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Greetings,
Below find the link to my homily for this Sunday, March 7, the Third Sunday of Lent.* Our Gospel reading, from John 2, tells us how Jesus cleansed the Temple, driving out the money-changers. It’s a puzzle to figure out why John puts this scene at the start of his Gospel, while Mark, Matthew, and Luke put it near the end of theirs, but if we figure this out, we can see how this scene too is part of our Lenten journey. So let us keep praying and finding our way through Lent, in the springtime, as the light grows…

~Fr. Clooney      

Purify the Temple, Come to the Feast

I’m sorry to have to share the news with you that Fr Vinnie as he was known here died on Thursday, February 25, 2021 at South Shore Hospital after having suffered a stroke on the previous Sunday.
Fr Vinnie was the Administrator here at OLOS from 2015 to 2017. Although hampered by serious illness, his gentle demeanor and kindness brought healing to the parish after a difficult year for it.

Since 2017, he has been in residence at St Mary’s Parish in Randolph. Please keep this good man in your prayers. May he rest in peace.

OBITUARY

Please remember in your prayers our long-time faithful parishioner Nelson Rebello who died on February 19, 2021. We shall miss his gentle presence and the constancy of his faith. May he rest in peace.

OBITUARY

The Covid-19 numbers have come down dramatically during the past few months. Given that and mindful of the recent caution from the director of the CDC, Dr. Walensky, we plan to offer in-person Masses starting on the first weekend of March 6 Saturday at 4:00 PM and Sunday March 7 at 10:00 AM. Both Masses will be in the Church. All of the public health measures (masks, hand sanitizing, social distance, extra caution for those 65 and over and pre-registration) will be in place.
Registration is requested for two reasons. First we have limited capacity and need to know how many are planning to come. Second, if we should have an incident that poses a risk of infection, we can notify you so you can take the necessary measures to protect yourself and others.
Please God, we won’t have to pause again and over time we can return to the vibrancy of the community gathered and present to each other in person.

Saturday Mass Registration
Sunday Mass Registration

A participant in one of the parish Zoom discussions we have had over the past few weeks made this observation. During the pandemic, the days seem to run together because of their similarity and the isolation. The person welcomed Lent as a forty day period that could put a frame on the days that helps us look forward to Easter and its natural companion, Spring.
It can also help us prepare for Easter especially using moments of aloneness for prayer. We have planned a number of Lenten programs and meetings to encourage times of shared reflection to help this process. We will communicate these events to you individually and you will find more details on the website.

EVENING PRAYER

Each Advent and Lent we set aside an evening to offer the payer of the Church called the “Liturgy of the Hours.” On Thursday evening, March 4 at 7:00 PM, Evening Prayer will be offered virtually in the Church. Click HERE for the link. 

ADULT FAITH FORMATION

The fifth in our series of six Adult Faith Formation sessions will be offered by Zoom on Monday Evening, March 15 at 7:00 PM. The topic will be “The Eucharist.” The Cardinal has announced this as the “The Year of the Eucharist” in the Archdiocese. Fr Frank will offer a brief presentation and then open it up for discussion. In a time when so many of us miss the Eucharist, our discussion holds the promise of adding impact to our reflections. Join us.

RECONCILIATION SERVICE

Reconciliation happens through repentance, a promise to change the direction of our lives and forgiveness. No matter who we are, we all struggle with being true to our best selves and from time to time we don’t get there. The wonder is that God loves us even in that struggle and is always there for us especially when we need him most.

Fr Spicer will offer a “Lenten Reconciliation Service” on Zoom on Thursday Evening, March 18 at 7:00 pm. This will be a good opportunity for us to reflect on one of the primary purposes of Lent: to prepare our souls, our spirit, our lives for a full embrace of the Risen Christ at Easter. Click HERE to register and recieve link. 

There will be opportunities for individual confession on the Saturdays following the Reconciliation Service and before Easter; from 2-4 pm on Saturday, March 20 and March 27 or anytime by appointment. These sessions will be held in O’Connell Hall because it allows us to social distance, and have the privacy we need. People will be able to choose face-to-face or behind the screen

COMMUNITY CONVERSATION

We have not named this event yet but I want to give you a heads-up. On Saturday, March 20 at 7:00 pm by Zoom we will host a gathering to encompass the coming of Easter, Spring, St Patrick’s day and the hope that the end of the pandemic is in sight. We need to share with each other and this meeting is intended for that: a light agenda and lots of sharing. Put it on your calendar, Further details will be forthcoming. 
~Fr Frank

Each year at this time, we launch the “Catholic Appeal.” It is an appeal to ask for your support for central ministries of the Archdiocese. (View Video)

Whenever I think of this, I think of Catholic Charities. Having served on a regional board, I am aware first hand of the work they do. Whoever comes to their door receives help. An American Cardinal once said: “We don’t help them because they’re Catholic; we help them because we’re Catholic. Much could be said also of Catholic Schools where by some accounts, 24 percent of the students aren’t Catholic and many students come from poor and underserved communities.

Our parish has received support and comprehensive guidance from a Pandemic Response Team. Recently, the Archdiocese provided to us at OLOS the services of a building expert to assess our properties and provide reports on each of our buildings and their current and future maintenance needs. We avoided the substantial cost that we received in a bid from a private contractor for the same work.

Tools and resources to reach out to parishioners through virtual evangelization were also made available. Couples preparing for marriage were able to be referred to the Transformed in Love marriage preparation ministry.

I understand that these are challenging times, but if you are able, I ask you to join me in supporting the “Catholic Appeal” by making a commitment of your own. If you have already responded to a letter or an email from Cardinal Sean, thank you. If you haven’t had a chance to give, envelopes are available in the church or you can go online to make your donation at bostoncatholicappeal.org.

I can assure you that your contribution has an immediate and lasting impact. Thank you.
~Fr. Frank

There are many service opportunities this holiday season. Please click HERE to see what ways you can help your community. 

Sick:

Mary Nelson, Anna Fratello, AJ Quetta, Fr. Jerry Hogan

Deceased:

Fr. Vincent "Vinnie" Doolan, Nelson Rebello, Sarah Danca

Stay connected to Our Lady of Sorrows Parish throughout the week for the latest news and announcements. Sign up for our weekly email newsletter and each week you'll receive news and information, including some that just doesn't fit in the bulletin.

Click HERE to view our Annual Report.

All are welcome to join our Zoom Bible Study on Wednesday from 10am to 11am. 
The group, which meets weekly, includes and welcomes sisters and brothers of other faiths. Our examination of the biblical text honors the bible in both the Hebrew and Christian traditions.We are currently reading Exodus.

For more information email Lynn Jacobs at the parish office at ljacobs@olossharon.org.

9-22-2020