Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time

News and Notes:  The town of Lynnfield has formed a coalition of medical professionals, public safety officials, public school educators and administrators, representatives of the clergy, and concerned citizens to address the opioid and wider substance abuse crisis in our culture.  I am a member of this coalition which is called “A Healthy Lynnfield.”  Our goal is to empower our residents to improve the quality of life for those who are struggling with addiction and chemical dependency issues.  We hope to accomplish this by: 1) elevating the level of public awareness concerning this growing plague in our society and in family life; 2) developing and promoting prevention programs through appropriate education of both children and adults; and 3) providing information regarding effective treatment and recovery resources that are available to the public. 

In recent months, Cardinal Sean O’Malley has formed a Task Force called the Archdiocesan Addiction Recovery and Pastoral Support Services to address the array of substance abuse issues that are afflicting families everywhere.  You can visit their website at www.aarpss.org.   Deacon Jim Greer from the Archdiocesan Pastoral Center is a leader on this Task Force and he is planning a multi-topic presentation here in our Collaborative on addressing the challenges associated with substance abuse.  So save the date of Thursday, November 16 at 6:30PM in the St. Maria Goretti Church Hall for this presentation.  It will cover current statistics, addiction as a disease, the signs of substance abuse, the grief and loss associated with the death of a substance abuse victim, and treatment modalities.  Don’t miss this opportunity to learn and do more to support the health and well-being of those people who are caught in the dangerous web of substance abuse and are in need of the assistance of Good Samaritans in their lives.

Don’t forget the softball game and cookout at SMG on Sunday, September 10, following the 10AM Mass in the Church.  Everyone is welcome.  Also remember that the Sunday 5PM Mass resumes at SMG on September10. 

Blessings to all of you in these waning days of summer!