Monday-Friday
6:50am and 9:00am

Saturday
 9:00am, 4:00pm (Vigil)

Sunday Morning
7:30am, 9:00am (Family), 11:00am

Sunday Evening:
5:00pm (LifeTeen), 7:00pm (Brazilian)

Comunidade Brasileira - Bem Vindo! A celebracao da missa e realizada todos os domingos e as quartas feiras as 19:00 h. Para maiores informacoes contactar Pe. Darci daSilva pelo tel: 781-871-5754.

changes during flu season
Office of Worship, in consultation with local health authorities and the Archdiocesan Office of Risk Management, continues to encourage the clergy and faithful to observe necessary standard precautions to protect the health of others during this flu season, and especially with the risks related to H1N1 influenza. The best way to prevent the spread of contagious disease is to practice good hygiene.

In addition to practicing good hygiene, the Cardinal directs the following for the celebration of the Sacred Liturgy and for flu prevention:

* The Holy Water fonts are to be drained, cleaned with a disinfecting soap, and re-filled with holy water on a regular basis.

* The distribution of the Precious Blood for the faithful is suspended, with the exception of those who must receive from the cup due to medical reasons. The faith of the Church teaches that Christ, whole and entire, is received even under only one species.

* The exchange of the Sign of Peace is to be offered without any physical contact. Instead of a handshake, parishioners are encouraged to bow to persons nearby.

* While the faithful retain the option of receiving Holy Communion on the tongue or in the hand, all ministers of Holy Communion are advised to distribute the consecrated hosts with care, being cautious not to touch the tongue or the hand of the communicant.

* Parishioners should be reminded that if they are ill or suspect they are ill with a contagious illness, they are not bound by the Sunday Mass obligation. They should remain at home and return to church when they are well.

These directives are effective Saturday, October 31, 2009 and remain in effect until the cold and flu season has come to an end.

OUR CONSECRATION BELL
You will remember, some of you, that the use of a bell or bells, usually hand held, once common at the Consecration, became much less common after the Vatican Council. Several years ago, while reading a liturgical commentary on the Mass, I came across the affirmation of the use of the actual tower bell to announce the Consecration of the Mass. The use of our tower bell for the Consecration has delighted me ever since and I believe it is a blessing for you. Here is a little gift from a parishioner about this very practice. Frankly, it is lovely to have someone encourage what we do as a community for Our Lord Jesus, especially at the Consecration.

MASS: ANYTIME ANYWHERE
How many times have you traveled somewhere and not known the times of local Masses or the location of a church? Wonder no longer. Traveling Catholics, on the World Wide Web, lists all Catholic parishes in the United States with Mass times and directions, including a map. Call them at 410-676-6000 or visit their website.

It might be of interest to discover that the Church’s tradition of offering the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass every day arose out of the devotion of the laity. The people called for this opportunity from their desire to be nourished daily by the Bread of Life. It makes such sense for the Church to afford to all the fulfillment of the petition of the Lord’s Prayer, “give us this day our daily bread.”

Our life as Christians is dependent on faith and on being faithful to the end. We constantly need to discover or rediscover ways of nourishing faith, of being faithful not just in our words but by our daily works.

Encouraging this faithful love for Jesus, in the second century Saint Ignatius of Antioch wrote, “Try to gather together more frequently to give thanks to God and to praise him. For when you come together frequently, Satan’s powers are undermined, and the destruction that he threatens is done away with in the unanimity of your faith.” (O.R., week II, Ordinary Time). So I wish to echo Ignatius’ advice, “Try to gather together more frequently” by offering Mass daily. Think how you might arrange that devotion. Mass is offered at 6:50 and 9:00 a.m. on weekdays and at 9:00 a.m. on Saturdays.

AGAIN: WHY DAILY MASS? DAILY BREAD!
“Holy Communion augments our union with Christ…. What material food produces in our bodily life, Holy Communion wonderfully achieves in our spiritual life. Communion …preserves, increases, and renews the life of grace received at Baptism….Christian life needs the nourishment of Eucharistic Communion.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1391 & 1392). So, plan your Lent to include, if you can at all, daily Mass.

God bless! JFH