Saint CeciliaP A R I S H

Fourth Sunday of Lent

Laetare! 11 March 2018Deesis mosaic of Jesus in the Hagia Sophia

Welcome to Saint Cecilia Parish, a Roman Catholic community that gathers day by day, week by week, to know and make known the grace of God. By means of this abundant grace, we enjoy a diverse and close-knit parish family—young, old, rich, poor, of various ethnic origins and differing backgrounds. From our`vextraordinary music program to a growing children’s faith formation program; from the various liturgical ministries to the many opportunities for social outreach that the parish provides, Saint Cecilia is a vibrant community of faith, centered on prayer and worship that tries to keep the Gospel close to heart and to live by Jesus’ teachings.

Saint Cecilia Parish was established in 1888. At that time the Back Bay section of Boston along Commonwealth Avenue and Beacon Street was the residential section of the Yankee aristocracy. The maids (“Irish working out girls”) and coachmen who served these residents had long requested a church of their own. When Archbishop Williams granted their request and carved the parish from the territory of the Cathedral, they built a magnificent church out of their meager earnings.

The church was dedicated on April 22, 1894. Its architecture is Romanesque, XII Century Norman. The main altar, notable for its massive simplicity, was carved from a single block of white Carrara marble. The painting in the center reredos is a reproduction of da Vinci’s The Last Supper, and the dome above is an array of 24K gold rosettes.

For the sixtieth anniversary celebration in 1954, a massive renovation project was undertaken. During this renovation, a statue of Pope Saint Pius X (canonized that same year) was imported from Italy and placed on the right side of the sanctuary. Above the statue are paintings from Pius’ life. On the left side is a statue of Saint Patrick, principal patron of the Archdiocese of Boston, and above it are three scenes from his life.

Fourteen circular and sixteen square panels adorn the nave and arches of the church. The square panels are decorated with the symbols of Our Lady taken from the Litany of Loreto and the circular ones with symbols taken from the lives of the apostles. The great window of the Assumption—framed by the two oak cases of the organ—was installed in 1954 (the Marian Year) in spaces originally designed for windows but not until then used.

The original organ of 24 stops was built in 1902 by the Hutchings-Votey Organ Company, Opus 1465, and was rebuilt in 1954 with 32 stops. In 1998, Timothy Smith and Theodore Gilbert began a massive reconstruction of the organ. The current Smith & Gilbert Organ of 4 manuals, 50 ranks, and 2,926 pipes was dedicated on the Feast of Saint Cecilia, November 22, 1999.

Today we are experiencing something of an awakening within these old walls. We recently completed a major renovation, our numbers are increasing, and we continue to grow in our commitment to issues of peace, justice, and service to our neighbors, both near and far.

We’ve been right here on Belvidere Street, in the same building for 125 years, but that does not mean that life here is stale, stagnant, or even predictable. We are proud to be entrusted with the legacy of Saint Cecilia Parish, where everything is the same, yet always changing; where we honor tradition while embracing the future; where God’s love makes all things new.

welcome!

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

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today’s readings

2 Chronicles 36:14-16, 19, 23

Ephesians 2:4-10

John 3:14-21

next sunday’s readings

Jeremiah 31:31-34

Hebrews 5:7-9

John 12:20-33

our community news

Ministers of the Liturgy

Saturday, March 10 | 5:00 p.m.His Eminence Cardinal Seán O'Malley, OFM Cap., celebrantTom Lyman, lector

Sunday, March 11 | 8:00 a.m.Rev. Peter Gyves, SJ, celebrantLouvere Walker, lector

Sunday, March 11 | 9:30 a.m.Rev. John Unni, celebrantLudovico Rollo, Michele Maniscalco, and Moira Macdonald, lectors

Sunday, March 11 | 11:15 a.m.Rev. John Unni, celebrantJohn Thompson, Lena Denis, and Kevin Dumas lectors

Sunday, March 11 | 6:00 p.m.Rev. John Unni, celebrantLauren Miner and Laura Melle lectors

Special intentions

Sunday, March 11 | 8:00 a.m.George Morales, MemorialSr. Jeanette Normandin, SSA, Memorial

Sunday, March 11 | 9:30 a.m.Ettore Bergamaschi, 5th Anniversary

Sunday, March 11 | 9:30 a.m.William Deery, 12th Anniversary

Sunday, March 11 | 11:15 a.m.Melissa Gail Herschap, Memorial

Sunday, March 11 | 11:15 a.m.Michael Alcott Alison, MemorialKevin Alison, Memorial

Sunday, March 11 | 6:00 p.m.Arthur Mullaney, Memorial

Laetare Sunday!Today is traditionally known as Laetare Sunday. The word "Laetare" is the first word of the Introit (also known as the entrance antiphon) for the Fourth Sunday of Lent and is the Latin word for "rejoice." Before we started singing hymns to begin Mass, the Introit was normally chanted in Latin as the priest approached the altar. Certain Sundays throughout the liturgical year have taken their names from the first word of the Introit. Laetare Sunday is one of these.

Easter is fast approaching and the Fourth Sunday of Lent is marked by a spirit of joy. We are much closer to the renewal of our baptismal promises and to celebrating the Easter sacraments with our Elect and six candidates. The optional use of rose–colored vestments today and the beautiful flowers in front of the altar symbolize our joy at the nearness of Easter.

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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, 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.

Happy Anniversary!This week we celebrate the batismal anniversaris ofConnor Maquire and Siobhan O'Connor who were bap-tized on March 11; Justyna Klajn who was baptised on March 14; and Chika Offurum who was baptized on March 16. May the Lord continue to bless them with the grace to live out their baptismal call. Happy Feast Day, Connor, Siob-han, Justyna, and Chika!

Welcome to Saint Cecilia ParishWe are pleased to welcome the following new members of our parish who have recently registered: Elizabeth Murphy of Boston, Abby MacLean of Boston, and Anthony Spagno-letti of Boston. If you have not previously registered with the parish, there are forms in the narthex for this purpose or you can register online at www.stceciliaboston.org.

Lectionary NoteYou might notice that the readings for this and the next Sunday 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.

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.

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.

Easter FlowersYou 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 clear-ly 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.

The Second ScrutinyAt the eleven-fifteen liturgy we celebrate the second scru-tiny of our Elect. We pray that, like the man born blind, the eyes of our five Elect are opened to the salvation offered by Christ. Keep them in your prayers as they continue this period of Purifcation and Enlightenment in preparation for the celebration of the Easter sacraments.

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.

Welcome, Cardinal Seán!We are delighted to have His Eminence Cardinal Seán O'Malley with us this Saturday afternoon. Cardinal Seán is celebrating the 5:00 Mass as part of the Pueri Cantores Festival.

Prayers & Occasions

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Welcome, Pueri Cantores!

We are so pleased to have 140 children from various youth choirs from around the Archdiocese of Boston singing at this weekend's 5:00 liturgy, under the direction of Dr. Richard Robbins, director of choral activities and assistant professor of music at the University of Minnesota Duluth. Pueri Cantores is an international Catholic choral organization that provides opportunities for school-aged youth choirs from all backgrounds to help raise the profile of choral music. Pueri Cantores aims to enhance the lives of young singers through the experience of singing plainchant, Renaissance, Baroque, Romantic, and modern liturgical music. Young people of all faiths are welcomed. If you come to the 5:00 Mass, you are in for a treat! Please note that there will be a special prelude beginning at 4:30.

Celebrating Saint Patrick and

Saint Joseph

In addition to the themes of prayer, fasting and almsgiving that characterize Lent, we are also given opportunities for feasting in the midst of this penitential season. The feasts of Saint Patrick (March 17), Saint Joseph (March 19) and the Annunciation of the Lord (March 25) all occur during these 40 days. Although this year, our celebration of the Annunciation is transferred to April 9, due to the celebrations of Holy Week and the Easter Octave.

We will celebrate Morning Prayer (Lauds) for the feast of Saint Patrick, patron of the Archdiocese of Boston, at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 17. Light refreshments (including Irish soda bread) will follow the liturgy. The many images of Saint Patrick in our church are a testimony to the faith of the Irish immigrants who built this church. On Monday, March 19 at 6:30 p.m., we will celebrate Evening Prayer (Vespers) for the Solemnity of Saint Joseph, patron of the Universal Church. Refreshments in the narthex will follow. Each liturgy lasts approximately half an hour. Come feast with us!

The Wisdom and Mature

Spirituality Group

March, 18 | 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 next Sunday, March 18 and we will focus 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 members to our meetings. If you are interested in be-ing a part of our group, come to our meeting on Sunday morning. We meet outside the Conference Room in the Parish Pastoral Center.

ANOTHER WAY TO STAY IN TOUCH

A good way to keep up–to–date with what is going on in the parish is to join our Facebook group. So far we have 2,046 members. Take a moment to join the group."Saint Cecilia Parish."

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.

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Hunger and Homelessness

Parish donations to be delivered to the Catholic Charities' food pantry in

Dorchester

Saint Cecilia volunteers at the Women's Lunch Place

Saint Cecilia volunteers at Pine Street Men's Inn, standing in front of the Vol-unteer Room named in honor of our

friend Kay O'Halloran.

***Ministry of the Month is a reinstated bulletin feature that will occur on the first or second Sunday of every month. If you would like to see your ministry featured, please contact your ministry coordinator and Leah Bennett at lbennett@stceciliaboston.org.

Saint Cecilia Parish has developed significant relation-ships with several Boston-based nonprofit agencies that focus on housing and homelessness as well as hunger and food insecurity. Parishioners assist these agencies by vol-unteering at their facilities and, in some cases, interacting with their clients. We also participate in a variety of fund-raisers and in-kind donation drives that support the mission of our nonprofit partners.

Among our primary nonprofit partner agencies are:

• Pine Street Inn• Community Servings• Women’s Lunch Place• Catholic Charities• Boston Health Care for the Homeless

Our volunteer opportunities are designed to meet the busy lifestyles of parishioners and are usually scheduled for weekends and generally involve a commitment of only two to four hours.

Among our popular volunteer opportunities is our food res-cue program. Starting every Saturday and Sunday morning at 7:30, 4 to 6 volunteers pick up donations through the generosity of the Whole Foods stores in the Fenway, Beacon Hill, South End and Charlestown. Donations from the parish and a Trader Joe’s store on the South Shore are also picked up and delivered to either Pine Street Inn or the Catholic Charities food pantry in Dorchester.

“The parishioners at Saint Cecilia Parish are essential to Women’s Lunch Place’s mission to improve the lives of women experiencing poverty or homelessness. They vol-unteer in the shelter, support and attend our fundrais-ing events, and regularly donate toiletries, bedding, new clothing and critical funds that help to restore dignity to more than 1,400 women each year. We are grateful to be partners with this caring and giving faith community.”

~Elizabeth Keeley Executive Director of Women’s Lunch Place

“Far from being ‘crumbs from the table,’ the long history of volunteerism and support for Catholic Charities by Saint Cecilia parishioners has enabled us to provide life-changing programs and services to our neediest neighbors of all faiths. Whether it’s our food pantry in Dorchester, our Christmas toy drive in Brockton, Sunset Point Camp in Hull, or our Refu-gee and Immigration Services, Saint Cecilia is always there to live their faith and lend a helping hand.”

~Deborah Kincade Rambo, President of Catholic Charities and proud Saint Cecilia Parishioner

Ministry of the Month

For more information or to get involved with the Hunger and Homelessness Ministry please contact Mark Lippolt at mark.lippolt@gmail.com.

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BROOKLINE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

We have three talented parishioners who perform with this impressive local orchestra: Laura Fanning, Lauren Landry, and Michael Lavelle. Their next performance, featuring works by Ravel, Faure, Debussy, and Boulanger will be on Saturday, March 17 at 8:00 p.m and Sunday, March 18 at 1:00 p.m. The concert will be held at All Saints Church, 1773 Beacon Street, Brookline. For more information, please vis-it: www.BrooklineSymphony.org.

CHILDREN'S BOOKS

Generous parishioners have donated a supply of children's books that can be found in the narthex. Given our desire to respect the dignity of the folks we serve through our hunger and homelessness ministries, we would ask that you have your children borrow these books rather than play with the donations of food and toiletries.

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!

New Volunteer Position

We are looking for a committed volunteer to take on the following role within the parish:

Video Production Coordinator | The Video Production Coordinator will conduct the videotaping of the weekly Sunday homily, including video editing. This person will also be responsible for training future parishioner volunteers with the video production process.

LOW-GLUTEN ALTAR BREAD AVAILABLE

If you have celiac disease, please let us know. We have a supply of low-gluten altar bread available for those who cannot tolerate gluten. These hosts are prepared by the Benedictine Sisters of Perpetual Adoration in Clyde, Missouri.

Mother's Day Card Sellers

Needed!

As part of our on-going relationship with Women's Lunch Place, we are looking for parishioners willing to assist with their annual Mother's Day card fundraiser. Each card (de-signed by a guest at the shelter) supports the mission of the agency to provide a safe, welcoming day community for all self-identified women who are experiencing homelessness or poverty.

If you are willing to help sell cards at Saint Cecilia liturgies as well as to your friends and colleagues, please email Mark Lippolt at mark.lippolt@gmail.com.

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

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

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LENTEN SPEAKER SERIES

Wednesday, March 21 starting with a reception at 7:00 p.m. and a presentation at 7:30 p.m.

The second of this year's Lenten Speaker Series, sponsored by the Rainbow Ministry. The speaker will be John McDargh. For his topic, The View from the Sycamore Tree: How to Think about the Saving Work of Jesus, McDargh will draw upon de-velopmental psychology and use the

story of Jesus and Zacchaeus. This interactive presentation will explore the theological premise that the Good News of the Gospel is less concerned with the problem of guilt, but rather with the more profound human condition of toxic shame—both personal and social.

McDargh is an associate professor of theology at Boston College and author of Psychoanalytic Object Relations The-ory and the Study of Religion: On Faith and the Imaging of God. His research and writings focus on the integration of spirituality and psychotherapy, as well as theological an-thropology. He earned a Ph.D. from Harvard University in psychology and religious studies.

The event is free and all are welcome.

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.

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.

THE WORK SUPPORTED

BY THE RICE BOWLS

Six months ago, Hurricane Irma tore through the Atlantic Ocean, followed by Hurricane Maria ten days later. These two storms decimated islands in the Caribbean, affecting 500,000 people. Because of your donations and financial support from Project Rice Bowl and beyond, Catholic Relief Services was able to respond quickly and generously, providing immediate help. More than 7,000 families in the Caribbean received support: children and parents were supplied with clean water and shelter; residents were given a place to sleep and food to eat. Your participation in Operation Rice Bowl this year will help Catholic Relief Services prepare for the next emergency. And did you know that 25% of the funds collected supports the work of our friends at Catholic Charities of Boston. On a designated Sunday during the Easter Season, you will be invited to bring your filled bank back to church and we will send all of the money collected to CRS. For more information, visit: http://orb.crs.org/.

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Social and Racial Justice Ministry

SOCIAL AND RACIAL JUSTICE

MINISTRY MONTHLY MEETING

Today, March 11 | after the 11:15 a.m. Mass Classroom 4

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.

RACIAL JUSTICE TRAINING

OPEN TO PARISH

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

Never been trained on race? There's no time like the present. We recommend this training for those who are curious to explore their own thoughts, feelings, and beliefs on race. 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. Only two sessions remain:

Session II: History of Racism (Slavery to now, Reconstruction/Jim Crow, civil rights, 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 is facilitating. We are asking for a $30 total donation for lunch, but if that is cost prohibitive at all, please let us know. To sign up, register at https://goo.gl/bhkNgi. Questions? Email sc.socialracialjustice@gmail.com.

LAUDATO SI STUDY GROUP

Thursday, March 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.

BOSTON COMMUNITY BRIEFING FOR

PAID FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE AND

$15 MINIMUM WAGE

Tuesday, March 20 I 6 p.m. Cathedral Church of St. Paul I 138 Tremont Street

The legislature needs to hear from us that it's time to pass paid family and medical leave and a $15 minimum wage. Now that there are enough signatures to put both of these questions on the ballot, our message to the legislature is clear: let's do this. Join us with legislators from across the region for this important community accountability meeting. Register: bit.ly/raiseupboston and to sc.socialracialjustice@gmail.com so we can organize our group to sit together.

MARCH FOR OUR LIVES

Saturday, March 24 I 12:00 p.m. Meet at Saint Cecilia to walk to Boston Common

High school students all across the country are calling for gun reform after the tragedy in Parkland, FL. As you may know, many marches will be taking place on March 24, including one in Boston. Thousands of people will be in attendance to show solidarity with the young people from Florida and also to call on our legislators to change policies so as to reduce senseless gun violence. A group from the Saint Cecilia Social and Racial Justice Ministry will walk over to the Common together. Please RSVP to https://goo.gl/2pvNx2.

A Faith That Does Justice is joined by 3 key members of the Spotlight Team: Akilah Johnson, a significant contributor to the Globe’s Pulitzer Prize-winning coverage of the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing; Lizbeth Kowalczyk, a finalist for a Pulitzer Prize in 2013 and a finalist for the Scripps Howard award for investigative reporting in 2015 and Patricia Wen, a two-time Pulitzer Prize finalist and editor of the Spotlight Team since 2017. Reverend Dr. Gregory G. Groover, Sr., pastor of the historic Charles Street African Methodist Episcopal Church in Roxbury, MA, will moderate. Dr. Groover has served on numerous public panels for the City of Boston and has long had a leadership role in the Greater Boston community.

A Faith That Does Justice is pleased to welcome journalists from The Boston Globe Spotlight Team as panelists at its March Community Meeting. In December 2017, in a 7-part series, the Spotlight Team took on the dilemma of Racism, looking into how much the City of Boston’s national reputation as a place that’s unwelcoming to blacks is based on current reality.

We look forward to having you with us for what promises to be an enriching program. Space is limited. Please register at www.faith-justice.org/events or by phone, (857) 990 - 3670, for admission to the meeting.

The Cathedral Church of St. Paul 138 Tremont Street, Boston MA

(across from Park Street T station)

Tuesday, March 13, 2018 6:15pm until 8:15pm.

Please join us at:

Akilah Johnson

Patricia Wen

Lizbeth Kowalczyk

Reverend Dr. Gregory G. Groover, Sr

Moderator

We are grateful for your financial support of the meeting. Please donate at www.faith-justice.org/donate or by mail to:

A Faith That Does Justice, 300 Newbury Street, Boston MA 02115.

Racism: An Ongoing DilemmaA Symposium with Journalists from

The Boston Globe Spotlight Team

DISCUSSION Post GLOBE SPOTLIGHT SPEAKERS

Following this event, at 8:30 p.m., a small group from our Social and Racial Justice ministry will debrief with other parishioners (and over dinner if people so choose). We will meet at the Black Seed Cafe at 131 Tremont St. Please RSVP to sc.socialracialjustice@gmail.com so we can coordinate logistics.

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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.

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 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

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

ADULT FAITH FORMATION EVENTS CALENDAR

“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) | 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

Washing Other’s FeetThis will be the last session in the seven month, “Take Back Your Time” series in holistic spiritualityPresenter: Fr. Tom Ryan, CSPMarch 22, 2018 | 7:00 -8:15 p.m. Suggested donation $10 - $5 students

SAINT SUSANNA PARISH — DEDHAM

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

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

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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 adult con-firmation class that will meet on Wednesday evenings lead-ing up to the Central Region's adult confirmation that will be celebrated on Sunday, April 15 at 2:00 at The Shrine of Our Lady of Good Voyage (51 Seaport Blvd., Boston). The class will meet from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. on the following Wednesdays:

• March 14 • March 21 • March 28

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

Kraig’s Krew Needs You for Walk

MS Boston!

St. Cecilia parishioner and choir member Mark Brown will once again be leading his team, Kraig’s Krew, at Walk MS in Boston on Sunday, April 8. This is Mark's 20th Walk and he and fellow parishioner Lena Denis invite you to join Kraig's Krew at Walk MS Boston on Sunday, April 8. Please visit http://main.nationalmssociety.org/goto/MarkBrown2018 to join the team or to make a donation. By joining Kraig's Krew, you will be signing up for a great event and an important cause. Each mile we walk, each dollar we raise, brings us that much closer to our goal – an end to multiple sclerosis. Together we are stronger. Thank you for your support!

• April 4• April 11

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“Mom, you’re running away,” my son said. “I thought you were happy with your life.” As I packed my china, closed my Chicago business and sold my car, his take on my decision to join the Jesuit Volunteer Elder Corps un-settled me. I did have a good life. “I’m answering the call,” I replied sheepishly, hoping the casual tone would conceal my fear. In fact, I was responding to several calls.

The first call was from my friend Jeanette, who had just seen an ad for the Elder Corps: “It says right here: ‘Re-cruiting those over 50 for a year of service in Portland, Seattle or Alaska. Deepen your spirituality, live in com-munity, work for social justice and live simply. Perks in-clude an $80 per month stipend, room and board and spiritual direction.’ Helen, this is for you.”

Her idea struck me as absurd considering what the roar-ing ’90s stock market had done for me. I lived in a high-rise apartment on Lake Michigan. I was 10 minutes from the Art Institute and Symphony Center. My siblings and two of my children were steps away. As I hung up, I won-dered who in the world would give all of this up after years of financial challenges from a divorce and paying college tuitions. But my inner voice surprised me with the next idea: “Test the waters. Call for an application.” That same voice, as if knowing I needed an out, added: “You’re safe; they will never accept you.”

The second call came from the Jesuit reviewing my appli-cation. “What are your ministries?” he asked. Ministries? I had not dared to call my small local efforts a ministry. I told him I raised funds for kids on Chicago’s impover-ished South Side where bullets fell like rain. I believed in the work.

“Is there anything else?” he asked.

I took a deep breath. “In my 20s, I seriously considered the convent,” I said. “Is this God’s second call? I am sure there’s much to learn from others who also are serving the poor.”

When the acceptance letter arrived, I was elated. But doubts were close behind. Would I be able to give up my

I Joined the Jesuit Volunteer Elder Corps— at 68 and Never Looked BackBy HELEN DONNELLY GOEHRING

antiques, the moon on Lake Michigan, the symphony? I read, wrote and ruminated all night without getting any answers. But the next morning I awoke to a question so pronounced it may as well have been uttered out loud: “Are you going to say ‘no’ to God again?”

Two months later I was living with six strangers in Seattle.

A teacher, a legal assistant, a salesman, a poet, a realtor (and former member of the Israeli army), a development director and a woman who had been homeless walked into community together. We prayed together weekly. We related stories of our clients—the abused, incarcer-ated, homeless, mentally ill and unemployed.We practiced compassionate listening with each other. It was hard and humbling work.

My assigned ministry was the Plymouth Housing Group, an agency that provides safe, stable housing to people ex-periencing homelessness. I took short-of-breath adults to the emergency room and elderly men and women with depression to the symphony. I shopped for furniture with people getting their first home in years—or ever.

As the year ended it was clear that the Northwest’s brand of spiritual energy had nestled into my soul, so I stayed in Seattle and became the director of philanthropy for a re-tirement community. The skill of compassionate listening I had developed as a volunteer continued to serve me and those I loved. When my former husband became criti-cally ill, I traveled to Florida to be with him, 30 years after our divorce. After all, we had raised three kind, decent children together. We had made our amends years before, but when I newly apologized for the ways I had hurt him, he responded with his own tender regrets. Would I have walked through this healing door without the tools from my volunteer experience?

Seventeen years later, I live in another multi-floored apart-ment building—this one with a view of Mount Rainier. My neighbors are accomplished beneficiaries of Seattle’s tech boom. But just outside the door another reality con-fronts me. There I meet our other neighbors. They hear voices, sleep on benches and struggle with addiction. I

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remind myself that they are as much my neighbors as residents of my building. They have been brought low by rising housing costs, domestic violence, lack of mental health care and opioid addiction.

Early on, I wondered if I was alone among my neighbors in seeing the contrast. So I asked them, and the response was overwhelming: “What can we do?” “Endow a bed in a shelter?” “I’ll write a check.” Residents began to tu-tor children and make sandwiches for hungry outsiders. We formed a committee on homelessness and gave our surplus possessions to the poor. Our building sponsored an agency that serves children without homes. Even my spiritual director recruited an officer from the Bill & Me-linda Gates Foundation to speak to 200 concerned citi-zens on the crisis of family homelessness in Seattle and King County.

I am discovering compassionate listeners everywhere. At my parish, St. James Cathedral, I hear it when my fellow committee members address homelessness and juvenile detention issues. In my building, a neighbor who is a psy-chiatrist visits St. James, where 150 homeless are fed ev-ery night, “just to listen to their stories.”

Even two decades later, I cannot help but reflect on say-ing “yes” to the J.V.C. journey of heart and faith. There is no denying the physical, emotional and financial chal-lenges of aging. But in the midst of all that, pursuing St. Ignatius’ path has enriched my life, opened me to growth and made my senior years among my best. At 85, I feel my life matters. What was once a casual defense of the seemingly absurd has become a practical guide for a per-sonal brand of discipleship. To paraphrase St. Ignatius, carry God in your heart, and you will bear heaven with you wherever you go.

Helen Donnelly Goehring is a Seattle writer and a retired develop-ment director for nonprofits.

How Can 300 Days Change Your

Life - Become an AMA!

Who Are The AMA's? Assumption Mission Associates (AMAs) are young adults from all over the country who find the beliefs of Saint Marie Eugenie, foundress of the Religious of the Assumption appealing. She believed that "this Earth is a place of glory for God" and that each of us has a responsibility to reflect that glory. AMA's come from Florida and Rhode Island; from San Diego and Philadelphia; from St. Louis and Sweet Home, Oregon. They are graduates of Gonzaga University and Stanford; Assumption College and Tulane University. What unites them is a common zeal for service, for building the Kingdom of God here on Earth. They choose to make a commitment to spend a year or two in service to others, living in communities marked by sharing, direct service to the neediest in society, and prayer. And growing a bit themselves along the way. AMA offers both domestic sites and abroad to England and the Philippines. AMA is now accepting applications for 2018-2019. The deadline is May 1, 2018. Visit our webpage http://www.assumptionvolunteers.org/ to see if AMA may be a good fit for you!

Canonization of

oscar Romero and Paul VI

Last Wednesday, the Vatican announced that Pope Francis will canonize Blessed Paul VI and Archbishop Oscar Romero, but did not specify when the canonizations will take place. According to America magazine, "Sources in Rome say he will canonize Paul VI during next October's synod of bishops. He could decide to canonize Archbishop Romero then, too, or he may opt to do so during World Youth Day in Panama, as the bishops of El Salvador would prefer, given Archbishop Romero's significance in Latin America." It is likely that Pope Francis will announce the dates for the canonizations at a consistory (a meeting of the College of Cardinals with the Pope) sometime this spring.

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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