Saint Cecilia - The Pilot...Grainne MacNamara, Memorial Daniel Hallissey, Memorial TODAY'S READINGS Isaiah 58:7-10 1 Corinthians 2:1-5 Matthew 5:13-16 NEXT SUNDAY'S READINGS Sirach

Saint CeciliaP A R I S H

Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

9 February 2020Salt and Light

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 undertaken. 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, 54 ranks, and 3,084 pipes was dedicated on the Feast of Saint Cecilia, November 22, 1999.

Today we are experiencing something of an awakening within these old walls. Our numbers are increasing by 350 new households each year, 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 125 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!

A SCOUT SUNDAY MESSAGE FROM OUR SCOUTS

Today is Scout Sunday, recognized on the Sunday closest to February 8, which is the Anniversary of Scouting (110 years ago). As Scouts we are taught to serve God and our country, to help peo-ple at all times, and to obey the Scout Law. The Cub Scout Law teaches boys to be trustworthy, loyal, helpful, courteous, and kind while keeping physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight. The Girl Scout Law teaches girls to be honest, helpful, caring, courageous, respectful, and responsible. In Scouting, we do fun activities together, including donating our time to help others, learning life skills, going on adventures, and camping in the outdoors. Our Cub Scout Pack 74 and Girl Scout Troop 65321 are located here in the Back Bay/Beacon Hill with over 100 boys and girls, all working together to make our neighborhood and our world a better place. As we celebrate Scout Sunday today, we are reminded of our Scout Motto to DO YOUR BEST while we serve God, our Community, our Nation and the World. The Scouts welcome new boys and girls to join. Please contact the Scouts after Mass if you are interested for next year or look for flyers in the neighborhood in late May. We wish you a very Happy Scout Sunday!

Girls Participating from Troop 65321

Boys participating from Cub Scouts Pack 74 and Troop 74

Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts in

Attendance Today

Hudson Lowry, Alexander Manning, William Manning, Fionn Moloney, Austin Wert, Giacomo Turco, Dylan Boyce

Girl Scouts in Attendance Today

Nicole Boyce, Caroline Hartwell, Maddie MacDou-gall, Maddie Prucher, Emily

Prucher, Annamaria Schwab, Lila Sherman, Lilly Stephen-

son, Gabby Turco

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SAINT CECILIA PARISH

MINISTERS OF THE LITURGY

Saturday, February 8 | 5:00 p.m.Rev. Peter Grover, OMV, celebrantEmily Bogert, lector

Sunday, February 9 | 8:00 a.m.Rev. Peter Gyves, SJ, celebrantNicholas Hayes-Mota, lector

Sunday, February 9 | 9:30 a.m.Rev. John Unni, celebrantNicole Boyce, Giacomo Turco, William Manning, and Gabby Turco, lectors

Sunday, February 9 | 11:15 a.m.Rev. John Unni, celebrantKaren McMenamy, Mark Richburg, and Xu Chen, lectors

Sunday, February 9 | 6:00 p.m.Rev. John Unni, celebrantHannah Ostwald and Spencer Dunne, lectors

OUR COMMUNITY NEWS

SPECIAL INTENTIONS

Saturday, February 8 | 5:00 p.m.David L. McElroy, 1st Anniversary

Sunday, February 9 | 8:00 a.m.John & Angelina Machado, Memorial

Sunday, February 9 | 9:30 a.m.Elizabeth W. Pino, 10th Anniversary

Sunday, February 9 | 9:30 a.m.George Nassour Jr., 20th Anniversary

Sunday, February 9 | 11:15 a.m.Marijane Troiani, Memorial

Wednesday, February 12 | 8:00 a.m.Donal Shine, MemorialChristy Lucey, MemorialGrainne MacNamara, MemorialDaniel Hallissey, Memorial

TODAY'S READINGS

Isaiah 58:7-101 Corinthians 2:1-5Matthew 5:13-16

NEXT SUNDAY'S READINGS

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

This week at Saint Cecilia

• Sunday, February 9 |Climate Justice Meeting 1:00 CL2 (p.6)

• Wednesday, February 12 |Evening Prayer, 6:30 in the Church (p.5)

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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, and Carole Acampora.

Welcome to Saint Cecilia Parish We are pleased to welcome the following new members of our parish who have recently registered: Shannon Mal-loy of Boston, Paula and Don Dickinson of Marshfield Hills, Paula Aduen of Boston, the Dempsey Family of Natick, and Matthew Klingman 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.stcecili-aboston.org.

First ReconciliationYesterday, twenty-nine of our youngsters who are preparing for First Holy Communion celebrated their first reconcilia-tion. Please keep these children in your prayer as they con-tinue to prepare and look forward to being welcomed to the table of the Lord's Body and Blood this May.

Evening PrayerEvening Prayer this week has been moved from Tuesday to Wednesday, February 12 at 6:30 for the Memorial of Saint Apollonia, whose statue graces the Parish Center stairwell, and who is the patron saint of dentists.

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.

World Marriage DayToday the Church celebrates World Marriage Day. Pray that all married couples will be blessed with the wis-dom to see, affirm, and appreciate the gift they are to each another.

Pray also for couples struggling with their marriage, that they might find the strength to work through their difficul-ties and recommit themselves to each other.

Scout Sunday – TodayThe Scouts of America has designated to-day as Scout Sunday, a date to recognize the contributions of young people and adults to Scouting. At this morning's 9:30 liturgy we are delighted to have seven members of Cub Scout Pack 74 and nine

members of Girl Scout Troop 65321 with us. These young men and women will be serving this morning as greeters and lectors. They will also be bringing forward our gifts of bread and wine along with food for the poor that they have collected. After the conclusion of Communion, Father John will bless Scout Sunday patches and distribute them to our Scouts. After Mass, there will be Girl Scouts in the Parish Hall selling everyone's favorite Girl Scout Cookies for just $5 per box. When you buy Girl Scout Cookies, you're helping to support new and unique experiences for girls and one-hundred percent of the proceeds from the sale of Girl Scout Cookies stays local. So be sure to say hello to our Scouts and stop by one of the tables in the Parish Hall.

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 [email protected] (617) 536-4548

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Social and Racial Justice

Ministry Upcoming Events

Saint Cecilia’s Climate Justice Group MeetingTODAY, Sunday, February 9 | 1:00 | Classroom 2The Climate Justice Group meets on the 2nd Sunday of each month to work on plans for climate education, events, and actions. Please join us!

Climate Change: A Course for Everyone Hosted by Northeastern University School of Public Policy and Urban AffairsWednesdays, January 8 - April 8 | 6:00–8:00 p.m. | West Village F, Room 20; also on Facebook LiveThis free and open course is intended to promote climate change education, resilience, and action. We will examine the basic science of climate change, its local and global impacts on the natural world, the built environment, and humankind, and strategies for preventing its worst outcomes while preparing for those we can no longer avoid. Our panels will include faculty experts, community practitioners, and youth leaders. Throughout the course, we will center the experiences of vulnerable communities already threatened by climate change and issues related to the ethical and equitable distribution of resources to address it. More Info: https://cssh.northeastern.edu/policyschool/myra-kraft-open-classroom/myra-kraft-spring-2020/

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 [email protected].

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 [email protected].

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.

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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!

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!

Are you a marriage/couples

counselor with wisdom to

share?

The Young Families ministry would love to connect with you! We are seeking the knowledge and experience of someone who does couples/family counseling to speak with our group about supporting your partnership after having children. If you might be able to help, or know someone who can, please email Erin and Aubrey at [email protected].

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 [email protected], 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 the Pine Street Inn in the South End. This vital ministry takes place at 7:30 a.m. 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 [email protected] if you can help out.

Mass Simulcast

Just a reminder that you can also participate in the 9:30 and 11:15 liturgies by watching the Mass being simulcast on large screens in the Parish Hall.

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 ([email protected])

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

[email protected]. 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

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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 ([email protected]) 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!

have thoughts on the future of

childcare at Saint Cecilia?

If the answer is yes, please fill out a quick online survey at bit.ly/stcschildcare. Saint Cecilia is preparing to offer childcare in the new Family Flex Center when it is operational for children up to approximately 5 years of

age, and we’d like to hear your ideas about the program. Please know that we won't be able to make all suggestions a reality, but we'd love to make sure we consider as much as possible. If you have any questions, you can email [email protected]. Thank you!

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

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.

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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

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

“Becoming 'Artisans of Peace’ in Parish Communities”Facilitators: Fr. Rocco Puopolo and Pat FerroneMonday, February 10 | 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. Saint Susanna Parish Hall | Free Will Offering

"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

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VIEWPOINT: BLACK HISTORY MONTH HAS A LITTLE KNOWN CATHOLIC HISTORY AS WELL

By SHANNEN DEE WILLIAMS

In 1949, famed Harlem Renaissance writer Langston Hughes celebrated Negro History Week (the precursor to Black History Month) with members of the Oblate Sisters of Providence and their students at the all black and Catholic St. Alphonsus School in Wilson, North Carolina.

“The Negro nuns had an assembly of tiny youngsters who did all by themselves a fine Negro History program,” Hughes wrote in the Chicago Defender one week later. And of particular delight to the esteemed poet had been the students’ apt recitation of his protest poem, “Freedom’s Plow.”

“Who is America?” the students chanted. “You, me! We are America!”

Originally published in 1943, “Freedom’s Plow” charted the long African American struggle for freedom, justice and equality from slavery to the present. During World War II, the poem had also served as a call to action for African Americans struggling against fascism abroad and at home.

That students at the St. Alphonsus School had studied and memorized this poem as part of their curriculum for Negro History Week in 1949 is more than noteworthy. It stands as a powerful testament to the visionary leadership of the nation’s black Catholic sisterhoods and their pioneering commitment to black historical truth telling within church boundaries.

During the Jim Crow era, schools administered by the African American sisterhoods became the first Catholic institutions to teach and celebrate black history and art in the United States. Perhaps of no great surprise, these black sister-led Catholic schools were also the first American educational institutions to teach and champion black Catholic history.

As a part of their annual Negro History Week celebrations, students at schools led by black nuns routinely performed skits documenting the pioneering history of black Catholics in the United States. On the high school level, students often wrote essays exploring the long and rich history of black Catholics in the church, especially in Africa, which became home to the world’s earliest Catholic churches and monasteries in the third and fourth centuries.

Like Carter G. Woodson, the founder of Negro History Week, black nuns understood the subversive power of black history

in the face of rampant discrimination, misrepresentation and erasure. Because many black nuns were the descendants of the free and enslaved black people whose labor and sales built the early American church, they also recognized how essential teaching black Catholic history was in the fight against racism in their church.

Despite the herculean efforts of the black sisterhoods and those who followed in their footsteps, the teaching of black and black Catholic history outside of predominantly black Catholic institutions remains rare in the contemporary church.

In the United States, where the roots of many black Catholics predate those of the vast majority of white and white ethnic Catholics by at least three centuries, popular and scholarly discussions and depictions of the American Catholic experience rarely include the church’s black faithful. At best, black Catholics are presented as historical anomalies. At worst, they are altogether erased.

As one major consequence, recent calls for the Catholic Church to confront and make reparation for its long-standing histories of slavery and segregation have been met with genuine shock and confusion by far too many Catholics, religious and lay alike. There are also still many people who sincerely believe that there are no African American Catholics.

These realities stand as searing indictments of the church’s enduring failure to tell the truth about itself and teach accurate and inclusive accounts of Catholic history in its schools, seminaries and parishes.

As we mark this 94th annual celebration of black history during February, I encourage all Catholics interested in justice, reconciliation and peace to commit to learning about the central place of black people in the church’s long and complex history.

Black history is and always has been Catholic history. It is time for the church to embrace this fundamental truth.

~ Shannen Dee Williams is the Albert Lepage assistant professor of history at Villanova University. She is completing her first book, Subversive Habits: Black Catholic Nuns in the Long African American Freedom Struggle, under contract with Duke University Press.

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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 | [email protected] | www.stceciliaboston.org

Parish StaffRev. John J. Unni, PastorLeah Bennett, Communications and Operations Coordinator,[email protected] Rev. Mr. Billy Biegler, SJ, Deacon [email protected] Donohoe, Pastoral Associate,[email protected] Duff, Director of Music, [email protected] Glynn, Director of College and Youth Ministry, [email protected],Xuan He, [email protected] Jacobson, [email protected] Kaye, Pastoral Director of Operations,[email protected] J. MacDonald, Director of Faith Formation and Parish Visibility, [email protected] Melaugh, Director of Finance,[email protected] Pickering, Director of Facilities and Events, [email protected]

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 ([email protected]), Maria Roche ([email protected]), Letitia Howland ([email protected]), or Erin Young ([email protected]) 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

For Advertising call 617-779-3771 Pilot Bulletins Saint Cecilia, Boston, MA 4338

“God is Love” 1 John 4:8

A good man is looking for a kidney.Looking for someone with

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Take your FAITH ON A JOURNEY

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Mass is included with all of our tours!

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“Whoever does not love does not know God, because God

is love.”

1 John 4:18


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All of our services are available to this wonderful parish community here in

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Family owned and operated for four generations

TThhee RReeaallttyy CCoonncciieerrggee Phone: 781.363.3759

[email protected]

Serving the Boston Real Estate market for over 25 years and

longtime parishioner!

Katherine Rielly, ABR

CCOOMMPPLLIIMMEENNTTAARRYY BBUUYYIINNGG OORR SSEELLLLIINNGG AANNAALLYYSSIISS!!

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A Full Service Law Firm Since 1934

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e Albrecht Family is a proud supporter of

St. Cecilia’sank you for all you do.

Edward F. Cahill, J.D., CFP®Financial Adviser*, Eagle Strategies LLC,

A Registered Investment Advisor

(978) 927-9352 | [email protected] 306 Cabot Street, Beverly, MA 01915

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EA Spry & Co., Inc. 54 Holton St. Woburn, MA 01801

Richard J. SpryParishioner

Main: 781-933-8250 Cell: 617-538-9038www.sprymoving.com

SPRYMOVING BOSTON

COMMERCIAL & RESIDENTIAL MOVING EXPERTS

[email protected]

J.T. Electrical ServicesResidential & Commercial Wiring

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Executive Vice President

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TeresaMadariaga

Bright Happy Designs for All AgesIllustration • Art Licensing • Character Design

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When patronizing our Sponsors let them know you saw them in the

Church Bulletin.

Support Local Business

Saint Cecilia - The Pilot...Grainne MacNamara, Memorial Daniel Hallissey, Memorial TODAY'S READINGS Isaiah 58:7-10 1 Corinthians 2:1-5 Matthew 5:13-16 NEXT SUNDAY'S READINGS Sirach

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