Holy Moments

09-24-2023Pastor's CornerVery Rev. Robert J. Deehan, VF

Have you read the book, Holy Moments by Matthew Kelly? Our parish has continued to share copies over this past year and many people have ordered their own copies to give away – so impactful has it been to them. The book helps a person explore, what Matthew calls, one’s “soul-potential” by inspiring a person to collaborate with God in everyday life. A Holy Moment is a time when you open yourself to God and make yourself available to Him, setting aside personal preference and self-interest for one moment, and choose to do what you prayerfully believe God is calling you to do.

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2023 Celebration of the Priesthood

09-21-2023News

On September 14, the Archdiocese of Boston held their annual Celebration of Priesthood dinner. Each year, they create a video message recognizing a few parishes and highlight the good work that those parishes and priests are doing in their communities through out the Archdiocese. The theme of this year's dinner was "Bringing Light into our Communities."

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24th Sunday in Ordinary Time

09-17-2023Pastor's CornerVery Rev. Robert J. Deehan, VF

As we resume our “normal” schedules and routines now that summer is ending, I take this opportunity to encourage each of us to renew our commitment to regular participation at weekend Mass. I’m saying this not only as a reminder to attend Mass every Sunday, but particularly, to renew our commitment to an active, engaged and whole-hearted involvement of our minds, hearts, souls and voices in the worship we are providing to God. What draws me to remark about this is my noticing rather weak spoken responses and spotty participation in the singing from members of our congregation at Mass.

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Three Doors to Jesus

09-10-2023Pastor's CornerVery Rev. Robert J. Deehan, VF

In a homily in May 2014, Pope Francis spoke about the best ways to get to know Jesus. He said we need to open three doors in order to know Him. “The first door is praying to Jesus. You must realize that studying without prayers is no use. We must pray to Jesus to get to know him better. The great theologians did their theology while kneeling. Pray to Jesus! By studying and praying we get a bit closer… But we’ll never know Jesus without praying. Never! Never! The second door is celebrating Jesus. Prayer on its own is not enough, we need the joy of celebration. We must celebrate Jesus through his Sacraments, because these give us life, they give us strength, they nourish us, they comfort us, they forge an alliance with us, they give us a mission. Without celebrating the Sacraments, we’ll never get to know Jesus. This is what the Church is all about: celebration. The third door is imitating Jesus. Take the Gospel, what did he do, how was his life, what did he tell us, what did he teach us and try to imitate him.”

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Labor Day

09-03-2023Pastor's CornerVery Rev. Robert J. Deehan, VF

Our Catholic social teaching is a rich resource of wisdom about building a just society and living lives of holiness amidst the challenges of modern society. Catholic social teaching has been articulated through a tradition of papal, conciliar, and episcopal documents. The depth and richness of the tradition can be understood best through a direct reading of these documents. On this Labor Day weekend, I summarize for you one area the Church has addressed: The Dignity of Work and the Rights of Workers, taken from Themes from Catholic Social Teaching from the USCCB, Publication No. 5-315. “The economy must serve people, not the other way around. Work is more than a way to make a living; it is a form of continuing participation in God’s creation. If the dignity of work is to be protected, then the basic rights of workers must be respected – the right to productive work, to decent and fair wages, to the organization and joining of unions, to private property and to economic initiative.”

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A Summer Prayer

08-01-2023Pastor's CornerVery Rev. Robert J. Deehan, VF

Warm Summer Blessings!

I share with you a prayer from the book, The Circle of Life, The Heart's Journey Through the Seasons by Joyce Rupp and Macrina Wiederkehr (p. 119 – 120). I hope it inspires within you some helpful reflections on this special season. – Fr. Bob

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Something to think about this summer...

07-02-2023Pastor's CornerVery Rev. Robert J. Deehan, VF

It’s wonderful to have warmer temperatures and more leisurely time to enjoy a slower pace, to have fun with family and friends outdoors, and maybe to embark on some exciting adventure traveling or just to relax at a favorite summer getaway. Whatever you find yourself doing this summer, why not include becoming a “wandering contemplative” by looking under the surface of the people you encounter, the places you go, and the things you see and do – to make connections with where God’s goodness, creativity and providence seem evident.

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12th Sunday in Ordinary Time

06-25-2023Pastor's CornerVery Rev. Robert J. Deehan, VF

As we approach the 4th of July long weekend, what plans do you have? Many will take this opportunity to get away on a vacation, enjoy a cookout with family and friends or just sit back and relax at home. Understandably, we, here at Holy Family, see a decline in attendance at Mass on holiday weekends and in the summertime. A good number of parishioners who travel outside the parish find a Catholic church wherever they might be to worship God on Saturday eve/Sunday.

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Happy Father's Day

06-18-2023Pastor's CornerVery Rev. Robert J. Deehan, VF

I came across an interesting invitation to husbands/fathers offered in a recent parish bulletin of St. Ignatius Church in Hickory, Maryland. “As a Father’s Day gift to God our Father and our families,” these men are invited to participate in a public commitment to the following resolution before the Saturday vigil Mass this Father’s Day weekend. Consider taking this pledge or sharing it with someone you love. It has been found that a father’s faithful and active participation in the life of the Church has a profound, positive impact on the rest of his family.

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The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ

06-11-2023Pastor's CornerVery Rev. Robert J. Deehan, VF

Jesus wants to help you in every aspect of your life. In order to allow Him to be a powerful influence in your life, you and I must listen for His inspiration or His prompting in SILENCE. I know it’s hard in our culture, but silence is the gateway to the soul. Commit to this discipline and once you reap the blessings, you’ll never want to let it go. As you make yourself available to Jesus in this way, invite Him to speak, incline and reveal Himself to you. Maybe what comes to you in your silent prayer is a word or name; perhaps it’s an insight or an overwhelming feeling of peace, or a reminder of unfinished business that you need to take care of with His grace to assist you. It might lead to a comforting reflection on the truth that you are never alone with Him at your side, or an insight about how blessed you really are, that in turn may influence how you go about your day or how you deal with others in your family or workplace.

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Congratulations Graduates

06-04-2023Pastor's CornerVery Rev. Robert J. Deehan, VF

Many of our younger parishioners are graduating from either high school or college this spring. It’s filled with different emotions. There’s satisfaction in having accomplished one’s goal and achieved success. There’s gratitude for the many people who have been a support along the way, people who have helped in the learning and growth process – teachers, coaches, parents among others. There’s some sadness at leaving the familiar surroundings, the friends made at school, and the extracurricular activities enjoyed these past few years. There’s the excitement at the prospect of new beginnings and opportunities ahead. And there’s some anxiety over the uncertainty of what it will all be like and how things will turn out. Change is not easy. And still, it is a natural part of life at every stage.

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Pentecost Sunday

05-28-2023Pastor's CornerVery Rev. Robert J. Deehan, VF

Do you really understand what the Mass is all about? For Catholics, it’s not just one option to choose from among many worship services offered at other Christian denominations. The Mass has biblical and theological roots that stem from the time of Jesus and apostolic times. It calls for a full, active and conscious participation beyond what most secular communal activities require – a mere passive observer involvement.

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7th Sunday of Easter

05-21-2023Pastor's CornerVery Rev. Robert J. Deehan, VF

“For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. But how can they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how can they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone to preach?” (Romans 10:13-15) These questions are relevant to us today — in our world and in our Archdiocese of Boston. Our world needs priests now more than ever. A priest is chosen by God to carry on the ministry of Jesus and proclaim the Kingdom of God. As a spiritual father, by leading people to heaven, a priest’s work will last for eternity. The Gospel transforms and gives life to those who believe and follow, but if there is no one to proclaim it, then the world will not be able to receive it. Priests exist to proclaim the life-changing and life-giving Gospel of Jesus Christ. But Saint Paul also asks: “How can people preach unless they are sent?” (cf https://vocationsboston.org/the-priesthood/)

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Happy Mother's Day

05-14-2023Pastor's CornerVery Rev. Robert J. Deehan, VF

Happy Mother’s Day! I share with you some inspirational quotes and prayers for this special day in honor of mothers.

Dear God,

Bless All Mothers... In this intense nine months, when mothers-to-be are realizing that their life is about to change forever, bless them God, because they feel alternately elated and alarmed. Help each mother-in-waiting to understand that she has been carefully chosen, by both you and by her baby, to guide it through its early years on planet Earth. Let her know that she will never be alone in the process. Help her to remember that her baby is your own perfect creation, just as she, herself, is your own perfect creation. Thank you God, for making each of your creations uniquely perfect in its own way.

Amen.

– from the book Honoring Motherhood: Prayers, Ceremonies & Blessings by Lauren McLaughlin

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5th Sunday of Easter

05-07-2023Pastor's CornerVery Rev. Robert J. Deehan, VF

You may have noticed that the statue of our Blessed Mother Mary is crowned with a wreath of flowers. This is because of the long-standing tradition in the Catholic Church to dedicate the month of May in honor of our Blessed Mother Mary. She stands out among all of the saints because of her special role as the Mother of Jesus, whom we also call - Mother of God, as we recite in the Hail Mary prayer. Still, she also serves as our spiritual mother and mother of our Church. Mary is a role model for us all having accepted God’s call to be a unique instrument in His providential plan. While we continue to celebrate the Easter season in this month dedicated to Mary, I offer you a poem written by Bishop Mark O’Connell, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Boston.

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