Saint CeciliaP A R I S H

Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time16 February 2020

Scout Sunday 2020

Deadline to signup: FeB 28

YAKIMA, WAJ U L Y 1 1 - 1 9

2 0 2 0 D E S T I N A T I O N :

Join us on Young Neighbors 2020!

We have spots for 25 rising high school sophomores to

graduating seniors - sign ups are first come, first

served, so don't wait!

To sign up, contact our youth minister

John Glynn (jglynn@stceciliaboston.org)

and send a $50 deposit to secure your spot (online or by

check).

Young Neighbors is an awesome way to grow in

your relationship with yourself, others, and God

through serving our neighbors in need. Just ask

anyone who has attended one of the last 17 trips

through Saint Cecilia!

Info Sessions:Feb 16 Feb 23

> 1 Pm, CL 2

A $50 deposit is due at registration (we need to

pay the camp to hold spots for us). The total cost

per person is typically around $1,000, but in the

months leading up to the trip we'll hold

fundraising events to bring down the cost per

family, with the goal of making it as affordable

as possible (last year, the average family paid

around $400). However, no one will be turned

away for financial reasons! Simply contact

John Glynn should you have any concerns.

Each camp site offers different experiences of

service in the local community, depending on

their unique needs. We don't know yet what

Yakima has in store, but last year in D.C. we

helped in a daycare program for children,

assisted elderly folks at a senior center, and

even worked at an urban garden! Every

evening, we get together to discuss what we

experienced in light of our faith and values. We

also spend time having fun after camp ends, like

exploring a new city (this year, likely Seattle),

hiking through a national park (like Mt. Ranier),

or maybe even white water rafting!

Young Neighbors in Action is a national

Catholic organization that hosts service-

learning programs throughout the US. The

mission of YNIA is to empower young people to

encounter Christ through serving others,

engage in meaningful work that feeds, clothes,

and provides resources to the most vulnerable,

and grow in their faith. Saint Cecilia has been

sending students to YNIA for years - this will be

our 18th trip!

To register, contact John Glynn, Director of

College & Youth Ministry, at

jglynn@stceciliaboston.org. A $50 deposit is

required to complete registration - checks can

be made out to Saint Cecilia Parish, or made

online through the parish's Online Giving

website. Signup deadline is Feb 28!

If you have any questions or concerns with

payment, don't hesitate to contact John!

Young Neighbors in ActioN

2020 FAQ

What is YNIA?

Date:

Location: YAKIMA, WAJuly 11 - 19, 2020

How do I register?

Young Neighbors camps are hosted by a local

school or parish. In Yakima, we'll be staying at

Holy Family Parish with other youth groups

from all over the country.

Where do we stay?

How much does it cost?

What do we do?

For even more info on YNIA,check out youngneighbors.org

2019 Saint Cecilia Crew in Washington, DC

4

SAINT CECILIA PARISH

MINISTERS OF THE LITURGY

Saturday, February 15 | 5:00 p.m.Rev. Peter Grover, OMV, celebrantCole Young, lector

Sunday, February 16 | 8:00 a.m.Rev. Peter Gyves, SJ, celebrantJim Dougherty, lector

Sunday, February 16 | 9:30 a.m.Rev. Peter Gyves, SJ, celebrantChristopher Egan, Christopher Loh, and Maggie Loh, lectors

Sunday, February 16 | 11:15 a.m.Rev. Patrick Nolan, SJ, celebrantCathy Anderson, Ben DeWinter, and James Paradis, lectors

Sunday, February 16 | 6:00 p.m.Rev. Peter Gyves, SJ, celebrantMichael Lake and Zachary Boutin, lectors

OUR COMMUNITY NEWS

SPECIAL INTENTIONS

Saturday, February 15 | 5:00 p.m.Margo Bromfield, Memorial

Sunday, February 16 | 9:30 a.m.Robert L. Cunningham, 1st Anniversary

Sunday, February 16 | 9:30 a.m.Carol Howland, AnniversaryJosephine Roy, Memorial

Sunday, February 16 | 6:00 p.m.Rose Sergi, Memorial

TODAY'S READINGS

Sirach 15:15-201 Corinthians 2:6-10Matthew 5:17-37

NEXT SUNDAY'S READINGS

Leviticus 19:1-2, 17-181 Corinthians 3:16-23Matthew 5:38-48

This week at Saint Cecilia

• Sunday, February 16 | Wisdom and Mature Spirituality 10:00 Conference Room (p.7)

• Sunday, February 16 | Social Racial Justice Ministry Meeting 1:00 CL2 (p.6)

5

SAINT CECILIA PARISH

Prayers & Occasions

Our SickPlease pray for all our sick and for those who are in need of our prayer, especially Mary Pickering, Stephanie Brown, Kim Villanueva, Mary Sue Cappoza, Marc Pelletier, Ashlyn Couture, Leah Fickes, Eva Cheung, Will Jones, Joseph Kane, Bennett Lawrence Adair, Caeden Boyce, Carole Acampora, and Chuck O'Connor.

Welcome to Saint Cecilia Parish We are pleased to welcome the following new members of our parish who have recently registered: Mary Margaret Piedmont and Joseph Rearick of Brighton, Erick Lahme of Boston, Jean Bower of Boston, and Suzana Rego of Boston. If you have not previously registered with the parish, there are forms in the narthex for this purpose or you can register online at www.stceciliaboston.org.

Happy Anniversary!This week we celebrate the bapismal anniversary of David Castaldi who was baptized on February 18. May the Lord continue to bless David with the grace to live out his baptis-mal call. Happy Feast Day, David!

Black History MonthDuring Black History Month, we celebrate the promotion of positive values of our African American leadership, through advocacy, through professional life, and through the arts. These values echo the main principles of Catholic Social Teaching, and we pray that such values become respected by all Americans.

Special Collection—Next WeekNext week’s second collection will support the Church in those underdeveloped areas of the world: Catholic Relief Services (CRS), the Church in Africa and in Central and East-ern Europe, and three important national Catholic missions: the Military Archdiocese, Home Missions, and the Black and Indian Missions. Your generosity will help fund the spiritual,educational and humanitarian needs of the Church around the world.

Presidents’ DayTomorrow is Presidents’ Day. We pray that God’s spirit of wisdom and right judgment may bless our President with true wisdom and may guide the actions and deliberatoons of all leaders. There are no children's faith formatoon class-es today because of the holiday, and the parish offices will be closed tomorrow.

Morning PrayerJoin us for Morning Prayer next Saturday morning, February 22 at 9:00 for the Feast of the Chair of Saint Peter. All are welcome!

First Reconciliation Last Saturday morning twenty-eight of our youngsters cel-ebrated their first reconciliaton in preparation for their First Holy Communion. Father John presided and was assisted by Father Peter Gyves, SJ, and Father Terry Devino, SJ.

Saint Cecilia

SpirItual Direction

Now is a very acceptable time; now is the day of salvation! (2Cor 6:2)

Are you seeking to deepen your spiritual life in the weeks before and during the Lenten season? Would you like help connecting your prayer to your life expe-riences through one on one conversation? The possi-bility for such an experience is available for an 8 week period – February 10 – April 15. If interested, please contact:Billy Biegler, SJ: bbiegler@stceciliaboston.org (617) 536-4548

6

SAINT CECILIA PARISH

Social and Racial Justice

Ministry Upcoming Events

Social and Racial Justice Ministry GatheringTODAY, February 16 | 1:00-2:30 | Classroom 3Join our ministry as we continue our discussion of Martin Luther King’s "Letter from Birmingham Jail." In order to more deeply reflect on our own privilege and to stand in solidarity with our neighbors, our ministry will be discussing a short text every month.

Climate Film Screening: DisobedienceFebruary 21| 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. (doors open at 6:30)Beacon Hill Friends House, 6-8 Chestnut St., BostonExtinction Rebellion Massachusetts is proud to present a special free screening of the documentary Disobedience plus two environmental short films! Disobedience tells the David vs Goliath tales of leaders around the world risking life and limb in the fight for a livable climate. After decades of political inaction and an accelerating climate emergency, local groups following the model of Ghandi and Martin Luther King Jr., are using non-violent civil disobedience and direct action to stop corporations from destroying our environment, homes and way of life.You can sign up to receive updates from the SRJM ministry at http://eepurl.com/dKw-gw. Follow us on Facebook (search for St. Cecilia’s Social and Racial Justice Ministry) to get news about up-coming events.

Calling all Singers!

Saint Cecilia Music Ministry is looking for talented vocalists and instrumentalists to contribute to our weekly worship. Our morning choirs study and prepare choral works from around the globe each week and rehearse weekly on Thursdays from 7:15-9:15. We are currently preparing works for Lent and Easter. Please consider becoming involved as we enter into these holy liturgical seasons. For more information, please contact our Director of Music, Robert Duff at rduff@stceciliaboston.org.

Do you have a great smile?

Show it off! Are you a warm and friendly person who loves to meet fellow parishioners with a smile? If so, we would love to have you join the Greeters! Greeters are needed for all of the liturgies, but especially for the Sunday 11:15 liturgy. One can specify Mass frequency or any other availability concerns, all of which can be accommodated. If interested in helping out, please contact Christina Searby at sc.greeters@gmail.com.

Catholic Charities’ “This is My

Community” Speaker Series

Thursday, February 27 | 7:00 p.m. | WBUR’s CitySpace at 890 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston.

This event features Sister Norma Pimentel, Executive Director of Catholic Charities, Rio Grande Valley, Texas, and Mohamad Ali, President and CEO of IDG. Pimentel and Ali are two of the nation’s strongest champions of immigrants. A religious sister of the Missionaries of Jesus, Pimentel served as point person for organizing the emergency response to the surge in Central Americans crossing the border to seek asylum. Event moderated by WBUR radio host Tiziana Dearing. Advanced registration is required: https://www.ccab.org/speaker-series-presents-an-evening-with-sister-norma-pimentel

Richard R. Gaillardetz, PhD is the Joseph Professor of Catholic Systematic Theology at Boston College and is also currently the chair of the theology department. He has published over 150 articles and authored or edited 14 books. He is the editor of The Cambridge Companion to Vatican II which

will be released in May 2020. He is the recipient of many awards, including the Sophia Award from the Washington Theological Union for theological excellence in service of ministry (2000) and the Yves Congar Award for theological excellence from Barry University (2018). He is a past president of the Catholic Theological Society of America.

The Saint Cecilia Adult Faith Formation Commission Speaker Series

Please join us for an evening presentation and discussion with

RICHARD R. GAILLARDETZ, PHD

“You Are What You Worship: Toward an Authentic Liturgical Spirituality"

Wednesday, February 26, 2020 w 7:30 p.m. Saint Cecilia Church

This event is open to all!

Free-will offerings are gratefully accepted.

Richard R. Gaillardetz, PhD is the Joseph Professor of Catholic Systematic Theology at Boston College and is also currently the chair of the theology department. He has published over 150 articles and authored or edited 14 books. He is the editor of The Cambridge Companion to Vatican II which will be released in May 2020. He is the recipient of many awards, including the

Sophia Award from the Washington Theological Union for theological excellence in service of ministry (2000) and the Yves Congar Award for theological excellence from Barry University (2018). He is a past president of the Catholic Theological Society of America.

The Saint Cecilia Adult Faith Formation Commission Speaker Series

Please join us for an evening presentation and discussion with

RICHARD R. GAILLARDETZ, PHD

“You Are What You Worship: Toward an Authentic Liturgical Spirituality"

Wednesday, February 26, 2020 w 7:30 p.m. Saint Cecilia Church

This event is open to all!

Free-will offerings are gratefully accepted.

Richard R. Gaillardetz, PhD is the Joseph Professor of Catholic Systematic Theology at Boston College and is also currently the chair of the theology department. He has published over 150 articles and authored or edited 14 books. He is the editor of The Cambridge Companion to Vatican II which will be released in May 2020. He is the recipient of many awards, including the

Sophia Award from the Washington Theological Union for theological excellence in service of ministry (2000) and the Yves Congar Award for theological excellence from Barry University (2018). He is a past president of the Catholic Theological Society of America.

7

SAINT CECILIA PARISH

Wisdom and Mature

Spirituality Group

Sunday, February 16 | 10:00 | Meet in the narthex close to the office door

In January, we began reading and discussing the book Welcome the Unwelcome: Wholehearted Living in a Brokenhearted World by Pema Chödrön. We will continue our

discussion of this book at our next meeting. The members of the Wisdom and Mature Spirituality group are men and women in the second half of life who are interested in growing spiritually by reflecting on our interior life. If you are interested in joining this group, you are welcome!

A REMINDER TO PARENTS

While at Saint Cecilia, children should never go to the rest-rooms alone. We are happy that you feel so safe here, but please remember that we are in an urban building that is wide open and has multiple entrances. For the safety of our children, please do not allow them to wander around un-supervised and please do not ever allow them to go to the restroom unaccompanied by a parent.

Rainbow Ministry

Upcoming Events

LGBTQ Catholics Unite Monthly Meeting Sunday, February 23 | 1:00 p.m. | Classroom 4LGBTQ Catholics Unite provides an opportunity for LGBTQ Catholics and friends to gather and discuss openly rele-vant topics, scripture, and current events. This month Re-becca Reed will facilitate a discussion on "Queer Youth at Risk." Rebecca is the former Program Director of Waltham House, a home for queer youth at risk. Currently, she is the Campus Director of the Hailer House at Walpole, a Home for Little Wanderers' residence. Queer youth face a vari-ety of challenges, both environmental and individual, that shape how they view themselves as well as their percep-tion of how others see them. LGBTQ Catholics need a fo-rum in which to share faith experiences, thoughts, beliefs, and feelings. Our hope is that people will feel supported, heard, and spiritually nourished. All (including allies) are welcome!

Young Families February

Gathering

Join the Young Families Ministry for a special “Valentines”-themed meeting next Sunday, February 23 following the 9:30 Mass. Sarah Donohue, a former parishioner and social worker specializing in marriage and family therapy, will speak to the group about the gift and challenge of nurturing your relationship with your partner after having children. Childcare will be provided. Please RSVP to sc.youngfamilies@gmail.com to help us plan for numbers. We hope you’ll be able to join us!

Pop Up Knitting Ministry

Saturday, February 22 | 2:00-4:00pm | TBA

Bring your needles/hooks and let's knit or crochet away! Yarn will be provided. We will have a guest lecture from 2:00-3:00 on the importance of massage for the knitter. Contact:annmarie@integratedmindandbody.com for location.

Saint Cecilia Young Adults

Ministry Upcoming Events

Roaring 20s Extravaganza!Saturday, February 29 | 8:00–11:00 p.m. | The Westin Copley PlaceBack by popular demand! Our extravaganza this year will be at the Westin where we will be tearing it up on the dance floor. An excuse to get dressed up that isn't a wedding! Come flex your moves and have fun with friends. Or make a few new ones! RVSP here: http://bit.ly/365kQoF

To RSVP for any of the above events please email scyoungadults@gmail.com, or to join their weekly email up-date please follow this link: http://eepurl.com/bBbbLr

HUNGER & HOMELESSNESS MINISTRY:

DRIVERS NEEDED

Each weekend parishioners have the opportunity to pick up donated meat, dairy products, and produce from four local supermarkets and deliver it to either Catholic Charities' Haitian Multi-Service Center in Dorchester or Pine Street Inn in the South End. This vital ministry takes place at 7:30 every Saturday and Sunday morning and on Sundays can be completed in time to attend the 9:30 parish Mass. We need drivers for all the Saturdays and Sundays in February and March. Please email Mark.Lippolt@gmail.com if you can help out.

OPERATING STATEMENT

Quarter Ending Quarter EndingDec 31,2019 Dec 31,2019

INCOME ACTUAL BUDGET

Sunday Offertory Income 519,735$ 480,000$

Special Donations Income 166,527$ 194,784$

Operating Income 83,451$ 101,952$

Miscellaneous Income 91,832$ 136,867$

TOTAL INCOME 861,545$ 913,603$

EXPENSES

Personnel Expenses 478,851$ 511,142$

Office Expenses 59,544$ 66,573$

Liturgy Expenses 31,510$ 26,858$

Building Expenses 212,003$ 226,280$

Other Expenses 158,068$ 176,539$

TOTAL EXPENSES 939,976$ 1,007,392$

TOTAL INCOME LESS EXPENSES (78,431)$ (93,789)$

Parish Operating Statement Q2 FY2020

9

SAINT CECILIA PARISH

Parish Operating Statement Q2 FY2020

Please see the facing page for an update on the parish finances and capital projects, which we provide on a periodic basis.

Operating BudgetAttached please find the Budget Status Report for the first half of the fiscal year—the six months ending December 31, 2019. As you can see, during the first half of the year the parish has experienced a loss of $78,431.

Although this performance is far from satisfactory, it does represent progress from our first quarter loss of $140,513. Father John and the staff have worked very hard to raise additional revenue and limit any unplanned expenses. De-spite these efforts, it will be very difficult for the parish to breakeven for this fiscal year. Nevertheless, they are making valiant efforts in this area. We respectfully request that you do whatever you can to assist them.

Renovation UpdateThe Renovation Project has reached the stage where we have begun to make payments to the contractors. With this report we will begin to provide you with a broad summary of our Sources and Uses of funds for the project.

As of December 31, 2019 we have paid $5.1 million in construction expenses. The source of these funds is: $2.8 mil-lion from donor pledges received and $2.3 million from the line of credit provided by the Archdiocese. Although we already have pledges for an additional $6 million more, the actual payment of these pledges will occur over a period of years. Since the contractors must be paid at the time of construction, it was necessary to secure a $5 million 5-year bridge loan from the Archdiocese of cover the difference.

The staff currently estimates that, if all goes as expected, at the end of the 5-year period the parish will be able to pay down the line of credit to $1.25 million. Father John is confident that he will be able to raise enough additional funds before the end of the 5-year period to extinguish the line of credit on time.

As always, please reach out to any member of the Finance Council should you have any questions.

Father John Unni, PastorMatt Maguire, Chair of the Finance CouncilDavid CastaldiAlicia CooneyMark Duggan Jason KellyMark LippoltCole YoungMary Kaye, Pastoral Director of OperationsColleen Melaugh, Director of Finance

10

SAINT CECILIA PARISH

VALENTINE’S DAY BOOK DRIVE

Robert F. Kennedy Children’s Action Corps (www.rfkchildren.org) is a leader in child welfare and ju-venile justice in Massachusetts and nation-wide. They work to create an individualized therapeutic and learning environment for children who face be-havioral, social, and educational challenges due to trauma, abuse, neglect, autism spectrum disorders, and learning disabilities.

In honor of Valentine’s Day, and in our twelfth year of doing so (and over 3,000 generously donated books later!!), our parish will be holding a book drive for the children at RFK Children’s Action Corps in grades 1 through 12. Brand new books are preferred, but they will also take used books in excellent condi-tion and they will be collected at all litur-gies on the weekends in February. You can also place your order online (see below). A list of requested books is available at the back of church and you’re sure to find some of your favorite titles on it! Magazine subscriptions are also on the list.

If you would like to purchase books through Ama-zonSmile (https://smile.amazon.com/) or another on–line bookseller, you may wish to have the books delivered to:

Letitia HowlandRobert F. Kennedy Children’s Action Corps40 Court Street, Suite 410Boston, MA 02108 Please be sure to let Letitia (lhowland@rfkchildren.org) know that you ordered the books so that a proper acknowledgement can be sent!

If you have any questions, please contact Letitia or speak with her or Mark Lippolt at the back of church.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROSITY!

OUR HOMELESS NEIGHBORS

Our friends at two local agencies that serve those experiencing homelessness report that they have an urgent need for winter clothing for the patients they see every day. Boston Health Care for the Homeless There will be a bin in the narthex if you would like to donate new or gently used boots. • There is a need for men’s and women’s boots – all sizes

– but especially men’s sizes 9 to 13.• Men's and women's coats (if used, freshly dry-cleaned)

can also be donated in the narthex.South End Community Health CenterThis nonprofit agency—which celebrated its 50th year of serving the South End in 2019—is in need of children's coats, hats, and gloves.

If it is your preference to send a check (no more than $50, please) to enable us to purchase the items above, please make a check payable to Saint Cecilia Parish, write “Boston Health Care” or "South End Community Health" in the memo line and mail to: Mark Lippolt, Saint Cecilia Parish, 18 Belvidere Street Boston, MA 02115.

WELCOMING THE STRANGER

For the past three years, our parish has provided ongoing support to Catholic Charities’ Refugee and Immigration Services, heeding Pope Francis’ words, “With regard to mi-grants, displaced persons and refugees, a common commit-ment is needed, one focused on offering them a dignified welcome.” At this point in time, the parish has offered to provide refugee families with supermarket gift cards so that they will have food while their applications for political asy-lum are processed. If you would like to purchase gift cards to Market Basket specifically—and no more than $25 per card—please feel free to drop them in the offertory basket. You can also contribute by check, noting “Refugee Families” in the memo line of your check made payable to “Saint Ce-cilia Parish."

11

SAINT CECILIA PARISH

Adult Faith

Formation Events

FAITH FORMATION EVENTS AT SAINT CECILIA OFTEN APPEAR ON PAGES 5—9

BOSTON COLLEGE SCHOOL OF

THEOLOGY AND MINISTRY

ONLINE COURSES

For further details or to register for these events, please check the STM Online: Crossroads website: https://www.bc.edu/bc-web/schools/stm/sites/crossroads.html

Lent 2020: Reflecting TogetherFebruary 19 – March 31 | 6-Week Online Course Registration Required| $50

The Joy of the GospelFebruary 26 – March 31 | 5-Week Online Course Regis-tration Required| $50.0

CAMPUS EVENTS

Encounter and Transformation - The Sunday Gospels of Lent, Year APresenter: Michael R. Simone, S.J., STM assistant profes-sor of the practice of Scripture and interpretationThursday, February 20 | 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. | Boston Col-lege, Corcoran Commons, Heights Room, Chestnut Hill Campus | Registration Required

New Testament Manuscripts and the Earliest Visual De-piction of the Crucified ChristPresenter: Dieter T. Roth, assistant professor of New Tes-tament, Boston College Department of TheologyThursday, February 27 | 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. | Boston Col-lege, Corcoran Commons, Heights Room, Chestnut Hill Campus | Registration Required

BOSTON COLLEGE, BOISI CENTER

FOR RELIGION AND AMERICAN

PUBLIC LIFE

For further details or to register for these events, please check this website: https://www.bc.edu/centers/boisi

Is There a New Anti-Semitism?Panel Discussion: James Bernauer, S.J., Boston College, Susannah Heschel, Dartmouth College and Mark Silk, Trinity CollegeCo-sponsored with the Center for Christian-Jewish Learning and BC HillelTuesday, February 18 | 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. | Boston College, Gasson Hall 305 | RSVP Required

Evolution and Innovation in Legal EducationLuncheon Colloquium, Presenter: Vincent Rougeau, Boston CollegeWednesday, February 19 | 12:00 – 1:15 p.m. | Boston College, Boisi Center, 24 Quincy Road | Registration Required

Race, Class, and Ethnicity in College Admissions: Deans Discuss the Harvard CasePanel Discussion: Susan Gennaro, Connell School of Nursing, Vincent Rougeau, Law School, Stanton Wortham, Lynch School of Education and Human De-velopmentCo-sponsored with Thea Bowman AHANA and Intercul-tural CenterMonday, February 24 | 5:30 - 7 p.m.| Boston College, Higgins Hall 310 | RSVP Required

SAINT SUSANNA PARISH —

DEDHAM

For further details on these presentations, please check their website: http://www.saintsusanna.org/At-tachments/aff_yearly_program_standard.pdf

"Loving Life on the Margins”Presenters: Suzanne and Brayton ShanleyMonday, February 24 | 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. Saint Susanna Parish Hall | Free Will Offering

12

SAINT CECILIA PARISH

From the New York Times comes yet another testimony to the power of a second-half, come-from-behind exhortation. The Kansas City Chiefs were down by 10 points, with less than 10 minutes to play. Their young quarterback Patrick Mahomes was in no mood to surrender.

“He seen it in some guys’ eyes, they were getting down, including myself,” said receiver Tyreek Hill, whose 44-yard reception on third-and-15 from the Chiefs’ 35-yard line propelled the comeback. “I was like, ‘Man, how are we going to pull this off?’ And he was like: ’10, you’ve got to believe, brother. Like the same faith you’ve had all of your career, you’ve got to believe right now. It’s going to happen, man. I can feel it.’ He brought the guys together, and you saw what happened.” Patrick Mahomes—now the youngest ever to be named Super Bowl M.V.P.—told his teammates to trust him and to believe in themselves. This was, if you will, Mahomes’s “Sermon in Miami.”

On Sundays, we hear the Gospels in well-sliced snippets. We may not realize that Jesus’ exhortation—that we should be the salt of the earth and light for the world—comes in the stream of St. Matthew’s Sermon on the Mount. Pulling back from these verses, you can take in the breadth of Matthew’s vision.

This is not a public address. As his ministry begins, Matthew denies that disciples come to Jesus because, like followers of other teachers, they are attracted by his learning. No. Christ commands freshly encountered fishermen to “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men” (4:19). They respond immediately, Matthew twice tells us. Somehow, they know who speaks to them in Jesus.

It is not that the people are not drawn to this man. Yet Matthew records that “When he saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him” (5:1). What follows is not worldly wisdom, a public proclamation of a teaching. No, Christ gives his new “Torah” to chosen disciples. And what is this teaching? Himself. His very person.

Jesus begins with the beatitudes. Matthew finds it self-evident that Christ realizes all of these qualities in himself. This is who he is. Then, at the close of his benedictions, Jesus stops saying “Blessed are those” and suddenly addresses his disciples

directly.

Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you [falsely] because of me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven. Thus they persecuted the prophets who were before you (5:11-12).

Christ stands in the midst of our fallen world as the chosen one. As such he is blessed. The audacity of his mountainside Torah, his great teaching to his disciples, is that, if we become like him and live as he lives, we will be blessed even if the world assaults us.

Then Christ brings home his second-half rouser: Be the salt of the earth, preserving all that is good! Be the light that shines!

It is not the N.F.L.’s most valuable player who speaks, who says that it is not over, not as long as he remains on the field. It is Christ the Lord. The sermon is so simple. However dark your world, imitate me and all will be well. The question it poses is likewise quite stark: Do we believe him enough to rally?

~ The Rev. Terrance W. Klein is a priest of the Diocese of Dodge City and author of Vanity Faith.

The Sermon on the Mount, Fra Angelico

The Sermon on the Mount is Christ’s rallying call

By TERRANCE KLEIN

13

SAINT CECILIA PARISH

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

Parish StaffRev. John J. Unni, PastorLeah Bennett, Communications and Operations Coordinator,lbennett@stceciliaboston.org Rev. Mr. Billy Biegler, SJ, Deacon bbiegler@stceciliaboston.orgMark Donohoe, Pastoral Associate,mdonohoe@stceciliaboston.orgRobert Duff, Director of Music, rduff@stceciliaboston.orgJohn Glynn, Director of College and Youth Ministry, jglynn@stceciliaboston.org,Xuan He, Organistxhe@stceciliaboston.orgMatt Jacobson, Chaplainmjacobson@stceciliaboston.orgMary Kaye, Pastoral Director of Operations,mkaye@stceciliaboston.orgScott J. MacDonald, Director of Faith Formation and Parish Visibility, smacdonald@stceciliaboston.orgColleen Melaugh, Director of Finance,cmelaugh@stceciliaboston.orgLisa Pickering, Director of Facilities and Events, lpickering@stceciliaboston.org

Assisting ClergyRev. Mr. Billy Biegler, SJ Rev. Peter Grover, OMVRev. Peter Gyves, SJRev. James Shaughnessy, SJ

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

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.

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

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), Letitia Howland (l_howland@hotmail.com), or Erin Young (erin.t.young@gmail.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 dan-gerous situations. The full text of the policy is also available in the nar-thex 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 receiv-ers 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 DisabledBoth the church and Parish Pastoral Center are accessible by elevator.

ParkingThere is discounted parking at The Hynes Auditorium Garage (located at 50 Dalton Street next to Bukowski's Tavern), for $11, available on Sun-days until 3:00 p.m., and $14 after 4:00 every day of the week. To take advantage of this discount, ask one of our greeters for a chaser ticket at Mass or ask a staff person during the week. Chaser tickets must be used at the machine at the exit gate. To obtain the discount, first place the ticket you received upon entering the garage into the machine, then fol-low it with the chaser ticket.

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 neighbor-hoods 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 narthex.. No matter what your background, please know that you are always welcome at Saint Cecilia.

PARISH RESOURCES