December 10, 2020
Parish Online Newsletter Issue #0026
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Christmas message from Cardinal Sean O'Malley
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Christmas Schedule
We welcome you to celebrate the Nativity of the Lord! We are offering four Masses on Christmas Eve: 1pm, 3pm, 5pm, and 7pm; and two Masses on Christmas Day: 9am and 11am.
We ask you to please register by Monday 12/21:
Christmas Mass sign-up link
SAFETY PROTOCOLS will be in place - see our website Re-Opening Guidelines. Seating will be limited as we follow all guidelines put forth by state officials and the Archdiocese. One family/household will be allowed to seat per pew. MASKS MUST BE PROPERLY WORN AT ALL TIMES. Our filtered HVAC system will be operating, and windows will be cracked for fresh air - please dress warmly!
Please remember that Cardinal Sean strongly encourages the elderly and anyone with complicating physical conditions to continue watching the Mass from their homes. We will livestream our 5pm Christmas Eve Mass and 11am Christmas Day Mass; these recordings will be available and posted on our website and Facebook page. The dispensation from the Sunday Mass Obligation (and Holy Days of Obligation, including Christmas) will continue for the foreseeable future. Please do what is best for you and your family to stay safe.
*Please refrain from attending Mass if you are feeling ill or have any sort of symptoms of Covid (runny nose, fever, cough, etc.).
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GRAND ANNUAL UPDATE
Our Parish faces the usual costs of any small business plus the maintenance of very old and beautiful buildings. Each year at this time, we ask parishioners for assistance to balance our budget with a contribution to the Grand Annual Collection. Your response over the years has always been generous and helps to meet our needs. Once again, we ask every family to do your best to respond.
Thank you to all of you who have already contributed to the Grand Annual. To date, contributions total $52,275.
For those who have yet to contribute, please consider a gift so that we can yield a balanced budget.
There are different ways for you to make contributions!
- Please go to our web site (stmarystcatherine.org) and click "Donate" in the footer of our webpage, to be directed to a paypal button.
- Did you know you can donate via online banking? You can list St. Mary-St. Catherine of Siena Parish as a payee with our address (46 Winthrop Street, Charlestown MA 02129) and phone number (617-242-4664).
Corporate Matching
Some companies such as John Hancock, Fidelity, and many others, have “Charitable Gift” funds that will match, or partially match gifts donated to non-profit organizations, which include Churches. Some parishioners are using this to match their Grand Annual Donation. If your company will match your contributions to the Parish, please consider contacting them for more information.
If you have questions, please contact James Santosuosso at
jsantosuosso@stmarystcatherine.org or (617) 242-4664.
Thank you for all your support and active participation. We are humbled and deeply grateful!
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Religious Education Update
Our Family Formation call on 12/6 focused on preparing for the Advent season - we listened as Father Ronan read Little Star by Anthony Destefano, we prepared Advent wreaths with our families, and we prayed a Visio Divina with Sister Nancy.
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Our Stewardship Prayer
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. Inspire 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 teachings in all aspects of our lives. May we go forth and spread goodwill among our neighbors, friends, and fellow parishioners. Through Christ, our Lord. Amen.
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HAVE SOMETHING YOU WANT TO SHARE WITH THE PARISH?
Email us to share your story or learn more about being involved in our Church community. |
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