It's hard to believe that school begins this week. And, coming up in just a few weeks will be a new Faith Formation program here at Holy Family, entitled Bridge. The goal of this program is to help people of all ages to grow in their faith no matter what stage of life one is in. Our Catholic faith is meant to connect with the way we live our lives, to be a link to Jesus and others. We hope it will build bridges among generations as we learn and practice our faith together, and encourage each other to be true disciples of Jesus. Having successfully launched a program of faith formation for parents and children in Grades 1 and 2 here at Holy Family for the last couple of years with much positive feedback from parents, it was decided to expand this style of faith formation to include Grades K through 8.

I hope you've been enjoying the summer whether it's a "stay-cation" here in the beautiful area in which we live or some special "get-away." Having a different schedule, a slower pace of life, time to relax with family and friends, and opportunities to have some adventures traveling, provide an opportunity to reflect on how precious our own life is and the lives of those whom God has blessed us with. It can be a time to make connections with where God is in those relationships, the beauty and goodness found in both the ordinary and the extraordinary around us. What you and I are able to enjoy in what we see and experience is fundamentally a gift not made by human hands. Why not acknowledge that and take time to count your blessings. A wonderful game you can play with your children or grandchildren is: "Where can you see evidence of God and His goodness?" Let their little minds and hearts wonder aloud and celebrate what God is doing in our world and in our lives. Discussions about the marvels of nature and God's loving care for us could become a cause for celebration!

Summer Greetings!

One warm, sunny day, while cooking supper for his family on a grill in a park, a stranger of a different race and culture called over to me and offered me a place to sit in my beach chair, which was closer to his space. His offer was completely unsolicited. I didn’t have my clerical collar on at the time. He just saw where I was situated and noted that the place nearer his area was cleaner and more level than where I was sitting. This kind stranger went out of his way to invite me to a more comfortable spot next to his.

This Thursday, July 4th is the 243rd anniversary of the founding of our country. For it was on this day in 1776, the Continental Congress approved the Declaration of Independence, setting the 13 original colonies on the road to freedom as a sovereign nation. At that time, there were an estimated 2.5 million people living in this newly established nation. Presently, close to 330 million people call the United States their home. We have so much to be thankful to God for as citizens of this great country. We have come a long way over those years, not without much struggle, heartache, sacrifice and perseverance. And yet, we still face challenges and hurtles to “form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity.” (Preamble of the Constitution) In a special way this week, I invite you to keep in prayer our country and its leaders, our service men and women, and all who work to address the challenges that threaten the welfare and peace of a nation. Below is a prayer you are welcome to use or, even better, why not make up your own. Have a happy and safe Independence Day!

Recently, while waiting with another parishioner on an athletic field for their children to finish a game, a member of our Parish Pastoral Council heard this parent express her consternation at the idea of having to pay a faith formation fee for her child’s religious education. The idea of having to support the church financially seemed onerous to her. The Council member helped her to understand that Holy Family Parish depends on the funds parishioners provide in order to pay staff salaries/ benefits, utilities, maintenance costs, supplies and much more. Holy Family cannot not operate without parishioners’ contributions. The truth is, Faith Formation fees cover only a portion of the costs of that area of ministry. The parish doesn’t receive support from the state or the Archdiocese, but only from local parishioners who contribute to their parish.

Next Sunday, June 23, the Catholic Church around the world will celebrate the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, traditionally known as "Corpus Christi" - Latin for the Body of Christ.

This feast's origins go back to the 13th century and not long after that, a tradition of processing with the Holy Eucharist was started. In many Catholic countries, it has been a regular practice. However, in our own country, it has not been very common to have a Corpus Christi procession. But, a growing number of parishes here in the U.S. are reviving the practice. In fact, Church law promotes such a procession stating, "Wherever in the judgment of the diocesan Bishop it can be done, a procession through the streets is to be held, especially on the solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ, as a public witness of veneration of the Blessed Eucharist." (Canon 944, # 1)

And so, we will continue the tradition we started two years ago here at Holy Family and will have a short Eucharistic Procession immediately following the 10:30 am Mass next Sunday.

I have a fond recollection of the owner of a one-man service station near my hometown in South Quincy. Our family would bring our car regularly to Joe Iacobucci to have it serviced as well as to get our gas. He was a wonderful character who wore a handlebar style mustache, suspenders and sometimes a cowboy hat. One couldn’t help but notice the fuselage of an airplane he was building in the left bay of his garage.

He was a rather quiet man, but always pleasant. Joe was someone we could rely on to do an excellent job keeping our car safe and in good condition. He was someone we liked, who was honest and we could depend on him. He was our friend.

Last Saturday, May 18, thirteen men were ordained priests for the Archdiocese of Boston. This is the largest number to be ordained for the Archdiocese in many years.

Here are their names and their first assignments:

• Reverend Joseph Almeida - Collaborative of Sacred Hearts Parish in Bradford-Groveland,
• Reverend Maciej K. Araszkiewicz - Saint Mary of the Assumption Parish in Lawrence,
• Reverend Corey Bassett-Tirrell - Collaborative of Saint John the Evangelist Parish and Saint Mary Parish in Chelmsford,
• Reverend Christopher J. Boyle - Saint Joseph Parish in Needham,
• Reverend Marcos Enrique - Collaborative of Saint Mark Parish and Saint Ambrose Parish in Dorchester,
• Reverend Timothy P. Hynes - Collaborative of Saint Mary Parish in Foxborough,

For your information, I provide below a statement from our Archbishop, Cardinal Sean O’Malley regarding our Holy Father, Pope Francis’ recent Motu Proprio, Vos estis lux mundi (You Are the Light of the World) issued on Thursday, May 9, 2019.

"Following the international summit in Rome this past February, Pope Francis pledged ‘concrete measures’ to respond to the clergy sexual abuse crisis in the Church. Vos estis lux mundi is one means of fulfilling that pledge, establishing specific mandatory protocols and reporting systems for matters concerning such abuse."

This Sunday is World Day of Prayer for Vocations. It's usually observed on "Good Shepherd Sunday" when the gospel refers to Jesus as the Good Shepherd. "Shepherd" can also refer to those who help lead the flock to Jesus, particularly, priests.

The purpose of this day is to publicly fulfill Jesus' instruction to, "Pray the Lord of the harvest to send laborers into his harvest" (Mt 9:38; Lk 10:2). There is a special need for priests to provide the sacramental life and pastoral care within our Church. For example, you may have heard that many of the parishes in our own Archdiocese are sharing priests with other parishes.

As we continue to celebrate the Easter season, we are reminded that “our Savior lives!” He is with us always in good times and in bad.

Talk with Him as you would to a beloved friend, and listen to Him after you share what is on your mind and in your heart.

Here is a reflection from St. Francis de Sales that will help reassure you of God’s providential care.