Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time

14 October 2012“Christ and Rich Young Man”

Heinrich Hofmann (1889)

Saint CeciliaP A R I S H

Welcome to Saint Cecilia Parish, a Roman Catholic community that gathers day by day, week by week, to know and make known the grace of God. By means of this abundant grace, we enjoy a diverse and close-knit parish family—young, old, rich, poor, of various ethnic origins and differing backgrounds. From our extraordinary music program to a growing children’s faith formation program; from the various liturgical ministries to the many opportunities for social outreach that the parish provides, Saint Cecilia is a vibrant community of faith, centered on prayer and worship that tries to keep the Gospel close to heart and to live by Jesus’ teachings.

Saint Cecilia Parish was established in 1888. At that time the Back Bay section of Boston along Commonwealth Avenue and Beacon Street was the residential section of the Yankee aristocracy. The maids (“Irish working out girls”) and coachmen who served these residents had long requested a church of their own. When Archbishop Williams granted their request and carved the parish from the territory of the Cathedral, they built a magnificent church out of their meager earnings.

The church was dedicated on April 22, 1894. Its architecture is Romanesque, XII Century Norman. The main altar, notable for its massive simplicity, was carved from a single block of white Carrara marble. The painting in the center reredos is a reproduction of da Vinci’s The Last Supper, and the dome above is an array of 24K gold rosettes.

For the sixtieth anniversary celebration in 1954, a massive renovation project was under-taken. During this renovation, a statue of Pope Saint Pius X (canonized that same year) was imported from Italy and placed on the right side of the sanctuary. Above the statue are paintings from Pius’ life. On the left side is a statue of Saint Patrick, principal patron of the Archdiocese of Boston, and above it are three scenes from his life.

Fourteen circular and sixteen square panels adorn the nave and arches of the church. The square panels are decorated with the symbols of Our Lady taken from the Litany of Loreto and the circular ones with symbols taken from the lives of the apostles. The great window of the Assumption—framed by the two oak cases of the organ—was installed in 1954 (the Marian Year) in spaces originally designed for windows but not until then used.

The original organ of 24 stops was built in 1902 by the Hutchings-Votey Organ Company, Opus 1465, and was rebuilt in 1954 with 32 stops. In 1998, Timothy Smith and Theodore Gilbert began a massive reconstruction of the organ. The current Smith & Gilbert Organ of 4 manuals, 50 ranks, and 2,926 pipes was dedicated on the Feast of Saint Cecilia, November 22, 1999.

Today we are experiencing something of an awakening within these old walls. We have just completed a major renovation, our numbers are increasing, and we continue to grow in our commitment to issues of peace, justice, and service to our neighbors, both near and far.

We’ve been right here on Belvidere Street, in the same building for over 120 years, but that does not mean that life here is stale, stagnant, or even predictable. We are proud to be entrusted with the legacy of Saint Cecilia Parish, where everything is the same, yet always changing; where we honor tradition while embracing the future; where God’s love makes all things new.

welcome!

Ministers of the Liturgy

Saturday | 5:00 p.m.Rev. Peter Grover, OMV, celebrantCynthia Wanner, lector

Sunday | 8:00 a.m.Rev. Thomas Gariepy, CSC, celebrantJames Paradis, lector

Sunday | 9:30 a.m.Rev. John Unni, celebrant Tim Pratt, Mary Kane, & Bridget Spence, lectors

Sunday | 11:15 a.m.Rev. John Unni, celebrantNikko Mendoza, Maggie Mastricola, & Cole Young, lectors

Sunday | 6:00 p.m.Rev. John Unni, celebrantLetitia Howland & Natasha M. Pierre, lectors

today’s readings

Wisdom 7:7–11Hebrews 4:12-13Mark 10:17-30

next sunday’s Readings

Isaiah 53:10-11Hebrews 4:14-16Mark 10:35-45

special intentions

Sunday, October 14 | 9:30 a.m.Benedicto Lopes, Special Intention

Sunday, October 14 | 11:15 a.m.Marie Deignan, Special Intention

ORGAN BENEFIT CONCERTS

Friday, 19 October | 7:00 p.m. Timothy E. Smith, organ Richard J. Clark, organBenefit Concert for the 1999 Smith & Gilbert OrganSuggested Donation: $20; $10 for students and seniors; $35 for families

Friday, 2 November, All Souls Day | 8:00 p.m. Richard Kelley, Trumpet; Richard J. Clark, Organ;Kara Clark, ClarinetFeaturing the World Premiere of Richard J. Clark’sRequiem pour une américaine à ParisBenefit Concert for the 1999 Smith & Gilbert OrganSuggested Donation: $20; $10 for students and seniors; $35 for families

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our community news

Our grand pipe organ, which has provided wonderful sup-port to the worship and praise of God for generations of Saint Cecilia parishioners, is in need of a new console—the keyboards and pedalboard that control the 3,000 pipes. Built in 1929, the organ console in the choir loft is no longer reliable and we are facing the end of its useful life. In lieu of contracting a brand new console, which would cost well over $200,000, we are hoping to raise approximately $12,000 to retrofit and install a used, but technologically up-to-date console. This is clearly a far more fiscally prudent plan to pursue, and will still meet the demands of a very robust music program. Whether you can afford $1 or $1,000 we still need your help! Any donors of $500 or more will be honored with the donor's name or memorial on a plaque on the organ. If you have any questions about the organ or the console, please feel free to talk to Music Director, Richard Clark in the choir loft after Mass, or e-mail him at RClark@stceciliaboston.org. Please enjoy the concerts whether you can afford the suggested donation or not. Everyone is welcome!

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Prayers & Occasions

Our SickPlease pray for all our sick and for those who are in need of our prayer, especially Josephine Parker, John Saulenas, K. Champoux, Patricia Hoggard, Jennifer Serpico, Christine St. Pierre, Harold Wil-liamson, Jessica Rivieccio, Earl Chilcote, Colonel Robert C. Tashjian, Kim Murray, Heather LoRe, Rudy Kikel, Herbert Simmons, Peggy Furey, Janice Mascia, Pamela D’Ambra, Sue Lucas, Suki Cough-lin, Roberta Keenan, Bridget Spence, Annette Kulas, Sam Gowan, Rhea Richard, Pil-Yun Son, Mary Yanez, Larry Buckley, M. Frances Driscoll, Ed Langlais, Bob McLaughlin, Steven Whitkens, Diana Slaton, Leo Garcia, Joe Ford, Danny Cotter, Nata-lia Chilcote, Amy Sweetland, Jim Keyes, Michael Zawikowski, Cheryl Proctor, Patricia Macdonald, Elvera Dowsky, Frank Ackley, Fred Haslee, Lorraine Haslee, Robert Menson, Paul Flaherty, William Louttit, Lucie Kelly, Bro. Adam Zielonka, O.C.S.O., Amy Duarte, Karen & Rick, Phyllis Porras, Jim Linderman, Mark Amerault, Sr. Nuala Cotter, R.A., Kristen DeFranco Martinez, Michele Crowley Tip-pens, Sara Lima Santos, Joseph Driscoll, Pete Hut-tlinger, Anthony Simboli, Lisa Caputo, Edward Gill, Darlene McLendon, Jeanne Tibbs, Deidre Sullivan, Roosevelt Brown, Mary O’Donnell, Ginny L’Abbe, Steve Chamberlain, Matt Penchuk, Carrie Penchuk, Christy Cosgrove, Jacques Romberger, John Scaife, Maureen Sullivan, Alyce Haley, Joe Capizzi, David Walsh, Joe Huenke, Kaylin Marcotte, Avito Pacifici, Charlotte Egan, James Noone, Keith Plaster, Fred-erick Flather, David & Paula Fillion, Fred Maglero, Sarah Sweeney, Susan Shea, Bill Croke, Ettore Bergamaschi, Ryan Delaney, Manuela Almeida, Ilda Almeida, Joe Farrell, Ethan D’Amato, Sophie Gagnon, Earl Meyers, Kathleen A. Meehan, Anne Frenette Handly, Jan Igras, Cheryl Sabin, Trish Mul-len, Thomas Corrigan, Fernando Luis Riganti, Frank DeMare, Carmela Franchi, Little Tommy Sullivan, Kathy K., Julie Zaino, Ruth Frost, & Benedicto Lopes.

Year of FaithPray that the Year of Faith marking the 50th anniver-sary of the Second Vatican Council will be a time of renewal and growth in our understanding and prac-tice of Christian life.

Anniversary of the Canonization of SaintAndré Bessette, CSCThis Wednesday, October 17, marks the two year anniversary of the canonization of Saint André Bes-sette, CSC, the first member of the Congregation of Holy Cross to be declared a saint. Saint André was a humble man who gave his life to the Lord and to the people of God, especially the sick and afflicted. At his canonization in 2010, Pope Benedict said that Saint André "lived the beatitude of the pure of heart." The feast day of Saint André is celebrated in the United States on January 6. This is a special day for the international Holy Cross family of sisters, broth-ers, and priests and we keep them and, in a special way, Father Tom Gariepy, in our prayer.

Special Collection Next WeekendNext week’s second collection supports Catholic World Missions. By baptism, all Catholics are called to participate in the mission of the Church and share their faith as missionaries. World Mission Sundaygathers support for the pastoral and evangelizing pro-grams and needs of more than 1,150 mission dioceses in Africa, Asia, the Pacific Islands, and remote regions of Latin America. The funds gathered on World Mis-sion Sunday are distributed in the Holy Father's name by the Society for the Propagation of the Faith—a Pontifical Mission Society. For more information, please visit www.propfaithboston.org.

Evening Prayer this ThursdayWe will gather to pray Vespers this Thursday at six-thirty in commemoration of the Feast of Saint Luke, Evangelist. All are welcome to attend.

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Faith Formation Parent Meeting today

There will be a Parent Meeting for all parents of children from Grade 2 to Grade 8 this morning in the Parish Hall during class time. E. Jane Smith will speak about the dinners that our families cook and serve at the Pine Street Women's Inn. Grades Two—Eight have all been assigned a Monday dinner for which they are responsible. The dates for these dinners can be found on the Children's Faith Formation Calendar. If you have not yet brought home a calendar, they are available at the Faith Formation Resource Table located in the Parish Hall. Please note that the Parent Meeting scheduled for next Sunday, October 21 has been postponed. All parents will receive an e-mail with advance notice once this meeting has been rescheduled.

classroom change

Please note the following permanent classroom changes:

Grade 4 will now meet in the Conference Room.•

Grades 5 & 6 will now meet in CL5.•

faith formation classroom locations

Kindergarten | Lounge Area in the • Parish Pastoral Center

Grade 1 | CL1 (Parish Pastoral Center)•

Grade 2 | CL4 (Parish Pastoral Center)•

Grade 3 | CL3 (Parish Pastoral Center)•

Grade 4 | Conference Room (Parish • Pastoral Center)

Grades 5 & 6 | CL5 (Parish Pastoral Center)•

Grades 7 & 8 | Rectory Dining Room (meet • at door to Parish Offices at the rear of the Parish Hall)

christmas in bridgewater

Bridgewater State Hospital is a psychiatric prison hospital where 350 men with very serious mental illnesses live—some for a very short period of evalua-tion and some for a lifetime. Though it is a hospital, it is also very much a prison complete with barbed wire, correction officers and prison food. It can be one of the saddest, dreariest places on earth during the holiday season. You can help to change that.

The Catholic Chaplain, Peg Newman, is a parishioner here at Saint Cecilia and she is collecting the follow-ing items to give to the men at Christmas time:

Stick Deodorant• Plain White Envelopes—both long and short• Bottled Shampoo (not more than 15-ounces)• Soap (regular bars of soap)•

These are the only items the Department of Corrections will allow the men to receive. They will put the items to good use, but more important, they will know that they are being thought of and cared about. Your gift will be an expression of God’s love.

If you are able to help, please bring your gift to church and leave it in the plastic bin in the narthex that is labeled Bridgewater State Hospital. Please do not wrap your gifts.

Please contact Peg if you would like information on volunteer opportunities in Bridgewater (about an hour south of Boston) at (508) 587-4254.

“In truth I tell you, in so far as you did this to one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did it to me.” Matthew 25:40

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volunteering at pine street inn

Our parish has committed to volunteering at the Pine Street Men's Inn one night a month throughout 2012. Because of our proximity to the shelter, we often are assigned evenings that are difficult for the Inn's other groups to fill. This month we will be at the Men's Inn on Sunday, October 28. There are eight slots open for volunteer parishioners to assist in feeding the poor at Pine Street Men's Inn. We will be interacting with the agency's clients by plating meals in a cafeteria-style setting at the shelter. If you would like to join us from 4:45 to 6:30 p.m. on Harrison Avenue in the South End, please contact Mark Lippolt at mlippolt@hammondre.com for more information. Some parking is available at the shelter. Please let Mark know if you can help with carpooling.

wanted: volunteer pie salespeople

As part of our ongoing relationship with Community Servings, we are looking for parishioners willing to assist with their annual Pie in the Sky fundraiser. This year is the 20th Anniversary of Pie in the Sky! Every Thanksgiving pie sold for $25 feeds a Community Servings client suffering with a life-threatening ill-ness for one week. The delicious pies—apple, pecan, pumpkin, and sweet potato—are baked by some of the best local restaurant chefs and caterers and are the perfect dessert for your Thanksgiving table. If you are willing to help sell pies after Saint Cecilia litur-gies as well as to your friends and colleagues, please contact Mark Lippolt at mlippolt@hammondre.com.

done time?

Men and women who have been incarcerated are invited to join this group which is designed to provide participants with a sense of welcome and support.The meetings are held on Monday evenings from six to eight o'clock in the Parish Pastoral Center. We will begin with a group session followed by a simple meal.

a fun event for a worthy cause

ANNUAL SPAGHETTI DINNER TO BENEFIT THE WOMEN'S LUNCH PLACE

Our friends at The Women's Lunch Place will be hold-ing their Annual Spaghetti Dinner on Friday, Octo-ber 26. The Spaghetti Dinner is The Women's Lunch Place's signature fall event. The event is dedicated to raising critical funds that support the daily operations of the organization. Last year more than $300,000 was raised to support the WLP's meals and advocacy programs. Saint Cecilia parishioners who volunteer in the shelter monthly will be one of six groups honored at this year's event. Tickets for the event, which takes place at the Copley Fairmont Hotel, are $250 each. If you're interested in joining the Saint Cecilia table at this event, please contact Mark Lippolt at mlippolt@hammondre.com.

physician-assisted suicide workshops

The Archdiocese of Boston is offering a series of workshops on physician-assisted suicide. These work-shops are part of a strategic campaign to educate practicing Catholics on the dangers of assisted suicide and the flaws in Ballot Question 2. Doctors, lawyers and ethicists will discuss the bill.

Monday, Oct. 15, St. Patrick, Natick, 7-9 p.m.•

Thursday, Oct. 18, St. Columbkille, Brighton, 7-9 p.m.•

Monday, Oct. 22, St. Mary, Lynn, 7-9 p.m.•

Wednesday, Oct. 24, St. Peter, Plymouth, 7-9 p.m.•

To register, contact Ann Cussen at: ann_cussen@rcab.org or by phone: 617-779-3644. If you e-mail, please be sure to include your name; phone number; e-mail address; workshop date; and specify that you are from Saint Cecilia Parish, Boston.

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we need more greeters

We are looking for parishioners to help greet people as they arrive for Mass. In addition to greeting peo-ple, greeters hand-out music programs and bulletins. We need people for all liturgies. If you are interested in learning more about this ministry for the nine-thirty liturgy, please contact Maureen Deery (978-273-1921 mcdeery@gmail.com); if you are interested in greeting at any other liturgy, please contact Scott MacDonald (smacdonald@stceciliaboston.org).

jackson school open house

Jackson School, a Catholic elementary school (K-6), will be hosting an Open House this Wednesday, October 17 from 9:00—11:00 a.m. at 200 Jackson Road, Newton. All prospective families with children entering grades K-6 are invited to attend. The Jack-son School sixth graders will lead tours of the entire school and current parents, faculty, and staff will be on hand to informally answer any questions. Light re-freshments will be served. For more information and to RSVP, please contact Tim Alberts at 617-202-9772 or e-mail timalberts@jacksonwalnutparkschools.org. Jackson School is part of Jackson-Walnut Park Schools in Newton, a sponsored ministry of the Sisters of Saint Joseph of Boston. Together with Walnut Park Montessori School, Jackson School provides children with a values-based education that fosters personal and academic excellence in an environment that al-lows students to reach their full potential. To find out more, visit www.jwpschools.org.

new choir members wanted

We are looking for new choir members to sing with us. If you have a musical talent to share with the community, we would love to have you join us. Please stop by the choir loft after Mass and speak to Richard Clark, call him at (617) 536-4548, or e-mail him at rclark@stceciliaboston.org. We look forward to hearing from you!

mount alvernia open house

Mount Alvernia is an all-girls, college preparatory high school for girls in grades 7-12. Mount Alvernia’s mission is to provide a strong academic education within the Franciscan tradition that will prepare young women for higher education and provide them with the tools to make good choices throughout their lives. They foster a community that promotes com-passion and confidence in young women and instills in them the responsibility of service. Boston Maga-zine has called Mount Alvernia a "best private school value." Mount Alvernia is hosting an open house on Sunday, November 4 from 1:30—4:00 p.m. For more information, visit their website at www.mountalver-niahs.org.

have you registered?

Our ability to build community is helped by having an up–to–date database of registered parishioners. If this is one of your first times worshipping with us, welcome! If you have been participating in liturgies here for a few months—or even a few years—and have never registered, please consider doing so. It takes just a few moments to fill out a parish registration form. Once you complete your form, simply drop it in the collection basket, hand it to any staff person, or mail it to the parish office. Registration forms can be found on a table in the narthex. You can also register on–line at www.stceciliaboston.org/register.html. Thank you for being an active member of our com-munity!

young adults at st. c's

Koinonia is Saint Cecilia's ministry to parishioners in their twenties and thirties. The group meets periodi-cally throughout the year for social events, spiritual fellowship, and service events. If you are interested in learning more about the group, please e-mail Kevin Daly at stcecilia.koinonia@gmail.com and/or join us for our Wednesday Evening Trivia Night, held on Wednesdays at seven-thirty at McGreevy's, 911 Boylston Street.

Saint Cecilia Parish, Boston !

FRIDAY, October 19, 2012 | 7:00 p.m. Benefit Concert for the

Smith & Gilbert Organ

Meet the Organ Builder of St. Cecilia’s

Smith & Gilbert Organ!

Timothy E. Smith Tim plays some French composers

with

Richard J. Clark!Rich plays some German composers

Suggested Donation: $20, $10 Seniors, Students $35 Unlimited family pass

All donations to go towards the in-stallation of the new organ con-sole. Any amount, large or small is greatly appreciated!

RClark@stceciliaboston.org www.stceciliaboston.org

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saint cecilia concert series

Friday, 19 October | 7:00 p.m. Timothy E. Smith, organ Richard J. Clark, organBenefit Concert for the 1999 Smith & Gilbert OrganSuggested Donation: $20; $10 for students and seniors; $35 for families

Tuesday, 23 October | 8:00 p.m. The Seraphim SingersBach, Mendelssohn, and Beyond: Music from the Germanic TraditionJennifer Lester, Music Director Suggested Donation: $20; $15 for students & seniors

Friday, 2 November, All Souls Day | 8:00 p.m. Richard Kelley, Trumpet; Richard J. Clark, Organ;Kara Clark, ClarinetFeaturing the World Premiere of Richard J. Clark’sRequiem pour une américaine à ParisBenefit Concert for the 1999 Smith & Gilbert OrganSuggested Donation: $20; $10 for students and seniors; $35 for families

Friday, 16 November | 7:00 p.m. Saint Cecilia Day CelebrationRichard J. Clark, Music DirectorBenefit Concert for the 1999 Smith & Gilbert OrganTickets: $20; $10 for students and seniors; $40 for families

Tuesday, 11 December | 7:00 p.m. The Copley Singers Christmas ConcertBrian Jones, DirectorEmeritus Director of Music at Trinity Church, Copley Squarewww.copleysingers.orgTickets at the Door: $20; $10 for students and seniors; children are free

save the date!

AN EVENING WITH FATHER GREG BOYLE

Friday, October 26 | 7:00 p.m.

Presenter | Gregory Boyle, SJ

Location | Saint Cecilia Church

We are excited to announce that Father Greg Boyle will be with us on October 26 to share his reflections on community and the sacredness of life through the lens of Igna-tian spirituality, drawn from more than 20 years of work with formerly gang-involved and re-

cently incarcerated men and women in Los Angeles.

A member of the Society of Jesus, Father Greg has taught at Loyola High School in Los Angeles; was chaplain in the Islas Marias Penal Colony in Mexico and at Folsom Prison, and worked with Christian Base Communities in Cochabamba, Bolivia. He was ap-pointed pastor of Dolores Mission Church in the Boyle Heights neighborhood of Los Angeles in 1986 where he served through 1992. Father Greg is founder and executive director of Homeboy Industries, which is now the largest gang intervention, re-hab, and re-entry program in the United States.

Father Greg is the author of Tattoos on the Heart: The Power of Boundless Compassion. His debut book has been honored by SCIBA (Southern California Indie Booksellers Association), Pen USA, Publishers Weekly, and Goodreads Choice Awards. He has received nu-merous honorary degrees, awards and recognitions including the Civic Medal of Honor, the California Peace Prize, Humanitarian of the Year from Bon Ap-petit Magazine, and in 2011 was inducted into the California Hall of Fame. He has served on the State Commission for Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, The National Youth Gang Center Board and the Attorney General’s Defending Childhood Task Force.

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By DAVID L. RICKEN

It happens when a mid-dle-aged woman hit hard by the economic crisis finds herself out of a job and then out of her home, with no family or other support network nearby. Despite hard work and careful planning, she is seem-ingly left with nothing. Then one day she turns up at a soup kitchen and daytime shelter run by a Catholic parish. The lay volunteers who run it are friendly and warm, give her food and a place to rest and spend some of their time in her company. Her loneliness gives way to serenity.

It happens when a father for whom church lost meaning in his college days watches his daughter’s baptism. Sud-denly, as if he is hearing the words for the first time, he appreciates God’s grace in his life and senses how the Holy Spirit will enter his life in this new person.

It happens when tragedy strikes, whether through a heinous act of violence or a natural disaster, and people set aside their petty human dramas and come together as one to grieve and to pray. They feel a sense of unity as their pastor—or even their bishop—comforts them and tries to bring perspective to an otherwise senseless time.

Such moments exemplify how Catholics can live out the upcoming Year of Faith in everyday experiences. These examples depict events that could happen anytime in life. While the Year of Faith comes with specific recom-mendations from the Vatican’s Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith on how to observe it, it is best summed up in two images: the first, as described by Pope Benedict XVI, is an open door through which a

person has only to walk. The second is the “spark of faith” lit within the human heart.

The Year of Faith, which runs from Oct. 11 of this year to Nov. 24, 2013, the feast of Christ the King, is the latest in a recent string of yearlong observances sponsored by the Vatican. Others included the Jubilee Year 2000, the Year of the Eucharist (2004-5), the Year of St. Paul (2008-9) and the Year

for Priests (2009-10). The centerpiece of the Year of Faith is the new evangelization, a call to Christians to embrace their faith anew and proclaim the Gospel with their lives.

The Role of the New EvangelizationThe new evangelization seeks to bring the Gospel anew to parts of the world that are rooted in Christianity—like Europe and the United States—where believers and their practice of the faith have grown cool, cold or even jaded.

This evangelization does not involve window dressing or clever marketing strategies. It is about providing an au-thentic witness. Perhaps then-Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger said it best during the Jubilee Year 2000: “New Evange-lization cannot mean…immediately attracting the large masses that have distanced themselves from the church by using new and more refined methods.” It is not about settling for what the church has become, but rather daring to recapture the faith and humility of the par-able of the mustard seed, to trust God as to when and how the seed will grow. Again, Cardinal Ratzinger: “We do not want to increase the power and the spreading

Wake-up Call

How Catholics can live the Year of Faith

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of our institutions, but we wish to serve for the good of the people and humanity, giving room to Him who is life.”

Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York, in his address to the College of Cardinals in February, described how the Second Vatican Council has made evangelization the work of every Catholic by defining the whole church as “missionary”—called to preach the Gospel not only to the ends of the earth but to the hearts of every human being and “not only to unbelievers but believers.”

“Disciples Called to Witness: The New Evangelization,” a statement issued by the U.S. bishops’ Committee on Evangelization and Catechesis in April, provides practical ways for dioceses and parishes to welcome returning Catholics to church. In doing so, it calls all Catholics—whether active in the church or not—to come to a deeper practice of the faith. Only Catholics with a vibrant sense of their own faith can effectively evange-lize those outside the church.

The start of the Year of Faith coincides with the 50th anniversary of the Second Vatican Council and the 20th anniversary of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. This is no accident. Celebrating the anniversary of Vati-can II does not mean gazing with curiosity or nostalgia at black-and-white photos of the council fathers discuss-ing theology. Rather, it means appreciating the very real gifts of the council as they exist in the church today.

Vatican II saw the beginning of more active participation by the laity, both in worship and the life of the church in general. It saw the church rediscovering itself and proclaiming the Gospel with renewed energy. Vatican II and the Year of Faith are essentially part of the same overarching motion. Fifty years are like the blink of an eye for an institution whose unofficial motto is “We think in centuries,” so it is no surprise that the council’s documents embody a sense of the church’s relationship with the world today.

The Vatican has recommended that Catholics read (and bishops make abundantly available) the documents of Vatican II and the catechism during the Year of Faith. If faith is to flourish, it must be grounded. These resources are nourishment for the body of Christ on the journey, as we seek to reinvigorate the church’s mission and draw others to faith.

Models of Joy and CharityIn his talk on the new evangelization, Cardinal Dolan

recalled what Cardinal John Wright told him and other seminarians studying at the North American College in Rome in the 1970s: “Do me and the church a big favor. When you walk the streets of Rome, smile!”—words that Cardinal Dolan has taken to heart ever since. We are all called to evangelize by simply walking into a room and radiating Christian joy, even in everyday human interac-tions.

This sort of evangelization can happen all the time. The woman going to the shelter, the father at his daughter’s baptism and a community coming together in grief—these examples show how Catholics witness to their faith in moments great and small and, whether they realize it or not, sow seeds of faith in others. As “Disci-ples Called to Witness” states: “The everyday moments of one’s life lived with Christian charity, faith, and hope provide witness to family members, friends, neigh-bors, colleagues, and others who have stopped actively participating in the life of the Church. This witness is essential for reaching others in today’s modern world.”

In effect, the goals of the Year of Faith are accom-plished when everyone in the church simply strives to do what he or she is called to do: husbands and wives, love each other; priests and religious, serve your people; children, be kind and share. All people can evangelize with their lives. This includes believing in the powerful witness of regular participation in the sacraments, espe-cially Sunday Mass and the sacrament of reconciliation.

The saints were masters of this. Pope Benedict has recommended that during the Year of Faith the church promote the lives of the saints as model evangelizers. The U.S. bishops are doing this, in part, by featuring the saints through Facebook and other social media. Find-ing great evangelizers among the saints comes easily: Mother Teresa, St. Vincent de Paul and St. Francis of Assisi, to name just a few. (St. Francis is also tradition-ally credited with saying, “Preach the Gospel always. If necessary, use words.”) U.S. Catholics can also find encouragement in the example of American saints like St. Katharine Drexel, and St. Kateri Tekakwitha. All of these saints provide a witness of evangelization. Each one made the encounter with Christ real, and each one identified strongly with the poor and found Christ among the “least of these.”

The church is calling all Catholics to perform charitable works throughout the Year of Faith. In this way, Catho-lics will be given a chance to encounter Christ in those they serve, while those who see and experience this

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service will encounter a reflection of Christ’s love.

When describing the effect his Los Angeles-based Home-boy Ministries has had on the lives of the former gang members it serves, Gregory Boyle, S.J., cites the lyric from “O Holy Night”: “Long lay the world in sin and er-ror pining/ till he appeared and the soul felt its worth.” This is a beautiful image. When Christ simply appears, the power of his love and his truth transforms lives. Through this love and truth, people are able to see that they are made for lives that reflect their dignity and worth. The same approach can be applied more broadly to the personal encounter with Christ. The love of Christ, proclaimed in both word and acts of charity, and the body of Christ, the church, help people experience their true worth.

This is a potent contribution to a world no longer domi-nated by debates between Catholics and Protestants, but now between believers and others who would say religion has nothing of value to offer society. The church offers a positive alternative to cynicism, secularism, individualism and relativism—the “sins and errors” of today’s world.

Like the world before Christ, our world is pining. There must be something better than cynicism, misery and empty feelings. Many people live life with a materialis-tic “whoever has the most toys wins” mentality, all the while coping with addictions to drugs, alcohol and sex. We see people depressed who wonder, “Is this all there is to life?”

To this despair, Pope Benedict offers the Year of Faith as a countermeasure. For Catholics, there is much more to life. The worth of the human person is that all are created to experience the love of God and to love God in return. Living a life of love for Christ and the church is at the heart of faith. The spark of that faith can be elusive and dim, but when it is fanned into flame and brightened, it can transform the world.

Most Rev. David L. Ricken is the bishop of Green Bay, Wisconsin and chairman of the Committee on Evangeli-zation and Catechesis of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. This article is reprinted from the October 15, 2012 edition of America Magazine.

volunteers needed

Nativity Prep in Jamaica Plain is an exceptional school. Nativity is a Jesuit middle school dedicated to providing a quality, tuition-free education to boys from low-income families residing in Boston. The school is academically challenging and provides a highly structured environment that helps students grow and succeed, and helps to develop in them a sense of responsibility to the community and to each other. In the Jesuit tradition, the school inspires the boys to become 'men for others.' Please take a look at their website (www.nativityboston.org) to learn more about what they do and about Nativity schools in general. There are two Nativity schools in Massachusetts, one in Worcester and our neighbor in JP. The schools have enormously impressive track records. Boys from Nativity have graduated to attend high school at BC High, Roxbury Latin, BB&N and other top local schools. Nativity grads are at top tier colleges—Duke, Harvard, Julliard among others. Graduates are men-tored throughout their high school and college years, maintaining a close connection with the formative community at Nativity. Part of what makes the school so successful is that the program is one of full immersion—the school day begins early and ends late. Dinner and homework fol-lowing late afternoon sports and activities. The eve-ning program is dependent on volunteers to provide dinner, but also to tutor the boys, helping with their homework. This semester, Saint Cecilia has commit-ted to providing three dinners, and at least two tu-tors on Monday and Wednesday evenings. There isn't much space to cook at the school, and we are cook-ing for 60 students and tutors, so we are looking for folks willing to offer to cook something at home and bring it to either Nativity or here to Saint Cecilia for transport. Cash contributions are always helpful! The tutoring sessions begin at about six o'clock and go until eight-thirty or so. Tutors need to be at least 21, and the main requirement is enthusiasm and interest, rather than formal training. Currently, we have been asked to provide two tutors twice a week, but we expect that number to double as we move into the semester. If you are interested in partici-pating at Nativity, please e-mail Susan Donnelly at susan_donnelly@harvard.edu. Nativity is a wonderful place, doing important work—you can truly feel the Spirit at work!

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SAINT CECILIA PARISH

Parish RESOURCESParish Office & Mailing Address18 Belvidere Street, Boston, MA 02115Hours | Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.Phone | 617 536 4548Fax | 617 536 1781E-mail | info@stceciliaboston.orgWebsite | www.stceciliaboston.org

Parish StaffRev. John J. Unni, Pastor, junni@stceciliaboston.orgMark Donohoe, Pastoral Associate for Administration, mdonohoe@stceciliaboston.orgScott J. MacDonald, Director of Faith Formation and Leadership Development, smacdonald@stceciliaboston.orgRichard J. Clark, Director of Music andOrganist, rclark@stceciliaboston.orgMaureen Sullivan, Administrative Assistant to the Pastor, msullivan@stceciliaboston.orgGenevieve Fiorente, Office Administrative Assistant

Assisting ClergyRev. Thomas Gariepy, CSCRev. Peter Grover, OMVRev. James Shaughnessy, SJRev. George Winchester, SJ

Schedule for LiturgyWednesdays During Lent | 6:00 p.m.Wednesday, Thursday, & Friday | 8:00 a.m.Lord’s Day | Sat 5:00 p.m.; Sun 8:00, 9:30, 11:15, & 6:00 p.m.Holy Days | 8:00 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.

ReconciliationBy appointment at any time and Wednesday evenings from 6:30—8:00 during Lent.

Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA)The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults is the communal process through which non-baptized men and women become members of the Catholic Church. It is also suitable for those baptized in different faith traditions who are interested in becoming Catholic, or, for those who were baptized Catholic, but have yet to receive the sacraments of eucharist and confirmation. For more information, please contact Mark Donohoe.

Baptism for InfantsInfant baptism is celebrated on the first Sunday of the month. For more information, please contact Mark Donohoe.

Faith Formation for ChildrenTo register your child for our Faith Formation Program, please contact Scott MacDonald in the parish office.

MarriageCouples who wish to prepare for marriage should contact Mark Donohoe in the parish office at least six months in advance.

Care of the SickTo arrange for the Sacrament of the Sick, for Holy Communion to be brought to those unable to attend the Sunday celebration, or for Viaticum for the Dying (Holy Communion for those in danger of death), please contact the parish office. It is always possible to anoint the sick during regularly scheduled liturgies.

Order of Christian FuneralsThe parish is prepared to celebrate the Vigil (wake) in the church. Please contact the parish office for more information.

Child Abuse Prevention (CAP) TeamThe CAP Team is responsible for training all parish staff and volunteers in mandated reporting laws and the Protecting God’s Children program (VIRTUS). They also provide consultation and support to anyone in the parish who has concerns about reporting child abuse and neglect. Please contact Lois Flaherty (loisflaherty@gmail.com), Maria Roche (maria.roche15@gmail.com) or Letitia Howland (l_howland@hotmail.com) if you have any questions or concerns.The Archdiocese of Boston has in place a vigorous program to protect children from harm and to educate its ministers and faithful about the nature of abuse, with a goal of increasing knowledge, creating a safe environment for children, and recognizing and reporting potentially dangerous situations. The full text of the policy is also available in the narthex and parish office, as well as on our website.

For Those with Celiac DiseaseIf you have celiac disease, please let us know. We have a supply of low-gluten altar bread available for those who cannot tolerate gluten.

Hearing Assistance in ChurchThe church is equipped with an FM listening device. Small receivers are available for anyone who may have trouble hearing the sound system. Simply request a receiver from any one of our greeters before Mass.

Access for the DisabledThe church is accessible by elevator.

ParkingReduced-rate parking (maximum of three hours) is available Sundays at the Prudential Center parking garage, LAZ Parking (53 Belvidere Street), and at the Hilton Boston Back Bay. Please bring your parking ticket to church for validation before returning to the garage.

Joining Our CommunityWe’re happy that you’re with us! Our community offers a warm, spiritual home for a diverse group of Catholics. We come from many neighborhoods in and around Boston but also have parishioners from as far afield as Marlborough, Newburyport, and Stow. Please introduce yourself to a staff member, drop in for coffee on Sunday, or fill out a new parishioner form in the gathering space. No matter what your background, please know that you are always welcome at Saint Cecilia.