Holy Name Parish

Pastor’s Column

March 14, 2010

Catholic Appeal Last week Cardinal Seán O’Malley spoke at all the Masses via a video recording. His homily was based upon the readings for the Third Sunday of Lent and concluded with a brief message requesting our participation in the Catholic Appeal. I fully support his request and have made my personal contribution to the Appeal.

At the Mass at which I presided, I asked those in attendance to pray about their response, suggesting that they pray the Our Father before reading the brochure and again after reading the brochure. This may help to put into perspective the many agencies and offerings that come from the Archdiocese. We cannot function without these services. I then asked the parishioners–and I am repeating this request to you–that another Our Father be offered before completing the pledge form and a final Our Father after filling in the contribution amount. If we pray to do the will of God, our decision will be the right one.

Holy Name Parish’s target amount is $83,500; the assessment amount is $68,736. This assessment is a certain percentage of the Parish Offertory, Grand Annual and Monthly collections’ average for the past three years. The parish will keep 50 percent of anything raised above $68,736. In the past three years, Holy Name raised slightly more than $81,000, so the assessed amount is within reach. There are extra packets in the pews for those who have not yet received or read the material. Thank you for this consideration.

Quite a Week Last Sunday the regular Sunday morning Religious Education classes were held for Grades K–6. There also were retreats–with perfect attendance–for the Confirmation I and Confirmation II students. (One student was previously excused.) The Confirmation I class viewed and discussed the film, The Boy in the Striped Pajamas. The Confirmation II class met in Finn Hall with a Retreat Team. Good reports were received about both retreats. Interviews are being conducted with the students preparing to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation April 8.

During the week the Sacrament of Penance was celebrated with the Holy Name Parish School students in Grades 3–6. This Sacrament will be offered to the Religious Education Grades 3–6 students March 14 in the convent following the 9:00 Family Mass and Hospitality. Students in Grades 7–Confirmation II will receive the Sacrament March 14 at 5:30pm in the lower church. Attendance will be taken.

The Parish Pastoral Council, the Finance Council and the School Board also held meetings this past week. At the PPC meeting parish activities were reviewed, and there was discussion about keeping vision for the parish on target, as well as how to set and meet the goals necessary to do so. The Finance Council reviewed the parish finances of the past eight months. They will present an accounting of all parish finances in an upcoming bulletin. The School Board reviewed the expected enrollment for the next school year and discussed ways for the school to continue its strong academic and formation programs.

Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults At the 4:00pm Mass last weekend the Creed was presented to four of the five participants preparing for full membership in the Church. Next week the participants will be presented with the Our Father at the 11:00am Mass. Joanne DeGeorge, Fran Hauck and the priests have been involved in this journey with these people. Kindly keep Kathleen Carney, Carolyn Gibney, Michelle Maloney, Jessica Murphy and Marilyn Shea in your prayers as they continue toward full membership in the Catholic Church.

100 Special Singers!!!! Students in Grades 3–6 are invited to sing at this week’s 9:00am Mass. The plan is to do this once a month and try to achieve a goal of 100 Singers. Parents of children in Grades 3–6, no matter what school they attend, are asked to have their children join this group. Father Oscar has worked with these students and will continue to do so.

Archdiocesan Implementation Finance Review Committee made a presentation to the thirty parishes that are part of the Pilot Program for this initiative. Holy Name is one of these parishes. One of the components is to have an Increased Offertory Program in the spring. Holy Name has not had an increased program for at least fifteen years. Materials have been reviewed from six companies that do this work nationwide.

Instead of paying several individual fees and charges for services rendered to the parish (e.g., real estate, facilities, audit fees, hospital chaplain charges) by the central administration of the Archdioceses, each parish will pay a certain fixed percentage of their Offertory, Grand Annual and monthly collections and a revised amount for the Catholic Appeal. (See previous information about Catholic Appeal.) Some parishes will pay more than they currently pay, others will pay less, and some will be about the same. The purpose of this initiative is to treat all parishes fairly. The thirty volunteer parishes will help the Archdiocese refine and plan the final program that all parishes eventually will use.

Bequest Received This past week I received news that the parish has received $7,400 from the estate of a parishioner who passed away a few years ago. Holy Name previously had received $14,000 from her estate shortly after her death. This parishioner was very involved in the parish as a volunteer and as a regular participant at Mass. As you can imagine, such a bequest makes a big difference to the parish.

Saint Patrick Day Mass will be celebrated at 8:00am March 17. Saint Patrick is the patron saint of the Archdiocese. All are invited to the rectory following the Mass for coffee and Irish bread. You are welcome to bake and share an Irish Bread for this collation.

Saint Joseph Feast Day Mass will be celebrated at 9:00am March 19 with the HNPS students. All are welcome to attend this Mass at which the Sisters of Saint Joseph will be honored. The Sisters have been invited to the rectory for special refreshments following the Mass. Kindly pray for all the Sisters who have served the school and parish so well since 1953. Abundant blessings upon the Sisters of St. Joseph!

Upper Church Project The refinishing of the floor has been completed, and carpeting has been ordered for the church entrances. The new pews are scheduled to arrive from Pennsylvania March 15, and it is expected to take about one week for them to be installed. I am grateful for the contributions that still are being received. Every gift helps. Blessings upon all of you for your patience, for your encouragement and for your generosity.

The Light Is On for You Every church and chapel in the Archdiocese is open each Lenten Wednesday for the Sacrament of Penance. Holy Name lower church will be open 6:30-8:00pm. You may wish to avail yourself of this opportunity to experience the healing of Christ in this Sacrament. There are guidelines available in the confessional room to help you with the process.

Adult Confirmation 2010 Adults who have received Baptism and Eucharist but who are not confirmed and wish to be are invited to register for Adult Confirmation. Call the rectory to register and/or to request additional information—schedule to be determined. Bring baptismal certificate to the first meeting. Confirmation is April 8 at 7:00pm.

Parish Baby Shower Program On behalf of the many clients served by Pregnancy Help, the Archdiocesan crisis pregnancy center, operated by the Pro Life Office, The Pregnancy Help Office would like to thank you and your parishioners for participating in the 2010 Parish Baby Shower Program. The generous donation of $1,795 and the many beautiful baby items offer hope and support to the lives of all of the clients served by Pregnancy Help.