Trip

Good People,

The International Pilgrimage to Rome for the Deaf in June will be a
once in a life time opportunity. Fliers have been passed out
regarding this. If you would like the details they are published on
the website at www.deafcatholic.org or you can ask me for a flier.
Many are excited about the possibility but the price tag is prohibitive.

We have the possibility of bringing down the price tag in a few ways
however. Our good Pastor, Fr. Connelly and others in the parish
have an eagerness to support this Pilgrimage for those people who are
deaf who might not be able to afford it. How this might be worked
out is something I still have no specific plans for but am hopeful
can be arranged. Please share any ideas you might have if you are
have ideas about how this process could be set up.

We also have the Yankee Candle Fundraiser underway. After Mass
please see the brochures set up at the coffee hour. This good
fundraiser helps the people who are deaf hear at Sacred Heart with
the special events that happen here specifically for people who are
deaf. We are, for example preparing for a retreat with a religious
woman named Sr. Rita who has lead many retreats for the deaf
throughout the world. We are also having a Religious Education Open
House to set up classes for deaf people preparing to complete the
Sacraments of Initiation. All these things are a great sign of the
love and support of the Christian Faithful. The Yankee Candle
Fundraiser is a way that you can be part of all this. Please help us
to have a good go at this years Fundraiser by participating.

Lastly, I would like to say a word about the Sunday Eucharist. It is
the case that we all need to redouble our efforts in this regard.
The central place of this weekly rhythm is not a simply a human
convention. It is not a laudable practice or an interesting little
custom. It is obvious that many of you have come to discover that
this rhythm is indeed something that is central to the plan God has
for us in our lives and I encourage and commend you. However, there
it is the case that not all seem equally successful in making the
Sunday Eucharist rhythm central. To that end I would like to explain
a little about how we know it is so important to keep. The Bible,
written by God has come to us over so many centuries and though the
human authorship of so many diverse people. And yet one of the most
constant and central revelations of God to us from the very first
story in Gennesis, with it's seven day rhythm, to the end is the
need we have to be serious about gathering as a people to give God
thanks and praise. The scripture shows us that this plan for our
good is foundational to our life with God and neighbor. Think of the
ten commandments. They are general in general. The command about
loving one's parents is general for example. There is nothing
specific in the command about how to love them by this or that action
with this or that frequency. The love of God is different. This
command comes with a clear specific direction: keep holy the Lord's
day. We must all by our presence and preparation be serious about
this plan for our salvation.

In Christ,

Fr. St. Martin

Fr. Joe Bruce Inspires!

The following was published in Fr. Joe Bruce's newsletter:

Comments from Fr. Peter Andrews, pastor of St. Theresa’s Church in Tiverton about a signed Mass on August 19

Last Sunday, as Fr. Joe Bruce, SJ, joined us for the 11am Mass at Saint Theresa Church, I and many with us were truly moved. Fr. Joe is a deaf priest who works with the deaf and hard of hearing community in our diocese. His celebration of the Mass was nothing short of inspiring. He was truly animated, confident and gifted in using both voice and sign language to bring the Mass to us all.What really moved me, however, was not only what Fr. Joe was doing, nor even what Dan Cleary, the gentleman who signed the readings, songs and common prayers was involved with, but rather how their presence focused the attention of us all. I found myself being much deliberate in my phrasing of common prayers, and making the effort to truly enunciate each syllable. The readings and announcements were done with just a touch more deliberation too, slowing things down a bit to allow for the signers to move along with the readings. Words that are so common to us all were not rushed or rattled through, but spoken clearly and much more slowly than I have heard in a long time.I was struck half-way through Mass with the overwhelming sense that so much of what we do is taken for granted. What a privilege it is to fully participate in the Mass each time we gather, and how devastating it would be for me, and I daresay many of you, if for some reason we could not continue. For those deaf brothers and sisters who joined in this celebration, it was perhaps the first time that they could celebrate with us fully at Saint Theresa Church. What would it be like if I could not be as much a part of the Mass as I can today? What would I do if I could not hear the richness of the music or the depth of our voiced prayer? How would my life be changed if I was not able to understand the Word of God as it was being proclaimed?There was a rich lesson in the celebration of this Mass last weekend, that I hope to take with me, as I hope every lector, cantor, musician, deacon, priest, or respondent to the spoken word will take. The ministry entrusted to us is that we bring the Word of God alive for each other, and we are not doing this well if some among us are not able to understand what we do. I believe we have work to do to make our efforts more deliberate and meaningful. I believe we all need to take the time necessary to slow down and proclaim clearly the pure gifts of words entrusted to us, in speech and in song. I believe that we all, minister and congregation, need to work more diligently on giving real meaning to all we do at Mass.Too much can become too familiar, and in this familiarity the full impact of our praise and worship of God is not felt. Too much is at stake for us to fall into complacency and to convey our faith without real meaning. Last Sunday I was privileged to both hear and see Mass come alive at the hands of us who truly love what we do. Surely not for the first time, and prayerfully not for the last.

Short Summary of Events

Good People,

This past 1st Tuesday of the month we had about 20 Senior Citizens who are deaf participate in our Parish Senior Wellness Program. We had a great time making some angelic artwork (as it was the feast of the guardian angels) to give to our brother and sisters at the NewEngland Home for the Deaf, as a message of our love. This program will continue on the 1st Tuesdays of every month. Wednesday Masses will continue at the NewEngland Home for the Deaf in Danvers as they have been for some time now. The Retreat for Deaf Catholic Community with Sr. Rita is fast approaching. Checks are payable to Sacred Heart Parish with a note about Sr. Rita. Price? $35 if you can afford it. If you can afford more, give more. Those who have more need to make themselves responsible for those who have less.

We have the Open-House and Dinner for Religious Education for Deaf Youth on Oct. 18th in the MacKenzie Center at 6:00 p.m. Children may come. Food will be kid friendly. We will set up times and places for classes at this time.

There has been a lot of interest in the trip to Rome. This could be a once in a life time experience. It is expensive. We could do some fundraising to offset the price. To gather with other Catholics who are deaf from all over the world, engage in a conference, be pilgrims together in Rome, and visit our Pope will be a great witness to the Spirit living in the Church. We should do it. Fr. Joe Bruce has told the people in his R.I. about this great opportunity. Please talk to me if you are interested.

World Youth Day is fast approaching. I would still like to lead a group of youth to join in the deaf centered activities available at this historic occasion. Let's talk if you have questions about this possibility.

Pray for a man named James. He is now beginnings his formal study to become a Catholic. I am trying to teach him in ASL. If you would like to help me teach him please let me know. We are meeting on Mondays at St. John's in Hopkinton. at 6:00 p.m.

Finally some of you hve asked to have the address of the Seminary in California where we boast of having a seminarian, Shawn Carey. He is the fruit of our parish in a formal way. We must remind each other of this extraordinary love from above unfolding right in our mists. Send him care packages and letters of encouragement. If we don't live by faith we will die an eternal death of meaninglessness. I dare say there would be more spontaneous excitement if we had a deaf young man from our parish become a sports star. As it is, we run the risk of having his ordination go unsung by many. Lord, don't let it be because I failed to point it out.

The address is: Shawn Carey

St. Patrick's Seminary

320 Middlefield Road

Menlo Park, CA 94025

Pilgrimage to Rome

ARCHDIOCESE OF BOSTON
DEAF CATHOLIC MINISTRIES
Pilgrimage to Italy

MILAN PADUA VENICE PISA FLORENCE ASSISI ROME
June 16 – 27, 2008

American Catholic Delegation to the
International Deaf Community
Papal Audience
June 25, 2008

DAY 1 ~ U.S.A. – Monday, Jun. 16, 2008
Depart on Trans Atlantic flight to Milan, Italy. Complimentary meals and beverages served on board.

DAY 2 ~ MILAN / PADUA – June 17
Benvenuto a Italia! Arrive in Milan where our professional tour escort will be waiting outside the restricted customs area to meet you and assist you to your private deluxe motor coach. We begin our sightseeing tour visiting the Duomo (Cathedral), La Scala Opera House and Leonardo Da Vinci’s painting of the Last Supper. Depart for the scenic drive to Padua ~ home of St. Anthony. Upon arrival, check into hotel. Remainder of the afternoon at your leisure. Tonight we will enjoy a welcome dinner with wine at a local restaurant. Overnight Padua. (D)

DAY 3 ~ PADUA – June 18
Today we visit the School for the Deaf; we celebrate Mass at the “Basilica di Sant'Antonio” (Santo), one of Italy’s most renowned sanctuaries, which houses the tomb of Saint Anthony. Activities for the remainder of the day are T.B.A. Dinner and overnight Padua. (B/D)

DAY 4 ~ VENICE – June 19
After breakfast we depart for a full day excursion to Venice for a guided tour of the “floating city”. Venice is a collection of 117 islets and islands, crisscrossed by 177 canals. This afternoon we will visit the “Basilica di San Marco” & “Piazza San Marco” (St. Mark’s Cathedral and Square), the “Ponte dei Suspiri” (Bridge of Sighs) and “Palazzo Ducale” (Doges’ Palace), which is one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture in Europe. Free time this afternoon. Return to Padua for dinner and overnight. (B/D)

DAY 5 ~ PISA / MONTECATINI – June 20
After enjoying breakfast, we depart for Pisa to experience the Leaning Tower. This evening we transfer to Montecatini Terme for dinner and overnight. (B/D)

DAY 6 ~ FLORENCE – June 21
After breakfast, we depart for Florence to visit the highlights of this beautiful city! We will visit the Academy of Fine Arts, which houses Michelangelo’s ‘David’ ~ the Cathedral with Brunelleschi’s magnificent Dome ~ Giotto’s soaring Bell Tower of pink, white and green marble ~ the Baptistery with Ghilberti’s masterpiece (bronze doors) known as “The Gates of Paradise” and the “Basilica di Santa Croce”, where Michelangelo and Galileo are buried. There will be free time to browse the wonderful shops or to visit more of the wonders of Florence. Evening return to Montecatini for dinner at the “Corsaro Verde” restaurant; and overnight. (B/D)



DAY 7 ~ ASSISI / ROME – June 22
This morning we depart for the mystical hill town of Assisi ~ home of St. Francis and St. Clare. Celebrate Sunday mass in Assisi and visit the Church of St. Clare, which houses her incorrupt body. We will tour the Basilica of St. Francis with the Tomb of St. Francis and the famous paintings of his life by Giotto. There will be time for lunch, followed by a visit to the Church of Saint Mary of the Angels, containing the famous Porziuncola, the chapel where St. Francis consecrated St. Clare and where in 1226 St. Francis passed from this life into eternal life. Continue onto Rome for dinner and overnight. (B/L/D)

DAY 8 ~ ROME – June 23
Today we visit the magnificent Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel where you will raise your eyes to Michelangelo’s “Creation” and “Last Judgment.” Take a tour of St. Peter’s Basilica and visit the tomb of John Paul II. After lunch (on your own), we take a tour of the catacombs and visit the Piazza Navona which is home to Bernini’s wonderful Fountain of the Four Rivers, the Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon and the famous Spanish Steps located in the Piazza di Spagna. Dinner at a local restaurant and overnight Rome. (B/D)

DAY 9 ~ ROME – June 24
This morning we will tour Ancient Rome, which includes the magnificent Colosseum, Palatine Hill, and the Roman Forum. There will be time for lunch (on your own) before our afternoon tour of Christian Rome. Our tour includes: the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, the Holy Staircase, the Basilica of St. John Lateran, St. Paul Outside the Walls, and the Circus Maximus. Dinner on your own tonight. Overnight Rome. (B)

DAY 10 ~ ROME – Wednesday, June 25
Today we will attend the Papal Audience, with the International Catholic Deaf Community, at St. Peter’s Basilica! Schedule for the day T.B.A. Tonight enjoy dinner at the “Rinaldo All’Acquedotto” restaurant. Overnight Rome. (B/D)

DAY 11 ~ ROME – June 26
After breakfast, we celebrate Mass with the International Catholic Deaf Community. Day’s schedule T.B.A. Overnight Rome. (B)

DAY 12 ~ ROME /U.S.A – Friday, Jun. 27, 2008
After breakfast, we transfer to the Rome airport for our return flight home. Complimentary meals and beverages served on board. (B)



INCLUDES:
Round-Trip Air from Boston
4 Star Hotel Accommodations
Buffet Breakfast Daily (B)
1 Lunch (L) and 8 Dinners (D)
Sightseeing and Entrance Fees per Itinerary
Private Deluxe Motor Coach
Professional Tour Escort / Licensed Guides
Luggage Handling / Transfers
Passport Case and Luggage Tags
Hotel Taxes and Service Charges
Sign-Language Interpreters

~ $250 DUE NOW TO RESERVE YOUR SPACE~

θ CHECK ENCLOSED:
Payable to: Best Catholic Pilgrimages & Tours

θ CREDIT CARD PAYMENT AUTHORIZATION:
I hereby authorize Best Catholic Pilgrimages & Tours to charge the initial deposit
and base price with my credit card as my form of payment: $250 deposit due now
(Balance of payment will be charged to your card per invoice due date or
no later than 60 days prior to departure)

Credit Card Type: θ Master Card θ Visa θ Discover Expiration Date:
Card Number: 5555-5555-5555-5555 _______/________
Name as it appears on Credit Card______________________________
Signature_________________________
Date____________

Catholic Deaf Community Pilgrimage to Italy

Enclosed is my (our) reservation and deposit to secure my (our) place in the amount of $250 (per person). A non-refundable travel insurance premium of $165 (per person) will be invoiced. I understand the price is based on a group of 25 paying people per motor coach. I have read, understood, and agree to the tour conditions.

Pilgrimage Date: June 16 ~ 27, 2008

Pilgrimage Cost: $3510.00 + Air Tax

Departure: θ Boston [BOS]

Prices are based on Euro-Dollar Exchange rate of $1.30 per €1.
Round trip air cost quoted at $1115 and airline tax is subject to change until ticketed.


Signature: ________________________________________


Passport Name(s): ____________________________

__________________________________________

Address: ____________________________________


City: _____________State: Zip: __________


Phone: ( ) ________________________________


Work / Cell: ( ) ___________________________


E-mail: _____________________________________

Roommate: __________________________________
θ I prefer single accommodation for an additional cost of $395.


June 16 ~ 27, 2008
$3510.00 + Air Tax
(per person/double occupancy)
Does not include air taxes and travel insurance





For information or brochures, contact:

Fr. Jeremy St. Martin at (617) 746-5645
Email: ReverendJeremy_St.Martin@rcab.org
Email: Kathryn_Carey@rcab.org

– OR –
Best Catholic Pilgrimages, 1 (800) 908-2378
Email: info@bestcatholic.com







FAX THIS FORM TO:
1-888-647-2378

OR DETACH AND MAIL TO:
Best Catholic Pilgrimages
640 N. LaSalle Street, Ste. 636
Chicago, IL 60610

St. Francis Celebration in Bean Town

Br. Hugh would like to invite you to two celebration of St. Francis, his life. They are:

Blessing of the Animals: Sep 23rd at 1:00 p.m.

Friars' Street Fair on Arch Street: Tuesday, October 2, 11:30 to 1:30 p.m.

Sincerely,

Fr. St. Martin