St. MarySt. Mary--St. CatherineSt. Catherine

Of SienaOf Siena

Roman Catholic ParishRoman Catholic Parish

Charlestown, Massachusetts ▪ Archdiocese of Boston

Est. April 18, 2006 December 16, 2018 s t m a r y s t c a t h e r i n e . o r g

To visitors to our Parish, to

those who have recently

moved into the area and to those

comfortable and nourished here—Welcome

To All. And, regardless of your status in the

Church, your marital state, your ethnicity,

your prior religious experience, your

personal history, background or sexual

orientation, please know that you are

accepted and respected at Saint Mary–Saint

Catherine of Siena Parish. Please introduce

yourself to the priest and register as a

member of our Parish.

Welcome!

Saint Mary–Saint Catherine of

Siena is an urban, Roman

Catholic Parish formed in 2006 from two

historic Charlestown parishes. We are an

intentionally inclusive community

welcoming all of the many people who

make up our diverse neighborhood. Because

our lives are nourished by the Eucharist, we

strive to build a vibrant Parish that develops

and strengthens our faith and worship. With

a goal of being community-oriented in the

Spirit of the Gospel, we are involved in the

local and global issues of our times. We are

therefore dedicated to service, action, and

compassion

Mission

St. Mary’s–St. Catherine of Siena

es una parroquia urbana, Católica

Romana, formada en 2006 de la unión de dos

parroquias históricas de Charlestown. Somos una

comunidad intencionalmente inclusiva que acoge

a toda clase de personas que constituyen nuestro

diverso vecindario. Porque nuestras vidas están

alimentadas por la Eucaristía, nuestra intención

es establecer una parroquia vibrante que desarro-

lle y fortifique nuestra fe y nuestro culto. Con la

meta de estar orientados hacia la comunidad en el

Espíritu del Evangelio, estamos comprometidos

en los asuntos locales y globales de nuestros tiem-

pos. Estamos, por lo tanto, dedicados al servicio,

a la acción y a la compasión.

Misión

END OF YEAR EVALUATION

Inside: Parish Life

“All employees of this company

will participate in an end of year

performance evaluation”.

Off the top of

your head, can you

think of anything

that makes some-

one more uncom-

fortable and anx-

ious than receiving

a notice like that?

We all hate to

be evaluated. And

taking a serious

look at ourselves,

our performance,

our life, our relationships is often pain-

ful and frequently threatening. At the

same time, if we are honest with our-

selves, we realize that perfection is an

elusive goal even as we strive to

achieve it.

Now we find ourselves in the

Christmas season, and that means the

end of another year. The season evokes

all kinds of feelings of concern for oth-

ers, and invitations for acts of charity

and generosity abound – everything

from the Globe Santa to the Salvation

Army collections on street corners. The

party thing is around and if we are not

busy and a part of it, we all act as if we

are. The busyness of the holiday season

serves as a mantra to excuse us from

any number of things to which we

ought to turn our a7ention. I guess it is

as easy a time as any

to be dishonest with

ourselves.

Why not change

that? Why not

choose to make these

next two weeks lead-

ing up to Christmas

different from other

years of the same old-

same old? It is possi-

ble and I have a sug-

gestion for you to

make it possible. Go

to confession. Didn’t see that coming

did you?

We Catholics profess faith in Christ,

the Church, Sacred Scripture and

among other things, the sacraments.

One of those sacraments is within our

reach and is a treasure.—the Sacrament

of Reconciliation. This sacrament

offers us a chance to take a look, an

honest and real look at ourselves—our

relationships, life, choices, habits, rou-

tines, priorities, and everything else

that makes up the stuff of life. Using

the Gospel of Jesus Christ as a template

– how do I measure up? If you are alive

and breathing while reading this col-

Mass Schedule Saturday Saturday Saturday Saturday – St. Mary ChurchSt. Mary ChurchSt. Mary ChurchSt. Mary Church 4:00 p.m.

Sunday Sunday Sunday Sunday – St. MarySt. MarySt. MarySt. Mary ChurchChurchChurchChurch 8:00 a.m. 10:30 a.m. Family Mass 6:00 p.m. (in Chapel during Summer months)

Daily Mass Daily Mass Daily Mass Daily Mass Mon.-Fri., 8:00 a.m. at St. Catherine St. Catherine St. Catherine St. Catherine of Siena Chapel of Siena Chapel of Siena Chapel of Siena Chapel (entrance on Soley St. side of Church)

Holidays Holidays Holidays Holidays 9:00 a.m. in Chapel

Reconciliation Reconciliation Reconciliation Reconciliation 3:45 p.m. Saturday in Church or by appointment

BaptismBaptismBaptismBaptism Visit stmarystcatherine.org/sacraments/ for our 2017 schedule or call Sr. Nancy at (617) 242-4664. Preparation classes are held for Par-ents and Godparents on the preceding Friday of the monthly baptism at 7PM in the Parish Cen-ter.

PastorPastorPastorPastor Fr. James J. Ronan

Pastoral AssociatePastoral AssociatePastoral AssociatePastoral Associate Sr. Nancy Citro, SNDdeN

Business ManagerBusiness ManagerBusiness ManagerBusiness Manager James Santosuosso

Social Ministry DirectorSocial Ministry DirectorSocial Ministry DirectorSocial Ministry Director Thomas J. MacDonald

Pastoral Assistant, Faith FormationPastoral Assistant, Faith FormationPastoral Assistant, Faith FormationPastoral Assistant, Faith Formation Katy Fleming Director of Music and OrganistDirector of Music and OrganistDirector of Music and OrganistDirector of Music and Organist Daniel Sauceda

Administrative AssistantAdministrative AssistantAdministrative AssistantAdministrative Assistant Dianne Ludy

Staff emails are first initial with last name (example, “jsmith@stmarystcatherine.org”)

Clergy In ResidenceClergy In ResidenceClergy In ResidenceClergy In Residence Fr. Jerome Gillespie Fr. Ken Chemizie O.C.D. Fr. Anthony Nweke C.S.S.p. Fr. Clemente Yeboah

Visiting ClergyVisiting ClergyVisiting ClergyVisiting Clergy Fr. Pat Universal

Hispanic MinistryHispanic MinistryHispanic MinistryHispanic Ministry Blanca Paz

Vice Chairs Pastoral CouncilVice Chairs Pastoral CouncilVice Chairs Pastoral CouncilVice Chairs Pastoral Council Shawn Burke

Vice Chair Finance CouncilVice Chair Finance CouncilVice Chair Finance CouncilVice Chair Finance Council Nancy Higgins Parish Center

& Eucharistic Chapel 46 Winthrop Street 617-242-4664

Saint Mary Church

55 Warren Street

Saint Catherine of Siena Chapel Warren and Soley Street

Social Ministry Office

49 Vine Street 617-580-8305

Good Shepherd School

20 Winthrop Street 617-242-8800

V i s i t u s a t

s t m a r y s t c a t h e r i n e . o r g a n d

f a c e b o o k . c o m /s t m a r y s t c a t h e r i n e

The Church is handicap-accessible on Soley Street.

The Chapel is handicap-accessible on Winthrop Street.

Our Stewardship Prayer by the Welcoming Committee

Heavenly Father, instill in our hearts a spirit of love and compassion. May we foster a welcoming parish community with acceptance and respect for all. In-spire us to make a difference by being generous with our time and talents. Please send your Holy Spirit among us to remind us to follow Jesus and his teach-ings in all aspects of our lives. As we end this Mass, may we go forth and spread goodwill among our neighbors, friends, and fellow parishioners. Through Christ, our Lord. Amen

umn, you will start to see the shortfalls. Most particularly we can see the selfish-

ness and all that is not included in our lives that we really wish were there –

prayer, service, acts of kindness, and involvement in things that really make a

difference in our lives and the lives of others.

I believe that every one of us aches to be a be7er person. Usually we are too

busy to really think about it – but underneath, pre7y close to the surface, there

is a wish to live lives that are more faithful to God’s vision for us. There is no

be7er first step to moving in that direction than owning it. Saying, “Yes” to a

personal evaluation and carrying that to Christ with a sincere wish to change; to

walk with more dignity and integrity; to be the persons we are called to be. That

means asking forgiveness for our sins and opening our hearts to receive the gift

of a Savior – a Child born in Bethlehem whom we proclaim is the Light of the

World.

Tomorrow night, Monday, December 17, there will be a penance service at

Saint Mary’s Church at 7:00. A group of priests will be with me as we make our-

selves available to hear individual confessions. Doesn’t ma7er how long it has

been. This is the year to turn that corner. How about it?

-Fr. Ronan

December 16 ~ Third Sunday of Advent

(Gaudete Sunday) “Shout for joy.” “Sing joyful-

ly.” “Be glad and exult with all your heart.” “Rejoice,

in the Lord always.” The message this week is clear,

joy must be a sign of our life in Christ. We need to

bring the light of Christ to these dark December days

and speak a word of hope to our world – “the Lord is

near.” With each remaining day in Advent make this

your prayer and your intention: “The Spirit of the Lord

is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor.”

Among the gifts you give this Christmas season, please consider contributing to

a special Christmas collection for the health and well-being of 580 active and

senior priests in good standing in our Archdiocese.

Amid these difficult times for our Church, our hardworking priests need your support now more than ever. Please take this opportunity to say thank you to all priests, including senior priests, who have devoted their lives to our Church … and to all of us. To donate online, visit clergytrust.org or text the word PRIEST25 to 20222 to donate $25. Msg. and data rates may apply.

Visit clergyfunds.org for a heartwarming testimony from a family about our priests.

La iglesia siempre ha llamado a este tercer domingo de Adviento el domingo de la alegría o “Gaudete” y se debe a que toda la celebración nos anuncia a Jesucristo como la causa de nuestra alegría. Ya la misma antífona de entrada nos lo anuncia, “estad alegres en el Señor; os lo repito es-tad alegres. El Señor esta cerca” Isaías anuncia: “se alegrará el páramo y la estepa”. El adviento nos trae la Buena Nueva de la salvación, nos trae a Jesús. La palabra de Dios al iniciar la cuaresma habla sobre “el tiempo de gracia, el día de salvación (2 Co 6,2). Y el adviento nos muestra que es Jesús el verdadero esperado de los tiempos y que es la promesa cumplida. La salvación se obra para bien del hombre; “los cojos andan, los ciegos ve, los sordos oyen” es el cumplimiento de la profecía de Isaías. Más no nos podemos quedar en una alegría para gozar internamente sino que nuestra labor es el anuncio, franco y directo: Dios es nuestra fortaleza. ¡Tened valor! Nuestra alegría se debe volver

testimonio. No sin razón estas fiestas de navidad, que ya se acerca, nos invitan a ser personas abiertas y contagiadas de amor fraterno. Pero no de un amor fraterno muy altruista sino de un amor que concreta y hace real el amor de Dios. ¿Eres tú?… o, ¿hay que esperar a otro?... Jesús responde con su obrar. La felicidad que nos trae celebrar nuevamente la navidad se debe reflejar en obras concretas, re-flejo de Cristo, nuestro salvador, en nuestra vida, en medio de nosotros. Los ciegos ven, los cojos andan...Nos están tocando vivir horas graves y profundos problemas a nivel nacional e internacional y puede ser que nos embargue la lamentación fácil, la pereza ante una impotencia ficticia. Necesitamos apostar por una atmósfera de diálogo, de creatividad y una voluntad sincera de profundizar en los verdaderos problemas que nos rodean a la humanidad. Los creyentes no podemos inhibirnos y permanecer pasivos, la fe no nos aporta soluciones técnicas a nuestros problemas pero nos da un amor apasionado por la justicia, por la paz; nos da libertad de espíritu para buscar honradamente la verdad, nos da un deseo eficaz de concordia, nos da un anhelo sincero del bien. El evangelio que nos alimenta en el tercer domingo de adviento, nos ofrece la buena no-ticia de la fuerza liberadora de la persona de Jesús; al encontrarse con Él la realidad humana tan doliente y atropellada es transformada y se convierte en agente de transformación. Aunque la noche pueda parecer muy oscura y el mar muy bravo, aunque las dificultades parezcan ahogar nuestro anhelo de cambiar hay algo que mantiene viva la esperanza y alegra nuestro corazón: Es la certeza y la confianza de que en el horizonte siempre está esa luz que nos marca el camino; que al final Dios nunca nos defrauda porque la luz que nos orienta es Él mismo, porque su promesa es Él mismo. La causa de nuestra alegría es que al final no nos espera un puerto más, una promesa más, sino Dios mismo, el cumplimiento definitivo de la promesa. El Evangelio es el anuncio de una inmensa alegría. Esta alegría –y también la conversión a que se invitaba el domingo anterior– ha de ser fermento de un nuevo mundo, de un nuevo orden que relucirá por la transformación de la sociedad, del sistema, donde los últimos serán los primeros, los cojos andarán, los ciegos verán... y a los pobres se les anuncia la Buena Noticia. Buena Noticia para todos, porque todos somos “pobres”. Un misterio de alegría. Se acabaron las caras tristes, las celebraciones “serias” y rutinarias. La fe es una fiesta. Que se viva. Que se nos note. Que nuestra alegría no sea “light” o falsificada. La verdadera alegría no se compra en nuestros mercados, ni se encuentra en nuestras salas de fiesta. Es un dar. Brota de dentro. Pero eso sólo puede ser si nosotros colaboramos en dicha transformación, los cambi-os no se dan por sí solos; los milagros son los que Dios hace a través de nuestros corazones y nuestras manos.

Parish Lenten Pilgrimage to Medjugorje

A few more thoughts about the planned parish pilgrimage this upcoming Lent to Medjugorje, March 29 – April 6.

Medjugorje is a town in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which is a small country that was once part of Yugoslavia. It is safe to travel there and during the past decade, many thousands of pilgrims have made their way to the village.

Medjugorje is now an official place of Catholic pilgrimage, approved by Rome, although the alleged apparitions of the Vir-gin Mary have not been fully and formally accepted, perhaps because they are presently ongoing.

Archbishop Henry Hoser, Pope Francis's special apostolic envoy, has encouraged all parishes throughout the world to visit this holy, little village, and calls it the "lungs of the Catholic Church".

Many, many physical miracles, spiritual conversions, and charitable endeavors have been attributed to Our Lady's pres-ence in Medjugorje. She refers to herself as the "Queen of Peace" and leaves a memorable mark on the hearts of all who travel there. A pilgrimage to Medjugorje is the gift you give yourself. Pray about it and discern if Our Lady is calling you.

For more information contact Donna LeCam at <donna.lecam@gmail.com>

Fr. Ronan

Advent Prayer and

Reconciliation Service Monday, December 17 at 7 ".$.in

Saint Mary’s Church The Advent Season is an appropri-

ate time of year to reflect on our lives in a Sacramental way, and to engage in special moments of prayer to prepare for a new birth of Christ in our hearts this Christmas season. It’s a time to set our course for the New Year!

PARISH

LIFE

Pics from

Religous Ed

Family Day

REMEMBERING OUR LOVED ONES WHO ARE WITH GOD Weekend of December 22/23

At all of our Masses on the weekend of December 22 and 23, we will have a Ritual of Remembrance for all of our loved ones who have gone to God. At the conclusion of Mass, you are invited to place one sand dollar in memory of your loved ones on the Parish Christmas tree by the piano, approaching it from the Winthrop Street aisle.

With Christmas coming, we’ll need help with the additional worshipers that will be attending Christmas Eve

Mass at 5pm, and the Christmas Day Masses at 8am and 10:30am. Ushers help with the collection, assist wor-shipers find seats, and answer ques-tions they may have or direct them to someone who can.

If you can help, please email dludy@stmarystcatherine.org or call 617-242-4664. Please note which Mass you will be attending, and please arrive 15-30 mins prior to Mass . Thank you!

MARRIAGE BANNS

II. Thomas Amer & Alison Powers

RELIGIOUS ED-

December Classes are:

Sunday December 16 at 9:00 am,

Tuesday December 18 at 4:00 pm

Please pray for those serving in our Armed Forces and their families:

Gerald Byrnes Jr. (Marines)

Ralph Rizzo, Jr. (Marines) Joseph Upton, Jr. (Marines)

Kenneth (Army) Jackie Walsh (Army)

If you have a loved one serving in the military, please contact the Parish at 617-242-4664.

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To learn more and/or become involved contact us at 617-242-4664

and check out the web site! stmarystcatherine.org

Weekend of 12/09

Parishioners contributed $4,768.55 to

the Weekly Sunday Collection

Parishioners contributed $1,441.00 to

the Monthly Collection.

Parishioners contributed $465.00 to

the Immaculate Conception Collec-

tion.

Thank you for your continued support!

Upcoming Collections

December 16, 2018

Parish Christmas Collection

December 25, 2018

Clergy Benefit/Retired Priests

Attendance Sat 12/08 4:00 PM - 73 Sun 12/09 8:00 AM - 80 Sun 12/09 10:30 AM - 194 Sun 12/09 6:00 PM - 73 TOTAL 420

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Come out of the cold and into the warmth of the Parish Center where you can browse the shelves of the Parish

library. You will discover good spiritual reading, biographies of saints and Popes, self-help books, books teaching about Scripture, a few novels as well as some children’s books. Feel free to bor-row a book or two. Spread the Good Word to others.

For Advertising call 617-779-3771 Pilot Bulletins Saint Mary & Saint Catherine of Siena, Charlestown, MA 4898

From the time that we were young kids growing up in Dorchester receiving First Communion, through our marriage, as we brought up our own four boys, and now as grandparents, Boston priests have been a guiding light that we reach out to in di�erent situations that have come up in our lives.As parents, our faith life has helped us to guide our family. We are an ordinary family, and, like all families, things don’t always go smoothly. The priests we have known through the years, like Fr. Peter Martocchio, have helped us to learn to take things in stride and put our faith in God, and that there is always hope.While not perfect, ours has been a wonderful life, which has been enriched by many Boston priests who have helped us along the way.

Kevin and Trisha MuldoonImmaculate Conception Parish, Weymouth, with Fr. Peter Martocchio, now living at Regina Cleri, a residence for retired priests in good standing in Boston.

Priests have been a constant presence throughout our lives. Boston Priests. Here for us.

Please give to the Clergy Health and Retirement Trust through the special Christmas collection or visit clergytrust.org

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

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