A Few Words
from Father Steve
Dear Friends,
The season of Lent has begun and these forty days leading up to Easter
make up one of the most important times of the year for those who exercise
good stewardship of their Catholic life of faith. It is more than just
a time of giving up our favorite sweets or beverages; it is a time when
we seek personal and communal renewal through our own
desert experience so that we might welcome the risen Christ with joy on
Easter Sunday.
Lent is inspired by those forty days Jesus spent in the
desert prior to beginning his ministry. Interestingly, the Gospel of Mark
reveals to us that immediately after John baptized him in the Jordan River,
Jesus was driven by the Spirit into the desert to be tested by Satan.
It was during this time of testing that Jesus’ resolve
and identity were called into question by Satan himself. But when Jesus
emerged from the desert he began to proclaim the Gospel and make disciples
(see Mark 1:14-20).
Lent gives us the opportunity to be led into the desert
as well, allowing us to remain there for forty days, and challenging us
to be tested. The Gospel of Mark uses the word “test” in the
sense of proving and purifying someone to determine readiness for the
task at hand.
The Church provides some traditional guidelines for this
Lenten testing: prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. How we integrate these
three guidelines into our “desert experience” is a personal
decision. But let us remain mindful that the desert story of the Gospels
is our story. Just as we followed Jesus into the waters of baptism, so
must we follow him into the desert.
Creating a desert experience for ourselves can lead
to a profound renewal and restoration of our spiritual lives. Take
advantage of this Lenten season to embrace a desert experience, and pray
that we emerge from our personal desert prepared to proclaim the Gospel
and become more devoted disciples of Christ Jesus.
With love, Father Steve
CONFESSION
You are invited to experience Christ’s healing love and forgiveness
through the Sacrament of Reconciliation. During Lent, Father Steve will
be available for Confession on Saturday from 4:00 to 4:45 pm.
LENTEN SCHEDULE AND COLLECTIONS
Click
here to view and print this years Lenten Schedule and Collections.
CWTT: LENTEN ACTS OF KINDNESS CHALLENGE
Catholic Women Today and Tomorrow is happy to announce the Lenten Acts
of Kindness Challenge. We encourage you to perform one act of kindness
each day during the month of March. There are two ways to participate:
-
Go to www.stchristines.org and click on “Lenten
Acts of Kindness Challenge”
-
On Facebook, join Catholic Women Today and Tomorrow
Events & Church Activities/Facebook
Then tell us about some of your “Acts of Kindness.” All
who share an act of kindness will have their name entered in a raffle.
On April 1st, one name will be drawn and $100 will be donated to a non-profit
organization of the winner’s choice.
Click
here to share your Lenten Act of Kindness
Lenten Booklets are now
on sale for $1.00 at the exit doors of the church after
all the Masses.
Stations of the Cross - Thursdays at 4:30
pm
You are invited to gather together in the church to pray the Stations
of the Cross on the following Thursdays.
- February 25th March 4th March 11th
- March 18th March 25th
Social distancing between families and masks are required to ensure safety
for all. Please join us as we meditate on the great love Jesus showed
for us in His most sorrowful Passion.
Last Weekend's Offertory Collection |
Budgeted
Goal: |
$9,800 |
Received: |
$3,345 |
On-Line
Giving: |
$2,750 |
Total:
|
$6,095 |
Defecit: |
$3,705 |
Ash
Wednesday Collection: $ 1,041 This
weekend there will be a second collection for the support of Churches
in underdeveloped areas around the World and also for Catholic Relief
Services, Churches in Africa and Central and Eastern Europe, National
Catholic Missions, Home Missions, Black and Indian Missions and
the Military. Your generosity is greatly appreciated. |
>>
Your generosity is GREATLY appreciated!!<< |
~
Thanks to all our Online Giving subscribers.
~ |
~ Please Consider
our Online Giving Program ~ |
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION / FAITH FORMATION
/ CCD
Tuition bills have been mailed to
our parishioners.
Grades 1 - 5
Zoom classes for grades 1 through 5 will take place on: Sunday,
March 7th 10 - 11 am Monday thru Thursday, March 8, 9, 10, and 11
from 4:00 to 5:30 pm.
First Communion Clothing
If anyone has a First Communion dress or suit that you would like
to donate for our communicants, please call Susie McCarthy at the
CCD Office. (781-837-0088)
Click
on the Weekly Bulletin link above to read all CCD Announcements.
GRAND ANNUAL COLLECTION 2020
- GOAL: $120,000 | RECEIVED:
$85,165
Our Grand Annual will take place through February 2021.
As you may recall, we did not have a Grand Annual Collection in April
due to the pandemic. This fund is necessary to balance our church budget.
Grand Annual envelopes have been mailed to all our parishioners. Each
family is asked to contribute $400 dollars. However, what one gives
is your choice and no one should give beyond their means. Your envelope
may be mailed or returned to the church or to the rectory anytime. You
may also make a donation on-line either as a one time payment or over
a period of time. I am so grateful to you. Thank you for your generosity
and support of our parish. Father Steve
ST, CHRISTINE'S SCHOLARSHIPS
- View
Form
St. Christine's Scholarship application forms for any graduating high
school senior who is a member of our parish are now available in the
Sacristy, CCD Office, Rectory and the Guidance Office at Marshfield
High School. Completed forms with a photo and required essay must be
returned to the rectory by Monday, April 5, 2021.
If you are interested in remembering a family member or friend by honoring
them with a scholarship in their name, please contact Fr. Steve at the
rectory.
CONGRATULATIONS
Congratulations to Larry and Cathy Whalen on the celebration of their
64th Wedding Anniversary (WOW!).
May God continue to bless and watch over them.
CATHOLIC APPEAL - March 6th
and 7th
As we begin the season of Lent, we are reminded of the importance of
our parish communities that allow us to fully live out our faith. Your
support helps our parish to continue serving the faithful in our community
and helping our parishes, schools and communities throughout the Archdiocese
of Boston. Your generosity provides funding for these great efforts
and every gift makes a difference. Please visit www.bostoncatholicappeal.org
to learn more about the Catholic Appeal 2021 or to make a donation.
Thank you!
Online Giving Tax Information
- Information and instructions can be found here.
HORIZONS FOR HOMELESS CHILDREN
Horizons for Homeless Children needs volunteers to play with homeless
children in Marshfield two hours each week with all safety measures
in place. Online trainings will take place on Saturday, February 27th
from 9:30 to 11:30 am and Tuesday, March 2nd from 6:00 to 8:00 pm. Call
at 774-260-2612 to register or if you have any questions.
SOWING SEEDS
Sowing Seeds welcomes donations of newer winter jackets, sweaters, hats
and gloves and warm clothing for men, women and children in all sizes.
Always needed are baby wipes and diapers for babies, toddlers and adults.
The Clothing Bank, located on the corner of Route 139 and School Street,
is open on Thursday and Saturday mornings from 10:00 am to 12 noon to
distribute and receive donations. Thank you for your help.
VOCATIONS: We
pray for families that they may encourage young people to rejoice in
doing God’s will.
REFLECTIONS:
How can you live out your baptismal commitment during this time of fulfillment?
BULLETIN SUPPORTERS:
We sincerely thank all of our advertisers who have placed ads in our
bulletin. Please support the businesses that advertise in our parish
bulletin as their ads help to defray the cost of the bulletin.
Other Catholic Activities at Local Parishes
ALPHA IS HERE!!! - Now through April 14
Alpha Online is a series of sessions exploring the Christian faith. A
typical session involves gathering via Zoom to watch a 20 - 30 minute
Alpha video looking at a different question around faith. The video is
designed to spark conversation in an open and safe environment. Conversations
follows the video in small groups with a facilitator. The sessions will
take place from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm each week. Alpha is sponsored by Holy
Family Parish, Saint Mary/St. Joseph and Pilgrim Catholic Collaborative.
For more information, please contact Ms. Jeanne Cregan at jcregan@holyfamilyduxbury,org
or call 781-934-5055 x114
Rosary: A public Rosary will be prayed on Saturday,
February 20th at noon at South River Park on Ocean Street across from
Speedway Gas Station. Please join us in praying for Our Lady’s
intentions, our own intentions and for our country. We hope to see you
there!!!
Miramar Retreat Center
Marriage Encounter: You are invited to attend a Marriage Encounter
Weekend for married couples who wish to enrich their marriage from Friday,
March12 through Sunday, March 14th at Miramar retreat Center in Duxbury.
For more information and registration, please call 800-710-9963 or visit
wwnema.org.
Other programs and retreats are also available. If you are interested,
please call Miramar at 781-585-2470 for more information and registration.
Saint
Christine’s now has a Facebook
page. We will use the Face Book page to post parish news, events, CCD
cancellations, photos and more but we need your help. Visit www.facebook.com/stchristinesmarshfield
and “LIKE” our
page to help spread the word. We’re new to Facebook so please bear
with us as we get up to speed with social media. You can also link to
our Facebook page whereever you see the Facebook logo on our site.
Read
the Complete Bulletin for all Parish News
IMPORTANT
PARISH NOTICES
REMINDER:
The Marshfield Fire Department has requested that our parishioners refrain
from parking in front of the church as it prevents their access in times
of emergency.
EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS, LECTORS, ALTAR SERVERS
Please check your schedules to see if/when you are assigned. If you unable
to serve your assigned Mass, it is important that you call a substitute
to serve for you.
FAITH FORMATION INFORMATION (CCD)
All children in Grades 1 through 3 must have a parent or another adult
accompany them to and from class each week. Parents must sign children
out before they are released from their class.
PARKING LOT REMINDER!!
Please exercise extreme caution in our church parking lot while dropping
off and picking up children from classes. Please drive slowly in the parking
lot and refrain from using cell phones. Children move quickly and your
full attention is needed.
FAITH FORMATION CANCELLATIONS DUE TO WEATHER
If classes are cancelled due to weather, notification will be available
on Channels 5, and 7. Please tune into these stations or log onto their
websites. Additionally, cancellations will be announced on WATD radio
(95.9). Please note that if Marshfield Schools are closed, Saint Christine’s
CCD classes are also cancelled. |