the church of saint boniface · 22.09.2019 · the lord has sworn by the pride of jacob: never...
TRANSCRIPT
THE CHURCH OF SAINT BONIFACE
Twenty-Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C
September 22, 2019
“You cannot serve two masters.”
(Luke 13, 16)
SERVING ST. BONIFACE FAMILIES WITH
THREE CONVENIENT LOCATIONS
DIRECTORS: Brian T. Anderson Michael D. Masciarelli
www.andersonfuneral.com 800.562.2692
(978) 342-9716
THOMAS FUEL
HOME HEATING OILS
Since 1932 Dan Thomas
681 Mass Ave., Lunenburg, MA 01462
Timothy W. Murphy Attorney At Law
81 Merriam Avenue
Leominster, MA 01453
Tel: (978) 537-5500
Fax: (978) 534-9778
E-Mail: [email protected]
DRIVE-IN SEAFOOD & FISH MARKET
Seafood at its best since 1946.
835 Mass Ave. Route 2A, Lunenburg, MA
978-582-6115
Michelle Hills - Branch Mgr. 947 Mass. Ave, Lunenburg, MA
(978) 582-0713 (508)481-8300
BankMainStreet.com Member FDIC Member DIF | EHL
Robert C. Alario Certified Public Accountants, PC
75 North Main St.,
Leominster, MA 01453
292 Park Ave., Worcester, MA 01609
(L) 978-534-1999 (W) 508-755-7575
Fax: (L) 978-534-0499 (W) 508-755-7599
www.robertalario.com
A ‘Note of Thanks’ to these fine
sponsors; without their support our
bulletin would not be possible. Please
thank them with your patronage.
For ad information call the parish
office 978-582-4008
YWCA-Battered Women’s Resources Helping area women, to survive, emerge from,
or heal from abusive relationships *Counseling *Court Advocacy *Emergency Shelter
*Community Education *24-hour hotline (978-537-8601)
For more information call 978-537-2306, Ext. 19
ST. BONIFACE
PRE-SCHOOL & CHILDCARE 817 Massachusetts Ave.
Lunenburg, MA 01462
978-582-7110 Children Ages: Open
2.9 through 7 years 7:30AM-5:30 PM
P.O. BOX 195, 199 MASS. AVENUE, RTE. 2A, LUNENBURG, MA 01462-0195
(978) 345-0621 • (800) 395-5800 • FAX (978) 345-9482
www.chaptruck.com
Though our Lord Jesus Christ was rich, he became poor, so that by his poverty you might
become rich. (2, Cor 8, 9)
Hear this, you who trample upon the needy and destroy the poor of the land!
"When will the new moon be over," you ask, "that we may sell our grain, and the sabbath, that we may display the wheat?
We will diminish the ephah, add to the shekel, and fix our scales for cheating! We will buy the lowly for silver,
and the poor for a pair of sandals; even the refuse of the wheat we will sell!"
The LORD has sworn by the pride of Jacob: Never will I forget a thing they have done! (Amos 8, 4-7)
Behind the above words of today’s first reading is a seething Amos. He is furious and angry at the merchants
and business people of his time. Israel was experiencing economic prosperity but only a few benefited, and they
were still excessively greedy for more. They had no regard or shame for other people’s lives, especially the poor.
They cannot wait for the 'religious days of rest' (Sabbath and new moon festivities) to get over so they can get to
‘business as usual.’ This means 'cheating.' They use counterfeit weighing scales and dry measures to inflate
prices. They have reached a new low; they even trade their fellow Israelites for silver and a pair of sandals.
Amos is clear and direct in his message to them, “The LORD has sworn by the pride of Jacob: Never will I
forget a thing they have done!”
To understand Amos is to know that ‘God is everything’ and God demands an end to social injustice. A
society’s values are known from the way it takes care of the poor.
Those who are called to be disciples are challenged to a greater responsibility. They are called to be ‘stewards’
in charge of the true wealth (God's people) of the kingdom. A good steward is trustworthy and honest. The
steward in the gospel is found to be ‘wanting’ in his trustworthiness of the property of his master. (He might
have charged excessively to others for personal benefit.) He knows his master has found this out and he cleverly
turns the situation around.
The 'concern of the other' is a key ingredient for anyone who claims to be Christian. The other’s well-being and
welfare is my concern, my responsibility to heal the brokenness we find around us. Perpetual self interest destroys.
What things cause divided attention in your relationship with God and others (Mammon). Name them and
correct them. What do you ever do for others? What defines social injustice for you? Do something about what
you see wrong.
A Blessed week in the Lord!
Fr. Anthony
Bishop Robert J McManus
will join us next Sunday, September 29,
at the 10:30am Mass to celebrate the
75th Wedding Anniversary of
Mario and Ann Patacchiola.
All are welcome.
Light refreshments after Mass in the Oktoberfest tent.
Saint Boniface Church
817 Massachusetts Avenue, Lunenburg, MA 01462
Parish Office: 978-582-4008 email: [email protected]
Discover St. Boniface ~ Visit our website: www.StBoniface-lunenburg.org
Parish Office Hours
Monday / Wednesday / Thursday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (closed 12:00 – 1:00 PM)
The Celebration of the Eucharist
Sunday: 8:00 AM & 10:30 AM
Saturday Vigil: 4:00 PM
Summer Sunday Mass schedule: 9:00 AM
(Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend)
Weekday Masses: 8:00 AM, Wednesday/Thursday/Friday
SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION (Confession) Saturday 3:00 - 3:30 p.m. or by appointment.
SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM Adults are baptized at the Easter Vigil as part of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA). Infant and child Baptisms are by arrangement.
FIRST EUCHARIST Preparation begins in grade one and includes classes, retreats, and home instruction. Children receive First Eucharist in grade two.
CONFIRMATION Our Confirmation program begins in the 9th
grade; students are confirmed in the spring of the 10th
grade. For young adults who have been baptized but not yet confirmed, contact the parish office.
SACRAMENT OF MATRIMONY It is the policy of the Diocese of Worcester that a couple should contact the parish at least one year prior to the anticipated date of their wedding to allow sufficient time to carry out the various steps of the marriage preparation process. It is important that arrangements be made with the church before plans are made with reception halls, caterers, etc.
ANNOINTING OF THE SICK Please call the parish office 978-582-4008 or email Fr. Anthony at [email protected]
or Nancy Cieri 978-582-6983 [email protected] to arrange these visits.
PRAYER LINE MINISTRY If you or someone you know needs prayers or if you would like to be a part of this ministry of those who pray for the needs of neighbors, please contact Sue Cote 978-582-0404 [email protected] KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS COUNCIL #16480 In Service to One. In Service to all. The members meet in the Parish Hall on the
first Wednesday of each month at 7 PM. Any Catholic men over 18 who are interested in joining
the Knights should contact Grand Knight James Dijak (978) 534-7956 or Deputy Grand Knight Brian Cusick
(978) 534-2326, or you can email the Council at [email protected].
PARISH STAFF:
Rev. Anthony Mpagi, Pastor 978-582-4008 [email protected]
Jo-Anne Poirier, Administrative Assistant 978-582-4008 [email protected]
Lucy Marcil, Religious Education Coordinator 978-696-5230 [email protected]
Claire Garrity Neas, Music Ministry 617-823-4237
Louise Nadeau, Sacristan
Jacquie Cronin, Ministry Schedule 978-582-7040
Nina Charpentier, Dir. Early Childhood/PreK 978-582-7110
Newcomers to St. Boniface are invited and encouraged to formally register as members of the parish so that
so that we can stay in touch with you via email with faith formation news, notice of special events, volunteer
opportunities, and more. Registration forms are available at the doors of the church or on our website.
Please note that you must be registered for at least six months before we can issue any verification
of your status as a parishioner for godparent or sponsor letters.
From the Desk of the Pastor
IT’S ALMOST HERE!
Please join us for our 3rd Annual Saint Boniface Oktoberfest Celebration
September 28, 2019 – 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.
German and American Food • Kids' Activities and Games (with Prizes)
Micro Brews and Wine • Craft Vendors • White Elephant Sale • Raffle Baskets
Grand Raffle: Grand Prize $1,000 • 2nd Prize $500 • 3rd Prize $100 (3)
No entry fee! ALL are welcome! Please come and enjoy the festivities!
Bring your family and friends!
Of Many Things
Two months ago I turned 51. That feels pretty old to me. But at least I’m a bit more experienced and, I hope, a little
wiser than I was at 21. With that in mind, here are six stupid things I have done that I never want to do again. Maybe
you’ve done some of them too. But I’ll bet we’d both be happier if we don’t ever again...
1. Compare. Ever heard the saying “Compare and despair”? Comparing yourself to someone else usually means that
you imagine the other person is better off, more satisfied — in a word, happier. But here’s the problem: We end up
comparing what we know about our life, which is a mixed bag of good and bad, with a fantasy of someone else’s
supposedly “perfect” life. Why do we do this? Because we know all about our own problems, but other people’s
problems are harder to see. As a result, our real life always loses out. That leads to despair. Besides, there’s probably
someone comparing his or her life to your supposedly perfect one —which shows you how ridiculous it all is.
2. “Should” on yourself. It’s easy to imagine yourself making a choice that would have taken you to a different
place in your life. I should have married this person; I should have taken that job; I should have moved. This is called
“shoulding all over yourself.” (Say it aloud and the negative meaning becomes clearer.) Reflecting on our choices is
an important way to grow, but you cannot live your real life if you’re busy living in your “should have” life. Jesus of
Nazareth once said you cannot serve two masters. You can’t live two lives either.
3. Get people to like you. I spent all of my teens, most of my 20s, a great deal of my 30s and too much of my 40s
trying to get people to like me. But forcing people’s affection never works. Besides, it takes too much energy to tailor
yourself to what you think people will like. Your true friends like you already. Be open to change and growth by all
means, but treasure friends who love you for who you are. St. Francis de Sales, the gentle and lighthearted 17th-
century saint, once said: “Be who you are and be that perfectly well.”
4. Be a jerk. You’re tired. You’re rushed. You’ve got a cold. You’re late. You’re angry about something your boss said.
Yes, you are miserable. That doesn’t mean you have to be a jerk to everyone else. It really doesn’t. Sure, share your
frustrations and struggles with close friends, but don’t make everyone else’s life more miserable by passing on your
misery. Once I joked to a friend, “Boy, my life is such a cross!” “Yes,” he said, “But for you or others?”
5. Make fun of people. Nothing brings me lower than a few minutes of mocking another person. (Particularly if the
person is not present.) But the snappy putdown has a high value in our culture, and famous snubs are often repeated
approvingly. Malicious speech is an easy way to wound. If you feel powerless to resist badmouthing someone, ask
yourself three questions: Is it kind? Is it necessary? Is it true?
6. Be hard on yourself. One of my Jesuit mentors used to say, “Be easy with yourself, Jim.” If you’re reading this list
and taking it at all seriously, you may be beating yourself up about stupid things that you’ve done in the past.
(Believe me, my list is just as long as yours.) But you also want to change yourself, which is good. So be careful to
“trust in the slow work of God,” as the Jesuit Pierre Teilhard de Chardin used to say. (He was also a paleontologist, so
he knew about things moving really slowly.)
If you ever get discouraged about your rate of change, just think about trees — yes, trees. In the summer they’re
green. In the fall they’re red. And no one sees them change.
~ James Martin, S.J.
This article also appeared in print, under the headline "Of Many Things" in the February 13, 2012 issue of America Magazine.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________
PREGNANCY RESOURCE CENTER OF NORTH CENTRAL MASSACHUSETTS, INC.
515 Main Street, Fitchburg, MA 01420
You are cordially invited to our 17th
Annual Fundraising Banquet
To be held on Thursday, October 24, 2019 – 6 p.m.
at the DoubleTree by Hilton, 99 Erdman Way, Leominster
Register at www.friendsofcarenetfitchburg.org - Or call us at 978-342-4244, or email us at [email protected].
Our mission is a rescue mission. By educating those facing an unplanned pregnancy to the sanctity of life, and by
offering life-affirming alternatives to abortion we rescue babies from death. Please pray for our mission and for our
banquet. Pray for sponsors to support our fundraiser and mission. Pray for guests to come and hear our stories.
MASS INTENTIONS
Sat Sep 21 4:00 pm Joe Simoneau, by the Knights of
Columbus Council #16480
Sun Sep 22 8:00 am Our Parish Family
10:30 am Our Parish Family
Sun Sep 29 8:00 am Anne Rivard, by Michael Rivard
Collection Report
Weekend of September 15, 2019
Sunday Ordinary: $2926 .00
Maintenance: 67 .00
Religious Ed: 360 .00
Other:
Total
Contributions:
$3353 .00
Thank you for your continued
support!
Saint Boniface Environmental Stewardship
In 2015, Pope Francis said “As stewards of God’s creation, we are called to make the earth a beautiful
garden for the human family. When we destroy our forests, ravage our soil and pollute our seas, we
betray that noble calling.”
As a start Saint Boniface has added recycling bins for use during church events — please use them! One bin is for deposit items and the other is for curbside recycling items.
We are looking for other ways for our community to be better stewards of the earth and would like your input.
There will be a booth at Oktoberfest where we will be discussing environmental issues and asking for your feedback.
Please stop by!
Serving God
The complexity of the parable of the dishonest manager, found in Luke’s Gospel
alone, did not stop the church fathers from cutting to the heart of the matter.
Jesus commended the dishonest manager for slashing the amount of money
the debtors owed to his master and encouraged his listeners to also “make
friends for yourselves by means of dishonest wealth, so that when it is gone,
they may welcome you into the eternal homes.” The commendation of the
dishonest (Greek adikia, “unrighteous”) manager seems out of place, but
ancient interpreters put the emphasis on the repentance of the manager that
led to his proper use of earthly wealth.
Cyril of Alexandria, in his commentary on this passage (Homily 109), said: “Let
those of us who possess earthly wealth open our hearts to those in need. Let us
show ourselves faithful and obedient to the laws of God.” Ambrose of Milan
(“Exposition of the Gospel of Luke”) focuses on the manager’s repentance and subsequent use of money, which he
extols “so that by giving to the poor, we may match the grace of the angels and all the saints for ourselves. He does
not rebuke the steward…. Although he has sinned, he is praised because he sought help for himself in the future
through the Lord’s mercy.”
Cyril and Ambrose see the antidote to greed and the manager’s path back to God grounded in opening “our hearts
to those in need” and “giving to the poor.” Centuries earlier the prophet Amos revealed God’s care for the needy,
decrying “you that trample on the needy, and bring to ruin the poor of the land” by practicing “deceit with false
balances, buying the poor for silver and the needy for a pair of sandals, and selling the sweepings of the wheat.”
Amos promises that God will “never forget any of their deeds.”
God’s concern for the poor is grounded in the humanity that all of us share, which itself is grounded in God’s
creation of us and love for each of us. To take advantage of another human being is to turn away from God’s love.
More than that, to cheat a neighbor might also turn them away from God’s love and mercy. This is the ultimate result
of sin, that we might substitute lesser things, like mammon, for God, or turn others away from God because of our
unrighteous behavior.
The First Letter to Timothy, attributed to the Apostle Paul, draws a connection between Jesus’ common humanity and
our salvation. There is “one mediator between God and humankind, Christ Jesus, himself human, who gave himself a
ransom for all.” The fact that Jesus shares in our humanity indicates that every person is intended for salvation. Since
God desires “everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth,” we need to ask how our behavior
affects those to whom the Gospel is to be brought. How does our behavior impinge on God’s desire that every
person might come to know the truth?
Since all of us, rich and poor, share a common humanity, and since we share that humanity with Jesus, the one
mediator, “who gave himself a ransom for all,” our constant goal must be to build our relationships with an eye to
maximizing the dignity of all people. Improper use of wealth, cheating in business, bullying the poor or taking
advantage of them financially might seem like small potatoes when compared to “greater” sins, but they matter in
the big scheme of things. Jesus’ common humanity with us calls on us to treat everyone with the respect that the
Incarnation makes manifest. God’s desire that we all be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth means that
we should not act in ways that would turn people from this saving truth. Wealth, and how we use it, matters; and as
the dishonest manager demonstrates, it is never too late to get honest and serve God instead of mammon.
~ John W. Martens
This article also appeared in print, under the headline "Serving God," in the September 12, 2016 issue of America Magazine.
SAINTS OF THE DAY
Saint Pio of Pietrelcina
September 23. Saint Pio of Pietrelcina, popularly known as Padre Pio, grew up in southern
Italy. At the age of 15, he joined the Capuchins and was ordained in 1910. In 1918 he
received the stigmata, the markings of the crucified Jesus.
San Sebastian Cathedral of Tarlac, Philippines | photo by Ramon F Velasquez
Blessed John Henry Newman
September 24. John Henry Newman, the 19th-century's most important English-speaking
Roman Catholic theologian, spent the first half of his life as an Anglican and the second
half as a Roman Catholic. He was a priest, popular preacher, writer, and eminent theologian
in both Churches.
Blessed John Henry Newman | Sir John Everett Millais
Saints Louis Martin and Zélie Guerin
September 25. Frustrated in their attempts to enter Religious Life, Louis Martin and Zélie
Guerin married and had nine children. Their youngest child, who entered a Carmelite convent at
15, became Saint Thérese of the Child Jesus, affectionately known as the Little Flower.
Blessed Louis and Marie Zelie Guerin Martin, the parents of St. Therese of Lisieux | CNS photo, Sanctuary of Lisieux
Saint Paul VI
September 26. Blessed Pope Paul VI helped prepare for the Second Vatican Council,
and was the one to complete it after the death of his predecessor, Pope Saint John XXIII.
In 1965, he instituted the Synod of Bishops and spoke to the United Nations General
Assembly during a visit to New York City.
Saint Paul VI | photo by Ambrosius007
Saint Vincent de Paul
September 27. The experience and needs of the poor turned Saint Vincent de Paul’s heart
and energy to a life of care and compassion. A grumpy man by nature — and by his own
admission — Saint Vincent became a gentle and loving servant of the oppressed. The Saint
Vincent de Paul Society carries on his work in many parishes today.
Detail | Saint Vincent de Paul | Jean-Jules-Antoine Lecomte du Nouÿ
Saint Andrew Kim Taegon and Companions | CNS