LENT
at Sacred Heart and Our Lady's
to Lent in our Collaborative
We warmly welcome you as we journey together this Lenten Season of repentance, renewal, and preparation.
Lent is a 40-day season of preparation for the liturgical celebration of the suffering, death, and Resurrection of Jesus.
Mark 1:12-13
"The Spirit drove Jesus out into the desert, and he remained in the desert for forty days, tempted by Satan."
Mark 1:15 records the inspired summary of Jesus' message as He began His ministry: “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”
The ashes we receive on Ash Wednesday are a sign of repentance and of our willingness to change by praying, fasting, and almsgiving. Know that we are journeying with you throughout this sacred season.
Blessings,
The SHOL Newton Staff
Ash Wednesday, February 14, 2024
Lent got off to a great start! It was so nice to see so many worshippers getting their ashes.
Praying Links
Faith Sharing
Eucharistic Revival
Prayer for Lent
Weekly Gospel Reflection
Soup and Stations
Lenten Retreat
Easter Mass Times
A Prayer for Lent
Jesus, please walk with me on this Lenten journey. I want to begin it with a generous heart, willing to share what I have with those in need. I want to pray often and reach out to all those who need me. Loving Savior, You are calling me to grow in holiness this Lent. May I daily say "no" to sin and selfishness and "yes" to You and Your Will for me. Help me to walk this journey with patience and kindness toward my family, my co-workers, and all my friends and neighbors. Jesus, show me the way. Teach me to fast, to share, and to pray this Lent. Amen.
Prayer copyright Prospect Hill Company
In this season of Lent, please keep in your prayers all those who will be joining the Catholic Church this year at the Easter Vigil, most especially those who will do so in our community: Scott Johnson, Alex Johnson, Jackson Achttien, Jasmine Achttien, Kaylee Scott-Pennington, Melanie Keane, Theodore Johnson, Julie Crantz, Blair Baker, Simon Baker, Kevin To, Michael Palkiwhala, Melanie Estrada, Brandon Estrada, Aaron Yung, Brendan Yung, Luca Nicola, Naomi Huang, and Liam Vitti.
In addition, please pray for Valencia DiTomasso, Nia Nicola, Maggie Elliott, and Almendra Carbajal, who will be deepening their relationship to Christ and His Church through Confirmation and/or First Communion.
The season of Lent involves a more intense period of examination and preparation for these people, and hopefully for all of us who are living our Catholic faith!
Eucharistic Revival at Our Parishes
Starting in Lent, our collaborative will give thought to the three-year Eucharistic Revival ongoing in the Church in the United States. The Eucharist is not merely a symbol, an “it”, but rather an encounter with the Divine Who, Jesus Christ. As Pope Francis notes:
“in the warmth of His Presence, our lives change. Without Him, everything would be truly gray.”
With the hope of renewing and strengthening our understanding of this great Gift, and rekindling our fire of gratitude, we invite you to meditate upon Eucharistic quotes in the bulletin and Flocknote during the weeks of Lent, and to visit some of the resources and websites highlighted.
We hope that you enjoyed these quiet evenings of Adoration!
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Make This Lent Special! Join a Small Faith Group
Faith-sharing sessions are sure to bring much joy and insight into your Lenten journey! Groups meet for 60-90 minutes, once a week for 6 weeks beginning February 11th and finishing around Palm Sunday.
Session times:
All sessions are open to parishioners across the collaborative. If you would like to join a small faith group, please contact Ginny Arpino at garpino@sholnewton.org
Reflection for the Fourth Sunday of Lent
Jesus presents us with an amazing paradox in today’s Gospel. He tells us that only by death comes life; only by spending our life do we preserve it; and only through service will come greatness. In this Gospel, Jesus calls us to live in a way that goes counter to what the world preaches. We will find life if we live by his word. In the remaining days of Lent, pray for the grace to make the necessary changes in your life to live in imitation of Christ.
"Unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat; but if it dies, it produces much fruit." John 12:24
Reflection for the Fourth Sunday of Lent
Oftentimes at sports events, people hold up a sign “John 3:16” to be shown on a jumbotron! It’s likely that many people do not know what John 3:16 is, let alone what the text says! We’re given that text in today’s Gospel. This text is given to us to remind us of the extent of God’s love, the length to which our God went to convince us of his love. All are included in God’s vast inclusive love. God loves each one of us as if we were the only one in the world to be loved. As Lent continues take a few minutes to ponder God’s all-inclusive love for you. How will you respond to that love?
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Reflection for the Third Sunday of Lent
In today’s Gospel, Jesus may come across as harsh. Jesus knew well the wrongs and injustices that were prevalent in some temple practices. His action is meant to highlight those who made it difficult, if not impossible, for people to feel welcome in the house of God. Are our attitudes or ways of behaving as church or as parish seen as snobbish or impersonal or unwelcoming?
In our efforts to be a welcoming and evangelizing parish, it is important that each of us examine our attitudes and work to change what might keep people from feeling at home with us. During these Lenten days let us make it our mission to make our parish a place where everyone has a place, and no one feels excluded.
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Reflection for the Second Sunday of Lent
The readings this week deserve to be read and reread and pondered. "God put Abraham to the test." Those words have an ominous sound, ones that sound worrisome. Think about what it feels like to say:
God put (insert YOUR name) to the test
What might that test look like in your life? How are you tested? How do you respond to difficult situations God asks you to face? In our Gospel, we hear God speak, "This is my beloved Son. Listen to Himi." As you begin this second week of Lent, listen attentively to what Jesus speaks to you, or asks of you. The important message in our readings today is that God is faithful no matter the circumstances and trials we face.
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Reflection for the First Sunday of Lent
Jesus In today's first reading we are given a beautiful reminder
that every time we see a rainbow in the sky, God is reminding us of His covenant, his promise, to be with us. Like Christ, we will experience times of temptation to ignore the need for prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. Our scriptures are meant to help us remember God's promise of fidelity so that we don't succumb to the temptations of ignoring the call to change our ways. To remember God's promise to be with you, place a rainbow in a prominent place to remind you that you can overcome any temptation, because God is with you.
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Lenten Soup & Stations of the Cross
Do the Stations of the Cross seem old-fashioned and irrelevant to our lives today? Come and see how significant they are for us in 2024!
Share an important part of our Catholic tradition with your family!
Make this a part of your Lenten sacrifice and celebration!
Enjoy an evening with fellow parishioners!
Bring your children and your neighbors!
All are welcome, and all are invited! This event is for people of all ages and faith experiences! Come and enjoy a simple Lenten Supper, followed by the Stations of the Cross
Menu: Vegetable soup and macaroni & cheese, with bread and butter
Cost: Free (Optional: bring a food donation for a local pantry)
The Stations of the Cross will be geared toward and appropriate for children and will be relevant to contemporary living.
RSVP to Kristina Preman at kpreman@sholnewton.org
Pictures from Soup and Stations at Sacred Heart March 1st
Thanks to everyone who came out for a beautiful evening of prayer and contemplation on March 1st at Sacred Heart. For pictures of the event, click here: Sacred Heart Soup and Stations
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Additional Opportunities for Stations of the Cross
Good Friday Stations at Sacred Heart
on March 29th at 12 Noon
Or watch the Stations from previous years on our YouTube Channel
Stations of the Cross at Our Lady's 2020
Stations of the Cross at Sacred Heart 2021
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Lenten Retreat with Fr. Bart Geger
Saturday, March 23, 8:30am-3:30pm at Our Lady’s
The Christian Cross is a paradox. Jesus warns us that we must be prepared to follow his example of suffering and sacrifice in service to the Father. And yet, at the same time, Jesus assures us that His yoke is easy and His burden is light. In this one-day retreat, we will prayerfully contemplate the paradox through the eyes of St. Ignatius Loyola, who had pleaded with the Blessed Mother that she place Ignatius with her Son in His one great act of carrying His cross.
All are welcome, age 16 and older. Retreat facilitated by Fr. Bart Geger, S.J., and sponsored by the WWP Women’s Bible Study.
To register: Please email retreat@sholnewton.org or call 617-527-7560 ext. 221
Deadline: Tuesday, March 19
Cost: This event is FREE
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Holy Week and Easter Mass Times
At Sacred Heart
Holy Thursday – March 28
7:30pm Mass of the Lord’s Supper, followed by Eucharistic Adoration ending at 9:30pm
Good Friday – March 29
12:00pm Stations of the Cross
7:30pm Liturgy of the Lord’s Passion
Holy Saturday – March 30
7:30pm Solemn Vigil of Easter
Easter Sunday – March 31
9:30am Mass
11:30am Mass
Holy Week and Easter Mass Times
At Our Lady's
Holy Thursday – March 28
7:30pm Mass of the Lord’s Supper, followed by Eucharistic Adoration ending at 10:30pm
Good Friday – March 29
3:00pm Liturgy of the Lord's Passion (modified for children)
7:30pm Liturgy of the Lord’s Passion
Holy Saturday – March 30
7:30pm Solemn Vigil of Easter
Easter Sunday – March 31
8:00am Mass
10:00am Mass
12:00pm Mass
(Reminder: There is NO 6pm Mass on Easter)
What About Fasting and Abstinence?
Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are obligatory days of fasting and abstinence for Catholics.
In addition, Fridays during Lent are obligatory days of abstinence.
For members of our Roman Catholic Church, the norms on fasting are obligatory from age 18 until age 59, with exceptions for reasons of illness, pregnancy, and breastfeeding. When fasting, a person is permitted to eat one full meal, as well as two smaller meals that together are not equal to a full meal.
The norms concerning abstinence from meat are binding upon members of our Roman Catholic Church from age 14 onwards, with exceptions as stated above (illness, pregnancy, and breastfeeding).
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Collaborative Green Team: What is Your Lent Plan?
Pope Francis, in Laudato Si’, 222, wrote:
“Christian spirituality proposes an alternative understanding of the quality of life, and encourages a prophetic and contemplative lifestyle, one capable of deep enjoyment free of the obsession with consumption.”
During Lent, we’re invited to lift our eyes above the daily grind and see the gifts God has already given us: people who care, opportunities to enrich our lives, the beauty of nature. In Pope Francis’ words, we are asked to begin a journey of ecological conversion that can bring us to inner peace.
As we fast during Lent, let us call to mind our holy obligation to care for God’s creation. Building sustainable food habits is one of the most important things we can do to mitigate the climate crisis. Small changes in eating habits (abstaining from meat, choosing food with recyclable or compostable packaging, choosing locally-sourced foods) can collectively make a big difference.
Parishioners Monika Sawicka (SH) and Alexander Lee (OL) have started a collaborative ministry focused on environmental action and care for creation. If you would be interested in sharing your ideas or joining a group for this effort, which grows out of Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si’ and apostolic exhortation Laudato Deum, please email Alexander at alee@alexanderplee.com.
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The Lenten Fish Fry is BACK!
When: Friday, March 15th from 5:30 - 8:30 PM
Where: At Sacred heart's MacKenzie Center, 1337 Centre St.
Cost: $15 for Adults, $5 for kids (12 and under)
Menu: Homemade Fish 'n' Chips, Hushpuppies, Grilled Cheese option for kids.
Cash bar.
Please feel free to bring a finger-food dessert to share!
Free games with prizes!
Questions? Contact Gina at gchaimanis@sholnewton.org
The Christian Service Committee Egg Tree
Next weekend, the Egg Tree once again will grace the back of Our Lady's church. We invite you to take an egg and return the item listed inside to church the weekend of March 16 and 17 by noon. From your generous contributions, Easter baskets will be assembled and delivered to our fellow parishioners no longer able to worship with us due to age, illness, incapacity. Let them know they are not forgotten! Monies collected will be donated to Catholic Charities. Thanks so much for your ongoing support!
The egg tree in 2023
As we prepare for our most holy day, we are planning to offer Easter outreach to our neighbors in need once again, this time by providing grocery gift cards.
Please consider helping us support approximately 90 families in need by donating food cards. Donors are asked to purchase
Stop & Shop food cards, depending on how large a family they’d like to support, and to return them to one of the parish offices no later than Monday, March 18.
If you are willing to assist, please visit our Sign-Up Genius page by clicking the following link:
or email Kristina Preman at:
If you have any questions or need help, please contact Kristina by phone at 617-527-7560 ext.216.
We are grateful for your help in making life a bit easier for families as we celebrate our greatest feast at Easter. Thank you for your willingness to share your resources with our neighbors in need!
This outreach is being coordinated and provided by the parishes, in conjunction with the St. Vincent de Paul Society.
Living Lent
During this Lenten season, our Religious Education families have been invited to practice almsgiving through the Catholic Relief Services Rice Bowl program. This year, CRS Rice Bowl invites us to meet people in Uganda, El Salvador, and Indonesia who are working hard to overcome the challenges of hunger and the impact of climate change. If you are not involved in RE but would like to take part, please contact one of the staff (Kristina, Marissa, Ginny, or Gina) to get your own Rice Bowl.
Let’s reflect on our connectedness as one family in Christ and work together to ensure our sisters and brothers worldwide can thrive. Visit crsricebowl.org to learn more.
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Catholic Relief Services (CRS) Rice Bowl
Ash Wednesday Special Collection for Catholic Charities
This Ash Wednesday, a special collection will be taken up for Catholic Charities Boston. Catholic Charities helps thousands of families within our own communities who are facing critical challenges–– homelessness, food insecurity, poverty, lack of affordable childcare, access to education and job training, legal advocacy and support for refugees and immigrants––to achieve stability and reach self-sufficiency. Any amount directly helps our neighbors in need.
For more information, visit:
Catholic Charities Boston (by clicking on the link)
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