Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time

News and Notes:  Thanks to the members of our Development Committee and all our parishioners for their work on our current annual Parish Commitment Drive.  I ask all parish families registered at both OLA and SMG to give prayerful consideration to their financial support of their respective parish in the coming year.  We need everyone in our Catholic community to contribute what they can, according to their means, so that we can continue to make progress in our mission to grow and draw others to Christ and his Church.  The Offertory collection each week pays our hard-working staff members a just wage and associated benefits.  It also pays for the cleaning of our buildings as well as altar and office supplies; the lighting, heating and air conditioning in our churches, all utilities, and everything else we need to function each day.   We also have a growing list of Capital Improvement projects.   At OLA they include replacing the doors and the roof on the Office Building, and many long overdue projects in the Church, such refinishing the pews, replacing the carpet, getting new audio-visual equipment in the Church and many more.  Among the projects at SMG are the replacement of the Church roof, updated audio-visual resources, and seal-coating the parking lot. Our churches, and other buildings and grounds in our Collaborative make up our spiritual home and property.  It is our responsibility as homeowners to take good care of what is ours.  Join me in making a generous commitment of your treasure in the coming year to fulfill our sacred responsibility.

Thanksgiving Week... Don’t miss Scarlett Lewis’ presentation on the Choose Love Movement this Sunday evening November 18 at 6:30PM in St. Maria Goretti Church.  This is an ecumenical event sponsored by the Lynnfield Clergy Association and hosted by our Collaborative.  Start your Thanksgiving Day with Mass at SMG this Thursday, November 22 at 9AM.  Heartfelt Congratulations to Ron Nutter, a long time parishioner and faithful servant of St. Maria Goretti Parish.  He will receive the Cheverus Award from Cardinal Sean O’Malley next Sunday, November 25 at Immaculate Conception Church in Malden at a service that begins at 2PM.  For decades, Ron has served his parish in a variety of roles, from Sacristan, Altar Server and Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion at Mass and to the Sick and Homebound, to Catechist and Handyman around the SMG buildings and grounds, just to name a few.  We are proud of you, Ron!

Along with our entire Pastoral Team and Staff, Fr. Tony and I wish you a happy and peaceful Thanksgiving holiday.