Main Office: 11 Harnden St. (978) 658-4665
Faith Formation Office: 126 Middlesex Ave. (978) 658-6040
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PHISHING EMAILS
There have been emails going out that look like they are from Fr. Walter and/or parish staff. Please note that we will never send emails that look like the following:
Hello xxxxxx,
How're you today? May the blessings and mercy of God be with you...... I need some assistance, I would be happy if you could help me out.
I will wait for your reply via this email.
PS; Am on a conference meeting on zoom i will only reply via email.
Yours in Christ
Fr. Walter Carreiro
If you receive an email like this please report it as junk and DO NOT RESPOND.
St. Thomas Church
Sunday: 8 AM & Noon
St. Dorothy Church
Saturday: 4 PM
Sunday: 10 AM
Weekday Masses
Monday - Friday: 9 AM at St. Dorothy Church
Rosary
Starts at 8:25 AM prior to Daily Mass
Sacrament of Reconciliation
Saturday: 2:30 to 3:45 PM at St. Dorothy Church or by appointment
Adoration
Every Friday from 5-7pm at St. Dorothy's
First Friday of the Month: 2 - 7 PM at St. Dorothy’s
PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR LENTEN ACTIVITIES AND HOLY WEEK SCHEDULE
A REMINDER THAT IF THERE IS NO SCHOOL THERE IS NO DAILY MASS. CARS IN THE PARKING LOT HINDER THE PLOWS.
Greetings,
Welcome to Palm Sunday and Holy Week, the center of our lives as Catholic Christians!
Holy Week is a significant period in the liturgical calendar of the Catholic Church that commemorates the events leading up to Jesus Christ's crucifixion and resurrection. It begins with Palm Sunday, marking Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem, and includes Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday. The Sacred Paschal Triduum, which comprises Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday, is the heart of Holy Week and the liturgical year. It is a time for the Church to reflect on and participate in the mystery of Christ's suffering, death, and resurrection, emphasizing the central aspects of the Christian faith. The Triduum invites believers to deepen their relationship with Christ through prayer, meditation, and participation in the liturgical celebrations, such as the Mass of the Lord's Supper, the veneration of the Cross, and the Easter Vigil. The Triduum is a time of special grace for every Christian, offering an opportunity for spiritual renewal and conversion.
Palm Sunday holds great significance in the Christian tradition as it marks the beginning of Holy Week and commemorates Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem. The blessing of palms on Palm Sunday serves as a reminder of Christ's royal splendor and his ultimate sacrifice through his Passion and Resurrection. The use of palms symbolizes victory over sin and the world, and they are kept as a witness to faith in Jesus Christ, the messianic king, and his Paschal Victory. The procession on Palm Sunday, where the faithful carry blessed palms, is a joyous and popular celebration that unites the themes of Christ's kingship and his impending suffering. The history of Palm Sunday dates back to the biblical account of Jesus' entry into Jerusalem, where he was welcomed with palm branches and hailed as the Son of David. The tradition of using palms as a symbol of victory and joy has been carried on through the centuries, with the blessed palms being used as sacramentals and even for practical purposes like protection from storms. Overall, Palm Sunday serves as a poignant reminder of Christ's kingship, his sacrificial love, and the beginning of the events leading to his Crucifixion and Resurrection.
The Chrism Mass is a liturgical celebration where the Bishop, accompanied by priests, renews priestly promises, and blesses the oils used in various sacraments. The Chrism Mass symbolizes the fullness of Christ's Priesthood and the ecclesial communion of the Christian people gathered for the Eucharistic sacrifice, emphasizing the importance of priests reaffirming their fidelity to Christ and the gift of the Holy Spirit in the Church. Normally held on Thursday, in the Archdiocese of Boston it is celebrated on Tuesday of Holy Week.
The Sacred Paschal Triduum is the culmination of the liturgical year, consisting of Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and Easter Sunday. It is a time when the Church commemorates the mystery of Christ's passion, death, and resurrection, inviting believers to share in these profound events . During Holy Thursday, the Church recalls the Last Supper, the institution of the Eucharist, and the commandment of love . Good Friday is a day of pondering the mystery of sin through the Lord's passion and veneration of the Cross . Holy Saturday is a day of silence and prayer, preparing for the Easter Vigil, where the light of Christ dispels darkness, symbolizing the victory over sin and death. The Triduum is a time for deepening conversion to Christ, participating in the sacraments, especially Reconciliation, and uniting in hope with suffering brothers and sisters worldwide . Through the Triduum, believers are called to reflect on God's love for humanity, as manifested in the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The Sacred Triduum is a period of intense prayer and meditation on the central mysteries of the Christian faith, leading to a deeper adherence to Christ and a renewed commitment to live in His love. The Church celebrates these great mysteries in intimate communion with Christ, her Spouse, from the Mass of the Lord's Supper on Holy Thursday to Vespers on Easter Sunday.
Have a Blessed Holy Week!
Blessings,
Fr. Walter
Please click here to watch a short video on the Catholic Appeal
Forward in Faith
Once a year, Catholics throughout the Archdiocese are asked to partner with one another to support their parish and the many outreach ministries by contributing to the Catholic Appeal. Many of you have received a letter from Cardinal Seán requesting your participation and early support of the 2024 Appeal. We hope that you will respond to his invitation with a generous gift, knowing that each contribution has a significant impact on the lives of thousands across the Archdiocese.
Children's Liturgy for children ages 4 years and older will be at the 10:00 Mass at St. Dorothy Church on March 3 and March 24.
Sunday, April 7, 2024, there will be Adoration and Benediction from 2:00pm to 5:00pm at St. Dorothy Church. Divine Mercy Chaplet will be prayed at 3:00pm.
Monday, March 11 at 7:00pm at St. Thomas Church. Fr Walter will do a presentation on relics of saints. It should be a very interesting meeting. Refreshments will follow in the kitchen in the lower level after the presentation. All women of the parish are invited to attend.
On April 8 we are having a Flower Bouquet Creation Workshop. Click here for more details.
CRS is the official international Catholic relief and development agency of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Programs involve emergency response, health care, agriculture, education, microfinance and more. 25% of Rice Bowl donations stay in our local diocese. Go to crsricebowl.org to learn more. Rice Bowls are available at the main entrance of the Church and can be returned during Holy Week.
Ash Wednesday 2024 (St.Dorothy’s)
In today’s gospel, Jesus calls us to practices of piety, and gives us indications of HOW we should do and live this time of Lent into which we are entering with today’s Mass. I even think we could just re-read today’s gospel and it would be better than any homily, because Jesus’ words are very clear.
40 days (rain, Noah’s ark, Elijah running 40 days fed by crows, Moses fasted praying Mount Horeb, God’s People in the wilderness wandering to purify themselves in search of the Promised Land, and Jesus in the wilderness to prepare for his ministry, for his MISSION!)
40 days for CONVERSION (Conversion means giving new posture, a new attitude, a new direction to our life and to our hearts.)
FASTING, which leads me to CHARITY, to help deepen my relationship with God in PRAYER
For Lent a few years ago, Pope Francis proposed: live an ACTIVE – not passive – lent !!!!! (And I invite you to choose one of these things in each category (F/C/P) for you to practice in this Lent.)
FASTING: Not eating chocolate cake may help you to learn to resist temptations and stay more in control of your appetites, but THE BEST FASTING would be:
• Fasting from negative words... and saying kind words.
• Fasting from discontent... and filling up your day with gratitude.
• Fasting from anger or being upset... and filling yourself with meekness and patience.
• Fasting from pessimism... and filling your life with hope and optimism.
• Fasting from over-worrying about every little thing... and fill with trust in God.
• Fasting from complaints... and filling yourself with joy at the simple things in life.
• Fasting from tensions... and filling your existence with prayers.
• Fasting from bitterness and sorrow... and filling your heart with joy.
• Fasting from selfishness... and filling your heart with compassion for others.
• Fasting from lack of forgiveness and hardness of heart... and filling your life with reconciliation.
• Fasting from words and words and even more words... and filling up with silence to listen to others.
CHARITY (often referred to as “almsgiving”) : Giving a dollar, 5 dollars or 10 dollars extra as “alms” (or “charity”) in the offertory during Mass can be of great support to your parish, but that by itself will not make you a better Catholic. Here are 15 simple acts of CHARITY which are healthy and concrete manifestations of love:
1. Smile, a Christian is always cheerful!
2. Always say “thank you”, (even though you don’t “need to do it)
3. Remind “those you live with of how much you love them.
4. Greet with joy and happiness the people you see every day.
5. Listen to each other’s story, without judgment, with love.
6. Stop to help. Be aware of who needs you.
7. Cheer someone up.
8. Recognize each other’s successes and qualities.
9. Separate what you don’t use and give it to the needy.
10. Help someone so that he or she can rest.
11. Correct with love; and don’t stay mute out of fear.
12. Be delicate with those close to you.
13. Clean up what you’ve dirtied at home.
14. Help others to overcome their obstacles and challenges.
15. Call your parents.
PRAYER: How good to pray to God who is in Heaven, and how nice to devote more time to this conversation – this encounter! – with a God we cannot see. But we need not forget that perhaps a form of PRAYER that God asks of us in this Lent would be to find and talk to Him present in those who are:
-outside of my circle of friends
-those who have been pushed away because they are “different”
-those who are frustrated, suffering or sad and needing a friendly face
-those who have erred and offended me in some way and who now need reconciliation
-those who are weaker than me
-those who have ideas, race, age, sex, profession, beliefs, dreams, social situation, finances, and attitudes different from me
We remember that Lent is the time of “new chances” (new possibilities)... This is God’s invitation to us through the prophet Joel in the first reading — to return to him; now is the “acceptable time” that St Paul speaks of in today’s second reading; and we are invited to live this special time of new possibilities with happiness and careful attention, as Jesus reminded us in the Gospel.
To accept this new chance, we need to live a conversion of heart (with a new attitude and posture; a new way of seeing, understanding, and acting). 40 days to grow and renew ourselves for our mission.
What do you choose in order to truly live FASTING? CHARITY? PRAYER?
Lord, we ask you – as in today’s psalm – mercy, for we are all sinners. Create in us hearts that are pure, give us determination and positive attitudes, confirm in us a generous spirit, and give us joy. Amen
Hallow Holy Day Package
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Share this document with anyone who has questions about the Hallow Holy Day Package and/or how to register. Thank you!
What’s included in a Hallow Holy Day Package?
Access to Hallow subscription
All parishioners will have the opportunity to access all 10,000+ prayers and meditations until Easter.
Yes payment info is needed for the $1 Subscription
Support team: support@hallow.com
Access to Hallow’s Parish Success team during business hours, as well as the 24/7 customer service team for individual parishioner account needs.
Will I auto renew? Will I be charged on Easter Sunday?
Yes you will auto renew into a 20% discounted 12 month Subscription on Easter Sunday at 11:59 Pm Mountain Time 4/1/24
To prevent this please after paying for your $1 HDP Subscription, go ahead and cancel your subscription. You can cancel anytime before Easter to avoid being charged (and you will still maintain access until 4/1/24) Please scroll to the bottom of this help article for assistance in canceling a Web Subscription Cancel My Subscription.
How can parishioners sign up?
Start on the Registration Page: hallow.com/holyday
Type in the name or address of your parish
Follow the instructions on the screen
Download the Hallow app from the app store
Log in with the same email address and password you used to create your account on the registration page (do not click Google/Apple/Phone!!)
What if I already have a free Hallow Account?
Start on the Registration Page: hallow.com/holyday
Type in the name or address of your parish
Choose the last option “Already have an account? Log in.”
Log in using your current email address and password
Getting a password error? hdp-forgot pass
Click this link to reset password: https://hallow.com/portal/#/forgotpass
Follow the instructions and reset your password.
Go back to hallow.com/holyday, click “Already have an account? Log in.” and follow the prompts on the screen. Make sure you log into the app using the same email/password combination you set up!
What if I already have a paid Hallow account?
That’s great! You can opt into the parish offer at the end of your current subscription, we cannot cancel/refund a partial subscription.
Who is eligible to set up an account in the parish?
Parishioners and staff at the parish are eligible to set up an account.
What happens after Easter?
You will maintain access to all of the permanently free content within Hallow.
If you choose to continue with your full subscription to Hallow, you will receive information from the Hallow team on how to do that and will input payment details accordingly.
TAIZE Prayer Service
Prayer in Song, Word and Silence; Wednesdays during Lent.
Beginning Wednesday, February 21st at 6:30pm and every Wednesday throughout Lent at St. Dorothy Church
ALL ARE WELCOME!
For more information please
see Fr Chris or Joe Tardif
Our parish will be offering a five week Lenten Faith Sharing / Bible Study program that will run through Lent. Small groups will meet once a week for five weeks, focusing on the kerygma, the basic proclamation of the Gospel, and culminate with a deepening of our commitment to Jesus Christ and his Gospel.
Join Deacon Fred O'Brien and others in fellowship as we walk together with Our Lord this Lenten season. Jesus is inviting you to share yourself as a gift within His body and to receive his blessings that will be poured out through his body, the People of God.
If interested please send an email to Deacon O'Brien at: Deaconfred@parishofthetransfiguration.org with your name and contact information or call him at 978-382-7935.
For the Month of November the Women’s Club will be collecting new socks for Helpis (Help me help someone, Inc.)
HMHS is a social Network that promotes and encourages kind and charitable deeds. One of the many different things they do is to collect socks for the homeless, children in hospitals and shelters, veterans etc, the list is endless. They are in need of all size socks for both male and female. Any way you could help support this organization would be gratefully appreciated. Thank you in advance.
There will be boxes at the back of each church and the CCD office where you will be able to leave the socks. If you have any questions feel free to call Kathy Catanzano @ 978-658-9189 or Diane Ward 978-658-5697
A CORI FORM must be completed EVERY YEAR BY ALL VOLUNTEERS, The new year began July 1, 2023 and will continue through June 30, 2024
NEW (FY) 24 CORI FORMS are available in the sacristy of both churches and at the Parish Office.
A Code of Conduct will be given to All New volunteers when the Cori is returned to be verified.
Again all volunteers must complete a CORI background screening prior to beginning ministry and annually after that.
All Adult Volunteers who may be around youth, including all those in worship ministry, must complete a Protecting God’s Children training. This is a one time training. If you have never attending one you must do so to continue your ministry.
A Class will be held AFTER THE 9:00AM MASS Wednesday, Sept 6th in The Downstairs of St. Dorothy Church.
There is a sign up sheet in the back of the Church or sign up by going to the www.VIRTUSonline.org
Any questions please call the Offices
Faith Formation Registration is now open for 2023-2024. You can find the registration form/link on our website: parishofthetransfiguration.org, click the Faith formation tab. We also offer an adaptive faith formation class for students that need more assistance in the classroom. We also offer a heritage faith formation session class for students that have missed 1 or more years of faith formation and would like to return. If you have any question please email jeaniep@parishofthetransfiguration.org or call 978-658-6040.
Looking for spiritual help and support from addiction? Click here to learn more.
SATURDAY MORNING MEN'S PRAYER GROUP MEETING. Click here to learn more.
CATHOLIC TV DAILY AND SUNDAY MASS
Cardinal Seán encourages Catholics to participate in the daily and Sunday Masses broadcast from the CatholicTV chapel.
Viewers can watch these Masses on demand at any time at www.WatchtheMass.com. For more information about CatholicTV and where you can watch it, visit http://www.catholictv.org/.
WCTV also publishes Mass from the Parish of theTransfiguration at 9:15am and 2:45pm on channels Comcast 6 and Verizon 39 and at 10:30am on channels Comcast 9 and Verizon 37. These times are all on Sunday, and the Mass continues to be one week behind
Forgive us for the war, Lord. Lord Jesus, son of God, have mercy on us sinners. Lord Jesus, born under the bombs of Kyiv, have mercy on us. Lord Jesus, dead in the arms of a mother in Kharkiv, have mercy on us. Lord Jesus, in the 20-year-olds sent to the frontline, have mercy on us. Lord Jesus, who continues to see hands armed with weapons under the shadow of the cross, forgive us, Lord. Forgive us if, not content with the nails with which we pierced your hand, we continue to drink from the blood of the dead torn apart by weapons. Forgive us if these hands that you had created to protect have been turned into instruments of death. Forgive us, Lord, if we continue to kill our brother. Forgive us, Lord, if we continue to kill our brother, if we continue like Cain to take the stones from our field to kill Abel. Forgive us if we go out of our way to justify cruelty, if, in our pain, we legitimize the cruelty of our actions. Forgive us the war, Lord. Lord Jesus Christ, son of God, we implore you to stop the hand of Cain, enlighten our conscience, let not our will be done, do not abandon us to our own doing. Stop us, Lord, stop us, and when you have stopped the hand of Cain, take care of him also. He is our brother. O Lord, stop the violence. Stop us, Lord. Amen. Pope Francis
Main Office
Faith Formation Office
126 Middlesex Ave, Wilmington, MA, United States