Twenty-seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time

News and Notes:  Congratulations to all the high school juniors that were confirmed by Bishop Mark O’Connell at SMG two Sundays ago.  We look forward to their active participation in the life and mission of our Church.  Our gratitude also goes out to Pam Guerrieo, our Director of Youth Faith Formation, for her energetic leadership of our Confirmation preparation program. 

Thanks to Angela Siraco and all the OLA parishioners who contributed to their annual Fall Brunch on September 24 in the OLA Church Hall.  As usual, the food and fellowship provided all the attendees with a perfect setting to catch up after the summer season.  Put Saturday, October 28 on your social calendar.  On that day, OLA will be hosting a pasta dinner after the 4PM Mass, in which we can formally welcome Deacon Patrick Grode to our Collaborative.

Our Response to the Opioid Abuse Crisis

St. Maria Goretti Parish will be hosting an Ecumenical Prayer Service for the Town of Lynnfield on Sunday, November 19 at 6:30PM.  The service will be a Candlelight Vigil for those who have been victims and are survivors of the scourge of Opioid Addiction and Overdose.  The service will include prayer, music, speakers, a candlelight reading of names, and a memorial table with photos of friends and loved ones who have succumbed to this dreadful affliction.  All the members of our Collaborative are welcome and indeed encouraged to attend this event of spiritual solidarity on a critical issue that affects so many lives.

I hope and pray you are preparing to renew and, if possible, increase your level of financial support in our two parishes for the upcoming year.  We are doing our best to contain costs but we still need to grow our income to pay our bills without dipping into our savings and to address more of the deferred maintenance projects that will get only more expensive with every passing year.  Thank you for your thoughtful and prayerful consideration of what you can return to the Lord for all the good he has done for you.  Blessings to all of you in the week ahead!