-tionship with Jesus. We pray that our parish and school community will continue to be blessed with God’s abundant gifts of grace and love during this Lenten season and al-ways. In Christ, Christopher Beza Principal
LIVING STATIONS OF THE CROSS
The Upper School is once again preparing
to perform the “Living Stations of the Cross” for our school and parish commu-
nities. New this year, the performance will include student vocals. It will be performed in the upper church on
Wednesday, April 8 at 1:15 pm for
our school community and then on Good Friday, April 10 at 7:00 pm as the parish celebration of the Lord’s Pas-sion. The Living Stations has become a very prayerful and meaningful tradition for our parish family. Please plan to join our 8th grade students along with other Upper School students as we journey towards Easter together.
PTO MEETINGS
Meetings will be held on the 3rd Wednesday of each month.
The next meeting is on Wednesday, March 18th. Mark Your Calendar!
Please join us as we need everyone’s help to make this a successful year for all our children!
UPCOMING PTO EVENTS
Annual Auction “Back to the 80s”
March 28, 2020 6:00-10:00pm Bellevue Golf Club ALL are welcome
Bring some friends and party the night away! Tickets $50
For more information visit: smsmelroseauction.com Can you volunteer or donate?
Email Kim Pegnato at [email protected]
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED Will you help out? Please email any PTO Officer to let them know.
Thank you in advance!
