St. Mary-St. Catherine

Of Siena

Roman Catholic Parish

Charlestown, Massachusetts ▪ Archdiocese of Boston

December 6, 2020

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!

Our Mission is to make active disciples of Jesus Christ by creating a welcoming community rich in

spirituality and by moving people to embrace their God-given talents in the service of others

and the care of creation.

Saint Mary - Saint Catherine of Siena is an intentionally inclusive Roman Catholic Parish that wel-comes all those who make up our diverse community in a way that reflects God’s love. Nourished by the Gospel and the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist, we build a vibrant Parish that strengthens our faith and elevates our worship. With gratitude for the gifts God has bestowed upon us, we respond to His call to stewardship and embrace our lives of service and compassion.

About Us

THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT

Living In Hope

Living in the Advent Time means

living with hope – looking to the

horizon with the expectation that

Immanuel, God with us, becomes

ever more present to each and all.

Yet, this is a deeply personal jour-

ney for each of us, for it is about a

relationship offered by Christ to

me and to you. Everyone knows

relationships need a'ention if they

are to grow and flourish. Maybe

we can call Advent, relationship-

nurturing-time.

Throughout each of our lives, there are times of joy and times of sadness,

times of success and times of failure, times of hope and times of despair. In all of

the chapters of our lives, the one thing that sustains us in the hard times and am-

plifies the happy times is a meaningful relationship. Often the relationship is in

the form of a friend, a partner, a family member or a lover.

The mystery of the Incarnation, the enfleshment of God as a human person

can best be understood as God befriending humankind. Yet friendship is not

even an adequate word to describe the birth of Jesus Christ in that stable in Beth-

lehem 2,000 years ago. Christmas celebrates God’s radical act of love for all peo-

ple.

However, relationships of any significance are always mutual. In this rela-

tionship, God makes the first move in the person of Jesus. The ministry of Jesus

continues as men and women through the ages are invited into this relationship

with the God/Man. Through the sacraments, beginning with Baptism, the rela-

tionship offered holds the promise of not only friendship, but more of intimacy.

In this Covid blanketed December, the struggles every one of us face can be

daunting. The friendship offered in Christ is more than enough to sustain us.

Not just to keep us afloat, but also to give us hope. For God is with us - Immanuel

is the fundamental truth of Christmas and always.

Fr. Ronan

Mass Schedule Saturday Saturday Saturday Saturday – St. Mary ChurchSt. Mary ChurchSt. Mary ChurchSt. Mary Church 900 a.m. 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 3:15 p.m. Saturday in Church or by appointment

BaptismBaptismBaptismBaptism Visit stmarystcatherine.org/sacraments/ for our schedule or call Sr. Nancy at (617) 242-4664. Preparation classes are held for Parents and Godparents on the preceding Friday of the monthly baptism at 7PM in the Parish Center.

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 MusicDirector of MusicDirector of MusicDirector of Music Matthew Arnold

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. Britto Dhinakaran

Hispanic MinistryHispanic MinistryHispanic MinistryHispanic Ministry Blanca Paz

Vice Chairs Pastoral CouncilVice Chairs Pastoral CouncilVice Chairs Pastoral CouncilVice Chairs Pastoral Council Brendan Sullivan

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 Com-

mi�ee

Heavenly Father, instill in our

hearts a spirit of love and compas-

sion. May we foster

a welcoming parish community with

acceptance and respect for all. Inspire

us to make a difference by being gen-

erous with our time and talents.

Please send your Holy Spirit among

us to remind us to follow Jesus and

his teachings in all aspects of our

lives. As we end this Mass, may we go

forth and spread goodwill among our

neighbors, friends, and fellow parish-

ioners. Through Christ, our Lord.

Amen

To learn more contact us at 617-242-4664 or check out our

web site! stmarystcatherine.org

Dominic Edward Reardon

Samuel Matthew Pacheco

Alessia Margaret Cerny Lamarche

Baptisms December 6, 2020

Welcome to our newest members!

El tercer domingo de Adviento se llama domingo «de la alegría» y marca el paso de la primera parte, prevalecientemente austera y penitencial, del Adviento a la segunda parte dominada por la espera de la salvación cercana. El título le viene de las palabras «Estad siempre alegres» (gaudete) que se escuchan al inicio de la Misa: «Estad siempre alegres en el Señor; os lo repito, estad alegres. El Señor está cerca» (Filipenses, 4,4-5). Pero el tema de la alegría invade también el resto de la liturgia de la Palabra. En la primera lectura oímos el grito del profeta: «Desbordo de gozo con el Señor, y me alegro con mi Dios». El Salmo responso-rial es el Magnificat de María, intercalado del estribillo: «Me alegro con mi Di-os». La segunda lectura, finalmente, comienza con las palabras de Pablo: «Hermanos: Estad siempre alegres».

Ser felices es tal vez el deseo humano más universal. Todos quieren ser felices. El poeta alemán Schiller cantó este anhelo universal al gozo en una poesía que después Beethoven inmortalizó, haciendo el famoso Himno a la Alegría que concluye la Novena Sinfonía. También el Evangelio es, a su modo, un largo himno a la alegría. El nombre mismo «evangelio» significa, como sabemos, feliz noticia, anuncio de alegría. Pero el discurso de la Biblia sobre la alegría es un discurso realista, no ide-alista ni veleidoso. Con la comparación de la mujer que da a luz (Juan 16,20-22), Jesús nos ha dicho muchas cosas. El em-barazo no es en general un período fácil para la mujer. Es más bien un tiempo de molestias, de limitaciones de todo tipo: no se puede hacer, comer ni llevar puesto lo que se desea, ni ir adonde se quiera. Sin embargo, cuando se trata de un embarazo deseado, vivido en un clima sereno, no es un tiempo de tristeza, sino de alegría. El porqué es sencillo: se mira adelante, se pregusta el momento en que se podrá tener en brazos a la propia criatura. He oído a varias madres decir que ninguna otra experiencia humana se puede comparar a la felicidad que se experimenta al convertirse en madre.

Todo esto nos dice algo muy preciso: las alegrías verdaderas y duraderas maduran siempre desde el sacrificio. ¡No hay rosa sin espinas! En el mundo, placer y dolor (lo hemos observado ya en una ocasión) se siguen el uno al otro con la misma regu-laridad con la que al elevarse una ola que impulsa al nadador hacia la playa le sigue un hundimiento y un vacío que le suc-ciona hacia atrás. El hombre busca desesperadamente separar a estos dos «hermanos siameses», de aislar el placer del dolor. Pero no se consigue, porque es el propio placer desordenado el que se transforma en amargura. O de improviso y trági-camente, como nos dicen las crónicas diarias, o un poco a la vez, a causa de su incapacidad de durar y del tedio que genera. Basta pensar, por poner un ejemplo más evidente, qué queda de la excitación de la droga un minuto después de que haya cesado su efecto, o a dónde lleva, también desde el punto de vista de la salud, el abuso desenfrenado del sexo. El poeta pa-gano Lucrezio tiene dos poderosos versos al respecto: «Un no sé qué de amargo surge de lo íntimo de cada placer nuestro y nos angustia incluso en medio de nuestras delicias».

Al no poder, por lo tanto, separar placer y dolor, se trata de elegir: o un placer pasajero que lleva a un dolor duradero, o un dolor pasajero que lleva a un placer duradero. Esto no vale sólo para el placer espiritual, sino para toda alegría humana hon-esta: la de un nacimiento, una familia unida, una fiesta, el trabajo llevado felizmente a término, el gozo de un amor bende-cido, la amistad, una buena cosecha para el agricultor, la creación artística para el artista, una victoria para el atleta.

Alguno podría objetar: ¿pero entonces para el creyente la alegría, en esta vida, será siempre y sólo objeto de espera, sólo un gozo «de lo que está por venir»? No; existe una alegría secreta y profunda que consiste precisamente en la espera. Es más, es tal vez ésta, en el mundo, la forma más pura de la alegría; la alegría que se tiene en esperar. El poeta Leopardi lo dijo mara-villosamente en la poesía Il sabato del villaggio. La alegría más intensa no es la del domingo, sino la del sábado; no es la de la fiesta, sino la de su espera. La diferencia es que la fiesta que el creyente espera no durará sólo algunas horas, para después ceder de nuevo el puesto a «tristeza y tedio», sino que durará para siempre.

Third Sunday of Advent - Gaudete Sunday

December 12/13, 2020

In today’s second reading Paul concludes his le'er to the Christian com-

munity at Thessalonica by providing it with actions to take as they wait

for the return of the Lord. The first action is to rejoice always and give

thanks in all circumstances. This does not sound easy in a time of pan-

demic. The two words that make this task difficult are “always” and “all.”

This means giving thanks and rejoicing even when our circumstances are

not always moments of joy and thanksgiving, or when we are confronted

with a broken world. Prayerful stewards rejoice and give thanks in all cir-

cumstances, even during these uncertain and stressful times, because they

are people of hope. A good reflection this week would be how the season

of Advent can give you reason to hope.

GIVING TREES As is our tradition, your generosity provides Christmas aid to the organizations listed below. Due to

Covid restrictions, we will not have giving trees with tags on them this year. Instead, we ask those who are interested in donating to:

• St. Mary Center for Woman & Children—please give a gift card.

• Charlestown Recovery House - please give a gift card, T-Pass, or Dunkin Donuts gift card.

• Veterans Shelter — please give a gift card, T-Pass, or Dunkin Donuts gift card.

• St. Vincent de Paul Society— a monetary donation is requested for clients in our Parish who have many different needs,. Checks should be made payable to St. Vincent de Paul Society.

•••• Sisters of St. Joseph Prison Ministry - Due to Dept. of Corrections security regulations, monetary donations are requested. The Chaplain will buy needed items such as combs, shampoo, soap, deodorant, calendars, lotion, tooth paste, stationary, and pens which will then be inspected by DOC. Once the items are approved by security, the items will be assembled in gift bags within the prison by Chaplaincy Volunteers. Checks should be made payable to Sisters of St. Joseph Prison Ministry”

Donations may be placed in the collection baskets at the door. Please indicate who the donation is for on the out-side of the envelope. Please submit your donations by December 20th for distribution on Monday, the 21st. Thank you.

REMEMBERING OUR LOVED ONES WHO ARE WITH GOD

Weekend of December 19/20

At all of our Masses on the weekend of December 19 and 20, we will have a Ritual of Remem-

brance for all of our loved ones who have gone to God. Due to Covid, this year, the sand dol-

lars will be placed on the tree on your behalf.

Please send your prayer intentions to info@stmarystcatherine.org. You may also call the Par-

ish Center with your intention.

Go to God with all of your sorrows, that He may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety

on Him because He cares for you. Be alert and of sober mind. Do not let doubt or any kind of negative thinking overpower

you. Resist it, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is under-going

the same kind of sufferings. And though it will take time, God of all grace, who called you in Christ, will restore you and

make you strong, firm and steadfast. To Him be the power for ever and ever. Amen. (1 Peter 5:6-11-Adapted)

CHRISTMAS MASSES

Christmas Eve Masses

Will be at 1:00pm, 3:00pm, 5:00pm and 7:00pm

Christmas Day Masses

Will be at 9:00 and 11:00

Because of limited seating during this time of pandemic,

we will put information in next week’s bulletin for you to

register for the Mass you hope to attend. This process

will enable us to reserve a seat for you.

Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God

All are invited to begin the New Year in prayer to celebrate the Solemnity of

Mary, Mother of God.

New Year’s Eve Vigil and Mass is on Thursday, December 31, 2020 at 6:00PM

New Year’s Day Mass will be on Friday, January 1, 2021 at 9:00 AM.

Dear Marian Friends,

On Saturdays, we gather for our Saturday

Rosary via Zoom. Sign on is at 8AM, and we will begin pray-ing at 8:15AM. If you are interested, please email Donna at:

Donna.lecam@gmail.com for the Zoom information.

All are most

welcome.

A STEWRDSHIP PRAYER

For December

You give us this blessed season

of Advent as a gift of time

to prepare for the

coming of the Christ Child.

But all too often we turn this gift

into a source of frenzy,

stress and anxiety;

a time when we’re apt to

prepare for a Christmas celebration

looking perfect on the outside,

but spiritually exhausting and

without true meaning.

Restore in us that inherent quest for

quiet expectation and hope.

Show us the way to a more

peaceful, prayerful disposition

that makes us more open to a

conversion of heart.

And give us the courage to let

go of things that are ultimately

unimportant to the true

meaning of Christmas.

Help us be good stewards of this

Advent season,

so that on the Feast of the Nativity,

we will be ready

with our own sacred space

for the arrival of your Son,

Jesus Christ, in whose name

we now pray.

Amen

ICSC bulletin

SENIOR

PRIESTS

In good standing

that have served our

parish:

Reverend Francis

Cloherty

Reverend Edward

Gallagher

Reverend Robert

Kennedy

Reverend Robert

Nee

The collection for

the retired priests

will take place on

December 24 &

25.

You may drop your

donation in the bas-

ket at the back of

the Church or you

can donate at :

clergytrust.org or

use the scan code in

this bulletin.

WINTER 20-21 ALERT

Dear Friends, in the event of inclement weather that necessitates the closing of the church, we will post the closing on Channel 5, WCVB-TV and Channel 7 WHDH and 56 WLVI

Stay warm and safe!

COLLECTION ON DECEMBER 24 AND 25

Weekend of 12/06/2020

$ 6,229.55

To the Weekly Collection

And

$1,005 to

second collections

Thank you for your

continued support

MASS SCHEDULE

10:30 AM SCDEFG MFHH ID

ICJ WKLHMNK IJ

FFOKLIIP LMQK

SFNCJEFG 12/12

9:00 FR + SFJFT FFJRKJ

WMUUMFRH

4:00 VR + GKJFUE A. WFUU

SCDEFG 12/13

8:00 FR + JFDK GJKKD

10:30 FR + CTJMHNMDF RGFD

6:00 VR + JIFD & DFD BUFPK SJ.

RIHFJG HFME LKWIJK

DFMUG MFHH FN 7:30

MIDEFG 12/14 8:00 FR

TCKHEFG 12/15

8:00 FR

WKEDKHEFG - 12/16

8:00 FR - PFJMHT PJFGKJ GCMUE

TTCJHEFG 12/17

8:00 FR

FJMEFG 12/18

8:00 FR

SFNCJEFG 12/19

9:00 FR

4:00 VR SFDE EIUUFJ NJKK

SCDEFG 12/20

8:00 FR SFDE EIUUFJ NJKK

10:30 FR + EUUKD MIJNID

6:00 VR SFDE EIUUFJ TJKK

The Sanctuary

Lamp

is lit for:

Charles Farmer &

Sarah Farmer Williams

We extend a warm welcome to all visitors and those who are

new to our parish. If you are new to Saint Mary -

Saint Catherine of Siena Parish, please visit our website for

events and resources. You may also register on line at: stmarystcatherine.org

ATTENDENCE 12/06

4:00 pm 50

8:00 am 27

10:30 am 71

6:00 pm 21

Total 169

Celebrating the Sacrament

of Baptism

is

always a joyful event in our Parish. It’s such a privilege to facilitate this momentous event in the lives of families and in particular, the life of the child. To learn more, please contact Sr. Nancy at

617-242-4664 or email:

ncitro @stmarystcatherine.org.

SFNCJEFGH FN 3:15 VR

IJ KL MNNIOPQRSPQ

By calling the Parish Office at

617-242-4664

Upcoming Collection

Christmas Flowers

Clergy Benefit (December 25)

Christmas Flower Envelopes ...

are available in the back of the Church

for those who would like to make a

donation in memory of a loved one.

The flowers will decorate our Church

for Christmas. Be sure to include the

name of your loved one on the enve-

lope. Names submitted by Tuesday,

December 15 will be included in the

bulletin for Christmas. All names re-

ceived after that date will be added to a

future bulletin. You may drop the en-

velope in the collection basket or mail

to the Parish Center at 46 Winthrop

Street. Thank you.