posted Feb 6, 2012 10:11 AM by Benjamin Krywucki
My Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Allow me this opportunity to share with you important information concerning an alarming and serious matter that negatively impacts the Church in the United States directly, and that strikes at the fundamental right to religious liberty for all citizens of any faith. The federal government, which claims to be "of, by, and for the people," has just dealt a heavy blow to almost a quarter of those people - the Catholic population - and to the millions more who are served by the Catholic faithful.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced last week that almost all employers, including Catholic employers, will be forced to offer their employees' health coverage that includes sterialization, abortion-inducing drugs, and contraception.
Almost all health insurers will be forced to include those "services" in the health policies they write. And almost all health individuals will be forced to buy that coverage as part of their policies. The Church has had to struggle against regulations like those now proposed by HHS in several states. This HHS ruling would expand and intensify a situation which is already very harmful.
In its ruling, the Administration has cast aside the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States, denying to Catholics our Nation's first and most fundamental freedom, that of religious liberty. And as a result, unless the rule is overturned, we Catholics will be compelled and must be prepared either to violate our consciences, or to drop health coverage for our employees (and suffer the penalties for doing so). The administration's sole concession was to give our institutions one year to comply.
We cannot simply accept this unjust law now proposed at the federal level. People of faith cannot be made second class citizens. We are already joined by our brothers and sisters of all faiths and many others of good will in this important effort to regain our religious freedom. Our parents and grandparents did not come to these shores to help build America's cities and towns, its infrastructure and institutions, its enterprise and culture, only to have their posterity stripped of their God given rights. In generations past, the Church has always been able to count on the faithful to stand up and protect her sacred rights and duties. I trust she can count on this generation of Catholics to do the same. Our children and grandchildren deserve nothing less.
In order that we make every effort to respond to this proposed restriction on religious liberty I would ask of you two things. First, as a community of faith we must commit ourselves to prayer and fasting that wisdom and justice may prevail, and religious liberty may be restored. Without God, we can do nothing; with God, nothing is impossible. Second, I recommend that you visit the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops website, www.usccb.org/conscience, to learn more about this assault on religious liberty, and how to contact Congress in support of legislation that would reverse the Administration's decision. With the assurance of my prayers for you and all your loved ones, I am,
Sincerely yours in Christ,
+Seán, OFM. Cap.
Archbishop of Boston |
posted Jan 27, 2012 7:27 AM by Benjamin Krywucki
[
updated Jan 27, 2012 7:29 AM
]
LOWELL -- In a current proposal by the Archdiocese of Boston, 25 parishes in Greater Lowell will become 10 pastoral collaboratives that could eventually share resources, including pastors, priests, staff and ministries.
According to the archdiocese, a greater coordination of trained personnel and the consolidation of similar works and ministries in parishes within a pastoral collaborative will ease the burden currently experienced by pastors and staff.
Unlike the reconfiguration process that began in 2004 and closed or merged dozens of parishes, including six in Lowell, the new proposal does not mandate the closing of any parishes -- just the sharing of resources.
Each parish will retain its individual identities and assets.
"No parishes are supposed to be closed. The archdiocese is just trying to ensure that all parishes will have the services they need to continue to grow in new and vibrant ways," said the Rev. Brian Mahoney, pastor of St. Francis in Dracut.
"We recognize that right now there are great uncertainties that will cause people to feel unsettled and insecure, but the archdiocese is doing its best to serve the needs of all the parishes without having to close parishes," Mahoney said.
St. William in Tewksbury, which ranks among the largest parishes in the archdiocese and is the only Catholic church in Tewksbury, is the only Greater Lowell parish to stand alone.
The largest proposed collaborative is comprised of four parishes: St. Mary in Ayer, St. Anthony in Shirley, St. John the Evangelist in Townsend, and Our Lady of Grace in Groton-Pepperell.
Three-parish proposed collaboratives include St. Andrew, St. Mary and St. Theresa, all of Billerica; St. Margaret, Holy Family and St. Patrick of Lowell; St. Anthony, Holy Trinity and Immaculate Conception, all of Lowell; and St. Rita of Lowell, St. Mary Magdalen of Tyngsboro and St. Marguerite D'Youville of Dracut.
Dual-parish proposed collaboratives include St. John the Evangelist and St. Mary, both large-faith communities of Chelmsford; St. Anne of Littleton and St. Catherine of Alexandria of Westford; St. Dorothy and St. Thomas of Villanova, both of Wilmington; and St. Francis of Assisi of Dracut and St. Michael of Lowell-Dracut.
The plan will be overseen by Pastoral Service Teams (PST), a group of priests, deacons, pastoral associates, lay ecclesial ministers, parish pastoral and finance councils which will provide pastoral services to multiple parishes.
According to the archdiocese, the plan is intended to address significant challenges facing the church today, including decreased Mass attendance, reduced financial resources, fewer men responding to vocations to the priesthood, a smaller number of men and women stepping forward to serve professionally in parishes, and the inevitability that pastors will be asked to take on the responsibility of a second and third parish.
Archdiocese statistics indicate that 40 percent of parishes cannot pay their bills and only 16 percent of Catholics attend weekend Masses.
Terrence Donilon, the archdiocese spokesman, said "It's important to remember that this is a draft and there is nothing finalized."
Through this consultation phase, Donilon expects the archdiocese to receive "valuable input from the pastors, priests and laity, and then be able to present to the cardinal a plan that allows us as a church to meet all the needs of the parishes, parishioners, schools and ministries. We are particularly encouraged by the input we have already received from the priests, who will be invaluable to us in these efforts."
According to the Rev. Paul Ring, pastor of Our Lady of Grace in Pepperell-Groton, "a lot of good can come from this, and that's the approach that I'm taking with the people, the councils and myself. The status quo is not working. We're still dealing with the challenges of the abuse crisis, and that will be felt for years to come. By grouping together, the parishes can be revitalized and the mission of bringing the Gospel to the people strengthened."
Ring, whose two former parishes, Sacred Heart/St. James in Groton and St. Joseph in Pepperell merged as Our Lady of Grace in 2009, is aware of the challenges and rewards that come with the sharing of individual parish resources.
"This will be a challenge for all concerned -- the priests, pastors, people, employees, staff. It will especially be a challenge for those who are in charge of the collaborative. But with the potential for the growth of faith, it will be worth it," he said.
Long-time parishioner Fran deMontigny immediately looked beyond her parish borders of St. Francis in Dracut when she heard yesterday about the proposed collaborative of St. Francis and St. Michael in Lowell.
"I think it's great. If we had to collaborate with someone, I love this. It makes sense," she said.
DeMontigny is the parish historian at St. Francis. From 1939 until 1963, at which time St. Francis was dedicated as a new parish, the East Dracut faith community operated as a mission church of St. Michael. Before a small church was built, Masses were celebrated by St. Michael clergy in a schoolhouse to ease the burden for those who found it a hardship to travel to Lowell, deMontigny said.
"Now it's right back, full circle," she said. "We're close distance-wise, and now we'll be in a position to help each other, just as they took over and helped us when we needed it."
DeMontigny acknowledges that some people will not be happy, "because no matter what, some people just don't want to collaborate with anyone else. But this is better for the priests and the church as a whole."
A bit ahead of the game are St. Rita and St. Marguerite D'Youville. They have shared resources for 18 months, including their pastor, the Rev. Marc Bishop. The two parishes will remain separate parishes, as will the third parish in their proposed collaborative, St. Mary Magdalen, which dedicated a modern and spacious new church late last year.
"The benefits of this plan should outweigh the challenges," said Deacon Everett Penney of St. Marguerite D'Youville and St. Rita.
Among those challenges, he said, is that all three parishes are from different communities. Although they abut, it covers a large geographical area.
Penney acknowledges that some parishioners will automatically assume that churches will close now or in the future, "but the Cardinal has said at numerous meetings that he wants to keep the buildings, parishes and properties open. He has said they are not going to close any more churches."
For more information on the 2012 Consultation and to submit opinions to the Archdiocese, visit www.planning2012.com/2012-consultation.
Read more: http://www.lowellsun.com/todaysheadlines/ci_19825820#ixzz1kfldmrIX |
posted Jan 19, 2012 5:11 AM by Benjamin Krywucki
[
updated Jan 19, 2012 5:14 AM
]
2012 Knights of Columbus
Free Throw ChampionshipAll boys and girls ages 10 to 14 are invited to partici- pate in the local level of competition for the 2012 Knights of Columbus Free Throw Championship. The local competition will be held Sunday, January 29 from 1pm - 4pm Peter Twomey Youth Center, located behind the Groton Dunstable Regional Middle School North. The event is free, and entry forms will be available at the door. The Knights of Columbus Free Throw Championship is sponsored annually with winners progressing through local, district, and state competition. International champions are announced by the K of C international headquarters based on scores from the state-level competitions. All boys and girls 10 to 14 years old are eligible to participate and will compete in respective age divisions. All contestants on the local level are recognized for their participation in the event. This will be the 9th straight year that the Groton Knights have hosted this event. During each of these years, the local council has had at least one winner make it all the way to the state finals, with two of these participants being crowned State Free Throw Champions. For additional information contact: Vincent at 978-448-6071
vincentpinque@charter.net or Bob at 978-448-5266 / robert.tocci@rcn.com. |
posted Nov 5, 2011 4:05 AM by Benjamin Krywucki
The Knights held their Tootsie Roll drive in the town of Groton over Columbus Day weekend and collected after Masses over the weekend of October 29th and 30th. Thanks to the generosity of the public and, as always, of our Parishioners, we were able to raise over $900 to to help people with intellectual disabilities. 100% of our collected proceeds go to help folks in Massachusetts.
We have been able to help many in need in our Parish's community over the last couple of years. We are able to live out our 1st principle of Charity due to the selfless dedication of our Knights and their families and with the support of a wonderful Parish like you!
Thank you for supporting the Knights!
God's blessings you and your family,
Sister Lydia Longley Madeleine Council #13140, Groton
|
posted May 24, 2011 8:27 AM by Benjamin Krywucki
[
updated Jun 1, 2011 1:31 PM
]
This event will be held Monday,
June 20th at the well-manicured Townsend Ridge Country Club in Townsend Massachusetts. (Rain or Shine)
Registration begins at 9:30
AM, with tee-off at 10:30 AM.
The cost for this event is
only $125.00 per player. This price includes entry into all events, 18
holes of golf, golf cart, continental breakfast and various awards, raffles and
a dinner following at Saint Joseph’s
Hall , Our Lady of Grace Parish.
Corporate foursome- $750
–greens fees/cart, one tee sign, company banner at tournament (provided by
company) and a program ad.
Tee sponsor- $100 – company
recognition on one tee and a program ad.
Continental breakfast sponsor
- $750 - company banner at tournament (provided by company) and a program ad.
BBQ dinner at Saint Joseph’s
hall at our Lady of Grace Parish sponsor- $750- company banner at tournament
(provided by the company) and a program
ad.
Parishioners and golfers
families are invited to the dinner banquet after the tournament for raffles, auctions
and fun. Dinner only is $10 per person, $20 maximum per family.
To help us properly plan for
this event, please pre-register by June 10, 2011.
- 4 Golfer
Scramble – Shot Gun Start
- Townsend Ridge
Country Club, 40 Scales Lane
Townsend, MA
- June 20, 2011- registration 9:00- start time 10:00
- Dinner starts at 4pm at St. Joseph Hall
- $125 per person
Kindly
make your tax-deductible check payable to and mail to:
Our Lady of
Grace 28
Tarbell Street
Pepperell, MA 01463
|
posted May 22, 2011 4:35 PM by Benjamin Krywucki
We will be electing new members to the Parish Pastoral Council in June. PPC members must be at least 18 years of age and are elected to a 3-year term to serve, along with the continuing members, as advisors to Fr. Paul. If you or someone you know would be willing to serve the parish on the PPC, please fill out the online nomination form or send an email to lisa@krywucki.com. Paper nomination forms are available at the back of each church. Nominations will be open through Sunday, May 29th. Elections will be held the weekends of June 11-12 and June 18-19, with the results being announced the weekend of June 25-26. |
posted May 16, 2011 1:58 AM by Benjamin Krywucki
What a great day for the Walk for Hunger. It was sunny and breezy and after a chilly start, temps got up into the mid-50s, perfect walking conditions.
We had 11 teens and 8 adults participate today, raising over $3700.00! Congratulations and thank you for a job well done.
The "photographer" was a woman sitting near our group who was truly inspirational. While "Ma" (Kat, but her "kids" call her Ma) called us heroes and thanked us for our help, she was the real hero - despite being homeless for 5 years, she helps care for over 100 homeless and hungry kids. She stated that she prayed to God at St. Anthony Shrine to help reduce the number of kids, but instead God sent her more. So she accepted that his plan was the right one. Please pray for Ma this week as she is finally leaving the shelter and moving into a place of her own.
God Bless, start getting ready for next year's Walk! :-)
-Vincent-
|
posted Apr 22, 2011 7:44 AM by Benjamin Krywucki
For Immediate Release
Media Contact:
Jeanne Shanley
DiPietro, 978.433.5737
Local Parish Announces
Revitalization Programs as part of Archdiocesan-Wide Catholics Come Home
CAMPAIGN
Our Lady of Grace Reaches Out to Area Catholics
with New Spiritual, Educational and Social Programs
PEPPERELL, MA—April 4, 2011 – Our Lady of Grace Parish today announced a
Revitalization Plan designed to enrich the local parish community and provide
opportunities to help local Catholics establish, or re-establish, a connection
to their faith community. The Parish’s Revitalization Plan extends the
welcoming message currently broadcast throughout the Boston area in television
and radio commercials sponsored by the Archdiocese of Boston’s
Catholics Come Home initiative. At the local level, Our Lady of Grace’s
Revitalization Plan, passed by the Parish Pastoral Council March 17, consists
of new programs launched during this Lenten season and issued throughout the
year. Programs provide opportunities to learn about Catholic traditions,
explore the Catholic way of life, understand Catholic social teachings, aid in
community service, and connect socially to share spiritual renewal.
”Our
revitalization efforts here at Our Lady of Grace are in direct response to the
Archdiocese’s Catholics Come Home campaign, and are specifically designed to
reach out and welcome every Catholic in our community – whether they attend
Mass regularly, periodically or haven’t attended for years,” said Tom
Fitzpatrick, Vice-Chair, Our Lady of Grace Parish Pastoral Council. “We have a
wide range of new and exciting programs to reconnect and energize Catholics no
matter where they are on their faith journey.”
Programs
were launched in mid-March and include a popular series of teaching Masses held
Sundays during Lent (March 13–April 10) where Father Paul Ring, Pastor of Our
Lady of Grace, explains the theological and historical basis for many of the
rituals and prayers found in the Catholic Mass.
Programs
that explore Catholicism in today’s modern world will kick off on April 10, St.
James Church in Groton at 7pm, where an Evensong celebration immediately
followed by a presentation with Thomas Massaro, S.J. Professor, and author of Living Justice: Catholic Social Teaching in
Action. The next evening, April 11, also at 7pm, St. James in Groton,
Robert Rivers, CSP Paulist priest and author of the book entitled From Maintenance to Mission will speak
on reconciliation and offer a book signing. Finally, on April 12 at 7pm, St.
James, Fr. Paul Ring celebrates Mass and immediately following Frank Bellini facilitates
a discussion on “Small Communities of Faith in the Parish”.
“Now is the time for renewal and healing,”
says Father Ring. We have a lot going
on. Throughout all these programs, the underlying message is simple; practicing
your Catholic faith doesn’t add to a busy life. Instead it can support and
nurture you through good times and bad,” Ring added. “Many parishioners who have returned to the Catholic
Church after a long absence tell me that their renewed faith has brought more
peace to their hectic lives and provides the spiritual balance they once knew.”
For
those seeking a more personal exploration, the Rediscovering Catholicism
program kicks off on Easter Sunday, 4/24, when all Mass attendees receive the
popular book entitled Rediscovering
Catholicism by Matthew Kelly. Readers can then join one of many small
groups to openly discuss, book-club style, their thoughts and questions. This
popular, engaging book comes at a time when many are filled with doubt and
addresses some of the most important questions we face as individuals and a
Church – a simple, engaging read for new, returning and non-Catholics.
Social
programs help families and individuals, no matter what their age, connect with
others in the community. New programs like the Springtime Golf Tournament join
other popular programs like the recent Mardi Gras Variety Show, Simple Supper
Concert with Donna Cori Gibson, the annual Seder Supper, 5K Walk for Loaves
& Fishes, Theology on Tap and Youth Programs including snow tubing and
video game nights.
Other
new programs will be announced soon as Our Lady of Grace continues to focus on
improving the spiritual lives of parishioners and paving the way for all to
feel welcome while learning about their faith and the parish community.
About Our
Lady of Grace: Our Lady of Grace was founded on July 1, 2009
to carry on the mission of the former Parishes of Sacred Heart-St. James in
Groton, MA and St. Joseph in Pepperell, MA and includes the neighboring
Catholic community in Dunstable, MA. Our Lady of Grace Pastoral Center is
located in Pepperell, MA and can be reached at 978-433-5737 or visit www.ourladyofgracema.org.
About the Archdiocese
of Boston: The Diocese of
Boston was founded on April 8, 1808 and was elevated to Archdiocese in 1875.
Currently serving the needs of nearly 2 million Catholics, the Archdiocese of
Boston is an ethnically diverse and spiritually enriching faith community
consisting of 292 parishes, across 144 communities, educating approximately
46,000 students in its Catholic schools and 156,000 in religious education
classes each year, ministering to the needs of 200,000 individuals through its
pastoral and social service outreach and in support of a health care ministry
that meets the needs of some 1 million patients each year. Mass is celebrated
in nearly twenty different languages each week. For more information, please
visit www.BostonCatholic.org.
# # # #
|
posted Apr 17, 2011 11:31 AM by Benjamin Krywucki
Our Teens and Confirmation Classes are once again sponsoring a Walk for
Hunger Team from our Parish. The Walk for Hunger, sponsored by Project
Bread, is the oldest continual pledge walk in the country and the
largest event to relieve local hunger. The 20 mile walk will take place
on Sunday, May 1 this year, beginning and ending at the Boston Common. On
April 16 and 17 at all Masses, Team Members will be present to speak
about the Walk, collect pledges, and sign up additional walkers. Walkers
of all ages are welcome to join our Parish Team, and we are also
looking for parishioners who would like to help our team in other ways
(for example, monitoring our "base camp" on the Boston Common). If you are interested in walking or would like more information about the event, please contact Samantha at samanthapinque@charter.net or Vincent at vincentpinque@charter.net, or both at 978-448-6071. Thank You for Your Support! |
posted Apr 16, 2011 12:44 PM by Benjamin Krywucki
We had some issues with an Archdiocese backlog where their site was not up-to-date. We are now publishing the weekly bulletins ourselves.
Please see https://sites.google.com/a/ourladyofgracema.org/olog/parish-bulletins.
|
|
