The Church of Boniface

August 1, 2021 Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time THE LITURGY OF THE DAY

August 1, 2021 • Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

When uncertain of what to believe, it is natural to look for signs. We look for some insight into the truth. In his Gospel, John re- Wants vs. Needs ferred to Jesus’ miracles as signs. The crowd in today’s Gospel pas- “Each day the people are to go out sage saw his sign of the loaves and fish and now ask for a sign and gather their daily portion; “that we may see and believe” (John 6:30). We may ask ourselves thus will I test them, to see whether what signs we need to see in order to believe. Perhaps we would they follow my instructions or not.” be better off asking ourselves what signs we can provide so that others may believe. How can we multiply what we have in order to (EXODUS 16:4) nourish more people than we can imagine? How can we give life to When the Israelites gathered more the world? How can we point the way to the truth by what we do? than their daily portion of manna, the surplus became wormy and When we come together today, as we do each Sunday, we receive rotten. In the same way today, the Lord—the Bread of Life—in the . He satisfies our hun- self-reliance, pride and ego leads to ger, be it material or spiritual. When we receive the Lord, in the hoarding and excessive surplus of Eucharist and into our hearts, he brings fullness, mission, God’s goods and money. Living a steward- grace, and the promise of everlasting life into our poor, imperfect, ship lifestyle helps us discern our and needy human lives. He enables us to “put away the old self” “wants” from our “needs”. Living and “put on the new self.” Joined together with our brothers and a grateful and generous lifestyle sisters in faith, let us celebrate the generosity of our Lord. reminds us that God will provide Question of the Week: all that we need and that we have plenty to share. How can I be a sign to others of the nourishment I’ve found in the bread of life?

Saint Boniface update: This means that over $280,000 will come back to our over the next four years. We are well on our way to making our plans 69 parishioners have pledged a reality! Pledges are still being accepted, and 100% of new dona- a total of $405,561 (as of July 22) tions will go directly to Saint Boniface. Legacy of Hope is the largest fundraising campaign to date for us Thank you to all those who have at Saint Boniface. Because of its magnitude and size, we are submitted their pledge amounts and foregoing our parish Grand Annual Appeal for the next four have given so generously! years in order to place great emphasis on the Legacy of Hope. Our wish is to ensure its success by making it easier for more parishioners to increase the size of their pledges. About Your Pledge

 Pledges are not legally binding but rather are an indication of your giving intention.  Payments can be made over the next 4 years either monthly, quarterly, semi-annually or annually. Use your phone to scan the QR code at left and learn more about the campaign, or make your pledge online Together we can make a difference! at legacyofhope.worcesterdiocese.org/donate-now MASS INTENTIONS COLLECTION REPORT Aug 7 4:00 PM Leon Tarbell, 1st Anniversary, by his Wife & Family July 25 Aug 8 8:00 AM Priscilla Rivard, 1st Anniversary, by Mike Rivard – Sunday Offering $ 2,631 10:30 AM Janet Gordon, by Tom Ferrazzano – Maintenance 95 If you wish to schedule a Mass intention for a loved one, please call, email or – Fuel 10 visit the parish office for more information. Total $ 2,736

PRAY THE every Saturday at 3:30 PM in the church, led THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT by members of the Saint Boniface Knights of Columbus. Give to our parish whether you’re in the pews or not!

WEEKDAY MASS & SCHEDULE Many parishioners have been making their weekly offerings online. It’s secure, convenient and easy to make one-time Wed. 5:30-6:30 PM Holy Hour & Adoration (new!), Mass at 6:30 PM or recurring donations at www.stboniface-lunenburg.org Thur. & Fri. 8:00 AM Mass CONDOLENCES to our Sacristan, Louise MANY THANKS to all the parishioners who contributed Nadeau, on the loss of her niece, Cheryl to the food and supplies needed for the last rotation at McLellan, who passed away on July 25. Please the North Star Family Shelter. If you are interested in keep Louise and her family in your prayers. volunteering for our next rotation please contact Allison Lilly at [email protected]. RELIGIOUS EDUCATION CLASSES BEGIN SEPTEMBER 12 The Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord — REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN — August 6,2021 GRADES 1-10 If your family is already a member of our program, you do not need In Mark’s Gospel, Jesus takes Peter, James, and John up a high to reregister. ONLY new families are re- mountain, apart from the other quired to fill out the registration form. apostles and disciples. No payment is due at this time. Register There, Jesus is transfigured online at www.stboniface-lunenburg.org/ (changed in form and appear- registration ance) and appears in dazzling Teachers are needed for grades 6, 7, 8 white clothes. Elijah, the great and 9. Please contact Lucy Marcil prophet, and Moses, through whom the Israelites were given the law, appear with Jesus. A cloud appears, (978-502-7993 or [email protected]) overshadowing them, and a voice states, “This is my beloved Son. Listen to for more information if you are interested him.” Jesus charges the three to not share with anyone what they had seen in helping with this important ministry. “except when the Son of Man had risen from the dead.” They keep their ex- perience to themselves, pondering what Jesus meant by rising from the dead. The Fitchburg Knights of The Transfiguration, initially revealed to Peter, James, and John, reveals to Columbus Council #99 will all of us a taste of what is yet to come. have a CHICKEN BBQ on Did You Know? Sunday, August 22, 12-2 PM. The Road to Priesthood Involves a Rigorous Formation Process Dinner includes a half Seminary formation involves much more than academic study. Prior to chicken, baked potato, corn Ordination, a candidate for priesthood goes through a lengthy evaluation on the cob and cole slaw. period, including an internship during which he lives in a rectory and Tickets are $12 each and works with priests, staff, and parishioners. During this time the candidate is judged as to his suitability to be a priest. No one is ordained unless the must be purchased in seminary staff, including the lay faculty and formation advisors, concludes advance by Wednesday, that the candidate has attained an emotional, psychological, and sexual August 18, at the KofC hall, maturity appropriate for his age and for the celibate life of a priest. 165 Electric Ave., Fitchburg, “Keeping Our Promise to Protect” (Diocese of Worcester) 12 noon – 7:30 PM daily. of the Week

August 2. SAINT EUSEBIUS of VERCELLI Eusebius of Vercelli, spent most of his epis- copal life defending the Church against the Arians. Also a defender of Saint Athanasius, whom the emperor wanted to punish, Saint Eusebius suffered death threats and harass- ment. But he continued to remain faithful St. Eusebius Resurrecting and hopeful. Can nuns be celebrities? Three People, by Raphael Who says that nuns can’t simultaneously strive August 3. for authentic holiness AND use their God-given SAINT PETER JULIAN talents in the public eye? began his priestly life in Mother Dolores Hart the Diocese of Grenoble. His faith journey led Before answering him to the Marists, and finally to founding God’s call to become the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament. a nun, she was an Peter Julian had a deep devotion to Christ in actress. And not just the Eucharist, and his community members any actress… In the alternated between active ministry and con- Stained glass window of Saint 1957 movie Loving templation of the Blessed Sacrament. He Peter Julian Eymard, Santa Clara You, she was the first also co-founded the Congregation of the de Montefalco Church, Manila woman to kiss Elvis Servants of the Blessed Sacrament for women. Presley on screen. Five years later, after nine more films and a life of Hollywood stardom, August 4. she had a deep conversion experience and SAINT JOHN VIANNEY stunned the world by announcing that she was Saint John Vianney is best known as the leaving Hollywood to become a cloistered nun. Curé d’Ars, the little French town where he As a Benedictine, Mother Dolores founded an was pastor. John had great trouble with his open air theatre near her abbey. Over the dec- studies and almost didn't get ordained. ades, she has helped countless young people After he became the pastor in Ars however, find spiritual growth through the truth-seeking he gained great fame as a , hear- beauty of the performing arts. ing confessions sometimes 12 hours a day. Stained glass window of Curé Saint John Vianney is the of Diocesan d'Ars, Luant, Mother Angelica Priests and Parish Priests. Mother Angelica is best known for her August 5. regular appearances Dedication of SAINT MARY MAJOR on EWTN, the Eternal Saint Mary Major Basilica is one of the four Word Television major churches in Rome known as patriar- Network. She joined chal basilicas. It is the largest church in the the Poor Clares in world honoring Mary. This day is also known 1944 and established as the feast of Our Lady of the Snows be- Our Lady of the Angels Monastery in 1962. cause of the Blessed Mother's intercession Santa Maria Maggiore, Rome During that time, she hosted meetings on topics during a crisis in that city. related to theology, prayer, and issues facing modern Catholics. As their popularity grew, she August 6. began to record these talks for sale. Gradually, TRANSFIGURATION of the LORD she expanded her creations to a radio talk Whatever happened on Mount Tabor show, books, and video, which culminated in within the hearts of Peter, James and John, the launch of EWTN. This Catholic television we will never know. The experience was network has grown to be a top channel for more than words can describe. But cer- believers and non-believers alike, reaching over tainly, the three Apostles had an experi- Stained glass window, 300 million households in 145 countries. ence of the glory of Jesus, the Son of God. Mielno, Poland In the Gospels, this event follows shortly after Jesus’ description of his Brought to you by The Catholic Company: catholiccompany.com human suffering, which will come before the glory of the resurrection. Saint Boniface Church

817 Massachusetts Avenue, Lunenburg, MA 01462 Parish Office: 978-582-4008 email: [email protected]

Discover St. Boniface ~ Visit our website: www.StBoniface-lunenburg.org

Parish Office Hours

Monday / Wednesday / Thursday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (closed 12:00 – 1:00 PM)

The Celebration of the Eucharist

Sunday: 8:00 AM, 10:30 AM

Saturday Vigil: 4:00 PM

Holy Hour of Adoration: every Wednesday 5:30-6:30 PM

Weekday Masses: 6:30 PM Wednesday | 8:00 AM Thursday & Friday

SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION (Confession) Saturday 3:00 - 3:30 p.m. or by appointment. SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM Adults are baptized at the Easter Vigil as part of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA). Infant and child Baptisms are by arrangement. FIRST EUCHARIST Preparation begins in grade one and includes classes, retreats, and home instruction. Children receive First Eucharist in grade two. CONFIRMATION Our Confirmation program begins in the 9th grade; students are confirmed in the spring of the 10th grade. For young adults who have been baptized but not yet confirmed, contact the parish office. SACRAMENT OF MATRIMONY It is the policy of the Diocese of Worcester that a couple should contact the parish at least one year prior to the anticipated date of their wedding to allow sufficient time to carry out the various steps of the marriage preparation process. It is important that arrangements be made with the church before plans are made with reception halls, caterers, etc.

ANNOINTING OF THE SICK Please call the parish office 978-582-4008 or email Fr. Omolo at [email protected] or Louise Nadeau at [email protected] to arrange these visits. 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 who pray for the needs of neighbors, please contact Sue Cote 978-582-0404 [email protected]. KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS COUNCIL #16480 In Service to One. In Service to all. Members meet in the Parish Hall on the first Wednesday of each month at 7 PM. Any Catholic men over 18 who are interested in joining the Knights should contact Grand Knight Peter Bak (978-403-5119) or Deputy Grand Knight Claude Poirier (978-660-3202), or email [email protected].

PARISH STAFF: phone email Rev. Charles Omolo, Administrator 978-582-4008 [email protected] Jo-Anne Poirier, Administrative Assistant 978-582-4008 [email protected] Lucy Marcil, Religious Education Coordinator 978-502-7993 [email protected] Claire Garrity Neas, Music Ministry 617-823-4237 [email protected] Louise Nadeau, Sacristan Ministry Schedule 978-582-4008 [email protected] Nina Charpentier, Dir. Early Childhood/PreK 978-582-7110

Newcomers to St. Boniface are invited and encouraged to formally register as members of the parish so that we may stay in touch with you with faith formation news, notices of special events, volunteer opportunities, and more. Registration forms are available at the doors of the church, the parish office, or on our website. Please note that you must be registered for at least six months before we can issue any verification of your status as a parishioner for godparent or sponsor letters.

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YWCA-Battered Women’s Resources A Note of Thanks Helping area women, to survive, emerge from, to our sponsors! or heal from abusive relationships Please support *Counseling *Emergency Shelter them with your *24-hr hotline (978-537-8601) patronage. For more information call 978-537-2306, Ext. 19 For ad information call the parish office ST. BONIFACE

PRE-SCHOOL & CHILDCARE 978-582-4008 817 Massachusetts Ave. Lunenburg, MA 01462 978-582-7110 Children Ages: 2.9 through 7 years | Open 7:30 am– 5:30 pm