Fr. Tim Reflects on Current Situation
One gospel that I particularly like, as I think it speaks directly to us as we go through life and face the various storms that life may offer , is the gospel about the house built on rock as opposed to sand. The one on rock survives the tempests but the one on sand collapses.
Someone sent me this card which I felt was appropriate for the times we are living in. The card is entitled the Oak Tree and the thoughts expressed are:
A mighty wind blew night and day. It stole the oak tree’s leaves away. Then snapped it boughs and pulled its bark until the oak was tired and stark. But still the oak tree held its ground while other trees fell all around. The weary wind gave up and spoke. “How can you still be standing, Oak?” The Oak tree said, “I know that you can break each branch of mine in two, carry every leaf away, shake my limbs, and make me sway. But I have roots stretched in the earth, growing stronger since my birth. You’ll never touch them, for you see, until today, I wasn’t sure of just how much I could endure. But now I’ve found, with thanks to you, I’m stronger than I ever knew.
May we as individuals and as community continue to deepen our rootedness in God that we are enabled to discover our strengths and withstand the “winds” of life.
On Tuesday night, July 13, parents from the Blessed Sacrament parish and school communities came to the school auditorium for a session designed to support and help them to talk to their sons and daughters about last week's alleged incident with Fr. Mike. The session was led by Dr. Fred Welsh, a psychologist who has worked closely with the Archdiocesan Office of Pastoral Support and Outreach over the past several years. Click to read the complete letter sent to the parish.
This parent session was the latest response of Blessed Sacrament to the accusations against Fr. Mike and the resulting impact on the Blessed Sacrament community. It remains an extremely difficult time for all of us at Blessed Sacrament.
After notifying the parish through email Tuesday evening, June 29, we held a prayer service Wednesday night, June 30. Terry Witherell's homily gave voice to the range of sadness and the challenge to the parish community.
On the July 4th weekend, Fr. Tim in his homilies said the task before us is to pray for truth and justice. The human tendency is to fill the uncertainty with conjectures, opinions and judgments. This situation with Fr. Mike is about uncertainty. But faith is about beholding the uncertainty and staring into a sea full of it and surrendering to God. Click for Fr. Tim’s complete homily.
As more information becomes available we will send it out and post it on this web site.
God bless you all.
Blessed Sacrament Staff
Fr. Tim Kelleher
Bill Dittrich, Erica Johnson, Mike Lamperti, Marie Martin, Jeannette Penza, Deacon Rey Spadoni, Jim Spillman, Terry Witherell
Separation, Divorce & Beyond
This 10 week program is being offered in the Fall, September 12 through November 14, on Sunday evenings from 7-8:30pm in the community room.
Separation and divorce is painful, often shattering. The program is facilitated by a group of Catholics who have themselves endured separation and divorce. It is designed to offer support and healing for those who have experienced a failed marriage and offer hope for the prospect of better tomorrows, by discussing subjects such as anger, self-image, loneliness, blame and guilt. If you are interested in learning more or to sign up for this program , please contact Jeanie Mattila at 508 384-8779 or jeanie.matt@comcast.net,or John Meuleman at 781 982-6097 or jmeulema@russelectric.com. Sign up is required by Sept. 5.
Supporting New Parents
As part of the process of "Building the City of God" to ensure that “All Are Welcome,” a new ministry, The Post Baptismal Program, has been formed. It will provide support for new parents who are introducing the Catholic faith to their newly Baptized child. Each family will receive a packet of ideas and materials every six months for the first three years. The first packet, for example, will contain a letter and a CD of musical lullabies and cradle songs. If you are interested in learning more of this new effort or would like to help please email Pilar Keyes who is the Coordinator at ptk6660@comcast.net .
Summer Hours for Parish House
From Monday, June 14 until Sat, Sept. 11th, the Parish House will be closed for business during the summer on Mondays and Fridays. The Parish House will be open Tuesday-Thursday only, from 9:30am-5pm. Please plan to conduct your parish business during those hours so that our office volunteers can enjoy the summer. In an emergency, call the Parish House at 508-668-4700.