Nineteenth Sunday inOrdinary Time9 August 2015Young Neighbors In Action

Chicago - July 2015

Saint CeciliaP A R I S H

Ministers of the Liturgy

Saturday | 5:00 p.m.Rev. Peter Grover, OMV, celebrantCaroline Christian, lector

Sunday | 8:00 a.m.Rev. Thomas Gariepy, CSC, celebrantLouvere Walker, lector

Sunday | 9:30 a.m.Rev. John Unni, celebrantBob Mann, Catherine Horsley, & Moira Macdonald, lectors Sunday | 11:15 a.m.Rev. John Unni, celebrantChika Offurum, Joe Castellano, & Mark Richburg, lectors

today’s readings

1 Kings 19:4-8Ephesians 4:30-5:2John 6:41-51

next sunday’s Readings

Proverbs 9:1-6Ephesians 5:15-20John 6:51-58

Special intentions

Saturday, August 8 | 5:00 p.m. Robert McLaughlin, Memorial Sunday, August 9 | 8:00 a.m. Paul Anthony Hubbard, Memorial

Sunday, August 9 | 9:30 a.m. Mary DeFalco, Memorial Sunday, August 9 | 11:15 a.m. Diane M. Wirtz, 1st Anniversary Friday, August 14 | 8:00 a.m. Martine Messara, Memorial

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our community news

FOOD DONATIONS FOR CATHOLIC CHARITIESThis week's featured donation item is:

CEREAL!

Next week's featured donation item is:PASTA!

Donations of pasta, sauce, cereal, tuna, & other canned food are always also accepted. Please leave food donations in the narthex baskets.

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Prayers & Occasions

Our SickPlease pray for all our sick and for those who are in need of our prayer, especially Jennifer Serpico, Rudy Kikel, Annette Kulas, Steven Whitkens, Lisa Caputo, Anthony Simboli, Anne Frenette Handly, Ruth Frost, Roséa Aubrey, Brenna Smith, Mildred McLaughlin, Domenic Iannaccone, Cameron Robinson, Jennifer Murdock, Ken Bennett, Paul Claveau, Robert Lupis, Jaheel Robinson, Michael Claveau, Penny Maynard, Max Tubman, David Worster, Derek Schall, Susan Noll, Julie Downey, Donna Thagard, Robert Kimball, Owen Kyes, Mark Schatzl, Hugo Collamati, Javier A. Sattler, Michalina Maniscalco, Gayle Haley, Niall O'Shaughnessy, Annie Flaherty, Pattie Geier, Colin Landry, Jake Mercier, Michael Patrick Kelly, Pilar Estrada, Mark Anderson, Matty Goddard, Carlo Pagani, Stephanie Merenda, Shea Hammond, Bill Downing, Skyler Stevenson, Rob Morrissey, Nimet Yousif, Rev. Robert Quinn, CSP, Boris Chermak, Dennis Heaphy, Mary Yanez, Roberta McMann, Peter Webster, Silvia Basagni, Brian Donnelly, Judy Gallo, John Farris, Karen Thoresen, Theresa Wier, Lena Bryant, Silvana Franco, Bill Ahern, Michael Steffen, Kenny Borum, Kevin, Lisa Anzalone, Joseph Pierre, George Driscoll, Bill Pennington, Rose Rizzo, Lisa Cox, George Morales, Richard Smith, Jack Hogan, Mary Curley, Meghan, Joseph Turner, Quinn Amsler, Bryan Thomas, Mary Silva, Linda Jenkins, Annie McGovern, Rachel Fitzgerald and Jillian Scalfani.

Welcome to Saint Cecilia!We are pleased to welcome the following new members of our parish who have recently registered: The Rosic and Mihaic Family of Boston, Anna Palka and Luis Dau of Boston, and Emily Boardman of Jamaica Plain. If you have not previously registered with the parish, there are forms in the narthex for this purpose or you can register online at www.stceciliaboston.org.

Men's Spirituality GroupThe Men's Spirituality Group will meet this Friday morning, August 14 at seven o'clock in the Parish Hall. The meeting will end at seven-fifty for those who wish to attend the eight o'clock Mass. All men of the parish are welcome to join us. Refreshments will be served.

Assumption of the Blessed Virgin MaryThis Saturday is the Solemnity of the Assumptionof the Blessed Virgin Mary. Because the Solemnity

of the Assumption falls on a Saturday this year, the obligation to attend Mass is relaxed.

Morning Prayer - 9:00 a.m. at Saint CeciliaMass - 11:00 a.m. at Saint Clement Eucharistic Shrine

(1105 Boylston Street) Mass - 9:00 a.m. & 12:00 p.m. at Saint Francis Chapel

(located in the Hynes Court at The Shops at Prudential Center)

The pope's prayer intentions~ AUGUST ~

Universal: VolunteersThat volunteers may give themselves generously to the service of the needy.

Evangelization: Outreach to the marginalizedThat setting aside our very selves we may learn to be neighbours to those who find themselves on the margins of human life and society.

Notable Saints of the Week

August 10 - Saint Lawrence, Deacon and MartyrPatron of Rome, Malta, Canada, comedians,

librarians, students, miners, chefs, poor.

August 11 - Saint Claire, VirginPatron of eye disease, laundry, embroiderers,

gilders, good weather.

August 14 - Saint Maximilian Kolbe, Priest and MartyrPatron against drug addictions, & of families,

imprisoned people, journalists, prisoners.

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New Choir Members NeededWe are in need of new choir members to sing with us. If you have a musical talent to share with the community, we would love to have you join us. Please stop by and see Richard Clark after Mass, or email him at rclark@stceciliaboston.org. We look forward to

hearing from you! For more information you can also check our website at www.stceciliaboston.org/music-ministry.

JOIN US AT COMMUNITY SERVINGSJoin us from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 12 when we volunteer in the kitchens of Community Servings. We are looking for volunteers to assist in preparing and packaging nutritious meals for those who are home-bound with life-threatening illnesses throughout Eastern Massachusetts. No culinary skills are required, but volunteers need to be at least thirteen years of age. Please feel free to join us even if you can't be there until a bit later than 10:00 a.m. Community Servings is conveniently located next to the Stony Brook T Station in Jamaica Plain. To volunteer or for more information, please contact Mark Lippolt at mlippolt@hammondre.com.

Free fOOD AND FUN!At the USDA's Summer Food Service Program, kids 18 and under can enjoy free activities and meals all summer long! Call Project Bread's FoodSource Hotline at 1-800-645-8333 or visit www.meals4kids.org for details. No registration or ID necessary.

CHILDREN'S BOOKSGenerous parishioners have donated a supply of children's books that can be found on a table in the narthex. Given our desire to respect the dignity of the folks we serve through our hunger and homelessness ministries, we would ask that you have your children borrow these books rather than play with the donations of food and toiletries.

Training for New & Current Youth

Altar ServersWe are looking for new altar servers. All children entering fourth grade or higher this fall are welcome to join the ranks of the Saint Cecilia Altar Servers. New altar servers will be asked to attend two training sessions. Training sessions will be held on the following dates from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.:

• Wednesday, August 12• Wednesday, September 16• Wednesday, September 23

Children/youth who are currently serving the parish as altar servers are asked to plan to attend at least one of these training sessions to brush up on their skills.

If you have any questions about this or would like to sign-up for a training session, please e-mail Scott MacDonald at smacdonald@stceciliaboston.org.

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SAINT CECILIA PARISH

NEED A RIDE TO SEE POPE FRANCIS?Once in a lifetime opportunity to see the Pope celebrate Sunday Mass, September 27 in Philadelphia! RYDE will provide transportation via charter bus. Parishioners can go online and purchase seats individually at www.RYDEthere.com. For more info please email info@rydethere.com.

CATHOLIC CHARITIES’ FOOD PANTRY AT THE HAITIAN MULTI-SERVICE CENTERDid you know that August is the month when most food pantries and groups that feed the homeless experience the greatest demand for their services? It isn't around the Christmas holidays: it's August. Most summer school meals programs end in early August and families can suddenly find themselves with three or four additional mouths to feed at breakfast and lunch. Also, August is the month when family budgets are stretched to purchase back-to-school supplies and clothes.

Even though the Catholic Charities' pantry in Dorchester opens its doors at 9:30 a.m., folks looking to receive a bag of groceries began lining up at 7:45 a.m. Given the current state of the economy, our friends at Catholic Charities expect to see many more hungry families looking for assistance at their food pantry this month. We at Saint Cecilia Parish would like to help them meet this increase in demand. Please consider bringing the following items to the food baskets in the back of the church: peanut butter, tuna fish, canned chicken breast, Cheerios or corn flakes, white flour spaghetti, macaroni and cheese, and tomato sauce.

celebration of the priesthoodOn Thursday, September 17, parishioners across theArchdiocese of Boston are joining to honor and thank ourpriests at the seventh annual dinner in Celebration of thePriesthood. This annual event at the Seaport World Trade benefits the Clergy Health and Retirement Trust, which helps to ensure the highest level of care and quality of life for our 630 active and senior diocesan priests. Join us on Thursday, September 17 as we celebrate Father John and all the priests who have been there when we needed them. If you would like to purchase a ticket with the parish table please contact Caroline Gélinas at cgelinas@stceciliaboston.org. You may also visit www.clergyfunds.org/celebration to directly purchase your ticket today. Tickets for the event can be purchased for $375 each and all sponsorship opportunities are listed at www.clergyfunds.org/celebration. Thank you for your generous and prayerful support of Boston’s priests.

STAYING IN TOUCHIf you are moving, or have changed your phone or email address, please be sure to update your contact information with the parish office. You can simply email Mark Donohoe at mdonohoe@stceciliaparish.org with the new information. Thank you.

SAINT CECILIA YOUNG ADULTS!Suppah ClubSunday, August 9 I 1:00 p.m. Petit Robert Bistro

Instead of Suppah Club this month, join the young adults for brunch after the 11:15 a.m. Mass. It's a nice mix of French and American inspired plates, ranging from Eggs Benedict to Nutella crepes and croque-monsieur sand-wiches! If the weather's nice, we'll eat outside. Cap at 10 people. RSVP to scyoungadults@gmail.com.

Prison and After Ministry Volunteer CooksMonday, August 10 I 6 to 8pm, plus cooking

It takes a village to feed a great meal to 40 grateful men! Setup is from 6-7 p.m. and then taco fiesta-themed dinner and fellowship from 7-8 p.m. Needed: large quan-tities of salads, chips/salsa, guac, beans, grilled veggies, shredded beef/chicken/pork, seasoned rice, etc.

Volunteer with More Than WordsSaturday August 29 I 11:00 a.m.-1:30 p.m.242 East Berkeley Street, South End

Spend an afternoon sorting book donations for More Than Words, a nonprofit that helps troubled and disadvantaged youth develop professional and life skills by running their own business. The day includes tour of the Boston facility led by the youth who run the MTW Warehouse Bookstore! 14 spots available. RSVP to aliput2006@verizon.net.

Dancing in the Dark: Harbor Cruise 2015 Saturday, August 15 I 8:00-11:00 p.m.

This is going to be a blast and word is spreading fast! If you missed our February dance, there are no excuses this time. This is where the best Catholic party will be happening in Boston! Tickets cost $30. stcecilia.eventbrite.com.

*** To join the list serv, email scyoungadults@gmail.com with 'add me' in the subject line. ***

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SAINT CECILIA PARISH

Exhorting a crowd gathered in Rome, the Holy Father made the following remark:

It’s true that when we go to the confessional, we feel a bit of embarrassment, and that happens to everyone, to all of us, but we have to recall that this shame is also a grace that prepares us for the embrace of the Father, who always forgives and always forgives everything.

Almost two months into priesthood, I can say there is hardly a more profound experience than to help another person come to know God's boundless and merciful love through the sacrament of confession. More than once have I watched as a person seems to become physically lighter -- slumped shoulders cease curving -- as they unburden themselves from the weights they carry.

Oh, and people carry the weight of sin around with them. I know, I said it: the dreaded s-word: sin. Though it's not a popular or trendy word, it remains nevertheless true that each and every one of us is freighted with the baggage of sin. We try to walk the path of discipleship as a follower of Jesus Christ but we fall off the path, wander into the thicket, and emerge covered in the muck and mire of life. But when we are aware of this residue, this spiritual baggage we've picked up along the way, it makes following the Lord increasingly difficult. Shame becomes an obstacle to the path of joy.

There's a trend in society and certainly in some theological circles to diminish, if not erase, the sense of shame. We decry "body shaming" or "fat shaming" and, to be sure, this is a good thing: we should not hold up for mockery any other person. That said, the experience of shame for what one has done is not a bad thing. In fact, it's a very good thing: it means one's conscience is at work and that one can recognize that one needs healing.

If you had a gaping wound on your forehead, you'd probably not think twice about having it seen by a physician. The story of how the wound came to be might be embarrassing (you fell down while drunk), but the pressing issue remains to treat the wound and restore health. Some of my friends who are emergency physicians have shared that while they, at first, were shocked by what brought people into the ER,

they are seldom fazed any longer. Some wounds need little explanation, others call for the patient to share the story to get to the bottom of the problem.

Confession, like going to the ER, are alike in this. I'll admit: I'm often a jerk, sharp-tongued, judgmental, and my insecurities lead me to act in a host of destructive ways. I wake up each morning and resolve to stay close to Jesus and I've good days and bad days. Some days I hew close to the path, some nights I'm covered in spiritual burrs and I'm limping from wounds. I'm grateful the Church is seen as a field hospital: I can bring myself in for healing so I can return to the front line.

It's precisely the shame that arises within, the sense that I'm not whole, that is a mark of grace: I know I want to be restored to fighting form. And, amazingly, it is shame that often tells me both that I'm wounded and holds me back from seeking healing: "If you go to confession, what will he think of you? Better to suffer in silence than to risk being judged." That's when I pray for strength and resolve: nothing kept in the darkness can be good for the soul.

I've heard a lot of confessions these past few weeks and, the amazing thing, is that I can't ever remember afterward what someone said. I'll remember faces, but not sins. In fact, I remember the faces of those who come and change through the Sacrament, who seem physically lighter and more free, and this brings great joy to my heart. It is a joy to watch a person be freed from sin and freed for the mission of discipleship.

I mention this because I know - only too well! - that shame can be both the spur to confession and its biggest obstacle. When we allow authentic shame, a sense of sorrow arising from our recognition that we have not lived up to our baptism, to guide us toward healing, this cannot but be a sign of God's mercy and grace. Push through the embarrassment and with confidence approach the Sacrament of God's unlimited grace where we find mercy and help in time of need.

Father Ryan Duns, SJ is author of the blog The Tin WhistlePriest, where he attempts to spread the Gospel through hislife, his writing, and through Irish music.

When Shame is a Sign of Grace

By RYAN DUNS, SJ

SAINT CECILIA PARISHSAINT CECILIA PARISH

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Don’t be afraid or ashamed to go to confession, pope saysBy CINDY WOODEN, Catholic News Service

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Trusting in God’s infinite mercy, people should not be afraid or embarrassed to go to confession, Pope Francis said.

“There are people who are afraid to go to confession, forgetting that they will not encounter a severe judge there, but the immensely merciful Father,” Pope Francis told thousands of people gathered in St. Peter’s Square Aug. 2 for the midday recitation of the Angelus prayer.

The pope also told the people gathered under a scalding sun that “when we go to confession, we feel a bit ashamed. That happens to all of us, but we must remember that this shame is a grace that prepares us for the embrace of the Father, who always forgives and always forgives everything.”

In his main address the pope commented on the day’s Gospel reading from the Gospel of St. John, which recounts how the crowds followed Jesus after the miracle of the multiplication of the loaves and fishes.

“Those people followed him for the material bread that had placated their hunger the day before,” Pope Francis said. “They didn’t understand that that bread, broken for many, was the expression of the love of Jesus.”

“They gave more value to the bread than to the giver,” the pope said.

Feeding the crowd, he said, Jesus wanted to lead people to the Father and to a life that was about more than just “the daily worries of eating, dressing, success or a career.”

Every person has within him or her a hunger for life, for meaning and for eternity, Pope Francis said. Jesus satisfies that hunger with the gift of himself on the cross and in the Eucharist.

“Jesus does not eliminate preoccupations and the search for daily bread,” the pope said. However, “Jesus reminds us that the real meaning of our earthly existence is the end — eternity — the encounter with him, who is gift and giver.”

In giving himself, Pope Francis said, Jesus also gives people a task: “that we, in turn, satisfy the spiritual and material hunger of our brothers and sisters by proclaiming the Gospel everywhere.”

A REQUEST FROM CATHOLIC CHARITIESSunset Point Camp, located in Hull, serves as a dream "vacation" for 300 children each summer. The goal of the camp has always been to provide a free vacation for at-risk, low-income children from the Greater Boston area, without regard for their race, nationality, or religious affiliation. Sunset Point Camp is supervised by our friends at Catholic Charities' Yawkey Center in Dorchester. They have mentioned to us that they always need donations of sunscreen for the kids at the camp. So the next time you're at CVS or Walgreen's or your local supermarket, please consider picking up an extra tube of sunscreen and dropping it in the plastic bin identified for this purpose in the narthex. We have been told the higher the SPF number, the better. The Camp also needs kids' flip flops for boys and girls age 6 to 12.

St Cecilia’s House - 20th Anniversary ReceptionOn July 22 members of our parish joined with residents of the St. Cecilia’s House apartment complex to kick off their 20th Anniversary with a reception. We share both our saint name and history with this impressive building. Our former pastor, Rev. Msgr. Michael F. Groden, worked in his capacity as Director of the Archdiocesan Planning Office of Urban Affairs to secure the federal funding to build and subsidize this complex. The program opened with a blessing from our Father John and included refreshments and a scrumptious cake provided by the parish. The turnout was impressive as 90 of the 123 residents joined with visiting dignitaries to participate in the festivities. A cluster of eight of our CARES ministers helped the staff greet and serve the diverse crowd. The program commemorated the original occupants and included testimonials from appreciative residents translated into the three primary languages of their native lands, English, Mandarin Chinese, and Russian. As guests departed they received a Save the Date card and 20th Anniversary pens as parting gifts from our parish. This note introduced the Anniversary Resident Dinner that the parish is planning to hold on Wednesday, September 16. If you would like to be part of the Anniversary Dinner planning group, please contact Jeanne at jbruno@stceciliaboston.org.

TWEETS FROM THE POPE

Dear young friends, do not be afraid of marriage: Christ accompanies with his grace

all spouses who remain united to him.

Hospitality in families is a crucial virtue today, especially in situations

of great poverty.

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Parish RESOURCESParish Office & Mailing Address18 Belvidere Street, Boston, MA 02115Hours | Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.Phone | 617 536 4548Fax | 617 536 1781E-mail | info@stceciliaboston.orgWebsite | www.stceciliaboston.org

Parish StaffRev. John J. Unni, PastorMark Donohoe, Pastoral Associate for Administration, mdonohoe@stceciliaboston.orgScott J. MacDonald, Director of Faith Formation and Leadership Development, smacdonald@stceciliaboston.orgJeanne Bruno, Coordinator of Pastoral Outreach, jbruno@stceciliaboston.orgRichard J. Clark, Director of Music and Organist, rclark@stceciliaboston.orgCaroline Gélinas, Executive Assistant,cgelinas@stceciliaboston.orgMaureen Sullivan, Special Projects Manager,msullivan@stceciliaboston.org

Assisting ClergyRev. Arthur M. CalterRev. Ryan Duns, SJRev. Thomas Gariepy, CSCRev. Peter Grover, OMVRev. James Shaughnessy, SJRev. Michael Simone, SJRev. George Winchester, SJ

Schedule for LiturgyWednesday, Thursday, & Friday | 8:00 a.m.Lord’s Day | Sat 5:00 p.m.; Sun 8:00, 9:30, 11:15 a.m.Holy Days | 8:00 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.

ReconciliationAvailable at St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine (617-266-5999 x221), St. Francis Chapel in the Prudential Center (617-437-7117), and St. An-thony Shrine (617-542-6440). Please call for scheduled times.

Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA)The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults is the communal process through which non-baptized men and women become members of the Catholic Church. It is also suitable for those baptized in different faith traditions who are interested in becoming Catholic, or, for those who were baptized Catholic, but have yet to receive the sacraments of eucharist and confirmation. For more information, please contact Scott MacDonald.

Baptism for InfantsInfant baptism is celebrated on the first Sunday of the month. For more information, please contact Mark Donohoe.

Faith Formation for ChildrenTo register your child for our Faith Formation Program, please contact Scott MacDonald.

MarriageCouples who wish to prepare for marriage should contact Mark Donohoe in the parish office at least six months in advance.

Care of the SickTo arrange for the Sacrament of the Sick, for Holy Communion to be brought to those unable to attend the Sunday celebration, or for Viaticum for the Dying (Holy Communion for those in danger of death), please contact the parish office. It is always possible to anoint the sick during regularly scheduled liturgies.

Order of Christian FuneralsThe parish is prepared to celebrate the Vigil (wake) in the church. Please contact the parish office for more information.

Child Abuse Prevention (CAP) TeamThe CAP Team is responsible for training all parish staff and volunteers in mandated reporting laws and the Protecting God’s Children program (VIRTUS). They also provide consultation and support to anyone in the parish who has concerns about reporting child abuse and neglect. Please contact Lois Flaherty (loisflaherty@gmail.com), Maria Roche (maria.roche15@gmail.com) or Letitia Howland (l_howland@hotmail.com) if you have any questions or concerns.The Archdiocese of Boston has in place a vigorous program to protect children from harm and to educate its ministers and faithful about the nature of abuse, with a goal of increasing knowledge, creating a safe environment for children, and recognizing and reporting potentially dangerous situations. The full text of the policy is also available in the narthex and parish office, as well as on our website.

For Those with Celiac DiseaseIf you have celiac disease, please let us know. We have a supply of low-gluten altar bread available for those who cannot tolerate gluten.

Hearing Assistance in ChurchThe church is equipped with an FM listening device. Small receivers are available for anyone who may have trouble hearing the sound system. Simply request a receiver from any one of our greeters before Mass.

Access for the DisabledThe church is accessible by elevator.

Sunday ParkingReduced-rate parking is available on Sundays at the Prudential Center parking garage and at the Hilton Boston Back Bay. Be sure to have a greeter validate your parking ticket before returning to your car.

Saint Cecilia Rainbow MinistrySaint Cecilia Rainbow Ministry is a GLBTQ community at Saint Cecilia. For more information, contact stceciliarainbowministry@gmail.com.

Joining Our CommunityWe’re happy that you’re with us! Our community offers a warm, spiritual home for a diverse group of Catholics. We come from many neighborhoods in and around Boston but also have parishioners from as far afield as Marlborough, Newburyport, and Stow. Please introduce yourself to a staff member, drop in for coffee on Sunday, or fill out a new parishioner form in the gathering space.