Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

News and Notes:

Merger… The merger of our two parishes into one new parish with two worship sites (St. Maria Goretti Church and Our Lady of the Assumption Church) officially begins this coming Wednesday, July 1.  On that date, the assets and obligations of both parishes will be combined and held by one parish with the temporary “place-holder” name of St. Maria Goretti-Our Lady of the Assumption Parish.  Our newly merged parish will have a permanent name after all our parishioners have had a chance to submit nominations according to the guidelines that we have published (the deadline is August 1).  Then a sub-committee of our Pastoral Council, chaired by Donna Delahanty and made up of two representatives from each of our church communities (John DiBello and Patty Glennon from SMG; John Lozada and Eric Rich from OLA), will review the nominations and make a recommendation of the top three choices for a parish name.  The whole Pastoral Council will consider this recommendation and then send three possible names to Cardinal Sean O’Malley who will make the decision.  It is important to remember that going forward both churches will remain open, and host Masses as well as faith-formation classes and events, socials and other gatherings as in the past.  Please be generous in welcoming this structural change and supporting your newly merged parish as much as you can, so we survive the effects of this pandemic and eventually thrive in our mission!

Best wishes to Donna Delahanty… After 7 years of faithful dedication to our Collaborative, Donna Delahanty has notified me of her intent to retire effective July 10.  I have had the pleasure of working with Donna for over 10 years and extend my heartfelt appreciation for her tireless efforts on behalf of the Lynnfield Catholic community.  We wish God's choicest blessings on Donna and her family as she transitions into retirement and well deserved rest.  Please join me in thanking Donna for her service.

Spiritual Communion… For those who are unable to come to Mass because of health concerns now and in the future, and for all those who long to receive the Eucharist more frequently, here is a portion of a prayer for Spiritual Communion that is composed by St. Alphonsus Liguori:

My Jesus, I believe that you are present in the Most Holy Sacrament. I love you above all things; I desire to receive you into my soul. Since I cannot now receive you sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart.  I embrace you, and I unite myself entirely to you, as if you had already come.  Do not permit me ever to be separated from you.  Amen.

Blessings to all of you in the week ahead!