Fifth Sunday of Lent From the Rector Very Rev. Joseph Tizio, C.Ss.R. Back in September, when Pope Francis was in Philadelphia for the World Meeting of Families, one of his strongest themes was what he called “the culture of the temporary”. He spoke of how our culture is a temporary culture, things become obsolete quickly, we either throw them out or we trade them in for the latest technology. While this might be fine when seeking a cell phone or a computer, it is not fine when it comes to relationships and the spiritual life. The culture of the temporary views everything and everyone as temporary; relationships can be discarded and replaced just as easily as your cell phone. It means that lifelong commitments are no longer acceptable since everything and everyone is temporary. I remember watching a marriage scene in a television show in which a couple promised to remain faithful “for as long as we both shall love each other.” Each Lent we are reminded that Christ loved us even to dying on the cross. His commitment to us was total, until the very end. We are reminded each Lent that God is the God of the covenant, the God who remains faithful to us even when we are unfaithful and sin. We worship a God whose commitment to us is eternal and unending. Christ has promised to be with us “until the end of the world.” The most important thing we can do during these final days of Lent is to renew our commitment to follow Jesus Christ. In the second reading today St. Paul writes: “I consider everything as loss because of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord…” Those are words of total commitment! In the culture of the temporary, we proclaim commitment, a lifelong commitment to Christ, to the Church, and to the Gospel. Our commitment extends to our parish community as we struggle to work together in good times and in difficult times. May we each be renewed and strengthened in our commitment to Christ during these final days of Lent! March 13, 2016 Staffed by The Redemptorists Weekday Masses 7:00am and 12:10pm Saturday Masses 8:00am and 12:10pm Vigil: 4:00pm, 7:00pm (Haitian) Sunday Masses 9:00am,12:30pm, 5:00pm 11:00am (Spanish) Sacrament of Penance Monday-Saturday at 11:50am Saturday 3:30pm Wednesday Novena Service 12:10pm, 5:30pm, 6:30pm (Spanish) Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament Wednesday 8:00am to 5:00pm Friday 8:00am to Noon Mar 12 8:00am 12:10pm 4:00pm 7:00pm Mar 13 9:00am 11:00am 5:00pm Mar 14 7:00am 12:10pm Mar 15 7:00am 12:10pm Mar 16 7:00am 12:10pm 6:30pm Mar 17 7:00am 12:10pm Mar 18 7:00am 12:10pm Mar 19 8:00am 12:10pm 4:00pm 7:00pm MASS INTENTIONS FROM THE RECTOR Saturday +Bridie O’Donaughue Shrine Members Living/Deceased +Robert M. Norton Purgatorian Society En Español Sunday Shrine Members Hector Jimenez +Andres Hernandez +Herminio Torres Jhonsonn Pierre Ritau Jamar Pierre Louis Monday +Willie Lu Shrine Members Tuesday TV Novena Donors +Martha Kreckler Wednesday +Elias Leon +Thomas B. Leonard Purgatorian Society Thursday +Raquel Roldan +James Tunney, Sr. & James Tunney, Jr. Friday Restoration Donors +Cindy Cobb Puckett Saturday Kathleen Rodriguez Joseph Chong Shrine and Purgatorian Members Dean Martin and Bryan Douyon +George Mars En septiembre, cuando el Papa Francisco estaba en Filadelfia para el Encuentro Mundial de las Familias, uno de sus temas más fuertes fue lo que él llamó “la cultura de lo provisional”. Habló de cómo nuestra cultura es una cultura temporal, las cosas se vuelven obsoletas rápidamente, nos deshacemos de ellas o las cambiamos por la última tecnología. Mientras que esto puede estar bien cuando buscamos un teléfono celular o una computadora, no está bien cuando se trata de relaciones y de la vida espiritual. La cultura de lo provisional ve todo y todos como temporales; las relaciones pueden ser desechadas y reemplazadas con tanta facilidad como su teléfono celular. Esto significa que compromisos de toda la vida no son aceptables porque todo y todos son temporales. Recuerdo haber visto una escena de una boda en un programa de televisión en que la pareja se comprometió a seguir siendo fiel “durante el tiempo que nos amaremos el uno al otro”. Cada Cuaresma nos recuerda que Cristo nos ha amado hasta morir en la cruz. Su compromiso con nosotros fue total, hasta el final. Cada Cuaresma nos recuerda que Dios es el Dios de la Alianza, el Dios que se mantiene fiel a nosotros, incluso cuando nosotros somos infieles y pecamos. Adoramos a un Dios cuyo compromiso con nosotros es eterno e interminable. Cristo prometió estar con nosotros “hasta el fin del mundo.” Lo más importante que podemos hacer durante estos últimos días de la Cuaresma es renovar nuestro compromiso de seguir a Jesucristo. En la segunda lectura de hoy San Pablo escribe: “Lo considero todo sin valor a causa de Cristo Jesús, mi Señor ...” ¡Esas son palabras de un compromiso total! En la cultura de lo provisional proclamamos un compromiso, un compromiso de toda la vida a Cristo, a la Iglesia y al Evangelio. Nuestro compromiso se extiende a nuestra comunidad parroquial en nuestra lucha por trabajar juntos en los momentos buenos y difíciles. ¡Que cada uno de nosotros sea renovado y fortalecido en nuestro compromiso con Cristo durante estos últimos días de la Cuaresma! Automated Giving with ParishPay Help strengthen stewardship at the Basilica through automated giving. We request that you consider utilizing a new and easier way to support our parish. In lieu of weekly collections, the ParishPay program will withdraw a once a month contribution from your checking, savings, or credit card accounts. There is no cost to partipcate in the program and it is safe and secure. To sign up, please visit the Rectory Office or register online: www.parishpay.com Support the Appeal Last weekend, Catholics across the Archdiocese were invited to pledge their support to the ministries funded by the Catholic Appeal. Our parish directly benefits from the 50 ministries supported by the Appeal and your gift will help us reach our 2016 goal of $25,400. Reaching and exceeding our goal also helps provide additional financial support for the Basilica. If you were unable to make your pledge at Mass, please take a pledge form from the back of the church or pledge online. Thank you for your prayers for a successful Catholic Appeal. www.bostoncatholicappeal.org NEWS & EVENTS Our Complete Lent Schedule is Available Online www.bostonsbasilica.com/lent Mission March Madness Come watch the Saints (Mission Grammar Teachers and Friends) take on the World Famous Harlem Wizards! Thursday, March 31, 2016 - 7:00pm Emmanuel College, Jean Yawkey Center Gymnasium 400 The Fenway, Boston, MA, 02115 By your tickets online: Student tickets: $8 advance / $10 at the door General admission: $10 advance / $12 at the door www.harlemwizards.com Volunteer Opportunity On Holy Thursday this year, we will do something different. We will invite all those present to participate in the washing of the feet as a beautiful expression of faith and unity. However, to do this we will need volunteers to help with this beautiful ritual. If you would like to volunteer to assist, we will have a rehearsal on Tuesday, March 22nd at 7:00 pm in the church. Please let the front office know if you would like to help or email info@bostonsbasilica.com El Jueves Santo de este año, vamos a hacer algo diferente. Invitaremos a todos los presentes a participar en el lavado de los pies como una hermosa expresión de la fe y de la unidad. Sin embargo, para ello necesitaremos voluntarios para ayudar con este hermoso ritual. Si desean ser voluntarios, tendremos un ensayo el martes, 22 de marzo a las 7:00 p.m. en la iglesia. Por favor, avisen la oficina parroquial si le gustaría ayudar. Lenten Fish Dinner Friday, March 18, 2016 5:00pm-7:30pm Our annual fish dinner will be held in the Parish Center. The cost is $10 for adults and $5 for children (12 and under). To make reservations, call 617-4452600. Reservations will be taken until Monday, March 14th. Easter Flowers and Cards Donation envelopes for Easter flowers are located at the back of the church and ensure that the altar is decorated beautifully for Easter Sunday. Share the Basilica with friends and family this Easter by sending a Novena card. Names and intentions will be remembered in a Novena of 9 Masses beginning Easter Sunday. Cards are available for $3 each or quantity discounts of 5 for $10 and 10 for $15. 1545 Tremont Street • Boston, MA 02120 www.bostonsbasilica.com 617-445-2600 Rector/Pastor Very Rev. Joseph Tizio, C.Ss.R. Parochial Vicars Rev. Robert Lennon, C.Ss.R. Rev. Francis Sullivan, C.Ss.R. Rev. John Furey, C.Ss.R. Rev. John Lavin, C.Ss.R. Rev. Philip Dabney, C.Ss.R. Rev. Pierre Desruisseaux, C.Ss.R. Director of Students Rev. Denis Sweeney, C.Ss.R. Religious Education Coordinator Br. Michael Cunningham, C.Ss.R. 617-516-0380 Healing and Restoration Ministry Office: 617-442-2008 Prayer Line: 617-442-3938 Society of St. Vincent DePaul Office: 347-776-0371 E-mail: info@svdpmissionchurch.org Our Lady of Perpetual Help Prayer Groups English - Mondays, 6:30pm in Parish Center Spanish - Mondays, 7:00pm in the Church Our Lady of Perpetual Help Mission Grammar School 94 St. Alphonsus Street • 617-442-2660 Principal: Mrs. Ali Dutson