Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time

News and Notes: The Collaborative choir resumes rehearsals under the direction of Jayson Cote, our Liturgical Music Director, this coming Wednesday evening September 9 at 6:30PM at St. Maria Goretti Church.  The choir rehearsal schedule for September is as follows: 

September 9 at SMG 6:30PM
September 16 at OLA 6:30PM
September 23 at SMG 6:30PM
September 30 at OLA 6:30PM

All returning choir members and newcomers are welcome.  Come one and all and lend your voice to our music ministry in the Lynnfield Catholic community!  I am happy to announce the appointment of Tara DiFelice as the Faith Formation Coordinator for grades 1-6 at St. Maria Goretti Parish.  Tara emerged as the best candidate for this position, receiving very positive recommendations from Donna Hegan, our SMG Pastoral Associate, and Donna Delahanty, our Collaborative Director of Parish Ministries.  Tara will be assisted by Marie Lagman, who will serve as Tara’s Faith Formation Administrative Support person.  I am also delighted to announce the appointment of Stephen Gannon as the full-time Collaborative Director of Youth Faith Formation.  He will now serve as Faith Formation Coordinator for grades 7-10 at SMG, as well as grades 7-8 at OLA.  Steve will also coordinate Youth Ministry activities, focusing on the Middle School level, and be responsible for the Administrative Support work in the Faith Formation program at OLA, and in Grades 9-10 at SMG.  Welcome aboard, Steve!  Andrea Gagnon returns as Coordinator of grades 9-10 at OLA, while Alexis McDuffee takes over as the leader of grades 1-6 at OLA.  We are very blessed to have such a talented Team helping our children grow in their understanding and love of our Catholic faith!

Here is the latest update of our Collaborative’s performance in the 2015 Catholic Appeal:  as of August 25, 109 SMG parishioners have pledged $26,225, which is 93% of their goal of $28,078; 213 OLA parishioners have pledged $54,868, which is 99% of their goal of $55,512---both parishes have done a great job so far.  We are so close to the finish line in meeting our respective goals…thanks to those who have contributed to the Catholic Appeal so far.  If you have not yet made a pledge, please go to our website and click on the link for the Catholic Appeal, or pick up a pledge packet at the entrances of our churches and send in your pledge soon so we can cross the finish line.  We are blessed to have your faithful stewardship in the Lynnfield Catholic Collaborative.  Happy Labor Day and blessings to all of you in the week ahead!