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THE CHURCH OF BONIFACE

P.O. BOX 195, 199 MASS. AVENUE, RTE. 2A, LUNENBURG, MA 01462-0195 (978) 345-0621 • (800) 395-5800 • FAX (978) 345-9482 Third Sunday in Ordinary Time www.chaptruck.com

SERVING ST. BONIFACE FAMILIES WITH January 26, 2020 THREE CONVENIENT LOCATIONS (978) 342-9716

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[email protected] Is Christ divided?

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Please thank them with your ST. BONIFACE patronage. PRE-SCHOOL & CHILDCARE 817 Massachusetts Ave. For ad information call the Lunenburg, MA 01462 978-582-7110 parish office 978-582-4008 Children Ages: Open 2.9 through 7 years 7:30AM-5:30 PM

From the Desk of the Pastor Saint Boniface Church

Sunday Reflection: January 26 817 Massachusetts Avenue, Lunenburg, MA 01462 Parish Office: 978-582-4008 email: [email protected] A people who walked in darkness have seen a great light. ( 9, 1) A good friend recently told me that at his family table , when the family gathers be it at an ordinary meal or especially Discover St. Boniface ~ Visit our website: www.StBoniface-lunenburg.org when the larger family and relatives gather on different occasions, there are topics that shall not be discussed ( off limits) because passions get raw, divisions , conflicts or big arguments always come up. How this situation may not be Parish Office Hours uncommon to many today. Today we all seem to be grouped up in camps or “tribes.” Our politics does that to us, our Monday / Wednesday / Thursday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (closed 12:00 – 1:00 PM) faith and religion, etc. Experts tell us that we live in a much fractured society. The Celebration of the Eucharist The Christian community is not immune to the tendencies of the society in which we live. Many times this attitude of Sunday: 8:00 AM & 10:30 AM division and conflict is very alive in the Church too. Our mission however, the mission of Christ and the is Saturday Vigil: 4:00 PM nothing close this. The Christian life is about growing and building ‘the one body of Christ’. Ours is to refuse and remove all that brings darkness, all that obscures the light of God to shine, and divisions do. Summer Sunday Mass schedule: 9:00 AM (Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend) The struggle to bring unity is as old as the Church itself. Saint Paul today in the second reading writes to the Christian community of Corinth. He hears of stories of factions and rivalry among the church there. Some are calling themselves, Weekday Masses: 8:00 AM, Wednesday/Thursday/Friday Chloe’s people, others ’ people, others Paul’s people, and still other’s Christ’s people. He asks: is Christ divided? There is also a poisonous infestation of ‘human eloquence’. People look not to Christ but at the Charisms (smartness) SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION (Confession) Saturday 3:00 - 3:30 p.m. or by appointment. of the messengers. It is no longer about Christ or spirituality but purely human reasoning. Paul rebukes them and says SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM Adults are baptized at the Easter Vigil as part of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA). they who remove Christ and the Cross (suffering) from the Gospel are preaching themselves and an inauthentic Infant and child Baptisms are by arrangement. Christ. The effort of unity and the witness of self-sacrifice for the whole is the best exemplar of who a Christian is. FIRST EUCHARIST Preparation begins in grade one and includes classes, retreats, and home instruction. Children receive First It is no coincidence that in the Gospel we listen to today, Jesus begins his public ministry in a land of foreigners. The Eucharist in grade two. Land of Zelubun and Naphtali is the Galilee of the Gentiles. Right from the beginning Jesus preaches the Gospel not CONFIRMATION Our Confirmation program begins in the 9th grade; students are confirmed in the spring of the 10th grade. For exclusively to his own (the Jews) but anyone who is willing to allow God in their lives. The goal is unity. young adults who have been baptized but not yet confirmed, contact the parish office. Jesus calls disciples who are ‘brothers’ not only in blood but also people from the ‘band of fishermen’ whose bond SACRAMENT OF MATRIMONY It is the policy of the Diocese of Worcester that a couple should contact the parish at least one must be deeply strong. (Unity!) They are also ‘simple’ people far removed from the world of eloquence. Men that are year prior to the anticipated date of their wedding to allow sufficient time to carry out the various steps of the marriage preparation single minded, ready to leave everything they have ever known and follow Jesus only. As we all know they become process. It is important that arrangements be made with the church before plans are made with reception halls, caterers, etc. men of great courage to bring the Gospel into the world. ANNOINTING OF THE SICK Please call the parish office 978-582-4008 or email Fr. Anthony at [email protected] Today’s is you and I. We must continue the work of the first disciples. This is a great responsibility we must or Nancy Cieri 978-582-6983 [email protected] to arrange these visits. take on with a dangerous unselfishness. We must take on the mission to root out anything that sows darkness in our PRAYER LINE MINISTRY If you or someone you know needs prayers or if you would like to be a part of this ministry of those world and society. The things that sow divisions in people’s hearts. The things that choke the lives of many who see who pray for the needs of neighbors, please contact Sue Cote 978-582-0404 [email protected]. no future (light) in their lives. Our lists can be as long as we can imagine (poverty, inequality, injustice, materialism, KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS COUNCIL #16480 In Service to One. In Service to all. The members meet in the Parish Hall on unfairness, indifference etc..). In the words of the prophet Isaiah we must see to it that: the yoke that burdened them, the first Wednesday of each month at 7 PM. Any Catholic men over 18 who are interested in joining the Knights should contact the pole on their shoulder, and the rod of their taskmaster, are smashed (Isaiah 9, 3) Grand Knight James Dijak (978-534-7956) or Deputy Grand Knight Peter Bak (978-403-5119), or you can email the Council at A Blessed Week in the Lord! [email protected]. ~ Fr. Anthony PARISH STAFF: Rev. Anthony Mpagi, Pastor 978-582-4008 [email protected]

Jo-Anne Poirier, Administrative Assistant 978-582-4008 [email protected] Lucy Marcil, Religious Education 978-502-7993 [email protected] “…for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, Coordinator ” Claire Garrity Neas, Music Ministry 617-823-4237 in sickness and in health, until death do us part. Louise Nadeau, Sacristan Save the Date! Ministry Schedule 978-582-4008 [email protected] Nina Charpentier, Dir. Early Childhood/PreK 978-582-7110 Renewal of Marriage Vows and Dinner

Saturday, February 15, 4:00 PM Mass Newcomers to St. Boniface are invited and encouraged to formally register as members of the parish so that so that we can stay in touch with you via email with faith formation news, notice of special events, volunteer followed by Dinner in the Parish Hall opportunities, and more. Registration forms are available at the doors of the church or on our website. Signups in the pew or on the website. Please note that you must be registered for at least six months before we can issue any verification (Deadline Monday, Feb.10) of your status as a parishioner for godparent or sponsor letters.

MASS INTENTIONS THE UNDERUTILIZED SACRAMENT COLLECTION REPORT Sat Jan 25 4:00 pm Joe Simoneau, by Knights of WEEKEND OF JANUARY 19, 2020 Columbus Council #16480 Twice I have received the sacrament of the anointing of the sick. SUNDAY ORDINARY: $1,788.00 The first time was four years ago, when I was diagnosed with breast cancer; the second, a couple weeks ago when I Sun Jan 26 8:00 am Our Parish Family learned that the breast cancer had metastasized. 10:30 am Michael Marcil (6th MAINTENANCE/FUEL: 614.00 The sacrament involved both the sacrament of reconciliation and Anniversary), by his family HOLY DAY: 10.00 the anointing of my head and hands. It immersed me in the love of Sat Feb 1 4:00 pm Louis Arruda (5th Anniversary), by his daughters Total Contributions: $2,412.00 the church, a profound experience that drove home the fact that as part of the Christian community, I do not stand alone when facing Sun Feb 2 8:00 am Our Parish Family Thank you for your continued support! troubled times. 10:30 am Paul Marien (10th Anniversary), by his loving family On both occasions, friends joined me as our pastor came to my home to lead the service. It included my favorite prayer, Psalm 139, GRAND ANNUAL APPEAL: which reminds us that God is familiar with all our ways, knowing us ANOINTING OF THE SICK will take place at all Masses To date, 71 families have from our very beginnings and standing with us through everything. on the weekend of February 8/9, as we recognize the World Day pledged a total of $47,920 I’ve known others to receive the sacrament with only a spouse or of the Sick on February 11, 2020. We pray for those who suffer toward our goal of $50,000. children present and still others who have received the sacrament from illness and for their caregivers. ______as part of a parish experience and still others who embraced the sacrament with only the priest who administered it. One friend, a RENEWAL OF MARRIAGE VOWS will take place at the 4 PM Mass on Saturday, February 15. A dinner college professor, received the sacrament in 2002 and 2008 before reception will follow in the parish hall. Please signup if you plan to attend. You will find forms in the pews which students and colleagues, certainly an educational experience not soon forgotten by anyone present. may be placed directly into the collection baskets, or you may sign up on the parish website. Despite these examples, however, research shows that the sacrament is both misunderstood and underutilized, ______even by church-going Catholics, people who go to Mass at least once a week. According to a report six years ago ST. ANNA SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE (PreK – Grade 8) from the Georgetown University-based Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate, only 63 percent of those Tuesday, January 28 • 9:30 – 11:30 a.m.* & 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. who attend Mass weekly or more have requested the sacrament for themselves or an immediate family member. Tour our school, meet teachers and staff, *see our students in action. 213 Lancaster St., Leominster 978-534-4770 CARA said that only 45 percent reported they considered it “very important to them to receive the sacrament of the ______anointing of the sick at some point.” There are gender differences too. More women (57 percent) than men (45 percent) have requested the sacrament. ST. BERNARD’S HIGH SCHOOL WINTER OPEN HOUSE And younger Catholics are less likely than older ones to seek the sacrament when ill. Thursday, January 30, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Check in at 6:00 then join us for the principal’s welcome at 6:15 followed by a student led tour, participation in mini classes, a Q & A panel discussion with current parents, faculty, staff and alumni as The situation suggests an educational challenge for the . well as a sports and activities fair. Admissions staff will be available to discuss financial aid and scholarship information. Misconceptions need to be addressed. Once known as Extreme Unction and the last rites, the sacrament of the (snow date: Thursday, Feb. 5) Register at www.stbernardscchs.org or call the Admissions Office at 978-342-3212 x233. anointing of the sick used to be practically synonymous with imminent death. The very name “last rites” scared ______some people and became unwanted reality therapy for others. Depending upon one’s viewpoint, it became a last 2019 CONTRIBUTION STATEMENTS: Please contact the parish office if you would like a statement mailed to you. step in the leaving of life or a first step toward the new life in eternity. ______For some the misunderstanding goes even further afield. The sacrament of the sick is for the living, yet one pastor told me ruefully that he had just received a call from a widow who wanted him to administer the sacrament to her Attention: ACH Contributors! Did you know there husband who had just died. are special donation cards just for you to use for Mass A sacrament, once defined in the Baltimore Catechism as “an outward sign instituted by Christ to give grace,” is collections? You will find the cards on the tables at powerful, both in testimony to what it represents and in realty, what it gives—in this instance, healing of the soul church entrances. When you attend Mass we invite and sometimes the body. The Catholic community deprives itself of comfort and grace when the anointing of the you to take one for the regular collection and any sick is underutilized. Perhaps it is time for an educational campaign to alert church-going Catholics of how much second collection and place them in the basket as the anointing of the sick has to offer. your offering for the day. Mary Ann Walsh, R.S.M., is U.S. Church Correspondent for America

THE PRAYER OF ST. FRANCIS is one of the best known OF THE DAY January 27 – 31 and best loved prayers in the world today. Attributed traditionally to St. (1181-1226), its actual origins are much Saint Angela Merici more recent. Nonethless it beautifully reflects his devotion to God! January 27. Saint Angela Merici was a courageous woman who saw a need and answered it even though society may not have been ready for her solution. Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace; Women teaching and, what we call today, a secular institute were new forms of Where there is hatred, let me sow love; living and ministering which proved very beneficial to the Church. Where there is injury, pardon; Vitrail de l’église Saint-Pierre de Retiers | Saint Angela Merici | photo by GO69 Where there is doubt, faith; Where there is despair, hope; Saint Angela Merici is a of the sick, disabled and physically challenged. Where there is darkness, light; And where there is sadness, joy. Saint O Divine Master, January 28. Saint Thomas Aquinas is well known for his writings, especially the Grant that I may not so much seek “Summa Theologica.” But he was far more than a philosopher/theologian. He To be consoled as to console; was a devout man who wrote beautiful prayers and hymns. Perhaps the best To be understood, as to understand; known is the “Pange Lingua,” a eucharistic hymn. He truly was able to combine human reason and revelation and show the fruits of the union. To be loved, as to love; Saint Thomas is a patron saint of Catholic schools, colleges, schools and students. For it is in giving that we receive, It is in pardoning that we are pardoned, And it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life. Brother Juniper ______January 29. Servant of God Brother Juniper was a simple man who joined Saint Francis in the earliest days of the Order. While Saint Francis praised him and How can we find harmony in an imperfect world? wished he had a “whole forest of such Junipers,” nevertheless, he could be exasperating for his generosity. Even saints can be frustrating. Today’s readings describe moments of destruction, uncertainty and discord. They invite us to reflect on the imperfections of the world, learn from them and grow in our relationship with God and one another. The readings from Isaiah and Matthew both refer to the land of Galilee, specifically to territory associated with the Israelite tribes of Zebulun and Naphtali. Both books connect the land with a negative experience but then describe a positive outcome. Blessed Mary Angela Truszkowska The Book of Isaiah is often analyzed as a composite work written over the course of several hundred years in January 30. Blessed Mary Angela Truszkowska founded the Felician Sisters as Israel’s history. Today’s reading comes from the portion of the book sometimes called First Isaiah, the earliest a result of a conversion experience she had while convalescing from an illness. prophetic layer of the text found in Chapters 1 through 39. During First Isaiah’s time, the northern kingdom of At the age of 44 she was forced to resign due to ill health. She lived, however, Israel—including the area of Galilee, the land of Zebulun and Naphtali—was destroyed by the Assyrians, and into her 70s. the people were conquered and exiled (2 Kgs 15:29). Despite Assyrian oppression (darkness), the author describes Mother Angela | Felician Sisters of North America | Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania relief provided by God (light). Although initially a place of contempt, the region becomes a place of joy.

Over 700 years later, Matthew’s Gospel quotes a version of First Isaiah (Mt 4:14-16), connecting Jesus to the Israelite prophecy. He depicts Jesus fleeing to the same region after hearing of ’s arrest. During this troubling period, Jesus proclaims a message of repentance closely associated with John’s ministry (Mt 3:1-9). Both Saint John Bosco Isaiah and Matthew reframe negative events as moments for progress. Fittingly, Jesus calls his first disciples at the January 31. Inspired by Saint , Saint John Bosco founded the Sea of Galilee. Although the impetus for Jesus’ journey was negative, Matthew presents it as the fulfillment of what Salesians to continue his work among boys. Then, joining forces with Mary was promised in Isaiah: Jesus begins his proclamation of the kingdom and calls followers to join his emerging ministry. Mazzarello, he helped found the Salesian Sisters. All this during a time when After Jesus’ death, an early Christian community would develop at Corinth, a large urban center that was established religious communities in Italy were closing their doors. But Saint religiously, ethnically and culturally diverse. The reading from 1 Corinthians shows Paul responding to reports John Bosco was different; he was a poor man who truly cared for the poor, and that have reached him about rivalries in the community. Paul insists that the Corinthians be in agreement with people saw that. one another and be unified in their shared baptism in Christ. He condemns their divisions and quarrels and Statue of Don Bosco at St. John Bosco Parish Church, Taipei, Taiwan | photo by Bernard Gagnon encourages harmony to build a unified church. Paul’s assertions are meant to unify people and end hostility. St. John Bosco is a patron saint of boys, editors and youth. Yet, Paul’s call for unity should not be misinterpreted as imposing uniformity on Christian communities. Diversity can strengthen and enrich communities by honoring the perspectives of members. Paul’s calls for harmony and unity should be nuanced. Paul might inspire us to seek harmony in our communities; nevertheless, we can achieve that harmony while promoting thoughtful discourse that honors diverse perspectives.

This article also appeared in print, under the headline “An Imperfect World,” in the January 20, 2020, issue of America.