Worship

Our Bulletin is being redesigned with the goal to make it more clear and welcoming. Page One now contains liturgical information; Page Two focuses on Religious Ed and Youth news; Page Three reports other news; and Page Four holds Deacon Mike's column, finance news, and other OLOS information. The cover is also being refreshed -- it will be ready shortly.

Mary Magdalene, or Mary of Magdala, plays an important role in the gospel accounts of the resurrection. She was obviously a significant follower of Jesus, being named as a witness to the crucifixion, discovering the empty tomb and the first to encounter the risen Christ. One would think that she would hold a prestigious place in the Church, but for many years she was confused with another character identified in the gospels and was portrayed as a prostitute and sinner. Mary is named in each of the four gospels and not once is it indicated that she was a sinner or prostitute. She has been a victim of mistaken identity for 2000 years.

Thank you to everyone from OLOS Parish and Cottage Street School who helped put on last Sunday’s benefit bake sale and coffee social for the Loftus family. It was a great success.

Monday, March 24

7:30–9 pm. Confirmation I Rel Ed in O’Connell Hall

Wednesday March 26

7:30–9 pm. Rel Ed Commission Meeting, Bullock Ctr.

Saturday, March 29

8:30–12:30 pm Service trip to Cradles to Crayons. We will meet at the church parking lot at 8:30 a.m. and travel together as a group to Cradles to Crayons. Parents can plan to pick up their children outside the Youth Center at 12:30 p.m.

Sunday, March 30

10:30–11:30am Religious Education for grades Pre-K – 5

Adult Faith Formation meets in O’Connell.

Sunday, March 30

6:30–7:45pm Religious Education for grades 6, 7, & 8. at Cottage Street School

Saturday, April 5

9:00 – 8:45pm Confirmation I Retreat at Miramar Retreat Center in Duxbury, MA. We will meet at the church parking lot at 9:00 a.m. and plan to return to OLOS at approx. 8:45 p.m. in the evening. All students in the

Confirmation I program are expected to participate in the retreat. For more information, please call the Youth Ministry Office at 781-784-2206.

Sunday, April 6

10:00–2:45pm Service project to St. Paul’s Kitchen to prepare and serve a meal for approximately 100 people. We will meet at the church parking lot at 10 a.m. to travel as a group to St. Paul’s Kitchen in Brockton, MA. Parents can plan to pick up their children at 2:45 p.m. outside the Youth Center.

Sunday, April 6

1:00 - 3:00pm Important Parent Meeting in O’Connell Hall for parents of students in grades 4-8. A detailed letter will be mailed to your home this coming week.

Sunday, March 30

10:30-11:30am Next Adult Faith Formation session

features the OLOS Bible Study Group -

O’Connell Hall

Help Victims of Hurricane Katrina, June 29 - July 5

Parishioners in the 8th grade through the 12th grade and adults are invited to help victims of Hurricane Katrina this summer, June 29th - July 5th. The parish is hoping to join other churches from the Archdiocese of Boston who have already committed to help with this effort. If you are interested and would like to learn more about this trip, please contact Kerry Payson in the Youth Ministry Office at 781-784-2206 or at kpayson280@comcast.net by Wednesday, March 26th.

This year, once again, we will celebrate First Communion at various regularly scheduled parish Masses during the Easter Season. We will celebrate First Communion at the 4:30 pm Mass on April 5 and 12, at the 11:30 am Mass on April 6 and the 9:30 am Mass on April 13.

Why celebrate First Communion during the Easter season? Since First Communion is about initiation, the Easter Season is an appropriate time to celebrate it as well as the other sacraments of initiation - Baptism and Confirmation. We will celebrate Baptism on March 30 and Confirmation on May 2 - all in the Easter Season. We will even have a Baptism at one of the First Communion Masses - 11:30 am on April 6. What a joyful time to celebrate these sacraments of initiation!

Why celebrate First Communion at regularly scheduled parish Masses? Why not have "separate" and "special" Masses for First Communion? The key to the answer lies in our belief that Baptism is a sacrament of initiation - initiation into the worshipping community of faith. Separate First Communion Masses and some of the customs surrounding them often give the impression that receiving Communion is a once-in-a-lifetime event like a baptism or a wedding. The children are being initiated into the ongoing sacramental life of the parish. It is important for the parish community to be part of the Eucharistic celebration during which the children will share for the first time at the Eucharistic table.

First Communion is a significant moment both for the children and for the whole parish community. It's a time for the whole gathered assembly to welcome these children to the table of the Lord. We do so with great joy! May the community's active presence and participation at the Eucharistic celebrations during which the children will share for the first time at the Eucharistic table cause all of us to reflect on the gift of the Eucharist in our own lives and in the life of our parish community.

Knights of Columbus Coordinating Pasta Dinner Benefit for OLOS Parishioner

The Knights of Columbus are assisting Our Lady of Sorrows in planning a benefit Pasta Dinner on Saturday, April 12, 5:30 - 7:30 pm in O'Connell Hall. The goal is to raise $2,400 to assist a member of Our Lady of Sorrows Parish in paying off the balance due on a hospital bed which she needed. The parish helped with the down payment and some of the payments, but we would like to help her pay the balance so that she is not burdened by usurious financing fees. Minimum donation for the Pasta Dinner is $5/adult and $10/family. Tickets are available from Joe Fontes (781-784-5316) or at the rectory.

Thank You - Steve Fratello

After many years of sharing his time and talent as a member of the Parish Pastoral Council and advising the staff and the Parish Finance Council on maintenance issues with regard to parish facilities, Steve Fratello is finishing up with this work. Steve has indicated his willingness to still advise on "special projects". Steve and his wife, Val, along with their children Anna and Ben, remain as committed members of the parish. We owe a debt of gratitude to Steve for sharing his time and talent with the parish.

Facilities Committee

Fr. Scott is looking for parishioners who would be interested in sharing their time and talent with the parish as a member of the Facilities Committee. This group advises Fr. Scott and the Parish Finance Council on the parish's short and long term maintenance needs and improvements. Ideally, we would like people who are building contractors or in any of the various building trades. If you are interested, please contact Fr. Scott (olosparish@aol.com or 781-784-2265).

Easter Flower Memorial Donations

Thank you to everyone who contributed memorial donations to honor their deceased loved ones. To date, $795 has been contributed in memory of the following: Scott Silberman, Anna Croxford & Robert Silva, Tony Santos, Joseph & Kathryn Driscoll, Mary & Joe Skiendiel, Marilyn & Peter Kirouac, Bernard J. Earley, Andrew Maniscalco, Helen & John Maniscalco, Mary L. Thomas, Joseph D. Clarkin, Lucy Gyves, Clifford DeCoste, Sharamitaro family, Barbara & Bob Giglio, Theresa & Ernest Venti, Cronin family, Anthony & Anna Capello, Everett Paradise, Regina & Edward Pasternack, the Oliver family, Livia DiBona & Kay Croke, Sergio Hernandez, Stanislaw Kedzior, Paul Kelly, Carl H DeVasto, Lorraine C. Bonnell, Agnes Aussant, Roland Aussant, Catherine Menz, Charles Menz, Kenneth Ball, Brion Ball, Robert Menz, Donna Norton, Vincent Menz, Joe & Elizabeth Griffin, Dorothy O’Hare, Michael Kurtzer, & Christine Collins

Lost and Found

Please check the Lost & Found box in the Bullock Center for anything you may have left behind. Also, check for articles of clothing in O’Connell Hall. Any clothing items not claimed by March 31 will be put in the St. Vincent de Paul receptacle.

The Winners Club

Congratulations to our March winners listed below. Remember if you want to join the Winners Club, please call Chris at the rectory and membership cards will be sent out. Dues are $5 per month or $50 per year.

$500 Barbara Testa $25 The Hawes Children

200 Anonymous 25 Augusta Cole

100 Laurie DeCoste 25 Gloria Mazzaferro

50 Jean Madden 25 Madeline Forsythe

25 Kristen Camilli 25 Sue Molinda

Our “Early Birds” were Diane Donovan, Ashley Martineau, Erin McIsaac, Alex Tarabolski, Mary Nelson, Venera & Mike Clark, Jane Gilmore, Matt & Marie Cioffi, Carmel Johnson and Barbara Schwartz.

OLOS Community Yard Sale

“Save the Date” and “Save your Stuff.”

Saturday, May 10 from 8:00am – 2:00pm – Church parking lot/O’Connell Hall – Donations and volunteers needed. More details to come. If interested in volunteering, contact Rosemary Thomas at 781-784-3790 or drmsthomas@hotmail.com.

BINGO NIGHT

Please join us for OLOS Bingo Night on March 28, 7:00 pm to 10:30 pm in O’Connell Hall. Space is limited so please pick up a form at the back of the church and get your registration in today. There will be a $5.00 entry fee at the door and a $1.00 per card game fee. CASH PRIZES. Drinks and snacks will be served.

Please come and join the fun!

Text Box: The Spirituality of Stewardship Text Box: Receiving God's Gifts gratefully; Nurturing God's Gifts responsibly;
Sharing God's Gifts in love and justice;
Returning God's Gifts generously. From Deacon Mike:

The Gospel reading for the Fifth Sunday in Lent (cycle A) begins with a reference to Mary who anointed Jesus and dried his feet with her hair. This Mary is further identified as the sister of Lazarus.

After Mass, I was asked about this Mary and whether she was actually Mary Magdalene. There has been, over centuries, much discussion among biblical scholars as to the identity of the women who anointed Jesus at a meal. All four Gospel accounts describe a meal at which a woman anoints Jesus. John’s Gospel is the only one that names the woman – Mary of Bethany. Despite a long tradition that Mary Magdalene was a ‘sinner’ who anointed Jesus, contemporary biblical study indicates that Mary Magdalene was neither a ‘sinner’ nor one who anointed Jesus.

100% of the Easter Collection is sent to the Archdiocese of Boston for the important purpose of addressing the retirement, medical and financial needs of the priests of the Archdiocese of Boston. The Easter Collection includes any contributions made in the one Easter envelope, no matter when you contribute, and money collected at the Easter Masses including the Easter Vigil. Contributions made in other ways are for parish use. Easter flower donations remain here in the parish. Thank you for your generosity and financial commitment.

Divine Mercy Sunday

On Divine Mercy Sunday (March 30) at 1:30 pm, a Mass and Healing Service will be held at the Immaculate Conception Church, 122 Canton Street (Route 27), Stoughton, MA.

Food Pantry

When bringing food for the Food Pantry, it would be most helpful if you would use either paper bags or the new $.99 reusable bags. It is possible the stores will be charging 5 cents per plastic bag in the near future and the Stop & Shop will no longer be able to donate the plastic bags as they have been doing. All of your donations are greatly appreciated and sorely needed. Thank you.

Collection – Sunday, March 16

On March 16, 2008, the parishioners contributed $7,662 which is 95% of our weekly budget of $8,100. On average, the weekly offering this fiscal year is $6,812 which is 84% of our weekly budget. As a result of our cumulative collection shortfalls, our year-to-date deficit is $48,039.

Thank you for giving generously.

Introducing New Parish Pastoral Council (PPC) Members

The Parish Pastoral Council recently welcomed four new members: John Maslanka, Janet Gillen, Genie Sullivan and Steve Landry. Over the next few weeks, we will be introducing them to you in the bulletin. Today we feature John Maslanka and Janet Gillen.

John Maslanka and his wife Lauretta have been members of OLOS Parish for almost 35 years. Many of you undoubtedly will recognize them, as they are Extraordinary Eucharistic Ministers, who are regularly assigned to serve at Sunday Masses. Their adult children are Joseph, who lives in Phoenix, AZ, with his family, and

Diana Marzoratti, who lives in Franklin, MA, with her family. Both John & Lauretta have previously served extensive terms on the PPC and its predecessor, the Parish Council, as well as tenures on several Parish Commissions. John’s special interest on the PPC is to work with the development and enhancement of the spiritual lives of the parish and its people.

Janet Gillen, who has two children – an 18 year old son Thomas (T.J.) and a 15 year old daughter Mary -, has been a member of OLOS for 15 years. She has been active in the Religious Education Program as a teacher and/or assistant teacher for about 10 years. Janet enjoys studying, listening to and playing music, particularly classical music. Her hobbies include playing piano, reading and walking. Janet understands the importance of the PPC, appreciates the opportunity to assist in any way she can and is eager to be available to parishioners.

Weekly Bulletin March 16, 2008

For the deceased

For the sick

Religious Education and Youth Ministry

Easter Flower Memorial Donations