A Pair of Feasts

03-12-2021Letters From Fr. BrianRev. Brian F. Manning

Dear Parishioners and Friends of St. Mary's,

Growing up in Roslindale (Boston) and attending Sacred Heart Elementary School meant that this coming week was a great week for a school student. The Feasts of Saint Patrick and Saint Joseph were both school holidays, and often the day in-between was given off. What a prize: a three-day holiday! I am not certain how my mother felt about this three day recess for us, but as students we were delighted.

I think this year with the remote and hybrid learning that most young people are experiencing for education, we as students would probably not be too happy. The prolonged isolation of young people one from another and the clear limitations of learning “by screen” would make most young people want to be in school.

Certainly our Educators and our School System Personnel are trying to provide the best possible for every student, but sadly it will never supplant the quality of education that they had before this time. Our young people are learning, but the processes and experiences during the Pandemic are very limited. We know that the time is coming closer for this to start to change. I advise to our young people: lean in to it all and keep learning, and to our parents: keep trying and keep helping your children and also to our Educators and School Administrators and Support Personnel: thank you for what you have done each day and for what you will continue to do for our young people.

We celebrate two great Feast Days this week: Saint Patrick’s Day and Saint Joseph’s Day. Saint Patrick is said to have converted the Irish from the Druid Faith to the Catholic Faith and he is celebrated for this. Saint Joseph, the Foster Father of Jesus, is celebrated because a long time ago he saved Sicily from a famine due to drought and thus Southern Italy honors him as great hero. Though his intercession, rain fell and the crops grew. Enjoy the days and remember to part take of their special foods: a hearty Boiled Dinner or a tasty Zeppole. Lent is moving along and we are preparing our Holy Week Schedule to provide the best possible spiritual experiences in light of the Pandemic. We learned from Christmas, Ash Wednesday, and Sunday Masses the better ways and times to have Masses, Services, or Outside Communion. Meanwhile, remember this is a different Lent for you, but it can still be a deeply rewarding spiritual experience, if you want it to be.

Plan to ZOOM, or later listen to a recording, Deacon Stephen May’s, our Pastoral Associate, very well attended Lenten Series on Tuesday nights.   The Rosary is prayed every Monday night via ZOOM. Contact Deacon Guy for the details. Karen Ackles, our Religious Education Director, sends out a weekly Lenten Message with activities for families and elementary age children. Email her if you do not get it. Our Catholic TV Channel (catholictv.org) has many, many wonderful and enriching spiritual programs during this Lent, which are all meant for you.

I remind you that Cardinal Seán has launched his Archdiocesan Annual Appeal. Our Cardinal and I ask you to support this financially. You can access how to give to this via our website or by emailing Trish Murphy, our Business Manager. As you are aware, we have an assessment to reach and I appreciate you accepting responsibility for your share in meeting it. Your constant faithful donations for the continuing Mission and holy work of our Parish each week are greatly appreciated. Thank you. Your online giving (also accessed via stmarysfranklin.org), mail-in or drop-by envelopes, and in-church giving help us to stay afloat at this time. Thank you.

We know that Blessed Mary, our Parish Patroness, intercedes for us and that Saint Rocco brings healing to those who are suffering. We also ask this week that through the intercession of Saint Joseph and Saint Patrick we will come soon to an end for those who are suffering for so many various reasons during this Pandemic.

God bless.

Father Brian

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