Saint CeciliaP A R I S H

Third Sunday of Lent 4 March 2018

Expulsion of the Money-Changers from the TempleGiotto Di Bondone (1304-1306)

Prayer for Solitude excerpted from “Thoughts in Solitude” by Thomas Merton

MY LORD GOD, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think that I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so.

But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you. And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing. I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire. And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road though I may know nothing about it.

Therefore will I trust you always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to face my perils alone.

Pray for Our Elect and Candidates

for Full Communion

Robert Varela Cesar Valdez Harleen Singh Adam Valsahagun

Sarra Hajjaj Max Hanna Nathan Goldin Robert Kathmann

Franziska Schoppe Matt Morris Felix Padilla III Matthew Harkey

Jessica McMahon Benjamin Aiken Jacob Venter Ellen Molle

4

SAINT CECILIA PARISH

today’s readings

Exodus 20: 1-17

1 Corinthians 1:22-25

John 2:13-25

next sunday’s readings

2 Corinthians 36:14-16, 19, 23

Ephesians 2:4-10

John 3:14-21

our community news

Ministers of the Liturgy

Saturday, March 3 | 5:00 p.m.Rev. Peter Grover, OMV, celebrantChris Orrell, lector

Sunday, March 4 | 8:00 a.m.Rev. Peter Gyves, SJ, celebrantJordan Barnes, lector

Sunday, March 4 | 9:30 a.m.Rev. John Unni, celebrantCarlotta Zanini, Karen Vachon, and Rosaria Salerno, lectors

Sunday, March 4 | 11:15 a.m.Rev. John Unni, celebrantClarissa Hadge, Jim English, and Ben DeWinter, lectors

Sunday, March 4 | 6:00 p.m.Rev. John Unni, celebrantMike Lake and Caitie Meyer, lectors

Special intentions

Sunday, March 4 | 11:15 a.m.Leland Kerin, Memorial

Sunday, March 4 | 11:15 a.m.Annette Brown, Frist Anniversary

Sunday, March 4 | 6:00 p.m.Andres Javier Llorente, Memorial

Moses Receiving the Tablets of Law

Marc Chagall, 1966

5

SAINT CECILIA PARISH

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, Linda Burke, Cy Kilgore, 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, Justine Carr and James Smith.

Welcome to Saint Cecilia ParishWe are pleased to welcome the following new members of our parish who have recently registered: Moira O'Connor of Boston and Sean Doherty and Moira Forberg of Boston. If you have not previously registered with the parish, there are forms in the narthex for this purpose or you can regis-ter online at www.stceciliaboston.org.

Stations of the CrossPraying the Stations of the Cross is a wonderful Lenten tradition in the Church. We will pray them as a community on Good Friday at 3:00, but you can pray the Stations online by visiting www.stjames-cathedral.org/Prayer/jkblstations/stations.htm

Wednesday Evening Mass During LentOn all the Wednesday evenings of Lent we will celebrate Mass at 6:00. Following Mass confessions will be heard until 8:00 for anyone who wishes to celebrate the sacrament.

Laetare Sunday—Wear Rose Colored Clothing Next WeekNext Sunday we will be at the midpoint of our Lenten journey. The Fourth Sunday of Lent is traditionally known as Laetare Sunday and is marked by a joyful anticipation of the Easter celebration. Laetare means "Rejoice!" and the introit, or entrance antiphon, of the Mass begins with that word. Like Gaudete Sunday in Advent, the optional liturgical color is rose. Help brighten our celebration by wearing something rose–colored to Mass next Sunday.

Catholic Appeal — PostponedNormally at this time of year we receive a request from Cardinal Seán asking us and Catholics across the Archdiocese to pledge our support to the 2018 Catholic Appeal. Because our parish is currently in the planning stages of a major capital campaign, we have received the Archdiocese’s permission to postpone our Catholic Appeal until later this year. As such, our parish will not have a Catholic Appeal mailing or In Pew appeal in March like the rest of the Archdiocese. Please be on the lookout for more information about the Catholic Appeal this summer and fall. The Catholic Appeal will return to its normal publicity and in-pew schedule in 2019.

Easter FlowersStarting this weekend, you can remember your loved ones by donating towards our Easter flowers. Please use the basket of envelopes in the narthex for this purpose. Please be sure to PRINT clearly and either drop the envelope in the collection basket or hand it to a member of the parish staff. The names of those remembered will be printed in the Easter bulletin.

Our First Communion ClassWe are pleased to have thirty-five youngsters in this year's First Communion class. For the past two weeks (and until they receive the sacrament on May 13), the students and their parents have been sitting together in the front of the church at the 9:30 Mass. The children are currently study-ing the parts of the Mass so that they can participate more fully in our liturgies. We ask all members of the Saint Ceci-lia community to pray that our First Communicants and all children in our Faith Formation Program continue to expe-rience Jesus Christ as truly present in their lives.

Prayers & Occasions

6

SAINT CECILIA PARISH

Lectionary NoteYou might notice that the readings for this and the next two Sundays are different at the 11:15 liturgy. This year, the Church's lectionary cycle follows Year B for Masses on the Third, Fourth, and Fifth Sundays of Lent, but, it is part of the Church's ancient tradition that at liturgies during which the Scrutinies of the Elect take place, the readings assigned for Year A are used. The gospel reading that will be proclaimed at most of our weekend liturgies is The Purification of the Temple and the gospel reading that you will hear at the 11:15 liturgy is The Samaritan Woman at the Well.

Our Elect and CandidatesPlease keep our Elect and Candidates in your prayer during this period of "Purification and Enlightenment" as they in-tensify their preparations to receive the Easter sacraments.

Cardinal Seán P. O’Malley & Pueri Cantores FestivalNext Saturday, March 10, His Eminence Seán P. Cardinal O’Malley, OFM Cap. will celebrate our 5:00 p.m. Mass as part of the Pueri Cantores Festival. Music at the Mass will be presented by 100 children from various choirs around the Archdiocese of Boston. Dr. Richard Robbins from the Univer-sity of Minnesota-Duluth will be the guest conductor. All are welcome to attend what is certain to be a beautiful liturgy!

Harleen in Dublin

Harleen Singh, one of our Elect preparing for the Easter sacraments, was in Dublin, Ireland for the Rite of Election on the First Sunday of Lent. Here she is shown at St. Mary's Pro-Cathedral in Dublin after having signed the Book of the Elect.

The First Scrutiny

The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults describes the scrutinies as "rites for self–searching and repentance… meant to uncover, then heal all that is weak, defective, or sinful in the hearts of the Elect; to bring out, then strengthen all that is upright, strong, and good." The scrutinies are celebrated at Mass on the Third, Fourth, and Fifth Sundays of Lent, at the eleven-fifteen liturgy. Today we celebrate the first scrutiny of our Elect:

Sarra Hajjaj · Robert KathmannMatt Morris · Franziska Schöppe · Harleen Singh

These five men and women are in the period called "Purification and Enlightenment" and their goal is to deepen their conversion to life in Jesus Christ, as they prepare to celebrate the Easter sacraments. We are invited to journey with them and prepare to renew our own baptismal promises this Easter. On this and the upcoming two Sundays, rites called "the scrutinies" help us affirm and strengthen their resolve. The scrutiny is essentially a penitential act wherein the Elect express their desire for "living water," and their need for salvation. They may be standing in front of the assembly, yet is is also the quality of our faith that is being scrutinized. The word "scrutiny" is not the best translation and can have negative connotations. For our purposes, the idea of scrutiny is closer to what a jeweler does when he discovers a beautiful gem, turning it over and over to discover its hidden beauty and potential. That's our kind of scrutiny. Pray for our Elect, that, with the help of this community they will uncover the hidden beauty and potential of their lives in Christ.

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 this 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

This is the last weekend that we will be soliciting donations for BHCHP.

From left to right: Sr. Patricia Somers, RSC (St. Mary's Pro-Cathedral staff); Harleen Singh;

Eilish O'Leary (Harleen's proxy sponsor)

7

SAINT CECILIA PARISH

SPIRITUAL READING

From time to time the parish Adult Faith Formation Commission will recommend books that might enrich your spiritual life. This week we suggest:

The Ninth Hour by Alice McDermottBloomsbury Publishing, 2017One of Time Magazine's Top Ten Books of 2017

"From the National Book Award-winning author comes a luminous, deeply humane novel about three generations of an Irish immigrant family in 1940s and 1950s Brooklyn." —Bloomsbury Publishing

"The Ninth Hour, McDermott's eighth novel, is about an order of nursing nuns and the needy families, elderly shut-ins, disabled invalids, and strapped widows they care for in a predominantly Irish Catholic neighborhood of Brooklyn. Who cares about nuns? Read this book, and you will." —Heller McAlpin, NPR.org

"A magnificent new novel from one of America's finest writers — a powerfully affecting story spanning the twentieth century of a widow and her daughter and the nuns who serve their Irish-American community in Brooklyn." —Google Books

"The prose is pristine. The aunts, the three nuns, are wonderful characters. They are human, thoughtful, honest, and funny. The book also gives a wonderful glimpse into Catholic life in Brooklyn in the early years of the 20th century." —Kevin Spinale, SJ, a Jesuit scholastic who teaches at Boston College High School and is the moderator of the Catholic Book Club

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!

SAVE THE DATE

On Friday, April 27 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. our friends at Women's Lunch Place will be holding their seventh annual Eat Lunch Give fundraiser. It takes place at the Park Plaza Hotel in Back Bay. This year's event has a financial goal of $260,000 to ensure that healthy meals and advocacy services are available to all women who come through their doors for help. Parishioner Glenn Quirion is co-chairing this important event. If you would like to join the Saint Cecilia table at the event, please contact Mark Lippolt at mark. lippolt@gmail.com. Tickets for the luncheon are $175 each.

WHAT FOLLOWS A LATE NIGHT EASTER VIGIL?A DESSERT BUFFET

On March 31, following our celebration of the Great Vigil of Easter, we will have a reception in the Parish Hall in honor of our newly initiated Elect and Candi-dates. This reception will begin around 11:15 p.m. and will end at approximately 1:00 a.m. This year we are having a dessert bar and are in need of help in the following areas:

• Donating sweets and baked goods• Setting up and decorating the Parish Hall on Sat-

urday March 31• Replenishing dessert trays and keeping things

looking spiffy in the Parish Hall during the recep-tion

• Helping with our late-night clean-up following the reception

If you can help, please email Lisa Pickering at lpicker-ing@stceciliaboston.org or call 617-536-4548 ex. 111

8

SAINT CECILIA PARISH

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!

The Wisdom and Mature

Spirituality Group

March, 18th | 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. The Wisdom and Mature Spirituality group is a community of adults in the second half of life who are looking to build a deeper relationship with our faith through fellowship, trust, sharing, and prayer. “When Things Fall Apart”, Fr. Richard Rohr’s meditation for December 29, 2017, was the topic of our February meeting. Our next meeting takes place on March 18 and we will fo-cus on creative ways to keep our group joyful and vibrant as we move forward. One topic we will discuss is the role of facilitator. We are always happy to welcome new mem-bers to our meetings. If you are interested in being a part of our group, come to our meeting on Sunday morning. We meet outside the Conference Room in the Parish Pastoral Center.

MARRIAGE MINISTRY PLANNING

MEETING

Sunday, March 11 | after the 9:30 Mass Location at Saint Cecilia (Room TBD) The Parish Pastoral Council is working on the implementa-tion of some new initiatives, one of which is a new ministry to couples engaged to be married, as well as to couples who are already married. If you are a happily married cou-ple who would like to be involved in this new initiative, we are eager to hear from you. We would like to plan social activities (happy hours, date nights, and fellowship), spiri-tual activities (workshops, guest speakers, book groups, and retreats), and service opportunities. Ultimately, one of goals is to design a parishioner-led marriage preparation program, but at this early stage, we would like to hold a meeting to brainstorm and talk about how we can move forward. If you are interested in participating, please e-mail Carly Caminiti at ckc1025@gmail.com.

PIZZA & A MOVIE—SATURDAY, MARCH 10 | 6:00 p.m.Please join us for our next movie in our Faith and Film Series, Of Gods and Men. This is the true story of a community of French Trappist Monks living in Algeria, threatened by religious extremists. The monks have to decide if they should leave their monastery or remain at their post ministering to their neighbors. This film is a magnificent portrait of grace and courage as the monks struggle to remain faithful to their mission in perilous times. James Martin, SJ said, "Of Gods and Men is the greatest film I've ever seen on faith. It surpasses even some of my longtime favorite movies on the spiritual life, like Romero, Diary of a Country Priest, A Man for All Sea-sons, and The Song of Bernadette. Perhaps only Franco Zeffirelli's multi-part series Jesus of Nazareth has moved me more." We will begin with pizza at 6:00 and a discus-sion will follow the movie. $5 will cover the cost of pizza and beverages and a free-will offering will be gratefully accepted to cover the cost of the movie. Please RSVP to Judy Castaldi at judycastaldi@hotmail.com or 617-566-7066 so that we can determine how much pizza to order.

9

SAINT CECILIA PARISH

LENTEN SPEAKER SERIES

The first of this year's Lenten Speak-er Series, sponsored by the Rainbow Ministry, will be held on Wednesday, March 7 starting with a reception at 7:00 p.m. and a presentation at 7:30 p.m. The speaker will be Peter W. Gyves, SJ, MD. Father Gyves is no stranger to the Saint Cecilia commu-nity; he often presides at our week-day and weekend liturgies. A physi-

cian in addition to being a Jesuit priest, Father Gyves' impressive resume includes degrees from Boston College (B.S., 1973, M.A.-Theology, 1994), Georgetown University (M.D., 1978), Johns Hopkins University (M.P.H., 2005), and Weston School of Theology (STL, 2008).

Father Gyves is the founder and director of “A Faith That Does Justice,” a nonprofit ecumenical program that seeks to raise consciousness about social issues that affect the most vulnerable among us, while offering opportunities to walk in solidarity with the least among us. It welcomes people of all races, religions, cultures and sexual orien-tations. It is respectful of these differences and seeks to overcome the social, political and economic barriers that separate people from each other. A Board-Certified Pedi-atrician and Pediatric Endocrinologist, Father Gyves' med-ical career also included scientific research at the National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD (1985-90). He entered the Society of Jesus in 2003 and was ordained a priest in 2008. He has lived and worked in several countries, both as a physician and a priest, including El Salvador and Guatemala during their civil wars of the 1980s and early 1990s, and in several English and French-speaking African countries.

His topic will be: "Contemplatives in Action: The Spiritual Exercises of Ignatius of Loyola." The event is free and all are welcome.

Lenten prayer online

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.

THE WORK SUPPORTED

BY Operation Rice BOWL

Operation Rice Bowl is a program of Catholic Relief Ser-vices (CRS) in which participants are encouraged to eat more sparingly during Lent as a sign of solidarity with the poor, and to donate the money saved to CRS. It is a cus-tom of most Catholic parishes to distribute Rice Bowls for parishioners to fill and turn in at the end of Lent. While it is an official agency of the American Catholic Church, CRS provides aid on the basis of need, not creed. The faith that shapes the agency influences the manner in which CRS provides aid. A deep love for and commitment to the beneficiaries is apparent in their work.

CRS works in more than 100 countries, serving more than 120 million people. Through the global Catholic Church, CRS is afforded access to remote locations where no other organizations serve, yet where some of the world’s most vulnerable populations live. In 2015, 94% of revenue was spent on programs that benefit the poor overseas. About 35% percent of CRS’ programming focuses on emergency relief and recovery. Once immediate needs for food, wa-ter and shelter are met, they transition to rebuilding and reconstruction, supporting the survivors of natural disas-ters and chronic emergencies in reclaiming their lives.

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.

10

SAINT CECILIA PARISH

Saint Cecilia Parish

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.

Contemplatives in Action: The Spiritual Exercises of Ignatius of Loyola.Sponsored by the Rainbow Ministry, this Lenten Speaker Series will feature Peter W. Gyves, SJ, MD.March 7, 2018 | Reception 7:00 p.m. and Presentation 7:30 p.m. | Saint Cecilia Parish Hall | All are welcome

Wisdom and Mature SpiritualityMarch 18, 2018 | 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

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

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

ADULT FAITH FORMATION EVENTS CALENDAR

Migration Seminar: Contributions of Migrants to Development and Social Innovation in BostonReligious, academic, political, and community organizing leaders from the Boston Greater Area will gather to discuss the contributions of migrants to social development and innovation. The conversation will also explore challenges and best practices.March 22, 2018 | 3:00 - 8:00 p.m. | Yawkey Athletics Center, Murray Room, Chestnut Hill CampusRegistration Required | Free of charge

For further details or to register, please check the website of the Church in the 21st Century at Boston College: http://www.bc.edu/church21/programs/Current_Events.html

“I Call You Friends”Presenter: Cardinal Daniel DiNardo, Archbishop of Galveston-HoustonMarch 15, 2018 | 5:00 p.m. | Boston College, Gasson Hall 100 |Registration Required

Working FriendshipsPresenters: Katie Dalton and Regine Jean-CharlesMarch 22, 2018 | 12:00 p.m. | Boston College, Gasson Hall 100 | Registration Required

PAULIST CENTER – BOSTON

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

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

11

SAINT CECILIA PARISH

SAINT SUSANNA PARISH —

DEDHAM

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

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

The Sacrament of Reconciliation in the Twenty-first CenturyFather Stephen Wilbricht, CSCMarch 19, 2018| 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. Saint Susanna Parish Hall

GLASTONBURY ABBEY —

HINGHAM

For further details on this presentation, please check their website: www.glastonburyabbey.org/index.php/events/calendar

Save the World ... Or Savor it? Being Reached by the Widow, Orphan, and StrangerRev. Gregory J. Boyle, SJMarch 15, 2018 | 7:15 – 9:00 p.m. Morcone Conference Center

WHEN WERE YOU BAPTIZED?

Do you know when you were baptized? If you are like most people, it is unlikely that you do. In a homily given on Febru-ary 17, Bishop Thomas Gumbleton said that at our baptism, our parents and godparents declared on our behalf that we were ready to be "a child of God, a member of the family of God, brothers and sisters to Jesus." In early Christianity, the season of Lent was a time when all of those who were to be baptized at Easter were prepared, in a very similar way that our Elect have been preparing, for the new life that they would receive in the waters of baptism. Bishop Gumbleton continued, "We begin the season of Lent with the understanding that we, too, are called to renewal, a re-newal of our baptismal promises, and a recommitment of what our baptism means as we become disciples, followers of Jesus Christ." The parish Adult Faith Formation Commis-sion invites everyone who hasn't already done so, to do a little research and then send us your date of baptism so that we can mark the anniversary and pray for one another. In his 2015 book, Walking with Jesus: A Way Forward for the Church, Pope Francis says,

"The danger of not knowing [the date of our baptism] is that we can lose awareness of what the Lord has done is us, the memory of the gift we have received. ... Let us, then, ask the Lord, from our hearts ... to experience ever more, in every-day life, this grace that we have received in baptism. And do not forget your homework today: find out the date of your baptism. As I know my birthday, I should know my baptism day, because it is a feast day."

Please take a few minutes and forward us the month and day of your baptism to Rosaria Salerno (rosaria.backbay-weddings@gmail.com) and we will remember to pray for and celebrate with you. And, Pope Francis will be very pleased!

Help Furnish the Future for Low

income households

The Massachusetts Coalition for Homeless Under One Rood Inisiative and the Social and Racial Justice Ministry at Saint Cecilia are teaming up to collect donated furniture to help households living in poverty. They are looking for dressers, kitchen tables and chairs, nightstands, coffee tables, and end tables, all in good condition. They will pick up furniture for donation from donor's homes on March 15 and 16. If you have items to donate please arrange with Robin Frost at 781-595-7570 ext. 12 or robyn@mahomeless.org.

ARE YOU AN ADULT WHO HAS NEVER

BEEN CONFIRMED?

If you are an adult who has never been confirmed, perhapsthis is the right time. We are offering a five-week adultconfirmation class that will meet on Wednesday eveningsleading up to the Central Region's adult confirmation thatwill be celebrated on Sunday, April 15 at 2:00 at The Shrineof Our Lady of Good Voyage (51 Seaport Blvd., Boston).The class will meet from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. on the followingWednesdays:

• March 14 • March 21 • March 28

If you would like to register for this class, please contactScott MacDonald at smacdonald@stceciliaboston.org.

• April 4• April 11

12

SAINT CECILIA PARISH

SOCIAL AND RACIAL JUSTICE MINISTRY

MONTHLY MEETING

Next Sunday, March 11 | after the 11:15 a.m. Mass Classroom 1

Save the date to hear updates from the Housing & Homelessness, Racial Justice, and Environmental Justice sub-committees. Interested in another justice category? We'd love to have you join us and help bring us all to action! If you'd like to be on our listserv, email sc.socialracialjustice@gmail.com.

POST DISCUSSION OF GLOBE

SPOTLIGHT SPEAKERS

Tuesday, March 13 | Around 8:30 p.m. Black Seed Cafe | 131 Tremont St.

Community group A Faith That Does Justice is sponsoring a talk by the Boston Globe Spotlight speakers to discuss their recent seven-piece story on racism. Following that event (which requires registration at faith-justice.org), a group from our ministry will head next door to debrief in a small group with other parishioners (and over dinner if people so choose). Please RSVP to sc.socialracialjustice@gmail.com so we can coordinate logistics.

LAUDATO SI STUDY GROUP

Thursdays February 15, March 1, 8, 15 at 7:00 p.m. Saint Cecilia Classroom 1

Even if you have missed the first few sessions, you're still welcome to come to our discussion on Laudato Si: On Care for Our Common Home, Pope Francis' landmark 2015 encyclical. It provides a faith-based critique of consumerism, irresponsible development, environmental degradation, and global warming. In doing so, he calls for all people — not just Catholics — to act urgently in improving our collective care for creation.

In addition to learning more about the faith-based context of the issues that the Holy Father presents, we will also brainstorm action items (on the parish, local, national, and global levels) that we can take to address these problems. RSVP to caitlinstuddard@gmail.com.

RACIAL JUSTICE TRAINING

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

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 sc.socialracialjustice@gmail.com.

COLLECTING ALL GLASSWARE

We have learned of an organization in urgent need of glass plates, cups, and flatware (sets of 4 or 6) to help low-income households furnish their homes. Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless Under One Roof Initiative aims to assist homeless clients in finding homes and providing resources to make sure they are successful. Please email anthonymishak@gmail.com to arrange collection.

Social and Racial Justice Ministry

Who Is Eligible to Participate?All rising sophomores through those who gradu-ate from high school in the spring of 2018.

How Can You Help?· Sponsor a Young Neighbor. A trip like this usually costs somewhere in the neighborhood of $1,200.00 per Young Neighbor. Sponsoring a Young Neighbor is a great way to show your sup-port!

· Sponsor a van. When we arrive in Nebraska we will have to rent vans for the week. A van rental

typically costs approximately $1,700. Sponsoring a van is a generous way to help keep our expenses down.

· Make a tax deductible gift to our YNIA fund.

· Bring your loose change to church and deposit it in the water jug that will be in the narthex.

· Consider donating some of your Jet Blue True-Blue points to help defray the cost of our travel.

· We are always appreciative when people donate tickets to Red Sox or Patriots games that we can raffle off.

This July our high school parishioners will be heading to Omaha/Winnebego Reservation in Ne-braska for a week of service and learning. The Young Neighbors program provides a solid, Catho-lic approach to service and justice that balances scripture and Catholic Social Teaching with direct service. It provides the experiences, skills, and learning needed to help young people come to a greater un-derstanding of the need for change in our society.

Young Neighbors from Saint Cecilia Parish are heading to...

OMAHA WINNEBEGO RESERVATION, NE JULY 21-29

For more information on how you can help or if you would like to reserve one or more spaces, please e-mail Scott MacDonald at smacdonald@stceciliaboston.org or Janet Sweeny at pjpcsween@comcast.net.

For more information on YNIA visit www.youngneighbors.org

14

SAINT CECILIA PARISH

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.

15

SAINT CECILIA PARISH

WHAT’S THAT DOG DOING IN CHURCH?

SAINT CECILIA PARISH POLICY

It is the policy of Saint Cecilia Parish that service animals are welcome at all parish events. Unfortunately, as much as we love dogs, emotional support animals and other pets cannot be allowed in the church or Parish Pastoral Center. Of course, we welcome all animals to come to church for a blessing when we commemorate the feast day of Saint Francis of Assisi each October.

If you bring an animal to church, a staff member might ask you if it is a service animal as defined by the United States’ Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and also what work or task the animal performs.

WHAT IS A SERVICE ANIMAL?

Service animal regulations fall under the ADA. Although churches and religious entities are exempt from ADA regulations, we believe it is appropriate that we do not claim that exemption. Service animals are permitted to enter any event open to the general public, and therefore, will be welcomed at Saint Cecilia Church.

According to the ADA, “A service animal is any dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability.” Unless a dog, or other animal, has been trained to perform a specific task, it is not considered a service animal. Companion dogs that provide comfort merely by being present do not qualify as service animals under the ADA.

WHAT IS AN EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMAL?

Emotional support animals are animals that provide comfort or emotional support for their owner through companion-ship. They are not service animals because they are not trained to perform a specific task for a specific disability and ADA regulations do not require emotional support animals to have access to businesses or public locations.

The full parish policy on service animals vs. emotional support animals may be found on the parish website.

16

SAINT CECILIA PARISH

Almost 15 years ago, St. John Paul II surprised the Catholic world by introducing a new series of mysteries to the Rosa-ry. Now for anyone unfamiliar with this tradition, there are certain events from the lives of Mary and Jesus that you can meditate on as you recite the Rosary. So, for example, there are the Joyful Mysteries, like the Annunciation and the Visitation. The Sorrowful Mysteries, like the Crucifixion. And the Glori-ous mysteries, like the Assumption of Mary. In 2002, however, John Paul added the Luminous Mysteries, which focus mainly on Jesus's public ministry, like the Baptism in the Jordan and The Wedding Feast at Cana.

Lately, though, I've been thinking that we could add some oth-er events from Jesus’s life: all the times he gets angry.

Because the number of occasions Jesus gets angry in the Gos-pels is really quite considerable. At one point, for example, he says to his the people around him, “You faithless and perverse generation, how much longer must I be with you? How much longer must I put up with you?” He’s clearly losing his cool. When Peter says that Jesus shouldn’t have to suffer, Jesus says, “Get behind me, Satan!" And in the Gospel of Mark, Jesus is hungry and approaches and a fig tree. When he finds no fruit, he curses the tree, and it promptly withers and dies.

Indeed, there are so many times Jesus shows his anger that we really could add another series of mysteries to the Rosary, in addition to the Joyful, the Sorrowful and the Glorious. We could call them the "Furious Mysteries."

For a lot of people Jesus’s anger in the four Gospels is indeed mysterious. They don’t know what to make of it. But it’s also undeniable.

In today’s Gospel reading, for example, Jesus is very angry. There's no way around it. He makes a "whip out of cords" and drives out the merchants and the money changers in the Temple in Jerusalem. Though, interestingly, one way to read the Greek text is that he used the whip simply to drive out the sheep and the oxen. Nonetheless, it’s a vivid scene often called the “Cleansing of the Temple” that you’ve probably seen de-picted in paintings and mosaics, as well as in movies.

Now, precisely why Jesus objects is not clear. Most of us tend to think that Jesus condemns these Temple sacrifices—buying and selling animals for sacrifice, and exchanging money to do so--as an outrage to God in principle. And that may be the most accurate read. But a few scholars say that it's not related

The Furious Mysteries, or Jesus' Anger

By JAMES MARTIN, SJ

to money changing as much as the general behavior that went on around the Temple. Others say that because the Temple au-thorities were appointed by Rome, and money was exchanged at a discount favorable to the Temple, Jesus is angry about economic injustice.

Also, this passage comes at different points in the four Gos-pels. Here in John’s Gospel it comes in the second chapter, inaugurating Jesus’s public ministry. But most New Testament scholars believe that it’s more accurately situated in the three Synoptic Gospels, Matthew, Mark and Luke. They place it at the end of Jesus’s public ministry, right before the Passion. And that makes sense: the Cleansing of the Temple was prob-ably something that precipitated his arrest and execution

But whatever the reason, and whenever it happened, Jesus is angry. One of the "Furious Mysteries."

As I mentioned, some Christians have a hard time with Jesus’s anger. It’s a mystery to them. And this passage can be very disturbing, particularly when we remember that Jesus’s making a whip out of cords would have taken a few moments, maybe even a few minutes, indicating that it is not impulsive anger. Other people, however, find this a wonderfully bracing pas-sage. It shows that Jesus is human. Passionate. No matter what you think you have to agree: this is not a bland, unthreatening, boring Jesus.

Unfortunately, too many Christians use this incident as an ex-cuse for violence, or for judging other people, or for being rude, or for simply acting like a jerk. When confronted with any kind of opposition, they’ll strike back and say, “Well, I’m angry just like Jesus was in the Temple, and I’m overturning the tables!” But you know, when people oppose you, it may not mean you’re a prophet like Jesus. It may just mean that you’re wrong.

So this passage can be mysterious for people. So let’s unpack Jesus’s anger.

First of all, it’s important to say that there's nothing sinful about being angry. Yes, I know that anger is one of the Seven Deadly Sins, but I think that has to do more with unbridled anger, free-floating anger, violent anger. Because anger is a natural human emotion. If you don’t get angry once in a while you’re not human. I mean, if someone punches you in the face, you're going to get angry.The question is why are you angry? And what do you do with

17

SAINT CECILIA PARISH

it? Notice that in the Gospels Jesus is never angry on behalf of himself. For example, in the Crucifixion, he does not get angry at those who are executing him. He forgives them. He utters not a word when he is mocked and spat upon by the soldiers. He says nothing in his defense. If there was ever a time for him to get angry, it would be then. Remember: he’s being unjustly accused. Rather, Jesus’s anger is almost always on behalf of others. And here it’s on behalf of the Father who he feels is somehow being profaned.

So Jesus’s anger is righteous anger. Our own anger is more fre-quently selfish anger. It’s the result of an offense to ourselves. Now, of course, we have to have a healthy love of self and care of the self. So sometimes a strong response is justified. If you are a woman or a member of a minority, for example, who is getting paid less than your coworkers for doing the same job, your righteous anger calls for a response. And just yesterday we celebrated the 50th anniversary of Selma. So: righteous anger. So stand up for yourself. Better yet, stand up for yourself and for others.

But, on the other hand, if someone simply steps in front of you in the subway or cuts in line at the drug store, that does not mean you need to punch the person in the face. So the ques-tions are: Where is the anger really coming from? And what is the most Christian response?

There's also a tendency to believe that if we "repress" our an-ger we will do damage to ourselves. “Let it all hang out,” as they used to say in the 1970s. There is a great deal of truth in

that—feelings usually need to be expressed--but there’s a limit. We can experience the anger, recognize it, discern where it is coming from, and then decide how to act. Acting out of our emotions without reflection is neither Christian nor, frankly, adult. Because the person who always expresses his or her emotions unthinkingly, who thinks nothing of screaming and shouting at the drop of a hat, is hardly an adult. That’s more like an infant.

New York is filled with angry people. I'm sure you know this. All you need to do is walk down the street. Or step onto the subway. Or worst of all, wait in line. People seem to be fum-ing all the time. But once again it is usually over an offense to themselves.

So, in the end, the Furious Mysterious may not be so mysteri-ous. Jesus’s anger is not so hard to understand. Jesus is human. Anger is a natural part of life. And his anger is a righteous an-ger. It’s good for us to remember all those things. So that our own anger won’t be seen as inherently sinful. And, most of all, so that the next time you get furious, you might ask yourself, “Where does this come from? Is it a righteous anger or a self-ish anger? And what is the Christian response?”

So that, even if you feel like it, you may decide that those tables do not need to be turned over after all.

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

Jesus Drives the Money Changers from the Temple El Greco

18

SAINT CECILIA PARISH

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.orgLeah Bennett, Administrative Coordinator,lbennett@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