Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time26 August 2012

Jesus Christ - Ο ΧριστόςTraditional Mosaic

Saint CeciliaP A R I S H

Saint Cecilia Church BOSTON

Thursday August 30 7:00 p.m.

18, Belvedere Street, Boston MA 02115

Ministers of the Liturgy

Saturday | 5:00 p.m.Rev. Peter Grover, OMV, celebrantChris Orrell, lector

Sunday | 8:00 a.m.Rev. Thomas Gariepy, CSC, celebrantBob Mann, lector

Sunday | 9:30 a.m.Rev. James Shaughnessy, SJ, celebrant Rosaria Salerno, James Paradis, & Mary Kane, lectors

Sunday | 11:15 a.m.Celebrant TBDNicole Benevenia, Joe Castellano, & Christopher Loh, lectors

today’s readings

Joshua 24:1–2a, 15–17, 18bEphesians 5:21–32John 6:60–69

next sunday’s Readings

Deuteronomy 4:1 –2, 6–8James 1:17–18, 21b–22, 27Mark 7:1–8, 14–15, 21–23

special intentions

Sunday, August 26 | 11:15 a.m.John Robert St. Martin, Memorial

Wednesday, August 29 | 8:00 a.m.Estelle Puzzo, Memorial

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our community news

“IF IT DOES NOT PLEASE YOU TO SERVE THE LORD, DECIDE TODAY WHOM YOU WILL SERVE, THE GODS YOUR FATHERS

SERVED BEYOND THE RIVER OR THE GODS OF THE AMORITES IN WHOSE

COUNTRY YOU ARE NOW DWELLING. AS FOR ME AND MY HOUSEHOLD,

WE WILL SERVE THE LORD.”

JOSHUA 24:2

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Prayers & Occasions

Our DeceasedPray for the repose of the soul of Roy E. Curry who died on August 2. Pray also for the consolation of David, Marcie, and Sean Curry. May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

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

Mullen, Thomas Corrigan, Fernando Luis Riganti, Frank DeMare, Carmela Franchi, Little Tommy Sullivan, Kathy K., Julie Zaino, & Ruth Frost.

Congratulations, Sheila!Mayor Thomas M. Menino has selected Sheila Dillon as the new director of Boston’s Department of Neighborhood Development. Sheila has held a number of positions for the city, most recently as Rental Assistance Bureau director at the state’s Department of Housing and Community Develop-ment. She also once served as deputy director of DND.This agency oversees federal housing funds, administers contracts for construction services, and disposes of surplus city land and properties. Congratulations, Sheila!

Happy Anniversary, Cardinal Seán!This Wednesday is Cardinal Seán’s forty–secondanniversary of ordination to the priesthood. Cardinal Seán was ordained a priest in the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin on August 29, 1970. Remember the Cardinal and his intentions in your prayer. For Those Returning to SchoolPray for all students and teachers who are return-ing to the classroom. In three weeks we resume our six o’clock liturgy and are looking forward to welcoming back our college students.

For Those Who Suffer LossPray for all who have lost homes, jobs, or ended relationships because of economic strains: that God will heal their pain, renew their hope, and guide them as they rebuild their lives.

Evening Prayer This TuesdayThis Tuesday is the memorial of Saint Augustine of Hippo and we will pray Vespers at six-thirty. All are welcome!

Weekday MassMass is celebrated each week on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday mornings at eight o’clock.

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parishioner participating in habitat for humanity trip

A member of our community, Jeff Julia, will be traveling to Haiti in November on a week-long build trip with Habitat for Humanity. Out of thousands of applicants, Jeff was accepted to participate in this exclusive trip. Thus far, he has fundraised over 90% of the $5,000 trip cost. We commend his efforts and invite you to visit his trip profile page to learn more about how you can help. www.share.habitat.org/cwp2012participants88.

faith day at fenway park

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 9

You are invited to Fenway Park on Sunday September 9 for Faith Day, a FREE event where people of faith can join together to enjoy music and fellowship. The event will feature a time of worship and testi-monies by Adrian Gonzalez, Mark Melancon, Jarrod Saltalamacchia and other Red Sox players.The event will begin shortly after the conclusion of the Red Sox game (approximately 5:30 p.m.), when Gate D (cor-ner of Yawkey Way and Van Ness Street), will open to welcome guests. Rsvp by September 1 by e-mailing faithday@redsox.com.

english teacher wanted

EduBoston, an organization that supports high school students from China enrolled at Catholic high schools throughout Greater Boston, is looking for an after school English teacher for their students at Archbish-op Williams High School in Braintree, MA. The posi-tion is for the entire school year from 2:30-4:30 each day. Prior English teaching experience is preferred but not required. Interested candidates should e-mail their resumes to Sean Leary, EduBoston General Man-ager, at edubostonseanl@gmail.com.

mother’s helper wanted

Mother’s helper wanted for Monday through Thursday mornings, 7:00—9:30 and Wednesday and Thursday afternoons, 1:30—6:30. Candidate must have a valid drivers license and have access to public transporta-tion. Responsibilities would include picking children up from school, giving them dinner, taking them to after school activities, baths, etc. For more informa-tion, please contact Sherine at sherineandgeorge@yahoo.com or at (617) 519-5176.

new choir members wanted

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

save the date!

Saint Rose School in Chelsea is commemorating their 140th anniversary with a gala celebration on Saturday evening, September 29 from six to nine o’clock. The evening will include cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, and a silent auction/raffle. Our parish-ioner, Caitlin Keeton, is the principal of Saint Rose School, so let’s show our support for Caitlin and the good work she and her staff do for the families of Saint Rose Parish. Be sure to watch the bulletin for more information about online ticket sales.

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volunteering at pine street inn

Our parish has committed to volunteering at the Pine Street Men’s Inn one night a month throughout 2012. Because of our proximity to the shelter, we often are assigned evenings that are difficult for the Inn’s other groups to fill. Next month we will be at the Men’s Inn on Saturday, September 8. There are eight slots open for volunteer parishioners to assist in feeding the poor at Pine Street Men’s Inn. We will be interacting with the agency’s clients at Pine Street by plating meals in a cafeteria-style setting at the shelter. If you would like to join us from 4:45 to 6:30 p.m. on Harrison Avenue in the South End, please contact Mark Lippolt at mlippolt@hammondre.com for more information. Some parking is available at the shelter. In your e-mail, please let us know if you can help with carpooling.

drivers needed

Each month parishioners have the opportunity to pick up donated meat, dairy products, and produce from a South Shore supermarket and baked goods from Whole Foods and deliver it to Catholic Charities’ Haitian Multi-Service Center in Dorchester along with the packaged food items donated at Saint Cecilia. This vital ministry takes place on Sunday mornings at seven-thirty and can be completed in time to attend the nine-thirty parish Mass. We need four cars each time we deliver to Catholic Charities. Here are our upcoming dates:

September 2 (Labor Day Weekend)• September 16• September 30•

If you have a car and are interested in volunteering, please contact Mark Lippolt at mlippolt@hammondre.com.

book launch

BOOK LAUNCH AT THE SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY & MINISTRY AT BOSTON COLLEGE

Tuesday, September 25 | 5:30 p.m.

Presenters | Richard J. Clifford, SJ, Daniel J. Harrington, SJ, and Pheme Perkins

Location | Heights Room, Corcoran Commons, Chestnut Hill Campus

Thanks to the work of three Boston College profes-sors, Paulist Press, the country’s largest Catholic publisher, has just released revisions of two of the most popular introductions to the Bible. Reading the Old Testament: An Introduction, by Lawrence Boadt and originally published in 1984, has been revised by Richard Clifford, SJ and Daniel Harrington, SJ and Reading the New Testament: An Introduction, was written by and has been newly revised by Pheme Perkins. In celebrating this achievement, these three presenters reflect on how to make the Bible attrac-tive and spiritually meaningful to a new generation of Catholics.

Richard J. Clifford, SJ, is STM professor of Old Testament, Daniel J. Harrington, SJ, is STM professor of New Testament, and Pheme Perkins is professor of theology, Boston College Theology Department.

LECTURE AT BOSTON COLLEGE

AN ARCHBISHOP’S PERSPECTIVE ON HANDING ON THE FAITH

Monday, October 1 | 4:30 p.m.

Presenter | The Most Rev. Harry J. Flynn

Location | Gasson Hall, Room 100, Chestnut Hill Campus

As part of The Church in the 21st Century Center’s Episcopal Visitor Program, the Most Rev. Harry J. Flynn, Archbishop Emeritus of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, shares his reflections on hand-ing on the faith in the 21st century, drawn from more than 20 years of experience as a bishop. To register, e-mail church21@bc.edu.

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the rich … and heaven

WHY IS IT HARD FOR THE RICH TO ENTER HEAVEN?

By JAMES MARTIN, SJ

“It will be hard for one who is rich to enter the Kingdom of Heaven,” Jesus says today. “Again I say to you: It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for one who is rich to en ter the Kingdom of Heaven.”

The more I’ve thought about this passage (Mt. 19:23-30) over the years, the more it seems that Jesus is not being condemnatory, as much as he is simply stating a fact. It’s not that he hates rich people as much as he pities them. His ministry is always about compassion.

Why does he pity them? Because Jesus knows that the more someone is tied to wealth (or possessions or status or power) the less one is tied to God. In his classic text The Spiritual Exercises, St. Ignatius Loyola talked about “disordered attachments.” We can all become excessively “attached” to the desire for wealth, or on physical well-being, or advancing up the corporate ladder in a way that is not “ordered” towards God. How do we know when our attachments are “disordered”? When they prevent us from moving closer to God, from loving more and from being free. Anything that keeps us from following God, as Jesus tells the “rich young man,” in another Gospel pas-sage, needs to be relinquished. The rich young man knows this intuitively. That’s why in the story, he “goes away sad.”

The disciples know that this is hard. They’re not stupid. “Then who can be saved?” they ask. Jesus tells them that they will be able to do this with God’s grace. Even the things that we think we cannot pos-sibly live without, turn out to be not so important at all, in the light of God’s love.

Everyone needs some possessions and some money in order to live. Of course. Jesus worked for most of his life as a carpenter (or craftsman) in Nazareth. In fact, he worked a lot longer as a carpenter than he did as a preacher. He wasn’t stupid either. Jesus knew what it meant to earn your “daily bread.” But most likely, he also had seen what happens when people cling to wealth. So in the Gospel, in his typi-cally blunt style, Jesus is telling us what to do: Let go of stuff. Don’t be attached to wealth. Be free.

dinner in celebration of the priesthood

On Wednesday, September 26 at five-thirty, the Archdiocese of Boston will host the third annual dinner in Celebration of the Priesthood at the Sea-port World Trade Center. The proceeds of this event will directly benefit the Clergy Funds, which supports the health, financial and retirement benefits of the nearly 700 active and senior priests in the Archdio-cese of Boston. The dinner is an opportunity to honor the many beloved priests who serve or have served in our parishes, schools, and communities throughout the Archdiocese. It also raises needed revenue for the Clergy Funds, which provide for the health, welfare, and retirement benefits of all our active and senior priests in the Archdiocese. Last year’s event brought together over 1,200 attendees and raised $1 million in support of the needs of the hundreds of diocesan priests who have dedicated their lives in service to God and His Church.

Tickets for the event can be purchased for $375 each and all sponsorship opportunities are listed at www.CelebrationOfThePriesthood.org. Parishioners are encouraged to purchase tables or give a gift in honor of the priests who serve in their community. For more information, please contact Arlene Dubrowski at events@rcab.org or (617) 779-3733.

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By RABBI ADAM JACOBS

Most spiritual traditions have a structured methodology through which they strive to make personal or collective contact with the Divine. This practice is commonly referred to as prayer or meditation, and while many might not agree with a particular practice or the enterprise in general, very large swaths of humanity looks upon it as valuable and pur-poseful.

There are two problems with the common perception of prayer. One is that if you be-lieve that God answers prayers, then why is it that we so often fail to receive what we have requested? And if you believe that God will always do what’s best for us regardless of what we choose to ask for, then what is the purpose of the peti-tion in the first place?

In truth, the notion that focused communication with the Infinite would find its fullest expression in solici-tations for “stuff” misses the point by a country mile.

In classical Judaism, though we may have expected it, there does not always appear to be a natural correlation between righteousness and Divine wish fulfillment. For instance, in the book of Genesis, three out of the four Matriarchs—Sarah, Rebecca and Rachel—have a very hard time conceiving children. Commenting on this, the Talmud notes that “God desires the prayers of the righteous.” But why? It cer-tainly can’t be for His sake. The Jewish conception of God is of an infinite, loving, creating and sustaining force that needs nothing. The collective beseechings of all of humanity, cannot, by definition, help Him one iota—after all, infinite plus 10 is still infinite.

The obvious alternative conclusion is that He desires these prayers not for Himself but for the one pray-

ing, and that the lack that we all experience (health issues, financial hardship, failing relationships, et al) has been presented to the supplicant simply as a vehicle to initi-ate the dialogue. What then, could be so important in this communication that would prompt the Almighty to send these wake-up messages and cause us to contend with so many unwanted and painful challenges?

In the Hebrew language, the word “to pray” is lehitpalel. Interestingly, it is a reflexive

verb—something that you do to yourself. The root of the word, palal, means “to judge,” rendering the actual translation of prayer as something more akin to self-evaluation. Therefore, when a person stands before God to communicate, she is taking stock of her capabilities, current level of spiritual conscious-ness and willingness to accept reality for what it truly is. The deeper notion is that we are willfully trying to integrate the inescapable fact that we are utterly dependent on the Creator.

For instance, we can intend to get up and go to work, but there are countless external factors (which are beyond our control) that could easily conspire to thwart that intention. Our own lack, and the real-ization that the smartest, bravest and most capable people on Earth are essentially powerless to alter their circumstances without outside assistance, forces the one praying to grasp the greatness of the Provider and the great chasm that yawns between where (and Who) He is and what we and our capabili-ties really are. As the Talmud also teaches, “all is in the hands of Heaven, except the fear of Heaven.” Fear in this context means a fear of loosing the con-nection with Heaven. It’s explaining that, try as we might and though it may seem counter-intuitive, we

Prayer: It’s Not What You ThinkIf you believe that God answers prayers, then why is it that we so often fail to receive what we have requested?

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have precisely zero control over what occurs around us. In actuality, the only thing that we can control is how we react to what is occurring to us.

This is an exceedingly valuable lesson to learn. Our illusion of control causes us untold amounts of pain and confusion. How many individuals have help-lessly wondered, “Why is this happening to me?” How many people seethe in anger when spoken to in the wrong tone, or when they lose a job, or even when it rains at an inconvenient time? One who has fully integrated his or her true dependent status is humble, is emotionally unaffected by these difficul-ties, and grasps a firm rudder to navigate through life’s unceasing vicissitudes. True joy comes from being anchored to what is certain. Unfortunately, virtually all that we experience in this short plane of our existence does not fall into that category. This is well understood—“here today, gone tomorrow,” as the saying goes—and along with the loss, change or departure of that which we love, goes the equanimity of most people. Tefilah, the noun form of this process of self-evaluation, helps us come to terms with this reality—and then transcend it.

This transcendence, and the pleasure that comes along with it, is commensurate with the extent to which one is able to integrate the truth of the one unchanging Force of reality that some of us choose to call God. There are myriad benefits embedded in this realization, including: peace of mind, patience, lack of the need to judge, calmness and optimism. The natural alternative is what Freud described in a letter to Marie Bonaparte: “The moment a man ques-tions the meaning and value of life, he is sick, since objectively neither has any existence.” That is how the clear-thinking individual feels when he or she fully accepts the void—sans the God anchor. Without that rooting, life is intrinsically chaotic, unpredict-able and upsetting. With it, those same challenging experiences are just hurdles to be scaled for the sake of an underlying good.

Crosby, Stills and Nash once sang that “confusion has its costs.” And it does. As the Talmud under-stands matters, “there is no joy like the resolution of doubt.” Our version of prayer is a key vehicle to promote that resolution, and the joy that follows in its wake.

Rabbi Adam Jacobs is the Managing Director of the Aish Center in Man-hattan. He writes and teaches about the uplifting, beautiful and unex-pected aspects of the Jewish tradition. He is the author of the book, 128 Reflections: Judaism’s Essential Wisdom on Personal Growth.

LASTING JOYBy GERALD DARRING

The opening prayer tells us what to consider in our reflection on the readings: “the values that will bring us lasting joy in this changing world.” What are our values? What is important to us? To put it another way: Who or what is our god?

The Israelites were tempted to serve other gods, for they were in a new land occupied by the worshipers of idols. Joshua challenged them to serve only YHWH, and they accepted the challenge: “Far be it from us to forsake the Lord for the service of other gods.”

Jesus challenged his followers to believe in the one, true God: “Does it shake your faith?” he asked them. Peter responds for the others, saying that they will not forsake Jesus, who has the words of eternal life.

Jesus challenges us also to remain faithful to the one God. There are many in the world who worship other gods: power, money, pleasure, comfort, security, self-interest. Our prayer is that “all these attractions of a changing world serve only to bring us the peace of your Kingdom which this world does not give.” We want to say with Joshua and his people: “We will serve the Lord.”

“If certain forms of modern ‘imperialism’ were considered in the light of these moral criteria, we would see that hidden behind certain deci-sions, apparently inspired only by economics or politics, are real forms of idolatry: of money, ideology, class, technology.”

Pope John Paul II Sollicitudo Rei Socialis, 1987: 37

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Child Abuse Prevention (CAP) TeamThe CAP Team is responsible for training all parish staff and volunteers in mandated reporting laws and the Protecting God’s Children program (VIRTUS). They also provide consultation and support to anyone in the parish who has concerns about reporting child abuse and neglect. Please contact Lois Flaherty (loisflaherty@gmail.com), Ginny DiSanto (gin250boston@gmail.com) or Peg Quilty (nursempeg@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 dangerous situations. The full text of the policy is also available in the narthex and parish office, as well as on our website.

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

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

Access for the DisabledThe church is accessible by elevator.

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

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