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The Catholic Parishes of Stoughton Weekly Newsletter

Sunday, June 14, 2020

Message from our Pastor Father Joe:

Peace be with you! May God’s blessings be with you and your families.

Last week, as many of you know, we opened our doors for the first time since the diocese-wide closing of churches back in March. I am very grateful to the wonderful team of volunteers we have who worked tirelessly to make our church not only welcoming but safe. In between Masses, pews, door handles, bathrooms —virtually everything that can be touched — is wiped down and disinfected. (That scent you pick up is not incense but disinfectant!) Mass itself went very smoothly. While aspects of it will take some time to get used too — no singing, sign of peace, etc — I am sure we will adapt quickly. Remember, these are not permanent changes but rather adaptations until we can safely return to normal. Thank you again for your patience and support. All in all, roughly 350 people attended Mass last weekend. We expect a similar number this week, perhaps more. The total capacity of the church at this time is 480 people total (for all six Masses.) Please remember to sign up if you want to attend. And again, if you are not able to attend in person, please participate by watching the Mass on our website, Facebook page or at Catholic TV.

I would like to share two important items with you this week, both very exciting for our two parishes. First, this weekend (the Solemnity of the Most Precious Body and Blood of Christ, also known as “Corpus Christi”) Cardinal Sean in inaugurates the “Year of the Eucharist” in the Archdiocese of Boston. You can find out more information about it by clicking here. My friends, I hope this time away from the Eucharist has only increased our love and desire for it. Let’s all see this as an opportunity to grow deeper in our appreciation for this most precious gift, the very Body and Blood of our Savior, Jesus. The Real Presence is, of course, a profound mystery but also a profound reality. May we always see it for what it is; Jesus, present with us, body and blood, soul and divinity. Keep watch on our website and Facebook for videos, reflections, and events that will help us truly celebrate this Year of the Eucharist.

I also want to share some other important news with you . . . your new pastor! He is a wonderful priest and I am sure you will love him. His name is Fr. Carlos Suarez. Fr. Carlos will begin on September 1, 2020. I have asked him to write a short bio which you can access by clicking here. I know you will welcome him with open arms and an open heart. He is very excited to meet you and get to know you. He is familiar to some of you already. Over the past several years, he has occasionally filled in for Fr. Eduardo at the Portuguese and Brazilian Masses (Fr. Carlos is tri-lingual) and for the first several years of his priesthood he was a Parochial Vicar in Brockton. I am very excited for him and for you. He is a wonderful fit for the Catholic community here in Stoughton.

As always, my friends, know that you are in my prayers and in the prayers of Fr. Eduardo and Fr. Will every day.

God’s peace to all of you,

Fr. Joe

The Most Holy Trinity Sunday Mass

with Father Joe ~ June 14, 2020

SMAC will be airing our Sunday Mass on

Sunday, June 14th at 8:30 am on

Comcast Channel 9 and

on Verizon Channel 28!

It was announced at the Masses last weekend in Stoughton that Father Will will be leaving The Catholic Parishes of Stoughton towards the end of June. Cardinal Sean has appointed Father Will as Parochial Vicar to the Parishes of St. Mary in Hull and St. Anthony in Cohasset effective July 1, 2020. Father Will’s last weekend in Stoughton will be June 21. We wish Father Will the every best for his new assignment.

We are making a surprise group video to say Good Bye to Father Will and need your help. Please add your own video wishes below (it's quick & easy) and you'll be part of a memorable surprise. Remember, it's a secret. Please follow the below link.

https://app.vidhug.com/good-bye-message-to-father-will/rJ0qBYAhI/record

Cards and Well Wishes for Father Will can be mailed or dropped off at the Parish office (Immaculate Conception).

Knights of Columbus College Scholarship

Stoughton Council #200

The Knights of Columbus is now accepting applications for the Knights of Columbus College Scholarship. There are two $500 scholarships available. To apply you, your Father or Grandfather must be a Member of the Knights of Columbus of Stoughton Council #200 or you must be a member of St. James Parish or the Immaculate Conception Church of Stoughton. Applications can be found at the back of either Church and the deadline to apply is July 15, 2020.

Scholarship Application

Public Masses have Resumed for

The Catholic Parishes of Stoughton

Given the social distancing restrictions, only 80 people are permitted in St. James per Mass. Parishioners must schedule in advance to attend Sunday Mass.

The deadline for signs ups is 5:30 pm the Thursday prior to that weekend's Mass.

Those without computer access can call the parish office at 781-344-2073 to sign up during office hours from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm. We encourage you to share this information with those who do not have access to a computer.

Sign Up for Masses for the Weekend

of June 20th/21st will begin on Monday June 15th at 10:00 am please visit our website to sign up for Mass.

Gospel Coloring Sheet

GOSPEL MEDITATION -

The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ

It is no wonder that followers of Christ are called the Body of Christ. After all, sharing in the same spiritual food and sacred meal, they become what they eat and reveal the Divine Image. There is so much power for healing in the community of believers. Through the Eucharist, Christ becomes as present in those who have partaken of his Body and Blood as he has the elements themselves. The very presence of God touches the depths of the human soul and visits a part of us that no human being can ever hope to explore. We are God’s. The sacred Eucharistic meal is a celebration of intimacy, the reunion of two loves in constant search of and longing for the other.

The community of believers receives the power and the presence to touch and heal in the name of the One they have welcomed within. It is now within their grasp to change the way life is lived and to more intentionally put into practice the Beatitudes that the Divine Guest has revealed. We are asked to be like Christ and work to create a world of sufficiency, where the greed of some no longer creates the want of others but where all of God’s children can find a home and a place at the table of life. The One who makes a home within calls us to live a life that transforms. We are changed ourselves and now become agents of change for others. We are the Body of Christ. God is with us. We have been nourished.

Sadly, many are afraid to try. We know what we are called to do, but we struggle with feelings of doubt as to whether God really is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Do our systems have to change? Is it possible that we somehow missed the mark when we put all of our social networks in place and established the business of our lives? Perhaps we have to radically rethink our approach and that can scare us. We might have to give something up or change, and we don’t want to. As long as want, injustice, division, prejudice, and scarcity still exit, there is tremendous work for the Body of Christ.

©LPi

Eternal Rest Grant unto Them O Lord

Robert Wolaskas

Thank you to David Williams from Fresenius Kabi who donated over 20 gallons of hand sanitizer to our parishes.

Thank you to the graduating class of Notre Dame Academy in Hingham for their generous donation of food to our food pantry on this special occasion. The spirit of giving is very evident in these students. Best wishes in the future and God Bless you as you begin the next chapter in your lives.