How Will You Prepare for Christ's Coming

11-28-2021Pastor's CornerRev. Robert J. Deehan, V.F.

This weekend begins the season of Advent, which marks the start of a new liturgical / Church year. The Advent wreath helps us mark the four weeks preceding the celebration of the birth of our Savior, Jesus at Christmas when we marvel at how God became a human being! There is a dual nature to the spiritual preparation we undertake in this season.

READ MORE

Mindfulness

11-21-2021Pastor's CornerRev. Robert J. Deehan, V.F.

What or who do you take for granted? I know, it’s hard to think about something you don’t think much about! But try… especially at this time of Thanksgiving. There are certainly people and things you and I depend upon that we just expect to be there for us. Maybe it’s the person who delivers the newspaper or those who provide emergency services. Mindfulness is important in the process of being thankful.

READ MORE

Random Acts of Kindness

11-14-2021Pastor's CornerRev. Robert J. Deehan, V.F.

Recently, I received these suggestions of Random Acts of Kindness to Spread Hope & Make Someone Smile from an Executive Coach from Floyd Associates, a company founded by Matthew Kelly. I thought I’d share them with you. When done intentionally in the name of Jesus, these “acts of kindness” will help you to be a true disciple of Jesus whose Spirit will work powerfully in you and through you! It’s not merely humanitarianism, but intentional, Spirit-led discipleship, which will “accomplish far more than all we ask or imagine, by power at work within us .” (Ephesians 3:20)

READ MORE

Disciples in Mission

11-07-2021Pastor's CornerRev. Robert J. Deehan, V.F.

As you may know, our parish is in Phase 7 of the Archdiocese of Boston’s Pastoral Planning Process called Disciples in Mission. With a hiatus necessitated by the Covid-19 pandemic, our parish has recently begun working on the development of a local – parish pastoral plan to be submitted eventually to Cardinal Sean for his approval.

READ MORE

Synod 2021-2023

10-31-2021Pastor's CornerRev. Robert J. Deehan, V.F.

Recently, Pope Francis announced the next gathering of bishops from around the world, called a synod, which will take place in 2023. Ordinarily, every four years, the Holy Father proposes an important topic for the global Catholic Church to consider. A synod is a purely consultative process. It informs the Holy Father about the many issues related to the topic and offers recommendations on how to approach those issues as a Church going forward.

READ MORE

Upcoming Mass for All Affected by Addiction

10-24-2021Pastor's CornerRev. Robert J. Deehan, V.F.

On Sunday, October 10, our parish Knights of Columbus sponsored a Mass here at Holy Family Church for All Affected by Addiction, which invited folks to pray for and support individuals, family members and friends who are coping with the effects of various forms of addiction. It included a very moving witness talk by Brooke Fleming who shared how AA and dependence on God helped her face her alcohol addiction.

READ MORE

Anointing of the Sick

10-17-2021Pastor's CornerRev. Robert J. Deehan, V.F.

Recently, someone emailed me wondering if I they could receive a “blessing” before they go to the hospital in a few of days to undergo brain surgery. They were hoping it wasn’t too late to make such a request, and they could come to the church when it was convenient for me. I replied – certainly, and that I could give them more than just a “blessing.” I could provide the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick. They said they weren’t sure their situation was serious enough for that. Well, we arranged for them to receive the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick after Mass the following weekend. And, a woman in her nineties recently cancelled an appointment to receive the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick. She left a message saying that she didn’t feel the need for my visit at this time since she was getting stronger and feeling much better from a recent health setback.

READ MORE

October - the Month of the Holy Rosary

10-10-2021Pastor's CornerRev. Robert J. Deehan, V.F.

Since the Month of October is when the Church celebrates the Month of the Holy Rosary, I offer below instructions on how you can pray the Rosary, which, at her apparition in Fatima, the Blessed Mother Mary urged that we pray it daily. Rosary beads and the prayers of the rosary can be obtained on the table outside of the Chapel.

READ MORE

Respect Life Sunday

10-03-2021Pastor's CornerRev. Robert J. Deehan, V.F.

Today is Respect Life Sunday, which kicks off Respect Life Month. Each October, the Church in the United States observes Respect Life Month as a time to consider more deeply why every human life is valuable and reflect on how to build a culture that protects life from conception to natural death. With our prayers, advocacy and action, each of us can make a difference in this effort. Last Monday, Pope Francis spoke to the Members of the Pontifical Academy for Life and said that to understand what abortion is, it helps to pose two questions: “Is it right to eliminate, to take a human life to solve a problem? Is it right to hire a hitman to solve a problem? That's what abortion is."

READ MORE

Welcome Back!

09-26-2021Pastor's CornerRev. Robert J. Deehan, V.F.

WELCOME! We welcome in a special way folks who have not been back to Holy Family Church for a while. Whether it’s been because of COVID, loss of habit, busyness, doubts about the faith or some other reason, we’re glad you’re here with us! Each of us is on a unique journey in life. Every week here at Holy Family we celebrate His presence with us every step along our way. As a family of faith, we value each other’s presence as fellow companions on the journey.

READ MORE

Thank You to our Deacons

09-19-2021Pastor's CornerRev. Robert J. Deehan, V.F.

This weekend, Deacon Art Keefe concludes his weekly ministry here at Holy Family. It coincides with his 25th Anniversary as a Permanent Deacon (Sept. 14), all of those years assigned to our parish! He has been a “Senior Deacon” for the last three years, which entitles him to reduce his responsibilities. However, he has pretty much carried on as before. However, now, he will greatly reduce his ministerial activity and enjoy a bit more time to himself. On behalf of our staff members and parishioners, I extend to Deacon Art our heartfelt congratulations and prayerful best wishes on celebrating his 25th Anniversary as a Deacon, and for good health and peace in his retirement.

READ MORE

Are you a Noticer?

09-12-2021Pastor's CornerRev. Robert J. Deehan, V.F.

Some people might think mistakenly that you are not paying attention because you look around a lot. Well, that’s ok according to this beautiful reflection by Rachel Macy Stafford.

Noticers

"My daughter handed me her school progress report. Although it displayed a steady stream of positive check marks, there was one check mark standing dejectedly alone from the rest.

READ MORE

Importance of Work

09-05-2021Pastor's CornerRev. Robert J. Deehan, V.F.

This Labor Day weekend causes us to consider the importance of labor for the operation of our society, the opportunity that a job provides a person to use their gifts and make a living, and the tragedy experienced by those who lose their jobs and become desperate to find new work. The pandemic has only exacerbated the situation. More than just a civil holiday that offers us a long weekend to enjoy, I invite you to use this occasion to prayerfully reflect upon how important your work is to you and to others, to think about the gifts God has given you to be able to do the work you do, and in turn, the benefits you enjoy as a result of the salary you receive.

READ MORE