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

Of SienaOf Siena

Roman Catholic ParishRoman Catholic Parish

Charlestown, Massachusetts ▪ Archdiocese of Boston

Est. April 18, 2006 December 30, 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

THE FAMILYTHE FAMILYTHE FAMILYTHE FAMILY

Happy New Year!

In November 1954, Perry Como recorded and RCA released the popular Christmas song, “There’s No Place Like

Home for the Holidays”. By now you have heard it on your car radio and in shopping malls thousands of times this year alone!

If you listen closely to the lyrics of this song, you’ll find that they offer a simple and enduring truth: when the time comes to celebrate certain mo-ments and seasons in our lives, we want to be home. Home usually means our family as well as our town and country. We want to be with the famil-iar, the comfortable, that place we know, and especially with those who know us, accept us, and love us.

The celebration of Christmas,

perhaps more than any other occasion, draws us home. My own childhood memories of Christmas at our home on Percival Street in Dorchester include a flood of images of a big Christmas tree and gifts, along with parents, kids and, of course, a dog in the middle of it all. With all of that comes the gift of being together, sharing, feeling safe, and be-ing happy. Because it’s so familiar, we can all too often fail to appreciate the gift of family. The very source of our lives and those who formed and cared for us are so much a part of us, that we can overlook our family when counting our blessings.

Today is the feast of the Holy Family, always celebrated on the Sun-day after Christmas. On this feast day, the Church invites us to see in the fami-ly of Joseph, Mary, and the Child Jesus the simple beauty and truth that the Son of God was born into a human family – just like yours or mine. This celebration can help each of us to recall how precious the gift of family can be. Though human and fallible, our family, nonetheless, is uniquely ours. Sadly, hurts, mistakes or whatever, can frac-ture family unity and cause enormous pain and damage. It’s so astonishing to see how deep and serious the conse-quences of the breakup of a family can be. Regardless of the circumstances, the

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

St. Mary-St. Catherine of Siena Parish Call to Stewardship

Gratefully acknowledging that God gives us all, we each willingly of-

fer our unique gifts to one

another and all creation in the Spirit of Jesus Christ.

reality is that if one member is separated, every member suffers. The Grace of these days holds the possibility for everyone to act in ways

that can strengthen the family. If there is too much distance between you and an-other in the family, if there are hurts that have lingered too long or anything else that has damaged your family relationships, why not seize this day and extend an olive branch? Why wait? What benefit could there be in delaying?

Let’s take the time to reflect and ask ourselves: “what can I do today to strengthen my family?” What is it that a family member might need that I could give that would bring us closer together? Let’s not delay because we are looking for the precisely correct moment. More often than not, the right time never comes!

In all ways, this is a day to be grateful for the gift of our families – imperfect as they may be! This is the day to see that family is often diminished by the popular culture in both subtle and aggressive ways. Let us choose not to be complacent for our own sakes. We, our Parish, our community, our city, our nation, and our world are only as strong as the family unit.

On this day, we remember that Jesus, Himself, belonged to a human family and in that we find hope. In this Christmas season, as the canned Christmas music fades away, let us be grateful in every possible way for our families and pray for the grace to heal what is broken and strengthen whatever may be weak, for our sake and the sake of our world.

Fr. Ronan

El Evangelio que corresponde al ciclo C nos presenta a Jesús en el templo a los doce años. Cuenta san Lucas que “los padres de Jesús solían ir cada año a Jeru-salén por las fiestas de Pascua”. Esto nos indica que la “familia de Jesús era piadosa y observaba la ley”. En efec-to, la ley de Moisés (la Torá) pedía que todo israelita se presentara en el templo tres veces al año: pascua, la fiesta de las semanas y la fiesta de las tiendas. Para los niños la obligación comenzaba al cumplir trece años. Sin embargo, las nor-mas pedían que se fueran acostumbrando, poco a poco a cumplir los man-damientos, lo cual explica que Jesús fuera en peregrinación a los doce años. Pues bien. Jesús, al cumplir los doce años, va con sus padres pero no regresa

con ellos sino que se queda en el templo durante tres días. Esto no supone descuido por parte de sus padres sino más bien indica que dejaban al hijo decidir libremente el ir con los de su edad y sus amigos durante el camino. Por la noche, sin em-bargo, se juntaban con sus padres. Este permanecer Jesús tres días en el templo lo relaciona Benedicto XVI con los tres días entre la cruz y la resurrección dejando ver cómo toda la vida de Jesucristo va en una misma dirección redentora. Esto con-stituirá para María uno de los momentos de sufrimiento profetizados por el anciano Simeón, como la espada que traspasa-ría su alma.

Cuando María angustiada le pregunta a Jesús “hijo, ¿por qué nos has tratado así? Mira que tu padre y yo te buscábamos angustiados”, la respuesta de Jesús indica que lo que ha hecho es simplemente cumplir el plan de su Padre verdadero que es Dios. Benedicto XVI nos presenta así la respuesta de Jesús: “estoy precisamente donde está mi puesto, con el Padre, en su casa”. Dos aspectos resalta el Papa en esta respuesta. Jesús corrige la frase de María dejando de lado a san José y advirtiendo “yo estoy en el Padre”. Por tanto, mi padre no es José sino Dios mismo. Por otra parte, Jesús habla de un deber al que se atiene el como hijo. El niño debe estar con el padre. Él no está en el templo por rebeldía para con sus padres (como pretenden algunos) sino justamente como quien obedece, con la misma obediencia que le llevará a la cruz y a la resurrección.

De esta manera tenemos en la Sagrada Familia, María, José y Jesús, grandes modelos para nuestras familias cristia-nas. El padre, José, hombre serio, aceptando siempre con humildad y fe el plan que Dios le había trazado al pedirle que fuera padre adoptivo de Jesús. La Madre, María, desahogando así su corazón pero aceptando y meditando siempre con fe. Por dos veces en el mismo capítulo Lucas nos dice que “María guardaba estas cosas meditándolas en su corazón”. Y Jesús, viviendo el plan que su Padre Dios le había trazado, por una parte como Dios y Redentor, y por otra como un niño más: “bajó con ellos a Nazaret y siguió bajo su autoridad… y Jesús iba creciendo en sabiduría, en estatura y en gracia ante Dios y ante los hombres”.

En la primera lectura de hoy la Iglesia nos habla de la familia de Ana y Elcaná que tuvieron milagrosamente un hijo, el gran profeta Samuel, y que lo presentaron al sacerdote Elí para que sirviera en el templo de Dios.

Se trata, por tanto, de una familia muy religiosa que nos sirve de modelo también en este domingo de la Sagrada Famil-ia. Por su parte, san Juan, en la carta primera, nos hace ver que nosotros pertenecemos también a la gran familia de los hi-jos de Dios. Ése es el regalo que nos ha hecho el amor del Padre para “llamarnos hijos de Dios, pues ¡lo somos!”.

Que hermosos ejemplos tenemos en el día de la Sagrada Familia para vivir la verdadera piedad: el hogar de Ana, el ho-gar de Nazaret y el hogar trinitario en el que la misericordia de Dios nos ha hecho penetrar como verdaderos hijos. Así po-dremos aprender qué grande es el hogar cristiano y cómo debemos vivir en él, hoy más que nunca, cuando la sociedad busca de tantas formas destruir no sólo la familia cristiana sino toda familia.

El martes, octava de Navidad, primer día del año, la Iglesia celebra la solemnidad de Santa María Madre de Dios. Que Ella fortalezca nuestros hogares para que en ellos haya siempre fidelidad, amor y la felicidad por la que siempre suspira-mos. Que Ella nos traiga también a todos, amigos lectores, un año nuevo lleno de paz, recordando el mensaje del Papa para este día: “bienaventurados los que busca la paz”.

December 30 ~ Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph

Every parent of a teenager can relate to this Gospel. The 12-year-old Jesus is a bit surprised about his parents’ concern. Upon returning to Nazareth, he “was obedient to them; and his mother kept all these things in her heart. And Jesus advanced in wisdom and age and favor.” Those years were a time of growth for the Holy Family. We know the vocation of parent is not always easy. Pray in a special way today for all parents, grandparents, and guardians

Eucharistic Adoration

In the midst of the busy days we all know; in the down times and in moments when our hearts seek peace and consolation – spend time before the Most Blessed Sacrament – in quiet with the Lord Jesus. – We would like to begin offering Eucharistic Adoration at Saint Catherine of Siena Chapel. For a start, one proposal is to begin in the New Year and on Mon-day evenings, 5:30 – 7:00. If you are interested in learning more about this initiative and would consider collaborating to begin Adoration, please contact Dianne at the Parish Cen-ter: 617-242-4664: dludy@stmarystcatherine.org.

Playspace Is Returning!Playspace Is Returning!Playspace Is Returning!Playspace Is Returning!

Playspace will return for the 2019 season! Playspace is a group for children ages six months

to 2.9 and is open to the entire Charlestown community, based out of the Parish Center on 46

Winthrop Street. Playspace runs on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:30-11:30 a.m. The

program is scheduled from January 5 to March 29, 2019. (Closed for February school

vacation.) The space is filled with educational toys, including centers for active play, building,

trains, dramatic play, art, reading, and more. There is also an area dedicated to infant play for

younger children. Moms, dads, grandparents, nannies, sitters, au pairs, and other caregivers must come with

their children. Please note that this is not a drop-off or babysitting service. The adults responsible for the

children are expected to stay and play an active role in monitoring the behavior of their children during their

stay. For more information, contact the Parish Center at 617-242-4664.

MassachuseVs Citizens for Life Annual Assembly for Life, Sunday, January 20, 2019, Faneuil Hall, Boston, 2:00 pm. Featured speaker: Stephen Mosher of The Population Institute, will speak on the abortion situation around the world, especially the new developments in Ireland and China.

The 1973 Roe v Wade abortion decisions made the U.S. one of the seven most pro-abortion countries in the world. Come out and join the movement to restore respect for every human being, especially our unborn

Thank you to all who contributed to last weekend’s special Christmas collection to provide for the health and well-being of the 580 active and senior priests in good standing in the Archdiocese of Boston. As we continue to celebrate the holidays with our families and friends, please consider a gift that supports our Boston priests, who dedicate their lives to our Church and to all of us. Our priests need our support now more than ever. If you were unable to give last week, contributions may be mailed to the Clergy Health and Re-tirement Trust, Archdiocese of Boston, 66 Brooks Drive, Braintree, MA 02184. To donate

online, please 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.

Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, like you we are members of God's family. We pray that our family love may reflect God's love and its openness to all people. May we forgive even when not forgiven, and be patient with others' weak-nesses. Jesus, give us peace, unity, and strength to meet the difficulties of daily living. May we use our family resources to improve the quality of life for ourselves and all people. Let us show joy in serving, for whatever we do for others, we do for you Mary, inspire us, that our love may be strong but not possessive. Let our willingness to give depend on the needs of others rather than on the cost of giving. Joseph, help us to be attentive to the God's will. Let us be ready, as you were, to act whenever he calls us.

Never know what’s

going to happen at

the 10:30 Mass

Good Shepherd School Live Nativity

St. Vincent de Paul: vital help to our neighbors in Charlestown

Saint Vincent de Paul is a global charity net-work that now operates in 142 countries. In the Unit-ed States, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul comes to the aid of 12 million people annually. Vincentians come from all walks of life to help the poor meet their needs both spiritually and materially. Our Parish Conference began in 1876 under the auspices of Monsignor McMahon and supplied shoes for children and offered food to the unem-ployed. Currently, the St. Mary – St. Catherine of Si-ena conference, a team of 16 parishioners, handles a variety of issues every week. Some people need help with the rent, while others are in need of a kitchen table or beds for the kids. A team will visit their homes to determine their living situation and make arrange-ments to help our neighbors. Monetary donations from our parishioners allow the conference to help those in need. The cycle of charity has a resounding effect on both the receiver and giver. Often we connect those in need to the Parish emer-gency food pantry, Harvest on Vine. Clients are also informed about Masses and programs at St. Mary-St. Catherine of Siena Parish. If you would like to make a donation to help this cause, there will be a second collection the week-end of January 5,6 to help our friends in Charlestown. Please be generous, during this Christmas season, to help those less fortunate. “The poor have much to teach you. You have much to learn from them.” – St. Vincent de Paul

Christmas Flowers

(not in last week’s bulletin)

Dr. Lina Bolanos

Ann Boyle

Edward Boyle

Dr. Richard Field

James & Christine Hogan

George & Elizabeth Toland

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.

PABCDE MCFCDGBCHD

PABCDE CIJFKCLD

F89:9;< C=>9;8?

P:@A=B:? C=>9;8?

SA<C:BD@E8F C=GG8AA<< &

W<?;=G89I C=GG8AA<<

LCGJBMCKAL MCFCDGBCHD

E>;E:B8@A8; M898@A<B@

L<;A=B@

A?A:B S<BK<B@

M>@8; M898@ABL

U@E<B@

A?A:B S=;8<AL

GB<<A<B@

SA. M:AAE<C S=;8<AL

AB8G:AE<: S=;8<AL

C:9: S=;8<AL

FACGE FIBNAGCIF

B:FA8@G T<:G

R<?8I8=>@ ED K – 8

RCIA

AD>?A C=9P8BG:A8=9

C=9P8BG:A8=9

C<9A<B89I PB:L<B

F:8AE SE:B89I

C>B@8??=

OGEHB MCFCDGBCHD

PB8@=9 M898@ABL

Z<?G: L:;L A@@8@A<D L8K89I

PB:L<B P=B P<:;<

CEB8@AG:@ C:B=?<B@

SIKCAL MCFCDGBCHD

H:BK<@A =9 V89<

SA. V89;<9A D< P:>?

SIKCAL GBIJOD

C=PP<< H=>B

B==S ;?>T

P?:LIB=>F

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

and check out the web site!

stmarystcatherine.org

Weekend of 12/23

Parishioners contributed

$5,506.62 to the Weekly Sunday

Collection

Thank you for your continued

support!

Upcoming Collections

January 1 - Solemnity of Mary

January 6 - St. Vincent de Paul

January 13 - Monthly

Attendance Sat 12/22 4:00 PM - 92 Sun 12/23 8:00 AM - 66 Sun 12/23 10:30 AM - 134 Sun 12/23 6:00 PM - 27 TOTAL 319

MASS SCHEDULE

SAGJBQAR 12/29

4:00 PM + LAVBHFKH DJBEAN

SJFQAR 12/30

8:00 AM

10:30 AM

6:00 PM

MIFQAR 12/31 8:00 AM

SILHNFCGR IW MABR VCMCL 6:00 ON

TJHDQAR 01/01 NHV YHAB’D DAR

SILHNFCGR IW MABR

9:00 AM

WHQFHDQAR 01/02

8:00 AM PABCDE PBARHB GJCLQ TEJBDQAR 01/03

8:00 AM

FBCQAR 01/04

8:00 AM

SAGJBQAR 01/05

4:00 PM + JHDDCH O’NHCL

SJFQAR 01/06

8:00 AM

10:30 AM + JIEF QIEHBGR

6:00 PM

Sanctuary Lamp in St Mary Church

Regan

and Ryan

Family

Resquiescat

in Pace

Patricia Ann

LaPointe

And

Eileen Julia Kelly