Renovation Updates – Week Five
This week we finalized the wall color for the church, and painting is well underway! The entire interior is being repainted to give the space a fresh, renewed look.
The walls will be a soft light beige, chosen to brighten up the church while keeping a warm, classic feel. Other architectural elements, like the arches and columns, will be painted darker beige and greige tones for contrast and depth.
The walls will be a soft light beige, chosen to brighten up the church while keeping a warm, classic feel. Other architectural elements, like the arches and columns, will be painted darker beige and greige tones for contrast and depth.
In this photo, you can see a sample of the wall color. (The walls look darker here because they’ve been primed for painting.)
Here’s a look at the ceiling samples. (The darker blue is the chosen color and the light blue color is the primer.) The entire ceiling will be painted in that deep blue and decorated with gold stars, inspired by the traditional “night sky” motif found in many Catholic churches.
We’re also taking this opportunity to address those original air ducts on either side of the church that were modified when the air conditioning was installed years ago. To create a cleaner, more seamless look, the existing molding will be removed and wall surface made even so the ducts can be better integrated into the wall design.
Bathroom Progress
The piping for the new entryway bathroom is nearly complete! As I mentioned before, a very generous parishioner has been tackling this project in his free time outside of his regular plumbing work. It’s been no small task. He is run piping through the entire downstairs ceiling, from the front of the building all the way to the back.
Demolition and the conversion of the existing entryway closet into the new bathroom should begin soon. More updates to come as the project moves forward!
Demolition and the conversion of the existing entryway closet into the new bathroom should begin soon. More updates to come as the project moves forward!
Sound System
We also had a productive meeting with the audio technician on Monday. Thank you to everyone who responded to last week’s sound system survey I put in the newsletter. I appreciated your helpful feedback.
In addition to adding a speaker in the entryway, we discussed updating a few components of the system (some of which are now six generations old, according to the technician). We also talked about the difficulty some parishioners in the side sections have hearing clearly. To address that, we’ll be redirecting several of the existing speakers to improve sound coverage throughout the church.
Thank you for your continued support, and if you'd like to contribute to the renovation, you can donate here (Select 100th Anniversary):
In addition to adding a speaker in the entryway, we discussed updating a few components of the system (some of which are now six generations old, according to the technician). We also talked about the difficulty some parishioners in the side sections have hearing clearly. To address that, we’ll be redirecting several of the existing speakers to improve sound coverage throughout the church.
Thank you for your continued support, and if you'd like to contribute to the renovation, you can donate here (Select 100th Anniversary):
Tragedy in Texas
Many of you have likely heard about the heartbreaking flooding last weekend in Texas, especially the tragedy at Camp Mystic, a Christian girls’ summer camp, where the death toll has sadly continued to rise as the search for survivors goes on.
Please join me in praying for all the victims and their families during this time of unimaginable sorrow.
If you’d like to learn more about the Church’s presence and response in that region, I recommend this article from the National Catholic Register:
Please join me in praying for all the victims and their families during this time of unimaginable sorrow.
If you’d like to learn more about the Church’s presence and response in that region, I recommend this article from the National Catholic Register:
To support relief efforts, consider donating to:
Tragedies like this can deeply shake our faith, especially when they involve the suffering and death of children. The Church teaches that God does not cause such disasters or death, but, mysteriously, He permits nature to unfold and remains present in the midst of our sorrow. Like a compassionate Father, He weeps with us.
For a thoughtful reflection on the problem of suffering and evil, I recommend this video by Fr. Mike Schmitz:
For a thoughtful reflection on the problem of suffering and evil, I recommend this video by Fr. Mike Schmitz:
I also recommend this article, also from the National Catholic Register, on how to speak to children about this tragedy:
Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel - This Wednesday
This Wednesday, July 16, is the feast day of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, a title especially associated with the Brown Scapular.
The brown scapular originated in the 13th century when the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to St. Simon Stock, a Carmelite priest, and gave him the scapular as a sign of her protection. It soon became a widespread devotion, symbolizing a commitment to live a life of prayer and to draw closer to Christ through Mary.
I’ve worn a brown scapular for many years, and it’s been a meaningful devotion in my life. If you’re not familiar with the scapular or have never worn one, I encourage you to learn more by watching this short video from Ascension Press. If you purchase a Brown Scapular, I am happy to bless them and invest you with it.
The brown scapular originated in the 13th century when the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to St. Simon Stock, a Carmelite priest, and gave him the scapular as a sign of her protection. It soon became a widespread devotion, symbolizing a commitment to live a life of prayer and to draw closer to Christ through Mary.
I’ve worn a brown scapular for many years, and it’s been a meaningful devotion in my life. If you’re not familiar with the scapular or have never worn one, I encourage you to learn more by watching this short video from Ascension Press. If you purchase a Brown Scapular, I am happy to bless them and invest you with it.
I’m Away Next Week
I’ll be away from the parish this Monday through Thursday (July 14-17) attending a conference out of state. I’m grateful to Fr. Leonard Kayondo and Fr. Kevin Cook for helping cover things while I’m gone.
Here’s the schedule for the week:
Here’s the schedule for the week:
- Monday 9:00am Mass – Fr. Leonard Kayondo
- Monday 5:30–6:30pm Confessions – Fr. Kevin Cook
- Tuesday 9:00am Mass – Fr. Leonard Kayondo
- Thursday 9:00am Mass – Fr. Leonard Kayondo
Looking for deeper insight into this weekend’s readings? Check out this reflection from my favorite biblical scholar, Dr. John Bergsma
Image of the Story of the Good Samaritan from this weekend's Gospel, 6th century.
On the Bulletin Cover this weekend...
Saint Clelia Barbieri (13 February 1847 – 13 July 1870)
Feast day: July 13th
Beatified in 1989
The youngest religious foundress in the history of the Church who, even after her death at age 23, astonished her community when her voice, praying and singing, was miraculously heard during midnight prayers exactly one year later and on many occasions since.
Feast day: July 13th
Beatified in 1989
The youngest religious foundress in the history of the Church who, even after her death at age 23, astonished her community when her voice, praying and singing, was miraculously heard during midnight prayers exactly one year later and on many occasions since.
“I shall remain always with you and I shall never abandon you!”
–St Clelia to her religious sisters at her deathbed
"Oh great Lord God, You see that my will is to love You, and to try to avoid offending You. Oh Lord, open Your Heart and send forth the flames of love. Enkindle my heart with these flames and burn me with love"
Local Group Making a Pilgrimage to Vermont
I visited this pilgrimage site in Jamaica, VT back in 2020, and it was truly incredible. It’s an exact replica of the house where Our Lady lived with St. John in Ephesus (modern day Turkey) after the Ascension. The story of the couple who built it and maintain the property is just as inspiring as the site itself. I highly recommend making the trip if you get the chance!
Reminder: Join us for Coffee and Donuts on Sundays after Masses!
SFX School Event
Alert from Mass Citizens for Life:
On Thursday, July 10, the Massachusetts Joint Committee on Public Health held a critical hearing on several bills related to “reproductive health.” Five of these bills directly impact the pro-life cause.
Massachusetts Citizens for Life (MCFL) is still asking for support on these bills following the hearings. Your voice continues to matter. There are still ways you can help!
To learn more about how you can take action, visit the link below:
Massachusetts Citizens for Life (MCFL) is still asking for support on these bills following the hearings. Your voice continues to matter. There are still ways you can help!
To learn more about how you can take action, visit the link below:
Check out this Great Sermon on Adoration from Bishop Barron
Mass Times
Sunday: 8:00 AM | 10:30 AM
Saturday Vigil: 4:00 PM
M, T, Th, F, S: 9:00 AM
Sunday: 8:00 AM | 10:30 AM
Saturday Vigil: 4:00 PM
M, T, Th, F, S: 9:00 AM
First Friday: 9:00 AM | 6:00 PM
Adoration Times
Monday-Friday
6:30am-8:45am, 9:30am-8:30pm
6:30am-8:45am, 9:30am-8:30pm
Wednesday
6:30am-8:30pm
Saturday
6:30am-8:45am, 9:30am-2:45pm
6:30am-8:30pm
Saturday
6:30am-8:45am, 9:30am-2:45pm
Confession Times
Monday: 5:30–6:30 PM
Saturday: 9:30–10:00 AM | 3:00–3:45 PM
Monday: 5:30–6:30 PM
Saturday: 9:30–10:00 AM | 3:00–3:45 PM
First Friday: 6:45–7:15 PM
Anytime by Appointment
To add someone to this weekly newsletter, they can either text the word ACUSHNET to 84576 or sign up at sfxparish.flocknote.com.