APRIL 23, 2021 THE CATHOLIC FREE PRESS FROM PAGE ONE 7
LEGACY: Educating parishioners about parish finances
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FAITH: Sharing stories
FROM PAGE ONE
their confusion - he then spoke. So how do we share our faith with the people in our lives? How do we move from compassionate car- ing to active sharing? The place to begin is by asking ourselves questions about our own spiritual journey. When did it begin? What are the high and low points in our story? Where is God in our life now? Our re- sponses will help us clarify the story God wants us to tell. Remember, our story has the power to shed light on the good news of Jesus Christ in a way that no one else's can. This is so very important today, in light of the CO- VID-19 pandemic when so many people are burdened by fear, isolation, and lone- liness. They need to hear the good news of Jesus as an answer to their deepest needs. As Pope Francis ex- plains, "Jesus Christ loves you; he gave his life to save you; and now he is living at your side every day to enlighten, strengthen and free you." (The Joy of the Gospel, 164) Sharing our story of faith puts human flesh on the Gospel and might be the lifeline others need since so many feel like they are drowning. In addition to sharing part of our story when the time is right, we can also share a faith story from Scripture or from a saint's life. Whatever we do, choose an episode that the person can easily under- stand. For example, "Your situation reminds me of the time that Peter wanted to walk on the water to get to Jesus." If we share an event from our own life, re- member to keep the focus on our experience of God, not our spiritual achieve- ments. In fact, we might even share some of our failures in following Jesus and the ways God reached out to help us. Sometimes, when an opportunity to share our story comes up, we may find ourselves plagued with doubts. When this happens, take a moment to pray for this person. Prayer is the first act of evangeli- zation. Then, take a good look at our relationship with this person. Is what we are considering a way to show the care and com- passion of Christ? Remember also to avoid exaggeration or religious jargon - words that only active Catholics would understand. If our story arouses a response, then continue the conversation and see where the Spirit leads. If not, then just move on to another topic. - This article was taken from the June 2020 is- sue of The Word Among Us magazine, wau.org. Used with permission. The book "Sharing the Faith That You Love," by John and Therese Boucher, from which these articles were adapted, is available at www.bookstore.wau.org. Another form of communication was a visual in the church's gathering area to show people how their dona- tions made a difference. We wanted people to feel a part of the Legacy," said Ms. Scholl. "We had a thermometer in the gathering area, and once we got over 60 percent, we started raising it every week. People liked seeing that go up; it certainly was positive reinforcement. And then we just blew right by it!" Because St. Rose of Lima exceeded its goal, the parish gets 60 percent of what was donated beyond the goal. We have received $218,829.02," said Ms. Scholl. "That number repre- sents 40 percent of the pledges that have been received to date. We re- ceive our checks quarterly." Plans for the money include installing new car- pet in the church, replacing the roof, and upgrading the security system. We got a final estimate for the carpeting and have made final selec- tions," said Ms. Scholl. "We have a deposit down with the vendor and gotten approval from the diocese." With regards to the roof, Ms. Scholl said, "We've had bids done on the roof. One of our parishioners, Tony Casapulla, is an engineer. He's helped us by contrasting and comparing the bids; he gets into the nuts and bolts. We honed it down to three, and he's analyzing the three, and then we have to go to the diocese for ap- proval. We're really hoping it starts this spring." Plans are also in the works for the security system to be installed in the church and the Family Life Center. One goal of the committee was to educate parishioners on St. Rose of Lima's financial workings. We talked a lot about our spiritual home," said Ms. Scholl. "They could understand how much money it would cost to maintain such a large building and the parish office, but I don't think people think about it too much. They see that money is going to a basket every week, and people have said to me, 'If we need a new roof, why don't we just pay out of the offertory?' That's just not going to work." The committee described the us- age of the weekly offering and clari- fied Partners in Charity and Legacy of Hope via the pulpit and bulletin inserts. "We laid it out there: This is your offertory. This is your Partners in Charity. And this is what Legacy of Hope is all about," she said. Last year on Stewardship Sunday (Jan. 26) parishioners were told about the total amount collected. Steward- ship Sunday is where they annually renew their commitment to the par- ish. I think Legacy brought a lot of en- thusiasm to the parish," said Father Houston. "When you reach a goal, people are very happy; they're very grateful." Stewardship has been a concept that Father Houston has stressed during his long tenure as pastor. Both he and Ms. Scholl believed that the parishioners' understanding of stewardship - giving of your time, talent and treasure - created an at- mosphere ripe for success. Father Houston praised his parishioners for their excellent stewardship. They have demonstrated generos- ity; it's a very generous place. It takes encouragement to be generous, and I think there are blessings to it; we have people who can do that." Upon announcing the Legacy of Hope campaign's final total, Father Houston reminded the people of the parish's charitable giving to worthy organizations over the years: "We gave a million away over 20 years, and we recouped a million, isn't that what God said, 'Blessed is your gener- osity? What else can we ask for?" Because of COVID-19, parishioners have yet to see the results of their efforts. Ms. Scholl explained that the decision made to do the roof and the carpet first was so that the people would see the results. I was optimistic enough to say, we will all be back by Christmas, and we'll have a new rug. That didn't hap- pen. But when they do come back, there will be a new rug there. And even if they're just driving by this spring, we hope they see the fruits of their labor in that the roof is being repaired."
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SCHEDULE OF BROADCASTS On Livestream worcesterdiocese.org/ livestreams DAILY AND SUNDAY MASS Monday-Friday at 9 a.m., English Sunday (Spanish) at 8 a.m. Sunday (English) at 10 a.m. All Livestream Masses can be REPLAYED after they have aired. On Cable Access Stations DAILY AND SUNDAY MASS
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IN WORCESTER WCCA TV Ch. 194, The People's Channel" Monday-Friday at 9 a.m., English Sunday (Spanish) at 8 a.m. Sunday (English) at 10 a.m.* Streaming at www.wccatv.com and Roku@Worcester.TV *Sunday Mass (repeat) Monday at 6 p.m. OUTSIDE WORCESTER DAILY MASS Auburn Ch. 191 at 9 a.m. Boylston Ch. 191 at 9 a.m. Charlton Ch. 191 at 9 a.m. Holden Ch. 191 at 9 a.m. Leicester Ch. 191 at 9 a.m. Millbury Ch. 191 at 9 a.m. Northborough Charter Ch. 191 and Verizon Ch. 31 at noon Shrewsbury Ch. 28 and 328 at 9 a.m. Spencer Ch. 192 at 9 a.m. Sutton (Monday - Thursday) Spectrum Ch. 194 and Verizon Ch. 29 at 9 a.m. Upton Access TV Ch. 192 at 9 a.m. Webster Access TV Ch. 191 at 9 a.m. SUNDAY MASS Athol/Orange Ch. 13 and 135 at 10:30 a.m. Auburn Ch. 191 at 10 a.m. Boylston Ch. 191 at 10:30 a.m. Charlton Ch. 191 at 10 a.m. Holden Ch. 191 at 10 a.m. Millbury Ch. 191 at 10 a.m. Northborough (SOON) Charter Ch. 191 and Verizon Ch. 31 Spencer Ch. 192 at 10 a.m. Templeton Ch. 8 at 10 a.m. Upton Access TV Ch. 192 at 10 a.m. Webster Access TV Ch. 191 at 10 a.m. West Boylston Ch. 191 at 10 a.m. CATHOLIC RADIO PROGRAMMING 5:27 a.m., Morning prayer, WTAG, 580 AM and 94.9 FM EWTN Global Catholic Radio (24-hour Livestream) Emmanuel Radio, WNEB 1230 AM, Worcester, 970 AM and 101.1 FM, Southbridge Eternal Life Radio, WQPH 89.3 FM Fitchburg
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ST. JOHN'S 80 UNION ST. CLINTON
'When you reach a goal, people are very happy ; they're very grateful.'
Father James Houston
Pastor, St. Rose of Lima, Northborough FROM PAGE ONE
THIS WEEK SATURDAY - FRIDAY
April 24 - 30
OPERATION RANGER ROSARY MINISTRY: Putting a rosary into the hands of every member of the U.S. Armed Forces around the globe who wants one. Interested? Contact Cecelia Mason at ceceliamason@yahoo.com. DIVINE MERCY CENACLE- CLINTON: The Divine Mercy Prayer Cenacle of St. John, Guardian of Our Lady Parish prays for the seriously ill, the dying and special requests. Prayer requests can be submitted by phone at 978-733-0090 or email at DMCPray@gmail. com. Cenacle members immediately pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy for your requests. MEN'S FELLOWSHIP-ZOOM: Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish, Hopedale's "That Man is You" chapter meets 26 Saturdays a year, 7:30-8 a.m. The program addresses the pressures and temptations facing men, especially husbands and fathers, and combines social and medical science with the teachings of the Church and wisdom of the saints to develop the vision of man. After the opening prayer they break into small groups and reconvene for a round table discussion. Zoom meetings are open to all. Contact Mr. Chaplin at 508-963-4182 or echaplin@ gmail.com. MEN'S FAITH SHARING: Father Edward D. Niccolls, pastor, St. George Parish, Worcester, will host a virtual faith sharing group for men Saturdays at 8 a.m. Contact Father Niccolls at 508-450- 4134 X112 to sign up. SPRING YARD SALE - DUDLEY: St. Andrew Bobola Church, 54 West Main St., will hold a yard sale April 24 , 8 a.m.- 1 p.m. in the rear church parking lot. PRO-LIFE VIGIL-WORCESTER: A vigil will be held 9 a.m. Saturdays to pray for America and the unborn, across the street from Planned Parenthood, 475 Pleasant St. FLEA MARKET SEEKING DONATIONS-LEOMINSTER: St. Cecilia Parish is accepting holiday decorations, dishes, knickknacks, religious items, sports memorabilia, DVDs, toys, canning jars, jewelry, children's books (NO computers, monitors, televisions, electrical appliances, furniture, clothing, or shoes) for a flea market to be held mid- May. DROP OFF DATES are Saturdays, April 24 and May 1 , 9:30 a.m.- noon and Mondays April 26 and May 3 , 5-7 p.m. at the parish center, 188 Mechanic St. (use lower Third St. and Mechanic St. side door across from church). AFRICAN MASS-WORCESTER: The diocesan African Ministry will hold Mass Sundays , 11:30 a.m., at St. Andrew the Apostle Mission, 5 Spaulding St. AFRICAN MASS-FITCHBURG: St. Anthony of Padua Parish, 84 Salem St., will celebrate Sunday Mass in Swahili and English at 12:30 p.m. DAILY ADORATION-CLINTON: St. John, Guardian of Our Lady Parish, 149 Chestnut St., Clinton, holds eucharistic adoration Monday-Friday , 1-6 p.m. in the upper church. ROSARY-LEOMINSTER: St. Cecilia Parish invites all to pray the rosary Monday- Friday , 3 p.m. in the church, 180 Mechanic St., and a men's group meets to pray the rosary Wednesday evenings at 7 p.m. BILINGUAL (ENGLISH & TWI) DEVOTIONS: The Sacred Heart of Jesus and Immaculate Heart of Mary Ministry will hold bilingual devotions by conference call as follows: Divine Mercy Prayer Monday-Friday at 3 p.m. (for the sick, the souls in purgatory and other individuals' prayer requests) and Friday rosary prayers, 7-8 p.m. BIBLE STUDY-VIRTUAL: Father Conrad S. Pecevich's Bible study will be held via Zoom meeting on Tuesday evenings, 7:30-8:15 p.m. Newcomers are invited to participate. To receive the link to participate, send your email request and address to: rusoire77@ gmail.com. FAMILY PRAYER NIGHT- WORCESTER: St. George Parish, 38 Brattle St., hosts a family prayer night, Thursdays at 6 p.m. People gather to pray for all families. Prayers include the rosary, the Divine Mercy chaplet and eucharistic adoration. For information call 508-853- 0183. PROLIFE HOLY HOUR-SO. GRAFTON: St. James Parish, 89 Main St., will hold a Divine Mercy Holy Hour for an end to abortion Fridays at 3 p.m. Please join us! TOB-VIRTUAL CONFERENCE: The Theology of the Body Institute will host a Virtual Conference April 30-May 2 , featuring dozens of prominent speakers and artists - showing how Theology of the Body applies to everyday life. At noon April 30, the free conference will open and attendees will have access to all of the presentations. The free conference will close at midnight May 2. Register at bit.ly/32h5Ymx.
PHOTO COURTESY OF EDWARD ROMEO
NORTH GRAFTON - Father and son Richard and David Romaniec, and Christina DiPaoli, gather around crosses displayed on St. Mary Parish's lawn to show "we're still here in spirit," to help people feel part of the community even if they're uncomfortable being present in person.
Around the Diocese
The Catholic Free Press welcomes information on events from parish and diocesan groups. Items should be received two weeks prior to event. Mail to: Calendar, The CFP, 49 Elm St., Worcester, MA 01609 e-mail to: calendar@catholicfreepress.org or fax: 508-756-8315
THE DIOCESAN PARISH RENEWAL AND EVANGELIZATION COMMITTEE IS SPONSORING "101 WAYS TO EVANGELIZE: Reaching Catholics Emerging from the Pandemic," from 7-9 p.m., Thursday, April 29, via Zoom.com. The speaker is Susan Windley-Daoust, Ph.D., author of "101 Ways to Evangelize," and director of missionary discipleship, Diocese of Winona-Rochester, Minnesota. Registration is free. Send name, email, and phone number to Esperanza Oliveras, prae77group@gmail.com, by Monday, April 26 , to receive the Zoom.com link.
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