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Parishes and Schools In The Archdiocese Respond To The Newtown Tragedy

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As we all begin to absorb the tragic events in Newtown, CT parishes across the Archdiocese are organizing prayer vigils and encouraging acts of kindness to help begin the healing process for our friends in Newtown.  Following is a sample of some of the acts of kindness we are learning about; we know there are many more activities and prayer vigils occurring across the Archdiocese than what is listed here:

Monday, December 17, 2012

A prayer vigil is being planned for tonight at 6pm in Memorial Field (rain or shine).  This has been organized by a recently confirmed young adult from St. Joseph Parrish in Needham.

The Paulist Center at 5 Park Street in Boston will do a Prayer Service for Holy Innocents tonight at 7 pm. They will probably do some variation of the Vespers service for the feast of The Holy Innocents is December 28th.

Immaculate Conception Parish, Everett is having a Prayer Service tonight, Monday, December 18 at 6 pm at the Church.

Our Lady Comforter of the Afflicted in Waltham is having a Mass this evening at 6pm for the victims of Newtown, CT and their families.  All are welcome.

 

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Saint Patrick Parish in Stoneham, MA is planning a Holy Hour on Wednesday evening, DEC19 from 6:30 to 7:30pm in the upper church for the victims and their families.

At 7pm this Wednesday, December 19th, there will be a candle-light prayer vigil at St Mary’s Parish in Chelmsford to pray and remember all those who died during the school tragedy in Newtown, CT as well as their families.

Our Lady Star of the Sea Parish  Marblehead Ma will conduct a prayer Vigil Service on Wed Night Dec 19th in  the Main church from 7:30 to 8:30pm.  All are welcome.

St. Agnes Parish, Reading will be having a vigil this Wed. at 7pm. It will be based on a Taize holy hour for healing, peace and reconciliation

Christmas

Saint Cecilia Parish in Ashland plans to recognize the tragic events in Newtown, CT with the 4:00 p.m. Christmas Mass Intention being: For the victims and their loved ones of Newtown, Connecticut.

Here is a sample of what other parishes and schools have done (information continues to stream in)

St. Thomas Aquinas Parish, Bridgewater offered a special prayer (below) at the end of every weekend mass which will also be prayed at the end of each of the weekday masses.  The William’s Middle School PTO used the Parish Center for a parent’s meeting last night (Sunday) during which Dr. Michael Kocet, Associate Professor of Counseling and Education at Bridgewater State University, spoke to the parents and chaired a discussion.

Prayer for those affected by the tragedy in Newtown, Connecticut. To be said after every Mass during this week.

God of endless love,
ever caring, ever strong,
always present, always just:
You gave your only Son
to save us by the blood of his cross.

Gentle Jesus, shepherd of peace,
join to your own suffering
the pain of all who have been hurt
in body, mind, and spirit
and keep them close to your own merciful heart.

Hear our cries as we agonize
over the harm done to our brothers and sisters.
Breathe wisdom into our prayers,
soothe restless hearts with hope,
steady shaken spirits with faith:
Show us the way to justice and wholeness,
enlightened by truth and enfolded in your mercy.

Holy Spirit, comforter of hearts,
heal your people’s wounds
and transform our brokenness.
Grant us courage and wisdom, humility and grace,
so that we may act with justice
and find peace in you.
We ask this through Christ, our Lord. Amen.

And we ask the intercession of Mary, who knows the sorrow of losing a child, to be with the families of the victims of this tragedy as we pray…

Hail Mary…

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

St. James Parish, Salem: Had the chapel open on Friday, December 14th for prayer with music for quiet reflection

St. John the Evangelist Parish, Townsend: Prayer for the Dead of Newtown, CT last Friday (December 14)

Pope John Paul II Catholic Academy Columbia Campus on Columbia Rd. held amorning prayer service today (Monday, December 17) followed by another at for grades 5-8 in the Church

Channel 5 covered a morning prayer service and talk with students and Headmaster Bill Burke at St. Sebastian’s in Needham

This morning, Monday, December 17th a Prayer Service was held at St. Mary’s Church in Melrose for parents dropping off their children at St. Mary’s School and for all.  The community gathered to pray for the victims in Connecticut, their families and for parents, children and families everywhere.  The service concluded with a candle lighting ceremony for the parents.

This past weekend, Fr. Thomas Bouton celebrated Mass at the Dedham House of Correction/DAC for the victims/relatives/friends/emergency workers of the horrendous event in Newtown, CT. He also celebrated Mass at the Federal Correctional Center @ Devins/Ayer and the Plymouth County House of Correction. In addition he is offering a novena of Masses for those who have died, their relatives and friends, EMTs, paramedics, law enforcement personnel and all involved in the response to the situation, and all who will provide assistance in the future.

Fr. Bob Carr (Holy Trinity Parish, Quincy) forwarded to us a video of Deacon Bill Maloney  preaching on the tragedy in light of the liturgical theme of Sunday (Today).  You can see his homily on their website www.holytrinityquincy.com and at http://youtu.be/2flZEtPFUow

At Our Lady of Fatima parish, Fr. Richard Erikson had the flag at half staff.   The parish listed the names of the children and adults in our Book of Remembrance and set up the book in front of the lectern with a vigil lamp and plant.   In addition they had a ceremony of lighting the remembrance candle tonight and a time of silent prayer.

On Friday evening, December 14, St. Blaise Parish in Bellingham gathered with the Knights of Columbus for the rosary.  That time happened to be the same time that St. Rose of Lima Parish in Newtown gathered to celebrate their 7 p.m. Mass.

 

 

 

 

 


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